Homes Sweet Homes

You know how you start a plan and set a goal and then run off on it the very next day?  Well, maybe I did that with yesterday's plan, or maybe I just needed to get out of the house for a bit.  It was tree and gingerbread house time today at my sister's, so I popped over there for a little bit to be a part of the fun.   

Happy Thanksgiving!

It may not be original to say that Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine because of the focus on thankfulness, but it's true.  And I have so many reasons to be thankful, and thinking about them makes me feel even more thankful.  I'm not going to list them all, but I'll name a few, and I'm starting with you.  I suppose if I were a better writer, I might be able to express how and how much the connections, relationships, and inspirations I've had from blogging have added to my life.

I'm thankful for my family, and writing about that is even more challenging and complicated than writing about blogging.  I had a wonderful time with them today.  I had hoped to get more photos, but this was it.  These three occupied most of my time today--in fact, it was someone else's turn to come home with us, much to the sadness of the two others. 

I'm thankful for all of the quiet hobbies I've explored that keep me company, give me comfort, provide an outlet, and engage my mind.  I closed out the evening drawing animals with my niece, listening to the Hamilton soundtrack together.  A couple songs in, and she was wondering what this music was from, and that she needs to tell her mom about it.  It might not last long, but right now, if I ask her, "What's your name, man?" she responds, "Alexander Hamilton."         

What to Do When There's Nothing You Can Do

Late Monday night the phone rang with news of a relative far away hospitalized in ill health.  She's too far away to visit, so what to do?  Well, I do the crafty stuff, so I guess I make.  The problem is, I don't know just what to make.  Maybe some little bitty things from Mochimochiland, like the Thanksgiving turkey and pie, or would something woven be better?  What do you think--weird little stuff or something useful/practical?  She definitely needs a new embroidered handkerchief or two.  I'll finish adding the bamboo to the one with the panda.  I'd like to get something to her soon, so I'd better hurry.  I guess getting my NaKniSweMo on the needles will have to wait.  Then again, if I cast on, I'll have it cast on, right?  Guess I better decide on the color, eh?  Which do you think I should choose?  What?  I'm not avoiding things.

      

So Much (with too many pictues, because words are hard)

Life continues to feel like it is more than we can handle, but we're still here.  I guess that is a good reminder.  There has been good.  The babies keep growing, the big kids get bigger, the niece and nephew twinset graduated from high school, and my sister got engaged.  

Then there has been the sad.  After an extended period of many health difficulties, Bruce's oldest sister, Avonelle, died on May 23, 2015.  Through the tears there has been laughter as family gathered together to share stories.  It's possible that this may have even lead to the beginning of some understanding and healing.  Things that didn't make sense before came together as each added their piece to the puzzle.  The kids of yesterday are adults today, sitting at the big table soaking up family history.  My husband and his siblings are and were far more normal and healthy than they had any realistic hope to be. 
 

Cassie, Deanie, Avonelle, Oscar, Ruby, Earl, Sandy, Bruce

Now we come to the good and the sad.  Our Taki's job looks to be taking him much further away from us.  It is a significant promotion with the company, an excellent opportunity, and we are so proud of him.  It also saddens us for him to be moving so far (about 500 miles) away from us.  No, it is not as far as it could be, but it will be hard, and it is far enough that we will not be able to see him very often.  I think we're looking at a July or August start date for the new position, so there is a lot to do between now and then.  

Life doesn't look to slow down anytime soon, and we just keep trying to put one foot in front of the other, keep our heads above water, and do the next thing, but sometimes we just feel like...