Dare I Say... Progress?

No doubt that tonight a bolt of lightning will strike and I will learn to hold my tongue... um, fingers. Whatever.

First things first. The deck. This deck has been a work in progress for, ohhhh, since I got pregnant. I remember it quite vividly because the evening I told Eric I was pregnant was the same evening we moved in a bunch of lumber from the slab out back to the yard. And the weekend we told my parents was the weekend Eric and Dad actually built the thing. So 7 months pregnancy, and Harper is now 20 months old... So almost 2.5 years. But, if we needed 2.5 years to get to this, perhaps it was worth it. This deck is a wonder.

The kitchen, we've only been working on for the last four months or so, and we're at a very good point. It still LOOKS terrible, but there has been major work done in there. Eric took up all the hardwood and some of the subfloor, refloored and cement boarded the floor to prep for tile, took down the drywall on the walls and ceiling, built the frame for the island, installed a header for the opening in the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and removed the windows in order to make enough room for the countertop. Plus, electric is finished and plumbing is all done except for the gas line. Next steps are tile, drywall, cabinet installation and appliances. We're reusing our fridge, microwave and dishwasher (which has actually never left its box in the foyer) but we'll get a new wall oven and cooktop. Here's what it looked like a couple weeks ago.

And here's what it looks like now. Nice.

And outside.

More soon.

Margaritaville...

Someone at work yesterday said the word "margarita." Or actually, it might have been "limes." Anyway, since that moment, I have had margs on the brain. I used crappy tequila and a mix from a bottle, but tossed in a few strawberries, and darn it if this isn't the most delicious drink ever. :)

Things are interesting here at #2021. Little bunny continues to be a joy and a delight. She is a trip, and becoming more hilarious by the day. She learned to dance the other night, and entertained us this morning with some killer trick moves. She talks constantly, and is using some real words now--"night night" is a favorite, along with "see you later," "bye-bye," "hi," "puppy," and a bunch of others. Remember how I was despairing a while back about her refusal to say mama? Well, she says it now, and it's a lot like this:

I actually despite Family Guy, but this one paints a pretty accurate picture.

It's thundering rather dramatically out there right now, but no rain yet. It is dry as a bone out there. We have mowed our lawn once since June. Of course, we don't mow all that much even when it does rain because we're THAT house. Yes, you know the one. But it makes little sense right now to kick up dust and disturb the cicadas simply to cut down that one weed that has managed to grow three feet tall during a drought. Sigh.

Eric is making pretty dramatic progress on the house, but that is the next post. For now, I leave you with a shot of the little monkey making her escape with pigtails.

Back to Normal

What a week.

Harper has been feeling pretty bad this week. Last Friday, she spiked a high fever and then proceeded to puke and poop and every other disgusting thing you can think of ALL OVER ME for the next 48 hours. Her fever broke Sunday evening and she seemed back to her normal self, if a little lethargic. Well, then her molars started hurting her very badly. She ran another low fever and was little miss cranky pants for the next 5 days. Today, I feel as though the baby girl I know and love is back with us after being replaced by Bizarro Harper--no fever, no crankies, sleeping peacefully, molars have broken through, and she took a 4 hour nap today. I am hopeful that tonight we will make it all the way through with no marathon crying sessions, wanting to sleep not with me but ON me when I finally break down and bring her into bed with us, or angry baby words over the monitor, because even though I'm not teething or sick, I, too, am cranky.

In other news, we had a busy weekend. Despite hating beer, I went to Brew Ha Ha downtown and was crushed by the humanity--too many drunkards in one space, I think. But still had a lovely time with our fantastic neighbors. Today, I met up with an old friend from grad school in the Fe, and for just a little while, felt like I was 23 again. I also ate at Yats, which is always good.

The house is progressing slowly, due mainly to it raining on strategic days, and general busyness on both our parts. Eric is making significant progress on the deck, which he is painting with a artist paintbrush--like what you'd use for an actual painting. I think this explains the pace pretty well. He is making measurements and drawing all over what is left of the walls in the new kitchen, which signifies progress to me even if I don't know what it's all about. I am feeling pretty proud of myself because I put away at least 8 loads of laundry today. Whoo!

Another post for my mom

I am taking the advice of my mom (mark the date!) and setting my sights on something a little less busy and a little more classic for potential drapery for the big window. So, mom, what do you think about any of these? Clearly, I'm feeling green.

This last one is my favorite. What do you think?

Tunes #11-16

#11 - A Guilty Pleasure Song

Raise Your Glass by Pink. I actually like just about everything by Pink.

#12 - A Song No One Would Expect Me to Love

Heaven (Where True Love Goes) by Yusuf Islam. Now, I love the Cat, but generally I'm not into denominational music or denominational anything. I just kind of close my ears at the points where it talks about being saved and knowing His name, and this song really is beautiful.

#13 - A Song that Describes Me

Only Happy When It Rains by Garbage. This probably described me more when I was young, maybe between 16-24--back when I had time and energy to enjoy it when things were complicated. Still, great memories about this song (this whole album, really).

#14 - A Song I Used to Love But Now I Don't

Let the Drummer Kick by Citizen Cope. I still kind of like this song, particularly the opening, but I REALLY don't like the stream of "tion" words masquerading as lyrics. But, it's still a good hook.

#15 - A Song From My Favorite Album

High and Dry by Radiohead. Best album, and one of the best bands. Seriously, this whole record is just perfect.

#16 - A Song For Angry Times

Positive Tension by Bloc Party. We saw these guys at the Orpheum in Boston and they were awesome. I listened to this song a lot when I lived in Boston, and I felt angry a lot in Boston, so I suppose the connection forged itself.

Tunes #6-10

#6: A Song that Reminds Me of Somewhere

Wouldn't It Be Good by Danny Hutton Hitters. This song reminds me of Elsey 3rd North at good old FC. I played this song over and over and over from August-October of 1997. I was a new RA in college, had my own little dorm room, and wore out this tape from playing and rewinding (tapes! wow, I feel old.)

#7: A Song that Reminds Me of a Certain Event

Dreams by Van Halen. I'm not a huge fan of VH, but Eric is, and he insisted that Dreams be the last song that played at our wedding reception. I will forever remember Eric and his best man drunkenly embracing each other, and then the best man climbed onto the luggage cart and demanded to be taken to his room. What a night.

#8: A Song I Know All the Words To

I have one of those freakish memories where I can remember the words of just about every song I hear (yet can't remember what I did 10 minutes ago). But this one has a story... Losing My Religion by REM. I know all the real words, but I also remember the words to a song we made up to the melody at Band Camp, in 8th grade.

http://youtu.be/if-UzXIQ5vw

#9: A Song I Can Dance To

Destroy Everything You Touch by Ladytron. This song takes me back to Heroes in Boston, the best dance night EVER.

http://youtu.be/dtqGoHouoE0

#10: A Song From My Favorite Band.

Hey! by The Pixies. Picking a favorite band is tough. But I think I'll go with The Pixies. I spent most of the summer before I went to college listening to The Pixies and playing Solarian on my huge PowerMac. For variety and listenability, you can't beat The Pixies.