A beautiful snowy Saturday

Today is a beautiful, snowy Saturday. It is the third time we've had snow this fall. Anna had eight concerts last week, and was going with the Cheyenne Mountain Celebration Singers (aka "honor choir") to the Air Force Academy this afternoon to sing the National Anthem before their basket ball game. However, we just got a call at noon that that has been canceled due to treacherous driving conditions. Last night they sang at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 30 degree temperatures and freezing fog. We went along, and enjoyed the outdoor concert depsite the cold. We saw a few animals enjoying the winter conditions, too.

It has been six weeks since we last saw my Dad, and it was a beautiful sunny Saturday, the kind we describe as "the warm before a storm." We had our first snowfall the next day.

This past week, we moved several pieces of furniture from his house to ours, and I sold a couple of his shop tools to a friend. So, the practical work of sorting, cleaning up, and disposing of Dad's stuff is well under way. It still feels strange to do, but it is not as bad as a few weeks ago. I just put my head down and go on, knowing it is a necessary part of the grieving process.

We are praying we can get his house on the market at the right time, and before the market gets any softer. It is an ideal place for retirees, outdoor maintence free, and small enough to be cozy, yet with room to expand and do projects in the large unfinished basement. I'd like to get it sold before next summer, so I can wrap this probate process up. It is both mentally and emotionally exhausting!

We are aslo trying to get Christmas underway around here. I finally finished the annual letter I began at Thanksgiving. The kids began wrapping some little gifts today, and Lori and I agreed we'd get a tree and start decorating next weekend. So much we want to do, but so little time and energy.