June 2007 Archives

Right now Flounder is sitting on line outside our local AT&T store. We are already AT&T customers so we are very familiar with this shop. Flounder is currently #6 in line, which good since he only arrived there about an hour ago. All the same he has 6 hours to wait until they repoen the doors at 6:00 pm. I think you can guess how excited he is. Yes, very. He will probably be dead to me tonight, totally absorbed in his new toy. That's OK really, as long as he also helps me pack.

Back at the house Beau is working at our house right now, yanking out my old sink and vanity, and if I am very lucky, replacing my floor tonight. Rich's bathroom isn't quite done (we are waiting for one more medicine cabinet, once we have it both cabinets will get hung and the lighting will be swapped out too, and the TP holder needs to be moved) but I really feel like we are making good progress. Especially since we will be on vacation starting tomorrow, I am expecting extreme changes when we get home. Maybe even totally complete bathrooms! A girl can dream.

Regardless of what happens while we are gone, I am very pleased to be hitting the road for vacation tomorrow. I can't wait to share Thrasher's fries, Dolle's salt water taffy, and Fisher's caramel popcorn. It's not all about the food though. The Rehoboth board walk and sunny shore are also on our agenda. Here we come!

Quote of the Day:
"The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well."
-Horace Walpole

There are many good reasons to have friends do work for you. Knowing that the person mucking around in your walls and hanging around your house while you are gone is trust-worthy. Having confidence that the friend is doing their best work, because they like you, and know they will still have to look you in the eye when the work is done. Also knowing that the friend values your happiness and will make needed changes with out too much fuss.

There are also some real reasons to pause before taking the leap of working with friends. You will have to deal with money -- and sometimes money and friends don't mix. You will both have to remain professional when managing the project, and maintain the same expectation you would of a stranger. Keep in mind that your friend has a working style that you may not be aware of. Will he/she take time off without notifying you? What kind of hours do they keep? Do they estimate time accurately? Neat? Messy? Make sure you know what to expect and those expectations meet your own.

So far, I would say that having a friend do our bathroom and kitchen remodeling has been the right choice for us, and a learning experience. I have had to take care to always praise the work that has been done before asking for modifications or asking critical questions. I have also had to accept that as a self employed person, our friend has to gauge for himself the days when it doesn't make sense to work for 2 hours, when he could work for 6 the next day. Honestly, I don't always agree with those judgment calls, but in this area working with a stranger and working a friend is just the same. You won't always agree, but you have to remain professional, and try to communicate clearly...

Here ends the diatribe. When I started this entry I didn't expect it to become a little rant -- oh well! There you go!

Quote of the Day:
Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?
Edgar Bergen

I am seriously counting down to the start of vacation the week after next. It's been too long since I had nothing to do. Let me clarify. It's not like I have been living a haired, hectic life where I am constantly in motion. This is not so. You know it's not. However I, like you, do always have an expectations hanging over my head. Things I should or could be doing. People I should be calling or projects I ought to be completing. These undone things haunt me and often stun me into frozen inaction. This is my way. Feeling overwhelmed by the opportunities and responsibilities of life is pretty standard for me. All thought and no action.

But here is the beauty part. On vacation there are very few responsibilities and tons of opportunities, none of which I am required to take. The only person I will be responsible to is Flounder, known far and wide as the most easy-going person on the planet. Thusly, a vacation is an escape for me in the truest sense. Nothing to hide from, just nothing. Bring it on.

Quote of the Day:
What do I want to take home from my summer vacation? Time. The wonderful luxury of being at rest. The days when you shut down the mental machinery that keeps life on track and let life simply wander. The days when you stop planning, analyzing, thinking and just are. Summer is my period of grace.
-Ellen Goodman

Last week Flounder was sick - coughing with a sore throat. He seemed to get better, and headed off to San Francisco this week. Then I got sick. After a few days of coughing and a sore throat I went to the doctor. Turns out that like Mr. BA I have bronchitis. I am glad I went to the doctor because Flounder is now back home and still coughing after two weeks, while I am starting to heal (though still coughing myself). We sound like a TB ward.

While Flounder was gone Mi Mama took good care of me, and a certain black kitty was my close companion.

While I was layed up Mi Mama painted her living space in the basement a delightful shade of blue called Galactica, which is a beautiful sort of satin ribbon blue. Also Flounders new shower is (slowly) coming together and I am in love with the while subway tile we chose. Our new doors also came in this weekend. I can't wait to have them installed this week. We have really been missing our storm door (that was taken down when the work to the door frame was being done) and the new door is way better.

Despite the coughing, I am going to go make an appearance at Dad's today in honor of Father's Day. I think I will let Flounder off the Dad visiting hook. Boy is he a lucky kid.

Quote of the Day:
"You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence."
-Charles Austin Beard

I have made quilted placemats and quilted table runners, but I can now proudly say I have completed my first real quilt. I am very proud and pleased. I give you:

Teal & Sympathy

This quilt has been given to my Grandmother. The name is in honor of the loss she is experiencing. She recently lost he beloved friend and companion Bella. I hope a warm lap blanket to snuggle under will bring her a little extra comfort.

Quote of the Day:
"Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique."
-Anon.

My! Wednesday and Thursday were just bad days. 48 hours of bad. I am happy to report that I seem to have broken my luckless cycle and today has turned out just fine -- a bit boring, but fine. It's also proven to be a real scorcher. Very hot for June and I am not enjoying it. It's days like this that I don't mind working in an interior workroom which is windowless, but also not subject to climate influences. But take one step outside and it's hot, sweaty and damned unpleasent. Oh, how I envy you in Vancouver Ms. WAS!

On the upside -- Beau has torn out Flounder's shower, which is a great sign of remodeling progress. We were sure to take "before" photos which I will share when the project is complete. Flounder is headed off to San Fran again this Sunday, so I have created my "while Flounder is gone" list. As per usual it is an extensive list, but I will just do my best and leave the rest. I have also made some great progress on my current quilt project and I expect to have it finished Saturday evening. This makes me happy!

Wish me continued good luck and lots of energy to tackle my To Do list!

Quote of the day:
The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.
-Hada Bejar

I promised photos and here they are. The new entry and storm doors are on order and I am really looking forward having a prettier and more energy efficent set of doors.

This the house BEFORE:

This is the house After:

Remember that rotten bay window?

Rotten no more!

Good, no?

We meet with the Beau tomorrow to kick off the bathroom remodel. I will be sure to take before photos of that space too!

Quote of the Day:
“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?”
--Mother Teresa of Calcutta