Seth and I are simultaneously tackling unpacking and improving in our sweet new house. The improvements are the more tempting projects, since they involve dreaming, scheming, and learning new skills. The unpacking had to make some headway yesterday, though, because we are getting ready for six house guests. At the top of the list was clearing space in the garage, where boxes both full and empty have been living, so that we can slide in a car to give a driveway spot to dad's big truck. Check!

We have a little rearranging to do in the basement today, and because of the cold and that it's going to serve as a bedroom, we really need to get the curtains back up in the (freshly finally painted) living room.

Another project today is Seth's second foray under a sink. (His first was to install a water filtration system in the kitchen.)

Yesterday we got a new washer and dryer, because we broke ours within three weeks of moving in. They were very old, these are very new. We love them, however the installation nudged the plumbing under the utility sink just enough to reveal that the seals are just too old to hold. The sink is broken, but the sexy washer and dryer work!

My plan is to paint a second coat on the dining room so those curtains can go up, too, but what's tempting me most is wallpaper shopping. I've got two candidates for the small area that needs replacing, but I keep thinking there is a better one out there. If not, these two both match the tile and the retro-meets-mod vision. My six house guests, prepare to discuss!

You can see in this photo the corner where this will go (also imagine wood blinds!)

a swarm of visitors and reasons to celebrate have turned our house into a home. thanks to our friends and family, we are learning just how warm our new place can be.



certain projects have been treading water...


but i did manage to hang the bedroom curtains last night.

If you'd like to see some photos from our tour of Ireland, please click either the full album, which contains 150 photos, or the highlights album, which contains 53. It was a wonderful trip, and my only regret is that I didn't have much time when I got back to reflect and digest.

Seth and I have been in contract for a house in Oakland for six weeks now. We've been reluctant to report much on the process because it has seemed at every turn like we could come out on the top or the bottom. It's been one of the most challenging times I can remember. I do have good news, though: we are signing the papers in 20 minutes.

Back from Ireland with a major deadline day today. Once I get all the paperwork done and passed to the right places and people, I'm hoping to be in touch with all of you that I've missed so much and then to tackle the photos from our tour.

Since I will be missing Alesia's first birthday on Tuesday, I'm wishing her an early One today. I love you, little wonder!

from Jenni Bregman on Vimeo.

We are obligated to consider its faults, but we are also growing fond of its beauties.

We went over for a house inspection, and some neighbors we'd met a couple weeks ago came out on their porch to ask "did you go for it?" When we gave them the thumbs up, he hooted and she clapped. There are hurdles to leap and challenges ahead, but so much sweetness to offset the stress and fear. Not to mention persimmons, lemons and a red front door.

When I was going to 12-step meetings in an eating disorder recovery program, I had a really hard time with the higher power part of the program. It was enough for me to be going through such a challenging reorientation toward food and my body, so I couldn't also muster a reorientation toward God. The best thing I could come up with was an idea of my own God, who embodies all the best qualities in me, and has a direct channel to the wisdom I haven't even unlocked yet. I imagined her floating behind me, like hybrid hummingbird/butterfly/jellyfish, pushing me along.

I've been rehearsing every day this week with the memory of that time. We are hosting a guest choreographer who is setting a piece on PDP for the fall show - Maija Garcia is a former PDP dancer and current dancer with Bill T. Jones. She started the rehearsal process by asking us to recall a period in our lives that we felt we were swimming upstream, against the current. Then she asked us to be that current, but over the course of the piece we also become the force that reverses it.

What an interesting bit of synchronicity to have received this photograph in email this morning. Photo by Rafa Hernandez from the photography workshop with Lois Greenfield last Saturday, my Mamala's birthday.

jellyfish photo by nascity

when we pat our chests, kiki jumps up and we catch her paws.
unless there is a camera waiting to capture it!

echo house - didn't get it.