What a week!

This was a heck of a week.  Andrew regained his voice by the end of the week, so we are grateful for that.  He also had cataract surgery Thursday morning.  We are very grateful that also went well.  He jokes that he will be going back to work tomorrow as a whole new person!  Having some extra time off has helped him to get ahead on the classes he'll be teaching next year, but that is a post of its own.

Thomas also managed to land himself in the hospital Thursday evening.  We aren't entirely certain exactly what happened, but our best guess is that there was a medicine interaction that proved problematic.  His system is just sensitive and fragile.  We left to drive the hour to the hospital and got there at 9:30 Thursday night, then I had to drive the hour home and let the dog out, thinking I'd be going back in the morning, but Thomas ended up being released and I was on my way back up in the middle of the night, so it was 3am before I was in bed.  I went to work later in the day than normal, but needed to make sure I got there because we had to fire a teacher that day.  That was just a really long two days.  Holy moly.

The good news is that Thomas is doing okay, and Andrew and I were able to meet him and Lyndi for dinner this evening.  Yesterday, Andrew and I made a trip to Columbus to visit our friends we hadn't seen since last summer.  It was such a needed visit, although the two hour trip each way was an exhausting drive.

Today before dinner, I spent the day at my mom's working on her house.  It was a actually a little bit fun as we came across some old memories and things we had forgotten about.  Next week Andrew will be gone all weekend, and I'm looking forward to getting some pictures digitized and organized.

I'm exhausted and we are headed into the busiest part of the school year.  But, there are only 23 more school days to go, and then we are going to have a wonderfully carefree summer!

This past week

Andrew's mom went home today.  I miss her already!  I so wished she lived closer, but then if she did she wouldn't need to stay here for long visits, and I love having her.  At the same time, I'm always ready to regain my space after her visit.

Andrew ended up being sick all week.  He has completely lost his voice.  There is absolutely nothing there.  This is day five, and part of him is panicking.  He went back to urgent care, but it seems to still be just a virus.  He feels so much better, but the voice is not returning at all.  As someone who totally relies on his voice for his job, he is growing concerned.  I suspect it he just needs some more time.  

Catherine has also been sick this weekend.  Everyone was going to come over for dinner, but we didn't want her to share her germs, and she didn't need to be exposed to Andrew's germs either.  Thomas and Lyndi did come over and spend the night.  We ordered some food and had a blast (pun!!) watching Artemis splash down.  I love sharing historical events with my kids, and especially Thomas.

We are down to 28 days of school to go.  Can't wait for summer!

Easter 2026

Today was a very nice day, in spite of Andrew being sick.  He started running a fever last night, and felt lousy.  I slept in a different room.  Today he has not had much of a fever, but his throat really hurts and he is achy.  The rapid test came back negative, so they are doing the throat culture but are treating it as just a virus and he'll have to ride it out.

My mom and the kids were here.  Fortunately, we were having a fairly simply meal, so Andrew being unavailable didn't really affect anything.  My cleaning is a different story, but I still got it done.  None of us slept overly well last night, and I suspect it will be an early night tonight.

It's a chilly day, and although cloudy earlier, the sun came out laster in the day.  It feels like the "official" beginning of spring now.  I'm so grateful that our family spent the day together, I'm so grateful I took lots of pictures, and I'm so grateful that the house is mostly cleaned up and put back together!  Tomorrow is another day off as well.  So grateful.

The Easter baskets are ready

Easter is happening here tomorrow.  If I'm totally honest, this holiday has always been a struggle for me.  We never particularly had set traditions as a kid, although as I became a teenager we always spent the holiday with my Dad's side.  Because my family wasn't religious, it was just more of a "whatever" holiday.

When I got married, it generally made more sense to spend the holiday with my in-laws.  After all, they are very religious.  At the same time, there were years when that caused resentment because sometimes I wanted to be with my family, or just not have to travel.  Now, my MIL, whom I adore, comes and spends a week or two with us each year for Easter.  It's still tough to balance my MIL's religious devotion with my mother's anti-religious feelings. 

And now our kids are on their own.  Thomas and Lyndi have her side to visit as well, and Catherine and Zeke just kind of "do" whatever.  I was never good about coloring eggs or doing egg hunts when the kids were little so it's not like we are missing any traditions in that regard, but I do still miss them being little.

Life feels really, really heavy right now, but I'm grateful for a few days of quiet and peace!

It's time to go back to work again

My week of being sick...I mean, my week off (hmph) has come to an end.  I didn't start functioning until Tuesday, and I didn't actually feel well until Thursday evening.  I'm trying to be grateful that I wasn't supposed to be working while I was so icky, but there is a small part of me that is a little bitter that my week wasn't as productive as I had hoped it would be.  Andrew's mom arrives on Tuesday, so I'll be spending tomorrow evening doing LOTS of housework.

One thing I did manage was to see my grandmother both on Tuesday and again this afternoon.  I'll be honest, it's really awful seeing her this way.  She isn't suffering greatly, but this is never how she would want to be living her life.  This isn't really her.  She will be much happier when she is reunited with my grandfather and my dad.

Only 36 more days of school.  We can do this!

Family FaceTime

For Christmas this year, we gave my MIL a gift card towards an iPad.  The plan was to get it for her before she left, but life ended up being busier than we had anticipated, and we found out things weren't as in stock as we would have liked.  We ended up ordering one and having it shipped to her, but it didn't arrive before Andrew came home.  Last weekend, Thomas and Lyndi went to visit her and they were able to get the iPad all set up for her.  Thomas texted today and wanted to do a family FaceTime with everyone.  Unfortunately, my MIL couldn't get it to work, but the rest of us (including Catherine) joined in.  I hadn't seen Catherine in about six weeks, and it had been three weeks since seeing Thomas and Lyndi.  I loved having the opportunity to see my kids and do a quick check-in.  I appreciate the technology to help keep us close.

The shutdown started six years ago

Six years ago today is a day I'll never forget.  I spent the day with high school seniors, and even had my own sweet girls in class.  We knew the governor was holding a press conference in the afternoon, and we all strongly suspected that the schools were going to be shut down.  I remember some of the seniors were worried about graduation, and I vividly remember assuring them that this wouldn't impact graduation as it was over two whole months away.  Oh boy, was I ever wrong!

When the announcement was made that evening (also a Thursday), it included the caveat that schools could remain open for the next day and the following Monday in order to get things arranged.  Our school originally planned to be open the next day, but the county health department shut us down because they were already concerned an exposure had occurred.  I remember sitting on the couch that evening, just mindlessly playing games and scrolling on my computer because all of a sudden I literally had just about nothing to do.  There would be no church, no work, no baseball for Andrew...almost nothing to occupy my time.  The beginning is so very vivid.

And there were some really hard times, and I know I'll never completely understand how things impacted my kids, and honestly, most of their generation.  I know the pandemic hastened the decline of my father-in-law, and I regret that family gatherings had to end and were never revived.  At the same time, I loved the amount of time the four of us had together.  Those few months held some fear, but they also held a lot of love and togetherness, and I'll cherish those memories.

Here we are six years later.  So much has changed for our family in the last six years, but I am so grateful for so many of the changes.  I love my job.  My kids are in healthy and loving relationships and living on their own.  I am grateful for the life Andrew and I are living. And this weekend we get to hang out with our good friends.  We are so incredibly blessed!

We went to see my grandmother

Thomas and Lyndi had mentioned last week that they wanted to see my grandmother, and we all know that sooner is better than later.  My sister had said she had a good day on Friday.  She called yesterday and let us know that she wasn't as good as Friday, although better than earlier in the week.  Thomas brought their wedding album along and showed Grandma pictures.  She really enjoyed that.  Grandma was pleased that she remembered having met Lyndi before, and there were a few other things she was pleased she could recall.  It was a pleasant visit.

Last evening, there was a big part of me that was angry that my grandmother is still alive.  I know that probably sounds terrible, but I know this is not at all how my grandmother ever wanted to live.  She had 90 amazing years, and even the first year or two that she was in assisted living weren't awful.  But especially the last two years have not been the life she ever wanted, and the last two months the decline has been more severe.  The woman I loved and knew is gone, and I'm sad about that.  I miss her.  But it's hard to grieve someone who is still actually here.  I know that Grandma is ready, and I know that she is looking forward to being reunited with Grandpa and my dad, and her siblings, etc.  When she passes, it will not be a tragedy.

I will always be grateful for the time we spent with Grandma.  She was a huge part of my life, and without a doubt one of the strongest people I've ever known.  She's been a huge blessing in my life.

It's almost jelly bean season

As we are six weeks away from Easter, I have realized that it is almost time for jelly bean season.  Yum!  I love jelly beans.  Totally not healthy, but I love jelly beans!

Another sign that the end of winter is nearing is the fact that the Reds spring training game was on TV yesterday.  I didn't get to watch much, but it was on!  We have already purchased our season package so we'll have access to watch the games.  Yes, spring is just around the corner!

Today was a busy day with lots of family.  I spent most of the day at my mom's as we continue to try to get her house together.  I brought home a bunch of photos from my childhood and can't wait to get them digitized.  Most of them I don't recall seeing before.  It's been fun looking through them.  When I got home, Thomas and Lyndi had come by.  Thomas hadn't met our sweet Janey girl yet, and they were thrilled to meet each other.  Andrew had decided to make meatloaf for dinner and they decided to stay.  It was lovely having them here for a while.  I enjoy being an empty-nester, but I miss my kiddos.

Six days left in February!  It will be a busy week and an incredibly busy weekend next weekend, but then it's March!

Twenty years of parenting

Twenty years ago today, Andrew, the kids and I stepped off of a plane in the Dayton airport and began our lives together as a family.  The kids' caseworker and Thomas's foster mother joined us as well.  It was a very long day of flying across the country.  In fact, when we first got on the airport, Thomas was having some breathing issues, and they weren't sure he was going to be allowed to get on the plane.  At the last minute though, they got on, and we all arrived home to friends and family who were waiting at the airport for us.  I'll write about our first week over the next several days.  It's actually a bit of a doozy of a story!

Tomorrow, we are sharing a meal with the kids, my mom (possibly my sister), and our dear friends who shared so much with our since the very beginning and are the kids' godparents.  We've decided this will be the last really big celebration we do.  This date will ALWAYS be a blessing to our family, but my kiddos are living their own lives in their own homes now.

The rest of our lives are moving right along.  Our Thursday and Friday were normal, but Andrew had delays both of those days.  It's been absolutely frigid.  Today Andrew had to work at 8am, and won't be home until about 10.  Tomorrow is our rescheduled annual church meeting, and then our family dinner.  This is the time of year I prefer to just hunker down and hang out at home, but life doesn't work that way.  Regardless, I'm so grateful for this life, especially today!

Twenty years ago today I met my children

Twenty years ago today, I met my children.  As I explained recently, my children are an adopted sibling group.  We flew across the country twenty years ago today and were to spend five days getting to know my children and their routines and needs.  My children were adopted out of the foster care system, but were not in the same foster home.  Robert and Catherine were together, and Thomas was in a different home.  When we went to the house where Thomas was living, we had been told he didn't like men.  But as we left that day, Thomas reached out and wanted my husband to hold him.  I think he knew Andrew was his dad.  When we met Catherine and Thomas, Catherine stood at the top of the stairs and I'll never forget seeing this little girl yelling, "Mommy, Daddy" when we walked in the door.  It was an overwhelming few days, but the last two decades have been full of so many blessings!

Lunch with Grandma

For the fourth year in a row, we brought pizza in for lunch with my grandmother.  This year, my sister asked me to see if my aunt wanted to join us, and she did!  It's really hard to go see Grandma alone, because she just really doesn't understand what is happening around her, she can't really carry on a conversation, and she doesn't have the TV on so it's either a monologue or awkward silence.  I'm sure my aunt appreciated having us all there and not having to make the visit alone.  I'm sure it's also really hard on my aunt to see her mother that way.  And the fact that my uncle is in failing health is also tough for Aunt Connie as well.  It was nice to have the afternoon all together, and my aunt and I had travel time to chat as well.  We are all aware that this is almost certainly Grandma's last birthday lunch, but it was a nice afternoon.

My favorite Christmas decorations

As I'm getting ready to put away the Christmas decorations, I find myself thinking about my favorite decorations.  While there are so many that are filled with memories, and there are plenty that are over 40 years old, my favorite decorations are the photos.  I have 16 frames filled with Christmas photos from various years.  Obviously, not every year is represented, but I love not only looking at the memories, but I love the decorative nature of the frames.  I added this year already.  I've actually run out of room on the shelves where I keep them, but I've worked it out to expand a bit.  It makes me so incredibly happy when I get each photo out each year.

I undecorated the trees this evening.  I needed to separate Catherine's ornaments this year.  It seems like our trees might be pretty bare next year!  As I was putting the ornaments into their own bin, I couldn't help but think about how much I'm going to miss them next year.  I thought it wouldn't bother me because we've already had Thomas take his.  But, I realized this evening that some of the memories were still there because seeing Catherine's ornaments would make me think of the memory.  For example, one year, all seven of my grandmother great-grands visited Disney.  She made each of the kids a Disney related ornament that year by making them cross-stitch ornaments.  Those kinds of memories are so dear to my heart.

And speaking of my grandmother, today she turns 95.  My sister saw her today and said she is definitely fading cognitively.  My mom, sister, aunt and I are going to see her Saturday and bring in lunch.  I am nearly certain this will be her final birthday.  I am so, so grateful to have had her in my life for so long, but I know this is not how she wants to be living.

An entire week into 2026...time is still flying!

Christmas 2025

This has been a mostly wonderful Christmas.  If the truth be told though, I'm physically exhausted and emotionally drained.  It all just feels like a lot.

Our Christmas Eve plans were scrapped as our friends' kids started getting sick.  We were disappointed as we love our time with them, and we love to see their kids from out of town.  And we also had literally nothing in the house that would feed seven people for dinner!  Domino's Pizza solved that problem though, and the kids all gathered here by 6:00.

Catherine had come with us to church, and it's always a challenge for me.  We go to a Catholic church because it is what needs to happen with my MIL, but I regret not being able to fully participated in the church, especially on Christmas.  It causes a pang.  I also saw a family I've known for a long-time, and I adore this large family, but I also know there is heartache there.  It left me feeling emotional.  I was so glad Catherine came with us though.

After the kids all arrived here after church, I gave our Christmas Eve gifts of pajama bottoms.  We played an incredibly fun trivia game, and then we watched the Polar Express.  I don't love that move, but I do love when my kiddos (and wife and boyfriend) are all safely asleep in my home.  Our morning was also incredibly lovely, and I'm so grateful for the photos we took of our family.  We all loved the gifts from each other.  We were on the road before Noon for lunch at my Mom's house.  My sister went to visit my grandmother, and we sat down to eat as she returned.  Unfortunately, she was overcome with emotion and ran out of the house.  I get it, she is exhausted.  She worked tirelessly to get my Mom's house ready, it's an incredibly busy season at her job, and she is almost solely responsible for things that happen with my grandmother.  And today, Grandma was incredibly confused when my sister was there.  As my sister was dealing with her emotions, my mom and my MIL began to tell stories about the passing of other relatives, and suddenly there were a lot of tears.  I attempted to change the subject, but there was a damper on the afternoon.  Fortunately, my sister regrouped and we were able to finish with a lovely afternoon.  There were more gift exchanges, and it was all so very nice to be together.

We had all driven separately as the kids had other places to be, and I wanted to visit my grandmother.  She has chosen to stop wearing pants (ugh) so I am not in a rush to take others with me to visit her.  I took her some chocolate and we had a short visit.  It was a bit heartbreaking as I know with certainty this is going to be the last Christmas with my grandmother, and even though this isn't the woman I've known, and I know this isn't the woman she would want to be, it's going to be so awful when she's gone.  It was hard leaving her today, but it's also really hard being with her.  As I drove home, I thought of so many wonderful Christmas memories shared with her.

I am grateful for so, so much.  I am incredibly grateful that my kids woke up here today and I don't take it for granted at all.  I know this next year is going to bring some changes, and I'm working really, really hard to embrace them.  Truly, it's been a lovely Christmas, and even the emotions are because of how amazing my life really is.

So happy to get to school break, I thought I might cry

I had been counting down the days, then the hours, then even the minutes until school was going to be finished yesterday for break.  I don't think we had ever earned a break like we had this one.  Work has turned into a daily "what now?" situation.  We had one pop up at the end of the day Wednesday that required I put in an extra hour, we had ANOTHER one pop up in the morning before school even began, and then we had one that was a bit less of a surprise closer to the end of the day.  I felt weary to my core.  The hard part is that none of them can really be resolved right now.  Ugh.

We had a staff gathering at the end of the day, and I was happy to be there but was the first to leave.  It was a really wet and windy day, and although I was supposed to attend a meeting last night, I decided I was coming home and officially beginning my break.

I spent my day just kind of doing my own thing.  I wrapped a few presents, I cleaned a bit, I took a nap, I just kind of hung out and did my thing.  Maudie, the cat we inherited from my grandmother has been very clingy and wanted to curl up with me throughout the day.  Catherine had her last day at school and then left town for the weekend.  I've appreciated the relatively quiet day.

We got a bit of hard news today.  My sister informed us that this seven-day course of antibiotics will be the final antibiotic for my grandmother.  My grandmother has faded tremendously in the last couple of months.  Even if this round of antibiotics takes care of the current infection, it is recurrent and this life is not what my grandmother ever wanted.  She is 94 years-old, and I know that she will be ready whenever the time comes, as it's been apparent she's been ready for quite some time.  I'll be sad when she's gone, but honestly, she hasn't been the same woman for years.

Tomorrow, Andrew is going to get his mom, and I'm going up to my mom's.  Quite a bit to do over the next several days, but I'm so grateful to be on break!

The last weekend in October was full

It was a busy weekend, but I wouldn't trade it!  The weather was absolutely ideal.  It was the perfect temp, there was sunshine, and I was able to drive among the gorgeous scenery.  It even started an hour earlier than normal because we had conferences on Friday which meant no students, and I usually take advantage of some extra time off.

Yesterday I made my (pretty much weekly) trip north to work at my mom's house.  My sister and I have been working on things since August.  The goal is for Mom to be able to host a Christmas meal.  I'm beginning to wonder if this is possible, but I think if Catherine spends some days up there before Thanksgiving we can pull this off.  While it is a major time commitment, I'm appreciative of the beautiful leaves changing and how peaceful the drive is.

We then had dinner with our good friends.  It had literally been months since we had seem them.  We had a drink at a winery and then Mexican for dinner.    We were home by 9:30, which used to never happen.  It was the best we could do though!

Today was church and then all the kids were here for dinner.  I got the house cleaned up and it's so nice to be able to start the week feeling "ahead".  It's not a crazy week, and it sure is nice to be able to say that.  Last week was emotionally excruciating and completely exhausting.  I know it was the best thing both for our family and for that sweet dog.  And I am thankful that I no longer have to worry about being bit or what the snarling and growling might lead to.  And I can know that in long run, he is a good dog and I'm sure he'll find a right home where he is the only pet.  But none of that changes the fact that I absolute hate that it was for the best and it makes me sad.  So I'm looking forward to a quieter week, and with November just a few days away, I can get excited about the holidays.  Dinner with the kids was a lovely preview to that as well!

I will always remember

Yesterday, we had an open house to celebrate Thomas and Lyndi's wedding.  It was nothing formal, just come by when you can.  I will always remember how my kids felt loved by the people who came to celebrate them.  I will always remember how my son shared with me that he shed tears when he opened the gift from his Godfather, who created a unique piece of art personal to them, just as my son had done for them when they married ten years ago.  I'll never forget my son calling me last evening after they got home to thank us for all we had done.  I'll never forget how much love I felt in that room, or the gratitude I felt for those that were able to make it, and also for those who couldn't be there but let us know.  I am so grateful.

But I know a person can hold two feelings at the same time.  When Thomas and Lyndi first talked about getting married, I remember thinking how I couldn't imagine having a wedding that didn't include our big extended family.  I was so grateful to have been included in grad parties, weddings, baby showers, etc., and I wanted all of them to share this day with us.  The kids agreed a format like yesterday was a perfect way to include all of them.  And I will always remember how it felt, when I looked out over everyone, and not a single one of them was there.  Not. A. Single. One.  My mom was there, and my sister was there.  None of my first cousins and their kids, none of my second cousins or their kids.  No aunts and uncles. Absolutely none of that big extended family was there.  And the worst part?  With the exception of my aunts and two cousins, NO ONE even bothered to RSVP that they weren't coming.  I'm not asking for a gift, but at least acknowledge the celebration and politely decline.  And here's the thing, you want to do this to me?  Okay.  But this was about celebrating my kiddo, who is working really hard to be a decent young person in a really hard world.  I couldn't help but think back to all of the graduations, weddings, grad parties, showers, soccer games, baseball games, football games, plays, etc. I had attended, nearly all of which were at least an hour's drive.  And I was happy to do it and so grateful to be included in most cases.  And even times when I couldn't attend a specific milestone event, I ALWAYS sent a gift.  I was important to me to cultivate those family ties.  

Don't get me wrong, I am not claiming some huge family conspiracy against us.  Not at all.  It just is what it is.  And what it is, hurts.  I'm sure Thomas didn't think much about it.  Friends were there.  And those friends who are always there and have become our "framily"?  Absolutely.  One of our dear friends drove home from a college performance in Detroit and arrived in the middle of the night, then was driving back last night.  So many dear, dear friends were there and made my kiddos feel so special.  As did my coworkers, whom I adore.  And I still love my family, but I also need to guard my heart a little.  And I need to guard my energy.  This September has been REALLY hard (a post for another time).  If this is how my extended family feels about events, then it's okay for me to send a gift and save my energy for the people who will truly appreciate it.  This Mama Bear is so grateful for the people who love my kiddos, and they are all truly a gift.

Last trip of the summer

This past weekend we took our final trip of the summer.  Yesterday was also my final day off for the season, but we still aren't working full days.  Yes folks, the new school year is nearly upon us.

I had originally taken these days off to have a nice long weekend at home.  Plans changed though.  Friends from California were going to be in Pittsburgh so that meant traveling over on Friday, and then my mom had a medical appointment on Monday and I told her I would take her, then we had lunch with my daughter-in-law, so needless to say, not nearly as many things got done as I had hoped.  But that is life!

Anyway, it was a nice visit in PA.  We got in Friday for an awesome dinner with my mother-in-law.  Saturday I was able to sleep in until almost 10.  We had plans in the city, and we had such a great time seeing so many people we hadn't seen in quite a while.  In fact, in my case it had been years since I had seen them.  It was so hot though, and even in the a/c, it was so crowded that it was really warm.  I was grateful that by early evening we were back at his mom's house and brought in a pizza for dinner.  We watched a cheesy Christmas movie, and I really enjoyed having the opportunity to visit.

Two weeks from today we will be getting ready for the first day of students the next day.  The summer always goes so quickly, but I love my job...and I'm soooo ready for cooler weather that the fall will (hopefully) bring!

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'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!