I had a great week. My niece Melanie and I had a terrific road trip to Maine. Maine is only a couple of hours from Plymouth so if I was needed we could get back here no problem. I don't know why I thought the weather would be cooler, but trust me it was not! We started out in Bar Harbor and ended in Old Orchard Beach. We lucked out in terms of hotels as both had fantastic views. I could sit and watch the water from the room window and feel at peace. We walked and talked and observed (she is so like me oh boy I put that out there). We did some shopping, but did not break the bank. We ate when and where we felt like it. We took some scenic and silly pictures. I believe great memories were created for both of us. I have to admit it felt so good to unwind. I tried to go with the flow as much as I could and I'm sure we both exercised patience once or twice.
I also had a tremendous breakthrough in that I reached out for help before I left and it all worked out. As those who know me realize, I hardly ever ask for help if at all possible. In order to make sure mema had visitors and papa did not spend the day at the nursing home as he wanted to do, I called a cousin who lives in the area and asked if she could spare an afternoon or two. I explained why and she jumped right in. She did so much more than I expected by going every afternoon for a visit and she called me at night to let me know how everything went. It definitely saved me stress and worry while I was gone. I am thankful that she had the time as she does so much already.
I came home to dirty dishes and lots of mail to go through. Papa's housekeeping skills are slipping just a bit although he wants to cook the cleanup needs work. I cooked dinner today, stuff zucchini boats for the first time and left them warming for papa. At breakfast this morning, papa kept telling me how to cook the meal. I came home this evening and asked him how it was. Papa said the kids loved it, and it was really good, but....the zucchini could have cooked about 15 more minutes. Papa always has to add a BUT! I laughed and said thanks so much. I ate my piece and to me it was the right consistency..oh well good think I just nod my head. I have a lot of stuffing mixture yet so I'll be making goulash this week to use it all up.
I went to a wake today for a woman in the nursing home that passed on Friday. Lovely woman who had a wonderful long life as she was 96 when she passed. She has been fading over the past few weeks. She was always nice to me and told me every day that I was beautiful. I had said goodbye to her before I went on vacation and the last she said to me was, "I love you." I was sad after leaving the funeral home so I decided I needed to do something to make someone happy. I went by a local bakery and picked up a dozen fantastic looking cupcakes for the staff at the nursing home. I helped create quite a few smiles for a dreary Sunday afternoon.
I have to admit I did not do much reading on my road trip. I tumbled into bed at night and had too much going on during the day. We'll see what I can read this coming week.
I'm going to leave it here for this evening. I still have mail to go through and bills to pay. I hope you have a great week. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
“Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness.”– Susan Gale
“Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.”– Unknown
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
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