SMALL VICTORIES

I am officially "up to date" .... from this point on I am reporting progress in real time.


this weekend was about small victories

in my laundry room (okay - it's a closet) I hung this rack for the ironing board and iron and stuff.... the joke is - I did it for Gail because I don't iron unless my life or career depends on it.













I hung the rod in the old hall closet and now I have a real coat closet for my real coats - and I hung it higher than normal so there is plenty of room for my winter boots.


Remember - I have been in Southern California for over 30 years - coats and boots are an exciting new thing for me.



LIFE IS GOOD

OCTOBER '08 OLD HABITS DIE HARD

I have found myself falling into old habits....I don't want to post photos because things aren't "done". I gave myself a lecture in the mirror and a reminder that this is all about sharing the journey and showing the progress. So please remember - things are not done - all is in transition - and enjoy the ride.




The California Suite is open for business -
everyone is welcome.

but not all at once

SEPTEMBER '08 CALIFORNIA SUITE

I have guests arriving from SoCal this month so I need to get crackin' on this guest suite on the main floor. I can't get away with mattresses on the floor like I did with the girls.

The shower is tiled......the top row is a little rough 'cause I'm short ( and getting shorter every year apparently) and it was too high......so when you come for a visit - just don't look up.












Not grouted yet...













yes - I bought a jig-saw. I am a woman with power tools. I also bought a belt .... well, it's not really a full tool belt like the guys wear because that would just be cocky - it's more like a holster.

I used the sink as a template but doesn't it look like a huge hard hat?












I found this cabinet that used to hold a television and put the sink in that - I sanded down the top and now need some bling for the handles. Also will have to re-fit the insides - take out the speakers and put in a shelf........














but it works for now !

AUGUST '08 DANCING WITH THE STARS

I was sad after the girls left - who wouldn't be? They are such a tonic for me. Of course we have a complete role reversal now .........they left me with all sorts of instructions - don't do this, don't do that .. lock the doors, don't climb the big ladder. HA


I had several trips to Chicago in August for some design work and took advantage of that time to have the floor done in the main room.







Unfortunately the runner down the center aisle of the church and in front of the altar had been glued down. It took HOURS to get that black spongy backing off the floor. You can see faintly where the wood is lighter - that was the runner.

This photo gives a good sense of proportion - the bead board wainscot is 36" high - entry door is a standard 6'8" - my new doors are 8' and the big window at the end which was originally the exterior wall of the front of the church is about 12'6".








I feel like I should have a big dance before I mess it all up with furniture.



The floors were not "stripped" - they were just refurbished. All the years of scrapes and spills are still visible and I like it that way. There are a few patches and weak spots but we all have those , right?

JULY '08 BESSIE

what can I say ?

She had a good life here at the church for a few days
but she broke her leg
so we ate her

JULY '08 MY GIRLS VISIT PART DEUX

Meghan arrives and is starving so we stop for dinner on the way home - she is mesmerized by the digital photo in our booth - or maybe it was just jet lag.


Also - we stopped for dinner because we have no appliances....manana







WOOHOO

the next morning we get a stove and refrigerator - this is in the little kitchen in the lower level guest suite where there used to be the HUGE Church Ladies kitchen.

You see we got just enough tile grouted so we won't have to move these things again.








after we picked up Meg - we stopped for gas....I got fuel - Meg bought junk food and Carolyn brought home a dairy cow........you'll see more of Bessie later.

They each bring something different to the table - always have and always will !













Luckily Meghan was so exhausted the fact that we were "camping" without window shades made no difference to her - but it was the first order of business the next day.





Little did she know that 6 hours earlier she didn't even have a bed

07/08 MY GIRLS VISIT

Carolyn arrived first and got right down to business. I told them both to bring one dress for my birthday - and the rest WORK CLOTHES.

they were fabulous.













Carrie could not get over how high the river was and the amount of flooding. Their visit was a month after the rains and homes were still standing in water. I received an email awhile ago that said "Where are the rock stars for Iowa and Wisconsin?"



































My builder(who packed this trailer to the ceiling) was very apologetic and said the mattresses were in the very back and there was no way I would be able to get to them.

He didn't realize who was dealing with.....








Carrie wasn't pleased with my determination either - but then SHE had a bed. I had to find those darn things before Meghan arrived !








































SUCCESS




LUCKILY HER FLIGHT WAS LATE