Good Bye and Hello

Even though I (and family) gathered to celebrate and wave bye to my brother-in-law, Roscoe, I got to really say hello to my sister who is now in a memory center.  I have not seen her since March and have been sending cards to her.   With this Covid 19 mess, I was so afraid I would not be able to see her.  It was so good to see, hug and give her love face to face. I believe it was good for her to see and be with family as well.

Of course there are fewer times now in life when families gather and funerals are one of them.  It was good to see extended families and old friends.  

In our case, Roscoe was just a down to earth, good person.  I truly believe there is no one that could or would have had a bad thing to say about him.  He was a pillar of our family and the community, not a politician or someone involved with every aspect of the community.  Just a solid member of society.  He was a mentor to so many, especially family members.  He definitely had a life to be celebrated and will be missed in our lives.

 

Sad

 We definitely can all agree that 2020 has not been the best of years for any of us.  This year our family have lost many members.  I have lost a sister and brother-in-law.  In-laws have lost members of their families as well.  

My sister (Peggy)  had been fighting various illnesses for quite a few years.  She was the youngest of eight and was outrageously crazy funny.  She had a lot of hard parts in her life, however, she became a very beloved nurse and found the love of her life.  Her death was not a surprise, yet even knowing the time was slipping away we are never really prepared for death.

My brother-in-law (Roscoe) was more of a brother than an in-law.  I always said that if you would look in the dictionary (I refer to the dictionary a lot when a lot of young ones probably have never held or looked in one) under good, Christian man, you would find a photo of Roscoe.  He was also more of a father figure and my kids thought of him as a grandfather.  I did not get back to Indiana to see him before he died.  However, I talked to him on the phone a lot and felt his pain through our conversations.  He was tired and fighting the body's aging process and I know that God definitely was there for him.

When you are young and your whole life is ahead of you, death is not a thought.  I often wondered what older people were thinking about....I'm old and death is closer...how much longer will I live...when will I die.....those types of thoughts.  Being my age now I know that those thoughts do enter your thinking.  You are continuing thinking back on the years and things you did, people you have met...the good and the bad in your lifetime.

The one thing I heard once and have repeated many times:  "Thank God for your past, good or bad, because it had gotten you to where you are today..." 

Update

House is coming along great.  We have found one major problem, closet space.  There is a huge garage so will definitely have to put in some cabinets to put some overflow items.    Was thinking on having a garage sale with all the extras, however we have decided it is just too much work at this time so lot of items to be donated.

Not a fan of Goodwill lately.  I hear they do a lot of good but I also see that their prices have gone up, really high in some locations, and everything (Everything) they sell has been given to them.  I understand that it is still a business and they have expenses, however their business is not to get rich.

Wow, just looked outside.  It is raining and blowing and the leaves are coming out of the sky as if they were snow flakes.  I have traded the Arizona dust for leaves.

Well, need to get back to the boxes.

Feelings

I had a very good friend tell me that  by moving I have left a hole in their heart.  I didn't think about that earlier but it is true.  You think about that when someone dies, but moving away from family and friends does the same thing, both ways.  Yes, we are all just a call and text away from each other but it just isn't the same.

There for a while I thought I was not a people person.  Someone that needs that interaction.  I realize now that that is not me. Maybe at times you just want to be alone.  However, overall, I love interacting with people.  As they say "...she knows no strangers..."  I can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime...that is if I really want to.  And, some of the things I say...usually in a question, compliment, answer or statement.  While walking the dogs I always acknowledge other walkers, bikers, etc.  But, I am definitely going to need to get out there and meet. 

Illinois/Moving In

Moving is not shown as FUN in the dictionary!!!!

My grandson, Joseph, had three of his friends help unload the trailer and truck.  They were great...very nice, respective and fun young men.

 Now it's putting everything where it goes and weeding thru two house full of well, almost everything.  definitely going  to take time and patience.

Our dogs, Olive and Gizmo are getting along and have become buddies.  They love all the smells while walking

Illinois:

GREEN!  I have been walking the dogs three-four times a day.  The neighborhood is really, really nice.  A couple of blocks to a lake, nice walking paths and streets and I love the houses and trees and yards and fall decorations.  Temperature is a bit chilly at night but up in the mid to high 70's.  I know, the snow hasn't started yet and I will deal with that at that time.  Got to get used to the area and the streets/roads but I have seen a lot of little areas that I can't wait to just walk around.  So far neighbors are very friendly and I can't wait to meet them little by little.

Oh, those that know me know that I am a patio/outdoor person.  I LOVE my patio.  I am basically in the basement, the bedroom is the front of the house with a dividing wall making  the living room is to the back with a walk out patio (above is the main floor deck) which is basically covered and it's paved.  Can't wait for spring and starting a raised garden and plants.

More to come

Trip From AZ to IL

 Wow...U-Haul.  On August 26th I reserved a 26' truck and a car dolly.  I sold sooooo many things for this to work.  The night (NIGHT) before I was to pick up the truck I get a notice there is a problem  I did not see this message until really early on the 30th, when I was scheduled to pick up.  They sent me to Maricopa to pick up a 20' truck.  When I got there it was not available because it was broken.  Was supposedly noted on the main U-Haul "traffic" center.  So ended up getting the truck at the U-Haul center on Gilbert Rd.  Had to rescheduled twice the Two Men and a Truck packers that morning.  After having them load the truck I had to cancel the car dolly and rent a trailer to pull behind the truck.  The packers were now gone and my son and I loaded it.

Next morning I pick up son-in-law at airport, fill up the vehicles, yes, the truck and car because now I have to drive the car and double the gas cost.

I'm sure you can tell by reading this that U-Haul is definitely on "the" list.  The personnel were actually just trying to help me and I do think it is their system that is broken.

Trip was good except for a flat tire in Missouri on the trailer.

So, left AZ on Thursday, October 1st and got into Mundelein, IL on Saturday evening, October 3rd.