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!

A fabulous sports weekend

In addition to getting to attend the Reds game on Sunday, the entire weekend was full of fun sporting events.  Friday evening was the first Friday in weeks that Andrew didn't have to attend the high school football game.  We enjoyed the Reds game on TV, but losing to the Pirates is NOT what we had hoped for.  Saturday we watched ESPN's College Game Day live from South Bend.  That afternoon we flipped back and forth between the Michigan/Rutgers game the UC/Oklahoma game.  Neither game went the way I had hoped.  That evening, we started watching the Reds game and were delighted when they jumped out to an early 9-0 lead.  That made the eventual 13-12 loss all the more crushing!  And of course, we watched OSU score with only a second left to defeat Notre Dame.  This is literally the only time I ever root against the Buckeyes, but rooting against them I was!

After we had a blast Sunday afternoon, we were able to watch the Steelers game that night.  We hadn't even realized that it was a Sunday night game so that was great planning!  I didn't stay up for the entire game, but Andrew did and was very pleased the Steelers were victorious.  The Bengals were also on national TV last night and won their first game of the season.  The Reds beat Cleveland tonight, and that guarantees them a .500 record after losing 100 games last year.  Their is still a mathematical chance to make the playoffs as a wild-card, but time is running out.

I'm so grateful I enjoy these sports and these moments.  As I pointed out to Andrew on Saturday, life is pretty good if the biggest disagreement is which college football game to watch!

An historic football game this first weekend of fall

This is an absolutely GORGEOUS weekend.  Fall has arrived, and it's delightful.  It is just the right temp to have the windows open, and the awesome fall scents of our candles are wafting through the air.  The potato soup is in the crockpot for dinner, and it's really just awesome right now.

I had an early morning as I had to be at my grandmother's place at 8;30 to take her for a COVID test before her surgery on Wednesday.  It was an overcast morning with some rain drops, but I couldn't help but think of many early fall Saturday mornings when we were on our way to cross country meets.  Those are some really great memories.  I was grateful to be home just before Noon so I get some things done around the house.

And of course the best part about Saturdays in the fall is college football.  Today was a big Notre Dame match up for the Irish against Wisconsin at Soldier Field in Chicago.  I told Andrew that the hard part of being a Notre Dame fan is that they always play a tough schedule and it's exhausting each week!  Today, they had fabulous fourth quarter and pulled out a victory.  And it was a history making victory as Brian Kelly passed Knute Rockne for the winningest coach in ND history.  Such an exciting game.  Go Irish!

Labor Day weekend

Unlike Memorial Day weekend where there have always been many traditions, Labor Day weekend has never really had any.  There have been many years though, where I've been lamenting the fact that school is beginning again, and times I've been even down right sad about it.  This year though, the kids already have two full weeks in, and it's a wonderful weekend because it feels like a BREAK...a very much needed break!

Thomas was able to spend most of the weekend with my sister and she took him to the Notre Dame victory over Temple on Saturday.  How awesome is that?  He had a blast.  Andrew and I had a date night Saturday evening since it was just the older two.  We stayed here in town and I was comfortable leaving them.  We dined at a nice restaurant where I knew college students would NOT be...that was my primary goal.  It was a little pricey, but I so desperately needed an evening with just Andrew to get away and not feel guilty about all the work that needs done at both houses.

Last evening was my favorite part of the weekend (besides sleeping in this morning).  My best friend hosted our group of friends, and almost everyone of our group was there.  There were a couple of spouses unable to attend, but we took a group picture and I'm so grateful to have a record of the evening.  These people are the dearest friends I'll ever have in life, and I'm so very grateful for each of them.

Today is another unpacking/arranging day, and Robert has practice this evening.  Hopefully we are no longer living in chaos soon!

What I should be doing

I really ought to be doing just about anything RATHER than what I'm doing...sitting here on the computer.  And this is what I've been doing for the last hour so I'm getting absolutely nothing accomplished today.  I have to be at work at Noon, and that honestly, is the issue.  I don't want to get into my work clothes, so I'm putting off taking a shower as long as I possibly can.  Even sitting on the computer, I could be doing some billable work for my dad's office, but can't seem to get into that either.  While I did watch three quarters of the Notre Dame game last night, it was a blowout so I did not feel obligated to stay up until the end.  I think it's just my body getting back into the yucky school wake up time that has me so tired and lacking motivation.  Oh well, life shall go on!

Game time!

We are all dressed appropriately in our Notre Dame attire.  My shirt is my personal favorite, "Beat Bama".  We've been waiting six weeks for this game.  For me, winning this game would mean not only a national title for our favorite team, but it would mean my least favorite college team EVER would lose!  GO IRISH!!!!!!!! Roll OVER the tide!

A great day in sports

Yesterday was an absolutely great day in the sports world, at least in our household!  FINALLY have the last few years have brought last second heartache, Notre Dame defeated Michigan.  GO IRISH!!!  I still have some concerns about the success of the rest of the season as I've not been totally confident in their play yet, but at this point it doesn't matter.  WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!

Also, and really, more importantly, the REDS CLINCHED THE CENTRAL DIVISION!!!  We were all trying to get things done yesterday while the game was on, and as JC pointed out, every TV in the house was tuned in to the game.  When the top of the ninth arrived and the Reds were up 6-0, I called everyone to the living room so we could watch it together.  When they clinched two years ago I was the only one still awake, and I wanted to make sure the kids didn't miss it this time.  As I watched the Reds turn the game ending, division clinching double play, I honestly had tears in my eyes.  There were two reasons for this...1) we really have a shot at something big in the postseason this year and 2) my entire family was sitting together when it happened.  These days, that is such a rarity.

All home safe and sound

The kids all returned last evening, very happy and very safe. They had a wonderful trip. They had received gift cards for Christmas to the Notre Dame bookstore and enjoyed making their choices. I love that JC chose a Notre Dame headband and earrings of the leprechaun...so cute! The highlight though, was clearly the locker room tour and being able to walk out into Notre Dame Stadium. How amazing for them! They even got to touch the "Play like a champion" sign that hangs on the way out. It was an incredible experience. Unfortunately, the men's basketball team lost to UConn, but they had pizza afterwards to drown their sorrows!

I am very, very grateful to my sister for being able to give my kids these opportunities. She's often not terribly nice to me, but there is absolutely no question that she adores my kids and is really great to them!

Today I'll be worrying...and praying

Apparently my answer to "Where is the snow?" is "Right here." We are receiving a couple of inches last night and in to today. Nothing major, although bitterly cold...windchills at zero or below. Today, my sister is taking the kids for their Christmas present to South Bend, IN to spend the night and do some things at Notre Dame. While I'm not terribly worried about their travel here, I'm pretty terrified of the travel up north. However, the rest of my family assures me that my sister will not take any unnecessary risks, and I've always vowed not to let my anxiety have a negative effect on my kids. So they are heading up later today, and I'll be doing lots, and lots, and lots of praying. Feel free to join me!

Football games

In the world of college football, Notre Dame FINALLY won a game last night! Last week was such a heart breaker and I can't even stand to think about it. Our Steelers didn't play so well last week, but we are hoping for better things this year. JR's team is 3-0 so far this year. In fact, yesterday was the first touchdowns they had given up all season. While I know that JR is not necessarily thrilled with playing football, I'm grateful that he's able to be part of a successful team. Because their team is so successful though, they don't play a lot of defense, and since he's already splitting time because there are 50 players on the team, it's a little difficult for all of the defense to get any quality playing time. He's enjoying the games, but has still informed us that there is no future in football for him. We're proud of him for trying though!

Back under one roof

We had such a great weekend away. The only real downside was the weather. It rained pretty much from before we left Friday afternoon until sometime overnight last night. Since we were planning to hit the road and get brunch on the way, today's sunshine has little impact on our weekend. I felt badly that we couldn't really show our friends the beauty of the area around my dad's cottage, but we stayed in and watched some movies and played some games and just had a blast.

The kids had an equally fun weekend. My sister signed them out of school early and they were in South Bend by about 6:30. It rained up there also all weekend, but they did get to attend the game for a little bit. HT has decided that Notre Dame is his choice of college. We've told him he better start studying for a scholarship! Anyway, the kids got to spend lots of time swimming at the hotel pool and even got to attend Mass on campus. And of course there was lots of fun eating out with Aunt Katie! The kids came home exhausted and all voluntarily decided to go to bed early. I'm just glad that they are home safe and sound and I'm looking forward to another crazy week!

Weekend Away!

My sister is taking the kids to South Bend this weekend for the Notre Dame spring game. The kids are SOOOOO excited and I know that they are going to have a great time. I also know that I am going to miss them so much. In fact, I already do and can't wait for them to return on Sunday. That seems a little ridiculous, but part of it is that I'll just be glad when they are back safe and sound. And I also feel like life is so unbelievably crazy right now that I hate losing an entire weekend with them.

It's been a crazy week between practices, scouts, tutoring, science camp, and my work schedule. I'm grateful for all of our opportunities, but I wouldn't mind a little time to clean my house...which is probably what I should be doing now!