#43 - Don't Like Playing Catch Up

Starting December

After our Thanksgiving trip to New Orleans, I was ready to plunge in and get caught up! I'm excited that we have some new counters and floors and walls, upstairs and down. But there are 100 tiny jobs left. And we aren't able to rush the way I want to. We don't rush in this house.

Don's back will only allow him to do so much. He did manage to screw on the new switch plates in the kitchen! Yay! But he can only used the drill for a couple minutes at a time. We're working slowly to get towel rods installed. I've been scrubbing and caulking the old tile. That's fun.

Don instructed me on how to remove the old toilet seats. Now I understand how it feels to have an aching back.

I'm supposed to be shopping for Christmas presents, but I've been busy getting new shower curtains and rods and towels... hardware and paint.

Paint and Pictures

The new kitchen counters and backsplash look great, but the cabinets and walls need new paint. No time for that, but I have a can of touch up paint. There seems to be no end. Cabinets lead to windowsills. Windowsills lead to baseboards...

And then, there's all that framed art!  I won't even reveal how long we've had these framed pieces sitting around the house, waiting for decisions. Now I'm decided and ready. I wish I could do this easily myself, but this is a teamwork thing. We have to spread these back-stressing jobs out over days. 

The Apprentice 
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So Don is up for doing a few pictures at a time. But the heavy framed piece over our bed, is too tricky for his back. 

Yay! I got to do the drilling for a change. I actually love tools.

Don guided me in measuring and then he gave me some drilling tips. Getting that heavy thing up there was not easy. But it's up!

Old Furniture

I've learned how to move a lot of furniture on my own. Pivoting... walking big pieces. I got Heidi's old antique bed taken apart and sold! Of course the couple who bought it, needed my help getting the mattress and box springs downstairs. The wife had a bad back.

Later, I sat on the floor where the bed had been and had Don read me the instructions, for the new bed frame. Actually that was the easiest job of all. New bed arriving soon!

Discoveries

We've made some discoveries, while shuffling furniture. I wouldn't let Don try to help move this old trunk. I had to empty it, to move it myself. I found a very odd black cap and cape made by Don's great aunt. Was it for mourning?  I found a long hat pin. Don said his grandmother kept the decorative "weapon" in her hat, for protection on city bus rides! 

​We found Golden Anniversary photos, of Don's Polish grandparents! How is it possible, that we had no clue before of what was in this trunk? We have had a little fun with some of this work!

Patience

This has been a crazy first week of December and now my muscles are aching. I had a hot bath this morning and just soaked. No wine for me. Just water and light reading. What a treat.

But the bigger treat for me, is that Don is slowly able to pitch in, more and more. His "broken" back is obviously an issue, but he's involved and eager about getting things accomplished. Even if he's having to guide me to do some of the tasks that he enjoys doing.

​Best of all, Don's been laughing with me as we go. Don's BACK issues aren't a bit funny, but Don's humor is BACK!
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