I celebrated September First in my true traditional way.
I did not turn Neil Diamond on to sing September Morn until I had baked a couple of pans of fruitcake cookies, made my special Pumpkin spice latte and settled myself in the living room.
I lit my special September candle and pushed PLAY.
Ah....there's nothing like those first few bars of September Morn.
I had a few minutes all to myself to revel in this most special day of the year to me.
Louis Dean got up and we had our coffee and reading together before getting ready to leave for Fort Worth.
Deanie has been amazing in making arrangements for Nita's Memorial Service and removing all her personal affects from the house and putting them in her guest room. Nita's Daughter, Leah, and her niece, Trisha as well as her sister-in-law Joni helped Deanie sort it all out.
September First was the day for me to select what I wanted to keep from Nita's closet - and I kept a lot!
This scarf goes to Summer as does a winter soft brown wool poncho with a dark collar.
For some reason I broke down when I saw this beach bag all ready to go on our never to be taken Sibling Trip. I put this in Amber's bag as she loves the sun and water and beach as did her Aunt Nita.
Deanie and I cried and talked and laughed as we sorted through Nita's things.
Nita took such good care of her clothing.
Mine is a mess.
When I go - someone needs to just come in with trash bags and pack it all in and haul it all back to Goodwill from whence it came.
Once we were finished and had all the clothes and things loaded in our car - we all went out to eat a very late lunch at The Olive Garden.
A good way to end our visit!
Louis Dean and I did porch drop offs of fruitcake cookies to Mike, Joni and Nita's next door neighbor, Sheryl. I missed giving some to Lonnie and Michelle as my brain quit working and I was so sleepy and tired I had to head for home.
I seemed to get a second wind by sheer willpower and we came home, gathered up a tin of cookies to take to June as well as a bouquet of sunflowers and we were off to the hospital to visit.
She is doing so much better and was discharged today.....(Friday.)
I was so excited to fall into bed and I finally got a fairly good night's sleep.
This morning I fixed us a tray of breakfast snacks as Louis Dean MUST eat something for his kidney medicine to work. When it says 'Take with food' - that's exactly what it means!
And so he did!
It's been a good September 2nd......
I took breaks through the day here in the living room with my book and maybe a glass of wine.
Tonight I made salmon Croquettes and green peas, cheesy potatoes and a garden salad with bread sticks from Olive Garden.
Two bags of Nita's things - one for Summer and one for Amber.
I totally broke down tonight as I hung Nita's clothes in my closet.
These are her pretty party shoes and they fit me perfectly.
One of her bags......
I admit this has been such an emotional and draining day.
I have cried and sobbed and moaned and grieved.
Louis Dean was outside and it was a little bit wonderful to be able to do all that loudly and not worry about anyone hearing you.
So now I am going to pay some attention to Louis Dean and watch a program with him and most likely end up on the driveway with a glass of wine.
And Nita was so well loved......
and I love her still.......
Losing her is the hardest thing I've ever done.
