I have moved over twenty times in 5 years, but a lot of people move more than I.
1.5 years I am stationary. But that could change at the drop of a pin.
My husband and I live in quirky 1890 home in the middle of a big city.
It is one of those places that is fun to imagine what it could be transformed into - but turning day dreams into dreams come true don't usually happen at the flick of a wand. Well not here at least.
We have had a lot of laughs while painting and sanding and imagining. But we have had some face wrinkling moments as well. Worried looks often cross our faces when we think about the fact we will be expecting a baby in 2 months and don t really have space in the house to put her . . .yet!
The house is old enough to where it was not originally built with closets. Or at least it only has one in its present state. The guy who owned the place before took what ever he could find and slapped it together. Parts of it are pretty cool. For example, the floors are made out of thickly lacquered press board.
Others are not. The sink in the one and only tiny bathroom is not connected to the wall and takes up more space than it should while leaving a nice two inch dust collector. The cabinets are well... not very nice. My cabinets in the kitchen are made of the same stuff and are tiny.
We are thinking about tearing this bathroom and kitchen out and completely updating it. We did this to the upstairs rental flat and it looks amazing! However, did I mention that we are expecting a baby in 2 months?
So as other women around me have their nurseries all set up already, I have a beautiful handmade bassinet filled with treasures for the baby sitting in the corner of my room. Which is great until the baby comes and I have to put her in the bassinet and the goodies somewhere else!
Recently I heard a radio program, Noon Day Connection, discussing how women tend to struggle with comparing themselves to others. And how our Western culture encourages comparison. I was drawn to the show because they also had a South African speaking about her culture. One of the places I have lived is Zimbabwe, so hearing what Lebo had to say about comparison brought back good memories and interesting perspective. But the show also pointed out that even in Africa, although it may about different issues, people are comparing themselves to each other.
Bottom line. People tend to compare. Sometimes it is healthy and many times it is not.
This last week parts of our house were filled with construction dust covering my recently organized living spaces in a nice white film. And lets just say at that point I felt alone and discouraged. I may have even cried to my husband and my mom a few times. And then I felt guilty for not being that encouraging wife and getting frustrated with my mom when she tried to help by providing suggestions.
The fact is, I am not a perfect wife by far. I am not a perfect daughter. My house is neither perfect, nor are my attempts to change it or myself.
The good part is that even though I shouldn't stop "trying," ultimately, my creator who formed me out of dust, will also continue improving His work.
So this entire week, as I try to get things ready for the baby, and struggle with the thought that my efforts will be in vain, I have been listening to a song that I was introduced to by my sister.
To find out how I tackled the dust click below:
I love that song :)
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