We’re Late, We’re Late, For a Very Important Date

Ever since we moved back to Pittsburgh in April, it’s been go go go. Between the two of us, Matt and I have taken more than a half dozen trips to New York, to work on the rental house and to prepare for moving into the new house. We’ve sanded, stained and polyurethaned more furniture than I ever want to see again; landscaped hasta beds, planted mums, hung flower baskets, weeded, seeded, and mowed; made tables, saved doors, redone chairs, thrown out junk, and reclaimed treasures; and, slowly, but surely, watched both houses come together before our eyes.

(Check out the new Keefer house and garage: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150305174190251.563208.780990250&l=365087fc39; and, the rental house and new garage: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150613479985251.676425.780990250&l=060e617e6e)

The new house was supposed to be done in April…then May…then June…and, now, we are less than two weeks away from the big day, and still awaiting the completion of the new house and the garage. We are praying for rain every day to grow the new lawn; but will switch to praying for no rain, no humidity, and not too much heat on the wedding day. 

We’ve come home exhausted and sore, only to find ourselves faced with a wedding ‘to do’ list a mile long; regular jobs that demanded our attention; errands to run; and, money to spend. We are pros at packing and unpacking our toiletries. We do the same load of laundry every Sunday night. And nothing seems to keep us sane except our steady routine of reading before bed and coffee in the morning.

This reminds me of Keefer family renovations in Aspinwall, typically only weeks or even days before the annual Groundhog’s Party. Every project ended with my Dad screwing in the last lightbulb, tightening the last screw, or painting the last stroke just as the first guest walked in the house.

But all is not lost…

Our clothes are tailored, cleaned and pressed. Our rings are sized and engraved. Our shoes are broken in. Our accessories are accounted for and pre-packed in the ever-growing pile of stuff that shouldn’t be forgotten. The reception details are finalized. The centerpieces are made. The flowers are ordered. The cake tasting was delicious. The rentals and deliveries are confirmed. There are four bottles of booze and 18 bottles of wine waiting for us. The DJ has his mile-long list of “must play” songs and artists. Thank you gifts and notes are done. The ceremony is written. Our vows are down on paper. And, finally, there are very few things left on the ‘to do’ list.

In spite of the worrying, chest pains, overwhelming panic, tired nights, and early mornings, we still couldn’t be happier. Every day that goes by, we continue to affirm that we belong as a couple—that our future together is only beginning. We can’t wait to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of our labors. We expect the ceremony, reception and bonfire to be legendary memories regardless of any chaos that might ensue. 

The house might be late, but our wedding will be right on time…and just as planned.

Little By Little

This weekend was another long, hard, workingman's holiday. Dad finished rebuilding Poppy's original picnic table. He was able to save about six boards and used the old campy green trim color. We took apart, cleaned, and spray-painted the medicine chest we saved for my bathroom. I painted the well cover at K2 and stained the banisters and railings of the deck. These are only the things I can remember, and only a tiny portion of the huge list of things Dad, Matt and I have completed in the past for weeks but everything is moving along.

We used to be the people at the beach, laughing and pointing at the people who were doing housework; and, now, we're those sad people working every weekend. On the bright side, K2 is finished and ready to house the Coopers for the wedding (and become a rental property shortly after). The house looks beautiful. Friends and strangers have all stopped to say how wonderful the flowers and house and yard and garage look. K2 has become the bright yellow welcome to Chipman Lane.

As far as the new house, we're sort of holding our breath that it will be finished in time. The builder is a really great guy - really knows his stuff. Dad keeps adding things on, slowing down the crew and adding days onto the finish date. The grass seed is going down today, and it looks like we might be blessed with rain all week. The cabinets, granite and appliances should all be finished by the end of the week. Carpet and asphalt next week. Garage should be finished sometime next week. Painting is going to be a long haul I think, but it will get done.

As soon as we get the keys, it will be a flurry of moving furniture from K2 back to the new house, buying pieces we need, cleaning, organizing, making beds, getting the kitchen in order, rotating stuff between the shed, big garage and little garage, hanging art, etc. etc. etc. And don't forget that I'm my own wedding planner!

Matt and I knew what we were getting into, although we underestimated the amount of work a tad. We are still 100% happy that we moved, and that we can help with the new house. The way I see it, these are all times, experiences, stories that Matt and I can tell every year on our anniversary, to our kids, to the new generation of Chipman Lane campers.

Now if I could just get a few extra hours of sleep, and this knot out of my shoulder blade...

Mrs. Cooper, Instructor Keefer, Outreach & Communications Specialist…and…Mom

This morning, Matt asked me if, now that I’m working from home, juggling three jobs, and planning a wedding, if it feels like a good arrangement for being a stay-at-home mom - if I think I can handle it. He really got me thinking. Minus the wedding, and considering that ASU is only August-May and that work for my Dad is sporadic and flexible, I think I could be a very good working mommy. What better situation could there be…? I get to keep my job titles, get paid a very decent salary, and be a mom.

Working from home can be difficult: three email accounts’ worth of emails coming through on my Blackberry; constant reprioritization of tasks; figuring out what Pandora station to keep me rocking all day; kitties trying to sit on my lap, on the keyboard, on the printer; instant messages from work colliding with IMs from west coast and southwest friends catching me online; the enticing sounds of birds in the tree and sunlight tempting me—the distractions are varied and constant.

I’ve heard different variations of the same story from my Mom a million times: relentless me bugging her until her wit’s end – “Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy Mommy” … “What!?!” And that’s only when I was old enough to talk/. Let’s not forget the first year of being a mommy—trying to establish a feeding and sleeping schedule, fit in housework and cooking, and still find a few minutes to spend with Matt…AND hold down two online jobs.

But, at the end of the day, I like the idea of bringing home some bacon and being wife and mother at the same time. It’s really the best of both worlds—I can be the same strong, independent, working woman I am now, and also the Donna Reed who is inside of us all. I won’t pretend to think it will be easy, or that I’m not scared; I’ll just keep learning how to juggle.

One Wedding Shower & One Healed Spine

Quick update for everyone:

First, I forgot to include my wedding shower in the last blog. Sharon, my Mom, Sarah, and Rachel did a superb job planning an incredible day for me. There were no stupid, embarrassing game--just great food and good friends. On the menu was four different quiches, an oriental salad, and some mini croissants. There were big edible fruit bouquets everywhere too; however, a certain little junior hostess who will remain unnamed may have eaten every single piece of chocolate-dipped fruit. Drinks included mimosas and sangria; and, dessert was...wait for it...toasted almond torte from the Oakmont Bakery. Mmmm :) I got a ton of wonderful gifts, including one very special gift. Rachel's mom, Carolyn, fixed my grandmother's garter, which is blue and has been worn by my Mom, Marijane, Sharon, and others. Sharon had yummy Russell Stover chocolates and scented candles with a beautiful monogrammed label as favors. All in all, it was a wonderful, perfect day!

Update number two--I went to the ortho yesterday. After less than seven months, my spine is fused! He said I'm okay to go back to 100% regular, normal activities; and, most importantly, we have no restrictions for planning a family. I can't tell you all how big of a weight off my shoulders it was to hear the doctor tell me I'm healed. Granted, it wasn't my awesome surgeon from Phoenix--in fact, it was a dork with a comb-over and a bow tie--but I've been waiting to hear those words since my last check up in late February. I can let out the breath I've been holding, wash away the stress I've been feeling, and start getting back into shape.

Well, that's it. Matt's off to another weekend at Sandy Pond with my Dad - more manly tasks to accomplish. I, however, am off to Bowling Green, where I will hang out with my "bridesmaid" Chris (just kidding - we each have a guy and a girl standing up for us). We're shoe shopping and movie watching and just hanging out.

How We’ve Been: Or, Remembering to Wear Deodorant

Well, it’s been a while since I last wrote a blog—time for a fractured, but hopefully complete, update.

Who would have thought that quitting our jobs; moving our household, ourselves and our two cats across the country; planning a wedding; helping to build a house; and, working three jobs would have been so utterly chaotic, exhausting and fulfilling?! Most days, I’m lucky if I remember to wear deodorant, let alone actually check things off one of the many scribbled, yet meticulous and thorough, ‘to do’ lists.

Our attic apartment is now organized and cooled by an 8,000 BTU A/C unit that is no longer leaking copious amounts of stale water onto my ancient futon couch. The kitties have now realized that there is a huge, 4-story house surrounding them, have all but abandoned us and our love for them, and come back dirty and shedding for food twice a day. Dante has become quite the bully, so we are going to try this diffused liquid that vets use that is supposed to keep them calm (read: stoned like catnip) and non-aggressive. Also, to save our sanity and beauty rest, we are trying an automatic pet feeder. Sigh.

Wedding plans are moving along. I bought this great organizer for crazy people like me who think they don’t need no stinkin’ wedding planner. It has lots of pre-printed lists with satisfying little check boxes and whatnot. I’m happily checking things off, adding circles and asterisks and underlines to items that are far past overdue, and trying to remember to enjoy the process. We have food, flowers and the cake figured out; I have my dress, hair and makeup decided; we’re working on music choices; the rehearsal dinner is pretty much figured out; and, there’s only one person left to dress for the ceremony—well, that’s not counting my father, who will require everything from head to toe to be purchased during a trip to the store where he wanders around like Stevie Wonder without a cane and I constantly either (a) panic that I’ve lost him or (b) scramble to keep him focused. I’ve purchased all the random stuff that goes along with getting married: gifts, thank you notes, a journal for not forgetting our vows during the ceremony, guest favors, etc. etc. etc.

But, of course, having the wedding depends on actually having the new Keefer cottage finished. First think folks, we can’t really call it a cottage or camp anymore. It’s more of a “huge house by the water.” For those of you who remember the old Keefer camp, you will recognize the same floor plan, with an extra 10 feet of length and three feet of width. And the ceiling goes on forever. There’s more window and more light, more fans and more air, more space and more silence. (If you’re on Facebook, I have photos of the new construction, as well as renovations to the rental house across the street.) I’ve dreamt of getting hitched at the camp my whole life – and we’re 54 days away! It will take more than a few more weekends of work in New York, endless shopping trips, and a whole lot of breath holding and finger crossing to get both houses ready for the big day…but I have faith in my parents, Matt, and those wonderful people who have offered to come up early the week before to get things in order.

I’m finished with teaching until August. I’m still teaching Business Writing online for Arizona State University, and am slated for two courses in the fall. My second job is working for my Dad. I help him bid jobs, pay bills, stay organized. You know those people who are handlers for superstars and/or wild animals…yeah, that’s me for my Dad J The bulk of my working time is going to the IJIS Institute right now. My boss tried to hire me a few times over the past few months, but it was always bad timing. Now, I have a great salary for part time work, and a title that makes me happy. Although they are located in Virginia, I am working from a hastily curtained and air-conditioned office in our lovely temporary home. They set me up with a kick-ass wireless printer and a nice desk phone, and only require that I physically visit the office every few months. We will be discussing me going full time after the wedding. What a sublimely perfect setup – I’m more content with my professional life than I’ve ever been, and I’m looking forward to a long relationship with the IJIS Institute.

Matt is working for my Dad for the time being. He doesn’t know what he wants to do when he grows up. I’m trying to bring home the bacon the best I can, so Matt can have some time to be purposeful and thoughtful as he considers a complete industry and job title change. If anyone has any suggestions or contacts or gurus or mentors or ideas for a smart, organized, man in Pittsburgh who is looking for a new line of work, let me know…

I have my 6-month x-rays and spine eval on Thursday. Please, everyone, pray for me or howl at the moon or send me good juju or just keep me in your thoughts. Matt and I are absolutely ready to be done with the odyssey of “Chelsea and Her Messed Up Back.”

I hope to have at least a little time this summer to read, listen to records, take some photos, and explore Pittsburgh; however, I’m content to simply focus on the wedding, float through the next 54 days, and rejoin the real world sometime in August or September.