I have much to post regarding this past week, however, I may not be able to do that tonight. We are in NC and the rain is absolutely pouring as I type... and the internet service seems to be coming and going, and we have no water. There goes the Christmas Eve service @ church.Charles and Jonathan climbed the mountain earlier in the afternoon to work on the spring, and that's when the rain started.... and in a few minutes it was raining hard.
The house was more picked up than it was when we left. I understand that this "mess" is part of the process of the kitchen remodel.... but nevertheless, it's a huge mess. Today was better, but the outside of the house at the front door was nearly impassable when we arrived. The kitchen wasn't as far along as we thought, but I don't know WHAT we were thinking anyway..... The washing machine and dryer are up on their pedestals and the Italian tile that we're using for the floor is also the floor of the pedestals - looks good.
Ted forgot to tell me that there wouldn't be 30 inches between the cabinets to the right and left of the stove. My 30" pot rack is on its way and can't be returned, so they are going to have to do something about the cabinets. The refrigerator is not installed yet.
I'm not complaining. I AM disappointed, but that, too, is short-lived. I rode with Jonathan back to NC and reminded him that no matter what condition we found the house in, we can't dwell on any kind of expectations. Ted is great. He's doing the best he can do and he's good at what he does and has a very talented carpenter of 21 years in Jason. The "kid" can put up crown molding with one arm tied behind him.
We hadn't had anything to eat since breakfast, so decided we'd have to get out in the rain to find something... nearly anything. Charles assured me that if I wanted to stay behind, he and Jonathan would bring something back. No way! I was going to be "in" on this Christmas Eve adventure - Why what if they found a little stone cafe high in the mountains that had a beautiful fire in the fireplace and stayed open on this Christmas Eve for weary travelers to come in and enjoy their live fir tree with clear twinkle lights and a bowl of potato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich along with some kind of Christmas cobbler wahsed down with hot wassil for dessert? I wouldn't want to miss THAT!
Dream on, LT - we ended up at a Mexican restaurant in Taylors, SC. Ran by Jonathan's, invited Dan to go along, and the 4 of us feasted on Burritos along with a host of other "weary travelers".
Made our way back to the house - still pouring the rain, but we are back in business with the water, praise the Lord. The rain sounds so good on this tin roof. I brought the little Christmas tree in from the houseboat and it's on top of the high boy in our bedroom. First time Jonathan has seen it and he thinks it's great. At least we have a little tree here and by bedtime tomorrow night, it will be back in its bag, packed up for next year. I'm beginning to sound like Mother - hers will be back in Dad's little room down in the garage. Easy decorating. I have a TON of wonderful Christmas stuff, but this is not the year to get it out.
As I type, CT has just retired and Jonathan and I are sitting in the only finished room of this house - the master bedroom - in front of the gas logs talking. We have the Monopoly board set up for him to beat my socks off and if it's too late, he has already said he'd sleep on a pallet in front of the gas logs tonight in our bedroom. Fine with us - It's Christmas... the first one we've spent in our cottage in six years!
Jonathan said tonight, "It's so GOOD to have you and dad back home." It's wonderful to BE back home. God is so good.
Note to Tish: Carolyn's blog: http://themawmaw.blogspot.com/ ....
