New Year

I thought I'd spend a quiet new year's eve at home, but ended up staying with the girls while Jeannie & Donald went to an early movie.  

I was entertained by a dance recital, card tricks, an assortment of games, and some good conversation with a 5 and an 8 yr old.  Sometimes that is the best conversation in the world.  I thought it was so sweet that both girls were sort of giving me subtle clues so I could win a few rounds of the games we played.

I spent the night at their house and then drove home fairly early this morning as Steve had said he'd try to come over to fix my dishwasher.  I've been doing without it for over a year, and while I've never minded hand-washing dishes, I notice the glasses and other items are getting a bit cloudy.   It was really cold last night, at least for Sacramento, and my car windows had a film of ice this morning.

LATER:  Steve was able to get my dishwasher going and i am ecstatic that I can maybe use it for a few more months, but I will eventually replace it.  He also has offered me an extra refrigerator he needs to sell on craigslist or otherwise find a home for, and I'm quite happy about getting it.   Mine has gasket problems among several other things, and I know it's days are limited.

We took a look at the small space where I have my washing machine plus use as storage for some boxed materials, painting equipment, etc.    This space was originally a gap between the two roll out rooms - living room and tiny bedroom.  One former owner enclosed the space and made the laundry/storage area, but it was never insulated or finished properly.  The ceiling is just the same as the porch and carport awnings, and there have been leaks in this room resulting in mold spots on the aluminum.  He thinks this could be causing the constant allergy symptoms I have had for quite a while.  If the weather warms up just 10 degrees, I will wash the affected parts of the ceiling with a bleach solution, as well as pull off some of the warped ceiling panels and asbestos insulation that is still up there, replacing them with foam blocks of insulation.   It sounds like a fairly optimistic plan for me, but I need to do something to fix the problems of that room.  I waiver between wanting to find someone to give this broken down place to, as someone gave it to me, and just trying to make a few small improvements at a time and continue living here for the time being.

Before he left, Steve looked at my Highlander to see how we could adapt the cargo area to include a sleeping area for when I'm traveling, as well as storage for my camping gear.  I like to camp in a tent, but when it is raining or windy I would like to have a vehicle to climb into and stay warm and dry for the night. 

I feel good about what I've accomplished today, and this is a good sign for the year to come.  I'm going to travel across country once more, fix up a few things in my living space, and try to get rid of a lot of things I've held on to for so long because I'm a pack rat!