So I Have Been Busy Again

So I have been busy.  Chiefs winning the Super Bowl.  We watched from home.  This was after I came back from whirlwind trip to city to see my cousin whose mom died (my great aunt and my Granny's best friend). She was 95.

Then I got to see my Uncle who went on hospice and support my aunt.  I am so happy my uncle got to witness another Super Bowl win for his beloved Chiefs.

Then I had to turn around after the visit and pack and go to my Great Aunt's funeral back at the lake in my hometown.  It was nice to see my cousins and all our family from all over...Texas, Colorado, Ariona, Georgia, Missouri...  My sister and my cousins and I rented an Airbnb with a pretty view.

Then we did get to enjoy Super Bowl from our own home, DH and I (and our dogs!),

I have also been lucky enough to enjoy some pretty hikes lately.

I am getting spring fever.

This is what over $100 gets for a funeral now a days.  Crazy.

Reflections

Remember all the free plants I got last spring...more on them later.

This week last year we were preparing to leave the extended-stay-hotel-from-hell and leave the city to go permanently to our retirement home.  I remember how excited I was, truly just beyond belief it was happening after counting down what seemed like 10 years but really was more like actual 4 years.  I remember thinking it was all happening so fast and it felt rushed, like events that you have looked so forward to but end up going by in a blur and you try to recall in your memories (and pictures).  Big reason why I started this blog was to document the time getting ready and leading up to such a big change in our lives.

Well, fast forward to spring after we retired.  I was restless, we bought a new car, I saw it as leverage to go back to my same work and get a temp assignment, etc.  And here we are approaching 6 months later.  I am giving my notice this week - 2 more week after this week and I am going to enjoy not wearing makeup, packing my lunch, loading my suitcase, etc.  Going to enjoy having a looser schedule and getting my tire body and my complaining tummy back to balance.  Did a stupid thing with my backyard - stacking rocks for a make-shift temp border while we moved our existing azaleas out from house to around the deck.  I plan to put in flagstone area between the deck and the back porch - so the shrubs had to move.  Then I got a bunch of free plants from DH cousin and just put them wherever to keep them alive - but no real plan.  Watered and had great luck with them - but now I want to more formally/permanently situate the landscaping and make it 1)  pleasing to look at but also 2) easier to tend to/mow around.  So I ditched the topple-ing rocks and installed paver bricks length-wise end to end almost flush with the ground/grass to make for easy mowing, while still keeping the grass and plants separate and looking pretty with mulch. 

I have a LOT more to do, but I like doing projects.  We are also going to put more insulation in our attic so we look forward to that - not so much, but will be glad to get it done.

Last evening I did not go to gym after work.  I drove DH convertible and thought my aunt would enjoy a quick little ride before I go to bed.  She did.  Uncle is failing and feeling badly, but not specifically badly as to be diagnosable in er - no actual pain/fever - just feels crappy all over and his spirits are following along.  She enjoys some company to think about something else.  She had served him dinner and gotten him settled in his chair and off we went, just for a quick spin.  Got a few groceries, I got enough coffee to last 2.5 weeks I have left at the office.

We came home and watched our nightly 30 min of TV then I went to bed.  Slept poorly.  Uncle wants the house like an oven, his main complaint at the moment, is, that he is freezing.  It was 75 there last night!  I woke up hot about 4 times!  Poor Uncle, how will he get through the winter.  Happy Fall a couple days late!

Project in progress:

Smoothies

After work I usu go to the gym or yoga.  Then I go home and have a quick smoothie.  This accomplishes a few things.  Taking the deciding out of dinner makes it quick and easy, yet nutritious.  Also, I can just stash my fruit and protein powder out of the way in cabinet and freezer so I don't get in my aunt and uncle's way.  They are awesome, but I just want to be non invasive as possible.  I am not easily tempted to eat junk.

The biggest benefit though, is due to my tummy issues, having a clean smoothie with some fruit, non dairy milk (almond, coconut, rice) and some vegan protein and it is easy on my tummy.  I am guilty of both helping my aunt and uncle eat more nutritious smoothies, I have also given them some goodies from my local bakery near my retirement home.  But, the smoothies are a winner with them and that is what my uncle asks for almost every night.  He loves some frozen strawberries and some frozen bananas just blended - he likes it like ice cream and it is better for him.

Today I am turning in a large project I did for my freelance work.  I am glad to have it over with and eager to see how it is received.  Today is the day I remind DH to change out the hummingbird feeder nectar.  I saw on the internet that when the weather gets above 85, it needs to be changed every couple of days.  It is amazing how they seem to know when we put fresh nectar out. 

Happy (hummingbird?) hump day!

Back to Friday Feeling

Now that I worked this week, I am back to that feeling of elation that it is Friday.  I need to work on this and recreate it everyday.  Be more conscious of my gratitude for every day.  But, there is no denying that I miss my DH and I miss my dogs and I miss my garden and I especially miss my mattress.

I have slept on a sofa bed since Monday night!  But it is not too bad.  I did yoga again last night with my friend T at our old yoga studio.  The studio that we started going to back in 2012 and enjoyed a session with my old instructer, J.  So nice. 

Then I spent some time visiting with aunt and uncle and uncle has been very interested and entertained by my recounting of all the free food I got this week since I started back...free lunch my first day, free fruit and left overs Tuesday, free cookies from the parking garage Wed (actually $107/month cookies!), free leftovers Thursday and donuts today. 

My uncle has the cheerful happiness of a child, nowadays, more than ever.  What is a blessing.  He always has been really happy and positive, but lately even more.  He will be 85 this year.  He is so loved by everyone.  Just a basic reminder of how much happier we all are when we are around other happy people.

Anyway, he told me last night that his favorite is the apple fritter and I agreed wholeheartedly.  They were so large this morning, that I had to cut mine in half.  It was crunchy around the edge and soft in the middle and lots of frosting.  SOOOO good.  I had not had any treat in a week, so I relished my 1/2 apple fritter this morning.  And I am going directly home from here, so I sent aunt a text with a picture of the donuts so she could show my uncle.  He will get a kick out of it.

I hope you have the equivalent of a nice crunchy, frosted apple fritter today!

We Are Trying

I am wanted to open the door and scream at the people across the hall.  The last 2 nights the people  who share several rooms on  the 2nd floor of the hotel congregate in the room directly across from ours.  We can hear them for well into the wee hours and last night it was ridiculous.  They were in there cheering.  It sounded like a WalMart associates pep meeting where people rah rah rah.  Crazy.  I sat up and looked at the clock, it  said 2:40.  This was after I was already woke up at 11:38.  So I lay back down and I hear a knock.  I look out our peep hole.  The night hotel clerk is telling them to be quiet.  They are bothering other guests too. 

Then I woke again at 4am and it was quiet.  Finally got some good sleep between 4 and 6.  When I walked the dog at 6:05, two of them were standing out in the hall.  What?!  I realize they are young, but how do these people function with no sleep?!

The weeds are so tall around the hotel where we walk the dogs that our little female had a tick and so did my husband.  Speaking of weeds, I heard from the yard mower that he mowed and is coming back to mow again Sat.  Good luck, is supposed to rain from the hurricane moving up through the Mississippi Valley.  I forwarded text to DH.  When I got home, he said his folks also drove by and observed our yard.  They said it looks pretty bad still.  Great.

Yesterday was my SIL birthday.  We left her a card when we saw them and cooked dinner for them Sat.  She is so tired of the politics in our little town, that she is retiring early - end of December.
I went by and saw my uncle in the hospital last night.  He looks ok.  In a lot of pain.  He fell, broke several bones.  Has fluid in lungs, they drained in procedure - still has a drain.  He was very loopy on pain meds and Ativan.  I took my aunt to dinner.  We talked about diff stuff like death and wills, assisted living, family.  Wow.  Life is so precious.

Have a wonderful Thursday.  I got home last night and gave my DH a big hug.

Can This Day be Over Already

So, we had a great visit to another state to visit family and go to a relative's wedding.  The wedding was beautiful, the bride was stunning...Saw so many relatives, far and near.  It was just a great trip.  However, it was also tiring. I drove 8.5 hours Thurs and 9 hours back Sun.  We did take a 30 min detour and pop in to my retirement home on the way back yesterday.  My Uncle got to see my RH and we checked in on the tile work in progress. 
I think I am really going to love it.  Looks really nice with the cool gray and white of my bathroom.  The tile is warm yellowish beige tones.  Warms up the room.  My contractor complimented my choices.  I think all he has left to do is grout and clean up.
It was great to get home to my DH.  He stayed home with the doggies.  He was not thrilled at the prospect of being in the car with my VERY hard of hearing aunt and uncle.  And repeating one self over and over, practically yelling is tiring, but I was honored to be able to drive them and take care of them.  They have done so much for my sister and I.  Letting us come stay with them in the summer, showing me how much they love me, etc.  GREAT people. 
So, DH had dinner ready for me when I got home.  He even did grocery shopping and did some packing!  I was so proud of him and so glad to be embraced in a comforting hug.  Seeing my cousin's lovely young daughter and just all the reminiscing just made me tired and emotional.  So, I just chalked it up to that...then I relized that today is the day my Dear Belated Husband died in 1993 at age 32.  So, I have that making me blue, it is cold a raining here, so that adds to it...it is Monday, eta.
Except those things are not the main source of my emotion today...Our older dog, he is about 11 years old...well he is just not doing well.  He is declining in movement and sleeping a lot, but he still eats and drinks and gets around pretty good.  Well, DH said he has begun intermitten yelping once in a while.  DH thougth at first he was just dreaming, but he did it 3 or 4 times after I got home last night.  I was convinced he waited for me to get home and would not make it through the night, but he did and DH took him to vet today.  I missed 2 days next week, so it is hard to miss this week, but I am leaving early because while he is at the vet having tests, I am just sick to the point of distraction.  I realize he is getting older and I accept that dogs have a much shorter life span that I would wish...but I am really upset thinking it is so near and worrying that he is in distress.  Also, I told my DH I really am going to be devastated when he dies not matter what/when...but the possibility of it being so soon and before we move to Arkansas breaks my heart into a million pieces.  I see the pain in DH eyes too.  So, we have to be strong and grateful for every second with him. 
Wish us luck.  I will try to be back tomorrow.  Have a great Monday.  My lovely cousin is off to her enchanted honeymoon, where I bask in the happiness of my cousin - its her daughter and she is so happy.  I am going to hang on to that, because they are both special to me. 

Birthday Flowers

Forgot to post a picture of my flowers I got from DH Friday for my birthday.  I had a great day.  We had a nice seafood dinner at a restaurant I had aa gift car for.  Then, Sat went out with 6 girlfriends to celebrate couple of our birthdays in March.  DH and I wanted to use our gift cards we got for Valentine's Day for massage, but they were booked solid, so we are going to try for this Sat.

I thought we were going to go to RH this weekend, but we aren't.  Our master bath is torn up by contractor redoing shower and floor - DH also used this opportunity to replace both master and guest toilet.  So, we gained another weekend to do stuff in the city.  I will work on freshening up some trim paint and more deep cleaning/packing.  We hope to get our massages too!  I told DH after this move is finished, we are going to have an entire spa day!

Friday I am going to get my brows tweezed professionally for a wedding I have next week in Texas.  I am driving my Aunt and Uncle.  DH staying home.  It will be a nice break. 

The weather finally really pretty today.  Will be high of 70's!  I hope you have a great day where you are.  Last night helped DGM with her bookkeeping.  I have such a hard time with it.  Should be easy, but is such a mental block for me.  So, she is good for another few weeks.