This is the first weekend without kid stuff in a month, but it brings it's own issues nonetheless. Oven mitt in the middle of the kitchen floor tells me that one of the pointy-tailed elves patrolled house last night. :-)

My credit card consolidation went through this week. Now to pay off the one that is left. Taxes loom - as long as I have kids in college they need to be completed as soon as possible in the year because of the FAFSA. eBay will help with the card payoff so I need to get past all of the distractions and start listing stuff. The sun room is more clear since I recycled a bunch of the boxes in there.

It should be sunny and warmer this weekend, so there is some yard work to do. A friend on facebook remarked that she had a yard full of leaves and did any of us know someone who could come rake? Yes! A neighbor I've known almost since I moved in here. He and his wife take a walk at least once a day, across the bridge and up the hill past us. We talk every so often and have shared produce, plants from the garden, etc. He helped answer questions for Spanish speaking folks during our garage sale last fall and mentioned he was looking for some casual work to supplement his wife's income - he has had trouble getting work. When I first saw them on those walks he was wearing a huge back brace and walking with a walker - but still out every day. He'd broken his back at work, and had some surgeries. He can do the manual work now - and with maturity has the steady pace that compensates for swiftness. Two years ago he completely remodeled their house - new roof, siding, carpentry, painting. He keeps going, even if he can't get a job, so I was glad to recommend him. They arranged for the job on Monday. Nice to help both friends this way!

Better get moving.

SRS