Another week gone by in October

We are nearly half-way through October.  I'm especially excited about tomorrow's weather as the high may not make it out of the 50's.  My kind of weather!  I can't complain to much though, as it's been warmer during the days than I would prefer, but very cool overnight and no humidity at all.  I'm really ready to wear long-sleeved shirts though.

Last weekend we had a lovely dinner with the kids, my mom, and even my sister joined us.  We were at one of our favorite restaurants where they serve incredible loaded fries.  Andrew insisted on a burger, but the rest of us all ate the fries...and even ordered extras!  It was nice to have some time all together.

Catherine is really enjoying her new job, and even has a second job!  She has a significant amount of debt and is beginning to understand the consequences of her decisions.  It's been really nice having her with us during the week and it's been helpful.  She appreciates that she still gets to spend her weekends in her apartment, but this is all temporary.  She understands when her lease is up next summer that she'll be moving in with us until she can really get back on her feet financially.

We have made it through the fall sports season.  It wasn't quite as bad as previous years, except for last week.  Andrew had to work every single evening.  The last two weeks have also been really, really hard at my job.  We had a lot of staff illness and it really took a toll.  I was the only admin working two of those days, and the Head was out pretty much all week.  That made it really challenging to be able to help in classrooms when I was the only one in the office, and there were times I just wasn't sure how we were going to cover everything.  We did though, and thank goodness we had Friday off school!  I spent Thursday night at an AirBnB with our good friend who also had Friday off. 

I can't lie, it's been hard to write this year.  My stories aren't very exciting or entertaining, and my kids' stories are their stories, not mine.  And it's been a really hard year dealing with some things.  I still enjoying re-reading some of the memories I've written here, and hopefully I'll be motivated to be better at recording the future memories!

Need to catch up

 There are many things I need to write about!  We were on vacation two weeks ago, but that is definitely a post of its own.  My mother has been having some not-so-minor health issues, but that is also a post of its own.  The Reds are playing fabulous baseball, but that is for another time as well!  I'll be on to write again in the next couple of days as next week is another week off!

Puzzling

I'll be honest, I've realized that I truly love doing puzzles.  As my boss said to me this week, my mind is always thinking about how to solve logistics issues, and it's because I love to solve puzzles.  I've never really "allowed" myself to do puzzles.  For one thing, they aren't necessarily inexpensive, and I'm pretty cheap.  Secondly, when I my kids were home, it just seemed as though I really should be doing something else that was productive.  Now though, my kids are grown, and Andrew and I work really, really hard.  I've allowed myself to buy puzzles this past winter and spring.  In fact, I didn't really realize how many puzzles I had purchased until I went to organize the closet this week.  I buy very specific "themes" of puzzles.  And truly, these puzzles make me so, so happy.  I will only do the puzzles that fit the season, because I'm pretty neurotic that way!  I've also realized that I don't have to wait until I have a break from work to do a puzzle.  It's okay to take a little time each day to work on a puzzle.  I've purchased several (as it turns out) summer themed puzzles, and I'm looking forward to getting them completed!

Fourteen years of blogging

Fourteen years ago today I started this blog.  That is a lifetime ago.  There are so very many things I want to write about, but this isn't the evening.  I am exhausted and not feeling great, and I have many things I want to accomplish.  Thomas is home, Catherine is home, there is pet chaos, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  I'll write more again soon.  Happy Blogversary to me!

A quiet Friday evening at home and the passing of the Queen

Yesterday Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain passed away.  She was 96, and although there had been some issues, I think she was mostly healthy until the very end.  Most of us discussed how sad it makes us, and I think it is because it is one of the very few constants that almost all of us have had in life.  A British coronation ceremony is something that hasn't happened in 70 years, and I'm sure it's a pretty impressive event.

I'm grateful for this quiet Friday evening.  It's been a month since this has been the case, because Thomas was home the last two Friday evenings, and before that we had Catherine's nursing induction.  Andrew is still doing football stats tonight, and honestly, a Friday evening alone is really what was needed.  Work has been absolutely insane.  We've been short staffed and I've even covered after school duties this week.  I'm always grateful for the opportunity for a little extra money, although with also working athletic events for some extra income (like I did on Tuesday) that makes for some really long days.  It's really hard to believe it was only a four day week!

Tomorrow Andrew has to work the JV football game, and then our plan is to take some naps, have some snack foods for dinner, and just hanging out.  Sunday will be church and the NFL opening games, and then next week is another crazy week.  Before that though, I intend to soak up the peace of this weekend!

Twos-day

I don't really have any thing specific to write about, but I couldn't let today go by without a post.  After all, today is 2-22-22, and it falls on a Tuesday!  As a numbers person, it's really just awesome.  I had a rough night with very little sleep, but I'm grateful to find something, no matter how little, to celebrate!

Monday on steroids

Today was a ridiculously crazy day at work.  It was roadblock after roadblock.  Things that normally happen first thing on Mondays didn't happen until after noon...in some cases until school was almost out.  Everything was just strange today.  The all day rain didn't help anything either.

I found out later in the day that there is a full moon tonight.  I hate to be superstitious and say there is a connection, but it does seem likely at this point.  Hoping Tuesday is not "Monday part II"!

August did not fly by

August usually flies by.  I can't say the same about this month.  This month felt like it took forever.  I think part of that had to do with working.  While school started August 18th, my craziness really started August 9th.  It was just different.

World events also made this a difficult month.  COVID ramping back up, Louisiana hurricanes, Afghanistan, Tennessee...all really tough situations.  While I am grateful to count my blessings, so many people are facing so many difficult realities, and sometimes I feel guilty for the blessings.  August was also very, very hot, and I just don't handle heat well.

I look forward to September and cooler weather, and definitely college football.  OSU plays Thursday evening, and then lots of football all weekend.  Looking forward to a long weekend!

The big 3-0-0-0

This is post #3000!  I've been posting here for 12-1/2 years, and I'm so very grateful for all of the memories that are saved here.  I know longer have little kids who provide comic material, and I try to be more and more respectful of their "stories" being their own.

This post comes at the end of a VERY long week.  Thomas's summer swim meets began this week, and he had two meets (lasting until after 10, ugh!).  His times are not spectacular, but his work schedule is causing serious problems with getting to practice.  I feel a little badly for him, but it is only summer swim which should be more relaxed.  It's really weird being at a summer meet and only have one kid to watch swim!

I worked Monday evening at church after working a full day, and we had a three hour band meeting Wednesday.  I had to have the budget prepared, but at least that was easier than last year.  Last evening I volunteered to help with registration at the church's VBS weekend.  I'm not going to lie, these long days are taking a toll on me.

Today was not a day of rest.  Today was the day my uncle rented a truck and we moved the rest of the furniture out of my grandmother's house.  A few things came here, although most of it went to my aunt & uncle's house.  My cousin and his wife were also there.  With all of us there, it didn't take all day.

There is a lot coming up this week as well, although most of this stuff is fun.  That's another post...and there are so many others I want to write as well.  I regret that I don't get to write on here as much as I used to, or as much I want, but that is my reality right now.  And regardless, there are now 3000 posts worth of memories here, and that makes me happy!

Coffee. Must have coffee.

 It's been a tremendously long week.  Wednesday was an especially long day with working late and then church council in the evening.  Thursday was required evening work, as was yesterday.  I finally got off work last night at 9:00.  Since I hadn't seen my family most of the week, I allowed myself to stay up until Catherine got home from work at 11:30.  Finally made it bed about Midnight, and since Thomas had to be at work by 8:00 this morning, it meant being up by 7.  Coffee.  Must have coffee!

That extra hour sure does make a difference

When the school year started, my alarm was set for 5:15 or 5:20 on work days.  I needed to be out the door at 6:30 in order to get to work, especially since I rarely knew where and how I would be spending my days.  I can't tell you how tired I was, and how many days there was a nap involved for me when I got home!

Now, my alarm is set for 6:15 each day.  Because I am staying up later most nights, it does not mean that I am getting five extra hours of sleep every week.  It does, however, mean that it is better in tune with my natural body clock.  I feel so much less tired...all the time!  That extra hour each morning has made a wonderful difference!

The bracelet

The first Christmas after Robert graduated, my best friend gave me a bracelet as a gift.  I loved the style, and she had specifically chosen it because it had a Navy anchor on it.  I loved that bracelet.  I wore it often.  I even took a picture of it and texted it to Robert.  I told him one of the reasons I loved it was because it made me think of him (which of course was her purpose), and I felt like he was with me when I wore it.  Of course I never heard a response from Robert.

As things happened though, I stopped wearing the bracelet.  While I still love the style, the fact that it reminded me of Robert was just too painful.  I have no intention of getting rid of it, but it's been tucked into my jewelry box for quite some time.  Since I loved the style, I decided to buy myself a Christmas present.  I found a very similar bracelet, except that it has a dangle charm that says "Blessed."  I absolutely love it, and I am very blessed!

Shopping during a pandemic

I decided I was going to do some shopping this weekend.  There were a few stores I knew I definitely wanted to hit.  Both Ohio State and Notre Dame weren't playing until the evening so I knew I had all day, and it was a beautiful day outside.  With me working full time this year, I wanted to knock out as much Christmas shopping as I possibly could.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I HATE shopping.  I knew that because it was a Saturday in November with gorgeous weather, it was going to be more crowded then I prefer.  What I was NOT prepared for was the fact that because of occupancy limits due to COVID.  The very first store I passed had about 15-20 people in line just to get INTO the store.  Oh goodness!  I barely have patience enough to stand in line to purchase the items I want, I am not about to wait in line just to be allowed into the store!

When I came home and told Andrew, he mentioned that it was important to go into stores because they need our business.  The fact that these were national chains means I wasn't concerned about the long-term success.  It just reinforced what I am already trying to do, which is to shop local small businesses, which I think is a good thing!

Dayton can't catch a break

Although the city of Dayton isn't my hometown, I'm a Daytonian.  I've never lived further than 50 miles from the city, and around here, that means I have lived in the Dayton region all my life.  I currently live where we can choose either Cincinnati or Dayton local stations from our stream provider, and we chose Dayton without thinking twice.  My husband went to college at University of Dayton.  It's who we are.

And the city can not catch a break.  In February of 2019, they suffered a water main break under the river.  Water supplies were shut off to the entire city, and even parts beyond the city into the county, for over 24 hours.  Next came a hate group choosing to demonstrate downtown, and legally the city could do nothing to stop it.  The safety response costs were staggering.  At the end of May, the north and northwest end of the city was struck by EF-4 and EF-3 tornadoes.  Nearly ten months later, the rebuilding and recovering is ongoing.

As if that wasn't enough, the city was the site of a deadly mass shooting in August.  Nine lives were lost in the Oregon District shooting, and countless more were changed forever.

Through it all, the region came together.  In fact, FEMA reported they had trouble getting people in the region to file claims to which they were entitled, because neighbor was caring for neighbor.  And starting in November, we had the Dayton Flyers to cheer about.  They ended the season as the #3 team in the country with an undefeated league record, and overall 29-2.  Those two losses were both overtime losses, and one was against highly ranked Kansas. 

This is the greatest team in Dayton history.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime team.  Special doesn't even begin to describe them.  The city of Dayton was looking forward to all March was going to bring...not just for the team but for the city.  Dayton hosts the NCAA "First Four", which pumps millions into the local economy.

And then the virus struck.  Not only did the best team in Dayton history lose out on the chance to show the nation just how special they are, and not only did the fans lose the chance to cheer them on, but the Dayton economy suffered a significant financial blow with the cancellation of the tournament.

We all get it, we all understand the seriousness, and I'm not complaining about the situation or the decisions.  I just wish Dayton could catch a break.

Glad it's Monday

Not too many people are ever glad it is Monday...unless it happens to be vacation week.  Then, the earlier in the week the better!  This week though, I am grateful for Monday.  Last week was beyond tough, and last evening I just felt grateful that not only is today a new week, it is the beginning of a new month.  I'm ready for it to be a good one, and optimistic it will be! 

It is a busy week, but mostly they are good things.  Thomas is going to begin driving school, and the kids have a band concert.  Andrew has baseball practice every day, and I've got LOTS of work to do at home, at school, and at church.  It will all get done though, and I'm looking forward to warm weather as well.  It's going to be a great week!

I've changed

I've felt a change coming on inside me for some time now, and it's grown stronger lately.  Things have happened that have changed my perspective in life, not to mention that we are simply in a season of life change.  I am no longer the mother of little children.  Two of my children are legal adults, and the other is a teen.  It changes things.

As my grandmother passed this week, I couldn't help but think about her life.  My grandfather made certain she was well provided for and she never had to worry about anything in terms of finances.  But my grandfather died when he was 64 years old, and G.G. spent 33 years (and one day exactly) being a widow.  I'm sure that's not how she pictured her later years when she was younger.  My other grandmother is 89-years-old.  She was 65 when my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and it was only another year or two later when her entire life came to be about only caring for him.  She was 73 when she became a widow.  I'm sure that isn't how she planned to spend those years when she was younger.

My mother became a widow at age 60, after my dad having been ill for 17 years.  Dad still did so much in those years, but the last year he was pretty much confined to the house.  Any amount of travel out of the house took a major toll on him.  After losing Dad, she herself battled cancer, and then she became a caregiver of sorts to both my aunt and my grandmother before they passed.  While I know without a doubt that my mother would tell you it was an honor to be able to be helpful, I am certain that none of any of that was how she pictured spending these years.

I think about my mother-in-law.  She is being such a tender caretaker for my father-in-law, who once never needed any such thing.  And they took care of my brother-in-law for several years before he passed away.  They never left to travel anywhere, even to visit us once he needed them, and now they physically can't.  They did have about ten or fifteen years before all of that where they traveled and had so many wonderful adventures.  I'm so grateful that they did, but I am sure this was not what they had hoped for the last ten years.

Thinking about all of this has changed me, as my children are now nearly grown.  I will always be their mother, and I will always worry about them.  Their choices are their choices though, and I will live with them just as they will.  They are at ages now where, for the most part, I just have to know that I've done the best I can.  Their lives are their lives.

So what does all of this mean for me?  It means I should live life.  Take a trip?  Let's go.  Spend an evening with friends?  Tell me when and where.  Hang out with the kids?  Can't wait.  Quiet time at home?  Sounds great.  I should live my life and love what I am doing.  Will I work?  Absolutely.  I will work, but right now we are blessed such that I don't have to live only for work...I can work to enjoy life even more.  I will pour myself into work while I am working, then I will pour myself into my family while I can, and I will pour myself into my friendships when I am able.  It isn't draining, it's filling.  It's filling my life with love and laughter.  It's creating memories to last a lifetime.  It's being present in each and every moment.

I know that I will always be a worrier, but I'm learning to just enjoy each moment of life.  Each moment is a blessing and will never be recreated.  Not all of them are awesome, but regardless of how fabulous a moment is or isn't, the next one will be here before we know it.  I am so grateful for so many moments that have been, and am grateful for all the moments I have left.  My heart is full.

It might seem silly, but it works!

When I work at the elementary school, I receive a small bottle of water.  I almost always have my own thing to drink, but I noticed that the small bottle they give fits very nicely in my purse.  Last fall, I was out running errands, and I can't even begin to describe how suddenly thirsty I was.  It was ridiculous.  Fortunately, I realized I had the bottle, and I haven't left home without it since.

My purse also carries tissues, ibuprofen, and now migraine meds.  After an episode of heartburn last fall, I also carry antacids.  And lip balm, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, etc., etc.  You get the picture.  I am a prepared person.

I am working today, and I didn't know if the person for whom I am subbing was part of the coffee cart.  I always carry my own sugar packets, and I threw in a container of powdered creamer as well.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any coffee today, but I'll be prepared for next time!

This though...well this was something!  A couple of weeks ago while I was working at church, I was having trouble getting the wireless mouse to work.  I called Andrew and asked him to bring me a wired mouse we had at home.  Right before he walked into the church, I got it working again.  Of course!  Anyway, I threw the mouse in my purse and didn't think about it again.  Today though, I received a frantic message from the church about a file I had sent for this weekend's annual meeting.  I knew what needed to be done and how to do it on a PC, but didn't know how to do it on my Mac laptop.  All of a sudden, I remembered that I had that mouse in purse.  I plugged it in, and sure enough I was able to make the changes that I needed to make!  I realize that I can't be carrying around my entire life all the time, but it sure was handy!

I just don't think it is possible to feel rested at 5AM

I went to bed before 9:00 last night.  It was awesome.  I easily fell asleep.  I even got to sleep in an extra ten minutes this morning because Andrew is home today for a doctor appointment.  That means, in theory, I had over eight hours of sleep.  I should feel well rested today.

But in reality?  I am still tired.  First of all, that eight hours of sleep, isn't eight hours.  I can't even begin to tell how many times I wake up during the night.  And I don't just "wake up" and roll over.  No, I wake up, and have entire conversations with myself.  How much time do I have left to sleep?  How much time would I have if it were a day I didn't have to work?  How much time if I could just sleep and sleep?  It's ridiculous.  I do it all during the weekend as well.  This past weekend we had two days with 6AM wake ups, and the one morning I did get to sleep in I had a nightmare of a kind I haven't had in years.  Three days later, I can still vividly see that nightmare.

Anyway, I don't feel rested.  I'm trying to get to bed early, and I'm trying not to be ridiculous at night.  I'm trying not to look at the clock in the night because once it has a "4" on it I don't fall back to sleep, which isn't at all helpful.  Hopefully this is just a phase of life that passes sooner rather than later!

I know people

I have a high school class mate who was in a September issue of People Magazine.  How cool is that?  She is an amazing woman.  She adopted the infant daughter of a woman who was dying (and passed) from breast cancer.  Just a couple of months later, she herself was diagnosed.  She fought her battle and has been cancer free for ten years.  She then founded a non-profit organization to offer support to women who are battling any kind of reproductive/gynecological/breast cancer.  It has become a national organization, and she is absolutely amazing.

There was also a guy from my high school who appeared as a dancer on Saturday Night Live last month.  I was friends with his older brothers in high school, but he is significantly younger and I didn't know him very well.  I saw the episode though, and there he was!

I'm amazed by what people from my little town can do.  Someone else I know from my high school founded a local non-profit that gives Christmas gifts, Valentines, and back-to-school supplies to children in foster homes each year.  It's really grown into something amazing.

I'm in awe of these people who have done so much, and especially the women who are truly making a difference in the lives of others.

Fighting a migraine

About 4:00 this morning I woke up and looked at the clock.  I realized I still had over an hour to sleep, and I also realized I had a migraine.  While I knew it wouldn't go away if I didn't take something, there was no way I was getting out of bed at that point.  I would never be able to go back to sleep if I did.  When the alarm went off an hour later, my head hurt so badly I wanted to cry.  I took some medication, and that helped for about 45 minutes, but it came back.  I think it might be a day where I just need to be medicated.

It's funny how there are so many stressful band days where I have migraines.  I am beginning to think there is some strong correlation!

In spite of the headache, I am enjoying my day.  I at the high school in Math today, and the desk happens to look at the window which faces East.  It's a gloriously beautiful sunrise.  I am also grateful for the seat warmers in my vehicle.  It was a pretty chilly drive this morning, but I was nice and toasty.  And in spite of the band concert this evening, it is early day at school so we do have some extra time to get things handled!