Still, 27 years - that's nothing to sneeze at, you know.
Then Larry spent the rest of his time before work talking at me about doors, because, hey, SEXY. You see, even though he completed the basement renovations last April, he didn't really, because we still have the old doors, which don't fit anymore, because Larry made the wall thicker with all that insulation. Also, there are openings all around the doors, where he and the handyman tore the old trim out, etc.
It's COLD down there right now, is what I'm saying. Also, because Larry in his obsessiveness also insulated the basement floor, we can't properly open the doors either, because now the floor is higher and it blocks them.
Picture me explaining all this to the guy who came to measure for new doors today. Just picture it.
In other news, for the 11th year in a row, we managed to hold a New Year's Day open house for the neighbors. And for the first time, we didn't have to spend all of New Year's Eve cleaning up the basement in order to avoid public humiliation. Nope, between the renovation earlier this year, during which Larry took gazillion trips to the dump and we (well, Larry, actually) ripped out the ugly carpeting and dated wallpaper, and the post-renovation cleaning up we gave it before Larry's sisters visited, we actually have a basement/family/guest room that is fit for public consumption, as it were.
Bonus: Larry spent his spare time on Sunday cleaning up the laundry room, which had fallen into its typical state of disarray. It is now a joy to behold.
So, instead, we spent New Year's Eve watching Stranger Things, Season 2. We're done with 4 episodes, and I'm not sure I'll be able to watch any more. It's getting freaky. Well, freakier.
One of my wonderful neighbors came by the day before the party, took all my vases, and returned them with fresh flower arrangements for today's party.
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| Nice, right? Complete with photobombing camels! |
She really made us look classy, that's for sure.
And since New Year's? I've been focusing on knitting, because I'm done pretending anyone around here cares what I cook or what I clean. They're all taller than me and can fend for themselves, anyway.
So here are my January socks, which I made a bit of progress on while I waited at the DMV for over 2 hours so Brian could take his written test and get his permit.
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| Sock toes...or tiny little hats. Whatever. |
Only, he didn't pass the test. So I guess we'll be doing that again in 15 days. Good thing I like that kid.
And here is my current obsession - a crescent shawl knit with short rows and yummy yarn:
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| Trust me - it's gonna look great. GREAT. |
It's not done or blocked yet, which is why it looks like just any old pile of yarn. You know how expectant couples will force you to view a sonogram picture of their baby and you nod and smile and murmur something positive, even though you really can't tell what it's supposed to look like? Same deal here. Just nod and smile.
Well, I've got to get going. Those leftover Christmas chocolates aren't going to just eat themselves, you know.
Have I mentioned how much I love January? No? Well, I do. I certainly do.
I am glad you made it to January, and congratulations on the anniversary. The DMV is the worst. Every time I am forced in there with a kid, I know i am in there for over two hours.
ReplyDeleteNow that's my kind of neighbor!!!
ReplyDeleteThose flowers! I have a friend who brings flowers from his yard because he owns that gene, I do not. Best neighbor!
ReplyDeleteIronically enough, the neighbor who arranged the flowers is a potter like you. That vase was made by her.
DeleteI'm jealous that you have such great neighbors. JEALOUS! Just yesterday Lad reffed a basketball game and our neighbor kid was on one of the teams. Afterward the dad came over and chatted with Lad. Asked for his cell number because he goes out to New York for business quite often and that's where Lad goes to school. Lad told all of us this and we all were reminded how nice a guy he is. His wife can't bring herself to greet any of us. EVER. Their kids can play in the front yard but would never say hello if any of us are outside. It's NUTS.
ReplyDeleteAnd when Coach did our basement, he added a bathroom. The door frame didn't fit at the drywall correctly, so he just stuffed the crack with pieces of cardboard. It is a bathroom after all. So, privacy and all. It's been years and he just fixed it. Maybe the shower door will be next. Dare to dream!
Congratulations on your anniversary and on the great neighbor!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteMay this New Year be special in every way ... bringing you the gift of love and excitement.
I will introduce Japanese New Year's customs.
In Japan, there is a New Year holiday where family and relatives get together.
On New Year, Japanese children receive gifts of money known as "Otoshidama".
Otoshidama is given to children by adult relatives such as uncles, aunts and grandparents.
The amount of Otoshidama grows as the child older, for example, 1000 yen for children under 10, and 3000 yen for children over 10.
Otoshidama is one of the exciting traditions of New Year, which children look forward to very much.
Ryoma.
At church we have been talking about epiphanies. It is an epiphany to me to discover that socks are knitted BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. At least that's what I think I'm seeing in the photo. I am just in awe of hand-knitted socks.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really nice neighbor!
Happy anniversary!
You can knit them one at a time, also. It is a subject of much discussion in knitting circles as to which way is better. I prefer two at a time because once I managed to knit 2 entirely different sized socks when I did it the old-fashioned way. Also, two at a time prevents second-sock syndrome, a disorder characterized by the inability to ever finish the second sock.
DeleteI can definitely relate to second-sock syndrome, even though I don't knit.
DeleteHappy New Year and Happy Anniversary! I'm so glad you mentioned your anniversary, you just reminded me that ours is coming up later this month (how much do you want to bet I'll still forget?)
ReplyDeleteThat's a goal right there. Not to have to kill myself to have a party. Current state of my house is part bachelor pad part left over Christmas. We should probably take the tree down tomorrow.
ReplyDelete