How My Husband is Doing This Spring

Hello there.

The last detailed update about the state of my husband's chronic health problems was about two and a half months ago. There have been a few changes.

We now have another condition to add to the list: low thyroid (most likely due to taking the anti-arrhythmia medication, Amiodarone). This news actually gave us a little hope because Mark can take another medication to bring his thyroid level back up, and maybe that would help how he feels overall.

Since seeing his Endocrinologist, Mark's dosage of Levothyroxine has been upped twice. It has taken many weeks, but he is a bit less tired and bit more hungry.

One step forward....

Go Fund Us!

At my husband's behest, I set up a GoFundMe campaign last night.

Hall Home Help

I titled it "Hall Home Help" because we need to do some things around our house. And I enjoy alliteration.

We're going down this path because we tried applying for home equity loans/lines of credit but were summarily denied by three different banks.

VLOG: 10 Things in My Junk Drawer

Oh my gosh, you guys, I did a video of what's in my junk drawer for Tuesday Ten this week!

This was no easy task, though. You see, I have had what seems like the entire world in my house today. By the time 4:30 rolled around I had to tell my husband to zip it and kick my son out the door so I could just get 'er done!

There's nothing fancy here. I used my phone's camera. No shots of my face because I couldn't use the camera switchy option thingy while videoing.

But you get to hear my voice!

How to Build a TARDIS

Or, How to Get Your Creative DIY-er Best Friend to Build You a TARDIS Pantry.

One day a few months ago my husband and I (I think it was me, he thinks it was him) had a Whovian epiphany.

That you could totally make a pantry cabinet look like the Doctor's (Who, that is) TARDIS time machine!

I am slightly creative, but I have a few very creative friends, one of whom happens to enjoy DIY projects....

What a Better-Than-My-House Would Have

Besides a few minor things, I am fairly content in the house we bought 4 1/2 years ago.

It has enough bedrooms and bathrooms for the four of us and is in a mostly safe, family-friendly neighborhood.

It's small, though. Compact, is the best word, I think. The homes in our neighborhood are on such small lots that they're actually zoned as condos (despite the fact that they are free-standing homes).

I don't personally care about being on a small lot with a tiny yard and close to my neighbors. I mean, I tried gardening and eventually decided it isn't my cup of tea, not to mention we came here from apartment living, so a HOUSE is a big deal.

I honestly love my little house.

All of that said......sure, I've thought of what a better house would be like.

My actual house.

The View From Here: An American's Reflections on England

The View this week is coming from Jill Robbins of Ripped Jeans and Bifocals.

(Great name for a blog!)

She is RIGHT NOW in the process of moving from England back to Texas.

I wonder if the two places have anything in common....?

I don't know, but Jill is sharing here with us today what she

will and won't miss about living in the UK.

__________

Reflections Upon Leaving England

I’ve lived in England for almost four years. Today, I’m writing at my dining room table instead of my usual corner of the family room (my normal practice is to write while keeping one eye on what everyone else is doing, which is my standard disclaimer for anything I write that might suck). I’m displaced because today is moving day. I’m surrounded by chaos and packing crates, watching two moving dudes named LeRoy and Steve touch everything I own.

Sounds of Happiness

Music.

Rock, pop, metal, rap and a little country.

Things They Don't Tell You When Buying a House

Four years ago today we became home owners.

It took a long time for this to happen. I was afraid to own a home for many years. I really liked the convenience of rentals in that we weren't responsible for problems that arose. Also, the housing market was doing so well for so long that we really couldn't afford what homes were costing.

Then the market tanked. President Obama's response was to offer a first time home buyer's tax rebate to the tune of $8,000.

So my husband was all, "Um, Jen, maybe we could buy a house now?"

I didn't have a leg to stand on with my arguments against it at that point.

I very timidly replied, Okay....", and we were off and running.

At the Bottom of the To-Do List

You know those things you keep meaning to pick up when you go shopping? Things that you don't need very often, so they're not usually on your radar?

You think about them on your way out, "Oh, I should pick up ______," and then you kick yourself when you get home because you didn't.

What about things around your house that could use fixing, but just aren't a high priority? Or things you'd simply like to change, but the current whatever-it-is works fine, so you don't think you can justify it because you only want a new one.

Such as....

1. A new broom - the one I have is all just....yuck. I want a new freaking broom! But is that ever something I'm thinking about between sweepings? No.

2. Vacuum cleaner filters - Ours got so full of crud, and our vacuum actually got clogged and couldn't suck properly, that we had to have it serviced by a repairman.

3. A second hose for the backyard - because the one in the front doesn't stretch all the way to the back (thisclose) and you're super tired of filling and refilling the watering can. (And actually, we need a new hose for the front now too because Mark ran over the one we had.)

4. Speaking of the backyard, brackets to rehang the gate - thankfully my step-dad is a busy-body so when he and my mom were here for Christmas, he got out there and fixed it.

5. Those special vanity light bulbs for the bathroom(s) - there are currently 3 of 5 out in our master bathroom.

6. Dish towels - ours are so shabby. But they still do the job....

7. Gas for the lawnmower - I'll mow the lawn, but filling the gas jug is Mark's job.

8. A new kitchen faucet - we have a bowl living under the sink because ours is leaking. But it still works, and faucets are not cheap, so we wait.....

9. Honestly, I'd love to replace all our faucets AND doorknobs - besides our front door, we still have all the cheap, unattractive ones the house was built with.

10. We have two empty planter boxes - Mark built 3 planter boxes in the backyard but we've yet to plant in two of them. Need dirt, yo. In the smaller one I want to plant strawberries, and in the larger, other edibles.

The bottom line is that these things aren't really big priorities, are they? Food, gas and new shoes for the kids are more important, so that's what we take care of first. This other stuff is extra.

On the other hand, I know they're not BIG things so it shouldn't be too hard to fulfill some of them, but still. Somebody is always NEEDING something! You know?


Linked up with Monday Listicles - yay!

West Coast Girl

After writing about what I was doing 10 years ago, and while standing in the shower, I realized something.

I have now been living in Washington, combined total years, longer than I lived in California.

I first lived in Washington from birth to 12 years old. I have been living in Washington again for nearly 10 years. That's 22 years. I lived in California for 17 years in between.

God. I remember the first time I could say I had been or done something for 10 years (as an adult). I felt old then! Now I'm talking about 17 and 22 years? And add those two numbers together? Gah!

I feel basically equal fondness for the two states I've called home. Leaving both was difficult. I left people, and a chapter of my life, behind both times.

Ooph. Typing that just made me tear up!

Five Things I Miss About California

1. All the sunshine you could ever want.

2. The most beautiful lake in the world (Lake Tahoe).

3. Great sourdough bread.

4. BART - Bay Area Rapid Transit.

5. Friends and family.

Five Things I Love About Washington

1. Nary a drought to speak of (even if certain people sometimes panic needlessly).

2. My son and I were born at the same hospital (he in a new building, but still).

3. Four distinct seasons.

4. I feel special living in the state where Starbucks and Amazon are headquartered.

5. Friends and family.

Both the Bay Area and Puget Sound are shaped similarly. There is water to the west and there are mountains to the east and I always know what direction I'm going. One freeway, I-5, runs through both states and it makes me feel like I'm still connected to California because of it.

I have always lived near bodies of water, and I suspect I always will.

So you see, when someone asks me where I'm from, it's kind of difficult to answer. I feel like I'm from both places. I suppose I have to say Washington officially. But I know there's more to it than that.


Linked with Monday Listicles.

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Day

On Thanksgiving 2012 I am thankful for:

The number  one thing, after last March, my husband still being here

to celebrate another Thanksgiving with us.

My beautiful, bright, healthy children.

They light up my life, and without them I would not be whole.

Our cozy little home.

(In spite of any roof leaks.)

My parents.

My extended family which includes two grandmthers still living,

aunts, uncles and cousins, as well as my in-laws,

including Mark's 90 year old sainted grandmother.

The delicious food my husband will cook today.

My dad being here for us, and us for him.

The bigger picture.

Having faith that there is reason and purpose

and much to be learned.

Laughter.

The lovely people we call our Friends.

Walking, Wine and Whipped Cream.

YOU lovely people who are my online friends!

I wish you a THANKFUL  and yummy Thanksgiving!

And leave you with my son singing a song he learned at school:

Dinner Bells Dasing through our food With a knife and a fork so fast, Corn and peas do go, while through my throat they pass. Into my tummy the plop. Making growling stop. Oh what fun it is to eat and eat until we drop! Oh dinner bells, shotgun shells, turkey got away. What are we supposed to do on this Thanksgiving Day-ay? Dinner bells, shotgun shells, turkey got away. What are we supposed to do on our Thanksgiving Day!
HAHAHA!

10 Words for Home

My fellow Washingtonian and our Listmaster has tasked us with listing 10 Words That Describe Home. I wonder if any of hers and mine will be the same?

I live in Western Washington, about 40 miles north of Seattle, straight up I-5, in a bedroom community called Marysville.

I guess it's a small town, but it has grown a lot in just the 9 years we've been here, and it's growing still. We now have our own Costco, Taget, Olive Garden and Mark's favorite new addition, Cabela's.

We like it here. It's very family-oriented with lots of nice people. It's not perfect, but where is? I was born in the next city south, Everett, in the same hospital as my son (new building). You may remember that I lived in Lake Tahoe from 12-19. I consider that home too. But I live back in Washington now, so here is where I will talk about.

1. Wet - it rains spits steadily 10 months of the year.

First day of school, day after Labor Day. Mother Nature just knows.

2. Clean - all that water.

3. Green - once the sun comes out and combines with the water. Also, lots of crunchy folks here.

Snapped these photos on Saturday when we took a drive with my dad north along Chuckanut Drive, into Bellingham, stopping at this lookout in Mt. Vernon on the way home. See how green?

4. Coffee - Seattle is Starbucks headquarters and Marysville has no less than seven stores, not to mention a myriad of corner coffee huts.

5. Volcanoes - Washington boast TWO mountain ranges, the Olympics and the Cascades, many of which are volcanoes. Anyone remember the eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980? I had just turned 6, slept through it and was greeted by a blanket of ash outside my front door.

6. Strawberries - My house sits on land that used to be strawberry fields. The annual Marysville Strawberry Festival is held every June. I love living in a town that still has old fashioned parades and carnivals.

7. Community - I don't know if it's just us, but we have managed to meet some of the kindest people here. From our personal friendships to Girl Scouts, our kids' teachers, various health care professionals and Mark's co-workers at Home Depot. It's very cool.

About my actual house....

8. Condo - our dwelling is zoned as a condo to justify the tiny lots, but it is a fully separate house. We have barely enough room to turn around in our "backyard". Just enough for a BBQ and a small garden, which Mark has recently begun purchasing supplies for.

9. Cozy - our house is just big enough for the 4 of us, not too big, not to small. Sure, more space would be nice, but like my mom always says, "the bigger the house, the more there is to clean!"

10. Ours - before two years ago I didn't think we'd ever buy a house. I was used to renting and was really comfortable with it. Now I'm so glad we took the plunge.




PS: I have taken over my BFF's blog, Mom Rocks Mealtime, for this week and next. I would love it if you went and checked out my first post!

Places I Love to Be

Monday Listicles with Stasha of The Good Life is challenging and fun.  This week, Saretta at Amid the Olive Trees (she's an American living in Italy - so fancy!) has chosen the topic of "10 Places You Love".

I took this to mean any sort of place - geographical, just a spot or even a state of being....

Last Thanksgiving

1. Sitting at my kitchen table having dinner with my family - we need a bigger table, but I always feel so gratified when we're sitting around it eating and talking together.

2. Starbucks - does this need any explanation?  Between Caramel Apple Spices, Peppermint Mochas and just plain ole regular coffee drinks...

3. The back of Mark’s neck - scratch it, kiss it, just look at it :-)

This is actually the arm of my couch with my knitting sitting on it.
I'm ashamed that I don't have a pic that includes a glass of wine.

4. My end of the couch with a glass of wine and my knitting.

source

5. The entire West Coast of the US - everyone I love lives somewhere in Washington, Oregon and California.  I live in Washington and lived in California for 17 years.

6. My computer - honestly, it contains very important parts of my life.  Simple as that.  It's how I keep in touch with several people, manage household stuff, get news and other information, it's how I do this blog and get to be a part of something bigger than myself even though I'm just at home.  it's kind of amazing, really.

7. Anywhere there’s a pretty sunset - I think sunsets are pretty much one of the best things in nature!

8. The movie theater - I love going to see a movie in the theater. I love the feeling of being closed off from the rest of the world for a couple of hours and immersing myself in a story.

Please excuse the little orange Xs. Photobucket's fault!

9. My house - It's not that my house is special.  It's just that it's OURS.  Took us a LONG time to be able to buy a house and I kind of love it.

10. With my friends - "There's not much that can't be cured by a good GNO!"  They have been few and far between lately, but when we're at our best, being with my friends lifts me up, makes me feel loved, makes me laugh and feel connected.

A home of our own

The other day I wondered if we'd be able to enjoy finally closing on our house because of all the stress we were feeling. The answer is yes, we are enjoying it very much!

Today was so cool. Mark got the key to the front door from our realtor Wendy. (Apparently the other keys and garage door opener are with the escrow company.) So we gathered up a notepad, tape measure, camera (which turned out to have dead batteries), frozen pizza and a special bottle of wine and went over to OUR HOUSE. I had the kids bring something they'd like to put in their rooms to help it feel personal for them.

First thing we did was measure both the kid's rooms to see if one was bigger than the other. If one was bigger, Cami would get it, but if they were the same, they'd just have to figure out who wanted which room. Turns out one is a few inches bigger, so Cami claimed it.

We had a fun time wandering around and talking about where we'll put stuff. My dad came over too and of course we talked a lot with him about how to set up our living room and the all important electronics! The kids ventured over to the playground and back twice. We cooked our pizza in our new oven (gas!) and discovered that the previous owner took the cool fridge she had and left a plain old normal one. Oh well. Like I care right now!

Again I have to say I can't believe this is happening! It's so fun....and emotional. I could cry at any moment. But I would be crying because of happiness and gratitude, which is wonderful. Oh ok, there I go! ;;-)

My quote today is: "The best way to get something done is to begin." ~Author Unknown because now we have to start PACKING!