What I love about my home town

Gig Harbor and Mt Rainier

There are a couple of things I love about my home town, Gig Harbor, Washington (State, as I always have to add). I love the water, the trees and the fact that you can live on a 5 acre plot of land but still get to town in less than 10 minutes and the thing I love the most, is the awesome view of the great MT. RAINIER.



I have been away from my home town for 6 and a half years now and SO MUCH has changed. There are things that I used to love that don't exist anymore like the "quaintness" of the Harbor itself (downtown Gig Harbor doesn't seem to exist anymore and has been moved up town where a mass conglomeration of grocery stores, banks and shops are. (They have new terminlogy like "uptown", I don't even know if I used the right place). The population has EXPLODED. Gig Harbor was always a growing, shall we just say it, suburb of SeaTac, but I never expected it to grow the way it has.



When I was young, I always cursed the new houses being built, especially housing developments. I hated all the mini vans, which led to SUV's (wow I have been gone that long that I had to google the term "HUV" because it didn't look right and it wasn't, I was looking for "SUV") that carry soccer mom's and their 2.3 children. I still gurgle under my breath and I probably let out a huge agonizing sigh of depression at the sight of these things, but I try not to let them get to me, mostly because my parent's retain their 5+ acres that are in the trees, near a beach access where there is a great view of Mt Rainier, and is about a 10 min drive to town (and Target and Costco if you wish). We don't even have a view of our neighbours.

My christmas decor

This is the first year I have really decorated the house, this is mainly because we are holding Christmas at our house this year.

The Sprout has his own tree with little ornaments on it and his own Nativity set. It is the Fisher Price Nativity set, cutest thing ever.

This year I have been fighting a pinched nerve in my neck and so I wasn't able to make the advent calendar I wanted to, so I bought one. It is really cool. There are 24 drawers that come apart and have a little wooden ornament in it. I figured I can put candy and what not in it next year. I did have to put it on the shelf though because the Sprout loves taking it apart and we end up with 88 drawers and 24 little ornaments all over the floor.

I jumped on the bauble bandwagon and hung baubles everywhere in the living room. I have decided to get more baubles in different colours so I can have them up year round. I really love how they turned out.

I even framed Christmas cards I really like.

We almost blew away

We have had quite the storm these past few days as Hurricane Katia's arms swept across our fair isle.  Many other areas of the country had it worse, but 70 mph winds are pretty horrible.  What I think is funny though, is that what we had here was much like a normal Winter Storm in Western Washington.  The difference is, in England not many people lost power whereas in Western Washington EVERYONE without a generator would have lost power.

Loosing power is one of the things I enjoy about a storm. Everything is so still, you get a fire going and it is like camping inside.  I like that there is nothing you can do about it.  Then when the power comes back, it is extremely exciting and the first thing you do is FLUSH THE TOILET, because a septic system doesn't work if there is no power.  When I was little and there was a trail to the creek out back, we would go collect water and flush the toilets with that.  But now there is no path, so it is a little more difficult.

What I found interesting about this storm was that it was mainly a wind storm.  Huge rain clouds swept by at high speeds, but never really let go.  There were some mists of rain, but no down pour. Instead it was sunny, and warm.

The Sprout loves the wind.  So we had all kinds of fun outside.  He laughed and laughed when the winds really picked up, and the cat went crazy, trying to catch all the leaves wizzing by.

But unfortunately my sun flowers didn't make it.  After all of the trouble I went through fighting of snail and slugs and then being amazed that they grew back with multiple heads instead of just one, they met their demise...the wind.

One month

I am so excited because in one month I will be on a plane home.  Words can't describe how happy I am about that.

In spite of that, on May 5th (I know it was this day because we started having to wear flourecent pink or green shirts at work, horrible) the weather in Britain turned dramatically from warm, sunny, 70 degree weather to low 60s and grey.  In other words the season went from Winter to Summer and now Spring.  It doesn't make any sense and we all fear that we just had our Summer.  I must say that my mood has dramatically gone down hill since the weather turned.  I am tired and fed up, I even walked out of a shift at work last week after and altercation with a customer (my boss caught me and we had a half-an-hour heart to heart and now he is helping me find archy jobs, which is really nice of him).

Even though I am tired and always feel like I am on the move with the Sprout and I really just want everyone to "give me a moment!!!," I am enjoying the Sprout's age.  Yes, he throws tantrums, and yes, he is only controllable when he is sucking on a binki, but he is snugly (he gives kisses, nuzzles and hugs) and smiley and interested in everything.  I swear he intentionally does funny and sweet things to make me feel better.  Despite the weather, we are outside most of the time.  I can't bring myself to make him stay inside, and let's face it, I love being outside.  I love seeing him learn (he woofs at dogs, hugs Richard on command, huffs when he sits down because that is what I do and knows all of the hiding spots for the binki) and it is hilarious to watch him with other kids (they look like little people).But again, most of the time I just want to be given a moment.  I need a moment to breathe, a moment to sit down, a moment to clear my head. A moment not to be touched, poked or prodded. I don't want to clean, or be on the internet; cook or snuggle.  I just need everyone to WAIT!!!

I noticed all this has come about not only because of the weather, but because I had to end my driving lessons because I ran out of money (I won't lie, I am also extremely worried about debt).  I loved driving.  I loved what it made my head do.  It actually made me calm and feel relaxed.  I am sure half of that was due to my instructor constantly telling me to calm down, and the sheer enjoyment of being praised when I did a manoeuvre right.  I got to feel proud of an accomplishment.

So I am working on it and I am hoping that my trip to the States, my trip HOME, will make me feel relaxed and slowed down and an opportunity for everyone to just "give me a moment."

And now an add that makes all of us laugh our behinds off (the Sprout too...)

CATS WITH THUMBS

This summer I am...

This weeks question from Katie:


Are you already making plans for summer? Do you have any great trips planned or special events to attend? What will your kids be doing over the summer?


We are happily going to the States to visit my family in June for.  We are flying from Bradford to Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to Seattle.  This is the best way to go with a baby because you don't have to go through customs when you connect in the middle of the U.S.  I hate having to pick up my bags, go through customs and then re-check the bags.  Too much hassle.  So we are going to be on the plane for 10 hours.  Luckily the Sprout has his own seat.  Although this was expensive (70% of the adult ticket), it will be worth it.


When we are in the States, we will be going camping with my dad and then attending a family reunion/memorial service for my great aunt who died in November (I think it was November).  I haven't decided if Richard and I will be going on a mini vacation without the Sprout.  We will see.

My favourite room

Project Blog: Question Two.

What is your favorite part of your home and why?  Interpret as you may- it could be your favorite room or a piece of furniture or a feature of your actual house.  

There are so many areas of my house that I really like.  Our kitchen/dinning room somehow feels like you have cut yourself off from the rest of the world because it is at the back of the house.  The square footage is the same as Richard and my first apartment in Bradford.  And the lighting is so nice.  It also has a beautiful view of the back yard and park.

Dining room

View from the dining room

I also love our spare room.  Because it is also at the back of the house, it is quiet and has the awesome view.  I also love the blue that we painted it.

Spare room, which doubles as the computer room.

View from the spare room

But my all time favourite room in the house is my Sprout's room.  I love the walls.  It is so calming and it is the only room that isn't shared with our neighbour's.  I wish the room was in the back of the house and it had a bigger window, but I do love that room.

Now that it is being Spring and almost Summer like outside, I have to say my favourite place in my house is our back garden.  I love it.  It's only downfall is that 3 houses have a view of what we are doing, so we  are thinking of some hedges at the bottom.  Also when the neighbours are outside, I feel as if we should all be doing something together, I at least feel the need to acknowledge their presence.  But other than that, I love it.  It is big and gets tons of sun.  I love that I can watch the Sprout from the house.  I love that because the park is next to it and there are no roads, it is quiet and you hear birds chirping.  I also love the grass and that my cat has a real boundary.

Rise and fall

Me at Mono Lake with the Sierra Nevadas in the background

I was lucky enough to come across A River Runs Through It on TV today.  Few things have made me more homesick than this movie did.  It was the scenery of Montana mixed with the turn of the century history that did it and I finally realized what it was that I missed most about America and the only thing I need to live by to be happy...mountain ranges.  I love mountain ranges.  I reflected upon what I loved about the Great Basin so much and the first thing that came to mind was the range and valley system that ripples the landscape, second was the solitude and quiet.

Britain does not have mountain ranges.  They have some hills and a couple of peaks, but no Cascade, Sierra Nevada or Rocky Mountain Ranges.  When I say mountains, I mean 10,000ft +, where there is a dramatic rise and fall; where the range surrounds you, having the ability to shade you from the sun.  Mountains that are so high, the season is a month behind because of the altitude.

I miss mountains as much as I miss my family.

Moving, 11 months and work

Putting up shelves

Moving


I will never move into a new house that needs work and has no carpet with a baby,and no help again!!!! It ends up only being one person doing the move. It was horrible, it doesn't help that Richard is an even worse procrastinator than I am (I didn't think that was possible). Richard's parents went to Turkey 3 days after we got the house, so it was up to Richard and I to paint the whole thing on our own. E had some time off so she served as a nanny a couple of times, that was a huge help. We had no carpets until 3 days before we moved in so we had no where to put the Sprout, he doesn't do well confined so he wouldn't stay in the playpen without screaming. I cannot think when he is screaming. Because he crawls, he was everywhere, putting everything in his mouth. I now know for sure that I am anything but an overprotective parent, he must have his own carpet floating around in his tummy, not to mention a whole wall of wallpaper and dry board.

The only time we were able to paint together was at night, and we had to have the Sprout asleep at the new house to do that, and I had to stay awake past 9, needless to say that didn't happen often. It is hard to paint at night because you can't see what you are doing.

The carpets came a day early and we weren't ready for them, so there are allot of second coats that still need doing. Luckily we got the Sprout's room mostly done and I love it, I want every room to be like his (will put up picture soon).


We were lucky enough to have Richard's parent's van, but I had a horrible time driving it because I can't park parallel whilst driving on the wrong side of someone else's car, especially in a residential area where people either park to close or just far enough away that you have to have a PhD in parallel parking to get into the space. The night before we were supposed to be out of number 12, there were no spaces out front and Richard ended up running boxes back and forth on foot. Luckily E came and drove the van for me for a day while Richard's brother helped Richard carry heavy items.

Once all the boxes were here we had to make sure they were out of little arms reach or the contents would be unpacked by the Sprout (who doesn't know where any of it goes), which is ok unless it contains items that are unsuitable for little one's mouth or is something you want to keep. We still don't have anywhere to put stuff as I can't decide where to put shelves that will be out of baby's reach.

Don't know where this raccoon came from

On the plus side, the Sprout is so excited about the carpet and the amount of space he has to crawl around in. I like knowing that he can explore alone and not get into anything, he pretty much has the whole upstairs to run around in and he has fun closing doors and chasing the cat, who has been very patient and I think even likes it because she comes back and hangs with us all day.


The Sprout at the end of a year!


The Sprout is developing new talents every day!  He is an experienced Raspberry (Zerbit) blower. If you are lying down, he will come over, lift your shirt and blow...funniest thing ever, I was not aware that his father had taught him this.


He is really good at the ball hitting game

the Zerbit

His 2 lower 1st incisors are coming in, they are poking their cute little crowns up.


He had his first ginger cookie yesterday and was very pleased.


He stopped crying at nursery.



Work


I have not been to work because they are assessing my availability and the ability for me to do my job because of my back, so they put me on my 13.5 day vacation that I racked up not working...weird. I am almost certian they are going to fire me...on the plus side, I had an interview with Yorkshire Building Society (like a credit union bank) Friday and I think it went well...I am excited about that. 

Going Wild

From wallartandmurals.co.uk

There was quite a backlash from people disappointed that I did not step up and paint the walls how I wanted.  A decision has been made to "go wild" in the Sprout's room.

I had originally had the idea to do sky and grass so that we could put little animal decals on the walls.  We also had the idea to do a night/day sky on the ceiling.  Luckily the Sprout doesn't NEED his own room at the moment so we can take our time to do the room right.

I want to put stars and (per my father's input) a sun on the ceiling.  During the day you will see the sun, at night the stars.  The walls will have clouds on the top half, and the bottom will have green for grass.

one of the colours for the sun

one of the colours for the sky

We will put up some trees and then these cute decals for a fun factor.

"Rainforest" by Fisher Price

or

"Precious Planet" by Fisher Price

£39.99 from Amazon.co.uk

Thanks to everyone for motivating me to be myself and remind me that paint can always be changed.

Colours

I have learned that I am afraid of painting my walls colours, because I am afraid of what others think about my colours.  This made choosing colours for my house really difficult.  I stayed with neutrals so that everyone would be happy. (All of these are Dulux colours.)

In the living room I chose :

Muddy Puddle

I was going to have a feature wall, but had a hard time matching my red couch and the dark brown I had in mind made the room dark.  Originally I wanted the room yellow, but the swatch made the room look too bright (plus a yellow room with a red couch is just too much).

While we were priming the skirting (the trim around the bottom on the walls) grey last night, we decided that we really liked the dark grey against the brown, so instead of white, we are considering painting the skirting dark grey.  It will look really cool.

In the hall we have :

Mellow Mocha for the wall along the stairs,

Soft Truffle along the wall into the kitchen and the wall with the front door.

I had the hardest time with the kitchen because in the beginning I wanted to break up the dining room from the kitchen, but it started driving me crazy because I was getting negitive feedback from others about my colour choices, so I decided to do a feature wall.  Because we have to paint on the wall paper, every light brown colour took on a pink tinge, and I hate pink.  I scrapped the brown and just threw in a cream just to get it over with, we can change it later.  The colours I chose in the kitchen:

Blue Reflection for the biggest emptiest wall, 

Ivory Lace for the rest of the walls.  

The Sprout's room we are dividing the wall with a trim 1/3 of the way up:

Mineral Mist on the bottom half

Just Walnut on the top.

I haven't decided which colour to do the wall trim.

Celebration will be for his chest of drawers.

In the master bedroom:

Soft Truffle for the feature wall

Just Walnut for the other walls

I have not decided what to paint the second bedroom yet, but we have some time because this room needs a wall knocked out and replaced so we aren't laying down carpet.

The bathrooms are also undecided because they are going to be redone.  One of them has Soft Truffle on one of the walls and the other bathroom has Mellow Mocha. 

All of the rooms will have coving (the trim around the top of the walls), so it will look really clean and polished.

I will add photos when I get around to it.

What's up?

The Sprout got his first shiner yesterday as a result of bipedalism.  He hit his face on the edge of the table.

The Sprout's Pink Eye came back.

I hardly ever get to finish a piece of fruit because the Sprout grabs it from me and begins eating it.

The Sprout's nursery decided to close for a week this week, without telling us if it would reopen next week.  I guess they are short staffed and having a problem finding qualified people to replace them.  This is horrible because they told us last minute and I start work next week.  My in-laws are in Turkey so it seems I may have to put work off for another week.  I am going to have to see what they say today.  I went to look at another nursery yesterday and really liked it, but I don't want to start him at a new nursery if his current nursery will be back up and working.

We have been working really hard on the house.  We are working on painting every room and skirting board before the carpet arrives on the 10th of September.  There is more work needed than we thought, all cosmetic luckily.  Because we need to move in on the 12th, we have had to paint over wall paper which leaves the walls not as tighty as I would like, but eventually all the rooms will be done right.

Day one of the new house

We got the keys on Friday and to our half hearted surprise, there were no carpets.  However, we get to paint freely and are able to have brand new carpets.  Here are some interior photos taken while we were deciding paint colours.

living room

living room

Hallway

Kitchen/dining room

Kitchen/dining room

View out dining room

Upstairs hall

Nathan's room

Master bedroom

Spare room