This weekend was a wonderful beginning to May

This weekend was a really nice beginning to the crazy month of May.  Andrew and I were exhausted at the end of the work week and went bed at 9:30 on a Friday night.  We are not in our 20's anymore! :)

Saturday morning I got up and went up to help at my mom's house.  She wasn't feeling great, and I ended up not being there very long.  It was such a gorgeous day, and I decided to make a quick trip to the cemetery.  I miss them all very much.  That evening we had dinner plans we are best friends, and it's always a fabulously fun evening with them.

Sunday was another absolutely gorgeous weather day.  Catherine had been at our house Friday evening to help with some weeding and other outdoor chores, and Andrew wanted to finish trimming.  I worked in the garages and was able to make a good deal of progress.  Honestly, I was delighted to soak up the gorgeous weekend weather.

Today is the exact opposite of that gorgeous weather, but I don't really mind.  It was a quiet day at school, except for the very wet carlines.  But, it is the only evening I'm home this week, and I'm so very happy to sit in my house and watch the rain fall outside.

Only eleven more days of school this year.  We can do this!

It's easier when it's such a gorgeous day!

Last night was that annual pain in the rear end when we lose an hour of sleep.  As a kid I always informed everyone that I was going to lose an hour of awake, but now I understand that isn't at all the way it works.

While I appreciate the extra hour of sunshine at the end of the day, the adjustment is so rough.  I have to admit though, that when the day is as gorgeous as it was today, it makes that missing hour of sleep much more tolerable.

I'm also grateful that my school attempts to schedule our work day on the Monday after the time change.  It doesn't always work out, but when it does, it is delightful...and that is the case tomorrow!

Open toe shoe season, an evening of basketball, the best kind of weekend

That is a lot to put in a title!  I guess maybe I need to write more often!

It RAINED this week.  I mean it was crazy.  According to a graphic I saw yesterday, our town was the big "winner" with over 7.5" of rain in three days.  That is CRAZY.   Everything is wet and muddy, needless to say.  But yesterday, it was actually in the 70's, and I laughed as all three of us in admin wore open toe shoes.  The season has arrived!

My aunt and uncle gave us their tickets to the UD basketball game last evening.  We gave up our season tickets when we moved here.  We hadn't been back to the arena in 13 years!  I'll be honest, I don't love the changes that were made, but we enjoyed the game.  Unfortunately, it was a loss.  As we (Andrew) drove home, I watched my alma mater play their final regular season game.  They were playing our arch rival for an UNDEFEATED season.  We were able to watch the second half from home.  The game went into overtime, but the Redhawks are undefeated for the regular season.  Woohoo!!!!

Today was a day where I planned to get a lot done.  We rarely have a weekend ay where we have nowhere to be, and next weekend we will be out of town.  Tomorrow was supposed to be a day where I would spend a few hours up at my Mom's house helping to clean and go through things, just as I've been doing most weekends since August.  However, my sister let me know today that she was going to need to work tomorrow and since Mom had plans later in the day anyway, I don't have to make the trip up!  So I truly, truly, get some time off this weekend and get things done around here.  It's fabulous!  I feel like I'll never be caught up around here, but I'll do the best I can!

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!

It wasn't overstated!

This storm has been something!  It started snowing at about 5 or so last evening, and hasn't stopped.  I measured early this morning and we had over 9", then when I measured early this afternoon, it was nearly 11".  It slowed down for a bit, but is really coming down again.  The first school closing was mentioned about 9:40am, then our local public schools closed about 11.  My school closed about 12:30 this afternoon.  Given that temps are going to be in the teens with subzero lows (not to mention wind chills), we aren't terribly optimistic about Tuesday either, and we'll just have to see about anything beyond that.

I was finally able to start a puzzle.  It's a Christmas puzzle, but I don't care.  I've decided it's okay to have a bit of Christmas whenever I want!

It's going to be a monster

We've been waiting for the weekend all week, and it's finally here.  Woohoo!  And what a weekend it is going to be.  We are forecasted to receive a monster of a storm.  Most of the weather stations are calling for 8-12", but an online guy I follow is saying 9-15", and he said he may have to bump up the totals after the model runs tonight.  The temps are already brutal and they are going to become more so.  The university in town has already cancelled classes for Monday.  Churches have started cancelling for Sunday.  It is something!  As a snow lover, I'm pretty excited!

More changes

This weekend, Catherine officially moved in with her boyfriend.  If I am being 100% honest, I don't love cohabitation without an engagement, but I understand times are very different now and this is rather normal.  She went through an official application process and has been added to the lease.  Andrew and I are officially empty-nesters, and not just on certain days of the week!  I'm hoping to rearrange some furniture as well, so there are definitely going to be changes around here.  I'm also hoping that decluttering and pitching things is part of this process.  To be honest, it feels a little bit surreal.

Overall, Andrew and I enjoyed our weekend, but January is a tough month.  The church responsibilities are a little out of control, and there are so many this time of year.

On the upside, today the sun is shining (although it feels like negative temps with the windchills), and overall, I'm thankful for this life I am living!

It's been a lovely "snow" day

We were all home again today.  I think my boss had decided last night that she was going to close this morning, but she hated to make it official the night before.  The text came at 5:30 this morning that I'd be joining Andrew and Catherine here at home.

Of course, it didn't actually snow at all!  This is all still from Saturday's storm.  The issue is the temps have been so frigid that they can't get the roads clear.  There are even already some schools delaying for tomorrow, and it is very possible our public schools will be among them.  I'm certain my school will be in and on time, and since it will only be a three day week at this point, I don't mind at all.

I was able to get a couple of loads of laundry done, clean out a few things, and begin to wrap gifts.  Andrew has to work at the basketball game tonight, so it's a great time to get his gifts wrapped.  I've enjoyed my foresty candle, my lights, and the coziness of my warm home (for which I'm so grateful) as I've enjoyed the gorgeous views outside my windows.  This has really been a delightful and productive day!

I've loved this weekend

I have absolutely loved this weekend...and it may not be over yet!  It's really been special.

On Friday, my school had a two-hour delay and the public schools were closed.  Two-hour delays always make the days go by faster, especially on a Friday.  It wasn't a lot of snow, but it was just at the right amount, especially for the public schools that start busing at 5:30, meaning even a delay has the buses out at 7:30.

After I got off work, Andrew and I headed north to BGSU where the oldest daughter of our best friend was graduating from college.  It was about a three hour drive, and it was a blast to share a later dinner with them.  Yesterday we were thrilled to share their celebration by being at the ceremony, but as soon as the ceremony ended, we were ready to hit the road.  We were expecting a fairly major winter storm, and were hoping we could get ahead of things.  We most certainly did not.

It started snowing 1/2  hour into the trip, and it ended up taking an extra hour.  Even on the interstate and state routes, we were going 15-20 mph below the speed limit.  Andrew is an incredibly safe driver, and I never felt concerned or unsafe.  It was an absolutely gorgeous trip.  Since Andrew was driving, I took a lot of pictures.  There are a lot of evergreens along the drive and it was really beautiful.  We got home about 4:00 and were able to get things situated for a cozy night at home.  We watched a cute Christmas movie.  I kept checking the snow totals, and we ended up with over 6" when all was said and done.  And then it got COLD.  We are talking negative overnight lows.  Our pastor decided yesterday to go ahead and cancel services this morning, so we got to sleep in.

Things are still incredibly frozen here and very white.  The public schools have closed for tomorrow, and most neighboring districts around here have done the same.  My school is on a two-hour delay, but I expect we will close as well.  That means I'll only have a three-day work week as we are done on Thursday this week.  By Thursday though, there may not be much snow left as it will be in the upper 50's.  Good grief.  There is even a possibility of severe thunderstorms.  Crazy!  But for right now, it is cozy, and lovely, and a beautiful weekend in December!

Enjoying the view of a winter wonderland from inside my cozy home

It is a gorgeous winter wonderland outside.  We were forecasted to receive 1-3" of snow overnight, but as someone stated, this was an "overachiever" and there is 3-5" throughout the area.  I would guess we are somewhere between 3-4" and it is absolutely gorgeous.  Because it was going to be snowing through the early morning hours, we were certain the public schools would be closed, although I had thought with the lower numbers that we might be in session, and I was planning to go in regardless.  However, we closed by 6am, and I just texted my coworkers and said that with the larger amount, I am going to just stay home. I'm currently in my front room, having finished my morning coffee, wrapped in a Christmas throw next to our lit Christmas tree, enjoying the view out our large bay window.  I'm so grateful for this morning of peace.

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!

A beautiful fall day

Today was such a gorgeous day.  It was almost 70 degrees, and bright and sunny.  A cold front is coming through and the wind picked up, so the leaves were gliding.  It was truly a lovely day.  Work has settled and I'm able to get things accomplished in a more timely manner.  And of course, it is a lovely time of year when I currently have only 25 work days remaining in the year.  Ahhhh.

Since the time change on Sunday, the days feel even cozier as the darkness settles in earlier.  It makes me incredibly ready for the holiday season.  Although I still miss the big family meals at my aunt & uncle's house, and I miss the gatherings at Christmas, I'm still looking forward to family time.  We have some fun things planned, and my mother-in-law will be here for the entire week of Thanksgiving.  I am so grateful and so excited.

One down thing to today is that my mother had to say good-bye to her dog, Peach.  She had begun to suffer, and that is just not okay.  I know how much my mom must be hurting today.

 

I really love this time of year

We've made it to another Friday.  Although last weekend was a three-day weekend, there is something about this weekend that feels even better.  After tomorrow, it is going to get much cooler.  Holiday activities are beginning to pop up.  The leaves should really start changing soon, and things seem to be getting cozy.  I'm so grateful for these days, and I'm especially grateful we are at the weekend!

It's darker in the mornings

We are a full week into October.  This was supposed to be the return to "normal" at school, but that sure isn't the case.  We don't have school Friday though, and I'm so grateful for that.

This morning as I was driving to work, I couldn't help but notice it was still dark.  The days are definitely getting shorter.  It rained all day today.  I was absolutely soaked by the time dismissal was finished today.  I was thrilled to be able to come home and change into pajama bottoms.  This rain is a cold front too, and that should be the end of the 80's for this year.  There might still be some 70's, but the fall weather is definitely arriving.  It's awesome!

It sure doesn't feel like the first weekend of October

The weather here is ridiculous.  I'm sweating.  Thankfully, the sun is going down and it is beginning to get cooler.  I"m hoping our new mums make it.  Andrew had to work at a cross county meet this morning and it was beginning to get a little miserable.  I've got a few fall decorations out, but honestly, it just seems ridiculous to decorate when it feels more like July.  Thankfully, the humidity isn't awful.  I"m looking forward to cozy weather, but not sure when that will happen.  Even when the cold front comes through this week, it will lower the highs to 70's.  I"m ready for long sleeves!

Our week at work is actually beginning to settle.  We are hopeful we can begin to focus on things that really matter rather than people who are just being difficult.  This is also the last week Andrew will have any events until around Thanksgiving, so we are very grateful for that break.  I'm definitely looking forward to life slowing down a bit!

I'm so happy to see October arrive

August and September were rough, rough months.  The beginning of our school year was beyond draining.  Andrew had a crazy evening work schedule with athletics.  He has also joined a community group to address homelessness, and Thomas, in addition to his wedding reception, had a fairly tumultuous month.  Wowza.

But I'm always so happy to see the month turn to October.  We've had basically no fall weather yet.  Not a single day where I could wear any kind of long-sleeves.  Our forecast is 80's, even as high as 86!!!!, until next week when a front comes through.  At least the overnight lows are in the 50's so we don't have to have the a/c on the entire time.  It is definitely getting darker earlier in the evening and staying darker longer in the morning.  I'm so ready for the cozy weather, and of course, for the holidays that are just right around the corner.  

I'm grateful the Reds are playing in October, although with the annihilation of last night this could be the final game tonight.  But there is plenty of great football ahead of us, and college basketball will be starting soon as well.

I'm hoping October is a more emotionally settling month as well, and I'm looking forward to November and the month of gratitude that will follow.  I'm grateful for the very peaceful feeling in my heart today, even if it is only for today.

Another weekend in September

It is definitely beginning to look like fall around here.  Sadly, it isn't colorful, nor is it cool, but because of the draught things are brown and yellow and beginning to fall from the trees.  And although our a/c is running, because of the lower humidity, the heat isn't oppressive.

Andrew and I both had long weeks.  Andrew had something every evening, and Thursday I even attended a meeting for him.  We've decided to "tag-team" a committee seat that is about serving our neighbors in need.  It is an honor to be able to be involved.  That should be the last really, really hard week for Andrew.  It's a little unfortunate that it happens at the beginning of the school year, especially when the school year beginning has been so rough for us.

He even had to work yesterday, but our evening was really lovely.  One of my high school friends was in town and we always have a blast visiting for a couple of hours.  It's always such a gift to be included in his plans!

Today, I went to work at my mom's house.  It's a daunting task to get things under control, but we are working on it.  It's hard to see a positive step forward for my mom with all of her mobility issues.  We are doing what we can though, and my sister is amazing about those things.

There are definitely a few stresses in life, but I am constantly reminding myself that we are basically safe and healthy, and we can work around the other things.

Whew!

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

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

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

So grateful for this quiet Monday

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

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

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

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

Given the gift of time

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