One of the few “cons” to the house – an ugly kitchen.

Of course, it no longer looks like this. It functions as a kitchen, but I think it is also the source of a wiring problem in the house. We’ve had more than a handful of electrical trips over the last month. I’m hoping that gets resolved SOON. I LOVE gas stoves, so that was a saving grace, but we had to replace the one in the photo. For some reason, the digital part controlling the oven fell off, and you couldn’t tell what temperature or whether the oven was on or not. Not particularly safe. The fridge was a little on the small side, so we moved it downstairs for RV’s fishing supplies.

Anyway, RV’s having a blast, ripping it to shreds. In the meantime, we are either microwaving or eating at my parents’ house. All dishes are being done in the bathroom. The living room looks like the kitchen exploded all over it – dishes, pots, pans, appliances from the kitchen scattered about.

Spent night two here. The hum of the traffic is quite soothing. It keeps me in bed longer than I should be, but it’s so comfortable. If only I could sleep in more than once a week.

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Tonight’s the first REAL night in the new house. We have stopped in every day to move stuff in, tear things out, or put stuff up. It’s an amazing learning experience – I found out that you can use a Lowes coupon at Home Depot and vice versa. SUPER USEFUL, considering we’ve made more trips to Home Depot and Lowes than I’ve ever made, and honestly, I’m sick of it.

We got an amazing deal on back splash tile, and we’re going to pick up some nice discounted floor tiles soon too. While I wanted to go for the bamboo floors, it was more than three times the price. This isn’t my dream home, so I don’t need to spend outrageous amounts on the floor. On my off day [thankfully granted by my supportive company], when I should be relaxing at home, I’ll be wading through cabinet styles and granite countertops while waiting for updates on potential appointments at the oral surgeon’s office. Surprisingly, the work we’re getting done will cost significantly less than originally estimated. We tell people we’re on a budget, but basically, the lowest possible $ amount is our budget.

All of RV’s stuff has been moved in. He’s got a lot, and we need to organize and throw stuff out. Mine will be slowly trickling in over the next few weeks. It’s funny how you can fill up an entire house with just a bedroom and a studio apartment as the starting point. MUST minimize! Even though the house is right off the freeway, the sounds are constant enough not to be noticed once asleep. It’s barely noticeable when you’re in the living room at the front of the house, and the doors to the bedrooms are shut.

Enjoying it so far. I’ll love it more when I’m all moved in, and everything is orderly and in its proper place. I’ll love it more when friends come over and celebrate!

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After postponing my surgery for three months [and only after several false potential appointment alarms], they’re now messing with when I can get my bands/wire removed. So the surgeon got sick, but that doesn’t mean his residents can’t relieve me of this liquid diet of no foreseeable end. Seriously. We’re calling them every day, leaving messages, and getting no responses.

The earliest date they gave me for an appointment was March. That’s more than a month away, and it’s after all the Lunar New Year festivities that I’ve been anticipating for the last few weeks. It’s out of the schedulers’ scope, really, so I just need to get in touch with a resident or the doctor himself.

*shakes fist*

All we can do is keep calling.

In the meantime, I’ve got COBRA payments to make as it appears that this whole thing won’t be finished for a while longer. My supportive coworkers have been the saving grace. I can take time off as necessary to rest, which will also allow me time to sort things out with the new house. You know, things like picking out cabinets, counters, and floor tiles.

Oh, and RV made me the most delicious guacamole shake today – avocados, chicken broth [lots of it + water], cilantro, onion, and mild salsa [because the spicy stuff really kicks your throat when it goes straight back].

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The dream interpretation app seems to point at my hesitation on moving into the new house. I think the idea of it being my permanent residence is what brings about those feelings the most. I mean, I shouldn’t mind it so much. It’s close to the parents’ house, and my stuff will all be in one place. On the one hand, I am excited about all this. On the other, I am not certain why I would mind this at all. RV and I get to play house in a house that’s more convenient than my parents’. It’s right off the freeway, walking distance to the market, and definitely easy to get to in terms of public transportation.

It probably has to do with a fear of growing up and getting old. And when I get older, everyone around me does too – family included. It’s been several years since the passing of the last of my grandparents’ generation. As time goes by and as my generation grows up, the generation of the parents also continues to move forward. Not too long from now, my parents will reach retirement, and so on and so forth…

:/

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So not fair.

This will surely result in a delay of splint removal. I’m hoping it’s not for more than a week because the Lunar New Year approaches. That means family feasts. I’ll need time to reacquaint my jaw to that chewing motion.

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Total weight loss has been around seven pounds. My clothing is loose, and I refuse to buy anything tighter because I can only assume that I will gain it all back as soon as the chompers are working. One more week until I may possibility be free of the splint/bands. Not free completely because they will replace them with removeable bands, but that opens a lot of doors in terms of what I can consume! *fingers crossed that I hear good news next week* It’s hard to smile when you’ve got a splint and bands in place. I’m hoping all the smiling and laughing is good exercise for the jaw because I’m doing a lot of it these days. My friends are hilarious, what can I say?

In the meantime, I have gone on select outings. As seen in the last entry, a Gaga-themed party. Also the birthdays of a few friends, along with a soup party this past weekend. It was hosted at the new house since we didn’t really have another venue. RV and Keane moved the couch in, so there was seating for all. It was a good time, and I can see the house being a great spot to host gatherings in the future. The kitchen needs some work though, so I have to get on that soon.

The parents are back from vacation, so RV is relieved of food duty for the time being. One more week, so excited!

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It was a Gaga-themed party.

I had no idea what to wear the morning of and really only came up with something once I got home from work. I know at some point or other, she donned a wig of a color other than blonde, so I suppose the purple works. It’s got the obligatory bangs. The mini hat, bracelets, and necklace were purchased the day of the party. Since I wasn’t about to sew some outrageous outfit together, I decided on accessories that fit her “style.” As I couldn’t speak anyway, I took the opportunity to cover half of my face up with random lace/glitter I found in the house. In many photos I’ve seen, half of her face is covered in SOMETHING or other. It served the purpose of hiding any drool that might slip past these still-puffy lips.

Somewhere along the way, I smudged my eye make-up. Oh well.

BTW, I am totally going to have a costume closet in the new house.

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Side note: We just realized that the three Safeways closest to us are open 24 hours. How did I not know this before?! It’s a little overwhelming as it means late night shopping is definitely possible. Three-fold!

I’m not feeling so miserable with my face wired. It’s just annoying not being able to have any real food. I went back to work, and it’s been a balance of figuring out where I’ve left off and how I’m going to eat enough meals during the day while remaining productive. Everyone’s super supportive there. Since it’s been raining like the end of the world, RV’s been shuttling me to work because he has the car more suited for this weather. He’s not a morning person, and so the folks at work have said that I can come in a little later, so that he and I both have enough rest. How nice of them! I mean, yeah, I’m being paid by the hour, so every hour not worked is an hour not paid, but they’re so accommodating! If I have to leave early because I’m exhausted, I can do that too. So far, I haven’t felt too tired to leave before the eight hours are up!

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There was really only one way to cross this item off my list. That would be by completing another item from my list :

070 – Buy another house.

The house closed earlier this month. I’ve not moved in as the place needs a bit of work. Plus, surgery has put my life on hold in some aspects. No more heavy lifting since I’ve lost all muscle. RV’s started moving his belongings over. He finished his lease early, so he would save on a few months of rent. The nice part is that his apartment will waive the penalty of one month’s rent [which isn't so bad to begin with] if he finds a replacement. Pretty sweet deal, considering the apartment manager already had someone in mind who will come by to check out his place this week.

In other news, since I’ve been on antibiotics this whole time, I’ve not been drinking. So that has allowed me to work on: 035 – No alcoholic beverages for two months of the year. and 037 – Do not eat out for two weeks twice a year. Considering that I’m only starting these now, I should really restrain for the next six months! For the record, no alcoholic beverages for one full month is nearly complete, and I haven’t eaten out for about the same time.

In all seriousness, the last week of December, I attended my 10-year high school reunion. It was as odd as I’d expected, but thanks to the wonderful world of social media, most appeared as I’d seen in photographs. So 087 – Attend 10-year high school reunion. is off the list.

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He’s always around for me, ready to answer my cries for food, comfort, etc. Whenever we go anywhere, he’s ready to explain what’s been going on or to interpret my mumbles. I am no longer the independent girl that I thought I was.

This weekend I’m on my own. Not only are the parents on vacation in Europe, but RV is up visiting his dad. Of course, there’s some pre-made food in the fridge. It’s for a rather short period of time, but it is still difficult. I was so used to just expressing, rather than doing.

I attended a birthday party tonight, and I ended up using my cell phone to type out short sentences. Didn’t stay long, but it was enough to get my fix of social interaction for the day. I had fun.

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