Our Big News!!!!

Just kidding.  We have no big news, I just felt like jumping on the bandwagon of several members of my family lately!  I did feel like I could share more about what has been going on (mostly just with me, not Pat!).  

 Today I legitimately began my new job.  Again?  Yes, again.  If you know me at all, you know how "well-rounded" I am.  Well, it is in this spirit of a new adventure, I began my job at a chemical manufacturing plant.  Sound familiar?  Yes, this is where my husband works as a manager.  And yes, this was instrumental in my finding and getting of the job.  We discussed many of the possible difficulties that this situation may incite, but since I quit my retail job a bit too soon, and it seems there are not throngs of greenhouses hiring in July or August, my options are limited, as are our funds!!

 I am taking the job of the illustrious labeler. I take bottles of all shapes and sizes, as well as 5-gallon buckets, and simply put the correct label or labels on it.  It is a breath of fresh air.  I find myself truly enjoying the mundane tasks of peeling the label off the machine which automatically holds the partially peeled label out for me, and affixing it to the bottle, as straight and smooth as possible, and as quickly as I can.  Did I mention I get to do this job all by myself, for the most part?!  I have little to no interruptions, I don't have to make small talk over and over again, and I get to mark off my to-do list!

 I realize how odd it must sound for me to be so excited about such an entry-level, blue-collar, J.O.B.  After working in a chaotic retail environment (even though I liked what I sold), it is just so refreshing to have such a quiet work space.

 You knew I was an introvert, right?  I love people, but it's just best when I have more control over when they can drain interact with me.  Labels just don't seem to need much from me.  It's kind-of nice.

 Now, don't get the idea that this will be a permanent position.  I have been clear that my intentions are to search out other greener (literally) pastures and find work at a greenhouse next year.  I have an idea of where I want to work, and I hope it will be a mutually beneficial situation.  We shall see.

For now, however, I will be content in my quiet little job, in my little corner of the warehouse where I can play my jazz music and quietly race the boys who are filling the containers that I prepare!

I don't want to give the impression that I am completely turned off by people right now, because that just is not the case.  I have had a delightful time investing my time with others.  I think I usually end up the primary beneficiary in these visits.  I spent about 2 1/2 hours one day with my neighbor across the street, Mrs. Bales.  She is the sweetest little gal I have known in a long time.  She's not afraid to tell you that she is 86 years old!  The first time I saw her, we were both outside, working in our yards, and she had on a magnificent straw garden hat!  I fell instantly in love with her.  I knew we would be great friends.  We are getting there!  We had lunch last week at Braums where they know her by name and start her order when they see her drive up.  I felt honored to be her guest.  I drove her (in her car of course) to Lowes and helped her buy a plumbing piece she needed, which due to the fact that she is not 5' tall, she would have never seen, I was again happy to be able to do something for her.  Did I mention she wouldn't let me pay for lunch?!  She is so special.  I will ask her soon if I can take a picture of us together.  She told me that she was "bashful" so I don't know if she will let me!

 I was also able to visit my grandparents last week with my sister-in-law and her children.  It was such a great visit!  I had been sorely neglectful of visiting, as I had not seen them since Christmas.  They are a whopping 45 minutes or maybe an hour away.  I definitely do not win the grandchild-of-the-year award.  I do find them to be very interesting people, and I regret not taking time to get to know them more.  I plan on doing what I can to connect with them now.  I learn so much from each opportunity.  For example, I did not know that my grandparents really love Chinese food!!

 I often take my dog for a walk in our neighborhood park, a block or so away.  We walk on the leash to the park, and then, depending on the level of abandonment there, we do away with the leash!  Oh freedom!  I find it fascinating that when Rowdy is on his leash, he struggles with the limit I have imposed, but when he has his freedom, he stays relatively close to me and the sidewalk.  Anyway, with all the rain we have had this summer, the mushrooms are in vast abundance.  I find them to be quite lovely.  Perhaps that is because of my Smurfy upbringing!

Finally, I also go to a Senior Living Facility where I read to several bed-bound ladies.  I am beginning to grow quite attached to them as well!  I read to Pauline who told me the other day that she was passing a baby, and to Margie who cannot speak but can communicate when you look into her eyes, and to Patty with whom I read the newspaper!  I bought a mystery/thriller to begin a book-club with Peggy.  I think she can read on her own, but wanted to get involved, and I just can't say no!  I stop and visit with several of the other ladies and gentlemen I see.  I leave every time with a feeling of gratitude.  What an opportunity I have to share in the sweet moments of these wonderful people.

Sad and Sappy Goodbye (and tons of pictures)

Here is the scene of the last load to be taken out.

 Wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.  (That is a funny word-picture, but again, I digress.)  The last week we have been sitting in our lawn chairs as we slowly and methodically pack our belongings into the trailers.

 We have thankfully sold our bed, so we splurged and bought some firm foam to add to our soft foam pads to form our bed for here and for the road.  No, Mom, I still don't make my bed.  Never will.  Time to give up.

 Our closets have long been empty with only the worst hangers left to the new occupants.  Nice, I know, but isn't a bad hanger better than none at all?

 Pat has been so awesome getting Dad's bunk ready in the trailer.  He's a little desirous of trying it out himself.  I told him that would likely be possible.  In anticipation of the much warmer weather, we have installed more vents and a battery-powered fan.  Hopefully the nights won't be too hot!

Pat, like most of the male gender, has the desire to express himself in visual ways.  Note the skull and cross-torches that now stand guard over our spare tire.  Beware, indeed.

The garage looks so barren without all it's intended tools.  This was a shop built just for Pat, and it will cease to fully fulfill its purpose from this day forward.  A sad day, truly.  It was an invaluable blessing for us as we (as in Pat) secured our belongings, not only in the large trailer, but securely in the small trailer as well.

As we played with various configurations of totes in the back of the truck, I took some time to walk around and say goodbye to all my babies.  Yes, I'm attached.  I've spent so much time nurturing them and watching them grow to their full potential.  These were investments that I never regret or outgrow.

Oh how I will miss the fragrant walk beside the petunias and the views across our expanse of green to the lake.

My greenhouse brought me so much joy and warmth!  I hope the new owners appreciate Pat's work half as much as I did.

Rowdy discovered the healthy deliciousness of squash leaves and blossoms.  The cherry tomatoes were just beginning to ripen, so I know we will both miss those!

Truly the most beautiful place I have ever, and likely will ever have, lived.  It was so much more than we needed, gave us a place to grow and mature (OK, not really), and we will miss it.

I never thought living on water would be so beautiful.  Even this lily-pad infested bog of a pond was incredible.  The life it contained was both visually and audibly mesmerizing.

I feel like I understand why God placed Adam and Eve in a Garden.  There is so much richness and diversity, seasonal growth and decay, constant care and attention given to one.

So now I move on to say goodbye to the home we possessed for a time.  What a gift it was.

It seemed even Rowdy knew the changes were indicative of goodbye.  We will miss this view from our picture window, but instead of dwelling on the sadness of leaving we reflect on the amazing opportunity that we were able to enjoy it at all.