Oh my. It has been a while since we wrote. We were consumed by the daily life of three dogs at once (one of which insisted on waking us at 5 am every morning with a punctuated Bark Bark Bark). And I think we were both feeling a lack of creativity for lack of our own bed. But we're home now. And that's a good thing. Sigh of relief. Even Daisy bounded into the apartment, tail wagging, sniffing every single corner to assess her small territory again. She has been busily chewing her bone in her favorite patch of sunshine ever since.
Though the first few days in a stranger's home are novel, it never feels quite like home. And we are partial to the noises and smells and comforts of our little apartment. So, we are happy to be back.
Last night, Ben (who never ceases to amaze) installed a new light fixture in our kitchen. The apartment came with one of those terrible flourescent lights, like the ones they have in elementary school classrooms. And I never even turned it on, because the flourescent glow was enough to make any dinner appear a sad shade of gray. To our surprise, one of Ben's painting clients recently gifted us with a new light fixture (of all things!). Apparently, they decided not to use it in their home and thought it would be an ideal 'tip' for Ben. Random. But we were happy to take it off their hands. (Note, the light fixture was given to Ben in addition to a Homemade Chocolate Cake upon completion of the project. Can you say spoiled? Rotten.)
So, while I was on the phone with a friend last night, there was a periodic banging and flickering of lights, and when I hung up - VOILA - a brand new light fixture in my kitchen. Ben was very proud of himself, this being his first electric installation of any kind. And he didn't even electrocute himself. Well done.
We celebrated with our version of Aunt Kathy's so-called Dirty Shrimp. Which is code for a pound of shrimp baked in an obscene amount of butter and black pepper. As Aunt Kathy instructs, we covered the dining room table in newspaper and shelled the shrimp right on to the table. Ideally served with cold beer and bread for slopping up all that butter. Very classy. And very good. Nicely topped off with Homemade Chocolate Cake.
And as we both climbed into our own bed last night, Ben still feeling very satisfied with himself about the light fixture and me feeling happily full of a good supper, we both said: It's good to be home.
7 comments:
You're a very special lady to be partial to the smells of Ben at home. I hope he painted you a bright sign to remind you to wear your hard hat in the kitchen at all times. Is it a very heavy fitting?
Your shrimp dinner sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing your lives with the old folks via the blog.
where's your blog? Ben
A very heavy fitting thank you.
As the cliche goes, there's no place like home. And being away does drive home the point that home is more than house. I trust you both look more rested than your last night house sitting-sorry, but you both look exhausted.
Al
Reminds me of the day when Luke decided to "remodel" our guest bathroom. Hopefully Ben's redecorating job doesn't include any autographed pictures of Michael Jordan or ET motion picture posters.
Sherry
Post a Comment