I can't believe that it is already been a week...
After a pretty restless night, my day started out with cleaning. I am really not myself because I. HATE. CLEANING.... That is why Irwin once got me a t-shirt that says “Cleaning and cooking is for people who have not discovered knitting yet.”
A friend of Irwin's from the past called me back yesterday evening and I was very emotional after the call and therefore couldn't really sleep much. The two of them had lost contact after Hurricane Katrina happened. The friend lived in New Orleans and his house, where Irwin and I spent one Christmas back in 2002, was destroyed during the hurricane. They haven't talked to one another in a very long time and I wanted to reach his friend and let him know about Irwin because they had been very close friends back then. It is so sad for me to tell all his friends that he is gone.
So this morning, I was thinking of what to do with myself and I started out cleaning the two porches we have. The dogs kept me company and played in the backyard. After that, I decided that I wanted to put some of Irwin's books away - which have been laying around in the living room - in boxes for the basement. I just can't look at them at the moment. Eventually, I will also have to decide what to do with his books. He got a lot of them and they are all in excellent shape. I am thinking about donating them to a public library. Any other thoughts?
Then I went knitting with Jen to Jacquie's house who hosted a little knit-in and Jane, Diana and Regan joined us. It was just the right size of a group without getting overwhelming for me. I am so grateful for my knitting friends. What would I do without them? We chatted and knitted for a few hours and it took my mind of Irwin.
Maybe that is one of the reasons why I am a lot calmer tonight. I think it is because things are starting slowly to fall into place. Or maybe the glass of red wine is helping, too...
I compiled a CD for Irwin's sister with all of the pictures I could find on his computer of him. As you can imagine, there are not that many because he took mostly pictures of me and the dogs and he also didn't like his picture taken.
This one I found with my SIL on a stack of memorabilia from his time in Texas. He was crazy about fast things – like roller coasters and cars. And so he went skydiving one time.
I love this picture with his big grin. Even tho’ the strong wind is helping to make him smile like Steve Martin. ;-)
If you care to look at more pictures, I created an album on Flickr.
I am going to work tomorrow for a few hours to check on things and I will also let my laptop get set up so I can work from home.
Have a good night – I am trying to go to sleep now.
Comments (14)
I hope you had a lovely night's sleep. The picture of Irwin skydiving is fabulous! Wind or not, that is some grin.
Posted by Jane | June 30, 2008 12:09 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 00:09
glad we could help! it was so good to see you again today. sleep well!
Posted by evilsciencechick | June 30, 2008 1:34 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 01:34
Love the picture! Have you thought about releasing his books into the wild? http://www.bookcrossing.com/
Sleep well Claudia!
Posted by Ashley | June 30, 2008 1:54 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 01:54
I have been a lurker on your blog for quite a while. My most sincere condolences.
The photo of Irwin skydiving is wonderful.
Another choice for book donation is a local college or tech school. They usually don't have the funding public libraries or larger schools have. It would be a wonderful memorial.
Wishing you peace.
Posted by GailR | June 30, 2008 5:39 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 05:39
Claudia, thanks so much for sharing the Flickr album. When you said you didn't have many pictures, I expected 6 or 8. That is a gorgeous set of pictures! I think I agree with you about my favorite shot, but there are many beautful pictures of Irwin and of the two of you together. The kindness in his smile and the tenderness between the two of you comes through very clearly in the pictures.
Posted by Angie | June 30, 2008 6:04 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 06:04
I'm glad to know that you got some friend time yesterday.
For the books, Ask Yahoo! had a good answer.
I looked through your photos of Irwin. They are beautiful. My favorites are the ones taken in the gardens where you guys are holding hands and aren't aware that your photo was being taken. Those photos are so sweet.
Posted by Katey | June 30, 2008 8:05 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 08:05
Here's the link for Ask Yahoo!
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031014.html
Evidently, your blog is smarter than I am!
Posted by Katey | June 30, 2008 8:06 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 08:06
Claudia - those are some GREAT pictures! Thank you for sharing them with us. It is nice to see the man that I have been listening to you talk about! I'm glad you had knitting time with the girls - that helps tremendously I'm sure.
Posted by Knit Witch | June 30, 2008 8:51 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 08:51
Lovely pictures, Claudia. Take it easy today.
Posted by Janice in GA | June 30, 2008 9:47 AM
Posted on June 30, 2008 09:47
I enjoyed looking through the photo album! Thank you soooo much for sharing it with us. I hope the "easing back into things" goes ok today.
Posted by Meg | June 30, 2008 12:56 PM
Posted on June 30, 2008 12:56
Thank you for sharing the beautiful, beautiful photos of Irwin and others in your family. It gave me a sense of who he was, and thus, of what you have lost.
I saw a library book recently that had a lovely book plate in the front that read "Donated in Memory of... " Maybe you could do that if it seemed good to you.
Thinking of you often and wishing you peace.
Michele
Posted by Michele | June 30, 2008 1:49 PM
Posted on June 30, 2008 13:49
I second the "donated in memory of" for the library that Michele suggested. I am always touched when I see those.
Hugs and peace to you today.
Posted by tulip | June 30, 2008 1:54 PM
Posted on June 30, 2008 13:54
I'm glad to hear you've had some knitting & friends time this weekend. Thanks for generously sharing your collection of pictures too.
I can help you with donating the books if that is what you decide to do. If you just need help getting them boxed or sorted, I can help you with that too if you would like me to.
I hope work wasn't too stressful for you today and it went smoothly. The laptop idea is such a wonderful gesture of kindness by your boss.
Hugs, Doug
Posted by Doug | June 30, 2008 7:00 PM
Posted on June 30, 2008 19:00
Hi Claudia,
You don't know me. I am a fellow knitter, and read about your husband's death on Jen's blog.
Please know that this stranger has been thinking about you all week, and sending you thoughts of healing and grace and humor; as needed.
Posted by Marcia | June 30, 2008 9:58 PM
Posted on June 30, 2008 21:58