Author: Rene

Today I returned to my birthplace and visited the old home, the aunts and uncle, and the neighborhood pals. Other than a fence to pen in the dogs at my mother’s former house, nothing has changed in my eight-month absence.

Tomorrow – I shall be entertained by my ever-witty brother-in-law who is generously taking us to the Husker game. It’s always great to have a place to wear your red attire!

Living large in “The Good Life.”

It’s amazing how you mention that hallowed word, “Nebraska,” and you find more people with stories of their lives there and people they know. My first conversation of the day brought our shared home states to the foreground. And anyone from this remarkable state thinks you probably know someone they know. Often times, you do have someone in common. It took a few years, but my sister-in-law and I finally figured out we must have cheered against each other at high school sporting events and met each other all those years ago!

All of this is to say that I’m heading out to root for the Huskers and visit my Bro and SIL.

Go Big Red!

The best part of the day was the drive yesterday. It was gorgeous, traveling through the city streets from our appointment in the heart of Denver. Those majestic trees planted years ago were simultaneously dropping their leaves as the wind whipped them around our car. If my husband hadn’t been with me, I might have driven around just for the heck of it! It was magnificent.

And my gorgeous maple lost its leaves yesterday in the bluster. Fall wins in my “favorite season” category.

However, it’s getting there. I’m up rather early, and unfortunately, running the vacuum at this time of the day is not recommended.

It’s so beautiful outside right now – the temperature is still 61 degrees – no wind – clear skies. I’d go for a moonlit walk, but that’s not recommended when you are void of sidewalks. The newspaper hasn’t been delivered yet – physically or electronically, so I can’t do a puzzle and catch up on old news. My inbox is empty. My homework is finished. The only thing left to do is sleep!

Shinedown time…

My husband comes out of his office and says, “We say, “what?” I don’t even know how to properly write that. This was in response to my blog about anniversaries.

So, really, we don’t run around every hour saying, “what?” But seriously, if the washer, dryer, furnace, dog barking, bread machine, toilet flushing, neighbor mowing, faucet running, if any of those conditions exist, we say, “what?” I trace this hearing loss to Star Wars in theaters and that amazingly loud prelude to Dolby sound.

I was considering this loss of hearing, and quite frankly, thought that I am horribly happy to continue turning up the volume on my favorite songs! I just can’t NOT turn up the volume, open all the windows on the car, and sing! (Unless I’m on the interstate.)

It’s probably a miracle my ear still hears, “what?”

Two things which would normally drive me to the point of hair-pulling, were quite simply – easy!

Yesterday I needed to call the election commission for my county and have them track my ballot for the November duty. Calls to government agencies – not high on my list of joys. I prepared for a long haul, when to my surprise, Carol answered promptly and proceeded to regale me during our chat. We both laughed about the delays in many things, but she assured me their new system would be taking care of the many issues being experienced. She even told me she’d call me back so as not to keep me on hold as she navigated the new system doing her investigation. She was true to her word, and I now will be voting in person having voided the lost ballot. Not my favorite option, but the safest at this late date.

The second surprise was my easy online scheduling for a booster shot. Seriously? I tried to get the flu vaccine and could only do so after the third attempt, with help from my daughter. No walking in and getting assistance! No, no. No same day scheduling either! Tsk, tsk. It was irritating.

So it was a pleasant surprise when I didn’t even have to employ patience as a virtue for two minor aggravations. I was walking on air all day! Let’s see if I need a patience pill today for anything?

Two dear friends celebrated their 43rd anniversary yesterday. I still remember that “sweetest day” and am amazed at the passage of time. Thankfully, it gave me the opportunity to share this musing, which aptly applies to my marriage!

I think it’s funny that I can’t make this image smaller either. It’s yellling.

Wayfair sent me an email informing me that “Mudrooms are disappearing from homes.”

First of all, I’ve never ordered anything from them. ? Second, who is stealing mudrooms?

I remember my grandparents’ mudroom which I always thought was cool. You came in the back door, shower and bathroom right there, stripped down and cleaned up, and entered the abode. It makes sense in so many ways, to get the dirt off before traipsing it throughout the house. You could also wash the dog there before he drags his muddy paws everywhere. Maybe wash your boots and shoes there?

But where’s the fun in confining the mud to one room? If I did that, I wouldn’t have had the special opportunity of deep cleaning my carpet this week.

Just keeping the Bissell people in business.

It’s great to have an insurance company which inspires confidence. At least I’m assuming it is. I realize the Post Office is having majors delays in delivery, but this notice from my lovely Cigna health care plan arrived a little late yesterday. 39 years?

I hope I don’t get sick and actually need them.

As we strolled to Target yesterday, my daughter and I pushed our little package along and enjoyed the gorgeous weather. When we arrived in the back lot, we were privy to an older woman running over a curb and blowing her back tire. We were the only people around.

We stopped to help, intent on possibly changing the tire if we couldn’t get hold of anyone else to do it! I said, “We need a strong guy around for this duty,” as the woman’s 80ish year old husband thought he could do it. We were not comfortable with that solution. My daughter reminded me of my tire-changing prowess. I reminded her that my last tire was at least 20 years ago.

Five minutes into discussing options, a young man ambled over. He wondered what was up, saw us with a baby and stroller, and offered to change the tire. We thanked him profusely and went on our way, happy that this older couple was taken care of, and that our prayer had been answered so swiftly.

I’m thinking of pushing an empty stroller every time I go to Target. “Don’t bother her, she’s got a baby in there!”