Keeping the balance... with a dance move
by Andrea Mulder-Slater
This week, I stubbed my toe on a hammer that had been forgotten in the previous
night’s cleanup.
So
much for childproofing.
It
was early - still dark outside - but (thanks to the irresistible scent of
freshly brewed coffee) I was on the hunt for a cup of caffeine.
As
I bent down to squeeze my throbbing foot, I backed firmly into the dining room
table. I managed to stay upright only by employing a less-than-elegant twirl
somewhat reminiscent of a move I once executed at a high school dance.
Then,
I noticed Geoff – coffee mug in hand – smiling at me from his chair in the
corner.
“Um.
What are you doing?” he asked with a grin.
“Isn’t
it obvious?” I smirked, “I’m practicing my balancing skills.”
Maintaining
a state of equilibrium has been a bit of a challenge these days.
We’ve
gone from building a house on our own (what, are we nuts?) to living in the
unfinished house we are still building, in a matter of months.
One week after moving in - after peeing in a bucket for a few
days (yeah, I don’t recommend that) - we cheered at the first flush of our new
toilet and were hopeful when our plumber told us our shower would be installed
shortly – right before he went home with the parts.
Then,
another week went by.
Understand
- there are many frivolous things that I secretly wish for… my pre-pregnancy
hair, my pre-pregnancy energy and my pre-pregnancy shoe size to name just a
few. But, after two weeks, I was willing to forget all of those desires – and give up my toes – in exchange for the
ability to bathe in something larger than a laundry tub.
The
plumber did eventually come back with the parts just before we were about to
begin a series of neighborhood bathroom break-ins. We now have a shower (and
thanks to Geoff’s formidable abilities – two more toilets and a bathtub and
hardwood floors and painted walls...) but now we are trying to keep on top of
the bills, mostly by selling winning Roll up the Rim cups at a profit.
Sigh.
But…
amid all the uncertainty (and hush-hush anxiety attacks in the bathroom), great
things have been happening. Just after moving in, I was asked if I would like
to blog for Todays Parent. Um… yes!!! And, in spite of developing a wicked case of
writer’s block shortly after agreeing, I was able to come up with some words
that I am incredibly proud of, thanks - in part - to chocolate and coffee.
Ta
da!
To read the above post (and others throughout the month of April), visit:
Meanwhile...
Jantje has been rounding up artists for a folk art show she is organizing, while she also prepares a piece for a sculpture competition (and works on taxes).
Geoff was contacted by a Hollywood company
who provides artwork to film and television sets. They want his work. We send his paintings out next week.
And, to top things off… my incredibly well-adjusted and ridiculously happy 3-year-old daughter, has been playing guitar, dancing and printing the letters q, u, w, x, o, j, f, i, m and t with abandon.
Life
is good and so far, I haven't fallen over (today).
No, really.