Brave or Foolish

I decided Friday, October 16th that Tuesday, October 20th, was the day to move to Iowa. I loaded my car with necessary items. It's amazing what you realize is necessary and what isn't when you're confined to packing a small space. My dad was kind enough to fill my gas tank (at least we think it was full; my baby's getting old) and I was off bright and early Tuesday morning. About four miles over the Iowa state line, I left the interstate and headed for Nine Eagles State Park. I planned to camp there over night. It was about 8pm when I left I-35, dark, and I was praying the park would still be open. It was; blessing number one. I was the only one in the tent camping site. It was really dark, I was alone, and honestly, I was rather terrified. I left my car running and used the headlights to pitch my tent and get my sleeping bag, blankets, overnight bag, etc. all arranged. The ranger came by and we chatted a bit. When he left, he gave me his card and the phone number of his boss in Des Moines who works for the Division of Natural Resources. Networking!!!

I got nicely settled into my tent, had some dinner, discovered there was no running water at all, and bedded down for the night. I was about to fall asleep when, pitter-patter, it started to rain. Now, my tent's been in the rain before. It does just fine. But, that was five years ago, so I got all nervous again. I enjoy the sound of the rain and again, began to fall asleep when, a certain female monthly visitor decided to arrive with all it's accoutrements. Mad dash to latrine in the rain. I downed more Tylenol than is recommended on the bottle but was still in agony the next few hours. I know I fell asleep because I had some really strange dreams. I was warm and dry inside my tent all night though. Definite blessing. I 'slept' in a bit the next morning. It was a beautiful morning. I'm catching the tail end of the fall colors in Iowa. Here's a view from my tent Wednesday morning.

I broke camp, loaded my car, and headed toward Des Moines. Instead of heading into town, I went west. My plan was to stay at the KOA in Adel, IA for the next few days until I found a place to live. I pulled into the campground, but the office was closed for the next two hours. I took that time to call the lengthy list of possible apartments to check for vacancies and make appointments to see spaces. When the office opened, I told the guy I planned to camp. Then I asked about the weather. He said rain and cold. Then, he said he'd give me a cabin for $30 off the usual price, it being the end of the season and all. Yet another blessing. Here's a picture of my cute little cabin.

It has electricity, but no running water. I still have to go across the compound to the bathroom/sink/shower. I unloaded some stuff and then decided to call the temp agencies and make appointments for Monday. The first place told me to come in tomorrow (Thursday). Wow! Sure, the sooner the better! Since I'd be all dressed-up for an interview, I thought I might as well try and get into the other places as well. I called and made appointments. Then, in the rain, I searched my car for my business attire, my iron and ironing board. The electricity in the cabin became a greater blessing. I then unloaded my computer and printer so I could print my resume. Well, I don't know if the ink was frozen or being jostled about in the back of the car put the printer in bad spirits, but it wasn't working. The KOA has free wireless internet. My new computer is set up for wireless internet. Blessings. I did a quick search and found the library in the closest town was open until 8pm. Blessings. I dashed to the library and was able to print off a few copies of my resume. I slept really well that night.

Thursday was a full day. I had two interviews at temp agencies, one of which required me to remember how to add fractions with uncommon denominators, and looking at tons of apartments. All in the rain too. I seriously began to wonder whether there was sky in Iowa, or just clouds and rain. By the end of the day I found a place I liked, and had very positive feedback on the job front. Friday I had another interview and put a deposit down on an apartment. It won't be ready for another few days, but I decided to move into an extended stay hotel. I went to pay for one more night at the KOA, and the lady said I didn't need to, and she was going to reimburse me for my second night. She then told me to stay for free until my apartment was ready. I almost cried. I told her if I had a kitchen I'd make her cookies. Huge blessing. Below are pictures of home for the next week or so.

The bunkbeds have become my closet, and the little bench my kitchen cabinet.

The bed is comfortable, but the ladybugs are annoying beyond all reason. However, I'm not complaining. It's free. Oh, and there's a desk, with a chair, and an electrical outlet, and wireless internet. Blessings!

However, probably the greatest blessing of them all is this little unit on the wall. It's a heater, and to quote a friend, it kicks out the BTUs. I have been quite warm and cozy in this little place.

So far, I have been extremely blessed in my Iowa adventure. I think I will still give it another week or so before I decide whether this escapade was extremely brave or extremely foolish.

Kate vs. The House

In my current jobless state, my dad offered to pay me to paint the shutters and front door of the house. I looked forward to this project with eager anticipation. I went to the local hardware store and got some estimates, took some measurements of the house, peeled some paint off for a match and prepared a project proposal for my dad. I assumed the entire project would take about 22 hours.

I returned to the local hardware store and bought the necessary supplies. After two hours of scraping in the blazing sun, I had removed an area of paint roughly equal to a ruler. By my calculations, I should have had two of the large shutters and one small one totally devoid of paint. Kate:0 House: 1.

The people across the street were having some work done and the carpenter came over and said what he would do is use a power-washer to remove the paint. I rented one from an industrial equipment rental place here in Houston. The gas-powered motor was heavy beyond all reason. However, I got fairly adept at pulling the cord while holding the wand trigger (due to built up pressure in the hose) and felt invincible.

I found the power-washer a rather enjoyable piece of equipment. Not only did I attack the desired painted areas of the house, I also took the power-washer to the chimney (which I didn't realize how desperately it needed it), the front walk, the brick by the outside dryer vent, and a small portion of the drive-way. My mom even got in on the action and drew loop-de-loops on the sidewalk.

I got incredibly dirty and soaked. However, I felt good about the day's accomplishments. However, that night, I could not lift my arms and the next two days I was in quite a bit of pain. Kate: 0 House: 2. (p.s.-wore the flip-flops through whole project and have a totally awesome tan line now.)

Next came sanding. I rented a sander from the same equipment rental place and set to work. When the guy put the sander on the counter, he said it might be kind of heavy. My arms had since recovered from the power-washing and I picked up the sander and said, "Ah, it's nothin'". After hefting that thing over 120 square feet of house, it is not nothing. I once again lost use of my arms. Kate:0 House: 3

I forgot to mention the battle with the crape myrtle and ligustrum. Have you ever tried to position a ladder around either of the two landscaping shrubs? Kate:0 House: 4

The next order of business was to prime the wood. This went surprisingly well. Until I went to wash the brush and realized I'd gotten an oil-based primer instead of latex. My hands were covered in sticky white paint that I couldn't get off and I was supposed to have dinner with a good friend in a few hours. Thank goodness for a dad who has a PhD in chemistry. Kate:0 House:5

And then, it was finally time to paint the color! I was thrilled, I could see the light at the end of my project tunnel. Let me ask one question; what happens when you paint reddish-brown on white? You get pink. Oh my it was a disaster!! And then it rained so I couldn't put a second coat on for a few days and I'm sure the neighbors were hoping the pink was not permanent. Kate:0 House: 6

Today, Saturday, October 10, at 1:30 pm, the third and final coat of paint went on the shutters. The front door was finished Wednesday. It's done. The paint has been put away, the brushes washed, and the ladder safely stored back in the garage. Here are the before, during, and after photos. I'm sorry I don't have a shot of the pink; I had no desire to document nor remember that stage of the project.

Peeling and terribly faded.

Primed.

Done!! Much more than 22 hours later.

Even though the house won by a lot, it has made me very thankful that I have a graduate degree and will not have to do this type of work the rest of my life. At the same time, standing across the street and looking at the house, I feel an incredible sense of accomplishment and feel there is nothing I can't do. Should you feel inclined to visit and admire the full effect of my painting skill, I'd love to have you! However, now that this project is done, I'm itching something fierce to get out of Houston.

Theme Song

As my life in limbo continues, as I try to stay positive, and as I attempt to ascertain what can be learned from this unemployment experience, I have acquired a new theme song. My last theme song was by the same artist, one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XDxhDbtDak