Time goes by...

The packers and all our stuff are gone, Mom is safely home and all that's left to paint in the house we are leaving are the closets. Our household goods have arrived at their destination, Mom is exhausted from the long trip home, but happy to be there, and there is so much to do I think we may have to come back after we settle on the new house. Oh, well. The best laid plans of mice and men...

Tom is off to the clinic for his final physical and I am waiting for the termite inspector. We want to arrange for a 'termite bond' to protect this house in termite country. I need to contact the bank that has the checking account for the Spouse's Group--since I am leaving we need to transfer check card abilitites to someone else. The bank says both people on the account need to be present--and the other person fell yesterday and dislocated her elbow! She is excused from work for the rest of the week, so going in for this isn't going to happen. The rental agent needs a key. I also have to go pay the water bill as it is due tomorrow and I paid it, yet. Perhaps I can figure out how to do that online?

So, lots to do and I am off to do it.

Rough Week

I won't take too much time to write everything out, but since Tom's retirement ceremony, we have been exceedingly busy. Folks who know us are aware that Mom ended up in the hospital while visiting for the ceremony, so I have been driving the hour + to the hospital daily. Tom has been trying to get things done at the theatre and we have had movers at the house for three days now. Good times.

Mom is improving slowly, the movers are almost done and the set is coming along. We hope to be 'home' at the end of next week! Woohoo!

It's Official! ***updated*** again!

Got this from Jodi tonight--pictures are hers, too.

Engaged on September 2, 2008
Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
Evening time Roof Terrace, overlooking D.C.


Some friends and family have called my ring the 'Eiffel Tower Ring'... I suppose there are some similartities, at least to the bottom half.

The Happy Couple

The Ring

For Comparison's sake....

I'm told he got down on one knee, choked up as he asked (knowing full well she would say 'yes') and she cried tears of joy. And I got all misty-eyed when I heard about it--both times.

T.J. has been in love with Jodi for some time and I know she makes him happy. I hope their life together is always as happy as they feel right now, and that Jodi never has reason to roll her eyes at her mother-in-law. (Hey, I dream big.)

I told Jodi I was looking forward to making her a full-fledged member of the family. She says she is looking forward to it, too. Poor girl has no idea what she's getting into... ;)

***update***

I have received several congratulatory emails to include:

from Uncle Rob:

WOW that's great news - congratulations to everyone!

from Aunt Cathy:

We figured they would be next. We all love Jodi and think she is a wonderful girl. They make a cute couple... Well, congratulations! I love the ring and it does resemble the Eiffel Tower. Who would ever think our sons could be so romantic? John proposed in the boat at sunset in Ocean City. He got down on one knee, too.

from Aunt Linda:

I'm soooooooooooo excited about Jodi and T.J.! What fun!

from Aunt Laura:

Thanks for sending the great news. He's a special guy!

from cousin Lynn:

Hey there - just read your blog. Congratulations to everyone! :)

from my friend Susan:

I am happy for you. Congratulations. It is good being a mother-in-law! Your son reminds me of your Dad.

from my cousin Gerry:

Congratulations! Are we getting old or what? (perhaps you are getting older, Gerry. I am getting better! ;) ) They look like a cute couple.

from my cousin Mary:

thanks for the update. they both look really happy. let's face it.... we'll are getting better.

from my friend Gena:

Congrats!!! I know you are excited.

from my friend Ivana:

congratulations for TJ! Really a nice couple.

from my friend Henriette:

Congratulations Joanny and Tom and of course Tom Jr. and his girlfriend. Iam happy for you.

from my friend Geraldine:

That is the best news, I have had in a long time! Please, send our very best wishes to the happy couple, and you will be a grand Mother in Law! I am so happy for your news, I know to some extent to how you are feeling, as I was bursting when Kirsty walked on the stage to receive her Degree!

Today I learned...

...more about septic systems than I ever really wanted to know. Woot!

Since we got back...

...I have felt overwhelmed with all I have to do. Tom asked me to make the phone calls to arrange for different entities at the base to come and give a 'pre-deployment briefing' to the spouses at the Squadron Farewell Picnic being held on Wednesday. That means I had yesterday to catch up with these people and ask to be put on their schedules for the very next day. Do you know every single one agreed? I expected to hear that it was the last minute and we sure had a nerve waiting so long and expecting miracles, but that did not happen at all. We had people there from the Airman and Family Readiness Center, from the Chapel, from Mental Health and from the Family and Life Counseling Office. All that, and ONE spouse came....I guess a Wednesday afternoon is not the best time to get folks to come to the base for a briefing, even if it is couched with a picnic.

While I was making those phone calls, I completely forgot to make the calls regarding our upcoming move. I did some of that today. I still have to call the insurance company and the Property Management people...and I have two doctors' appointments tomorrow, I need to get an oil change for my car, and the play at the theatre opens tomorrow evening.

Speaking of the play, we were reviewed tonight. I sure hope the reviewer liked it. It is a good show, although there were a few rough spots tonight. Fingers crossed!

Congratulations, Joey and Claire!

This past Sunday, Tom and I attended the wedding of his nephew Joey, and Claire. Joey and Claire have been a couple for a long time and the 'formalization' of their commitment was beautiful. The ceremony was held at the Castle at Maryvale--a nostalgic location for me because our Jen and her Jay were married there six (?) years ago in June.

We shared our dinner table with Tom's brother and two sisters and their spouses--the other brother lives in California and was unable to attend, and the other sister was Mother of the Groom and sat with the 'Bridal Party'. But I digress. I really enjoyed the time with all of them. We shared some silly stories and some laughs and it was a great evening.

So thanks, Joey and Claire--we had a great time at your wedding!