Our weeks are usually quiet and placid and fairly solitary, but not last week. No, not at all.
I could tell you all about it—after all, what is more “hands at home” than family? But it’s all so personal, so full of people you don’t know . . .
A week by the numbers:
- 2 house guests, a wonderful sister and a delightful teenage niece
- 1 college visit in another state, with 1000 questions to ask
- 1 day trip to another country, with 600 sights to see
- 1 birthday, of 75 years
- 1 anniversary, of 3 years of marriage, for my mother and her husband
- 1 death of a beloved pet
- 10,000 dirty dishes in the sink
- 1 family picnic, gathering 40 relatives, most of whom we haven’t seen in 40 years, amid many inches of rain, dozens of shared dishes of food, hundreds of fond memories, and lots of new Facebook friends
It all equaled 7 intense days of life.
A week by the emotions:
- Anticipation
- Stress
- Pleasure
- Nostalgia
- Joy
- Frustration
- Grief, deferred
- Excitement
- Anxiety
- Relief
- Letdown
- Love, lots of love
It all equaled 7 intense days of life.
Love Those "Hands at Home" 
Oh my Dear Kerry, what a roller coaster of emotions!! I was just on my way out and was side tract by your post..not that I mind;0)
Most of it sound like good fun but I am sorry to hear about your beloved pet.
Remembering what you told before about your friends and family, I am sure you had some help with those dishes. So now, sweety, go and rest on that great deck chair and enjoy the spectacular view and probably fall a sleep right away! xoxoxo Johanna
Thanks for your sweet concern, Johanna–it always makes me feel better to hear from you! I have had a week of unprecedented laziness and quiet so far and intend for it to continue.
I think you need a days filled with crafts to recover from your intense week 🙂
The crafts were definitely missing from last week–part of my problem, for sure!
Almost like the 12 Days of Christmas. Definitely time for some crafting, as Crooked Tracks suggests.
Yes, I need to get back to the regular schedule–I got some lovely and understated linen thread in the mail, to start my next weaving project.
I will look forward to seeing that project.
wow, what a week! I hope the next several days have blanks on the calendar so you can relax and recover.
These last few days have been blank and relaxing, indeed!
Good! rest and restore. 🙂
What a perfect storm of activity you had. I suggest a few days of lazing about to recover and reminisce.
I’ve spent time with a lot of photographs from last week and much of it looks quite nice, in retrospect!
My deepest sympathy for your beloved pet I hope the grief abates soon, after 7 days of emotions both raw and fulfilling I wish you a very quite event less week ahead xx
Thanks for your thoughts–I miss my cat a lot (and I know you understand such loss). This week has been uneventful so far–just the way I like it!
Oh dear, what a week! Wishing you a relaxing week to come, dear Kerry. I’m so sorry to read about the loss of your beloved pet. ❤
Thanks, Dina–I’m getting some time this week to process everything and calm down. Kind comments, such as yours, help!
❤ 🙂 Thanks, Kerry!
That’s life!….as they say. Nice way to sum it all up. We could all write a book eh? Take care Kerry x
Yes, the circle of life, I guess. Thanks for stopping by.
That sounds like a whirlwind! I bet it feels great to slow down and wake up to a quiet house. I’m very sorry to hear about your beloved pet, so hard.
If I was more used to whirlwinds, I’d have been okay. But the contrast to our normal, very placid, life caught me off guard. Placid has returned . . .
There you are living life to the max and experiencing everything it has to offer in the space of one week – WOW! I am sorry for your loss, and hope the coming week will be quiet and contemplative and still filled with love xoxo
Thanks, Pauline–this week has been quiet and contemplative, which, of course, allows time to think and deal with all the emotions I was putting on hold last week. I’m working through it all!
Kerry, I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved pet. But hopefully some of those other activities have helped to lessen the sting of that loss somewhat. A pet shares your life day in and day out and I know how difficult that loss can be.
Thanks, Susan–I’m sure you’ve been through the loss of a pet and understand. All the activities of the week reminded me that life goes on but also meant I sort of avoided the reality of the loss until this week. He was a great cat.
Such a loss is always a heartbreaker but, when in the midst of a whirlwind, the wound is felt even deeper. Take a moment, step back, breath deep and give thanks for all the blessings surrounding you and that will become a soothing blanket of healing and rejuvenation. Hugs…………………..
What a perfect comment. I’m taking the time this week to do as you suggest and it really is making a difference.
I know I speak from personal experience when I say that losing my “attitude of gratitude” I make my life quite difficult!!! Squeezy hugs comin’ at ya, dear friend…….
Lots of wonderful things there, Kerry, but also sadness about your critter family member. Many condolences on that loss.
Thanks, David. It’ so nice of you to come by and add your support!
So, so sorry, Kerry, about the loss of your pet. Sending you healing, peaceful thoughts.
Thanks–I think I can feel those kind thoughts right now!
I love the way you find so many fresh ways to combine content and format – whatever your subject matter of the day is, I always find it interesting, but what makes your blog stand out for me is how you change formats from day to day, to find a structure that complements the subject matter.
Now I just hope this comment doesn’t get put in the spam folder for being too general and referring to your blog as a whole! 🙂
What a nice comment! I hadn’t even really thought about the things you’re describing but I’m pleased to think that it works out well! You’ve been experimenting with some similar creative approaches, too, right?
What a week! Hoping that this week is less eventful for you. (Not sure that counting up dirty dishes was such a good idea;)
Counting dirty dishes is never a good idea, especially pans in which oatmeal has been cooked. This week has been almost entirely uneventful (and oatmeal-pan-free) and I feel better already!
Oh the yin and yang of life..for every joy..a thousand chores. Would we have it any different? xxxx
Given the choice, I might have it a little different . . . 😉
Wow, sounds like you packed a few months of living into just one week! That means you get to take some time to “recover” and renew your strength.
I have spent this week, so far, being totally 100% lazy. It feels good!
That sounds busy! 10,000 dishes sure is a lot! The photo you posted of the pinky sunset is really beautiful. Is that from your picnic? xx
No, the sunset is from our yard, earlier in the year. The picnic was completely flooded with rain! But we all huddled in the small house and got to know each other better!
Whew, what a busy week! Life is like that sometimes.
Yes–I’d like to have these events spread out more.
Yikes, that’s a lot of dishes!
It was–I got a little cranky as time went by . . .
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What a hectic week, indeed – definitely takes a lot out of a person. I’m glad you’re now able to have a few moments of quiet and rest. I’m very sorry to hear about the passing of your cat, it’s so hard to lose our furry companions. Thinking of you.
Losing a cat would be so hard in any circumstances. It was made more difficult, of course, by having company and not wanting to ruin their vacation by having a complete meltdown. Thanks for your understanding!
Oh my, this sounds like my just-ended busy-busy. So much family, so much love, so many dishes… And immediately preceding the family event was a long-anticipated school reunion with members of my 8th-grade class. In fact I had to cut that short to scurry off to the family. And I held in my arms after so many years one of my very best friends through high school. … And right now I’m too tired to fully appreciate it all, instead feeling sad and lonely and done in. Tomorrow will be brighter…
I was thinking that your week sounded as full and intense as mine had been. I’m a definite introvert–I can enjoy all the people and drama while I’m in the moment but then find myself completely drained and lifeless when it’s over. Then I need quiet time to find myself again . . .