A Different Life II

[mimiandrews]

Prayers will be offered.

[Lily&Me]

Thank you, Mimi.

Please keep them coming, as it’s not over yet.

Someone ratted out Lily’s presence here, so my son on Friday hopped in the car and came up to get her.

But, it’s okay. She was excited to see him and to go, loving him almost as much as she does me.

Great niece is better every day, starting to eat a bit more and her friend in their new neighborhood here has been coming by every day to visit.

Sister in law and I are getting some things pulled together, and in spite of the stress it’s the most time we’ve had together in many years...and, we’ve enjoyed it.

Onward we go, forward and through, whacking down whatever obstacle pops up.

A good thing.

Maggie

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

. . .
Onward we go, forward and through, whacking down whatever obstacle pops up.
. . .

Well said!

Someone here has a signature which goes, I think, "Remain calm, and carry on . . . "

Best wishes for good outcomes all around.

Peter

[Lily&Me]

Thank you, Peter.

Ingrained case management skills come in handy.

As the man says...I know how this works.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

My dear sister in law is a classic lesson in the old saying...“there’s more than one way to skin a cat”.

Not that I’ve ever skinned a cat, nor would want to.

But, I watch her and it is so clear that while she doesn’t run nor manage her home, or generally do things the way I would, she gets all the essentials done.

And, she is so tuned in to her granddaughter and her needs that they are almost a mind meld.

A good thing, and I am proud to know this woman and stand beside her.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

We are home for a few days, and enjoying this morning the first fire of the season.

I was scrambling to get fall service things at the little house done before I had to be gone, and at the top of the priority list was getting the chimney cleaned and wood delivered.

My wood guy came while we were gone, and three loads are stacked nicely on my patio.

Security for coming cold weather.

Left yesterday morning, having been gone 8 days, with the little family mostly on their feet.

Groceries gotten in, laundry done, a few meals prepared, and the granddaughter up and moving around a bit on her own.

Be back up early next week for a bit, after which they should be ready to be fully self sufficient.

There has been an absolutely appalling situation the last few weeks with the bio mom and some other family members, which is not over yet, but I am reminded of this saying...people will always show themselves.

[Lily&Me]

Have I mentioned how much I looooove my little wood stove?

[mimiandrews]

I know about the wood stove. We had one back in North Texas and really loved it. In this warmer part of the state, I just couldn't justify the expense. I did put in a fire place, though. I know it's not as efficient, but there are cold, damp days when I just have to build a fire. The damper stays closed the rest of the time.

[Lily&Me]

And a beautiful fireplace you have, Mimi!

You will enjoy that this winter.

Although my furnace was on at 65 degrees when we got home, it still felt colder in here than a welldiggers ass, as Doug would say.

Until I built the fire this morning, which took the chill off very nicely.

Got all the laundry done up and the little house tidied, and tomorrow intend to vacuum the Interstate and winterize.

No more travels planned for this year.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Tea.

Making it, sipping it, looking at it in a pretty mug....it’s a calming and centering ritual, which has nothing to do with the type of tea.

Tho this is Earl Grey, my favorite.


The Interstate has been cleaned, winterized and put to bed in storage for the next few months.

I had to just take hold of myself this morning, and do the winterization, because I didn’t want to.

I am emotionally fatigued, tho a couple of days at home have been good and restful, and I’ve gotten some things done.

Great niece is up and about, still weak but better every day, and Monday we go back to the Dr. in Chicago.

Soon she will be back to school, the dust will hopefully settle at their new place and they can get about the business of just living.

The last couple of months, and particularly the last couple of weeks, have just been nuts.

I have been more than glad to help, but can’t take off their shoulders what they have had to deal with, and it’s been ugly.


Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...

[Lily&Me]

This is a great article about teachers in West Virginia, creatively pulling together resources to meet the needs of their impoverished students.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...758_story.html

An education is a way out of poverty, and teachers provide front-line social services.

Here’s to teachers!

Maggie