The walls came down today … and I suppose while there are dozens of ways to mean that statement metaphorically, I actually meant them in the literal sense. The wall that separated the kitchen from the “computer room” — formally my youngest son’s baby room — has been bashed in: Continue reading “Finally, this blog can talk about RENOVATION … for real”
Exploring Flooring
The work on our house is scheduled to begin soon, and I am just about ready to hit the “buy” button on that red cracked ice chrome table over at American Chairs. Frankly, I’m amazed that I have been able to put off this urge this long. Had I lived in a larger house, I probably wouldn’t have been able to do it, but knowing as I do that my 1953 ranch house didn’t come with tons of space for an extra table, I’ve held off out of necessity rather than want. I suppose it’s good for me to exercise a little restraint now and then. Continue reading “Exploring Flooring”
Songs you never knew existed
Quiet Sunday … and weekend
It’s been a nice, quiet weekend — one where I actually felt productive because I had time and energy to get things done. Why? Well, my mom took the kids for the weekend. I don’t think my house has ever been this clean. Continue reading “Quiet Sunday … and weekend”
A little homework never hurt
Since we purchased this house in 2000, we’ve learned a lot of lessons about home improvement. I’m not sure if everyone knows exactly what he or she is getting into with the purchase of a new home; after all, most of us are just so excited to have our own space — with our own walls that we can drive nails into if we want to. Continue reading “A little homework never hurt”
The remains of the fall
Well, it’s happening — at this very moment, in fact. If I look at the radar for my neck of the woods, I see it: the blue churning mass of precipitation that means SNOW. It’s always a peculiar feeling the first time that blue blob appears on the radar; I feel a strange compulsion to go out and load up on groceries and scented candles. I suddently wonder if K Mart has a sale on fleece blankets. I have to fight the urge to make a gigantic-sized batch of chili, which would come darn close to hitting the spot right now. Continue reading “The remains of the fall”
Time flies … and sanity diminishes
Wow, do I hate the end of the quarter. Every year I swear that I’m not going to let the work overload me, but every year each quarter’s end finds me clawing at the last shreds of sanity as I try to conquer the piles of paper on my desk. Grades are due tomorrow, and I only have a couple more grades to enter into the grading program. If you hear a cheer float by your ear (there’s a cheer in my ear … or a tear in my beer?), that’d be me proclaiming to the world that I’ve won the war. Continue reading “Time flies … and sanity diminishes”
In for the long haul
Contractor update: Still waiting. Insert MP3 of crickets chirping here.
On the plus side, however, we have a new door to our garage. Previously we had a plywood door that made a satisfying SLAM when it closed — satisfying, that is, if I was angry about something. The sound was not so satisfying when the kids decided to play a game that involved Spider-Man (or whatever character) going in and out of the garage in quest of the latest Bad Guy. Nothin’ like a Saturday afternoon of BAM … BAM … BAM! Continue reading “In for the long haul”
The generation gap
I teach a cinema class at my high school, and it’s always interesting to watch the reaction that they have to movies that are widely considered “classics” — that is, movies that appear on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 list. There are some movies that I absolutely love that will bomb with them. Rear Window is one of them. I think just watching Jimmy Stewart on screen with Grace Kelly is entertainment for a couple hours. My students, however, grow bored with the slow pace and lack of scene changes with the film and it ends up being one of the worst rated movies by them. Besides, when modern remakes come out that are better able to hold their attention, like Disturbia, is there a point to watching the oldies? I seem to think there is. But then again, I’m old. Older than they are, anyway. Continue reading “The generation gap”
Did you hear something yesterday?
If you did, then it was the BIG sigh of relief that occurred after we had our umpteenth contractor out to take a look at our remodeling job. If our original contractor wouldn’t have dumped us, this would have been done by now. I kind of feel like a jilted bride who’s starting to date again. Such strange men! All these promises, but major commitment problems! Continue reading “Did you hear something yesterday?”