I'm starting to feel like a human being again which is nice. Jack has been with us since Wednesday night.
I got a call from Gracie on Thursday and her toilet was plugged and overflowing and so was the kitchen sink. There was a plumber there to fix the sink and toilet but there is damage to the floors and drywall. She's also been fired from her job. I walked over there after the call to talk to the plumber, I couldn't even talk to her. She was sitting crying and didn't want to talk to me either. Sigh.
We took Jack to the park this morning, down by the river. We had a lovely walk and the trees are turning color. He spent a fair bit of time walking in the bush. He wanted to walk through the bush instead of on the trails. I told him to go for it but to be careful that he didn't get poked in the eyes. He was careful and got tired of walking with his hands up in front of his face. It was very cute.
I planted some bulbs today. I've been meaning to plant tulip bulbs since I moved here five years ago and haven't. Last weekend I bought tulip, crocus and grape hyacinth bulbs, and this afternoon I got them all planted. Jack and the big guy joined me outside and there was water and dirt and some fun with the neighbor boy. We also got a chance to chat with our neighbors which was nice. My neighbor is an emergency nurse and he's done with stupid people too.
Our ICUs and hospitals are overflowing in Alberta, there is talk of the military stepping in to help and or shipping patients to Ontario. Nurses are discouraged and angry but there is a small ray of hope with the new restrictions instituted last week. Masks are back. Vaccinations are becoming mandatory, or at least mandatory if you want to do anything. Gatherings are limited.
I've been reading a lot and making a lot of tomato sauce. I've also booked more time off in the next few months and will see if I can get some talk therapy. It's hard to get help when you feel depressed and then when you're not depressed, you think, but I'm doing pretty good. And so it goes.
My sense of humor and the absurd remains solidly intact though, thank goodness.
Sounds like Gracie could use some therapy too. Oh god. What a mess.
ReplyDeleteThank god Jack has you and that sweet Big Guy. He is going to love you forever.
Oh man. There isn't a lot I can think of at the moment that is more disheartening than plumbing causing backups into your toilet and sink! I might cry too. Actually, no. When we moved here to Golden Grain Farm, we had constant sewer backups in our basement. My poor Scott was beside himself, dealing with the lagoon out back, till he'd finally had enough. Filled it in and got a septic tank; no more problems.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you lay it all out there in your blog and show us what it's like to be you.
Kate
Well, it must feel good to compare notes with your neighbor and blow off some nursing steam! That's a cute picture.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear your sense of humor and the absurd remains! That will get you through.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so sorry for Gracie - that must be awful having your toilet back up! But I'm so glad the little man has you both. He's a handsome little chappie isn't he!
ReplyDeleteGood to know that you are feeling better and that you planted all those bulbs. I love your portraits of Jack and his poppa. Gracie is walking a hard road. How I hope that she will someday be the mother Jack needs. In the meantime, you and the Big Guy are giving Jack what she can't give him. You both show him that he is worthy of unconditional love.
ReplyDeleteOh dear - Gracie without a job! I hope she can secure another job real soon. Poor little Jack caught up in the middle. He never asked for any of this. We have said it before but thank heavens he has you and The Big Guy close by.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to know that this little boy has you in his life.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you find a good therapy option.
Such a tender photo of Jack and the big guy. It sounds as if things are unraveling for Gracie right now. As hard as it is the raise a little boy when you've already done your share of raising, I confess I am relieved Jack has a refuge in you. I'm sorry everything is so hard. But that joke at the end is A-1. Ha!
ReplyDeleteOur county has a 50% vaccination rate. Needless to say, it's a red county, went for the orange man in 2020. At least there is a state wide mask mandate, which is more or less being adhered to. I would really like my booster shot, please!
ReplyDeleteGod, I wish masks and vaccines were mandatory here.
ReplyDeleteHe is very cute! I'm in Washington state and I never imagined the number of anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers. It's so frustrating and discouraging.
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