The Things We Carried

My kids are cute.
Really, really cute.
But, this isn't about that. This is about things.

In our recent move, we put most of our possessions in storage, and we are living out of the things I chose to fit in my van. During the frantic house projects, I gave myself a day to pack for the move from New Mexico to Nebraska. Movers came and  packed everything into boxes, then loaders came and loaded the boxes onto a gigantic truck.

Packed away is our piano, art supplies, most clothes, most shoes, pots and pans, books, bikes, furniture.

My super cute kids kept their new Razor scooters out. Smart choice children. They were the big Christmas gift for my two older girls, and they love those things.

I had very specific criteria in choosing what to bring with us. In order to be packed in the van the items needed to be small, useful, and the biggest thing-I had to think of them. It is funny the things I didn't think of setting aside, like some yarn and crotchet hooks. I should have set that aside, but I didn't think of it. I didn't think of setting aside the closing papers of the house I need to sell. I didn't think about my external hard drive with lots of client pictures on it.

I did think of face paints, and brushes. I thought of coats, and more blankets than I could possibly fit, and my cat in his carrier.

My kids cat, Prince, drove with us on the van floor. I was terrified it was going to be the worst trip ever. It was magically and blessedly NOT the worst trip ever. He didn't meow unless I turned the feet heaters on. Can't blame him for not wanting to be too hot. Since my cat isn't allowed in temporary housing,  he is staying with my kind cousin in Denver until we can find him a home here in Sidney with us.

There are the things I miss. So...I miss my cat. I miss my little three year old pummeling him and kissing him, and saying,"Oh, I wuv you Pwince." "Good cat." I miss that she had that little cat who always let her pummel him. I also miss my crockpot, my various long sleeved shirts, my spices, and all my sewing and crafting supplies. I miss the mountains. I miss the various enchilada sauces in the grocery isle.  I miss my friends.

Nevertheless, life is good. Today my cute children played in the snow with their dad. We've been making meals together with our temporary pots and pans. We've been reading the few books we've brought and we checked out several more from the local library. My second grader prefers non-fiction how-to books, and we've been looking at a lot of cookbooks lately. The Harry Potter inspired cook-book is the best.

Of all the things I carried, the best thing with me is Ian. For sure.