adjusting

There is always a period of adjustment after I return from a trip. The time change of course, though I was so tired that I slept long and hard, so there wont be much jet lag this time around. The unpacking -- that too. It's weird to be unpacking for a three month stay -- that's how much time I have left at Sally's house. For example, do I find spots for items purchased (because this time, I did add two tiny pillows and two tiny dishes)? But I know they wont be of much use this spring. So it's a careless temporary placement of items that have meaning to me. Feels odd.

Too, it feels super strange to be in Sally's House without a dog. I moved here for Henry. And then Sadey. She is still at Camp K9 because I could not pick her up late yesterday. And we are in a period of dog transition. There's some movement this week (I think) as to who stays where and when. So I'm dogless for the day, but maybe not for long? I don't know yet. Feels odd.

Then, too, there's the weather. The always confusing, always unpredictable April weather, and it does feel like April here right now. Indeed, today it feels like June. Warm. Before the storms move in tomorrow. And the cold returns. I suppose that in itself isn't weird. It's just April.

Here's a nice thing: I did return to a super clean house. For the past 15 years, I have always felt compelled to wipe down a mess or two or three on the day of my return. And the next day it would continue: tidy up, inside and outside. No such tidying needed here! I left the house in a state of total neatness and thus is remained. 

I unpack, I sit down to breakfast. It's actually warm enough to eat outside on the Sally porch, but the view there is so ugly (garages and a mound of dirt on the lot next door) that I don't see the point. I stay inside. 

There's much to do of course. Boring stuff like laundry. Building a new dog crate. Working out a budget for the month. And here's a sweet errand -- a drive over to the farmette (all of two minutes away so why didn't I walk? I do not know...), to see if anything is blooming. And it is!

More errands: Send a package, take over some Snowdrop stuff that somehow made it to my suitcase. And pick up the kids.

But it isn't a normal pick up in that I cannot bring them to Sally's House. I leave them at home and go to Camp to pick up Sadey. 

By all accounts, she had a wonderful stay. Pictures show her playing with dogs outside and snuggling with caregivers inside. Her report card was full of praise. She is such a sweet pup when you give her that ounce of freedom, when you dont ask of her to keep her woofs to herself. Still working on figuring things out for her. For this pup with a heart exploding with affection for her people! Easy to befriend. Easy to love. 

 

From Camp, I have to take her to the vet (for a booster shot)...

 (who is driving this car anyway?!)

 

... and then, finally, we're back at Sally's house. A house that is empty without a dog in it. Tonight, Sadey rules here once again.

with so much love...