Today has just disappeared and I don't really know where it went. The main thing on the agenda was to take Smallsteps ice skating for the first time, which we didn't do, as we both couldn't for the skates we have for her and we needed to get ours sharpened, as neither my wife nor I have skated in over 15 years.
The problem was that this is the start of the skating season and they have just prepped the local rinks all around the city. While we did find kids skates for Smallsteps, the lines for sharpening were so long that we have to wait to pick them all up tomorrow. Obviously, we aren't the only unprepared parents around.
My wife and I have never seen each other skate and while she says that she can, I am a little skeptical. I have been quite honest about my skills however, which are close to none, so she should know what to expect. The thing that worries me the most is carrying my camera while skating, as it is likely that I am going to end up on my ass a lot. I guess that is what insurance is for - both for possessions and life.
Smallsteps is really excited for it though and has been skating around the house in her socks... With her eyes closed. We bought a helmet too, but I think it is a tad small, so we will have to change it in the morning. It can get cold here obviously and a beanie needs to fit underneath. The moral of the story is, never send an Australian to make decisions on ski gear.
As said, I don't know where the day went, but I know where a few hours of tomorrow will be spent. My sister-in-law's husband dropped off a trailer full of firewood from his parent's farm and I will have to unload it. There is a lot of wood there to move into the garage.
We don't use the wood to heat the house, but we have a fireplace and a wood-fired sauna, a bit if a luxury in the city these days, as most are electric. While electric are far more convenient and these days can be connected to the Internet so as to be heated up remotely, the steam from wood-heated is gentler and more relaxing, plus there is the smell of it.
We pay for the wood, but we get a bit of a discount as well as free delivery (it is their trailer but they store it in our yard) and, we don't burn that much. This is our second load since we moved in and in the early days, we were using it for heating, as we ran out of oil before we changed the heating system to an air/water exchange system.
This weekend we were actually meant to be making the move into the renovated upstairs, but the floor still isn't dry after 5 weeks. We called the paint company and they said it might be another 4 weeks before it has cured. We called them before painting and followed their directions, but it seems that conditions haven't been ideal for hardening the paint and it has dried on top, but is still wet underneath.
They did say that we could sand it back and repaint it, but with the price of this paint, that really isn't an option and we just have to wait it out. Pretty frustrating.
Because of this, we are again going to fall behind the renovation schedule as we will not be able to start the work on the downstairs for at least another month, but we can't book workers because we don't know exactly when they could start. The year had just begun and we are a month behind. We will get there though - I guess.
The evaluation of the house will be in late spring and we have to increase the value of the place significantly before then in order to combine the main and the renovation loan together, otherwise the renovation portion will be at a higher interest rate. While not catastrophically high, it would just be a waste of money over time that could be used for other things.
The first half of this year is going to be very busy again and I am glad that at least I got a couple weeks of break from the daily grind of it. I think that I am also meant to get a paid winter holiday as well, my first ever in the 17+ years I have spent in Finland. Freelancers and entrepreneurs don't get these kinds of perks. But, I am guessing that I might be able to split the week and take a few days here and there to do stuff around the house.
I'm hoping that the second half of the year is more about building a routine in the family and at work so that there is a little more structure possible. I think that even once we get upstairs, this will begin as we will have a permanent space that we can organize without having to think about the dust and constantly have to work around mess and stacks of random renovation materials.
At the moment, my steadiest routine is writing on Hive and I think that the slice of space it gives me had become a type of tether, something I can always use to keep me grounded and focused. It is valuable to have in a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable and volatile and I think many would benefit from writing here, whether they care for the rewards or not.
But for now, Smallsteps has fallen asleep and I can stop singing and go and have some dinner instead and perhaps chillout with my wife for a while.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Another excellent piece.
Well, I know the day goes by quickly when your plans change and some other things need handling.
The camera thing is going to be an issue, but don't get to anxious or you may actually fall while skating and thus break that thing.
I hope all things go back in track and the house renovations can be finished as soon as possible with the best results.
I also consider writing here is a nice way to keep yourself grounded in reality and not delve too much into other stuff. It's easy enough to get out of track in thoughts and end up lost in something unimportant. The rewards are just the little treat you can get for doing such a good job as you, my friend, always do.
So, you also sing to Smallsteps. I think she will be bound to become a very art-friendly person and it fills me with joy. 😄
Days seem to be going faster and faster of late, though I am not sure if I am getting anything done. Perhaps I will skate for a bit and then take the photos from the edge.
I wish she could read already, as i am a crap singer :D
She is quite creative by the looks and enjoys the arts and crafts a lot - but it also runs in the family.
How was your weekend?
Ha, ha, ha. Oh, well. Get onto my mom's technique and see the results for yourself.
That's awesome.
And, man, I haven't met a worse singer than me. I'm almost always out of tune. I don't think that's your case.
It's been interesting. I've been getting into some other communities and interacting with other people. I have done some more cuatro stuff, since I have to finish it for the last days of January. And it has been a calm hot day.
@tipu curate :)
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 39/78) Liquid rewards.
thank you :)
💙
Don't people usually skate with their eyes closed? XD
I was going to suggest that maybe the helmet will be enough to keep her head warm as you get pretty warm ice skating (I mean look at what figure skaters wear) but I don't know where you're skating (if you're outdoors might be a different story).
The floor paint problem sounds like a linseed oil problem my sister had. The instructions said something like a couple of days to dry, and she forgot to consider the high humidity of the island, and whatever she painted with it took a month or so to dry.
Good luck with the rest of the renovation stuff :S and have fun skating when you get around to it, push off one foot, glide on the other foot and stand still if you're trying to get photos until/unless you get really confident gliding XD
Yeah, we are skating outside. They build outdoor rinks at most of the schools and some random fields. It is minus eight at the moment.
Humidity is one thing, air flow another. We haven't painted at the optimal time for anything it seems :D
The family story is amazing. Spending time with family members, really good.
Have you been able to spend time with your family?
!ASH
Interestingly written! In general, sending men to shop is not the best idea!
Amazing story