YOU'RE MAD, BONKERS, OFF YOUR HEAD! BUT I'LL TELL YOU A SECRET . . . ALL THE BEST PEOPLE ARE!"
Alice Kingsley from "Alice in Wonderland"
I guess I am quoting from a lot of children's movies or books, but they seem to describe how things are going lately.
When talking to my sisters and brother Ken, we are all agreeing that everything that we have planned for the funeral tomorrow has fallen wonderfully into place. A few have worried that things are going too smoothly for us, but I say "HOORAY", we'll take it! We are all trying to take the attitude "Whatever it is, it is and all the worrying in the world can't change it." The weather is supposed to be nice (the day of Mother's funeral it rained buckets).
I couldn't get my preacher for the service, so Murdoch's arranged for Pastor John Albertson from Faith Lutheran to speak. Jill and I met with him yesterday, and he offered up a brilliant poem for me to read after the eulogy. It's called "CLOSE THE GATE", and it is definitely for a farmer's services. I'll try and get it on the blog in the next day or so.
Uncle Everett and Ann have flown in from Georgia. There is only him and aunts Kate and Alberta left from that clan. It will be good to see them all, even if it takes a situation like this to get us together.
After leaving Jill yesterday, I went to the salon and purchased another "Roschelle", but in a little deeper color. I had had to order the first wig, and this one was in stock, in the same style, just darker colored. Roschelle was getting a little tired of being worn every day, and the wind has just been horrible to her. (oddly enough, people talk about Roschelle like she's a real person). See what I mean about people being mad and bonkers? :) When Jeffrey, the salon owner, was assisting me with the wigs, he just snatched each one off of my head and tried another. It didn't seem to bother him that I looked like an 80-year old plucked chicken. I guess he's seen it all, with the brisk wig business that he does. Anyway, I appreciated that he didn't flinch or faint at the sight of me. I can't imagine how long it is going to take to grow my hair back. After Wednesday, I'm charging full speed ahead and concentrating very hard on producing a nice "crop" this year. Sister Judy has a friend whose hair grew back dark and curly. I don't care if it is orange and half-curly/half straight. I'll take it. I do find that wearing a night cap while sleeping really does keep my head warm and comfortable, and makes me feel somewhat presentable. There is no way in the world I would just go around bald. You really have to have the right shaped head and the right hutzpah attitude to pull that off.
Jenna gave me some of Alec's school pictures. I asked her what in the world was going on with his nose! Evidently he decided to flare his nostrils when the picture was taken. He even showed me how he does it. What a character! My Abby likes to spread her toes out, which makes them look like a hand since her toes are so long and thin, She loves doing that just to creep me out and hear me holler "EWWWW!".
My Dan will be here tonight. He is one of the pallbearers. It's quite a drive, but I'm glad he is coming. He'll also get to see the girls. My dad always talked so well about Cate and Abby. They kinda got to him.
I need to sort out some more pieces of Dad's John Deere tractor collection. We are doing a display near the casket with some of his J.D. stuff. We even thought of bringing in a bale of hay to be part of the display. I believe my friend, Sue Becker, and her family did that when her beloved son, Nic, passed away. They did a magnificent job displaying all of his farm awards and pictures, and such. It really made an impression on everyone. (Nic's grave is just a few steps away from where Dad will be buried). Whenever I go to the cemetery to change the flower arrangements for Mom's grave, I always step over there and make sure Nic's flowers and stuff hasn't tipped over and everything is nice and straightened up
Well, better get crack-a-lackin' and get some stuff done. I also need to go exchange some pantyhose I got yesterday at Kohl's. I wanted off-black and I came with one pair Granite and thje other pair Flesh colored, neither color I want to wear. Sigh. By the way, have you seen the price of hose lately?????? Nuts.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.