Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Back On Track!
The plumber came and fixed the sink, so we're back to being able to wash dishes. That's a huge relief. The house is 75% unpacked and I'll be working on it more on Wednesday and Thursday nights. After the unpacking comes the fun part--hanging up the pictures and setting out the knick-knacks. I have a strong nesting instinct, even after changing residences so many times over the years, and this last stage is the part that I like best. It's not just hanging up pictures that have sentimental value and finding the perfect spot for my grandma's glass candy dish, it's making a home. A home that we don't have to pack up again for many, many, many years! We can finally get rid of our cardboard boxes.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
The Mister...
...had a wild look in his eyes this morning when I came downstairs. The reason?
(sigh)
The kitchen sink isn't draining.
(sigh)
The kitchen sink isn't draining.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Things That Are Broken or Strange
The towel rack in the main bathroom fell off the wall.
The grout in the bathroom was never sealed.
The dishwasher won't drain.
Water pools around one of the basement windows when it rains.
The dryer can't be vented to the outside.
The kitchen window won't open now that the mechanism is broken.
I still love it. The Mister, however, is starting to feel a little stressed.
The grout in the bathroom was never sealed.
The dishwasher won't drain.
Water pools around one of the basement windows when it rains.
The dryer can't be vented to the outside.
The kitchen window won't open now that the mechanism is broken.
I still love it. The Mister, however, is starting to feel a little stressed.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Thoughts On Moving
For as much crap as I give away and throw away, we still have a lot of crap.
We thought 1900 sq. ft. would be almost too much room. Now I'm not so sure.
Three days without internet? Surprisingly painful.
How did a box of my underwear get labeled "Kitchen"?
How do you know how many layers of sealant you should apply to grout in a shower stall?
Home Depot and Lowe's are too overwhelming. I've been living in apartments too long--I don't have the hunting instincts, skills, and persistence that are needed to find what you need. The thought of another trip to either place could cause a panic attack.
It's a sad, sad day when the Wal-Mart home improvement department starts looking good (see above). What does that say about my ability to cope and adapt?
I thought we'd be a lot further along than we are.
We thought 1900 sq. ft. would be almost too much room. Now I'm not so sure.
Three days without internet? Surprisingly painful.
How did a box of my underwear get labeled "Kitchen"?
How do you know how many layers of sealant you should apply to grout in a shower stall?
Home Depot and Lowe's are too overwhelming. I've been living in apartments too long--I don't have the hunting instincts, skills, and persistence that are needed to find what you need. The thought of another trip to either place could cause a panic attack.
It's a sad, sad day when the Wal-Mart home improvement department starts looking good (see above). What does that say about my ability to cope and adapt?
I thought we'd be a lot further along than we are.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Friday, July 20, 2007
Days Until Closing
The day we've been waiting for has finally arrived! I woke up this morning in a complete fog and my first thought was, "Do we move today?" So much time and energy has been spent on getting ready for the moving part of the process, we haven't thought much about the making-it-legal-and-official-plus-getting-the-keys part of the process. Middle Sister called and left me a voice mail this morning that included lovely sentiments and a bizarre little ditty that she sang to help us celebrate. She's driving into town this evening to help. Yay!
With everything that's happened in the last two weeks, only some of which I've written about, it was really easy to push the home purchase to the back of our minds. Now that we're through the worst of it, I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed but also incredibly excited.
Quaker Blessing:
With everything that's happened in the last two weeks, only some of which I've written about, it was really easy to push the home purchase to the back of our minds. Now that we're through the worst of it, I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed but also incredibly excited.
Quaker Blessing:
Receive Ye Welcome
In a Quaker home, author unknown
LET the guest sojourning here know that in this home our life is simple. What we cannot afford we do not offer, but what good cheer we can give...we give gladly.
We make no strife for appearance sake.
Know also, friend, that we live a life of labour, therefore, if at times we separate ourselves from thee, do ye occupy thyself accordingly to thine heart's desire.
We will not defer to thee in opinion or ask thee to defer to us. What thou thinketh ye shall say, if ye wish, without giving offense. What we think, we also say, believing that truth hath many aspects, and that love is large enough to encompass them all.
So, while ye tarry here with us we would have thee enjoy the blessing of a home, health, love and freedom, and we pray that mayst find the final blessing of life.
PEACE
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Grandpa
My grandpa died last Thursday, July 12th. My parents, sisters, and the Mister and I were all there as he slipped away. We held his hand, praying and singing, as his heartbeat slowed and his breathing became shallow. His passing was beautiful, loving, peaceful, and painful all at the same time. It was such a privilege to be there and know that he wasn't alone; he was with people who loved him.
At his funeral service yesterday the minister told all of us to collect stories about him from the other people who had come to pay their respects. I didn't do this with as much focus as I should have, because I didn't feel like I had the emotional reserves to keep myself together, but I did hear some good tidbits.
Everyone talked about how kind he was. How generous he was. About the twinkle in his eye. He took a second job so my mom and uncle would have some of the "luxuries" like a special gift at Christmas. He was instrumental in getting cabins built for a camp up in the mountains. He drove for Meals on Wheels. He drove a local pastor to and from his doctor's appointments when the pastor's MS got too bad. He did numerous odd jobs around our house, building the fence, constructing steps next to our steep driveway, and fixing anything mom needed taken care of.
All of my friends adored him. People I haven't seen in five or six years still ask about him. Another uncle (related by marriage) remembers traveling through Colorado in the early 70s and staying with Grandma and Grandpa. Their car broke down while they were there, so Grandpa loaned them his beloved baby blue Bronco so they could explore the mountains while their car was being repaired.
We heard a lot about that Bronco. My fondest memories of childhood involve riding in it to go on some grand adventure. He loved to go four-wheeling. He loved towing the trailer on the back and going "camping". My mom's uncle said that he was always confident they could get that trailer through some of the most impossible terrain. Mom remembers several times when Grandma got too nervous and she would get out and walk while Grandpa took that Bronco to its limits. We all loved to hear Grandma squeal his name when we'd go around a corner and see what we were going to attempt next. I think I still have dents in my knee from Grandma's grip.
During the course of his career, Grandpa was a school bus driver, mechanic, and Director of Transportation for the school district. Several of the women who came yesterday were former bus drivers. I was surprised to see so many women and mom said Grandpa found them to be better drivers. He especially liked to hire farmer's wives because they were familiar with heavy equipment and knew how to handle the buses. He took pride in his work.
When I married my husband I think I also married, in some ways, my grandpa. They have similar personalities. Their walk is identical. They are strict about attention to detail and doing things right. They think before they speak.
He golfed. He fished. He walked every day until the Parkinsons took that away. He climbed Mt. St. Helens when he was almost 70 years old. He loved pecan sticky buns, Dairy Queen, and Jim Beam. He loved me.
I miss my Gamba.
At his funeral service yesterday the minister told all of us to collect stories about him from the other people who had come to pay their respects. I didn't do this with as much focus as I should have, because I didn't feel like I had the emotional reserves to keep myself together, but I did hear some good tidbits.
Everyone talked about how kind he was. How generous he was. About the twinkle in his eye. He took a second job so my mom and uncle would have some of the "luxuries" like a special gift at Christmas. He was instrumental in getting cabins built for a camp up in the mountains. He drove for Meals on Wheels. He drove a local pastor to and from his doctor's appointments when the pastor's MS got too bad. He did numerous odd jobs around our house, building the fence, constructing steps next to our steep driveway, and fixing anything mom needed taken care of.
All of my friends adored him. People I haven't seen in five or six years still ask about him. Another uncle (related by marriage) remembers traveling through Colorado in the early 70s and staying with Grandma and Grandpa. Their car broke down while they were there, so Grandpa loaned them his beloved baby blue Bronco so they could explore the mountains while their car was being repaired.
We heard a lot about that Bronco. My fondest memories of childhood involve riding in it to go on some grand adventure. He loved to go four-wheeling. He loved towing the trailer on the back and going "camping". My mom's uncle said that he was always confident they could get that trailer through some of the most impossible terrain. Mom remembers several times when Grandma got too nervous and she would get out and walk while Grandpa took that Bronco to its limits. We all loved to hear Grandma squeal his name when we'd go around a corner and see what we were going to attempt next. I think I still have dents in my knee from Grandma's grip.
During the course of his career, Grandpa was a school bus driver, mechanic, and Director of Transportation for the school district. Several of the women who came yesterday were former bus drivers. I was surprised to see so many women and mom said Grandpa found them to be better drivers. He especially liked to hire farmer's wives because they were familiar with heavy equipment and knew how to handle the buses. He took pride in his work.
When I married my husband I think I also married, in some ways, my grandpa. They have similar personalities. Their walk is identical. They are strict about attention to detail and doing things right. They think before they speak.
He golfed. He fished. He walked every day until the Parkinsons took that away. He climbed Mt. St. Helens when he was almost 70 years old. He loved pecan sticky buns, Dairy Queen, and Jim Beam. He loved me.
I miss my Gamba.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Days Until Closing
Photo by: Scott Foy
The mortgage guy called today and we've been cleared to close! Friday at 4:00, baby!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Photo by VisenticoFriday, July 13, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
Such a Romantic
Me: Do you realize that our three-year anniversary is right around the corner? I wonder what you're supposed to buy for the three-year?
the Mister: It's the Year of the Flat Screen TV.
the Mister: It's the Year of the Flat Screen TV.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Pretty Green Paint
Thinking hard about painting the living room--a fresh, light green color would be nice. However, with my history of migraines I'd like to find a brand that is "low odor" and nontoxic. Looks like Sherwin-Williams will be our best bet. This is a good list, but what strikes me as odd is that some of the major brands aren't represented: Behr and Glidden both coming to mind. Hmmm...
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