Apples and Pumpkins

 First, I'll start by saying that last Friday I had to take my dad to the hospital for a minor back surgery.  Because he was under sedation I had to stay with him for 24 hours.  It was weird spending the night in the bedroom I had spent all of my teenage years, as if I had never left it.  Aside from taking care of my dad I had to keep watch of my mom, who is handicapped from a stroke and in late stage Alzheimer's.  She was in bad shape that day.  Totally out of it and fell as I tried getting her from the wheelchair to the car.  Thankfully, a nurse and a bystander helped get her up and in.  I went home on Saturday and my dad is healing up.  It was exhausting and I'm glad for a three day weekend that followed.  My son is home on fall break and classes start back up tomorrow.  Today was back to school for the girl and back to school van driving for me.  

Yesterday my daughter and I spent some time at a nearby orchard and picked apples before walking through a pumpkin patch.  We picked more apples than we needed but it was fun.  The weather was beautiful for it.  

We enjoyed a good conversation and quality time together.  I love my girl.  

This weekend was tough for her.  She was feeling really down through the entirely of it.  Finally, I found out that her "friend" group got together and did not include her.  Again.  She's been having this trouble with them for a long time.  We talked about it in the car and I told her it's best if she let's them go and finds new friends.  I mean, she does have other friends, but this particular group is not good on her mental health because they do not treat her well.  These are friends since elementary/middle school and it's difficult to let go but I cannot stand to see her hurt by them over and over again.  Every day I pray she finds good people.  I may not think the friendships matter but she's a girl that thrives on being surrounded by people.  While I'm perfectly fine with being a loner she isn't.  She told me she had a good day with me and I'm glad I was able to cheer her up.  

Today I'm back in the swing of a normal routine - house cleaning and grocery shopping.  

Oh, last Thursday I turned 48.  It was a day like any other.  I did get treated to a delicious Italian meal after watching my son in his race and then was gifted with some new books and a gift card to Hobby Lobby.  48 doesn't feel like a big deal.  Just a few year from that half century mark ... yikes!