The day started out badly again–migraine and screaming cat outside the front door–but it ended well. The bedroom redo is 99% complete, which means it’s pretty much done. A curtain panel made it home with the security sensor still attached, a couple of hidden boards still need paint, some things still need to be put away, but overall, the change is made. The tweaks will have to come later and don’t affect the transformation. I’m pleased with it, which is good. That means I can quit thinking about it. And I’ve already warned my daughter that she needs to fake it if, for some wild reason, she doesn’t like it. So I’m thankful the room is done. I’m also thankful that my cat, who snuck out and stayed out all night, waking me at 2 am with the sounds of a cat fight outside my bedroom window and then wailing at the front door at 6 am, didn’t encounter a horrible fate in the dark. I’m curious as to what did if it were indeed him fighting with something in the wee hours of the morning. The frustrated gardener in me rather hopes it was the rabbit who keeps eating my flowers. I’m also thankful for dinner cooked for me again (turkey leg beats popcorn, add that to rock, paper, scissors) and cool weather that’s perfect for sleeping, which I plan to do soon.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
July 15
So last night I discovered that the project of my daughters bedroom redo wasn’t going as smoothly as I had thought. I should have known better. There’s a particular portion I’ve been building and when I went to assemble things, it didn’t go so well. I don’t want to say what it is in case she’s reading my blog (highly doubtful but she’s been trying to get info out of me the past couple of days) but suffice it to say, it’s a rather central item. Now I measured things more than twice before I cut, but what I didn’t do correctly was account for the width of the wood when adding measurements of all key pieces. Thankfully, I ended up with some pieces too long instead of too short and was able to salvage the project. Of course that doesn’t mean all went well today. I found myself doing dumb stuff like screwing things together backwards and hanging things upside down. But I kept it together–no throwing items or getting too upset. And I called in some extra hands when lifting awkward items became necessary (thank you, boyfriend!). I’ve learned over the many years of home projecting that it doesn’t do a lot of good to continue working when I get frustrated. It’s much easier to take a break and return refreshed. So after making the necessary adjustments, that is what I did tonight. And I’m grateful I have another day to pull it all together.
July 14
No matter how tired and crabby I may get, this guy still likes to hang out with me. I’m thankful tonight for that.
July 13
I don’t dislike my job, but I hate how Sunday evening becomes slightly disappointing in the anticipation of starting the work week. I’m always so aware on Sunday night of how much more remains on my to-do list and I wish I had more weekend time. But that’s ok. What’s left will remain on the list for another day. I did get a lot accomplished on my daughter’s room. I’m confident I’ll have it finished before she’s home for a couple days at the end of the week and then gone again. So tonight I’m thankful for that and for the following:
Finding my bedroom floor
Help with painting
Shopping success
Glitter, glitter everywhere
Banana muffins
Funny Snapchats
July 12
I’m thankful today for new adventures in local areas, touring a brewery that makes fantastic craft beer in a beautifully landscaped and interesting setting. I’m amazed I hadn’t been there before, so it was a treat to go today.
July 11
Today was the perfect blend of rather quick work day–well, after the first few hours it seemed to go quickly–and slow evening. I’m making pretty good progress on my daughter’s bedroom redo. I hate to jinx myself, but so far things are coming together well. I can’t wait to get to the part where I’m putting it all back together and adding some finishing touches. It is rather ironic that while I’m working on her room in the hopes that she will start to keep it clean after this, the rest of the house looks like squatters have moved in. By the time I get my own bedroom clean (I had an unfortunate closet incident so all of my clothes/shoes are piled on the floor) it could be Fall and I’ll have no need for the summer clothes I’m trying to rearrange. But I’m on a time frame for the redecorating, so the cleaning has been postponed to a little later. However, I did take time out for Hibachi food, Wisconsin beer, and Game of Throne watching with my favorite guy. So I’m thankful today for a happy ending to another beautiful day.
July 10
So I was texting with my mom today about house projects and tv shows and how there isn’t enough time for everything. Here’s how our exchange went:
Mom Clone yourself.
Me Ha! There’s an idea.
Mom I think the world could use a few more of you.
Me I’m not sure the world could handle it.
Mom We could send out a memo preparing everyone for it.
Me Doomsday.
Mom No, no…wrong train of thought. More like a multiple blessing.
Me Aw, thanks!
Mom I only speak the truth. Unless I’m texting your sister Jenny. Haha!
I love my mom. I really thought she was being sarcastic, which would not surprise me in the least. After all she’s not the type of mom who’s blind to my faults, some of which had come up in a prior phone conversation. Instead, she was being sweet and I was thankful for that today. I needed it. Of course, I love that she ended our exchange with a sense of humor. I’m guessing my sister, who reads this blog, knows what my mom was referring to. My mom isn’t really a liar. But she does like a good joke.
July 9
I’m thankful for another beautiful day. For the breeze coming through open windows. For getting a few things done at home. For patience. For just a little bit of chocolate ice cream after a lot of fruit. And for a day off of work tomorrow.
July 8
My youngest is now gone on her mission’s trip. She texted at 2:30 am to let me know their flight landed safely in Canada. I’m proud of her and excited for her; this will be something she’ll grow from and remember for the rest of her life. I’m thankful they made it there and am looking forward to hearing all about it when she gets back home. In the meantime, I’m faced with an empty house for most of the month. I have to admit, I don’t like it. Not that I have a problem being home alone; I’ve had plenty of days by myself. There just seems to be something different about it this time. Maybe it’s the extended period of time. Maybe it’s the fact that for the first time since I’ve been on my own, I’m getting a taste of what it will be like for me soon. On my own. Completely. My oldest is going away to college. My youngest has only a couple of years left of high school. Assuming my circumstances don’t change, I will be living by myself without anyone else here even part-time. Well, except for my cat. And while that isn’t the end of the world, of course, it’s uncomfortable for me. It’s reminding me that I’m at the point where I’m losing pieces of what I considered my life and I’m not sure yet how to fill the voids. And I didn’t expect to be faced with this alone. It dawned on me recently that if I had stayed with my girls’ father, we would have been married for 20 years this year. And while I don’t have too many regrets, the one I do have is not being able to celebrate a 20 year anniversary. Or 25 or 40. Not that I wish I were still married to my ex. Not at all. But I do wish I had figured the relationship thing out sooner along the way. I remember when I was first engaged, my dad got upset with me for not being 100% focused on my upcoming wedding. I was still in college and trying to maintain a social life. He told me I didn’t need friends and parties anymore because I was getting married and that should be my priority. And while I don’t agree with his philosophy, the thought crossed my mind after he passed away that he didn’t get to see me in a successful marriage. So for me, it seems like my failure. And as I think about how quickly time passes, and how short life is, I wonder if I’ll have another opportunity at it. When I look at the young couples I know just starting out, buying their first houses and having babies, I sometimes wish for a do-over. I’d do it better if I had a second chance at the first time. But I’ve seen The Butterfly Effect. Do-overs are impossible without terrible consequences. And while I may have failed thus far in this one thing, I have succeeded in others. Like my amazing kids. Both of whom are spending a good portion of their summer vacation helping others. I’m trying to accept that my life is evolving and not worry about the future. I know it will figure itself out. And I’ll survive this month in a quiet house.
July 7
I found out today that a guy I went to grade school with died recently. Apparently he had been battling lymphoma for a couple of years. Today was his birthday; he was born the same year I was, which is probably why, even though I hadn’t seen or heard of him in years, his passing seems so strange and sad. While I find myself feeling old some days, when I heard of his death, it reminded me of how young we really are. His was a life cut short. It’s another reminder that no day is promised to anyone. Although I wasn’t friends with him currently, I do remember my old classmate. So I was thankful to read in his obituary that he lived his bucket list, working as a pastry chef and traveling around the world. He lived in London for a year. He died in Hawaii. From the list of things he enjoyed, I’m guessing we could have been friends: the ocean, hot days outside, good wine, the Christmas season. I’m guessing he knew his time was short and tried to live it with as much gusto as possible. His family ended his obituary with the following, wise words for all of us. He lived life with fullness and joy. We are reminded through his life to live each day with the possibility of nurturing curiosity and spreading kindness.
melissagratitude 