An Old Week With A New Start

This week marks new beginnings for us. The big family trip coming up which is a celebration for several occasions. We are wrapping Mother's Day, Father's Day, our anniversary, and retirement in one weeklong event.

TheHub officially retired, Friday, (even though he went to the office Saturday morning and then again this Morning to finish up a couple of straggling issues), which means for the first time in forever there will be no paycheck coming into the house. What a different mindset for both of us. Finally and Yikes!!!

And now for the joys of the past week.

Monday: This was my day to go to my happy place with My Beloved Sister. Monday was National Frosted Cookie Day, so of course I had to plan what they would make accordingly. We did not have the time required to make and bake cookies, so I bought them and let the participants make buttercream frosting. 

We were able to be there at lunch time to keep and eye on everyone while the staff had a meeting. As soon as lunch was over they made it, then inhaled the cookies. Powdered sugar may or may not have gotten on several participants clothes.

The staff came back to a group that was experiencing a very lively sugar high, and we left laughing all the way to the car.

Once home I began getting ready for dinner (cleaning what I had neglected to clean before I left for Independence Place). Out niece had called Sunday night to let us know she was going to be in town for job training for her new position, and of course we wanted to visit with her. I had told her we would have spaghetti, but realized I did not have everything needed to make it on hand. Because I was only going to use things I had on hand last week, spaghetti turned into a big taco salad.  And thankfull,y TheHub has a  wine stash, so that was taken care of also.

Tuesday: I had planned on being in the house the remainder of the week so I could get things in order.  Tuesday the pool guy came by and gave the pool the thumbs up for swimming. We opened it late this week and it always takes at least a week to get the water in shape for swimming. I wish we could leave it uncovered year round, but the one year we did that the leaves from the oaks and hickory trees won. I was able to get some of the sitting areas around the pool looking a bit better.

Wednesday: Son1 and Pip are coming here for a week after the trip, which meant I needed to get the upstairs in order. Unfortunately a good book popped up on my Libby app and I could not resist.

Thursday: It was a beautiful morning and My Beloved Sister came over to swim

Friday: I was able to talked with Sluggy, which is always a fun thing to do. TheHub came home from his last official day at work and we had a little pool celebration. Nothing beats a swim before dinner, except possibly a swim before dinner that is already made. 

Saturday: I finished packing all my clothes for the trip. 

We have a villa with a furnished kitchen, and will eat in most nights. Everyone agrees we had rather enjoy the place than have to stop and get dressed for dinners out. Not a problem, and one of the services that was offered was to have the kitchen stocked prior to our arrival. We did submit a shopping list to have what we needed for a few days, but figured we will get the rest ourselves. I am kind of funny about buying produce and fish sight unseen.

After perusing a couple of the island's grocery stores and the price of various things, I checked with customs and there are no restrictions on bringing in food. I did pack a carry-on bag with a few things like coffee, tea,  snacks and seasonings. As much as I love coffee, I had much rather use a pound I already have, than pay upwards of 17 euros.

 

Sunday: We went to church. Afterward we stopped at a couple of places to get a couple of things we needed for the trip. I do not sleep well when we are not at home and bought Advil pm which usually does the trick. There were a couple of other necessary and non-necessary things we picked up also. I mean who does not want to use Downey fabric release rather than setting up the ironing board to get rid of wrinkles caused by packing? (Look away here Kim and Sissie) Raises hand high!

The rest of the day was spent getting all the remaining details about leaving the house and any remaining trip details taken care of. I think I was finally getting a little excited!

Books read in June

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (Thanks for the heads up Live and Learn)

All We Ever Wanted

The Passengers

Look for your joys, no matter how small. They are always there!

May all your weeds be wildflowers.

Anne