Hubs and I managed to fill the weekend to over filling. So many little things all add up. Saturday we installed the freeze dryer and spent time with tech support making sure we had done all the things. Then we went and picked up our camping fence. We needed to be able to block the pups from the entire side of the yard for the foreseeable future.
As we'd used up all the hours the compost lot was open we settled for just starting to migrate the dirt that had eroded down the hill since the tree was taken out back up to where it belonged. Little did either of us realize the undertaking ahead. Both of us were about to get a reminder we are not in our 30's or even 40's anymore.
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| that smile |
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| 7th heaven... only thing better would be flying |
Sunday started off bright and sunny. Hubs was supposed to go for a flight in the Ford Tri-motor plane. The same type that Lindy flew if I remember what he told me correctly. That is his special birthday present. We got up super early and headed to the Spirit of St. Louis airport. Toting both pups with us, because of the timing of Beau's medication. With this being the mid-west we should have probably expected the weather to not cooperate. And in true mid-west fashion, it didn't. The winds were gusting well over 25 mph, there was no way that plane was taking off on Sunday. We've reschedule it for May, although we will have to travel a bit further for him to fly.
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| what's dad doing? |
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| Of course he blinked |
The morning was not a total loss, he did get to spend a good amount of time inside the plane and checking out every inch of it. And he was guaranteed to fly in the copilots seat when he does go up next month. On top of all that we finally have the connections to get him a flight in a bi-plane. Again, I am not about to go up with him in either, but I am happy that he will finally be able to do both. Sometimes you do get to tick off things on your personal bucket list.
Upon arriving home, we decided to tackle the hill. Good Lord have mercy... that was a massive undertaking. Our youngest grand spent her Sunday afternoon helping us move topsoil and compost from the back of the pickup to the hill. It was exhausting and a touch overwhelming. And a solid reminder that we are definitely not spring chickens. It was so hot, but rain was coming in later in the week and we knew we wanted the seed and straw down before it hit.
Reflecting on it as the evening sun started to set we realized we were going to need more dirt. LOTS more. By the time the afternoon sun was starting to head deep west yesterday I had unloaded another 2 cubic yards of dirt and dragged it down that hill. We'd spread lime and grass seed and topped it with straw. The fence was up and some of the sunflowers were planted.
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| load #3 |
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| just a start... |
Today the rain was supposed to make an early arrival. When it didn't I decided to plant the rest of the flower seeds. Three packs of different sunflowers, four packs of zinnias and a small package of cosmos later, we wait. If even a small portion survive our renegade deer, it will be lovely. If not... well lessons learned.
On top of all that I have been learning my freeze dryer, making lots of treats requested by the grand daughters. Made another batch of yogurt, the youngest grand is in love with it and manages to devour a pint on her own each time she is here. And of course the regular every day stuff. I am exhausted, but in such a good way.
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| gummy nerds and skittles |
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| almost done drying |
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| ice cream sandwiches anyone? |
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| straining the yogurt |
So many folks that are dear to my heart and such major parts of my life are going through struggles. Big struggles. I think I have been slightly internalizing those burdens and focusing on "chopping wood and carrying water" for them. I can't fix any of it. I can be there if and when they need me, but I simply have zero ability to right their ships. I'm a bit of a fixer, so that is horribly difficult to process. I want to be able to offer that magic cure, solution, relief. I want to be able to make it all better and lighten their loads.
As I can't, I am pushing myself to do what I can to create a safe zone, a space that is full and productive. As I sat on the steps tonight chatting to Hubs basking in the beauty of the setting sun I felt peace. Surveying the product of my hard labor made the pain of my sore muscles seem small and distant. While we sat and chatted, my brain was already planning out my ideas for next week, for the space of time after the weekend of rain. The path that needs put in, the plantings that need to start happening...
The world is insane, things are moving so fast, twisting and turning. A little left, a little right. Nothing is the same from one day to the next. In this chaos that is swirling I am finding incredible peace and contentment in a full calendar and check boxes of tasks that are lined through with bright yellow highlighter as they are completed.
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| mom, we want snacks |
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| sunbathing time |
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| mommy snuggles in a rare quiet moment |
I can continue to "chop wood and carry water". It clears my spirit, my mind and the restlessness that helplessness causes for me. I hope and pray that it gives me more in my own bucket so I can share with those I care for as they need it.
Well, the final dose of meds have been delivered. My chore list is cleared for the day and my incredibly weary and sore body is going to head up and see if the puppy that was curled up in my spot, might consider moving so I can rest.
Remember, idle hands are definitely the devils playground...
love and peace... b
Good one! 381+
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