Sitting in my seat waiting for the symphony to start I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I'd forgotten something. I checked my purse; opera glasses, cough drops, iPhone, miniature rubber pig that makes oinking sounds when you squeeze it. Nope, seemed like I had everything. But I still couldn't sit back, relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of ABBA as interpreted by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Mama Mia. I knew what I forgot.
I forgot I should be in my living room which currently looked like airline wreckage, not on the first balcony of Roy Thompson Hall, swaying back and forth like some sort of Swedish music loving lunatic. I had things to do. Deadlines to meet.
I HAD 12 PEOPLE COMING FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER IN 4 DAYS AND MY HOUSE LOOKED LIKE THIS.
But when someone texts you the night before and asks you to go see a symphony, the entire evening dedicated to Swedish supergroup ABBA complete with soundalike singers flown in from Finland ... well you just don't say nej.
You also don't say no when someone asks you to go to Vancouver for a week, an antique show, Ikea, or down the street to see a really weird shaped insect carcass on the sidewalk. You just don't.
In spite of all of this I am pleased to announce that after 3 weeks of hard work and late nights I did not meet my Thanksgiving deadline for making over the lower floor of my house.
It was quite an accomplishment for me to not meet my deadline and choose fun over work for 3 weeks.
I took a chance on me. 'Cause you know, I've got, so much that I want to do. It's madnessss.
I took these photos about an hour before I went out for the night instead of staying home and putting together a bunch of bookcases. I glanced around, stepped over some garbage and locked the door behind me muttering screw it.
Thanksgiving in Canada was yesterday. I had my Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday.
As of Tuesday I had bought no groceries, couldn't even pick my way across my living room and even though I had finished painting all the rooms, I was afraid to clean and put away my painting supplies in case I'd missed a spot and needed them.
This was not a kitchen ready for my famous Thanksgiving walk around the island with my arm up a turkey's butt while saying "Lambchop! Where did all your curls go?". It just wasn't.
But guess what? Even after going on vacation for a week, wandering the streets of Toronto, and having some socially conventional fun, I still got enough done that come Sunday afternoon all 12 guests could meander through the house, sit at the dinner table and spray whipped cream directly into their mouths.
Which really is all Thanksgiving is all about.
Go ahead. I dare you. ;)
Ronda
the house, and all its "needs", will be there waiting. ABBA will not!
Ronda
but, quick question ... how will you match the colour on your existing billy bookcases to the new extensions?? this enquiring mind would like to know!
Karen
I'm going to be painting the bookcases the same colour as my walls once they're built in Ronda. :) Simply White by Benjamin Moore. ~ karen!
Ronda
ahh. very well planned. do you have to sand the finish slightly? I ask because I have a number (by which I mean at least 6) white billies that have changed colour over the years, and if they ever end up in the same room together, I will need your expertise!
Karen
Hi Ronda. I'll prime the bookcases with my new favourite primer, "Stix". You can get it at Amazon or any Benjamin Moore store. It can go over ANYTHING. Glass, tile, oil based paint ... anything. And it's a water based product itself which means clean up is really easy and it dries quickly. A little goes a longgggg way too. ~ karen!
Ronda
nice. thanks for the tip!
Tiffany
Great news. I have 5 in brown, and 3 black, now I can refinish all to a new colour.
Kelly
Your house looks a disaster. Thanks for providing evidence that you are just like the rest of us. Now THAT'S inspiring! I am in the middle of a basement redo and at the stage where I want to just sit down in the middle of it and cry. And toss the vodka I haven't drank and a match on the whole bloody mess (how'd I ever accumulate so much shit?). But I know you'll sort out YOUR mess, so I'd better sort out MINE. Thanks as always for fun posts.
Karen
Yup. And it's still a minor disaster. Sometimes you have to get dirty before you can get clean. ~ karen!
Danni
GOOD FOR YOU!
I just learned that myself recently. If it ain't done, it ain't the end of the world. (But wait till next year!!)
Jamieson
So proud of you!
Jan in Waterdown
Hey Jamieson! I've missed your witty comments . . . you string words together in a symphony of humour, sarcasm and snark.
Jamieson
That's high praise, indeed! Thanks Jan.
My husband went to Waterdown High FYI.
Karen
Thank you! ~ karen
Deb
SUPERB!!!
maggie van sickle
u took a chance and it all worked out. That is what life is all about.
Teri
I have tickets to Mamma Mia in Victoria in December.
with my 86 year old mom and 16 year old daughter (and 17 year old son, haven't told him yet!!! LOL).
Ten years ago, my sister and wouldn't go to see it with mom in London (too snobby of us) but I am now a convert (and cry each time I see the movie).
Enjoy the imperfect house!!!!
Brenda
Nothing like leaving everything until the very last minute to see what you're really made of ... it is all about how you play the game AND about winning (well being strong and smart enough to move the goal posts so when you shot - you scored) ... hope you had help with the dishes! I picture you getting home late at night from ABBA and putting your Stayin' Alive album on the record player and jive dancing around in your opera clothes with the vacuum cleaner and waking up a few mornings later with your lipstick just a little smeared to the smell of a turkey ready - Yay. Also love that you brought the little pig in your purse to the TSO.
Jenny W
ABBA Rocks at 7am! Thanks for keeping it real :)
Debbie D
Congrats on taking a chance with yourself. You deserved a break. I was wondering how you were going to do it all. Nice to know you took care of you. Still want to see pictures of everything however.
GrammyK
Can't. stop. chair. dancing., Love it! Charley horse, stay away!!! Can't. stop. Take. a. chance. on. Charley.....! Thanks for the energy. Love your posts as always. ^_^
Robert
I can't for the very short life of me figure out how is it possible that some people don't like ABBA!
Mamma Mia! The movie I understand, but ABBA?
Good choice Karen, although I don't know if I wold have done the same where I in that very same position.
(Ok, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do)
MrsChris SA
Always take a chance on you pulling through Karen - you have the knack.
Now for the Thanksgiving pictures and stories - I love those (especially as I live in a place that don't celebrate Thanksgiving!)
Karen
I'm afraid I put my camera down for the night MrsChris SA and took the day off completely. :( Sorry! I know how many people love the day after Thanksgiving post ~ karen!
SusanR
Better to live you life for yourself and your loved ones than a bunch of familiar strangers. I'm happy that you enjoyed yourself instead of being anal about everything, and even relaxed enough to leave your camera alone and just enjoy the company and occasion!
Sherry in Alaska
Bravo!!
Ardith
Sounds like the perfect build up to a wonderful holiday. Cheers, Ardith
Barbie
YOu made the right decision! Thanks for the inspiration and helping me to remember the important things in life. :)
MaryJo
Yay--I love ABBA and I would have done exactly what you did, Karen!
Belated Happy Thanksgiving!
stephanie
Totally off topic, where did you end up eating in Victoria??
Karen
Things got screwed up Stephanie and we never made it to Victoria! We had underestimated how long the drive was from Tofino so we just stayed in Tofino another day. ~ karen!
VICKI
F A N T A S T I C .
Madeleine Whitfield
Well, I listened (and danced) to Take a Chance on Me and realized that going to that concert was WAY more important than fixing a house. What?! A hundred times more!!
I hope the show comes to Ottawa!