Say a Little Prayer

It's 2022. Covid is still here (Omicron is the now VOC), we still have vaccine passports for indoor social things. I personally just still avoid it all though. I started a new job in January. I was working from home (which was great) until last week, when we were called back to the office. We still have mask mandates too, so I'm hoping and praying that my N95 keeps me safe "enough". 

There is a lot of social and political pressure now though to "get back to business". I'm not sure anyone is really thinking in "lessons learned from a pandemic" terms. My Department still doesn't even have a flex work policy. I don't think they've really turned their minds to what happens when a percentage of front line people are all sick and in isolation for weeks. 

It also adds a new wrinkle in the Loon Lane Finish Line plan. We could stay at the Lane and pick away at the house when I was WFH. Now we are limited to weekends only. *Good weather weekends*, specifically. And the weather has not been great. 

But. Here's where we are: We have a few things still to donate/empty out. We have a bit more work on the front deck, then railings, we have two lights to install, and we have back deck railings. And then we're done. Like really done. 

And here is what makes this still the best story I have ever lived and told, and the reason why I will never regret taking 2021 off completely and dedicating it to health and this house. 

Ian is a fucking rockstar renovator. He graduated from landscaping to helping with plumbing, electrical and now carpentry. He single-handedly removed damaged drywall from the entire basement, replaced some insulation, and patched up vapour barrier. He went from first learning how to adjust a keyless chuck, to handling the drill driver expertly, and managing a keyed chuck hammer drill.

He has a favourite utility knife. And I can't fucking tell you how insanely proud I am of him. Seeing his confidence grow, watching him haul his workboots on like a pro, my heart is bursting. Because not only does it bring back fond memories of me working on the house with his father, it gives me some great reassurance that he will be able to handle himself should anything happen to me. 

I mentioned to him that I would get him to replace an outdoor lightbulb at my place recently (because taller). His tone dropped a few decibels, and in the most caretaking voice, he assured me he would "take care of it" next time he was at the house. 

I finished the back bathroom a few weeks ago, and it turned out absolutely beautifully. That too gave me hope that I really do kind of know what I'm doing, and that this work will be worth the result. Ian sort of arsed around playing "client", being presented with "the reveal". The smirk turned into an honest-to-god smile when he stepped in the room. He loves it. And maybe that was what we both needed to keep the faith going. For as long as it takes to get through winter, Covid, whatever else life throws in our path over the next couple of months. 

And to finish Loon Lane.

Next post will be the last, for this house. ❤


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