Just decided that it is time, probably past time, that I put pencil to paper. Actually more like fingers to keyboard. When I began this blog several years ago it was just my way to record random thoughts and maybe record daily life for an atheist living in a small town in the bible belt. Did that for a while and enjoyed the writing and actually had a few folks who liked reading my stuff. Then life happened and I found less and less time and even less motivation to sit and think with my computer.

I retired about ten years ago and for a while had free time for writing, reading good books and enjoying my grandkids. But somehow I got busier than ever. The grandkids had soccer games for me to go to. I spent more time boating and then even more time selling one boat and buying a smaller one that my husband and I enjoy more. We traveled to New Hampshire to visit our son’s family and to Tampa to visit my brother and sister-in-law. I began to spend a lot of time with my daughter to help with household chores and doctor appointments. She had several health problems that ended with her death in 2017.

At that time my 19 year old granddaughter was several months pregnant and going to school full time. We decided it would be best for her to stay with my husband and me so we would be able to help with expenses and with the baby. Her boyfriend also stayed with us and looked for employment, which he took a while to settle into. We made a home for them through school, working at her first job and a second baby when the first was two. Time for them to be on their own, which they are now with the third, and last I am told, child.

About the same time that the second great granddaughter was born our grandson came home to us after being on his own for a while. He made his home with us most of the time after high school with a few breaks to be with his dad or on his own. He was struggling with opiates as well as the loss of both his parents in a short time. He moved out of town for a job but was only gone about a year when he needed to come home. Short version, quit drugs and rebuilt his health, met a woman he loves, got a really good job and the two of them now live together with her son.

My brother in Tampa had cancer of the bladder and had major surgery for that. He was close to death but recovered and is doing well now. My husband had surgery twice during this period of time. So, that is where my time has gone.

Now, just trying to keep healthy and enjoy time for the husband and me. The grands and great grands still visit a lot and need a sitter now and then. Love that part, especially since I get to send the back to their house after a while. Today was a peaceful and quiet Fourth of July for us for the first time in a while and it is nice. We even have plans not to have any plans for tomorrow. Ahhh.