Down in the dumps

My house went on a crash diet. One day, 1100 pounds. The Monday before Thanksgiving Peter and I tore down the temporary wall we had put up to make a room for my mom out of the dining room. (Was that a proper sentence? I don't think so.) I have my dining room back though!

The result of the tear-down was a garage full of drywall, 2x4's and assorted de-construction debris. I also had bits and pieces of decking from the deck replacement I did several years ago stacked in a corner of the yard. I had firewood that was gathered for camping trips but instead sat in the rain rotting and like any normal household (I choose to believe) I had broken this, damaged that, old those and some trashed whazzits. Three trips to the dump later it's all gone!

It's such a liberating feeling. I could probably have made a 4th trip - but by the end of the day, which also included a trip to the Christmas tree farm, mowing lawns, raking leaves, sweeping debris, cutting up drywall, pallets, boards and other stuff, I was exhausted . I'm encouraged and I am casting my eyes around the place trying to identify what can go next.

Of course I have a chicken story too! I was working on the cement pad on the side of the house yesterday cutting up stuff to make it fit in my SUV. I was making noise. Lots of noise. On the other side of the gate were my chickens. They could hear me. They were curious about the racket. Carmen flew up onto the gate to see what I was doing. Who knew chickens were curious? Now I have to worry about my chickens visiting the neighbors!

And then there is the dog. I have no explanation for this. It's like.. uh. against the laws of nature or something. Dog & Katten sleeping together.. it's just wrong!

Knitting knitting knitting

Well.. it's finally happened. I've thrown myself into my knitting. It took me forever, but I finally finished the project I worked on all summer. Then I finally made Peter his long-promised hat. Now I have three (yes THREE) knitting projects going at the same time.

One of my projects is a Christmas gift for Peter... only I found out he doesn't need it and he already has a version of it. My eagerness to finish this project for him has waned considerably.

Then I began working on some more coffee cup cozies. I thought they would make perfect gifts for co-workers and casual aquaintances. After a full week, I've got one partially done. Perhaps I should re-think this gift idea.

My third project is a "green grocer bag." It's a reusable shopping bag that is knitted in a lace pattern. This is a new thing for me and I'm really liking it! (not only that.. but this is NOT a felted project!).

The Katten insisted on being in the picture of my grocer bag - plus the picture doesn't do it justice. At all!

Other things are plugging away in my household.

• We've toured two colleges for Jill. She's made up her mind (Seattle Art Institute) but I keep insisting she look at others.
• We tore the temporary wall down that created my mother's bedroom. Unfortunately the contractor I hired put up my temporary wall as a mostly permanent installation. I have severe drywall damage to the permanent structure.
• My mother is gaining strength and mobility after she fractured her pelvis. Although right now she seems to be suffering from a touch of the flu.
• I'm down to just over 200 days and I've started moving some stuff up to Peters with every trip we make north.

How time flies!

I should blog..

I should write profound thoughts about chickens and goats and goals and work. Deep musings on my future life and progress made to get there.

The truth is.. Today. Just today, I'm giving in. I'm giving up. I'm tired of fighting. I just got home from a weekend north with Peter. Every time I go I must make arrangements for my mother to be taken care of. I must make arrangements for my daughter. I must beg favors from others. I must reschedule and rearrange appointments.

Then I go and while I'm gone chaos ensues back home. Anarchy and discontent thrive.

Here is a public statement - I am grateful to all my friends who are always there for me. I am blessed to have such people in my life.

I am certain that once things calm down here and my children start talking to each other, and me, again, that I will have a better outlook on life.

Oh.. wait. I'm better already. I knew it wouldn't last!

It seems so weird..

It seems so weird to have had a "normal" weekend after such a tragedy. But that's what happened. I guess life must go on. Peter came down on Thursday and off to the beach we went.

Low tide in Lincoln City was about 11:30p.m. At midnight we were crawling around the beach hunting agates and poking around in tidepools. I confess that for a few minutes, while Peter thought I was eagerly hunting rocks, I simply stared out at the dark ocean contemplating life and death.

It was good for me. Peter called it therapy. It was.

Saturday we went to Lebanon to visit Babs & David. Every year they have a big Halloween party. Peter and I went as conjoined twins. We took two shirts and sewed them together. We wore the costume for about 5 minutes. It was just impossible to eat and drink dressed that way.

Babs and David have 4 little goats. I got to pet them and talk to them. Man, I can't wait to have my own goats! They are SO cute!!

Sunday we finally got around to bottling our mead and liquer. We ended up with 32 bottles each of raspberry, blackberry, and a raspberry/blackberry blend liqueur as well as 17 quarts of Mead.

Making the mead was such learning experience, streching the bounds of our relationship. Bottling it was so very different. Peter and I seem to have figured out the whole working together thing. We functioned like a well oiled machine (and I don't mean we were drinking while we bottled.. uh.. much - a little tasting was required of course.)

This is encouraging, we may just be able to build a house together after all!