Things going on

[ksmith]

I keep forgetting that Wiscon is in a couple of weeks. I heard from the folks organizing the readings--my slot is on Saturday morning. We'll be limited to 6-7 pages, given the timing. I'd like to read a section of the new J5 Chapter 1, with my idomeni POV. Pick a nice, tense section at the end. Haven't yet written the chapter, but I know how it ends. My books in microcosm.

I also have three other panels, including one where my books are mentioned in the panel description. This is a first. I'm still not sure whether it's a good idea for me to sit on that panel or not, but Syne Mitchell will be on it as well and her books are also in the description. Might give us a chance to explain why we think the description isn't quite 'on'. Our female protags are compared to Gibson's Case, and while I haven't read NEUROMANCER, folks who have told me that Jani and Case are not alike.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing Madison, and staying at the Concourse, and visiting the shops and restaurants I visit each year.

In day job news, I found out that a few of us will be moving to a new office area. On April 1st, a layout of this new area was posted, along with a note telling us to pick our new cubes NOW or they would be chosen for us the following week. So I picked a cube, as did a few other folks. A few hours later, we found an Apirl Fool! sign stuck to the board. Funny funny hah hah.

Now it looks like I'll be moving after all. I doubt I'll get the cube I picked, though, a corner with views out two windows.

House obsession has me by the throat. I've applied for a home equity line of credit--if I get it, I'd like to put an addition on the house. A master bedroom with full bath, and a mudroom. With two big dogs, a mudroom is a necessity. The hardwood floors took a beating this past winter.

Comments

Mud Rooms

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Thought up by an angel--we have utility rooms down south, between garages and usually kitchens, but they're not quite as useful.

If you haven't investigated the "Not So Big House" concepts of Sarah Susanka, you need to check them out--good wish books.

http://www.notsobighouse.com/

Re: Mud Rooms

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I remember our utility room. Open to the carport. Great hiding place for rattlesnakes.

I checked out the website, and liked what I saw. I may check out one of the books. I see a great many too-big homes around here. Vaulted ceiling and two-story entryways and rooms running into one another--you wouldn't think that all that open space could become boring and repetitive, but it can.

My living room defines this house in that it's very informal, more a family room than a living room. Hardwood floor, all wood walls, and floor to ceiling stone fireplace. A little on the dark side, given that the only window faces north, but warm and lodge-like. I'd like to keep that informal feel throughout the rest of the house, with a gradual shift to garden-like in the kitchen/dining area.

There's so much I want to do. I don't know if it's restlessness or building backlash from losing Dad or the midlife crisis that I swear started 10 years ago. It's as though my life is a car and I keep fighting the urge to jerk the steering wheel. Or that my Inner Crab is finally asserting itself, and I'm starting to build my home around me.

Re: Mud Rooms

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

There's so much I want to do. I don't know if it's restlessness or building backlash from losing Dad or the midlife crisis that I swear started 10 years ago. It's as though my life is a car and I keep fighting the urge to jerk the steering wheel. Or that my Inner Crab is finally asserting itself, and I'm starting to build my home around me.

I can relate to Inner Crab--I am finally ready to do things to the house, but we had to put so much into new A/C and ducts, electric, etc. I don't know that there's anything left for fun stuff.

But some nice nesting with pics on the walls again will go a long way toward my being able to write--including an herb garden outside the window....

PS--

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Glad you liked the Susanka--I have the first two books and the 30 solutions book for remodeling--all useful in their way, all good idea and dreaming books. Between these books and watching occasional landscaper's and designer's challenge, I actually am developing an eye for these things....

Taunton Press books are wonderful for ideas and basic info. Their kitchen book was awesome; haven't seen the bath one yet.