that weekend-feeling

Even though, or perhaps because (?) I worked the evening/night shift on Saturday, I had a great weekend-feeling. When it seems that things have been accomplished and yet relaxing.

Of course exploring random little paths we found in the nearby state park was the most relaxing part. More exciting : after multiple trips to the same store to look at two contenders, we finally decided on a table for the kitchen. It is not round and it is not an island/work station, but with a name like 'boulangerie' (bakery) we had to buy it I think.

It will arrive right before Christmas, a bit of a wait. Meanwhile, I can prep the area (some other furniture needs to move, the walls need some paint, that kind of stuff) and slowly things are finding their place. Multiple donations yet to go- it is unbelievable what one family can gather over the years. From starting out with three high chairs and some clothes and toys...(this story is now family lore: we used plastic utensils from Chinese take-out and had three plates gifted to us by a friend).

The new table is from quite a high-end store (prompting Emma to congratulate us during our phone conversation yesterday, and prompting me to want to apologize and say 'but it was on sale!") which did spark some reflection on where we used to get our furniture over the years and how that has changed...my first dining room table came from my grandparents' attic I believe-

The evening/night shift may have been my last, for which I am glad on some level but also sad. I will miss the potential for crazy-you-never-know-what-you-get-or-can-happen. The distinctly different atmosphere during the off-hours. The - on some level deeply personal- encounters with people in acute distress.

Que sera, sera...(for an excellent analysis of this phrase, I encourage visiting Wikipedia).