The end of another June

June has absolutely flown by, which I suppose it does nearly every year.  This weekend though, has not flown by (I've been off since early Thursday afternoon) and for that I am very grateful.  

I'm grateful that work has been fairly uneventful since I returned from vacation.  I'm also grateful that we are closed for this entire week.  This was my idea three years ago, and it is really one of the best decisions we've ever made.  If we were open, one of admin (and probably only one) would have to be working and would be resentful (at least I would be).  This way, ALL of us can be off, and none of us feel like we are missing anything.  I'm going in a bit here and there to bring in mail and check on the plants, but overall it a good amount of down time.  I certainly don't need to water the plants, by the way, because although we are in a heat streak that is absolutely miserable, we are having daily monsoon downpours.  They tend to come up out of nowhere...just increasing my desire to remain indoors. 😂

Summer break is almost half over...but it's been a great first half!

Mid-June

I am off work today, and I've enjoyed the quiet.  I don't get much alone time in my house in the summer, and I'm cherishing this opportunity.  Catherine is home from work, but is taking a nap in her room.  I should be more productive, but I'm listening to our sink drive (ugh!) and enjoying our cat, Maudie, who is insisting to be right up against me (it's a little warm, but sweet).

Tuesday, Andrew hit the road again, God love him.  Our original plan for the summer had been to take a trip to Vermont at the end of July and to take his mom with us as it was a visit to Andrew's aunt who is 92.  However, the week before we left for vacation, a phone call came explaining that Aunt had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Treatment would only extended the inevitable, and at 92, well...I think you understand.  It was decided that Andrew and his mom would make the trip right away, and unfortunately it meant I couldn't go.  I'm so, so grateful though, that Andrew and his mom are able to do this.

I've also been spending day looking around at my house.  I love photos.  I love having memories literally staring at me.  The hard part?  I can't cover every single wall space and flat surface with photo frames.  In the last six weeks, we've had two big photo-worthy events in the wedding and our vacation.  As I said, we took a TON of photos on vacation.  I'm trying to not have a cluttered house, while also having these memories surround me.  They truly bring me joy.  

I am so grateful for this summer and the slower pace of life!

It was the best vacation ever

There is no doubt in my mind...this is the best vacation I've ever taken.  While I hope that I have many fabulous vacations as I continue to grow older, this one might not be topped.  Having Thomas and Catherine and their "others" join us was such a gift, and of course my mother-in-law was with us as well.  The house had amazing views of the sound, and there was a view from literally every window.  Our bedroom had a private covered deck, which of course had a view!  I sat there Saturday afternoon, our last day there, and there was a nice breeze, the sun was out, there was some activity in the cul-de-sac, and I just soaked it all in.  I was so grateful for the week we'd just had and for the afternoon we were having.

We had some really good meals, especially the Friday evening meal.  We ate at this huge restaurant that had water views from just about every table.  We had drinks, meals, and even desserts.  Our afternoons were generally spent at the house just hanging out, and I even got to read TWO books!  Because we eat early, our evenings were spent at the house hanging out some more.  Early in the week, especially, we would all sit out on the back deck and enjoy the water.  The full moon was absolutely gorgeous as it lit up the sound.  I loved the fact that the kids wanted to be out there with us.  We laughed so much on this trip.  Thursday night was designed game night, and we laughed even more.  Friday we finally got to show Andrew's mom the movie The Princess Bride.  She had never seen it before, and we laughed some more.  I was so, so grateful for how much time the kids wanted to spend with us.  I loved how the kids not only humored me with family picture after picture, but they wanted to make sure we all shared them so everyone had access.  It wasn't all perfect of course, as there were seven people with seven personalities, but honestly, it doesn't get much better.  I truly don't have the words for how wonderful it was and how grateful I am!

Our vacation has begun

Our amazing vacation has started.  Honestly, this may be the one where I leave the house less than any other vacation ever.  Well, at least the property.  The house is located at the tip of an island peninsula, with water views at every angle.  The living space on the top level has a completely unobstructed view of the sound, and it is absolutely gorgeous.  This is also the nicest house we've ever been in when it comes to cleanliness and maintenance.  We could not be more thrilled.  It is truly the perfect house for our family for this week.

We brought in pizza last night for dinner and tonight is the first night we are actually going out...the best part of our vacations!  We just found out today that the place we eat on every trip is no longer in business.  It had been around since the 1940's and was the very first meal Andrew and I ever had on the Outer Banks.  We've eaten at this restaurant on all previous seven trips, the only restaurant we can say that about.  Our kids even had great memories, even if they weren't all food related, and we were sad to hear that it was sold 18 mos ago and then suddenly closed earlier this year. 

So nice to know this trip is just getting started!

Ready for vacay

In about 17 hours (hopefully), we will be out the door for vacation.  It's a 13ish hour drive to our place at the Outer Banks, and I'm so excited.  My MIL is here, and the kids are all coming with us as well.  I'm calling this the last "big vacay".  I truly hope that we get to take other vacations as time goes along, but this is the last one I'm paying for almost everything.  I'm so, so grateful for this opportunity and the memories we are going to make!

A lovely May ending

Yesterday, Andrew and I had several plans.  The first one ended up being cancelled though, as there was a mechanical failure on a volunteer project Andrew was supposed to work on.  We then headed north to my hometown for a graduation party for the daughter of dear family friends.  My sister and mom were there as well.  It was a very nice visit with family and friends.

Then we decided to go shopping.  I detest shopping.  But, there were a few things I wanted to purchase, and Andrew had a few thoughts as well.  The nice thing was that we didn't just walk around browsing.  I knew where I wanted to shop and Andrew knew where he wanted to shop.  Then we had a wonderful dinner with a drink, hit one more store on the way home, and were home by late evening.

I am so grateful for yesterday.  The weather was gorgeous, and it continues to be today.  Before Andrew started mowing, the animal sounds from our backyard were so serene and peaceful.  A week from today we are headed to North Carolina, and I know our blessings are abundant.

Delightfully unexpected company

This morning I received an email from a dear friend who was going to be passing through town.  We were able to rearrange things on our end and meet for dinner.  Catherine joined us as well, and we invited her boyfriend to come along also.  Thomas was disappointed he couldn't attend as he would have loved to introduce Lyndi.  It was a short evening, but absolutely delightful.

It was especially appreciated in the midst of this very long week.  As I told someone today, once I get through this week I should be fine.  Then I laughed, because I feel like I've been saying that for weeks now.  It was nice to have a break from work and enjoy company!

The smallest shoe graduated

I have a picture I took 16 years ago (coming up in early June).  It is a picture of ten pairs of shoes on our porch.  One pair belonged to Andrew, three pairs belonged to my kids, and the other six pair of shoes belonged to kids of good friends, and they were all at my house for the entire day as they were in need of a babysitter.  I remember it was a pretty crazy day, and I specifically remember realizing in amazement that lunch was going to have to be in shifts as we didn't have the capability to feed everyone at the same time.  I remember being a bit relieved when the day was over, but it is also a fabulous memory.

This weekend, the smallest pair of shoes graduated.  She is the last of our close group of friends, and we've been friends long enough that I remember when she was born.  She is a beautiful young lady with a fabulous sense of humor, and I adore her tremendously.  We sat and visited with her brother Saturday evening (who was the owner of a pair of shoes as well) as well as brother's girlfriend whom we had met before.  The daughters of other friends were there as well.  I was so grateful that I had seen these kiddos grow up, I was so grateful that I was still a part of their lives, and I'm so, so grateful for these friends that have become family.

Whew!

There are just a few more days remaining in May.  And what a month is has been!  We had the wedding, which was a crazy weekend itself.  That was followed by musical week which requires extra evening work for school.  By the end of that week, I was absolutely exhausted.  For Mother's Day weekend, I just wanted to be able to sit, which I did because it turned out I had a touch of a bug.  The next week brought our end-of-year ceremony, but the night it was scheduled we were in a very severe weather pattern.  We ended up having to scramble and reschedule some things.  It made the week marginally easier, but meant the following week was tougher.  We so much rain in May it was crazy.  The last day of school is always the picnic, and every year we hope it will rain so we can cancel it.  After the rain had played havoc with our schedule the entire month, I was soooo annoyed that although rain had been in the forecast for days, the last day of school was dry, so the picnic was on.  Our boss fell and broke her hand right as the picnic started, which meant responsibilities fell more to me.  That was kind of how May went at school this year...not quite according to plan and just a bit of added work.

In the meantime, our pastor at church is retiring.  He has been pastor of our church for 25 years.  The man has been an incredible blessing in our lives, and I have no doubt that I would not be the faith-filled person I am without this pastor.  He baptized me eleven years ago, and I'm just so grateful that I've been able to not only attend, but work for, a church that, well, I can't even describe it.  He'll be missed, and the work is going to increase not only for myself but also for Andrew who is now our council President.  There are a lot of conversations and decisions that need to be made regarding the future of our church.

But the nice thing is...it is the end of May and school is out!  I know there is still going to be plenty of things to do, and there will be church craziness, but we have a lot of fun planned, and for the next eleven weeks, there are no students at school.  The time to relax is upon us!

I love Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day weekend has always been one of my favorites.  It is the unofficial kick off of the summer, and many years (at least since moving here) we are done with school.  I loved the years we did the cemetery trip with my mom's family, and when Dad had his cottage we tried to spend a day there as well.  As a child, Dad would often take us to my grandparent's place in Michigan.  There were lots of friends gatherings over the years as well, and of course it is often a weekend filled with graduation festivities.  And of course, we get an extra day to the weekend, too!  This was so incredibly needed as the month of May was beyond crazy at work. 

This weekend had some grad parties with very dear friends, it had quiet time with just Andrew and myself, I tried to shop (unsuccessfully), and we had a lovely day with the kiddos.  There has been a tremendous amount of stress and drama involving the kids, and it was so much fun to hang out today for a meal and then a family game of croquet.  I laughed, and I especially loved hearing my daughter-in-law laugh out loud.  In two weeks we will be on vacation with all of us, and I think it is going to be an incredibly special week where we make lots of memories.

We have a lot of fun plans for this summer, and I plan to soak it all up! 

The wedding part III

The day of the wedding arrived and it was cold and wet, with lots of things to do.  Our dear, dear friend had a serious medical issue the week before the wedding and that added an extra layer of stress and emotion to the week.  She is doing okay and I was able to visit her in the hospital, but it definitely added to the craziness of the week.

We were exhausted heading into the weekend as it is a crazy time at work, and having to do all the setting up and arranging.  With it being at our school I pretty much had to handle most things, and that is why I hired one of my co-workers to be helpful.  Catherine was bridesmaid and was getting ready with the girls, and of course Thomas had all his buddies with him.  I was grateful that Andrew and I were actually able to get ready in a different building.  It gave us a few minutes of quiet, and I was so grateful that Emily co-worker) was there to handle things.  Andrew and I shared a few moments together, then we walked over to the wedding area.  Andrew and I took seats in the front row.  Our mothers were behind us, and we were joined by my sister and few good friends behind them.  Thomas's groomsmen consisted of his cousin Ryan, two friends I didn't know, Thomas's childhood friend Joseph, and our good friend Nick who is Thomas's godfather and was in our wedding all those years ago!

As we sat there waiting for the wedding to begin, I couldn't help but reflect on the craziness of the last couple of months.  In many ways, I was grateful that it all happened so quickly.  I'm a fairly sentimental person, and I know that I would have spent too much time being emotional about my "baby" getting married.  While I worry that Thomas and Lyndi are so young, I'm happy that they have each other.  I'm happy that overall they were reasonable about what kind of wedding they could afford.  And my happiness is generally what I felt, right up until Joseph, his childhood friend, walked down the aisle and Thomas and Joseph fistbumped each other.  These two have been friends since they were in Sunday School together at age four.  They were so close during the early elementary years...and then we moved.  And they stayed close...and here they were sharing this incredibly special moment.  That one little moment did me in, and the tears began to flow.  I got it together though, and enjoyed a lovely, albeit incredibly short ceremony.  We had dinner for about 40 of us at a local pizza restaurant where we could reserve a room.  I was happy to spend the dinner with Andrew's mom, our friends, and cousin Ryan.  My mom and sister didn't want to stay, and that made me a little sad, but it is what it is.

Ryan had an early flight so Andrew left at 5:45 for a trip to the airport.  Thomas and Lyndi came over around 11, and we had things to tear down and clean up at school and return to church.  It was nearly 4:00 before we were ready to just sit that day.  Andrew took the next day off work so he could meet his mom's neighbor for his mom's return trip.  I'm so grateful for the people who were there, and for those who helped out and have supported the kids.  I wish my family could be a little more on board, but I try really hard to put that behind me.  I'm also grateful that Lyndi takes such good care of Thomas, and they really, truly love each other.  I'm glad we get along with her, and I'm grateful she enjoys being a part of our family.  This is definitely ushering in a new era!

The wedding, Part II

In retrospect, I might have been better off suggesting a different date for the wedding, as this past week was the busiest week of the school year due to our school musical.  A weekend wedding followed by the longest week of the year leads to exhaustion.

Anyway, I've realized I need to come up with a blog name for my DIL.  I am going to call her Lyndi.  Thomas and Lyndi really are wonderful together, but they are so, so young.  Andrew and I have done our best to be there for them, and love them, and also stay out of their way.  It's all a fine line.

Back to the wedding!  We had decided my MIL would come for Easter and stay for the wedding.  I knew I would need her help in the week leading up to the ceremony.  Thomas couldn't take any time off work, and neither could I.  My MIL was helpful with getting Lyndi's dress pressed and helping to prepare meals, things I just couldn't do.  Because the wedding was at our school and there was a Friday evening event, we couldn't set up until Saturday and that meant no rehearsal.  We did borrow chairs from our church, so we were able to get those moved (although not placed until Saturday) on Friday.  Thomas had a cousin fly in from Vermont who was a groomsman and we were beginning to run out of room for people to sleep in our house so I was able to rent an Airbnb from a family at school for the weekend.  Lyndi did not want she and Thomas to see each other the day of the event, so that required a decent amount of logistical planning.  I hired a young co-worker from school to come and help with set-up and organizing.  Oh, and did I mention the weather?  Ten days before the event it looked absolutely gorgeous.  A bit chilly, but workable.  Then as it got closer, the rain chances increased, but still only in the morning.  Still workable.  And then as it got even closer, rain chances continued to increase and creep later into the day.  And finally, the day was basically just a complete washout.  And still a chilly one at that.

I'm so grateful for the amazing friends that the kids have.  They were so helpful in getting things ready.  I don't mean for this to sound like a complaint, but it is...Lyndi's family was not involved in any way at all.  They were very clear from the start that there would be no financial contribution, and I respected that completely.  But to not even be able to help set up chairs, or cut the veggies for the appetizers...well, that got to me a bit.  But finally the day arrived, and it was time.

About the wedding, Part I

I suppose yesterday's post may have been a bit of a surprise.  To be honest, I just wasn't ever entirely certain this wedding was ever going to happen.  The "engagement" happened nearly three years ago, and it was a really rough experience.  Thomas didn't want to be honest with us about it.  I get it, he was 18 and she was 17 with a year of high school to go.  But lying about it isn't helping anything.   Anyway, it was last summer when they really began to get serious about things, and she bought a dress, and they bought decorations, but no date was set.  Part of the problem was they really wanted an outdoor wedding, but I can't be out in the sun and heat, and obviously some months are too cold.  There was also the issue that there wasn't much money for a celebration, but there are a lot of people who wanted to be included.  Finally, early this spring, it was decided to do a small ceremony and a bigger party this coming fall.   There still wasn't much money, but my school offered to allow us to use the grounds and there is a pavilion on site, and buildings in which to get ready.  Dinner was to be at a room in a local pizza restaurant.  All of a sudden there were five bridesmaids and lots of guests, at least from the bride side.  Our side's guest list included 14 people (and that includes the groom).  My boss began to begin concerned with parking as our school is very small.  But plans were made and things were falling into place...

My son is married

Thomas got married yesterday.  They've been engaged for awhile, but never set a date.  Then last summer, they wanted to get married in a matter of weeks.  We talked them into waiting until next Fall, but it became apparent they weren't going to be able to save to have the wedding they really wanted, and we could only help so much.  As we talked to them a few months ago, they decided to do a smaller ceremony sooner, and then a larger party in the fall.  My boss offered our school as a location for the desired outdoor ceremony and with a pavilion, it all fell into place for yesterday.

I'm exhausted, but I'l write more soon (as I can).  This is also why I haven't written much recently, and as we are headed into the busiest week of my school year I'm not sure how soon I'll be back, but I wanted to share the lovely news in our family!

It was the best Easter

We had a very lovely Easter weekend in our family.  All the kids were here for church yesterday, and it was a lovely weather day.  My favorite part though, was Saturday evening.  Thomas and his girlfriend came and stayed over Saturday evening.  We had potato pizza, which is always a hit, and then we sat around and played a game.  We all laughed so hard!  We are taking the entire crew on vacation with us this year, and the fun we had Saturday made me look forward to it even more.

After church we just hung out as our family meal will actually be this weekend.  I don't think anything could top how much fun we had this weekend, though!

It's real

I know I haven't written for a bit.  It's been really crazy in our world, but that is a different post.  Today, on the day before Easter, this is a post about church.  And it's going to be long

Catherine is currently dating a man who was raised an atheist, and still considers himself that to this day.  I don't think less of him, but I do feel a bit sad for him, as my faith has been one of the greatest comforts of my life.  It also makes me a bit sad that my grandchildren (someday, no hidden info there!) may be raised without faith, but I can continue to pray on both counts.  It's not for me to judge.  I raised my children to love and be accepting of all.  Her boyfriend is really a fabulous young man, and she could do (and has done) so much worse.

Tomorrow morning, my wonderful husband will get up really early so that he can take his mother to Mass.  The kids are all staying over here and joining us for church at our regular service.  This is the "hard" part of faith.  My mother will not go to church with us.  Our church doesn't "count" in her church.  I won't lie, it can be difficult not to take that personally.  And when we go to church with her, and we always do when at her place and often on holidays here so we aren't attending twice, we aren't allowed to fully participate.  And even partially participating can be challenging as their are no bulletins or "programs" provided.  So you either know it or you are just sitting there.

I know I sound a little bitter about this.  And that is because I am.  I tried to attend church regularly with my husband, but on more than one occasion I would leave in tears.  I understand there is church trauma out there, and I completely understand how it can hurt.  I am so, so grateful that we have found a church that makes both of us feel so incredibly welcomed and served, and we serve as well.

As we begin the season of Easter, I pray for church peace in the hearts of all.  I pray that all feel the peace and comfort that my faith brings me.  I pray that we love all, whether they are of the faith or not.  I pray for healing faith of all kinds.  I pray that the optimism and joy that we feel tomorrow lasts through the entire year.  Happy Easter.

Photo memories

The thing I've been working on most during the break has been labeling and organizing photos.  Some of them went all the way back to 2017, most were from the 2020's, especially in the last two years.  Honestly, it was a bit of an emotional experience.  Eight years ago, Thomas was in middle school.  It broke my heart a bit to see him that young.  I worked on the pictures from the last Thanksgiving G.G. was alive.  It caught my heart to see the family gatherings that we don't get to have anymore.  There were pictures of Rosie that we lost in August, 2022, and more heart-wrenching were the photos of Lincoln, and especially of Abby, both of whom passed in October.  In spite of a few teary eyes, I am so, so, so grateful for those memories!

Back to work in 12 hours

My break is over, and to be honest, I don't mind at all.  I've got lots to do this week, and I'm looking forward to getting a paycheck.  It is ending with a bang as there are severe storms coming through this evening.  Today though, was a nice way to end the day.  We had a birthday lunch for our dear friend Larry who has had some serious health issues in the last two years.  The kids joined us as well.  It was a nice way to end the break.  Yesterday, we just hung out and watched a baseball and a movie.  Andrew is on break this coming week.  While it's a bit of a shame that we didn't have the same break, I don't really mind all of the alone and quiet time I had this past week.  I'm so grateful for the week!

It's been a very nice break

This spring break has been absolutely fabulous.  It's been a terrific mix of fun, productive, and relaxing.  We have 7-1/2 weeks of school remaining, and it feels really easy after this week.  I'll probably feel differently by about 10am Monday, but I'll take it however long it lasts!

I never really got into the basketball games last week.  There were only a couple of good first round upsets, and those teams didn't make it to the second weekend.  We had dinner plans with dear friends with Saturday and I did really enjoy that.

Monday was a day that I allowed myself to just hang out and do whatever I wanted.  The "thing I wanted" this week has been organizing photos, and I've gotten soooo much done.  I'm so pleased!  Tuesday, I worked, both at school and at church, and Wednesday I had lunch plans and then made a trip to visit my grandmother.  Yesterday, Andrew had a doctor appointment, so he was home, and we ran an errand and ate lunch out, then we settled in to watch Opening Day.  Not how we wanted it to go, but there are 161 games remaining.  Today I am home along again, although I didn't sleep last night.  I don't mean I didn't sleep well, I mean I literally couldn't sleep, so I've been awake now for the 25 hours.  I don't love that this is how break is ending, but I am super grateful I don't have to work today!  I've really appreciated the alone time from this week, but I've also really appreciated some time spent with family and friends.  It's been a fabulous break!

We made it to spring break

I have all of next week off.  Woohoo! It's disappointing that Andrew and I don't have the same break, but it also gives me lots of "me" time, and that is nice as well.  I really, truly love my job, but there are days when it is a lot to manage, and managing people can be hard.

We are enjoying the basketball games, although I'm not nearly as into it this year.  The weather is overcast and dreary, but I have the whole week off!!!

The first official day of Spring

It snowed today.  Gotta love the first official day of spring!  It was really just very, very light flurries as we were doing dismissal, but it was cold and icky today.

When I leave work tomorrow, I will officially be on spring break.  I'm not quite as excited about it this year as Andrew will still have to work.  And because Catherine works in the public schools also, she will also have school as well.  I'm looking forward to quiet time though.  And I'm definitely looking forward to sleeping in.  Maybe do a puzzle?  Work on photos?  Honestly, it doesn't feel as though there will be enough time to do all the things I'd like to do.  And Andrew has a doctor appointment one day so that means I won't have the day alone that day.  Andrew and Catherine have the week after me as their break.

Last weekend we had a really nice family dinner.  My mom came down, and the kids were here.  It was fun to have six of us around the table.  I find hosting to be stressful, but I greatly appreciate that Andrew is willing to make nice meals for all of us.

Andrew has really been looking for a new dog.  I keep telling him not until June!  We will be going on vacation in early June, and although Abby was a wonderful traveling companion, we have no idea the temperament of our next pup.  And to be honest, I'm not ready for another pup.  I'm not looking for something else I need to take care of.  I still miss Abby terribly, and when Andrew pulls up a video, it brings tears to my eyes.  In fact, just sitting here typing this has brought tears to my eyes.

This is the weekend of basketball madness that I love so much.  I'm not really into it this year though.  I'm not entirely sure why.  Maybe because Dayton didn't have a great year.  Maybe because there is just so much else happening that this seems unimportant.  Maybe it is because Andrew isn't home.  I have it on, but it just isn't as exciting.  

I am grateful for the extra sunshine this time of year!

Five years ago today the schools were closed

Five years ago today was a day I will remember forever.  I was subbing in a math room where the students were almost exclusively seniors.  My own daughter was among them.  We had lots of conversations about the coronavirus, and we suspected the governor was going to announce that schools would be closed.  I remember reassuring those students that of course there would be a graduation as it was still two months away.  I could not have been more wrong.

I remember sitting at home that evening just feeling a little lost...I suddenly was without a job, and of course it just felt so surreal.  While schools were given a couple of days to work things out, we had to close immediately due to a suspected case.  And it was the beginning of so many changes in life.  While it was so hard, I also remember how much fun we had together as a family.  We played games and hung out and were just always together.  While I remember the fear, I never forget to be grateful for the time we had together.

I doesn't feel at all like it has been five year.  FIVE YEARS??  My goodness.  In some ways it feels like just a year or two ago, and of course in another way it feels like a different life.  And in some ways it was.

So grateful for this quiet Monday

Today was a teacher work day at school.  I asked for the day off, and although I did a bit of work from home earlier, I'm so grateful for today.  For one thing, we lost that hour yesterday, so that always makes today feel harder.

I cried at church yesterday.  One of the hymns was the very first hymn from my friend's funeral just over a month ago.  It was too soon, and although I tried really hard, I cried.  I'll be honest, I haven't gotten over the loss of him, and I don't think I will anytime soon.  I can only imagine how his family and close friends are feeling.

I also have to mention that there was another saga involving Thomas's car last week.  This poor kid, he was really taken when he purchased this car.  And Andrew was there too.  There were no red flags at the time of purchase, but we sure have learned to ask better questions.  We are helping him as we can.  That's what parents are for.

Today is such a beautiful day.  The sky is bright blue, and the temps are in the 60's.  Absolutely wonderful.  I have enjoyed having our sweet cat, Maudie, curled up with me.  I've been sitting in our back room which looks out into the woods, and the squirrels have really been active.  I am so, so grateful for such a peaceful day.

Anniversary re-do day

 On our anniversary three weeks ago, Andrew was the sickest he has been in years.  We had planned for an entire day together, and that was not to be.  I wasn't angry of course, it wasn't his fault.  But we decided the next available Saturday would be our re-do day, and that happened yesterday.

It was a bit different than our original plan, but probably was even better!  Our school is currently hosting an online fundraising auction, and I needed to head to Cincinnati to pick up some donated tickets.  We had actually purchased the tickets for the American Sign Museum that were donated last year, so we decided to spend some time checking it out and grab this year's donation.  It is such a fun place!  I mentioned to Andrew that my dad would have absolutely LOVED that place.  He loved old signs.   It was a great start to my day, and we plan to return again with the kids or with Andrew's mom.

We then headed to a mall area as I was hoping to do a bit of shopping.  We had a wonderful lunch/dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, found a store that sold Cincinnati bourbon, and did a bit of other shopping.  We brought cheesecake home and hung out, watching some of our favorite shows.

Overall, it was a really great day and I'm so grateful to get to spend days like that, and all days, with my amazing husband!

This date

This date has some sad memories for me.  It was four years ago today that we lost our good friend, Tim.  It was so unexpected, and I'll never forget that day.  Five years ago today was a really rough day for our family.  I won't go into details for the privacy of my children, but it was a really, really hard day.  It was on this date 38 years ago today that my grandfather passed away.  Even though we knew that was coming, it too is a day I'll never forget.  Another memory is from 33 years ago today.  It was my senior year of high school, and our boys' basketball team was playing in the first round tournament game.  They'd won an incredible game two days earlier that went into double overtime that secured the league title.  It seemed as though the emotions and stress of that game caught up with them and they couldn't pull out the expected first round victory.  Thirty-three years later, I can still remember seeing my friend Ryan sitting on the bench as time expired.  I had never missed a home basketball game in which he played, and it all came to an end that evening.  That is not a memory I think of often, but it happened on a Sunday, and with Ryan gone, it feels a little sadder this year.

On the upside, today was a very nice day.  We ran some errands, and we had an impromptu dinner wtih friends.  Ready for another week!

Given the gift of time

Today was a fairly unexpected snow day.  We knew snow was coming overnight, but we were only expected to receive about an inch, maybe a little over.  I woke up at 4am, and I got up and looked out the window.  We had definitely received the snow, and I was pleased the road hadn't been plowed, but it had stopped snowing, which I thought was a bad sign.  I was fairly certain we'd have a delay, but it didn't seem to be enough to get us the day off.  At 5am we received a call that the public schools were on a delay, and about 30 minutes later a text came for my school.  At 7am we received a call that the public schools were closed.  I know our townships have been having some troubles keeping the roads cleared lately, but was still a bit surprised.  I was certain there was no way we would close.  However, about an hour later my boss texted our admin team, and she said she'd like to go ahead and call a snow day, but didn't want to appear "silly".  I loved the perspective of our assistant who said that the only real info we had was from the public schools, and if they said the roads aren't safe, we didn't know any differently.  It was so great to have an expected day off!  I had to go into church for a meeting this afternoon and Andrew still had to go to school this afternoon for evening parent/teacher conferences, but we enjoyed our day of nothing.  And with Catherine working at the school, she was home with us as well.  Thomas even had the day off for a dental appointment and stopped by to say hello!  It was a much needed day!

A very quiet long weekend

A four-day weekend is always delightful.  I loved the fact that I arrived home just a bit after 4:00 on Thursday, and I didn't leave my house again until I left for work this morning.  Originally, the plan was a trip to visit my MIL, but I just didn't feel well enough.  It's not that I felt awful, but I couldn't get through the night without coughing or just being loud with congestion.  It was really nice to be able to sleep how I needed through the night, and it was really nice to be able to sleep as much as I wanted, and it was really nice to not have to worry about doing much...I literally just rested.  It was exactly what I needed, having so much time to just sit.  Andrew came back Sunday morning (while we were getting a couple inches of snow), and it was really nice to have Sunday evening to ourselves.

I love my job, so I'm not sad when the four-day weekends are over, but I sure do appreciate them when they come around!

This moment in time is lovely

 

This was the view yesterday outside my family room in the back of our house.  We have a beautiful, large window that allows us this view.  Today is even lovelier, as the sun is shining with a bright blue sky.  A deer just came really close to the house and then ran into the woods.  It was absolutely beautiful.  It IS beautiful.  I allowed myself to feel joy that I had been present in that very moment.

I write this, because not all moments are lovely.  My job has some really hard moments, and because I am on the front line with humans, it can be challenging.  And I can't even pay attention to what is happening in our country right now.  It is just entirely too much.  I find the future terrifying at the moment.

Andrew and I have begun to discuss his retirement.  He only has to teach another five years, although he says he will go longer.  Health care is our biggest concern.  We've talked about where we'll retire, although we are at least a decade from having that conversation, I suspect.

I've been sick lately, and been spending a lot of time just sitting.  It has allowed me the opportunity to notice how wonderful and beautiful nature can be around us.  For right now, I'm recognizing how lovely this moment in time is.

It's hard when the birthday comes so soon

Today would have been my friend Ryan's 51st birthday.  When I have lost loved ones, I've always found the birthdays to be the hardest.  While holidays and celebrations can be hard, I found the birthdays to be the hardest because it is only about that person.  My thoughts are with his family today, and especially with his parents, who undoubtedly have vivid memories of this very day 51 years ago.

Work has been hard lately with a lot of "managing" that has needed to happen.  I get that there is just a lot going on everywhere, but my goodness.  I'm so very grateful that we have arrived at a long weekend.  Andrew has to work tomorrow, but I do not!  I've had a bad cold this week so that has made things even more exhausting.  We are supposed to go visit my MIL this weekend, but we'll see how I'm feeling tomorrow.  Andrew will go regardless, and he should.

I'm grateful for each and every day, even the hard ones!

This was not the anniversary we had planned

This was not the anniversary we had planned, but it could certainly be much, much worse.  Andrew and I had planned a day of just hanging out.  It was a weekend that literally had nothing on our calendar, and other than Andrew needing to attend a funeral visitation for a colleague's wife this morning, we had the weekend entirely to ourselves.  So, I won't lie and say I wasn't disappointed when Andrew texted me at the end of his work day and told me he was really sick.  He had stomach issues and spike a fever.  I'm incredibly disappointed as it will be weeks at best before we can make this happen again, and today is our actual anniversary on a Saturday.  It could be so much worse though.

I realized that I neglected to write last weekend about my mom getting hit by a car.  It was really just a bump but knocked her down.  I took her to urgent care last Saturday, and everything appeared to be okay.  She has mobility issues as it is, so this certainly didn't help.

It's been a rough week at work, in the world, in our family, and for friends.  I am praying, and praying hard, for peace and healing in our lives.

I'm angry

Today, my sister and I drove three hours to attend the funeral of my friend, Ryan.  There were a lot of people I knew, and I'm so glad I went.  I don't think I would have ever felt it was real if I hadn't gone.  When his mom saw me, she said to me, "He wasn't supposed to do this to us, was he?"  I said he sure wasn't.  I was able to see and hug his brother and sister-in-law, and even his sister-in-law's parents.  So many hugs and memories.

As I sat there in this church hours away from my home, I just kept thinking that I couldn't believe I was sitting there at Ryan's funeral.  I couldn't believe I had finally made the trip down there, and it was for his funeral.  And then I was angry.  Ryan took his own life, and hundreds of people were sitting in a church paying respects to him, and we were hurting.  The lives of his wife, children, parents, and brother are never going to be the same.  I know he was hurting and I can't imagine what he was going through, but I can't help be angry.  And I'm angry at myself.  I'm so angry that I'll never get the chance to spend more time with him.  It's so awful.

I will always treasure the memories of our childhood and teenage friendship.  I will always be grateful that Ryan was a part of my life, and I'll be praying for him and his family.

This last day of January sure held a lot of emotion

Today is the last day of January, and it always the day we celebrate becoming a family.  I will forever be grateful to have been a mother to my three kiddos.  For the first time, I'm not sure we will actually have an opportunity to celebrate it as a family, but that is probably okay.  My kids are adults, and looking to the future and starting their own families.  I miss having little ones, but I'm so grateful for the adults they are becoming.

I also learned this morning that a school mate had passed away after taking his own life.  Ryan and I met in second grade, and we were Mutt and Jeff according to many.  I'm just under 5', and he is over 6'.  We could fight like cats and dogs, but we were friends.  I hadn't seen him in over 20 years, but saw him again last February when we attended the funeral for another classmate.  His daughter went to college here in town, and I kept meaning to reach out to his parents (who I've seen many times over the years, sadly, mostly at the funeral home) to get his number so we could visit sometime when his family was in town.  I never did though, and now I can't.  I'm angry at him for taking this route, and I'm angry at myself that I didn't make more of an effort.  And I'm so heartbroken for the family and loved ones he left behind.

I'm very grateful today is Friday.  Sleep isn't coming easily tonight, and I'm glad I can sleep in tomorrow.

The "grands" came to visit

Thomas's girlfriend has three young nieces.  They are sweet girls, and we've enjoyed the few times we've seen them.  Earlier this week, Thomas asked if he and his girlfriend could come visit us this evening.  Of course we said yes!  Then he let us know that they would have the three girls.  Of course we are still happy to have all of them!  I told them Andrew had to work until late afternoon, and he said they'd come by as soon as they picked up the girls.  And then yesterday, he texted to let me know that they'd be here right after lunch.  This meant they'd be here for hours, and most of the time Andrew wouldn't be here.  Not exactly how I expected to spend my Saturday afternoon, but okay!

We had a few toys that we've kept over the years that are easy to pull out for young kids, and we did exactly that.  We also got out some books.  I had apples that could be cut up for snacks, and I love string cheese so there was plenty of that!  All-in-all, they were here for over three hours.  I think they wanted to stay for dinner, but the girls were starting to get a little fussy.  I couldn't blame them.  We decided to give the kids money for dinner and they were on their way.  I'll be honest, I was absolute exhausted.  As much as I enjoyed spending the day with them, I wasn't overly sad that they weren't involved in dinner.  Andrew and I decided to have a dinner out before the students return (tomorrow).  We hit the local Mexican restaurant, and kind of laughed at the irony that we were seated next to a large group which included some very loud children.

I look forward to they day when Andrew and I will actually have our own grandchildren, but I'm not in a rush.  My own kids need to grow up a little bit themselves. 😊

Cold doesn't really begin to describe it

On Sunday, the temps really began to plummet.  This morning when we did carline, it felt like -3.  By this afternoon at dismissal, it felt like -8.  It was brutal.  I couldn't get over the difference even in just a few degrees.  Tomorrow morning it is supposed to feel like -12, and I'm very grateful that we are on a two-hour delay.  By the time school begins at 11, it will be "better" at -8 (feel) again.  COLD.  The public schools were on a delay today and again tomorrow as well.  Even sitting in our house, it just feels cold.

I was especially jealous of the public schools this morning as last night was the OSU/ND National Title game.  I really thought I would be fine with whomever won, but that isn't really how I felt.  I was rooting, unapologetically, for Notre Dame.  I would root for Ohio State against literally ANY other opponent.  As it turned out, OSU won, and I just didn't feel like I could really enjoy it or be happy about it.

I was grateful for our extra day off this weekend.  I was able to get so much accomplished around the house.  I was able to really get some things organized and cleaned up.  It was very pleasant to come home today and enjoy my uncluttered house.

I'm tired and looking forward to extra sleep tonight!

It was a long week, but at least we also have a long weekend

This week has been something.  We had a classroom hit with a respiratory virus, and out of 20 people exposed, 17 showed some kind of symptoms.  This particular virus tends to hit adults harder than kids, and all three teachers were really sick.  Tuesday turned into a bit of a triage day as we sent six students home during the day, and we ended up having to close the classroom for both Wednesday and Thursday.  Because of the numbers, we contacted the county, and with an official "outbreak" we have to take rather severe mitigation measures throughout the school.  It was a bit exhausting.  Between the illnesses and the weather, I kind of feel like we have really hit the ground running in 2025.

Andrew is working at basketball this evening, so I'm enjoying the quiet and coziness in what seems to be the only room that is actually picked up in the house.  Our family room is a very small room, but both Andrew and I agree it is our favorite room in our house.  Everything about our house is small, and we are okay with that.  I had to work at our church Monday evening, and then I had church meetings Tuesday and Wednesday evening.  Tomorrow, I am meeting my mother and sister at my Grandmother's assisted living to finally celebrate Grandma's birthday, and Sunday I am the speaker at church for our Stewardship campaign.  I am so grateful that we get an extra day off on Monday.  I'm also very grateful that I really like my job!

The end of an early January weekend

Our weekend had some extra hours!  Thursday morning we found out that the public school was going to be closed on Friday due to incoming weather.  I knew there was no chance we would shut down for the entire day because the weather wasn't coming until the afternoon.  Our school doesn't have to worry about buses or things like that.  I was very pleased that we ended up doing an Noon dismissal.  Catherine decided to spend the weekend at her apartment so Andrew and I had a lovely Friday evening.  We received another 4" of snow on top of what was already here.

Another highlight of our Friday evening was the Ohio State victory over Texas.  The dagger was scoop and score by a defensive lineman.  It was a heck of a game!  I didn't think anything could top the Notre Dame victory from the night before, but I was wrong.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be watching an OSU/ND title game!  It's crazy!  It's exciting, and in some ways I can't lose, but I can't imagine rooting against either team.  What I'm really rooting for is some snow to fall overnight the night of the game so we can sleep in the next morning!

Yesterday, I shoveled our walk (again) and tried to get work done at church, but not all info had arrived yet.  I ran an errand, then came home and was delighted that I had no where else to be for the rest of the day!  I was able to get the trees completely undecorated and started to get things organized.  Our evening of watching the Steelers game did not go the way we wanted, but we had a really nice evening with a fire in the fireplace.

This morning we had church and then came home.  It was a fabulous afternoon to really get things put away and cleaned up.  We've watched football, although we don't really care about the games.  I know that I'm going to have a long week, but I appreciate that I've had a productive and yet relaxing weekend. 

The weather and car shopping

The winter storm that came through last weekend was definitely not overestimated!  We received about 9" of snow from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.  There seemed to be some bursts where some areas received more than others, and we were one of those areas.  We spent hours shoveling ourselves out Monday afternoon.  None of us had to work those two days, although I was required (and did) work from home on Monday.

Tuesday things were clear enough that although there was no school, we were able to head to Thomas and go to an appointment with him.  His work had asked him if he could go into work after his appointment, and he agreed, but first it meant we had to dig his car out.  The neighborhood where he lives had not been touched by a plow or salt truck and it was another area that had received 9" of snow.  On our way home, Andrew and I decided it was our best chance to car shop, but first I need to explain how we got to that point.

Back in early September, my car wouldn't start one morning.  I was able to have Catherine take me to work as it was during the time she was working with me.  I realized something was amiss, at least a bit when it became evident that the interior lights were on, even though they weren't in the "on" position.  Things seemed to be fine though, until a couple of weeks later when the the car wouldn't start again.  This time Catherine wasn't here, and I went to my neighbors and begged for a ride to work (their youngest attends our school but goes in early for extended care).  That was the beginning of it starting to happen more frequently.  It got to the point that I couldn't even trickle charge it and it had to be jumped, and when we would jump it the vehicle would start honking and it was clearly quite a problem.  We finally got it jumped and started and drove it directly to the mechanic.  At first, they had trouble replicating the problem.  Once they were able to do so, they couldn't figure out what the problem was.  All-in-all, they ended up having my vehicle for seven weeks, and because the repair was electrical, it cost thousands of dollars.  Because we hoped to get another two years (at least) out of the vehicle, we agreed it was worth it.  I was thrilled to finally get my vehicle back the week before Thanksgiving.  Fortunately, with both Andrew and I working in town, and with Catherine around during the week, we were able to make things work each day.

You can imagine my irritation when, on the Sunday before Christmas, the vehicle wouldn't start as we were headed to church.  The situation was very similar to the way it went before, and we knew it was time to trade in the vehicle.  I had done some research, and we got a very fair deal.  I was able to get a 2022 black CR-V with low mileage.  Hopefully I will have this car for many, many years.  It's all been some chaos and a bit of stress, but I feel like things have worked out!

My grandmother turns 94 today

Today my grandmother turned 94.  I called her this evening and she sounded very chipper.  She said she'd had a cupcake, my sister has visited, and everyone made sure she knew it was her birthday.  Last spring we really didn't think she would still be here with us.  She made an incredible recovery and is doing well.  This weekend we are going to take a meal into her.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to celebrate her!

Andrew and I were both home today because of the weather, but we weren't actually home.  I'll write another post about the weather and our day soon!

Putting away Christmas

I have started to put away the Christmas decorations.  It is breaking my heart a little bit this year.  It always fees a bit sad anyway, but this year I've actually had to fight some tears.  Andrew is working today so it's just me, and I'm grateful for the quiet opportunity.

The first thing I did was take down Thomas's ornaments so they would be separated.  Thomas took a few of them with him, but the majority were still on our tree this year.  This is the very last year that my baby's ornaments, and all of those memories, are going to hang on my tree.  The last year of his "new driver", or football, or tennis ornament.  The last year of the special ornaments from family and friends over the years.  This is what we want in life, of course, for our children to grown up and be independent.  But I can't deny I'll miss unwrapping and hanging those memories each year.

I've also been a bit emotional as I've put away the pictures we have out each year.  I miss the little people in those photos so much.  Again, I'm grateful they have grown into who they are, but I miss those little people.  And as hard as the last year was, I miss the simple little problems they had back in those days.

We also have a lot of Christmas things that are beagle related, and we miss our sweet Abby so much.  There were tears on Christmas morning as we still had Abby related memories as gifts, and it's hard to think about her without crying, even now.

I was sick for a week right after Christmas, and between that and they kids having their own lives, it all just felt different and not very "Christmas-y".  There were no lights that we went to see, no fun TV episodes or movies, no family games.  While I have strived so hard to accept this is the way things are now, it still felt, well, less than.  I'm working on that, and I'm hoping it had as much to do with being sick as anything else.

Tomorrow is the last official day of break, but there is a massive winter storm heading our way.  Neither Andrew nor I are supposed to have students on Monday anyway, but our boss has let us know we'll probably do a Zoom meeting and then work from home.  I don't have that much I can do at this point, but I'm sure I can find some things.  While Catherine won't have to work, Thomas still will, so snow days are tougher than they used to be for my heart.

To be honest, I'm looking forward to having a less cluttered home, and I'm hoping that will lead to a less cluttered mind.  And I'm working on remembering my blessings and being grateful for each day.

Full of hope

Happy 2025!  I've written before that January 1 is often my favorite day of the year, and I feel that way today!

I went to bed last night (after Midnight, so technically this morning), and I felt peaceful.  I felt full of hope.  There are some hard things from 2024 that are going to carry over into early 2025, but I have hope things are going to work out.

I woke up today to the horrific news about the terroristic attack in New Orleans.  It's just another thing that I have to learn not to carry.  I can be empathetic and I can pray, but I have to acknowledge it isn't happening to me, and I can't carry it as if it is...or even that it could.  Of course it could, but I can't carry that.

Today, just for today, I am going to be grateful for today.  I'll never have today again, and today has been a nice day.  Andrew and I had the entire day to ourselves.  I'm still recovering from a miserable cold so we just hung out today and watched an incredible Texas vs Arizona St. game, and then watching the Buckeyes dominate Oregon.  I slept in, and enjoyed the incredible chili that Andrew made for dinner.  We still have four days off until reality kicks in again, and I'm grateful for more down time.  I'm grateful for each day.  I'm grateful my little family is safe and fairly healthy.  My heart is full.

Day one of 365 in 2025 is off to a fine start.