This past week has been busy. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and I am paying for it today. Jacob dislocated his shoulder during the JV football game on Monday. We took an unplanned trip to the sports doctor. After a week of rest, he is doing better with it, but we now have physical therapy appointments three times a week. For how long, well, we will find that out. Until then, fingers are crossed.

I’ve had meetings to attend with my mom for various reasons. We’ve been collecting boxes. She has been working hard at sorting through her life and deciding what must go. I’m not so sure we will accomplish all we need to before winter. God willing, things fall into place, and all goes smoothly. I have learned that no amount of pushing or force can make everything work. You make preparations so when the time comes, you can take the step. One step at a time. God’s plans tend to reveal themselves; if your paying attention.

My husband got a wild hair this weekend and decided we needed to gut the kitchen at our other house. We’ve had possession of the house for almost two years now and accomplished next to nothing with it. He is hoping to be able to move in by next summer. That’s an excellent goal, but I’m not holding my breath. The demo is the easy part. The fire affected the kitchen and basement stairwell, for the most part. We have some reconstruction to do in that area of the house to maintain structural integrity. I don’t want my refrigerator falling through the floor, or having the upstairs bathtub in the kitchen unexpectedly. We really won’t know how much needs done until we get down to studs. It’s going be a long road, but as of now, the cabinets are out. As small as it may seem it’s progress.

My only wish is we could get the yard in order. I’m sure the neighbors will agree, it’s a jungle. The flowers are beautiful, but they are taking over the yard.

I am happy to announce I have finally found six matching chairs to go around my table. I found the table and china cabinet more than ten years ago at a consignment store and fell in love. I was browsing one day and saw the table. At the time, it was priced well beyond my means. That didn’t stop me from visiting every week. LOL!

Eventually, it came down in price. I brokered a deal with the owner to purchase it. A few months later, the same happened with the china cabinet. It was a match made in Heaven. But unfortunately, six “matching” antique chairs have not been so easy to find. I have come across chairs from time to time, but not for a price I was willing to pay. These need a little TLC, and I’m sure in another ten years I will be able to get around to that.

For now, I think a good cleaning and some Liquid Gold will do just fine. Until next time, X’s & O’s.