Author: admin

The darkness enfolded both of us as we moved through the painfully cold predawn air, our path guided only by the difference between the snow and pavement. Our breaths stick with us, frosting our hats and eyebrows. The schedule change in December resulted in a treasured time first thing in the morning each day to be together and go outside and play. A startled red fox dashes away towards the creek under the crisp early morning stars. Tiny crystals sparkle on thousands of surfaces as we silently glide past, reflecting the countless starts above. It looks like it will be a wonderful day.

It is that time of year again- holiday cards. Might I ask a favor people? My name is Christy. Not Doug. Not Mrs. Doug. Christy. Ok? So please address envelopes, etc, as such.

Thanks.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The sound of the oven in the kitchen…

We have made blueberry muffins, and now the banana bread is in the oven… But it isn’t supposed to be done for another 20 minutes… What’s happening?

“-F3-” reads the display on the old oven/range.

An error code? On an oven?

Of course, what better day, the day when we are going to be using it… Thanksgiving.

Thanks be given that we found this, an error code about the oven’s temperature sensor circuit, out before noon, before we started cooking tonight’s dinner, our first we have hosted, in time enough to modify plans, but too late to purchase anything different. At least until tomorrow.

Ah, Mondays… what would the world be like without them? They are a buffer for Tuesday, protecting the day from being the harsh beginning of another week. Monday takes the heat, Monday gets the grumbling.

Except for this week’s Monday.

The sleepy being in the kitchen was making instant oatmeal and tea with honey. My arrival in the kitchen was greeted with a yawn. He was up earlier than usual, and to my surprise and delight, had made me breakfast while I was in the shower. What a sweetheart.

Later, as I was walking in Confluence Park, I saw several people carrying their cups of store-bought coffee or tea, and I thought, “My husband made mine for me!” It brightened my entire Monday. And the rest of the week as well, each day carrying my husband-made tea. It has made this week much better than other weeks, even though the commute has not changed, and the schedule is no less hectic.

I find myself searching for something I can do for him that he would like, simply because of this small but wonderful thing he has done for me.

“Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mache musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals. This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order. Showing here.” -from “the Phantom of the Opera”.

A farmer’s auction is not at all like that. At least, not the one we were at over the weekend. One of Doug’s grandmothers sold her things that she could not take with her to her retirement community, and a full front yard and back yard of things were auctioned off by two country auctioneers. The excitement of finding something and staking a claim and waiting for the auctioneer to reach it and rattle off the bids was on most peoples faces. We brought home an heirloom antique train steamer trunk that now sits in the common room of the lower floor of our house with two old quilts.

We also spent time over the weekend figuring out how to set the table for Thanksgiving- we needed to make sure we had a full set of napkins and glasses, ect. Our favorite store helped us there- Bed, Bath & Beyond helped us figure out how to make it all look great. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving because it is going to look great, and Doug says he has some great recipes for food that goes beyond normal everyday meals. Ahhh. Apple Cider and cinnamon. That is what goes well with turkey.

The game of Uno lasted deep into the night, as the micro snow balls, once individual flakes now grouped together, made a pattering noise as it hit the roof of the popup camper. Four people gathered around a lit table laughed and teased each other in whispers as a young boy slept nearby, unaware of the fun he was missing. Finally, after a day of setting up camp, a rollercoaster-like drive through the curving valleys and a beautiful autumn hike, three of the players let the fourth win the game, if only to dash out into the cold to visit the bathrooms one last time before turning in for the night.

Memories of the day and the young one learning the name of the good-smelling tree as the PennyRosa, drifted through the conversation as each bide the others goodnight. “Stay warm” was the hopeful farewell of the owners of the new heated popup camper. The other two laughed, and headed off into the freezing dark to the two person tent and insulative sleeping bags.

The morning revealed just under an inch of snow and frozen condensation on the inside of the tent, and the five people, the young one now awake and laughing, gobbled up a breakfast that would have otherwise been ordinary if it had not been for the location. For reasons unknown, food always tastes better when camping. As they packed up camp, the snow began to fall anew, and thick layers of it gathered in any newly exposed place, whether inside or out, needing to be brushed off and shaken out before the owners of the camping equipment gave up, and threw everything in the cars and drove carefully off. Everything would be damp or wet, and would need to be hung out to dry upon arriving home. But, the rhythm of the five people and their ways of camping together had begun to fall into place, and the discovery of that brought smiles to the adults’ faces, and their thoughts drifted to next spring when they could all go explore a new place, together once again.

Doug and I have decided to invite our families for thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. Many consider us brave or stupid- I figure it is utilitarian- what better way to show off what we have been doing with the house. It also makes a hard deadline as to when a few little things have to be finished up. I like setting tables for parties, and am good at making it look festive. We have also never hosted thanksgiving dinner either. I am hoping to bring both sides of our families together- my three and granny and Doug’s family also and grandmothers. It aught to be interesting, that is for sure. What goes good with turkey… Margaritas anyone?

FIRST THE BAD NEWS
WE REMAIN MADLY IN LOVE AND
have decided to continue the marriage and as such, will not be
returning any of the fine gifts to you who so generously gave them.
However, as the rhetorical structure goes, there is also good news.
We absolutely adore what you have so kindly given us. Thank you,
many times thank you. It will most certainly give us a jumpstart on our
initial attempts at adult lives and help us remain that excessively
happy couple you see in picture frames for sale at the grocery store.

by Squibnocket, a card company

“And they’re here.”

The surprise in Doug’s voice was evident. Two minutes later, and we would have been in the car, headed to the home supply store.

Sure enough, they were there, pulling up in their car in front of our house. We had spent the beautiful Sunday morning doing minor cleanup, like laundry and dishes. We didn’t know when they would arrive, but had planned on the evening. The surprised look on our faces was due to the fact it was early afternoon instead of evening.

My parents seemed to enjoy their visit. Their first impression seems to be along the lines of “good job, it is looking nice.” They both had suggestions of course, some of which we already have down on the list of things to do, and a few that we hadn’t thought of yet. Mom identified the bushes on the side of the house as serviceberries so now I know what bushes are refusing to die. Overall, I think we all had a good time and I am glad they came up to visit.

…has to be special ordered, but the rest are white 6 panel doors with curved brushed nickel handles now.
And what a difference! Out of the corner of my eye in the kitchen, there is a bright space, and I can’t figure it out until I turn and notice the new door, making the back door-panty area feel much brighter and bigger. Wow, what a difference replacing 10 doors make! It suddenly updates and modernizes the house.

Doug also finished cutting all the trim, and has put it in place. Though it needs to be painted and nailed in, if you don’t look closely, it’s done. The bedroom furniture is finally in the master bedroom, the tools are back in the garage, and all the boxes of stuff are in storage instead of in the living room. Looking around at a home, instead of a construction project and an apartment, it feels done after six months. the best part is being able to look around abd both main rooms are clear of stuff, and the master bedroom is quiet and peaceful.