It has been a while since I last posted (seems I start a lot of my posts with this or a similar phrase) so I decided to bring you all up to date.  

The summer season is officially over (yes I am quite aware that summer doesn't technically end for some days yet) and the season of real life begins anew.  The young ones are all busy with school, some loving it, others not so much. 

Our official end of summer festivities at the shore went splendidly.  Everyone was there, even Anthony showed up late Saturday evening after his game.  Janet was once again with us and we all had a great time. 

That is of course if one were to discount the fact that yours truly was a tad indisposed much of the time we were there.  Nothing unusual, I generally find myself under the weather about this time of the year.  Though I truly enjoy the autumn season (my favorite next to spring) the onset of the season generally disagrees with my system,  Odd that!  I wonder why it is that I always forget that tiny tidbit of knowledge until such time as it hits me square between the eyes again.

Nonetheless we all had a good time.  I tried my best to remain well pickled throughout the weekend so as not to infringe upon the good nature of my clan.  They, for their part, tried their best to impose upon my own good nature by being insufferably attentive.   I couldn't tell you how many times a day I heard. Need anything Gramps?" or some such as though I were quite incapable of caring for myself while they played.  That was the sum total of our purpose for the family getaway in the first place, relax, play and forget the world for a few.

I persevered however and all was well in the end.  By the time we all gathered for the fireworks I was back to my old self again.  All's well that ends well as they say.

With school under way I find I have much more time to myself and have discovered that I don't like it very much at all.  I much prefer the hustle and bustle of the young ones comings and goings throughout the day.  Of course I have had more time to spend with friends, which I have done to my great satisfaction.  One of my oldest and dearest friends in in a bad way of late and I have spent several afternoons with him at this bedside.    I doubt very much that he will see Christmas this year, so I have taken to singing some of his favorite Christmas carols during my visits.  He tries to join in but struggles somewhat remembering the words.  He does seem to enjoy it though and for that I am grateful.

Ah, my re-retirement.  On my last day at the office some of the staff arranged to have catered a formal tea of sorts.  So we all sat around drinking tea and munching on biscuits.  A fit ending to a man's career I must say.  Not at all what I had expected, but much better by a measure to be sure.

It seems that Daniel and Janet may have a real chance of making a go of it after all.  Janet for her part has made some remarkable adjustments and seems determined to make her family's life more pleasant than it has been of late.  Here's hoping for the best in that regard.  I am optimistic.  It has been decided however that it is for the best that Nathaniel remain with me for the duration.  Daniel suffers over the loss of his son but I do believe it is for the best all the way around.  It is not like he doesn't see the boy nearly as much as he would were he to live at home. 

This weekend I will be attending Anthony's football game on Friday evening, Jason's soccer game on Saturday afternoon and Nate, Aaron and Alicia's band compition on Saturday evening.  To wind up the first full week of school we will all gather Sunday afternoon at the old house for a relaxing day on the grounds putting flowers on the family graves and such.  So not much has changed as far as activity levels, it is simply more concentrated on the weekends with long periods of quiet during the week.

There will be time for rest when I die!