Potatoes, hammers & verps.

Day #2 of 2012. Got some much needed sleep, which was great. Had a tasty breakfast, though it would've been tastier if Dan were here instead of at work. Thinking about what to do with the next few hours until he gets home. I could clean the kitchen, which is a mess of tools and construction debris on one half and dirty dishes and food stuff on the other half. Completely unappealing. Though I have to say, it's a much nicer place to spend time since we made a huge opening in the wall. More sunlight. You can actually talk to the person in the next room without yelling or leaving the room. Music is audible. It was a good choice. Caught up on some emails with old friends. Thinking about removing my wedding ring but the window of non-swollen fingers may have passed. Does that mean it has to be cut off or only if it's bothering me?

Had a good day yesterday hanging with my pal Katie. Quite a few belly laughs, which was awesome. Can't get enough of those! Not looking forward to returning to the grind of work tomorrow. I'm really anxious about all the work we need to get completed by the end of the month so the rest of the insulation work can be done. Much of it will fall on Dan's shoulders because I just can't do it and that's shitty. This wasn't the plan. I really hate feeling like a weak/wimpy girl. But at the moment, I don't have much of a choice. And it will be several months before I can take up some slack again. Ugh.

Other than that, things are going okay. Dan and I ended 2011 with insulation, subfloor, a ceiling and furring in the kitchen nook (photo above). A bit of wiring to be done and we'll be ready for sheetrock install. None of this would've happened if we hadn't had a full day of help from many folks at my work followed by a week of Jake's help finishing up the roof repair, dealing with some wiring and framing. It was a fun and productive visit! (Sorry about all the roof work, Jake. I know it's not your fave. Maybe future visits will just be visits and not work trips...)


Feeling pretty okay these days, which is huge. Trying not to spend too much time thinking (and when I say thinking I actually mean worrying) about the changes that will come with the arrival of future child and how we will manage said changes. Had a great visit with the midwife a week or so ago. I didn't have the best experience the last time I saw her. She was rough and cold and witch-like. Not really someone who I want to spend a lot of time with... This last visit was totally different, though she's still kinda witchy. She shared lots of good information, let me know things were progressing well and not to worry about x, y & z. My time with her really eased my mind, which was much needed.

Not too much else going on. Now that I've written about all the stuff that needs to happen around here, I better get off my butt and get something done! See ya!

Names

People at my work have been contributing names for our future child. This is the list so far - it's on a big white board in the hallway. Babar's my fave.

Wish Me Well

Currently worrying about a conversation I have to have with my boss. Not looking forward to it. Not really sure what to say or how to say it. My boss is very new to being my boss - we don't cross paths much. Really don't know what to expect at all.

Our week of "vacation" comes to an end. I still have my usual Monday off tomorrow, but it's back to work for the Danners. Hard to believe that a week ago we were sunning ourselves on the beach at Assateague. It was a gorgeous day for the beach though none of us brought sunscreen... Who knew it would be such a nice day? Not me.

The inlaw visit was good. Uneventful. Indeed it seems that staying out of the house as much as possible is the best thing to do.

Got some good stuff accomplished this week. Lots of lanscaping mostly done. It looks tons better than the dirt farm of summer.

THEN:

NOW:

So far, this rain garden seems to be draining well, which feels like a huge victory after watching it sit for 6 weeks or so full of water during almost continuous rain. We tilled in a lot of sand, gravel and organic materials before planting. Hopeful that it doesn't have anymore issues. Still a bit of work to do - a few more things to plant along the side of the house, pavers for the garden path to install and a bit more mulching.

The focus for the rest of the week was tearing out most of the old kitchen. We decided not to deal w/the cabinets and plumbing right now because it's not necessary for the insulation work to be complete - so that'll be a project for some future time. We moved all of our non-cabinet kitchen stuff into the back bedroom and tore down all the crappy paneling. It used to be a happy yellow kitchen before the evil wood paneling and brown paint took over. The next day, I was sick as a dog with either a quick flu bug or food poisoning (crappy Chinese food) so Dan slaved away alone that day and the next by himself, tearing out lots of other stuff.

Before:


After:


So - that's where the vacation house work ends. And such is life around here. It was fun to hang out w/ Dan for the week, when I wasn't vomiting. Wish we'd had more time for fun things this week. But that will come in time.

Back to work this week. Off to Talladega, Alabama next week for work. Back to Balto for a few days and then we'll head to St Louis for a wedding the first weekend of November. Looks like we'll be enjoying our food in the not-so-kitcheny kitchen for a while yet...

Gosh, life is exciting.

this sucks

Sunday night

When I was a kid, I was envious of my dad sometimes - because he got to mud & tape drywall and he also got to eat as much ice cream as he wanted everyday. Now that I'm grown, I'm not so interested in daily doses of ice cream, but I do enjoy finishing drywall. The sound of the knife against the pan reminds me of being a kid and I feel lucky that I get to do this in my own house.

Chicago

Room with a queen size bed all to myself
Wish the Danners could've come with me

French fries and a chocolate shake don't make the best dinner
Unfortunate
My tum is hungry

Wearing the big fluffy robe

Looking at the room service menu - ridiculous prices
Might just do it anyway
Gotta eat