We are moving right along on the GHIP. Yesterday, we took a break from it all, and somehow managed to have half the neighborhood in our garage, enjoying the fruits of our labor. For whatever reason, the song by the Dixie Chicks, "Wide Open Spaces" keeps running through my mind. We bought a cheap table with some chairs to set out there so that we have a place to relax, as well as sort through stuff. I was even able to find a vinyl table cloth to go on the table, because I am classy like that. Actually, it was in one of the boxes in the garage. I'll take it where I can get it.
We have started in on the office, which is sort of our "catch all" room. I don't know why it surprises me all that much, because it was our catch all room in California as well. It was one of those rooms that we were always going to get to. We had really good intentions, but they went by the wayside, much like our garage.
In going through all of this junk interesting stuff, I realized that I kept every one of my text books from college. Somehow, I don't think I'll be cracking open the Statistics book for a relaxing read, while enjoying a nice glass of pink wine. Out of a box.
We got side tracked a bit, going down memory lane. We have unearthed a few boxes of photos from way back. There are pictures of me, complete with rosebuds, rather than hanging baskets, and I had HIPS. Gravity had not yet become my mortal enemy, nor had I grown more hair on my face than I had on my head. Enough said.
One of the most fascinating things about these pictures was just how much Meelie looks like my step daughter. It's absolutely uncanny. I didn't really remember that until we were going through some pictures of her when she was the same age. At first glance, I thought I was staring at a picture of Meelie, only she wasn't born when we lived in that house.
So now I'm back to sorting through all of the stuff, and dumping the textbooks, and I have no idea when this will all end. I'm beginning to believe that in our nearly 20 years of marriage, we have thrown absolutely nothing away.
Remind me to tell you about the expired jar of peanut butter I found with stuff from the China Cabinet.
In the beginning
Progress
The Dumpster
We got this
To take care of this
And everything in between. It's the beginning of the Great Home Improvement Project, herein, known as GHIP. We are doing it ourselves, with a little help/advice from some friends. My husband told me that if I didn't agree, he would plant spiders in every available place in the house. So you see? I had no choice. I so wanted to hire it done, but I was overruled. Ignore the fact that it is tons less expensive to do-it-yourself than to hire it done. Please people, let us not confuse the issue with facts.
Chant with me people. "It will be worth it when it's done. It will be worth it when it's done." I can't HEAR you! I'm not too ashamed to admit that I will blog for free labor.
Below, is the obligatory picture of one of the "kids." Bruiser at his finest. Siesta time! I would love to join him but unfortunately, I have a freaking garage to clean out and that's just the start of the pain.
