Kate

For Pud's birthday, she sent me mail! My mailbox was officially christened. Which meant I could receive mail from Emmie, too! (Because Emmie is a good, religious girl who couldn't send mail to an un-christened mailbox.) Thank you, lovely ladies! You made me so happy! Also, Cyn, we definitely should get together. I'm 45 minutes closer to you now!

I like my apartment, but Manassas is loud. Purcellville was anything but loud. It takes some getting used to. I'm slowly but surely putting things in their places. Saturday I took four big lawn and leaf bags of clothes and two boxes of household items to Salvation Army. I have more to send them, but that was a good start.

( Another meme about me - am I vain or what? )

So, this weekend I didn't accomplish anything towards my goal of moving in three weeks. Go me. This means that frantic packing will ensue shortly. The frantic packing will be hindered by the necessary sorting of Things That Belong To Me and Things That Belong To James, combined with the Things I Really Should Have Mailed Ages Ago, Things That Salvation Army Will Get and Things That Not Even Salvation Army Would Want. Procrastination IS my life. Again, go me.

Along the same vein, maybe I can finish my dgficexchange fic tonight. Wouldn't that be handy? Thank God for the extension to June 1st because I would be seriously screwed if it hadn't been given.

Oh, and Mer needs a haircut and a pair of silvery shoes for prom - which is next Saturday. Also need to make her hair appointment now that I a timeline for her activities next weekend. Let's hope there is an available appointment somewhere. We are lucky that all the local proms are over and done with, and it's unlikely that anyone in our town will be attending the prom that Mer's going to since it's about an hour away. Hopefully that will translate into at least one available hairdresser.

I heard from my current landlord that he'll prorate our June rent since we're moving out before the end of the month AND I have a $160 credit, so that further reduces the money to be paid. I don't know what to expect as far as our security deposit. We could potentially get back all $2100, but that seems unlikely. So, my take will somewhere between $0-$1050. I need to get two windows re-screened and have the carpets professionally cleaned according to my lease. Boo for those expenses. Also, I need to reserve a box truck for the move weekend - and also my BIL's help and maybe Manny's too. James and I made one move all by ourselves and I literally cried before it was over. Not doing that again. Also, need to arrange for utilities at the new place. So many things! I hate moving!

I've discovered that the high school in our new school district is filled with MS-13 and other gangs. Joy of joys. So, Meredith will be homeschooled for the next year at least. I've found a correspondence school I like with reasonable fees, and will get her started as soon as we move. Hopefully this will allow her to catch up to where she is supposed to be in school. Keep your fingers crossed that she'll make the most of it.

James and I went to BIL's place yesterday. They had the couple from next door over, too, and we ate and chatted and played games until nearly 10:00. Lots of fun.

While we were over there it was mentioned that Sheridan, my nine year old niece who is finishing up the third grade, was told by her teacher that she's now reading at nearly an 11th grade level (10th grade + 9 months). *pats the little brainiac* This is not really a surprise to those of us who know her. This is the child who has been able to define 'financial freedom' since the age of two. "It's when your passive income exceeds your expenses." She's a trip.

That's all for now.