All Moved in to Cooley

Life has been crazy..Life has been busy...Life is always changing....

We headed for Ann Arbor yesterday morning along with the Cory's to move Mary and Brandon to college.  I am so glad that we were able to move together as it eases the load on everyone, well, the guys still had it harder as they move the heavy stuff.  The traffic in Ann Arbor was horrible. I hope that Jeff is here the next time! Cars everywhere, no one moving, people crossing the streets in front of you and moving behind a dumpster for a fire truck! Matthew and I parked the van in the parking garage and walked over to help Brandon move to his 3rd floor room.  There were no helpers in sight, so we just hauled stuff up the stairs.  It didn't help when one of his boxes broke while he was carrying it!  Then Jim and Brandon hauled a love seat up those three flights..what a workout! Then we were off to find Mary's room, same building, E Quad, but in a different house, Cooley House.  They are all connected and you could get lost if you don't follow the signs.  There are two stairwells, one goes to the outside the other ones don't, go down the wrong one and you are in for a surprise. Mary's room is on the first floor and had a very nice view. The bathroom is in close proximity.   Since she has a single room  to herself, we decided how to put the furniture before unloading.  First of all, I had to got get the van and drive in the traffic again!  I ended up pulling up onto the  grass just yards from the front door of  the building.  It was in the shade and we even had some helpers..the move in makers and a few nice guys who offered their services. The move in makers bring a big bin on wheels so you can put your boxes and stuff in it and they will roll it up to your room.  Brandon helped them while the rest of us took some bigger stuff in. The rest of us along with the nice guys hauled in things like the cello and fridge.  Jim, Brandon and Matthew hauled the heavy love seat recliner into her room.  Boy I as sure they were glad her  room is on the first floor! Consequently, her room is pretty crowded since she wanted her bed on the floor, not up on the other furniture, or lofted.  I spent time putting her clothes away and she set up her desk.  Then we went over to Brandon's room and helped him move in to his room.  He has the same single room and kept things the same as last year.

We did get a chance to eat a few times to keep up  with the dehydration of a hot muggy day and lots of moving and cleaning.  Had some good Chinese food right for lunch and Cottage Inn pizza for a late dinner. I love Cottage Inn~Mmm.

Of course we had to go shopping for a few needed things and some groceries.  Coax cable, extension cords and things to prepare and eat in her room like cereal, pop tarts spagetti o's and easy mac. I am sure she can't wait to use her microwave!

Today we will go over and see if she wants to rearrange her room and maybe have some lunch.  Mary has a job interview this afternoon for a position in the theatre department.  That would be awesome!  Tonight I will be going to Dearborn to visit a friend and have some dinner.  Maybe we can find time to use the pool here at the hotel!

Tomorrow we will he head back to Greenville, pick up Sammy and then go to Holland and switch back our cars.  She gets the van back and I get my Prius back.  We hope to have dinner together.

Before all this moving happened we had some fun times!

• Mary and Brandon went trout fishing together, had fun but had to throw their fish back, none of them reached the ten inch requirement.  When they got home we enjoyed a yakimondue and rice meal. Yum.
• Friday Mary's friend came over and they made some cookies and cream ice cream. It took a while, but in the end very delicious.  She and her friend went out to eat and shop while Matthew and I went to the first GHS football game. We won 42-7!  It was so crowded though.  I think sitting on the hill by the band is a good place. You can hear the music and have  a good view of the action. Matthew's friend made a 40 yard return run.  Hooray!  The night ended with a great game of Apples to Apples with friends.
• Sarah came home on Saturday for several hours and we went to a going away party and a birthday party. Both were very nice.  Of course the original car switch took place and I waved goodbye to my Prius for a week.  It is always nice to have Sarah home. Mary worked her last shift at McDonalds.
• Sunday service went well, I had a few mix-ups but recovered pretty well.  It really doesn't help when you start playing a song on the wrong keys!  Sunday evening Brandon, Mary and I went to see the piano that our church was giving to a good home.  It is in pretty good shape and he even tuned a few strings to make a nice barbershop scale.  I bought a tuning kit as I am thinking of changing careers. Can't find a job in nursing, so naturally I am thinking of doing something with music.  The three of us went up to the loft and played the organ and had fun singing hymns together.
• Monday was my work day..8 hours with little Hailey.  The day was uneventful, but tiring as always. Mary spent the day with Brandon and had a fish fry dinner with his family.  Matthew and I got a pizza.
• Tuesday we packed the van, Mary bought a desk chair and covered it, bought some things on her college list and made chicken crescents for dinner.  Matthew worked three hours on Monday and Tuesday. To make her last day a home a fun one, we played three games of CLUE, all won by Matthew, and watched TV together.  We had a lot of fun and laughs.  

Of course, I am still trying to move back into my room.  It sure is a lot of work and can be overwhelming. It is getting there and I sure hope all done by the time Jeff gets home next weekend.  He is doing fine in Miami and busy watching the hurricanes in the tropics.  For now there is no real threat, but next week according to my favorite weatherman, the weather is ominous.

That is all for now.  Took a few pictures that I can't post until I get home.  Next week Matthew starts his Junior year of high school and we will be back to a NEW routine, one with a household of three, Mom, Dad and Matt.

Life is changing...my kids are growing up....what a joyful adventure!

Gracie

PS- I posted a link for 2010 Football Frenzy for all those who signed up for our football picks this season.