We haven't updated in a while, which means 2 things:
1. We've been incredibly busy.
2. This is going to be a long update.
Without further ado...I'll begin.
June:
In June we really buckled down on the bathroom and started the tear out phase. After 1.5 days we discovered mold growing on the insulation and some rotting wood studs. After ripping up the floor we discovered that the subfloor was de-laminating. So, what started as a basic remodel became a gut and re-do kind of project. The mold set us back and while we had hopes of completing the bathroom before the McGills arrived in town from Las Vegas, we had no such luck.
July:
The beginning of July brought tears as we learned that Grandpa DeMott had taken a turn for the worse. Cancer was discovered in his stomach with spots showing up in other places as well. He relocated to the Health Center permanently and Dad flew out for a quick visit with him, thinking it could be the last. Also early in July the McGills stopped by on their whirlwind tour of the US for an evening. We spent a wonderful night catching up. As always with good friends, it's not hard to pick up where you left off. A week or so later Adam's dad came into town specifically to help us on the quickly overwhelming bathroom project. He came by the house everyday while Adam and I were at work and worked diligently until we got home. Then they would usually head to the hardware/home improvement store to pick up supplies while I would stay home and await their return. While he was here we finished putting the insulation in, installed the glass block window, replaced the subfloor, finished the plumbing, installed the tub, put in the new switches and electrical boxes, wired for the light fixture, put up 75% of the drywall and mudded and taped it, and had the tile floor installed. (Pictures are on facebook.)
August:
August was perhaps the craziest month of all. A great many things happened, both good and not so good. Adam's dad was still in town when we left to pick up my parents and Stephanie in Indianapolis. Luckily Grandpa was still with us and we all were able to visit him one last time. Adam, Dad and I sat in the room with Grandma and Grandpa as they held hands and wept at each other. The sadness in his face brought tears to my eyes. I know it was not sadness for himself, but for his bride who he knew he would leave for a time. When it was time to leave I took his hand and he squeezed it. I told him goodbye and that I loved him and kissed him on the cheek. He looked at me, smiling and serious, and said "God bless you." I know he meant it with every fiber of his being and I will hold that in my heart forever. Thank you Grandpa.
While in Indianapolis, Adam's dad was still at our house while the tile floor was being laid. He actually stayed in town all week while my family was in town, although we didn't see him during that time. Sunday we were back in Ohio attending church and then driving up to Columbus to see Aunt Paula, Uncle Rick and Charla and her family. Unfortunately we all thought it was a lunch date and were starving by the time that dinner was served. :) Monday, Mom, Dad, Adam and I drove to Harodsburg, KY to visit the shaker village. The drive was pleasant, the weather HOT and humid...until the sirens went off and it started to thunderstorm. Needless to say we had a rather wet drive back. Tuesday we went to the National Airforce Museum in Dayton. Mom and Dad picked up Nicolas from the airport there while Steph, Adam and I headed home. Wednesday we went to IKEA, Jungle Jims, Kohls and Ulta. That evening I had a staff meeting at work and Adam came down with a fever. (It was August 10th....Steph's 26th birthday and Grandma and Grandpa's 65th wedding anniversary.) Thursday we went to the Reds v Rockies game downtown. Adam stayed home with his fever. I got sunburned beyond belief. It peeled for over a week. That evening we went to Troy's Cafe (our favorite place to eat in West Chester) and had Stephanie's birthday dinner followed by an icecream cake from DQ. Friday I had an all day staff development day at work followed by a BBQ in the evening that the family came too. Luckily Adam was well enough by that time to be able to attend. I gave a tour of the school to the family, helped clean up and then we left. Saturday morning everyone (minus Adam who went to breakfast with his dad) went to Book Bums and Starbucks before Nicolas drove Mom and Dad back to Indy. They all got one last visit with Grandpa. After he got back we had dinner and went car shopping. We snuck into all kinds of unlocked vehicles after dark on the car lots. Afterward we hit up the Cone and Nicolas made the mistake of getting a large...which is roughly the size of my forearm. Sunday we headed to church and then Steph drove Nicolas to the airport in Dayton.
Monday morning brought quite a change for me as the owners announced that during my vacation week they had hired another director in my place. I was offered a position as an Education Coordinator for the school with a decrease in pay and perks. Feeling completely blind-sided and backed into a corner, I accepted the position. That evening I met Adam outside his work and we drove around talking (and sobbing) about it. After dinner we met up with the pastor from church to discuss what had happened and the best course of action. While great advice was given, it was ultimately my choice as to what to do...and I chose to resign the following day. Tuesday I turned in my resignation letter effective immediately. They were not upset and did not seem phased at all....which can only lead me to the conclusion that I was being forced out one way or another, while they tried to protect themselves from paying out unemployment by offering me another position. (I should note that since I turned down the position they have not attempted to fill it.) Although my mother continues to try and persuade me that I have a valid legal case against them and that I should file for unemployment, I am choosing to just close the door on that part of my life and move on. I was incredibly hurt, embarrassed and ashamed of what happened to me, feeling as if I had somehow failed...but I don't think it has anything to do with me. Some people are so focused on their own goals and their own ladders to climb that they don't care who they hurt in the process.
After hearing that I was now unemployed, like herself, Steph decided to stay an extra two weeks so that we could spend more time together. She bought her ticket for Saturday, August 27th. Over the next two weeks we went on (almost) daily walks or bike rides. I spent most of that time listening as she recounted her adventures overseas and all of the interesting people she'd met. I think it was good for her to debrief from all of her travels. She also helped with some of the cooking, cleaning and animal care, for which I am grateful.
I think it was the Wednesday or Thursday before Stephanie was scheduled to fly out when we got a phone call from Dad saying that Grandpa had taken his last turn for the worse. He had a fever and was comatose. Three of my aunts were on their way to be with him and Grandma. Dad encouraged Steph to cancel her flight because Mom and Dad would be making the drive out here if anything happened to Grandpa. Luckily she took his advice because Sunday after church we found out that Grandpa had passed away that morning. We all prepared to travel to Indy again that Wednesday for the visitation and funeral. It was hard...much harder than I remember my Grandmother's to be (Grandma Colby)...but I was younger then. It was wonderful to see the whole DeMott family again. Sadly Nicolas was unable to attend because it was the first week of school for him, so he sent flowers to be planted on the grave. Thursday night we drove to Martin's Ferry, OH for the memorial service and to see the grave site. Friday was the service. After seeing his final resting place we all hugged and said goodbye until Christmas.
*I should note that in between all of this, I had a job interview on Tuesday and received a job offer on Friday. I accepted and will start full time on Monday, September 12th.
And here we are, the beginning of a new month and a new job. So much has happened this summer. It has flown by. It seems quiet in the house now with Steph being gone and Adam's mom out of town. It feels lonely without so many people being around. On the other hand, it's nice for Adam and I to spend this holiday weekend just the two of us.
By the way...the bathroom is still basically unchanged since the tiling of the floor. Steph and I did grout it, but that's about it. My hope is that we get it done before winter. :)
