I just finished trimming Paul's hair - it really needed it last week when it was over a hundred for days in a row. But it's done now, and I'm sure the highs will get right back up there again soon. After Bruce finishes giving Paul a bath I'll trim Bruce's hair too. My bangs may be next.
Bruce weeded the empty corn plot this morning and afternoon. We hope to have corn growing again soon, and I hope to be moved before the corn is ripe.
Yes, it looks like it's all go for Fresno this summer. Hard to believe; in fact, some days I don't really think we are, but I'm trying not to live by my feelings. Bruce finishes summer school teaching next week, and has only two classes left to do. One is a science class, taught by a man who has some classroom experience so he passes along really cool hands-on stuff to teach the kids. Bruce comes home saying, "Here, try this! It's really cool." The other is an online course, and I think it will be pretty straight-forward.
So now we're trying to sort out the best options about moving. Getting the house sold before we move would certainly involve the least amount of headache once we're already in Fresno. But we aren't really ready to put it on the market yet - still need to paint the back fence, paint the front of the house, get the back yard under control, fix some grout-needing spots in the master shower, and for all the rest, I just say, let's ask our realtor when she comes to look over the house...yeah, like she did two years ago when we thought
that was going to be the summer we'd move - but that's a completely different chapter.
Paul's school starts on August 18th, so before that we need to be somewhere stable enough that we can find everything we need to get out the door every morning.
We will probably be renting. From what I've heard, the renting market is favorable to those looking for a place, so that's encouraging. Once the car is fixed (it's in the shop because the AC is out - have I mentioned the days of over 100?) we need to drive up and take a look at houses and apartments. I'm thinking we'll need to find somewhere month-to-month, hoping that our Bakersfield house will sell, and once that's sold then we can look at finding something to buy.
Bruce and I both like the idea of finding something a little under-valued because it needs some fixing, but it's hard to see exactly how the fixing would work out in terms of time. The first year of teaching is pretty time-demanding, as I recall. But some things I could take care of on my own. I can do grout all by myself, as witness our lovely new-looking counters in the kitchen, and paint, especially if the kids are at school five mornings a week. But I don't trust myself with wiring at all. Bruce thinks anyone could do it, but I don't think so. I'm so glad he fixed a bad outlet in the kitchen. Not only could we not use the outlet itself - the only really handy one near open counter-top - it interrupted power to the under-the-cabinet lights (I don't know how I got along before Bruce put those in) and to the under-the-cabinet CD player - yes, I'm spoiled.
The kids have grand ideas about the new house. They have settled it between themselves that we should have a twisting-around staircase to go up to the upper story, and two slides to come down, and little wheeled stools at the bottom of the slides so that each of them can slide down and then roll right up to the breakfast table, where a robot will have food ready for them. I think Paul must be borrowing from "Wallace and Gromit and the Wrong Trousers." And they want to share a room, and both have bunk beds, so each child can have a friend sleep over.
At least they are excited about moving.
Paul has had a couple of weepy moments at the thought of leaving Bakersfield and friends here. I don't think either child is really worried that we won't bring their stuff - we've gone over than several times.
Well, tomorrow is another day. I expect laundry on the line, and Ruth swinging her little heart out (I'm so glad she finally got the hang of it!), and Bruce putting in corn, and then an adventure in the afternoon - we're going to ride the bus to a friend's birthday party. I've checked the schedule, and it looks pretty reasonable. We'll definitely need to bring snacks and water and books for the half-hour ride home when we've already had plenty of excitement. But it's only going to cost $3.60 for all three of us (me and the kids, since Bruce will already be at work) to go and come back. I'm sure that's got to be better than taking a taxi, and by far better than renting a car, even for the day.
Bruce needs to use the computer for his class, so I'm done for now. Cheerio and pip pip.
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