"Thanks" Giving!

It is disconcerting to realize the holidays are upon us already.  Today I will be gathering 'round the Thanksgiving table at my brother-in-law's home with the rest of the Schurman clan.  This holiday season will be difficult to endure without Larry, but he is with me in spirit and in my heart.  Yesterday I put the Christmas tree up, and some of the other decorations.  Now, I can understand why some single people don't bother with the process.  I did debate whether or not the effort was worth it, but I knew Larry would be disappointed if there was no "Christmas" in the house.  Today is my day of giving thanks....thanks for the support of my family and friends throughout the past several months.  Thanks for the love of my family, without whom I couldn't have endured Larry's passing. Thanksgiving thoughts are the kind of thoughts that we should have all year long.   It is a time for kindness to those I hold dear.  Friendship and love of family bring a special joy and pleasure.  So...may the blessings of this day fill all I know with the Thanksgiving peace that lasts the whole year through!

Feeling Self-Reliant

Jobs and chores are gettin' done; don't know if everything accomplished is the right way, but it's my way!  With Larry gone, I have come to realize all the "crappy jobs" he did for the two of us.  For example, a couple of days ago when the weather was still nice, I trucked the Christmas boxes down from the attic and dug out the outdoor Christmas lighting.  With the big ladder, I managed to hang the lights up on our front porch as well as the backyard deck.  Looks good even if I do say so myself.  Didn't know if I would be feeling the Christmas spirit, but putting up the lights helped.
Next job on the list was hours spent on the phone to the Social Security office.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I positively hate to spend time on the phone.  What with the Obama health care fiasco, it took me three hours of phoning to get through to the Social Security people.  Busy, busy lines.  I had to "apply" for Larry's SS benefits which I didn't realize.  That's why no Soc. Sec. checks arrived the last three months.
Then came the insurance changes which needed to be taken care of due to the addition of my new Mazda.  What in the hell is a VIN number?  And why does anyone need it???
Today, I traveled by truck to Germantown's Topshop Auctions to pick up an item that I had the winning bid on; trouble was, it didn't fit on the truck well, so I trucked back home for the flatbed trailer.  The guys here hooked it up, and then I made my way back to G'town for the cooler.  Slowly, but surely I hauled the loaded trailer home and actually (quite efficiently, I think!) backed it into our driveway.  Now I have to wait for the boys to unloaded it, sometime in this century, I hope!
After all this, I feel I deserve a martini tonight!  Don't you all agree????

Conclusion

Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday in-the-woods kinda day.  Air was crisp but not chilly and the sun was out in full force.  With the recent frost, the trees provided a background of gorgeous hues of yellows, reds, and oranges.

 Perfect day to put the tombstone on Larry's grave.  My boys as well as the other deer-hunting family members were cutting trees and splitting firewood for deer camp.  When finished, we loaded the monument onto the tractor and worked our way to the cemetery.  It is such a lovely site for one's resting place--the quiet and beauty of the woods to keep you company.  When the time comes for me, Larry and I will be side-by-side, eternally together.