But you know things rarely go exactly as planned around here. Just before heading to Manhattan, we received a call from Twin A - trouble in paradise. Remember the gorgeous dorm complete with private bath?
Well, a spot appeared on the ceiling over her desk. It appeared moldy-looking and grew quickly.
Plaster and paint chips began to rain down.
Eventually the problem was deemed extensive enough to require re-housing Twin A and her roommate. First to a 'temporary' location and then, after many phone calls and two trips to campus, to a double room in a different dorm (alas, with no private bath this time). Repairs could easily take the rest of the semester, but the question remains whether they will eventually return to the gorgeous dorm/private bath or stay put for the rest of the year. Let's just say I'm not moving anyone else until May!
I still have quite a backlog of books to talk about. Yesterday I posted thoughts on The American Way of Eating by Tracie McMillan and will polish up a couple more reviews this week.
Yesterday was Read-a-Thon and, while I did not officially participate, I borrowed an idea from Staci and finally watched The Hedgehog. It wasn't nearly as good as the book (most of the philosophical ideas were lost), but I liked it. However, I recommend reading the book before viewing the film.
Do you have plans for today or is readathon recovery your top priority? It's dock removal day here - the task that officially ends summer and heralds the arrival of winter months (there was snow in the air Friday). My brother, brothers-in-law, and nephew will lend their muscles and I'll reward everyone with a lasagna dinner. Have a great week!
Oh, what a shame! But I'm glad the situation is getting resolved. What good parents you are!
ReplyDeleteThe Rachel Joyce book looks very intriguing...I haven't come across it before.
I have to have a little bit of a clean-a-thon and laundry-a-thon today, but the latter at least is compatible with reading. But so is the former, if I crank up an audiobook1 :) I'm reading Beautiful Lies by Clare Cook -- enjoying it, but the main characters are starting to get on my nerves.
Audrey - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was on the Mann-Booker longlist this year. It's such a charming, engaging book! We've had a frustrating couple of weeks, but I'm so glad the girls are all settled for the time being. Now I'm trying to decide whether it's worth trying to visit The Mount at the end of the month, or waiting until the gardens are in bloom again.
DeleteWhat a beautiful picture of the lake in fall on your blog! I've been seeing The Unlikely Pilgrimage mentioned a lot here and there, looking forward to your review!
ReplyDeleteLaurie C - Thanks! Fall is definitely my favorite time of year. My thoughts on Harold Fry will be posted within the next couple of weeks.
DeleteI'm listening to The End of the Affair, too, but I've temporary tossed it over for The Hobbit. I was listening while at the gym, and that is not a gym book (too depressing!).
ReplyDeleteSoftdrink - The End of the Affair is definitely NOT a gym book! I can't seem to listen to it while on the treadmill or even while walking the dog. I just sit and listen in a depressive funk. That's probably why it's taking me so long to finish!
DeleteMoving is stressful, isn't it? Congrats to your daughter for settling in well :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I are in the process of buying our first ever house, we hope to be moved in by Christmas. After that I won't be moving again in many years!
Sam - This must be such an exciting time for you! Hope all goes well with your move... it will be an extra-special Christmas this year.
DeleteOh no!! Where was the water damage coming from??? I'm hoping that they end up liking their new digs and that there will be no moving until May!! I'm starting a bit of a movie-revolution, huh?? I didn't even know there was a movie for this book! I have it on audio but had a hard time getting into it so I archived it and picked something else to listen to for now. Looking forward to the books you will be chatting about later this week! Enjoy your Sunday!
ReplyDeleteStaci - There is a bathroom right above them with some major plumbing problems! The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a wonderful audiobook, but it's really hard to get into. I started listening on a long drive with no other audios available. Under other circumstances, I may have put it aside, too. The movie is in French with English subtitles. My husband didn't like it much...I think you need to read the book first, and even then it doesn't really convey the main ideas
DeleteI love the autumn photo header too - it does make me miss the foliage that we don't get here in Texas. And I think that you've done your fair share of moving for the year! I haven't heard of The Submission, so I'm off to see what that's about.
ReplyDeleteLisa May - Yes, I refuse to move anyone else until the school year is over... enough is enough! The Submission is a novel about a 9/11 memorial in NYC. I've only read the first 30 or 40 pages, but have found it immediately engaging.
DeleteThe stresses of being a parent. It never stops really:) Glad u liked Harold Fry.
ReplyDeleteDiane - We've had more than our usual level of stress this fall ;-) Harold Fry was amazing.
DeleteOh my gosh, that's a lot of moving! That mold is a little suspicious - seems odd that it would suddenly just appear so soon after they moved in. It's almost like something out of a horror movie!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Exactly! I'm almost wondering if they gave it a quick coat of paint before move-in day and hoped it would disappear.
DeleteYikes, that mold and peeling paint look awful. I agree with Lisa. How strange that it suddenly showed up. Almost as if it had been painted over right before move-in time. I'm glad things have settled down and I'm with you. No more moving until May!
ReplyDeleteI've got to snag a copy of Harold Fry. I've got it on audio, but for some reason, I feel it's one I should read in the print format.
No snow in the air here! We hit 84 yesterday and it was just as warm the day before. I keep joking that we'll be in shorts and sandals come Thanksgiving, but it could actually happen!
Les - My thoughts exactly on the paint job. In the end, it's just created more headaches for them, too. They should have addressed the problem over the summer. Whether you decide to read or listen, Harold Fry is quite a book. Hope you get to enjoy it soon. 84 degrees!? Wow -we had another really hard frost last night. It would be nice to make it to Halloween without snow.
DeleteWhat a nightmare for twin A and I hope your NYC gal is ok after Sandy!
ReplyDeleteI've already told Staci that I want to do the movie-a-thon with her next time. You in?
Stacybuckeye - I'm definitely in for a movie-a-ton! Maybe it should be a mini-challenge next readathon... we could get Staci to host!
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