| About Me |
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Name: Crazy Bitch
Home: Portland, Oregon, United States
About Me: I've always enjoyed writing, so long as it's something I know about - like me. I'm a student. A mother. A sister. A homeowner. A perfectionist. I try to keep them as separate as possible, but sometimes they intertwine - which is NEVER a good thing. I love shoes. I love dancing, although I don't really know how. I love loud music, bonfires and the occasional glass of beer. I love my family. I love my life. And ever so slowly, I'm learning to love myself.
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| Summer? What Summer? |
| Monday, October 9, 2006 |
I was so looking forward to summer. Long, lazy days of basking in the sun and reading junk-food Chick-Lit. Early morning runs, afternoon naps in the shade of my maple tree. Warm summer nights with mood-lighting, quiet jazz, red wine. Ugh... such awesome dreams never come true...
So what did I do this summer? The usual early summer trip back to the midwest - fun, hectic, NOT a vacation of relaxation. The usual late summer trip back to the midwest - okay - that was the best part - semi-relaxing and worthy of its own entry (more later). Between trips? I continued the process of making my house mine. First step - build a patio cover.
The idea came to me in early June, as I sat with my mother-in-law on her covered patio, quietly enjoying the serenity of it all: birds chirping, water dripping, beautiful foliage and large blooms.
“I need one of these,” I said to Mom. “In fact, maybe S and I should just skip our anniversary trip this year and build something like this instead. We could have a relaxing weekend at home for our anniversary, in our own backyard, even if it rains.”
So began the idea process. And S loved it.
Since this project was largely actual construction, I left the design and research to S. He was happy to do it, since construction and computers are his two specialties. Anything the combines the two creates a state of bliss.
Although I did get to help with some design and decision making, I really only cared about one thing: when can we start? Unfortunately, there is a process for everything. Before we can do this - we have to do that.... Before we build a patio cover, we have to paint the house. Before we paint the house, we have to wash the house. Before we wash the house, we have to do a road trip to the Midwest.
June flew by quickly and July began. I chose a paint color for the house and considered paying someone to do the work. I painted the last house we lived in and swore I’d never do it again. An estimated $3000 to hire someone sent me to Home Depot for rollers and brushes. The house isn’t that big - is it?
One thing S. continually tells me about construction - and I NEVER listen - everything is harder, takes longer and costs more then you expect. A little patio cover though? One weekend and a few hundred dollars. Easy.
So here it is - Nikki’s summer in her overflowing nutshell:
Week One - wash and paint the entire house back of the house.
Week Two - patio construction.
Week Three - Anniversary Celebration finish patio construction.
Week Four - enjoy patio continue painting house.
Week Five - relax and entertain friends on patio continue painting house.
Week Six - give up idea of relaxing summer.
Then it was over. Back to the Midwest for a few weeks and back to school.
When it was all over, I took a step back and looked at my house. It went from a dingy, dirty pale blue-green to a brilliant cornflower blue with white trim. (I received countless positive comments from neighbors.) I have the MOST FABULOUS patio - which adds an entire room to the house. Now I just need some people to come over and enjoy it with me. |
posted by Crazy Bitch @ 11:44 AM   |
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