March 19, 2009

• Let the nesting begin!

  Hello all, it's Thursday around lunch time. I hope this finds you all doing well. It's Thursday so I am sure you are certainly feeling better than you were on Monday.

  Wow, it's been a great three days. I think I posted Monday evening. We picked Pops up at the airport and then had time to kill before my doctors appointment. We had lunch and just stopped in where ever we felt like it. We got to the doctor early and they took us back early. Everything is good, bp, weight, heart beat, all is as it should be. I start going every two weeks now. Also I have my third trimester glucose screen on the 26th. Not excited about that, it made me so sick last time, but it has to be done. After the doctors appointment we came home and hung out for a while before I cooked dinner. Pops and Tancy put the missing pieces on the crib... solving the mystery as to how the sides go down. LOL. Its amazing what you don't know when you don't know. Haha! It always makes me so happy when those two do things together... means alot to me. I made dinner, baked chicken with broccoli and cauliflower. It was pretty good. Cleaned the kitchen and parked it on the couch for a bit. I think we were all pretty tired from the day. I guess it was 8:00 - 9:00 when we all headed to bed.

  Tuesday I had some things I wanted to take Dad to see and some things I needed to do that I was glad he was here to do with me. First we headed out for the cigar store. I took him by the plant where Tancy works first. I am sure my tour guide skills aren't all that, but I wanted to show him where she was at. We still had some time to kill before the store we were going to opened, so we headed to Wal-Mart to look at crib mattresses. We found one that would fit, my crib is apparently a bit longer than most, and a changing pad as well. They were much cheaper at Wal-Mart than they would have been at Babies R Us. $60 for the two, the mattress alone would have cost twice that! I was so pleased with our find and we paid the lady and took our plunder to the car. Now it was time we head on to the Tinder Box, a cigar shop in South Park. It is in the middle of the lower level parking. It's a smaller place than where he goes in Baton Rouge, but I think it had some nice things just the same. He picked out some cigars for him and Tancy and got her a box to make a humidor. That tickled me to no end. I never, in a million years, would have expected such a wonderful relationship between my partner and my Dad. Just seemed too complicated and different... hell, I don't know that I ever expected it when I was married to be honest! Anyway, we got him a nice cigar lighter for his birthday present. It has a lifetime warranty and seems like a nice lighter to me. And hey, if he's gonna smoke cigars, he should have a nice lighter. Nothing like smoking a $7.00 cigar with a bar-b-que lighter! Haha.
  Anyway, we left there and headed out to get lunch. We ate at Chili's and could have both taken a nap by the time lunch was over. Instead we headed to Lowe's to get a screw for a piece on the crib and crib rail protectors (which they didn't have). We left there and went to Wal-Mart. (Yes we'd already been there once, but I needed some grocery items.) We picked up a few things, one of which was a formed pillow for Pops neck, since his shoulder has been screwed up those seem to really help him. We picked up some grocery items I needed and headed to the house. Pops packed in the mattress and changing pad for me and I put away the groceries. I tell ya, it seems silly, but just having the mattress in the crib makes it look so much different... and real. We sat on the couches trying not to fall asleep between then and when Tancy should be home. It wasn't long, thankfully, before she got home and we left out for dinner.
  We took him to El Paso, a place in Hickory that we recently found and LOVE! It was delicious. I dont think any of us left there hungry. Our only issue was the waiter, bless his heart, didn't speak much english and forgot our appetizer altogether. He kinda sucked... probably the owner. LOL! Nothing like a language barrier to make you wonder what you might be eating. Once we were adequately stuffed we went to Babies R Us. Since I hadn't been able to find the crib railing protectors anywhere else we decided to check there. I knew they would have them, just had been trying to avoid that trip. It's hard to leave out of there with only what you went for. They had the ones that are sections. Not what I wanted and it made me worry that they might slide and pinch her fingers. Tancy said the box said that they were made that way as to be dish washer safe. I like that idea! Then it was time to come home... finally. Tancy and Pops headed to the back deck for a beer and a cigar. I stayed outside with them for a while, but then wanted to just sit down, so I cleaned up the puppies paws (muddy from all the rain) and we headed inside. Another wonderful memory for me, looking out the back doors and seeing them out there talking and smoking cigars together. Unbelieveable. We were all tired. I think we pretty much went to bed shortly after they came inside... seems like it anyway. I know it didn't go exactly like that, but I know as soon as it was dark we were headed for bed!
  It was a great day, we talked alot and laughed and just enjoyed the silence too. It was comfortable and wonderful and everything I had hoped for. We had found our groove with each other (like Mom and I have found) and we both seemed comfortable there. My heart was full.

  Wednesday morning we had planned to go look at the nascar shops. Pops is a big nascar fan and we haven't ever really gone to check out the shops. The fog was terrible, so we left early and pottered around back roads. We got to Hendricks Motorsports first, this is the team he routes for. First we went to the gift shop/museum. It was pretty cool. They had alot of stuff in there. But from there we went next door to their shops. You get to see them in there working on the cars. You would NOT believe how many of each car they have in the shop! It was impressive, speaking as someone who is not a fan of nascar. They have two shops. One is Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson and the other is Dale Junior and Mark Martin (I think I got that right). The one for Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson was cool, but the one for Dale Junior and Mark Martin was awesome. We could have reached out and touched the mechanics. And both shops were sparkling clean. Again, not a fan, but very impressive! I would hate to be those guys behind the glass though... bet they feel like a bunch of monkeys at the zoo. Even though we probably looked more like monkeys. Haha!
  Dad had heard on the morning news that they were suppose to be doing something at the speedway, free to the public. So we asked the lady at the Dale Junior shop what was going on and she told us they were testing tires for the next race. That between 12 & 1 they would sign autographs and that if you had tickets for the May race you got to go to pit row (we of course did not have tickets). So, once we finished up at Hendricks we went to Lowe's Motor Speedway. That place is massive. We've been there before, for a job fair. But it has a completely different feel when you are there to see the cars.
  It was too foggy when we got there for the cars to be on the track. We hung out for a bit and figured that we had a little time so we picked up some lunch and headed back. By the time we got back they were running. You could hear them as soon as we stopped the car. Dad was tickled, I could tell. I was excited, just to get to share that with him and see him so excited. It was awesome already and we had only just gotten out of the car. When we got in they were running and man, the speed that those guys move around the track! Again, not a nascar fan, but when you see them cross the line with another car halfway around the track behind them and count seconds... and it takes 8 - 10 seconds to make it halfway around the track, they are bookin' it! They would get so close to the wall coming out of the last turn it made me cringe every time. They look like they are just sling shotted around the whole track when they come out of those turns. It is truly a sight to see. They stopped running right at noon, talked, signed autographs, did the whole publicity thing and by 1:00 they were running again. Amazing! No, I have not been recruited, but it was something else. Honestly, I could have hated it (which I did not) and it would have been totally worth it just to see how much Pops enjoyed it. It was clear that he could sit there as long as they were running and I was immediately thankful to who ever was watching over and made sure we heard the news that morning. Otherwise we would have been none the wiser and missed it altogether. We talked, we laughed, it was great!
  At 1:30 - 1:45 Pops decided it was time to leave, so we made our way home. I asked if he wanted to see any of the other shops or anything while we were out that direction, he said no, nothing else would compare. I had to agree. Now you tell me, how the hell am I going to keep that standard up next time he's here?! Haha! Just kidding, next time Lillie will be here and that will be plenty for him!
  We stopped to get the distilled water we had forgotten the day before for Tancy's make shift humidor. Then it was off to get Mom a 'prise. I took him back by (we had gone that morning, but the fog was so thick you couldn't see anything) this old farm house on a back road by the house that is just gorgeous, on our way back in to town. We picked up Mom's trinket and then home.
  I took tags off of baby clothes and we both just rested. It had been a full day and very exciting. Tancy was home before long and we left out again for dinner. This time we went to Linebergers for steak. Mine was delicious. I can't speak for anyone else, but it was tender and tasty. We talked and laughed during dinner. I just soaked it all up. No matter how hard I tried, at this point in the day, I was well aware that he would be gone soon... it was a sad thought. I wasn't ready. Seemed that the past few days had been so wonderful, nearly perfect (cause I don't believe in perfect). I had felt connected to my dad in a way I don't think I've ever felt before. Our conversations seemed easy and comfortable. I also felt like I had something in common with him... I have tended to feel like we don't have alot in common in the past. But this trip, this changed it all for me in a very positive way. I mean, don't get me wrong, our relationship has been truly great over the last 5+ years or so... this just made it even better. I just wish I had another day, or two, or three... lol.
  We came home and watched TV for a bit, every last one of us waiting for dark so we could go to bed without feeling bad about it. Haha! The last few days had kept us all busy and very tired at the end of the day. By 8:00 we were all in bed. Tancy was asleep almost instantly. Dad couldn't have been far behind because by 8:30 I could hear him snoring. It was a bit after 9:00 before I was asleep. Just a little to wound up from the day... and knowing that in the morning he'd be leaving.

  This morning we all got up around 5:00, like every other morning this week. I did the coffee, puppy thing like always and then got dressed. I got some laundry going and picked up a few things around the house. I asked Pops to put the crib rail protectors on for me. We had a little time to kill and I just wasn't ready for him to go yet. I wanted a few more moments to lock away as memories... what better than him helping me do something in Lillie's room? That's probably been one of my favorite things about him being here, him helping in Lillie's room, being a part of that process in his way. Living so far away has a great way of helping you appreciate soo much more than you might (might I said) have appreciated if you lived right next door. I do my best to soak up every second (blogging about it I continue to remember things that I go back and add... and it keeps it for my own future reference), to just take it all in and store it away for the times when I don't get to see them or share something with them. By the time we finished with that, it was pretty much time to take him to the airport. We stopped for gas, then for breakfast (to go). We talked all along the way. I was near tears at some points, happy for the last three days and sad that he was leaving. I have had many trips with Mom like this... but this was the first with Pops... so hard to let that go.
  Anyway, sorry, got a little emotional there... just not ready for him to go home yet.

  I keep telling myself I will see all of them in two weeks. I can't wait. I can't wait to see Mom, Casie, Marlie, Dad, Maw-Maw, Chuck, all of them! And I will have a few days with all of them. That makes me smile even now... I just want to process this before Tancy gets home so I am not a blubbering mess as soon as she hits the door. Haha!

  After leaving the airport I went to Lowe's and got some dry wall mud to fill the holes in the utility room and a few other things that I needed to get. I came home and opened all the blinds. I put up my dry erase board where I've wanted it. I started filling holes in the utility room walls. I stripped down the stroller and car seat that I got to take to Louisiana for Mom and Dad. I moved the laundry around and put those things on to wash. I wiped down every nook and cranny of the stroller and car seat with disinfectant wipes. I took the fabric off the bouncer Aunt Jan & DJ gave us to wash it. I pulled out the baby bedding to prepare it to be washed. I cut the non-slip material to put under the changing pad on the dresser. I picked up around the house. I've folded and put away two loads of clothes already. I've got the stroller/car seat material in the dryer and the baby bedding in the washer. Once the wash is done I'll pull the washer and dryer out so I can fill the holes in the wall behind them. Then that'll be done.

  I feel accomplished, but I wish my Pops were still here. I guess that will ease some... or maybe I'll just have to keep busy for a while. I think that's how I got the holes filled already! LOL.

  Well kids. I need to wrap this up. I am feeling pretty emotional and I think I have shared everything I can think of to share. You all know that I will post more if I remember more... but for now that's all I got. Tylor will bring our truck back this evening. I don't know what I will do tomorrow... I am sure though, that the real nesting has begun. I have taken tags off clothes, I am reddying the bedding, I will (after we get back from Louisiana) wash a load of baby clothes and put a cover on the changing pad. I will stack diapers in the diaper stacker and put diaper supplies in the portion of the dresser to be used as a changing table. I will get the room ready little by little between now and when she gets here. I know that the work I did for the last two weeks was prep of some sort, but this is nesting.

  Love to all!
  

  • 1:15 pm
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