It seems hard to believe I might be off tomorrow

My last day of school where I didn't work was on September 9.  That was the day of Aunt Cathy's funeral, and that was the only reason I didn't work that day.  I actually had a job scheduled for the day but had to cancel.  I actually had a job scheduled for tomorrow as well, but that ended being cancelled due to a scheduling miscommunication by the teacher.  Over the weekend, Andrew had asked about my schedule for the week, and I mentioned that I didn't have a job for tomorrow.  He told me he didn't think that would last.  And yet, here we are, just 67 minutes until the end of today, and I don't have a job for tomorrow.  I would be thrilled if something came up and I could be at the high school, but I also can't feel too terribly sad about the thought of having an entire day off as well.  Wednesday I don't have to work until Noon so that will be nice as well.  Maybe a little bit of catching up time this week!

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!

Homecoming 2019

The kids are off to Homecoming this evening.  Catherine is going with her best friend, Austin, and Thomas has a date.  It is a girl he met from swim this summer.  She seems like a nice young lady.  She lives 20 minutes away, which really isn't that bad.  We picked her up and will take her home later this evening.  Catherine drove them to dinner and then the dance.  I'm sure they will have a lot of fun, and hopefully they are hanging out with some friends.  It sure is quiet around here this evening, and I hate to think about how soon it will always be like this!

Pretty much my favorite kind of day

Today is definitely the kind of day I absolutely love.  First of all, it is a Saturday...and that alone makes things awesome!  I didn't get to sleep in until whenever I wanted, but I did get to sleep in three hours later than a normal school/work day.  The weather is down right chilly.  It is already after Noon, but hasn't yet reached 50 degrees.  Not a cloud in the sky though, so the fall colors are bright and vibrant.  I went to the league cross country meet being held at our high school this morning.  Our girls dominated, although we were disappointed that our #5 runner finished 6th and not 5th.  Yeah, they are THAT good.  Our boys also won the league title.  After the race, I allowed myself a specialty coffee drink, and then picked up flowers for the Homecoming dance this evening.  Now, we have most of the afternoon to just hang out and enjoy some college football.  Tonight is Notre Dame playing USC.  This is just my dream kind of day.

The only "down" is that the kids have a dance this evening.  Not really a bad thing at all, but it does keep me from just closing my eyes and not caring what time it is all day!

Christmas lists have changed

I loved when the kids were little and would make their Christmas lists.  Robert and Catherine always had pretty straight-forward lists, but with Thomas you never knew what you would get.  He always had very specific, and at times comical. requests.  A couple of hours ago, I was thoroughly amused to receive an email stating that Thomas had shared a google doc with me..."Christmas List 2019".  My goodness, times have changed.  I have so many wonderful memories of the kids and their lists.  In fact, there are still many that I have kept over the years.  I loved the years we had to put the lists in the window, or many other fun ways they had to be "delivered".  There were the years where Thomas got a little older and wanted to know how we knew Santa's address.  It's hard to believe how quickly the years have gone by!

I really enjoyed our family evening

Our family had a lot of fun last evening.  The kids were in the Homecoming parade, and because of that there was no band practice last evening.  Everyone was home before 7:00.  It was awesome!  I had stayed home from the parade because Andrew wanted to take the dog, and I just wasn't up for that.  Anyway, it was so nice that not only were we all home so early, we all got to sleep in this morning!  Only Catherine had to be anywhere, and that wasn't until 10.  Our family sat together and binged some TV.  I love laughing together with my family!  We were also so tired.  Thomas was sitting there fighting yawns, and at 9:30 we all went to bed.  Even our teens, on a non-school night, went to bed at 9:30.  Our family needed last evening!

Finally get to use the seat warmers

I love, love, love the vehicle we purchased this summer.  I think Andrew really does too, although he doesn't want to admit it.  I had stopped driving the van when we purchased the little (although very much older) Civic for the kids to drive.  The gas mileage on the Civic was so much better, and we needed the van to last until Robert left for the military (and our need for a van was over), so we were trying to keep the miles off of it.  Since I bought my current vehicle though, I almost never drive the Civic.  One of the things I am loving is the fact that my vehicle has seat warmers!  Andrew has them on his car, and I thought it was a little spoiled of him (haha).  I am finding though, that it sure is awesome on these chilly mornings we are having.  I wouldn't be surprised, as it gets colder, if the child who has to sit in the back seat of Andrew's car (with no seat warmers) decides he or she wants to ride in the front with me instead!