It has been a long week already. Over the weekend I filled in holes around the yard. It took longer than I had expected. First I had to rake the first fall of leaves and then I sprayed the entire yard with this "Earthwise" product that is supposed help break up the clay in my yard. Then I mixed topsoil with some lime (again to break up the clay) and some cayenne and black pepper. The pepper is supposed to help keep unwanted varmits out of my yard. I had a problem with voles earlier in the season--that is actually where many of the holes came from. I turned on the sprinkler system after I was finish and of course, then it rained. It was good that it rained because the "Earthwise" stuff needed to be watered in anyway.

After all that I went looking for something to wear to Grandma's funeral. My sister and my mother called to tell me I would be a pall bearer--my younger brother would be one as well. My brother called me to ask me to bring a coat for him to wear. Unfortunately, my suits don't fit well any more. Saturday night I went all over town to several stores looking for something suitable. Eventually I bought a complete outfit at Kohl's. It was fairly late by the time I got home. The pants were too long and the coat was a little tight, but I figured I would work it out.

Sunday was game day. I went over to a friends and played Dungeons and Dragons. I have been trying to document our game on another blog (Gareth Oldrich in Ados). I am behind in updating the information. Sunday night I did laundry and packed.

I had to get up a 3:00 AM to get ready and catch my 6:00 AM flight to Seattle. The plane ride was actually not bad. I waited for my older sister's plane to get in (about an hour) and then we picked up the rental car and drove to Wenatchee. I was kind of concerned about the drive since I don't really know this particular sister very well. I actually have problems knowing what to talk about with any of my sisters. I usually just let them talk and I listen. It was a good conversation and a good trip. Before I knew it, it was 2 1/2 hours later and we were at our destination. The return trip on Wednesday was just as pleasant.

The funeral on Tuesday was actually quite pleasant as well. I was a little concerned when very few people showed up for the viewing on Monday night. One of my cousins showed up with a couple of my second cousins. My mom's sister and my mom have been estranged for most of my life that I can remember. When Grandma started having problems they were forced to start dealing with each other again. Over the last ten years they have developed a more tolerant relationship. The main point is that growing up we never visited my aunt and I never really got to know my cousins or their families. It was very strange to be in a room with all these relations and have no idea who they were. My aunt's family also has a hard time with death. One of my cousins had a son killed not too long ago by a circus wagon. Her whole family worked at this children's circus over the summer. Her son had not wanted to do it this year, but they pushed him into it. One day as they were unloading something, the wagon toppled over and crushed him. Since they all have lived in the same town together, it was devastating to all of them. Evidently, during a viewing or something, the mortician came out and moved the body and a huge bubble of liquid move around in his neck--they were all very disturbed by this.

Anyhow, most of them did not want to see Grandma lying in the casket. It is weird, but in Washington, they open the casket at the end of the funeral for everyone to get one last look. Most of my aunt's family--including my aunt--left before the casket was re-opened. It was a very nice day for the ceremony and my brother-in-law who is a Chaplin in the Air Force co-presided over the funeral.

After the funeral we all went to my aunt's house to have some lunch. We spent some time getting to know each other and talking about Grandma. I always feel like I stand out at things like this, but it was a very nice time. After that I went back to the hotel and napped. We went to Applebee's (my mom and my siblings) for dinner and then back to my aunt's house to say goodbye. I spent pretty much all day Wednesday traveling.

One of the best things was that I got to see my youngest nephew. He is so cute even if he looks a little like a chimpanzee. My family is not very tall and my poor nephew is very small. He is so cute though with his red hair.

Unfortunately I had to go back to work today. I should have done more at work today, but it is so overwhelming. I am even further behind now than I was before. There is something wrong with this project that I just can't put my finger on. Part of my problem is that I just joined the project within the last month and everyone else has been around since the beginning. Plus, I am responsible for the major piece of the whole thing.

I am going to a friend's house this weekend for his annual Pumpkin Carving Party. I should have a picture of some pumpkins next time.

Carpe Diem
Seize the Day