The Floor's So Clean I Can See My Head Right Through It!

The title of this post is courtesy of an oft-quoted guy named Fred who 3 people who read this blog will remember from Plum Dandy.

Last week, all work on the house came to a standstill as the floor guys went in and did their thing. We are so happy that we didn't choose to stain the floors a different color to cover up the imperfections - it looks great, the imperfections add charm, and the parts that are a bit conspicuous (foyer and hallway leading to bathroom) will fade with age.

We're down to the end here, thank GOD. In the next three weeks, we've got radiators, screens, double-glazing, plumbing, carpet, kitchen backsplash, VANITY AND SHOWER INSTALLATION, kitchen appliance and rangehood install, door-rehanging, blinds, and of course landscaping. Anything else? I cant remember.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Auckland. After a Skype call with the 'rents, we quickly ran errands and got home in time to enjoy a few hours in the backyard with our books. The older couple next door had what sounded like Sinatra playing loudly from their home throughout most of the afternoon -- at first we were like, "What the hell is that music?!?!" but as soon as we realized it was them, we relaxed.



Mom and Dad, this is what I was talking about with the screens!

The landscaper starts next Thursday - thank GOD!

Monday

Today was frustrating for two reasons:

1. The Golden Globes are on and I missed them because I have a j-o-b. It was agony all day!!! But I do have sick days and holiday time, so next year I'll plan better! Skype call anyone?

2. The kitchen install is actually a two day process: delivery on day one, installation on day two. So I have to wait until tomorrow to see it all. Damn it!

Worlds Collide!

The in-laws have met the in-laws!

Thanks to Skype, Iain's parents "met" my parents for a Christmas convo. It was actually really fun! And the kids opened their gifts on camera, which is the next best thing to actually being there. Good times all around, which of course made me homesick.

Skype!

While Iain visited family in Dunedin, I had a girls night -- with Maureen (and Matilda!) via Skype. Much catching up was had, as well as far too much wine. It was awesome!

The Deck Family Leaps Into the 21st Century!

Thanks to my cousin Hannah, my family has FINALLY witnessed the miracle of webcams and Skype. And even though my parents' and sister's proficiency with computers doesn't extend much beyond 1996, I think this experience has proven to them that it's time to embrace the new technology out there. What's next for them? Digital cameras? Cell phones? I know... I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was incredible, though. I haven't seen my family in a year, so this was so amazing!

Here are a few pictures. I wasn't able to get any of of the whole family, which sucks because it was great. Everyone was standing around Hannah's MacBook with champagne (while we sat here in NZ with coffee since it was like 10am and we had to work...!) Here are a few of my sister and her kids. My nephew Maytham (missing his two front teeth!) took to it like any ham in front of a camera.

Yea Hannah! Webcams for all!

Thanksgiving!

We're celebrating this awesome holiday by working. Awesome!

Actually, my cousin Hannah is going to set up a Skype webcam call with my family, so we can all see each other. I have been trying for a YEAR to get my parents and sister onto Skype and webcams, and I think they'll be blown away when they realize how cool AND easy it is.

It's perfect timing, too! While on the phone with my sister this morning, she asked my nephew,"Do you wanna say hi to Aunty?" and he replied, "Who's Aunty?"

More birthday pictures

It stopped raining long enough to have a few drinks on the deck. Then at around 5pm we went inside to a surprise web cam call that Iain had arranged with Danielle & Nam. It was so much fun!