Well, ya know what they say... what a long strange trip it's been and sometimes it gets longer and stranger!!! Thought I was 'back' a few days ago... but that's what I get for thinking! :)
First... I can't even begin to catch up on all the birthdays, anniversaries, good news and sad news I've missed so please just know that *all of you* have been in my thoughts and prayers and that I've missed you all tremendously!!!
In February I finally received notice to vacate my 'temporary', post-hurricane house so that repairs could begin and received news of a FEMA trailer the same day! The trailer (travel trailer/caravan) was placed near my mom's house on some of her land about 35-40 miles away.
Moving was a bit delayed as I spent a week in the hospital with drug resistant pneumonia. Then, during the second week of March, when I was finally moving and putting most of my things in storage (about 95%!) my mom had a heart attack. The doctors say it was a minor heart attack (?) but it took it's toll.
At 86 she is a remarkably active and healthy woman and to be taken down so suddenly was very hard on her. She's been out of the hospital a month now and she is finally able to get around and do more for herself but I know, for her, it's been a long hard month, having her independence and mobility taken away. She has lived alone and cared for herself since my father died over 15 years ago and to depend on me, or anyone, for virtually everything was tough. BUT I must say she has kept a remarkable attitude and only got cranky once... or twice! :) I'm just thankful to be living next door now, even temporarily, to help her take care of herself.
(But honestly... I swear, now more than ever, to NEVER ever EVER have a big house! Too much freaking work!!! I knew there was a reason I loved my little house so much!)
As far as my little pre-hurricane house... . the one Austin and I lived in (and really loved) for 3-4 years... the one they said would not be finished until near the end of the year. They started working on it sooner than expected and found a good company to do the work. It is
*beautiful*!!! New wood siding, new paint, new windows, new window sills/frames, new front and back doors, new porch roof and supports, new trim, new tin roof!!!!! And that's just the outside... they were supposed to start on the inside last week but haven't started yet. In a weird way that's a good thing because I am SO not ready for a 3rd move!!!I was promised first dibs on it when repairs were finished but now I get to wait and see how much the rent will go up. With the severe housing shortage in the area rents are through the roof, no pun intended!
So that's it!!! Well... other than the forest fire that came within 50 feet of my little trailer!!! But that's another story!
On the beady front... I haven't been making anything :( but have manged to keep collecting! :) My muse is waking from her latest slumber and I think she has plans for me!
Damn I sure missed all you guys!!!!!