Ay chihuahua -
long time, no blog.
As I type I’m relaxing by the fire with a glass of red wine – a no no for a PNH gal, but now and then I like to indulge. We’re expecting some sort of blizzard overnight so I figure I can “sleep in” a bit tomorrow morning – even if that means sharing my bed with three boys while they watch Fresh Beat Band and I close my eyes and pretend the twins really don’t need to be changed just yet.
We’re in our new home. The addition is complete and beautiful. We’re painting the remainder of our portion of the house – changing the dark wood trim over to white, putting beautiful, modern color on the walls, and
installing crown molding and new doors and new casement. We’re doing this room by room while getting help once a week from our contractor’s painter. It’s slow work and wood and saws and painting equipment still litter our space, but the transformation thus far has been very worth it. We always say this but it’s so true: it’s amazing what a little paint and love will do for a home…we’re taking this place into the 21st century.
S is still out of work. He celebrated his one year outofworksary last week with some serious moping. Personally, I have no time to mope nor think about it…we’re managing okay enough; I’m grateful for what we have and am hopeful for our future. He’s kept very busy with home projects and in the process has learned carpentry and electrical work and some plumbing. The boys are enjoying spending so much time with the father they hardly knew just a year ago. S has been an amazing support in helping me get these kids to school and their various weekly therapies – if he were traveling during this time, I honestly don’t know how I would get it all done. I don’t see this as wasted time; I see this as transitional time. Sure I’m cutting coupons and can’t run out and simply buy something without planning, but I’ve become quite an expert on finding the best deals. And for the most part, I’m finding I like this newfound frugality. I like living more simply – I like the focus of truly knowing what we really need vs. wanting what we don’t need. This recession – this extended layoff – has in many ways been a blessing.
The boys, overall, have adjusted really well.
I think I have as well, though admit I feel like I’m busier than I’ve ever been. I don’t know if it’s the age of the kids or the holidays or that we’re still doing so much work here, but the weeks fly by and the time to do the things I used to love to do like sewing and crafting and blogging just seems so elusive (that, btw, will be number one on my resolution list for next year).
I still worry deeply about Smacky and still have little clarity as to what we need to do to help him.
That, however, is a different post.
For now, I’m going back to this wine. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!
day – so nice to hear from you. best wishes to you and your gentlemen for a peaceful and wonderful new year. you sound like you are making the most out of a stressful situation. isn’t it funny that there is so much to be gained when you actually have a present, active partner. enjoy the holidays and that wine!
Merry Christmas Day…best wishes for 2010. Happy to hear you are enjoying your family and making the most of what you have.
So nice to hear from you! I’m glad you’re settling into your new colorful and cozy sounding home, despite the saws and such. The bonding time your family is having right now will last a lifetime … so I agree with you, it’s transitional not wasted.
Merry Christmas, Day and Family. Be well!
Good to hear from you. Glad to hear things are mostly well and that you are adapting to your new house. Sorry to hear the Smacky worries continue- I had hoped you’d have more clarity about how to get him what he needs.
Not sure how long its been since we talked- if it was before September, man oh man, we have a lot to catch up on. (Sorry, I haven’t been around blogs since mid-November and I’m struggling to remember who I’ve kept up with and whom I haven’t.)