We checked in on our taxes but still no word when they'll be processed. It sounds like we're going to have to wait for those to go through before we can put together an offer for the house. More patience is required.
Today I also got the funeral time for my old classmate. I guess his family isn't going to run an obituary, doesn't want flowers or photos, and is just having his friends come to the funeral home for a couple of hours on Wednesday. It seems so weird to me that there won't be an obituary. I wonder then if I qualify to go to his funeral, as an old classmate, do I qualify as a friend? I hate social gatherings, especially where emotions are concerned. But at the same time, this is someone I kind of grew up with, went to school with in grade school and in high school. Someone I distinctly miss, despite not having seen or spoken to him in many years. I'm still struggling with how upset I am over this entire situation. I've lost other friends and family members, and while family is by far the hardest to lose, I'm particularly distraught about his passing. Perhaps it's the manner of his passing, or the thought of him being my own age, or the fact that he had been my first crush, I'm not sure. I was the neighbor's main caretaker for many years in her failing health, and when she passed away last year, I was a little upset, but not nearly as much as I am right now. I'm confused by this strange emotional mis-balance I seem to be experiencing. This is the first person I've known to be lost to suicide. Perhaps that's the issue. Everyone else I've lost have passed away due to car accidents, cancer, or old age issues.
I'm not sure if I will attend his funeral. Since Tony has all week off there's no scheduling issues. It's just a matter of mustering the courage to enter a social situation with difficult emotions. How does an Aspergian prepare for such a thing?
On a plus note, today was above 40-degrees (F) again with all but two days in the 15 day forecast being above freezing (including next weekend's anticipated high in the low 50's!!!). For those not local to central Minnesota, this is unheard of. We're usually holed-up in February with -40 wind chills.
Today while visiting my parents for our weekly family dinner, #3 and #5 went out to sled on their plow hill (where the plow leaves the driveway snow in the back yard). At first #3 went down the hill several times, then she helped #5 go down the hill a couple of times, then they both went down together. I went back to helping to make dinner. When I looked out again, #5 was no longer waiting for the sled, but going down the hill on his tummy like a penguin. Adorable. I love that my kids don't mind playing outside (in fact they love being outside). Shortly thereafter #1 went outside for a walk in the woods. When I went out to call them in for dinner they were all on the swingset playing together. I love it! Peace in the household!
This evening #3 and #4 got their Valentine's prepared for school tomorrow, and having some extras, #4 gave her unused Valentines to #1 to give to her friends. Grandma of course bought each of the kids a box of those cheap conversation hearts. They're so gross, but it's kind of a family tradition. My grandma used to buy a box for me and my brother every year, so now my mom buys them for my kids every year (with no complaints). She said she felt bad for not buying them anything else (a plush toy or something) and I reminded her that we were attempting to downsize. I think we've been doing pretty well at recycling a lot of our waste and not bringing in more stuff we don't absolutely need, and spending less money, but we still really need to work hard on getting rid of stuff.