As We Know It..

I have come to the conclusion that I am not very good at keeping a consistent blog. :D

November '10

This month was really a blur even though I thought it would never end. It was the countdown till the closing on our house so there was a never-ending trail of papers that needed to be signed and/or faxed for the loan officer. The idea of finally getting out of the terrible apartment situation seemed completely unreal. Things seemed to be getting worse and worse at Overlook Apartments with disrespectful neighbors and the constant bed bug spraying. From the last week of September till like the first week of November, my cats had to be removed from the place every week for an entire day. Thankfully, my parents are awesome and avid cat lovers so they were great with letting them hang out there till it was safe for them to go back home. It could have been pretty costly if we had to place them in a kennel each week.

Other than the crazy pre-house shuffle of packing, we did do some fun stuff. My relatives from Florida came in the week of Thanksgiving which was great so we spent some time with them on the weekend. Thanksgiving day was split between the in-laws, Andy's grandparents, and my parents. Perhaps it was not a good idea to do both houses in one day but I did not learn my lesson.

December '10

The month started off with us closing on the house. (YAY!) However when we were moving our things to the house our friend rear-ended the packed moving track we were driving. Nobody was hurt but Grayson's car was totaled. He had that car for 10 or 12 years. He was very attached. We felt so bad.

It was a very busy month unpacking but we did head to the in-laws and my parents on Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, Andy and I drove around the rural country community I grew up in and through historic downtown Frederick to look at the lights. We managed to get the house mostly together to throw the annual New Year's Eve party for our friends. That was a blast.

January '11

So now we are caught up to 2011. While the house is mostly put together, I haven't put my pretty objects back up on the walls or shelves yet. The office and bedroom is in dire need of organization but I'm getting to it. The upstairs bathroom is currently not usable because Andy had to rip down the shower wall due to moisture getting in behind the tile. He also took down the lame sliding door system that was too short because he'd hit his head while ducking out of it or the water would spray over the top. The bathroom smelled so bad from mildew that had been growing behind the shower wall. (This is one of those times where I am thankful we are a two full bath house.) It is taking longer than we had anticipated though. I think we may have hit the wall finally where we need a plumber. We bought nice new fixtures to install before we put up the last cement board but new fixtures are more complex, larger even. The original 20 year old fixture installation was smaller and pretty much bare bones. In short, the water pipes need to be moved back to accommodate the new fixtures. Once the fixtures are installed, that last cement board can go up.

A proper entry is to come that doesn't read like a summary. :)

The Waterlily Fairy

She is complete. Woo!

To Feel

I am Jill's sigh of relief.
I am Jill's breath of hope.
I am Jill's delicious smile.

Feel

I am Jack's unbridled anger.
I am Jack's lament of hopelessness.
I am Jack's hatred of mediocrity.

Buttercup Princess

Another completed project with crappy pictures! :D

Late Night Reflections

It's 2:30 am and all I hear right now is the roar of the wind outside behind the velvety voice of Imogen Heap drifting out of the speakers. Lately I marvel at how far I've come in my life. I am pleasantly surprised by a lot of things lately. I try not to think of what I've missed because I am moving ever forward. In the darkest corners of my mind rest the old scars and painful memories. However, they are so far away now. They do not ache so much if they cross my mind. It took so long for me to realize how big the world is and how insignificant the rest can be.

The older I get, the less tolerance I have for folks who rub me the wrong way. What I mean to say is, I do not waste my compassion, time, and energy on people who would take advantage of me in any shape or form. I maybe a quiet sort of girl but I am always observing others. I like to watch people period. I connect the dots with everything I observe. I'd like to think I've been touched with a bit of preternatural intuition. That is to say I try not to past judgment hastily. (To say I do not judge people would be a lie because that is one of the most human of flaws.) I can be unkind. I have severed friendships in the past. I severed all ties with my ex-boyfriends promptly after the dissolution of their respective relationships. But it was all done from sound judgment and knowing what was best for me as a person. I used to be a doormat for others once upon a time, always giving the benefit of the doubt and not listening to my instincts. I haven't stopped looking for the good in people though. I'm just much more guarded and calculating till I find that I can open up the trust.

Well Sonic has commandeered my space because clearly I am not paying enough attention to him. I guess that is all for tonight. As soon as I can sneak away from this cat, I'll make up that Black Bean Salad so it can chill all day before dinner. (It's a recipe Mama Jo has. So delish and I do recommend.)

The Geisha

I finished this piece last year sometime but have yet to wash and frame it. It was my first cross stitch project ever. I thought it turned out well. My plan is to frame it and hang it my living room. Forgive these awful webcam pics but, I didn't feel like running all over the apartment to find the perfect light with the proper camera.