a little whine with dinner

I've got some sort of head cold/flu thing right now. I'm achy, have been feverish, and am just ill in general. Blah.

In any case, I've had time to sit and ponder over the last couple of days a bit, because I have no energy. This can be both good and bad.

Good: I was really ready for Sunday School this morning. I really like the new book I'm using for curriculum. I'm really glad that we may have picked up a new family with 3 young children.

I really love seeing my kids interact well together. They can be so loving and sweet to each other.

Running a yard sale isn't too hard when you live on my street. Traffic is steady, and it's nice to clear out some junk...I mean treasures.

Less than great: running a yard sale is a bad idea when your husband isn't home. Otherwise, your 4 year old can get stuck on the toilet for an undetermined amount of time waiting for you to come wipe her up. There will be tears.

My kids don't always play well together. There can be tears.

My inlaws (parents in law in particular) have managed to frustrate me yet again. There might be tears.

Seriously though, they are going to Disney with my SIL, BIL and their kids at Christmas. Nice. Yet, they don't even so much as send a card when my middle child turns 4. To use an expression I don't particularly care for, WTF? Wait, make that WTH, I should keep this G-rated. Is it wrong that this bothers me? I mean, they haven't even called us since we got home from vacation, yet they told us that they miss us. Funny way to show it, if you ask me.

After - lots of pics

This is actually a "during" shot, because it was taken before the backsplash went in. Note, new dishwasher that doesn't have to be rolled across the floor and hooked up to the sink. Also, a hood fan! yay!



New cupboards, new paint, new countertop, new sink, new floor....new layout!


Our new pantry. It's HUGE!


My repurposed pantry, turned computer desk/art supplies storage



The old pantry, too small to hold anything much, now painted and cute!




The new pantry, all organized and stuff


The new backsplash. Not the prettiest pick of tiles, but it's hardly a designer kitchen... it's a well loved and very happy kitchen!

Funerals stink

Especially funerals for 22 year old boys (men) who are killed in car accidents.

Kitchen "before" shots

These photos really don't do the awfulness of the kitchen justice. Really. Hard to see the buckling and missing chunks of countertop. Not to mention the big marks on the floor, and the dents in the cupboards. Did you catch the missing cupboard door? Tried to fix that too. Oh, and the sink was leaking and the faucet was loose. These are slightly older shots, as the baby in the corner is almost 3. 48 shades of beige kitchen is no more!

good/bad

What's good:

kitchen renovation going well, and looking good. I can't wait to post "after" pictures!

What's bad:

the hubby trying to fix the upstairs bathroom sink. We've hit an impasse and have no faucet in there right now. Further proof that I did not marry a man with good handyman skills. Good thing he's cute.

on being content

While we were on the West coast, we had the chance to visit with a family we've known for years The husband and R went to school together, and we attended church together. They had two little girls back then, now they have a son and another daughter too. Those little girls are now preteens and look SO grown up. The husband (RR as a nickname) is also an Anglican priest in a small town, in a slightly isolated area, like us.

I really am thankful to be where we are. The more we talked to RR and his wife (JA), the more we could see just how good it is where we live. Our church generally doesn't eat us alive. R hasn't been working under a bishop who likes to intimidate. Our home is in much better shape than it could be. Our kids aren't getting bullied on a daily basis at school, resulting in having to make school changes. We're making friends, good friends even.

Much as I have complained (frequently *blush*) about life here...I really need to be thankful. Not thankful that I am where RR and JA are - that would be missing the point. I'm thankful for all that is good here, and there is a lot of good here. There are many blessings to our little family to be living where we are, in the situation we are in. I am thankful for those blessings, and am ever mindful that things can always change. I'm praying for change for the friends I mentioned, and offering prayers of thanks for what is our life here.