The day I didn't want was much needed

I really didn't want to be off yesterday, but I needed it more than I realized.  I had worked really hard over the weekend, and the house was picked up and laundry was pretty much done.  It allowed me the opportunity to stay on top of the house, and it allowed me some real down time to just kind of "be".  It also allowed me the opportunity to take a nap.  It's hard not to feel really good about life when my sweet pup is cuddled up with me as close as she can possibly be.  It was gorgeous outside, but also really cold, so it really was a good day to be inside and enjoying my day.  I would've been happy to work if there had been an opportunity, but I'm grateful I had the day for me.

Next week I currently have three days off.  I suspect I'll be able to pick up at least another job, but at the same time, I will allow myself to enjoy some time to get ahead on Christmas if I have the time off!

I didn't expect to be home today

It is an absolutely gorgeous winter wonderland outside, but that isn't why I'm home.  Yesterday afternoon my scheduled job for today was canceled, and nothing else ever came along.  I haven't had a day off since September 9, and I didn't want to be home today.  Andrew kept telling me to enjoy it, and normally I would, except that when I get canceled, I can't help but feel I am losing money.  I like what Andrew told me this morning though, "You can't change it.  You have a day off, so enjoy it."  Sounds like a plan.

First accumulating snow of the season

We had snow flurries on Halloween, but tonight it is really snowing!  It is sticking to the grass, although as of right now the road temps are still to warm for it to be sticking to the pavement.  However, the temperature is supposed to plummet overnight.  It's a little hard to believe that our windchills are going to be in single digits in the morning when it was in the 50's today, and I was walking around outside without a coat this afternoon.  I don't work tomorrow so a snow day wouldn't mean a loss of pay, but I don't think that is going to happen.  It's early for this much snow, but it makes things feel so cozy!

State soccer champs!

My high school won the Ohio high school soccer championships today!  I am so excited for the team and community.  Soccer was a big part of my life when I was in high school.  We were a powerhouse at the time.  We made two state-final-four appearances and were often ranked in the top ten in the state (and sometimes at #1).  We never could quiet get over the hump to make it to the finals though, let alone actually win.  The best part (in my opinion) is that the coach is a classmate of mine.  He was probably the best soccer player to ever go through my high school and played at the collegiate level.  I was a statistician for the boys' team all four years of high school, and I loved every minute.  I'm so proud not only of the team and their coach, but of how the community has supported it all!

Sunday morning thoughts

Andrew is at his parents' house.  One of his best friends lost his father, and the visitation is today.  Andrew will be home tonight, although very late.  Catherine has left for work, and Thomas is still sleeping.  The quiet allows many thoughts to go through my head.

Six years ago today, also on a Sunday, was the very last conversation I ever had with my dad.  He was calling from the hospital where he had been since the evening before.  I was in a big building, and the reception wasn't great.  That building was destroyed by the tornadoes that came through last spring.  I am somewhat dreading this week, because the dates all line up to the same days of the week when Dad died.  The problem with being a person who remembers so much is that not only do I remember those feelings, but it's almost like I actually feel them again.

I'm also going to be brutally honest here.  I am dreading Veteran's Day tomorrow.  My son is a sailor, but it is hard to feel as though we are a military family.  We know almost nothing about what Robert is doing these days, and it isn't because he can't tell us, but because he chooses not to communicate with us.  Sadly, in some ways, it is better this way.  His drama doesn't involve us, and this way we don't have to deal with it.  At the same time, we love him, and I especially feel for Catherine and Thomas who miss their brother.

I have much to accomplish today, and I am grateful for this quiet time this morning before we start another crazy week!

A Friday evening exactly how I wanted it

Yesterday evening turned into exactly what I wanted it to be.  I closed my eyes for a bit, although I never really took a nap.  The kids had swim workouts and then pool practice, and it was nearly 8:00 before they got home.  Andrew was home a little after 4, and we just hung out and really didn't do much until we started dinner at 7.  We made potato pizza for dinner, which we knew everyone would love.  We finally watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and I loved that our family was all sitting together and enjoying the evening.  I can't even put into words how full my heart was as we all sat there.

It's been a really rough year for the city

This week, a City of Dayton police officer was shot during a drug raid.  He lived on life support for three days, long enough to donate his organs.  He was a 30 year veteran of the Dayton force, and the lives he saved with his donated organs added to the countless it was reported he had saved over the years of serving.  It's never easy to lose an officer, but this city has had a really rough year.  In May, tornados, including those at EF-3 and EF-4 levels, ripped through the region.  The north end of the city was hit particularly hard.  Andrew and I traveled through that area just a few weeks ago...five months after they hit, and it's still an unreal sight to see.  Then in August, the city was one of way too many this year that was the site of a mass shooting.  Now, a police officer was lost in the line of duty, unrelated to either of the tragic events earlier this year.

Neither my husband nor I are native Daytonians, but I'm eighth generation from a town just about 15 miles north.  My husband went to college in the city, and as the biggest city in our region, it's where we go for many things.  It's been a sad year for a city that is dear to our hearts.