Creasey Mahan and ... moving out ????

Mark and I volunteered to help Andrew Tarbet with his Eagle Scout project.  He is leading a project of clearing overgrown brush and trees at the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve.  The project started at 9:00 AM and we planned to be there on time, however, we had to prepare the house for a showing before heading out the door. 

The project was well attended - Andrew had many scouts and scout supports there to do the work - the problem was - there was just tons of work to be done... (way more than one project - in my opinion).  The weather was nice, but it was still necessary to wear a jacket.  We also needed to wear gloves to protect us from the potential threat of poison ivy or poison oak.  The total group cleared approximately 400 square feet of brush.  We cut and cut and cut... and cut some more.  We hauled all the branches, shrubs and stubble into huge piles. What a bon-fire it would be if even one of them were lit.

While at the Eagle project, Mark received a call that we had received a PENDING offer on the house.  The cute, young couple that placed the CONTINGENT offer a few weeks ago, had sold their house and now qualified to purchase our house.  YAY!!!!!  There is only one catch.  The buyer of their house wants to purchase it by March 29th.  That means they need to be out by March 29th.  That means they would like to be in our house by March 29th - which now means we need to be out by March 29th. 

HOLY COW!!!!  That is three weeks away!!!!

All of the sudden everything became very real - very serious and very scary.  Just a reminder --- Mark and I still do not know if we are being relocated to Memphis or Dallas.  I asked Mark to contact his boss immediately (even with him being in Ireland) to inform him of our situation and that we need an ANSWER!!!! 

To make things more complicated I am trying to book my tickets for my trip to Utah with a house hunting trip on the front side or the back side of my time in Utah.  The problem is - I don't know where to book my flight to.... (Memphis or Dallas).  Mark and I feel fairly strong - maybe it is wishful thinking, but we really hope it will be Dallas.  I decide to change my tickets to travel to Utah, and then on the way home stop in Dallas. 

I also start looking for houses on Realtor.com for the north east area of Dallas (McKinley area).  I look and look but it is so strange to look and not know if I am actually going to be moving there or not.  I also look in Memphis, but my heart is not into it. 

It is so hard not knowing where we will settle.  I feel homeless!  I don't even know where I will be living in three weeks - how can that be...?????

Robert Delivers the Hygiene Kits to American Red Cross

On Friday, November 9, 2012 Robert and his mom drove to the American Red Cross in Buckner Kentucky immediately after school (because they close at 4:30) to deliver the boxes.

Rick Bissmyer was there to greet Robert.  He had three workers come out to help haul the boxes back into the warehouse.

Robert is only 13 years old and he will soon have his Eagle Scout Rank.

Robert Conducts the Assembling of his Eagle Project

Robert's been waiting for this day since he decided to do his Eagle Scout Project for the American Red Cross.  Today is November 8, 2012 and immediately after school Robert organized the assembly of the 250 hygiene kits that he will donate to the American Red Cross the following day.

At 3:45 Robert instructed 27 volunteers from NOMS Beta Club on how to assemble the kits.  

Each person went from table to table to collect one item from each table.  Each kit  contained one shampoo, one conditioner, one soap, one tooth brush, one tooth paste, one dental floss, one comb.  Some included lotion, deodorant and/or mouthwash.

Robert and Alex Green holding up completed kits

After all the students finished the packets, Robert had 264 complete kits to donate!  They loaded the two completely full boxes into the car to be delivered tomorrow.

Oldham Era does Article on Robert

more to come

Donations Keep Coming In

Robert  started his Eagle project on Monday, September 17, 2012 putting boxes out and making PA and email announcements at North Oldham Middle School and North Oldham High School to collecting shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental floss and combs (one item per grade level).  Within just a few days Robert's boxes started filling up.

After the first week Robert had 111 shampoo, 157 conditioner, 25 deodorant, 50 tooth brushes, 24 tooth paste, 47 dental floss and 59 combs.  He also had 57 lotion 15 mouth wash and 163 soap bars.

After the second week Robert had 184 shampoo, 242 conditioner, 51 deodorant, 136 tooth brushes, 90 tooth paste, 115 dental floss, and 69 combs.  Plus 101 lotion and 239 soap bars.

At the end of last week Robert had 189 shampoo, 272 (22 too many) conditioner, he didn't need to collect deodorant any more because soap replaced it, 146 tooth brushes, 100 tooth paste, 115 dental floss, 117 combs and 285 (35 too many) soap!  Way to go Robert and the kids at NOMS & NOHS.

Robert and Ben O'Brien putting out collection boxes and posters

Robert's Eagle project is Approved

On Saturday morning, while Robert is packing up his tent and gear from a fantastic camp out at Deam Lake - State Park in Indiana, his Scoutmaster, Zane Underwood informs him that the District leader has approved Robert's project.

Robert is so excited!  He can start getting people to help him make the collection boxes, decorating them, making posters, hang them in school … and so on.

Robert worked with his family over the weekend and through the next week getting the boxes and posters ready to hang up at NOMS and NOHS.

The next day Robert had his friend Ben O'Brien help him put boxes out and hang posters - it took them an hour to do both schools.

Robert Lowe and Ben O'Brien doing service
project for the American Red Cross

Robert's Eagle Project

Robert is working so hard on his Eagle project.

He has a beneficiary, he's working with his Eagle coach…

He's priced things our, taken pictures, made calls, organized a schedule…

Now he needs to submit it for approval.