girl at large

I like to write about life when you have a job, some kids, a fixer upper and a fatal disease.

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  • If Not Now…

    Before:
    After:
    Little bits of progress…or, resignation. This kitchen cabinet, the only kitchen to speak of, is supposed to be ripped out some day. But, at our pace of Demo Quickly-Rebuild Never, I’ve forbidden it’s removal.
    So, in quiet acceptance of the fact that I have lived in this fixer for two years, and will probably do so for twenty more, I painted it.
    New house Motto for 2015: If not renovated, at least less gross.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • I See You! (And Me. And the kid. And the dog…and, hey is everyone in the bathroom with me?!?!)

    It only took six months…and 1 day and $33.18 but we finally got a mirror in the bathroom.

    I’ve been doing my face in a hand mirror hanging off the latch on the cabinet door. In our only bathroom. A bathroom with no threshold, no door trim, chunks of plaster on the floor and a fan that sounds like an airplane landing overhead. I get ready each morning in this 4′ x 5′ tile palace while someone else showers and a little someone else peaks in because that’s where everyone is and isn’t this fun?!

    The next time Paulie says he’ll do some thing when he can afford it, I’m going to clarify what “afford” means!

     

     

  • At Your Service

    I’ve spoiled Viv with our travels. She has taken to it like a duck to water. Or like a toddler to a feather bed. Her love of travel extends to dining.

    At breakfast, she ordered her own eggs and bacon. Imagine squeaky voice, serious little face: “Eggs”. “And bacon”.

    When I neglected to bring her water at lunch, she said, “The lady will get it for me”.

    When she wanted to leave the dinner table, I said we couldn’t until we had gotten the bill. She quickly spotted our server and waved him over. “He’s right there”.

    If she keeps this up, soon she can take care of the tip!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Just Like Versailles

    Just like Versailles, our favorite time at Biltmore was the gardens, not the house. And like every trip of my childhood, the warm sunny cobblestone courtyard with coffee and croissant was where we spent most of our time. I can’t recall how many museums and chateaus we never did enter…well, because we didn’t! But I do remember the legs of wrought iron cafe chairs, the color of espresso foam, little white cups and tired feet and conversations with my brilliant mother in the sunshine.

     

  • Baking Day

    In the chaos, there is this.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Explain This

    I enjoy getting Viv gussied up to visit Nonna…no one appreciates the cute tights, nice jackets and Italian baby boots like a Sicilian seamstress and shoemaker’s daughter.
    Last Sunday, when we dropped CiCi off for an afternoon with her, Nonna was in her morning duds. When we picked CiCi up in the afternoon, there was this chummy matched pair!
    Only later did I notice in the photo that they were looking at last year’s Little Book of Viv album, and randomly at a snapshot of Viv in similiar (but smaller) polka dotted tights!
    (Jacket by Target, tights by Boden, shoes by Premigi, jumper by Oshkosh b’Gosh) (Nonna’s necklace by Rocky)
     

     

  • The Best Wife Ever

    I was out of town most of today, Paulie kept busy:

    Me:"Did you enjoy your alone time today?"

    Paulie, gesturing down enthusiastically :"I did! Did you see my floors?!?!"

     

     

  • Almost

    Viv, with her pants off and a scarf on her head, carrying Papas belt, singing:

    “Jingle bells, jingle bells…”

    Papa: “Viv, that’s my belt.”

    “Jingle belt, jingle belt….”

     

     

  • Mutually Exclusive

    Iron   2015-01-01 08.53.45

    I was called a Hipster today. I also recieved my Shorewood property tax bill today.

    Perhaps the new Milwaukee Hipster wears long johns, has a house that always smells faintly of pee, and is thrilled to get a new iron for Christmas.

  • Home Alone

    Before: nice retro globe, but out of place. After: Arroyo Craftsman handmade copper Craiglist find!

    Paul finally had the chance to work on the house as planned today! His big renovation plans for his two weeks off (holidays and unused vacation days) were sidelined by a packed holiday party schedule and feverishly sick child.

    Sicky-poo Viv finally rallied enough for daycare today; Paulie wasted no time. Three light fixtures have been replaced, curtain rods hung, and more, all in one day. It seems he is so much more productive when the kid is not around. Ditto me.