Get on with it.

Today is the day.  Today is the day I have almost dreaded, most certainly did not look forward to…today is the day that things get real.  Get real tough. 

Today is the day I start cleaning out the guest bedroom, the room that has become storage closet number one for all the “stuff” of our 40 years, transplanted into this room as we undertook the remodeling project.  Today is the day that I start sending things in to the “box for donation”, and today is the day I actually take that box to the charity.  Today is also garbage day.

 

It’s not something I look forward to. Like many of you, I have duplicates of pictures, magazines, mail, cards, even kids school work to just throw out.  Throw out.  I’ve saved it for all these years and now I am just going to throw it out? I have thirty years of 401K quarterly reports…I’m just going to throw that out? Well, now, you know ever quarter the news is replaced with an update so what difference could the balance in March 1999 possibly make? Just for personal reference? 

Remember when Walgreens used to duplicate all your pictures?  Half of what was printed was not good to begin with and now I have another whole set, AND the negative? What? I have camping pictures that, to quote an old friend, look just like the camping pictures from the year before, just the people around the fire are sometimes different …two sets. And, who are those little faces around the fire anyway?  The picture so yellowed and grainy I couldn’t even begin to say, so into the garbage those many, many pictures will go today.

As we got in to the remodeling last summer and fall,  items were cleared out from the old shed so it could be torn down. Old life vests and floaties for the lake, some things that were moved to the new shed and a ton of stuff that just needed to be tossed ~ broken rakes, a string of lights, an old plastic sled.  There was a resin statue of what appeared to be an Italian guy, for the garden, like maybe Davinci or someone. He fell over at some point a few years ago and his head broke off.  I had every intention, ever since the Italian guy was taken out of the shed six months ago, to glue his head back on and use him in a flower bed.  I saved him out of the trash heap a few times as hubs tried to get rid of stuff.  "Wait, not my Italian guy".  So this morning, on my walk with little dog, I noticed the side yard has been cleaned up and a few garden items moved from one area to another…and no Italian guy.  I am pretty sure, although he has not responded to my ALL CAPS text, that hubs discarded the Italian guy and his head.  Hubs knows that I am not one to dumpster dive, even for Italian guy.  

 

And still, I find myself wondering if he is in the garbage tote at the top of the driveway and if there is any way I can reach him before the truck comes….

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years.

  

Yesterday was a weird, and wonderful in many ways, day.  We gathered ‘round to watch my in-laws house, right next door to ours, get torn down.  It was eerie, exciting, sad and happy all at once.  Our nephew and his wife joined our tears and smiles as their dream took its first stumbling, and tumbling, steps.

 

At one time, we all thought they would be able to save the house, or at least part of it.  That thought became dimmer as more information came to light about the condition of the foundation, the stability of the walls, the overall expense it would take to try to rebuild and renovate a home that had at least 150 years of history, starting with it being a smaller, cottage type home on a small lake, resting on its little hill…with fantastic views.

It was tough to say goodbye to those 150 plus years of history, goodbye to my husband’s 64 years of memories, the house that was once his grandma and grandpa’s house and then his mom and dad’s.  A cousin stopped by yesterday, jaw dropping disbelief on her face as she said “It’s gone!”  This morning the trucks are here to start hauling out the remains of yesterday’s demolition.  One by one the trucks have arrived, one leaves, another comes.  By the end of today there will not be a lot left.

 

Yes, it’s gone, not forgotten, and we are so excited for what is to come.  To have the kids next door, the fun, the noise, the laughter.  There’s more changes coming to the neighborhood, this we know, as change always comes. Plans for parties and get-togethers are already underway…with hopes of the new home starting, in the words of my nephew, “sooner rather than later”.

I watched them yesterday, excited and scared, seeing the burden lift, knowing that their acceptance of what the structural engineer and contractor had to say was the right choice.  Listening to my niece ask for bricks to be saved from the chimney so that she might add to some landscaping later – they understand the responsibility of being here, protecting here, loving here.

Still, it was weird and wonderful…and it remains so today as I took my early morning walk with little dog, who is used to running up the walkway to see what one of her most favorite people was doing only to find no porch, no front door, no window to look in.  It was weird walking around to the far side, to a favorite path, where I have taken many, many pictures - my favorite spot for kids pics, prom pics, family pics -  looking out over openness where once the bedroom and bathroom walls stood.  It was odd to see that backhoe sitting on what use to be the kitchen floor.

 

You are changing, yes you are, big green house on the left, but you will always be 781.

Close, oh, so close.

Today is kind of a big deal day.  At least, in my world it’s kind of a big deal.   The kitchen plan is finalized and the cabinets are on order, my friends! It’s not a big change from what I currently have, except for the massive red island that is the anchor in the design! I am so very excited and while it will be a long 4 to 6 weeks waiting on their arrival and installation, I am happy.

The last day of January is a great day to think about spring.  Now, I am hoping this will be especially true for me today as I pack the little red suitcase to take our trip west, to sunshine, to family, to fun and adventure.  I have checked in and printed the boarding passes and with the exception of still not being 100% sure what I am wearing to the family wedding we will be attending, it’s a go.  I thought late winter travel was out for us this year, and I am so looking forward to this trip!

January 31 is also a good day to begin the plan for landscaping.  As I said last week, I am not sure how much I will be able to get done this year as there is quite a long list of “final touch” items, including a massive deck, on the lakeside, but, there is much that can be done on the woods side (or the road side) and the drive way side, once we have a plan for the walk from the massive deck. 

I thought we did have a plan until the fireplace went in.  Not really having an idea as to the size of the vent, and how hot it gets, we had a plan for the walk.  I’m rethinking that now as I believe we need to move the walk away from that unit, and  that’s will have some impact on the landscaping there.  It may not be on the calendar for this spring anyway, but, I have to start thinking about it.  If it weren’t for planning, and fretting, and worry, where would I be?

Except for just a bit of space in the kitchen, under and in front of the stove and fridge, and under sink, the pretty wood floor is complete.  Hubs did a fantastic job of laying the floor, five or six rows a night for several days, until he was done.  The furniture arrangement is currently a nightmare, and the pots and pans are scattered in boxes stacked in the foyer, some accessible, some not so much, but we are ever so much closer. 

 

Now, that being said, I enjoy a wood floor.  I especially enjoy a clean wood floor. Living here, and with not a lot of grass to brush the sand and dirt off the bottom of your shoes, I am a good friend with my broom.  Oh sure, I have a vacuum,  but, I was a bit concerned my old Oreck would scuff the new floor or not do a great job, and although a great vacuum it is a hassle to drag it out, plug it in, plug it in a different spot as I moved around the house…you know the drill.   So, I bought a new, rechargeable “stick” vacuum for the new wood floor and I have to tell you, it’s a fantastic little thing.  Battery operated, runs at least 20 minutes (which is more than enough time to vacuum a pretty big space) and has done an impressive job on the new wood floors I thought were pretty darn clean to begin with, along with the new area rugs I have in the living room and in front of the fireplace.  If you are looking for a great, quick, convenient rechargeable vacuum,  check into the Shark Navigator. It has both a carpet and bare floor setting, easy to swap with just a tap of your foot, which is also how you turn it on and lean the handle back. Bam! You’re sweeping.  I got mine on Amazon for under $80, and totally worth it.  You will especially appreciate the charging unit is a base that the vacuum wheels just sit right down in.  That’s it, just back that little dude right into park in it’s base and you are good till the next time, without having to think about “Oh my word, I forgot to charge the vacuum…” Love it. 

Stepping out of the box and into the sunshine.

Late last week hubs and I decided to do something a little out of the ordinary for us ~ we are going to go somewhere.  Actually, VISIT a place.  It seems like it has been forever since we have been out of our state or taken a vacation. 

   

It really hasn’t been.  We have been very fortunate to travel to a warm climate with his employer for many of the previous years.  We have been to Mexico several times, Jamaica, Aruba, the Dominican Republic and even Spain.  The trips are incentive trips for his customers and we have traveled along on them, based on how many of his customers are also going.  This year, it just wasn’t in the cards for us to go and we were feeling antsy.

 

My husband’s aunt and uncle, who were an “it” couple back in the day, and their two kids, were a highlight of our summers for many, many years, visiting the same month each year. They also tried to make every family event they could, traveling from their home near New York City. If there was a family wedding, those two did their best to be there, and when they arrived, they were great guests.  They laughed, they joked, they visited the room, they danced, oh my goodness how they danced.  

Our uncle passed away a couple years ago, and his widow, now in her late 80s, is still a joy to be around.  Frail but still funny and engaging, this aunt’s son is getting married in Arizona next weekend, and in homage to their tradition of trying to make a wedding if there was one, and because we’re feeling antsy, we’re going.  It was a last minute decision, a review of the internet for airline ticket deals and an invitation for a place to stay that sealed the deal.

   

We’ve got dress clothes we can still squeeze in to and while we won’t be the best dancers in the joint we will try to share as much joy and happiness for this couple as we can as we celebrate and raise our glasses to family, and memories, and their future.   Looking forward to the sunshine!   

Watching, and waiting.

I am posting to my blog a little late this week for really no reason other than time got away from me.  Which is crazy to even say out loud, too.  How could that possibly be? I have not left this house all week, but, yet, time got away.

Where did it go this time, this time? When I was younger I could tell you where my time had gotten to, even though now it is a blur.  But, at this age, I find myself on the couch, gazing out the window, watching squirrels dart across the yard, like they do every day.  Yet, I am fascinated by their movements.  Hours could pass, no TV, although I am sure my husband is convinced I watch TV all day long, as I don’t need the noise.  Sometimes music, but I often just forget to turn on the stereo. 

It’s during these times that I think about my kids as children, as babies and toddlers, that I look out in to the yard and imagine them there.  I am so proud of who they are as adults, but, man, I miss them as children sometimes.  I miss those days.

 

I wonder if I taught them enough, played enough, worked enough.  Did I tell them enough about electricity? About water on the bathroom floor and being careful with the blow dryer? About staying out from under trees if there is lightning? About getting off the lake during a storm? Did I teach them about cat litter under your tires or even taking the floor mats out for traction if stuck in snow? Do they know, really know, not to put their tongue on a flagpole in the winter or SUMMER? Ew. It’s NEVER okay.

 

Parenting is joy, pure and simple joy, but, it’s also hard.  I judge myself, I know I do, almost every day, even though my kids are fully grown, functioning adults.  Do my kids know, like some of their friends know, how to change the oil? How to change a flat tire? I don’t think they do.  I don’t think I do, for that matter.  There, there you have it.  Two areas already, in just minutes of thinking about it, that I know I failed.  They can change a lightbulb, though, and change a baby, so there’s that.

 

My kids don’t water ski.  How could we raise them on a lake and they don’t’ know how to water ski? Well, I know it’s because we didn’t have a speed boat during those days.  We had a pontoon boat and they can jump off a pontoon boat like it’s their job.  They can dock a boat, pull it in, tie it up.  They know what food to take out on the boat to spend the day. They just can’t ski.  They also don’t love to canoe…not one of them, but, they can.  Can you? Canoe?

If I had the chance at a do-over, I might do it differently today ~ I might make sure they learn how to water ski.  But, we don't get do-overs. My kids are good citizens, they vote, they watch out for their neighbors and others less fortunate, not one of them is a dud I am happy to report.  We did good, hubs and I. As far as being able to water ski, it’s not a life skill, but it is how I lost an hour sitting on the couch today, watching squirrels dart about the yard, with the lake beyond, waiting.  

When there is an opportunity, take it.

It’s not possible for anything to bring more joy into my day than seeing the faces of my own beautiful three now grown children reflected in the faces of my grandbabies.  Catching glimpses of who they were as babies themselves.  I am particularly thrilled when I see my daughter’s son show signs of his uncle, her brother, in his expressions. It makes me laugh, and it warms my heart.

Family resemblances are fun, and funny.  We lost a beautiful soul earlier this year when my husband’s brother passed away.  We also have a great nephew, another beautiful soul, deep down into his toes, that resembles this great-uncle of his so much it’s uncanny.  From the long skinny neck of a teenage boy, to the mannerisms, to the deep, deep brown of his big, doe like eyes, and the dark curls…oh, the curls.  Family.  It is truly something to be proud of, to be amazed by and to cherish.

If you are from a tight knit family, be grateful.  If you are from a family that has fractured, and there are so many, for so many different reasons, be a peacemaker, be a repair-man…like the guy who had the little shop out in the garage and can fix anything.  Be that guy if you can.

Last year, we had a couple great weekends on the ice and our kids missed it.  After posting pictures of a little hockey on this ice from an earlier weekend, our daughter said “That’s it.  We are coming up.  I will be skating.”  She piled her little family in the car and drove the two and a half hours as if on a mission.  While I am not sure she got as much skating in as she hoped, she did have two afternoons of times with her babies and a beautiful night skate with her husband on ice like black glass, after the babies were asleep. An opportunity that could not be missed. 

The lake this week has turned from smooth as glass and almost as clear, to dark and coated with snow, sleet and crusty ice.  We had two weekends of great skating, and we tried to take as much advantage of it as we could.  Husband skated, with his skates taped around his ankles because the leather is so broken down, and the laces are shreds.  But he skated.  He was out on the ice with two of his grandbabies and loving every second.

I am so very happy for my little home on the lake, where memories are made, a place to come home.   

Taking 2017 with joy!

I announced several months ago a desire and a quest to take joy, to share joy and to live joyously.   I am pretty pleased with how that is going, and admit there is much to discover and understand about living joyously.  I hope you will join me in 2017 and read along, share a comment, allow a giggle or two, as I look to the good, for the good and know there is good.  

 

Things really started happening at the end of last week.  We had to go pick up my new swivel/glider rocking chairs for the area just in front of the fireplace, we had the fireplace delivered, we ordered stone, we talked to my buddy, who will be here later today to start on the framing for said fireplace installation.  We are moving along! One side is disaster and one side is nearing completion!  While part of me wants to say the major renovation has been complete, there is the kitchen update looming large.  I am so excited about the kitchen decisions we have made and look forward to the renovation! The dust, the falling insulation, the grossness (sure, yeah, I admit it) of kitchen remodeling.  Surprises under the fridge and oven.  Ew.

Hubs has laid floor in about half the space and we moved a TV upstairs.  We are watching TV upstairs, folks.  Like grown-ups.  I didn’t even go down in the basement for two days!  Now, the basement is finished, it’s not like a dungeon or anything, but I prefer my living room and my view.  The second part of the interior renovation, and the kitchen, is going to close off the new part for a bit and I will be going back downstairs, but, for this moment…I love the space!

We had perfect ice for two days and that made it possible to have skaters.  Have you ever watched skaters? It’s a dream world, for them and for those of us who watch.  Playing hockey, figure skating, speed skating or just learning, taking those first tentative, choppy steps – on an open lake – exhilarating.  Kids of all ages were headed back to school or work, but, their last weekend was spent on the ice, twirling, sliding, falling, laughing.  What an end to a long Christmas break! 

This week, as I watched the skaters, the moms and dads out there on the ice with their kids, I committed anew to joyous living.  To finding the good, the great even, in the big and the small, to claim it as mine, and to share it as yours.  Join me. 

Happy, joyful and joy-filled 2017, everyone.