dual personalities

While my dear DP was having a meaningful experience in the Holy Land, I’ve been breathing dust and eating glutinous microwave dinners. The kitchen remodel has been going on for almost a month. Progress has been glacially slow, and there have been a few hiccups, but we’re getting there. We have a new window, a new range hood (new stove yet to arrive), painted walls, most of the floor, and the bare bones of the cupboards. What is taking so long, you ask? I wish I knew. It’s a tiny kitchen, after all.

While they were waiting for the paint to dry in the kitchen, they got working on the mudroom, which now looks like this:

The walls are actually cream and not yellow. It’s just the lighting at night that makes it look that way. Note the temporary 2 x 4 railing as well.

At least we can still use the back entry. My chief worry at this point — aside from the ever-rising cost — is whether the work will be done before son #3 arrives with his cat. Every room in my house is full of pots and pans, small appliances, and fragile antiques that I’m attempting to keep out of harm’s way — a situation that is hardly conducive to welcoming visitors, especially feline ones.

Alas, the house is in such disarray that I cannot put up any Christmas decorations. How does one get into the Christmas spirit under such conditions? Consider what Sigrid Undset wrote:

“And when we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans–and all that lives and move upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused–and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.”

Here’s another good passage — this one from Henry Van Dyke — to remind us about what Christmas really means:

“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas!”

There. Now I feel better. I may not be able to decorate inside the house but I can still celebrate Christmas in my heart and in my actions. And who knows? Maybe the workers will have a burst of energy and be done with the kitchen by the end of next week. Stranger things have happened…

Finally, did you know that  Mark Knopfler and Gregory Alan Isakov  have new CDs, that you can follow Amor Towles on Instagram (he’s got some interesting photos), and that you can keep up with son #2’s reporting at the Idaho Mountain Express? Now that’s some Christmas cheer!

Yes, I am back from the Holy Land in one piece! The OM did not burn the house down and he was actually waiting for me inside the airport when I arrived.

I do want to thank wonderful daughters # 1 and 2 and DN (!) for writing fabulous blogposts while I was gone. They were great to read from the other side of the world.

I have much to tell, but today I wanted to acknowledge the passing of old 41, President George Herbert Walker Bush.

He was my kind of guy, a good and decent man who served others as a child of God. He was a devoted family man and churchman (Episcopalian.) There aren’t many like him around any more I’m afraid. I enjoyed watching his memorial service at the Washington Cathedral when I came home from the airport on Wednesday morning after a grueling trip home.

I love the story that his good friend James Baker told about the day he died. When Baker arrived in his room, President Bush said, “Hey, Bake, where’re we going today?” And Baker said, “We’re going to heaven.” and George said, “Good, that’s where I want to go.”

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.

*Matthew 25:23

Greetings from Daughter #2, with one more guest post before we hand the blogging reins back to the dual personalities!

I had an exciting weekend that revolved around chancing upon, hauling, cleaning, reassembling, and arranging an old secretary that I rescued from a friend who moved to Washington state. I had agreed to drive my friend (and her husband, baby, cat, and luggage!) to the airport for the final step in their cross-country move, and when I arrived, I saw her secretary lying sadly at the curb. I was so surprised, because I knew it was a family “heirloom” and I had honestly been coveting it for years. So when she said they simply didn’t have a place for it, the wheels started turning. Could I rescue it?!

Apparently it is very normal to leave things outside in this neighborhood like so

Unfortunately, it was drizzly and DN was not in the mood for an impromptu furniture adventure following a long work day. Fortunately, I was borrowing my MIL’s Honda Pilot and, armed with a pep talk from my sister, decided to tackle the task on my own. After the airport trip, I returned to the curb and figured out how to disassemble the secretary so I could load it in to the car–with the help of a kind passerby!

Everyone needs a friend with a truck

It took two full days of rearranging (with ample & necessary help from DN!) to fit this large piece into our cozy apartment, but I am thoroughly happy with the results. It is honestly amazing what Swiffers and Pledge can accomplish. I have always wanted a secretary desk, and now I have one — and a piece of my friend’s old home, to boot!

The glass pieces in the doors need replacing, but that will be easy enough to accomplish at some point

The lesson is this: when a piece needs rescuing, go for it, even if it seems inconvenient or like things won’t quite fit. You’ll find a way! My friend had said that none of the consignment or antique stores in the area would take the secretary because it isn’t mid-century modern, the only style that sells these days. Oh dear. Sometimes the best deal is the one that’s out of fashion, I suppose!

Daughter #1 here for another post before my dear mother returns from her sojourn to the Holy Land. The pics on the Grace Church Facebook page and the few minutes a day she can text have truly tided me over. Continue to keep the pilgrims in your prayers as their journey comes to an end on Wednesday.

It’s Advent! My favorite of the Church Seasons. It is mysterious and full of dark imagery and anticipation. And reminders like this:

“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [Luke 21: 36]

I put my tree up this weekend. It’s a big one this year! Somehow, the Optimists and I managed to wedge into my little car. And I got on the stand all by myself. I am my own she-ro.

My brother and I went to see John Crist on Friday night. Mom was very jealous. We told John Crist that our mom wanted to be there but she was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was like “Oh really?!” I was too excited and smiled too big for the photo and have serious John Candy face.

I planned those shirts for the Dry T-Shirt Contest before I knew my brother had gotten the fancy VIP tickets for us. St. Louis did not have a high rate of participation and I felt a little silly. Oh well. The show was lots of fun and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

And for you heathens who don’t know John Crist, my favorite video can be viewed here.

Happy Monday!

*Jeremiah 33:14