We have got to move. If we aren't out of this Condo soon, I guarantee you that things will end badly for us. I suspect it will happen innocently enough. We'll be sitting on the couch watching Dexter and suddenly...CRASH. A mountain of freaking cardboard will come tumbling down and smother us. There will be absolutely no place for us to go; no place for us to run.
Our Condo has literally been invaded by cardboard. Don't get me wrong, the boxes are full of great things like a microhood, exhaust fans, curtain rods, lights, plumbing fixtures, hardware, and of course, the kitchen sink. But seriously, there is no escape. I wonder how long it takes to die by cardboard. We haven't started stacking the boxes on the couch yet, but that is simply inevitable.
Things hit the limit when my TV vision was completely blocked by the sink. Granted the sink was stacked on top of the Kitchen Aid microhood, which weighs 97.5 pounds, by the way! Should something that heavy REALLY be hung from a wall. Guess we'll find out soon enough. Anyway, I sat down tonight at my desk/dining table/catch-all/box collector to work on some emails and realized that I COULDN'T SEE THE TV. This is important because I must multi-task at all times and cannot simply do one thing. In addition, our livelihood is centered around our House renovation which leaves little time for anything else. Anything else other than that thing that pays the mortgage. And TV. I think all those years in the Philippines and traveling around the world have made me appreciate the American television experience. Wow, I sound pathetic.
We just need to move.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Mistress Barks Back
Actually poor Iona hasn't barked once since the surgery. Normally I would appreciate the silence, but now it is just disconcerting. She is obviously in pain and not feeling like herself. But something good came out of her misery... Miss Iona officially has a boyfriend! For several months now Samu has been admiring our girl from afar, and he has finally pledged his adoration. You can check out Samu, his poetry, and his love of wine here. It's just too damn bad he lives in Manila. Well Samu, Miss Iona accepts your advances. Now pour her a bowl of wine and go find a human to pet her.
A couple things got me thinking about Manila today and missing my friends in the Philippines. The first of course is Samu and the people that love him. Every time I read an Alex blog entry I am transported back to his shop and hanging with him and Rain. Oh Rain, I miss you.
Another one of my friends was just married in Boracay over the weekend. I had so hoped to get back there to reunite with all my friends/coworkers and help Chino and Celeste celebrate. Selfishly I also wanted to get back to the beautiful beach and introduce Michael to the pretty parts of the Philippines.
It is so weird to think that I haven't been back to Asia since May. Hard to get my head around all that has changed this year, so I expect that we are still in a state of culture shock. About the only thing that is similar between NC and PHP is their love of pork and the smoking. Now if only we could get the tobacco industry to employ warnings like the one below. Rain was kind enough to leave this pack behind during her visit here. While it hasn't done much to stop the smokers in the Philippines, it does certainly get the point across. So much for subtlety.
A couple things got me thinking about Manila today and missing my friends in the Philippines. The first of course is Samu and the people that love him. Every time I read an Alex blog entry I am transported back to his shop and hanging with him and Rain. Oh Rain, I miss you.Another one of my friends was just married in Boracay over the weekend. I had so hoped to get back there to reunite with all my friends/coworkers and help Chino and Celeste celebrate. Selfishly I also wanted to get back to the beautiful beach and introduce Michael to the pretty parts of the Philippines.
It is so weird to think that I haven't been back to Asia since May. Hard to get my head around all that has changed this year, so I expect that we are still in a state of culture shock. About the only thing that is similar between NC and PHP is their love of pork and the smoking. Now if only we could get the tobacco industry to employ warnings like the one below. Rain was kind enough to leave this pack behind during her visit here. While it hasn't done much to stop the smokers in the Philippines, it does certainly get the point across. So much for subtlety.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Slumber Party
Michael left the Condo today dressed in his pajamas, carrying his sleeping bag, and hugging his favorite teddy bear. He was all ready for his slumber party. Actually the only thing that is true about that is the wearing of pajamas. You see, Iona needed to go to the vet today for FOUR tooth extractions and I needed some assistance to my car. So there my husband went, out to my car in his pjs, carrying Iona's bed and leading a trusting Corgi. I doubt any parent wants to see him dropped off at their front door!
Poor Iona went in for one abscessed tooth extraction and ended up losing four. The tooth infection also got into her blood stream and became a kidney infection as well. Our little furry infection ball.
We still don't know what exactly has happened to her teeth. The vet asked if she chewed on real bones or rocks. Really? Bones are creepy and I sure as hell won't feed them to my dog. That sound. Ugh. And rocks? No, we do not have a rock collection in the house that Iona uses as her personal chewy stash.
She is home now and not quite herself. The anesthesia is still wearing off and the pain pills are making her a little tipsy. The strain of the surgery also took its toll on her bad hip and she is gimpy as well. Poor thing keeps walking in circles and making these pathetic whiny noises. Even with four holes in her mouth and lots of stitches...she is hungry. Only the IonaPig. Since she can't eat solids for the next 7-10 days, we need to mix her food with hot water and then mash it into an oatmeal consistency. Well her patience level does not coincide with this extra food delay. She is hungry. Now. Damn it.
We can't tell if the breath is better, but the teeth are certainly cleaner. They better be for that price. Merry Christmas to us, we took out your dog's teeth. As Michael says, "at least we don't have to send her to college". Heal fast Miss Iona and stay the hell away from the rocks. They are for throwing, not eating.
Poor Iona went in for one abscessed tooth extraction and ended up losing four. The tooth infection also got into her blood stream and became a kidney infection as well. Our little furry infection ball.
We still don't know what exactly has happened to her teeth. The vet asked if she chewed on real bones or rocks. Really? Bones are creepy and I sure as hell won't feed them to my dog. That sound. Ugh. And rocks? No, we do not have a rock collection in the house that Iona uses as her personal chewy stash.
She is home now and not quite herself. The anesthesia is still wearing off and the pain pills are making her a little tipsy. The strain of the surgery also took its toll on her bad hip and she is gimpy as well. Poor thing keeps walking in circles and making these pathetic whiny noises. Even with four holes in her mouth and lots of stitches...she is hungry. Only the IonaPig. Since she can't eat solids for the next 7-10 days, we need to mix her food with hot water and then mash it into an oatmeal consistency. Well her patience level does not coincide with this extra food delay. She is hungry. Now. Damn it.
We can't tell if the breath is better, but the teeth are certainly cleaner. They better be for that price. Merry Christmas to us, we took out your dog's teeth. As Michael says, "at least we don't have to send her to college". Heal fast Miss Iona and stay the hell away from the rocks. They are for throwing, not eating.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Coming to terms with 2009
I think it became painfully obvious this weekend that we won't make it into the House by the end of the year. For all those taking bets, damn it you were right. While there is progress, it is still overwhelmingly not enough. And the holidays are just absorbing valuable time. While I love you and all, I really, really, really want to get into the House.
We are hoping that the contractor gets the plastering and drywall done this week so that we can start priming the walls and repairing the beadboard. We selected all the paint colors this weekend, so I am eager to slap something over all the nauseating vanilla.
Michael did successfully get our Corian counters back from Middlesex and they look pretty great next to the cabinets. Oh thank god. We placed them over the cabinets and the new range to get an idea of what things are to come, and we both let out a very loud sigh of relief.
Other progress made:
We are hoping that the contractor gets the plastering and drywall done this week so that we can start priming the walls and repairing the beadboard. We selected all the paint colors this weekend, so I am eager to slap something over all the nauseating vanilla.
Michael did successfully get our Corian counters back from Middlesex and they look pretty great next to the cabinets. Oh thank god. We placed them over the cabinets and the new range to get an idea of what things are to come, and we both let out a very loud sigh of relief.
Other progress made:- We sold the old refrigerator. White Kenmore from 1985 just wasn't our thing. Michael was a bit disappointed though that his 'kegerator' dream left in the back of a trailer
- I removed the last of the ancient wallpaper. Guess what? Taking it down in 50 degree weather is much easier than in 95. The dry air makes the scraping process significantly easier. Who knew that humidity would make glue stick...well, like glue? Only a smart person of course.
- Michael began the "Great Fireplace Project" of 2008. He spent most of the afternoon scouring bricks with a wire brush. Doesn't that sound delightful. He also realized that he needs to build much more than a wardrobe. He will be a very busy boy, for a very long time.
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