Vanilla Icing

Speechless Saturday

 

Sledding

So often on all the blogs I read it seems that those who write the blogs live in these wonderful country homes or even a well-stretched out surburbun community. They have a large rolling lawn for their children to play on, or acres of fields and woods--attached right to their houses! Some even have livestock. All of this contributes to posts about: growing their own vegetables, eggs and fabulous flower gardens. Somehow they seem more crafty, more creative and just more...'something.' It's easy to sometimes feel a little jealous because deep down inside I really really want to be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Or Anne Shirley. (minus the red hair! I like my brown, thank you)

I don't live in the country. I don't exactly live in what one would think of when you think 'suburb.' Where I live in somewhere in between 'city' and 'suburb.' My town is only 5 minutes from downtown--where no one really lives because Pittsburgh just isn't that type of city (anymore?) same as a lot of the other 'city' neighborhoods. Maybe plus an extra minute. Our houses are close together; only a walkway and a small strip of land separates each one. The yards in the front are pretty small and the yards in the back are small too and all run together. We, of course, broke up that running together-ness by putting up a fence. That way we could be lazy and just fling open the door and let the dogs run out without having to watch them.

Behind our house is another house. The side wall of it forms the back perimeter of our yard. It's rather ugly. We don't mind it though because the previous owner of the home was very nice and the new owner turned out to be none other than one of Rick's kayaking friends. (It took them about 2-3 weeks before they figured this out)

Most people don't have garages either. The parking is mainly on street parking. With a few exceptons, most of the people in the neighborhood get along when it comes to who parks where.

Everything sounds cramped to someone who prefers the country (or even the traditional suburb), but I am very satisfied living where we do.

*I like that on any given day in summer I can have my lawn mowed, front and back, in less than 20 minutes. That way I can get back to more important things like blowing bubbles on the deck or eating popsicles.

*Flowers really will grow in small gardens just as well as large gardens. Somehow they don't seem to understand how to distinguish between large and small spaces or else they just aren't picky.

*I may have to wipe the snow off of my car sometimes in the winter but I never have to shovel a driveway. My town plows my 'driveway' and it's called the road right away. This means more time for snowman making.

*My front and back yards and even my house may be wedged tightly between my left and right hand neighbors but this only means that there is lots of hanging over the fence or the front porch railing chatting to either set of neighbors.

This also makes for lots of running next door both ways in case of a "can I borrow an egg? I'm baking and I'm one shy." Which leads to a 'return' on that egg of something yummy and baked. This one goes both ways especially with my right hand neighbor because he likes to bake too. We also have an informal Christmas cookie exchange that we've done for a couple of years now.

*Speaking of neighbors, I know a good many of them at the least to see them and sometimes I have to hurry through conversations on the way to get my kids from school because I've stopped to talk to several of neighbors already.

*My kids have actual friends' houses they can walk to within a block of our house. One set of friends they don't even have to cross the street!

*We have 2 parks right in town, with an even larger park a mile away in case we ever feel the need for 'more' space.

But, if you take a look at the picture at the top of this post, you'll see that we don't often require a lot of space. The smallest of hills, in a tiny backyard is MORE than sufficient for lots of winter fun!

Twilight

At the end of a dreary winter weekend full of overcast skies and some rain thrown in for good measure this is exactly what I needed to see!

All out of Perspective.

I got suckered into the above. It was a luncheon hosted by Ryan's Auto Glass for various insurance companies. Although it was very nice---the hotel it was in, the food and the generous prizes they gave away---I hadn't expected to go and was just a wee bit grouchy about leaving behind the lunch foods I had picked up for Rick, Missy and I the night before. I know that sounds lame, but when you are watching what you eat, going to a luncheon suddenly takes on a whole new potential. I did pretty good--I took a small roll, about 5 rigatoni (Okay, exactly five, I counted) and then a spoonful of fruit. I loaded up the rest of that plate which was about 3/4th of it with green beans and had a side dish of plain, dry salad. When I added up my stuff on sparkpeople later I had stayed perfectly in what I allot myself for lunch.

Other than the luncheon, work was pretty quiet and I stayed busy. Missy and I put together our binders for Daisy Scouts. Things for our troop are moving along pretty well. After I left work, there was about 5 minutes in between picking the kids up and moving to the next thing on the list that was enjoyable.

Tristyn tried to catch/smash snowflakes together.

Maia loves the snow just a wee bit much. I say this because just watching her in it makes me cold. She'll drop down and roll around in it, pick it up with her bare hands (before I tell her to put her gloves back on) and generally behave as if the snow was a plush feather bed. It's disturbing because I am the exact opposite. Snow is to be admired in 2 instances only--from behind the windows of my house when I don't want to go out OR when I'm skiing. In retrospect, I think Maia's Snow Princess Costume was very appropriate!

Wednesday, as everyone is probably tired of hearing about is Maia's dance class day. The roads were just snowy enough that it took us 55 minutes to get to Bloomfield instead of the usual 30. (What's funny is that it's only a few miles--perhaps like 3 or 4?--but traffic and narrow streets make it take awhile). This meant she was 25 mins late. I was relieved to see we weren't the only ones late. After making sure Maia was ready to go, Tristyn and I hurried to the coffee shop for our usual Wednesday afternoon. I whiled away time catching up on some favorite blogs that I had missed reading since being in NYC and Tristyn played with a newly found (again) R2D2.

It ended up taking us 55 minutes to get home too. Needless to say, I was not happy. Due to being the only woman in America who can BURN two consecutive attempts at a meal in a crockpot I have been staying away from it. This type of night is a good example of when sometimes even I, convenience foods hater, will happily use these types of foods. As it was, it was about 7:15 by the time we ate. Normally we eat at 5:30 so you can see how this contributes to a general grouchiness of those (ahem! okay! fine! me.) who get really hungry and funny feeling when skipping a meal or it's late.

I'm complaining a lot in this post, aren't I? I'm sorry for it but I've been feeling rather overwhelmed lately. It's been building up of course but I fear it's reaching the point where I have to find alternative ways to deal with it. With the exception of this blog (which I wake up at 6:30 am to do, 5:30 this morning) and 30 minutes on the treadmill nightly (and come on, how much fun is that??), both of which I feel guilty about taking the time to do anyhow, I'm feeling stretched thin.

Very thin. And not in the have just shed 20lbs way either.

I never realized how much I got done around the house during the day until I had to be away from the house all day. Now, when coming home between the kids needing attention and the house needing it--oh and the laundry, and the dogs, and the cats--I feel like I'm shorting everyone and everything and getting much of nothing done to boot! Before, when Rick came home after I was done cleaning up from dinner that was always 'relax' time with him and the kids and then after the kids went to bed it was just our time. Now, I'm still trying to cram in house/workout/kid stuff and making a poor job of it. Last night I was very snappish at Rick for silly reasons and today after a few hours of sleep feel horrible about it. And that's another thing, I'm still getting to bed late and I'm waking up early (even earlier today courtesy of Eddie, but hey, I've got a good start on teh laundry now) and I'm always tired. Spending time actually doing things I enjoy? Um, yeah, hasn't been happening. That's why no crafty pictures. Or baking pictures lately. Ugh.

I need to get some fresh perspective. And maybe some vitamins.

The Sword in the Stone

er....I mean

The Test of a Man

um.....nope, not quite clear enough...how about...

The Stupid Fridge that Will Not Budge?

I have a cute conversation between Tristyn and Maia to share but before I can I need to give some background on this refrigerator (problem) we have.  When we first moved into this house about 2 years ago, there was an ordinary sort of fridge present--white, freezer on top, fridge on bottom, average size.  We wanted one that was bigger, stainless steel and I wanted a side by side design (I like to keep my freezer really organized, not just all piled on one shelf, so what?).  We found one at Lowes on clearance that had a very minor scratch on it (not a big deal--everyone knows a family that has kids has a fridge that is covered in artwork) so we checked the measurements, bought it and brought it home.

We had an amazingly difficult time getting it through the front door.  Apparently in 1920, the builders didn't expect anyone to be bringing such a large item through the front door.  A strange man driving past our house that happened to notice what we were doing actually stopped his car, got out and came and helped us shove it through the door.  Turned out he lived in our neighborhood but still, he was a stranger to us.

Once in the kitchen it wouldn't fit in the space it was supposed to go.  It went about halfway back between the wall and counter and got stuck.  Rick checked the measurements over and over and they were coming up saying that the fridge should be fitting.  Just another little thing to enjoy about an older house, hmm?  Anyways, in a fit of annoyance the cupboard above the fridge was ripped out courtesy of Rick and the fridge moved back a few more inches. 

We considered briefly returning the fridge but after the 56 minutes it took to get in through the front door we had no desire to take it back out.  The next day, a friend of Rick's came over and um...sledged out part of the wall...and we hurriedly pushed the fridge back all but the last 4-5 inches.  It was in far enough to satisfy us and no one could really see the um, the parts we had removed.

The fridge was pulled out one more time when the plumber came to install the water line for the water dispenser and ice maker.  We enjoyed fresh filtered water and ice for about 1 year before the water dispensing part broke.  I called the company and me and some Indian guy struggled through some tests on the fridge to determine what was broken and he gave me an elaborate set of instructions and told me they would install the part that he was sending me.

The part came about 2 weeks later.  It was to be installed in the back of the fridge.  But a major problem arose.  Rick couldn't pull the fridge out.  Nor could my Dad.  Nor could they together.  Nor could any man or combination of men pull the fridge back out of it's place between counter and wall.  Every man who comes into my house tries to pull it out.  Rick and I joke it's like the sword in the stone.  Only the one worthy will be able to pull it out!

Tristyn and Maia found the spare part in the cupboard the other day and asked what it was.  I explained and since then they've been talking about the fridge (and yes, I caught Tristyn trying to move the fridge).  Here's their conversation in the car yesterday:

Maia--Tristyn!  Tristyn!  I know who could move the fridge!!!
Tristyn--Who??!!  (keep in mind, he really wants to see the back of the fridge and where this part goes)
Maia--(triumphantly)  THE GARBAGE MEN!!!!
Me--!!!!!!  (huh????)
Tristyn---YES!  They would be perfect, because they are all strong from lifting garbage cans all day.
Maia--EEEEEWWWWWW....But they would be all stinky!!!

That final comment seemed to end the discussion if the garbage men would be suitable.  They both lapsed into silence, trying to think of someone else who could move the fridge.

Help! I'm melting!

            

 

Inexpert icing piping, sheer heat, and me holding the cake platter aloft while taking this picture all contributed to it's not-so-wonderful crooked look.  Ah, well, can't say the kids minded at all!

Yesterday, my first floor was 84 degrees!  Yes, that's in the house.  Yes, that's only 5 degrees less than what it was outside.  I'm not going to even tell you what the second floor was.  Or the third floor.  That rain never showed up yesterday either--but it's looking good out there for sometime this morning!

Despite the heat, I've wrapped up a few painting projects I hadn't gotten around to.  I 'discovered' in the basement a half of a quart of leftover trim paint from the previous owners and I used that to repaint the dining room door.  The dining room door sorely needed to be painted because that, too, was salvaged from the basement when we found it shoved in a corner about a year or so ago.   I remembered that Missy had left that can of white paint here so I used that to paint the ceiling in the two places that were still lacking paint from when Mike did all of the drywalling for us in the hall.  That one I've been putting off because I wasn't sure how I would reach the areas I needed to get to.  Luckily, that ladder Rick picked up about 2 months ago was taller than our other step ladder and I was able to reach just fine--though accompanied by a mild panicky feeling whenever I had to stand on the ladder and reach out across the steps with paintbrush and edge tool in hand.   I used the leftover white paint to paint the one side of the basement door that needed it and also the walls going down to the basement.  The paint helps, but only a smidgen because my basement is one of those funky old-time basements--it's 87 years old! My grandmother isn't even that old.

Still on the subject of paint, I took the ancient can of trim paint to Busy Beaver where George and I spent about 30 minutes trying to match the color.  We couldn't do it.  The formula written down on top of the rusty lid doesn't convert into the new way of mixing paint.  George said that he thinks the paint was mixed in the 1960's because that was when they used that type of formula!  I don't know though, because the paint that was left in was not dried up and worked perfectly, so I don't think it could be that old.  Plus, the price tag was still on the can and the price seemed 'steep' for the 1960s.  Anyways, afterwards, Ray tried helping by attempting to locate a store that still mixes that brand of paint and is nearby but didn't have any luck.  I really would like some more of it so I can do some other touch-ups on the woodwork.

Yes, I really do know some of Busy Beaver Guys by name and others by sight. That's how many times I've been in there in the last 2 years.

            

       

I Smell Like Paint

            

 

...must go take a shower in a few minutes--right after maia and i read some fairy tales and i do some general straightening.

yesterday afternoon, maia and i went to lowes for paint and i started painting the front porch.  i got all the lattice work done yesterday before it was time to make dinner.  this morning after we came back from walking the dogs i polished off the rest of the porch. i am SO GLAD this task is done. 

it was imperative to be done in spring, otherwise i would have to step in flowers and kill them to do it.  the spring we moved in, the porch wasn't too bad and there were too many other things to do having just moved in.  last spring i was all ready to paint and then construction began on the house next door which consisted of sending great billowing clouds of dust onto my house and porch so it wasn't possible.  by this spring the front porch needed to be painted and could NOT be delayed any farther.

i forgot to take pictures early on, so i took one of the steps of the front porch to get the 'before' shot

i only had two steps left when i remembered to take that.here is the 'after' shot.  using my cell phone to take the pic (as usual) required that i stay pretty close to the porch.  if you are wondering what that thing is on the left hand window, it's this sign that has our last name on it that the mother-in-law passed off to us.  the paint is still wet in some spots as i took this picture about 15 minutes after i finished.

with luck, the bricks will receive their cleaning sometime this year BEFORE winter =)  (if only i had the ladders to do that myself!)

while i painted yesterday, the kids polished off the last of the chocolate chip cookies...so today, while missy was over for lunch, i whipped these up:

it's similar to shortbread, but with a sweeter rather than a buttery taste.

            

       

Spring Cleaning

            

 

it's time to start.  it's 9 days from the 1st day of spring.  it's time to start.

in the last house i lived in, it was quite feasible to proceed in a manner of doing the same thing in every room, then the next thing in every room, and so and so on until it was done.  that house was much smaller. 

last year i lucked out on some of the tasks because spring was when i took down all of the wallpaper and painted.  this year, not so lucky--everything is painted! that means this will be first FULL SPRING CLEANING  this house will receive.  it got fall cleaning in the fall, but for some reason i've always found spring cleaning much more satisfying.  i think because in the fall it's in preparation to close everything up.  spring cleaning is to open everything up.

this year, i will be focusing on one room at a time.  i have 10 rooms total, the basement and both the deck and front porch.  the front porch i will save until last, because after everything is scrubbed down, it will need to be painted. 

inside the house, the kitchen will be save for last as that is where most of the cleaning supplies are.  otherwise i will work from bottom to top of the house, and each room, obviously from top to bottom.  washing curtains and/or blinds, dusting out corners and light fixtures,washing windows, inside and out, washing walls, more dusting, washing baseboards, sorting out any cupboards/closets/shelves and cleaning them free of dust, and ending with vacumming and shampooing the carpet.  i don't anticipate anything to be overly dirty as i do try to get to all of those things at least once a month (except for walls and outside of windows) so it should be a fairly quick efficient job. 

first up...the dining room... here ...i...go!!!