Two years ago we returned to our cottage with a sense of renewal - after a challenging six months, Karen was feeling a lot better and going to the lake meant going somewhere that she had never been sick. For two summers, she maintained that stable health situation and last fall we closed up in the normal way unaware of what lay ahead.
This weekend, we entered that time gap again and returned again to a place where the last six months hadn't happened but of course it was different this time. Things that have become part of the new normal at home were in our face at the lake....the empty place at the table or the hook with no towel in the bathroom, and of course there was the time spent cleaning up Karen's gardens to allow for the new life starting to grow. All in all, though it was good to be there, to visit with our summer neighbours, be close to Bob and Cathy, and enjoy some time with Maria and Lisa who were visiting nearby.
The kids had no school Friday so we ventured out together to Super Store (I hate Super Store) and did the annual open the cottage shopping spree (knowing we had to go to that store for the best prices on the supplies we needed). It was a successful, cooperative trip (which was good for two kids who normally hate grocery shopping) then after Kris' swimming lessen and supper we headed off to the lake. They were also both a huge help unpacking when we got there then off to bed. Over the weekend, with the help of our friends, we got most of the opening up routine done, mostly in dry conditions, so things are ready to enjoy when the weather finally cooperates.
The past week was pretty quiet, lots of soccer, a choir audition and the regular stuff - almost anticlimactic actually and the coming week should be fairly calm too - more soccer and Festival of the Arts at school along with the regular work and school.
Thanks to everyone who checks in on us regularly, it really is appreciated. I hope the posts are keeping you regular readers up to date.
Take care and enjoy your week!
Doug and the gang
