Honey, I'm home.

Have been for a week, actually, but what a week it has been. We unloaded the Tardis immediately. Fourthborn had gotten so much done on the middle bedroom in my absence. We finished the floor, set up the bed, and went out for Whataburger while the house cooled off. The batteries had died in the thermostat, which Fourthborn hadn't noticed, but Middlest and I sure did. I replaced the batteries, we went out, and we've kept the ceiling fans going in all rooms pretty constantly all week.

At this point, Middlest has the room arranged neatly. We just took out nearly two dozen flattened boxes to the curb, plus two large boxes filled with more. And the recycling bins. And a bag of shredding. I might be able to fill a second bag before bedtime.

There is a Rameumptom of food storage boxes about four feet to the southeast of me, here in the living room. Three towers stacked ten boxes high, with two partial boxes of flooring on top like cherries on a sundae. It's like the leaning tower of obedience, and it makes me antsy in the extreme, and between us Middlest and I need to come up with enough "spoons" to wrangle the boxes into some other part of the house. Because the new RS president is coming to visit on Thursday night, and while I don't give a squirrel's toot [suggests Middlest] what anyone thinks about my housekeeping skills or intermittent lack thereof, we need to have enough room for people to sit down like civilized individuals. And breathe. And maybe even make eye contact.

In searching "Rameumptom" on lds.org, I was led to a talk by Elaine Jack, a former General RS President. Middlest just said, "It's Monday night. Do you have any ideas for FHE?" Why yes, I do. I've read a little of this article, and it seems like a likely candidate. Later, gators. If the article is as good as I think it might be, I'll post a link on FB.

Radio silence, more than likely.

I leave after work tomorrow to pick up Middlest from her best friend's parents' farm in East Tennessee.  If you and I are also friends on Facebook, I will be posting some pictures, as Fourthborn will be holding down the fort.

She has been an immense help tonight: unloading the back of the Tardis, unloading the mess behind the seats, bringing in the trash bin and the recycling bins (apparently I got the week wrong?), helping me prepare snacks for the road, and helping me wind four balls of yarn.

This is the part where I try to wind down and get some sleep. I've been listening to bouncy music in order to stay awake while folding laundry, packing, printing off my itinerary. I just remembered that there's one last load out in the dryer, which I will need for work tomorrow as it contains my dark jeans.

I've got meds and vitamins ready, half-muffins bagged up, the apples, the bananas, the last of the tomatoes, a skirt and shoes for Sunday, the 2004 atlas which will back up Waze. I borrowed a USB adapter for the car, and Fourthborn noticed that I have a DC port that does not double as a lighter. Who knew?

Brain is still racing, racing, racing. Stomach is a little hungry. Bills are paid, so there will be no nasty surprises for Fourthborn on that account.

I'll be more or less out of pocket for two weeks. Middlest, Wes and Sarah, Palmyra, Harmony, Kirtland, Nauvoo (again, woohoo!), Independence, Far West, Adam-Ondi-Ahman. Plus some touristy things and more than one gravesite.

I am 99% excited beyond words, and 1% apprehensive, but I had a priesthood blessing on Sunday and know that all will be well.

Cambria, if you're still reading the blog, I might manage a drive-by hugging when we're in your state. I'll see if I can remember to PM you between now and lights out.

Ms. Ravelled, over and out.

I want to knit. I need to write.

And if I sit back down at the keyboard, I'll fall down the rabbit hole again. Several days ago I got notification that there was a record. I clicked on the link. Different name. Tried again. Same result. The second name would be easy to find again. So I went looking for my dear departed hacker. Who turns out to be my first cousin twice removed.

I've spent several days connecting records on ancestry.com and linking people to Family Search. Tonight I reserved three of those names and released others so they could be done by temple patrons.

When I clicked on Harriet's name, I started sobbing. Same for her sister Lyddie. So I thought, I'll get Elizabeth, who died before she was ten. Nada. It was like walking into a wall. So I'll give it more time, see if I can find out more about her, and try again.

I also sent emails to two families who have reserved their father Jacob's work, which is mostly done. I hope to hear back from them soon.

I am going to finish the heel flap on this baby sock, and then I am going to bed. Maybe now these good people will let me sleep?

I'm going to the temple tomorrow night to do three sealings.

The master bath is nearly done. And even in its unfinished state, it's gorgeous.