... all is [somewhat] calm, all is bright.
The sun has just passed over the proverbial yardarm on this Boxing Day 2010. Ruth & I are warmly ensconced at Ruth's Ridge with Sadie the Malti-chon and three cats: Chester, Jasper and guest, Naomi. The sun is shining, the temperatures are in the -12˚ C. range, and the winds are gently buffeting.
What a far cry from last Christmas, when Ruth was desperately ill and the first functioning indoor toilet was still five days away. We had two or three construction lights, some primed drywall and a monumental amount of finish work pending.
Today, the to-do list is much shorter, but its completion is still measured in months.
That said, our project is rapidly becoming a home and a place of comfort and joy. We had Christmas with our children and my parents on December 18th. Proper Christmas meals were prepared and eaten at table, not in lap. There is a fully decorated tree (sans the lights that could not be found). Yesterday morning, I gave Ruth gifts that spoke to my intent to spend high-quality recreational time with her in the New Year: DVDs, audio books, puzzles and a Lee Valley puzzle roll. She gave me a beautifully wrapped box of gifts that were backward and forward looking: a handmade kilt from Scotland (by way of a Texan who had outgrown it) to reflect the origins of my über-Scottish name – Gordon Ross (so curious for a son of fervent Mennonites), a gorgeous cashmere sweater and a gray wool shirt to wear with the kilt, patterns for dress socks and a couple tops to flesh out my Scottish attire. It was a wonderful day of reconnecting, with promise of enjoying the fruits of a very challenging – but rewarding – preceding 18 months.
On the 23rd, I picked up my brother, Ken, who flew in from China. This year's trip home has an extra measure of importance for our family in that our father turns 90 on Dec. 30th. Of course, special plans are in the offing.
This time of short days, long nights, cold and the impending end of the calender year invariably bring to mind passages and endings. I would be greatly blessed if this construction project were done for year's end, but we have accomplished much in the year that Ruth and I have occupied and worked on this place. Yet a few more months. By this time next year we should be truly unpacked and settled here.
The Advent Season has become a special time of remembrance for Orville Conner and the opportunity Ruth & I had to be with our friend and his wife, Muriel, as he laboured through his final hours two years ago. And we got a call from my motorcycling mentor and friend, Chas Peters, a few days ago to thank us for the Christmas card. December 16th was the first anniversary of his wife, Vi's, passing.
December 5th was the seventh anniversary of the advent of Rebus in our lives. While "only" (but not merely) a dog, his absence leaves a gaping void in my day-to-day life. One of my gifts from Jill & Lee was a lovely pocket watch. It contains a photo of The Beaner, so now I measure my days by virtual Rebus Time.
Since this is a house construction blog, I should provide a thumbnail summary of what's yet to be done:
Exterior
• Build stairs on the East and West sides of the verandah
• Install water taps
• Build a small deck off the back porch
• Build a patio and screened pergola (eventually)
Interior
• Complete baseboard and casing installation
• Clad woodstove chimney backer post with stone
• Convince the contractor to come out and install the woodstove
• Complete banister and stair finishing
• Complete tiling in two bathrooms and the kitchen
• Design, order & install the laundry area cabinets
• Complete the fire-rated enclosure of the stairs to the bonus room above the garage
• Install the stereo
• Build two guest bedrooms in the basement
• Complete final unpacking, organization, detailing and decoration
Oh yes. One really important objective is to receive our official occupancy permit. That should be possible as soon as the bonus room enclosure and the laundry cabinets are completed.
To all who have found it worthwhile to stop by and check this blog from time to time, my thanks. To date there have been over 1,700 visits. While posts have been more sporadic this year, I hope you continue to find some enjoyment in this project.
All the best for a wonderful Christmas season, and best wishes for the New Year.
Your humble nail bender.
