A little more than two years living in Arkansas and we are still working in the summer like we did in Colorado. It’s insane with the heat and humidity and this year has been horrible with triple digit heat and a draught that is unprecedented, at least, that is what the locals have told me. But buildings must get put up and livestock must be taken care of.
With the utility building in its final stages, I was finally able to start working on my office. My goal is to be moved into it before Christmas. I won’t lie, I had framing fear and was frozen for quite a few weeks as my mind mulled over how I was going to take out the one little window and install four floor-to-ceiling windows. What if the wall collapsed? What if I broke a window? What if the rains moved in and the side of my office was exposed to the elements? What if? What if? What if?
Then my husband stepped in and said, “Babe, just do it. You are not going to screw it up to where it can’t be fixed. I’ll help you install the first one.” And he did. He showed me how to double stud for support, how to cut out the siding, how to level the window and install the shims, how to use the window tape and sealing the gaps. We accomplished it in one day and I felt so amazing. He told me to take my time doing the next three windows, framing one day and installing the next. We estimated that it would take me about 14 days to install all of them since I still had livestock and ranch stuff to take care of.
The next morning, charged with energy and excitement, I framed out the next window, in less than an hour. Grabbing my youngest to hold the window in place, I installed the second one, then the third, then the last one. I had installed all of them in one day. When my husband came down to look, he was amazed. Not only had I installed three huge windows, they were done perfectly.
Now I’m building stalls for my four horses, as they estimate and very harsh winter. I knew last year was a doosy with 9 days of freezing ice and despite having bed comforters underneath winter horse blankets, we almost lost two of our babies. This year is estimated to be worse.
Where does this leave my writing? It is sitting on the back burner with writing spurts in between building. We are the stewards of the animals we’ve agreed to take on, so it’s our responsibility to make sure they have the best life possible. I’m currently focusing on a fantasy fairytale. Not a twist, an entirely new story and I’m having so much fun with it. I haven’t written any romance in over seven years, so it’s been amazing.
I’ll keep you informed of how all of it is going. Until then, enjoy September and I’ll see you soon!