25 May 2008

Settling In

The house looked great when we returned.

There were a few oddities - like every single frying pan I own being completely burnt. Apparently the friends who stayed in our house while we were away are serious about avoiding under-cooked foods.

Another funny thing was that our house plants - all five of them - had been gathered in one place, apparently to die a slow death.

Which is fine, because I wanted to get new ones anyway - and now I can do so without feeling guilty. A win-win!

Therefore, the only thing we've really had to deal with upon our return has been the garden. And truly - it is a holy mess of crumbling brick patios, dandelions and peeling decks. We couldn't stand looking at it, so yesterday Mike sanded the decks while I proceeded to fill 4 bags with garden waste. I wouldn't be surprised if another 2 or 3 bags will be added to that number before pickup tomorrow. Flowers have been purchased, and more will be bought today to liven things up.

The grass really needs to be redone, but we'll have to wait until the fall or next spring to do that - there's just too many other projects on the go this spring.

Tomorrow, we are going to start contacting contractors to get to work on fixing up the mess caused by the leak last fall. This includes the kitchen, the dining room, the downstairs rec room and guest room, the boys' bathroom.

While we're at it, I'm planning to get the white tile in the main floor hallway replaced by something more dirt friendly. I am not a clean freak by any stretch of the imagination, but I have a hard time ignoring muddy footprints throughout the house. So what better solution than to hide them with a darker flooring? If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears!

Our boys had a sleepover at a friend's house last night, and I am crossing fingers they slept for more than 5 hours. Mike's mother (my second mother-in-law - as Mike's parents divorced a long time ago) is spending the afternoon with us, after which we're going to our friends' house for dinner.

I'm pondering going away more often - I've yet to cook a meal in our house, seeing as how all our lovely friends are taking such good care of us. We are being incredibly spoiled.

Hope everyone's having a lovely weekend! I've been a bad bloggy friend, but next week will be better.

27 comments:

Katie Zeller said...

Having 2 large dogs, which are even more difficult than boys to train to wipe their feet I have the perfect solution: Tile the color of the dirt in your area.
Really, I'm not joking. We hade white tile in a rental with 1 of the dogs and I about went nuts.
This floor tile matches the dirt, and it's a wonderful~ It still looks great, but on a rainy day....
And glad to see you are settling in - lovely friends and neighbors!

LoriD said...

Heh... we haven't gone anywhere and our frying pans and gardens are a mess! We're doing lots of work in our backyard this year too... at least that's the plan!

dawn klinge said...

Wow...you still haven't cooked a meal? You have wonderful friends!

Girlplustwo said...

look how marvelously (plants not withstanding) you are settling in.

Aliki2006 said...

I think going away is so important--even if it's only for the weekend. I always so much more appreciate my house when we get back.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

As long as you remember what's going on so you can share later, we're cool.

I have throw rugs at every entrance and a strict no shoe rule for kids. Grown-ups fine; they know how to wipe their feet.

Anonymous said...

Dark tile and dark grout! Our last house had dark tile with a white grout and it look awful!

My neighbour -- the biologist -- always laments the amount of bio-mass that comes out of gardens every year. It is amazing.

Ah. Remarriage -- the mystery of the 30 year wedding anniversary is solved. So you've not wed a much much younger man -- and here I thought I was corresponding with Demi Moore.

painted maypole said...

sounds like a good busy

Anonymous said...

I think that dark flooring is one of the best things ever invented! Welcome home by the way!

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

sounds like a busy week! We have been doing yard work too.
For the flooring, I recommend slate tile. I think that is what I am putting in my entryways. Hide a multitude of sins, and a slip-free surface.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kristen

Kellan said...

You sound like you have a lot of catching up to do - you are certainly going to be busy, but it will be nice to have things back the way you like things.

I'm glad you are enjoying seeing your friends again. Take care - Kellan

Kat said...

Wow. That is quite a lot of work waiting for you when you got home. Sounds like you are tackling the majority of it right away. Good for you!
Hopefully your dear friends keep inviting you for dinner. One less thing for you to worry about. :)

Karen MEG said...

Maybe if you're really lucky you can hold off on cooking any meals until you get the new kitchen in ;)!!

Anonymous said...

You've been home four days and you're already working in the yard? Don't you have jet lag or maybe dirty laundry that needs your attention?

Stomper Girl said...

Sounds like you are glad to be back in your own space, the way you're tidying and sprucing.

Laura said...

WOW - you are right back intothe swing of things...no down time!

Hope all the projects go well.

Cheers!

Barrie said...

I think there's a bunch of symbolism in there: back home, beginning anew, new plants, spring... :)

Enjoy being spoiled!

Queen of the Mayhem said...

I don't even have to go anywhere for my plants to croak! My black thumb is very upsetting!

I just can't seem to remember to water my plants! :)

Sounds like there is no place like home!

Amy said...

Best of luck with things. I haven't even been gone and I feel like we have a million things to do!

katydidnot said...

sleepover and sleep over five hours never go together in a sentence.

Beth from the Funny Farm said...

I think my hubby was cooking in your kitchen!

I'm planting flowers tomorrow. I think our cold weather is finally gone.

There is amazing tile choices out there. I have a brown, irregular stone tile pattern and I haven't got tired of it and it is 10 years old. Wow... wordy sentence there! lol

Ice Cream said...

I can't wait to see the after photos of all this work. At the very least, you are being kept busy so you can't miss the adventures and family. Now, you've reminded me that I have lots of work to do before the baby gets here. *sigh*

Victoria said...

No rest for the weary, eh? Jumping right back into the routine! =) Good luck with the gardens! Most show us pics!

Oh - and floors? Mine are hardwoods stained the exact color of the muddy footprints of my kids and puppy. I (heart) my hardwoods.

Nadine said...

You are so full of energy! Already redoing the garden!

E said...

I wanna know more about those frying pans. What did they cook? Were they unfamiliar with gas maybe? I think I'dd have to ask....
Nice to know you are cleaning up and thinking of decorating projects. You are nesting and making it yours again pure and simple. Put in hardwood. It's so simple and always beautiful....

Steph said...

A belated welcome back home! Good luck with getting settled, all of the gardening, tile-replacement, etc!!

MadMad said...

I used to have a white tile floor/entry. It was the bane of my existence! I definitely think dark floors for covering more dirt are just the ticket!