I fell back into the genealogy rabbit hole and haven't been seen since.
((LadyM and family)) I'm sure this was very difficult for you all.
We had a phone call from ds telling us that things are moving very slowly where he is. We won't be traveling to see them for a while.
So dd and I decided to bring "up to the front burner" a project we've been waiting to tackle: a new chest of drawers (8-drawer) for her room. We went out to find the IKEA that is closest to us. An adventurous trip in itself. Then we adventured around the place - what an eye-opening trek. On, and on, and on... ... We ate, although we were less impressed with the food than with the efficiency of the dining area. Found the 3 boxes that made up the chest, among Indiana Jones-like towering stacks of warehoused items. What a long wait line for the cash register - only 2 registers open in a huge place like that.
Everyone had insisted to us that "men in blue shirts" would be available at the loading area. There were none. I left dd and drove the truck there, backed in at an ideal spot. Waited, searched - there were no blue-shirted men anywhere. No customers were getting any help. So dd and I worked to get the heavy boxes situated in the bed of the truck. No small feat, and dd broke two nails. Home again and she and I got it into the house by ourselves.
She set about to open all and sort the contents, armed with the reassurance (from friends, by text) that it is like big legos.
A few splinters and bandaids later she was a little deterred, but kept on. I'd say she's halfway there. (It's probably smarter to fetch such a large item on one day and then put it together beginning the next morning. But she was just too excited to begin. ) I rather enjoy seeing this sweat equity on her part. I found her a youtube about putting together the same item in a different color, and I think that helped her "see" the big picture. Got other TaDas accomplished - the birth announcement sent off for the church bulletin. Some reports finished and submitted, for church work.
A can of sugared, carbonated drink fell to the floor of the kitchen today and began to spin wildly under it's own power, spraying the kitchen. Quite a cautionary tale against sodas. I've mopped twice but nothing works except getting down on hands and knees with a wet paper towel and a dry one and taking turns. Kitchen's still not right, but I think I've found all the surprising spots it hit by now.
and a flower plucked from garden in a vase on the counter. His version of appology. Sheesh.