A real post

I woke up thinking I overslept because my room was so light. Nope, only 7:00. I'm not used to the sun. Yet. It's only after 9:00 and now it's cloudy, but that's OK. I'm up and out. Another day of not being sure of what will unfold. I'm thinking of checking out the new 'town center' area near Annapolis. Emily needs to go to Target and there's one there. Maybe she'll like the idea and that's what we'll do. I felt like I should visit my mom and would have done that instead of this, but she seemed content and anyway, her helper is coming at noon. So I didn't mention anything.

Yesterday was the first Easter in years that I didn't have plans. Emily and I have always been invited to my neighbor's. It's hard to see a tradition end, but life changes and you have to change with it. I just did this and that. I made our new favorite chicken dish with the French's fried onions. Broccoli. Rice. Baked potatoes. Yes, two starches. I sometimes think I'm losing my mind.

So, I've been feeling out of sorts. Probably depressed. Too much time on my hands and no drive. My shoulder bothers me and so does my knee. Not anything horrible or overly painful, but something that could be healed with the right treatment? I need to see a doctor. The Orthopedist thought my knee problem might be a Baker's Cyst. I finally had Emily look it up and it perfectly describes my problem. Fluid behind the knee. I need a MRI. My shoulder doesn't interfere with my work, but it hurts and I really need it and my knee for all the gardening work ahead. Plus I can't swim. Emily is of the age that she doesn't need me for much, and whereas in the past my alone time was fine, it's not so much anymore. That's why I'm here at Panera's. This is a happy place to be alone, and I need to do those things that give me pleasure.

I got to see my GA sister and her family 5 times while they were in town. I know that if we lived close we'd see each other often. They went back to Augusta on Saturday and I miss them already. I booked a week's vacation in N. Myrtle Beach in June so I'll see my sister then. It will be she and I, my mom, Emily and a friend. So we'll be together then.

Picture time!
Sean, on the left, and Heather and Hannah on the right are my brother's kids. They live minutes from my parents. The middle two boys, Jonathan and Andrew are from GA. They have 2 other brothers, both married and dads-to-be, Adam (N.C.) and Aaron (WI). Their sister Sarah is about to graduate from UGA. The other nephew in the picture is Ryan. He's my sister Lisa's older son (Lisa lives minutes from my parent's too). Her other son Eric lives in NJ and couldn't join us. Then, of course, there's Emily.


Just the cousins

My brother and his family

Guess who?

Here's the sibs. I'm the middle girl. Younger sister Lisa on the left, older (but not by much) sister Ilene on the right. My brother is the youngest.

With the folks

Group shot. This time including my SIL Cindy and BIL Andy.

Gefilte fish anyone? I think not.

This looks much better!

And this one just because I think it's so pretty.

Now for a this and that. The goldfinches are getting so yellow. I find that amazing. They're almost the color of the forsythias. The hummingbirds should arrive in the next two weeks. The robins are busy gathering nesting materials. The pear tree is snowing white petals. The trees that aren't flowering are in bud. The grass is getting green. Spring is springing.

Emily got a pet last week. I reluctantly agreed to it. I'm always the bad guy, so I just said yes. Here's a picture of Pica the chinchilla. He lived with us for 3 nights. His cage and supplies are on Craigslist. He was a very cute poop machine.



Em imitating Pica


Well, it's time to move on. Walmart for thistle, then home sweet home.

Happy Monday!