It's been a week. Took a couple days off and caught up on outdoor preparations for winter. Feeling accomplished and proud that I continue to get through the heavy lifts and using the machinery left by H.
I've always enjoyed watching the fall leaves trickle through the air towards the green landscape while I sit under a blanket and sip a cup of warm tea. This year, dropping leaves have a new meaning. An additional perspective. It's like a shedding of the past. Past life. Ways of life. Behaviors. Beliefs. I suppose, an 'out with the old and in with the new' concept. Bittersweet in many ways as I sit here and gaze at them trickling down. Enjoying the sight and thinking through the metaphoric shedding. As RegretfulLA would say, a new normal.
Checked in with a few friends/family who live in Florida - everyone is safe. Properties, not so much. There is some upcoming cleanup.
On a lighter cleanup front, I prepared for lawn service's visit today as they emailed that they'd be applying the last fertilizer treatment of the year. I used the backpack blower to blow leaves for a couple hours yesterday. Of course, the task required figuring out how to use the blower, how to start the stinker up and how to get it on my back to actually carry it around. That was interesting! When done, the yard looked great. An hour later, with the wind, the yard was covered in leaves again. UGH. I knew it wasn't a good day to blow them but also knew that they needed to be cleared for the fertilizer. Yup, I was out there raking this morning. Trimmed the last of the bushes - glad that's over! Have some remaining things to complete tomorrow before the outdoors will be ready for the 's' word. Let's hope it isn't all too soon. The days and nights have gotten noticeably cooler. Summer is certainly over.
D is feeling better, and I managed to not catch anything from her. We enjoyed a lunch together this week and plan for another next week. I'm really enjoying these random days off from work even if it means I'm doing some chores. Perhaps burning through 6 weeks of vacation time will get accomplished afterall.
Brother and I are in a groove - won 8 out of 10 pitch games over the last couple Mondays despite continuing with crazy decisions. It's been fun and it's nice to hang with Brother. Also meeting new people - some are interesting, and I'll leave it at that. Will be skipping cards this upcoming Monday for (H's) nephew's event that I'm attending. D isn't attending but S is going to try - depends on work. I'm a bit uneasy about Monday but will make it happen.
On a different note, although I keep up with the latest and greatest fashions through D's hand-me-downs, I went on a spending spree - for myself. Other than our feet, we've been blessed with the same body structure and size. And, D runs through styles/purchases rapidly. I must say that it was nice to pick some things out for myself. It has been a while....years.
I got invited to another event for H's family. This time, H and I got separate invites. I decided that I will not attend. S and D have decided to also not attend but haven't responded/acknowledged H's text. Can't help but notice that H's family affairs aren't quite priority for S and D. I will not influence nor point out - they're adults.
No H updates. No texting; no updates.
S, D, BF and I are headed to (my) Nephew's bday party this Sunday. Looking forward to some family time. My family is a blast to hang out with and no one leaves hungry!
Both families - mine and H's - really do celebrate everything and everyone. This kept us close through the years and filled our weekends. Only the summer is a quiet time. I really need to think through the next couple months of activities. Do I attend H's events if I'm invited. We'll see. Need to ponder this.
Included in the next couple months is my 50th and H's 50th - both in November. I remember really enjoying bdays and ensuring everyone's day was special. This is how I was raised. Through the years, my excitement has subsided. I've been disappointed by H's efforts long enough that it's just not the same. I've been beat down. Not sure how I feel about this year being the big 5-0!. D keeps asking me how I want to celebrate - I'm having a hard time thinking through it without emotion. Next month isn't going to happen as it's been written. I know I'll make it through but heavy, nonetheless.
Quiet week ahead - may need to schedule some GALing especially with ONLY one day off from work.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Last edited by MamaG; 10/11/2406:34 PM. Reason: grammar
