A Soft Close

Surprisingly enough (to us), we've heard from quite a few people about our lack of blog posts. So it's time to ring in the new year by (once again) reviewing our original "to do's" from the first post in 2010.

1. Build house (sub-categories: choose architect, builder, go through committees, move out, tear down pre-existing, non-conforming (PENC) structure, build a new one that might be slightly less non-conforming but at least will have insulation, move back in.)
2. Buy a car.
3. Find out if I still have a job next year. (Would greatly help with #s 1 and 2)
4. Have a baby!!
5. Get my dog to stop barking randomly.
6. Figure out all the sub-categories for #s 2-5.
7. Start blog to help organize the chaos that is rapidly descending on our lives.

I really love crossing out items on my "to do" lists, so this was quite satisfying. Unfortunately Zippy hasn’t stepped up to help out with number 5 yet, and after our recent trip to NY, his "needs improvement" list is growing. It now also includes, “Get my dog to not chase snowplows.”

Zippy and Sophie frolicking in the snow, 

right before the snowplow came by and added another element to their playing.

Actually, we could revamp the whole list with new goals in almost all the categories.

1. Landscaping and smart interior decorating and storage.
2. Figure out how to get our other vehicles (bikes) easily in and out of the house in all types of weather (see #1).
3. Aim for success and happiness at our jobs and our job/home balance.
4. Make our million daily decisions in raising our happy, healthy toddler.
5. Yep, see above for the same old dog goal. Sigh, Zippy...

He looks innocent enough.

It's always about the journey, right?  

Housewise, we still attempt a project here and a project there... 

Books for bookshelves

But overall it's now in a state that is allowing us to live. So consider the goals of 2010 closed out, and the blog itself on "a soft closed/semi-sporadic" mode as we leave more time for other adventures. (see #4)!

Anthony and Natalie

Race Point Beach on New Year's Day

-J

Tortoise-Like Progression

Our remaining house projects (inside and out) are coming along slow and steady now, and after the pace of last year, that's fine by me. We live here now and that's just like a big sigh...ahhhhhh!

The outside retaining wall was completed, grass is now growing, and mulch was laid down on our northern slope.

Hopefully all this will hold our little spot of the planet in place. We're now searching for a more permanent fence and gate so that Zippy can regain his private reign over the backyard.

More coats of paint, window treatments, mirrors, shelves, hooks, furniture... you name it- we're doing it inside the house. But in our own way, which of course means finding things we can reuse as well as family labor practices.

Here are just a few of my favorite recent projects:

Jamey adds his genius design and carpentry skills to our bathroom mirror (also from the floorboards of our old house).

Sadly, Jamey had to leave before the mirror was completed and so it took a couple more weeks for Anthony to finish it.

Add in my bucket-handle-for-a-towel-holder and we're now calling this bathroom done.

My dad spent some time picking out and arranging just the right NY apple branches for us to hang our coats on.

We've learned over the past several years that the secret to living in small spaces with a lot of fun gear is organization.

Our basement project is just beginning.

The porch swing was given to us by our neighbor.

We painted it and restrung the rope. Natalie enjoys her choice of rocking devices.

Just like with anything, there's always something else that can be done, but at this time nothing feels as necessary, and so we're moving along at our new improved (slower) pace.

-J

Husband Cries Foul Over Outlandish Headlines, Well-Groomed Dog Agrees.

It wasn't like that at all...

Ben and I missed the early ferry from MV and therefore, missed the last shuttle back to campus and the truck. Jody volunteered to ride down the bike path to the truck and come pick us up at the ferry.

Yes, it was foggy. Yes, she is preggo. Yes, I feel guilty. But "rescues"...?

Zippy, who's gotten many compliments on his new look, will back up my story.

-A

Pregnant Wife on a Pink Bike Rescues Oceanographer-Husband from the Fog

The headline is much more interesting than the mundane details of what actually happened, so I'll just leave it at that for tonight.

-J