House

Tony and I have been married now for going on 22 years.  Where has the time gone?  In that time we've remodeled several homes while living in them at the same time.  If you've never tried this, I don't recommend it!  By far the biggest job we tackled was the house we currently rent out in The Dalles--the one on Knob Hill Road (or "Snob Hill Road" as T likes to say).  Walls were moved, electrical panels changed, the entire house not just replumbed but bathrooms moved and/or created where there weren't any before.  I remember Jer and Tony jackhammering through the foundation to lay the pipe.  Everything was exposed--plumbing pipes, electrical wires and insulation visible to the eye; there was no drywall up yet.  We took a small bedroom and made it into a walk-in closet and master bath suite.  New doors and trim inside and out.  Fresh coats of paint.  New appliances, new wood floor, new carpet, new kitchen/bath tile, and on and on. 
Keep in mind we were living in the house while all this was happening.  Not fun.  To make matters worse, my husband went into kidney failure and spent a year on dialysis until his kidney transplant (thanks to my sister).  Then it was a hard 6-8 months recovery until he was able to get back "on the job".  I vowed I'd never do a live-in remodel again.
But here we are, doing just that.  Last spring we did the bathroom; another "gut" job.  Out with the old, in with the new.  And this winter we refinished all the interior doors to a rich mahogany (oh they are beautiful!)  And now we're nearly done with the kitchen--refinished cabinets, countertops, more custom cabinetry built ins.  (FYI this was T's specialty and passion while he was contracting)  But oh what an improvement!  Along the way we took an overgrown jungle yard and gave it manicured flower beds with a cute little gazebo.
As far as I'm concerned, the only thing left to do is to replace or refinish the wood floors.  Tony would like to build a shop out back; we've got an extra lot beyond the back lawn.
Oh, but I forgot about the tv room we want to build where the exising patio is...and the second bathroom...and what about enlarging the master bedroom? 
Who knows if we'll ever get to those projects?  In years past I'd be plotting and planning to get it done "right now".  The remodel experience in this house has been different...going at a pace that's comfortable, with less pushing and shoving to try to make it all happen.  And although I'd be pleased to accomplish everything on the list, it's okay if we never do.
Guess at age 60, I've finally grown up.

Bicycle Built for Two?

Several years ago we invested in a decent bike for me; I settled on an Electra Townie.  It's a "comfort" bike which means it's built for roads and soft trails with a cushy ride and a padded seat.  21 gears make going up hills much easier (I need all the help I can get!)  It's made to look like a beach cruiser from the 50's with fenders and wide handlebars--it's downright cute!  The plan was to follow with getting one for Tony, but life has a way of interfering.  Needless to say, I haven't been riding it much as it's just not that much fun by yourself.

Several weeks ago we went to a neighborhood bike swap.  There we found a beautiful 1954 Schwinn in good shape.  Now Tony used to work on bikes, building them from spare parts etc.  He saw this beautiful kelly green Schwinn and had to have it, although it has no gears.  The plan was to add gears and restore it fully.

We went to several bike shops yesterday.  Got different opinions on how to add the gears  (which I've named the Green Hornet, by the way).  In the end, he found a Hybrid bike (he's a Schwinn man)  that can be used either as a mountain bike but also has the features of a comfort bike!  Of course he bought it.

We came home and I washed the dust and dirt off my bike...got the helmets out and cleaned them off...then off we went.  What fun!  The sky was blue with white fluffy clouds.  We rode the 2 blocks down to the Sound and our neighborhood park.  You know, one sees things on a bike that would be missed driving in a car.  We saw scuba divers taking a lesson and watched as they paddled out to the pier with their instructor.  Once they got there, down they went into the deep blue sea.  We pedaled down to the first overlook and stopped for while, soaking up the beauty of the water with the Olympic Mountains in the background.  There was an ocean breeze that blew through your hair and I felt so free, so joyful.  My worries melted away.

But---then came the ride up the hill to get home.  (well, it's a hill to me, okay?)  Downshifting, my legs began to burn and pedaling became difficult.  I'm proud to announce that I made it up without stopping! 

We've decided we'll continue to take neighborhood runs in order to build our legs up and increase our strength and stamina.  On this long Memorial Day weekend, we plan to put the bike rack back on the car and drive to a paved trail that runs all through Tacoma and Gig Harbor.  Maybe we'll pack a lunch. 

I'm looking forward to a fun summer of bike riding.  Kids, get your bikes tuned up 'cause when we come to visit we're bringing our along!

Hello Old Friend

I've never been much of a journaler/blogger.  Down through the years I've started and stopped too many times to count.  I'm not sure why, but feel compelled to start writing down my thoughts--thus the creation of this blog.  We'll see how it goes!
I turn 60 next week.  It's so strange to look in the mirror at the wrinkles and the gray hairs...funny, I don't feel old inside.  In fact, in a group I tend to identify myself with the younger folks in the room.  I'm just drawn to their energy, their conversations.  I have to stop myself from interjecting my own experiences with childbirth and childraising, career/life experiences, etc.  I realize that my comments are, for the most part,  reflecting times long gone and in the past.  For these people, these experiences are in the here and now--so I'm set apart somehow.  I realize I'm OLD to them. 
But when it comes to sharing about the grandkids, I'm dauntless--relentless, an unstoppable juggernaut!  Look out, world.  This is one proud gramma and I'm going to be heard!  Of course there are no other grandkids that are quite as special as MINE.  I flip out the pictures and I'm off--rambling on about the cute things they say and do, how smart and special each one is, how I love being a gramma.  Oh I could go on and on.
Until I realize the sound of my own voice is filling the universe;  the eyes of my audience have glazed over.  Oopsie...time to back down.  I come to my senses, realizing that my passionate tirade must cease.  Sighing, I get off my gramma soapbox and put the pictures away.  The conversation turns back to current life events of young people living life to the fullest.  So I sit and listen, mostly--identifying so much with what they're going through.  "Been there, done that!" I think to myself.  So I slink off to join the older folks in the room.
Now don't get me wrong.  I like being sixty.  I can keep my regular glasses on top of my head while wearing my sunglasses and nobody thinks a thing about it.  I am able to sit for hours on Saturday mornings with my sweet husband, sipping coffee or diet coke without worrying about needing to hurry through the tasks of the day.  I'm looking forward to retirement and perhaps doing some traveling.  And being able to see the grandkids more often!
Yes, I think I'm going to like being sixty.