How?

 20 Years!

Years ago, we thought that we would return to Maine, the site of our honeymoon, for our anniversary,

but, I am content with a staycation in our new house.

It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed - 

unless I count houses, or miles, or jobs, or churches, or friends from coast to coast and now in other countries as missionaries.

We were delighted to have a visit from one of our nephews today.

He wasn't at our wedding - and yet he is headed off to college this year.

I guess that does show how time has moved along.

And I guess when you look at the pictures,

you can see how those "little kids" have aged a bit.

I am thankful for the man who cares for me each day.

I am thankful for the good days and the bad days that have changed us (hopefully for the better).

I am thankful for all of the friends along the way.

I am thankful for all of the places I have seen (and lived).

I am thankful that God provided the right one for me - in His time.

I am thankful for 20 years,

and though I hope for the return of Christ soon,

should He not return in the next 20 years,

I look forward to another 20 ...

and another 20 ...

and another 20...

Nearing Normalcy

 It seems as if our world has been upside down for a long time.

I guess since the cancer diagnosis in October 2021.

There were a lot of unknowns.

And even as plans began to unfold,

there was still the temporary.

Tonight, I sit in my garage ... Grilling supper.

It feels good and it feels normal.

I was able to clean through the whole house on Monday as usual without too many organizational decisions stalling me.

The laundry and ironing are current.

The boxes and drawers left to be contemplated are dwindling.

The stacks of paperwork that have been shuffled here and there are dissipating.

The last of the window coverings are enroute.

It feels good to be a homemaker again.

It is easy to compare ... To make excuses.

It is easy to downplay what God has called me to do.

It is a sin that I struggle with.

Recently it has been diminishing the value of my "little" house,

Or the work that my "little" house requires,

Or my "little" property and its responsibilities,

Or my peaceful work and workplace.

But it is my calling and it is the best work I can do right now.

More Order than Chaos

 Remember the picture from 2 weeks ago.

Things have changed.

Panorama picture distorted the line of pictures - they are straight - I promise

This is the smallest guestroom.

And this was the solution along with the front coat closet.

the bottom row has a sewing machine and patterns and supplies in a tote

1st and 4th shelf has small totes of seasonal decor

2nd row is music - piano, flute, voice

3rd row is books - kids and study books

and room for guest clothes on the rod

The mailing boxes contain Bibles and stuffed animals that a missionary friend will send to the Philippines.

The open, clear tote is books to go.

Probably something more needed on the walls

and the tray table/bedside table will be painted/refinished (because I just have to paint!).

And it has its sheer panels - but still waiting on cell blinds.

Good Help is Hard to Find

Of course, I have been doing quite a bit of shopping in order to settle the home.

Windows need to be covered - especially in a subdivision.

We have cell blinds on order and have worked on curtains for the windows.

I often order online in order to take advantage of online deals.

And of course, shipping to the store is cheaper and faster (usually).

2 weeks ago, I ordered 8 white, sheer panels.

I arrived at the store last Friday and opened my package.

The package contained 6 of the curtains that I ordered 

and 2 that were white and sheer, but that had grommets rather than a rod pocket.

So - they returned the 2 incorrect curtains and reordered the 2 that I wanted.

Yesterday, I went to pick up my 2 panels.

I opened my package.

I had one white, sheer curtain with rod pocket

AND

a red t-shirt?!?!

So, I returned the red t-shirt and ordered one white, sheer curtain.

Will it arrive next week?

We'll see.

 

MIA - Missing In Action

 Still plugging along at settling a new home. 

Last Friday, I emptied the last cardboard box.

Now, I am just going through rubbermaid totes trying to pare down.

I have some things to send to Goodwill, some things to sell on Ebay, and some things have just gone directly to the garbage.

Yesterday, some of the landscaping arrived.

the home purchase provided one tree, eight bushes and some mulch

We trust that the sod is not far behind.

I think I counted 5 homes that got sod this week and about 10 that are still waiting.

In preparation, I have been working to remove weeds.

Knowing the tendency of man to save money and energy, we just doubt that the weeds would be cared for properly before the sod is laid.

I have gotten a bit "soft" and have blisters to prove it.

I only had a trowel to help loosen the dirt around weeds ...

until hubby brought me a crow bar - Thanks Hubby!

If sod is not laid today and the rain gives me a window to work,

the area should be free of major weeds by tomorrow and we will be in basic maintenance mode daily.

Just a piece in the side yard and the back yard left.

not the best pictures, but you can see weed-free vs. weed

And here is a picture for you.

Here is the front door (from inside).

Hubby applied the plastic design to the front window to add some privacy.

More Pics for the Curious

 Hubby finished another closet last night.

He hopes to do another tonight.

Just the simple shelf and rod allow me to empty some more boxes/totes.

And I have found spots for everything in the living room.

This is the first time that I have had furniture that is not against a wall.

With the large living room window, we really wanted the couch to face the windows.

I am so glad that it is working for us!

Again, it looks bare still.  It needs some wall hangings and a rug in front of the couch.'

All in good time.

View from Kitchen

View from entry hallway

Order and Chaos

 The primary living area is getting some order.

There is no decoration, but it is easier and easier to function.

We are learning where the essentials of every day are.

There is order in most of our living space, 

but the guest rooms are still waiting for their closets so that they can be ordered.

And therein lies the chaos.

On Friday, I did the final cleanout for the apartment.

It was nice to finish and to be able to bring all of the cleaning supplies to the house.

Hubby cut wood to put up shelves and coat racks in the coat closet and two guest room closets this weekend.

We also spent some more time making some sense in the garage.

And I began staining wood for the above closets.

Today, I stained wood and did general cleaning which had not really been done since we move in.

And yesterday, I enjoyed playing the organ at church after many, many, many years.

Hubby and I also began learning a new song for a special.

We also "bothered" some new friends for part of the afternoon.

The minds still race a little with the desire to have everything finished ... just about NOW,

but things are settling into place.

The pictures aren't what I would like them to be,

but I know many of you are curious.

How Things Change

 It has been a year and 2 weeks since we helped hubby's mom get to Oregon from her last trip to Montana.

At this time last year, I was running back and forth as we met with nurses and set up hospice care.

I was learning new aspects of caregiving and wondering what the year would hold.

One year later, we have once again crossed the country.

We have once again started over.

We once again wonder what the year will hold - 

though with a little less concern.

Change is inevitable.

Health, location, economy, friends, ...

Psalms 115:3 

But our God is in the heavens: 

he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Cue the Big Sigh

 First off ... Happy Birthday to my dear one!

It is the 20th birthday we will celebrate together

and it seems like each year is a year to remember.

This year will be special because we are HOME!

We knew that Oregon was just a temporary duty station,

so after 3 years, there is a relief in possibly putting down roots.

Yes, the huge sigh is because we are in our new home.

Last week, in the midst of our personal Covid epidemic, very warm heat, and coughing fits,

we finished a few projects at the new house and moved some simple loads of boxes or small furniture with the car.

On Friday night, we rented the small UHaul and finished the job in about 3 hours.

We woke up Saturday morning in our new home.

The rest of the weekend, we laid low,

primarily because I was not sleeping well at night

and also because I needed a little while to sit in the space.

My mind was tired of decisions ... at least for a bit.

I couldn't think long, because I know that my hubby needs order and peace.

In reality, I do too.  A place for everything and everything in its place.

I hit the ground running yesterday.

Yesterday, I "settled" the Master bed, bath, and closet.

Though things are bound to change a bit,

almost everything has found a home.

(No pics yet because there are no window treatments or wall decorations up yet).

I also spent about 6 hours on the Facebook marketplace selling 4 large items so that there could be some room in hubby's garage.

The new space just required that some furniture go - and why not help someone else in the process.

All four sold in record time and I am relieved of the incessant massaging today.

Hubby is glad that his garage is taking shape.

Today, I enjoyed having a workout space in the garage again.

I also enjoyed the brightness of the kitchen and living room as I wrote some letters and made some plans.

Both our home in Oregon and our temporary apartment were very dark in the living areas.

We have walls of windows here (which will also require some insulated window treatment soon because the sun is warm).

And the rest of the day involves "settling" the living room and kitchen.

This will involve setting up my piano keyboard after not playing for almost 4 months!

I will also tinker in the garage trying to clear even more space.

But we are in and we are grateful.

The Sick Room?

 No, it's not a picture from the new house.

It's not a new room in the house.

Our apartment has become a sick bay.

It appears that we have a summer cold, flu, or ...

5 people at Chris' store are down and out, 

so we assume we may have the same.

So thankful that hubby can work from home.

Praying for a speedy recovery of strength so we can load up Friday night ...

But if not ... We still have the apartment until August 4.