![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mapsedgeAs usual, it was a working weekend, and while it was nice to be out of the office for three days, the fact that I had to spend several hours of it on Work work galls a bit. It's supposed to be a nice relaxing weekend, full of rest and recharging.
Mmmm...except for a few precious hours yesterday, not so much.
I'd thought about going out and visiting Heartland for a day, though ultimately decided against it. Just too much to do around home. Besides, I learned that the single day fee was $60. If that's true (for some perspective, Disneyland is only $15 more and has rides...Worlds of Fun is $20 cheaper and used to have rides) then it's just as well we decided not to. (Which begs the question: if it's true, $60 for what?)
Instead, in addition to the programming for the Day Job, there was yard work and cleanup, general catching up around the home.
Katie is making progress every day toward emotional normalcy, and it is truly amazing sometimes. While she and I were cleaning up a small pile of lumber we happened upon a garden snake. Not a large one, something on the order of 12 to 18", and instead of shrinking away or, worse, running away as would have happened a month ago, she stayed, fascinated. I caught it, got it to stop trying to eat my arm, and eventually was able to hold it for her so she could touch it. When it was time to let it go, she asked to hold it. My girl is finding her courage, and it's wonderful to see.
In other ways, though, she is still a very much younger child, and as she progresses we're getting all of the little developmental quirks in fast forward as her brain and emotions catch up with her chronological age. Sometimes, she's truly bizarre and we have to remind ourselves that she isn't brain damaged...just catching up.
The retaining wall by the garage, that for years served as a very efficient funnel for rainwater into the garage, is gone, replaced with Pavestone™ to match the side garden. I'm building up the yard-side with timber to make a raised bed. (I have no idea what Michelle will plant there, but it doesn't matter: whatever she puts in the ground magically looks great for the space.) Since putting in the stone portion of the wall, we've had three major downpours and the garage has stayed dry. It's hard to express just what a huge deal that is.
Had a great dinner with Star and Tom and Anna yesterday, a quiet afternoon of good food and great company. That, at least, was rest and recharge. God I could use more of that.
And them's the highlights.
Mmmm...except for a few precious hours yesterday, not so much.
I'd thought about going out and visiting Heartland for a day, though ultimately decided against it. Just too much to do around home. Besides, I learned that the single day fee was $60. If that's true (for some perspective, Disneyland is only $15 more and has rides...Worlds of Fun is $20 cheaper and used to have rides) then it's just as well we decided not to. (Which begs the question: if it's true, $60 for what?)
Instead, in addition to the programming for the Day Job, there was yard work and cleanup, general catching up around the home.
Katie is making progress every day toward emotional normalcy, and it is truly amazing sometimes. While she and I were cleaning up a small pile of lumber we happened upon a garden snake. Not a large one, something on the order of 12 to 18", and instead of shrinking away or, worse, running away as would have happened a month ago, she stayed, fascinated. I caught it, got it to stop trying to eat my arm, and eventually was able to hold it for her so she could touch it. When it was time to let it go, she asked to hold it. My girl is finding her courage, and it's wonderful to see.
In other ways, though, she is still a very much younger child, and as she progresses we're getting all of the little developmental quirks in fast forward as her brain and emotions catch up with her chronological age. Sometimes, she's truly bizarre and we have to remind ourselves that she isn't brain damaged...just catching up.
The retaining wall by the garage, that for years served as a very efficient funnel for rainwater into the garage, is gone, replaced with Pavestone™ to match the side garden. I'm building up the yard-side with timber to make a raised bed. (I have no idea what Michelle will plant there, but it doesn't matter: whatever she puts in the ground magically looks great for the space.) Since putting in the stone portion of the wall, we've had three major downpours and the garage has stayed dry. It's hard to express just what a huge deal that is.
Had a great dinner with Star and Tom and Anna yesterday, a quiet afternoon of good food and great company. That, at least, was rest and recharge. God I could use more of that.
And them's the highlights.