My view out the dormer window yesterday morning…SNOW!
I spent a portion of the day yesterday reorganizing the camper to make it more comfortable. The busyness of the last couple of weeks caught up with me and I’m just going to lay low, read, knit, visit with my brother a little. I went to the cemetery Thursday. The caretaker was there. Mike is 75 and has been caring for the cemetery for many years…on a volunteer basis. He recognized me when I pulled in and waved hello. We sat and visited for a while. He was most apologetic that he hadn’t gotten over to our corner yet and the weeds were pretty high. Mike said the snow was knee deep this winter and that makes the grasses sprout up like crazy in the spring. The cemetery is normally unattended and only has maintenance a couple of times a year anyway.
I’m baaaaack! Once the graduation festivities were over, I could pack up the camper and get up to the mountains to visit my brother and camp for a bit. As soon as I arrived, I got a weather bulletin for the mountains of Colorado stating there is a winter storm warning for Friday and Saturday. They are predicting 4-10” of snow with up to a foot to a foot and a half in the higher elevations! Well, as much as I personally detest snow…I’m praying they get tons because it is SO dry here! And, that puts a kink in my plans. I immediately asked the campground to extend my stay at least one day and possibly two, which they did. Then I called Daughter #2 to tell her I may not be back in time to see her on Sunday. Then I called Mr. FixIt and said I’d probably have to extend my stay till after Memorial Day in order to spend more time with my daughter and to have a better chance of finding campsites on the way home.
We went to Big’s Awards Ceremony yesterday afternoon. (Note to self: take a pillow next time! Bleachers are not our friends!) Her name was called several times for academic achievements. She received two or three cords to wear on her robe on graduation day. And she received three plaques…one of which was Outstanding Biomedical Sciences Student of the Year. We are all very proud of her accomplishments.
Little isn’t very little anymore. Turning fifteen is pretty cool for this grandchild of mine. We had a big day of cooking and laundry and cleaning. Little is into cosplay so there were lots of wonderful gifts that aligned with those interests…a long red wig, a crazy outfit, some really fun glasses and earrings shaped like sparkly radishes. Little is so much like me…marching to our own drums, creative, artistic, soulful, intelligent, funny.
The hat I made yesterday. The color isn’t accurate…I took this picture in the camper. It’s actually a pale pink. See the other photo for color reference.
Yesterday was exactly what I needed! I always camp next to the garden at my son-in-law’s parents’ place. The kids are working or in school, I have my own little space, and I get to visit with a couple of the coolest people on the planet! Ben & Sue opened their home to me after Mr. Virgo died. I came here and they nurtured me and fed me and helped me get through the first two weeks of widowhood. We’ve always been close, but when Sue had a health scare a couple of years ago, she and I became like sisters. We chat every night and we are sounding boards for each other. I am blessed to have a handful of these awesome women in my life.
We sat around the dinner table that I have come to know and love as the epicenter of the universe. The parents of my perfect son-in-law are as much my family as any of those who share my DNA. Daughter #1 and her family joined us to celebrate Mother’s Day. Watching the playful repartee between my grandchildren warmed my heart. Not too long ago, they were at each other’s throats most of the time. But I think it finally sunk in with Little…Big is leaving for college soon. This is it…the last of the family the way it’s always been. Once college enters the picture, things change.
I woke up at 5:30 yesterday morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I couldn’t get the camper together because quiet hours last till 7:00 and besides…it’s the weekend. There’s nothing worse than sleeping soundly in your wonderful camper, only to hear the person next door lifting their jacks and clunking around. I waited till 7:30 then I tried to be as quiet as I could. People were already moving around, so I hope I didn’t disturb them too much.
Yesterday was by far my easiest day yet. I woke up around 7:30 and was catching up with my correspondence when the camper suddenly shook from a gust of wind. A storm front was coming through and I needed to get moving…fast. These a-frame campers are awesome, but there are a few drawbacks with them. You should not put them up or take them down when it’s windy. The two half’s of the roof are only connected with something akin to bungee cords and a very strong wind could send them flying in opposite directions.
I didn’t sleep well the first night on the road. You know how it is when you get out of your routine and you don’t drink enough water or eat the right stuff. And, my brain was still moving when I finally laid my head on the pillow. I did sleep…but fitfully. And there’s not a lot of places to wander around in this tiny camper. I could have made a cup of tea, but it all seemed like too much bother at 3:00am.
It was a really busy day. Mr. FixIt helped me get the truck loaded up. I got on the road about 9:45 which was pretty respectable. I was really surprised I got such a good night’s sleep before. I have to give credit where credit is due…Jesus has been working overtime catching all my cares! I stopped for gas. Did you know that if you download the app for Walmart, you can get $.03 off per gallon? Every little bit helps.
