Equality Proposal to Rich
We’re like between things. We were I’m sorry to say shopping again. But, Rich has caught on so our time is marked. Also, we are doing the volunteer group from the DARST Center – they collect high school or college kids to be introduced to our special population. I talked to them about 10 minutes and then split them up. Usually there are about 15, but today there are only 8. That’s a nicer number. I will gather them at 11:25 and have a little debriefing and then we’ll send them in to mix during lunch. And, that will be that … they leave at noon. In the meantime, I will let them alone pretty much to get to know our people. I might check on them once to figure out if they are enjoying themselves.
Ok, that’s enough of that.
We were back to furniture decorating. I’ve spent $2600 imaginary dollars in the kitchen and master bedroom - decided to get the laptop table for me – Rich says he doesn’t want one and if he does there is one from the TV piece. But, we’re thinking that this trip is going to wait until January. I have to be patient. It’s going to have to go through Rich too. He pretty much knows what I want in the bedroom and I think he likes it; there isn’t any change there, except we definitely need the coat rack- we’ll do without the bigger mirror. Both of us have a tendency to just lay our clothes down often thinking we can get one more wear out of them. *sigh*
This is the next set of ideas … it feels pretty firm on my behalf … just have to be patient.
Ok, that’s about it. The biggest switch this time is that of the kitchen baker’s rack and coat bench. I went through quite a few from the very big store we’ve been shopping at … well one of them. The bedroom furniture matches the living room, and we added the extra chair for the kitchen we’re going to need. I picked out the other racks/benches separately in that they hadn’t been matched up, but obviously they should be. Each of them is about 25-27” wide, about 70-72” tall, and about 18-20 inches wide so I think they will fit in with the limited space.
After size wise goes – then we had to consider cost and color. The last part functionality was like a special gift. We changed our minds as to our best needs. I had thought first sewing, but I knew I didn’t really need that as much. It turned out with the moving of furniture last night that we have only one shelf set going in the kitchen where I had counted on two. Then when filling that space – the first priority, then the next priority toward that piece of functionality was to match the dining side with the kitchen side.
I thought it be nice to have something of a wine rack, but I didn’t have need for two AND we only get a couple bottles at a time – so hey shouldn’t they be in the fridge? The set above we found – allowed that one of the cabinets can be used for liquor. We have like one or two bottles of that too, but not so much. Eh, the cupboard should be good enough. I wanted to do something matching after I considered the wicker shelves in the kitchen proper part. It’s in good shape, but tired in its present location. Making the bakers shelves into a set seemed just the right thing. I looked at curios, buffets and china cabinets, but beside expense they were way too much for the general business of being in the apartment. I think the kitchen cabinets are some form of stained plywood. I had to make sure I advanced the situation, but did not set up too many contradictions.
I’m thinking Rich probably wants to get rid of my table, but the table is fine all the kitchen is some form of oak color… it’s been fixed before because someone or another LEANED on it too heavily, but style wise it’s a classic. I am really taken now into realizing that although I’ve always been a scroll-type person that all of this collection is based on an inset square frame. That serves me well … it helps mix a more simplified wooded cherry or oak form with being in an all white apartment. I like too the height we are able to transcend. It breaks up the dullness of things and makes it a bit more special. I’ve always appreciated interesting nooks and crannies.
I think the selling point was on the functionality of the last 3 pieces. The coat bench is perfect for when Rich and I come in the back door. We could sit without having to pull apart the table or dominate it with our stuff. I imagine sitting to take off my shoes – it’s the first thing I do, and I think Rich is pretty close after me. Normally I hide them behind the rocker in the living room, but man … I could put them on and off in the kitchen right before I leave or after I get in! It also might be a place to put the gym bags in preparation for going to the gym? Both Rich and us have swimming suits, locks and bags. Hmm, that be a good idea! Not to mention of course it can handle coats and jackets and sweaters and umbrellas and Rich could always put his briefcase right next to it. Ok, we’re really talked into that piece. Plus it’s about the same price as two nice coat racks
The deal-making thing with the bakers’ racks is that I was thinking that we could use the shelves for dishes or glasses. That be a pretty cool deal. I’m thinking that the one in the dining area across from the table and next to the sewing machine could be used for Grandma Rasmussen’s dishes and the other one on the kitchen side could be used for our own dishes, plus maybe some glasses. Let’s see bottom shelf plates and bowls, next shelf small plates, saucers and little bowls, and then the next shelf glasses and then the next shelf cups. Wow … wouldn’t that add space to our kitchen. The pans could then go under and the bowls could go up. PLUS – the dishes would be so much easier to load into the dishwasher. I think that the drawers too would hold silverware better so we could get the towels and washcloths in a better space. Hmm, this is turning out to be quite a good development. I wonder then if I couldn’t take my pills off the counter and tuck them into a drawer. Be sweet!
I think it would be the coolest to be able to have my grandma’s dishes back from Connie Sue. I got lost into thinking they needed some kind of super case, but I don’t have that kind of space - so we texted again. I want to display them proper … and just having four shelves above and the cabinet below I would think to be enough. Oh man I’m so excited. It would have to wait like to January though. I could be that patient? It’s a very simple design, but NEAT!
There’s one more part too. I figured after figuring for a while that I could redo the last room too although it would cost about $700. Basically, what I would do is use the same furniture that I’m using in the master bedroom. That would make the set VERY solid. I would have less though. I would get the bed frame, chest of drawers and the TV console /wall thing. I would not get the nightstands or the long dresser. The design would take into account that we need yet 2 TVs and two comfy chairs – one for Rich in the Bedroom and one for him in the living room. Maury will be fine with the extra double couch. His bed will stay about the same, but he will set across from that the TV deal next to the tall dresser. That’s enough for that room, but gives the guest the thought that he’s for the space difference between the rooms, just as equal or important to the masters of the household as he or she is.
Ok, you … so there went another day, hmm? What am I going to do with you? What’s the tab now? $2650 kitchen and master bedroom + $700 guest bedroom + $1200 two hanging TVs + $400 two comfy Rich chairs that’s YEEKS … $5000 + Rich has put in $400 + $2100 (living room and sewing) = $2500 so Grand total $7500 and at that we’re keeping the 6-bookshelves, 6-sectional couch, television, wicker shelf, kitchen table and other. Hmm … ok, so this might take a bit?
K one last time $3400 for 2 bedrooms and a kitchen, plus $1200 for 2 TVs and $400 for 2 Comfy chairs = $5000 … We can do that, right? Hmm, on my pay it might take a couple years more
Ann - 4200 (couch) + 720 (shelves) +300 (wicker & table) + 700 (dishwasher) = 5920 (total actual paid out) – 1110 (enough to make it even with Rich) = 4810 (even amount paid already) 5000/2 (needed for last 3 rooms) = 2500-1110 (amount necessary minus prepaid) = 1390 balance owed – taxes to even household 50-50.
Rich – 1200 (TV) + 2500 (living room & sewing) = 3700 +1110 = 4810 (even amount with Ann - in process) 5000/2 (needed for last 3 rooms) = 2500+1110 (amount necessary plus postpaid) = 3610 balance owed from somewhere to even household 50-50.
Mattresses, books, desk supplies and tools, linen, microwave, dishes and utensils not accounted for, but Ann would be willing to say even-steven - each contribute cars, computers, phones , insurance, and clothes … Ann contributes rent, electrical, sewing, Rich contributes rent, cable, food-entertainment and fishing-vacations
Hmm, this has taken some time to figure out, but figure I should send it to Rich and see what he says. I’d for sure be a happy camper. I chose the style of our main furniture group, plus the smaller tables, but he’s chosen or would choose the TVs and his two comfy chairs. That makes sense Ann has two chairs, Then Rich can get two chairs Ok, we’re not going to obsess, but it’s ok to plan out, right?
Better get going. I promised I would heat up the steak – Rich is on his way to hockey.
Turning over the Tide
Good morning. I'm not sure where we are this morning. We've been up and down a bit already and it's only quarter after 4 am. We'd like to write, but I'm not sure of the audience yet as to FB or blogger. I think that the important part is that I just write. I've not been able to do that for a bit.
What's been going on most the weekend is work toward getting the place ready for it's changes. This has been heavily documented on FB. There are a bunch of pictures that haven't made that media yet, but they've been taken none-the-less. The pictures detail EVERYthing in the house. I think there might be like over a hundred pictures, but even thinking of it now it would be hard to believe. Not so really important as world matters are concerned and might be just a part of our obsessiveness of late. But, then too I know that now we have a camera anything is fodder for our madness.
So many places we've owned and not all places have even one picture to lay claim to their reality. It's kind of amazing now because they feel just like a shadow in my history. No one is there to really confirm or deny what's happened in my life. At least now with the writing and pictures, I can look back and say these things or thought or images were real and in part I am real. That's something in doubt. There was a point this weekend when we had gone from working on the web page for the sewing business to when Rich came home and reminded us that this all was OUR project - that of redecorating. We had a very large sense of unreality - that all that had gone on before was something that was going to happen. I think its in part that when some parts are out, they are not all out ... so as things progress people sneak out to catch the progress, but from whichever point of view they are coming from life in front of them is changing and there's not stopping to regret ... things just progress as they will due to parts who've stepped into life's normal fray.
I'm not sure my fogginess even now. The room's been made skelatal. There is just the couches, the bookshelves and the TV sitting on the coffee table. There's the vacuum and a couple blankets too, but that's about it. There was a funny part last night where Rich and I were both here. It was between loads of clothes that he was washing and we both were folding. I sat down on this end or the room where my lounger sits in front of the TV. Normally Rich sits down on the right side of the couch with that arm rest, but at this point it was about 12 feet north. It was like HELLO down there! How ARRRRRe you?
It was a bit odd, but he was going to call his mother and didn't want to interrupt the TV. I don't know maybe it gave him an amount of privacy. Later it was worked that he set up pillows in the middle of the couch so he could get his head and shoulders, or feet and legs rubbed down at my end of the couch. For a long while we were just laying on his shoulders appreciative of him. He represents so much stability in our life. It's pretty incredible.
We went through some changes in our minds between Rich and us as to how things would be arranged. I'm pretty much fine with how we've got things going, but then Rich is like ... well, what happens if we try this. His latest thing has been to get the book shelves back to the original walls on the south side of the room. I think this latest pattern will be to readadjust the one at the SE corner in an angle so that we can squeeze one more shelf set in it. I like the part where more of the set is kept together, but then that leaves the other two. One is accounted for in the kitchen, and we're thinking now that one will be going to Maury's bedroom. I'm a little worried about how much we can put in there, but I KNOW that if we don't put the books back along the back wall like we'd originally thought that there is just going to be so much room for the shelf units.
It's hard because in our transfering of books, we emptied out the first and then shuffled the others from one set to the next so in the end the full bookcases traveled to the middle of the room and are now full again. We can only move one at a time this way so we can't play too much with one idea or the other. There's one thing for sure though. The kitties have been loving the changes. Maybe I spoke to soon ... they just took that last game a little too serious and there was some hissing involved. The thing is that with the bookcases in the off-center part - they've been using them as an island to run around. Chief likes to win the game though and Missy is not to happy about being a cornered cat. Ok, enough of that!
Ok, enough of that. I'm trying to think now if there would be a better reason to keep the extra shelf set in the kitchen instead of trying to push it in Maury's room. I think already that his room is going to be taken up with the double couch. Originally, just one corner was going in there, but now we're going to have a double section going in there. I think that if we did bring bookshelves into the kitchen we would have to empty them ... that would mean that we'd have to put some more books in the CR-V to go up to CS. I'm not sure if I could use that much space though as to holding space. The room appears big enough to hold it at the moment because the sewing machine isn't in there and the table is smaller, but I'm not sure if the room would hold out for being spread out.
I do like the part that there'd be some continuity in having a set of shelves, just I'm not sure which walls they would go to. Maybe I should take a walk back there and try to figure that out. I could see holding the table differently and then putting two shelves in the NW corner off the island, in that case we'd have to put the sewing machine in front of them and the table might need to be off-centered from the lights. I'm not sure if that's such a good deal. The other option is to separate the two shelves. Hmm, I wonder if there'd be enough room to make a full run of shelves, sewing machine and then shelves on south side of the room. in that case it would be the table in the NW corner. The lights would still be off, but I could see a definate advantage as to having the sewing stuff together and in minimizing the table to a lesser priority in the room.
When it is small it really doesn't take up a whole lotta room. But, there is another consideration. I know we could pull it out if there was company, but that might be frequently now in that Bob is starting to come over and I think that's going to happen more and more often. He had steak with Rich and us last night. There was some strangeness in all sitting around a table that was that small, but then there was a certain restaurant closeness to it too in that speaking wise everyone was close especially afterward when people were elbowed up to the table and leaning in satisfied with the meal and conversation. Let me see if that would work ... hold on.
WooHOO!!! It works! Well at least theoretically. We'd still have to test it out with Rich. I think he might go for it. I really think that it's too much for Maury's room because he's already getting such a big piece of the couch. I brought the table over to the corner. I can get to the three chairs and the fourth is buried unless the table is pulled out, but there is enough space along that wall that it could be pulled out if there were full guests. The really cool part is that I needed 30" for the bookshelf, and then 40" for the sewing machine, and then another 30" for books - AND, with that of course being added up to 100" - it turns out we've got about 103" to work with. That will account for the baseboard heat on the east wall. WooHOO!!!
This is much more than I thought I'd get in the kitchen as to having a nice space. Plus the table is easy access to the sewing planning needs. The secret is to keep it cleaned off. I think once we get a better bedroom set-up then Rich can drop his "stuff" somewhere else. I know that I will be able to take my bags to the cutting area or there about. I thought we'd both be plugging in our machines near the TV because we have extra shelves for that. The coats would be another deal, but what I might suggest is that in that space not being used next to the table between it and the door - is that we get a coat tree. That leave less bulk by the table. I'd still have to figure out ideally what we'd want on those book shelves. I don't have that much sewing stuff yet to justify having that much space. I really would like to get all the bookkeeping stuff to the desk so that no paperwork is being done there or needs to be stored there.
I suppose for a while we could leave books there and that would prevent having to send them to CS. But I think the secret there would be to make a nice space ... not just an overrun space. But for now we gotta take a moment to get in the shower ... be back soon ... Oh AND the quilt will then go on the north wall. It be really nice there and the bookshelves would take up all but 40" of space. We could work on filling that space up nicely enough with quilt stuff ... CS has some smaller ones she wants me to work on that are seasonal. We could do something like that. There is one for each month. Man this is soooo cool!
Ok, good. We took our shower and started to get Rich up ... I think he's going to take the slower route looking at 5:50 am as it isn't 6:00 am. He'll be up soon enough. I hope the kitchen area doesn't scare him because half of it looks SOOO bare. I'm thinking maybe what I might do is if Rich approves of the plan ... we could fill the bottom two shelves for the time being with our more journal like books that require full space. That seems more appropriate than bringing real books back there where obviously you are not going to read. That way I can save the upper more decorative spaces for sewing ... I think I'm going to need getting some baskets back there too for supplies like scissors and such, but maybe for the time being I can just spread them out on the shelves. I got plenty of space to work with for the time being.
I just want to say that much now. I am really amazed with the space we are gaining. I'll have extra book space, and there will be desk space, and file space - plus some TV space. Wow that's a lot. I'm pretty amazed when things get moved around as they have this last weekend. I find that I own very little when it comes to stuff. There has been some little stuff on the shelves, but I don't think I will put much of that back - there is more candles than anything, but some stuff just ended up there out of default not because it looked or belonged up there. The only thing I really could use up there is the boys pictures. It be nice to have Rich's kids too. Part of that is that I think it slows down dusting if you have to fight to move things around.
We did 98% of the book moving yesterday while Rich was doing other stuff. He had to go to the store, stop by at the cleaners get his mail etc. We both worked to move the shelves which slid pretty well. He had gotten something for that from the store. I took down pictures and Rich vacuumed and then he did the hard part of the clothes and we helped fold and hang. I picked up in Maury's room which took about 6 minutes, and tried to clear up little things as they popped up.
I think we can think of our life pretty much categorically. There's the books and magazines, we both have paperwork, He's got some map and fishing specialities and I've now got sewing and computer. He as well has a computer interest though not as big as mine. Business-wise though he's got a need for that space too. Otherwise there is nothing really of ours in the back bedroom except now we're using it for suitcases since Maury isn't using well his closets. I guess you could say there are pictures too and then furniture and appliances. I don't know what else people have in their houses, but there really isn't much more here. I guess there's dishes, blankets and pillows, and clothes. Hmm, some cleaning and bathroom things.
I look so forward to the day that everything is put away proper. And, if one day we do move? I'm glad to think there just won't be that much clutter. For now though with the new stuff coming in and the hope of getting bedroom furniture before too long, I'm really happy with being here. Yesterday after Rich and I took off the drapes we stood back and looked at our space ... without the visual barrier it seemed that we gained 3 feet of space in looking out and seeing the next barrier as to the outside balcony railings. I really like the feeling of being up high. I was always the kid who wanted the upper bunkbed. Hehehe thinking now of our college years. As a sophmore we had the upper bunk of a triple bunkbed. I used to like going up and over and doing somersaults to get off. It was something I was proud of.
I guess for now though I should think of leaving. Sister is going to want to chew me up today and I probably deserve it I had forgotten about a staffing on Friday. Hopefully Rich will be able to stay around here until the painting gets settled. I felt some regret about not getting the bedrooms painted, but then maybe when we get the new furniture in there too. I think Rich is going to need being here on Thursday too. Maybe Wednesday he'll be out with his son. I think part of today is going to be spent with Bob golfing. *sigh* what a life! Tonight we'll have to move some of the furniture back and some out to the kitchen. I'm thinking today too we've got the draft table coming in. I might want to go down the front way and leave a note on the door for that. Better get going then ... It's almost 6:15 am. It's been a very nice 4 days off - including a little daytrip up to WI. Really looking forward to having a life with my sister doing my sister's kind of stuff. I don't know why sewing became so important, but it feels now just around the corner :)
