We arrived here in Camarillo yesterday. It was a great flight and the kids were great on the plane. We managed to find Mike at the airport with little trouble and made it to the car just fine. There we met the challenge of putting 5 people, 5 pieces of luggage and 4 carry-ons in an Audi A4. Picture this: 4 bellmen nay-sayers stand around watching me, a crabby redhead in heals determined to make them fit. And, by golly, we did it. Very cramped we continued to Hollywood, where Peter fell asleep with his head in my hands....my kids NEVER sleep in the car.
After a much needed stop for lunch, we descended upon the city and entered our new home. The kids were hilarious. We got it all on video. Peter was doing laps around the house in no time. I have never seen him so wound up. They especially loved the closet under the stairs and the fruit trees. Lily and I picked an orange ate it. It was the juiciest orange I have ever tasted. They also went out with Auntie Lissa to pick a plum and came back with ten. It was hilarious....we had to have a talk about picking. The house was and is beautiful!
After exploring the house, off to the grocery store we went....and the dry cleaner...and the corner farm stand. The kids were exhausted. We ate dinner on paper plates & plastic silverware. We were really grateful for the furniture the owner had left behind. We had a table, bar stools, a bed, etc. It was much better than nothing.
In the meantime, Mike had tried contacting the movers with our stuff to no avail... They were suppose to contact us when our stuff was en route from Chicago. Still, no call. This is not surprising, being that we never heard from them on pick up either. So, at this point we are thinking that the 4 to 15 day window really means 15 days. So, we quickly realized that we had to make good use of the one bed we had, not to mention 3 pillows, 3 blankets, 2 sheets, and 3 towls. Thankfully, Mike was here for a month previous, so he had some living materials here. So we were camping in our own house.
Later that night we took the kids to the beach for the first time. I swear Peter would just walk into the ocean and never return if we would let him. We walked in the waves for a while. We saw a seal, a surfer, and some pelicans in flying formation. The waves were really big. Lily did her normal collecting of shells and rocks. Peter kicked sand and drenched himself. They were filthy by the time we left. A good first trip to the beach.
Upon returning from the beach, the kids took a bath in the swimming pool in our bathroom. It was tough to get them out. They settled in Auntie Lissa's bed and Lily began to cry. She wanted her toys....her Natalie...so she cried about missing her toys... The moving van could not come sooner. Overtired, they fell asleep.
Mike, Alyssa and I went out to sit in the hot tub from there. It was great. The stars are so bright here...and being on the golf course, it's so quiet. While sitting in the hot tub, I noticed an animal climbing on the ledge just 5 feet from us. At first I thought it was a cat, but after much examination, it was a possum!!!! It just sat and watch us, and we watched him. He was so tame. But off he went. And off we went to bed, the day being the longest day ever...
This morning I woke up and drove Mike to work. It's a beautiful drive....through lemon & avocado groves, cabbage & strawberry fields. After attempting to go shopping this morning, we returned home for a "vacation day." Being that we didn't have any unpacking to do, it feels much like a vacation. We laid around the house, getting to know the minor details (like there isn't a door to master bath, which has a see through shower), watching the hummingbirds, and listening to the kiss of the golf ball all day. The kids played in the hot tub, which was more like a mini pool to them, and we all took naps. Mostly we just looked out at the golf course all day.
Once a few years ago Jeff and Mike had let me ride in the back of their golf cart out on the Edinborough golf course, I was so jealous of people that played golf because they got to be in some of the most beautiful country ever. But being that I didn't play golf, I never could enjoy it. So now I can enjoy it. It's so beautiful.
After picking Mike up from work, we drove past Lily's school, and came home to grill! The grill worked great and it was just what the doctor ordered...that is, a relaxing family meal. After which, I took off and did my shopping in peace.
It's been a crazy last few days. I've had some trouble handling all this, but I am gradually letting go and loosening up. The van comes tomorrow morning, which will be nice. As my little sister says, I've just got to go with it. So I'm trying that for a while.
I think I'm going to be much more laid back in California.I don't think I can help but not be. It's so nice walking into my house and not stepping on kids that are taking off shoes. And letting the kids roam the house and play...unsupervised. And not running up the stair to go to the bathroom.... And having a room to go to to be alone. And having a closet to change in that isn't in plain view of the neighbor's window. And being able to send my kids to separate bedrooms. And not having carpet under my kitchen table. And not having food fall out of the refrigerator. And being able to take groceries in through the garage. And being able to lay on my empty living room floor. And having my own closet. I feel like all the weight on my back, literally, was lifted....Space....It should never be underestimated...like oxygen.
So, more vacation tomorrow. Good night from CA!
posted by Jenny at 10:09 PM |
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