We've been collecting bids on finishing our basement, and whoa, doggy! those bids are HIGH.
AUUUUUGGGGHHH.
Just when you think you've achieve a worthwhile financial goal, shazaam!, another bite out of the budget.
We aren't even finishing ALL of the basement, thanks to the not-so-well-placed furnace and drain. Fortunately, I'm okay with half of the basement being unfinished storage (+ a treadmill and elliptical "workout" area). However, I had high hopes of a low-cost finish for the other half. Bill and I are working through details (and waiting for a couple more adjusted bids) so we can make the best decision. We would both rather NOT do tons of the work ourselves (we are seriously sooooo tired), but if it saves a hefty chunk of change, we're willing able. More to come on that subject, I'm sure.
Meanwhile, I'll share a quick couple of pics I've remembered to snap of our house progress. They are a bit boring, but they help me feel that SOME progress is being made hahahaha.
The master bath mirrors are finally up.
Can I hear a hallelujah?
This particular mirror/light combo is nice for my aging eyes, as the mirror is closer to me, and those lights let me see (sans contacts) all that hair on my face haha. Wowza. I had a lot. Thanks to the increased visibility, I should be able to keep it in check better. No granny beards, mustaches or uni-brows for me!
Since snapping these pics, we have since moved that towel ring over...
it was crowding the mirror a bit.
On to the master closet.
(BTW, these wire shelves are NOT my favorite. It's going to take some adjusting to get used to them.)
I'm the first to admit I have a whole lotta crap stuff. I've sorted and purged several times, and will probably do it again in the next year or so, but for now, at least it's wrangled and labeled.
Bill and I went from each having our own walk-in closet to sharing one... but, again, after a few purge sessions, it works perfectly. And I haven't missed a single thing {so far}.
Back in the old days, Bill coached the kids' rec soccer teams. Parker Rec gave him really nice plaques to thank him for his time, and I have always wanted to get them hung for him.
I finally did it.
Today I hope to start painting the bannister. If I don't start, it won't ever get finished, right?
Starting. Today.
I will just briefly mention that I'm still struggling a bit with the new neighborhood/ward/stake.
What the heck??
This happened last time I moved, too.
Yesterday during testimony meeting I almost had a meltdown as several ward members said things like, "As most of you know, this week has been a hard/devastating/challenging week for our family.... but we were so blessed by our amazing ward who brought in meals... took the kids... texted and called..." I know NOTHING. And I'm naturally a bit of an introvert, which makes it even trickier to be new. I'm okay that we've been here 6 weeks (ish?) and I don't have a calling. I've been away a lot and plan to be away more this year, so I really don't think that's where my struggle is (although I'd be totally happy to be a visiting teacher...). I think it's just not being able to walk into any ward meeting and KNOW people... being able to chat with them about what's going on in their lives... knowing they know you (and your quirky personality and your family and some details of your life) and they still like/love you.
I'm also at a new{ish} stage of life where I have no desire to sign up for the ward "mommy text list" they sent around in RS on Sunday. I'm not quite part of the old folks group, (retired, lots of hours to spend working at the temple, doing family history work, serving missions), but I'm definitely not part of the younger-children-at-home-let's-swap-child-care-and-have-play-dates group either.
I know this will pass... it just takes time (until I AM a part of the older group?? haha).
I have learned a few things, though, in this process:
Fixer-uppers are not my favorite, and if I can help it, I won't go that route again.
Moving is not my favorite. I hope to only do it once more in my life.
Having your husband released from a demanding calling doesn't necessarily mean he's at home a lot more. And in our current situation, when he's home, he's got a long list of projects to work on.
I am the least resilient in my family. I struggle the most with change every time.
Patience is a virtue I obviously need to work on.
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.
Spiritual upliftment for the day:
"One of the most important things learned in reading the scriptures is how to hear the voice of the Lord to us. Instruction comes not only from reading the words; when we prayerfully ponder them, the Lord can speak to us 'between the lines.' In other words, he can speak to us about our current problems while we are reading the content of the scriptures. In fact, the very act of reading them (it almost doesn't matter where) seems to open the door to direction from the Lord if we approach our reading humbly. The scriptures are one of the greatest tools we have for communicating with the Lord." (Gene R. Cook)
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