Back to normal

In case you haven't noticed, I have been away. I went to South Florida for ten days to stay at my daughter's house to watch over things. As my granddaughter is in her teens - there is not much babysitting required, just a presence in the house to keep her company, make sure she has food to eat, and that she got home when she was supposed to. That was a breeze and she was a pleasure.

Also, my sister-in-law met me there and we spent several days cleaning out gramma's house of 20 years of accumulated stuff. I'm not going into detail, suffice it to say that we used over two large boxes of trash bags. That was not a breeze nor a pleasure. But it was well worth the effort to be able to walk into two bedrooms and actually see that there were beds in there and that she did have a kitchen sink.

I came home exhausted. It has taken me three days just to get up the strength to sweep my own house. Thankfully, CD kept it clean and did laundry and the dishes and cared for our animals.

There were a couple times that reminded me that I am getting older. In sitting down to dinner with my son and his lovely wife, it reminded me of when I was in my 30's and sat at the table with my husband and his mother. They don't correct me even though I may be way off base with my thinking. They may discuss it between themselves but are polite enough to let me rant at whatever the current topic is. I don't want to be known as a "character" but there are times I'm sure that people think I am.

My granddaughter had asked for help with organizing her room and then as we went through her clothes...she reminded me so much of her great grandmother. She recalled when she was given an article of clothing and by whom and when. She told me of the significance of that article of clothing and why she couldn't give it to Goodwill or throw it away. Never mind that it is now 3 sizes too big or too small, ripped, stained and unwearable. I had to laugh - the genes were there - just lying dormant.

My sister-in-law, whom I love like a sister, and I discussed how tired we are of housework. We've been doing it all our lives and are ready to quit, to retire from daily sweeping, dusting, etc.. With the influence of gramma in our lives, we are slowly giving away items that require dusting and we are death on paper clutter. I think we are agreed that there are better things to do in life than clean every day.

So, to my kids, I am giving you ample warning that the time may come when my house may not be up to your expectations. BUT, feel free to come and clean it for me....I won't complain and I'll be glad to see you.