The garage

On our property, there is the original 'garage' built in 1925. It sits on the East side of our backyard under a pecan tree. It had some stuff in it when we moved in: an old wooden ladder, a door, and other miscellaneous junk. Also, there is a shopping cart stored behind it. Anyone want to go shopping? When we looked at the house, our realtor kept calling it a shed. 

And it is more of a shed. Because it was built to house a Ford Model T and no car of today could squeeze itself in there. Let alone be supported by the plywood floor that is 90 years old.

[We are learning VERY quickly that the people of the 1920s were much smaller and did not have as much crap. It is probably better that way.]

As we were moving in, we knew we were going to have to utilize the 'Model T garage' for storage because our house has none. Really.

So we started piling crap in there. Camping stuff. Tools. Tubs full of crap. And then we realized. That is the most worthless door. 

So, in Jayson fashion, he ripped it off. And he decided he was going to built a new awesome door that was strong and we could lock.

And now time for the 'After'. He did build his new awesome garage door. And it is awesome. But let's discuss reality for a moment. When Jay and I plan a project, we dream big. We talked about it to death. We love seeing results. Here is the reality. We have a baby. We both work. We are atill unpacking. Next time we start a project, someone grab my shoulders and remind me. This project WILL take twice as long and cost more than you think.  But let's be honest, even the reality of projects probably won't keep us from dreaming.  

Jay started the garage door at the beginning of April and has completed this step mid May. That's reality for you.

Now on the 'after'!!!

The door is secure, swings perfectly, and has a key lock. Jayson also put a door [that he found in the shed] on the side opening.

I love the quirky little side door. 

I found some old doornobs in our basement that I want to replace the broken nob with. But I love the key hole! Character, right there.

Things to do to complete the shed:
-Remove other old door, frame it out, and create matching dummy door.
-Paint it white
-Add basket ball hoop
-Add parking cement slab in front of it[and a place for Jay to do projects]
-Add shelving and organization on the inside.
-Turn it into a pub [this is Jay's dream, I'll leave it on there and see if it ever happens.]

And since we have been so busy unpacking and not blogging, I will leave another little list here with all of the projects that HAVE been completed since we moved in.

-Installed new garbage disposal

-Got washer/dryer

-Installed new dryer vent with bird guard

-Had french doors & back doors installed [stay tuned]

-Fixed gas leak behind oven

-Mostly unpacked

-Hung 3 things on the walls

Sheesh, I really had to get creative to make a substantial list. That's pretty sad. I guess we need to get back to work.

Dear Rosie

Dear Rosie,

I know this doesn't feel like home yet. And you aren't use to the sights and sounds. And the creaky wood floor.
We feel the same way.

I know it smells different. And you don't like going out in the backyard because you have to go down the janky, tilted back steps.
We feel the same way.

And I know you are on edge. And the baby hasn't been sleeping as well. And you don't feel like you have a place of your own. And things just seem more frustrating than normal.
We feel the same way.

But Rosedog. You gotta pull it together. You need to be a little normal. The tile isn't going to hurt you. You need to walk in the kitchen like a normal dog and eat your food because you are getting kinda skinny. And I am getting kinda sick of finding you asleep in our bed with your butt on my pillow. And don't ever try to run away again because we found you anxiously running up to every front door looking for our house. 

So try to adjust Rosegirl. Because we want you to be happy and Casey loves you. And he has started to give you kisses. And it is seriously the cutest thing. So hang in there. And we will do the same.

April Haps.

1. We moved and we looked like we were hoarders.

2. Do I need to mention again what a terrible idea it is moving with a mobile but wobbly baby?? That is starting to climb! It is terrible. 

3. This cutting board arrived in the mail from our real estate team. It's a rooster. With our name on it. I think Jayson is the one giving off the impression that we are rooster people. Is that the impression you get from us???

 4. A couple days later, a larger, even more customized cutting board arrived. We thought it was kinda silly. But we appreciate the gesture. Chop chop on Casey's baby face. [this is where I need an emoji].

5. Casey got super sick. Double ear infection. Cough. Fever. It was horrible. I forgot about unpacking or getting organized and sat on the couch for a week holding and nursing the poor babe. And I got a little stir crazy. 

April went by so fast. Is there a way to slow it down at all???

The move.

Just for memory's sake, let me discuss what a horrible idea it is moving with a mobile baby. He unpacks what you pack. He knocks stuff over. Sometimes onto himself. He climbs on the boxes.  I have no advice on how to move more gracefully with a baby. Yes we could have been more organized. But I think in the end, it is just an awful experience. 

And let's not forget how the move just put little Case out of sorts. He is needy. He is clingy. He wakes up screaming and doesn't know where he is. He wants to be held and cuddled. We are worn out from the stress of moving and this guy can sense it. And this past week has been nothing but stress. Working at the old place just to come home to a house full of boxes, no groceries, an anxious bulldog, and a cat that tries to escape everytime you open the door. Trying to get back in a rhythm as soon as possible for Casey's sake. 

We will be completely out of the old house by this weekend, and hopefully back to making progress on Verde Street. And making it home. Yes, home.

5 first impressions

The move happened last weekend. Although we have been going back and forth to the old place to finish projects, clean, get the last of our crap, we have spending the night at Verde Street. And here are some first impression to remember from our first week.

1. We can hear the church bells chime every hour at St. Francis. It's dreamy.

2.We get quite a few homeless people milling around. I met a man yesterday named Johnny G. and gave him our bananas. He sang a song he had written about Jesus to Casey. Casey laid his head on my shoulder and smiled. Johnny told me he didn't want to be homeless anymore and I asked him if he was staying at the shelter. He said the shelter is depressing. I guarantee he is right. Told him I would see him around. He was very kind and I will be praying for him. I want Casey to grow up knowing the homeless are not villains. If we lived in a community surround by gates, I'm sure I would not be having these kind of experiences. Love that we have opportunities to love our unloved neighbors.

3. My dream of living within a couple miles of train tracks has come true. We can hear the trains bump together at night and toot their horns. I point them out to Jay everynight when we are going to bed. I think it's romantic.

4. There are more projects here than we realized. Everywhere we look, we see potential. But we also see things we want to change. We are dreamers and a little crazy. We will see what happens.

5. LOVE the neighborhood. We have met most of our neighbors and we got good vibes [except for 'issues'-Sandlot-dog next door] . We know 3 couples who live within a mile of us. If you are a Bakersfield dweller, move downtown and let's get this Downtown Renaissance going.

27

My birthday in iPhone photos.

Started out the day with my boys. 

We skipped out on church because we could barely locate our underwear and 

deodorant, let alone something appropriate to wear to church. 

The 9 1/2 finger man took me to breakfast at 24th Street Cafe. 

And the drive was super short because we had just spent our FIRST NIGHT on Verde Street! We spent all day Saturday moving [huge shoutout to the Richerts for hanging with us ALL day. We are amazed by your friendship. Also, thankful for the McConnels making quick work of unloading and G-parents for watching Case] and were exhausted. Breakfast was just the ticket.

First day of downtown life is starting out pretty sweet.

The next part of the day was filled with visitors. Grandma & Grandpa Swen, my parents, Kim, Aunt Deby & Uncle Mick. They brought over gifts. And house warming gifts. And ceiling fans. It was lovely.

Then Casey napped and I watched the Bearded Man attempt to put up the fan in Case's room. And we had our first experience with this funny old house. I don't really want to go into detail, but the wiring was not done correctly and Jay said the word 'janky' about 10 times and griped about how people need to do things properly the first time. But for most of this part, I was on Instagram. No lie.

Finished the evening with our oldest friends at the Padre Grill. 

Thanks to KB for taking cheesy pics with me. Here's us being 27. 

The weather was lovely. Great food. Visitors, friends, and calls. Feeling very loved. A relaxing celebration to ease my way into my 27th year! 

Break.

The past two weeks have been a flurry of excitement and activity.
Let's recap.
Buy a house.
Easter #1.
Easter #2.
Monday night Bible Study.
Jay works on the house every other evening of the week.
Ally & Casey are sick all week. [being sick while taking care of a sick baby is NO JOKE. I do not recommend. like ever.]
Weekend [is it time for a break?]
More work. Jayson goes to urgent care.
Monday night Bible Study.
Jay works on the house every other evening of the week.

The point: We are running around like crazy. Jay is exhausted. I'm bringing him food over at the new place while he works. And all the while, poor Casey has no routine to rely on whatsoever!

Today, I left my bedroom door open to the backyard. I was gathering laundry. Straightening up. And I was aware that Case had crawled outside. I was continually checking on him. And the second that I turned around, he dumped the dog bowl full of water all over himself. 

And he loved it. He was banging on the bowl, babbling up a storm. 

So, I just stopped. And I just sat down with my camera and watched him play. And it was fun. And I need to remember to enjoy more of these little moments during the craziness of house stuff. And I need to slow down a little. Rushing never helps. And now, I need to go to bed.