Friday, July 24 - Saturday, July 31, 2020 Overview of the week

Friday, July 24 - Saturday, July 31, 2020   Overview of the week



Friday, July 24
This week was a busy time for us - mostly helping my daughter prepare for, and then moving her to Ponca City, OK.  

Friday, we left the campground in Osceola, MO, making a quick stop at the Nevada, MO Walmart where we purchased an outlet surge protector that we could plug our phones and computers into, after losing the one earlier in the week.  While we were there Dean got a few things for the truck and I remembered to finally buy a sunshade for my car's window.

When we returned to the park we were soon set up both inside and outside.  After having some lunch, I went to Misti's.  She had gathered several things she did not need (or no longer had room for).  I told her I would take it to my cousin's church in Chetopa. They have a very nice building where they collect clothing and household items to sell, or in the instance of a personal fire, flooding, tornado or similar disaster they will give items to those in need.  Cindy rode with me to Chetopa to help unload my car.

Misti had to do a lot of downsizing from a 3 bedroom, 3 bath house to a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment.  


Saturday, July 25
We were up early.  After our morning coffee, Dean went to Casey's General Store to get us a breakfast sandwich.  Soon afterwards, we were headed to Misti's to begin the process of packing up the remaining items.  Misti and Dean headed to Parsons around 9 to pick up a U-Haul truck, while Haleigh and I continued packing things into boxes.   Misti ordered a pizza at noon.  It took most of the day to finish packing and loading the U-Haul, which required much thought to get everything in it so it would not shift during the drive.  Unfortunately, we couldn't quite get everything in.  Dean and I will be able to get the rest of it in the truck and will take it down on Wednesday.   We will leave tomorrow morning to make the drive, and unpack.  

Sunday, July 26

Misti called a little before 7am that they were up and ready to finish things up this morning before we leave for Ponca City.  There were a few things left to do this morning, such as emptying the refrigerator/freezer - and guess who did that?  They should have picked someone else as I forgot the food in the freezer!  She'll be back next weekend, so we'll take the food to our freezer at the garage and she can pick it up then.  It was near 9:30 before we had the last items loaded and ready to leave.  Misti was in the lead, followed by Dean, then Haleigh, with me bringing up the rear in our truck.  We were just outside of Wann, OK when Haleigh called her mom advising her car was showing low coolant.  Fortunately there was an abandoned convenience store we were able to pull into.  We decided to leave it there and come back for it later.  Dean didn't want to add coolant while it was hot for fear of damage.  We arrived in Ponca mid-afternoon.  Misti had asked a couple of guys to help unload the U-Haul.  A co-worker and a friend arrived as Dean was backing the U-Haul into her driveway.  We were extremely thankful for her co-worker Doug, who also brought his daughter's boyfriend Cody, and for her friend Dustin who showed up to help.  They had things unloaded in less than an hour.  The next stop was at a climate controlled storage unit where they unloaded the piano, Logan's musical instruments and personal items, which he had rented earlier in the week.  She had hoped to store a few of her things as well, but it filled up much quicker than expected.  

Afterwards the four of us headed to Freddy's for a quick lunch, then Haleigh and Dean went back to Wann - a little under 2 hours away, while Misti and I took our truck and headed to Bartlesville to pick up a table & chairs and TV stand she had purchased from her bestfriend.  Fortunately, her friend's stepdad was there doing some work for Julie, and he helped us get the table and chairs strapped in before we left.

Dean and Haleigh were about 30 minutes behind us, so Misti and I did a little drive around the area where her apartment is located.  Ponca Lake and the golf course are nearby.  She is looking forward to utilizing their walking trail, as she enjoys walking.  When they returned, we set up both of the beds, then I helped Misti move the furniture around in her living room, while Dean hooked up both the washer and dryer.  When we left there were still many, many boxes to be unpacked, but at least they can have a good night sleep and do laundry.  You don't realize how much STUFF you have until you move!  

We were about 10-15 miles away when I remembered I had noticed water on the floor at the edge of the washing machine.  I intended to mention it to Dean when they returned with Haleigh's car, but with all of the other work I had forgotten.  We turned around and went back.  Fortunately the washer was not leaking.  Apparently some water had dripped from the front of the washer when the door was opened.  What a relief to know there was not an issue there.  

We have to drive through Pawhuska, OK right by the Pioneer Woman's restaurant Mercantile, so I can see a visit there in our future.  Since they have now opened a pizza parlor and an ice cream store we are anxious to try both of them in a future visit.

We made it back home at 12:30am.  It sure felt good to lay down.

Monday, July 27

It was 7 before we woke this morning.  I went back to Misti's today to gather up the remaining items and make sure they are ready to be loaded so we can take them to her on Wednesday.  There were still several items in the storage shed and the garage that needed to be tossed, so Dean helped me get them out.  Misti had ordered a large dumpster from the city for this purpose.  It was dropped off last week.  I gathered up a few things that needed to be taken to a few people and I will make sure they get distributed later this week.

Tuesday, July 28

This morning Dean and I loaded the remaining boxes that need to be dropped off at Faith Baptist Church in Chetopa this afternoon.  Cindy is going to ride down with me to help unload them.  I was glad to get those out of the way.  I also used my floor steamer to go over the utility room and entrance floors.  They were looking pretty bad after all of our in and out the past few days.  I love that steamer.  It does such a great job in a short time!  It will go to Misti's though, as I do not have room to store it in the RV and I don't want to leave it sit in the garage until we have a house.  

This evening Dean and I went back to Misti's for the last load of items we will be taking to her tomorrow.  

Wednesday, July 29

It was about 8:30 when we headed to Ponca City with the last load for Misti.  I was in awe on the drive Sunday as we left Bartlesville, toward Pawhuska, to Ponca City of the really beautiful countryside.  I'm glad I don't have to drive it everyday, but I've sure enjoyed the drive, both this past Sunday and today.  We arrived shortly after 11.  Haleigh helped us get the last few things unloaded.  At 11:50, we headed to Golden Chick, a fast food chicken place.  Dean and I had never been to one before.  We were impressed with the chicken, macaroni & cheese and rolls that we ordered.  It was enough to feed all 4 of us, with some leftovers for $9.99!  What a deal!  We visited with Misti and went back to her apartment for a short time before she had to go back to work.  After hugs and see you laters, we headed back to Oswego.

Thursday, July 30

This morning I am having some fun - granddaughter Kamron contacted me a few days ago to see if I wanted to go thrifting with her in Joplin.  Today was the day.  We visited Plato's Closet and Goodwill, but we didn't find anything that appealed to either of us today.  We had lunch at Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, both ordering a small order of chicken strips and fries.  I loved the chicken strips and may order them from now on vs. the hamburgers.  Of course, we also made stops at Hobby Lobby and Kohl's.  We had fun just looking around and visiting with each other.  Before we left Joplin, we made a trip to Dairy Queen and we each had a small blizzard.  I took her home and got to spend a little time with Jaxson and Marc before driving home.  

When we downsized, I gave Haleigh my mom's cedar chest as a keepsake.  Neither her or Misti had room for it in their rooms or anywhere else in their apartment.  My sister Jody has a two story house, and she agreed to store it, an antique lamp that was my Grandma Blackledge's, and the end tables Misti bought from me when we moved.  Guess what, I bought them back!  I love those end tables.  They are solid wood and narrow, which was a big plus in saving space in our living room.  Knowing we will be moving back into a house in the near future - 2-3 years from now, I hated to let them go.  We loaded them up after we returned and took them to Mark and Jody's at 5:30.  Their son, (my nephew), Nathan showed up and I was so thankful he helped Dean carry them upstairs.  We stayed and visited for 15-20 minutes before we headed home.  Everything is now out of the house.   I dropped the garage door openers off at her landlord's house after we were finished!

Friday, July 31

I spent most of today doing laundry, and getting things back in order after running in and out the past several days.  I can't remember the last time my laundry hamper was so full I couldn't shut it!  Lol!  I had a list and was marking things off as quickly as I could.  We will be leaving Oswego Sunday morning, so I wanted to get as much done as possible before we head east where we will eventually meet up with Matt, Megan and the kids for 5 nights.  We are looking forward to seeing them again.