I'm not at all sure how it is only Wednesday

I have no idea how there are still two more days this week.  I feel that we've had more than enough activity for it to be the weekend, and definitely tomorrow should be Friday.  Last evening I went to bed at 9:00 and slept like a baby.  It was delightful.  It's also perfect sleeping weather.  It is the exact opposite of last week.  Last week was beyond miserable hot, but right now I have a candle lit, and I could probably even put on a sweat shirt if I really wanted to.  It's delightful.  It isn't going to last, but I will take today and tomorrow and revel in it while I can.  And I need it.

Over the weekend, the kids' car that Thomas has been driving began having "issues".  We couldn't get the brake lights to turn off, which happened on Friday.  We couldn't really deal with it then because when Andrew got back from the hospital with Catherine, he needed to head to the football game.  That meant the battery was drained.  We finally got around to dealing with it Sunday.  Through some research, we thought Thomas had fixed it.  Both Catherine and Thomas had appointments at the same time on Monday, and Catherine's vehicle was still at her apartment.  I took the old car and dropped Andrew at school.  When I went to pick him up after school, I realized something wasn't quite right.  Sure enough by the time I got to school, the car was barely moving.  We came to the realization that fixing the brake lights impacted the pedals, so we ended up driving straight to the mechanic.  That was Monday, and we are still waiting to hear what's happening with it.

Catherine's medical tests have all come back normal, which is great, but she is still feeling pretty lousy, which isn't great,  In fact, today she called me and told me she was feeling pretty awful again.  I'm out of answers and suggestions.  I have no idea what is happening with her.  I would love for her to stay here where I could keep an eye on her, but I understand she isn't interested in that.  In the meantime, Thomas has been trying to contact his former university because we had been billed for a semester of tuition, room and board.  He had enrolled in classes in the spring before it was decided he wasn't going back.  He tried calling various departments, and kept getting the run around.  He was so upset today that I received a phone call at work from his girlfriend who was worried about his mental state.  While I'm on the phone, my mother called to ask what I was doing this afternoon because she was on her way to the emergency room.  Her eye doctor was concerned about her blood pressure. 

I'll be honest, that was a lot to deal with this afternoon.  I've realized it's no wonder I was so exhausted.  There is a lot going on.  I know things are working out, and overall things are going to be okay.  And our current weather helps us to be so peaceful.  I am extremely grateful this weekend has an extra day!

A lot happening at the end of August

There's been a bunch of emotions around here this week, and the weather hasn't helped at all.  Thursday's weather was supposed to be the hottest around here in 20 years, but some rain came through that morning and kept it cooler than expected.  Friday though, the heat index was over 100 most of the day.  Yuck.  Not my kind of weather, at all.  With Labor Day approaching and school into the third week, I'd love to decorate for Fall, but I know better than that!

Thomas's girlfriend left for college this week.  She is attending the same school he was at last year.  I think her being there, and him helping her move in, really made it hit home that he isn't there this year.  While I think it would 100% be a mistake for him to have gone back, I know that doesn't mean it is always easy to have to make a change.

I'm not going to lie, it is tough to realize both of my kids are entering a new phase in life.  The hard part is that I know they need to make their own choices and they need to do what makes them happy.  At the same time, I know how hard things can be in life, especially when we don't make the best choices, and I don't want life to be harder for them than it has to be.  Lots and lots of prayers being sent up.

And also on the prayer front, Catherine is struggling with some health issues.  We aren't entirely certain what is happening, but I have a pretty good idea.  She has some appointments coming up where we hope she can get some answers.  It's not my story, but I will share that generally, I don't think it is life threatening, but can be life altering.

I had also forgotten how crazy Andrew's schedule can be in the fall.  In addition to his full time job, he volunteers as a stat for Friday night football games, and he works 2-3 additional athletic events during the week as well.  I'm not working athletic events this year because it was just too much for us last year.

I wrote years ago about the neighborhood cats who we had begun feeding in our yard.  They never allowed us to get too close to them, but they've been here every day for the last eight years.  One had passed in January, 2019, and then another disappeared that spring, which left two.  For the last year, those two had been sticking close to the house, and especially this spring.  We knew the male wasn't doing well.  He'd either been in a fight or had a stroke.  In May, we realized he was gone as well.  The last one made her home on our patio.  She still wouldn't let us too close, but we did our best to pamper her as she would let us.  Last weekend when we had people over, a friend commented that she looked a little strange as we watched her walk into the woods.  We haven't seen her since.  While I certainly had no strong emotional attachment, it does make me sad that they are all gone.  At the same time, I'm also grateful that the last one didn't live alone for too terribly long.  I will miss having them around in our back yard.  I'm also a little afraid that mice are going to start appearing a little more frequently.  Yuck.

When I think about these things in comparison to so many world events such as Maui or the war in Ukraine, this is absolutely nothing to complain about.  At the same time, I am one of those people that absorbs all of those events, and it really cranks up my anxiety.  I'm hoping us getting settled into a fall routine will help!  And today's weather is a good start to feeling less angst about everything in life.  Our life is full of many blessings, and I know it's okay to be emotional about things, especially at transitional periods of life.  I'm also grateful for my active prayer life!

It's been a really nice weekend in the middle of August

This has been a really lovely weekend, especially with the weather.  We've had the windows open since Thursday, and Friday was almost chilly.  It's really been awesome weather.

I'm especially grateful for it, as we had several outdoor activities this weekend.  High school football started Friday.  I didn't go to the game, but Andrew is still doing stats so he was there.  Yesterday morning he had to work at the JV game.  Last evening we had several members of his staff over, and we all sat around outdoors.  It was such a truly lovely evening.  The staff members brought kids along with them, and as my friend pointed out, she loved that everyone felt so completely comfortable here.

This morning our church had a picnic after holding an outdoor service.  The weather was absolutely perfect, especially since there are big trees and we sat in the shade.  I was so grateful to not only get to experience my faith, I loved doing so in the public realm just across from the university campus.  It was a lovely way to have a Sunday morning service, and the weather was absolutely ideal.

We are heading in to our first full week of school.  I can't imagine a more peaceful way to begin the week.  I must note though, that the heat index is going to be over 100 several days this week.  I suspect grumpiness is headed my way!

We have lived in this house ten years

It's been ten years since we moved into this house.  That feels just astonishing to me.  How on earth did time pass so quickly?  I am certain most of our friends can't believe we function in such a small house, but the thing I love is that our small house allows us to have a small house payment.  I am all about that!  There are so many wonderful memories here, and I'm so grateful for this piece of earth we get to care for.  Even though moving was stressful all those years ago, this move was full of so many blessings, most of which we couldn't even imagine when we made the decision to move.  I love the life we have lived in this house.

A great beginning to our year

Today was a very peaceful beginning to our school year.  It was a beautiful weather day.  We made the difficult decision last spring to discontinue our high school program after the third year.  It wasn't sustainable, and we had no idea how mentally and emotionally draining it was on top of being financially draining.  We love being back to our roots, and we love our community.  

I also enjoyed that Thomas was able to come to school and work after school care for us.  He'll be helping us out for the next couple of weeks.  It's fun to have him around for that.

Andrew also had a good first day.  Working full time without parenting, even just one teenager, is different.  I'm grateful for this phase, even if I do miss having little kids to celebrate the first day of school!

The school year begins tomorrow, and it's different

There are so many changes to the school year this year.  Most of them are specific to our public schools, and especially to Andrew.  Because our school levy failed last fall, there is no longer any high school busing.  That is going to make the arrival and departure quite a mess.  On the upside, because they are no longer reliant on a two-tiered busing schedule, the school is able to start later.  It won't really impact Andrew though, because he has no intention of being a part of the arrival mess!

It's also a little different in our family as well.  A year ago tomorrow, we were taking Thomas to college.  This year, that isn't the plan.  We weren't overly surprised to learn that it wasn't for him.  It looks as though he is going to take training to receive a CDL and be a professional driver.  I won't lie, my kids and driving is a huge anxiety trigger for me, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to increase my medication.  At the same time, I can't at all say I'm not proud of him.  I'm thrilled that he has realized what would be best for him, and I'm pleased that he is making wise choices.  It's a little strange having him around again, but I suspect that won't last long, depending on what job opportunities await after the training.

There is also Catherine, who is doing things differently.  I won't lie, the last year has been a real struggle for her, and she is having trouble finding her "thing."  She really loves being a CNA (STNA), but her size is proving to be detrimental.  Not that she can't do it, but there are definitely some who decide she can't even before she tries.  Things might take her a bit longer, but she does get them done.  There are also family members of some of the patients who didn't want Catherine being the care-giver, which we think is because she looks like she is only about 15.  It's not fair, but we are pretty sure this is the reality.  Catherine was originally going to take classes for being an LPN, but that didn't really appeal to her either.  She decided to take classes for a certification of medical assisting, which will allow her to read vitals, take blood, etc.  She started classes for that last evening, and she also has a job working two nights a week.

It's kind of strange that none of my kids have a traditional "first day", but that is the phase of our life.  My kids aren't kids anymore.  They are adults, and I'm proud of them.  I love them more than I can even put into words, and I'm so incredibly grateful to be their mother!

Here we go school year!

Thirty years ago today

It was on this date in 1993 that a very dear high school friend was diagnosed with leukemia.  I'll never forget receiving that phone call, and I'll never forget all of the emotions that happened in the next week before most of us returned to college.  To be honest, it bonded us in a way that is indescribable.  I'm so very grateful that my friend is still around and this day can be a celebration.  It seems so hard to believe that it's been 30 years though.  It definitely feels like a long time ago, but I just can't believe that I had year of college under my belt and it's been 30 years since it happened.  I feel old.

It was also on this date in 1996 that my family began to really understand that my dad was really, really sick.  He was around for another 17 years, and I'm so grateful for all the memories we made in that amount of time.

Andrew and I start with students this week on Wednesday.  This summer was amazingly fast, but I'm ready for another school year!

My mom's health

 I haven't written much about my mom and her health.  We learned in the spring that my mother has a cancerous tumor on her kidney.  The surgery had been planned in June to remove the tumor, although the doctor had stated in April he was completely fine with waiting until fall if she had big summer plans she didn't want to miss.  Because my work schedule is more flexible in the summer, Mom opted for surgery as soon as scheduled.

The afternoon before we left for vacation, Mom suffered what was thought to be a heart-attack.  I phrase it that way because while most cardiologists agree, there is one that does not.  She feels it was a "heart event".  My family, including my mother, assured me that we should go ahead and take our vacation.  The surgery for the kidney was scheduled for the week we returned.  The morning of the scheduled surgery, Mom received a phone call that the surgeon was not comfortable performing surgery on Mom.  Because he had been comfortable waiting in the first place, he felt it would better to wait, and even to do another scan before scheduling surgery at any point.  That was the plan.

Last Sunday night at 11:30 the phone rang.  Mom was asking if Catherine was with us.  When I replied that she was, Mom said that she needed Catherine due to a health issue.  At first I thought she wanted Catherine to take care of her given the nursing background, but soon I realized that Mom was heading to the hospital and Mom wanted Catherine to take care of the dogs.  I decided I was driving up because not only did I not want Catherine driving by herself that late at night, Mom needed someone at the hospital with her and my sister couldn't be reached.  I made the trip up and got to the hospital about 1AM.  At 6:30 mom was finally admitted and I made the drive home, getting home about 8AM, having been up for 24 hours at that point.  Andrew made a trip up mid-afternoon to retrieve Catherine.

Mom was released later that day.  There is agreement that there definitely is a heart issue, but there is still uncertainly what is happening.  Follow up appointments are in the future, and any prayers are appreciated!

The last week of our summer

School begins with students in five day for both Andrew and myself.  Summer flew by, but so does the school year.  I have to say though, August already feels like it has been a forever month.  I think back to two weeks ago, and it seems impossible for me to believe it was only two weeks ago.

My mother-in-law was here for the past week.  It was lovely having her visit.  Catherine was here for five days at the same time, which meant lots of family time.  We had some dinners out, some fun TV, had dinner with my mom and sister, and just enjoyed hanging out.  Of course, Andrew and I also had plenty of meetings and school events to handle, but we really enjoyed having her here.

There have been some crazy things happening, and I'll write about them soon.  Today though, as we stare at the end of our summer, I'm just going to be grateful that we had time together and had the fun that we did!

Eating a memory

I'm going to be totally honest, our house is on the "struggle bus" a bit.  I'm sure everything is going to be just fine in the long run, but there have been some challenges.  Today I had to take Thomas to a doctor appointment.  My sister had let me know that my grandmother was struggling to work her computer so I headed there after Thomas's appointment since we were so close.  Grandma was not having a great day, and it was tough to see.  After we left, I decided to hit this small burger and ice cream stand on the way home.  I hadn't been there in at least twenty years, but my dad used to take us when we were really little.  They had the best soft pretzels.  Thomas ordered a shake, and I wanted a soft pretzel and a root beer float.  I bit into that soft pretzel, and (although they were smaller!) it tasted exactly like I had remembered.  I'll be honest, I had to fight tears.  I wanted to pick up the phone and tell Dad that they still tasted exactly the same.  In just a few months, Dad will have been gone ten years.  I can't believe it's almost been an entire decade.