Monday, December 23: Went with Mr. Karen to pick up the dresser we decided to have refurbished (but not refinished, due to cost) after no one else in the family grabbed it from his mom’s storage unit when we were dispersing the furniture. Here it is all wrapped up for transport (the mirror was already loaded in our car; we’ll reattach it one day). The restorer did some research for us along with her quote, so I now know the style is called Eastlake and was popular around 1870 to 1890. What sold me on keeping it in the family were the details: the joints in the drawers (which I later learned are called Knapp joints) and the quirky drawer pulls. It’s well built and has character. It also had water damage from a basement flood and a few chips in the marble top and a crack or two in the drawer backs, but that’s all fixed now.

 

Tuesday, December 24: I was feeling rather under the weather, so lounged around Kathy’s house in Star Wars Christmas leggings and Cheez Its socks (and a Cheese the Day shirt) while Mr. Karen went to see what was left in his mom’s storage unit and strategize about getting it emptied this trip.

 
Wednesday, December 25: I did have enough energy to join in the opening of the presents. Not sharp enough to realize I’d put the Santa hat over the antlers on my novelty glasses (everyone gets novelty glasses and/or a Santa hat and/or headband to wear at Kathy’s house).

 
Thursday, December 26: We had a weather window that looked good for getting over the mountain pass, so Mr. Karen and I got up early (for us), went to rent a trailer, loaded up the last of the stuff from the storage unit, and drove home, stopping at the studio to unload and unhook the trailer before we went up the mountain road. Felt like a big accomplishment. (Compare the photo below to the one from December 2018 when we first loaded it up with the stuff that came cross country on the moving truck.)

 
Friday, December 27: Returned to the studio and unloaded the dresser from the car (we’d been too tired to do it the night before). Then Mr. Karen hooked up the trailer so he could return it, which unfortunately had to be done back down in Washington as all the places closer to us were full for returns. I stayed in the studio and rearranged things to make space for the stuff we’d unloaded there. When Mr. K got back, we went grocery shopping because our cupboards were on the bare side after all our absences this month. Saw some Peeps candy canes in the holiday clearance section and left them there.

 
Saturday, December 28: Still feeling under the weather, so instead of going out to ski with Mr. Karen, I stayed in and relaxed and pondered all the snow that fell while we were away and just how very many cars were parked all over thanks to the holiday week hordes. I really am spoiled by how uncrowded it is here most of the time.

 
Sunday, December 29: Another rest day for me, only watching the outside world and not getting out in it. Little did I know at the time I saw mountain security arrive to help the SUV that got stuck coming up the road that it would not be the only incident there this day. (See the other one here.)

 
Monday, December 30: Cough drops don’t seem to be helping me … I often cough while I am sucking on one, but these Ricola ones at least taste nice.

 

Tuesday, December 31: Nothing like looking out the bedroom window before getting dressed and seeing two guys on the roof next door. With the top down blinds, people being able to see in isn’t usually a problem, but people aren’t usually on the roof. Mr. Karen and I had a quiet New Year’s Eve at home (except for the periodic bursts of fireworks starting at 9 p.m.) and that’s just fine with me.

 

*****
On this date in 2024: Resolutions or Goals or Intentions
2023: And Now It’s 2023
2022: Happy Color Holidays
2021: Onward
2020: New Year, New Decade
2019: Welcome 2019
2018: Landing Gently in 2018
2017: Is 2017 Going to Be My Year?
2016: Irresolute
2015: Starting Off Right
2014: With a Whimper and a Bang
2013: Home
2012: 2011 Photo Projects
2011: 52 and a Half Weeks
2010: Meeting the Challenge
2009: Happy 2009
2008: The Beginning
2007: Good Clutter
2006: Done and Undone
2005: The Shoe Said “Love”
2004: No entry
2003: No entry