Tuesday's Treasures!

This was not my usual kind of Tuesday but it was still a good one.

Ruth Ann was not available today so I intended to hunker down and get a lot of housework and decorating done. However, I started to wonder what I might be missing at the Goodwill!

I was happy I went up there to find out!

The big bowl is hand painted and made in Italy - and brand new!

So is that huge roller of orange LED lights!

I'm thinking of stringing them up on the front porch.

The stack of pumpkins has an orange light bulb in it and I have it sitting by the little fall tree in the foyer. I just packed away two full tubs of faux ivy things so when I found this large ivy wreath, well, I have that packed away now, too, and will be glad to see it next year after the holidays.

I walked Centennial Park - my first good long walk since early May.

I can now wear my Skecher closed toed tennis shoes. I figured I better get in some walking now before I get laid up again with my other foot surgery.

Notice how muddy brown the water is. I guess it was from all the recent rains.

I was in a kind of melancholy mood today and it felt good to get out by myself and do some thinking and meditating. Life is going by so fast it is making my head swim. School has started and I was remembering past years as I walked this afternoon. I thought of and prayed for a dear friend of Summer's who is lying in a coma from a stroke she had on Friday night. She is just a few days older than Summer. As I walked and prayed, I thought of how life itself seems to be divided up into seasons. Fall is my very favorite and I seem to be in that season in life as well. I remember well the 'Summer' of my life.......children at home. I had two sets of children - 19 years apart - so my 'Summer' lasted a good long time. I drove through the school zones today and thought of all those years I had school aged children and how busy life itself was. Every single day was full from morning to night. I tend to stay busy no matter what but things have slowed down a bit lately and I'm grateful for that.

After my walk, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit a dear friend who was my neighbor for 17 years. She is in a retirement home and, while her body has not held up as well as her mind, she still has an amazing attitude. Her name is Reaoma and I love her dearly and have neglected her greatly.

She and I visited for about an hour this afternoon and laughed a lot as we always do.

I told her about Kailey's open heart surgery and my toe surgery back in May and talked about how she judges the time by what's on TV. She never complains and always has a smile. I knew she was really glad to see me by the way she held my hand.

I drove slowly back home - still thinking and remembering how much my life has changed through the years. I thank God every single day and often each day for the life he has given me. I suppose it's not so much melancholy I am feeling today. Perhaps reflection. And gratitude.

I was home for a few minutes before Louis Dean came in from the back yard.

He said, "You're HOME! I missed you! It's lonely when you're not here."

I had been wanting a little time to myself but a little goes a long way and I was ready to be home with him again. This week marked the wedding anniversary of Louis Dean and Ellen. They were married for 41 years before she passed away in 2000. She's been on his mind the last few days. I know because he's called me 'Ellen' twice. I always count that as a compliment.

I dug in and redeemed the dining room and finished up just in time to eat the Salad Supper Louis Dean had made for us. He's been cooking all our meals for the last two days while I have devoted myself to getting our house in order.

Another room DONE!!!

It's nice to see three rooms in a row - from the dining room into the living room and foyer and then on into the den - all CLEAN! AND decorated!!

It might seem foolish to spend so much time decorating for the seasons but it makes me happy.

When - and IF - the time comes that I am no longer able to do this, at least I will have no regrets.

I will have all these memories to cherish and can pull them out and think about them.

It's only 10:00 but Louis Dean is already in bed and I am ready to call it a day.

I took this photo 4 years ago today.

Today the quads started Pre K!

I'm going to go over and see them on Thursday.

I'll ride with Amber to pick them up from school.

I can hardly wait!

Our Quad Wednesdays will now be Quad Mondays starting this next week.

I love my memories on Facebook!

I had forgotten how Trystan would stiffen up and cry.

I think I will show the kids old photos from when they were babies when they come over next week.

Okay, I'm closing with a smile on my face!!

Good night!