Times of refreshing

Relaxing Tea* Image courtesy of allposters.com

We've had a breath of fresh air blow through our home! (Well, Jon sometimes might be better described as a gusty gale... :) He makes things happen!) We'd gotten "stuck in a rut" and were falling behind. The house needed repair, and we needed a boost. And, to make a long story short, Jon called and said he was coming home to help.

He and Jenn arrived on Monday, and since then, a rotten window has been removed and its replacement ordered, the lawnmower was determined to be unfixable and its replacement bought (and the grass is cut!), the porch is nearly mended, and our jungle-y yard is being brought under control. AND, he's working up plans to help us with a grey water system, re-wire the house, and repair our little leaky bathroom.

It's felt so good to have things being accomplished and moving forward. With all of this productivity swirling around me, I've been freed up to be domestic... I tidy the kitchen, and vacuum, and dust with Pledge, and work on the laundry, and one afternoon got to trim the geraniums for cuttings to root... my very favorite kind of days! I love housework -- I love the feeling of restoring order and beauty to home. I was even able to sit down with Grandma one afternoon and read!

And, as Jon said, "We bring news from the outside world." Jon & I stayed up late last night, and he told me about cricket and toad-in-the-hole and a journeyman's lunch. It's been so interesting! And, Jenn & I lingered at the table one afternoon and talked about Anne Lindbergh's writing, and how nice it was to just have quiet time to recharge, and what the beach was like in winter (I'd love to find out for myself some day!). The conversation has been refreshing and stimulating.

We've been able to talk about dreams a little. I showed them my "daydream" cottage garden book, and Jon said, "You'd really like one, wouldn't you?" (Me: "Oh, yes!") "Well, then I think you should have one." Just the words made my heart feel better. But, he's actually started working on plans to make a cottage garden happen for me. Things like that make me remember why I love him. It's good to remember.

And, we're together.