One Foot on a Banana Peel

….How come I’m not laughing?  In this case, the "there" is a remodeled livingroom and the journey began two (count them, 1 - 2) months ago when my dear, sweet, well-meaning, husband decided the livingroom really was too crowded with a fireplace (I’d been telling him so since before he put it in) and ripped it out.  When he announced his plans, I asked, no, begged him not to do it unless it could be done and the remodel accomplished before school started.  Not a problem.  Ha!  When, oh, when will I ever learn?  Like the plumber whose own pipes are leaky, the man who builds homes and commercial buildings for a living has a home filled with unfinished projects (Did I mention that before this, the fireplace sat usable, but not quite finished for 7 years?).

So, what constitutes halfway?  The fireplace is gone (and the resulting mess cleaned up); 2/3 of the old carpet and padding are gone; the old trim is gone; new, cheap-grade pine paneling is on the walls;  the ceiling has been primed and painted Sailcloth white; and the walls have been primed and painted Cozy Cottage yellow.  Still to go, Pergo floors and all new trim.  Then we move on to the kitchen….because the rooms open into eachother so it’s necessary, not because I’m insane.

Today I am moving furniture and "things" back into the livingroom from Matt’s room, where they have been gathering dust stored.  Yes, I know it will all have to be moved back out in order to put the flooring down, but I have no choice.  Matt is coming home Friday and staying through his birthday next Monday.  It’d be nice if he had a place to sleep.  He is also bringing his girlfriend with him.  Could I be any less thrilled about her first impression of the house being one of disarray and plywood floors?  Ah, well….if by some chance she turns out to be the one then she might as well start getting used to the real us.

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Megan brought home a couple of mid-term reports yesterday (most teachers only give them if the grade is poor).  I feel like dancing naked in the streets.  Well, maybe not naked, but this is big.  No, it’s HUGE….GINORMOUS,even!  Meg has an A+ in science, a high B in English, and a C in math!!  She came close to flunking all three last year.  As a reward, we’ve agreed to try letting her get up without my mom coming down to the house.  Mom gets on her case about everything and anything, but you know how my mom is.  I’ve grumped about her enough on here.  Anyway, I called at 6:30 to wake her up and it appears to have gone well.  It will be a big relief to all of us if this works out.  My only concern is that I know Meg won’t take her A.D.D. medication if someone isn’t here to make her do it.  She fights about it as it is.  I’m going to have to talk to her doctor about switching back to time-release or maybe trying the new patch.  That way I could give it to her before I leave.

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The principal talked to the kids on my bus Monday afternoon.  Mostly they were mad that I’d reported it (the choking game) and that their parents were being called…especially if they weren’t one of the ones being choked or doing the choking.  I don’t make any apologies.  Everyone whose name I turned in was either a witness or encouraged it.  They all needed to have the seriousness of the situation impressed on them.  Sadly, the only one who seems rattled at all is the boy who passed out.  He’s made a couple of comments that let me know he’s learned a big lesson.  The rest?  They’re treating it like a big joke.