Mall memories

Sunday when I took Thomas back to school, I decided I would do a bit of shopping since I was five minutes from a mall.  This particular mall didn't exist until I was in college, but it had a few department stores, and I desperately needed some new pants.  I parked near Macy's and went in.  I rarely, almost never in fact, shop at department stores in malls.  However, as a child, that is exactly where my family shopped for just about everything.  Even though it was still October, the stores were already decorated for the holidays.  It brought back lovely memories.  As a child, my mother (and usually Grandma went with us) would take us to the downtown department stores.  Rike's (which eventually became Macy's) had a store window display that was magical.  Back then the big downtown department stores had restaurants high up, and eating out was always a treat!  There was also a bakery in each one, and I still remember the joy of getting to pick out the cookie we'd choose that was covered in colored sugar sprinkles.  This past Sunday, I wasn't there very long as I was delighted to quickly find some pants and be on my way home, but I sure enjoyed thinking about those memories!

Sunday took a turn

After I wrote on Sunday, the day took a dramatic turn, and not for the best.  Catherine called.  Her friends and roommates were with her, and she had learned some dramatic information about her boyfriend and she wanted to end the relationship.  We've realized he isn't the must stable person, and things took a dramatic turn that resulted in us heading to her.  It was more drama then any of us wanted for the evening, and it was nearly 9:00 before we got home.  Catherine ended up having a very emotional night, and his reactions and behaviors only convinced her that he was not someone she wanted to be with.  Being totally honest, we aren't at all sad that this relationship is not continuing.

It was a dramatic ending to our weekend, but it doesn't change the the time we had with our kids earlier in the weekend.  We are so grateful for this phase, and we love our kids so much!

This might be the best phase

Catherine and Thomas were both here for the weekend.  Catherine arrived Friday even before I was home from work, and Andrew went to pick up Thomas.  Catherine also brought her new kitten with her.  I was afraid that was going to be a little crazy, and although it was, the little guy is also very entertaining, and he got along fairly well with our crew.

When Andrew and Thomas finally got back, we went to dinner at our favorite restaurant in town.  There is never a crowd and the food is very reasonably priced, and SO GOOD!  We laughed and enjoyed our meal.  We came home that evening and watched some of our favorite television shows.  It was a truly lovely evening.

Yesterday Andrew took both kids so they could do their early voting.  After the big OSU comeback in the 4th quarter against Penn State, we decided to do some work rearranging the sunroom so Catherine will have a place to be comfortable during the holidays since my mother-in-law will be here.  Thomas then picked up his girlfriend for dinner out, then they came home and did a craft and watched a movie before he took her home.  

This morning Andrew made a big breakfast and we watched church online before I went in to be the Sunday School volunteer.  After lunch, I hit the road with Thomas to take him back and Catherine also drove back to her apartment.

I told Andrew in some ways, this might be the best phase of our lives.  We have a blast with the kids, and since they are still in college, we are still their "permanent address" and still get to spend a decent amount of time with them.  At the same time, we get to enjoy lots of quiet time with just us and I sincerely appreciate that as well.  Our lives are an amazing blessing!

A truly lovely birthday

I'll be honest, I'm not sure I was really looking forward to my birthday today.  For the first time since I became.a mother I didn't get to see any of my kids on my birthday.  Last year we were all together because my father-in-law had passed away, and the year before Catherine's class schedule allowed her to come for dinner and spend the night.  This year, it was adorable that Thomas texted me right at Midnight, and when Catherine texted me this afternoon she wished me a happy "27th" birthday...so sweet!  Everyone at work was kind, and I was even serenaded by the middle school students on their ukes and kazoos!

This evening I had asked Andrew to take me to our favorite winery where we could not only have a glass of wine, but we could restock my wine fridge.  We wouldn't be gone long.  Since the kids are coming home tomorrow evening, I decided we would do my birthday dinner with them.  Tonight I wasn't really worried about what would be for dinner, and as we were driving home we decided to stop at Dairy Queen.  A blizzard for dinner with french fries?  Yes please!

Now that we are home, I'm in my jammies and looking forward to a quiet evening.  And tomorrow is Friday, which is always a good day!  I'm so very grateful for today!

A perfect fall afternoon

This afternoon has really been the kind of perfect fall afternoon I love.  A front came through overnight and dropped the temps by twenty degrees.  While my co-workers were bundled up for morning carline, I was delighting in my surroundings in just a long-sleeve t-shirt.  My co-workers are very patient with me though, as I am exuberant in my giddiness! 😁

Additionally, today is very overcast and even a bit drizzly.  Wednesday is the day that I only work in the mornings, and even with a haircut and running a quick errand, I was home a little after 12:30.  At that point, not only did I have hours of solitude ahead of me, I had absolutely nowhere that I needed to be.  I have lit a candle, and I've enjoyed having the three pets napping in the family room with me.  The woods behind our house has changed the colors, and even though the leaves are dropping, I've enjoyed the scenery.  This finally feels like "late October", and I know that means November and the holidays are just around the corner.  I can't be sad about that at all!  In addition to enjoying the view, I've been thrilled to get a bit of Christmas shopping done as well.  It's been a perfect fall afternoon!

The end of the month

Unlike previous Octobers, I truly feel like this month has absolutely crawled along.  In some ways, that isn't a bad thing as October is generally my favorite month of the year.  We've had amazing weather in many ways.  We had some chilly days, but we also had lots of days in the 70's.  While I don't always love it being that warm, especially in October, I do appreciate that we haven't had to use the heat much.  It's been truly lovely.  Today though, might have been the end of the 70's, and that is okay too.

A year ago today my father-in-law passed away.  I understand Andrew's feelings about the day.  The days of Fall bring back that year nine years ago when my dad passed away.  Andrew and I have enjoyed a quiet evening.  I'm grateful for these days.

As we head into the holidays this year, I'm feeling a little melancholy.  I still miss our large family Thanksgivings so very much.  We are hosting again this year, and my sister has already announced that she won't be coming because she doesn't want any "obligations" for that weekend.  Kind of a crappy way to see spending a holiday with your family.  I think it's more awful for my mom though, but I know Mom appreciates coming down here.  I just miss the big family gatherings and getting to see everyone.  I also very much miss having our kids at home, but I think it will help to make the days even more special!

Only a few days left in this month that is taking forever!

An unexpected and beautiful weekend

Last weekend, we had a brief conversation with Thomas that he might want to come home this weekend.  On Wednesday I had reached out, and he said he had no plans to come home.  Andrew and I decided it would be awesome to visit our favorite winery and enjoy our Friday evening.  And then of course, Thomas texted Friday morning and asked to come home.  I was pretty annoyed and wasn't going for it, but Andrew wanted to cave.  Ultimately, I agreed it was fine, as there was a death on campus and I just thought it would kind of be a depressing weekend there.  I also knew that at this time of year it would be a gorgeous drive, and of course it was.  We took our sweet pup with us, ordered pizza on the way home, and had a lovely evening with Thomas watching our new favorite show ("Ghosts").  It was a lovely beginning to our weekend.

Thomas was up early yesterday and spent the entire day with his girlfriend.  Andrew and I worked athletics, and then went to a gathering at a co-worker's house.  They have a farm on the top of a hill, and again, everything was absolutely gorgeous. 

This morning Andrew and I went to church while Thomas went back to have breakfast with his girlfriend.  I then took Thomas with me to do a quick shopping errand, then took him back to school.  The drive was especially gorgeous as I took rural Indiana roads, and it was so peaceful.

The leaves truly did make for a beautiful weekend.  This is peak color weekend in southwest Ohio, but it's not nearly as pretty as some years.  To say that it is dry is an understatement.  We've had mostly browns with some yellows, some occasional orange, and very rare reds.  It's still lovely though, and while I was a little annoyed at the last minute change of plans, it was a lovely weekend.