Tag Archives: home

Merry Christmas

I woke up the dog this morning at seven to go for a nice walk in the park with her buddy Jasper. She’s eaten her breakfast and is nestled under my down pillows with Jim, both sound asleep over two hours later. Jim deserves it, Zoe does as Zoe wants.

So, it’s grey and cloudy today, so far. My holiday decorations consist of one bay leaf wreath Mom gave me, that is up indoors year-round. One wreath on the front door with two ornaments (photo on site) and a crinkly-leafed poinsettia. No tree or other decorations or presents.

We’ll probably see one of the new movies this afternoon, and I have one of Jim’s favorite dinners planned that is easy to execute if I have an hour to make baked potatoes. A quiet day to say hello to family long-distance. I’ve been looking for a place to live. We checked out these incredibly snooty new places (still being built) the other day and I don’t know what they’ve been smoking over there. The two-bedroom is nice but in this economy they’re charging Reagan-era prices. No thanks.

I just re-located a site with a lot of this one guy’s renovations. We have been in touch once in the past and he had nothing that met our needs at the time. Uniquely, he rents a lot to college students and recent grads who stick with him from basic studios and one bedrooms on up. In the past he’s done a lot of the restorations of vintage properties himself and I can always tell his work because the floors are gorgeous wood, built-in bookcases, Viking ranges, unique materials and always vintage-looking tile in the bathrooms. Problem is, many of his places are under 1,000 s.f., have no available parking or storage and have only one bathroom.

Now I believe he’s branched his site out to others with quality properties and there are a few I’ll show to Jim when he’s awake and has eaten breakfast. I plan to make my chicken salad for lunch with tarragon and roasted pecans and celery, and there’s a bowl full of broccoli soup I can heat up for him. Ribeye and loaded baked potato for dinner, with perhaps braised carrots, and/or steamed green beans. I’ll decide later on.

Ironically we combed our local grocery store yesterday, stocking up because they’re going to be closed for 36 whole hours! I think it’s the hurricane mentality. Ten pounds of potatoes; two boxes Raisin Bran with blackberries for topping; 48 rolls of toilet paper; four rolls paper towels; dozens of sodas; wine; chicken broth for the dog; and perhaps a partridge in a pear tree.

Enjoy the day! After gifts and breakfast our family started to get bored. Mom and I slaved in the kitchen getting ready the prime rib, Yorkshire pudding and vegetables. Mince tarts and cookies were already done. Sister and brother would announce they were going to a movie so we had to change dinner time while I was seething that I had to be the responsible one and help out at home. Dad was working while listening to classical music on the stereo. Yeah, that was probably the year before Mom and Dad split up. It’s been a mishmash since then. No more “tradition.”

So there are a few new movies out today and I think we’ll go. Otherwise I did purchase Mamma Mia last week and it remains unopened. If we want to laze around we could do that and see a movie tomorrow. So that’s what I’m thinking nearly 9:30 a.m. and having some quiet time at home. Cheers! Dee

The Cold That Keeps on Giving

Jim left for work this morning, only to come back seconds later for his dress coat (why, when it was 77 degrees today?) Then he came back again in a minute, only to get undressed and back in bed, where he’s been for the day. I’ve got it too, have had some version of this cold since Thanksgiving weekend.

I made lunch and took a trip to the store, checked up on a neighbor, RSVP’d to a holiday invitation and ran laundry, and also brushed out the dog, who looks very fluffy and clean. Jim just ordered pizza so I wouldn’t have to make it myself. Hopefully after a good night’s sleep we’ll be better tomorrow.

Top Chef should be on (missed it last night) shortly and I’ll check it out. I’ve been missing it more often than not this season. Delivery pizza overlooking the city, which we haven’t been able to see for the past couple of days due to round-the-clock fog.

Between the Big Three bailout and choice of religious leader to provide the inauguration invocation, it’s been a very political day. Jim’s watching Jim Lehrer in bed and I’m overlooking the lights and putting my random thoughts together on your behalf.

Nanny says it’s going to take much longer than two hours to peruse her books and notes regarding becoming a great cook. If she has the time, I’ll make the time. Don’t worry, you’ll hear about it! Keep that stove and oven working! Dee

Home

What is home? Mom is gone, and we have to stay in a hotel whenever we visit Dad. Jim’s folks give us the big back bedroom that the boys shared, with King bed because Jim likes his space. But if you make noise in the bathroom or turn on a light, the bulls are there, 15 feet away, staring and waiting for food. Looking into those cow eyes at 5:00 a.m. is not good, especially when they start talking and get the goats next door making human sounds.

I’ve wrestled with this for a long time and know that my place is alongside my husband Jim. Here in a loft? Right now that’s home but we’re open to different solutions.

We like living downtown and don’t think we could handle suburbs. Country is another option, but not one that can be exercised at this time. Here is home, we’ve been here over four years and can wait a few months to see what the markets are doing.

In the meantime there might be a movie worth seeing, other events as well. We’ll be here for Christmas and always have “strays” and may just do good things. Blog friend Susan is doing so for our troops. Check out potandkettle.wordpress.com Buy the book. I did. Take care, Dee