I've been away from blogging for what seems like eternity. Life has been
incredibly busy for us. Between taking on some contract work, volunteer
opportunities, church activities, and family time it has been
challenging to find free moments to write let alone do anything else I
really enjoy in my downtime.
But it's now post-Thanksgiving and my husband is home entertaining our
daughter while practicing trumpet so I thought I would take a few
minutes to see what makes the world go round and to share a little about
what has been going on here.
So two weeks ago we were in a car accident. We're all ok and very
thankful to God for protecting us all as well as the driver of the other
vehicle involved in our accident; but the process following the
accident was quite burdensome at times and revealed a great need for
patience.
Our car was totaled so we were faced with the unexpected need for a new
vehicle. Santa brought us an early Christmas present when we found
ourselves with a new Honda Pilot Friday.
But despite the disappointment of losing our car and being forced into
buying a new one when we didn't expect it, we are (as I previously
mentioned) extraordinarily grateful that we are all safe and not
seriously injured.
So now that we have returned the rental we had for 15 days and have our
own, new vehicle again . . .life seems to be returning to normal again.
I didn't host Thanksgiving this year. As much as I love hosting, I
really wanted a break. We celebrated a Thanksgiving meal with my parents
and then have really just enjoyed relaxing at home.
But I am back to hosting later this week when I have the spouses of my
husband's unit over for a coffee social. I'm really looking forward to
it. I'd been looking for coffee cups to buy in bulk. I have 11 cups of
my own (one broke), but without knowing for certain how many people I am
going to have yet, I was hoping to find more coffee cups. I had not
found any online or at TJMaxx/Walmart/Target, but the other day while at
my parent's house I discovered that my mom has 12 cups and dessert
plates that I could use. Why I didn't think to ask her in the first
place, I'm not sure. She used to host coffee socials at their home all
the time when my dad was in the Air Force. So I am excited that I have
plenty of cups should every spouse show up.
Aside from that, work is slowing down a bit now. I'm not sure if that is
because of the time of year or if I've done all I can do at this point.
I thought a couple of other opportunities were looming there, but I
haven't heard a peep so I'm not getting my hopes up.
Stop.
Later in the week . . .
We started tiling our guest bathroom. Somehow I knew when the tile guy
called and said that he was available this week to tile our bathroom
that I should wait. Sometimes it is best to wait. Sometimes it is best
to trust your instinct. Especially when you have company coming in on
Monday. Too much, too close together. But pride got the better of me and
I really just
wanted to have that bathroom tiled so I could feel
some satisfaction that we have FINALLY completed one project of many
that we've talked about doing. So I said, yes, come on out. Tile our
guest bath. And so yesterday, they came and about one hour into their
work, the power went out.
In the whole house.
In the whole neighborhood.
In at least a 2 mile radius (I know this because my mother called me just as I was about to call the power company).
And it continued to stay out for about an hour after the tile guys
decided that they would go and come back tomorrow (now today). So, of
course, this means that they are here today laying the tile and will not
be back until Monday to grout. And that means that I cannot put the
stool back on until Tuesday. And my husband is incredibly busy all next
week. So now, I need a Plan B because as much as I love my
mother-in-law, I really think it would be more comfortable for everyone
if she had her own bathroom to use especially since we have a bathroom
for her to use. Well, I guess technically, we don't currently have one
of her own to use.
I called the plumber my parents use to see how much it would cost to
reset toilet. $170. Personally, I think it is worth it. I know my
husband would want to save the money and do it himself, but he won't be
able to get to it until the week after next. And really, now this is
just showing how impatient I really can be because I want to spend the
$170 for convenience; but it is also because I guess some things I
believe are better to leave to the experts. I really hate envisioning a
flooded bathroom . . .that proceeds to flood our kitchen below . . .
I'm trying to stay positive . . .I mean how exciting to have a newly
tiled bathroom floor when it is all said and done! But I won't deny that
I am frustrated and that I secretly want to try billing the power
company for the hassle.
So I guess, I just need to swallow my pride and get over the fact that my bathroom will not be done by Monday.
And perhaps look at this as an opportunity for growth, as lessons
learned in patience and thankfulness. And also in listening to that tiny
voice in my head that I need to pay more attention to.