MAY 26, 2009: Time Flies When You're Busy Renovating! So, the remodel continues....slowly but surely we are getting things done, and yes, by 'We' I am mostly referring to Kevin, but I help when and where I can. (Today, for example, I took a vacuum cleaner to an abandoned hornet's nest we found that was easily 2x3 foot long that we found between floors of the house...cool. Gross, but cool.) I still love to do the destruct--o work, then Kev goes in, makes it all better then I finish with a nice coat (or two) of primer and paint. Right now we have completed the guest bathroom, most of the guest bedroom, the hallway and the laundry room. Whew. Only 2 1/2 floors left to do! :)

Currently we are working on the master bath  (Hello, Steam Shower!!) and my closet. We literally ripped all of it down and started new. As Kev says, piece by piece we are ripping the old house down and building a new one. It's slow work, but Kev does what he can when he can...it just gets tough sometimes juggling work, remodeling, and being a fantastic dad, but he is able to do it all....its amazing. I crab sometimes about working 2 shifts in a row....I really shouldn't complain...I just can't help myself sometimes. ;)

The house seems to be coming along though...actually, we reached a huge milestone last week with it. We are now...drum roll...using our own well water! Yahoo! They finally cleared the bentonite out of the well, and installed a new filtration system to filter out whatever particulate is still there. We got the results from the State Lab and from our local pure water guys who say that it is just fine and healthy! This is honestly the first time in a year when I have taken a shower or have done dishes without wondering how much water I was using. Yes, this whole ordeal has made me more aware of water conservation, but I have had enough of 3 minute showers. A girl can only take so much...

The weather has been helpful, as well. We finally broke the 70 degree mark last week and now my Love for Alaska is slowly starting to dethaw. The trees turned green overnight and we are to a point now where the sun kind of goes down at midnight only to be up again by 4am. It's a wonderful time to be here, and I really am glad we are back. Next winter I may deny I ever said that, but for now, it's magnificient.

Anyway, Jainy is out of school now, so today was our first day that we could just putter without any deadlines or appointments...it was nice. Since I am on the verge of turning 23 (Okay, okay...FORTY) I decided to get my eyes checked and get prescription sunglasses since we are living in the land of the Midnight Sun. It seems my body is sensing the fact that I am, indeed, turning 40 and it has started to act the part. Eye doc told me that I have the beginnings of...are you kidding me...a cataract in my left eye. Huh? What? So, I suppose those grey hairs of mine aren't exactly premature, eh? I've heard people say that 40 is the new 30...if so, could somebody tell the gravity that seems to be weighing my boobs down more and more each day to ease up a little?  :)

So, with all of this, I am trying to celebrate the knowledge that comes along with being a bit older, and perhaps, a bit wiser....although, I think I am walking a thin line between genius and dementia. The other day I was running late for work and, in my haste, grabbed a thin maxipad (just in case) and put it in my scrub pocket. This was the wisdom talking...be prepared for the worst, especially going into a holiday weekend where I was sure I'd be running most of the shift. Didn't want to be caught off-guard...no, not this wise girl.  Young Jen would have been absent-minded. Older Jen was alllllllll set.

...not so much...

As the night went on, my need for such an accessory diminished and I totally forgot all about it. (I hear that happens with age.) One of the docs came in and went to see my patient with me. For some reason he needed an alcohol swab and he didn't have one. In my haste I confidently reached in to my scrub pocket to wip one out for him. Instead of the alcohol pad I pulled out...wait for it.....my thin maxi-pad.

Luckily he didn't seem to catch on to what I confidentally tried to hand him and quickly stuck it back into my pocket and reached in the OTHER pocket for my supplies.

Young Jen would have been mortified.

Older and Wiser Jen was too.

It was at that moment that I realized stupidity transcends all age groups.

Wait! Did that little bit of knowledge gain me just a little more wisdom????

...take THAT, younger jen...

Thanks for checkin' in!

love-

-jen