Don't sit down!

What appeared to be a quiet weekend is suddenly buzzing.  Daughter In Law and a friend are in Salado for a spa/shopping weekend, Son is riding a treacherous winding road called Three Sisters, and our plan was to relax and prepare for the busy week to come.

Dancing Girl texted yesterday that they were on their way to the lake.  We had a leisurely dinner with them last night and talked about a possible golf outing this morning.  As we were pulling into the driveway last night, a friend called to see if Ol' Abner would bring his big trailer to haul some brush away for him.  Of course he agreed to leave here around eight this morning to help.

Workers were swarming beside the playhouse this morning by 7:30.  Ol' Abner assured me they were just here to clear debris and pick up a check so concrete could be poured on Monday. Wrong!  The first load of concrete arrived about 8:05 just after he called his friend to tell him he would be slightly delayed for the brush haul.

The golf pro called and said he had some time to work on my wild golf swing this morning as we wait on the next load to be poured on the new driveway.  Ol' Abner thinks he needs some breakfast.  That's a pretty good idea.

Unwillingly Awake

I am not one to remain in bed when sleep has left me.  With a 2:30AM clock face staring at me , the best option seemed to be arise (not necessarily shine) for awhile.  A warm cup of herbal tea and a great book will almost always have me ready to nod off within minutes. After re-reading the pages of my latest thriller several times, I realized concentration was beyond me. A game of sudoku quickly stumped me, my tea cup is empty and I've switched to ice water.  Sleep still has not beckoned.  

A few minutes of quiet meditation, perhaps a bit of venting here, and I will again have a clear mind for blissful sleep.  Health issues seldom plague me, but family members suffer constant challenges.  With Pappy here, aging is constantly on my mind.  Ol' Abner fights to accomplish physical labor with the ever present oxygen bottle.  Daughter is dealing with aggressive diagnostic testing to determine the source of some strange symptoms.  Younger grand daughter is limiting some of her skating jumps due to ankle pain of questionable etiology.  A visit with my maker has brought some peace.

Now, if I can just figure out why my golf swing was so off yesterday, I might return to dreamland.

Spreading Out

Who knew an 8X10 storage shed could hold so many tools and treasures?  Worse yet, what does one find to fill two of them?  Ol' Abner's grand plan has changed many times in the last year and we are now in the process of moving things into the new playhouse.  It was designed to have two large doors positioned so that vehicles could be driven straight through.  That plan formed due to recognition that I do not drive backward with a trailer attached.  The driveway on the street behind was poured several weeks ago and it provides nice access...a block from the house!

I am really tired of this view!

The driveway from the front side awaits the forms and concrete to make the new garage fully accessible per our plan.  As you can see, this end is several feet above the yard surface so a fairly steep incline will be necessary.  Furthermore, many loads of fill will be required.  We have begun our own version of a landfill in front of the door.  Back to my original statement. Two storage sheds are exactly where the right side of the driveway must be.  All of the lawn tools, hardware and saws have been hauled by hand to the walk-in door on the side of the building or dragged up over the pile of landfill to drop in the portal.  I am sore and exhausted and Ol' Abner can barely breathe.  Tomorrow, we turn the process back over to the men with heavy equipment. The sheds will be moved and the hammering and dumping of dirt will commence. By the way, dirt is NOT cheap!  

Dampened Spirits

The monthly meeting of the Women's Golf Association was held this morning at the golf club. Due to cold drizzle, the scheduled round of golf was changed to card games and chatter.  I stayed for the meeting and a few minutes of visiting, then left to run a few errands.  The names are beginning to match the faces now, and I do look forward to knowing several of these women better.  A number of golf outings are on the schedule for the upcoming year and I can hardly wait to test my skill on some other golf courses. Certainly, I have not mastered the two in our neighborhood, though fresh vistas are very appealing.  It's time the well known Texas sunshine shows it's face and warms the air to make golf more pleasant.  I'm ready for a play outside kind of day!

GO!

In the last few months I have often commented that my new favorite word might  be "Go". Ol' Abner would grimace and roll his eyes.  His mantra for now seems to be "stay".  I understand. He's spent many months and many more dollars getting his playhouse built. Why wouldn't he want to stay and play awhile?  On the other hand, new sights intrigue me and my wanderlust is bubbling over again.  I do have a couple of trips planned this year, but nothing on the scale of my dreams.  

This morning, our pastor's sermon introduced the new goals for the church body.  Called G3, it involves Grow (I don't think he means our body size), Give (that's always part of the religious practice). Go!  I am on board.  As soon as I can stow away my Christmas decorations, I can start packing my bags for another trip.  Grow, Give, Go.  

Pigskin

It is officially the end of the "holiday season" and the beginning of a brand new year.  Or maybe it really is the upswing in anticipation of the Super Bowl!  I suppose everyone loves a reason for a Sunday afternoon party with lots of indulgent snacks.  Oh wait, isn't that what we are doing this afternoon.  After weeks of feasting, we brought in the new year right on time.  Earlier in the evening we enjoyed rib-eye steaks with all the side dishes we love.  We watched a Texas A&M team come back to beat Duke in the second half and for once I was pleased with that outcome. After all, our guests had sent two of their offspring to that illustrious institution. We felt obligated to cheer the team into victory since those same children are enjoying the benefits of that stellar education from the Bahamas and the Pacific northwest.  I found it easy to be thrilled for them since my Red Raiders had soundly trounced Arizona State in their bowl game on the previous evening.  Oh yes, the holiday season is over, but football is NOT!  I can smell the ham from here and the blackeyed peas are almost ready.  We must start this year right!