Monday, July 21, 2014

The Sofa and Other Great Plans

This Summer will go down in history as the Sofa Summer. Back in April when my brother was here, we thought, "Well, it'd be smarter to get a sleeper sofa than keep paying hotels." And so the hunt began in May. What an easy solution! No problem, I thought. 

It's now the 3rd week of July. No sofa. My futon sits alone, all accoutrements piled on the other side of the sitting room, waiting. The Sofa That Will Be Mine sits elsewhere, waiting. This is what happens when there are 11 people, 4 households, 2 trucks, a wedding, a business, and 3 sofas involved. It's the Chinese puzzle that is my life, on steroids. How did it get so complicated? Take a furniture business run entirely by 2 guys, from sales to delivery. Take a handful of friends who want to trade off their furniture to each other. Throw in a wedding that's just a bit smaller than Chuck and Di's. Add one disorganized, not-very-highly-functioning person who wants to ringmaster the circus, and voila! Chaos and stagnation.

However emblematic of the season, the sofa is the least problem of this Summer's roller coaster. Every plan laid for the last 3 months has gone awry due to awful things. The big reunion on Long Island was cancelled due to a death in the host's family. Emily was going to visit here with her family but now her 9 year-old son who has CP is having surgery on both legs. My cousin won't be coming north anytime soon due to a (thankfully small) stroke. Another old family friend who was coming up was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer out of the blue and just had a radical hysterectomy (she's just leaving the hospital as I type- and so far, so good). There is frightening sickness everywhere and nobody gets a break. Even Strider hasn't been able to get away from her responsibilities and I haven't seen her since last November. Life is full of complications for us all.

But that's not to say other things haven't been great.
1) I sold an article about living in the Sawyer mansion and that'll be published next month. I've made a resolution to not write for free anymore. And so the Vermont Views deal went by the wayside, as well as writing for several other websites. I don't mind the work, but I do mind manipulation and disrespect. If you want to play with my head, and even moreso my words, you have to pay me.

2) In the wee hours I've been writing up a storm. My WIP book has been a joy to write in the quiet hours I've adopted since springing forward. This one may actually get finished!

3) I've reconnected to many people that were lost along the years via Fecebook. And I know how I railed about FB, but these days nobody emails anymore, it's all FB messaging. It's time-consuming but it's wonderful to have so many old friends and cohorts back in my life.

4) Billy has been so much better since getting insulin. I had no idea that a lot of what was going on with him- the shaking sweats, the memory loss, the mood swings and general depression- all came from his diabetic issues. That's over, hallelujah. Whether or not he'll move to Florida is still up in the air.

5) Food glorious food! Ever since I took probiotics for 8 weeks, my digestive troubles have gone away. I can drink coffee again! This Summer the produce has been delicious. This humid heat has done wonders for fruits and herbs. I can't wait for the veggie harvest. I can eat peppers again!

6) We have at least another year and a half in The Shire. Many things can happen in that time span, so I'm not even thinking about it.

7) Television is out of my life, and good riddance to the huge bill and crappy service. I don't miss it.

8) My greatniece is a married woman now. They are moving back to BC next week, her hub has completed his studies and the next chapter of their life is about to begin. Her parents (Niecely, Queen of Pirates and #1 Nephew) are still trying to sell their house and move to the beach. It's a tough market these days but I have faith it'll happen when it's supposed to happen. #4 Nephew is engaged, and back in school to go into computers, on the west coast. All my sis-in-laws are hanging in there and well.


9) Beest is happy and healthy, and has become a sweet companion cat. A far cry from the cranky, hissy, bitey Beest she was 2 1/2 years ago. Gal Friday takes her on walks outside with a harness now. Beest hates the harness but it's a riot to see her walk in it. You have to get your kicks where you can.

Yes, the world is a mess. I can't believe my eyes when I read the news these days. I stay abreast of what's going on and do what I can, but there's so much out of control that we can't do anything about. At least for now, watching and keeping an eye out for an opportunity to change things is the best we can do.

Even with the scares and troubles, life is as peaceful as I make it. We get by the best that we can.

Now I have to go do some things, but I hope to catch up with all my non-FB blogging pals later. As Ringo says, "Peace and love!"

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

So good to see you back here....I've been thinking of you and holding good thoughts. I'm so glad you and your brother are spending time together whenever possible. The world is a mess isn't it??? but if we all do a little it adds up to a lot. Love the photo of the Beest....she's a beauty.

Elephant's Child said...

I am LOVING seeing you back here in the blogosphere. And in awe at the business that is your life. And thrilled at the many positives which have landed.
Yes the world is a mess - but there are sweet spots.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

It was a nice surprise to see you on Blogger today, Laura.

Life can be full of annoyances and disappointments but I was glad to see that your reconnections with old friends has made you happy. The couch will come eventually and you will all be happy that you have a bed for your brother and he can now stay with you. The time waiting for the furniture will be forgotten when you get to enjoy more of his company.

Be happy for the rest of the summer, dear Laura, stir up a storm or two, and laugh at all the dumb incidents that once gave you grief.

Geo. said...

Hooray! I have been needing an Austan update --world is saner now. I like the picture too. Beest has the same expression my daughter gives me when I say something stupid.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Looks like you made a lot of us happy just by showing up. It's great to see you back in the blogosphere again and to catch up on some of the stuff that's been happening with you. I'm sorry to hear about all the sad stuff, but there's a lot of good things going on, too. Keep going with that WIP!

Austan said...

Lawless! I think of you too, and am glad we shoot an email back and forth now and then. But there's no place like home, and I'm gonna make an effort to not be such a stranger. Beest is shredding paper but says, "Rgahr".

Austan said...

EC! And whichever season we're in, I love to see your photos. Seeing beauty is as enriching as music to the spirit. It's what makes us fight the bad. xo

Austan said...

Hi Arleen! I'm concerned about you after reading your post. Life has some sharp edges at times. I try to go with the "Wolf you feed" philosophy but that bad wolf can sure look like the good one sometimes. Take care, enjoy the Summer while it lasts!

Austan said...

Geo. you bring joy to me. After your comment yesterday, I made sure to get here today. You inspire me. Thank you. <3

Austan said...

Susan, you'll be one of the first to know. :) The weird thing is, all these bits of writing I've done over the years are fitting into it like a jigsaw puzzle. It's fairly cosmic, man. ;)

MoonRaven said...

Welcome back. I'm glad to hear that you're doing okay and even gladder to hear that you're writing. And getting published, even!

I'm sorry to hear about all the people in your life dealing with death and injuries, and about your complicated sofa situations. I do hope you get your sofa soon.

Take care.

Stephanie Faris said...

Awesomeness! Congrats on making progress on your WIP. I think there's something inspiring about writing while the world is asleep. It feels like it's your own private time between you and your characters.

Austan said...

Hi Stephanie! You're right, there's something about the quiet and the freedom. Nobody interrupts you in the middle of the night, it's all yours, and as you say, your characters'. Thanks!

Austan said...

MOONY! I'm loving reading your adventures and looking forward to you reporting on everything coming up! Bliss & Laughter!