Person of Purpose – Lifestyle

It’s Been a Minute Since I Last Posted

Hi folks, I’m so sorry, but my last post was on April 30, 2020! It’s not that I haven’t been doing anything, I’ve been doing a lot, just not blogging.

Let’s see, in April 2020, I was living in an apartment but renovating a 1967 multi-level house. We moved into it in September 2020. Of course, the whole purpose of buying this house was to be close to my husband’s work and our place of worship (a four-minute drive). We hoped to entertain each week. Little did I know that it would take three years to do it.

The year 2023 fulfilled two bucket list goals, one being to get an Architecture AAS degree, which I did in May. It started in 2021 this way: My husband says I have a talent for finding houses that need love, renovating them, and eventually selling them for a pretty penny, so he suggested I get a realtor’s license. We drove to the community college, and in the parking lot, I stamped my foot and said, “I don’t want to be a realtor! I want to practice architecture!” Being the easy-going guy he is, we eventually ended up in the building that housed the dean of architecture. We met one of the professors, and he suggested that I dip my toes back in by taking an AutoCAD class; hey, he could even wave the requirements and have me take the beginner and intermediate classes at the same time! So, I started the fall semester with these two classes. It was a challenge, having to slog through five weeks of the beginning class to do the work in the intermediate class, but I did it.

What happened was that it reignited my love of architecture and drawing. It was my passion! I should have pursued this degree 40 years ago! Even though several of my classes transferred, there were so many new technology classes (MicroStation, SketchUp, and Revit) that it took me two years to complete the degree. I did enjoy my time at school and I learned a lot. I even graduated summa cum laude.

The second goal was to go on an Alaska cruise, which I did in June. That has been my dream since 2009. We went to Juneau, Hubbard’s Glacier, Sitka, and Ketchikan. Our favorite time was seeing the glacier calving. My goal was to stand on a glacier, but that got canceled because of the lack of tour guides. Another highlight was seeing a lone humpback whale do bubble fishing. Seeing his huge mouth come out of the water was awesome!

Now, I have big news to finish out 2023, and that is that my 96-year-old father and 89-year-old mother are moving in with us tomorrow! Given their age, my husband and I have decided to have them move in with us so that we can provide the care and support they need. We have a mother-in-law apartment (700 square feet) on the ground floor of our house, complete with a bedroom, walk-in closet, full bath, kitchenette, living room, and another small room we will use for dining and ministry.

I’m having mixed emotions about this move. On a positive note, I applaud them for downsizing from a 1,200-square-foot house to the point where they are just coming with three suitcases and two carry-ons. On a more somber note, I feel like the older I get, the more introverted I get. Fortunately, each of us has our level so we will have our privacy.

This will be a big challenge, but also a privilege to care for them. Even though I know I will be busy caring for them, I have renewed my efforts to keep this blog. So please do me a big favor and encourage me to continue. Thanks so much!

What’s in My Bathroom, and Do I Really Need All That Stuff?

We’ve been spending a lot of time at home, and it’s time to do a declutter, this time of my bathroom. I read an Instagram post that said: “The average household has 300,000 items.”

Really???

I decided to put this to the test, starting with how much stuff is in my bathroom. Obviously, it’s talking about individual items, not categories, but let’s talk categories while we are at it:

Bath towels, wash cloths, bath mat
Shower curtain, liner, hooks
Toilet paper rolls (at the time of inventory I had 15)
Tissue box
Waste basket
Toilet brush (and maybe a plunger)
Cleaners (toilet bowl cleaner, multi-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, disinfectant wipes, cleaning rags)
Toiletries (body wash, shampoo, conditioner)
Hand soap dispenser
Hair care (blow dryer, curling iron, combs, brushes)
Face care (makeup, washes, exfoliators, masks, moisturizers, serums, sunscreen)
Nail care (clippers, files, nail polish, polish remover)
Oral care (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, toothbrush holder)
Shaving care (razors, shaving creams)
First aid kit
Self-care (candles, diffusers, bath salts, special lotions)
Decorative items (pictures, nightlight)
Mirror
Hamper
Scale

Yikes! That’s a lot of categories! On my first inventory go-round, I found, now brace yourselves, 387 items in my bathroom!!! Do I really need all that stuff?

After the declutter I managed to reduce the number of items to 300. But what do you think? Is this what the average household has in their bathroom?

Spring Cleaning for the Car

Spring cleaning often brings to mind giving our homes or our wardrobes an over-haul. But considering that we use our vehicles practically every day, our cars also need attention. April is National Car Care Month, so this post contains checklists for car cleaning, glove compartment, and trunk essentials.

Here’s a checklist of how to spring clean the car.

Wash the exterior, the undercarriage, and the wheel wells of the car
Clean the interior by removing trash, vacuum seats, and floor mats. Clean windows with ammonia-free cleaner.
Change wiper blades (recommended every six months)
Check tires for wear and tire pressure
Inspect the ventilation system, including the cabin’s air filter
Check and replace fluids

It’s especially important to know which cleaners and rags to use on the interior components.

Alcohol solutions that contain at least 70% alcohol
Soap and water
Microfiber cloths

AVOID: BLEACH, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, AND AMMONIA-BASED CLEANERS.

Once you have cleaned the car, it’s time to put back the essentials.

GLOVE COMPARTMENT ESSENTIALS:

Car Manual and Maintenance Schedule
Proof of Insurance
Registration (without address)
Pen and Paper
Emergency Contacts
DPA’s (Durable Power of Attorney)
Medical Information
Flashlight
Window Punch and Seatbelt Cutter
Whistle

GLOVE COMPARTMENT CONVENIENCES:

Flashlight
Hand Sanitizer
Napkins, Wet Wipes, Tissues
Trash Bags
Snacks
Lint Roller

TRUNK ESSENTIALS:

Jumper Cables
Air Compressor and Tire Sealer
Duct Tape
To-Go Bag (72-Hour Kit)
Reflective Triangles and Flares
First Aid Kit
Flashlight
Multi-Tool or Tool Kit (screwdriver, hammer, wrench, and pliers)
Extra Cash ($40 minimum)
Old Cell Phone and Charger
Tire Pressure Gauge
Jack
Spare Tire
Lug Wrench
Wheel Chocks
Fire Extinguisher
Rags
Gallon of Antifreeze
Winter Readiness Kit (Shovel, Blanket, Gloves, Ice Scraper, Sand or Salt)

TRUNK CONVENIENCES:

Trunk organizer.
Cooler.

Spring cleaning for the car every April will bring many safety and health benefits. Remember, National Car Care Month comes every October too. Safe driving.

How to Host a Jewelry Swap

Have you ever attended a swap party? A jewelry swap party is a great way to get together with friends, be eco-friendly, clean out your closet, and maybe even get some fabulous things for yourself.

I recently hosted a jewelry swap, asking friends to bring their jewelry, scarves, purses, and accessories together for an evening of fun, food, and fashion.

My invitation also said that there may be some jewelry for sale. Now, some jewelry parties are held specifically for selling jewelry, but this was not one of those. This party was for us to get some cool stuff for free.

Over twenty friends came. We set up one table for jewelry, one table for scarves, and another table for purses.

We were in uncharted territory as to how to proceed, so I invited the four most senior guests to start first. After they got what they wanted, it was free for all to choose their items. Everyone was very modest.

Of course, wanting to remember the ones who were not able to make it, I encouraged that we chose items for them.

I chose this for a friend who likes bling.

Many said they didn’t want to take their stuff back home, so we decided to donate the remaining items to the local women’s shelter.

My husband came later to scarf (pun intended) up the food. No other guys were there, but my friend Julie’s husband had earlier said, “Can you imagine guys getting together for an old tool swap?” Very funny, but I told her to let him know she got one of the best pieces of the night: a long strand of ultraviolet freshwater pearls from Hawaii! I may borrow it sometime!

The evening was such a success. People said they were unsure how it was going to play out, (me too) but it turned out wonderfully.

So what about you? Will you host a swap party?

SOLD – Reflections of a Beloved Home

After an extensive remodel, my beloved house sold on January 31, 2020. To my surprise, the sale came with a flood of surprising emotions.

My first thought was that the sale would bring me relief. After all, I started the renovation on September 4, 2019, and we didn’t get it on the market until November 11, 2019.

I have to say that November was the worst time of the year to put our home on the market. At this time, everyone is preparing for the holidays, not thinking about buying a home.

Another drawback was that many buyers wanted a house with a first-floor master suite. There was nothing we could do about that, so we had to be patient and wait for the right buyer.

It took over 80 days to sell, and this prevented us from moving forward with our house renovation in Ohio. So while I did feel a sense of relief, it wasn’t the foremost emotion.

The strongest emotion for me was a sense of sadness. I loved that house. It was a major upgrade from our starter home. We had a 2-car garage! We had a master bathroom suite with a garden tub! We had a small, manageable lot with green areas on two sides. It was perfectly situated close to three highways. It was a dream home.

Behind our backyard fence was a canal that fed the city water runoff to the lake, so there were many species of wildlife in our area. Every first week in May we witnessed the hatching of red-eared slider turtles in our front yard.

This house was where we got our first dog, Lucy. Even though she had trouble with stairs, she doggedly climbed them so she could sleep outside our bedroom door.

We hosted many parties, like the one anniversary where we had two dozen people patiently playing Hedbanz, waiting for catering that never came.

We showed hospitality to two couples who came for the International Convention in Arlington, TX. We shared pictures of our life in West Africa and they shared their experiences of living in post-Apartheid South Africa. One couple confided that it was their first time in a white man’s home. Oh dear.

At this time no home is a “forever home” for me. Now I am looking forward to the forever future where we will experience the promise at Isaiah 65:21, 22 which says: “They will build houses and live in them. And they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build for someone else to inhabit, Nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree. And the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.”

A Review of 2019

It’s time to reflect on what I accomplished in 2019. It’s only been a year since we moved to Columbus, Ohio, but the year was jammed pack with activities.

I survived the polar vortex. Having lived most of my life in temperate climates, I think I did fairly well. But when I read that Farmer’s Almanac has predicted a polar coaster winter for 2019-20, I wonder if I may become a “snowbird” after all.

I was a social butterfly. We took advantage of hosting parties at our apartment clubhouse nearly every month. From our Chili Cookoffs, Soup Cookoffs, and Euchre Playoffs, we grew very close to our new friends.

We looked for a house to buy in June. That was probably the worst time of the year to buy. Houses seemed overpriced compared to the Texas market, and they didn’t stay on the market very long.

We contracted to buy a house in July! But we didn’t take possession of it until October. Stay tuned for that story. It’s a doozy.

I oversaw a renovation of our house in Texas. For two weeks in September, I oversaw the remodel of one of our houses. From the roof to the foundation, from the interior to the landscaping, this house took months to update and be put on the market.

We bought our Ohio house in September. Eight days later, we took possession of it and immediately filled three dumpsters with the previous owner’s stuff.

It took one week and three dumpsters to clear out the house.

We demoed the interior. For three months, we scraped floor tiles and removed walls. Our wonderful friends volunteered to help. So, here’s a shout-out to Jaime, the expert at wallpaper removal, Albertha, Tammy, and Andreas who tirelessly helped us. Thanks a bunch!

We became people we didn’t even recognize. In the beginning, as we removed old carpets and padding, we wore masks. Being the workaholics that we are, we huffed and puffed, and threw the heavy carpets into the dumpster ourselves. While my husband took his turn working in Texas, I took a hand at removing the floor tiles in the basement. I even got a comment from a friend who saw this picture, “Who are you?”

My hard-working, talented, and determined husband has worked hard on this project too. He absolutely amazes me how he can move a cast iron bathtub two floor levels all by himself!

We completely redesigned the floor plan. We hired an architect to come up with some designs for the main level, but I ended up designing it myself. I spent many sleepless nights sketching, and sketching, and wringing my hands, wondering why it took so long to come up with a good plan. But I finally did, and we are completely satisfied with it. It’s going to be a great house to live in.

In review, it seems the year 2019 has been all about renovations. It was a rollercoaster ride with emotions, and the year 2020 will require many more hours of choosing cabinets, fixtures, paint, and trim.

Lastly, I want to say how proud I am of my son, who stayed in Texas and completed high school with an associate’s degree in welding technology.

Our One-Year Anniversary of Living in Columbus, Ohio

Hey folks! It’s been one year since we moved to Columbus, Ohio. If you’ve seen my post, “Impressions of the Midwest—The People,” you would have read that I fell in love with the people because of its family-feeling. Now, however, I want to share three more observations about this city.

Dangerous Driving: I’m sorry to say this, but Columbusites are bad drivers. According to QuoteWizard Insurance News, Columbus has the distinction of having the fourth worst drivers in the country. Add the statistic that 24 percent of the major roads in Columbus are in poor condition, and another 24 percent are mediocre, these rough roads add wear and tear to our cars and contribute to car accidents. Also, I have never had to dodge so many manholes in my life.

We live on the north side of Columbus, near Polaris Parkway and Highway 71. The traffic in this area is hectic for two reasons. First, the JP Morgan Chase McCoy Center, a 2 million-square-foot office complex, employs 10,000 workers. Second, Polaris Fashion Place, a premier mall attracts many shoppers.

Unique to this place, there is a city-wide ban on U-turns. It seems reasonable, given the poor driving habits one sees around town; tailgating, texting while driving, and last-minute lane changes are the norm. I’ve seen cars cross four lanes of traffic just because.

Drivers have the habit of sticking their cars out in the middle of the intersection, and when the light turns red, they will turn. And don’t be surprised if two or three cars turn left on a red light. If you aren’t aware of this quirk, you could think you are good to go when your light turns green. Not!

Another thing that makes driving in Columbus dangerous is wildlife. White-tailed Deer are active at dusk and dawn and can dart out of the woods into traffic. Canada Geese, which are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act no longer migrate, and are a nuisance year-round.

Football Fever: I had no idea that sports were such a big part of the culture. On the first day of our coming, one of the movers asked, “So, do you love the Buckeyes?” I didn’t know what to say. Then there was my question, why is everyone running around wearing red jerseys?

I must admit, I am proud to say I have never known who played in the Super Bowl. Ever! Let me know when there’s a game, and I’ll be in the shops, happily skipping in empty aisles.

Food Fans: Columbusites love eating out. There are so many restaurants! But there’s one franchise I took for granted that’s not here. A couple of months ago we were invited to eat at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, but as we drove the two hours to Cincinnati, I wondered, “Why don’t we just go to the Pappadeaux’s in Columbus?” Come to find out, the only Pappadeaux’s in Ohio is in Cincinnati! I guess I was spoiled living in Dallas-Fort Worth, where there were four Pappadeaux’s within a ten-mile radius of my house.

Ohioans love their craft beer. The Brewers Association, a Boulder, Colorado-based trade group released its state-specific statistics in April 2019 and shared that The Buckeye State is number four in craft beer production. My husband loves it here.

Well, these are just of my three perceptions. Maybe it’s time to take a defensive driving course. With all the sports on TV, I will have less TV to watch and more time to blog. Finally, I look forward to trying out new restaurants and making more observations around town.

My Life as a Renovator

I recently made a two week trip to Euless, TX to oversee a remodel of one of our houses. This house was in need of foundation repair, a new roof, exterior brick and stone repair, landscaping, and general modernizing.

My husband, who has many talents in the construction field, suggested, “You should stay in the house while it is being renovated.”

“Are you kidding me? No one, I repeat, no one would think that is a good idea.”

So, I texted a bunch of friends and told them my plans. My friend asked, “Where will you be staying?”

I said, “With you?”

“Sure, come on down!”

And so, I stayed with her and her children, four dogs and a cat. One child graciously gave me her room, which, as it turned out, it was for purely mutually beneficial reasons. I got a private room, and she liked sleeping with her mom.

Another friend made an observation, “You sure do a lot of renovations.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well, you did that house in Dallas.”

Oh yeah, that house. It was a rental in the “hood” as one realtor described it, and it took me an hour to drive there. That was a grueling renovation with foundation repair, painting inside and out, and new everything.

But the sale of that house enabled us to buy another house in Euless, which turned out to be another complete rehab.

Gasp, I really do a lot of renovations!

So, realizing now that renovating houses has defined me, the blog will take a new turn: My Life as a Renovator.

Stay tuned for my search for the perfect property in Columbus, OH, which will be, what else? A rehab.

Spending Your Wedding Anniversary Apart

Every year, since our 25th wedding anniversary, I have chosen a song as a gift for my husband. This year, we were in two different states, so we had to make do the best we could. This year I chose the Patti Austin song “Through the Test of Time”

“For the first time in my life, Boy, I’m not afraid to say it, How I really feel inside, We don’t have to go on waiting just think about it, together you and I.

“I could never try to write a better story, From the pages of my life
You must have written for me ‘Cause every line, found a way into my heart.

“So we’ll take it one day at a time. And leave all our worries behind.
No matter which road that we choose, As long as we got each other
No way we can lose. We can make it through love.
Through the test of time.

“When you look back on the days When you tried so hard to reach me
But I never saw the way ‘Til you took the time to teach me
And I found out, what it’s all about.

“So we’ll take it one day at a time. And leave all our worries behind.
No matter which road that we choose, As long as we got each other
No way we can lose. We can make it through love
Through the test of time.

“And again I must say How lucky I feel to have found you. Oh, and I pray every day that this feeling goes on Forever and ever.

“Oh and I pray every day that this feeling goes on
Forever and ever.

“So we’ll take it one day at a time. And leave all our worries behind.
No matter which road that we choose, As long as we got each other
No way we gonna lose. We can make it through love
Through the test of time.

“We can make it through love
Through the test of time.
Through the test of time.

“Oh if I’ve got you and you’ve got me Then we’ll be happy as we can be.
If I love you baby and you love me too. Well, there ain’t nothing that we can’t go through.

“Through the test of time.
“Through the test of time.
“Through the test of time.
“Through the test of time.
“Through the test of time.

Source: Songwriters: David Pack / David Robert Pack / Jeff Pescetto

How to Make a Romantic Playlist

Have you ever made a playlist for someone? What reaction did you get? When I made a 25-year wedding anniversary playlist for my husband, he was visibly moved. He said it was the most romantic gift he had ever received. I did good.

You too can make a playlist for a friend or loved one. Here are some suggestions:

Choose songs from the Billboard Chart’s Year-End 100 chart for a particular year.
Choose songs in chronological order.
Choose all his/her favorite songs.
Choose songs for significant moments in your shared life.

I used the fourth method to make my playlist. From our courtship to our wedding and honeymoon, our missionary assignment, and the birth of our son, each song brings back beautiful memories.

Click on the links to see some fantastic performances from official videos, The Midnight Special, Live From Daryl’s House, and other concerts.

September—Earth, Wind & Fire 1978

Find Yourself—Brad Paisley 2006

It Might Be You—Stephen Bishop 1982

Had I Known You Better Then—Hall & Oates 1973

Through the Fire—Chaka Khan 1984

At Last—Phoebe Snow 1991

Ribbon in the Sky—Stevie Wonder 1982

This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)—Natalie Cole 1975

Here We are—Gloria Estefan 1988

Groovin’—The Young Rascals 1967

Dance with Me—Orleans 1975