Ready to rock

I did it! Today was my last official day on the clock at work. Until March 5. Presumably because I'm going to have a baby. I guess time will tell on that one.

Anyway, even though I was working from home, I still managed to get some things done: run to Babies R Us for the bazillionth time, wrap Luke's stocking stuffers and Freka's Christmas gifts, fold laundry, indulge on ABC soaps (I have no idea how daytime television will be affected by the writers' strike, but could this crap come at a more inconvenient time?), and down a few Reese's Christmas tree candies. I know! All before Luke came home, at which time we got chicken from Popeye's before banishing me from the apartment for an hour and a half because my wonderful husband wanted to treat the carpets with some type of foam cleaner, and he was worried about possible fumes harming the baby. I'm not complaining; I got to sit in a comfy chair at Books A Million and browse through parenting guides for most of the time, and since retail stores aren't libraries, I also picked up one of Suze Orman's older books to read, maybe even finish before the baby comes. (I also have a copy of Women and Money; we'll see which one I pick up first.)

Since I'm no longer getting vibes that Freka will be joining us anytime soon, I've been trying to figure out how to spend this newfound free time. I'm picturing long afternoons on the couch, alternating between saturating my mind with knowledge and spacing in front of the boob tube. I can already hear A Very Brady Christmas (which I've yet to watch this season, I'm so behind), The Sound of Music, and The Lord of the Rings trilogy calling my name. Also, now that both work and NaBloPoMo are over, I'm much more eager to blog again and hope to keep you guys updated on all the minute details of my now (temporarily) uneventful life.

One of those details being how insanely excited I am about our newly refurbished rocking chair. It was delivered on Sunday afternoon, and I swear, it felt like a totally new piece of furniture was entering our home.

Once again, the before shots:

...And after:

New fabric, new stuffing, a layer of polyurethane, and voila! An heirloom fit for my sweet little baby, an heirloom that's even older than I thought. I was under the impression it was purchased for my parents when I was born, but my mother said it actually belonged to her mother first, which makes me even more glad Luke and I shelled out the money to have it professionally redone.

I can't believe in just two weeks or less (please, dear God, let it be less), I'll be rocking my daughter in this very chair. Dudes, it's like, totally blowing my mind.

Comments

[Jenny]

I swear I don't sit here stalking your blog or anything, but I do love being the first to comment!

The chair looks awesome!

I, too, am worried about the writers strike and how it will affect things.

YEA to be done with work! I hope that you do not have too much time of nothing to do, AKA, Freka come soon!

I cannot wait to see a picture of you rocking her in the new chair on this very site soon!!!

[Katie]

I am so excited for you! . . . and also a
little jealous :-( You absolutely deserve that free time, and I hope it goes fabulously :-)

[Parker]

I have to admit, I've been eagerly awaiting the results of the chair reupholstery...it's beautiful! They did a really nice job! It looks nice enough to have in any room of the house, regardless of having a baby to rock.

[Jana]

Yay for being off work! I was off for two weeks before having Ryan. Have fun going to bed knowing you don't have to get up to go anywhere the next morning.
It's almost time!!

[Liz]

YOUR DAUGHTER! (I think that just blew my mind a little, too. But in a GOOD way!)

That chair looks wonderful, Frema. Perfect for many many hours of sitting and rocking. And I love that Freka will be the 3rd generation to be rocked. LOVE IT!

Cheers to giving your Blockbuster membership a workout! Enjoy your break...you deserve it.

[Virginia Gal]

The chair is so pretty! But, your daughter(!!!) will be even prettier whenever she deigns to join the family.

[Molly]

The rocker looks great!

I almost called you first thing this morning, knowing you were home, to tell you that I dreamed you went into labor today. Also realizing that you are currently home with a child who cannot wake you with a shrill shreiking voice, I decided that maybe 7:30am was not the best time. Go into labor today! I called Freka's birthday for tomorrow!

Happy maternity leave!

[Katie]

Oh my gosh, the chair turned out beautifully! And the fact that it spans so far back in your family is so amazing. Also, I've been eagerly checking your blog every morning to see if Freka has decided to make her grand debut yet!

[becky]

The chair is beautiful - Samantha must be jealous! I just bought "Women and Money," too, but I'm a little scared to start it...

Can't wait for the baby! :)

[Becca]

Gosh, every time you pop on my Google Reader my heartbeat accelerates. I am so excited for you! Enjoy this period of relaxation, you have earned it! I think DVDs and candy is definitely the way to go. I think I did the coffee shop and a good book. Enjoy!

[Trilby]

It is so cool that you have something from your grandmother, that was passed to your mother, and now to you. I'm such a sucker for heirlooms. I'm lucky enough to still have 2 great grandmothers, and I LOVE going through their attics. I'm a nerd, I know.

I hope you enjoy your time off and GET SOME REST! :)

[daddy d]

I like the chair's history. I looks really great. Time at home is well spent in many ways. Get stuff done that otherwise just does not get done. Rest is one of those activities.

[Lisa]

Free time? Wanna write a paper? Or two?

Enjoy the quiet down time while you have it!

[eva]

That chair looks amazing! People always say to try and enjoy these last few totally free and selfish days and it sounds like you have the right attitude (unlike me - BORED already, 2 days past my due date).

[Isabel]

Congrats on being done with work. And hello, the chair is AWESOME.

(Also, I'm curious to hear what you bought Freka for Christmas.)

[Christina]

Wow, congratulations on finishing up work! You are so very close. May I share yet another little bit with you? My fav addition to my 2nd bed- aka rocker is a travel pillow. It really helps with the neck-snaps during that 3 am feeding..
Im so excited for you, I will be checking a few times a day now, I just know it!
Enjoy your little break, rest up, eat spicy foods, chocolate etc. all of the things that may upset her belly now while you can!:)

[Dawn]

The chair turned out beautifully! You guys definitely made the right choice in having it professionally redone, and Freka will be able to use it when *she's* ready to have her own kids. (In approximately 45 years, that is, when she's allowed to start dating....)

[Rachel]

Enjoy your time off before Freka gets here!! I love the chair!! That guy did a really good job!

Freka, please come on the 9th like I picked.

[Fraulein N]

The chair looks great! Enjoy your free time while you have it.

[Brie]

I love the chair- it's beautiful! Have fun rocking and rolling

[Katie]

You're going to have to post every day now (or more). After any absence of more than a few hours, we will assume you are birthing that baby!

[CPA Mom and Soccer Mom Angela]

That is an amazing chair! Squeal! Baby soon!

[David Rhyne "Rhyne Upholstery, Too"]

Thank you so much for the kind words about our upholstery work for you!

One of your friends emailed me this link and I was thrilled to know how happy you were with our work -- that never gets old!

Sincerely,

David Rhyne