Yes…
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Thankfully, I think the last time I have been truly bored was around the age of fourteen. I always have many, many books I want to read and movies I want to watch and online types of things to discover.

My world has shrunk since I have been in the hospital but other than an extremely overactive guilt complex (how can I enjoy this book when my baby is in Olympia without her mama? How can I watch this movie and laugh when Telfer is trying to do everything, ad infinitum), I have had no problem finding ways to occupy my mind and time.

As you can tell from the photograph, my very wonderful in-laws may have sent me an iPAD. Absolutely the most awesome thing ever. And is that not the cutest chubby baby you have ever seen? Telfer was going to bring me a copy of Emma next weekend when he comes but guess what? It's free on the iPAD.

Books: Currently reading Lonesome Dove. I feel like a real Westerner reading Lonesome Dove in an NYC hospital. Take that, East Coast! Also, more short stories by Alice Munro and a Kathleen Norris re-reading fest.
Movies: Re-watching the Harry Potter movies. Molly brought me a few "classics" like French Kiss, Girls Just Want to Have Fun and The Cutting Edge. If you don't think those are classic, you probably weren't a junior school girl circa 1993.
TV: Keeping up with Friday Night Lights and Top Chef. And just for the record, if you don't watch Friday Night Lights, well, you are just missing out.

After my parents, the turbo-workers, went back home to Richland, Telfer started his job and obviously does not have as much time to work on the house. Telfer, Cate, Elizabeth and Henry are still staying with Chris and Mendy. Have I mentioned how happy we are to live closer to family?

Weekends plus two unexpected days off have actually helped immensely and Telfer has been getting so much done. He is so good about taking and sending pictures so I am not out of the loop. Even though our plans have changed somewhat (!), we are both kind of relieved I am so Type A. I had almost every paint color picked out in advance and most of the new light fixtures for downstairs already ordered. And, from my hospital room, I can still help Telfer decide on placement of furniture and other little things. I just wish I could help!

The downstairs is really coming along. Dad put up the chandelier for us right before they left. I am thinking you either love this or think it looks like a giant spider on the ceiling. Predictably, we fall in the love it category.

 
light fixture – it's a statement!  

After stripping it (not fun), Telfer finished painting the door orange. I am in love with the color. Can you picture pumpkins on our porch in the fall? I can…

Front door closeup

We wanted a robin's egg blue in the entry to really brighten the space and I think we got our wish. The rainy, gray Olympia days will be a little brighter now? 

Entryway coming together

Our belongings from New York finally arrived late Saturday night. Telfer directed the movers and has been arranging furniture. The floors are giving me fits though. See the carpet/rugs? The previous owners actually stained the floors AROUND the rugs but not the floor UNDERNEATH the rugs. Wha? So, we can't really go without them as the floors are a very different color. Oh well. We'll refinish the floors and invest in rugs at at some point down the line.

NYC stuff arrived!

pensive girl
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

I am surprised that Telfer can manage to take a picture of Cate standing still.

Cate is keeping her daddy, Aunt Elizabeth and Grammy Mendy very busy. We Skype almost every day and it has been a tremendous help.

I am feeling so loved between the visitors (Eleanor of course, Molly TWICE in one week, once with Ryan, Jon & Maya, and Lori Beppu) and the amount of mail I am receiving. Thank you for sending thoughtful packages or notes and for praying for us. It helps so much.

The wireless in the hospital has been down for the greater part of two days so today I am trying to catch up on email, insurance, moving details (our belongings arrive from NYC on Friday – maybe?) and other fun little detail types of things. More tomorrow.

electric tea kettle
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

FIVE good, if a little random, things:

• I bought an electric tea kettle so I can have tea in my room. I feel so clever!
• Purchase proves that Amazon will deliver to my hospital room.
• Reading an article in this week's New Yorker on North Korea. Would rather be in the hospital than live in North Korea.
• Eleanor is bringing me a salad tonight from the salad bar at Whole Foods.
• I got a pedicure about a week before "the incident." Have spent an inordinate amount of time looking at my feet, thinking, "I am SO glad I got that pedicure."

dad scrubbing the woodwork
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

And then in stark contrast, things are jumping in Olympia.

• At 30 years old, Telfer starts his first real job today. So happy for him!
• Cate is settling in well with Elizabeth and Grammy Mendy as primary caregivers. She has even made the transition to one nap this last week.
• We have been using Skype and it is SO GOOD to see her little face. She is happy to see me, gives kisses to the camera, but seems not to be at all traumatized.
• Mom & Dad (and Telfer up until today) have been working hard on our house, trying to get the downstairs ready for inhabitation. They have stripped wallpaper, washed and sanded woodwork, put up paintable wallpaper in the entry, living room and dining room, painted wallpaper and woodwork, primed and painted kitchen cabinets and really, who knows what else. My parents are the hardest workers.
• Telfer and I always knew this of course, but I think we have pretty amazing families.