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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  • Spring At Last, Already?

    We will be getting the Tin Can Cottage ready for use soon. The benches and cushions are ready, the station wagon is full of supplies.The winter was long and cruel, but somehow I'm still not ready for spring yet…my trailer "to do" lists are too long.

    I'm looking forward to it, but I have reservations this season…it still needs so much work, and we never seem to do anything but work. I want to keep the projects to a reasonable level this summer so we can get some rest and enjoy this time with Viv, not to mention each other.

    I'm also nervous about the logistics of Toddlerhood at the trailer. I fear frustration will set in if we try to accomplish even the simplest of projects with Viv in tow. She won't sit nicely in a bucket while we paint or scrub aluminum or repair plumbing…this year, she will be right in the mess.

    If it weren't for Dad and Molly, the biggest improvement in the trailer this year would never have happened –new dining benches (and subsequent bed). Thank goodness for all the help, we need it!


     

  • Vivi’s Speeds

    Viv is either running around full speed, chatting constantly, or…sound asleep, zonked. Toddlerhood!

    Vivi's Speeds

    Vivi's Speeds

  • Just Grand

    Tom and Linda's wedding was wonderful—relaxed, beautiful and with just enough unexpected snow to make it more memorable.

    When Mom left Palm Springs, we took bets on how long it would take Tom to find a woman to replace her. We didn't guess that the next one would be The One! It didn't take long, they even beat our record. Paul and I were June to April–married. Tom and Linda were August to April–married.

    I love seeing my brother in love; he's so happy, she's so normal. Whew.

     

  • Stripey Stripes!

    BEFORE. Basement steps, entry landing and upstairs "Wedding Cake" bedroom(s).

    AFTER.

    The carpet is in! And the old linoleum, probably asbestos-backed, is out. I hate to think of Viv crawling on that nasty indoor-outdoor carpet that was in the upstairs bedrooms. The new carpet is so soft (wool!) and not… gross.

    The plan is still to retain the old paint on the steps from the first floor to the second floor, but I have to admit the quiet and warmth and softness of the carpet on the basements steps is really, really nice.

    We have enough left over to have a rug bound for a play area in the basement…if only all the tools and old doors and unused baby crap weren't in the way. Next project!

     

  • Small Victories

    Working in order of smallest to largest, we have now completed exactly two rooms of the house: the closet in the guest room and the back entry hall. Wait, the light fixture isn't up yet in the hall, so scratch that. One room, we have completed exactly one room. We moved in a year ago this Easter weekend.

    I'm learning to be happy with small steps. And speaking of baby steps, Viv learned to walk and talk and run and we kept her fed and alive in that same year…so we have accomplished something big!

     

  • Foster Home for Furniture

    Another piece of furniture made it's way in to my house today. This time, it's a Rossetto family piece. Paulie's Aunt Margee's great some one or another's dresser. Rocky refinished it with a gentle touch; the wood is beautiful. He replaced the hardware too—buying just one knob at a time at Menards because they were "too pricey" to purchase all in one fell swoop. Oh Rocky.

     

  • Second Thoughts

    Seriously second guessing the scheduled carpet installation. The painted steps, in stripes of five different colors over nine decades, are simultaneously modern and nostalgic. As am I.

    Taking votes!

    Second Thoughts VS. Second Thoughts

     

  • Layers

    Is it just me, or are the 90 years of paint remnants on the stairs pretty cool looking?


    Layers

  • The Organic Generation

    At the Domes for the winter farmers market today…apparently you HAVE to have a baby to get in!

    Free range coffee, twenty dollar chicken, cruelty-free cookies, stroller envy, gender neutral names, ironic onesies, smart phones taking pictures of other smart phones… the place was packed, bumper to bumper strollers…I had no idea there were so many mini-hipsters in town!


    The Organic Generation

  • Another Big Improvement

    I can't wait to see the new carpet go in! I pulled the trigger on the middle color. The stripes are fabulous and the camel color makes the woodwork look great. It doesn't do much for the dirty yellow walls and mauve trim though!

    I'm having it installed in the upstairs hallway, down the stairs to the first floor, through the back door landings and all the way down the basement stairs. It will be a cozy (and clean!) walk from the bathroom to the laundry room when we're out of clean towels on a winter morning.