This will be our tenth Halloween in this old rock house. Harvest time has come. Something about this time of year that I enjoy about the month of October is watching the tiny children dress up and go looking for candy at the HOMES of neighbors, friends and family.
It has gotten very popular to go to shopping malls, nursing homes and individual shops to trick or treat for safety reasons. I remember trick-or-treating as a child and as my own children had this activity. One dear Lady in Liberal, Kansas made HOME-MADE Popcorn Balls and was trust worthy. We looked forward to visiting her place in the cool of the evening as we knocked on her sweet door. She was one nice LADY!!!
I enjoy the children at my door. KNOCK KNOCK....
My
dear Daughter and Grand arrived at our HOME nine years ago. It was a
bitter sweet arrival as her Husband no longer wanted to be married. Day
by day we walked with her through this tough time and gave her a softer
place to land than to stay in Oklahoma. I came out of part-time
retirement to provide childcare for a very active baby. I started
Babysitting LIL MISS as she turned one. She's now almost ten. I blink
my eyes and wonder how quickly the time passed.It was a different experience for my Husband and me to be around a growing Grandchild and see her every day plus a grown Daughter. Mixed emotions are still in my soul as to what my Daughter went through. Mixed emotions run deep. God hears my prayers and He is the one that comforts me. Yes, He is the one.
Lil Miss was a bundle of energy and there were days that I had to take a nap right along side her as I was exhausted. I helped potty train her, draw and color, read stories to her, made up stories to tell her, fed her, fixed her snacks, played, tea party time, carried her, sang to her, dressed her, worked on manners, etc. etc. etc. as a Grandmother combination Nanny to her. AND all those sweet questions she had to ask were ever entertaining to me.
When she started school I had a little more free time that allowed me to behave as a matronly Lady doing her housework, paper work, decorating, blogging, etc. The time flew.
Lil Miss hasn't lived under our roof for 4 years now. Time keeps flying by. I have to deliberately take time to sip a hot cup of coffee and stare out the window to watch the winds blow the leaves about. Seasons come and seasons go. I do miss hearing her voice each day and seeing her manage the things she does.
As we continue to downsize, I am working at making peace with this time in LIFE. Still have a lot of papers to still go through and THIN OUT. The dishes. Glassware. The clothing. The furniture. Music, movies, books. Pictures to get organized. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I'm working at getting a more streamed lined kitchen where I don't have so many things to house. I believe I can do this and be more productive at being more efficient.
Harvest Time is near. Crisper temps and sweaters to wear. Although it was nearly 90 degrees here in our quaint small town america nestled in the heart of the Flint Hills. As I look outside the window, the leaves on this one tree are blended yellow and green with some bare branches. Sigh. I'm never quite ready for the freezing snow, but pause today to enjoy this summery like Autumn.
Sipping my tasteful coffee, I will eat left-overs tonight for Supper and WATCH PBS Poldark! Doesn't that sound like a nice evening before I watch the Presidential Debate this week.
Hubby and I are still DEBATING on what to do about Retirement Cottage. I love the small cottage, but in order to fit into it much still must be let go of. MUCH. It is what it is and I pray that we will decide soon what we are doing as we face retirement.
Praying for God's guidance as to what to do and when to do it.
This week I MUST purchase some miniature chocolate candy bars for our trick-or-treaters. Herseys is my favorite. No more than we have at the door, I might buy full size candy bars to give away. Shall see how this goes.
With the Holidays coming, I have much cleaning to do. Thanksgiving is about a month away. The Guest room will get cleaned and readied for company so I have this completed.
Today I went through what seemed like a TON of old papers, thinning them out and needing to file the papers that I keep. It's a tender time to look at old pictures of my family. Makes me smile and makes me cry.
My Mother stopped by on Saturday on her way HOME. She left my dear Dad in the car as we chatted for a short time. Dad is failing big time. He told her he was dying. He gets so weak he cannot walk well. He has had spells like this before where he says he's ill and dying then cannot explain where or how he hurts. Mom has taken him to the hospital so many times ...he checks out fine. He does not know me. If I shall out live my Daddy...then I will cry, but until then I mustn't. He is still here with us. My Mom's back is giving out on her. She's shopping for a LIFT CHAIR. Still she will need help getting him on the toilet and off. At present they live in a two bedroom apartment. Dad would get more confused if they moved at this time. I need to research things that will help them both live a little easier way.
Today is Mom and Dad's 68th wedding anniversary and my in laws' 65th. Same anniversary just different years. Both had 4 children and our first born was their first grandchild. More similarities. grins.
Let the night roll in.....I'm ready for a quiet evening. Goulash awaits me! Oh, I mustn't forget Poldark on PBS. What do you suppose will happen this episode?
Blessings from my Parmily,
d
