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the purge bug...
2005-01-07 - 4:14 p.m.
So, I had been meaning to update after the holidays, but I got sucked
into Firefly and Bab
5 episodes on the big screen. We've pretty much been bums
between Christmas and New Years'. But let me tell you,
inspiration and rejuvenation hit after the party on New Year's Eve.
See, among the fine party-goers were:
- the Frank-n-Susan
who were excited with their new house (Got to see pictures, very
cool! I like the concept of Manland.),
- Cosette
who revealed herself as the nemesis of all pack-rats, and she regaled
us with tales of folks she had helped get rid of useless stuff,
- and obviously our fine hostess Thjora, master tile
layer and fix-it girl extroidinaire, with the house mostly obliterated
of the hideous colors the previous owners inflicted upon it.
These folks inspire creativity. There was New Years' Morning
perusal of the IKEA catalog. There was discussion of no unused
rooms in new house. There was mentioning of the useless stuff we
keep because we are too lazy to toss is out. Miscellaneous Mac
parts in Corby's case, old papers in mine. So, when Alan and I get
home, the brain starts ticking about the 2nd guest room in our
house. It had a fish tank, rocking chair, chest of SCA and extra
clothes, and garb in the closet. And just enough room for the
aerobed on the floor.
Oh, I forgot to mention the pile of boxes. No let's be honest, a
mountain of boxes inhabited the corner.
Well, this is no more. The fish tank has been moved (quite some
time ago) to the basement. (The fish really love the
projector, and blub for sci fi movies.) We went to IKEA and procured a pretty comfy sofa
bed (no bars in your backs, I promise), shelving
and storage
containers (for the string collection), decorations
and new curtains,
etc. I have to say when you stand in the doorway, the room looks
pretty darn cool. If our camera was working, I'd share.
But most importantly, and spurned on by a) the new design, and b)
threat of a Cosette visit, I have been slowly going through the
mountain of boxes. I should mention that these boxes have mostly
been moved from the old house 2 years ago, and remained
untouched. I took out a dead-body sized bag of trash on Thursday
morning. We have a big box of embarrassing stuff for Lochmart,
and a large overflowing box of items to donate to Goodwill/AmVets/pick
a charity. I have wheedled down the mountain to a mole hill, and
I'm still going. With any luck it will be inhabitable soon by
guests, and give me a dedicated string room. hee hee hee...
So, I've been kinda focused, but I tell you, the results are worth
it. If only I could stop finding more and more boxes shoved in
various closets...
Christmas was lovely, but not earth shattering. I knit myself
half a scarf (had to procure more string upon return to finish), we got
some reading done, hung out with Alan's mom and 2 of 3 brothers, and
got to shovel/push snow out of the way to get the rented Taurus out of
the long sloped driveway. It was very quiet and peaceful. I
must say though that I have been spoiled. Northern cooking just
can't compare to a typical Southern Christmas meal. The food was
adequate (Alan's mom professes to no great skill in the kitchen) but it
lacked the warmth, salt, fat, and overwhelming stick to your ribs
contentedness of a good southern meal. I think one of these days
I need to treat them to one good southern meal, but being no proficient
in the kitchen myself, I'll have to plan in advance. I missed
ham, buttery mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, and my mom's
cranberry cake with cream sauce, almost as much as I missed my
family. Oh, heck, let's be honest, I missed the food more than my
family. :) I also didn't get around to making sandbakels
this year. I don't think I have time tonight, or I'd make them
for 12th Night.
Apparently I also harbor an allergic reaction to something in Alan's
mom's house. Really none of the Smith residences (ours aside) is
Gen friendly. His older brother has 2 cats, his younger brother
likes to burn scented candles, and some mutant strain of dust-mold
attacks me on the Cape. We've never been to the eldest brother's
house, but tales of the menagerie keep me at bay. So they must
all assume I am a great big continuous sneeze-fest since that's how
they see me. At least the drugs contribute to the laid back
nature of the vacation. sigh.
Oh well, enough bitching about allergens and tasteless food.
Looking forward to seeing many of you tomorrow. I made nothing
new, so I'll be wearing something old, non-japanese.
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