Lost in Space

That would be “space” as in parking space. So there I was, leaving the Home and Landscaping Expo at the Sacramento fairgrounds the Sunday before last when I couldn’t find my car. I couldn’t remember where I’d parked it and had foolishly neglected to take a photo of my surroundings at the time so I’d know where to find it. I walked up and down row after row of parked vehicles in that vast parking lot, clicking my key fob and not seeing the accompanying yellow flash of my car lights. My panic mounting, I threw myself on the mercy of a parking lot attendant. He was kind enough to drive me around the lot (twice!) in his car until finally I spotted my car. Which I must have passed three times without seeing it. I felt like such an idiot!

No, I’m not losing my mind. At least, I don’t think so. I blame it on the fact that I’m in a strange city where I have yet to get my bearings. It’s easy to get lost (especially when you’re cursed with a bad sense of direction) and become panicked as a result. The good news is I’m hanging in there. None the worse for the wear despite my Herculean undertaking of the past few months (depending on which day you ask). To recap: I moved across the country and am starting over in a new locale while tackling a major house remodel project. All while storms raged in the Sacramento Valley, complete with toppled trees, one of which took out a section of my rain gutter. I faced the Trials of Job in the form of project delays caused by flooding (the plumber’s workshop), illness, and supply chain issues. Every day brings a dozen decisions to make involving everything from placement of electrical outlets to design choices. Most days, I’m flying by the seat of my pants.

But it’s finally starting to come together. Yesterday, I was excited to see the kitchen floor tiles had been laid. I went with marmoleium, which looks like vinyl but is actually a wood product. It came out looking just as I’d envisioned. It will go nicely with both the original cabinetry and the newer, remodeled part of the kitchen. Next up, the bathroom tiles and Sheetrock on the walls.

Am I still writing throughout all this, you might ask? Yes. Dribs and drabs. Remodeling a home is time-consuming and there are only so many hours in the day. Seems I spend more time at Home Depot than at my writing desk these days. But I keep at it, and if string together enough sentences I’ll eventually have a book. (Those of you who’ve kept the faith through the years, know how much I appreciate it. Your support means everything to me.) I don’t have publishing news to share—things have been moving slowly on that front—but hope I will soon. Meanwhile, I take heart from the Spring flowers I see popping up all over town. By this time next year I’ll be in my new home with my beloved hubby, this recent chapter of my life a thing of the past, and possibly the subject of a new novel.