We Rocked that Cradle

Yesterday, the Fagan Crew + 1 (me) headed up to Minneapolis to "Rock the Cradle". It's a cool event put on by 89.3 The Current at a museum. Everything is geared towards the kiddie age bracket (about 5/6 and under). There was a disco, a 'Be An 89.3 DJ' section, an instrument room where various instruments could be played by the kids, an art room and a creepy, kid-song room. Ok, the creepy, kid-song room probably wasn't that creepy, but I haven't had much exposure to songs that repeat a letter, word or number. "A One, A One, A One one. A Two, A Two, A Two two." It haunts me.

It's just cool that arts and music are being encouraged. Especially at such a young age! I loved the Disco area! It was a sweet dance party that'd I'd go to with or without the kiddies. There were mini mosh pits:) I SWEAR!! I was following my 2yr old nephew around the dance floor and it looked like lots of mini mosh pits. The kids see something interesting that another kid is doing, they coagulate, they imitate (usually a kicking move), they form pits. Hilarious!

More kiddie tales to come. OOoooo! I have an adult tale to tell.

I played in an indoor pickup soccer game this afternoon. I NAILED a guy in the woo-hoo. He collapsed. Game was paused. He lopped over to sidelines. His teammates laughed and told me to do it again...only harder! :)

How Many Sheep did I Count?

Imagine, if you will, a King sized bed. Lots of room to move and spread yourself out on. Now, imagine a healthy 5yr old. Small, right? Right. How about an adorable 2yr old. You have one in mind? Excellent! You all know what I look like. Fairly average sized 26yr old.

Now, put all of us on that King bed you thought of. Plenty of room! We could all make snow angels in the sheets if we wanted to...right? That's a big, fat NEGATORY! The 5yr old is curled up on the 26yr old and the 2yr old is somehow squeezed between us and I'm doing my darndest to NOT fall off the bed!

I literally had 7inches to my name on that bed. (Which means I slept on my side. But, I can't sleep on my side. So I laid on my side for about 4hrs till we had to get up.) Lucas eventually scooted over, but still remained on my third of the bed. Jonas started flipping his legs and arms all over the place to make a spot. He may be a 2yr old, but he has a mean kick!! And Lucas likes to swing his arms around. Thankfully, he only hit me in the face. (that's sarcasm folks)

Yes yes. I did try to move everybody over. But, I'm some sort of super-human, hot-baby-body magnet. Those kids produce SO MUCH HEAT! I was kicking the blankets all off. Then I was freezing b/c my gallons of sweat were cooling in the cold night air. So I had partial blankets on and off. That's not the end of the story! Jonas (remember, the one who kicks and was sleeping on me?) he didn't want the blankets on at all. Everytime he was touched by one, the kicking and arm swinging would start again.

So I'm laying on my side (going numb), I'm freezing, I'm burning up, I'm trying to not fall off the bed and did I mention snoring? I think you get the picture. :P

A Day at Fagan Studios

Today was my official first day of work at Fagan Studios.

It started off with me getting there an hour and a half late. Then we went to lunch. Kidding:) I worked a little first. I furthered my electrician skills by installing a couple of thermostats. It didn't go so great! I had to drill new holes and the screws were stripped before I could get them into the beam. Then we went to lunch.

After lunch, using a hacksaw, I removed the stripped screw and got things figured out. (With a little help from the boss, aka Big Brother.) The second thermostat went much better! Until installation. Holes were too big ;( Had to use wall anchors. Jeepers. I'm an expensive electrician.

Okay. So, thermostats are figured out and my belly is full. Next project? Building a filing cabinet! Piece of cake, right? The cabinet is from IKEA and the directions only have pictures (albeit, some are hilarious!). I like words. Words are good. It took the REST of the day to put this thing together! It was backwards a few times and again, I needed Shawn to help me fix things. I'm an expensive carpenter.

And that was my first day at Fagan Studios!!

www.faganstudios.com

Long Version

Starting late Saturday my thought process circled
around "What have I DONE?!?!" The freak-out was
beginning. I figured, no biggy! I was just sad and I'd
fall into happy/excited mode by about Kearney, NE.

No Deal. My brother pointed out that he hadn't seen me
smile ONCE since he'd seen me (first on Sun), and it
was Tues afternoon; I've been getting sick after every
meal; I'd been at the house for 30mins and had already
fallen down the stairs. Great start:)

So, obviously, some self-evaluations were going and I
had a great chat with my brother. The biggest...angst
is/was that I'm giving up my independence. I have as
much an attachment to my freedom as I do to inanimate
objects. So, it's pretty fierce! :) My family knows
who I am and how I get. They (being Mom) really
dislike it, but they raised me this way. The 'rents
wanted me to go to their town Tues night since my
bro/sis-in-law were outta town. I told the 'rents that
I needed "Colleen Time" and that I had a list of
things to get done by weeks end. Mom made fun of my
list. She said to throw it out and enjoy being there.
But, the list is what brought my sanity back. It
focused me. It brought order back to my life. And with
order, there is JOY!! Apparently, I'm Type A. (I find
that insulting!)

So Tues night I put together my room and the bathroom.
I cleaned/straightened up the house (my rent payment!)
and just relaxed. By myself. It was AWESOME!! Exactly
what I needed. My attitude totally flipped with that
list and focus:)

Last night I spent time with Shawn, Shel and Jonas
(youngest nephew) and it was great. Jonas doesn't
really know me, so it worked out great that Lucas was
staying at a b-day party in another town. Jonas and I
are pretty tight now. Lucas showed up this evening and
we've been inseparable. Apparently, he's been wanting
to paint my room since he found out I was moving (he's
4 btw). He wanted to do pink and red with hearts. I'm
not a pink and red with hearts kind-a gal, but he
wanted it b/c he "missed me and was glad I moved
there". That made my heart smile. We cut hearts out of
construction paper instead and he helped me hang them.
He then gave me a fat-lip with a cheap shot to the
face. He's a dirty fighter. :P Brother taught him
well! I love this kid. He chose me to sit next to at
dinner. He sat on my lap while we made hearts and
played with stickers (not grandma's lap, but MINE!).
He wanted me to put him to bed. Jonas has been asking
for MY help down the stairs. He wants to play with me
now too.

Being with this family is...heart-warming. My bro is
amazing to his wife. He's a leader and role model for
his boys. My sis-in-law doesn't nag or push and she
has her own power tools. She's a role model of a
strong woman and wife. And these boys! they have an
infectious laugh.

This is why I am here.
<><

And Here it IS!

Today was loading day. A bit of a rough start. Pops got lost picking bro up from the airport, which pushed the schedule back. That made me nervous b/c we were on a VERY TIGHT schedule. But, we finished with plenty of time to spare!

My amazing friends Cola and Gary showed up ready to lift and move all the heaviness. What great friends. I'm going to miss them more than words could describe.

What a crazy feeling. I've lived here/there for over 4years. This has been my home! My adult life! And I'm leaving it all. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for what lies ahead. But like I told Shawn this afternoon--I'll be crying to Kearney b/c I'll be leaving my life. I'll be smiling and excited past Kearney b/c I'll be starting a life. Emotions are whirlwinding:) Still. :P

But now we're sitting in the hotel room, watching American Gladiators. Hitting the road before the sun does. WooHoo for a crazy loooong drive ahead!