Working it.

I have written before of Thanksgiving…of how it is my favorite holiday, without the stress or pressure for gifts or events, just turkey and pumpkin pie.  It’s a holiday full of gratitude and since being grateful for my family and my friends is my top priority, I love Thanksgiving as I usually get a pretty strong dose during this week.
 

Wandering around my yard and the neighboring yards (yeah, I’m kind of free range) every morning, I am working on a peaceful heart.  I want to be kinder, gentler.  Last year, I was determined to take joy ~ and I have been doing pretty well, if I do say so myself.  2016 is to be more gentle.  I know there are times this year when I have too easily become riled up, even angry, over small things and big things, maybe even justifiably.  But, it takes so much energy, you know? Coming down from being riled up isn’t as easy as it once was and I don’t want to be that cranky old lady.  You know the one…that’s not for me.  Thing is, there are things that seriously bug me so it’s work for me.  It’s also work for me to not be so outspoken about my irks.

Working on my irks.  At my age, to know I am not yet complete, is humbling and motivating. Sorta. 

For those of you who read this blog, many of whom I do not personally know, comment on this blog and also read my Lake Living facebook page, I am grateful for you.  I appreciate your comments to me, when you see me out and about, and appreciate those you send to me, whether you post publicly or through a private message. 

I hope you celebrate well this season of gratitude.

I think it was in our vows.

I have taken a jump to my Christmas shopping, which is not like me at all.  I usually am out there deciding during that last week.  Especially when it comes to kids pj’s, which is my traditional Christmas Eve gift.  I’ve scaled back and only do the grandkids now because, well, the kids, now all in their 30s (gasp!), don’t grow and their pj’s tend to last forever ~ or nearly.
  

So, this year, I started earlier, even if it is only just putting a name at the top of a list.   I don’t mind the racing around at the last minute and there probably will be some of that still, but…I don’t want to see a grandbaby with the wrong pj’s!

Since I don’t put up a full tree, I did start breaking out a few decorations.  Nothing super huge but starting in one area of the house and kind of working towards the kitchen to both dust some woodwork and decorate a bit before Thanksgiving, because the grandkids will be here.  I don’t know, something has gotten to me this year ~ I need that holiday spirit, I want it.   After a HORRIBLE news week, I’m more determined than ever to spread a little joy, a little Christmas cheer.  I spent time recently with one of my favorite relatives, always enjoying her company and just all around wasting time, but in a very good way.  We poked around in a garden center, which was getting decked out for the holidays, picked up some “must haves” and ate a great cup of soup in the brew pub.   We shared stories of family and expressed our gratitude and love for each and every one.

The actual gifts are a bit harder.  This year I have to admit to being a little clueless all around.  I won’t go the 100% gift card route yet, but, it is getting closer.  I like surprises, though, and I enjoy shopping for just the right thing.  I try to stick to a budget, do okay, and just bite the bullet if I go overboard.  Sometimes I wish I had a shopping genie.  Someone who would like to go, help me with my bags, “ooohhhh”  and “aaaahhh” over every item I stop to review, and allow me the time to make a decision, even if it means going BACK to a store we just left.   As far as hubs, well, he tells me he’ll go but then folds his arms and whistles, obviously not into it.  So much looking over my head while the whistling air ruffles my tresses. 

What happened to just shopping? Just shopping for fun, for a break, for nothing? Remember when we used to all go to the mall for a date? Just shop? Buy nothing but maybe an ice cream cone or a pretzel? Remember the pretzels? So, its settled.  While not totally enjoyable for either of us, I will drag hubs from store to store again this year.  It’s his duty.

Glad that's over!

Hubs has gone beyond this week with keeping up with the leaves around the homestead.  He has worked in the dark, sat at a smoldering fire and gone back and forth over this acreage with a backpack blower that he admits is way heavy and makes his chest vibrate.  This is after his 50+ hours work week.  The guy is amazing with his ability to walk in the door from a long, stressful day, switch roles, change clothes and become Handy Andy in a matter of minutes.  It’s times like these that I do my best comfort food cooking.  I know he loves gravy, loves soup.  I know he loves casseroles and I crank ‘em out nearly every night during leaf raking season.  Nothing fancy here in late October/early November, but it will be warm, saucy and usually with a noodle.   

I don’t rake.  It’s not that I am opposed to raking, I’m not.  But, over the years I have been tending to kids or cooking while the rakes are out and I’m just not very good. I save my yard involvement for landscaping and weeding…which hubs does not get involved with much, unless I need something heavy moved.  I don’t drive the tractor pulling that leafvac thing or hoist the backpack blower.  I admit to being a bit of a sissy when it comes to raking.  My girls rake, as their dad taught them well, and I’m sure my grandkids will rake.  That makes me proud, and slightly ashamed.  The raking is complete so I'm told, and I am glad that he can now move on to football and popcorn on Sunday afternoons...and maybe a chore or two I have been waiting to spring on him. 

We also moved items into the new shed.  We had only small disagreements as to what was going in, what was not.  I gave in to a mower and he agreed to moving Esmerelda from her spot in the woods to enjoy winter in the new shed.  She’s been left out in the elements in previous years and they have been hard on her plaster finish.  My carts, my pots and planters, garden tools, left over mulch…it’s all found a winter home in the shed, along with the cushions and chairs and tubes for water sports.  The shed is solid and while about 90% complete (waiting on a loft and shelving, some other finishing touches) it is certainly near perfect.   

I haven’t started any decorating for the holidays but I am starting to think about it.  We don’t put up a tree any more but a few years ago I discovered securing my ornaments on garland and draping and over the counter and windows. I love the look!  A tree takes up people space and we are short on people space in my little home.  I do have a small tree that has only Santa ornaments, and I stopped buying Santa ornaments a few years ago unless I see something that is just spectacular.   

I still have plans to “make” trees for the woods. I’ll let you know how it goes, but I have some ideas! Now where did hubs get off to...      

Oh, the adventures.

Today in Lake Living...could be an awesome quiet day, like it started this morning, with a walk along the shoreline and a sit on a newly acquired and gently used bench, temporarily set on the porch of the little shed.  This makes for a great sitting spot for the season, and hopefully enough room left in the shed to move it inside in December, although it is filling up fast.   Little dog and I enjoyed about a half hour on the bench and surveyed the yard, recently cleared of leaves but still fallish.  A smoldering leaf fire and three swans taking a morning swim.  Nicely brisk, enough for my black and red flannel jacket from the men’s department, but not chilly enough to pop up the hood.   Yes, the porch of the shed is a great place to start the day, with a cup of coffee and a dog.  Sounds bucolic enough, right?  

I semi-planned my day.  Do I brave senior citizen discount day at the local grocery or do I wait, pulling something out of thin air for dinner this evening?  Should I sweep the deck? What do you think, little dog on the bench beside me? Little dog? Oh, little dog, where did you go? A walk around the shed, whistling. Scanning the yard, calling.  Stinker, I think to myself.  We've been working on "stay by me" as she has disappeared for several minutes a time or two lately, and is not quick to respond to being called.   

Whimper.  Shake.  Jingle of her tag and collar, dust rises from between the boards of the porch floor.  Crum.  Little dog, as she sniffed around, and then under the shed, became wedged within the floor system under the porch.  Can she really get under the shed? Why would she? Note, this is a flaw and should be remedied.  After a few minutes, I sent a message to the dog whisperer I call my sister-in-law.  I may or may not have an emergency…

A bit of coaxing and talk of taking out boards, but not finding the right drill bit to remove the screws, little dog comes out with some gentle pulling on her collar.  A few licks of thanks to the dog whisperer (from the dog, not me) and little dog is at the back door, anxious for her breakfast and a nap.  Me, too.