The house is done.

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Not all boxes have been unpacked. But every room and area has been arranged, furniture is placed and re-constructed as needed, everything is clean. I honestly did not think this could be done. I had been thinking that the kitchen, bedrooms, and living room would be it. I did not think they would be done to the level they are done. Curtains to rugs to vacuuming to placemats on the endtables. The few boxes left will be handled over this week or after my mom returns home. They are neatly stacked upstairs and contain material that might be more difficult to place well. And yet, I will get to that, or we will.

The rest of the lawn is next. Tomorrow will be the time for that. I will need to get out earlier in the day as the appointment for today had to be rescheduled for tomorrow. I have a shopping list for tomorrow, from several stores, as well as my appointment. I am well and solidly winded. I suspect the rest of the week will see ongoing work, but at a more leisurely pace. Upkeep and a bit more I would guess.

My insurance company dropped both my house and auto insurance. The letter suggested it was written July 16th. I know I checked mail as recently as last Saturday, and perhaps Monday, and had not received that mail by then. I did not check my mail the rest of last week as we were quite busy. So, I received the notice Friday, early in the afternoon. I have not been able to contact the agent in that time. This morning I called a local insurance agent and requested a quote. I called back in the afternoon and... they had not even put the material in for a quote. I got them to send the material to an agent who is not too busy to sell insurance. She called shortly after, thankfully, and suggested that a quote would be coming in the morning. That I understand, they have to run things by the underwriter.

Why was I canceled by Allied? Because their (my) agent did not supply them with enough information on the house and they considered it too high a risk with no more information than the year the house was built (1880). They did not even know, according to paper work they had, that this home has electricity. They dropped my auto insurance because of being rear-ended within the first 60 days. Needless to say, I do not think Allied could or should be trusted. By the way, I have had automobile insurance with Allied for... 7 to 10 years, this was simply a change in where I was getting insurance and packaging it with my home. Should I have advice on insurance, let me suggest you stay away from Allied. The main character in their advertising pretty much sums up what you can expect, if you can read between the lines and think just a bit. Trust? That is earned, or not.

Yes, tired. I have been working for 2 weeks now and I am simply out of gas. I do not wish to give out. The choice is not mine though. I will need a rest soon, a good one. Although I am hoping that when things go back to usual, I can start walking, or even driving if needed, to the lake in order to begin swimming. The hike would be good, though, too. And, back to beans and rice. Still, I cannot complain about the food while my mother has been here. Even the simple has been very good. Not having to cook nearly as often is pleasant. I have kept my lip zipped on the differences between our ways and not only is the food just fine but life is easier.

We have been doing well together. I know we are both on good behavior, and yet I think with some practice that would be good. I also know that my mother, like any woman I have ever known and in this way, cannot go without mood storms. As for me, I can. I do not need nor want drama. I do not want anger and yelling and arguing. I think it is a chemical thing with many women. Or a passive aggressive thing due to their inability to actually physically compete. And yet, I think if my mother really put her mind to it, she could calm a great deal... I think.

So much to do, in some ways, so little time... and yet a need to rest. But having the house, or even storage unit, turned into a home has been a little miracle. Now I can begin more living my life and less trying to get to the point where I can begin that process. Hiking! Swimming! Perhaps even a beginning of weight lifting! Eating right, taking care of the home, figuring out a few other things, and simply living where I have spent years merely dreaming of living. Who would have believed that I would even have figured out how to be here just 3 years ago. I do not think I believed, I just... wanted, tried, and doubted.

Well, good night.