Checking in.

What do you really need?

What do you really want?

What are you able to live without?

The new normal.

 

I admit that I have struggled a bit this week.  I can’t remember the last time I was off my property…which is OK by me, really, its just that I can’t remember.  Since we are now considered “elderly” (which was a shock), I have been playing it very safe.  At least, I think so.  I am so grateful to our neighbors and our daughter for doing their utmost to keep us healthy and watching out for our well-being, getting our groceries and supplies, and including us in their runs for take-out food.

 

When we look back on this time, we will have learned much about ourselves, as individuals, as family and as citizens.  What do we want, need and can live without? I bet most of us have a list starting to develop in our heads already.  Way too much food has been kept and thrown out in this house over the years.  Way too many clothes and “niceties”.  Far too many snacks.  Not enough parties, not enough cook-outs. Not enough Isopropyl Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide.  Not enough Lysol spray – I’ll never be caught short again. 

Not enough contact with those I love.  Too many days and weeks go by without an “I love you” or even  “just checking in”.

 

Checking in, guys.  Hope you are well, hope you stay well and I love you.

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Choose wisely.

Still working on landscaping this week but getting closer every day.  A little bit more, a little bit less. I know we are knocking items off our list, but the list seems to grow at the same pace. 

I did take a bit of time away this week to take my wonderful nephew, Jack, to see Rent in Indianapolis.  He is a big fan of live Broadway, has a musician’s soul and heart, and I knew he would love the show; he did, I did and one of my daughters went along, too, and she did.  Now,  she and I have seen Rent a few times, both live and the movie and it still pulls at the feels.  We went all in for a new dining experience in an area of Indianapolis known for its small restaurants, clubs, shops and arts, and a second day trip to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, now known as Newfields.  It was a good couple of days.

Last minute get-togethers, friends on the lake. Neighbors helping neighbors, family dropping by to help with projects or just a touch base to see what’s new, little kids running in the yard and robbing the candy jar. It makes my heart sing.  Children always bring me joy.   

I believe in what I do.  I believe in posting happy pictures and sentiments both here and on Facebook.  I accept it won’t impact the political climate of this country, or maybe it will in a very disconnected, down the chain fashion if ONE person decides to go positive, go for love, when making a statement, pass a judgement or please, for goodness sake, cast a vote.  These are unsettling times, they are. I call myself a person of faith and yearn, burningly, to act like one, speak like one, love like one.  Keep your chin up, and keep your heart, your empathy, because there is a BIG need. 

Be careful, be cautious of spreading hate as that will come back at you tenfold…I promise, and so will love.  I choose love.

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One big, happy dinner.

It’s Saturday and not the typical blog day for me, and this is not a typical post.

   

This was a rough week.  I could barely drag myself off the couch on Monday.  I found myself sleeping when I couldn’t take any more.  Hubs got a salad and warmed up soup for dinner, and a leftover applesauce cup. I ate nothing.  I struggled on Monday.  Hard.

On Tuesday, I slapped myself out of it.  I rallied.  I will not succumb to terror, I will not.  I will speak out on gun control, and I have opinion on the current administration that goes beyond party.  However,  I still will not use this blog for those things, other than those statements above. Can we disagree and still wish love and joy for each other? I believe we can, and I guess we’ll find out.

A week ago, my house was filled with my favorite things ~ all three of my kids, their spouses and all five of my grandchildren.    I could not have been happier than if you had sprinkled me with pixie dust.  I was beyond pleased.  There was a wonderful big family wedding, at a barn, a handsome groom and a gorgeous bride, with everybody. I think only one or two – okay, maybe three -  unable to be there on Saturday but the rest of us were in that barn, celebrating the wedding, and celebrating each other. We were one happy, dancing, loving, singing crowd of a family, let me tell you.  I love weddings, I really do.  It’s like having everyone over for dinner at one time.

 

Last Saturday and Sunday morning were perfect for us.  We laughed, and we loved. I watched little boys swing and heard their giggles, I talked nonsense with a two-year old grandgirl and marveled at the grace and poise of an eight-year old.  I love watching my girls mother their children…and my sons-in-law are princes among men.  My endearing, intelligent and independent daughter-in-law loves my boy, who brings nothing but joy to me, quirky joy, but joy all the same, and displays his roots.  Sitting around a fire with my family on a chilly Sunday morning, after a rollicking Saturday night…I wish it could always be so.  I also know it would not be as special if it happened every day, even every weekend, but I sure would like to give that a try!

Saying goodbye to the travelers never gets easy.  We vowed to make our circle tight, to keep in touch, to visit.  We hugged, we waved and blew kisses.  These are the days that make us.  

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