Stressfull last month and a half

So, my husband suffers from chronic back pain.  Had surgery in 2009 and it helped for a while, then over time one who have had back surgery, including any type of fusion of the vertibrae, the movement can translater more to the level above and below.  Along with normal age related degeneration that is unavoidable...one has more problems and pain.  This and the fact that my husband is not terribly health conscious and does not stretch or walk - he is aging poorly.

Well, we had a family member who had a morphine pump installed and it did wonders for his pain, my husband went through all the pain protocol and tried everything and finally decided he wanted that also.  He had the pain pump installed under his skin in Nov.  He has lots of problems just with that procedure, then it took several weeks to heal and get the medication level right.  Then about 6 weeks ago, after I got home from Texas...he was walking to the bathroom early in the morning and fell and had a huge gooseegg on his left upper forehead.  I ran into help him and saw that his head was bleeding and huge bump...I helped him off the floor back onto the bed.  He was crying out in pain.  I took him to the hospital...

I was concerned about his head injury, but not only did he hurt his low back, now he had shoulder and neck pain.  They did films of all...come to find out - he had 2 neck fractures!  So crazy.  So, they put him in a very stiff neck brace and released him to follow up with a neurosurgeon.  Cut to 5 weeks after that, they have done more films, recommend MRI (did this past week - still waiting on results).  And has to wear the brace 2 more months!  And it gives him severe anxiety and depression.  And now we wait to see if he has to have surgery.

Just wanted to check in and jot down some thoughts.  Has been very difficult, the depression and anxiety is the worst, i know he will eventually heal his neck and stablize his back (please Jesus).  But I just feel so helpless.  Meanwhile, I am working the same crazy 60 hours and now it is mowing season.  We have a large yard...1 acre we mow.  I did the entire yard last weekend by myself and it was not too bad...so I feel that is doable.  I am not going to have a garden or flowers in pots this year to also take care of.  

I am trying to streamline things around the house and minimize, get rid of even more clutter/unnec stuff and just put one foot in front of the other.  The prospect of caring from this house, 4 dogs, the yard, my job...it gets overwhelming at times, but i just take a deep breath and know I can do it and remember how grateful I am for a warm home, a loving partner and dogs i enjoy, good friends and extended family.

Well, I will try to come back and write down more to help process everything.  I hope everyone out there is doing well and dealing with whatever things life is throwing at you with patience, love, and prayer...deep breath, some sort of inspiration and gratitude...and a little humor.

Thanks for reading.

Last week I painted my kitchen table and hutch.  Our new pup chewed the corner of the hutch.  DH patched it, but the color was off.  So I picked out some chalk paint on my way home from overnight hiking trip early March before all the coronavirus quarantine started.

Have been going back and forth between contentment and gratitude to stir crazy/how am I going to make it through this summer mentally with all this strangeness.  I have to find outlets during this solitude.  I am honing a structure to my day and I think it is helping me keep perspective and remember all the things I have to be grateful for.  A LOT!

But I did have a cry the other day when I looked at our retirement accounts and we received the news that any assistance from the Fed government is going by returns from 2018.  We will retired at the END of 2018 - so we will likely not get any of our hard earned money back.  PLUS I have already filed and PAID my 2019 taxes.  Sometimes it seems like doing all the right things puts one at a disadvantage.  But I have never been a procrastinator.

Then I got out of my pity party and put a note on my hiking group that if anyone needs help, PM me and I can help them with errands to the story.  Many of them are 10-15 years older than I.  We went to the store for my in laws this weekend was so happy to help them.  They seem to be doing fine - just working in their garden, etc.  Not worried about toilet paper, etc.  My Granny is not doing as well, her mind is just racing and worrying not having any company.  It is sad.  My area has indicated that businesses closed for next 30 days...people are taking that the CDC suggesting it might be through August that people are supposed to stay home...if so our fundraiser of Memorial Weekend will be cancelled.  That is also the month of our reunion.  I just hope that if this quarantine/social distance goes on all summer that we can see the benefits of the flattening of the curve of infected because I can't imaging the economic and mental health implications it will cause our nation.

I also bought through Amazon a wifi extender to see if I can get internet in our guest room so that I can do yoga online classes in the bedroom - we don't really have room enough anywhere else.  I did a nice session Sunday and Tuesday.  I will do another one Thurs and maybe Friday or Saturday.

Merry Christmas

Have been pretty busy celebrating Christmas with families.  I am tired and ready for it to be over, but in a good way.  Between baking and helping my inlaws serve 2 meals, and having a nephew overnight, I am having some sore back and feel like I need to start my diet tomorrow!  I did manage to walk Sunday and Monday.  Today I did a mini yoga session on my own.  I think I will take a day off walking to rest my back.  Oh, we also raked leaves Sunday.

Last night we had dinner with my sister and her family.  Today I am hosting DH family.  Tomorrow should be pretty relaxing.  I feel the abundance in my life.

I hope all of you are spending your holiday with someone you love, or at least holding memories close.  I feel sad my DGM dear grandmother is probably spending her day alone, at least with her fellow residents.  My aunt was in the hospital with the flu the one grandchild besides me would would be there I guess he is sick too.

Sometimes our memories are all we have.  Sometimes we have to reach out to friends for companionship.  I know I have dwelt on these things much throughout my life.  I have learned to have a day to day relationship to God.  That is all I will need as I grow old, God wiling.
Let there be peace and gratitude in your hearts everyday, not just day.

Mindfulness Meditation

Do not hide your light under a bushel. Arise and shine, for the light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen in thee." The glory of the Lord shines in the beauty of your character. It is risen in you, even though you can realize it only in part. "Now you see as in a glass darkly, but later you will see face to face." The glory of the Lord is too dazzling for mortals to see fully on earth. But some of this glory is risen in you when you try to reflect that light in your life.
   -Hazelden Foundation 

Cold and rainy today.  Perfect day to stay in and have leftovers.  My SIL library had fundraiser dinner last night.  It was nice.  However, I learned 1 week prior to DH family dinner, SIL and I have to do whole thing. 

I asked MIL, should she and I at least do the shopping?  SIL works all week (well, prob not Friday, but I myself no NOT shop on black Friday).

So, while I am resting today.  I will be making list if what I will be doing before Sat and where to buy it.

Have a wonderful Sunday Sabbath.

I am thankful for Thanksgiving.

Our First...And Second Hikes!

Yesterday started out not going my way...I got up and drove to yoga, happy to be making up a session since I missed Halloween.  I get there - class cancelled.  Darn.  So, what do I do?  I buy donuts.  You know, makes sense!

My day turned around fast!

Then had coffee with DH and we decided to take a day drive and look at the leaves before they are all blown off the trees.  We were going to do more trim painting and it was not hard to change our minds!

We picked a general direction and started driving.  We saw a park at a lake and stopped and found a trail that was showing on an app I have and we were glad we stopped!  It was beautiful area.  It is a state park, but it is within a national forest.  DH said he would love to come back and try out our kayaks.  I added that I want to stay in one of the cabins.  I added it might be a little creepy because they close the gates at the main road.  DH laughed.  Obviously I watch too much 48 Hours and Dateline.

We did about a 2 mile hike in a fairly steep area, skirting the lake.  We just enjoyed being out and I told DH that this was why I wanted to move to this state.  He agreed.  The leaves are past the prime color season, but there all still lots of yellows and oranges.  I took some pretty pictures.  When I did the search on the app for trails, there are like 250 in my corner of the state.

After the steepish hike, we drove some more.  I stopped at a restaurant for catfish.  It was wonderful.  They even served green tomato relish.  We are close to another town that I had gone to graduate school 20 years ago.  But the area is so much more grown up it is unrecognizable!

Then we drove about 20 more miles to another really nice state park.  This park includes a museum and battlefield.  This battlefield was key in the civil war.  We visited all the stations and watched a video, looked at the displays.  Then we walked the 1.5 mile circuit.  Just beautiful.  And the history really made us grateful.  That we live in such a wonderful, complicated country.

Then we drove home and DH told me he would think twice next time I want him to look at leaves with me...he was worn out!  I think I wore our or big dog too.

Hope you are enjoying fall.  Happy end of Daylight Savings!

P.S.  By way of update on our antenna...we have personally run new cable to the living room and kitchen from our existing antenna and we get all the major local stations and several public TV stations.  We actually think we had a bad cable.  We are also enjoying the ease of watching Amazon Prime and Netflix.  I am so grateful for the beauty of nature outside, but also my warm cozy house and a bit of TV for entertainment on a cold rainy fall evening. I am happy we have cut that cord and saved that expense.

30 Day Gratitude Challenge, Day 1

Now that we are retired, I have time to do some challenges...I am going to do the 30 day gratitude challenge on my blog, not on social media.

I read a great post by Karl Staib on Becoming Minimalist.  He is also considering mental clutter, which I want to consider now that everything about my life has changed due to retirement. Old, unhelpful,  negative thoughts...

Karl wrote:  "...I admit I have a long way to go, but each day I work on clearing clutter from my mind and my home. I’m getting better at noticing these thoughts and not letting them dictate my actions. I’m also noticing the recurring negative thoughts and combating them with the most powerful mental habit known to man.  Gratitude.  Choosing to be grateful for what I have and not feeling like I need more has provided a big improvement in my outlook and overall happiness."

DH and I did absolutely nothing yesterday.  I did some laundry and fixed a couple shelves on my side of the closet, but that's all.  I did not even get dressed properly (sweats) and no make up. 

We watched TV and movies.  It was great.  It rained all day.  When it got dark, I lit a candle and we turned out the lights. I had left overs for lunch and DH had left overs for dinner.   

Today we are going to get our haircut and get some coffee at Sam's.  I finally sold my velvet blackout drapes. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to explore doing, having, thinking less.  Helping me to get to know myself.  Have a wonderful first day of November. 

Trim before (medium brown)

                                                  

Trim after (white)

Our Last Monday

Before the Israelites arrived in the Promised Land, they spent decades wandering the desert. That’s where God cared for His people so much He provided manna in the morning and quail at night. (Exodus 16:12) But God only provided food six days of the week. Moses said, “Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none” (Exodus 16:26, ESV). And, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD … ’” (Exodus 16:23a).

Yesterday was a day of blissful rest.  We went to a friends to watch football.   We took a pizza.  My friend sent us home with enough pulled pork for 3 sandwiches!

Even last night I slept great.   But I sure am grouchy today.  Still fighting this site throat going on 3 weeks now.

But my thoughts this morning are on two things.  How God has always provided for me and how quickly time marches on, making me want to relish in gratitude this morning.  Even as we are counting down the days, we are still aware just how much grace in our lives we have received. 

So, even when I am grouchy.  I have to laugh because I know I need to reign in my inner 5 year old, when things don't go my way.  After all, I did not get bronchitis or even a sinus infection. 

When I read this post I paste above, I had to knock on wood mentally, because while I assume we will have good health the next 3 months (with more rest, relaxation, less stress, less eating out) I certainly could be wrong.  So it is with God's will, we have good health.  And my wish is for any of you who read this to also have good health.

We drove by our old neighborhood yesterday, our favorite neighbors had some mail for us that had not been forwarded.  We got to catch up with them real quick.  We just love these people to bits.  Then we lounged at home and talked about our plans this week.  We decided after dinner wed night we will do the bulk of our room pack up.  Which leaves me time to sleep in Friday, since Thursday is my last day at work. 

What are your plans for this week?

My Last Friday at this Job

bank definition: 
/baNGk/ noun: bank; plural noun: banks
1.  The land alongside or sloping down to a river or lake.
"the bank of the great river"
2. a slope, mass, or mound of a particular substance.
"a bank of clouds"
accumulation, pile, heap, mass, drift...
3. a set or series of similar things, especially electrical or electronic devices, grouped together in rows.
"the DJ had big banks of lights and speakers on either side of his console"

My mom used to give us minimal chores to do around the house, esp in the summer.  I would always get up and do mine right away.  My sister would wait until 15 min before my mom would get home from work and do hers as quick as she could.  I was always thinking that I could control my chores or allotment of a resource to maximize it.

When I was little and it was nearing bedtime, I thought I could watch the clock closely and time would actually slow down.  Not just for me - for the universe.  I also thought the chuckwagon in the Chuckwagon Dog Food commercials was real - so what did I know?!

I have been saying goodbyes a lot and I am finding I am running out of time.  So, people calling me to see if they can see us before we leave...no more time...but we are flattered people are thinking of us.  Seems like we had all kinds of time, and now we have tasks practically every day until we get in our 2 cars and leave.  I am trying to manipulate my limited time by being really present in the moment and I have to say...why don't I do this more often?

I should not have waited until a couple of weeks before DH retirement.  But, I am not unique.  I see people all around me shoving as much as they can in each day.  Trying to maximize their limited allotment...of time, money, energy...If you bring up the subject with anyone, they will probably have a similar experience.

I have been trying to have lunch or dinner with an old friend for 9 months.  We are finally getting it done tonight, I think.  I will let you know if it happens.  Crazy.  Why I think I have to stuff as much into each day, inspiration, exercise, coffee with friends, work, errands, hygiene, nutrition, recreation, dog time, husband time, friend connection, social media time, news...I know when I take a few weeks off, I will look back and marvel how I "got so much done".  And how will that measurement translate?  It used to be the measuring stick I measured myself with.  Maybe that is what is truly scary for me about no longer being professionally productive.  I am pretty sure I will still do plenty of "chores" and get some worth from that.  The dark scary unknown place is the hours/days/weeks when I do not...

The reason I was thinking of a bank, is the concept that one can store supplies, or do chores and then have a lull.  I feel like my lull is close.  I left work Wednesday to get the pup a booster shot yesterday during my lunch.  On the way back, it started to hit me.  I feel like I am a little kid who found an unattended cookie jar and I grabbed a couple and now I am sneaking back out to enjoy my bounty in peace and quiet and without anyone to stop me and tell me I can't do it.  I think my husband is starting to feel the same way, because he actually talked about his feelings last night and I was floored.  He never does that.

We rushed to the dog park before it got too dark to let the pup run loose.  It is funny how often I am running somewhere to partake in my recreation/inspiration - that's gotta change!  I have been known to pass people on the way to yoga.  Seems counter productive.

Now, all these people coming out of the woodwork, wanting to see us, do dinner.  It is so fun, but sort of a bit of pressure to "do it all, see everyone".  My work sent me flowers this week and my project manager buying my lunch today.  I am going to lunch at fufu restaurant with 5 people.  Then play with pup.  Tomorrow helping Granny with some banking then picking apples out in the country north east of the city.  Sunday is football game at friends house.  Sunday night is dinner with friends.  Monday night, dinner/going away party...Crazy.

I am going to remember to truly be present.  Wonder if people will notice a difference?  I am glad I do this journaling/blogging because I really want to put all these memories in my "bank".

Inspiration

Happy Labor Day!

The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.
     ---James 5:16

I listen to inspirational pod casts.  In one I heard that boundary-less families make family members feel like they are responsible for others' emotions.  I grew in in this crucible.   I have learned differently.

Back to my word of the year...abide.  I will abide with God and I will choose daily mindfulness.  Being present and grateful  is something I am working on.  I do not have the power to control,  help, fix others.  It also means they are not responsible to me and my expectations are not too high.

And I also heard that young people who have family trauma, like addiction or neglect, choose to feel like victims.  Feeling like a victim can be a cycle.  Being a victim is another manifestation of or obstacle to humility.  I have no self esteem, so let me show you how smart, pretty, successful, bad-assed I am...No room for humiity in that cycle...

I am grateful for electricity, and for ac.  It is still 90s here.  Uggggh.

Yesterday we were on a beautiful golf course.   This evening I am in a disgusting extended stay...evidently they are with limited electricity and  no hot water or cable...but at we still have electricity.

Gratitude

I have been getting a lot of bad news last few weeks/months.  My cousin who I love dearly diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, given months to live.  My grandmother is 99 years old, her SIL is 94.  My FIL has declined, he is 84 and really slowing way down.  My uncle is also 84 and just fell, fracturing his hip.  My BIL diagnoses with lymphoma - he is stable and not being treated.  My good friend, N, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  My nephew in a horrible car accident.  I struggle with the doubt and fear.  What do I do? 

Feel gratitude.  My sister and I lost our mom at 24 and 19.  My late mother has 2 sisters that we love.  My uncle always welcomed us to come visit.  He was like a hero in my eyes.  He still is.  My grandmother has lived to the incredible old age of 99.  Her SIL is like another grandmother to me...and still alive.  Her daughter has lived a colorful, interesting life - many things I can relate to.  I feel close to her and cherish her.  I am watching my nieces and nephew grow and get their education, have careers, make choices, get married, learn lessons...My friends are starting to have losses, but if anyone can beat the C word, N can!  And my friend T getting out of jail soon!

I have in laws today that I love like my own blood relatives.  I am going to be able to live close to them and help DH care for them and be there for them. 

As I sit here and type, it is easy to feel gratitude.  To remember to give credit for these surpluses!  The original negative thoughts I had are natural.  Thank you Jesus

More Shopping...NOT for Me

I bought my DGM 3 new tops yesterday and took her a yummy cookie and 4 fresh tomatoes.   She is doing well.  I think it made her happy.

Had a project this week that gave me anxiety for the week leading up to it.  I gave a speech last night to my coffee drinker friends.  It went fine.  I love the reflection this project brings.

Along with the reflection comes the nerves...and body aches...and heart burn.  I slept poorly all week...until last night.  I slept till 10 this am!  I never do that at my house, but here at hotel, I just sleep.

Much of my pain came from sitting in a poor chair at work.  I made a slight adjustment in the seat angle to alleviate the pressure on my sciatic nerve (my right foot was painful and numb Monday and Tuesday).  Then Wednesday and Thursday my low back was on fire.

I rarely have low back pain anymore now that I do yoga, but I have not been for 2 weeks.  The anxiety caused by doing something hard is good for me.  It pushes me.  Makes me grow.  It was a lot to gave anxiety pain and physical pain from sitting in the same week...coincidence?

Sometimes pain shapes perspective.  Over time that perspective evolves into something beautiful.   I believe everything that happened to me happened for a reason, softened my sharp edges and brought me to where I am now.  And I am in a great place.

Have a great weekend!  We are here in the city this weekend.  Going to play golf tomorrow,  do that is exciting.

Rest

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/?m=1
My friend at work has a funny saying "crank daddy out a hit".  We were just talking this morning about activity level, health and how sitting at work all day 8 - 12 hours a day is not good for us.  It takes years to build up strength and endurance.  I walked with my girlfriend last night, T.  We were reflecting how long it has been since it was nice enough outside in this long Midwest winter.  Our usual 4 miles was harder last night.  We also discussed our yoga over the past 6 years and how we see progress being made.  But it has taken 6 years!  And this morning my work friend and I were talking about how just the last year of overtime has sapped us!  Years to build up, months to lose.  But, the important take away is that it is NEVER too late to start.  If nothing else, working out benefits my state of mind.  I think it will be more easy to fit in and more important than ever to continue this in retirement.  My DH has been eating a little bit better and walking more with golf and he has lost 12 pounds in 3 months.  Funny thing is, our doctor told him his sodium was low, so to drink less water.  What?!  That is crazy, but makes sense because he and I have been obsessed with water and I think it is because of 3 things:  1)  our Y*@i tumblers.  I love them!  2)  we gave up diet soda and 3)  this sort of goes together, but I think he and I both are more sensitive to salt/medications may be making us thirsty.  Either way, good news...unless there is some underlying problem I need to worry about...too late, I worry proactively.  We are really focusing on getting our required sleep every night with these last couple years of hard work on both houses, at our jobs and with my health condition.  So, here's to not worrying...not worrying that this weekend will AGAIN be cold and rainy and so we still will not be able to paint our deck...not worrying that my dogs health is tenuous and they will get sick again...not worry that my DH has underlying health issue...not worrying that I will soon be moving away from my 99 year old dear grandmother...not worrying that we won't sell our house soon enough...or fast enough...No, I refuse to worry.  I will focus on gratitude, rest and turning it over to Him...and lunch and a movie with my 2 aunts on Sat.  Life is good!

Ghosts

I love Dr. Kathy McCoy's blog:  Dr. Kathy McCoy:  Living Fully in Midlife and Beyond.  She talked 3/16/18 of Ghosts that linger and how our early life can affect us.  Not only does she discuss this, but what we can do about it.  I really like this post a lot.  It really was a good reminder for me, that the things that happen, albeit difficult are the things that shape us and make us who we are. 

I have one more hurdle this month that is always hard for me...3/26.  in 1993 I became a widow on 3/26/1993.  More on this later.  I am at work now, so I can't go there.  But it is a very important part of my journey and shaped me significantly.  So stay tuned.  Please go read Dr. McCoy's blog if this subject interests you.  Even well adjusted people can use the suggestions/reminders, sometimes. 

it is really rainy and gloomy here, but the day has been so busy that it is time for me to go home!  Have a great rest of your Monday!

8 more work Mondays in 2017

10/16/17
8 more Mondays in 2017

Praying for our neighbors and my friend.  My neighbors' daughter (J) is my age and has stage four colon cancer.  She moved to another state to marry and raise her 2 children (both young adults).  It is about a 6 or 8 hour drive from here to her city.  My neighbors are my parents' (if they were both still alive) age.  For the last year, I have seen my neighbors run themselves ragged coming and going on this trip trying to help their daughter.  I really empathise with them.

My friend (R) is someone I have known since I was 4 years old.  She is suffering from mental illness and has left the home twice to go for stays in psychiatric hospital.  She is suffering and so is her family.  I have told her that I love her unconditionally and that I am here.  I have attempted to support her husband, at least in spirit.  I don't know what else to do.  Her 2 children are also young adults.  One just graduated, the other is a junior in high school. 

I feel helpless faced with such situations.  I just try to let the people know I care.  There is nothing else really I can do.  I did deliver a jar of home canned apple butter to my neighbors yesterday.  I got a text this morning saying they were enjoying it with toast and it was a nice start to their day.  I have been processing 2/3 of those apples I picked 2 weeks ago since Thursday night.  Wooooo weeeee, my back is sore!  I canned 18 quarts of applesauce and made 3 pies yesterday.  I delivered a quart of the apple butter and a pie to my work friend (B) whose farm we pick apples from.  He said next year we are welcomed to come back and pick more.  As far as I am concerned, it will be worth the 5 hour drive annually to do this.  We can visit with him and get apples, stay in touch.  More about him later, he is an interesting person!

I sold a jacket over the weekend and got ride of a couple bags of clothes/shoes.  But I also bought a new pair of walking shoes for myself and my husband, so I actually brought more in!  Plus, i must confess the store i found my walking shoes at had buy one get one half off, so i also bought a winter pair of casual walking-around sneakers.  They were not impulse buy, so that helps me keep in check.  At any rate, that is the wrong thing - bringing more in, but I got rid of my old pair and 2 pair of boots. My husband broke his in with a walk with me Sunday- worth the price!  One donated, one to sell.  I also washed sheets and towels and got a pie (froze) ready for this upcoming girls weekend.  Too busy for projects with all the apples!  But I have given out 13 jars already and have fun all winter giving and enjoying the apple butter! 

I went to see my Dear Grandmother (DG) Sat and took her and my aunt (PA) a jar.  My DG exclaimed "it is still warm!" and I barely had walked in the door when she was trying to open it and give it a sample.  I ran an errand at the store for her and so that made me feel good to help her feel good.  I won't get to see her for 2 weeks.  I have celebrated a couple of meaningful meetings with a couple of special women friends in my life and my gratitude cup is full.  I am happy for the present moment.  And then I come up with a title like today's post. Progress, not perfection.  Have a great week!

First day of fall Friday

So I got my walk in last evening after work.  It was nice, a little warm but nice therapy.  I have been walking regularly (I jogged for a few years) for over 30 years, since I graduated from high school.  I walk outside and inside.  I have gone through two treadmills.  I just sold my last one to downsize. 

 

I walk as much for relaxation as anything.  The weather lately is not like fall, it is in the high 80's low 90's and pretty humid.  Oh well, it won't last long.  We need rain at RH or I rely on my in laws to keep things alive and I hate for them to have to worry about it.  My DH parents and sister are great to help us when we need to, or we could have never bought this house and started getting it ready for when we retire ahead of time, like we have done. 

 

This month officially makes it 3 years that we have been dealing with 2 house payments, 2 insurance, 2 real estate taxes, 2 utilities...it has been great, but a little stressful (first world problems).  But we could not have done it without dear IL and my SIL and BIL. 

 

Today SIL had to oversee 2nd delivery of our new dishwasher.  The first one they installed had large defect in the surface covering about 1/3 of the front panel.  Our existing appliances there are white (I hate) and the cabinets are white (I love).  We could not find a nice updated slide in electric range (and were not willing to tear up entire floor to run gas line) in white, so we got stainless.  I have heard all the stories of fingerprints, smears, etc.  But white was not working out and we did not want black.  The kitchen is sort of small and a little closed off and the black would have been way to dark for the space. 

 

The house itself is small ish 1400+ square feet.  Our current city house is about 2700, but has a large storage area and 2 full living areas.  We felt it important to go slightly smaller and with true range/one story lay out.  This RH is also older than CH, but we fell better built.  So both houses seem to have things they need at the same time - that has been fun.  This year we have purchased a water heater and washer/dryer (CH) and a roof, range/oven and dishwasher (RH).  At least we have paid case as we have gone along. 

 

Also last year we finished more laminate floors in CH (to get it ready to sell) and enclosed a car port at RH.  Next will be a new AC for RH, but at least we got the one for CH purchased a couple of years ago (the unit on CH was less than 10 years old and just quit). 

 

I am told that builder grade things are like that and we see this over and over in CH.  Even how the siding and doors/windows on the SW side was done wrong, leading to water rushing in when we first moved in and requiring a sump pump in the basement - which all fell on us and HOA, instead of the builder (not my decision, this was the mindset of the HOA person/hired by builder).  This eventually has lead to ever increasing HOA fees and a deficit to our neighborhood account.  Some of my neighbors are very concerned and try to get answers and some of the neighbors seem to just "trust" it will all work out.  DH and I are just looking forward to getting away from it before there is a large assessment. 

 

Oh, and while we feel lucky home prices seem to be rising which is good for sellers, taxes on both places has risen steadily in the past 3 years.  We are really basically just over the stress of two places.

 
Well, this weekend I have not decided what my project will be at CH to do something to help the process of selling it.  There are plenty of things to do.  Maybe I will scrub the white grout in the master bath.  Whose idea was it to use white anyway?  Duh.  There are lots of fall festival type activities in the city this weekend and a movie we want to see, so we will have some fun and make run to appreciate my gratitude for the present and not wish my time away too fast! 

Hope you have a great weekend if you are reading this, thanks for stopping by.