O oliver I.

Looking and sounding so disappointed in himself, Oliver says regretfully, "I can't even read."
Oh buddy, you are two whole years old, so it's about time you learned.

Bossy big brother-isms

Oliver has a new one. When asked, "Is your baby going to be a baby sister or a baby brother?" if he doesn't say sister/Blackie, he may say, "A baby brother. We're gonna name him Popsicle Icicle." I have no idea where this came from, as it is with most of what comes out of his mouth. There's an extensive list of words we can't say - the words that I've heard roll off his tongue and make me wince. The problem with me telling him we don't say 'stupid'... now I'm not allowed to say it either. The preschool police will have you eating your words if 'shut up' crosses your lips. "We don't say shut up, Mom." Thanks Olives. Another good one: Dad called Oliver a big brother. Oliver responded, "Good job, Grampa."

iPhone

I loath technology. This may come as a surprise since it's the catalyst to Blogging, but I would give up my computer if only we could go back to the times of pen and paper (this wouldn't be difficult since I haven't had a computer in my home for a year and a half). The written word. I would love to sit down at a computerless desk and draft a personal note. That concept is out of date. Life is too busy to spend time being personal. I feel like Cathleen Kelly's boyfriend, Frank, on You've Got Mail.
Frank: Name one good thing that has come from technology.
Cathleen's reply, ripe with whit: Electricity.
That's one.
Anyway, at the top of my hate list has been, since it's $500 premier in 2007, the iPhone. I make fun of people who have them. I say they're unnecessary and dull. I'm thinking people don't need to be THAT connected ALL THE TIME. Imagine my lack of integrity when, upon going to AT&T for a plan renewal and new phone, I walked out with none other than...the iPhone of my nightmares. Even as the salesman was showing Andrew and me all the features, I kept saying I hated touch screen and I really didn't want one.
Three days later I'm still feasting on humble pie.
I will stand by my conviction about personal contact, however. There is a time and a place for everything - texting and talking, emailing and snail-mailing.
We've been studying the Gospel of John this year in Bible study and I am amazed at how deliberate Jesus in coming in contact with people. He never avoided a Divine appointment, but engaged in thought provoking conversation, displaying love and care to the 'least of these.' Even though taking the long way around Samaria would have saved him the trouble of talking to the troubled woman at the well, he went through Samaria for just that reason. Because He took the time, not only the woman, but also the majority of the town, were saved. Wow. Since I don't thrive on communication with the outside world (outside my world of Andrew, Olives, and our families), I only hope that I can be aware of the opportunities God gives me to brighten a day, change a life.
One thing's bothering me about my phone still, though. I can't get the silly thing to Blog. Any help?

photos...

this is carol, elizabeth asked me to post a few photos. here they are...it's all still in the "installing" stage...
enjoy!
this is the main floor vanity and cupboard above the toilet...

this is the upstairs vanity and linen closet...made with old barn wood and sink that was on the property already.

Congratulations to my cousin Angie and her husband Dave on the arrival of Quinn Michael!! I'm hoping that the excitement will distract Auntie Jolene from the fact that I've no pictures to post today...

Speaking of family excitement, Oliver has something to say--

"I'm gonna be a big brudder!"

Yeah, 'mommy has a baby growing in her's belly.' All three of us are filled with enthusiasm at the thought of this new babe!...though I'm not sure telling Oliver so early on was a good idea. He keeps wondering when's it gonna be here? Not till May, Bud. The snow will come, stay for what seems like forever, then melt, then it might snow again... then we'll have a baby. Andrew and I ask him whether it'll be a brother or a sister. Sister. What should we name her? "BLACKY!!" So far he's named a kitty Meow Meow and another Basketball. Ironically enough, Blacky is the name of a family friend's cat, so we're loosely keeping with a theme. 'Theme: Cat' is not very enduring. His vote is likely to be lost in the final count...

Other than that, we're just, you know, 'plugging away' at the house. (What does that even mean?) Working hard. Trying to get outside painting and trimming and building wrapped up. Not exactly the most construction-friendly fall we're experiencing here what with mud up to our eyeballs. Thankfully we've had some amazing helpers lately. Who would assist someone in the unkindest chore of all - outdoor painting - if they weren't forced? My mother-in-law, Bonnie, father-in-law, Bruce, and cousin Megan, that's who.

Andrew has been working on and is nearly done with both bathroom vanities. We're actually having a little competition, as I designed one vanity, and Andrew the other. If you've ever seen Design Star on HGTV, that's sort of the idea. By the way, I am the next Design Star. We're going to have a vote on whose cabinets are cooler. Andrew is building them both, but I have gotten in on the mindless work of sending ALL the wood through the plainer and sander, then sanding by hand with the orbital. Andrew's piece, for Oliver's bathroom upstairs, is made of old wood I tore out of our barn. When we started machining the boards the whole shop smelled like cow pies. Miraculous... I don't think a cow has lived in that barn for 20 years. That's rich. My pieces (a vanity and stool topper) were inspired by an antique bar my cousin Kelly found under mountains of oil in her garage - emerald green with a wood top. Rich...in a different way than the cow trough episode.

I hope to have pictures ready and running soon.

A long time comin

Approximately two weeks ago the Toftnesses spent the first official night in the new house. As I've mentioned, we'd spent the night there before, but since that was more along the lines of boundary waters camping rather than civilized living, that night was very unofficial. Our lifestyle is still quite primative, as we live in the basement out of cardboard boxes and suitcases - doing dishes in the laundry tub - but it's such a sweet feeling to know we won't be moving again. Thank the Lord, we're home.

Alive and ..welllll....

Still living. Yes. It's hard to enjoy life when it's racing by so fast and working a person so hard, but we're managing.
Just today I prayed out loud, "Lord please come back. NOW." That extreme reaction was triggered by my insensibility: I brought Oliver into a second hand store that was quite literally stacked from floor to ceiling with mystery for his little sparkling eyes. Imagine being a miniature person - there he is, all three feet of him, thinking surely the Lord did come back and now here's heaven. Pretending is his favorite passtime, so I can only guess what was going on in his wild head. I made him fold his hands so he wouldn't touch anything - I had to think quickly of an alternative to putting his grubby paws in his pockets as he had none. He told me, "But Mom, we're not praying." We left after some attempted browsing without breaking or buying anything...surprisingly..we're a wicked combination. Whatever was I thinking?..
Progression on the house is happening, it just seems like a turtle slowly plodding. We're hoping to move in soon, waiting to have a working bathroom. It may seem petty, but earlier this spring, in our excitement that we may actually live in this house someday, we rushed in. Fools do that. We had the brilliant idea of staying the night at the house. There's insulation, what more could you need? Hm, let's think. A TOILET. Since that sleepless, frigid night that involved a flat air mattress and a trip to the old fashioned outhouse at 3 in the morning, I put my foot down. No more slumberless parties until there's no flashlight or purell required in the wee hours.
We've also been busy on a much lighter remodel at my parents' house in Deerwood. It's turned out fantastically. When I readapt to the blogging way of life, I'll post a link - the house is for sale, so tell all your friends.
Lots more happening, but I should catch some Zzs while they're still floating by. I'll post pictures soon.