A winning weekend

I told Andrew last evening that we should have purchased a lottery ticket this past weekend.  Everything we rooted for turned into a winner.  Notre Dame winning in Double OT?  Check!  OSU taking out Rutgers?  Check!  Big Ben staging a comeback against the Cowboys?  Check!  There were other victories as well, but I try to keep politics out of my blog.  I told Andrew last night as we began watching Sunday night football that the state of Louisiana should be grateful for me.  He asked why, and I responded that everything was winners for us this weekend, and I was definitely rooting for the Saints against the Buccs (and Tom Brady).  And the Saints trounced them!  My high school soccer team and volleyball teams even qualified for state.  It was definitely a winning weekend in my world!

Whatever brings joy

Yesterday Thomas and I made a trip to my hometown to continue to help my mother.  One of the local stations is playing continuous Christmas music.  Thomas groaned, and said, "It's too early!"  I get it.  I myself am a stickler for the holiday decorating calendar. 

As I've driven to work, there are a few people who already have their Christmas lights up and on.  It's a little hard to feel "Chrismasy" with our current record setting temps, but the lights are on.

And I am NOT about to judge.  If Christmas makes people feel better, BRING IT.  I'll be honest, hearing Christmas tunes fills me with hope and joy.   I'm working very hard at not feeling overwhelmed by the holidays this year.  First of all, gatherings will be small (at best) and many are simply not happening.  I also know that while I get the two weeks off, I don't get a few days before the break and a few days after.  No extra time for me.  And of course there is the fact that Catherine doesn't actually live with us, and I'm not sure how much time she'll choose to spend with us.  Just so many changes this year.

So yes, people.  Christmas lights bring joy?  Shine them brightly!  Christmas music brings joy?  Play it loudly!  May we all find the joy!

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!

We have arrived at another weekend

It's another Friday, and my last Friday here in this job.  There are definitely things I am going to miss when I leave here, but I also know that switching jobs has many benefits.

I was pretty excited about today being Friday, although my enthusiasm was tempered a bit when I arrived here at school.  They have asked me to supervise another class at the end of the day, which generally I don't mind.  However, it is my least favorite group of young people here.  It isn't the most pleasant way to end the week, but it is what it is.

My plan for the weekend is to do lots of shopping.  Not my favorite thing in the world, but definitely needs to be done this time of year!

Only seven more mornings with a "5"

After today, there are only seven more mornings when I have to get up with a "5" as the first number on the clock.  Of course, in the summer, those glorious numbers I'm used to seeing will still be replaced with a "6" on the clock, but I guess I'll deal with that.

Since the time change happened this weekend, it was glorious to leave for work this morning.  As I was walking out the door, the sun was beginning to come up in the east.  By the time I arrived to work, it was actually light outside.  It was wonderful.  It makes the drive so much more pleasant.

I have a feeling that November is just going to fly by!

A beautiful day to be off, and the last visit was seven years ago

Seven years ago today was the very last time I visited with my father.  It is a day that is forever engrained in my memory, and it was a very fun and happy day.  I am so incredibly grateful for both of those things.

I am off today, and it's a gorgeous, blue-sky fall day.  I am a little sad that this is really the end of this for many years.  My job is full-time, and the days I will take off will be either to handle something that needs to be handled, or to have time with my family.  So a day at home alone will be virtually unheard of.  I am grateful for the opportunity for income.  I sincerely hope I enjoy the job.

I think it is time to go out and enjoy a little sunshine!

The end of the weekend, and into November

It is very late Sunday evening because Thomas is up doing homework.  Thank goodness I don't have to work tomorrow!  I'm having flashbacks to Robert's senior year and how he would work until after 11 on Sunday nights, then need to shower, and we both had to be up at 5.  Those were not fun nights, and a pretty crappy way to begin the weeks.  Anyway, Thomas and I are up late, which feels even later because of the time change.

I spent some time at my mom's place today finishing up painting.  I'll need to make a quick trip up this week so that I can finish the shelves.  There was no where to flip them.  She's calmer than yesterday, but still so very full of hurt.  After she left, I found a box of memories that brought me to tears.  Many cards from myself and kids, and even a letter I had written to her just about this time of year when I was a freshman in college.  There were tons of newspaper clippings of my mother.  How proud my grandmother must have been of her daughter!  There was a lovely card from my aunt that was given to G.G. on Mother's day.  I know I'm a lot like my grandmother because I love to hold on to those memories as well.

There wasn't much Halloween in our house.  We had very few trick-or-treaters, but Thomas was out on the porch all evening to hand out candy.  I'm grateful he was very generous so that we don't have much leftover.  Andrew and I enjoyed the Ohio State/Penn State game last night while Thomas video chatted with others.

I am so excited that November has arrived!  I love October more than November because November starts to get really cold, and for the most part the leaves are done.  But it is also the beginning of all things holiday, and it ends with Thanksgiving.  A post about this year's holidays, however, is for another day.

Thomas has just finished and we can head off to bed.  Feeling peaceful and grateful tonight!