Things aren't always what they seem

So in my last post I mentioned some excitement about taking wedding gifts out of the attic.  These things have been sitting up there for 3 years waiting to be rediscovered.    Well today was the day.  I was quite enthusiastic and began by getting out tableware and flatware so I could wash it and put it away.  My flatware is a 65 piece set that has 12 of each: knives, dinner forks, salad forks, and spoons.   And then the basic serving utensils.  I began by opening the box containing the knives and proceeded with the dinner and salad forks putting all of them in the dishwasher.  But as I went to open the box of spoons what did I find??? MORE forks!

Ahhh....talk about disappointment and frustration.   I started thinking about how or if it was possible to return them after 3 whole years.  I mean, what am I going to do with 48 FORKS and ZERO spoons?!  I have the proof of purchase sticker since it was a wedding gift, but unfortunately the store doesn't even carry this style of flatware anymore.  At this point I have put everything back in the box, and I will make a trip to the store to plead with them to exchange my flatware.  But oh what a pain!

I guess I'll find out soon enough just how good this store's return policy is.

Lots of updates

Life has been full speed ahead the past few months.  The job has been going well, and I've added a second part-time job.  But its the work at home that keeps us busy.  Ever since we found out I was pregnant we've been on a mission to finish remodeling the first floor of our house.

We've been sanding and refinishing hardwood floors, patching walls, installing trim, priming, painting, building cabinets, staining cabinets, installing cabinets and the list goes on.  I can't wait until it is all finished considering the level of stress it brings to have the house in constant disarray and to feel like all extra time is dedicated to working on the house.  Needless to say, we need a break.

Our hope is that by next week the major tasks will be complete.  And I'm thinking that for the first time since we married I'll be able to take many of our wedding gifts out of the attic and actually use them.

I'll post "after" pictures when it's all said and done.        

Job

Did I mention I have a job?

It's been tough for me to find a job over the last year. But thanks to a friend and former co-worker I started a very part-time job a few months back. I'm very happy and feel blessed to be in the position because it truly makes me realize how much I enjoy working with and supporting others.

And the short version of what I do? I provide support for the mentors and mentees of a mentoring program. It's not straight up social work, but it is giving me some experience that I didn't previously have. For instance, I have the opportunity to do home visits. I never did that as part of my practicum.

what's worse

I don't know what's worse. Extreme heat, dry, wilting plants and sweaty all over or thundershowers to cool things off, which ultimately floods the basement and leaves you without hot water.

Lost

Have you noticed the lack of posting? I don't consider myself an exceptionally great writer and therefore blogger (though I probably underestimate myself. I've been known to do that a lot). I used to keep a journal from the time I was in high school and through college, but writing in a journal was very different than blogging. I never expected anyone to read my journal, but the pressure to speak to an audience leaves me frozen.

And then, I have not decided what this blog should contain. And gosh that doesn't help because then I haven't given myself boundaries and thus freedom to write. I know. It sounds strange. But when I have perimeters then it actually frees me to run around within the perimeters and do whatever I know I can. Its like having a compass and with that compass I feel free to explore because I have some point of reference.

Anyway, reader, what suggestions might you have or references on blogging that might help me find direction?

Sincerely,

Lost

Allergy

I've never been known to be allergic to anything. Now I think I am. I've had hives on my body for two days now. I'm ready for them to leave me alone. And of course I've considered all the possible culprits and am trying to eliminate them but really nothing seems to make sense. Sigh.

Remodel Semi-Stalled

So the remodeling of the 1st floor bathroom is not officially complete. It has been stalled because trim needs to be put up before the last coat of paint can go on and the mirror, towel rods, and wall cabinet can be installed. But below are very similar shots as what I previously posted to give a idea of how the project has come along.

Notice the yellow glue has been replaced with tile and a finished wall

This is the closest this bathroom has come to being complete. The sides of the sink cabinet had veneer that was not in the best shape for me to refinish. So instead I put a metal panel that you would place on the wall behind your stove to protect it from food/oil splatter. Originally I went looking for stainless steel panels but after pricing them and seeing the other color choices, the "almond" panel looked like a perfect fit. AND it protects the cabinet from water and further warping.

Another view of the cabinet and toilet. Even the toilet looks like it got a facelift. Even if you wanted to, you couldn't imagine how dirty it was.

So for now we have moved on to the kitchen. The walls have been primed, the ceiling painted and the floor is in the process of being laid. The only significant construction in the kitchen will be to transform the pantry into a refrigerator nook and bedroom closest to allow more space.

Here's a "before" picture. Note the grease on the wall and ceiling above the stove.

Growing

Last year I decided to buy some flowers at the local hardware store to plant in our rediculously naked flower bed in front of our house (pictured above). To my knowledge nothing has really ever grown there before I came along, with the exception of a cherry tomato plant, rose bushes that were diseased and tulips in the spring. I bought a whole24 flat of marigolds (an annual I've loved since I was akid) and a few geraniums to fill it up and give our poor brown spot some life. Well the marigolds loved it because I had never seen any grow as big as these. I guess that soil was ready to give something life...and a big life at that.

This year, since I have not found a job and I was well beyond stir crazy by March, I decided to go a little farther with the gardening. I started my own seedlings in the house andlots of them. I began with more than enough Roma tomato plants. In spanish we call them jitomates, and they are a staple in Mexican cooking so I don't worry about having too many because I can always use them and so can family that lives with and near us. I've also planted Jalapeños and cilantro. And for flowers I have Zinnias, marigolds, Impatiens and one other flower that I don't know what it is but came from some seeds I saved from last years flowers!!

For now they are all growing nicely in their little pots but I can't wait until it's time to get them outside and fill the bed in front AND the planters in back.

I've never been so excited to see something grow. It's nice to preoccupy my mind with something other than the job search and house remodeling (though the job search is not going so bad either).

Remodeling

It seems that just as the seasons change so does our motivation (and the availability of money). As spring is slowly moving in so is the remodeling bug. We began at least 2 weeks ago to remodel the first floor bathroom. I really wish I had a true "before" picture because this bathroom was hideous but here are a couple of the first pictures. There was not a single light in the bathroom. The only light was a small lamp plugged into the wall and sitting over the toilet. And this theme of lack of light continues throughout the first floor. But I digress. So the bathroom's ceiling was collapsing due to a leak in our tub above. The walls had plastic tiles that were falling off to reveal an old yellowing glue (seen above). The other half of the wall was covered in mildew ridden wallpaper. The plastic tub surround was yellow and cracked and then duct-taped. And the horrible image goes on.

But as of today, the walls have been mudded, sanded, and primed, tile has been laid for the tub and shower surround, and 2 lights have been installed as well as a much needed bath fan (refer to mildew walls and wallpaper). But we're really only half way there. We have the floor, cabinet/sink, walls, and bath fixtures to finish. We've taken up 2 layers of linoleum and still have to take up the hardwood that was below all of that because it is half rotted from water leakage and because we will be laying tile and need the surface between the bathroom floor and hallway floor to be level.

I've also been working on refinishing cabinets for the bathroom. We found them on Craigs list and actually the sink cabinet is exactly the same style as what was already there but the condition is much better. And for $30 and a little elbow grease, it's a steal.

So the work continues. I'll surely update with final photos when its complete.

Music for the soul

I first heard Carrie Newcomer when I worked for a retreat center. Her song "I Heard an Owl" was on one of our reflection cds. To this day I am moved by that song, but I have also since discovered many more of her moving songs. Here is one that I dedicate to my Godfather who recently lost a long battle with cancer.