My little E has been saving up for a new doll for a while. She still loves her "Bitty Baby," Sarah, but she is ready for a big-girl doll now. She had been looking at the American Girl dolls but when I showed her the dolls at Vision Forum she fell in love. She had enough money right before we moved, but it was a bit impractical to place the order then. So she's been waiting... very patiently.
Yesterday we got our internet service; this morning she asked if she could order her doll. We went to the VF site and looked over all the dolls again. She chose Fidelia because she looks most like she could be Sarah's big sister.
And imagine my surprise when I discovered that the dolls are on sale! She was very excited to learn she would not have to part with as much of her money! What a wonderful gift.
It'll be interesting to see how this doll fits into the family. E has gotten angry with us when we haven't shown Sarah the proper deference as a member of the family. Last year I received a Mother's Day card from Sarah, addressed to Grandma. Since I am old enough to be my kids' grandma, that did not please me so very much! But then Daddy got a Grandpa card so I felt better. Anyway, I wonder if Sarah will get moved down the pecking order or will maintain alpha doll status...
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Pluses and minuses
Most things in life have pluses and minuses. Most every choice we make has a cost of some kind. Inspired by my recent move and this post of Kerri's, I've been trying to look more closely at the pluses than the minuses in my life.
For example, my new kitchen. I didn't realize that I had a palace kitchen in my old house. I knew it was big, and nice, but I didn't realize how much so till I moved in here. This is the smallest and cruddiest kitchen I have ever tried to cook in. Except, maybe, in a vacation cabin, though I haven't spent much time in vacation cabins. There are two sets of cabinets, both cheap and flimsy, and they don't match. Some of the cupboard doors look as though they had been chewed on by an animal. If I have my drain board up on the counter (which is my habit because I hate drying dishes), I have no space to cook. Truly, no space.
Somehow, I missed these flaws when I looked at this house in February. Oh, I knew about the ugly lime green countertops and backsplashes, but such things are relatively easy and cheap to change. But how did I not notice the chew marks? Or the fact that the corner sink setup is designed to get water all over the floor? I figure I am either really unobservant and looked too quickly, or God blinded me to because this was the house I am supposed to live in.
But... just to the right of the refrigerator there is a nice french door that goes out to my lovely, shady backyard. It's a really nice yard. My yard in Oregon was bigger, and more fun for the kids, but this yard... there are no mole holes in it! None! The grass is smooth and soft; we can walk around in bare feet. My old yard was bumpy from the mole holes and full of crabgrass, with no shade. Now I have shade trees and a nice spot for the hammock, and some pretty hostas in the corners. There is space for more plantings. We can easily eat outside now. In our other house, the backyard was not easily accessible. How can that be, you ask? You go out a door, and you're outside, right? If you had ever been in my house, you'd know what I mean. In order to eat outside, we had to sit on a hot, exposed-to-the-road deck or on the back porch. The back porch was shady in the evenings, but to get there from the kitchen we had to walk downstairs and through another room. That doesn't sound so bad but when you're trying to get food, utensils, etc. to the picnic table... it's not worth the hassle. Here, we are steps away from dinner outside. Or breakfast, as we are doing this morning before it gets too hot.
Of course with less space in the kitchen, there is less to clean!
For the past 3 mornings I have gone, alone, for walks. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. My new neighborhood is made up of quiet streets with pretty houses that are interesting to look at. I wander and ponder, thinking of inexpensive ways to personalize the front of our house. Wondering if flower beds in front would be worth the work, or if there's another way I can inject color. My old house was on a busy, windy, narrow-in-places road that was not so pleasant for walking. Walking is my favorite form of exercise, and I need more of it. During the move, I lost 10 pounds. All that packing, loading, unloading, stress... now I need to keep the weight off (and lose some more). Starting the new habit of walking will help.
When I looked out most windows in my old house, I couldn't see any other houses, just trees.... it was beautiful. But here I see pretty houses with flowers and green lawns. I see the homes of sweet older ladies who have already befriended us. We lost some privacy, but are gaining some friends.
I know more pluses and minuses will come up. But now I have to make cinnamon toast and get back out onto the shady back porch and read some more of Mathilda to my children.
For example, my new kitchen. I didn't realize that I had a palace kitchen in my old house. I knew it was big, and nice, but I didn't realize how much so till I moved in here. This is the smallest and cruddiest kitchen I have ever tried to cook in. Except, maybe, in a vacation cabin, though I haven't spent much time in vacation cabins. There are two sets of cabinets, both cheap and flimsy, and they don't match. Some of the cupboard doors look as though they had been chewed on by an animal. If I have my drain board up on the counter (which is my habit because I hate drying dishes), I have no space to cook. Truly, no space.
Somehow, I missed these flaws when I looked at this house in February. Oh, I knew about the ugly lime green countertops and backsplashes, but such things are relatively easy and cheap to change. But how did I not notice the chew marks? Or the fact that the corner sink setup is designed to get water all over the floor? I figure I am either really unobservant and looked too quickly, or God blinded me to because this was the house I am supposed to live in.
But... just to the right of the refrigerator there is a nice french door that goes out to my lovely, shady backyard. It's a really nice yard. My yard in Oregon was bigger, and more fun for the kids, but this yard... there are no mole holes in it! None! The grass is smooth and soft; we can walk around in bare feet. My old yard was bumpy from the mole holes and full of crabgrass, with no shade. Now I have shade trees and a nice spot for the hammock, and some pretty hostas in the corners. There is space for more plantings. We can easily eat outside now. In our other house, the backyard was not easily accessible. How can that be, you ask? You go out a door, and you're outside, right? If you had ever been in my house, you'd know what I mean. In order to eat outside, we had to sit on a hot, exposed-to-the-road deck or on the back porch. The back porch was shady in the evenings, but to get there from the kitchen we had to walk downstairs and through another room. That doesn't sound so bad but when you're trying to get food, utensils, etc. to the picnic table... it's not worth the hassle. Here, we are steps away from dinner outside. Or breakfast, as we are doing this morning before it gets too hot.
Of course with less space in the kitchen, there is less to clean!
For the past 3 mornings I have gone, alone, for walks. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. My new neighborhood is made up of quiet streets with pretty houses that are interesting to look at. I wander and ponder, thinking of inexpensive ways to personalize the front of our house. Wondering if flower beds in front would be worth the work, or if there's another way I can inject color. My old house was on a busy, windy, narrow-in-places road that was not so pleasant for walking. Walking is my favorite form of exercise, and I need more of it. During the move, I lost 10 pounds. All that packing, loading, unloading, stress... now I need to keep the weight off (and lose some more). Starting the new habit of walking will help.
When I looked out most windows in my old house, I couldn't see any other houses, just trees.... it was beautiful. But here I see pretty houses with flowers and green lawns. I see the homes of sweet older ladies who have already befriended us. We lost some privacy, but are gaining some friends.
I know more pluses and minuses will come up. But now I have to make cinnamon toast and get back out onto the shady back porch and read some more of Mathilda to my children.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Back in the real world
Oops, I mean the virtual world. We had internet access in motels during our cross-country move but it took a long time to get set up at home.
We've been spending our time unpacking, trying to fit everything into our new (and much smaller) house, finding the library, grocery stores, and all that stuff. Got together with the new homeschool group at a park day and met some kids. Are learning to deal with hot humid weather.
I noticed that I did not do a monthly reading post for June. Well, that's OK because I didn't read anything. I had lots of plans for reading to the kids along the way but we just drove and drove. We finally finished Johnny Tremain this morning. J had been in a slump but since losing computer privileges for a week he's rediscovered the joy of books and has read The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop, and Knight's Castle by Edward Eager. We have lots more E. Eager books and the sequel to the Winthrop book, but I can't find those book boxes yet. E just keeps finding stuff to read, even if it's a craft book. I can't think of anything she's finished.
I have barely picked up my Bible, let alone done any other reading. But the bookcases are filling up and the craving to read has started....
We've been spending our time unpacking, trying to fit everything into our new (and much smaller) house, finding the library, grocery stores, and all that stuff. Got together with the new homeschool group at a park day and met some kids. Are learning to deal with hot humid weather.
I noticed that I did not do a monthly reading post for June. Well, that's OK because I didn't read anything. I had lots of plans for reading to the kids along the way but we just drove and drove. We finally finished Johnny Tremain this morning. J had been in a slump but since losing computer privileges for a week he's rediscovered the joy of books and has read The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop, and Knight's Castle by Edward Eager. We have lots more E. Eager books and the sequel to the Winthrop book, but I can't find those book boxes yet. E just keeps finding stuff to read, even if it's a craft book. I can't think of anything she's finished.
I have barely picked up my Bible, let alone done any other reading. But the bookcases are filling up and the craving to read has started....
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Traveling....
On Saturday (7/14) we left home at about 7 pm and got as far as The Dalles, OR, a whopping 98 miles. Oh well, at least we were out of town.
Sunday we drove from The Dalles to Twin Falls, ID. Didn't stop much along the way; didn't seem like there was much to see!
Monday was Twin Falls to Cheyenne, WY. 651 miles; a long day. We did take a detour to see The Great Salt Lake, which was anti-climactic at best. The kids wanted to put their feet in it but we couldn't get that close without a long drive to an island and a hefty state park fee. So, they saw some salty areas of ground near the lake. Close enough.
Tuesday we blew through the rest of Wyoming and all of Nebraska, coming to rest on the edge of Iowa.
Today is Wednesday? We are going to visit a few local attractions and then head to Rock Island, IL. A short day; only 308 miles. Should be easy...
Having good audio books is helping a lot. Over the last 2 days we listened to book 1 in "The Mistmantle Chronicles" which is a great fantasy story. Good themes for discussion and a little MacBeth. Great stuff and helps those miles go by faster. Today, we are going to start "The Lord of the Rings."
Sunday we drove from The Dalles to Twin Falls, ID. Didn't stop much along the way; didn't seem like there was much to see!
Monday was Twin Falls to Cheyenne, WY. 651 miles; a long day. We did take a detour to see The Great Salt Lake, which was anti-climactic at best. The kids wanted to put their feet in it but we couldn't get that close without a long drive to an island and a hefty state park fee. So, they saw some salty areas of ground near the lake. Close enough.
Tuesday we blew through the rest of Wyoming and all of Nebraska, coming to rest on the edge of Iowa.
Today is Wednesday? We are going to visit a few local attractions and then head to Rock Island, IL. A short day; only 308 miles. Should be easy...
Having good audio books is helping a lot. Over the last 2 days we listened to book 1 in "The Mistmantle Chronicles" which is a great fantasy story. Good themes for discussion and a little MacBeth. Great stuff and helps those miles go by faster. Today, we are going to start "The Lord of the Rings."
Friday, July 13, 2007
A day late... or maybe two
Today was the day we were to set off on our seminary adventure. On Monday the truck came and that evening some friends came over to help load the heavy stuff. Then we planned to spend the next 2 days filling it ourselves, while we finished packing. Call the trucking co. by 2 pm, and be out the door by, say, 6 or so. Easy.
Hahahahahaha!
Do it yourself moving is not for the faint of heart. At least, not once you hit middle age and have a big house, a lot of books and other stuff, and 2 young kids. I thought about all the moves I made in my 20s and 30s when I was single. I'd rent a u-haul and put my stereo, bed, boxes of books and clothes into the back, and off we'd go. I didn't have to worry about tying down the load, or filling up all the space, or making sure my nice (though few) antiques didn't get scratched up. I probably would have had the stamina for 12 hour work days. That's 12 hours of relentless work - packing, loading, pushing, pulling, up and down the truck ramp.
I also didn't have two children who don't feel a particular urge to leave behind their only home, all their friends, and all that is dear to them to set off on an adventure. They are sad, and crabby, and they need lots of attention, not less just because Daddy and I are busy.
So, we decided to slow down just a little bit. We can leave tomorrow or even Saturday without a financial loss, or much of a time loss. The seminarian won't have the luxury of two weeks before starting his summer Greek class. But we won't be so crazed.
So, if you sent me a "bon voyage!" email today, well.... I'm still here!
Hahahahahaha!
Do it yourself moving is not for the faint of heart. At least, not once you hit middle age and have a big house, a lot of books and other stuff, and 2 young kids. I thought about all the moves I made in my 20s and 30s when I was single. I'd rent a u-haul and put my stereo, bed, boxes of books and clothes into the back, and off we'd go. I didn't have to worry about tying down the load, or filling up all the space, or making sure my nice (though few) antiques didn't get scratched up. I probably would have had the stamina for 12 hour work days. That's 12 hours of relentless work - packing, loading, pushing, pulling, up and down the truck ramp.
I also didn't have two children who don't feel a particular urge to leave behind their only home, all their friends, and all that is dear to them to set off on an adventure. They are sad, and crabby, and they need lots of attention, not less just because Daddy and I are busy.
So, we decided to slow down just a little bit. We can leave tomorrow or even Saturday without a financial loss, or much of a time loss. The seminarian won't have the luxury of two weeks before starting his summer Greek class. But we won't be so crazed.
So, if you sent me a "bon voyage!" email today, well.... I'm still here!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
(For some reason I can't put a title to this post! It was going to be "New justification for collecting fabric.")
We're into the packing frenzy mode now. Doesn't every move have one? So many things we couldn't pack early... now it's getting late!
I've found that my stash of fabric is really helpful for padding items as I put them in boxes. Fat quarters and remnants are great for filling in little spaces so the box is full enough not to crush.
Yarn is very good for filling in too, but only if (like me) you buy cheap yarn. If I was a real knitter and had nice wool, I wouldn't stuff it into the bowl of my Kitchenaid to keep the attachments from rolling around. Kitchen cotton works fine, though. Well, I guess so. I'll find out when we get to our destination.
We're into the packing frenzy mode now. Doesn't every move have one? So many things we couldn't pack early... now it's getting late!
I've found that my stash of fabric is really helpful for padding items as I put them in boxes. Fat quarters and remnants are great for filling in little spaces so the box is full enough not to crush.
Yarn is very good for filling in too, but only if (like me) you buy cheap yarn. If I was a real knitter and had nice wool, I wouldn't stuff it into the bowl of my Kitchenaid to keep the attachments from rolling around. Kitchen cotton works fine, though. Well, I guess so. I'll find out when we get to our destination.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Celebrating Independence from junk
Yesterday we had our big dumpster party. We had one of those big "roll-off" (technical term) containers delivered to our driveway to get rid of assorted... stuff... that has accumulated. We ended up with one bigger than we'd requested, and it turned out to be a good thing.
It's amazing how much stuff builds up over 9 years when a family has no motivation to get rid of it. Meaning, we are lazy and we have a lot of space. Today I also made some rounds, getting rid of some old paint (actually left by previous owners), my wedding gown (to a charity that provides gowns for women with cancer), some storage cabinets (to a friend who met us at a home depot parking lot to make the drop) and some books (used book store).
It feels wonderful to get rid of unwanted stuff. I just feel a little weight falling off my shoulders with each toss into the dumpster or each dropoff.
So if anyone is wondering how we're doing getting ready to move, there you go.
Oh, the kids had some fun with fireworks last night too. They said it was the best 4th of July ever. It was good to see them having fun as they are dreading the move more, the closer it gets.
It's amazing how much stuff builds up over 9 years when a family has no motivation to get rid of it. Meaning, we are lazy and we have a lot of space. Today I also made some rounds, getting rid of some old paint (actually left by previous owners), my wedding gown (to a charity that provides gowns for women with cancer), some storage cabinets (to a friend who met us at a home depot parking lot to make the drop) and some books (used book store).
It feels wonderful to get rid of unwanted stuff. I just feel a little weight falling off my shoulders with each toss into the dumpster or each dropoff.
So if anyone is wondering how we're doing getting ready to move, there you go.
Oh, the kids had some fun with fireworks last night too. They said it was the best 4th of July ever. It was good to see them having fun as they are dreading the move more, the closer it gets.
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