Nothing much to report on this last Friday in August so I thought I’d just wing it and write at random about my recent goings-on. Here’s a great blog cartoon that is very fitting for such a monotonous post:
Let’s begin with mornings at our house. They are beginning to remind me of a television sitcom. Every day around 6:45 AM the door opens and in walks Gary and Tim, the construction workers who’ve shared our space for roughly 30 hours a week for the last month. I wave hello, offer them breakfast and ask how they’re doing. Then a day of hilarity ensues, although I’m pretty sure it’s funnier for them than it is for us. This is one sitcom that I hope soon gets the axe because I think we’re all ready to move on to bigger and better things.
Your first question right about now should be, ‘Why on earth is this taking so LONG??’ to which I reply, ‘because for every step forward that we take, two steps are taken back.’ We are finding out the hard way that having work done on an old house means you’re pretty much guaranteed to uncover an underlying disaster that needs fixed. I can’t remember if I mentioned that upon fixing the cracked pipe in the basement they discovered that all of the wood surrounding our half-bath toilet is rotten. It appears that an improper seal and leak under the linoleum is the culprit.
Me to Contractor: ‘Can’t the floor in the half-bath wait a while?’ Contractor’s response: ‘Only if you want to sit on your toilet one minute and the next, find yourself wiping your behind from the floor below.’ Ah, but let’s forget about all of that for a moment and keep the good thoughts alive, shall we?
Today is the first day that I am seeing progress on the inside. While trying to ignore the thin layer of dust that covers every inch of my home, I was surprised when the guys called me in to look at the vanity, cabinet and fresh paint job that had been completed last night. I stood quietly for a moment, then said ‘Do you have any idea what this means? I can stop using a shoe rack on the back of the bathroom door to put my makeup and toiletries in!’ and with that, I walked right by them and wrapped my arms around the tall, 4 shelf cabinet. They did exactly as I’d predicted by witnessing this goofball move: they asked if my cabinet and I needed some privacy.
In other news, I took my 5th yoga class on Wednesday. I have been diligent with my water intake and my breathing during poses and am proud to say that my headaches are less frequent, but I have to be extremely diligent about it. I must be sensitive because if I’m not doing either one adequately, I feel like crap after class. Now, I just need to grab hold of my inner strength (once I find it) let go of Beginner’s Yoga One and move on to Yoga 1.5.
And finally, my weight: I have kept to my promise of not weighing, and I’m glad. With the stress of my disaster-of-a-house I haven’t needed the additional strain. And I’m glad to say that I haven’t needed to weigh-in, anyway. My shorts – the ones that were feeling uncomfortable and tight – are now less snug. I’m moving in the right direction and that’s all I need to know. I’m sure a weigh-in will happen at some point but for now, I’m enjoying the freedom from the tethers of that scale. I can’t remember the last time I relied on my body to tell me how I should feel instead of that scale. I like the feeling; I really do.
Thanks for reading this week, everyone. Before I go, allow me to introduce a new addition to our backyard:
She’s taken on the job of keeping watch over the frogs and fish that swim downstream. Doesn’t she look like an official ‘serenity now’ mascot? I need to think of a good name for her, but so far have come up empty. Any suggestions?
Have a great weekend.
Ellen
Faith, Hope, Peace? she is a beauty.
glad all is going well and you are hanging in there (we have had two houses built).
less snug waist band – priceless.
Thank you for the encouragement, Vickie. How did you survive having two houses built? The decisions I had to make (very small compared to yours such as fixtures, paint color, floor color/type, etc.) had me in fits for weeks. I can’t imagine having to do that for an entire house. You are Wonderwoman!!
Great that the pants are less snug and you didn’t need a scale to tell you anything:) Love the cartoon.
The reason it’s taking so long is because you keep offering them breakfast. Tell them to get a move on! LOL
How about calling her Shaylee. According to a fairy name website (this is how dedicated I am at suggesting a name) it’s a Celtic word which means ‘Fairy princess of the field’. Never heard of the name before though, so not sure how real it actually is lol.
lol….you’re probably right! I need to be mean and nasty so they’ll beg to be released from this job!
And thank you for the name – Shaylee it is
What a beautiful home!
I think just serenity work just fine.
Yay on the less snug feeling. I wish I could say the same. I’m gonna get back in the game after taking a hiatus from it all and gaining a little back. I wish I could give up on the scale though. Maybe one day once I hit my goal weight.
I’m so proud of you for sticking with your Yoga class and five down already. Look at you go!
My quick name coming to mind for your sweet little angel watching over the frogs and fish is Serena (taken from “serenity” since you mentioned, “serenity now”).
Strange tie in with your theme and final “serenity now” comment… I occasionally read my posts to hubby (sometimes so he will know where I am emotionally) and after reading one from the other day he said “You are the Seinfeld of the Blogosphere… a blog about nothing yet it manages to pull out a chuckle or two.” Yup.
We unearthed problems during our remodel too. Apparently drunk guy who owned the house before left hot wires inside the walls in the kitchen. I try not to think about the rest of the house. I used to go visit the bathroom vanity in the garage. Our old vanity was fitted for someone about 4 foot tall. Almost to my knees.
I like the gossamer nature of the fairy’s wings.
Have a good weekend.
That is AWESOME about not getting on the scale and listening to your body(and shorts)! I have not been on the scale and the best word to describe it is “freeing”!
I think you should name the fairy Jill!! LOL. Just kidding! I like the name
oops! I left out the name! I like the name Serena!
Great cartoon Ellen!!!! And isn’t the Serenity Now mascot a BEAUTY??? I think you should name her “Roz”. Kidding, kidding, kidding of course!!!!
I can very much relate to the cartoon these days…I feel like it’s been a bunch of blah blah blah…and that’s okay
And I love that you’re trust your body to tell you how you feel!
Love that you haven’t been on the scale, it really is freeing……clothes are a woman’s best friend, they tell you when you’ve lost or gained weight, and it’s alot funner buying them too
The little fairy is definitely in the Serenity Zone. I’m so happy for you that you’re liking life in the No Scale Zone. That is really great.
Glad you’re sticking with the yoga! It sounds like it’s working for you. I’m going to try and go to one of my gym’s yoga classes for a few weeks and see if it helps with my flexibility. Buck up, construction will be done soon… er…eventually, grin.
She looks like Serenity to me!
Glad you are getting closer to getting your home back. That is so hard to deal with. You will love it when they are done!!
Keep up the great work with the Yoga!
Hi Ellen! I love your fairy girl–she is magical. Good for sticking with yoga. I promise you, you will get wonderful surprises ahead, they just take time.
She looks like a Phoebe to me. Simply gorgeous!
I love that you had a moment with your vanity. And yay for noticing progress without resorting to weighing. I’m right there with you.