News From Tualatin
News From Tualatin
You know how, when you're driving for a long time, or trying to read a really dull book, or maybe painting for what seems like ETERNITY ... you know how your mind starts to wander a little and pretty soon you hear voices inside your head and maybe even music?
You know how the music is often something you really wouldn't choose to put on the stereo, but it just keeps playing on that jukebox of your mind over and over and over?
You know how irritating it can be when Donny and Marie keep singing "I'm a Little Bit Country, I'm a Little Bit Rock-and-Roll" which isn't a song you COULD even put on the stereo because the last thing in the world you'd buy at a music store is that song?
And you know how, even though you might think it would give you a little relief, but instead it's just even more irritating that about every tenth rendition of "I'm a Little Bit ... ", you all of a sudden get Queen's "We Are The Champions"? And every once in a while, Donny and Marie join Freddy in a trio in spite of your warning them that it just won't work out, but oddly enough it does?
And you know that LOOK your spouse gives you when you keep humming "I'm a Little Bit ..."? You know how that is? No? Maybe we've been painting too long.
We finally gave up last night after preparing the kitchen for wallpaper by priming the walls, in order to do which, we had to move the stove and refrigerator. At which point Karen wrenched her back. Which I'm very sympathetic with, and sorry for, but God bless her, finally we could quit. And while we had the stove out, I was able to put in the wall angle to keep it from tipping over if Ben decides to climb up onto the open oven door. Which apparently happens often enough that they make an angle especially for that. I was able to get the stove back into place without Karen's help and also without wrecking the floor vinyl, too.
Here's a householder tip: When you need to put in new electrical fixtures (like, say a receptacle), it's a good idea to turn off the power at the panel. I knew this. It's also a good idea to have checked the batteries in your flashlight, because you will be WORKING IN THE DARK! I had forgotten this.
Another householder's tip: If you're looking for a tool, it's in the shed.
Another: Tape down your tape measure in the drawer where you expect to find it. Tape measures apparently are living creatures with a desire to move about when the lights are off. I thought that this was merely a phenomenon of 1136 Chambers Dr. in which my tools were haunted by the tools of the former owners, but apparently it's a quality of all tape measures. Or maybe the poltertape followed us here?
Our realtor dropped by to give us a little housewarming present yesterday. It's a very nice set of patio furniture for our terrific balcony "patio." She needed a little help getting them out of her Lexus. Hmmm. No comment about realty fees from me!
The joint looks very nice, actually. We have a swift or starling or something (bird book's in Colorado) who perches in the rafters of our balcony. I say "our" balcony, but he disputes this, with good reason. He was here first, and he's staying while we're leaving. But I sure wish he wouldn't poop on our mutual porch light.
Well, there's a few unfinished things here, but all in all it has been a very productive visit. We both feel like we have "taken possession" of the place (in the case of the tape measure, literally), and we have a nice nest in Oregon for when we visit here, and eventually, I think, move here altogether. Morgan and Aaron have keys, so if you'r planning to come to Portland for a visit, feel free to give us a call and we'll get you set up in CHEZ RILEY WEST. Pretty sparse on the furniture right now, but cheap!
Time to put everything in the shed, so, so long for now!
Love you guys!
Mike and Karen
posted by Mique @ 10:16 AM
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