Beach

We're at the beach with the family for Easter. Small problem...Paul and I don't really have any summer clothes. Had to scrounge around for a swim suit and I don't have a pair of shorts to my name. So far, this has not been a huge problem. Perhaps I didn't really need all that stuff to begin with (not that it will stop me in the future, but this is something to think about).

Appliances

We are going to replace our appliances. The appliances that we had were not damaged in the fire. We are making this decision for aesthetic purposes. I have never bought an appliance before--unless you count a dorm size refrigerator. I have learned two things during the process. One, appliances are expensive. Two, if you want something special, the appliance will be even more expensive. For example, we want a counter depth refrigerator. This means that the refrigerator will be more shallow. Nonetheless, counter depth refrigerators cost MORE. Smaller, but costs more. Genius marketing; a total rip for consumers.

Throughout life, there have been several instances where I have felt like I was getting ripped off. Exhibit 1 -- wedding. If you are buying anything for a wedding, it suddenly costs more. Birthday cake = $100. Same cake for a wedding = $225. It seems that we have arrived at another, similarly expensive juncture.

Kitchen Cabinets

We need to make a decision about kitchen cabinets. Surprisingly, I love the Ikea cabinets. I am also impressed with Thomasville and KraftMaid. Do we get slab door style or have a bit of an edge on them? Oh, and can we decide by yesterday?

Of course this is just one of a million decisions. And I'm pretty sure that the contractor told us to assume the position today. Not in so many words of course, but there it is. I've put it out there and I don't want to take it back. Why is it with some many people that you do business with, that you feel like you are being taken advantage of?

Pictures of Progress

Starting at the street, you can tell that we are making progress.

For starters, our living room is now a storage depot of used "parts" from the house.

The windows and window frames are broken.

We have also made some discoveries. For starters, the hardwoods that were "original" to the house appear to have been laid on another set of hardwoods that were more original to the house.

And who doesn't love temporary walls to hold up your house?

It is funny to think that we are seeing wood and parts of our house that no one has since 1921. That's right, the last time someone saw certain bricks, the Great Depression was still nearly a decade away. Hard to believe.

And the real individuals portrayed as characters in my new best show, The Pacific, were not even born. And yet, here I am, another Sunday evening spent absorbed with the television. Is anyone else worried about what is going to happen to Lucky?

The Economist

At our house, The Economist comes on Fridays. Without fail, if I get home first and check the mail, Paul asks "Did The Economist come today?" Well, The Economist is not nearly as regular at the condo. Paul has probably gotten three magazines since we moved in, and I think that two of them came at the same time--several weeks after their publication dates.

Apparently the USPS is a little questionable on the whole forwarding mail thing, especially as it relates to magazines. Maybe this is why I have just now received my renewed license.

Pacific

I love television and movies, especially documentaries and based-on-real-life stories. Naturally, I am watching Pacific on HBO. We are only on part 2, but the series is utterly fantastic. I can only imagine that all Americans who are watching this are having a similar response.

First, I am terrified for these young men as I watch. Keep in mind that this is a movie that I am watching on TV in my very comfortable condo more than sixty years after the fact. Nonetheless, my heart is racing and I want to cover my eyes. I can only imagine the magnitude of emotions felt by these soldiers as they really faced these events. Was it a thousand times more intense? Is it any wonder that this was the Greatest Generation?

Second, I am beginning to wonder whether we are holding up our end of the bargain. Two generations later, do we, as a society, continue to act in a way that is worthy of these kinds of sacrifices? And more importantly, do we as individuals, act in a way that is worthy of the sacrifices that have been made for us?

Recovering from a fire really is only a minor inconvenience in the scheme of the world.

Horrified

When last I blogged, I recounted a little encounter in another part of downtown Raleigh. Well today, I recount an encounter that took place a little closer to home.

Having heard that we made progress this week, Paul and I stopped by the house to check it out. As we got out of the car, we saw a gentleman coming out of our exterior bathroom (also known as a port-a-potty). I was horrified, Paul thought it was hilarious and the young man in question seemed to be mortified.

Note to self--ask the contractor to add a lock.