My heart and prayers go out to those impacted by all of mother nature's wrath over the past couple of weeks. So much destruction. The only good thing that comes out of a disaster is how the communities come together to share and rebuild. It will take years to get to a new normal. .
I started decorating for fall - just small things to mark the change of seasons - table linens, door decorations, and gorgeous mums. For the first time I went to the prison farm we have here in town. They have a working farm, petting zoo and horticultural center. I had heard people flock there for plants/flowers and Christmas Trees, but this was the first time I actually went. I have to say prices were right and the mums (over 12,000 plants) were gorgeous in color and size. They are having a fall festival in October that I just might have to check out.
I spent quite a bit of time this past week eating out either breakfast or dinner with my BFF Patti. I took her to some places that papa and I went or tried a few other places. There are so many good restaurants in this town - we still have a few more to check out before she leaves, but we'll get there. Ahh to have a goal...LOL!
We started the cleaning out process - a slow process for sure. We brought two boxes of papa's clothes to the local coalition. We still have quite a bit to gather and give away. I feel we are doing exactly what he would have wanted in giving things away. He was always willing to give items away to people who may need it more than him. I told a neighbor that I gave some items away and she said, "you are just like your father!" I felt honored to say the least. Oh well, this coming week we attack the shed and storage units to consolidate and organize. I dread this in so many ways, but know it needs to be done.
I've been making a mental list of things that need to be fixed or updated either in or around the house. Still have not decided what we'll do with the house, but no matter what some updates need to be done. Next goal will be to find someone to do some work. Thank goodness for Home Advisor and local FB pages.
Yesterday was mema's 84th birthday. I brought her a huge bouquet of colorful flowers and placed them in her room. Her roommate loved them and kept telling me how pretty they were when I walked in there. Mema, on the other hand, just accepted yesterday as another day. When the staff or I mentioned it was her birthday, she just rolled her eyes. We are bringing in a cake later today with the family gathered so we'll see how she reacts. I have to say, I have small target dates that I keep in the back of my mind for mema and us to get through and yesterday was one of them. I'm sad, but happy.
I have not been reading a lot, but slowly getting through magazines and newspapers. I'll get back to murder and mayhem soon. What are you reading?
I'm going to leave it here for today. I'm cooking meatloaf and mashed potatoes for Sunday dinner today. Not sure if we'll have any veggies, but then again, I can always open a can...LOL! I hope you have a good week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"When we rebuild a house, we are rebuilding a home. When we recover from disaster, we are rebuilding lives and livelihoods." - Sri Mulyani Indrawati
"You don't quit after you get beat. You pick yourself up, and you start rebuilding to accomplish your goals." - Daniel Cormier
"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson