When I tell the children to clean up what I'm really saying is, "move that pile to a less offensive pile somewhere else." Nothing has a proper place to be put away, but everything has it's designated pile. I've managed to create a sort of organized mayhem, but my system is only clear to me so I'm always on the brink of having to be permanently institutionalized.
There is a constant battle raging between trying to pretend that this is home and actually making it into a home. As I pick up in one area another area now has sawdust covering everything or a couple of doors leaning up against the wall, waiting for the day they can be re-hung. I know I want the construction to continue, but the mess is really hard for me sometimes.
I've learned just how little of my previous kitchen is even necessary. I have about a one foot square area of counter space to work on now and somehow I manage to get decent meals out. Turns out a lot can be made with just a few mixing bowls, some knives, and a little juggling.
School carries on, chaos or not. The kids are doing great working at the dining room table and we're all happy to be able to have a routine, something that just never would come together with the daycare.
The kittens are getting bigger all the time. They are fully socialized now and love to be snuggled and played with. They aren't quite ready to put outside, but they will be soon. They both seem to be shaping up to be good hunters.
Jess is doing great. She has warmed up to everyone in the family now and absolutely loves to be played with. She is able to stay out of the run during the day now, but still goes in at night. We're working on getting her used to the chickens now. She is fascinated by them, but needs to be taught to protect them and not to touch them. Hopefully, we can get it all worked out because I really love her and do not want to get rid of her.
We are all still in the same bedroom. The slumber party was over about 3 1/2 months ago and now we merely tolerate the arrangement. Currently, my greatest dream is that by January the kids will have a bedroom of their own. I literally daydream about the day I can put away their things in proper drawers and tell them to make their beds. For real.
Finding anything in the garage is like going on a scavenger hunt with a blindfold on. Truly, it's a nightmare. Today I spent at least an hour hunting down my sewing machine, which of course, by the time I found, I no longer had time to use and started making dinner instead. I can't help but wonder how much of the stuff in there we're ever even going to miss. Will we even unpack these boxes or just load them up and take them straight to Goodwill?
And at the end of the day, the view is still amazing and I'm still thrilled to be here, barely held back chaos and all. This craziness is just life right now....and a very good life it is.
Tonia
Hang in there, Tonia! I subscribed to your blog because we had a very similar situation 20 years ago, most of our stuff in storage and building a house while living in it. Over time, things will improve, and these are great character building moments for all of you. When things are rough, sit and watch the chickens for awhile--it's very calming. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a definite comfort to know someone else has gone through it and survived :) I know it will all be worth it, but I gotta admit, I cannot wait to be looking back on it!
DeleteDon't lose sight of your vision! Your land is gorgeous and peaceful. I know you can do it.
ReplyDeleteI feel better after a bit of a temper tantrum ;) It will all be worth it- this I know!
DeleteVent away! What you're doing (not just dreaming about doing) isn't easy but with both of you committed to the positive change it will be an eventual great success, and not just in finished rooms and jobs done.
ReplyDelete