Saturday Night Blackout

 This weekend was spent recovering and resting. I spent the majority of the time on the couch, binging Succession and napping at will. Everybody seemed content to do their own thing so I suppose we all needed some solid decompression time to recover from Covid and the holidays.

On Saturday we were treated to a wind storm which promptly knocked out our power. The limb fell from our neighbors tree and the downed line was visible from our front window. We knew it was going to be awhile so, as soon as it started to get dark, we piled into the car and headed out for dinner. It wasn't until we were at the restaurant that I realized how long it has been since we've been to the restaurant which, before the pandemic, had been one of our favorites. We have gotten into the habit of carryout but think that is going to change. It was really nice to all hang out together in the booth, munching on burgers and milkshakes while talking and laughing. 

After a long dinner we were optimistic that the power would be restored but we were wrong. We drove up to a dark (and cold) house holding a very scared little pup. Everybody scattered into their own corner with a warm blanket and whatever electronic device was charged. I ended up in bed listening to an audio book through my sleep mask. I listened to my book for four solid hours and was completely uninterrupted. It was amazing! I can't remember the last time I was so immersed in a story.

Our power turned on before midnight but I fell asleep so I didn't realize it had been restored until I woke up in the morning feeling warm and cozy. Despite being cold, it was a great night. I actually can't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable Saturday night.

Sick Day

Some sort of germs have invaded our home. Hopefully this will be short lived and everything will return to normal soon. In the meantime, today is a sick day.

Fireplace

Yesterday was uneventful but extremely productive. I worked all day, the kids were in school and Scott was at work. Friend seemed content to lounge around, basking in the sun while warming himself by the fire. After a hectic holiday season, it was nice to be back at the grind.  

Today will be a repeat of yesterday with the absence of the fire. Scott had to cover the chimney last night because we are getting rain (shocking) today. I am so frustrated that we continue to deal with a leak despite a complete roof replacement and extensive chimney and mortar repair work. I look at the blue tarp that Scott has to throw over the chimney before each storm and I want to cry and scream from frustration. 

At this point we aren't sure if we are going to even try to repair the chimney or if we are just going to sell the house 'as is.' Structurally we are in good shape but the carpets are worn and the tiles are from the early 1970s. I suspect that we will need to do an extensive refresh if we want to sell for top dollar, but I honestly don't know if we would recoup the investment. Sigh. This is inching up my anxiety list in the middle of the night!

My leg is achy today so I won't be embarking on any great projects. Instead I'll be sedentary, quietly working and researching on my computer. These cold rain days ache my limb from my knee through my phantom toes. It's going to be an uncomfortable day.

Rain

 Our first 'snowstorm' of 2024 turned into a washout. Instead of snow we were greeted with a day of steady cold and freezing rain. Everybody, especially Timmy and Friend, were disappointed by the unrelenting rain. The forecast for possible snow on Tuesday has already been amended to rain. Even though we are at the beginning of winter I am losing hope for my sledding ambitions.

Instead of playing in the snow we were forced inside for the weekend. I spent the time organizing and watching documentaries. After nearly two months of Hallmark Christmas movies, I feel the need to counter all of the wholesome festivities with true crime docudramas. Sadly, their themes feel more realistic.

Our moving boxes will arrive on Wednesday and our (first) trash dumpster will be delivered on Thursday. We still don't know where we are going or when, but at least we are making progress towards the end goal. I suppose a benefit of our 'non winter' will be our ability to fill dumpsters without contending with snow and ice.

Braille

I love the theme of our 2024 calendar, obscure holidays and daily celebrations, because it reminds me that there is always something to celebrate. Today I discovered that it is National Braille Day. I was immediately hit me with a wave of nostalgia I wasn't anticipating. 

I fell in love with Braille when I was Timmy's age and I read a book about Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. Despite the fact that I went to college to teach the blind and I earned my graduate degree to teach cane skills, I haven't worked with Braille in nearly two decades. The years that have flown by since I left teaching and I find my mind continues to translate the written word into invisible dots. 

I don't have a Braille writer, but I do sketch out 'secret' codes to myself with dots. I discovered that I can leave reminders about surprises and gifts in the open because nobody in the family can decipher the codes. I miss Braille, but I don't miss teaching. 

Packing

Yesterday the boys stepped back into their school day routines and, while they were not delighted to be back at the grind, their complaints were kept to a minimum. Timmy even admitted that he missed his classes and his friends. I was delighted with the return to normal but I did my best to keep my smiling to a minimum as I watched Scott leave for work and the boys log in for their classes. 

With everybody back at school I'm starting to turn my attention towards preparing the home to move. Specifically, we really need to purge the trash and start to pack. Because we don't own a pick-up truck or any feasible way to transport large items to the dump they have accumulated in the back of our garage. I feel overwhelmed by the clutter and the tasks ahead but fretting isn't getting anything done. Instead I spent several hours yesterday pricing dumpster services. 

If the weather holds, we will have a dumpster delivered to the house in about two weeks. This will provide us with enough time to consolidate the trash into a central location. Once we get the trash removed I'll reclaim an area that can be used to stow our packed boxes, which will probably be ordered today.

I'm still feeling overwhelmed by 2024 but I'm trying to tackle it head on. I figure if I keep checking small items off of my list it will eventually result in my house being packed and moved. At least, that is the plan for now!

New Year

Despite being nearly one week after Christmas I was finally able to celebrate the season with my mom and sister. Covid swept into their home before Santa, leaving germs and forcing a not-so-festive quarantine. We waited a few days after the last negative test before heading north, but we were all eager for our seasonal get together. I may have missed Christmas but I'm so glad that we were there for New Year. 

We were planning on going to watch the pickle drop on New Years Eve but the rain changed our plans. Instead of going to the countdown we ate junk food, played games and watched television. It may not have been as exciting as those partying in Times Square, but the kids had fun and celebrated 2024 with giggles and laughter.  

It was a quick trip to Pennsylvania because everybody returns to school today. I know that the transition from vacation to work is always difficult but I am happy for the return to normal. The Christmas decorations have already been packed away, the tree is in the woods and the presents have all been unboxed and put into use. The holiday is officially offer.

Typically I mourn the end of the holiday season. This year I celebrated the tinsel removal. It was a difficult season and I'm glad that it is over.