Vanessa

It all began with spreadsheets......

Buying a car is no small task.  Still and all, the thought and introspection around this purchase seemed a little excessive around here.  I'm reminded of the "Portlandia chicken episode" in which the couple wants to see the chicken's papers, learn its name, and visit its farm of origin before eating it.  Well, meet, (or meat) our chicken, who I have named VANessa.  Mason thinks it's pretty silly to name a car, and I appreciate his gravity at four years old.

With my 300K mile Subaru leaking oil all over,  needing a minimum of 2K in maintenance, and unable to safely drive further than City Market, we decided it was indeed time to "bite the bullet."  However, I kept torturing myself, wondering if I could keep limping along with the Suby.  "I could take the bus if it breaks down!  Summer is nearly here,  and soon we will be able to bike!  I'll just keep an oil pan under the car, so the river and soil are not at risk.  Let's put a new engine in it--who cares that I have to use a ski pole to hold up the back door, we can't use it to go camping as a family, and it fills with fumes every time we drive it!  Plus, who needs cup holders, a CD player, or AC.  Why spoil myself now?"

My husband's answer was lots and lots of spreadsheets about cars: true cost to own, reliability ratings, pollution readings, size ratios, gas milage, ownership records....you get the picture.

We found a nice, one-owner van in our price range in great shape.  The boy's friends fit safely when they join us.  We no longer have to unload ladders and compressors from Scott's work rig on a Friday afternoon when we want to go camping.  It has a million cup holders and I can listen to something other than my college mix tapes. She is about as long as our house, which I'm trying to not read too much into (think of the chicken...).

The reaction of our peer group has been humorously mixed.  Some quotes, with my commentary:

 "You are too young to be driving a mini van!" Hey, one of the coolest chicas I know drove a mini van when she was in her 20's,  single, and free.  For her, it was the perfect ride for her dog and adventures.

 "Those are the best, most comfortable cars for a family, but I wouldn't be caught dead in one."  Not only am I comfortable in the van,  I'm comfortable being dorky.

 "Get that thing paid off because we could be headed for another great depression and it would be a shame if you lost your house." This totally plays into the Armageddon scenario that loops through my brain nearly nightly at 3am.  If the van is going to be what breaks us, in the meantime we might as well have fun driving it to Moab!

"We are jealous of your van. You made such a good decision!"  Of course, this is my favorite.

Wall Play

If you don't have space on your floor for more toys, consider moving things up the walls.  Here we took a $6 pizza pan and mounted it for magnets.  It's been a big hit.

For Christmas, Mason asked for a car track.  He got a wall mounted one from Santa, which we hung on their bedroom wall.  So thoughtful of our space, that Santa!

As from a previous post, here is one of the boy's favorite spots in the house--their mirror.  The spot for lots of dancing, hugs, tooth brushing, and tantrum observing.  I found a second-hand mirror, so it was quite affordable.

A quick internet search brought up lots of wall mounted kid's toys,  here are a few of my favorites.  Have fun, get creative and use those walls!

Velcro on the wall!



Indoor window boxes! 





Art roll from www.magiccabin.com 9

The Kibbutz

In September, Mom moved next door to live full time.  Last winter was tough for her--she stayed with us for six weeks after coming down with pneumonia, recovered, and then slipped on the ice at her rural home in Yampa, injuring both her legs.  Scary.  As a family, we decided it benefited everyone to have her closer to us, and what with the rental house next door, we had a fantastic option.  

She put a bunch of time and money into her new digs--it looks and feels fantastic.  The boys have a bedroom, and it seems they like being over there more than at home.  Who wouldn't with such a cozy Nana zone!

I love seeing my mom everyday, hugging her and knowing how she is doing.  I can help her move furniture, hold up a picture, bring her some half and half, whatever!  Scott takes care of all the snow on her drive way and  roof, and we share meals at least four times a week.

Fergus' first day on skis in Nana's driveway

Mom gets to see the boys everyday and participate in their raising.  She backs us up on discipline goals and provides a fun outlet right next door.  Rather than Nana being a one week a year event, she is a daily event.  She is invaluable help with child care, taking them when I need to go to the dentist, get a hair cut, or when I am ready to lock them in their room for the rest of the day.

Financially, we are pooling some of the burden of home ownership, with shared trash service, Internet, and food costs.

Of course, we are learning some lessons.  

Living in the Kibbutz means sawing your mom's box spring in half so it will fit up the stairs.  I'm not kidding.

Flexibility is essential. I realized I don't get to choose what my mom asks me for help with.  When she moved in, I had an idea that I'd help her with snow removal, cooking and moving heavy things.  Well, as it turns out, she needs help in other ways.  I've weatherized her windows,  sawed her box spring in half so it would fit upstairs, and done a dump run.  Honestly, she's asked far less of us than I expected.  My lesson is that family is not a rigid thing.  We need and help each other in fits and starts and waves, and all we can ask for is grace--in both the asking and the giving.

Scott is the sole man of the compound, so a lot falls on him.  He has the tools and the skills to do so much, and we ask a lot.  We are lucky to have him!

After four months, I believe we are in a good flow here.  The boys ask before they go charging over to her house at 7am, and she hasn't kept us up with too many wild parties.  No, seriously- she is very respectful of our space.  We are extremely blessed to have her as part of every day, and I know she feels the same.

Kibbutz breakfast.  Uncle Mike in attendance.