Sing
I've been singing this song since April 2015 after a major loss, and at the start of a huge uncharted journey. I'm singing it today with all the dynamics of real life, choosing Hope, Faith, and Love.
May
May
Spring leaves me speechless every time.
The thrill of the dearest wonder beneath tender
greens I've never seen before breathes a hush into my soul.
We can't think about it too much- the what if's...
what if the cosmic wonders ceased, the axel on the globe broke or the perfect spin ground to a halt.
If Spring betrayed our vital trust all hope would implode!
Ah, but lest our lungs burn, we let the gasp of fear escape and sip
another gift of 20.946 percent oxygen, 0.9340% argon, N2, CO2, trace gases, etcetera
and stride out into the bright sunlight.
Time Flies
Six months have tripped by since we moved into our homegrown abode with nary a post from me!
Life is finally finding a bit more rhythm and order, and so
here, with our moved-in photo from October, is a advert that more photos will be forth-coming.
Button it up (posted out of order)
Well, here's a first: I found a draft from last winter that was never posted! So now just before we move in, here's a look back inside those walls...
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Wall-board and paint- what else could there yet to finish, right?! Well there remains plenty to button up this project- extensive trim, stair and loft railings, outlets, lights, counters, plumbing fixtures...and more! But I was encouraged by a friend yesterday: "You end up appreciating something more if you have to wait for it." So we will!
Here's a peek at the progress.
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Wall-board and paint- what else could there yet to finish, right?! Well there remains plenty to button up this project- extensive trim, stair and loft railings, outlets, lights, counters, plumbing fixtures...and more! But I was encouraged by a friend yesterday: "You end up appreciating something more if you have to wait for it." So we will!
Here's a peek at the progress.
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| The batts of insulation...are wool! |
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| Close-up |
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| He knows it's his home. |
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| this is a dynamic project with a wide variety of people involved- here a friend swapped lending us a hand for M helping put a hitch on their vehicle. |
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| wall and ceiling board going up |
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| This is a stack of wallboard made of magnesium oxide, a mineral. doesn't burn, doesn't rot. It's used as cement all over a huge asian nation. When we started exploring something other than gypsum (typical "drywall") 2 yrs ago, we could rustle up only 1 start-up distributor in this country. Now it's exploded here and marketed for exterior applications. |
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| Last look at the insides of these walls and ceiling panels |
Postures of Home
I have held many postures and pulled many non-ergonomical stunts and aerobics in this house-building project, during its nearly 4 years of active development.
...and then as I spent two recent days on the property...with wonder, I found myself in a new posture:
with open arms, ready to welcome this place as Home. I am surer than ever that we will actually live there (within 3 weeks!). And I want to live there- we will have lots of fun living there! And we will have so much to share there. M & I agreed: It might even pay off (Though we have definitely wondered!).
Here's to flexibility, aerobics, and new postures!
- I have certainly stood uncertainly turning toward it
- my binoculars up scoping it out
- hands on hips
- hand in hand
- sleeves rolled up
- back aching
- held it at arms length
- treading water with nose barely above
- paddling hard
- bowed under a heavy load
- head cocked in surprise
- hands linked to others and staying afloat
- head up making a plan
- stumped
- sitting
- waiting
- wanting to throw in the towel...
...and then as I spent two recent days on the property...with wonder, I found myself in a new posture:
with open arms, ready to welcome this place as Home. I am surer than ever that we will actually live there (within 3 weeks!). And I want to live there- we will have lots of fun living there! And we will have so much to share there. M & I agreed: It might even pay off (Though we have definitely wondered!).
Here's to flexibility, aerobics, and new postures!
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| laundry racks! |
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| Trying out the new (ancient) phone |
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| attic stairs |
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| A friend details windows! |
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| Taking a break |
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| Month 44 |
Reality
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| Wow- a clean kitchen :) |
...and the reality is, we're still in a construction zone. It can feel like no matter how much time, energy, money and flexibility we throw at this project, it never quite ties up...
So much effort has gone in...
and there's lots to go...
So we feel desperate, done, very tired, and overwhelmed most of the time. But we will keep going and this is a good gift we're working towards, a gift we plan to share. Meanwhile, many are forging on, every day with no promises, little hope, and much more suffering along the way.
We're looking forward to a cleaning day and a moving day, when friends can come and make things things suddenly come together...hopefully in Oct (if possible) or Nov (for sure).
Transition
It's easy to crane my neck...
'lookin' around the bend' (a line from our new fav band) and longing for the promised improvements of the next season / location. But this past season of 4 yrs has been full of stress and, not surprising, full of learning. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be sage or trite- I don't feel like that. I'm just to write down reminders to myself as I head into the coming transition to our new home location.
Don't wish away the present.
Unstable housing consumes all extra energy- consider people in that super-stressful situation.
Things take time, especially good things.
Having to bear the process... makes the progress and rewards sweeter.
Time is hard to estimate and we don't know the whole picture. Get busy relaxing in the saddle- you'll burn up if you're uptight constantly.
Arrival is a relative term.
Families weather things together.
Pictures serve as memory cues, but take no illusions of all happiness and fun from this blog. We're as real and imperfect as they come. Thanks for coming along.
'lookin' around the bend' (a line from our new fav band) and longing for the promised improvements of the next season / location. But this past season of 4 yrs has been full of stress and, not surprising, full of learning. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to be sage or trite- I don't feel like that. I'm just to write down reminders to myself as I head into the coming transition to our new home location.
Don't wish away the present.
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| Robin's nest. They probably thought the sticks would leaf out! So I draped shade on top... |
Things take time, especially good things.
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| 8 years old |
Having to bear the process... makes the progress and rewards sweeter.
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| Final inspection celebration "out" to eat |
Time is hard to estimate and we don't know the whole picture. Get busy relaxing in the saddle- you'll burn up if you're uptight constantly.
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| dance moves |
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| can you canoe? |
Arrival is a relative term.
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| we live with a lovely view. right where we are! |
Families weather things together.
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| on top of the ridge behind new house |
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