Re-arranging Chairs on the Titanic

Cleaning out closets.
Re-arranging pictures on the walls.
Consolidating, sorting, dusting.

The guest room is now ready for a guest. Ha. I tried to pick restful pictures from our old stash of framed art and photographs which used to be stored in the little house. And in the other empty room, but for a desk, I have the Andy and all things A&M corner. And in the hall--the acting goofy pictures. No longer does the picture of the three young boys greet you as you come out of the bathroom as if to "give" you "privacy" as if it is a gift. I used to ask them to give me some privacy, and they would hold out their open arms.

James left a message on the phone last night after we had gone to bed (I don't even remember hearing the phone) saying his frig is holding a temp at 40 degrees. That should keep his milk cold. The frig just did not feel like it was working on Saturday, so I sent the food thermometer with him Monday. I wonder how his first day of in-processing went.

And I wonder how Ben's week at photovotaic school went.

Andy said they were expecting more snow tonight in Dayton. And the grandchild was asking, "guess where Abby is" from inside a cupboard" and she was dancing and babbling. Lauren can understand her. I'm glad. I'm glad someone has the gift of interpretation.

Sounds like Bob is home. I wonder if the baked potatoes are done....

Later---after a trip to Home Depot. 9pm. I don't know why Ben-Ben took three of the fan blades off his ceiling fan years and years ago. I found them again in the closet today. Dusted them off. Screws are long, long gone. I went through every bin in the garage...no luck. So, off to Home Depot where they were eager but not at all helpful. Bob found some bolts that work, and we came home and screwed them in, and now the fan is complete. Restored. beautiful. Quiet even. Wow. At last. I just hate pieces of a project that get set aside and forgotten, only to gather dust. And scrapes. Just a few holes to patch with spaklin' and we are set.

As Christians, we have to find the balance between a clean, well-ordered house and turning our nest into an idol. Clean and functional will do just fine. For this place is temporary in the grand scheme of things. We do not have to live fancy, just within our means. We enjoy things of beauty in nature and in pictures, in art and things around us, but we do not worship them. Does the room seem welcoming? Comfortable? A place of hospitality and rest? Not for the dear husband---Home Depot at 9pm at night. Dr. Laura would NOT approve. SSSSh...

James did fine in orientation day one. He can't find his utensils, and I don't remember which box they are in. He used them at Fort Knox, but then they got packed away during BOLC2 and Fort Leonard Wood. Or, maybe he donated them all to the folks at For Leonard Wood? By mistake? By not checking the drawers?? James? Anyone? Beuller? Anyone? When was the last time you cut an apple with a knife? When was the last time you ate cereal with your spoons? Yeah, I bet you left them at Fort Leonard Wood.

I am fading. Time for bed. More tomorrow...

Found. He only has his cell phone, so we are texting---and I have not been doing that right. His cell phone does not like all the message in the subject line. He found the utensils in the blue bin. Good deal. Now he can eat cereal and oatmeal and cut stuff. James won't have internet until Tuesday or Wednesday. And he sees no need for land line. Cell phone is all he needs.

What I have learned---moving the clock to another wall where it looks better won't prevent you from looking at the old spot...ten times a day.