Back on the Chain Gang

Well, it’s back to work. Lynne, Caitlin, and I had a very relaxing holiday break. The only thing that was really stressful was the problem with the ice dams on the roof. As of this morning, my epic “discussion” with the city is over. It took about 8 months, but the city has finally commissioned a company to replace the gutters, soffit, and fascia. The work should be done in the next two weeks. This hopefully will keep the melting ice and snow on the outside rather than coming into our house through the front door frame. There will even be enough money from the grant to replace about 7 windows. Hooray for being poor enough for HUD grants!

Caitlin is back to school. Today went well, though she was a little grumpy to have to work again. We’re off to Easter Seals in a bit. It’s a 45-minute trip on country back roads, so I’m hoping that the predications of thunderstorms are erroneous.

The writing is going well again. I’m making that final push on the first draft of the novel. I feel very confident that I will get it done in the next few weeks. I’ve also been assigned another essay for Fluid Links. I’m pretty jazzed about this essay. I think that I’ve complied some good notes for it.

The Aicardi Conference planning is in full swing. Everybody seems to be very excited about the process. I hope it lasts.

Just Finished Reading- Dragon Champion by E.E. Knight (It was marvelous)
Elric of Mellnibone by Michael Moorcock

Currently Reading- Crystal Rain by Tobias Buckell

Red

Today was another day of projects. We were able to paint the shutters and garage. It looks better than we expected. What made it possible was help from our wonderful friends Sarah and David. David was outside with us painting while Sarah stayed inside watching Caitlin. Caitlin and Sarah adore each other, and they are hilarious together. After painting, we all had dinner with or friend Kevin and his little daughter Kiera. The night was completed with some Blake’s 7. We are tired, but we were able to complete everything on our weekend list.

Good Day...

That was much better. Caitlin had no seizures today. She was active and chipper. She also had a nice session with her speech therapist and Lynne as they played Uno and adapted Hungry, Hungry Hippos (I was upstairs working).

Caitlin was especially happy to see her best friend Lily. They are always sweet together. They played My Little Pony and watched Snow White while the adults played Dungeons and Dragons. It was a good day.

Otherwise, things are fairly quiet. It seems that Sunday we will be painting the shutters on our house.

Rain

Ah...the sweet innocence of childhood is as dead as spats. I loved thunderstorms when I was growing up. They were romantic and mysterious. Thunder started Mystery on PBS. It appealed to the gothic sensibilities of my youth.

Now I am a homeowner. The thing about water is that it is a primary agent of entropy. It is trying to destroy my house. It’s not getting in yet, but I worry about my aging gutters. We had big problems with them over the winter. They are getting replaced, but I’m not sure when. I need to make some follow-up calls today.

Caitlin is still asleep. That is not surprising after last night. She will be pretty wiped for the rest of today.