Sunday, October 30, 2011

Progress in life and on the Christmas stocking


October has been a month of ups and downs, but mostly moving forward. I am not done grieving over this awful year, but I no longer feel stalled. The waves of sorrow come less frequently and less intensely (though the holidays are sure to temporarily change that). I'm beginning to be productive with our business again and that feels good.

I finally opened the boxes I shipped from my dad's apartment and survived. I haven't totally unpacked them yet, but it is a step. The hardest thing is the scent trigger of his clothes and other belongings. I can understand why he kept my mom's clothes for so long as there is a certain comfort in their feel and smell. I also closed the estate last week while I was in Iowa and went out to the cemetery in the middle of nowhere to make sure the headstone had been engraved.

I spent some time wandering the cemetery where so many of my mother's ancestors are buried and felt the warmth of the sun on the granite. I talked to my parents, felt the wind and smelled the cattle lot next door. I remembered all the times I visited with my mom to bring flowers as a child. I was afraid it would be terribly sad, but I actually felt peaceful.

I continue to work on Rowan's Christmas stocking and am counting the weekends until it must be ready. It's coming along nicely but there are many hours ahead. I think he'll be excited to see it and can't wait to spend the holidays with him. I had a wonderful visit last week and he's always happy to see Gamma. His mother said she wonders if he thinks I can come out of the computer to visit him as he talks to my picture on the computer even when we aren't Skyping.

Now that I've caught you up, I need to get busy on that stocking. Hoping to get in 5 or 6 hours today!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Fall is in the air

That probably sounds silly in Arizona but a cold front went through and left us in the 70's today. Windows open, enjoying the 2 days of coolness before the temps pop back up. I'm thinking it might just be time to get out the Halloween decorations :-)

I've been cleaning all day getting ready for my nephew to visit for a couple of days. Company is good for making me get out the mop and dust rag. Otherwise my ability to tolerate dust is extremely high! We don't know this young man very well as he lives across the country so hopefully we can find something fun for him to do.

Nicole is just about ready to go back to work full time and actually drove me to Phoenix last week for some major dental work. Things continue to look up for which we are very grateful.

Work continues on the Christmas stocking and I may just have a picture for you in the next week or so. I think I might make it if I keep plugging along. Unfortunately it is putting a major dent in my knitting and reading time. Listening to lots of MP3 books while I stitch.

Have a good rest of the week!