Technology Regression

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
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Ok, with getting rid of the computer and all (oh, the many, many last minute details!), this is very likely to be my last post until I'm back in the States & have access to my parents' computer. Also, not so likely to be able to check out your blogs and see what's up with y'all. Or do much email checking...

Dang, I feel so positively Stone Age!

For those of you I know personally, if you need to reach me in the US, I'll be with my parents through Friday of next week. They're the only ones with my distinctive maiden name in the lovely town of Fair Beaux (alternate spelling, you know), so you can look them up in the phone book if needed. Mr. Kluges should have our US cell phone, which is the same cell phone number that we had the last time we lived in MN. We should have somewhat ready access to our email (no change on that) once we're there, so that's an option, too.

Anyway, TTFN, I guess, and we'll see you on the flip side!

We're under a week!

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

Quick post on the fly. Posting will (continue) to be spotty to nonexistent as we are at the "under a week" mark! Busy, busy!

Took the time to have a date night last night though & I'm so glad we did. We wanted Pumpkin to have one last chance to see her babysitter, and we didn't mind the idea of some "just us two" time, either. Pumpkin was clingy & sad when we left, which was a first, so I think the move/change/stress might be rubbing off on her a bit, too. That, or she's getting sick, which wouldn't be good. Will probably bring her in to see the doctor today or tomorrow if she continues to seem not herself.

Other than that, we're at the "it's the last time we...." stage. So today is the last time Pumpkin and I go to the Planet, Tuesday will be Mr. Kluges's last day at the office here, Wednesday will be the last Gymboree class, etc.

Ok, gotta run and help Pumpkin with breakfast. Cheers to all!

A post NOT about moving!

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
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Ok, to keep this blog from turning into "movingsucks.blogspot.com," I'm shuffling it up a bit with a couple of pictures.

(Not that moving still doesn't kinda suck, but you know, I figure if I'm getting a little tired of writing about it, then you're all getting rather tired of reading about it. So a break is good!)

So here, due to popular demand (ok, maybe two requests in comments, but still...), is a picture of me and my belly. You'll note that Mr. Kluges left plenty of room in the photo for further expansion of the big ol' belly o' doom.

32 1/2 weeks

And here's a picture of Pumpkin I took after reading All Knowing Jen's post about her little one's new pigtails. It made me think about just how dang LONG Pumpkin's hair has gotten. Maybe I should renickname her as Rapunzel...

And in further news, Baby-on-the-way is a modest little thing. We went in for an ultrasound today to check for low-lying placenta (it's fine) and wanted to find out if Baby was going to be a boy or a girl. Well, Baby is rather modest, or shy, or is going to be contrary from pre-day-one, 'cuz his/her little foot was in the way. So, still a mystery.

So now we still need to figure out name options for either gender, plus figure out which of Pumpkin's outgrown girl clothes to ship back, not knowing if we'll be needing them or not. I've already packed up the neutrals, but she's got some adorable, but very girly clothes that I'm going to have to sift through now, and only bring back the ones I REALLY love. Oh well, I guess I can just call it an excuse to do more shopping once Baby's actually here. 'Cuz baby/toddler clothes shopping is fun!

Ok, so I lied in the post title and included a tiny bit about moving, but I hope you'll forgive me. Off to do some more sorting/packing/whatever.

Tedious and Stressful

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

Those are the words I'd use to describe moving right now. A lot of the big stuff is done, but there're still enough loose ends that I have niggling little worries in the back of my mind all the time. And a lot of stupid little stuff is left, like cleaning out my nightstand of the entirely random, semi-useful, useless, very necessary, and "what is that doing in there?" stuff that somehow filled it up in a big ol' mess stew, and getting rid of extra miscellaneous crap (like new bottles of shampoo - dumb little stuff like that), that takes time, but I don't really feel like I'm actually DOING anything or getting anything accomplished.

*sigh* And it doesn't help that Pumpkin was wide awake for 1/2 hour or more at about 4:30 am... and WOULD. NOT. TAKE. A. NAP. today, even though she was so tired after our Gymboree music class that she was crying in her stroller on the way home. I eventually gave up and she's now watching a video just so I can get a short sanity break.

But I AM continuing to try to get stuff done, mostly by telling myself that hey, ANYTHING that I do get done is better than nothing.

So, with that inspiring ending, I'm off to do SOMETHING, even if it's just emptying out the dishwasher.

Movin' right along...

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

Less than 2 weeks to go! OMG!

Yeah, minute panic attack there.

Things going ok overall, if busy. To make me feel a little better about what's gotten done lately and what's in progress, here's a list...

• Found furnished place we want to rent for first month while we get settled & look for more of a 6 month unfurnished place ('cuz by then we hope to get our own old house fixed up, on the market, and sold... eventually allowing us to buy in WI). Need to fill out form & email back, but looks good.
• Replied back to US car insurance agent & should be able to have that sorted (with help of Grandpa Pharaoh) so can drive right away once we're there. Just gotta remember which side of the road to use! *grin*
  
• Figured out where Pumpkin and I are going to spend first week getting over jetlag & emailed ideas to grandparents - hopefully that looks good to them. Also, yay that grandparents have toys!
  
• Got my suitcase and Pumpkin's suitcase tentatively packed. Of course, still need to add last minute stuff & am using stuff out of them, but I know what will fit. Haven't done carry-ons yet, and I know there will be things that I HAVE to cram in that I've forgotten, but at least I've managed to fit in what I think I need & get them closed. (Also will be switching some stuff around so that if either bag goes missing, we still have half of our stuff. Mr. Kluges will be on his own for that 'cuz he won't be staying the week in MN with us, but will have to head to WI for work on Monday.)
• Chipping away on the miscellaneous crap that we have to toss, donate, give away, ship, etc. You know, the accumulated STUFF in closets, bathrooms, nightstand drawers, etc. Harder to keep working on it 'cuz you don't really see a lot of progress, but it's deal with it now or when we're more stressed for time, so I'll keep plugging away at it.
• Still waiting to hear if relocation people have been able to do anything about/in regards to insane rate increase. With long weekend here, know that's holding US side up with their communication with Irish agents, but hope to hear back soon. Also, tossing/donating more!
• Got babysitter booked for Sunday night so that she and Pumpkin can play together one more time & Mr. Kluges and I can take a sanity evening for just the two of us. Probably will spend whole time talking about move, but can do so while out to eat!

Ok, going to get back to sorting/tossing. Hope you're all well and THANK YOU all for your expressions of support through comment and/or email! It's certainly helped me feel less stressed!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Everybody loves a parade!

We went to Cork this afternoon to see their big parade. You might remember that we went last year and enjoyed it, despite the terrible weather. Today was not rainy at least, but still rather chilly.


We met friends there. Good friends to know, 'cuz they staked out a great spot early and we were able to join them on their large granite block/seat/traffic stopper. That meant I could sit while waiting for the parade to start and Pumpkin could get a wonderful view perched on top of Daddy's shoulders while he stood on it.


Here are some shots from the parade. Mr. Kluges and I both thought it wasn't quite as good as last year, especially because there weren't as many big impressive floats with groups of coordinating people, but this monster group was WAY cool and definitely our favorite from either year!






Not a great shot 'cuz she was across the street, but a WAY cool costume!!!









These lads are getting told to get down from the top of the phone booths by a Garda. This is after they'd gotten their photo taken by about 4 or 5 news photographers in the time before the parade started and during the first 1/2 or 1/3 of the parade itself.








And Pumpkin got to ride in the spinning teacups! She LOVED it and we had to do it again after the parade!


So that was our St. Paddy's Day. Here's hoping yours is as fun! Slainte!

Moving Highs and Lows

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
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Got a quote back from the same people that shipped our 7x7x4 crate over two years ago. Granted, the estimated weight (based on a "we're shipping that and that and that" walkthrough... & we're still trying to thin down) went up to 1800 from the 1400 we shipped before, but it more than doubled! Ack! Choke! Panic! Granted, work is helping to pay to move us back, but that's a stipend, not a blank check, so we're definitely on a budget, and this? Well, this quote would pretty much eat up the ENTIRE stipend. Argh... Mr. Kluges is going to call them tonight to see why the extreme increase in cost. So, boo!

Aer Lingus won't fly expectant mothers more than 34 weeks along. And between 28 & 33 weeks you have to submit a form from your doctor saying you're fine to travel. (Not sure what is the case with exactly 34 weeks... poor wording, I'd say). I was a little panicky on this as I'll be flying at 33 weeks 6 days. (And it has to be April 1 'cuz that's when we'll have insurance coverage in the US... and we weren't going to travel without it, just in case!). Well, got form to doctor, faxed it in, and got call from Aer Lingus that I was approved to travel & could check in as usual. Whew! That was a big stress reliever there!!! No nighttime worries that night!

Tried to do some sorting and packing during Pumpkin's nap today. We're trying to do only 3 suitcases since I won't really be able to help wrangle them, but man! is it tough to try to pack for 6 weeks in one bag. Add to that the changeable weather in spring in the Midwest, and that Baby is scheduled to arrive about 6 weeks after our return to the US... and our shipment should arrive 6-8 weeks after leaving here... well, I've got to pack accordingly. That means maternity stuff of different weights, plus hospital stuff (like CDs & a back roller massage ball thingie), plus at least some itty bitty baby stuff that I had my parents bring over when they visited last & now have to bring back to the US... in case Baby beats the shipment... *sigh* Yeah, gonna have to try to thin down some more, or convince Mr. Kluges we can manage a 4th bag...


So that's where we're at currently in the moving process. Gotta go & run to the grocery store 'cuz I can't make supper out of nothing but condiments and dried rice, even though I am trying to clean out the cupboards!

P.S. In other good news, I found E10 on the way home from the grocery store today. Score!

My mouth is watering already...

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

My U.S. Grocery List

• Wheat Thins
• Little Sizzlers
• Cheetos (the shrivelly looking kind that turn your fingers bright orange)
• Triscuits (P.S. Thanks, Kashka, for the ones you sent with Pusher - they were YUMMY! And also, gone already. *grin*)
• Condensed Cream of Potato Soup (for recipes like Wild Rice Soup and Chicken Pot Pie)
• speaking of which, Frozen Chicken Pot Pie (Hey, what can I say, it's an irrational craving.)
• Simply Potatoes Hash Browns

And I'm sure I'll be adding to it in the next few weeks! Yay for tastes of home!

'Cuz I didn't have enough on my to do list...

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

...I figured I'd make a ticker so y'all could count down with me to moving day.

And also, just to have a visual marker of my current level of insanity. *grin*

Signs of Spring

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

Just in case the winter is getting you down, here are some signs of spring...

Crocuses at Bunratty Folk Park



Spring Lamb with Daffodils
at Bunratty Folk Park

A sign of the Apocalypse?

****************
copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

So, are carnivorous cows a sign of the Apocalypse or what?


'Cuz I'm a little worried about moving to Wisconsin now...

A conversation... of sorts

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

Scene: the kitchen. Mommy reenters the room.

M: Hi, honey. How's your snack going?

P: What are we saying?

M: Well, we're having a conversation, the two of us. That's when we say things to each other. Like, I asked you a question and you can answer it if you want to.

*pause*

P: Aw-ton-muh-nus-sin-di-mit?


*Mommy stares at her blankly for several beats...


...then remembers that Daddy is a Monty Python fan, who's been coaching Pumpkin in some of his favorite quotes, and bursts out laughing.*

So, what's your guess for what "aw-ton-muh-nus-sin-di-mit?" is supposed to be?


Here's an extra clue for you...now's she's sitting there laughing and saying, "Help, help! I'm being repressed!"

Announcement

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

So we have an announcement to make...

I'm pregnant!

Oh wait, you already knew that.


Um, ok, how about this?

We're moving back to the States!

Yeah, that one caught you by surprise, huh? Us, too. You see, not that long ago (only a few weeks, in fact), one of Mr. Kluges' coworkers at their Wisconsin branch gave his notice... and things just kind of fell into place.

So, yeah, we're moving on from this adventure to new ones. While I'm VERY excited to be moving back to be closer to friends and family (ok, still like a 5 hour drive, but no jet lag, expensive plane tickets, or long transatlantic flight with child/ren), it sometimes seems like we just got here and are only now settling in. I'm sure I'll blog more about all this in the future, (when I've got some time to reflect someday) but for now, well, I'm kind of busy.

'Cuz you know, time frame? Crazy, abrupt, quick. Like, as in, we've got tickets to fly back on April 1st.

Yeah, I know... less than a month from now. Don't get me started stressing again or I'll never get to sleep tonight! It was a case of go SOON while I can still travel or have to wait until Baby-on-the-way is old enough to make the trip... and of course Mr. Kluges' work wants him there now as opposed to in several months.

So you'll have to forgive me if my blogging becomes a bit spotty for the next few weeks. We've got sorting and packing and planning and setting up and arranging and cancelling and goodbye-ing and all to get hussling on. And by hussle, I mean my To Do List is GI-MUNG-OUS!

(But it was really nice to do one last hurrah of touristing and travel with Pusher and Puck before putting our noses to the grindstone. Also, we didn't want to say anything while things were still getting worked out - lots of little details had to fall right for it to work. And another amusing note - it's the same area/city group in which Mr. Kluges' OLD work has a branch... so he's been there a few times between the two jobs.)

So, wish us luck with all the stuff that has to get done in the next, oh, NOT LONG AT ALL! Also, I'd take any peaceful, calm, sleepy thoughts you want to send my way around 3 am Irish time... 'cuz that's usually when I have to wake up to pee (stupid pregnancy bladder) and when the nighttime worries try to strike.

But, yay! Moving back!

When Pusher and Puck came to visit...

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copyright 2007 by Ms. Huis Herself
Please read this at musenmutter.blogspot.com
because that is the REAL site. Thank you!
****************

When Pusher and Puck were here, we took them to see castles...



and ruined abbeys...







and dovecotes in horse pastures...


and a distillery...

and the Burren...

and the Cliffs of Moher.

(Pumpkin's little legs had
to work hard sometimes
to keep up, like on the
Ballycotton Cliff Walk.)

And of course, wherever we went...
...we ate CHEESE!

P.S. Note her "sticker." *grin*

P.P.S. Be sure to check back in tomorrow for a special post...


*** Edited to add: P.P.P.S. And I made them taste the nasty potato chips, and my opinion on their AWFULNESS was confirmed! Pusher had to get herself some whiskey just to get rid of the taste. (Not that she didn't LIKE the Jameson, just that it took something a little strong to evict the icky fake duck-ness of the chips.)