Right Now-November Recap

 RIGHT NOW...

I'm listening to another audio book. This one is called Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.   Just started it so can't really comment on if I like it- but in general I enjoy a good audio book for my daily drive into work.   

I'm loving that we are into the homestretch of 2022.   We've already had a couple serious cold snaps and snow flurries.   A great time of year to just settle in an enjoy the view- cozy blanket, snuggly cat and a good book of course all help set the mood. 

The first weekend in November- I headed up to Fort Collins for what Thing 1 refers to as 'Nurse Con"...the annual conference for school nurses.   

It felt good to be back with my professional peers, and bonus for this amazing red sky treat that greeted me on my morning drive to the venue.

A few of us ladies were finally able to find a common time to celebrate a few Fall birthdays...Fall is clearly a crazy time to coordinate the schedule of 6 individuals...but when we finally got a date that worked for most of us- we ran with it- donning our "fancy pants" and hats and headed out to Season 52.where they really do treat you with excellent service, and great food.  Note to self-  Sea Sun (Pinot Noir) and The Walking Fool (red blend) were both wonderful compliments to my meal.

Speaking of good food, Thanksgiving- while a quiet affair with just Hubby and Thing 1 (Thing 2 was working)- was delicious.  

Forget Turkey- we go for the red meat- this year was a New York Strip roast that was on sale at the grocery store.  Note to self- this one cooks quicker than other beef roasts...

Didn't even bother with traditional desserts..

See's Chocolate Turkeys for the win...

The month would finish up with an unexpected repair to the Honda=  good thing I have a handy Hubby on stand-by to help with coordinating the repairs and giving me a lift home.

Yep- in the never say never category- I did find myself as the monkey once again...a sure sign that my arthritis is finally back under control as I was able to get myself into and out of the side car without too much problem.

Until next time...

May you find joy this time of year...

for it is after all the season to be Jolly...just ask Owen. 

Right Now-October Recap

 RIGHT NOW...

I'm listening to the morning buzz of the office.   With Halloween on a Monday- today, Tuesday should prove interesting to say the least.     So far- all is well- the copier is buzzing, the door bell is ringing and the overall chatter is one of happiness.   Well after all, we  are entering what many of us consider "the easy" part of the school year- the hustle and bustle of a new school  year has passed, the Holidays (and lots of routine breaks) is fast approaching, weather is good and we aren't feeling the work weary that hits as spring approaches.   It's all good.

Outside of work, I just finished listening to an audiobook- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie...it was a British "cozy" mystery.   Apparently, such a term is a legit sub-genre of mysteries.   Delightful to listen to, but grateful that I had the written kindle version to fall back on as the accent was pretty thick at times, and the narration tended to ramble- where I got confused if it was part of the plot or part of a memory being shared by one of the characters.

I'm loving that things are coming back into focus for me.

September was a blur and I found myself struggling to pull myself out of a funk.   The days just ran together with no sense of purpose to them.   But, this month, I found a bit more of my groove...

Be it a walk through crunchy leaves...

or an evening at the Bingo Hall...

it felt good to connect with local friends

and those just passing through for work...

I'm feeling good.    Not on top of the world-ready to move some mountains (my RA has still not returned to a place that I'm totally comfortable with), but I'm getting there.    

As this very creative board done by our students at work- it's time to fall into some good habits...and so this next month I hope to continue to move more, connect more and just be more present in the everyday events of life.

Until next time...

If given the choice...take the nap!  

Right Now- Recap August/September

 RIGHT NOW....

I'm listening to the silence.   After a busy  few weeks, things finally seem to be quieting down...at least enough for me to fix myself a cup of tea and reflect on all that has happened since I last updated the blog

This girl loves a good quote- and what comes to my mind right now is this one...

Life brings tears, smiles and and memories...the tears dry, the smiles may fade but those memories...live on forever.

In the early morning hours of September 6, my fiercely private, stubborn  and independent father, Richard passed away after a year of steady decline in his health.   He was slated to transfer to a care facility later that day, and I believe he called out with a "No Thanks, I think I'll pass" and so he did.  

My dad and I have had a complicated relationship for most of my adult life- and yet- these past few weeks, I have found myself setting down those complicated emotions and instead, celebrating the many gifts he shared with my sister, our families and his friends!  

And that is what I'm loving right now- the tears, the smiles but best of all...  the memories!  

When my mom died, I was just 22- in my own bubble of  Army life- so I missed all the work that goes into planning and preparing a memorial service.  

This time- it was my sister and I who were kept busy, busy that first week...

As we sorted...

 Does this bring you joy?  we giggled

Sifted

Can you tell what was recycling and what was trash?  

Yeah, we too quickly lost track and soon we just said..

Trash it...

We found ourselves scratching our head...

As we found pictures that left us saying "Ok, what's the rest of THAT story?"

to being reminded that he had a sentimental side after all...

because had it been left up to me- this jacket would have been pitched long ago..

We paused for some comfort food...

which HELLO- WI has plenty of choices...

Be it donuts from Linda's 

Sweets from the Sweet shop..

Or how about the best bacon and brats in town from

the Holmen Meat Locker...

We made sure emotional eating was a routine part of our day!

We giggled as sis signed the papers

and while it didn't trend on social media 

like King Charles' signing for his inheritance...

We did still find a crown for the Executor to sport...

 Our families would join us as the service date approached...

And while they were willing and able to help...we'd pretty much gotten things sorted on our own..

Harper had just started a new quarter at school-but was with us in spirit..

On Saturday, September 17- we gathered at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church

to celebrate the life of my dad...

We sang- 

ok...they sang- nobody needs to hear me sing..

We saluted...

my dad having served briefly in the 1950s 

with special friends serving in the honor guard..

Golfing and Happy Hour Pals- Buck and Dave R

we shared stories at Richard's 

Farewell Tailgate Party...

and hosted his "Last Call" Happy Hour back at the house

Where more stories were shared..

connected with cousins (We missed you Kay!)

Passed the torch...

for after 50+ years..

no Granum will be calling this place home..

and found comfort in the arms of "forever friends"...

and we even learned a little bit more about that chamber pot 

that had sat outside the basement bathroom 

for as long as any of us could remember...

Seems it was part of a "shivaree" gift for Vera and Art Lysdahl..Aunt Birdie's mom and dad...How Dad ended up with it is anyone's guess (we suspect he bought it at an auction- the man loved hunting for treasures at auctions!

I'm feeling at peace.    

In 2020- after some gentle natured teasing by sis and I- when we discovered our uncle had written his own eulogy- Dad sent us an 8 page document with all his wishes spelled out- from preferred bible verses and hymns to be sung, to what to serve for lunch.  Shucks- he even requested a New Orleans Jazz parade (sadly- we weren't able to locate that request-) but we did end the service with the UGA-fight song (ok, most of you think it's called the Battle Hymn of the Republic).

Anyways- along with the requests was this poem- "The Dash"...I knew this was a favorite as he's referenced it a few times when he was in story telling mode.  

I feel that my dad used his Dash wisely-  living a full and vibrant life-

be it traveling the country with his family in tow (determined to show "his girls" the joy of exploring new places),

making friends and maintaining friendships 

(no easy task in a world before email/texting/and affordable long distance phone calls!)

He would show us that contrary to popular belief- one can "return home" as he settled back in Holmen-where his story began.   

Reconnecting with his past friendships while exploring new roles- from golfer to artist...Dad had some serious talents worthy of admiration.  

He was the epitome of living your best life possible...and for that I am grateful to call him dad.  

Oh but wait- the title says August recap too- What happened then?   

Seriously- I have no idea...

got off the plane from Hawaii on August 1st- and was in the office 2 hours later.   

August was a hot blur-  back to school, brunch with the besties, 

and well- just every day stuff I supposed

Until next time...Remember your dash!