Home Is Where the Heart Is
March 28, 2020
It’s a little scary, almost unbelievable, how much our world has changed in just a few short weeks. Last time I wrote, February 14th, we were all living our lives, going to work and school, shopping, attending concerts and sporting events, church services, pretty much whatever the heck we wanted! When what seemed like overnight, a virus, initially identified in China, has quickly spread around the globe, drastically altering daily life for almost everyone. I’m certain most people have watched and listened to the news more than ever, are being updated daily if not hourly, so I won’t go on much more. In these uncertain times, one thing I am certain of is how this virus has put much into perspective. IF there is a silver lining, I am big on silver linings, looking on the bright side, etc., it is that families are spending a lot more time together at home, tapping into their creativity as they educate and entertain their children. Baking = lesson in fractions, Nature Walks = lesson in Biology, Hot Lava = P.E. For myself, I have spent more time in prayer (thankful for all those in the medical field, grocery and retail workers, putting themselves on the line, daily, prayers will continue!) and reflection. Reconnecting with family and friends, near and far, and checking in with those I love. The unknown is unsettling. The last few days, the word Rise keeps coming to my mind. Definition: Noun – 1. An upward movement; an instance of becoming higher. 2. An increase in amount, extent, size, or number. Verb – 1. Move from a lower position to a higher one; come or go up. 2. Get up from lying, sitting, or kneeling. I wish I could take this word and predict that all good things will happen in our world and we will be back to “normal”, but no one really knows… I will choose to take this word and apply it to my life and my families, maybe you will want to do the same; Ezra 10:4 Arise! For this matter concerns you. We are with you, so be strong and do it!
Moving on! Update on the clubhouse, the reason I write this Blog! The upstairs addition is all framed, the electricians have all the boxes in place for the lights and fans, the dormers are mostly finished, and the stone masons are making great progress on the addition. They were delayed almost a week because of weather but are currently back at it! The stone is beautiful but looks quite a bit lighter than the stone on the clubhouse, even though it is technically the same type of stone. Almost 20 years of Oklahoma red dirt (I think it looks more orange) has left the stone looking, well, reddish/orange. We have a small pressure washer but it really doesn’t take off much. We are either going to have it professionally cleaned, still waiting on an estimate, or buy a commercial type grade washer. I’ve wanted to have this done since we first moved in, however, its not quite that simple. It seems nothing ever is, especially in construction…before we pressure wash, we need to dig the dirt up on the borders that surround the front and sides of the clubhouse, about 6 inches. If we don’t, the rain will splash the red/orange dirt back up onto the clubhouse. Then we will need to put down landscape fabric, mulch, then tie in the gutter drains out to the new addition… I know doing it the right way is better in the long run, will save us time and money, etc., but sometimes I just want it to be done, now! Where are those scriptures on patience?! Our yard was mowed yesterday, the first time since the grass has come out of dormancy, it looks beautiful! Moving to the inside; Greg finished my make-up vanity area using a heavy coat of epoxy to “Marcy proof” it. Too late. As it was drying, I went into the bathroom to use the facilities, and laid my phone down on the counter, in my defense I was replaying an important phone conversation in my head lol, anyway, it wasn’t quite dry and left a small indent. We were able to mostly make it disappear! The window in the great room was removed to make space for the entry into the stairway!!!!!
This is another one of those projects that I have been waiting patiently for, Ha! Before they can build the stairs, they had to frame the entry area, have the local Electric company meet with our electrician to move the meter box, etc., That all just happened this past week, so I think (?) The stairs will be built soon! One of the next big projects will be to start and finish the big wall in the great room. I have once again changed my mind, shocker!
We are down to the wire so this better be my last change. Once the wall is textured and painted, we have decided to use some of the old lockers from the clubhouse as shelves for the wall, and a library/desk/writing space for me. I found a picture that makes it much clearer than I can, I will try and enclose it. Greg’s office is currently in that space, but as soon as the upstairs is finished his office will move to the room located in the far back of the addition. The quietest space in the house, also the room with two large windows, so he can “see the bad guys coming”.
That’s about it for now; my hope is you are riding out this storm with those you love, re-connecting with friends and family, staying safe and healthy, knowing that we will rise again. Home is truly where the heart is…
Until next time,
Marcy