We had a fairly relaxed day today (for once) while still accomplishing a major feat: we finished sanding the kitchen ceiling by finally figuring out how to attach the orbital sander to our shop vac. Hooray! The ceiling is now ready for primer and paint, and then we can get around to painting the walls.
Why is painting a kitchen so important? Well, we have worked for four weeks solid, had numerous set-backs, enjoyed a few triumphs, and spent all of our budget. Yet save for the fact that the living room no longer has bordello-purple curtains and a pool table in the center, we feel we have very little to actually show for all of our time and money. Psychologically, we need to see a change in this place that is not buried behind a wall somewhere as are the new electricity and HVAC. Yes, the floors make me smile every day, but we need something more.
Both Rick and I want to see a lime-sherbet color on the kitchen walls as we visualize white cupboards and stone counter-tops (someday). Right now, I will settle for actually having our make-shift counter-top with a kitchen sink in it in the kitchen so I can stop doing the dishes in the bathtub. Maybe by next week at this time, we will be able to see those results.
When one works hard, even small things become major events. We discovered a new, faster way to get to Home Depot without going on Main Street or Hwy. 19. Now we can get to our destination with far fewer stop lights and less traffic. Celebration!
Rick and I play a game each time we venture out in the truck. We play "Count the Cops" because each time we drive around Dunedin, we always see at least one or two police officers. Our record is eight officers in a 20 minute ride to Clearwater's Home Depot. Steve told us that he rarely sees police cars, and we have yet to go out and not see generally at least two or three. Maybe they patrol more in the summertime. Maybe Steve told them we would be in town. Who knows?
Speaking of the truck, we both are really sick of it. Yes, it has been a lifesaver each time we go to Home Depot or Lowes -- which is a daily occurrence -- but it also is a pain in the butt to park. People are very friendly and generous in this city, so we have never had any real hassles or confrontations, and I guess parking at the very edges or back rows of parking lots is good for us because we walk a long way, but I really miss buzzing around in my little SUV. The truck also does not get the greatest gas mileage, but at least it is reliable.
We are getting used to the culture change. While having rats in the attic or termites eating someone's house in Wisconsin would declare to the world that the person lived in the slums or was lazy and neglected his home, when people hear about those things here in Dunedin, they say, "So? What did you expect? This is Florida!" Million-dollar mansions on the coast have rats, and every other house in Dunedin seems to be battling termites.
The neighbors are some of the most friendly people we have ever met. They wave when we walk by, talk to us without waiting for an invitation, and genuinely are nice people. I think I know the names of more of my neighbors here in Dunedin than I do after living in our house in Green Bay for the last 20 years.
The wildlife, both good and bad, is incredible in this state. We have seen such a variety of birds (thanks, Steph, for the book on Florida birds!), and we enjoy the new sights each day. Christmas hint to our daughters: we need a book on Florida flowers and trees so I know what is wonderful, what is weed, and what is poisonous in our overgrown jungle of a back yard.
I just asked Rick for his impressions of Dunedin, and he replied, "I have not had time to get to know Dunedin." He is right. We both hope that on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, as we are out of the house while it is being tented for termite elimination, we will get to explore the city in more detail.
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