THE LIGHTER SIDE CAFE SUNDAY MAY 16

Hey all,

I don’t think I posted yesterday because it was a busy day. We drove to the Cape and met with the builder and looked at wood samples, discuss the decking material will be using, checked out the new decks, sized up the width of the steps we want leading to the front door, etc. Then we walked the dogs and visited with a couple neighbors for a few minutes. After that we were going to go out to our favorite seafood restaurant but discovered it was closed for a month.We aren’t sure why but checked out our next favorite one which looks packed so we decided to just stop at the 99 for a quick dinner and head home. I had a sirloin steak and DH had a headache dinner. I took Ann’s advice and chose a steak to boost my energy. Thanks, Ann!

Today DH lined up a dumpster to get delivered sometime in the near future and we had a wood flooring finisher come to the house to take measurements for three bedrooms and a hallway upstairs. He gave us a date of June 15 to start work provided we like his estimate so that gives us a deadline to clear those rooms out.

I came home feeling a little unsettled at all the big changes going on in our lives. We’re excited about the new house but I have to admit I always have uncertainty in any big change. Will we really like it there? How much will I miss my hometown which has been such a big part of my life for the past 35 years? I feel so rooted here. But, I do know that many of my closest friends will be retiring and also moving to places like Florida, the Cape or just downsizing somewhere.Our hometown here is so convenient for everything. We have every imaginable store within 5 miles, great schools, great services etc. This is the dilemma we faced when we made our decision and we decided that we would want to move anyway just because of the layout of this house and how busy our area has become. It’s definitely a different feeling at the Cape. About half the neighbors at the Cape are only around in the summer, but there are again quite a few year-rounders. DH is very excited and he so deserves to be happy. I’m sure as everything progresses and I see it all fall into place that I will be thrilled as well. If it came down to having to sell the Cape place, I don’t think I could ever do it so I know we’re making the right decision. Thanks for listening to my stream of consciousness! Big moves like retirement combined with moving away from all that you know are never easy but life is all about change.

It’s a beautiful day and now that a few chores like laundry and meeting contractors are done, I’m going to sit down and read on the sunny deck by the Brook. The birds are all around me and today I saw some new ones in our backyard – Baltimore orioles so I have set out grape jelly and oranges for them. The nuthatches are so bald that they come right up to me for a peanut! Our own little aviary!

Sue, I’m sorry you didn’t rest well and I hope that your mind is it easy tonight. When do you go to Grand Rapids on your trip? Sounds like fun.

Annand Pam, enjoy the day!

Happy Sunday!

I have been absent, too. It amazes me how fast the time flies and suddenly it's days since I last posted.

Friday was a very long, tiring day. Grand jury met at 9:00 am and we didn't get out until 6:30 pm. We reviewed 2 murder cases and returned a no true bill on the first and a true bill on the second. The first was very entailed with several witnesses, including 3 eyewitnesses who gave conflicting testimony. We were able to detect lies in the testimony of two, while the 3rd gave compelling evidence which led us to decide it was probably a terrible freak accident, but if not, would be justifiable homicide as the accused feared for his life. We finished that case at 4:30 and still had the next one to hear. It was clear cut murder, in that the perpetrators emptied many rounds of shots, several of which hit the victim and ballistic evidence showed that at least one of the 4 guns involved was also used in a murder in a neighboring parish. Eyewitnesses who saw the 4 men fleeing the scene had nothing to gain and much to lose in offering to testify. After a day of looking at awful autopsy pictures and listening to at least two witnesses (men) moved to tears, I was exhausted physically and emotionally. As a co-juror said as we left, "I hope I don't see you again for a long time."

DH and I had planned to go out for dinner, but when I didn't get home timely, he took spaghetti sauce from the freezer and was eating dinner when I got home, for which I was thankful. We watched a quirky, young Sherlock Holmes movie from 1985 and then went to bed.

Yesterday, I dug up our red and white onion crop, which DH laid out on tables to dry a bit. Much of it will be chopped and put in bags for the freezer. After that I picked green beans, while weeding around the plants by hand, thinned the row of okra plants, thinned the carrots by picking some and hoed a row of tomatoes. I sweat so much I drank two big tumblers of Drip Drops in water and am still a little dehydrated today. I showered and did a few household chores and at 5:00 we headed to Hottails. I had only eaten yogurt and fruit with muesli all day and was famished. I got a "half & half" of fried shrimp and fish with fried okra as a side. We enjoyed a couple of beers there and after we got home, I drank two glasses of wine while we enjoyed sitting in the green room. Between the fried food and alcohol, my tummy is somewhat upset today. At least I slept well!

Today at Mass we celebrated the 98th birthday of our Catholic Daughters Court. The officers processed in their robes and lit 7 candles to honor the members who died within the past year, including my DSisIL's mother. Afterwards, we took a group picture and then rode in a golf cart parade to our regent's ancestral home nearby for a lovely brunch. I splurged and had a biscuit and a blueberry muffin, plus fruit, cheese and pecans. It was delicious, but since I ate so much then, I have only had toast since. I have also been drinking more Drip Drop water and resting. I cooked potatoes and eggs to make potato salad for dinner and DH plans to grill some ribs after baking them in the oven. They come out really tender that way. In late afternoon, I have to do baptism seminars, with videos in both English and Spanish, requiring two separate rooms to set up. If I get a walk in today, it will have to be after dinner.

We vicariously enjoyed our DD's visit through pictures. I will email one that I love. DD1 and DD2 landed in NOLA a little after 10:00 this morning. I am sure DSIL will be happy to get a reprieve from full-time child care duty, though I am sure his mom helped out a lot.

Judy - Having lived in this house, in the neighborhood where I grew up, for 42 years, I can well understand your angst. I think all will be well. Even if you have to drive farther to shop, you will have access to all you need, just might have to plan more. The Cape sounds like a lovely setting to "age in place".

Ann - Your neighborhood party sounded right up my alley--congenial company, good food and not far to travel.

Sue - What a good idea to take along your restaurant gift cards to use on your trip! I probably would totally forgot I had them.