Ahhhh. The holidaze are finally over, and I'm so.... ummm... relieved. This time of year is so stressful for Mom. I don't think it's so bad for Dad, and that doesn't help me deal with it at all- in fact it kinda makes me mad. There seems to be a gap in understanding sometimes between Mom and Dad, and I know it's all that Venus vs Mars thing, but still. How can I be running around like a lunatic, or trying to get crap done at home like a lunatic and he sits around just doing the normal every day stuff? Something is wrong with this picture. But now that the year has recycled itself, I can finally relax. One job instead of two. And 2 days off a week from that job. And the joy of the season- SKIING! I can't wait to hit the slopes, although skiing with elementary ski club is not so much like skiing at all. I wanted to get out a few times before ski club started, but I would need extra time for that, so I'll have to make due. I'm sure it will be fine, and by the time I get to Jiminy next week hopefully I will be a little steadier on my pins.
The other thing I've grown to love about winter, is that it's the only time of the year that I can get anything done around the house. With the 2 jobs and 3 kids, there is never a chance to do any more that the basics all Spring, Summer and Fall- but Winter presents new opportunities. On tap this month are (hopefully) changing the bathroom and kitchen faucets to the hip new ones (purchased months ago, but lacking time to install), painting the kitchen wall (paint is so old I think I may need to buy new!), and painting the powder room. I should be able to handle these things essentially on my own- I just need to find motivation somewhere. I think that maybe it's in one of the mountains of laundry.
Hopefully this winter will also see the completion of some of Mike's projects. Like the middle room upstairs. All it needs is to be taped and painted... which is no big deal, really. But getting it cleaned out and the walls prepped is a huge undertaking. Once it's done it will make such a big difference to the look of the house, and the general feel. It will be great to have a room for the kids to hang out in, and a place to store their games and art supplies, etc. And eventually a sleeper sofa so it can double as a guest room, and then maybe some of my far flung family will come visit :). Also on Mikey's list- insulating and sheet rocking the garage- with only one coat of tape at this point. I'm supposed to help with this project, and in general I'm a workhorse, but that sheet rock is EFFING heavy. I really feel uncomfortable perched on scaffolding holding huge sheets of the stuff over my head- arms quivering with the strain, neck frozen in pain for days following. But the payoff is such that I'll do it anyway. And the best part? Once he gets started, he motivates himself and is happy with the progress, and more importantly with himself. The more he does, the more he does. It's that simple. All he needs to do is get started. That's the kicker. And this spring brings major construction, so the more he's gotten done and the better he feels about himself and his work the better. The foundation will be repaired this spring- as soon as the snow has melted and the ground is stable enough for heavy machinery. Once the foundation is done I'll sleep better. It seems like so much of our lives are on hold pending getting this big job done. I've been trying desperately to hold on to money to do it- when I'd really like to go on vacation or pay off some debt. I honestly can't think of doing anything else construction related to the house in the meantime- I mean how do you do a menial task when there is such a huge, important one to be done? And as for the sheet rock and taping-- what if that gets damaged when we jack the house?? I'm not a builder, I'm a gardener, so all this building stuff is abjectly scary to me. I want it done, and I certainly don't mind helping but YIKES.
And when the foundation is done I want the whole underside of the house insulated with bio-spray foam. %100 Thermal Break. Yes please. And a steel roof. And fiber cement siding. And a new well. And wood floors. But those will be tasks for another year or decade. For now, I'll be happy with new faucets. And with lots (hopefully) of skiing.
