Well. It’s been quite a week, I must say. Or an almost-week. Since last Tuesday. Just a few more days to go. <sigh> It’s been (and is - we still have a couple more days. I mustn’t start missing DS until he’s actually gone, after all) SO lovely having him here. I do miss that boy so when he’s all those miles away in California. Yesterday was really quite terrific. We all had a huge brekkie together, and then everyone (except DH & I) were off to church. The children still attend their father’s church, which is where I brought them quite faithfully when they were growing up, but I’m afraid that my life experience has led me to a less than positive view of religious organizations in general, and I simply cannot do the church scene any longer. Add to that the fact that their father, whom I divorced because of his constant and consistent philandering (I just LOVE that word) some thirteen or so years ago, is still a trustee and deacon there. So, even if I were likely to go to church, it wouldn’t be that one. But for the kids, it’s their “church home”. Many of the same women who were there teaching their Sunday school lessons, leading their children’s choir, serving their little plates at the church suppers are now the church elders, and it’s like having multiple grandparents, I suppose. I know it’s not about choosing their father over me because they have a very limited sort of relationship with him. He was always out in the community posturing and playacting, and had little time for them. Now, they have very little time for him, and his current spouse, whom I’ve met several times, is a rather inane and simple woman. Her virtues include ownership of a big house on the immediate outskirts of Boston in one of the posh bedroom communities where, up until a year or so ago, a tool shed would’ve sold for a million dollars. Not so now, of course - now that property values are plummeting all over the country, but no matter. Enough said on that subject. The kids all went to church.

DH actually had to be up in New Hampshire for a storytelling performance, so while all my chicks were at church, I took a long, relaxing and rejuvenating Mother’s Day bath in that big old tank of a bathtub of mine and then gave myself a lovely pedicure, did a mud mask on my face, and read the latest Harlan Coben novel.

When the kids got home, everyone changed their clothes and came out with me to do yard work. Yep. When they asked me what I wanted to *do* for Mother’s day, they were undoubtedly anticipating dinner out at a restaurant (no cooking; no cleaning up) or, perhaps not, knowing me as they do. I wanted the yard - back & front - terraced with paving stone paths, shrubs, seating arrangements and flower beds, but no grass. We have a stone wall in front, and the lawn slopes upwards to the house. I bought some forsythia and lilac bushes the other day, and the kids all bought bushes and urns and flats and mulch and such, and we worked outdoors from 1:30 until 7-ish. There was me, my son, my two son-in-laws, my two daughters, and my granddaughter (7) with the broken wing, and grandson (6).

We shoveled and raked, mulched and put down pavers, planted shrubs and flower beds, had a grand old time exercising, enjoying the sun, and working some muscles that haven’t been worked in a while. Me, at least. And today I feel like a creaky and achey old woman, but it was worth it. It looks so lovely - and as the bushes grow and the flowers spread, it’s going to be wonderful out there.

DD30 & I went to the market at @ 7:00 and picked up loads of cold cuts from the deli, wheat rolls and cibatta breads, lettuce, tomato, chips, cookies, etc., etc., and we all had (BIG) sandwiches (many of us had more than one, but not me) and sat around visiting and admiring our efforts and each other well into the evening. A most gratifying day. Oh, and on top of all the work and various and sundry plants and urns and other outdoor stuff, I was also given several very *me* pieces of clothing that I shall wear with great enjoyment, and a plethora of cards. I, of course, bought my girls gifts as well. They are wonderful mothers to their little chicks, and it’s only right that their mother should acknowledge and praise them for that.

DS will be, I’m convinced, watching him with his little neice and nephew, a wonderful dad someday. And that feels like a HUGE achievement, considering the poor parenting he got from his father. I am always so gratified and happy to see my children working together, playing together, and just plain loving each other the way that they do. Theirs is a life-long bond that will serve them well as the years pass, their children grow up and they pass into middle and old age. Family ties are, I think, so critical to having happy, fulfilled lives. DD30 and her DH let us know, too, that they’ve decided to try for another baby. Little (broken-winged) Morgan is seven, now, and that’s quite an age gap already with a new little chicklet, but DD30 and my middle girl are seven years apart, and just as close as they can be with each other, and with DS, who is 4 years younger than DD30. So, I’m sure it will all work out just fine. I, of course, am jumping for joy, as I’ve long wanted a new little grandbaby in the family, and had begun to despair of ever having another one. DS and his girlfriend seem very far from that kind of commitment yet. ANYWAY, DD30 and her DH have been waiting until they could “afford” another child, which, as most of you know, never will happen. They’ve finally decided that they have enough savings to see them through - some of you know that DD30’s DH is a Boston high school teacher, and DD30 is a social worker. Both have good, steady jobs with decent benefits, but will certainly never be materially rich. But enough with all that - hopefully, we’ll have another baby on the way soon, and I just can’t wait!!!!!

Today, DS and my middle DD (the one who owns this house) are heading down to Ikea to do a little fun shopping. I love their marketplace, and DD is looking for a coffee and end tables (maybe) for the new, very expensive couch, two chairs and ottoman that she bought on Saturday. (Oddly, she likes to furniture shop with her brother - trusts his taste over her own AND her DH’s.)

Tomorrow I have to go back to work. Bah, phooey! DS extended his stay until Friday, but I can’t take anymore time now because I’ll need it for later in the summer and fall. I’m thinking to go out to L.A. maybe in October, and we’re going down to NC to visit with my sister in August, up with our White Mountains group for three or four extended weekends and probably at least one full week, and I need to *save* a week for unexpected possibilities.

Enough out of me for now - hope all my jewels are happy, well, and having decent weather this week. It’s been cold here.

Hugs,

Z