February 9, 2010

Good morning,

We are watching the weather and getting ready to go to the airport to pick up Tracy. She was supposed to be in last night but thunderstorms in Houston delayed her. So now she gets to fly into a world of white. I am so looking forward to her help in organizing and moving forward with the research, tracking and reporting the content inventory. We will find our comfortable she is in driving when there is snow on the ground. I am not comfortable, so when Bob is not with us, Tracy will get to drive. Aren't I sweet.

We met with the contractor again yesterday. They are taking all the studs out of the two side walls because of rot. That means that we will have 3 totally new walls. Of course, this assumes that they do not find issues as they remove the wall board from the front wall. It's all a process. As I said Sunday before last, it is just a thing. Having to replace all the walls is just a thing. Having this added expense over what the insurance company is responsible for, is just a thing. We will work through it.

Bob and a guy looking at some work at the house, came into the warm house on Sunday afternoon, where I was waiting for them, and they were talking about the stress something like this puts on relationships and how this guy knew of several couples who did not survive the construction. My comment was,"that's a nice conversation to be having." I do agree that there is stress, you can't make this many decisions without feeling a little pressure. (OK OK all you SOM folks out there, of course, you can do this with ease and joy.) The ease and joy is our choice. We really are getting to know each other more, talking more, saying things like, we did that one well. Wow we got through that without loud words. We never yell. But, we have been known to have words that carry lots of energy. We will be fine and have a wonderful home to live in for many years to come. Besides, Bob is getting his own space in addition to the garage. A whole room, 17 by 23 all to himself and one furnace unit. Oh and maybe the hot water heater, but that's it the rest is all his. Oh and he wants to extend my closet into the new room. Really, he will have a room of his own.

Life is good. We really enjoyed having folks over for the Super Bowl. It went great until the last few minutes of the game and then the mood changed. But being together, having good food and good friends was just great.

Enjoy this snow covered day! Much love,

Rev. Carolyn