It's been some time since I had anything to write about on my blog, besides the new house and all the work that it involves. When it's winter up here, I all but hibernate and only come out when necessary.
This is a tough post for me. On Saturday I received a phone call from my uncle in Virginia. My grandparents also live there, and the call was to tell me that my grandfather was not doing well, and the doctors said that he wasn't going to be alive much longer. He had been in the hospital for several weeks and wasn't improving. I made some quick decisions, and decided to drive to Va. for a visit before it was too late. Ryan and I drove all day Sunday and arrived about 8:30 and my uncle came to meet us since I had never been to his house before. Monday morning. my grandmother, uncle and I made the trip to the hospital. I can't explain how hard it was to see my only grandfather in that bed, struggling to breathe. I held his hand and talked to him, the doctors seem to think that even though he couldn't respond, he could hear people and we should talk to him. I told him how much I loved him and that I would be back to see him. We were getting ready to leave and I reached up and stroked his cheek, and he turned his head slightly and opened his eyes and looked at me. Until then, he hadn't opened his eyes for over a week. I think that once he knew on Sunday that I was on my way down, he waited for me. We received the call Monday night that he had passed. Even as difficult as it is to know that he is gone, I was glad to have had the chance to see and touch him one more time. He was a wonderful person, kind, caring, loving, funny and always had time to spend with me. Whether it was in his workshop when I was small, pounding nails in an old board, or when I was older, showing me how to use the wood working equipment in his shop, making gifts for the family.
I couldn't have asked for a better grandfather.

Winter in Maine, what can I say? The first time I ever set foot in this state was Thanksgiving in the mid 70's. Growing up in Virginia, we rarely had any snow that hung around, so we didn't do alot of sledding or ice skating. I lived on a dirt road and there were a few kids around that used to get together whenever mother nature saw fit to grace us with some snow that hung around long enough to haul out the sleds and wax up the runners. A small snowfall always meant a day off from school and it was an occasion to celebrate!
I moved up here with my mother, sister and stepfather(stepasshole, but that is another story). I, needless to say, had never seen sooooo much snow on the ground in all my life combined! I wondered how people could stand it for what seemed like 6 months out of the year. It took me many, many years to come to terms that if you live here, suck it up and keep moving. I am perpetually cold, my thermostat is set for tropical climes, umbrella drinks and hunky cabana boys. It has been tough for me to deal with the cold for such long periods of time.
This winter has been different from winters in the past. For one thing, until today, we have no snow on the ground. We have had very few days in the neighborhood of freezing. Saturday, we had some rain, but the temps have been up in the 50's or higher in many places. In my world, you couldn't ask for anything better. No snow, no long lasting mud season and not having to drive with idiots in four wheel drive vehicles that think they are invincible because of what they drive. I have a big ass truck with four wheel drive, but to this day, driving in the snow still terrifies me.
Anyway, yesterday, our campground group, which has grown to 5 couples, got together at the campground and had a fire and lunch. While the sun was out, and the fire was blazing, it was pleasant enough, but once the sun went down, it was time to pack up and head home. We had a great afternoon with lots of laughs and cocktails and reconnecting with people we don't see on a weekly basis right now. I truly think we have something rare, a group of people who enjoy each other's company so much that we have to see each other regularly. My life would truly be vacant if we ever had to give up our friends.
Things are progressing on the new house, not nearly fast enough for us, but wheels move slowly when it comes to banks. We are hoping to close at the end of the month and begin moving. I am both excited and dreading the work. We have lots of plans for decorating and such when we get there. I can hardly wait.

Now that Christmas and New Year's is finally over, things can get back to normal. Normal for me is about as boring as things can get, but such is my life at the moment. We had our usual family get-together with Rodney's family at Roland's house on Christmas Eve day. Most of the day is spent stuffing our faces and sharing stories and just enjoying being together. Rodney and I shared our news that we have found a house and made an offer, and that our offer has been accepted. Christmas day was spent here at home, except for a visit to my mom's to see her and my grandmother. Since Grammie can't climb stairs anymore, it was easier for us to go to them. Mom bought me a Kitchen Aid mixer that I have been coveting for more years than I want to admit. Men just cannot appreciate just how awesome a mixer it is, I told them that it is the cadillac of mixers, but it just sails over their heads.
Our newest kitty, Miss Scarlett is adjusting to life at our house, and having to share all of us with two other kitties. They are all very jealous of time and attention spent with someone else, but we have plenty of attention for all. Miss Scarlett loves to sleep in bed with me and wake me up in the morning nibbling on my hair, fingers, and face, you name it. With the hairspray and mousse that goes into my hair every day, ewwww! Can't imagine wanting to chew on that!
A plan to get all of our group of campers together this Saturday in the works, courtesy of Randy, and the weather is supposed to cooperate and now I am anxious for the weekend. Next weekend is our birthday party for Randy. This year it will be held at George's house. Makes no difference to us where we meet, it's always a good time for all. Hopefully Chris and Nancy can make the trip this weekend, we haven't seen them since October.
Last weekend was spent doing some fixing up around the house in preparation of renting/selling this house once we move into our new one. Things that should have been done LONG ago, but we kept putting off, things like touch up painting and getting rid of the gross carpet in the hall. Things are going well and we will be done with everything soon. It's amazing what a coat of paint will improve or cover up. A trip to Home Depot or Lowes, or maybe even Mardens will get a new runner for the hall and the steps. It also means lunch or dinner out, and I never turn that down!