We're busy - December is a big month for my job & I feel behind because I am behind. No knitting to speak of - I need to find more ways to work it into my everyday routines. I am jones-ing to work on my KR Retreat New Beginnings Project sweater - have the swatch done & blocked! I will be using some lovely Briar Rose yarn that is yummy to the max.
We had a delightful holiday potluck last evening & folks were happy to be there, brought wonderful food & drink, ate lots of food & had some drink. Lotsa of beautiful compliments about the house which we loved hearing, truth to tell. "Looks like you're moved in" more than one person said. "D'oh" said SJ. "Don't you think we own books & artwork? Where are they? In the garage & closets & our friend C's 3rd floor guest room (my artwork from the old house, that is)." Some of the neighbors came: SJ, in a brilliant & tho't move, placed invitations in a number of mailboxes - the folks across the street, the folks on both sides of us. We loved the turnout & were sorry to miss the folks who could not be there. So many holiday events were happening. M was away in NC at a soccer tournament. M was a fabulous hostess, asking folks to sign the guest book & taking coats to M's room.
We cleaned like crazy before the party & painted 2 of the walls of the family room. Since one wall is paneling w/ a door & shelving areas, we have only one more wall to paint in that room. Because Bob the painter did most of the walls in most of the rooms, we have only the living & dining room area to do & then it's the woodwork in the hallway, the living room/dining room area & the family room. We're in the home stretch. There are many, many boxes still left to be culled & items will be ready to be put away. The two pallets we began for future yard sale items are getting more crowded as we look toward selling the multiples we have - you know what that is like, the couple of colanders, glasses & mugs, bowls, etc.
Recently we met w/ a local landscape designer/gardener who will be assisting us w/ a plan to turn our yard into a wonderful, blooming, inviting-to-the-birds-&-butterflies yard. The seven trees we have in the the front, side & back yards need care & we have a terrific arborist on board to do that work. He trimmed trees at my old homestead & he does excellent work. We have the insultation to place in the attic - it's the type that comes in a big roll & it will go in between the rafters. As Jean says, this will be our coldest winter we'll ever have at the house as we make it more resisiatnt to the cold air & wind. What we are doing will also help us in the summer as there is central AC too. The HVAC guy was there last week to tune up the furnace. He calibrated the thermostat which was low by, on average, 6 degrees: we had been cold, chilly in fact, & the two thermometers we checked it against were coming up w/ low readings. The duct cleaning company comes this Thursday to clean out all the duct work - a forced air furnace can be such fun.
SJ & I have both been pushing ourselves at work & at home. I think everyone does when they move! Need a chiropractor adjustment in the worst way. Had a rolfing session a few weeks ago & also saw the accupuncturist who did some trigger point work in the region of the cervical neck & upper shoulders. The care helped a lot. I do need more of both & will see them again in a couple of weeks.
It's nice to have the moves behind us - could you hear my exhale?
