I guess it’s pretty obvious that I’ve found balancing life, work and blogging to be a bit of a stinker. Blogging, also obviously, has taken a back seat of late. This is, I hope, the first post in a new era of semi-consistent writing. We’re moved in. I’m working steadily but not frantically. The tempo of life is thumping along to a good groove, rather than racing to the next movement before I can get a handle on the motif.
What’s been goin’ on? Not really anything glamorous or front-page-worthy, but that’s kind of an okay thing. Bryan started leading worship at a church in Goleta, CA, a few months ago, and it’s going really well so far. I think that he’s not fully alive unless he’s doing what he does best—and it’s been wonderful to see him “waking up” those parts of himself that had been taking a much-needed rest for awhile. I wrote a few months back that, over the last year or so, I’d begun to miss being part of a church. While I still feel a little skittish when I contemplate the potential slings and arrows that are part and parcel of a life in vocational ministry, I feel cautiously optimistic that our new faith community is a place where we can love and be loved, with everybody in agreement that sometimes either or both are difficult. These are good people. And boy, are they ready to worship.
I’ve got some tomatoes coming on. It’s embarrassing how proud this makes me, as if I have single-handedly called forth fruit from the earth. Now if I can just get the cats to stop raiding the basil, bruschetta will be on the menu later this month. Maybe with a well-chilled pinot grigio; it’s hot in Ojai.
A month after moving into our new place, Bryan and I were united in our hatred of our living room, so we did a flashback to college and descended upon the local thrift stores. We picked up a couple super-bitchin’ couches (which need badly to be steam-cleaned, but that will have to wait) and an unmatched pair of end tables. I’ve spent the last week stripping and refinishing the tables (Bryan: “I feel funny when you talk to the Lowe’s painting professional about cheap strippers”), which project was ever-so-much more involved and time-consuming than I expected. Here are the pleasing results of my labors:
Small Table BEFORE
Small Table AFTER
Large Table BEFORE
Large Table AFTER
I think you’ll agree that I rock.
And, by the way, the incredible painting hanging above “Small Table AFTER” is by my friend June Steckler. You should buy a painting from her, too, because 1) it will make your thrift-store couches look on purpose and 2) supporting good artists who will someday be great is important.
Last bit of house-keeping: Still waiting for a diagnosis on the kidney front (I know, still?). In the meantime, I’ll be getting my first iron infusion on Tuesday, to help my red-blood-cell production get into the black. I’ve taken iron supplements for years, but the ol’ blood factory just ain’t keeping up. Anyway, prayers are appreciated. And also tips.
More soon, loves . . .
Filed under: blog news, life Tagged: | furniture refinishing, garden tomatoes, June Steckler, kidney failure, redecorating, thrift store shopping
Ooooooh! I absolutely LOVE redoing a room!!! Like, lovelovelovelovelove it! Regardless of the shout-out (thanks for that!) this is a great post and the aqua/teal/turquoise/sky-blue/cyan tables look fab! I love their lines…which seems so perfect for a writer and a musician…get it?…lines? I’m sorry the kidneys are still troubling…I’m glad they have this beautiful room to be in though! I agree: you rock!
June – The aqua/turquoise tables were directly inspired by the blue bits in “Small House, Big Color.” We needed to brighten the place up, and you pointed us in the right direction. Thanks, pal!
Welcome back to the o’sphere. One small correction. I recall Bryan saying that your conversation about the cheap strippers was “hot” or “totally hot” or “the hottest thing ever.” I can’t remember which, because I had been trying to find the toy surprise at the bottom of my whiskey flask.
Hi Aly. Nice work on the tables. Brooke would love them too. Same blue as the accent colors she used in our place on Ashwood. We miss you both. We are in the process of moving too. One we get settled we should plan a get together.
Doug – Creative editorial license. My sense of propriety is clearly much more advanced than yours.
Jason – Sign us up! I saw the pics of your new place, and am so excited for you. Can’t wait to visit…
Place looks great. I want your bruschetta. Soon.
Nathan – Woo hoo! And yay! We can’t wait to have you back where you belong.
So nice to have you back! You’ve been missed. 1) Well done on the living room front. Lovely indeed! 2) I’m proud of your tomatoes and I’ve not even met them. 3) Many thoughts and prayers upon your kidneys.
Aly, love the setup! Hmm. Last time I was there Bryan lavished on us some amazing focaccia, olives, and, yes we had wine. It’s the simple, enjoyable things in life that need to be repeated…
I’m raw. I’m the nature boy. I’m like Nick Cave with a better haircut.
Carrie – Thanks! And I think you’d get along great with my ‘maters.
TGK – The back porch (or the new-and-improved living room) is ready and waiting, friend.
Doug – Your haircut is way better than Nick Cave’s.
You do rock!
Nice tables! Very impressed. I’d like to see them in person please. And yes I just invited myself over. Mom would be so proud.
As if you didn’t have a standing invitation already…
Seriously, we’re pretty much free all the time, what with the both-working-from-home and whatnot. Name the day or night (or both).