Baby Steps and Great Leaps Forward

I was working on a post last week that I've ultimately decided not to finish. I was having a bad week, and got a little off-track in trying to focus on a theme for the post. The theme was a good one - kind of about moving forward even when you don't feel like it, and kind of about having grace for myself when I'm overwhelmed by life's little peccadilloes - but it was a downer. Not only that, it was only tangentially related to the whole Skoolie project, so I've shelved it. I will say this, though: if you are near a parent in line, and they look like they're having a hard time keeping it all together, a kind word from you may be just what that person needs to get them looking on the brighter side again. Shout out to the lady with an awesome haircut at Target!

So, "How's the bus coming along?"

I love this question. I love it even more when there's news to report. And progress has definitely been made! It hasn't worked out to have any more outside help lately, but with the month of May and all the craziness therein firmly behind us, it's been easier to find the time to put into the demolition phase. I should say, it's been easier for Nathaniel to find the time. I just find time to come out and throw in more ideas into the mix.

The heating unit for the bus ran along the entire driver's side of the bus, and it had to go. After several puncture wounds and a good dousing of anti-freeze, Nathaniel managed to remove the entire thing. The ceiling panels are down, the insulation is scraped off, and fully half of the windows have been taken out in anticipation of raising the roof.

I know I've made a big deal of raising the roof when we're talking to people face to face, but I don't think I've elaborated on our plans on this blog. Y'know, beyond stating that we're turning a bus into a home. But about 3/4 of the roof will be chopped off and then raised 18" for more head room. My 6' 3" husband couldn't really handle living in a 6' 2" home. Can't say I blame him.

We've been keeping our eye out for free wooden pallets. These are fantastic for framing, wall coverings, furniture, whatever. Obviously they need to be deconstructed before they can be turned into something useful, but free lumber is free lumber.

For more fantastic news, we have kitchen cabinets! A family friend was going to discard a whole set of cherry-stained cabinets. We could have them as long as we were willing to remove them from the guy's house within a short time frame - so essentially, they were ours for the price of gas. Done!

Shaker-style cherry cabinets. Be still my heart.

And the downsizing continues.

...little by little. It's hard to be patient about this part. I've taken load after load of things to Goodwill, but when my kids tear up the house with astonishing regularity, it's difficult to see any progress. There's still a long way to go. The good news is that once I tidy up, it definitely is less cluttered here. Not UNcluttered, but LESS. I'll take my little victories where I can get them.

I have discovered a way to let go of things that hold sentimental value - and for a sentimental fool like myself, this is huge. I wish I'd thought of this a long time ago.

Pictures.

Yup! That's all. If I take a picture of, say, the wooden sai blade that my brother made when we were kids, then I can still recall it fondly without it taking up space needed for essentials. It has been a lot easier to pass baby clothes along, too. I can't keep everything of theirs that I loved, so I'm keeping the most precious pieces, and the rest are out of here once I capture them on my camera.

So long til next time; I know you can't wait to hear more minutiae about my life.

Copyright the Amazing Bill Watterson