Major adulting

Today, Thomas and Lyndi closed on the purchase of their home.  We are so incredibly proud of them.  They have done almost all of this completely on their own.  I'm sure there will be some sweat equity that we provide at some point, and perhaps starting soon in order to get them moved, but they have handled the paperwork and financing and all of it completely on their own.  It's a great starter home for them, and we are really, really proud!

Ah...the weekend

To be honest, I've been pretty darn giddy about this weekend!  Since it was the first week of work, I decided to allow myself not to work at my mom's house, which means I get to sleep in for the first time in weeks.  Andrew doesn't have to work tomorrow either, so we actually have a day at home tomorrow.  I'm ecstatic, and know it could be weeks before this happens again.  Sunday has some extra church commitments, and tonight Andrew has the football game.  I'll be continuing my photo organizing this evening and I'm excited to be moving along with those.  AND there is COLLEGE FOOTBALL on tomorrow!  Only four games, but ah...it's here!  The weather is still very warm out (and going to get warmer) but we are headed into my favorite season.

And how was the first full week?  Well, this school year feels like an absolute gift.  Our families are wonderful, our new staff is amazing, and we are so thankful for the way things are moving along! 

RIP Dolly Parton

It was sad news yesterday when we learned that Dolly Parton had passed away.  She was talented, smart, philanthropical, and so much more.  Andrew told me that even his students knew who she was.  There will absolutely never be another like her.  May she rest in peace.

We made it through the first week and the first short weekend

Last week was three completely normal days.  We kept commenting on how much we can get done when we aren't worrying about the chaos that is ensuring around us.  It was delightful.  I think it's going to be a really good year.

This weekend was short, but full of some emotions.  I'm working through photos, and I completely wrapped up all of 2017 and 2018.  In those years, my aunt, my grandmother, and my father-in-law were still alive.  We still had fabulously fun family gatherings.  And we still had all three kids as part of our lives.  

The part about Robert is weighing on me a bit.  I would love to have a "family" ornament made with all of our names.  But, it doesn't seem right to put him on it...and yet it doesn't seem right not to do so.  What if he comes back one day and sees it?  It feels complicated.

I went to see my grandmother yesterday.  I only stayed about ten minutes.  There is part of me that is so angry she is alive.  I feel terrible for even thinking that.  But she just lies in bed and does absolutely nothing.  Visiting her is hard because there is no talking, and the TV isn't on so it's awkward to just sit there.  She is so small and this just isn't my grandmother.  The anniversary of my grandfather's passing was Friday, and there is part of me that thought she wouldn't make it through the weekend.  I hate seeing her "living" like this, because it isn't living.

We have five full days this week, but our evenings are fairly unscheduled.  Next weekend I am not making a trip to my mom's house, and then I'll only work four days the following week.  We were even able to turn off our a/c this evening.  I am so ready for cooler weather!

Thirty-four years ago today I was one of them

Today is move-in day at the university.  It is not anyone's favorite day.  The students arrival doubles our town's population, not to mention the family members who have arrived to help move them in.  The traffic is an absolute nightmare.  I miss the quiet of our little town already.

The thing that is so hard for me to believe is that I was one of those students, and I moved into my freshman dorm exactly thirty-four years ago today.  I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by.  I also have to note that I didn't love move-in day any more as a student than I do as a town resident!

Two days into school, and our school year has been delightful (knock on wood).  I'm so very optimistic this is going to be wonderful!

At least I bounce well?

Today is the last day of the summer break.  Students arrive tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it.  We had planned for today to be a fairly short day.  I made sure all the paperwork is ready to go, and I'm excited to see the kids.  Andrew is working an athletic event this evening, and I'm grateful for the extended hours of a very quiet house.

While I'm ready for school, my computer is not.  It hasn't worked well for a while, so we purchased a new one.  Today was supposed to be the day that we finally hooked up the new one and transferred things over.  But, nothing worked the way it was supposed to.  I went to look for some additional cables, and had to climb some steps.  A door ended up shutting behind me, making the space very dark, and I thought I was off the steps when in fact, I was not.  Knowing that my body was about to collide with a cement floor, I was very concerned.  I was so grateful that I didn't hit my head, nothing is broken, and while I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow, it really wasn't a big deal.  I guess I kind of "bounced" off the cement floor, so for today I'll be grateful that I bounced well!

We moved here thirteen years ago

Thirteen years ago we moved in to our home.  The time has absolutely flown by.  Part of me didn't think we would still be here at this point, but at this time there is no place else I'd rather be.  I may not be a huge fan of living in a college town, but I absolutely love our home, and I love this little wooded neighborhood.  By Christmas, I will have lived in this house longer than any other home I've lived in during my entire life.  That seems unreal.  As a child, my parents purchased a home right before my sister was born, and then we moved to our next home just over 13 years later.  I loved both of those homes and was so lucky to get to grow up in them.  I lived in our second family home a little over 7 years, then moved out on my own into a house that my dad owned and I eventually bought from him.  I lived in that house for about 6-1/2 years before Andrew and I were married and bought our first home.  We lived there for 10-1/2 years before moving here...and I just can't believe we have been here 13 years.  I'm also having trouble believing it is only Andrew and I at this point.  This house has been such a tremendous blessing! 

The Uhauls are beginning to arrive

After church today, I had to run back into town and make a very quick trip to the grocery.  It was still an easy drive with very little traffic, but I couldn't help but notice that there were several Uhauls along the way, and I signed a bit. 'Tis the season, and I know our little town doesn't exist without the university, but ugh.  I haven't missed the students, nor have I missed needing to drive around block upon block to locate a parking spot.  This time next week, though, the semester will be starting in just about 12 hours and the town will be crazy again.

Our family had our annual back-to-school dinner this evening.  Without realizing it, I've made a tradition of making sure we get together right before school begins.  The fall is really hard for Andrew and I with the schedule, and I wanted to make sure we saw our kiddos.  We learned today that a classmate of Thomas's was killed in a car accident this weekend.  Love and hug your babies and loved ones, because tomorrow is never promised.

Our family is incredibly blessed, and a blessing as well.  It's time for school to begin again.  I'm grateful for each day, even the school days. :)

It is August 13

Today is August 13, a day full of so many memories for me.  It's true though, as time passes, those memories don't hurt as much.  Thirty years ago today I walked into the kitchen and found my parents crying.  It was the first time I really realized how sick my dad was.  He stayed with us for 17 years though.  Even when he was told he wouldn't live more than five years, he lived six more.  Not at all surprised...that was my dad.

I've been working on photos and I really, really want to get them organized and printed.  So many memories in these photos, and I'm so enjoying reliving them.  Today I was finally able to do May of 2020...all those memories from Catherine's "graduation".  I will forever be so proud of her for getting through such a difficult time.  I still have vacations and holidays to organize, and I really look forward to that.

This has been a long week around here, but I'm happy to report it has not been work related.  I'm actually really looking forward to students returning and to being back in the routine.  I'm sure as I get tired though, that will change! :). The long part of the week has been the weather.  We have had rain like you wouldn't believe.  Absolute deluges, and repeatedly so.  The worst though, has been just west of us in southeastern Indiana.  Radar indicated, in one part, 18" of rain in 24 hours.  That is never a good thing.  Communities have been evacuated and shelters have been opening.  And the worst part is that we are supposed to receive more rain overnight, and some could be severe.  This has been the strangest August weather!  And then...it becomes unbearably hot.  I'm ready for sweatshirts...and football...and changing leaves.  We'll get there!

It's truly been a great summer.  I'm always a little sad to see it end, but I'm looking forward to all things fall!

One full week of summer remains

We are in the last week of summer.  Honestly, it's not my favorite week.  For both Andrew and I, it tends to be full of meetings and other things that I don't necessarily love.  It's a very "needy" week for the rest of the staff.  I know that sounds a little selfish of me, but I don't get to complete much of my own work this week.  While I've have absolutely enjoyed the much more laid back and carefree work schedule of the summer, I'm looking forward to larger paychecks that come with working full weeks.

Andrew and I went up to my mom's house yesterday to get some things done.  My sister and I aren't sure how much longer we are going to be able to continue this.  We may be soon getting to a point where Mom has to make some difficult decisions.

We also visited with Catherine's godfather last night.  We hadn't been able to see him in a couple of years.  He divorced his wife several years ago and has since remarried.  His new wife is delightful. and I adore her.  I'm so glad we were able to spend the evening with them.

T-minus nine days until students arrive.  Here we go!

Here's your sign

Are you familiar with Bill Engvall's "Here's your sign" comedy?  If not, look it up!  I find it funny, and definitely had one of those moments today.

Me to sub teacher in email: "Hi, hope you've had a good summer!  I'm checking to see what your subbing availability is for the fall.  Also, here's our academic calendar for the year."

Sub teacher in response: "Thank you for sending this.  Are you still hoping for me to occasionally sub?"

Me to sub teacher: "Nope.  Was just wondering when you'll be sitting around at home doing nothing.  Here's your sign."

Ugh.  Obviously that last part isn't my actual response, but good grief people.  Get it together.  It is August and I don't have time to explain common sense to you.

My day started with me locking myself out of the house.  'Tis the season for craziness (and the temps don't help)!

This week is a stark difference from last week

Last week was the final week of July.  We still had three weeks until school begins, and we were off on Friday and working short days.  This week is a stark difference to last week.  The teachers have been in and out all week, parents have been in and out and communicating, and there has been so much going on.  Next week is my least favorite week of the summer.  I'll be ready for the routine of the first day when it arrives.  We still have two weeks, and tomorrow and Friday will be shorter days.  Hanging on to what is left of summer, but ready to see the kids again!

This has not been the most relaxing beginning to August

 We are only two days into August, but it's not on track to be my favorite.  It's not awful (we don't think) but it's been a lot for just 48 hours!

It really started Friday.  I spent the day helping my mother work in her house.  I won't get into how emotionally challenging that can be, but trust me that it is.

Yesterday was uneventful until late afternoon.  Our friends had invited us over for the evening.  As we were arriving, we found out our home was under a tornado warning.  As the evening progressed, we ended up being under a warning at our friends' house a couple of times.  It's not exactly the most carefree way to spend an evening.  We were home by 11, and realized that our sweet pup had eaten some trail mix that included raisins.  That meant that Andrew and Janey were off to the vet hospital and didn't make it home until after 2:30.  Short night for me as I had to be at church early this morning to prepare communion.  

I came home and did a major grocery run, then got to work cleaning our sun room.  It was significantly overdue for that, and I'm exhausted, but feeling a major sense of accomplishment.  We've been keeping a close eye on Janey, and although she isn't out of the woods yet, things look promising.

Longer days begin tomorrow, and no more Fridays off.  It's that time, and I'll be ready.  I'm grateful that I have a job that I truly, truly love!