Brandon said, "Mom said I can't come back." Tim assured him that he could. It was a special moment for father and son.
Before we got him moved we had lots of things to do. Brandon had to take a motor lifter back to Gordon and Rob. Tim and Brandon used the tractor to load it into the back of our pickup. Tim then did some winter prep around the farmstead before he had to leave for work.
I got an early start on my tomato sauce. I had about 10 gallons of ripe tomatoes to process. First I thought I wouldn't have time to take care of them on Sunday. But Whitney had some houses to clean in the morning and we wouldn't be able to leave until she was finished. So I was able to get the sauce canned, my laundry done, and a few other odds and ends completed before we left.
Tomatoes ready for the juicer:
Tim and Brandon got Brandon's big tool chest loaded into the back of my van. Then they carried down Brandon's dresser. I took some of his clothes that were on hangers and put them into the back of the van. Brandon put some boxes and other clothes in his car. I had packed a care box for him with a few essentials and food. When Whitney got here we went over to her house to pick up the bed.
Whitney and Ryan saved a mattress set and bed frame from their house for Brandon. They had a little trouble trying to fit it into the back of the van but they squeezed it in there. Whitney rode to Fargo with Brandon. I had the little kids in the van with me.
Boy! Was it windy!! I really had to hold onto the wheel. It's a good thing my van is so heavy and I had the extra weight from all Brandon's tools and furniture in there. I wanted to make it to Menard's and the mall before they closed early on Sunday.
I did. I picked up another carpet that I will put into Brandon's old room after I clean it. Then we will move Daniel's bed and dresser over to that room so we will have more space in the school room for Leah's things.
We got to the mall a little after 5:00. The two stores I wanted to go to were close together. I didn't find what I was looking for in the one store. But I found some new dress shoes for Daniel at Payless. I so miss Payless in Jamestown! And we found a pair of boot- like shoes that he can wear while he's working or playing outside. We had enough time to stop at the pet shop and look at the cute puppies. Then I called Brandon to ask for his address. Of course he didn't know it but he said he would drive over to the mall as he can see it from his apartment.
I was pleased with the looks of the apartment and the area it is in. The boys will share a double garage. You can't get into the building unless you have a key or someone buzzes you in. This is the front entrance.
Brandon had space enough in his room for his bed, big recliner, his bed, and his dresser.
Brandon and his roomy, Riley, are going over some papers in their nice kitchen. I think they have more cupboards than I do. And they have a dishwasher!! Everything was so nice and clean. It's good they are alike in that way. Brandon doesn't much care for living in a mess.
Whitney and Daniel are resting in the living room. Each apartment has a sliding glass door opening out to a balcony or patio. The boys are on the top, 3rd, floor so they have a balcony. They will so enjoy living there. Everything is fresh and clean. They bathroom was roomy and they have a nice little storage room. Not a bad first place.
We were all hungry by the time we were finished moving Brandon in. Daniel and Leah always want to eat at Space Aliens when we go to Fargo and Bismark. We all agreed it would be fun to go there. After we finished eating it was after 7:30 so we said our goodbyes and got our hugs and left for home. It wasn't too hard. I just tried not to think of it much. It helped that I saw Brandon's place and that Riley is a nice young man. And Brandon will probably come home most weekends. I'll adjust. I have no other choice.
Since we got to bed later than usual I let the children sleep in this morning. Now we are later getting started for school. So I best get going.
