nothing new

I am not really sure what to say. We are moving along. Kinda numb just one step at a time kinda thing. Its been over two weeks since Laura died. I am not sure if I should say Laura died or passed or passed away. To me it is easier to day died since it seems more real and permanent, but that has taken people aback so I have said passed away more this week while thinking died in my head. Semantics were always important to her.

I really resisted putting her obituary in our local paper. (more local politics about the local paper than anything) But in the end, she was a public figure: store owner and on the Astoria School Board, so Cathy, Ani and I wrote one.  Ani and I fought over it as we were at each-others throats the week after she died. In the end, the obit reached people I wanted to know and it was the right thing to do.

Ani and I are doing well as far as our relationship is concerned.  We are both stumbling along numb.  Tim too finds it hard and the dogs are a mess.  The dogs are driving whoever is home crazy with their needyness.

Ani is keeping her room in Portland until Oct. 15 and then moving back home full time. She is finishing her PSU Geology degree with an online geology class from the University of Oregon.  I started back at work full time last Monday and am currently doing a SAT Test Prep workshop for high school students.  The students are taking practice tests while I type this...  Tim is still painting houses but plans on stopping soon.

Ani, Tim and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary at Buoy Beer with burgers and fries. We toasted Laura and her tenacity to put up with me for so long...

I am borrowing a cider press from a friend late today and will press apples and pears tomorrow for my 2019 hard cider vintage.  It will be a fun and yellow jacket filled affair I am sure.

One step in front of the other and see where it leads us.

 I plan on having Thanksgiving at our house cause its one of my favorite holidays and then do Christmas/Hanukkah somewhere else.  Maybe on a beach but we have not gotten that far.  At least I can plan to tomorrow now and not just dinner tonight.