Dear Tribe,
Finally back from Fleur-da! I calculated that I in the course of our six-day excursion, I vacuumed 800+ square feet of carpet, tile, and cupboards; went through and cleaned out the contents of 33 drawers; washed out 24 cupboards; washed 16 windows (most both front and back); polished 12 wooden pieces of furniture; cleaned out the contents of 6 closets; and dusted 5 rooms. Mamma and I were working long days, our shortest day probably being 9 hours, and our longest one being yesterday when we worked from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, and mamma didn't even go to bed because she cleaned the next three and a half hours until we left for the airport. Yup, we're tired.
We didn't have much fun, but when something was even mildly funny, we thought it was hilarious. Once I called dad on the phone, and he was asking what we'd gotten rid of, and I said, "Everything!" For some reason, we even thought that was funny.
Probably my favourite part of the trip was uncovering a lot of family history. I brought back photos that were taken in 1932 when my Grandma Wagner was just a year old. I also found a book she'd started writing called, "A Legacy for My Children." It was so neat being able to read some of her thoughts and learning more about her background!
And, of course, there were some embarrassing moments. All day Monday, mamma was out running errands around Zephyrhills buying things we needed to redecorate the trailer to make it look like its worth more than it actually is (ha). Naturally, since someone needed to keep on schedule with the cleaning, I had to stay home. Makes sense; I can't drive, and she can, so she gets to go have all the fun while I stay home and work. My objectives were to finish cleaning the master bedroom (it needed to be vacuumed intensely), clean out the two hall closet, vacuum the living room and dining room, and get the house at least somewhat presentable before the carpet cleaners came to measure the square footage of the house and give us an estimate. Surprisingly, I got everything done. I turned on some Andrew Peterson, Owl City, Switchfoot, and David Crowder Band and had a fantastic time singing along with the best of 'em. The man called and said that two men were on their way to measure the house. Mamma called and said she would be home in a half hour.
I was getting a little worried. I hoped that mamma would get back before the men came to measure the house. I didn't really like the idea of being stuck in a trailer park all by myself. Then the gun-loving Republican in me started to come out. Man, I wished I had a concealed carry permit. But right then and there was a little too late to think about that. I made up my mind that when these men came, I would be calm-assertive and professional. No need to give the impression that I was some nerdy teenager stuck in a house all by myself. That'd be no bueno. Maybe for good measure, I should change into something a bit more reputable. A jean skirt and some pearl earrings should do the trick. Oh, and that computer needs to disappear. No need to get carpet cleaners thinking about what valuables they could pilfer off some lone college student. I had mentally chalked up all carpet cleaners to be disreputable waifs when the doorbell rang. They had arrived, and beaten mamma. I was stuck.
I went to answer the door, and almost stopped in my tracks. They were not the carpet cleaners I was expecting. Oh, they were the carpet cleaners alright, but they weren't old, wizened, sunburnt men wearing ripped jeans and white t-shirts. They were young men, quite young, probably just a little older than us, and they looked about as outwardly harmless as Weston and Joey. And did I mention that they were good-looking - very good-looking?
All my professionalism flew out the window. I let them in and was so flummoxed that I didn't even introduce myself, and when they asked for a tour of the house, all I said was, "Well, there's carpet pretty muchly everywhere except in the kitchen-kitchen and small bathroom." Pretty muchly? Kitchen-kitchen? Yup, that's professionalism for you there, yes ma'am! I was thankful when they left me alone to wash my dishes and they measured up everything. And I was even more thankful that after they wrote everything down, mamma arrived and handled the conversation. As soon as they left, mamma prattled on about how nice they were. My only reply was, "Uh huh. God did a good job on those two." And, to myself, And I think He's trying to teach me some humility! :)
Pictures of all the hard sweat and toil we put into the house will soon appear on Facebook, I hope. If you know anyone who is 55 or older, has no attachments to any pets, and is looking to move to Florida, send them our way. We've got a fully-furnished house they just might like! :)
In the realm of other news, my health was fantastic in Florida. In fact, I felt normal for the first time in months. Well, almost normal. And I ate carbs and wheat. And the headaches are gone. Praise the LORD!!! =)
And now, I am going back to studying for economics, and after that, sleep!
From the dust of the Rabbi,
~Camille
"about as outwardly harmless as Weston and Joey"....hmmm... you just havn't seen us mad at our computers. haha. funny story.
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