Heat ... I am thankful for heat

#5 - I am thankful for heat

After the mild fall we've had -- well not counting Hurricane Sandy -- today was chilly !!!!

The kind of weather that made you wish you had gloves and a hood that stayed on your cranium.  The kind of day that you wish the dog could walk himself. 

I am happy to have heat, I don't yet have it in my new house and we were out there working tonight.  It was 54.  It did not even feel that cold but my old house is a balmy 66-67 and it feels downright toasty after 90 minutes in that 54. 

I know that I am lucky to have heat and the money for oil.  I know that there are lots of people who a week ago lost everything and I have so much. Tonight, even in the warmth of whatever temporary shelter they have found, I know that there are several people who are still cold.

#5 - I am thankful for heat

Three and Four ...

#3 - I am thankful for impromptu get togethers

My niece flew to CT from VA on Friday to attend her Grandfather's funeral.  We don't get to see her much and the girls LOVE being around their older cousins.  Last weekend we were treated to a visit with Ben in from Dallas.  We had pizza at Moses's house and Ben was down on the floor teaching the girls how to fold paper and cut it into snowflakes.  They are still talking about the snowflakes.  

On Saturday, I went to the service for my brother in law's dad and Meg asked about the girls.  We quickly hatched a plan for another pizza date at Moses's house ... we got so excited about the plan, we forget to mention to Moses that we were coming.  Oh well, lucky for us she was free.  

Brooke shrieked when she saw Meg and Kristen, who we had woken to make the trip, came to life.

  

Cousins

There was lots of great food and fun times.  We can't wait to have more of these fun times when Meg is home at Christmas !!!!

Brooke ~ Moses ~ Meg

#4 - I am thankful for my Church Family 

 and not because they are about 60% of the people who read this blog!!!

It is exactly what I wanted when I was looking for a church closer to home all those years ago when I moved to Norwich with Paul.  No one gets upset if the girls are a little too loud and we are always greeted on Sunday mornings with so many smiles.  It is a small but mighty church and the results amaze me every time we undertake a new mission. The girls go to Sunday School and have a whole set of friends they wouldn't have met because they go to a different school. They anxiously wait to see if their friends - Lena, Jayden or Didi will be there.  We don't make church every week but when we do I always leave there at the end of the service being reminded that we are so blessed to be a part of this Church Family.

#3 - I am thankful for impromptu get togethers

#4 - I am thankful for my Church Family 

Thankful For ...

#2 - I am thankful for creative and enthusiastic friends

Our builder's 20 something daughter offered to paint at a reduced rate for us and we gladly accepted the help.  She is working far more economically than the professional painters we got estimates from and she is full of energy and great ideas.  She said she is excited to come here and paint .... um, OK, whatever you say!

She has painted the playroom and short of ceiling touch up, cross that off the list.  Today she started the girls room and she had talked about striping one wall .... she and I spent the evening drawing lines and placing tape.  I am SO happy with the results.

I NEVER, EVER would have had the ambition to try this on my own.  Yes, it is true our lines are not perfectly straight nor are they exactly, evenly spaced but to me it is so cool for the girls to have this added touch to their room.  

#2 - I am thankful for creative and enthusiastic friends

Thirty Days of Thanks ....

I've seen a few friends posting on Facebook today something they are thankful for.  They numbered it "1" like they are going to have a new one each day.  I haven't quite figured out if they are doing it for the month or just until Thanksgiving arrives but I thought "what a neat idea" ... seriously that was my exact wording .. what can I tell you I have a 3 and 6 year old and, yes, sometimes I think at their level.

So I've sort of challenged myself to post my "Thankful for ..." here on Romanskiville each day.  I am also going to say right now that I will not even come close to posting each and every day.  Paul's long days have started and we are days away from moving into Rev 2.  I will try very hard to come as close to 100% as possible ... there you can all be "thankful" for that.

#1 - I am thankful for the marvels of modern medicine (I know that sounds all peace and love and lets change the world, really its not that noble at all)

Kristen had a problem with her eyes, they at times would turn outwards and not work together.  Sometimes people call this "lazy eye".  We started with the pediatrician who quickly referred us to a pediatric ophthalmologist. We met Dr. Howard in February.  She did some tests and we would come see her again in 3 months.  In April, it was happening more frequently.  Back to the Dr who confirmed her condition was progressing and alternating day patching began.  She was a trooper most days.

Three hours a day for 3 months, we rarely missed a day and back to the Dr for another check up.  No change in test results, the patching had really made no difference and what would happen when we stopped using patches all together?  Dr. Howard suggested corrective surgery.  Paul and I had already discussed that surgery was probably our next step but I will tell that when the Doctor says that the risks include - infection and permanent blindness - you glance over at that adorable little blonde haired, blued eyed princess and she seems even smaller and more fragile than ever.  The Dr quickly adds that she has never had a patient go blind ... GOOD to know.  We sign the papers, schedule the surgery, head to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital for a pre-op visit and do all the other things on the list.  

We headed for New Haven a little after 6 am on that day. I'd be lying if I said I was completely at ease with this all and then I turned around to check her in the backseat and that one eye was drifting out, yep, this was a very necessary surgery. 

Yale New Haven Children's Hospital is an amazing place.  Clearly they are in the business of caring for kids and they are amazingly good at it.  She was the star of the show that day.  Wowing all the staff with her smile and personality oh and she was seriously rocking the hospital PJs

She was pre-medicated and the Anesthesiologist carried her out the door to the OR.  We grabbed a quick breakfast and returned to the floor to wait.  Almost 90 mins after she was wisked away, the Dr appeared and said everything went as expected.  We reviewed instructions for the next few days and she told us they would be out in a few minutes to take us to her.  They take great care at this hospital to NOT wake them from anesthesia.  When they get to recovery they are sleeping and you are firmly but kindly reminded that you need to resist the urge to touch and let them be.   No matter how many episodes of ER you've watched or how many Ambulance runs you've been on .. some when you have been completely in charge of a patient's care, you are not prepared for this ....

She looked so small and so still.  Then there was the blood ... running out of her eyes mixed with her tears.  YIKES ... I had not gotten that far in the thought process.  They cut the muscles that are attached to her EYES, of course, there is blood.  After another hour or so, she woke up, ate 2 popsicles and all her IVs and wires were disconnected and we were on the way home.

That first day she was in pain and repeatedly wanted to rub and scratch her eyes (they were both operated on) but the next day she wanted her favorite purple dress and was asking for fruit snacks.  Her eyes were still filled with pooled blood, which I would later come to understand would take 2-3 weeks to subside, but she was literally jumping on the couch.  

A week later, she was back at daycare enjoying her regular routine.  There was that morning she climbed into bed with Paul and I asking for cartoons. We obliged, turned on the TV to her favorite channel to which she announced "I can't see!" ... I think for about 35 seconds I did not breathe "Mom, I can't see, this pillow is too low!" PHEW ......

Today we went to our 5 week post-op check up.  The Dr is very happy with her recovery and I have not seen either eye drift outward since that day.  We go back in 3 months for another check in, but all signs point to a complete success.  

So it seems only fitting to start my Thirty Days of Thanks with 

#1 - I am thankful for the marvels of modern medicine

Double Edged Sword

A few days ago a friend left a comment on my post that captured my take on the foundation of Rev 2 being poured.  Here's what it said...

"You know - Heather - I just realized... what a cool thing you are getting to experience. Certainly - hundreds of people have new houses built every day and they go by every day or every other day to see the progress - but you - you get to see it AS IT HAPPENS every day - outside your window.

You get to see all of the things that happen (good and bad) and literally watch your house being built from the ground up (well, for you - from INSIDE the ground up... lol).

How coooooooooool is that!"

So just about everyone who reads this blog knows that I work from home.  I have a big desk, complete with 2 computers, a 2 line phone and a stylin' new 4 in 1 Printer, Scanner, Copier and Fax ... the thing is sweet but that is a totally different post.  Here I sit, day after day and sometimes night after night working away in gym shorts and a t-shirt.  

So the upside of working from home when you are building a new house in your back yard is that you are there.  It comes in handy to pay people, direct delivery people to the spot they are to leave their wares, to be a watchful presence over the project.  I cannot be snowed by a contractor --- I KNOW if they were really here and for how long.  I do not need to drive by to check on what got done over the last few days.  I take it all in when I walk the dog!

So the downside of working from home when you are building a new house in your back yard is that you are there....the people need to ask you a question, collect payment or be directed to where to leave crap when you have just joined a conference call.  They also all seem to show up on the same day and rarely at the same time so the disruptions seem to linger.  It is loud - there are always voices, power tools, trucks ...

This 3-4 week period that we are in right now is BEYOND hectic ... so much has to be done in a short period of time to be ready for the sections when they arrive at the end of the month.  It continues to require a ton of organizing and coordinating.  Things have to be done in the right order or costs increase or there are delays.  I was losing track, so much that I had to photocopy a blank August calendar and start penciling things in.  I am fortunate, I have help.  We have appointed my dad the Project Manager ..... he might have actually appointed himself, but frankly, he had no competition and he knows his stuff ... so it is all good.

There is visible progress daily ... it really is amazing to think back to what our property looked like on July 14, just one month ago.  It is takes your breath away to see all the activity and progress.

There are some days that I wish I was sitting in the air conditioned Data Center and came home at 5 to survey that day's accomplishments.  Truth be told, most days I grin from ear to ear as I walk by the window and glance out at the commotion on the way to and from filling up my coffee.  We have been talking about, planning for and dreaming about this for years and it is appearing before my very eyes.

My dear friend was right ..... how cool is that???

A Strong Foundation

foun·da·tion   [foun-dey-shuhn]  noun

1. the basis or groundwork of anything

2. the natural or prepared ground or base on which some structure rests.

3. the lowest division of a building, wall, or the like, usually of masonry and partly or wholly below the surface of the ground.

4. the act of founding,  setting up, establishing, etc.: a policy in effect since the foundation.

You might have heard, we're building a house and I am excited.  Yes, that probably means you are going to be subjected to numerous blog posts, conversations, texts, and phone calls where this very well might be the ONLY topic of conversation.  

It took a day and a half last week with 3 guys working in high heat and humidity but the forms were up and ready for concrete.

Tuesday was a big day here in Romanskiville - the weather cooperated and there were plans for a foundation to be poured.  I heard a rumor that there were 3 trucks of cement due in at 11 that morning.  The builder and crew arrived shortly after 7 and quickly got down to business. I am not sure what prep is required the day of .. but they were busy until about 10 and then they waited.  

At about 11:03 while I was sitting at my desk, working away I heard the tell tale sound of a big truck nearing the top of Case Street.  Then that familiar sound of the Jake Brake ... I spun in my chair to look out the window and there it was the first big red cement truck.  I'm a tad bit embarrassed to say, when that truck pulled into my driveway - I started to cry.  Not a full blown, meltdown, ugly cry .... just a few single tears fell from eyes that were brimming with several more.  Armed with my cell phone, digital camera and sunglasses, I made my way outside to watch.  Yes, watching cement slide down from the shoot might be the equivalent of watching grass grow to some .... but for me this was a once in a life time moment. 

Truck 1 starts .....

Truck 2 waits for direction

 It literally took my breath away to see these 3 trucks circled around those forms.  It was loud and the ground was literally shaking under the weight of those trucks.  Nothing short of awesome.

Almost as quickly as they had arrived, they were gone.  About 20 min later the 4th and final truck arrived ..... apparently 3 trucks wasn't quite enough.  

The next day the forms were stripped and stacked back on the trailer and there stood the foundation for Romanskiville - Rev 2.  

foun·da·tion   [foun-dey-shuhn]  noun
the basis or groundwork of anything; the act of founding,  setting up, establishing

Love Grows Best ....

Love grows best in little houses,

With fewer walls to separate,

Where you eat and sleep so close together.

You can't help but communicate

-Doug Stone

That's from an old Country song by Doug Stone and was always a favorite of mine. I think he was right - when you are so close together you can't help but communicate ... but sometimes its not the healthiest of exchanges. 


 "@#$% !!" after stepping on Lego in your bare feet


Screaming "If you don't pick this crap up, I'm throwing it out" at the top of your lungs.


Or the frustration that wells up inside you when you find that someone has written their name on the wall in lip gloss.


Not that any of that has EVER happened in Romanskiville *wink wink*


You might have heard, we're building a new house.  We've dubbed it Romanskiville - Rev 2.  The house, a 1968 sq ft 2 story colonial, will be constructed on our existing building lot just pushed back further.  We are allowed to live in our current home, a 1024 sq ft Cape Cod, until we have the Certificate of Occupancy for the new house.  After that, we'll have 90 - 180 days to demolish the old house.  Demolish. The. Old. House.  That was so easy to say when there was not a gigantic hole in the yard with footings poured and foundation forms constructed.  When there was not a projected delivery date for this new house that is a mere 4 weeks away.  Yes, I said delivery date - we are having a modular house built and it is under construction in a factory some where in PA.  It took months to get to this point and now things are moving so fast. 

The house we live in today never really seemed that small until the girls arrived and then all the STUFF that came with them.  Toys, dolls, little kid sized dishes, silverware, furniture and the clothes .... seriously how do they dirty, rip, change, wear them out, grow out of them SO FAST ????? They have no closets in their rooms.  Kristen has a room that is 7 x 10 with a knee wall.  There is no closet for games, puzzles, art supplies.  We are drowning in piles and clutter. Love is growing here, there is no denying that, but so is anxiety, frustration, aggravation, annoyance and bruised shins.  At times it feels like there is a complete loss of control. 


The new house has closets, a spacious and functional kitchen, and 3 bathrooms - THREE.  The downstairs employs the "open" concept and the rooms all flow together.  I fall asleep at night dreaming of the 740 sq ft, covered wrap around porch.  


Love might grow best in little houses, but I think it grows just fine in average sized homes with an open floor plan too.