Sorry I've Been Away!

I was so proud of myself for doing a couple of blogs a week and then I kind of dropped off the Earth for a bit. Sorry about that. We're slowly easing back into "normal" (whatever that means) at work which means I've been able to spend more time at home, on my bike and with my 2 favorites: J & Frank.

One big thing we've been project we've been involved in is a complete overhaul of our landscaping. This week marks week #8 of a 3 week project, so I have yet to show you a complete set of before, during and after pictures because we're still in the "during" process. I'm told that dealing with contractors and their apparent lack of time is normal, but EIGHT weeks? C'mon! It's our first interaction with contractors and we've learned a couple of lessons like:

1. Get EVERYTHING in writing
2. Get CHANGES in writing
3. Explain that for every day they go over their estimated day, we'll be taking $25 off their bill. (we didn't do this one, but just had it suggested yesterday by my awesomely smart FIL...you live you learn!)
4. Have them sign for everything above

While it isn't complete, we're in the home stretch and we've been getting a ton of compliments from our neighbors about how much better it looks. That feels great! We went from being "those" neighbors to being the neighbors with GRASS! And flowers! And mulch around said flowers! And a new mailbox that stays closed!

It's nice to know that we're adding value to our home and our neighborhood. The awesome/not-so-awesome feeling of true adulthood has set in. We own things! We're responsible for things! When things break (like our air conditioner in the middle of this mess) we get to fix them! YAY!

So there are no finished pics yet, but I thought I'd share this little gem. A couple of weeks ago, we had the air conditioner guy, the landscapers and the AAA guy because J's truck wouldn't start out all at the same time. The wind shield repair guy for my car didn't show up till later, but yeah...sorry neighbors!

"Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection."

-- Kim Collins

Quote Source

Comments

Daughter.

When you're estranged from not one, but basically both parents, the heaviness of that can still be palpable. Most days, most weeks, and months even, it's fine. I've learned to navigate questions like, "Where do your parents live?" or the weird feeling in my gut when someone says, "Oh, my mom sent me this from this favorite place of mine." I've learned how to adjust to Mother's and Father's Days by staying off of social media and doing something that makes me happy like getting out into nature. Some of these times are better than others. Here's the thing: whether or not the choice to go no contact with the two people who were supposed to show you all the basis of love was good or not, is incredibly difficult. Because social media is what it is, yesterday was apparently "International Daughters Day". It didn't bother me so much yesterday, but this morning wasn't off to a great start and for some reason, I felt agitated. I ...

Bikes!

Twenty years ago this month, I moved to Georgia and got a job at a local bike shop. My long-term boyfriend from my early twenties was an avid cyclist and bike mechanic. He had gotten a job wrenching at a local shop, Bicycles Unlimited. I was 19 and looking for a retail job since, at that point, it was all I knew. The shop was owned by a family and they were welcoming to this young girl working there with ZERO experience. I started on the sales floor and moved on to inventory management. It was my first foray into the inner workings of small businesses. More importantly, this was my introduction to the bicycle industry which has been one of the most meaningful relationships I've ever had. I'd say 75% of the people I know in my life can be credited to a bicycle. Whether it be through rides, shops, or sponsors... I have met some of the most inspiring and influential people because of a BIKE. Some of the most fulfilling experiences I've had have been on a bike or because of bi...

Boundaries.

When you hear the word “boundary”, what do you think of? For so long, the word "boundary" meant "no" to me. No to bad relationships. No to things that didn't fulfill me. That was it. I've seemingly always been able to set boundaries. I used to say it was easy. I've made the hard decision to go no contact with not one, but both parents (and one step-parent) in the last 20 years. I walked away from a marriage mid-trying-to-have-a-baby because I just knew I couldn't be tied to this person forever. I've recently realized that even though I've been setting some hard boundaries since my early twenties, it's actually never come easy. I know what you're probably thinking, "Well, no. Setting boundaries isn't easy for anyone." And I get that. However, I'm one of those super-feeling types of people. Also known as a (diagnosed) generalized anxiety-ridden people pleaser who is both prickly as a pear but super loving stemming ...

A Lovely Life

Looking For Something?