On Wednesday it
was our first full day back. We were going to go to the vet to finish up
business but he was off. I honestly cannot remember what we even did this day
other than go out to grab a bite to eat and poke around doing something
mindless like walking around a mall like zombies. It was one of those types of
days.

Thursday I worked a little in the studio on Paige’s Shrine. I decided to
use a lovely Asian inspired box that I purchased at ROSS, in their home
section- go figure. I had bought it about 3 months ago and didn't’t know what to
do with it. Funny how things like that work. I started to sand it down so that
I can faux age it and alter it. I then started to disassemble it. I really want
to change this into something a little more like a portable shrine with a place
to put a little bowl for offerings- you know- to put like things that I find
around the house which were hers or things that make me thing of her. I then
went out to look for a pretty glass urn to fit inside. After several days I
think I narrowed it down to 2 things. I will have to see what I choose in the
end.

Thomas went to the Vet’s to pay the bill. It was pricey as she had always been-
$1100- But he stopped charging when she had the emergency care and had to be
put down. I was going to go see her one last time on Thursday. I chickened out.
I couldn't’t do it. I was afraid to see her like that. Frozen and no longer
alive. It was too hard. Thomas saw her and said it was for the best. I still
wish I did have one last time to pet her and to let her know I was there. That
is something that I am going to have to learn to understand and deal with. I
regret not seeing her- even perhaps not saving her until we could get home. Of
course it is all still so new that I have a hard time putting perspective on
it. It all happened so fast.

What is the other thing you can
always rely on besides death? Taxes! Yes- so Thomas went to see our accountant
and it was rather refreshing this year. He is also going to help up with some
future ideas and plans for the business.

Friday we decided to get away to Zern's Farmers Market in Gilbertsville
PA. It was a very odd market with lots of junk stuff and vendors. It took us
about 2 hours to get there but the drive was nice. I found some fun things to
use in some art so it was worth it. Later we went to Have dinner at King of Prussia mall. We ate at a nice Asian
bistro.

On Saturday, we ran some errands in the afternoon and then met up with
Jason and Lisa for dinner. We then went to Wegmans Food Market. Jason
and Lisa had not been there before so it was a mini adventure. Finally we ended
up at Starbucks for coffee and then to their place to watch DVD’a. We got home
about 11:00.

Finally yesterday Thomas and I got up and went out for brunch. We bought a new lawn
mower and some things for the house and I bought some potting soil and some
seeds. I got home and went right outside to work on cleaning. What a JOB that
turned into! It has been since fall that I have even went outback to deal with
all of the mess and debris. All of the leaves which have accumulated around al
of the bags of yard stuff and the things like old clay pots and dead annuals
from last year which have been sitting in denial.

I attacked all of it! It is all clean and reorganized
and empty. I then went and did the same thing to the back yard where the
shed used to be and cleaned and organized it too. Finally, I went into the new
studio and swept the entire space and bagged up all of the things that were
left behind: Old wires, metal pipe, Styrofoam bits, cardboard boxes, a smashed
light bulb, left over bags from workers lunches… All of it is gone- it is now
one BIG nice clean space. Next on our plate for the studio- Etching the
concrete so that we can paint the floor. Then we will buy plywood, paint it,
and attach brackets to it for shelves. After we install all of the
shelving we then will start to assemble the work tables and then bring in all
of the art stuff. Oh- one last thing about yesterday, I planted peonies in a
large container next to the studio. I love them and I think they will be nice.
Once I figure out where I want things to really live, I will plant them into
the ground. In the meantime we are waiting for the people to call back about
scheduling the date of the driveway redo. It will be the last of the big
construction for now. Flowers can be planted after then are finished.

Was that long winded or what!

I need to get busy working on some art. I have some deadlines coming and I
really would like to get cracking on it.

One last thought before I go:
I must tell you this- my other 2 cats have changed a great
deal since the passing of Paige. They know things are different. They stay very
near us and they have become lap cats in 10 short days. It is amazing…

They know~