The Times They Are a-Changin'

For this post, I'm going to start (instead of end, as I often do) with a video.  Grammie and Grandad are folk music fans and were a young married couple in the sixty's when this anthem was written.  It's about the civil rights movement and, since change is unavoidable, is relevant to everyone.  It's by one of Rob's favorite composers Bob Dylan, who performed it at the White House in 2011:

At the end of March, Taylor broke up with you Alex.  It was a shock, here is part of an email I sent you a couple days later:  "Taylor has your special person for a long time, and (I think, eventually) you will have fond memories knowing that you grew up together as young adults.  She's a good role model in some ways, you complimented each other and I know you enjoyed doing a lot of things together.  It's good to recognize what she has meant, and you are grieving for the loss of it.  But as you've matured, seems that she's not the right partner for you anymore."  Although sad, you told me that you had not been able to imagine marrying or having kids with her.  And said you had almost broken up with her about six months ago, and with encouragement from Uncle John found a note you had written to yourself then about issues within the relationship - which are still on point.

After the initial adjustment, over the last 6 weeks you've said you are now are feeling less stressed, are sleeping better & are definitely enjoying extra time with your friends.  In particular Jeff, who was Taylor's mother Julie's boyfriend until they broke up early this year, and Tyler.  It is nice for me to have you living with us, however long that may be until you get your your own place (maybe buy a home).  And during this time, good things have happened !  You were promoted to HR Business Partner at Azek where you've worked less than a year.  Shortly after that you had a fun business trip to Chicago for a Human Resources team meeting/training event.  Plus, you bought a much newer car (replacing my asphalt gray Camry which had become your car & held up for you the past 7 years+ although getting beat-up lookin') - a black 2019 Ford Ecosport with very low mileage.  Steve shopped with you, and when you picked it up I heard directly from the salesman at Key Ford, Exeter that you got a super deal.  😁   Here's a photo posted to Facebook by the dealership:

Rob, you have been released by the workers comp. agency and completed a final round of physical therapy focused on your neck.  You seem to be ok with lifting heavy items and have been walking/doing exercises every day.  Also, you're working to adjust your sleep schedule.  It's great that you are no longer having trouble with light sensitivity.  We completed your FAFSA for the coming school year (yuk, but at least it's done.)  You've spent a couple weekends visiting Grammie and Grandad with me recently.  Summer job hunting is coming up fast.... 
.....after our vacation in Edinburgh Scotland, which we leave for this weekend.

In other news, Steve is doing yard work (his favorite!) - though flower planting will wait until we get back from the trip.  He was very busy over the past couple months finishing a bathroom remodel job that was completed carelessly by a local fixer-upper guy named Pete who worked with a helper named Warren.  Steve did a crazy amount of trim work and painting/re-painting in the front (your) bathroom with wonderful results.  Last thing was getting carpet on the stairs, so they are safer and quite attractive.  Here is the first of our family to try out the new decor - Rambo doing roll'ies !!

In other family news, Grandad is dealing with Parkinson's symptoms and is most comfortable at home.  He and Grammie are always happy for company, so I've been visiting them every month.  Aunt Julie and Mark sold their home across the driveway to Kyra and Mike, as they've moved to Phoenixville.  Alex, you are lucky to be getting a number of things they no longer need - a canoe, large desk, shelf unit that Mark built, end tables and much kitchen stuff including a lovely set of dishes.  Kyra and Mike got engaged last fall at Longwood Gardens, they haven't made any wedding plans yet.  Meagan and Anthony got engaged at Lake Jean while staying at the cabins in December, they're planning to marry while on vacation in Greece next month.  Noel started 9th grade, I still can't believe he's in high school.  And lest we forget, Aunt Julie's dog Blue had 9 puppies last October.  They were so adorable, and now Aunt Di has adopted one of them - a girl named Sage.

Last, but never least, here are more pet photos.  Our boy Oren perched on the back of the chair I'm typing in.  Also a pic you sent me, Rob, of snoozing kitties one Saturday night at Aunt Pam's where you played with Freddy, and kept him & Wolfie well fed while she was away.