EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING – Day 2

Well, Wednesday and come and gone, and Shaun said they will be back tomorrow to finish up. He originally said the job would take 3 days, so I expected that he would miss his optimistic Wednesday deadline ;-)

He is a nice young man.

I am asking Elohim to bless him and favor him because of his character, and also because he has been so kind to me.

And he hasn’t moved in to cheat me; as most people – I have found out over these past 4 months – will try to do when dealing with a widow. Or just a woman in general, widow or not.

Even the Boss works - I like that.

I specifically will not do business with a man that lords his position over his employees (I don’t like egomaniacs on principle), so I liked seeing Shaun get busy too; makes me feel better about the big $$$$ being paid out.

Front-facing Trim being painted ...

Gutters being painted. And nothing in my veggie garden boxes was damaged. The guys were really careful – I appreciate that in men.

Front porch ceiling, trims, rails, and porch DONE.

Everything looks so nice and bright!

I am going to enjoy sitting out here when everything is back in place ;-)

I had both sets of stairs and deck painted with safety sand in the paint. That is what Bob and I did with the last 2 houses we owned, and it sure made a difference when the rainy and icy months came around. Now that I am officially a Senior - and officially on my own, caution is a real necessity on the stairs.

The Carport stairs and deck landing is still wet ...

Lattice work smoothed and painted.

Carport ceiling is peeling as the wafer board does, but it looks better with a fresh coat of paint.

It doesn't look so shabby now when the sun sneaks under the overhang and shines on it. I am hoping the fresh applied paint may actually hold those loose pieces up there longer.

This STILL was not touched-up (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/05/exterior-house-painting-day-1.html)

I think they missed it when their pizza was delivered and then got sidetracked when they started working again after lunch break. They were hungry and it got hot today.

I may have to stand over them tomorrow …

But these 2 were touched up.

I hope and pray tomorrow everything is finished and touched-up, and I can finally start to live in our home. I am really looking forward to settling in here without tripping over construction mess, and breathing in plaster dust.

The interior of our home has not had a thorough cleaning since the August nightmare altered our lives.

That was 8 months ago.

Bob got the better deal, for sure; his physical body died, but his Spirit will never die; and Bob is enjoying Yeshua’s company – who could ask for anything better!

Meanwhile, here on Earth, I would like to give the interior of our home a thorough Spring cleaning once and for all, without plaster dust settling over everything … or irritating my lungs because the ‘simple touch-up’ around the LED lights STILL is not done, and the dust is constantly being stirred up.

Hopefully tomorrow :-D

EXTERIOR HOUSE PAINTING – Day 1

Yesterday the fellas showed up bright and early to start painting the exterior of our home.

Before they started, I showed Shaun the 2017 House Inspection report and asked him to please check this issue out:

I Later saw him carrying repair sheet wood, so am assuming it was repaired before painting commenced.

When the windows were sealed, I did feel a bit trapped; the feeling didn’t quite morph into claustrophobia … but it did get a little edgy there for a while ...

While they were painting the siding under the carport, they had their radio on and I heard Heart’s ‘Magic Man’ song come on loud and clear, and my hand stayed the spreading of the mayo on the sandwich I was making. Normally I’d be singing the song along with the radio – but now it is a bittersweet reminder that my Magic Man is no longer here with me. I teared up and had a good cry; then I wiped my eyes and nose, finished making my sandwich and ate lunch.

Swallowing each bite with a lump in my throat.

‘Happy Together’ by the Turtles, & ‘Magic Man’ by Heart were the 2 songs that best described US. And if we had “a song”, those 2 would be the ones.

So; yeah, it got a bit emotional in the kitchen for a few minutes.

And I felt Bob’s presence too.

This is something that needed to be done, and Bob & I had planned on doing it anyway: we just never figured on me having to do it alone. Widowhood wasn't in the figuring; and while ‘Magic Man’ was playing and after I had wiped my eyes and could breathe easy again, I could see … in my mind’s eye … Bob’s twinkling eyes and his sexy smile, and I could hear some his last words to me, "I have faith in you Baby". It made me feel confident.

I felt we are still doing this thing together:

After the guys knocked off for the day, I walked around the house to do a little inspection of my own ;-)

It will be real nice when it is done – and I won’t have to worry about it for another 10 years … and maybe not even then: who knows what the next 10 years holds? I may even be in Heaven, walking those streets of gold with my 2 beloveds, Yeshua & Bob – the 2 loves of my life :-)

But, for now, this is one less Park Rule I have to concern myself with ...

Looking good - like it should.

The ceilings and railings still have to painted ... hopefully that will be done today sometime.

And the stairs - both sides of the house - still have to be painted; as well as the house numbers that have to be prominently displayed at the front of the house.

This will need to be corrected before they get paid.

As well as this. I am paying a LOT of $$$$ to have this done ... I want it done right. Bob would not overlook this ... and neither will I.

The fellas worked like dogs all day yesterday; and it got hot with the sunshine beating down on them while they sweated, so I cut them a little slack.

Until today – when what needs to be corrected will be pointed out before they get their pay ;-)

MOD LIGHTWEIGHT MALE CHEMO BEANIE

I designed this lightweight beanie the other day; I wanted a lightweight hat for the summer months for males and could not find a pattern I was happy with – I searched the internet and asked at various Crafting groups, all to no avail. All beanie hats were made with worsted weight yarns … not what I wanted at all!

So, I decided to design and make my own ;-)

These Spring/Summer weight beanies will give chemo patients the warmth they need without the unwanted weight or overheat a worsted weight beanie would incur. I designed and crafted my lightweight male chemo beanie after the style of skull caps worn in the Middle East regions (basically a widened Kippah with sides) because I felt the shorter sided style would best fit warmer months and bald heads. I added the hem band, which adds to the length because chemo patients/critical stage patients get cold and need the extra length for warmth.

These beanies make up quickly – I made 3 of them last night (turquoise, brown, light blue). Of course, I am a recent widow and have time on my hands with no husband or children to look after now. My husband is in Heaven, and our children and grandchildren have lives of their own that they are building. I have been put out to pasture, so to speak, and so spend my spare time when I am not engaging in cookathons or outside gardening, designing and crafting handcrafted donations for the local Hospital Donation Foundation. I enjoy the tranquility of working handcrafts, and it gives me pleasure to help, in some small way, to make and give what I can to ease another’s suffering. I found out recently what it is to be trapped in a dreary hospital environment, so I hope and pray that my colorful donation items will help add a little much needed cheer and brightness to the recipients’ long and often bleak days.

I am sharing this pattern trusting the reader/user will not claim it as their own, sell it for profit, or otherwise steal it for personal reasons. The pattern is free-use to those making hospital donation items to make life a bit easier for those going through chemo and those going through it with them. If you cannot fully understand the pattern as written, please feel free to contact me and ask for clarification. I have made my chemo beanies in solid colors as well as bicolored – instructions for those changes are included in the pattern:

MOD LIGTWEIGHT MALE CHEMO BEANIE

Materials: Lightweight baby or sports yarns; #G crochet hook; scissors; yarn craft needle

TOP PORTION: Ch 2; 10 sc in 1^st ch. Jn with a sl st (10 sc). Ch 1

Rnd 1: *Inc-1 sc next st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (15 sc). Ch 1

Rnd 2: *Inc-1 sc next 2 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (20). Ch 1

Rnd 3: *Inc-1 sc next 3 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (25). Ch 1

Rnd 4: *Inc-1 sc next 4 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (30). Ch 1

Rnd 5: *Inc-1 sc next 5 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (35). Ch 1

Rnd 6: *Inc-1 sc next 6 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (40). Ch 1

Rnd 7: *Inc-1 sc next 7 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (45). Ch 1

Rnd 8: *Inc-1 sc next 8 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (50). Ch 1

Rnd 9: *Inc-1 sc next 9 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (55). Ch 1

Rnd 10: *Inc-1 sc next 10 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (60). Ch 1

Rnd 11: *Inc-1 sc next 11 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (65). Ch 1

Rnd 12: *Inc-1 sc next 12 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (70). Ch 1

Rnd 13: *Inc-1 sc next 13 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (75). Ch 1

Rnd 14: *Inc-1 sc next 14 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (80). Ch 1

Rnd 15: *Inc-1 sc next 15 st*; rpt from * to * around. Jn (85). Ch 1

Rnd 16: Sc in 9 st, *Inc-1 sc in next 16 st*; rpt from * to * around: end 1 sc last 6 sts. Jn (90 sc). DO NOT ch 1.

If you are changing colors, drop main color and join contrast color now.

SIDE PORTION: Continue now in rounds without chain 1 addition. Sc in rounds for 13 rounds (3” length from last round of top portion work).

If you are changing colors, drop contrasting color and join alternate color now.

FINISH beanie off with sc worked in back loops only for the next 4 rounds (1” from last round of side portion work).

EO work and weave in yarn ends.

YELLOW-ORANGE SPRING LAPGHAN

Monday I finished up the lapghan I have been working on …

I think it worked up very nicely :-D

This lapghan is bright and sunny, and it is the 3^rd quilt-style patterned lapghan I have made for the Hospital Donation Foundation. The 2^nd one was a pink and purple alternating granny square lapghan edged in bright yellow (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/04/facing-filter-beast.html).

The pattern, which I posted last month, works up quickly too (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/03/mod-jade-flower-granny-square-lapghan.html).

UNDER PRESSURE

Shaun called early in the morning to tell me he and his crew would be out today to pressure wash the house and start prep work for next week’s paint job; so, I moved everything back away from the back of the house and pulled everything out of the breezeway. I hope the weather holds and the house gets done on time so I can start putting my transplants in the garden boxes:

Everything moved away from house

Breezeway cleared

The guys are here to pressure wash and prep for house painting next week

After the crew finished for the day and left, I noticed that they had pulled my sedum planter (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/07/sedum-lantern-planter.html)

 that Bob placed next to the porch railing and laid it in one of the planter boxes. At first, I was upset that they had moved something Bob put in place for me, but after I calmed down, I realized it was a blessing in disguise and relocated it into the end of one of the planter boxes. I hope I did not damage the bottom of the box when I jammed the stake firmly in place – it has to be firmly in place or the river winds will knock it over.

And I hope Shaun gets the LED lights touch-ups done too so I can start really living in our home …

Since Bob and I moved into this house at Heron Pointe 22 months ago (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/06/new-home-d.html), all we have been doing is getting this place livable for us (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/07/downtime-day.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/2-state-hop.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/10/3-week-house-review.html), putting our mark on the place (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/07/day-by-day.html), replacing what needs to be replaced (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/09/water-damage.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2019/03/yesterday-was-very-busy-day-here-house.html), and repairing what the previous owners let slide for 20+ years; hence the paint job – they painted 4 years ago, but it was not quality paint and it was not done by professionals … and it shows; so now it needs to be repainted.

Since Bob left earth, I have been under a lot of pressure as a homeowner – a solo homeowner now – hoping and praying I make the right decisions to make Bob proud of my moving forward to continue our life as we had planned it before the Park insanity that destroyed our life together (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/12/that-woman.html).

This paint job will pretty much clear out the tax return $$$$, so I hope it lasts at least 10 years: and I pray that it is the last big-ticket expense concerning this home for a looong time.

Please Elohim!

I know You and Bob have faith in me and my abilities to make decisions based on all gathered information and fervent prayers, but I would really like to catch a break in 2019. To rest my overtaxed mind, heal my broken heart, and relax my aching body.

Thank You, Ruach Ha’Kodesh for guiding me in all my ways. I appreciate You.

Thank You for always being with me Yeshua; I love You.

Always.

Thank you for giving me confidence and encouragement Babe; I love you.

Always.

OX

MY DOGS ARE BARKING …

I have literally been on my feet all day long, and my dogs are barking (aka: my feet hurt).

I woke up this morning to a high pitched chirping and realized that the battery on our home security system had a low battery – we’ve had this system since 2015, so I guess the system felt it had been left out with everything else falling apart and needing replaced in the house since Bob left me to deal with it alone: he did not leave intentionally, the death angel paid us a visit in August 2018, and collected in December 2018.

And e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. that could fall apart, need replacing, or corrected from the previous owner’s slap-dash-sell-quickly actions on the home-front has been doing so on a continual and irritating basis. This morning was the home security’s turn >:-P

While I was in the kitchen, I decided to repack the panty goods. Most of everything had been stored in repurposed coffee cans, but the cans were taking up a lot of space that could be used more effectively, so I threw the cans out and repacked everything into freezer bags. The freezer bags work better for me anyway: I don’t horde my food stuffs with an eye towards storing it away for 20 years … first off, because I EAT my food stuffs – I don’t pack it to look at; and secondly, for the simple facts that foods stored that long spoil no matter how they are packed. Natural wholesome and healthy foods are not meant to be shelfed that long! A year’s supply of anything is about all I care about. Tomorrow is never a guarantee, and a year is a good stretch of future hedging.

I started with the pastas, moved on to beans, then rice, and finished up with dry milk, sugar, and flours:

REPACKING/REORGANIZING THE PANTRY GOODS. Most of this stuff was bought just before Bob went into ER in August: I really haven’t looked at it since, and it had just been tossed into the pantry and forgotten once we got stuck on the hospital hamster wheel … it really needed to be tended to. Today was as good a day as any to get at it.

REPACKING PASTA. Multicolored spiral Braids of the Garden Pasta. This pasta is almost too pretty to eat ;-)

RIBBON EGG PASTA. Spinach Pasta w-Wild Garlic. Bob would have liked to try this one.

TROUT BEANS

PASTAS AND BEANS REPACKED. Pantry looks neater ... and there is more room in the pantry without the coffee cans – glad I ditched ‘em.

BAMBOO RICE.  Pretty green color and a very pleasant sweet odor.

ARBORIO RICE. Used for rice dishes where a creamy texture is desired.

A VERY FLAT RED RICE. Looks and feels like grass seed heads. Brilliant red color.

TUBULAR TYPE OF ANOTHER RED RICE. Actually looks like dyed white rice ... and the red color is duller than the flatter type of red rice.

JUBILEE RICE MIX. A mix of rices with dried peppers and spices.

WILD RICE. I love the texture, taste, and smell of wild rice; the pungent earthy odor of wild rice reminds me of the outdoors … and the river.

RICES REPACKED. Plenty of room now for more. LOL

FLOURS, DRY MILK & WHITE SUGAR REPACKED also.

After these things were repacked and no longer a boobytrap hazard, I gave my poor complaining feet a rest and took the time to unwind before bedtime by beginning to piece together this lapghan …

I like to cook and I like to try interesting and tasty food stuffs – and Bob liked what I cooked. But now that Bob is no longer here to cook for, or to enjoy meals with me, I have pretty much avoided the kitchen unless forced to acknowledge it.

Today was a step towards healing in that area of my new status in life.

This month marks a third of the year gone already without Bob being a physical part of it. It is hard ... but I find that being physically active helps stave off the overwhelming sense of the loss of his physical presence. 

Activity in the kitchen is physical/mental activity.

Cooking for 1 will be a challenge to wrap my mind around, but at least now I am looking forward to cooking again :-D

Thank YOU, Yeshua, for gently prodding me back to enjoying life again.

I love You, Yeshua.

Always.

Don't let me fall away.

I love you Babe.

Until I see you again, I'll be loving you.

Always.

OX

Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody

Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered for your touch

A long, lonely time

Time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow

To the sea, to the sea

To the open arms of the sea

Lonely rivers sigh

"Wait for me, wait for me"

I'll be coming home, wait for me

Oh, my love, my darling

I've hungered, for your touch

A long, lonely time

Time goes by so slowly

And time can do so much

Are you still mine?

I need your love

I need your love

God speed your love to me