We were set up to have an easy summer. Well, we had Tessa’s graduation and open house (let me know if I failed to invite you and you are interested in coming this Saturday). We have various college orientations and summer jobs, complete with car sharing issues. But for the most part, this summer was looking benign. So why not spice things up? Why not move? Doesn’t that sound fun?

I must be insane. We had lived in our Lisle house for 15 years. And I had lived there for 21 years in my previous life before I bought my parents’ house. I thought I was never leaving. But Indiana beckoned. So, why, after just four years in this house (and I love this house), am I moving? The water beckoned. Not any dynamic water like Lake Michigan (if only that water didn’t extend Travis’ commute so much). There is a small lake within our subdivision. Casually, over the course of about a year, my friend Maureen, a realtor, has been showing me houses on the small lake. Always fixer-uppers, because that’s what we can afford on little Lake Louise. And then we found one. We squeaked our first viewing in before Trav was going out of town. Trav didn’t seem enthused. Since he left right after the viewing, I began to settle into the idea of a normal summer. One that didn’t involve packing a percentage of our belongings in our garage so our house didn’t look like we actually live in it. One that didn’t involve losing all sorts of important paperwork, since nothing can be out on the counter. One that didn’t involve cleaning, cleaning, cleaning our house for showings. And that summer sounded good and peaceful. But that summer was not meant to be, because when I talked to Travis later that night, he said that he loved the house. He could see what it could be. This is key here people. What it could be is not the same as loving a house as it is. So now, we own that house…and our other house…and our cottage. We are the definition of house poor. But we are closing on our regular house at the end of July. So the race to fix up the house on Lake Louise is ON!!

My Mother’s day gift from the kids, per my request, was to fix up our house so we could put it on the market. Trav’s Father’s day gift, per my request, was to work on the Lake Louise house. So, we had the Haldeman work crew. I am actually pretty impressed with their tenacity. Of course, when you put your kids to work removing baseboard trim, there are bound to be holes in the wall. I’m no better. Turns out our inexperience was on full display. Despite some bickering on whose inexperienced method of removal was better, we did NOT end up with holes in anyone’s head, so there’s that. And they were all holding crow bars and mallets. Well, except for Tayden, who went on some kind of crazy cleaning spree. Who is this kid? Since we originally had only one crow bar, I sent the kids to the Home Depot to get some more, and Travis had some sort of “money lock down melt down.” Yes honey, that extra $13 crowbar is what’s breaking the bank. I suppose when you’re hemorrhaging cash, it just takes that one thing.

So now, Travis, various kids (depending on availability), and I work at the Lake Louise house until eleven each night, then stumble home to fall into bed, rinse, repeat. That’s why I’m late posting today. My bed never felt better. But it’s time to get back at it. Wood floors are being delivered today to piece into the existing floors. Although, we discovered that the existing floors were installed up to the trim, and not under the trim, so when we removed the trim, we created an inch long crevice that’s about ¾ of an inch deep. Any ideas on trim covering for that canyon? We also have the carpet guy coming to measure, and the painter already there. Then there are a million projects we are doing ourselves, and some that we haven’t even started. Tessa’s graduation open house has become an afterthought. I ordered food, so that should be good. I suppose adults will like beverages too. UGH!

So, enjoy your normal summer! Mine looks crazy. And if you know anyone that wants to buy a cottage on Lake Shafer (we haven’t even started trying to sell that yet), please contact me. I’ll try not to cry as I hand over the keys to that.