Eric's update

So, it’s been a home improvement summer. After three years (as of the July 19th), we finally got around to painting. Sometime ago, before Renee was pregnant, I had painted Caitlyn’s room from an office into a nursery. Last summer we painted, half-assedly mind you, our bedroom. We rushed that one, and it turned out much as one would expect two novice painters sans any semblance of patience.

This summer we did the bathrooms, the living room, kitchen and downstairs hallway/entryway. All of which turned out well, better than I had any right to expect. A couple of weeks ago I installed two ceiling fans, one for the living room and a second for our bedroom. Apparently, I managed to do those half-assed too. They work fine, but our house is wired to be able to run the lights from one switch and the fans from the other. However, they don’t seem to be installed that way. Both the lights and the fan works, but we have to pull the chains to turn the lights on (instead of just hitting the other switch). It’s that way for both fans. Not a big deal, but somewhat annoying. If I fix it, it won’t be until next spring probably. It’s nearly time for videogame aftersummer. The week after we installed the fans, we bought custom in-set, wood-slat blinds for the living room. They also look fantastic! I couldn’t be happier, overall, with the efforts. I’ll still have to fill in and sand down where our curtains were hung with drywall anchors. But that’s a major inconvenience (having to move furniture around), so I’m guessing that’ll wait until we move. Our final measure of home improvement was the new PC. Not really, but I’d have felt amiss had I not included it.

We still need to replace the carpets and kitchen/bathroom floors, but we’re doing all of the improvements with cash and not credit, so that’ll require some more saving before we get to it. The only other thing I really have earmarked for this summer is replacing the light fixtures and switch plates. We have four normal lights, one of which we already replaced. We like that one and are sticking with it for the rest. Then we have two bathroom light deals we want to replace, they’re the kind used for makeup tables. They look cheap and when I was painting I learned they not only look cheap but they’re poorly installed (I nearly knocked one off the damned wall when the paintbrush scraped up against it). The last light we’ll worry about is the main kitchen light. It’s florescent fixture and it blends in pretty well, so we won’t worry about it too much.

L’see, what else? I finished the second draft of a script for a graphic novel (unfunny comic book). My co-collaborator and artist, Breck, seemed pleased with it. He has to do the concept art then do the rough sketch. I figure at that point, I’ll re-address it and see if any changes need to be done. Never having done it before, it’s difficult to know what’s working and what’s not. We plan to have the website on which it will be published 2008Q4. The site’ll be designed by Breck, and originally keyed by me, I’m taking a web design introduction class in the fall and plan on using the site for that. Eventually, I’ma make Rob pretty it up. I’ll keep y’all updated.

On the 26th and 27th, we’re attending Renee’s family’s outing. It’ll be a camping trip eastward at a private campground deal, similar to KOA. I’s called Outback campground, (http://www.outbackcamp.com/index.html), I don’t know much about it other than we’ll be staying in the lodge instead of tents (thank you, Caitlyn!). I’ll give my impressions upon our return. That following week, both Rnee and I are taking vacations. So we’re looking forward to that.

Now for the only part of the update anyone really wants to read: Caitlyn. She’s had diarrhea since Friday. Explosive diarrhea. (This sort of update will be a lot amusing when she’s older). Today she’s done a lot better. Though, the one bad diaper was monumental. Much to my chagrin, Renee’s had to work early-morning shifts from Saturday until today; so much of my share of the fun has been solo-work. She’s been in really good spirits, still laughing and playing as usual. I called the doctor’s office this morning and apparently baby diarrhea can last 10-14 days! Renee’s going to see an eye specialist tomorrow in Iowa City. Actually, her mom’s going, but they both share the same disease, so Renee’s going to tag along and see if she can get a free diagnosis. I figure it’s a university hospital, which means the guru she’s going to see is probably as much a researcher as a treater (?). It’s a rare condition (Reis-Buckler or granular corneal dystrophy something-or-other: http://www.hopeforsight.org/info.htm), so having two people, mother and daughter no less, has to be a plus for any research he might be doing. Anyhoo, Renee’s taking her tomorrow, so we’re hoping Caitlyn has a good day. Caitlyn has crawled a few times, but mostly is still falling on her face. She has a better stance this last week, so we’re hoping that that helps. She’s to the point where, when she’s on her hands and knees, she has her weight farther back on her haunches, so her arms don’t get so tired.

Meh, that’s enough. Later.