ANNIE: Life is pretty nice, isn't it?
MINNIE: Purrrrr...
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Sharing a Moment
Scene: A late spring afternoon. Minnie the cat is perched in the open bedroom window, looking out over the tree-lined street. Annie is sitting on the cedar chest that doubles as a bench, placed just under the windows. The sun is brightly filling the sky, and a gentle breeze is blowing into the room. The two are waiting to see Bruce's car pull into the driveway. The baby is napping.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Not Keeping Up with the Jones'
It seems as if the older one becomes, the more one's day becomes an endless game of catch-up. As if each day we wake to an infinite to-do list. Our precious seconds of consciousness are spent trying to accomplish ceaseless tasks. Some days it feels as if respite will only be found in old age, or perhaps not until the afterlife.
And thus has been my mentality this past week. Somehow, I managed to finish posting grades for all my classes. I am virtually done with the Spring 2013 term, except for one small project I need to complete. This has been a huge relief, as my coursework was as much as I've ever had. Add the daily care of a burgeoning toddler and the responsibilities of moving and arranging a new house into the mix, and my dance card was all filled up.
Not only has my time been spent, but our money has, too. Every day we buy stuff for the house. The original mortgage we were getting required us to take a homeowner's education course, and I'll tell you what - they need to be telling potential new homeowners how much money they'll spend AFTER closing! It's one thing after another.
To give you an example, I'll list just some of the items we've recently purchased:
... I just got off the phone with my best girlfriend, Lorelei, who bought a house this year, too. She's also planning a wedding! With that and her two jobs, she can completely relate to the craziness that is adult life. We spent over an hour comparing notes on hectic schedules and housework. She and her fiance are fixing up their place way more hardcore than Bruce and I are. We're talking fixtures and furniture and flooring, oh my! I said, "Luckily, I don't even notice some of that stuff."
"Oh, you will," she forewarned. We've heard this from other homeowner friends as well. It starts off innocently enough. Someone makes a comment on the color of your lightswitches. Or you look up and suddenly notice how god-awful your ceiling fan is. You find yourself admiring someone else's custom window treatments. The next thing you know, the hardware store has taken more of your hard-earned cash. It just keeps building from there; the projects don't stop!
This is indicative of a greater problem faced by our culture alone. In one of the classes I just finished teaching, I introduced to my students the concept of affluenza. The term was popularized by a PBS documentary back in the 1990's. The word is a portmanteau of affluence and influenza. In other words, it is a sickness derived from having too much. Think about it: we always want more. We want bigger, faster, nicer. Houses, clothes, cars, things. We are never fully satisfied with what we have.
This leads to another issue in our society: the overabundance of stuff. We always want more, but we have a hard time getting rid of anything. I am the worst at this. I place sentimental value on absolutely everything, and I never want to let it go. For instance, my parents gave me an old set of pots and pans when I got my first apartment. When Bruce and I got married, we registered for a nicer set. We kept the old ones and moved them from our apartment in the city, to our townhouse in the suburbs, to Bruce's parents' house, to here. Why? Just in case. My parents gave them to me, so I didn't want to throw them away. Finally, I said, "Enough is enough." We donated them the other day. We have more space now and maybe someone who needs pots and pans will get them.
I'm trying to be better about the concept of need. When we bought the fridge I thought, "Do we need the biggest, most expensive one?" No. As much as I'd love to get a new oven (I swear the one that came with the house was the first model they invented after woodburning stoves), we don't need a new one. We can make do with what we have. This mindset is multifariously beneficial: not buying what isn't necessary also prevents us from adding to the debt-ridden situation that moved us into my in-laws' house in the first place.
So screw the Jones'. I don't care what they have. Okay, as much as I would like to have everything updated, modern, or new, I can't afford to, nor do I need it. I'm perfectly content with my outdated cabinet handles - for now, anyways. On Monday and Tuesday Bruce took a couple (paid) days off and the three of us ran to various stores and worked on the house. Yeah, we spent money, but we got stuff accomplished. The best part, however, was being together as a family. It is so much fun to create a space of your own, but it's important to remember that just having it is priceless.
And thus has been my mentality this past week. Somehow, I managed to finish posting grades for all my classes. I am virtually done with the Spring 2013 term, except for one small project I need to complete. This has been a huge relief, as my coursework was as much as I've ever had. Add the daily care of a burgeoning toddler and the responsibilities of moving and arranging a new house into the mix, and my dance card was all filled up.
Not only has my time been spent, but our money has, too. Every day we buy stuff for the house. The original mortgage we were getting required us to take a homeowner's education course, and I'll tell you what - they need to be telling potential new homeowners how much money they'll spend AFTER closing! It's one thing after another.
To give you an example, I'll list just some of the items we've recently purchased:
- Refrigerator = $900
- Paint for three rooms plus brushes, pans, rollers, tape = $300
- Clothes drying rack, clothes pins, and clothesline (in lieu of a dryer) = $25
- Baby gates for two stairways = $100
- Shelf liner (a serious pain in the ass, btw!) = $20
- Pot rack = $75
- HD antenna for TV (instead of paying for cable) = $30
- Rubber ducky shower curtain, rug, and toothbrush holder for Emmie's bathroom = $50
- Quilt for guest bed = $60 (Shams for pillows $20, but we're holding off on that.)
... I just got off the phone with my best girlfriend, Lorelei, who bought a house this year, too. She's also planning a wedding! With that and her two jobs, she can completely relate to the craziness that is adult life. We spent over an hour comparing notes on hectic schedules and housework. She and her fiance are fixing up their place way more hardcore than Bruce and I are. We're talking fixtures and furniture and flooring, oh my! I said, "Luckily, I don't even notice some of that stuff."
"Oh, you will," she forewarned. We've heard this from other homeowner friends as well. It starts off innocently enough. Someone makes a comment on the color of your lightswitches. Or you look up and suddenly notice how god-awful your ceiling fan is. You find yourself admiring someone else's custom window treatments. The next thing you know, the hardware store has taken more of your hard-earned cash. It just keeps building from there; the projects don't stop!
This is indicative of a greater problem faced by our culture alone. In one of the classes I just finished teaching, I introduced to my students the concept of affluenza. The term was popularized by a PBS documentary back in the 1990's. The word is a portmanteau of affluence and influenza. In other words, it is a sickness derived from having too much. Think about it: we always want more. We want bigger, faster, nicer. Houses, clothes, cars, things. We are never fully satisfied with what we have.
This leads to another issue in our society: the overabundance of stuff. We always want more, but we have a hard time getting rid of anything. I am the worst at this. I place sentimental value on absolutely everything, and I never want to let it go. For instance, my parents gave me an old set of pots and pans when I got my first apartment. When Bruce and I got married, we registered for a nicer set. We kept the old ones and moved them from our apartment in the city, to our townhouse in the suburbs, to Bruce's parents' house, to here. Why? Just in case. My parents gave them to me, so I didn't want to throw them away. Finally, I said, "Enough is enough." We donated them the other day. We have more space now and maybe someone who needs pots and pans will get them.
I'm trying to be better about the concept of need. When we bought the fridge I thought, "Do we need the biggest, most expensive one?" No. As much as I'd love to get a new oven (I swear the one that came with the house was the first model they invented after woodburning stoves), we don't need a new one. We can make do with what we have. This mindset is multifariously beneficial: not buying what isn't necessary also prevents us from adding to the debt-ridden situation that moved us into my in-laws' house in the first place.
So screw the Jones'. I don't care what they have. Okay, as much as I would like to have everything updated, modern, or new, I can't afford to, nor do I need it. I'm perfectly content with my outdated cabinet handles - for now, anyways. On Monday and Tuesday Bruce took a couple (paid) days off and the three of us ran to various stores and worked on the house. Yeah, we spent money, but we got stuff accomplished. The best part, however, was being together as a family. It is so much fun to create a space of your own, but it's important to remember that just having it is priceless.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Perfect Day After All
Every day I wake up in my own bed and it dawns on me that I live here now. It's an incredible feeling!
Over the weekend we hosted Mother's Day for Bruce's and my families. At first, we were met with opposition. When I wasn't around, Bruce's dad warned him, "Don't get used to it. We always had to travel to see our mothers on Mother's Day." My mother reacted similarly, hemming and hawing about coming over until a couple days before.
It was another annoying instance of the elder generation being difficult and not trying to understand our view. We literally moved in three days before; the last thing we wanted to do was leave our new place! Plus, we haven't had our own home in over a year. Moreover, we LIVED with Bruce's parents! For a year, neither set of parents had to visit us or leave their houses. I don't think we were asking too much from them.
The night before, Bruce, his sister, and I finished arranging the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I unpacked my precious china and other special knick-knacks and put them away. I was thrilled to find that there were no casualties from the move.
Bruce let me sleep in on Mother's Day. When I came downstairs, seeing our place with all our things in the morning light made it truly feel like home.
I received a delivery of a gorgeous vase of tulips from Emmie (with help from her father), among other thoughtful gifts. I didn't have to lift a finger all day. Outside, the sun shined brightly from a clear blue sky. I felt like a queen in her castle.
The day turned out very nice. Emmie was her happy, charming self, and all the grownups were amused by her antics. Bruce made an amazing brunch for me and his family. That evening, my brother and parents came over for dinner. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Both mothers thanked us earnestly, so I think we did a job well done.
I couldn't have wished for a happier second Mother's Day, sharing it with my beautiful daughter and loving husband in our new home, surrounded by our families.
Over the weekend we hosted Mother's Day for Bruce's and my families. At first, we were met with opposition. When I wasn't around, Bruce's dad warned him, "Don't get used to it. We always had to travel to see our mothers on Mother's Day." My mother reacted similarly, hemming and hawing about coming over until a couple days before.
It was another annoying instance of the elder generation being difficult and not trying to understand our view. We literally moved in three days before; the last thing we wanted to do was leave our new place! Plus, we haven't had our own home in over a year. Moreover, we LIVED with Bruce's parents! For a year, neither set of parents had to visit us or leave their houses. I don't think we were asking too much from them.
The night before, Bruce, his sister, and I finished arranging the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I unpacked my precious china and other special knick-knacks and put them away. I was thrilled to find that there were no casualties from the move.Bruce let me sleep in on Mother's Day. When I came downstairs, seeing our place with all our things in the morning light made it truly feel like home.
I received a delivery of a gorgeous vase of tulips from Emmie (with help from her father), among other thoughtful gifts. I didn't have to lift a finger all day. Outside, the sun shined brightly from a clear blue sky. I felt like a queen in her castle.
The day turned out very nice. Emmie was her happy, charming self, and all the grownups were amused by her antics. Bruce made an amazing brunch for me and his family. That evening, my brother and parents came over for dinner. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Both mothers thanked us earnestly, so I think we did a job well done.
I couldn't have wished for a happier second Mother's Day, sharing it with my beautiful daughter and loving husband in our new home, surrounded by our families.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Theme Song
Dear Reader,
It's been a long time coming for us to be able to sing this song, but we did it!
It's been a long time coming for us to be able to sing this song, but we did it!
Anthony works in the grocery store
Saving his pennies for some day
Mama Leone left a note on the door
She said "Sonny move out to the country"
Saving his pennies for some day
Mama Leone left a note on the door
She said "Sonny move out to the country"
...
Mama if that's movin up then I'm movin out
Mm I'm movin out!
Mm I'm movin out!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
When One Door Closes
I'm sitting on the floor of Emmie's soon-to-be-bedroom, watching Bruce paint it Crayola color lavender. I'm drinking a glass of wine and only feel slightly guilty to be maxin' and relaxin' while Bruce toils away. Why? Because this morning, I completed two of my four classes!
Technically, I have finished three classes. But I've only posted grades for two of them. The other two aren't due until May 20th, which seems like an eternity from now. The major accomplishment was posting grades for my online class. That class demanded the most time and energy from me. For the past several days, I have been doing almost nothing in my spare time except grading writing assignments. Besides Friday night, when Denny stayed over and the three of us partied!
Last night I was up to midnight working. I only stopped when my eyes started crossing and the bottom of my neck and shoulders felt as taut as a tight rope. I also wanted to kill my students for their bad grammar and poor organization. That's never good. You can't grade papers when you feel like murder.
This morning I awoke at 6:30, when Bruce was leaving, to finish the last couple. I posted all my students' grades and went back to sleep for about 45 minutes, until Emmie got up. We then had a totally chillax day, playing in the backyard and lounging on the air mattress. When Bruce got home, we all ate dinner together. Then I took off for the only remaining class I'm still teaching.
Now, I have a glorious week until I have to go back. Happy Teacher's Day to me! Well, I have to grade papers before next week, but I'm a free agent for a couple days, at least. This is sweet, but especially so, since we are officially moving this weekend! Tomorrow we'll all go back to Bruce's parents' house for our last, final, concluding night as tenants there. Oh, thank you, Lord!
Then the movers are coming and the next thing you know, it'll be Mother's Day. I'm going to ignore the party poopers (more on that later) and focus on the good times. It's time to celebrate!
Technically, I have finished three classes. But I've only posted grades for two of them. The other two aren't due until May 20th, which seems like an eternity from now. The major accomplishment was posting grades for my online class. That class demanded the most time and energy from me. For the past several days, I have been doing almost nothing in my spare time except grading writing assignments. Besides Friday night, when Denny stayed over and the three of us partied!
Last night I was up to midnight working. I only stopped when my eyes started crossing and the bottom of my neck and shoulders felt as taut as a tight rope. I also wanted to kill my students for their bad grammar and poor organization. That's never good. You can't grade papers when you feel like murder.
This morning I awoke at 6:30, when Bruce was leaving, to finish the last couple. I posted all my students' grades and went back to sleep for about 45 minutes, until Emmie got up. We then had a totally chillax day, playing in the backyard and lounging on the air mattress. When Bruce got home, we all ate dinner together. Then I took off for the only remaining class I'm still teaching.
Now, I have a glorious week until I have to go back. Happy Teacher's Day to me! Well, I have to grade papers before next week, but I'm a free agent for a couple days, at least. This is sweet, but especially so, since we are officially moving this weekend! Tomorrow we'll all go back to Bruce's parents' house for our last, final, concluding night as tenants there. Oh, thank you, Lord!
Then the movers are coming and the next thing you know, it'll be Mother's Day. I'm going to ignore the party poopers (more on that later) and focus on the good times. It's time to celebrate!
Happy Tuesday Tunes Day to us all!
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Our neighbor across the street just came over with freshly baked banana bread to welcome us to the neighborhood!
Friday, May 3, 2013
Happy Days Are Here Again
Bruce and Denny in our makeshift basement set-up, watching American Idol (what else?) Denny is our first sleepover friend!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The End of Minnie's Cat-astrophe
Yesterday was a victorious one for a certain feline member of our family. It was the day we rescued Minnie the cat and brought her to our new home.Lately, Minnie has been peeing on the stairs at my in-laws' place again. The only reason we can figure is that she sees us packing, plus we've been away for days at a time, so she was protesting. Maybe she was worried that we would leave her there to be stuck with that mean old cat, locked in the basement together forever. Due to this, we decided not to wait until moving day and get her over here as soon as possible.
Bruce said Minnie was in great spirits the entire car ride out. He swears she smiled at him when he picked her up and told her she was leaving his parents' house "for good." When they got to the house, Bruce immediately put her litter box in the upstairs 2nd bathroom. She sniffed it and then wanted to explore all over. We were concerned that she might 'go' on the floor here, but so far she's used her litter box every time.
The Minnie we know and love is back! She slept next to me last night. She wanders around the house curiously. She watches out the patio window for birds. She's highly tolerant of Emmie's grabby, shrieky attention. When Emmie pulls her too hard, she gets a look on her face like, "Hey, it's no big deal, really." She talks in her meow-y way and rubs up against our legs. She dozes at the top of the stairs, in a kitchen chair, or a conveniently placed open box. She seems at peace. She seems like she knows she's home.
Bruce's mom called today to see how we're all doing. "How did Minnie take the move?" She asked.
Bruce didn't have the heart to tell her that the cat was thrilled. "She's been very good so far," he worded carefully. "She hasn't had any accidents."
Minnie didn't adjust to living at my in-laws' as well as we'd hoped. Now that she's out, she can go back to being herself. We know exactly how she feels.
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