Angst, but happily excited yet exhausted in our Row-home...

Linens rumpled and wrinkled on our bed made in an orderly fashion beckons me to relax and cat nap the afternoon away. On this past Friday three weeks after renovations began I had my meltdown. Our precious cat Max who is 14 has taken a spiral downwards slide. Dealing with Hyperthyroidism, he has lost weight and has entered into his final stage. I'm guessing this is truly his 9th of 9 lives. So On Friday April 17th being angst, exhausted, worried and dealing with things out of my control I had my emotional meltdown. 

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."

~Maya Angelou~

At the end of Friday John decided he, Nic and Larry would waltz our Stainless Steel refrigerator out of our kitchen though the dining room and living room with it peeing (OK dripping) water on our lovely 90 year old hardwood floors. It was then walked around the front to the back and moved into the basement. Why on Friday?  With our new Sub-Zero not being delivered till Wednesday? Just seemed to me Monday morning would of been just fine. It meant hoofing downstairs to get a beverage or anything cold and wiping the construction dirt off our feet from Friday till this coming Wednesday. Afterwards I found out the reason why. John had rented a refrigerator hand truck from U-Haul and didn't want to keep it rented till Monday. Seriously... 

On Saturday I woke up made the bed and went downstairs. I fed Max and Simon and made John and I Cappuccino's and afterwards this avid reader and stressed out blogger wound up back in the comfort of our bed. I settled into my nest feeling protected surrounded by soft gently rumpled linens and a book. I needed a rest, lately I have been sleep deprived. Reading quickly lured me into a well needed long nap.

Even with having an update to our kitchen, a rebuilt laundry room and a rebuilt garage renovations aren't always easy nor fun. Dust, dirt and debris fill the air and it is endless. Purification systems on overload to clean the air buzz away. Even when the work being done is exciting and will be greatly appreciated. I share this simple fact because as much as John and I are organized people who carefully plan and calculate completely ... let's just say "Merde" happens. Pardon my French! Different visions between John and I planning the lighting in the laundry room needed revisiting. Mutually we agreed on a change (my choice) late Friday afternoon. John spent much of the weekend wiring for 7 recessed LED 4 inch lights. Lighting will be balanced and energy efficient.

Having Nic and Larry working in our home weekdays has been truly an uplifting experience. On a daily basis they share funny stories of our son and the job site antics he partook in with great pleasure. Chris was artistic, witty and a prankster. All in all I really have no complaints with our adventures in remodeling once again. I just have an overwhelming sad feeling of Max's health demise looming over me like a dark rain cloud blocking the sunshine.

The Waterfall side of our Black soapstone has been installed. We purchased our soapstone from Marble Works Inc. in Philadelphia. A family owned business we have worked with before on our bathroom's second renovation.

Our Wolf gas cooktop has been installed. The downdraft is in, all the custom exhaust ductwork been fabricated but not completely connected yet. The downdraft turned into an real project with many calculations.  I'm loving my Mr. Wolf.

I have always had a passion for lighting, it seems to be my favorite decorative accessory. I purchased the Piccola table lamp designed by Pablo Pardo. I think it adds an interesting fun lighting accent with attitude on the countertop. Italian glove ivory leather (comes in other colors choices) with a pliable base (beanbag) that can be adjusted to any angle without tilting the perforated brushed aluminum shade. 

Apparently I use the term legacy a lot and Nic has teased me about it. Legacy as in the meaning of history or past of an architectural piece. Personally I have always embraced the past stories of things. I explained to Nic and Larry that I in my designs like the look of blending the old with the new.  To just patch the old plaster carved stairway walls with the new Sheetrock walls nearly installed. Nic mentioned that the walls will appear patched and I said yes perfectly OK, that's what I want. When painted (White) the color will bring the legacy of our renovation together and blend.  I sure do like that word!

I understand why my son and Nic were best friends. Truly their personalities are very similar. Nic when he laughs his entire face and eyes light up and its a very endearing facial characteristic. I would imagine few can stay annoyed at him for long and is an excellent plus in owning your own business. 

Photo of our current Red Oak field seamed beams ... Do not like them, never have since they were installed in 1981 with our original kitchen gut.  We've decided to replace them with 100+ year old, hand hewn 5x7 inch by 10 feet long salvaged barn beams. They will be pressure washed, nails removed, bug sprayed and kiln dried.

They are coming from Ohio and when installed photos will be shared and source will be given. Finally they will be lime waxed by me to soften their appearance. 

So when I told Nic I located barn beams ... You know it, he said with a big grin "but what are their legacy?" From now on in I will be more mindful of my over usage of the word legacy.

My poetry today I wrote about John. When he read it he liked it and agreed with what I wrote. He suggested I share it with this post. Hope you enjoy it, it offers a honest description of the man I love.

XX,

Vera

A long time ago I fell in love with a man with a keen brilliant analytical mind.

Making observations like Sherlock Holmes, he is often driven and solution inclined.

Evaluating almost everything he constructs a Hypothesis from which to draw a carefully thought out conclusion.

While using logical deductive reasoning forming an understanding in theory he then makes his necessary exclusion.

Sometimes spending additional time in investigation is needed to communicate beliefs and often becomes his reality.

To study and explain the opposite concepts of any given situation and even the results of a persons good versus bad duality.

My life long partner with his brilliant analytical mind pursues his passions with boundless dedication,

Thankfully life with him isn't all work because my feminine charm is still his biggest temptation.

To learn to balance one's time carefully while still enjoying a loving relationship and lifelong career...

Is something my love knew was a critical conclusion to our happiness and to me it's been very clear and always does appear.

© Vera

sources:

Linen Euro Shams with ties - Mooshop on etsy.com

Mongolian Lamb Fur Bolster pillow - AvaFluffandStuff on etsy.com

Soapstone -  http://www.marbleworksphilly.com

Piccola lamp - http://www.lumens.com