Remembering

I'm physically back from a week in Florida helping my husband and siblings prepare for my mother-in-law's funeral.  Emotionally I'm still in that numb neverland fog that can accompany the death of a loved one.  My multi-tasking sucks and I haven't even put up the Christmas tree since getting back Sunday.

The service was very nice and my husband did a great eulogy. It was nice having everyone together and we had great fun going through old pictures.  The cats are mortally offended that we left them for such a long time.  We aren't breathing a word about Christmas travels lest they act out more.

Since we won't be able to spend Christmas all together this year, Guitar Guy and I are having a celebration with Nicole and Patrick next week and then with the Iowa clan for the actual holiday.  We had planned to do a brunch but Nicole will be coming off 3 days of 12 hour shifts and probably won't be moving until the afternoon.  We determined the quiche and pumpkin pancakes can certainly be served in the evening so all is good.

Christmas shopping is mostly done and shouldn't take long to wrap. Christmas letter isn't even started but I do have envelopes.  Baking probably won't happen, for which my spreading waistline is grateful.  Unfortunately with my trip to Florida, Rowan's stocking won't be done for this year.  But I've got next year covered!  I may try to get his dinosaur sweater done.  It uses intarsia on the sleeves to make the steggie plates.  Since I've never done that, we'll see if I can figure it out.

Off to take more decongestant for the lousy cold I came home with :-(

The end of an era

It is a strange feeling becoming the "older" generation.  With the death of my mother-in-law on Friday, December 2, Guitar Guy and I are officially the senior members of the family.  This year we have experienced mostly the down side of aging with its accompanying frailty and loss of independence.  Supposedly wisdom also comes with aging and I'd really like to know when that starts cause I could use some!

As I sit in the airport waiting to fly to Tampa for her funeral, I'm thinking that 7 AM is way too early to be having such heavy thoughts, especially on one cup of coffee. 

All prayers (if you are so inclined) or good thoughts are appreciated as our family waits to put 2011 officially behind us. 

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Are we there yet?

I am really, really trying to get excited about the holidays but so far it just isn't working. Some of it has to do with the year we've had, but mostly this time of year feels like some kind of race to the finish line. It isn't just the holidays, since we will be away for both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. We are also caught in a year end frenzy!

Every nonprofit I'm involved in is either preparing for a major fundraiser or involved in umpteen year end activities for the board to attend. We are making a major marketing push to pump up our business (both exciting and exhausting) while trying to plan for 2012. And did I mention that my house has once again collapsed in to a mega mess?

Whew! Glad to get that off my chest. Thanks for listening while I vent :-)

Tomorrow morning I'm walking in the Alzheimer's walk with my business partner Beth. Should be interesting given how out of shape I am. Keep a good thought for me. Tomorrow night I get to be a silent/live auction helper at the a local Rotary event. They graciously donate to one of the organizations I work with so we give back by volunteering for them. I always grumble before I haul myself off the couch but I'm sure I'll have a good time watching other people spend their money!

That's what is going on in my world. What's happening in yours?

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!

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!

Old eyes need new glasses

I finally started Rowan's counted cross stitch Christmas stocking, and have discovered a harsh truth - my store bought glasses just aren't cutting it. Somehow those stitches are smaller than I remembered, even with my Ott light, and there are way too many shades of gray. I've already contacted an optician friend to get the name of a good eye doctor. Since I don't see street signs well, I suspect Bifocals may be in my future. Any advice?

On the bright side, the Ho-Ho (as Rowan calls Santa) is taking shape on the stocking and with a little luck and plenty of stitching time, I might just make it by Christmas. This is, however, really cutting in to my knitting time. I started the Steggie sweater for the same darling grandson but it has been sitting in my knitting bag absorbing cat hair for the last week. Guess I'll have to try to alternate.

Nicole got permission to start back to work on the floor (as opposed to the administrative stuff she's been doing for two weeks). She's tired but back to doing her real job. That is exciting news for everyone.

Now I'm off to listen to some Jim Butcher on MP3 and do a little more cross stitch :-)

Catching up

As my grandson knows, viewing the world upside down not only gives new perspective on life but is darn fun! It has been a busy month since I last posted so thought I'd get you caught up in between house cleaning.

The highlight of the last month was a FUN trip to Iowa to visit my son and family. The weather was beautiful and the Iowa State Fair was a great time (though we missed seeing the traditional Butter Cow). We went to the parks, ate lots of good food and played Toy Story 3. I do a passable Woody when necessary. We did suffer through several days with no hot water which made bathing a speed sport. Before we left Guitar Guy and I recorded a book for the little guy so he can hear us every day. "More Grandma, More Pop" seems to be the refrain.

Nicole and I have made 2 trips to Phoenix for doctor appointments with great results both times. She is returning to work part time as an extern until she can build back up to full time. That is exciting news and makes us all smile a lot. She drove the 3.5 hours back from Phoenix our last trip! She's been to Washington DC and Spokane in the last month to visit friends and is headed back to the gym. We are extremely grateful for her recovery.

On the knitting front, I finished a pair of socks for me and 2 pairs for Rowan. Used Sock That Rock for mine and had issues with lots of thin places. I've always heard good things about STR yarn but probably would not buy again. Just started some fingerless mitts (Zen Yarn Garden Bamboolicious) and have a stegosaurus sweater planned for Rowan. Fall is coming, at least in some parts of the country. We still have a couple months of heat here in AZ.

Thinking maybe I should head to bed. Cleaned house and cooked dinner for Nicole and Patrick tonight. Coca Cola Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, salad and peach pie for desert. YUM