For some, love is ..........

.....diamonds

.....flowers

.....expensive trips

.....a new car?


For me?

Love is having a partner who not only knows your tastes in shoes but knows your shoe size :D

We went to Target today.  I knew I needed some new sandals because frankly mine were worn out.  I told Jon I wanted to look at the shoes.  While I'm looking, he comes back with a pair from another aisle.  Then while I'm looking some more, he comes back with 3 boxes and tells me "You Need These".

Yes I definitely have a keeper.  I went with the idea of grabbing one or two pair of sandals.  We compromised at 4 pair -- he wanted to keep shopping.

It's definitely a special man who can buy a woman shoes - and who demonstrates he enjoys it :D

I can't take credit for the photo but isn't it a great quote?  Shoes didn't change my life but they remind me just how much I adore my beloved.

Shades of the future, remembrances of the past

The photo above is from NOAA of the April 26 1991 Red Rock (OK) tornado.  Apparently they didn't capture the Cowley County tornado of that day.

Anyway, yesterday at work I hear an eerie sound come over the loud speaker - one I'd not heard in over 10 years.  Everyone just stood around and I asked "whoa are we under a tornado warning?"

Yes I know the heart stopping sound of a tornado siren.  I hear them in my sleep.  I hear them in my nightmares even though I never heard the siren that April day.  Being raised in Kansas and Oklahoma you just know that sound.  You grow up with it.  You live with it every year.  The first few seconds tell you to grab what you're going to and find shelter - NOW.

Next over the loud speaker was that we had a weather warning and for everyone to shut down their machines and go to the nearest shelter in place.  While others were standing about going WTF?, I shut down my laptop, grabbed my purse and headed to where we were supposed to go.

Was it a drill?  probably.  If so they picked a really bad time to do it.  It was dark and a bit stormy outside.  Anyone from tornado alley knows you NEVER test the sirens - which test every Tuesday where I'm from - when it's even the slightest bit stormy.

The general consensus was it was a drill even though that was never announced.  It was probably a drill even though the factory was told to stop the line and shut down the machines - something they don't do even for fire drills.

I don't care if it was a drill or if someone jumped the gun on something.  All I know is the seconds of heart stopping fear....and the memories that flooded back like it was just yesterday.

...not like it was over 20 years ago

photo credit NOAA.  When I get my scanner set up, I will probably post photos of what was left after that fateful day in the beautiful spring of 91 ... and what wasn't left.

Creative Solutions for Small Living

So what does one do when they have glassware and china but doesn't have the dining room space for a conventional china hutch?  Enter the curio cabinet.  This is the one Jon picked.  I was dubious but after putting them together (yes I got 2 - one for each corner) I must say that it's a good move.

As you can see, no wasted space.  In a small apartment, that is a must.  Plus with my glass and chrome dining table it works.

We did the less-is-more with some creative solutions for bookcases.  Enter IKEA on that one.  We were very limited how deep they could be in the living room without blocking the walkway.  We checked every place we could, measured the ikea bookcase we currently have, and ended up ordering 2 more.

Having to think outside the box as it were ... I just wish when it was outside the box, it was already assembled.

I can't take credit for the photo - that is the photo that is used on Amazon where we purchased the curio cabinets.  When I get the dining room finished, I'll post photos.

Trash - out of sight out of mind?

No that's not my kitchen but it is the same floorplan as mine (sort of)

We have a tiny galley style kitchen.  I thought the big issue would be where to put all of my cookware.  Thanks to some creative thinking and space saving devices, that isn't the problem.

It's where do you put the trash can?

We've tried under the sink counter.  Not really convenient.  Then we tried having one in the dining room.  Hated it.  Now we're back to the under-the-counter solution.  Of course that means that the tiny trash can gets full every day or at least every other day.  Yes with just two of us it is amazing the amount of kitchen trash we have.

There's a lesson there I'm quite certain.

So for now, I'm still trying to figure out an equitable - and aesthetic - solution to our problem.

at least I can take out the trash and haul to the dumpster anytime I want.  If we had been on scheduled trash pickup I don't know what we would do.

photo credit:  beaumont farms

Harold's idea of Feng Shui

I've mentioned before the maximization of empty space.  It's not for esthetic value.  It's not for traditional Feng Shui, it's simply a necessity with Parkinsons.

However Jon's chair.  OMG the CHAIR. It's big.  It's bulky.  It doesn't really fit anywhere.  If our cable hookups were on an interior wall it would work and work beautifully.  However as Harold gently reminded me, it's not about me.

So I lost the coffee table.  Just no flow-through with it.  The chair is the perfect place to Jon to get into and out of and meander about.  It works well where it is even if it's a bit, well, out in the living space.  We still have spaces for him to safely move from one area to the other.

Feng-ing the Shui - our way I guess.

of course that also meant we needed to rethink the tv stand.  one is on order with amazon - i believe i need power tools and of course a TON of patience.

I cannot take credit for the photo.  It came from www.decoist.com  A nifty site about balance and beauty.

Downsizing - it ain't for the faint at heart

No I cannot take credit for the graphic but I am finding the wisdom within it.

Going from a townhouse to an apartment has been interesting.  I'm very glad I didn't try to bring my dining room furniture because there is no way it would have fit.  We just brought the table and chairs.

Of course that means that I now have no place for my china or glassware.  Every piece of furniture from showcases to china hutches were all just way too big.  We're trying to minimize the used space and maximize the empty space.  Not easy in an apartment but necessary for Jon.

Enter Amazon and the curio cabinet.  I found two that would fit in the small corners of the dining area.  While I absolutely loathe putting together furniture, there really isn't a furniture place here that sells small minimalist stuff.  Welcome to the heartland eh?

While surfing on amazon I also found two night stands and a headboard that Jon liked so I guess I will be putting together furniture for a while.

Should've brought my power tools I guess.

We also ended up needing to purchase a new washer and dryer.  Jon and I cruised the Lowes store here in Lexington and he picked an energy efficient set.  While I was dubious, I must admit that while they use less water and electric, they do an absolutely awesome job.

Our only real issue has been the kitchen trash.  We tried the under-the-cabinet route and hated it.  So I have a trashcan in the dining room now.  Less than perfect but we will work on that one as time goes.

Now to try and find an entertainment unit that can do double duty and house most of our books.  A challenge to be certain.

What do you want to bet I end up on Amazon and having to put it together as well?

because apparently less is more doesn't apply to the best of the best books that we couldn't leave --- which equal 9 stacks about 5 foot high in the guest bedroom.  Who knew I had 3 copies of In Cold Blood?  Who knew how hard it would be to choose which of the 3 copies I would take?

A goodbye to our old home

I flew back Thursday night to pick up the Jeep, drop off the keys, and drive the jeep back to Lexington.  Harold wouldn't let me say goodbye without one final photo - yes that's my Harold.

It was an awesome house for the time.  As Jon's Parkinson's progressed, the very things we loved:  the huge windows in the stairway, the stepdown living room, etc proved problematic.  It was time.  It was time to say goodbye and hope my lovely realtor can shortsell the home for us.  I hope another family finds it as lovely warm and opening space as we did.

Speaking of said realtor - she was able to make a great trip to Paris so I didn't get to see her.  I was a wee bit jealous then I remembered just how much I hate traveling.  The trip to get the jeep cemented that.

I worked all day Thursday then drove to the airport (a scant 15 minute drive).  I had to fly to SC to get to DC - sadly you cannot fly out of Lexington to BWI - my airport of choice.

By the second flight I just wanted to be back somewhere where I could lay down.  That was before the cab ride out of DC - a very pricey ride but well worth it for one who refuses to drive in that maze of messed up roads and confused drivers.

We finally got to Laurel to Em's house to pick up the jeep (where she had graciously been keeping it for me).  She also graciously offered to let me stay at her house as she is out of town on a cruise.  I opened the door and immediately her BatCat came running thinking I was Mama.  Then every noise I made here he'd come wanting her.  He was so upset that I left the key, locked the door, and drove to find a motel room.  Poor kitty.

Then the next morning came the 9 hour drive.  Well it was supposed to be 9 hours.  However I had storm fronts near the entire way which not only slowed me down but blew my gas mileage completely out the window.  Then on I68 in WV there was an accident that shut down both sides of the interstate.  I started to grumble then heard up the line that lifewatch had been called in.  Here I was in a reasonably comfy vehicle, ac, enough money to get a hotel room if I was running too late and thinking of myself instead of the poor people who were in the accident.  Harold slapped my hand but good over that one.

After about an hour we were back on the road only to run into thunderstorms most of the rest of the way.

Did I mention I really hate traveling?

By the time I got home I was so sore and so tired all I could think of was pizza and bed.  But that would have been rude to the happy welcoming committee that all wanted me to reassure them I wouldn't leave again.  From cats to bird to Jon they hovered and followed ... I think they miss me.

Home is definitely where the heart is.  My heart is here with my loving husband and affectionate creatures.  While I often long to explore, I believe I'll leave my exploring to short trips and via the internets.

I took the photo above on Thursday.  Somehow - to me - the place looks sad without us.  however my heart is truly in Lexington now.