Post Eight: La Casita de.... Shurtz

We are finally alone in our new place, with most of the remnants of the previous owner gone. The few pieces of furniture that remain are actually helpful in our half-baked state of occupancy, most especially the bed in the master bedroom. And not just any bed, mind you, but a remote controlled, feet or head elevated, hit the button to select your massage, Tempurpedic bed. But while playing with bed controls can be an amusing pastime, it was simply lying in bed as the sun lit up the trees outside our windows, and marveling at how completely surrounded by the forest we were that was exciting.




When we first got here Friday afternoon, we spent probably an hour walking through each room, discussing the state of the walls, where we wanted to add or change something right away, where we saw potential for improvements longer term. The house is structurally very sound, and really has a lot of potential. The negotiations begin on tearing out cabinets, where to put the furniture.....
One exciting thing was a package at the front door, addressed to "Patricia Shurtz, 14269 Pasquale Rd."... etc. Turns out it was only the installation package for the DLS service from AT&T. But, nonetheless, my name, at this address. Cool.
But, at this point, we were without cell, land phone or Internet, so we built a fire, pulled up my folding camp chair and the All Buzz lounger, put some music on, poured a drink and looked out at the Madrones. Special occasion meant we had a bottle of Trek Syrah and some tasty veal chops to celebrate. Two chairs in the empty room with the huge windows as our entertainment, warm fire in the stove.




After the aforementioned lounging in bed looking out at our surroundings, the balance of that day was spent setting up our communications with the outside world, getting a few provisions, and taking pictures and measuring every aspect of the house we could. The day ended successfully when we at last created our DSL Internet setup and streamed the Niner game as we prepared and ate dinner. Great game, and great meal, as our team went on to the next round of the playoffs, and we filled ourselves with chicken and pasta. I ended my day with a soaking bath downstairs, and was very pleased to have a strong enough Internet connection to stream my guilty pleasure, the ABC Entertainment app, with the previous week's soap operas and night time dramas. These creature comforts are important!




Sunday saw Barry continuing to try to clear about a foot of ice and snow from the back deck and front stairs, some French Toast, more measuring and photographing by me. I sent dirty towels from the upstairs suite down the laundry chute down to the laundry room and put them in the washing machine. Filled the dishwasher and did a quick load. Made sure things were tidy. Marvelled at the sunshine beaming down into the trees behind the house.
We both agreed it was just a teasing taste of our future experience at La Casita. We sat at the counter and had a quick sandwich before loading our stuff into the Subaru, turned down the thermostat, and headed reluctantly back to "reality."