Tour of the new Homestead

Been in my new place for almost a month now. Hard to believe. That moving stuff was a pain, especially since there is not much storage here and I had to be creative.

Tiny, like an apartment, but my own house. No shared walls, just a shared driveway, which I hope does not become a problem. Not really a problem not, because it will be a while before I can swing a car payment/down payment. 

About 650 square feet. But the best part is the laundry room. Washer and Dryer included. And they are nice. Nice new kitchen too. Or maybe the best part is the quiet neat neighbors. Or maybe the best part is the walk to town. Or maybe the best part is the pretty yard. Or the deer, birds, bunny, chipmunk, and black squirrel (although the deer and chipmunk eat the day lily and roses).

First picture is the street view from my front door. The whole one side of the house is day lily, the other side has a little patio shaded by trees. The last picture is my front yard. Teeny but secluded and pretty. I have a nice back yard. too.

I don't have much in the way of furniture, but I'm getting there. I have a lot of wonderful friends and family who have helped me. I lost a lot moving from NY quickly after the fire. My DD lost a lot too, so I left her some things. I can't thank my friends and family enough for the things they've given me. From coat, hangers, to silverware, to dishes, sheets, sofa, and even that printer in the top picture. 

My daughter has been able to find me some really good deals on furniture too. I'm getting there. By the holidays, I should be in good shape. 

I don't have a car yet, so I have to walk to town. It's a mile hike just to the Post Office, but it will do me good. I did it in 80 degree weather and I managed OK. Besides, town is so quaint and beautiful that it's a pleasure to walk to. 

The first picture is the man made waterfall by the park, the second is our famous Popcorn Shop that is suspended over the natural falls. The last picture is just a sample of the beautiful Century homes here. 

I never in my wildest dreams thought that at this time, this year, I would have enough money to live on, and find a dream house in this town I love so much. I've had a lot of struggles the past few years, but today, I can listen to the birds chirping and go out and water my flowers. 

Life on Mars - The Week Everything Broke

I suppose I shouldn't say that EVERYTHING broke. Because if I do that, then we're sure to be cursed with more damages. But last week our iron broke, the computer fried on our sewing machine, our serger sewing machine stopped working right, the oldest boy was rocking on one of the kitchen chairs and that kinda snapped in two and as I opened the refrigerator door one of the racks snapped in two and everything on the shelf landed on the floor.

I'm not saying I'm cursed or anything, but I was either using or near everything that broke. I was even standing right next to the boy when the chair crumbled under his butt. It was pretty funny, when he heard the loud crack, he didn't fall, he somehow balanced himself in the air, suspended over the chair.

It was not funny when the iron went. It was plugged into the wall and the younger boy was on a chair near it and he was rocking on his chair that got a leg over the wire. Sparks flew and he almost got fried as the cord got cut from the metal chair.

Things are looking up though. Poppy found a new refurbished Rowenta iron. It works like a dream. Our old iron was junk anyhow.

Our old sewing machine wasn't working very well. We've used it for over 4 years without servicing, it was ready to be laid to rest. We already got our new one and it's just fabulous. That's a picture of the Brother CS-6000 we got.

Our new serger is on it's way, and we are looking forward to being able to sew with ease. September through December is our busy season and we need some easy sewing. We call the new brother the no swear machine, because for now, we don't have to swear when we use it. I swore all the time with the other machine (a Brother, but a step down version).

I'm going to repair the chair and I already managed to fix the refrigerator rack with my E6000 glue. That stuff is amazing. With any luck this will will be a bit more positive.

Life on Mars - Another Hectic Week

Sometimes it feels like I have my own private full moon that follows me wherever I go. You see the moon is always full, it just depends on how the Earth blocks the sun from getting to it. Apparently the shadow of the Earth has no effect in tempering the effects of the full moon in our neighborhood. Everyone is crazy all of the time.

Last week was worse than the week before. Seems like I'm coaching the spawn of Satin. The 9 year old swears and spits and torments me. He hates reading. Really hates it. Turns out he might just be dyslexic though. I have a serious bone to pick with his former school if he is. And I do not think that I am equipped to teach him if he is.

Then there is the neighbor who offered me a ride on the weekend and said that she'd have the car after 12. So I discussed it with my daughter about how we would arrange it. Then I find out she'd have the car TOMORROW after 12. When I said I didn't understand that she meant tomorrow, because she didn't say tomorrow, she screamed at me and accused me of calling her a liar. I love crazy people, no really.

They all drink coffee like it's water. Three adults in the house and they go through one 34 oz can of coffee a week. Ours lasts 2 of us about 2 months. How do they sleep? Well you just take the thorazine when you need to go to bed.

I am so looking forward to the next few weeks. My horoscope says this is one of the best months I had or will have in years. Things will culminate into very bad on the 29th. If this is good, I just can't wait for bad. I'm supposed to stay home on that day, but I think I have dinner with my cousins, and I see them so rarely that I don't really want to miss, but I don't really want the roof of the restaurant to fall in on us either.

Have a good week. I'll see you back next one (I hope)