Sunday, September 17, 2017

Getting back to normal......





Everything is back in place after Hurricane Irma.  I am so thankful it is all done.  After the whole yard and outside furniture clean up I still had a few things to do, replacing Dinah was one of them.  You can read about this precious doll here.   Dinah was carefully wrapped in a towel and placed in my closet for the duration of the storm.  She rarely is out of her glass case, so before I put her back I took a few close up photos of her.  My older boys think she is the creepiest doll ever.  I did too when I was young.  The boys don't understand the history behind her even though I have told them a million times.  Is it boys, or maybe all kids don't seem to appreciate the precious mementos of our ancestors?  They are so digitally engaged, have they lost the importance of our past?   Dinah is so delicate, and frankly she has aged way better than I have.  Look there is barely a wrinkle on her face, not bad for being over 100 years old.  If you have to take one precious thing with you what would you take?  Well that is besides your family, lovely pets and important papers.  My answer is always Dinah.



It is amazing how funny I feel when things are not in place in my home.  When we were getting ready for the storm Little Buddy said, "Mom, everything is out of order!"  Yup, it sure was, but now I can walk around and see everything back in place, hooray!  So many people in Houston, Mexico, Florida and the Pacific Northwest are still suffering.  And yet another senseless bomb in London, you have to wonder when all this chaos will end.  All we can do is help when and where we can, send positive energy, love and money if possible to those in need.  And of course put things back in order.  A new week at work and school starting again tomorrow will help.


You would have thought with all the time off work I have had that this Envision Cardigan would be complete but it is not.  Every time I went to work on it before, during or after the storm I just could not stay focused.  There was too much to do with everyone here at my house.  And when I got everything all sorted out I had loads of paperwork to catch up on.  So yesterday I made myself sit down with it for a few hours and start the ribbing.  I am off a stitch so it does not look like actual ribbing but I kind of like it so it will stay this way.  My own design flaw I guess.   Even though I swear I hear my yarn calling me from my stash, wanting me to come and play, I am refusing to listen.  I need to complete this sweater before I can start anything else.  I think this beautiful yarn deserves a finish after trying four times to make something with it before.


My darling Max is exhausted.  The storm really took a lot out of him.  He woke the morning of the storm coughing and vomiting.  He kept at it periodically through out the morning until I finally gave him a pain pill and he settled down.  The next day it was the same but to a slightly less degree in intensity.  He does not like children, but did well with the little ones at the house.  Still he must have been exhausted.  During the storm we would take him out when it seemed like there was a slight lull.  He would always look around very concerned, almost frozen for a bit until he would finally turn and come into the house.  This morning he fell and did not eat his breakfast until well after 11:00.  I am keeping my eye on him and as always I tell him I love him and to tell me when he is ready to go, I will honor him with the respect and dignity he so deserves. 

Okay, have a wonderful week my friends.  Stay safe wherever you are.

36 comments:

Babajeza said...

I try not to worry too much, but it is hard sometimes. I was worried about my son, we had a terrible accident with students involved ... I had a headache for four days. Finally the weekend and finally time to relax. Let's hope, this week is going to bring some answers and be quieter although I have a lot of appointments besides school. Grrrrr! All the best to you and your family! Regula

Blondie's Journal said...

I can't fathom what you brave people went through-I get agitated in a thunderstorm. I'm glad to hear you are back to some normalcy.

Your Max is precious. How old is he? I think all we can do is give them a comfortable end and know they had a good life.

Jane x

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Gosh I've just read your previous post, even though you survived largely unscathed it sounds very scary, I'm so glad you are all ok. Poor Max, I hope he settles down a bit.
Love the photo of Littke Buddy with his sleepover pals!
Jillxo

Jo said...

Oh Max, poor boy. It's so hard seeing our furry friends come to the end of their lives. Glad you're all sorted out again after the storm, I do hope that Max will settle down again now.

Araignee said...

I am the same way about putting things in order even if my order looks like chaos to most. Since I got home last night, I've spent all day getting the man kooties out of the place. Seven days away is too long for me to be gone. The place is a disaster.
My poor old dear departed doggie threw up all night when we were sitting out Irene. I wonder if it had something to do with the pressure or just the stress. It was a terrible time for her-and me.
Dinah is just too precious. She has aged very well. I always wonder what is going to happen to my family heirlooms when I am gone. Not one of my kids has any interest in the dolls or the quilts. And as for all this china I've managed to inherit-ugh.

mamasmercantile said...

Thrilled to hear that there is some normality after the terrible storm. The world seem to be in chaos with fires, hurricanes and terrorist attacks I do keep wondering what is next? Loved seeing your precious doll, I think mine would be photos. So sorry to hear about Max, hopefully he will settle down now the storm is over.

Teresa Kasner said...

I'm so glad that you have everything back in order. We cannot say the same. Today I plan to hang some of my artwork back on the walls.. it's looked so forlorn with the nails empty. Poor Max.. he's having a rough time. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this. You love him so much. You're in my thoughts and I'm sending love your way. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Clicky Needles said...

Poor Max. Glad that you came through the storm all ok.

CJ said...

Dear Max, how lucky he is to have someone who adores him so very much. I am sending him my very best wishes. I can imagine how nice it is to have everything neatly back in place after the storm. Your outdoor area is absolutely lovely, what a great place to sit and enjoy the plants. Wishing you a good week Meredith. CJ xx

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Dinah is creepy and lovely all at the same time! I love things with history - I think it's part of the reason I've gotten back into quilting - there's just something about using a machine you know was used by other generations.

Mac n' Janet said...

Our cat was very unsettled during the storm too. Glad you're getting back to normal. Can't believe there's another storm out there lurking.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

My house is still a mess as I had Sara and the Grands here on and off all week. Their power got restored late yesterday and until then they were here to eat, bath and sometimes sleep. I'm not use to that much noise in my little duplex. I loved it but whew, the quiet is nice. I'll get some things cleaned up tomorrow. Glad you are getting back to normal. Sweet Max! Love to all.

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Gosh I've just read your previous post, even though you survived largely unscathed it sounds very scary, I'm so glad you are all ok. Poor Max, I hope he settles down a bit.
Love the photo of Littke Buddy with his sleepover pals!
Jillxo

Betsy said...

Poor, sweet Max. He looks so exhausted. Sending my love and prayers for him and you too. You have had so much to deal with lately. Love Dinah. I would probably also grab my old doll that belonged to my grandmother. She hasn't aged nearly as well as Dinah but she still means so much to me. My kids think she's creepy too and would swear she was watching them.

I'm glad things are settling down a bit for you now and hope they stay that way. We have rain, blessed rain, predicted for this week. It's been 93 days since we've had rain and it's needed so badly. Unreal considering the flooding down your way. And it got below freezing the past two nights at the lake. We had to turn the furnace on when it reached 40F. I'll only be stubborn so long. Usually we wait until at least October to turn it on! I hope you have a lovely week, without much stress my dear Meredith.
Blessings,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

My step-mother-in-law had a doll very much like yours. Her name was Clara Emma and she had a wicker carriage that she sat in. I know my step-MIL was quite fond of her. I *think* it was her doll when she was a child, but it might have been her mother's.

I have a wrist watch that belonged to my granddad. I still wear it and it keeps perfect time. It is probably from the early 40s.

Otherwise, I'm not very sentimental about things.

Caffeine Girl said...


Wow, you got that cleaned up in record time! It must have been a ton of work.
How nice of Max to put up with the chaos and the children. That can't have been easy for him.
I admire your commitment to finishing projects. I'm trying to develop that skill.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Thank you Meredith for updating and sharing. Hugs, prayers and more hugs. Love Joy

Christina said...

Poor sweet Max! He is so lucky to be in your loving family. I am sending him some good dog vibes across the ocean.
I am sure it must be wonderful to be back to normal. I often think we don't appreciate 'normal' enough, until the time is not longer 'normal'. Thank you for this reminder. I am glad you are settling back into a routine. I have to admit, I find Dinah a little creepy.... but I do understand that she is an important part of your heritage. Lots of love xx

Jo said...

It must have taken a lot of hard work to get yourselves back in order. You have worked very hard. Ah I feel for your dog. I am at the puppy stage where the dog is quite annoying but I can see that over time when he becomes our family companion I will feel the same sense of caring that you do. Love Jo x

Bridget said...

Please give my sweetie Max a kiss from me, and tell him I love him and that he is a good boy.

Take care, Meredith. xo

Nance said...

I hate when things are Out Of Order. It makes me edgy and nervous. Here's to Boring Old Normal.

Vera said...

Wow! that was fast getting things back in place. Sweet Max - hoping he is ok.

Delighted Hands said...

I felt the same way with everything in upheaval-it was all out of order!! We have most of the 'stuff' back in place.
My DH arrived home from his storm duty for a week and it is great to have him back! He will be working on the pool pump that went kaput with the generator as the power source!
Sigh. Glad Dinah is well, too.

kathy b said...

Oh My goodness. Goldens are the most sensitive souls. Im sure he was so worried during the storm. Bless his golden heart. You wont' let him suffer, Of that I'm sure.
The doll is perfect. I wrote about Troll dolls today.
What I'd save? This is hard....
oh the kids christening gowns?

The Well Fed Wheel said...

Your cardigan is really coming along nicely. It's looking really good too. Poor Max does look storm weary. Some of mine get terribly upset with storms too. It's almost impossible to calm our little Sophie during them and now that she's older we really worry about her health from it. Not looking forward to Maria at all.

Melanie said...

I'm glad your house is back to normal now - you're not the only one that feels out of place when things in the house are in disarray. And poor Max...it's so easy for older animals to get stressed. You are such a loving fur baby mama. xoxo

Lisa said...

Having things get back to normal must be such a blessing. I am such a creature of habit. Order and routines are very calming for me. Max is so beautiful. I hope things being back to normal are helping him too.

Pradeepa said...

I'm go glad everything is back to normal now. Dinah is precious and certainly needs to be preserved. My son thinks all dolls are creepy. Poor Max!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I'm glad you are back to "normal" life. Old dolls can be spooky looking but keeping it is a good thing for history sake. Sorry that Max isn't well and sad to read of his decline. Pets are special in many ways and hard to see them go. We are finally getting rain and it's nice and cold as well! I've got a blanket on me as I didn't get a sweater over me yet. Thankful for fire fighters that got to go home becuz of the rain in the gorge where there were lots of fires going on. I like the air here now. But clouds look different and funnel cloud close that makes one be a bit afraid. Will see what happens! Blessings and have a good week.

Joyful said...

It sounds like you are recovering very nicely from the recent hurricane and all the chaos it brings. I am sorry to hear poor Max is not well. I hope he will feel better real soon. Dinah the doll does look a bit scary to me too, lol. But my goodness to have her look so well preserved at her age is really remarkable and I can see how much she means to you. I'm so glad she was spared for your sake. Hugs. xx

Needles and Wool said...

Your doll is lovely, but it is a little creepy, I would have been scared of it when I was a child too haha. Good it was safe from the storm! that is good you are back to having everything in order and back to normal. Aw poor Max, it sounds like the storm was hard on him. I know how you feel it is so hard to see them get older but as you say, we should honor them when it is their time to go. Hope that he still has more time with you all and this is just from the storm. I hope you have a good week to!

Judy S. said...

So glad your weathered Irma OK and you're mostly back to normal!! That doll of yours is interesting; we have a very old doll dresser that belonged to my great g'ma that's a special piece. You're right about kids and family stuff; I think you have to be a certain age before you start to appreciate "old family stuff." Thankfully we've finally had some rain; the trees and firemen are very happy. Hugs!

Summer said...

Hi Mere I am glad things are back in order for you. So sorry Max isn't feeling so well. Also, your cardigan is nice.

Mrs. Micawber said...

Dear Mere, I'm so relieved to know that you and yours made it safely through the storm. Hang in there dear friend.

Gracie Saylor said...

You are a wonder in using your time so well and accomplishing so much during difficult times like now after the storm, and with Max's health declining. Sending you love, Mere. xx

Jodiebodie said...

Hi Meredith,

I feel terrible that I haven't managed to leave a not on your blog throughout all the storms and dramas. I did get to read your news on my phone but, I don't know, my attempts to respond to blogs through the phone never seem to work properly so I hope you haven't felt like I was ignoring you because I most certainly was not.

I was very sad to read your news about Max for the first time today but it is a relief to see that you are able to put your home back in order and find some sanity amongst it. I did wonder whether the storm was a catalyst for Max's decline. Animals seem to sense these weather and geographical changes acutely.
(In parts of the world with rumbling volcanoes, the animals all knew to disperse well before the people were evacuated! Animals know what's what.)

Anyway, I am rambling now, but just want to say thank you for the updates because so many of us have you in our thoughts, even if we don't always manage to get to the comment box properly.

Many hugs to you and yours - you have all been through so much xxxx