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The floor guys showed up around 830. I had just enough time to get Beanie off to school and run the dog to the kennel. When I came back, they had prepped the house and had sanded a good portion of the kitchen. I got to decide the color.
First he used a straight cherry stain. And as I expected it was too dark. I asked if he could bring it lighter by about half so he thinned the stain and tried again and it was PERFECT. He's lucky I'm easy (go ahead...you can say it...just not cheap).
I had no desire to be there to listen to the sanders or the giant vacuum that was used to grab most of the dust, so I headed to the mall to attempt to get some Christmas shopping done. But before I left:
with the vacuum running (boy does it suck):
When I got home they had water popped the maple and were waiting for it to dry to apply the stain. Before long, the dining room looked like this:
I know it probably doesn't look much different but it is. There is a slight red hint to it that will look gorgeous with my cherry table. It will also look a little darker when they get the poly on it.
And, just so you know, I warned my girls earlier today: I will be writing about our little adventure, so anything they say and do will be held against them in a court of blog. I suspect that might lend a hand in keeping the bickering down to a minimum. We'll see.
The hardwood floors guys are not even here yet and we've already had "issues". Something about my older daughter not wanting anyone's stuff but her own (she would prefer that we line the cramped living room with our stuff) in her own room because she can't be inconvenienced with someone else having access to her room when she might need privacy. I believe, this morning, I actually said the words..."if I hear that door lock one more time I will remove it from the hinges".
GAWD. I suspect these next 4 days will feel like a month.
It's noon somewhere right?
does it take to dismantle your house, yet moving NOTHING out of it?
Apparently one.
Tomorrow starts an adventure for our little clan. We are having the hardwood floors on our main level refinished. I can in all honesty say it's about time. They have not been touched by anything but human feet, metal protruding felt chair pads, and longish dog nails in almost 14 years. That doesn't include the time our faucet leaked, or the time the light fixture fell from out 10 foot ceilings, leaving a lovely dent in our floors or a myriad of other mishaps that are common with 4 children.
We had several choices of when we could do this. MY preference would have been to do it over the Christmas break. Not sure why I thought this would be a better choice, having the children home for the duration rather than doing it while the children were spending at least 6 hours each day at school. Regardless, Christmas break wasn't an option. Apparently someone thought likewise, although my guess is that they will not attempt to reside in their house while it's being refinished, instead heading to warmer climes (see Let it Snow post). Our choices were Dec 13, Dec 20 or into Jan. Now, Dec 20 was off the table. They would JUST BARELY be done by Christmas. Initially Dec 13 was also off the table and I was leaning more towards January, because it would be more convenient. Then I realized...NO TIME is "more" convenient. So, why not just bite the bullet and get'er done now and start the New Year out with fresh beautiful floors? The husband took a little convincing. I still don't think he's completely there yet. We'll find out tomorrow when he has to enter and leave the house through the basement door and trudge through the snow (which he DID shovel a path, on the grass, around the house to the driveway) anytime he needs to leave the house.
So, what we did today was: pack up my china cabinet and store it, moved everything out of the foyer closet and the linen closet (since both have contiguous wood floor), removed everything from my kitchen counters and from atop my cabinets, moved my bakers rack out of the kitchen, moved my china cabinet into my middle daughter's room, moved my 8 dining room chairs into my youngest daughters room, moved our kitchen table and chairs into our living room, moved our dining room table into our living room, set up a "mock" kitchen at our bar area in the basement consisting of my coffee pot, the microwave and toaster oven (and a variety of cereals and paper plates/utensils). Luckily we have a full sized fridge in the basement so that won't be a huge issue. I have to remove all the artwork from the walls. I also had to clean out the fridge as they will be moving both the fridge and oven out to finish the floors beneath. Even though the living room isn't being done, we still needed to remove all the items on the mantel to avoid it being shaken to the floor. The area rug under the dining room was stained beyond redemption (spilled wine/cream wool carpet do NOT mix), the area rug in the foyer was rolled up to be returned to its place when the job is complete.
For the next 4-5 days we will be living out of our basement. The younger two girls and the husband and I will also have to pack for those 5 days as we will be living in the basement. Luckily, we have 2 bedrooms a fairly large living area a bathroom and the washer and dryer (and a full sized fridge) down there, so it's much bigger than, say a hotel room, if we were willing to spend the extra money for that. Then, first thing tomorrow morning I have to take the dog to the kennel. She is only a main floor dog and we just can't chance her getting upstairs (and there is nothing preventing her from running up).
The process, as it was explained to me, will be them coming in, removing my baseboard trim, sanding the floors. Then we're adding an extra step. We are having our floors stained. Since they are maple, they will need to be 'water popped' in order for the wood to take the stain. I will have to be here tomorrow morning to approve how dark I want the stain. They anticipate doing the sanding and staining tomorrow. Then 3 coats of an oil based poly. We debated the oil vs water based poly and decided to go with the oil as it would be more durable. It would also be a longer time in between applications to dry, making the process about 4-5 days long. I figured if we were going to be inconvenienced, best to get it done to last longer so we won't have to do this again, at least while the kids are in residence.
When I think of what the floors will look like when this is all done, that (and a case of red wine) makes the inconvenience bearable. So, let "the great adventure"* begin.
*the great adventure...other wise known as WTH was I thinking
So, yesterday it was supposed to snow. We keep our blinds cracked a bit and several times during the night I woke up and looked out. It just looked foggy, with no snow at all on the rails to our deck. That's how I typically judge how much snow we have gotten. My middle daughter had a basketball tournament Saturday morning as well.
When I finally rolled out of bed, I found that we were in the midst of was was bordering on a blizzard. Thus the reason why there was no accumulation of snow on the rails. It snowed and blowed and snowed and blowed most of the day. And yes, my daughter had a basketball game. And yes, they canceled all games after hers. My husband said the roads were HORRIBLE.
He got home from the game bringing my daughter's friend. We also had 2 of my son's friends who had stayed over Friday night. He started shoveling. He actually shoveled twice before he gave up, came inside to talk with his strapping young 16 year old son and his friend. The conversation went like this:
Husband: Hey boys. Get enough sleep? I've been outside shoveling the drive way. For the second time.
Son: Well sure Dad...it's snowing REALLY HARD.
How does one respond when sarcasm is met with sarcasm? I guess with laughter.
So, we (yes, I volunteered) went out and shoveled again this morning. Wait...did I mention that we have lived in MN for 14 winters WITHOUT the benefit of a snow blower/plow? My husband considers this "frivolous". Mostly because up until this year, 80% of the storms have happened during the week and I end up shoveling. But this year we have lucked out and our storms have all arrived on the weekend, prompting the following words of insight from my husband:
Husband: I'm rethinking this whole snow blower thing.
May wonders never cease. But I'll believe that when I see it. Parked in my garage.
Final snow tally: 21.5 inches. Not the record of 28 inches from the Halloween Blizzard of 1991. We weren't here to experience that. However, we have the dubious honor of being present in Minnesota for the collapse of the roof of the Metrodome due to this storm.
The snow has stopped. It is now in sub zero temps. It's Minnesota. If it's not a snow storm caving in the roof of a sports facility, it's mosquitoes the size of albatrosses who will suck you dry. What's not to love?
Beanie is open enrolled in one of the now 5 soon to be 6 elementary schools in town. There were several reasons for this. Between K and 1st grade the district changed our school boundaries. We were moved from one of the "under performing" schools to the other "under performing" schools with the opening of a new elementary school and our thought was "better the devil you know". No, we wouldn't get to go the new school. We're one of those older "established" subdivisions that has the name "estates" in our title which means we fit a certain demographic for under performing schools. And that's ok because I didn't want her to be at the new school as it would involve a fairly long bus ride. I was also very happy with the teachers and principal of the "under performing" school. So, since we had two children in elementary school at the time and the district has planned another elementary school, the closest to our house, to be opening in 2009 (which was put off til 2011) and I didn't want my middle daughter having to change elementary schools 3 times in 5 years, we decided to open enroll them both in the school they were at (and the school their brother and older sister thrived in).
But, being open enrolled means, above all else, I HAVE to get dressed in the morning as I have to drop them (now just her) off at school and pick her up from school, vs staying in my jammies, box of bon-bons under my arm, a schedule for all the day's soaps at hand and seeing them climb onto their big yellow bus from the comfort of my front door /end sarcasm. Luckily, our friends have also open enrolled their girls and we have been able to share our carpooling duties. That means, I do get my jammie mornings, occasionally. BUT, I think I would rather forgo the jammie morning every morning if it meant I didn't have to pick up after school. EVER.
I have been doing this pick up every afternoon for the past 3, going on 4 years and I swear, some of these people who are picking up their kids are either the stupidest, or the most inconsiderate people, OR BOTH I have EVER come across. Pick up would go so smoothly if people would move along in the line, pulling forward as cars moved out of the circle. BUT NOOOOOO...they just sit there. While there is a long line of cars waiting to get in to pick up kids and wait. Most of these cars are in line on a 4 lane road waiting to pull into the pick up circle because someone can't have their little precious child walk an extra 10 feet if they were to pull forward. And the front half of the circle is devoid of cars.
Originally I figured, I'd just arrive late and swoop in, grab my child and be gone. But no. Apparently it really doesn't matter what time you come to pick up your child, SOMEONE will be blocking the circle.
Then late last week there was a police car there. Blocking the inside lane (which, I readily admit, I use in an attempt to bypass the mess on the road). So, I stayed right...only until I was able to go around the police car. Heh, heh, heh... Beanie said he was giving some direction as apparently I am not the only person to have seen this whole pick up scenario as an accident waiting to happen. Then again, earlier this week there was another police car, in the inner lane again but pulled further up. OY! As if to make my life more difficult. (YES..it IS all about ME ME ME) I was literally blocked in by the car in front of me, as the driver had gotten out of her vehicle and was being instructed (or so I assumed) as to how to do the pick-up after school by the police officer. So, I figured EVERYONE was going to get instructions on how to pick up. I dunno. As I got close, though I got waved through. Maybe they thought, "Hey, SHE looks pretty intelligent and can figure this crap out". Or maybe they thought, "DAMN...I'M not going to be the one to tell that Amazon how this works, she might hurt me". Either way, I got waved through to pick up Beanie. Not sure if I actually stopped...she may have had a running start. The car door may have been open. I may have left tire marks. I don't remember.
That brings us to yesterday. I go...LATE...to pick up Beanie (you understand now why I drink right?) and once again, I am in a line of IDIOTS. But this time there is no police car. However, the principal (who I happen to adore) is out there and he is motioning me to...wait for it...PULL FORWARD. To do what I know to do. I grab and go...and maybe leave tire marks again. In the snow. It's all a little fuzzy.
I know this shouldn't be a "big deal". In the grand scheme of things it's not. I guess I just can't wrap my brain around the WHY some parents can't seem to figure this out. It's not rocket science.
I guess that's why they have "dummy" books.
My panties are in a slight twist. Nothing to restrict movement, mind you, but something for me to write about.
Facebook has a new "awareness" thing going this week, through til tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 6). The action? "Change your facebook profile picture to a cartoon character from your childhood and invite your friends to do the same. Until Monday, Dec 6th of 2010, there should be no human faces on facebook, but an invasion of memories! This is for a campaign to bring awareness to the violence against children." I didn't have a problem with it and in fact, it DID bring up many memories of the happiness I had in my childhood as I paged through avatars I might use. Again bringing my awareness to the children of today who were not so lucky.
In case you are wondering...I decided upon Underdog...because I can still hear the start of the show..."There's no need to fear, Underdog is here." Quite fitting I thought.
So, fun, a little silly, a little reminiscent. And underlying it all (for me) was that awareness of how I would love for no children to be the recipient of violence. Yes, I really did think that.
But instead of seeing this for what it is, or should be, I think the word "awareness" seems to have escaped those who are critical. Something so silly as changing a profile picture to a cartoon character seems to be haled as a mockery.
And yet, when facebook groups had women put their bra colors in their status last year to bring "awareness" to breast cancer (and let's face it, to get men wondering), I didn't see the same type of criticism leveled at that. Or when we put in our status where we kept our purses, again to bring "awareness" to breast cancer, it too was seen as humorous. I happened to have mine "hanging on the closet door nob". Again, no criticism I know of was levied against this action.
So, bringing awareness to realities of life, whether it be breast cancer or violence aimed at children, should never be be scoffed at. Take it for what it is. Bringing awareness. And while it might not be enough for some, no one really knows if this might inspire a person/people to take that extra step. To do the relay for life. To volunteer at a homeless shelter. Even if it is just one person, it's one person more than would be doing it if they hadn't been made aware.
but for whom?
This is going to be somewhat of a rant so if you aren't interested, I won't be offended if you move along. OR you could stay and sympathize/empathize with me because sure as shootin', it'll be one or more of your kids are doing this too. How do I know your kids do it too? Because my kids got the idea from SOMEONE and it wasn't me, so it must have been your kids.
It is winter (although not technically) in Minnesota. Winter=cold. Just in case that wasn't crystal clear. Oh, it hasn't gotten to that "I'm cold to my bones" cold yet, but it's coming...I can just feel it.
And yet, this is the conversation I had with my middle daughter (age 12) earlier this week:
Me: We got a dusting of snow so make sure you wear your boots. (you can already see where this is headed right?)
Her: I'm going to wear my ballet flats.
Me: You can't wear your ballet flats. You can TAKE them. Wear your sneakers and change when you get to school.
Her: NO ONE stands by their locker and changes shoes at school. I'll be ok with my ballet flats.
Me: No, you won't. Just walking to the bus will put snow in your shoes and you will start out the school day with cold wet feet.
Her: I'll be OK.
Me: NO. This is NOT negotiable. Put on shoes.
Her: *stomp off*, *slam door*, *move in slow motion raising fear that she will miss her bus and I will have to take her*
Sadly, this is not the "exception" conversation, but rather the "rule". Replace boots with coat or hat and gloves and we can spin this one out every day and twice on Sunday. And in answer to your question, NO, I don't let her (them) do what she (they) wants to do for several reasons (not necessarily in order of importance):
- I am the parent. I don't make stupid rules that I can't enforce simply to thwart their little psyches. I have rules in place for their safety. Winter in Minnesota means EXTREME cold. Cold that can cause you to lose fingers or toes (as has been experienced by my husband's uncle). I can do without the consequences of amputation thankyouverymuch.
- When I see other kids trudging off to school in flip flops and shorts, IN SNOW, my first thought is, DO THEY NOT HAVE PARENTS WHO KNOW THE WORD NO? Yup, that's me judging others using my yard stick. If I don't want to be a hypocrite, I need to walk my own walk and follow my own standards by which I judge others. (Yes, I judge others...sue me)
- Our jobs as parents is to guide our children. Help them make the right decisions. But it is also to get them to understand that sometimes in life we don't get to make and follow our own rules. Adulthood is RIDDLED with rules someone else set up for us to follow. Some of those are good sound rules. Do we just throw them out because we had no part in making them? Or do we follow them because they make good sense? In some respects we have to accept that these rules are in place for a reason and follow. Best learn it early in life because your boss, he's not going to take kindly to you questioning each and every rule he has because you weren't there to help in the process.
Contrary to my children's opinion of me, I'm not stupid. I GET some of the reasons for their balking at winter attire. Boots and thick heavy jackets take up space in lockers where space is already tight. I GET that. And while I'm not completely happy with them NOT wearing winter boots in 6 inches of freshly fallen snow, I will compromise with shoes that cover their whole foot (read...sneakers, Ugg style boots, etc). The jackets...well, that's a different situation. My insistence that they be appropriately attired for the temp comes from a fear that, even in a car, should it break down, they need to have that added warmth. Do I expect a breakdown? NO. But when does the expected ever happen? It's the unexpected that bites you in the fanny.
And finally, actions having consequences...children rarely have to deal with the consequences of their actions. If my son wears his slippers to school (yes, we have had THAT talk as well) and somehow gets them wet/lost/etc, then *I* get the phone call saying, come bring me shoes. Bringing him the shoes teaches him that he is not responsible for his actions, someone (mom) will bail him out .
Not bringing him his shoes MIGHT teach him a lesson, unless his immune system (for which I am ALSO responsible) is low and he ends up catching a chill, getting sick and being home (yeah, yeah...I know GERMS cause illness, but a depleted immune system does nothing to prevent it either). Then again, there is me, being judged as a cold-hearted b!tch for having made my child suffer so. *insert eye roll* Again, who REALLY suffers the consequences?
And why should there be consequences when a simple "because I said so" should be all that is needed.
