This is my kind of Saturday morning

This morning is so incredibly peaceful, and so incredibly needed.  As much as I love my husband, and as much as I do miss having my kids around more, this peaceful morning is exactly what I needed.  The three animals are all sound asleep here in the living room with me.  The weather is sunny and cool, and I can have the windows open and listen to the sounds of nature that are all around me.  I have plenty of things I want to get done and I'll get to them later.  There will be baseball on TV and maybe listening to some radio.  But for right now, I'm going to soak up every second of this quiet peace that I can!  And of course it is a Saturday which makes it all even better!

Draft weekend

Andrew and Thomas have been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time.  The draft is in Pittsburgh, and the guys have gone over to partake.  They left last night after Andrew finished parent conferences so they weren't at the first round.  But, they have spent the day in the city today doing draft things, they are at the draft tonight, and they'll be in the city again tomorrow before heading home on Sunday.

Honestly, I've been looking forward to this weekend as well.  Since it isn't fair to the dog to be alone for an entire day, I stay home with Janey.  This means I don't have to leave the house if I don't want to!  I can get the house picked up, and maybe even doing some photo digitizing.  I can also sleep as much as I want!  I'm very excited about a weekend with no obligations...other than making sure Janey gets four walks a day!

Right now we are receiving a soaking rain which makes it even more lovely to just get to hang out at home.  It's bringing a cool front through, and I'm happy that we won't be having more 80's right now.  Have I mentioned our house stinks?  I'm not going to get into it, but we need to be able to leave the house open to air out, so cooler weather is beneficial.  And tomorrow it is supposed to be very cold, and I'm so very excited about that!

We have 18 days of school remaining.  It's hard to fathom that I have to tolerate some of these parents for another 18 schools days.  It's also a little hard to believe that in four weeks it will be Memorial Day weekend.  I am 100% not sad about seeing this school year come to an end.

I had to go back to school

I mentioned to my co-workers today that this weekend felt as though it was our reward for surviving our first semester.  We knew Saturday afternoon that church was going to be canceled for Sunday morning, we knew by Noon on Sunday that we would be home all day Monday, and we knew early afternoon Monday that we would be home Tuesday.  It was an amazingly wonderful gift of time.  On Sunday, I completed my entire puzzle.  It was an easy one, and I loved, loved, loved it.  The entire day was spent watching the snow fall, watching football, and doing the puzzle.  It was a day that was much, much needed.

Monday and Tuesday were spent being much more productive.  Lots of laundry was done and I was able to do some cleaning and get other things done.  At the same time, there was time for reading magazines and catching up on other things.  It was really just such a wonderful few days.

Yesterday, Andrew and I drove out into the country to see how the roads were.  While some streets in town, were fine, most were okay, but the country roads were not.  I wasn't thrilled about having to spend 15 minutes out in morning carline at -9 windchill (even with a 2-hour delay), and with the drifting in the country I really thought closing was the way to go.  It wasn't my decision though, and we were in today while the public schools remained closed.

It's going to remain very, very cold here for at least a week, and we might even get some more snow.  I don't know how it will all play out, but I am so very grateful for the few extra days off, and for the gorgeous scenery it gave it and the ability to relax!

The first day of 2026

As I've written many times before, January 1 is often my favorite day of the year.  And this year is no exception!  We've been watching the College Football Playoffs, (after the Buckeyes awful loss, we are now Hoosier fans).  Andrew and I have both been doing a lot of school work today, but we haven't left our home...just the way I like it!  In fact, I informed Andrew this morning that I wouldn't be getting out of my pajamas, although in my defense I actually put on clean pajamas this morning.  I gave myself a new set for Christmas, and they are incredibly comfortable.  I also put on my comfy Christmas socks for the last time this season.  It's been a great day.

NYE was spent at our good friends' house last night, and it was especially fun to share it with other friends and even some of the kids.  There were twelve of us together at Midnight, and we left shortly after.  I told Andrew that I know I'm getting old because although I love our friends and I especially had fun watching the game, I'm to the point that I almost prefer to stay home and just hang out ourselves on NYE.

Our sweet new pup, Jane, has been so much fun today.  After insisting it would NOT happen, she slept in our bed last night.  Beagles are just absolutely the best!  She and the cats are coming to an understanding.  There are so many little traits that remind us of our dear Abby but she looks different than Abby and I'm glad about that.  I'm so, so glad that she has come into our lives.

This break had a lot of crazy, but I'm so grateful for the last few days.  It's very nice to end the old year and start the new one with a sense of peace!

This day after Thanksgiving

Even though this is the end of my break, this might end up being my favorite day.  It was just this time, exactly a week ago, that we were all bolting out the door ready to rest and relax on this break.  And it's been lovely.  But today, well today feels just the MOST relaxing.  The weekend was about getting ready for my MIL's arrival, Monday and Tuesday I had to work several hours at my jobs, Wednesday was about getting ready for yesterday's meal and the evening of all the kids, and yesterday was full of the meal and helping out my mom.  Today though?  Well, today I need to decorate, but we aren't doing the trees today at all.  Today I could sleep in, know that no one expects a big meal this evening, and just putz around the around the house, decorating s-l-o-w-l-y.  And I'm thrilled with that.  I still have two full days without any real commitments, and I'm going to soak them up.  And I'm filled with gratitude about all of life's blessings!

I didn't even realize how much we needed this weekend

This weekend has been nearly perfect.  Andrew was at the playoff football game Friday evening, where our local school lost to my hometown for the second year in a row.  They'll only ever meet in the playoffs.  My hometown has a much better team.

Then perfection began.  I was supposed to go to my mom's yesterday for another day of cleaning and organizing, but I needed a break.  My boss was out sick all week, and I was tired.  I knew I could tell my mom I needed a break and she would understand, but I knew my sister would not.  So yesterday morning, I explained that I was fighting a migraine, which actually was true, and that I would not be going up.  It meant that Andrew and I had the entire day with absolutely no plans.  The last time this happened was at least the beginning of August, and possibly earlier.  I got closets cleaned out and a few other things accomplished, while also taking some time to work on a festive fall puzzle I purchased with some birthday money.

I also received a phone call from a very dear friend I hadn't spoken to in a very long time.  It was a lovely conversation and it was so nice to hear from him.  I have three friends from high school who are still part of my life, and I'm so incredibly grateful.

Today was supposed to be church, but Andrew woke up not feeling well.  It's been just as delightful as yesterday.  Today is a blustery and wet day, and we might even get some snow accumulate overnight.  It is another perfect day to be home and just get things done around the house.  And of course, both days had football games to watch!  Yesterday our dinner consisted of meatballs and potatoes, and this evening we are about to chow down on some potato soup.  Two weeks from today we'll be on our Thanksgiving break.  I'm so, so full of gratitude we had this weekend as we did.

It reminded me of the second weekend in November in 2013 when we had just moved here.  We got so much done that weekend and had a really great family weekend.  It was right before my dad died, and I've always been so grateful that I had the weekend I did heading into that sadness.

I even get to be off tomorrow.  This is just spectacular!

This might be my favorite day of the year

I am on spring break.  It is a break that could not be more needed.  Work has been crazy, and as my boss put it, logistically challenging on nearly a daily basis.  Last week I was standing in a classroom trying to determine whether or not we were going to be able to have school in that classroom because there was no water in the building due to plumbing issue.  One of the teachers said to me that she was sorry I was dealing with that, and my response was that I was sorry it wasn't the worst thing we were dealing with that day.  That would've been the long-time student who needed to be suspended.  Yep, lots of stress.

But now, we are off on an entire week.  It was a fun weekend with all basketball, all the time.  There were some good upsets, and I enjoyed the fact that I really had nowhere to be all weekend, except for taking Thomas back to college yesterday.

I had trouble sleeping last night, and I allowed myself to really sleep in this morning.  I've had nowhere to be today.  It really felt like a perfect day, and a day just entirely for me.  The sun is shining, and it's just been an amazing day.  Andrew has a baseball scrimmage, so he won't be home until about 7:00.  I needed this day that was just 100% for me.  I need to get to the office for some payroll later this week, and I need to take my grandmother to a doctor appointment, but today is absolutely nothing.  I can't even describe how relaxing my day has been.  And it's just the beginning of the break! 

Turning it over, and what I want to be doing now

This weekend, I will officially be turning over the band stuff to the new Treasurer.  To say that I am excited is absolutely an understatement!  There are six boxes full of things that will be leaving my house.  None of us are sad about that.  After 8-1/2 years, it is time for the boxes to move out, and for me to move on.  I'm doing sponsorship this year, and maybe next, but that will be that.

I am thrilled beyond words.  I look forward to having time to work more on my genealogy, and catching up on my magazine subscriptions that are crazy old at this point.  I want to work on scanning family photos.  I am so excited about the opportunity to do something crazy like work a jigsaw puzzle, or even READ A BOOK.  My husband gave me an e-reader last year for my birthday, and I've read it once.  While it has been an honor to serve the students, I didn't realize what a burden it had become to me.  I am so, so excited to have this all off my plate!

I read a book

One of the things I always had plenty of time for as a substitute teacher was reading books.  I would read them on my laptop which I didn't love, but I did enjoy reading them.  Rarely was my reading ever "heavy".  I preferred the sweet little Maine mysteries.  I could generally churn one out within a week.

Then I changed jobs.  Instead of sitting at a desk all day doing almost whatever I wanted, I was responsible to actually accomplish things.  On top of that, I am supposed to be digitizing tubs and tubs worth of photos from both sides of my family.  I've probably got about 1% done, and I feel it hanging over my head.  Reading a book seemed like a luxury that I simply shouldn't do.  There was ALWAYS something more important to be doing.

While everyone was gone for Labor Day though, I allowed myself to begin a book.  Loans are only three weeks, and I went almost two weeks without getting back to it.  Earlier this week though, I knew it would be running out, so I allowed myself to finish the book.  Honestly, it kind of buoyed my entire motivation.  It was really wonderful to allow myself just a little bit of time to read a book!

The kind of Monday morning I can really enjoy

It is the most incredibly peaceful Monday morning...pretty much ever.  I had grand plans for all the things I was going to do while Andrew, the kids, and the dog were gone and I had no responsibilities.  Reality though, is that is not what I did.  I still cleaned and worked and ran errands.  It's okay though.  I also watched lots of college football, especially Notre Dame's OT win last evening.

The weather has turned absolutely gorgeous, at least for this morning.  I love the way our family room furniture is currently arranged so that I can enjoy the view into my backyard.  There is not a cloud in the sky and it's almost chilly.  I was watching the two outdoor cats wander around earlier.  Yesterday a deer was standing along the edge of the woods chomping on leaves.  It is really lovely.

I'm so grateful for the quiet and peaceful feeling of this morning.  I feel as though life has been anything but peaceful lately, and it bothers me greatly.  I'm so grateful for even just a few hours of this calming, and I appreciate one of the cats wanting to curl up and share it with me!  The weekend has gone too fast, but it isn't over yet! 

Our backyard

Last summer when we visited family on Lake Champlain, there were nine of us staying in a little camp building that could not have been more than 650 sq feet, and that might be generous!  Honestly, I was pretty much only inside to do the dishes, help with any cooking, and to sleep.  Otherwise, we were outdoors.  There was so much space outdoors that I remember all five adults being out one afternoon, and none of us were anywhere near another.  I remember sitting by the water one afternoon, and falling asleep from the peacefulness of it all.  It was truly inspiring to Andrew and me that there was so much more life outdoors rather than indoors.

I have never loved the outdoors.  In fact, heat and humidity are major triggers to my migraine headaches.  At the same time, sitting outside on a gorgeous weather day brings more peace than I can explain.  Our backyard is so private and peaceful, and I really decided I wanted it to be a place I enjoy being.  We can't afford an oasis, but we can make it enjoyable.

It started two years ago or so when I moved our porch furniture onto our patio.  For many years after we moved here, we used it as the furniture in our sunroom.  However, that room has a very fluid purpose, and decided to use the furniture as it was intended.  It makes a lovely little sitting area on our patio.  We moved the picnic table that had previous sat in that spot to underneath a tree.  I don't love eating outdoors, and it's really just extra places to sit when we have people over.

Last summer, I also purchased an early birthday present for Andrew and bought him a hammock.  He had always wanted one, and I found one at an end of season sale.  It was an unbelievable discount, and since we counted it as his birthday gift it was truly win-win!  It is located in a very shaded spot and both Andrew and Thomas love to spend time in it.

Our garage had been the home for five years of a porch swing that belonged to my parents.  My mother had no place to put it, and I was happy to take it off her hands.  Andrew built me an amazing a-frame for it last summer, and it is just in front of the woods by our fire pit.

Today we continued our quest to trim and work in the yard, and the focus today was on the backyard.  I planted some more flowers, and we did a great deal of mulching.  My favorite part was that Andrew trimmed back the ferns I hate, and I can't get over how much better it all makes the yard look.   We have a hanging basket and memorial wind chimes (from his brother's service) hanging on shepherd's hooks just outside our big family room picture window.

I love our backyard.  It is so peaceful, and I can't believe that I am lucky enough to be able to spend each day enjoying this little tiny peace of earth.  In fact, I am enjoying the beauty of my backyard as I type this!

We finally arrived at Friday

Woohoo!!!  It is Friday!  Yes, I am excited!

It's been a long week.  Andrew was gone for two days at the beginning, and it just never felt like I could every really recover.  I actually went to bed BEFORE 9:00 last night.  It was awesome.  I almost feel rested today, but that might also just be the Friday adrenaline kicking in!  Both Andrew and Catherine aren't feeling the greatest either, so a little bit of down time this weekend will be good for everyone.

Originally my plan for today was to go home when I am finished at 2:30 and not leave my house again until tomorrow.  That changed yesterday when I couldn't make the trip to the middle school because the band director was home sick.  Not a problem.  It will delay me about 25 or 30 minutes, but still plenty of time to enjoy my Friday of nothingness!

Then of course, I learned this morning that we are OUT of cat food.  Not running a little low, which is when the kids should inform, but just out.  Okay, well that means I need to go pick some up at the grocery, which isn't a problem except that today is mass exodus for students AND winter commencement activities.  Way too much traffic in our small little town today.

I'm still grateful though, that our evening is activity free.  We are trying to decide which Christmas movies we want to watch, and I'm so looking forward to hearing some laughter and just hanging out.  I would love to try and get two movies in, but we may all fall asleep during the second one if we try that.  I am so looking forward to our time together!

An afternoon drive in the country

Yesterday was another bright and gorgeous day, but still with fall temps.  I decided to head west and visit a candle outlet.  I had visited last year in early November on a Friday when I was off work.  While I would much prefer to go during the week, and usually I only allow myself to have "fun shopping days" on a Friday, I am scheduled every Friday possible from now until December 20.  I also felt the need to be out in the open country and enjoy the scenery.  I find it so peaceful and comforting.  It's less than an hour drive each way, but it didn't feel like it took even that long.  There is a route that will take the interstate, but I didn't want any part of that.  I only have to go through two very small towns on the drive, and it's just such a lovely trip.  I would've preferred Andrew come along with me, but he had responsibilities that couldn't be done later.  I'm so very, very grateful I took the time to make the quick trip.  We all need to take time for ourselves!

An extremely quiet Sunday morning

With Andrew and Thomas gone, it is only Catherine and myself (and our pets).  Catherine had to work at 9 this morning, so I was up at 8.  It is an amazingly beautiful and quiet morning.  Abby and Lincoln are sitting on the couch in the front room with me, and I've opened the windows.  I am enjoying cool weather and peaceful quiet.  I have tons of things I want to accomplish today, and with eight solid hours to myself I am certain I will.  I don't like going to church by myself so I'm staying home today, but honestly, there is something spiritual in these moments as well.

It was a lovely evening outside

Yesterday afternoon, we hosted a gathering for Andrew's department.  Six of the seven others in the department joined us, and one brought the entire family.  As we are close with that family and they have young children we adore, we were all thrilled.  It was a lovely day and we all ended up being outside into the early evening.  Everyone departed by 8:00, which was fine with us.  It was so gorgeous outside though, and I told Andrew I didn't want to be cooped up in the house the rest of the evening.  We took a drink and went out to the back patio.  We even took my laptop so we could continue to follow along with the Reds game, which turned into a rout of the Cubs.  It was an absolutely lovely evening to be outside and relax for a bit!  We haven't had too many ideal outdoor evenings this summer, but I am grateful last evening was one of them!

Three days on an island

I have to backup a little...almost an entire year.  When Andrew's brother passed away, only one of the northeast cousins was able to come down for the funeral.  He is the youngest of Andrew's four cousins, and therefore the one closest in age to Andrew.  I've only seen him three times in the last 15 years, including almost exactly 15 years to the day when Andrew and I visited them in Boston with their then four-month-old twins.  They visited my in-laws over ten years ago and we made the trip over, but the twins didn't come along.  So their kids had never met our kids.  However, when we saw Tom at the funeral, there was much discussion and we learned how much Ryan and Thomas had in common, and they are only six weeks apart.  They began to communicate over text, then eventually conversations, and we knew we had to get them together.  Tom and his wife Stephanie invited us to their family's island in the middle of Lake Champlain.  The other twin is a girl and much in common with Catherine, and we decided we needed to make it happen!

We arrived Sunday afternoon and were picked up by boat (the only way to access the island).  It was only a ten minute boat ride, and then as soon as we stepped onto the island, the stress of everything began to just lift away.  It was amazing how the kids interacted as though they had known each other forever.  Tom and his wife could not have been more gracious hosts.  They took care of all the food for the days, and honestly, most of the time we just sat and enjoyed the gorgeous view.  The kids did some reading, played some volleyball, worked on some projects, helped out some neighbors, went kayaking, had a boat ride, sat around the campfire, helped get the boat up and down on the lift...it just goes on and on.  The shelter we were in was very tiny.  It had a functioning kitchen and room for all of us to sleep.  It has a bathroom and shower, but they don't really use it.  Their septic system is fragile and they prefer the outhouse.  I have to say, it was pretty impressive in terms of design, functionality, and not too icky!  The weather while we were there was beyond ideal.  In fact, it was chilly enough that pants and even sweatshirts were necessary.  They owned a half acre on this island, and we could all spread out while relaxing outside.  There were times I would just sit there and take in the view.  One time I was so relaxed I actually fell asleep.  Andrew and I loved the fact that there were games to play and books to read, and just visiting with each other.

Three days was exactly the right amount of time.  We were ready to move on when it was time to leave, but we loved our time there.  Andrew and I admitted to each other that we were both hesitant and apprehensive about certain aspects of this trip...not the least of which was the isolated time spent with family we didn't really know very well, with no TV or internet.  It really was awesome though.  I don't know how we will ever be able to repay their generosity!

Yesterday was such a tease

None of the schools in our county had school yesterday since it was election day.  It turned out there was nothing on the ballot here, but there is no way to know that before the school calendar is decided.  Because our schools are used as polls, from a safety stand point, they have decided not to hold school on election day.

It was an amazing day.  Of course, it started with sleeping in which is always wonderful.  Secondly, the weather could not have been more beautiful.  I had a couple of errands that absolutely had to be done yesterday and I didn't mind being out and about.  The sun was shining, the temperature was wonderful, and the humidity was low.  Catherine didn't have to work, and since baseball practice was cancelled even Andrew was home fairly soon after work.  It was a relatively care-free day without much to worry about.

Days like this are rare, and pretty much non-existent during the school year.  We are soooo close to having them more frequently though with our summer off.  With only twelve more days of school remaining (counting today), it is so easy to just feel like coasting into the end of the school year.  With high school students have finals though, it doesn't really work that way.  That's what makes yesterday feel like such a tease.  We are so close, but not there yet!

So grateful for the little moments today

I am not working today.  I intended to be.  There was a job I knew would be available today, and my alarm was set to get up and go in.  However, it was a rough night of sleep, and I decided to stay home today.  It is a job I don't particularly like, and I decided being home with my pets was better for me today.  I know how selfish that sounds, but I don't regret my decision.  And I've already been asked to work tomorrow, so that is still four days this week I'll be scheduled.

I am so grateful for the sunshine and the warmer temps, and the birds chirping.  I am so grateful for my sweet dog and one of our cats to be curled up together and literally cuddling with me on the couch.  I am so, so grateful for these peaceful moments.

Yesterday was not peaceful.  I was in my favorite sub job in the building.  I love it!  The kids are awesome and it's just a great job.  However, we learned some very difficult news about the teen daughter of some friends.  It is not publication, but it shows how quickly unhealthy teen relationships can become dangerous.  I am angry and having trouble processing, and I had the young man who is causing problems in class yesterday.  It was tough for me.

I love the fact that my sweet animals are curled up here with me, and I've got over 4 hours until Catherine gets home this evening.  I'm going to enjoy my day of peace!

Yesterday was wonderful

Yesterday was really as wonderful as I thought it would be.  Sleeping in was definitely a fabulous start to the day.  I didn't get nearly as much finished as I would've liked, although I did get about 95% of Christmas cards finished.  I really just sat and relaxed while working on the cards, and just thoroughly enjoyed the quiet down time.  That is very rare.  It was even an extra treat that Andrew's work finished much earlier than expected, and he was home before the kids.  It was nice to have some time to catch up.  I have a bunch of errands to run this evening, but I am cautiously optimistic I can live in an uncluttered house by this weekend!  I even have a few fun holiday plans!

A wonderful day to be off work

Within the last two weeks, I missed a couple of opportunities to work today at the high school.  I was bummed, but it turns out that today is the only day I'm off this week...and my first school day off since November 2.  Because I get to sleep in 45 minutes on days I don't work, it meant we were still asleep when a later-than-normal phone call came that school was on a 2-hour delay.  That meant I got to sleep until nearly 8:00!  It almost feels too good to be true.  That unexpected snow at just the right time was much appreciated.

And even better is the fact that I don't have to leave my house all day.  In fact, I have almost all day to myself.  The kids will be home at 3:00, but have to be out the door by 3:45 for swim workout and won't get home from practice until nearly 8:00.  Andrew has athletic director duties at a wrestling meet this evening and probably won't be home until even later.  I plan to get so many things handled around the house, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to make it so.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying a few moments to just sit.  I have Christmas music playing, and the animals are all sleeping.  In fact, one of the cats is cuddled up with me.  I know that when I get up and start cleaning, I'm going to be irritated by the things my kids couldn't put away, but with the Christmas music on and the snow covering outside, it is incredibly peaceful.  I am so grateful for this.