Finish Line Syndrome

 Training / eventing goes from "are we there yet" to ... "is that all there is?"  

Seriously, finish line syndrome won't kick in until the happy couple get back from their honeymoon and Carl has survived his week with Grandma (me).  This photo is from the reception:  the groom's side of the family, plus the bride added in.  On somebody else's phone is a similar shot of the bride's side with the groom added.  Both of them added Carl in for good measure.  He was of course a star at the reception, and all of us who've heard names of the other side of the family finally meeting one another in person after three years of pandemic carefulness!

But it does strike me that a bout of finish line syndrome will be appearing soon!

Speaking of the reception, it was a wonderful time.  Most of the time, others were holding Carl's leash or spoiling him with treats and pets.  He was a great hit with the children in attendance and showed off his tricks to acquire treats.

Meanwhile I sought out Grendalbane, a gaming friend of my son's from the era in which he lived in my basement and learned about teamwork and commitment from a massively multiplayer online game (Ever Quest).  I had never met this gent in person, but on Saturday, I sat with him and his plus one... and chatted about their lives on the Eastern edge of Iowa... they had driven about four hours to honor the couple.

And I was in the same room as all three of my sisters for the first time since we lost our brother in 2019.  "Weddings and funerals", right?  One of those sisters and her hubby drove 8 hours to come.  I'm mega jealous of my niece's hair (on the far right hand side of the above photo... see it's down to her waist?)  She usually wears it up, but on Saturday she had it flowing down in all its glory!  It was so nice to have a happy occasion to gather us together!

Here is Carl showing good manners being petted by Lacey (bride)'s Dad and by his mother.  Since you can't really see her in either of the shots, I offer up two at different angles.  Lacey's grandma lives in a local senior care facility, and they brought her and her power wheelchair over.  So glad to finally meet so many of Lacey's family in person.

The couple had met just as the pandemic was starting up, and so many times plans to get together were thwarted by illness or caution.

On Sunday I got a FB friend request from one of her aunts, whose name I had heard so many times over the past couple of years... families expand!

It was later than originally estimated when they got all packed up and dropped off my visitor.  Both cats are now outdoors, and thankfully the sun has come out and it's warmed up (got down below 30℉ overnight... i.e. a hard freeze).  Carl and I went out to check the perimeter and one of the first things he did was to put his front paws on the ladder to the playhouse.

I stepped up one step to check out what he caught the scent of, and sure enough, was greeted by golden feline eyes.  Rubia has chosen this as her hiding place for the week!

Carl was actually pretty happy to be dropped off.  He seemed to recognize the signs of a road trip in what all was packed into the truck.  He happily bounded into my house, and he's so far been a gentleman for grandma.  We shall see how the night goes and how quickly he settles into Grandma's routine, but so far, so good.

Hugged the kids goodbye and alerted them that they will see snow (Colorado bound), using Paula's report that the weather man in Denver said "off and on through Wednesday"... isn't it great having friends from all over?

At bedtime we'll have the talk about 8 sleeps until mom and dad come back... then tomorrow about 7 sleeps... etc.  

Life is good.  Spark on!