I'm supposed to be studying for a certification test I have to take in 2 weeks, but my brain hurts, so I'm taking a break and using my blog as procrastination tool!
Before I get started, in case any of you are here to check on Andrew's status, his fever is down, and he's doing better. He's still not keeping any food down, but Brittany says he refuses to admit that he doesn't feel well. Little trooper/twerp. Thank you so much for your prayers and words of support for our whole family, and most especially for my little, bald Bob Amato.
Be sure to check out his website. He has posted some video messages there that are precious! http://www.andrewvanderploeg.com/
Life here in Rhode Island has been great save the weather...which I complain about on a daily basis. I've developed a truly pationate distaste for Winter this year. I can't ever seem to get warm!
I love my home, but I'm convinced that THIS trip into the world of mortgage slaves is supposed to teach me something about patience and humility. Three weeks ago my furnace died and I had to spend the weekend with space heaters keeping my pipes from freezing and a fire in my fireplace to keep me from freezing. Now I've got a brand new furnace, and it works great, but for some reason I'm still always cold!
The front of my house is north facing so it doesn't get any direct sun, which is only a problem because there is a huge pile of snow and ice on the roof that creates a disturbingly steady supply of water dripping on my driveway. Unfortunately, because it gets no sun, it turns to ice again almost immediately when it hits the driveway, causing a fantastic "ice rink" effect. I asked the HOA to do something about it multiple times with no luck, so the ice just continued to get thicker and thicker. Last weekend I had to take 4 running starts to get my car into the garage, so I decided it was time to to take matters into my own hands and get to chipping away the ice.
You can check out pics of the whole ordeal here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=72534&l=ac452&id=714881782
Sadly, all my hard work has been continually undone since the minute I finished the job. Looks like I'll be out there chipping away again tomorrow! (another procrastination technique!)
The ice build up on the roof has also created a wonderful phenomenon known as an ice dam above my bedroom window. Basically the snow against the shingles melts during the day and then freezes when the sun goes down, expanding (as ice does) it's way under the shingles. When the ice melts again the next day it is UNDER the shingles and it leaks into the house. I've had lovely puddles of water in my window seat on randome days for a few weeks, but luckily there hasn't been any visible water damage, and the HOA has had contractors out to deal with the problem on the roof, so hopefully we are done with that issue.
Like I said, patience and humility! I really do love my home, and despite the cold I find all of the little adventures it's brought me rather humorous. Honestly, sometimes all you can do is laugh!
The nasty weather here has made me a bit more homesick for Colorado than usual. Friends and family there are continually notifying me of the temperatures in the high 60's...I think they enjoy being cruel! I did get to spend almost 2 full weeks home in Denver for Christmas, so I guess I can't complain that much. I'm a New Englander now, so I guess I've gotta toughen up! That and buy some warmer socks!
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