Our backyard

Last summer when we visited family on Lake Champlain, there were nine of us staying in a little camp building that could not have been more than 650 sq feet, and that might be generous!  Honestly, I was pretty much only inside to do the dishes, help with any cooking, and to sleep.  Otherwise, we were outdoors.  There was so much space outdoors that I remember all five adults being out one afternoon, and none of us were anywhere near another.  I remember sitting by the water one afternoon, and falling asleep from the peacefulness of it all.  It was truly inspiring to Andrew and me that there was so much more life outdoors rather than indoors.

I have never loved the outdoors.  In fact, heat and humidity are major triggers to my migraine headaches.  At the same time, sitting outside on a gorgeous weather day brings more peace than I can explain.  Our backyard is so private and peaceful, and I really decided I wanted it to be a place I enjoy being.  We can't afford an oasis, but we can make it enjoyable.

It started two years ago or so when I moved our porch furniture onto our patio.  For many years after we moved here, we used it as the furniture in our sunroom.  However, that room has a very fluid purpose, and decided to use the furniture as it was intended.  It makes a lovely little sitting area on our patio.  We moved the picnic table that had previous sat in that spot to underneath a tree.  I don't love eating outdoors, and it's really just extra places to sit when we have people over.

Last summer, I also purchased an early birthday present for Andrew and bought him a hammock.  He had always wanted one, and I found one at an end of season sale.  It was an unbelievable discount, and since we counted it as his birthday gift it was truly win-win!  It is located in a very shaded spot and both Andrew and Thomas love to spend time in it.

Our garage had been the home for five years of a porch swing that belonged to my parents.  My mother had no place to put it, and I was happy to take it off her hands.  Andrew built me an amazing a-frame for it last summer, and it is just in front of the woods by our fire pit.

Today we continued our quest to trim and work in the yard, and the focus today was on the backyard.  I planted some more flowers, and we did a great deal of mulching.  My favorite part was that Andrew trimmed back the ferns I hate, and I can't get over how much better it all makes the yard look.   We have a hanging basket and memorial wind chimes (from his brother's service) hanging on shepherd's hooks just outside our big family room picture window.

I love our backyard.  It is so peaceful, and I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be able to spend each day enjoying this little tiny peace of earth.  In fact, I am enjoying the beauty of my backyard as I type this!

An early (but gorgeous) Sunday morning

Catherine had to work at 8:00 this morning, so I was up just a bit after 7.  Yes, she is old enough to get herself going and take care of getting out the door, but I am a mother, and I get up in case there is anything she needs from me.

It is an incredibly gorgeous morning.  Right now the temp is only 55 degrees, and the sky is nothing but blue.  We have some more yard work to do today, and then I hope we are able to just relax and enjoy our day.  It is beyond gorgeous.

The weather could not be more beautiful

We are having a couple of absolutely gorgeous days right now.  There is no humidity, and the highs are in the low 70's and upper 60's.  It does not get better than this!  Our family spent the day today planting flowers and putting down twelve bags of mulch.  I truly hate this chore, and I almost always have a migraine when I do this no matter how much I hydrate.  Today though, was perfect!  It was even cool enough that I could wear a long sleeve shirt which truly helps to keep down on the sun exposure.  It was fabulous!

We are supposed to be at the beach

Today is the day that we are supposed to have arrived at the Outer Banks.  We booked this trip at Thanksgiving last year.  It was supposed to be the last big trip as our family of four.  Not that there wouldn't be more, but this is the last one we could really guarantee that Catherine could go with us.  The North Carolina governor opened the bridge two weeks ago, but we made the painful decision not to take the trip.  There was no guarantee that the restaurants and attractions would be open, and vacation is too expensive to be able to not enjoy it the way we want.  It turns out that some things have opened up, but we were able to get over 90% of our money back.  This has also turned into a crazy busy week, and the kids would have had to miss a lot of important things, so it truly is a blessing that we didn't go.  We are all a little disappointed, and a little bit of longing for the beach has occurred.  This was definitely the right decision for us though!

Skunked

Our sweet Abby got skunked.  Thank goodness for Andrew and the kids.  I could seriously vomit right now!  Thomas took her out for her last evening trip, and she ran after a skunk, which then sprayed her.  Oh, this is awful!

Where did spring go?

I really kind of feel that we just jumped right over spring!  I don't feel like we had a ton of really nice days, but there were some.  I think we just had so much rain that even if the temps were decent, we weren't really getting outside much.  And now, it's in the upper 80's with a heat index of ninety degrees.  I am NOT ready for this!

Our own cemetery trip

On Saturday I mentioned to Andrew that I would like to visit some of the cemeteries even though the family wasn't making their annual trip.  Andrew was all for it.  Catherine had to work early, so we were up and at 'em anyway, and we made Thomas get up and join us.  As a bonus, our sweet pup came along.  

We headed north, and our first two stops were the cemeteries we usually visit with the family.  A set of my great-grandparents are buried in the first one, along with many, many family members.  The second one has my great-great grandparents, and I am named after my great-great grandmother.  Next we drove to the cemetery in my home town where my more immediate family is buried.  I was a little emotional, as my aunt and grandmother have such fresh graves.  They are buried in a set of eight plots, and my father is there as well.  Not too far from them is my paternal grandfather.  I miss all of them so much.  I tried looking for my great-grandparents that I know are there, but I'll have to ask mom about them.

We then visited the hot dog stand where they take orders by car-hop.  It was a perfect meal for Memorial Day weekend!  As a child we loved eating there, and the treat was always a root beer float.  I didn't allow myself this time, but we got one for Thomas.  They have great hot dogs, and our sweet pup enjoyed a few treats of her own (both human and dog!).

Our final trip took us even further north where most of my dad's family is buried.  I was able to find both sets of great-grandparents that are buried there, along with a set of great-great grandparents, and several sets of great aunts & uncles.  I know there are even more relatives there, but I wasn't able to locate them.  Everyone was getting hot and tired and Catherine was due home from work in another hour or so, which is how long it would take us to get back so we headed home.

It was a bright sunny day (although very warm) and it was very soothing to me to make the trip.  Thomas and Andrew were especially excited that at the last place we were able to find the grave of a Revolutionary War vet.  We then hung out with some friends, and it was a nice way to spend our day overall!

It is still a little scary out there

With most of Ohio re-opening in the last week, I've been out and about a little more.  I'll be honest, it is still a little scary.  I am completely fine being outdoors, but indoors at a store does cause me some concern.  I would be much more comfortable if more people were wearing masks.  I've also noticed that younger people especially are congregating in groups and there is absolutely no social distancing happening with them.  That means they are exposing themselves more, and if they are around me they are also exposing me more.  I am grateful for having options, to a certain extent, but when things were closed, I knew people had most likely been around many fewer people than they are now.  It's a little unnerving, but we are doing our best to be careful!

Things I will miss this weekend

There are many things I will miss this weekend.  Usually there is a large gathering of some kind by someone we know.  That certainly can't happen this weekend, and we understand that.

This is a weekend I associate with my Dad very much.  When we were kids, my dad would take us and we would spend a couple of days with my grandparents in Coldwater, MI where they had a summer place.  Oh goodness, those are some of the most precious memories!  It's funny, I don't ever remember it raining when we made the trip.  It was always just wonderful.  As an adult and a parent myself, so many years we were able to take the kids and spend a day with him at his cottage.  In fact, the very last trip there was over Memorial Day weekend, and Thomas caught his first ever fish.  So many wonderful memories from those visits!

I am also missing the family gathering that would have happened this morning after the family made the annual cemetery trip.  We didn't go last year for a variety of reasons.  Now both Aunt Cathy and G.G. are gone.  I'm not sure if this is something that will continue or not for the family, but I have such awesome memories of our family eating breakfast together on the Sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend.

I am missing not only those no longer with us, but those that I just can't hang out with these days!

The end of the school year and beginning of our summer

I have to admit, this school year ending has been rather anti-climatic.  After all, we've all been sleeping in for months now, and there hasn't been so much activity happening that we can't wait for a slower pace.  In fact, we would love to have a few things scheduled.

I've been so, so sad about some things though.  Like most, I am sad that this special group of young people graduated and I didn't get to say good-bye.  As I told someone this morning, in many ways it is so unfair that this graduating class, who is so full of such amazing young people, had to endure this.  But then I mentioned that if any class could handle it with grace and dignity, this is the group.  This class isn't special because it happens to have my daughter in it.  My daughter just happens to get to be a member of this incredibly special class, and that has been a tremendous blessing.

The end of this year has brought about so many emotions about my "job".  Being a parent has been my #1 priority, and that will continue.  I'll be down to just one at home though.  The future of my paying job is so incredibly uncertain.  Will there be a need for subs if the school is 100% remote?  The latest thought was using all of the buildings as k-6 spaces and 7-12 would be all online.  That would mean Andrew would be home Thomas for the entire time.  I could continue to sub for the younger kids, or go get a different job since Andrew would be here.  I can do that.  But watching the teacher tribute video the other evening reminded me that not only do I have the best co-workers at the high school, so many of them have become friends.

It was tough for me this spring to be missing all of the same things that the "real" teachers were missing, but having no class of "my own" to contact or reach out to.  I don't know if I get to work with these teachers or teens in the fall, or if it will be younger, or if I need a different job.  I hate the uncertainty, but so many others have life problems that are very, very much worse.  I just feel a little loss and without direction right now, but I also feel confident and have faith that things will work out just as they are meant to be!

Our graduated daughter

I am so proud of Catherine.  Of all of my kids, she has always been the best student.  Honestly, she probably had the least natural talent, but her work ethic was top notch.

As I was putting together pictures for her graduation celebration, I noticed how so many times she was standing between her brothers, usually with her arms around them.  I know sometimes she is the one in the middle because she is the "middle child", but sometimes I know it is because she is often the "bridge".  The boys are 4-1/2 years apart, and she is the one in the middle that "bridges" the boys together...not only their ages but the personalities.  She is the one who wants to quickly take action to keep the peace (as long as she isn't the one melting down in the first place).  When we had so many rough years with Robert, she would so very often come to me and ask if I needed a hug.  During those years when I might mentally be wondering if I should've even been a parent, she always managed to let me know that she thought I was a wonderful parent and that she was grateful for me.  She is truly a caregiver.  She always has wanted to take care of her little brother, even if he didn't particularly want her to do so.  Her way with animals is second-to-none.  I can't even describe it.  Catherine is one of the most caring people I have ever met in my entire life.

Of course as her mom, I worry.  I worry about how easily (terrifyingly!) she can be influenced.  Sometimes I think she is a parrot as she repeats opinions she hears from Andrew and me.  I am terribly concerned about how naive she is about almost everything (at least that is what it seems).  She has never been one that has really been good about processing the world around her, and while I know I can't protect her forever, it causes me a great deal of stress and worry about her.

Catherine's attitude about this entire end-of-year situation has been fabulous.  My cousin had asked how she was doing, and I replied that she really had handled everything really well.  I think part of that is the fact that Andrew and I have remained calm about things, and again, she tends to "parrot" our responses.  Honestly though, our job as parents is to guide our children to see that life isn't always fair, and that it is mentally healthy to accept that and move on.  It is okay to be sad and to grieve, but it won't change anything and we can't get "stuck" in what has been lost.  She has had that exact attitude, and I'm so proud of her.  It truly struck my heart the other evening that she even commented that she was glad she was able to share the experience with us right there with her rather than sitting on the floor while we were in the stands.  I'm very grateful that she is grateful for us.

There are so many more things I could say about her smile and her goofiness.  I truly can't describe the joy she brings to our lives.  She is fabulous!

The graduation ceremony

In another post, I want to tell you about my amazing graduate.  But that will be a post entirely of its own.  Right now, I just want to write about our evening and the ceremony, because I don't ever want to forget.

The beginning was a little chaotic as it started very late.  They wouldn't start the tribute videos that were supposed to be first until the Board of Education finished their meeting, but the BOE didn't realize that.  Oops!  A video was first shown as a message from the teachers, and then some candid videos of students were shown.  There were then lots of speakers, and then the slide show of the graduates.  It was so nice to be able to see the pictures, although I really, really wish I could've hugged so many of the students in person.  Overall, I really thought it was all very special.

Our friends arrived just as things were starting (which added to the chaos).  Once we all get settled though, we were so very grateful to have them with us.  They really helped to make the evening special.  Catherine even told us how much she enjoyed getting to experience all of it with us rather than sitting on the floor while the rest of us were sitting in the stands.

Afterwards, we had some dessert and Catherine opened a few cards that had arrived.  Honestly, it was truly a lot of fun, and I'm so grateful that Catherine enjoyed it as much as she did.  I know so many people worked so very hard to make sure things were special for the students, and I think they succeeded.  It was truly a special evening!

Graduation Day

Today is the day that Catherine is graduating from high school.  I have so many thoughts and emotions about this, but I want to save all of that for another day.  Today, I am just all about celebrating the happiness that this day brings.  We have ordered Chick-fil-a catering for the evening, made some home made mac & cheese, chips, and a friend is bringing veggies and fruit.  I also bought a giant cookie and Thomas will decorate it, and we will have some brownies.  We hope we can get a family picture or two as she will be wearing her cap and gown, but we'll just see how it goes.  I am so proud of my sweet girl!

A rainy, wet, and dreary Tuesday in May

It has rained pretty solidly around here for the last 24 hours.  Nothing fun about that at all.  There is a damp chill in the air, but also humidity.  I don't have to leave my house today and for that I am grateful.  Andrew isn't so lucky as he is at the school helping to collect baseball uniforms.

Andrew posted his last school assignment yesterday, and Thomas seems to be finished as well.  It is kind of hard to feel "excited" about the end of school, because not much is really changing.    It is all just so surreal in that regard.

We aren't really sure what our summer is going to bring.  We cancelled our vacation that was supposed to begin in about ten days.  We had only paid the deposit, and it appears as though we have a chance at getting that back.  The Billy Joel concert we were supposed to attend was rescheduled for next year.  We plan to try that again, and it appears as though our lodging will allow us to transfer the money paid to next year as well.  Thank goodness!  The pool won't be open until late June at the earliest, although they are still going to try to get in a summer swim season.  I am hoping our family will enjoy walks, some time at the state park beach, and things like that this summer.  Because my working is up in the air (and will certainly be reduced if at all) we are hoping to be a little more frugal, but want to enjoy our time with the kids.

We are cautiously optimistic that Catherine will be able to begin school in a "normal" environment in August.  I am so excited for her, and also very grateful that while she will be on her own, she will be close by.

This dreary day causes me to want to sleep, but there is much work to be done!

The middle of May

It was an early start to our day since Catherine had to be at work at 8:00.  This seems to be her new normal, and I don't love it, but since we get to sleep in the rest of the week, it's not that big of an issue.

The state is slowly reopening, and we all try to figure out our "new normal".  I still haven't been anywhere except the grocery, although there are some errands I will need to run tomorrow.  I have some trepidations about being out in that way again, although I plan to be as safe as I can.  We are also starting to see people again.  We were chatting with our best friends Friday evening, and I mentioned that if they felt comfortable, they could come over Thursday evening and watch the graduation with us.  I explained no one else would be here, and they jumped on the chance to see us in person!  We also had friends invite us over last evening, along with another couple, to have a bonfire in the backyard.  It was wonderful!  We have a fire pit in our back yard as well, so we look forward to being out there in the evenings as well.  It was awesome getting to be social again!

School officially wraps up this week.  I think Thomas might be finished in most of his classes.  This has definitely been a school year to remember!

A day all about our senior

Today was a day that was really all about our senior.  Part of the graduation ceremony requires that each graduate submit a photo of the student in the cap & gown.  They wanted the students to be creative and even allowed the use of "props".  We had her clarinet and senior swim sign and stood in front of the high school.  We also took pictures of her dad handing her the diploma just as we had with Robert, although this one we were able to stage a little more.  We really enjoyed taking the pictures, and we will select one to send by the weekend.  After that, we drove around town to see where senior students might live.  We can identify them by the signs put out by the Boosters last week.

This evening were the senior awards.  The guidance department basically just announced the names and Catherine was allowed to log in via a meet.  She was awarded a scholarship, and we are very excited for her.  It's a small one, but we are very proud she was able to get it.

At the end of the award ceremony, they announced that a billboard had been put up by a local realtor with the first name of each graduate.  It was literally just around the corner from us, so we went up and took some pictures.

We really had a lot of fun celebrating her today.  Even though this isn't the way it's always been and certainly not the way we imagined it, it can still be fun!

Picking up the cap and gown

Today was the day that Catherine officially turned in anything school issued and picked up her cap and gown.  They had it all set up so that you just drove the route around the school parking lot and never had to get out of the vehicle.  Andrew had mentioned to me last week that teachers were invited to come and cheer for the students as a show of support.  I think he would've gone had he been in town.  I decided to drive Catherine because we were going to leave straight from there and go to see my mom and work at my grandmother's house.  As we were driving there, I couldn't stop the tears.  I hadn't been to the school since I walked out my last day of work 8-1/2 weeks ago.  This wasn't how I had wanted our spring to go, and it wasn't how I wanted my daughter to finish her schooling.  I wanted to make sure this was all about Catherine, and yet at the same time I was so happy to see all the adults I had been so used to seeing every day.  It all just made me so emotional.  The school did a fabulous job of trying to make it special.  There was even a gift bag payed for from class fundraising.  After we picked up things at the school, we then drove to a business in town to retrieve more gifts from a community effort that was put together at the last minute.  It really truly was as special as it could possibly be.  We will be taking pictures this week of her in her gown. I think she looks absolutely amazing.

Mother's Day 2020

It's been a fairly quiet day around here.  Catherine had to work eight hours today.  I spent the day cleaning the house, and then I worked on labeling photos to put in an album.  I got all of 2013 finished, although I realized there are still a couple of months that need to be printed.  I spoke to my mom earlier, and we are planning to see her tomorrow.  I'm sure Andrew and Thomas will call sometime later today.  I really look forward to seeing them on Tuesday.  Overall it has been a pleasant day.

So many emotions

This is going to be a long post.  Please feel free not to read it.  It is my feelings and my thoughts, for my memories.

Today is full of so many emotions for so many different reasons.  The first being that Andrew and Thomas are traveling to my in-laws, and that always cranks up my anxiety.  However, my father-in-law has declined rapidly since Christmas.  We've already explained to Thomas that Pappy may not know who he is, especially at first.  Because of the virus, Thomas and Andrew quarantined themselves this entire week, even more than normal.  No trips to the store or anything that might involve being around people.  I feel strongly that it is important they make this trip.  They have taken our sweet pup with them because my father-in-law loves dogs.  Andrew and Thomas will not be going out at all while they are there.  We are doing our best to minimize any risk to my in-laws.

Catherine has finished her high school days.  I am so proud of her I can't even explain it.  More than anything, I am proud of the way she has handled these last two months.  It sucks for her completely, but her attitude has always been phenomenal.  I am so grateful for all of this extra time together, and I think in many ways she is as well.  I can't wait to really be able to celebrate her, and hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.

We just finished up eight solid weeks of the "virus life".   Things are beginning to reopen, and it's terrifying.  I have agreed 100% with the closings and restrictions that have been in place.  I also agree 100% that it is time to get things open again.  Our family has been so incredibly lucky.  Although I have lost my income, Andrew is the primary earner and we'll be fine.  And yet, he doesn't have to leave the house right now to earn his paycheck.  Although it's been challenging, he's been able to work from here.  We can all completely stay home if we want, or run to the store if we want.  We are safe, and we don't have to worry about paying our bills.  We have each other, and we've had so much fun together.  But not everyone has these same circumstances.  Many are worrying about jobs, and bills, and health, and so many other things.  Even I am feeling "virus stress", and our circumstances are about as ideal as they can be.  There is, without a doubt, a mental and physical toll that is being exacted even in those who are not physically affected by the virus itself.  I get it.  That doesn't mean reopening is going to make me feel better about anything though.  It's a fine line, and it brings me a different kind of stress.

Tomorrow is Mother's Day.  I am so incredibly blessed to be the mother of my kids.  My heart could not be more full.  I can't help but think about my mother, who lost her own mother less than three months ago.  I'm sure this holiday is more bitter sweet for her.  We will see Mom on Monday to share some lunch (carry out).  Although Andrew and Thomas won't be here, I know that I will talk to them tomorrow and Andrew made sure I had a card from them.  I insisted on waiting until they get back though.  It's fine.  I don't need a big deal made about me at all.  I can't help but think about my oldest though.  Andrew and I have officially begun using the word "estranged".  It isn't a pleasant situation, but I also know that the choices he has made and is making are completely his own.  We love him, and each member of my family has reached out to him at times over the last few months.  We understand, as best we can, where things stand with him, and we accept it.

My mother also mentioned that she is selling my dad's Corvair.  On my dad's last birthday, his boss/best-friend (who passed six weeks before Dad) surprised him with a Corvair convertible.  My dad had one as his first car and always loved it.  Unfortunately, Dad was too sick that summer to enjoy it.  I'm not sure there was ever more than one ride in it.  Thomas had wanted to own that car someday, but I completely understand Mom not wanting to pay the storage, insurance, and registration on it each year.  I began to cry when Mom told me, and Andrew offered to buy it.  I appreciated it, but as I explained I don't really want to pay the storage, insurance, and registration on it each year either.  We have two children who are leaving for and nearing college, and I would much prefer, without any doubts or regrets, that any extra money we have go to that cause.  I was so grateful that Thomas didn't get too emotional when I told him.  I don't think I could've handled that.

I am grateful that I have a few hours completely to myself before Catherine gets home from work.  There certainly hasn't been much quiet time the last couple of months, and I'm okay with that.  At the same time, I enjoy these few hours right now.  I know this post is long and some might even think ridiculous, but that's okay.  There is a lot going on in my heart right now, but I also know that we are pretty much fine.  I just wanted to record all of these thoughts to become part of my memories.  Our lives are a blessing!

She turned in her final assignment

Catherine officially turned in her final assignment today.  On Monday, she will be able to go and turn in her school issued items and pick up her cap & gown.  My sweet daughter is officially finished with high school.

I have so many emotions about all of this.  It is all just so surreal, and the fact that we can't celebrate as we normally would just adds to it all.  I want to write more about it sometime, but for today I just wanted to make sure I recorded that she is finished!

Masks

I've finally put away the sewing supplies.  Eighteen masks later, I am finished.  None of them are fabulous, but they are all very usable.  I barely made a dent in the fabric I had, and there is more elastic than I could imagine, but I've made plenty for now.  There are extra masks in our vehicles, and I even made a couple of extra for my mom and grandmother.  They both have sewing machines and can do it much faster, but I had some patriotic fabric that I thought they might like.  I've told the kids I'll continue to make "festive" ones as we come upon holidays, but for now I get to put the sewing supplies where they belong!

Cinco de Mayo and a surprise

Yesterday our family ordered fast food Mexican for Cinco de Mayo.  We had hoped to make home made margaritas, but I wasn't feeling great.  I was already risking it with the food, no need to add anything else on top of it.  We also played a game together and watched some episodes from the final season of another family favorite.  We enjoyed our time together.

As the kids were leaving to retrieve our dinner, Catherine noticed something in our yard near our mailbox.  It turned out to be a sign from the athletic booster group recognizing class of 2020 members.  It made our senior's day!

A day of mostly nothing

Today is a "no school" day.  It was originally on the calendar as a professional development day, so the students are receiving no new assignments today.  Andrew was up early to do his online sessions, but the rest of us slept and slept.

We had a lovely evening last night with watching a movie and eating our "Vader tots" and cupcakes (along with hotdogs and mac & cheese). 

It's a cloudy day, and I'm completely okay with today being nothing.  Because it is May 5th, we are planning to order in Mexican, so I don't even have to cook.  Bring on the nothingness!

Star Wars Day

As it is May 4th, it is Star Wars Day (you know, May the fourth be with you)!  I decided last week that it would be fun to "celebrate" today.  I am not a tremendous fan of the Star Wars movies, but Thomas and Andrew really enjoy them.  And I am a child of the 70's so the movies have been around pretty much my entire life. 

I decided we could watch ONE movie this evening after Catherine gets off work.  The kids want to dress as characters, which is was fine, but I wasn't buying anything to do so.  We also got online to see about Star Wars themed foods, and I decided the easiest (and therefore the most likely to happen) would be decorated cup cakes.  The kids have done them all on their own.  They baked the cupcakes, iced them, and are now decorating them.

I'm definitely looking forward to dessert after dinner, and making this a fun little evening for our little family!

It was supposed to be prom

Last night was supposed to be Prom.  Catherine and I had never purchased a dress, so I'm grateful we weren't out that money.  I hate that because she didn't go last year, she didn't get to experience a high school Prom.  It can not be helped though.

I'm not sure if Catherine realized the date.  She had to work a seven hour shift yesterday after noon into last evening.    Our family did sit down and begin binge watching the final season of one of our favorite shows.  It won't be released onto DVD until the Fall, but Thomas had recorded it on his DVR account.  It is a show we have watched together as a family, so we decided to go ahead and start watching the recordings.  As I said to Andrew, Catherine isn't supposed to be here in the fall (hoping college starts normally!) so we wanted to go ahead and do it together now.  It was a lot of fun having that time together last evening as a family!

A day for my grandmothers

Today I finally got to visit with my grandmother.  It is an absolutely lovely day with lots of sunshine and temps in the lower 80's.  As a bonus, there was no humidity!  My mom had some stuff she wanted us to pick up from her mother's house as she is working on cleaning it out...quite a task!  The cousins are all taking turns helping so that we aren't all there together.  We spent a few hours going through things, and my sister was there as well. 

The best part though, was because the weather was so nice, we also visited with my paternal grandmother.  She was on her back patio and for the most part we remained the required six feet away.  It was SO wonderful to talk to her and get to see her in person.  She is an absolutely amazing 89-year-old woman.  I am so grateful that we got to talk to her in person, at least for a bit.  It made my whole week!