We're putting a kitchen in the basement. The seven-year old, leaky, ignored-for-three-years, scratchy hot tub was chopped up into segments and sent to the dump. It left a good 8' x 12' space in which a stove, fridge, sink, dishwasher and countertop with cabinetry will be installed.
I am thrilled.
Trevor and I are extremely grateful for the hand-up my parents have so graciously offered us to live in their basement. It's allowing us both to finish our degrees without student loans, which is a monumentally wonderful thing. Nevertheless, I am so very excited to have my own kitchen space again. Even though the baby was a big inspiration for this home improvement, I know Trev and I won't be the only ones to enjoy this kitchen in the coming years. The cabinets, countertops and appliances have all been chosen, and just about to be ready to be installed.
My mom and I have had a lot of fun planning the kitchen. It's funny, I've always thought our tastes were totally similar. Not so much. My mom's thoughts and tastes always seem to revolve around the word "whimsy," whereas mine seem to revolve around "peaceful." My mom's first question is always "What's the most fun option?" This goes beyond just home decorating, but to just about every other aspect of her life. When she wakes up in the morning, purveying the things she has to do in the coming day, she doesn't prioritize them the way most people do. Which is to make sure you do the important things. My mom makes sure to do the fun things. This is something I love about my mom, and really wish I had in me. I assume I must have it in me somewhere, I just need to nurture it. I think it will help me be a better mom.
My mom never made me feel like I had to go to school, and it's kind of amazing I turned out to be a good student. We had regular "mental health days" in which I could do whatever I wanted with my mom. I think this was incredibly important for me and all my siblings, just to know that sometimes you can escape life and do something fun.
Sometimes this characteristic in my mom can be maddening. But in the end, it's one of the things I absolutely cherish about her, and am grateful to have it as an influence in my sometimes too-serious life.
Ooh, I can't wait to see! Is there anything I can do to help? You know, pitch in with painting or anything?
ReplyDeleteAnd I like that about your mom too! But for the life of me I can't figure out how she never made you feel like you had to go to school and yet you still went (of course, per your last entry, you confess you like it!).
If I never made Jack feel like he had to school, he would NEVER go! The page I take from your mom's book is that I believe in taking a mental health break once in a while too - sometimes you just need some breathing space!
Your Mom *is* very fun, but don't worry, you are very fun too! We should go to Disneyland and have fun together.
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