Generational Marriage & Misc Weekend Odds & Ends

FINALLY! This is the desk (that originally matched the dresser) that my grandfather stained/painted for my mother as a child. The dresser was various shades of greens, then blues, and the desk was brown & yellow (paint.) My mom grew up with them, and then I did (and my siblings.) I took the dresser to my 2nd college apt, and bought the desk from my mom in a garage sale after college. I re-finished the desk in 2002. Again, a lot of very brittle wood, and it's pine so very porous. Hence, the 2-toned finish.

I have been trying, since we moved into this house (3 years), to be able to display this piece. It has been in the basement, along with all of our other "life before marriage" furniture that didn't "make the cut." This week, we gave MY couch to my little sister, so the picture-window wall of the living room became bare. We ended up moving the chair & ottoman from our bedroom down for seating, and last night I moved the desk up from the basement, polished it, and made the above arrangements. (ALL by myself, thank you very much!)

I am THRILLED to have both my grandfather's old Royal (where he touch-typed out his sermons) and my laptop in the livingroom. Not only is it lovely to see the old Royal and tribute grandpa in that way, but once we get a mobile modem for my laptop, I'll be able to blog from the living room, not the basement!! Yeah!!

This weekend has been very busy -- but I've gotten a lot done, and it's only 5 on Sunday (did I say only??) No, I have not gotten the sewing machine upstairs yet -- we still need to clear off the dining room table (which in our house is not used for actually eating.) My lama (w/ 1 "l", not the animal w/ 2 "l"s) was in town this weekend for teachings on compassion and I've been at the temple everyday. I got to have a lovely 1-on-1 talk w/ her yesterday about all my frustration over DCFS and the length of time the adoption is taking. She really helped -- teaching me how to make an aspiration for my frustration and anger, and then let it go, focusing on my love and compassion for all. I'm feeling much better about everything. Aside from the spiritual teachings, it was just really great to see her again.

The rest of the "animals on parade" decals were delivered yesterday. If I'm not too tired, I want to try to get those up tonight. I REALLY want to start some sewing next weekend, so I feel I have to finish the decals first, and check that off the list. I have some in the stair hallway that I've been in the "midst of" for almost a week and despirately need to finish. (not "animals on parade" --another design.)

I feel really positive about our homestudy and getting that out to DCFS this week. I also think we are going to see more referrals this week. I'm crossing my fingers for siblings for the Adams & Zubers & everyone else requesting sibs. I think it's absolultely amazing these families have committed to not only bring a child home and love & parent -- but bring more than 1 home at once, and keep a family together. Yeah!!

I hope this week is great for all of us! Hugs to everyone for a good Monday!