My Turn! (and other stories...)

This may be a long post. If you want to go to the bathroom and/or get a drink and chips, I'll wait for you. Go ahead...

Ok, here we go. It has been a long week since I last posted, and a TON has happened...most of which has been stressful. It took a ton of work (all solo since Clarice is already abroad) to get the house and my stuff (crap) packed and in order. Ashley and Matt came over several times to begin moving her in, so at times it felt like we were going cross-purposes. No worries as we both got done what was needed.

Friday, my last day at LCB-USA, was sad, stressful, and complicated all at the same time. Many people were still trying to get me to do things as if I was not leaving, Tech was trying to rebuild my laptop (long story there...no time now), and I was trying to get as many loose ends wrapped up as I could, but my mind was focusing on all of the packing I needed to do before I left Saturday. Friday afternoon, while I was on the phone with my father-in-law (Jay), my dad called my cell. I didn't click over thinking I would call him back in a few minutes. Just as I hung up with Jay, Todd (the famous bro) called. What gives? My phone is now the main switchboard at Grand Central Station? I never get this many calls. Todd, just getting off the phone with dad as well, informed me that my Aunt Patty passed away Thursday evening. The viewing would be Sunday evening with the funeral on Monday morning. Ok, I'm coming to Ohio anyway, I'll pick up Todd (and 22 month old Everett) and go up to Akron Saturday evening. Wait, all of my nice clothes are vacuum sealed in my suitcases! Who cares? I loved my aunt, and I need to be there to support Uncle Jim and my cousins. (Turns out they were very understanding - and it wasn't about me anyway). I was up late...

Saturday morning I got up and met the storage manager at the storage garage we are renting. Got him paid for a full year, went to North Webster to get 1) a new lock, 2) a check for the storage place (who doesn't take debit cards???), 3) stabil for the gas tanks and 4) something cold to drink. Then, at 8:30 on the dot, Scott showed up. He was kind enough to get up early on a Saturday and chauffer me over to the rental car place...who didn't open until 9:00. Poor guy sat with me while the attendant showed up and got ready to open. Scott - I owe you big time. Go ahead and print this out for future use against me! :-)

After I got the car, I headed back to the house thinking I could finish the last bits of prep, say goodbye to the house and cats, and make it over to the church in time to help prep for the college open house that was supposed to start at 11:00. Yeah...that didn't happen. Around 11:30, when I was finally loaded and the house was locked, I left for the church only to arrive at the same time as the guests. The college open house was a ton of fun and all of the graduates were able to attend at least for a while if they did not stay and eat. Good times, and a rockin' send off were had by all. At 12:30, without stopping to help clean up (sorry Jim, Pam and Jana) I split on my grand journey.

I got a new Ipod transmitter so I could listen during the many hours in the car. I had one before, but it broke. I was going to get a new stereo for the truck that I could plug it directly in to, but then we decided we were moving to Australia. I listen to ESPN Radio most of the time anyway. Me and tunes for an uneventful 3 hours. Well, until I was almost there, but had a "potty emergency" in Marysville. Big "shout out" to the local service station that was kind enough to let me use their non-public restroom. The rental company would not have liked cleaning that car! :-)

When I got here Saturday, Toad (Todd) informed me plans had changed and we were going to drive up Sunday afternoon while Everett took his nap. Marliese had to work Sunday night so she was not able to attend. She also got Monday "off" Everett duty - so that was a bonus for her. Insert sleep here.

Sunday morning we got up and I played with the boy. Much fun! I'm going to really miss the stinker! Pause while I wipe the tears... OK, I'm back. We drove up in the rental car (I extended it a day so we would not put the miles on Todd's ride) and Everett slept most of the way. Changed clothes at "Mom's Bed and Breakfast" and the four of us went to the viewing. It was very nice, and well attended - as you would expect if you knew Patty. I stood out in my jeans and polo while everyone else looked very snazzy and respectful, and I felt terrible about that, but no one cared. I got to visit with a lot of family (including the "old man") who I did not expect to see. I was watching Everett when he found a piano and started"playing". It made me think of when we were so much younger and went to Patty and Jim's. I used to "play" their piano all the time. I didn't stop him - just made him play softer. No one seemed to notice, and I was enjoying the memories. We stayed until the funeral home kicked us out, then we went home for pizza and a movie. (Sorry, Clarice. You missed Pizza Hut!). Todd hooked up the DVD player they had gotten mom for Christmas and we watched The Knight's Tale that we got her for the same Christmas. Better late than never, I guess. Also a great movie...

Monday morning Todd and I, after leaving Everett with grandma and stopping at Dunkin' Donuts, we trekked to the funeral home. From there we caravaned to the church and enjoyed a very nice service. Then we went to the grave-side ceremony, and finally back to the church for a luncheon put on by the church. It was a beautiful day to celebrate a beautiful woman. Some people went over to grandma Nist's, but Todd and I had to get the boy and head back to Columbus. He a cranky when we started out, but after a quick detour to see grandma Clark before I left he seemed to chill out and wasn't too bad even though he didn't sleep a wink.

We got back to Columbus later in the day than we planned, but Todd helped me drop off the car at the airport, the only rental place still open. We came home, watched a bit of TV and went to bed very exhausted.

This morning I slept in. You would think that since I am going to spend my life in planes the next few days I wouldn't want to sleep until 11:00, but I needed it. Clarice called and woke me up (fine since I love her and she was calling from Australia, but I turned off the phone when we hung up). When I finally rolled out of bed, Todd was at work and Marliese had taken Everett out to run some errands. I watched TV that had been recorded the night before, then took a shower. By the time I was ready to start the day, M & E were back. I borrowed her car, went to the mall, bought 2 pairs of jeans and new Reef brand sandals (LOVE 'EM), then stopped at NTB to get her muffler replaced (it fell off Sunday night). Marliese felt bad that I sat there and got her car fixed, but I just called Clarice (nice time for both of us) and read magazines. Not a problem, and when were they going to do it?

And now I sit here, less than 12 hours from one of the greatest adventures of my life. I have every emotion you can imagine: excitement, fear, love, wonder, uncertainty, passion. Whatever happens in the next year will surely change my life.

Jon