Another one joins the flock (Part II)

[Mike85]

MIL called today. Asked if I'd be willing to come out and mow their lawn (they don't have mower, and even if they did... they're 70 & 75 years old). Grabbed mower, weed-whacker, gas, and kids, and headed on out there.

Should have brought a scythe. Holy carp!

After two and a half hours of mowing, raking, re-mowing, weed-whacking, edging, and then cleaning up their 0.2 of an acre lot, I was beat. Kids were playing inside with their grandparents. I hung out to cool off and replenish the liquid I had lost. Nice time. MIL & FIL mentioned that wife and OM were there earlier today. MIL wanted to "dish," but I said that I was trying to avoid that area of discussion, esp. around the kids, so we discussed my new job, books (MIL is reading "Pillars of the Earth" & I was wondering how it was...), etc.

When it was time to leave, kids and I got big hugs from MIL & FIL, who made a point of forcing himself up off the couch to hug me. God, it felt good. I do love my in-laws.

When kids & I got home, we were met by old college friends up from Virginia. They brought their three adopted greyhounds. My kids loved them. Weird-looking dogs, but so freaking sweet. Once again, avoided all discussion of wife and OM and instead caught up on their jobs, obsession with their dogs, my kids, my job, etc. Time flew.

Today more than made up for the "blues" of yesterday. I have to learn to not let certain situations, people, etc. send me into an emotional tailspin so easily.

This is hard. Not impossible, however.