Just the crap I've been up to - LOL

[sKePTiKal]

Looks like today is list day.

That's when I gather up/sort/re-write the 20 some lists floating around. Make decisions about what is important/not... going forward. Some things will have no start date, because I'm also going to prioritize the order things need to happen. Some things have to happen FIRST before I'm comfortable doing the other things.

It's cold right now; I need to split more kindling and get some insulation up.

2 weeks till Holly's party. Number of guests is growing - sigh - as are activities, which I'm not so sure I want to have happen with that many people around. It's just my normal dislike of chaos and not being able to keep track of that many people all at one time. I don't want anyone getting hurt. Hol's nickname is "General Mayhem"... and while I know she's very safety conscious - and looks out for her "crew"... well, crap happens when you're around a force of nature.

And then, there's that "thing" it seems a few of us have... about having everything "perfect" when people come over.

I tried splitting kindling a few days ago... and haven't quite found my "oomph" or the right tool yet that I feel comfortable using.

[sKePTiKal]

OH, how I HATE Ns. And no, I'm not ashamed of that.

My 1st husband, Hol's Dad, after 25 years - 25 years mind you - asked her to apologize to her step-mom for calling her a bitch... when Hol was 15 and under extreme duress - covering her sister's butt, and being blamed for everything... right before she left and moved in with me and hubby #2.

Hol DID IT and wound up having a really good time with step-mom. It's Dad who has the problem; and Holly & step-mom worked woutside of that... got past it... and everyone knows now. Except Dad. Who is still in his own world about things.

I feel horrible for Hol. But damn, she did GOOD. Compassion for the stepmom... and no mercy for Dad. She still has self-destructive tendencies as a result of eating all that. But she had a good friend close by - an experienced good friend... and mom's just a phone call away. She'll be alright after she's slept some. She just came back from 3 weeks at sea on a sailboat. I haven't heard all the stuff she did that would make my hair whiter yet.

[Hopalong]

Mountain Viking women of a certain age are SUPPOSED to have long white hair. And to smoke a pipe. And wear colorful clothes and be eccentrically beautiful. That's you, I know it.

What a wonderful beginning to a new year for Hol, the grace of an apology plus reconciliation...and even a new friendship with stepmom. Hope she forgives her Dad and can be at peace there too.

How good it is to hear these things.

love
Hops

[lighter]

I bet that sailboat felt 10 feet long at the end of that trip. 

[sKePTiKal]

Party prep underway. I'm really sick of my "just so" standards... so time to start breaking the mold.

Hair is shorn and styled... and I look & feel like an honest-to-god human being again! New stylist is GOOD and a sweetie. I'm going to like her.

A few more cleaning runs to make... then I can transfer down to the studio and get the last bit of that spiffed up. Debbie helped me a lot when she came out last week. We've been hard at it down there, because it's easy to work/party in the same space... LOL.

I may not need a fire tonight; one less thing to fuss over and hop up every 30 minutes to deal with. I have nuke'em chinese for dinner too. So I'm good to go for a bit. Will maybe futz in the kitchen pre-chopping pizza toppings.

[Hopalong]

What day is Hol's party?

I wanna send y'all a mental toast while the mountainside is ringing with good vibes.

How lucky is she to have a mom who knocks herself out to do up a F*** Forty!

DON'T wear yourself completely out before the fun begins, okay?

Loved hearing you say you got over "just so"...just so you can enjoy this.

You deserve it.

Hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Sat afternoon... until people drop into bed. LOL.

I found my bookshelf for the bedroom was delivered... in 3 separate boxes (2 were 6 ft long) that each weighed a ton. I hauled 'em inside because the weather out here feels like snow. No not the east coast storm... this will arrive courtesy of the Great Lakes. They won't come upstairs until there are some strong people here.

Freddie is making spending the night inside a regular thing. Silly cat who used to make me hold the door open, waiting for him to make up his mind... now sneaks in right behind me. And he ASKS to go out in the morning! He's one smart cat. Black kitty (more feral) MIGHT - just MIGHT - have a litter of kittens somewhere outside. Based on some mews I heard one morning. She's been getting food whether freddy is out or now. I even change the ice out for fresh water for her.

Going to town basically ruined me for doing much once I got home. Gonna call it a day and get up early tomorrow.

[sKePTiKal]

Going to little cabin today and moving out rest of stuff... that the buyers aren't expecting to have left for them... and trying to get home & unloaded before rains set in. Dropping off keys with the realtor.

Then, I'm going to try to have some blessed downtime... peace & quiet... normal day to day chores for a bit. Let myself drift/dream/assess where I am... and where it is I think I'm going. I've tried to pull out my book & write for 2 weeks... and just haven't gotten there. The seed catalogs have been saved for this point in time, too.

[sKePTiKal]

DANG I'M TIRED. 4 hrs on the road... collecting/packing/toting down the narrow spiral steps to ground level with the jeep... packing every square inch of the jeep... and getting home before dark or rain sets in. I had to "let go" a few things that simply weren't going to fit in the jeep. Slept 11 hours... and slept GOOD.

Moving very slow today and not wanting to do a damn thing, even though I need to unload the jeep and park it, at the very least. Mio-mio is playing armchair kitty and resting her head on the remote tray...

I think maybe I can work up enough energy to take a shower and get dressed. Then, I'll go from there. The post-it list has a few "want tos" on it, a have-to, and that doesn't require any physical energy - just patience.

Good thing my data plan reset, so I can watch the tube without getting awful emails from ATT about my overages. Pffffft... I'll just write 'em a bigger check. Bite me. This time of year, I need to double my data allowance. Too yucky to do much outside (despite the warm up) and too tired to feel motivated. It's slug time.

[Twoapenny]

I'm not surprised you're tired, Skep, you're such a busy bee anyway and with a party and then all that driving and lugging things - I think some feet up and doing as little as possible is called for - hopefully with cats to keep you company xx

[Hopalong]

Wow. So the little cabin is sold and you're out of there as well as the beach!
This must feel good -- having home downsized and centered on one place.
Good for you, Amber. Less is more (unless it really does become a
huge compound with more work for you than ever!).

You might wanna watch the massive exertions (says Hops who barely
moves her flabby ass...). Anyway, all I mean is, stay safe.

xo
Hops

[lighter]

Letting things go....letting perfection go.....it sounds like heaven, Amber.

The decision to sell a problem property on  Bimini is done.  Now the contractor flies out at the end if the month to assess the job and materials list,then we do the job in February.....not pig stinking hot at least, but I dread most of it. 

Reading that you've completed your sales feels hopeful to me.

Your plan is coming together, Amber.

Lighter

[sKePTiKal]

Well, trying to sleep almost a dozen people after the party spotlights a couple things that could be improved for larger groups out here. The two bathrooms upstairs are awkwardly tiny. It's OK for the guest suite... where Holly & my friend Debbie usually stay - but in the bunkroom that sleeps 4, it's more of a logistical problem. They have to be pretty intimate friends.

Then, there's the silly 1/2 bath right inside my front door... I drew a half moon on it with sharpie early on in the party - and informed everyone it was the "outhouse". Honestly - there are SEVEN, count 'em, SEVEN - bathrooms between the house & garage/studio. I think the outhouse would make a better guest coat closet.

The kitchen functions well when there are only 3 people (no cats or dogs) in it. It's efficient, but NOT a lot of counter space... so one of those 3 is grabbing the utensils/dishes/pans that have finished their duty and washing them. It's just not enough space for more than that. Matt was even reusing my large mineral steel skillet for different things. Dining room table has two leaves... and will seat 8; there are two stools that can be pulled up to the counter behind the range - when it's not being used a bar - so I was still short a seat or two, if it hadn't been the cooks holding down the fort in the kitchen.

I see an outdoor kitchen in my future. But given that the temps were below zero that night - LOL - that might've been challenging too. I have a good spot on the back deck that is currently occupied by an old/trashed hot tub. I've been trying to find someone to come remove it for a year. More design work in the rebuilding phase.

And I'm thinking about a bunkhouse... somewhere. I need to spend more time exploring the back 40 and decide if guest cabins make more sense than one large structure. Think self-contained tiny houses. MAYBE... all that is still in MAYBE land.

[lighter]

I'm overwhelmed just thinking of all those items on your list today.

Maybe consider bumping out the kitchen.... doubling the size.  I love the idea of a 3 season outdoor kitchen, but you're right about it being too cold in the winter for it.  It's been in the teens and below lately.... so much wind, it's felt below zero at times.  No way outside kitchens would work in that.

Maybe an outdoor pizza oven?  They only takes seconds to cook a pie.  How much entertaining and over night guesting do you plan on?  Maybe a big open living room and kitchen with many guest bedrooms with private baths, rather than separate cabins with separate utilities and all that goes with.  I picture a big fireplace and high Cyprus ceiling in the main room.  I'm sure there are rules to septic systems to help figure this out.

I'm excited for you, Amber. 

Lighter



 

[sKePTiKal]

LOL... I'm still in the idea-gathering phase Lighter. I don't really WANT to entertain much - but the kids do - and I want the kids to enjoy the place that is "home" now for them too, so the entertaining comes along with it.

I got half a bookcase put together yesterday because Ronnie stopped by to "catch up" and hang out. I wanted to run a bunch of my ideas past him... because he sees things with a guy's mindset, one who knows the weather and land well and his input - and his list - helps keep me grounded. I think I'm going to have to formalize our relationship about work here a little bit. And today... I think I'm procrastinating finishing up the bookshelf... because I know the fun part comes right after: arranging books, boxes & knick knacks/pictures and I want to thoroughly enjoy that part. Weird me, I know.

So while the ideas are flying around in "maybe land"... I'm puttering around. I did commit myself to a living room project this past week though. I FINALLY found a storage/entertainment unit that suits the style I'm going for... to fit next to the fireplace. It won't even ship till the end of the month but that gives me time to clear out the rest of the clutter I made, bringing stuff home from the little cabin, without pushing myself.

Having private living space for myself - and separate accomodations for guests - eases a lot of my dread of big parties. A "bunkhouse"... with a central cooking/living space... and semi-private sleeping space... and a couple shared bathrooms would work. And it could remain "primitive camping" style... ie, composting toilets, etc. You know what a dogtrot house style is? Say, two bedrooms/bath on each side and central cooking/living in the middle. Functional 3 seasons of the year - and with appropriate enclosures/wood heat... bearable in these frigid temps too. That's all that was missing from Holly's party - a bonfire.