March Musings

Spring is here in Texas, with blooming Bradford Pear trees and daffodils popping up everywhere. Pansies grow in profusion and soon there will be bluebonnets (the state flower) covering the hillsides. After lots of recent rain, the grass is coming up green and will soon need bi-weekly mowing by our lawn service. Toby (our six year old dachshund) and I walk every day and are enjoying the mild weather before the summer heat sets in.

This week also marks the last day my adorable grandson Noah will be five. Tomorrow is his sixth birthday party and excitement reigns, with plans to have friends join him at an indoor gym/entertainment center for kids. I'm baking cupcakes with Toy Story picks atop the frosting, so it should be fun (and very noisy). Noah is at such a fun age right now. He is obsessed with Pokemon cards, loves Fly Guy books and has an endless supply of energy. Noah still comes to our house each morning for breakfast and to be dropped off at school. Three days a week, we have him after school and the other two, he goes to a nearby sports center for games and activities.

I see less of Lena and Booker than I would like, but they are into their own activities these days. Lena takes the school bus each day to the sports center, where she is learning volleyball and basketball with her best friend Olivia. ​Some days, I pick Booker up after school, so he can hang out with a family friend I also take back and forth to school. Like most preteens, they are busy texting on their phones but also like to play board games or shoot baskets in the driveway (thanks, Uncle Pete for the new backboard). We have Sunday dinner at Hannah's so everyone can see each other at least once a week. Once our pool is open for business, everyone will be over here lots, which will be fun. 

I'm waiting for my next freelance assignment from Nemours and have begun reaching out to other organizations to drum up additional business. It relieves boredom, since I seemed to have flunked retirement, and gives me an opportunity to earn a few extra bucks. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the warmer weather and slower pace.