Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I once promised myself I would never build a house.  I had watched a friend do it and never wanted that much added stress.  I wanted to walk in, look at exactly what I was getting, and say yea or nay.  I should never, ever, promise myself that I will never do something because it always comes back to haunt me. For example, I was never going to have just two children because I had seen families where two siblings each got their own rooms and possessions and constantly fought with each other about them. They just didn't have another person to turn to when the first one was either ignoring or antagonizing them. 

Famous last words... Although I had 5 pregnancies, I got exactly two children. I over-compensated by making my dear daughters share a bedroom for years while their toys occupied an extra room.  Now the "I will never build a home" promise has come back to get me.

Recent events have led to a move 2100 miles from my home of 10 years and to the home of my mother-in-law.  She is finishing her basement into an apartment for us.  The only problem is....it isn't "finished" or anywhere near being finished.  What was supposed to be done by the end of next week is "at least 30 days out." 

I can still walk through walls and the concrete isn't repaired from where they jackhammered to put in the bathroom plumbing. So........ in the one week I have left before diving back into school, I am facing the daunting task of picking out cabinetry, countertops, flooring, lighting, tiles, paint and the locations of sconces.  If any of you have done this before, can I just ask you one question?  Why does the builder's allowance allow for PB &J when I would really like to wrap my mouth around a nice juicy steak?

I lied....I need to ask another question.  Does anyone know how to decorate a handicapped accessible apartment in a woodsy, rustic way without it looking like a hunting lodge? (There were some decisions already made before I joined the party.) I'm trying to make it fit in with the house's setting, outside appearance, and existing upstairs decor and I'm seriously trying to avoid channeling Gaston.

Role Reversal

Last year at this time, I helped my oldest daughter, Megan, purchase and pack everything she needed for college. (I think I purchased and packed everything she will need for the entire 4 years, but I digress.) I drove her 4 hours to college, helped her unpack, gave her a last few tidbits of advice until her eyes rolled and then kissed her and drove home. This isn't quite true.  She had just had hip surgery so I actually spent 3 nights with her at the dorm before kissing her goodbye.

Fast forward to this year. She spent the summer helping me pack (the entire household) and drove 32 hours with me out to college. She hugged me goodbye, gave me a few tidbits of advice, (no eye-rolling from me, just a few tears) boarded a plane and left me at college.  

Today I wandered the campus I first set foot on 29 years ago. I wasn't really prepared way back then for the University experience. I probably overcompensated when helping Megan prepare for college (hence the eye-rolling) and hopefully, I am now prepared to finish what I started so long ago. I stood in lines, got my student ID, met my advisor, and finally settled in the Cougar Eat with a sandwich, pulled out my phone and called my daughter just to hear "I love you Mommy." 

In the next few weeks, I'll send her money, ask about her roommates, forward some mail and do some other Mommy tasks. And then......... I'll probably ask her for some help with Chemistry.