Weekend Musings

Our house is starting to look like we plan to stay here for a while.

Yesterday some neighbors stopped by to compliment the improvements we have made (we replaced the windows, put up window boxes on the second floor, hung a porch swing, and planted some flowers). Plus, at the neighborhood association picnic someone referred to our place as "the one with all the flowers". Smile. Naturally, in a house that is over 90 years old, we have lots of projects still on our list. My big plan this summer was to refinish the hardwood floors, but apparently that's not a recommended activity during pregnancy.

Today I need to go shopping for a fridge, since ours is being uncooperative, and I am tired of taking it apart and defrosting it with a hair dryer. Although, the second I got it in my head to get a new one, it started working just fine again. Sort of like the toilet. We have this ancient toilet that uses about 57 gallons of water with every flush, and I have to take full responsibility for our high water bill because I pee all the time, and when I'm not running to the bathroom to pee, I'm running to throw up (both of these symptoms are supposed to subside in the second trimester, and while I'm still confused with calculating gestational age and due dates, at 20 weeks you are supposed to be glowing with pregnant beauty, and not puking and peeing all the time. But I digress.) Anyway, the toilet broke a few months ago, and since it's covered by the warranty we were so excited to get a new one, but shockingly, the guy who showed up for the service call, actually knew how to fix it, although he had to drive around to four different hardware stores to find the parts. I've been noticing that companies that provide service for appliances or home repair type things are often getting very bad reviews these days. I think it's because economically, it just makes sense to go out and buy a new one. So nobody really knows how to fix stuff anymore. The last fridge repair cost almost $200, which is a hefty chunk towards a new, albeit low-end, model.

Anyway, the point is, there are days when I long for my life as a backpacker, where plumbing was never a concern and your food was whatever the ambient temperature was. I romanticize it, I know. Backpacking includes a fair amount of inconvenience and discomfort. Poison ivy. Insatiable hunger. Aching knees and blistered toes. But you fix what you can with duct tape and keep going.

I wonder if I can fix my fridge with some duct tape.

M is off at work right now, looking very smart as he left, but feeling a bit ragged around the edges. He's been training for the Rachel Carson Challenge, which has included very long weekend hikes with Caveman of Ohio, and daily walks to and from campus while carrying a 25 pound bag of rice in his backpack. Caveman of Ohio is looking very fit since he works out at the gym every day now. I am attempting to stay fit, although I'm finding it a bit disconcerting to be utterly exhausted after walking 3 or 4 miles and even a slight grade puts me out of breath. Funny what growing a human inside your body will do to your stamina.

But I have a confession. I am absolutely, utterly in love with this little baby. It makes me smile when I feel a little kick. I know this is biologically a very common occurrence and millions of women around the world are doing the same thing, but dang, it feels like something special. These hormones are powerful stuff.

And this is my life right now. Part time work at the University. Spending lots of time at home fixing stuff that breaks. And cleaning. Sitting very still for an hour in the morning, trying not to puke. Speaking of which, I gotta run....