This is not the day off I had envisioned

Today is our "fall break", which means there is no school today.   The public schools are still in session so I'm the only one off today.  It was WONDERFUL to sleep in, although I awoke with a migraine.  I never love that.  Two migraine pills later and it still isn't completely gone.  

At the beginning of the week, the only thing on my calendar today was a haircut this afternoon.  Then, Thomas mentioned he was going to need a ride home from work.  I have some errands I can run in the Dayton area, so I agreed to go get him.  That is 2+ hours there and back, plus the time in Dayton.  No biggie.  At least the errands will be done.  Then last evening, I remembered that my vehicle is past due for an oil change.  Wouldn't be a huge deal, except Andrew needs to take my vehicle to his mom's this weekend, so we can't wait another 600+ miles.  So that happened this morning.

This is definitely not the day off I had originally envisioned, but it is still very lovely.  Because the university also is on break, it is quiet in town, and even driving through campus is relatively peaceful.  I'm still waiting on leaves to change as everything is very, very green still.  I hope Andrew will have a lovely drive over to see his mom.  It's just me and the dog this weekend, and I'm looking forward to the quiet.

It's darker in the mornings

We are a full week into October.  This was supposed to be the return to "normal" at school, but that sure isn't the case.  We don't have school Friday though, and I'm so grateful for that.

This morning as I was driving to work, I couldn't help but notice it was still dark.  The days are definitely getting shorter.  It rained all day today.  I was absolutely soaked by the time dismissal was finished today.  I was thrilled to be able to come home and change into pajama bottoms.  This rain is a cold front too, and that should be the end of the 80's for this year.  There might still be some 70's, but the fall weather is definitely arriving.  It's awesome!

It sure doesn't feel like the first weekend of October

The weather here is ridiculous.  I'm sweating.  Thankfully, the sun is going down and it is beginning to get cooler.  I"m hoping our new mums make it.  Andrew had to work at a cross county meet this morning and it was beginning to get a little miserable.  I've got a few fall decorations out, but honestly, it just seems ridiculous to decorate when it feels more like July.  Thankfully, the humidity isn't awful.  I"m looking forward to cozy weather, but not sure when that will happen.  Even when the cold front comes through this week, it will lower the highs to 70's.  I"m ready for long sleeves!

Our week at work is actually beginning to settle.  We are hopeful we can begin to focus on things that really matter rather than people who are just being difficult.  This is also the last week Andrew will have any events until around Thanksgiving, so we are very grateful for that break.  I'm definitely looking forward to life slowing down a bit!

I'm so happy to see October arrive

August and September were rough, rough months.  The beginning of our school year was beyond draining.  Andrew had a crazy evening work schedule with athletics.  He has also joined a community group to address homelessness, and Thomas, in addition to his wedding reception, had a fairly tumultuous month.  Wowza.

But I'm always so happy to see the month turn to October.  We've had basically no fall weather yet.  Not a single day where I could wear any kind of long-sleeves.  Our forecast is 80's, even as high as 86!!!!, until next week when a front comes through.  At least the overnight lows are in the 50's so we don't have to have the a/c on the entire time.  It is definitely getting darker earlier in the evening and staying darker longer in the morning.  I'm so ready for the cozy weather, and of course, for the holidays that are just right around the corner.  

I'm grateful the Reds are playing in October, although with the annihilation of last night this could be the final game tonight.  But there is plenty of great football ahead of us, and college basketball will be starting soon as well.

I'm hoping October is a more emotionally settling month as well, and I'm looking forward to November and the month of gratitude that will follow.  I'm grateful for the very peaceful feeling in my heart today, even if it is only for today.

The Reds get to keep playing

Even though the Reds lost today, they finally won a series from the Brewers (first time since 2022!) and by winning two out of the three, when the Mets lost today, the Reds were in the position to take the third National League Wildcard and keep playing.  It's been a long time since this has been the case.  When Terry Francona came out of retirement to manage the Reds, we knew he would only do that if he thought there was a real chance of being winners.  There were injuries and slumps, but at the end of it all, they get to play again this week!

We'll remember this school day

This has been another less than spectacular week at school.  There are two students who are continuing to cause trouble in the middle school classroom, and their behavior is astonishing.

Today though.  Wow, today takes the cake.  Shortly before Noon I was in my office and was called to an outdoor classroom over the Walkie.  My boss and I both took off because I NEVER get called to this classroom.  They had been doing a science unit that had turned into an archaeology unit.  They had been digging a hole to study soil levels, then found some broken plates, etc, and kept digging.  The hole had become about three feet deep.  The student jumped in feet first, and the hole managed to collapse around him.  We ended up having to call the fire department to extricate him from the hole.  As I told my boss, any day that we have to call 9-1-1, I think it is fair to say that isn't the best day.  The student was upset at first, but calmed down quickly, and the FD did a great job of getting him out.  Quite a day at work, and the end of a crazy week.  In fact, it's been crazy for almost three full months, and we are ready for things to settle!

Another weekend in September

It is definitely beginning to look like fall around here.  Sadly, it isn't colorful, nor is it cool, but because of the draught things are brown and yellow and beginning to fall from the trees.  And although our a/c is running, because of the lower humidity, the heat isn't oppressive.

Andrew and I both had long weeks.  Andrew had something every evening, and Thursday I even attended a meeting for him.  We've decided to "tag-team" a committee seat that is about serving our neighbors in need.  It is an honor to be able to be involved.  That should be the last really, really hard week for Andrew.  It's a little unfortunate that it happens at the beginning of the school year, especially when the school year beginning has been so rough for us.

He even had to work yesterday, but our evening was really lovely.  One of my high school friends was in town and we always have a blast visiting for a couple of hours.  It's always such a gift to be included in his plans!

Today, I went to work at my mom's house.  It's a daunting task to get things under control, but we are working on it.  It's hard to see a positive step forward for my mom with all of her mobility issues.  We are doing what we can though, and my sister is amazing about those things.

There are definitely a few stresses in life, but I am constantly reminding myself that we are basically safe and healthy, and we can work around the other things.