The Empty Nest (The Sequel)

As the title of this post suggests, our nest is, once again, "empty". For the past three years (+ a week or two) our daughter and her children have lived with us. It was lovely, loud, chaotic, crowded, sweet, hard, and a blessing to be so close to our grandchildren. It was our privilege to be able to help Jess out at a very difficult time, and she slowly but surely worked her way back to independence. They didn't go far, and I still have the boys during the days, but the evenings are sure quiet now.  She worked really hard and is very excited to make a home for herself and her children, one that is just theirs.

As for our house, it's due for some spiffing up, and if I get my way, a major change. I'm not digging in yet, though, as Jess is still moving their things out. While that happens, I'm making plans for painting and floors and am excited to set up a guest room again.

Summer.

This summer has been just so busy. We've had the library reading program once or twice a week, swimming, my sister visited, a trip to the zoo in Omaha, a trip to Sioux City, Jessica's 30th birthday (she jumped out of a plane to celebrate), Wednesday movie matinees, trying to garden (it's a jungle out there. Oy.), Layla had a hospital stay with asthma, Jess had to be in Minnesota for a week for job training, and this coming weekend we're heading to Colorado for a family gathering. Since the end of May I've lost a sweet cousin and then his father, my uncle. It will be good to get together with cousins and our remaining uncle on that side for a day of family and fun.
Perhaps August will slow down after school starts?

I'm still working part-time as assistant manager at the local movie theater, too. Some weeks I work a lot, other weeks not so much. It all balances out.

So, while I haven't been blogging, I do post on Instagram fairly often. It's just day-to-day stuff with the grands and food, mostly. If you're interested - https://www.instagram.com/myprairiecorner/ . I like Snapchat sometimes, too. I'm "prairiegram" there if you want to add me.

I say this every time I post after six or eight months that I'm going to get back to blogging, and I really, really want to, so I pledge to try. I want to share the updates in the house at least. And maybe I'll get back to seasonal decorating again. Oh! I'm teaching three new classes for Community Ed this fall. It'll be fun to share those here as well. I'm excited to put them together. One is about using the Instant Pot (or electric pressure cooker). I love mine and while I don't use it daily, there are some things that I use it for exclusively. The second class is about making your condiments at home - ketchup, mustard, mayo, salad dressings, etc. The third one is about easy holiday entertaining with "dips, drinks, and delectables" thrown in. That one pretty much wrote itself.

See, I can't stop talking once I start. Thanks for reading - I'll be back. No, really, I will.