Got up and going this morning and did a bit of house cleaning. Have more to do but got some of it done.
Went to Emporia late morning and met Jason for lunch at Radius. Afterwards we went to a court thing Jason had. It was a brutal afternoon for Jason. Unfortunately they ran out of time and have to have yet another hearing in June. This is dragging out forever for him.
I had an interesting experience watching the proceedings unfold. The Judge requested we turned off all cell phones. I went to turn mine off and got the shakes. I couldn’t make my fingers stay still. Then my whole body wanted to shake. It lasted off and on all during the hearing. Not sure what was up with that. It felt like I had too much energy running and it couldn’t escape so it built up inside. Weird!
While I was at the court house I paid the second half of the property taxes for my two remaining rentals. It was good to get that taken care of today.
Came home and walked the dogs. It was a nice afternoon for a walk and I needed to stretch my legs too.
Phil fixed a crawl space entrance that is under the bathroom window. The other one had a big rock up against it and that would have created a problem in the winter time if someone needed to get to a frozen water line. He built a box of sorts and put a lid on it. He is painting the lid the same color as the house so it will blend in nicely. Not sure what I would do without Phil next door. He takes good care of my house for me.
Kathy got home early evening. She had a grand time on her Honor Flight trip. My thanks to all that sent a card to her for Mail Call when she got to the welcome home party in Wichita. She was recognized for being the only female veteran on the flight.
Tomorrow I am going to Topeka for another Rally. Two of my dear friends are going with me. I have room in my car for one more if anyone wants to join us. We will be leaving from Cottonwood Falls around 11:15.
Grateful I will have a free day on Friday. I am exhausted this evening. I will be outside lots tomorrow for the rally. Trusting the weather will cooperate and we can stay dry. This will be the fifth rally I have attended. I am turning into an old hippy!
A year ago today Kathy and I moved into this house. Just after the movers left and I was beginning to unpack boxes I got the call that Craig had died. It wasn’t totally unexpected news but it still was shocking and had happened sooner than expected. The kids have really pulled together this year to help each other through. I still forget he is gone sometimes – especially when something happens with one of the kids and I want to talk to Craig about it. He was a huge influence in lots of people’s lives and continues to be missed. I feel his presence around me often and know he is doing his part to watch over the kids and grandkids.
I can’t believe I have lived in this house for a year now. In some ways I can’t remember living any where else and in other ways it feels like a couple of months ago we moved in. I have a weird relationship with time these days. Can’t make sense of it most of the time.
I am grateful I moved and downsized. This house is easier in many ways. It forces me to keep my belongings down to the right amount as if I go over that level the house begins to feel crowded to me. I mentioned to Phil that next year I might have him tear off the back porch and rebuild it and add a second bathroom. Haven’t fully committed myself to that project yet but am going to start thinking about it. The back porch was not done well and it is not heated or air conditioned. We shall see if I decide to proceed in the future.
Still struggling a bit to make anything feel important. Although it did feel important I be at court for Jason today. I come home and can’t think of a thing that feels important enough for me to do. Maybe that is a good thing.
Grateful Kathy had a great trip and is back home safely, grateful for the love and life of Craig, and grateful I have a bed to sleep in tonight.