Monday morning mood

I'm not really in a "mood," but it is Monday morning. Mondays, it's so hard for me to get going; I'm not one of those, "let's attack the week!" types, lol. If you are, I probably don't like you. No, for me, it's a planning day of the week, not really a DOING day. (Also, I think there should be a BAN on weekend emails -- nothing new should be waiting for me when I first login. I'm still trying to remember what happened LAST week, and probably catch up to it.) 

Anyway, here I am: I've put my top tasks at the top of this week's planner page, and I'm sure half of those will be overtaken by whatever new Most Important Things are handed to me from other people throughout the day/week, sigh. No respect. At least I'm working from home today.

One fun thing on my calendar is New Kitchen Appliances. We bought them yesterday -- fridge, range, microwave, and dishwasher! Three of the four of those actually NEED replacing. Mostly the range -- the door and its handle are falling off, causing the glass-front to also fall off periodically. Usually while I'm cooking inside it. And it's not really something that can be repaired, it's plastic bits that have decayed and can't hold anymore. I mean, we've tried to repair it -- Shawn got washers and screws and has made it better, along with duct tape -- yes, I have duct tape keeping my stove together. So that is the impetus for the whole thing. Our fridge, too, has issues. The icemaker no longer works (first-world problem, we're using ice trays, the horror), and the motor makes a loud ticking noise sometimes if you open or close the doors. We have to shake or hit it to get it to stop. The dishwasher has done nothing wrong, it's just loud as all heck. Our microwave works perfectly, but it wouldn't match if we replaced the range, so... there you have it. BestBuy was selling them in bundles, so we bought the whole kit and kaboodle. I'm really excited. 

The NEW fridge has French doors, a bottom freezer drawer (swoon) and a special "Beverage Center," -- no, even more special than you're thinking - it's this one if you're curious. The oven will have both convection and AirFry options (how that works, I have no idea). The dishwasher is only 42 decibels and will once again have a "Delay Start" (our old house had an old, off-white (ew) dishwasher, but at least it offered that useful feature)! Delivery date for all four is August 5. We'll have to eat up everything in the old fridge/freezer before that date -- perhaps this means I won't go to the grocery store next weekend at all! We'll see. 

I can't believe summer is nearly over. Kate has one week left, and has already started some of her school volleyball season. In fact, HHS hosted a small tournament this past weekend, so we were there Thursday & Friday nights and all day Saturday. We met most of the other parents -- "our people" now, I guess -- and liked them quite a lot. Guess we'll be sitting in the stands with them, carpooling, and working in concessions. It's exciting to see your kid doing her thing, in an official uniform with her last name on it like some kind of superstar! (Oh, and she made a club volleyball team earlier in the month, in case you were wondering. It's going to involve slightly more travel than the last 2 years, and slightly more $, but hopefully we can manage it.)

Alex still has a week or two at home, but I'm trying to mentally prepare for him being gone again. :( I have a feeling we will see him less this fall than last, because he's been added to the travel marching band, so he'll be attending most of the Away games as well as the Home games (of the National Champions, I might add, Go Dawgs). He's going to be busy!

So life rolls along. This morning was nice and cool on the porch -- a relief, after a typical mid-July stretch where it's been much too hot to be outdoors, even at 7 am. I try to take care of myself with coffee and a 10-minute Calm.com meditation on the porch, as many days as possible. Even when I'm going to the office. 

And I'm trying to be open, to listen, to watch, for signs that will show me what's next for me with my job, if anything. I want a really clear sign. Like, hit me over the head clear. You might argue that I've already gotten it, what with all the poor treatment of me over the last 6 months. Each time, though, I've felt like I have to "wait out" whatever drama occurs -- Shan being fired, then my boss resigning, and now the new boss being hired. That was in May. He gave me a small raise so I feel a little bit beholden to him in gratitude, and I know he has discovered a lot of other problems he needs to fix. If I left now I'd definitely add to his burden. I also don't know where I'd go or what I'd do, yet. So that's the sign I'm looking for. Trying to be patient is difficult; I'd really love to rip the band-aid off and just hightail it out! I could hang out with my new appliances, making amazing dinners and desserts for my family, haha! But you know that's not me. I hope I'll know exactly when is the right time, and where I'm headed. 

A Day in the Life, Lately

My routine is pretty settled, lately, and I like it. I just went back and read a Day in the Life post from 2006, when Alex (AJ, when the blog wasn't private) was just barely TWO. Things are certainly different now, whoa.

Right now it goes like this. We wake up (Shawn first, now that I'm leaving the house Never, or at least Later than him when I do go in on Tuesdays), shower, get dressed, etc. I go downstairs by about 6:30 to start making Kate's lunch. During Covid-school, there's no Fun Food so it's a lunchbox every day, and I gotta tell you, I'm TIRED of it. I try to mix it up for her with a salad one day, a warm quesadilla another day, but otherwise it's a sandwich. And her veggies and fruit and something sweet and something salty. Some of that is for snack. 

Alex wakes later, as well, and arrives in the kitchen while Kate's eating breakfast, usually. We do the morning "ballet" of everyone trying not to bump into each other as we open drawers, fridges, cabinets, making lunches or breakfasts or coffees. Then Shawn and Kate leave for St. Joe's and Alex eats while I drink coffee and look at my paper planner, trying to pick my Top Three tasks (there's a spot on each day for them). I also like to start the day with gratitude which I write in the back of the book, but I don't like to do it while he's there because for some reason I'm a little embarrassed by it. So I typically sit at the bar if he's at the table, or I'll wait until after he leaves. He often practices piano before he leaves to drive himself to school (!!) around 7:40. 

By that time I've opened the laptop and checked email, made my Top 3 list (more like Top 5), and written any meetings on the page. I am finding it satisfying to include a couple of Home tasks in the top three/five. Like, today I really need to wash towels, so that's on the list. Yesterday I wanted to make strawberry sorbet, so that was a task to look forward to. (And it turned out great!)

And then around 8:15 I usually sit down on the couch with the Calm app and/or the Bible app for a little quiet time. I try to keep it to 15 minutes. 

Afterwards, I go around the downstairs opening the window blinds, and get to work. Because it's been nice weather, I've been opening actual windows lately, which the cats love. :)

I take plenty of breaks, but not long ones. Sometimes I step outside to see how the weather is, or deadhead some plants. I fill my water glass and take my vitamins. Switch the laundry. I have been using Pomodoro method for working when I have a big project to dig into -- setting a timer for 25 minutes of work, and then a 10 minute break. Some days I feel like I set timers all day long, but it seems to help keep me focused. 

I've been forgetting that my shoulders, wrists and neck will hurt if I don't go upstairs to the actual office chair, and use the actual keyboard instead of this tiny laptop one. But am TRYING to remember to do that around 11. This also helps later in the afternoon when Kate gets home, because she spreads her homework stuff out on the kitchen table and it's best if I'm not stationed there, if I want to get anything else done. So I go upstairs. 

The last few days I've been good about working out before lunch. I like this schedule. If I don't get it done then, I'll do it after dinner, or go for a walk with whomever wants to join me. 25 minutes or so is all I require of myself. It's enough.

2:30 is time to leave for carpool at 3:00. It's a nice time of day to leave, right before the afternoon doldrums. By the time we get back at 3:45 or 4, I will just need to do an hour-ish more of work, then call it a day. Have I really done 8 hours' worth? Probably not. Am I counting hours? Well, yes, I still do. But I don't get hung up on it, if I've made progress on tasks or projects, which I usually have.

By 5:30 I need to be starting dinner. It's so satisfying to close down the laptop and know I don't have to open it until the next day. Of course, if there's some big deadline or I've missed more than an hour or 2, I'll do a little more work, but that's hardly ever. 

We eat, we clean up, we either walk or not, change into comfy pants and sit down to relax. Sometimes Shawn practices cornhole in the backyard while I read my book. The kids usually do homework, take showers, go to piano lessons, or practice in the next room (always right when we turn on the TV, it seems, so we can't hear our show.... we try not to complain; it won't be forever... but we always glance at each other and sigh, lol). 

Kate's into The Office right now so we typically watch one episode at 9:00. It's so fun to revisit that show. And then bedtime! Kate loves to play this game where she blocks my way into my bedroom or bathroom by making me guess the password. It's SO ANNOYING. But I'm sure one day I'll remember it with a chuckle. She finds it funny that it makes me mad. Both kids always come in one more time after we've gotten in bed to tell us good night. I think of it as tucking us in. It's sweet.

These are good days. I'm really savoring working from home, as you WELL KNOW. I think we will start to have to be back in the office more frequently, soon. And I guess that will be okay. But I am just loving this time. Kids are very self-sufficient. I have work to do and home-care to do, and I GET to do it. I watch the birds in my backyard. I feel good. I just want to acknowledge it, here. Happy Thursday.

We Christmased!

For the 2nd year in a row, we Christmased at our own home, just us 4. This year, however, I really wished we could be together with family. Ah, 2020. Even though we weren't sick, we kept seeing the news and authorities advising people to please not travel, please... like, really, we beg you... (they were so desperate to convince us all, weren't they?).... and so we just decided we'd better not. Again, even though we would have driven, not flown or taken a bus or anything. 

And do you know what? On Dec. 26th, Kate developed a stuffy/runny nose and really didn't feel great. And how would I have felt if we'd been at my parents' house?? Not good, Bob. We will come back to this momentarily.

Christmas Week was a full week of PTO for both me and Shawn -- very rare, indeed. It began conspicuously, however, with Alex's oral surgery (part of his braces situation) Monday morning. He has recovered so well, with nary a whimper of discomfort -- only a little bit of having to eat carefully on his back teeth. He's still taking antibiotics but has come out the other side a total champ. Monday afternoon while Alex recovered, Kate and I met some of her friends for an outdoor park play-date -- more specifically for the girls, a photo-op, because this is what pre-teen girls do. Just take a million photos together. Selfies and Us-ies and filters and all that. The moms sat in our folding chairs in a socially-distanced circle and it was nice (though some of them are not my favorite moms, I'll admit. Mostly because some of them do not believe in the virus. I mean, that's an exaggeration. But, a lot of negative feelings about it, some talk about travel and big get-togethers, and some "We cannot let this stop us LIVING OUR LIVES" comments, and it was hard to keep quiet).

Monday night we watched "Elf," I believe. Classic. And I made myself an Amaretto Sour. I really wanted to have a different drink every night and this was an excellent start. Also, we went outside to view the planets passing! Did you? How neat was that? 

Tuesday we had to go to the kids' piano lesson - that was the day's excitement. I think otherwise we did very little, and what a treat! A day off, with no plans! Just what I wanted. Watched "Christmas Chronicles 2" from Netflix and I fell asleep, probably due to my White Russian drink of the day. ;) 

Wednesday Shawn and I VOTED! Woo hoo! Democracy -- an important runoff. I did some last-minute shopping at Target and I think Alex's movie choice that night was "Nightmare Before Xmas," always a good one. I forgot - or just maybe opted not - to make a fun drink. I'd intended to do hot chocolate w/Peppermint Schnapps. Oh well.

Thursday, finally, Christmas Eve. In the early afternoon I put the TV on "It's a Wonderful Life," much to Kate's chagrin, but everyone watched the whole thing in the end (a first for all of us -- I'd seen parts of it but never the whole movie start to finish). I bawled, then made appetizers. Pigs in Blankets, Sausage Balls, veggies and dip, and homemade salsa with chips. Our drink was a Merry Mojito, and delicious! Rum, Peppermint Schnapps, mint, lime and sugar. I made sure to WAIT until after we watched 6pm Christmas Eve Mass, though. ;) After that, we did take some family photos in front of the tree, and played the Brian Setzer Orchestra's Christmas songs - so fun and festive for our little "party!" AND it snowed! It had rained all day, but for about 10 minutes around 5pm, it was lovely and quiet, the way snow is, and we loved that!

One of Kate's favorite things about Christmas Eve is opening ONE present. But I think this year she didn't even ask about it! We stayed up late -- I finally had to shut things down and go to bed, and then luckily I woke myself & Shawn up around 1:30 to go play Santa. 

And Christmas Day, get this? They agreed to wait until 8:30 before coming into our room! Maybe even 9:00, I can't remember. THEY fed the cats breakfast (7:30 on the dot!) as a means to "peek," so I got to actually sleep in! 

One of the things I love about having older kids is their willingness to help lengthen the morning of present-opening. In our house, we now do a special wrapping paper for each kid, but there aren't any tags so they have to guess which paper is theirs. They guessed right on the first try, and in fact, Kate opened her Grand-Showstopper gift first (her very own iPhone11). I was worried it would all be a letdown after that, but it wasn't. They took turns, and I think really liked everything that was given to them. 

I was happy to receive an Apple Watch (and Shawn was happy to give it, because it is TECH) ;), AND AirPods, which I totally did not expect. And I got the birding binoculars I wanted, and a book I didn't realize anyone knew I wanted, and even a full stocking. I really have good gift-givers in my family (I just wish I was one of them). 

One different thing we did was to FaceTime Mom and Dad, and then Susan, my MIL, while opening their gifts. That stretched things out and made it feel more like normal, when they are here (or we are there). It kinda made me sad, but also happy. ?! You know?

This is getting long, but we made our traditional Christmas Crepes for brunch at noon, then had pizza rolls at 3:30 (ha, a family joke/tradition now), and then Honey Baked Ham, hash brown casserole, roasted vegetables and wine for dinner -- in the dining room with the Lenox and crystal. Somewhere in there, I made a red velvet cake with green whipped-cream frosting. So festive! And I drank another Merry Mojito, I feel sure. :) We Zoomed with Jill and Nils and Mom and Dad again. I didn't take a nap, but gosh, it was a perfect day.

NOW: Back to the matter at hand: Kate's nose. She was sniffly and tired on the 26th - she took a long nap - and got really nervous when she couldn't smell/taste. I tried to console her. That is, after all, a normal thing to happen when you're stuffed up. She never had a fever, so I'm trying not to be worried, and she is much better today (28th), so I'm hoping it was just a blip. I don't know if I'm supposed to report it to school, though? I don't feel like she needs to be tested at this point. I've Clorox wiped and Lysoled everything she's touched, as much as possible. Shawn had a bit of a sniffle today. I just don't know - I feel like I'm doing it wrong to not be panicked. I am grateful we stayed at home, that's for sure, and very wary. 

I went back to work today but have not been super productive. This blog post is the most productive thing I've done, aside from picking up a post-holiday grocery order! 

Who Knew?! Tropical Storm in Georgia and its Aftermath

Tropical Storm Zeta came through here in the wee hours (4:30 am) Thursday morning. Wind gusts were up to 60 mph -- they woke me up. Power flickered on and off for about 30 minutes and then went out completely... and stayed out, unlike myself, who was wide awake for the duration. According to Wikipedia, nearly a million people were without power the morning after in metro Atlanta. 

Sorta put a damper on our weekend, not that we had a whole lot planned. School was cancelled Thursday, and we basically sat around the house wondering when the power would come back on. We took a neighborhood walk and saw some debris in the wooded areas, a few small pieces of siding ripped off some houses, and one tree uprooted outside our subdivision. At that point we didn't have cell service, either, which really felt isolating! But the power crews must have restored cell towers early, because that didn't last as long as the rest of the power outage did. We were lucky our stove is gas, and our hot water heater. I made coffee by candlelight, using the lighter to start the stove. Thank goodness for my French press! We got out cards, read books in the daytime (until my Kindle died), and just waited, thinking it wouldn't be long before we were restored. It was sunny, we didn't see much wreckage like you'd expect, and... yeah. You just don't think of north Georgia when you think of hurricanes. Shawn had gone in to work, but by 1:00 he gave up, since there was no power there, either. At 3:00, after a short nap, I felt like I'd need to at least TRY to work some, so I took Kate with me to my office. She was bored and wanted somewhere to go! But no internet there, either. Waste of a trip.

We ate Spaghetti Ohs for dinner and went to bed early, because what else could we do? Surely power would be back on by the morning. 

Except: it wasn't. Kate's school had power, and announced a late start Friday, so I drove her in and then went back to my office. (Thank goodness for: Pop Tarts for breakfast, peanut butter sandwich for lunch! Our food was all slowly going bad in the fridge which we tried not to open.) There, internet was back and I got some work done. Funnily enough, Shawn had taken that day off. So he and Alex were at home, still waiting. Alex's school is still virtual, of course, so a no-go. And again, by the evening we still did not have power. 

The days get really long when there's nothing to do. You don't realize how dependent we are on electricity. Not content for another pantry meal (it would have been soup or ramen), we ordered Subway. We played some Sorry! and cards. I cleaned out some of the fridge and freezer. 

Saturday was more disappointment. I swept off the remaining debris from the front and back porches. With a broom, old-school! Powered by me! (Usually Shawn uses the electric blower for stuff like that.) At noon, we'd had enough hardship-living, and needed to charge devices, so we went to a friend's to do that. Most everyone else we knew had things back up and running -- even in our neighborhood, half of the people did have power, but not our side of the street. Our friends made us pancakes, and then chips and dip, and we watched football and plugged in. Kate was funny -- she took her headphones and sat down with her iPod and barely spoke to anyone for the whole 3 hours, so starved was she for her friends and TikTok. 

We dragged that outing as long as we could -- dinner out (pandemic be damned), walking around in Best Buy, driving around to see if we could find the major damage causing this upheaval (we couldn't)... and we came home at 7:00. Still no power. It was Halloween, and we had no plans to do anything except watch a scary movie and eat candy, but we couldn't even do that. All of us were feeling defeated and depressed. Like, really, with tears and emotions from some of us. 

And then finally at 8:00pm, the angels sang and the fridge starting humming. We were scared to believe it at first. But it stuck. We had lived to tell the tale, and were so grateful for it. We met neighbors outside to cheer and congratulate each other. 

Gracious, what a weekend. Sunday I finished throwing nearly everything away, cleaning the shelves in the fridge and freezer, and then grocery shopping to fill it back up again. (It's nice to NOT have all the extra stuff in there, though.)

We won't forget Halloween 2020 --88 hours in the dark. Just another anxiety-inducing experience in this weirdest year ever. 

Wildlife!

Being home more (always) has given me a glimpse into the Nature living around my house. I hung a red hummingbird feeder last spring for the first time in years, and it did bring hummingbirds; what a delight to have seen so many of them when it was still cool enough to have my coffee outdoors! Even this past Sunday, I had a hummingbird fly up and, it appeared, look me directly in the eye from about 8 feet away. 

One Sunday morning back in April, as I was sitting at the kitchen table, a deer walked into our backyard. We've seen them back there before, waaaaaay back in the forest behind where our lawn ends. But this one just casually walked into the grass. WELL into the yard, right by one of our brick-edged flower beds. I was indoors but when I moved to the window to try to get a photo, she (I assume she was a she) moved away and bounded off, back to the woods. She was so close!

The next day, a Monday, Kate and I were sitting outside on the front porch. Our porch is hedged with... um, hedges.... and we noticed some movement in the leaves. I thought, are there birds in there? But no, they were lizards. Two of them, and they were, aah, puffed up and doing what must have been a mating dance. I don't know, I've never seen one before! Kate got a giggle out of that one. They were not fazed by us watching them, and it went on for at least a half hour. *big eyes*

We frequently see hawks around here -- the Atlanta basketball team is named the Hawks for a reason -- but one day last spring, I watched a hawk perch itself on top of our trampoline for a few minutes. They're so ominous looking, but thrilling. 

One of the MOST interesting animals I watched was on a Wednesday morning (I only know that because I noted it in this draft) -- it was an actual, factual FOX. In my yard. It started in the back, and I noticed it out of the corner of my eye while I was on the laptop in the kitchen. Thought to myself, "I think there's a stray cat out there." I looked up. NOPE. Was not a stray cat. Had a fluffy tail and a pointy nose, and everything. I "followed" it as it went through our side yard and I went to the front door (inside!), and peered out the front door windows. It trotted along out to the street. Yikes. Shawn says a fox won't hurt you, but I'm not so sure. All the years of fairy tales where the Fox is Sly make me nervous to actually SEE one. But still, a little thrilled!

Finally, in mid July, two black wild turkeys visited. They took the same path as the fox had, through the side yard and coming out to the front, then waddling into the neighbor's driveway, and even boldly walking to their front door, before heading across the street. Wild turkeys! So weird! 

Updating to add: Hummingbirds! This week (Aug 10) I am seeing at least 2 hummingbirds, one of which is perching, not just flying, right outside my kitchen window! They are so wee and so cute! I refilled my hummingbird feeder yesterday and it worked -- they're here! But it's remarkable to see them sitting instead of moving! Eeeeeee! I love birds so much.

I've been on the lookout for more appearances from all these creatures, but haven't seen any lately (of course now it's summer, and hot). Woodland creatures! An unexpected Covid blessing, of sorts.

Went to the Office!

Yesterday I went in to my office for the first time in almost exactly 3 months. How odd! A place I used to kind-of dread, now making me feel nostalgic and warm. LOL! 

When I walked in, my close-to-the-door coworker greeted me so kindly; I missed her sweet friendliness. Then the General Mgr. walked by me and said, "Lee! What are you doing here? Get the hell out of here!" (His 'humor' leaves a little to be desired, but I knew what he meant. He's a big germophobe, actually, and still wants people staying home. Thank God.) It was nice to be so enthusiastically greeted. In the old days, there were barely-there "good mornings" from the tired cube-land drones (including myself) as I walked by. 

My desk was dusty, and my monitor seemed enormous after 3 months of working on a laptop. I completed a lot of desk-tasks, though -- packing up some products to send out, printing some letters on letterhead, and dropping some things in the office of another coworker, to be picked up next time she's in the office. 

I only stayed until 3, because I wanted to take Alex to get a haircut and they close at 6; but since everyone is more tolerant of flexible schedules now, I didn't have to feel bad about that. I hope that will last. The guilt of not being "where you're supposed to be" was/is the worst part about being a working outside the home mom. Maybe I'll be okay with going back a few days a week eventually. For now, though, one day was plenty and I am relieved to be laptopping it at my kitchen table again this morning, and for the rest of the week, with Ash the cat snoozing on the notebook beside me. 

Garden (and other) Updates: Day 87

In late April, I planted a Better Boy tomato, cilantro, basil, chives, and flowers. Begonias, mostly, but some impatiens and Verbena as well, a geranium, and my 2 hanging scaveola plants. They all did so well through the spring! And it's thanks to COVID in large part, because for once in my life, I was at home and able to tend to them. But as summer hits, things are starting to deteriorate in the Gardening department:

• The tomato, mostly, just failed. We'd been so hopeful, with three green tomatoes actually growing and many other blossoms looking like the start of a bumper crop. But then yellow leaves appeared at the bottom, which I learned was likely a sign of too much water. I'd remove the yellow leaves (so they wouldn't be a "sugar drain," on the fruit), but the next day there'd be more. In the last week or so, the remaining blossoms have all withered and the 3 green tomatoes have not grown at all. And it's rained heavily the last 2 days. :( I've helped that plant to Jesus, I guess.
• UPDATE: 3 hours after posting, I went out to check the plants and there are 3 new babies on the tomato! It's looking okay! It might actually survive! hope hope pant pant hope hope
• The cilantro, which I was using so happily to make salsa every week, started to flower, and stopped making big pretty leaves. I could buy another plant at Publix to replace this one, I guess.
• The scaveola are doing okay. I try really hard to put them under a porch when it rains (they don't like overwatering, either) and to keep pruning them back. They're so pretty, and I want them to live.
• Begonias looks great. Some are getting leggy, but still lots of flowers.
• Impatiens look great. I'm really pleased because earlier in my adult life, I tried to grow impatiens and they didn't work out (I think they got too much sun). They're happy little flowers.

Ah, well. Shawn maintains that when we go away for a week, the plants always die anyway, and that trip is coming up. 

What we're doing on day 87:

I'm working, and working a LOT. At the beginning of this WFH deal, I had to tell myself it was okay if I only got 6 hours of work done in a day, or only completed one project. Emotions were high and productivity was low; kids needed my help sometimes with school, and we were all getting used to this. 

Now, the kids are out of school and work has really ramped back up. It's going okay -- one thing that helps is the tween & teen sleeping really late in the mornings -- but I'm tired by the end of my workdays. We still have lunch and a show together. I'm still exercising a lot more than Before, though I'm walking outside less because it's gotten hot. (My goal is always 150 minutes a week.) 

We're going out a little bit. To outdoor malls, with masks, and not every day, but we have to do SOMETHING. Stores are open. We needed books for beach week, for example, so we went to Barnes and Noble, which has been re-configured for social distancing (fewer shelves, more spread out, no chairs to read in-store).

Next week, Kate's doing a day-camp on a farm an hour away. If I were working in an office it would be impossible (day camps with their 8 to 3 schedules, I've always abhorred! Think of the working parents!!), but since days are WFH and flexible, I'm making it happen. The camp director promises social distancing, and all outdoor activities (hope it doesn't rain). The kids have to bring masks. I hope she has fun. 

What we're eating:

The same stuff, and some new stuff. This week's been a hodge-podge:

Sunday: HF pork carnitas tacos, one of our faves

Monday: Spaghetti with sausage meat sauce

Tuesday: This super-easy lemon-pepper chicken with green beans and Stove Top (pantry items FTW)

Wednesday: HF black bean enchiladas, which were delish

Tonight: a big salad with chicken leftover from Tuesday

Tomorrow: Baked potatoes, roasted broccoli

Saturday: is usually still take-out night. We haven't eaten in a restaurant yet as a family, but they're opening here in GA. I'm not ready.

I've cut back on coffee. A few weeks ago I had really bad reflux and an upset tummy for 2 or 3 days, and I started thinking about ulcers. Not that I had an ulcer, but when the mind gets going, sometimes.... you know. So I'm down to one cup a day, really, or a cup of regular and then only decaf if I want more.

How we're feeling:

Okay, really, besides the state of the world being a dumpster fire. (I don't want to talk about it.) I turned 46 and had a Zoom party and a delicious box cake. ;) We're glad that our time share is open and that the FL beaches are open. That will feel normal (although we're taking our masks, of course, and won't be doing some of the things we usually do, like the water park). 

Marching band had a boosters meeting via Zoom the other night, and that was hopeful. They're planning ahead as if the school year will begin in August, until they hear differently, and it was fun to see friendly faces and think about band camp next month. I did have a moment of worry that if we allow Alex to participate in it and they aren't as careful as they should be, and he gets sick.... but I have had to shake that thought from my brain and tell myself I can't live in fear.

I'm reading Angela's Ashes. I never read it long ago when it was The Thing, and I really like it, Talk about perspective and gratitude. Next up (for the beach), I've got Olive Kitteridge and Between the World and Me. Looking forward to both of those.

PTO tomorrow!

I've taken tomorrow off. For once in my life, I have a few days to burn before the end of the year. I took tomorrow in order to spend time with Alex, who's on Fall Break and has been mostly babysitting the cats, the neighbors' dog, and his PlayStation this week at home. Kate didn't have the same week off, so there was no impetus to plan a trip (and also we're not very good at that skill). But now his best friend is spending the night tonight, and they'll be busy all day tomorrow, and so. I have a day to myself, basically!

So much I want to do. First, yoga. Restarting a "31 Days of Yoga" challenge for myself. Need it. Next, coffee and the breeze on my back patio, of course. Must-do. THEN:

• Maybe Target. I have a list, including a PSL and some fun, new Fall decor. I think I even have gift cards to spend!
• Lunch with my buddy, Alvin (former choir director)
• Reading The Invention of Wings
• Cleaning/Organizing/Decorating for Fall (don't wanna, but want it done and should use my time wisely)
• Picking up Kate in carpool, I guess (don't wanna, again, but she'll expect it)

Can't remember the last time I had a day off, just because. 

Post-Party High

We did it -- invited the new neighbors over for dinner. Yay! I was nervous -- what if they don't like us? -- but as it turns out we share a lot of interests. Shawn and Mr. Neighbor geeked out about Marvel and Star Wars and gadgets, and Mrs. Neighbor and I talked PTA and working motherhood (she's not, now, but is anxious to go back sometime after her Baby #2 arrives this summer - probably working at home, lucky dog). I heard a lot of laughter from the kids, too. And on a related note, their daughter, age 8, taught Kate age 10 to ride a bike this weekend! Ha! So now we're in the market for a used bike for Kate. ;)

I tried to keep dinner simple and not get crazy or stressed, because that's no fun for anyone. And it helped that it was Cleaning Weekend anyway, and we got the downstairs nicely vacuumed and dusted, and rearranged some furniture on Saturday. We had all the laundry finished and folded (thx, Shawn!) at 6:25 pm and they were due to arrive at 6:30! Everything came together beautifully.

For food, I ordered 2 pounds of pulled pork from a BBQ place, and made all the other sides. Hashbrown Casserole in the Crockpot (yum), coleslaw, Jim N Nick's cheddar biscuits, and watermelon. These Strawberry Brownies for dessert (and I resisted eating one).

This meal was not WLC compliant! Nor was my Saturday-night-after-Mass, celebratory-WLC-is-over Mexican food at Huey Luey's! I had a chimichanga of all things (not as satisfying as a cheese enchilada would have been, but they didn't have those), and lots of chips and queso. And a margarita. It was nice to be "off-challenge," and I enjoyed it all. I am trying to be back on track for the work week as much as possible, because I didn't lose many pounds during the challenge, which is a bummer. But I think I've said, my pants fit better and I lost inches. We'll see how well I stick to it in the "off" period. I don't want to lose what little progress I made. Stupid dieting. Why do I love food (read: bread and cheese) so much? And here's a tip from me to you: Staying away from sugar does NOT take away the craving for it. I totally believe in having less sugar/fewer carbs, but I still love/want them. Deprivation has never "cured" me.

The spring weather makes everything seem lighter and happier, too, I think. It's still cold in the mornings/evenings, but this weekend was just lovely in the middle of the day. Birds are singing, sun is shining! That has been so nice, after such a lot of rain  and gray days lately (which I think are set to return this week, boo).

I'm trying NOT to let my mood be swung by a required weekend business trip coming up. It's a trip to Vegas, and actually shouldn't be HARD or anything -- I'm just going to listen, observe, and learn in some conference sessions. I don't necessarily have to shmooze or sell anything, and I can go to my hotel room as soon as I like after the conference ends. But it's over the weekend, and I have to travel there on my own. So funny -- something I used to really want to do, when I was in my twenties, was travel for work by myself. It felt so grown up. I'll have to remember that instead of grumbling about the hassle of it, on Friday. I think the good news is that I get to take 2 days off that next week, to make up for having to work over a weekend. So I need to ask about those -- something else to look forward to. :)

More Snow Days!

My goodness, this winter! We had another little snow event Tuesday night in the Atlanta metro (2 inches), so now it's Thursday and we're on our 2nd Snow Day. This was already a short week with the MLK holiday (one of my favorites, because it helps soften the blow of the regular routine after the holidays), but now it's been barely a week at all.

I'm not complaining. I like that the city authorities are taking weather seriously, I HATE driving on ice, and I don't mind AT ALL being forced to work from home. However, this time it's so cold that the kids don't even want to go play in it! How about that?! Their teachers are frustrated with the dent in their lesson plans, and therefore sending assignments via email and the school portal, which is helpful. I'm not sure my kids have ever practiced piano 4 days in one week before this. All good things. But I think I'm all done with snow, now, thank you very much Mother Nature, and can we please get on to spring-like temperatures? Kthanks. (It's supposed to be 61 degrees by Sunday, ha!)

One of the articles I worked on yesterday afternoon somehow was not on my computer this morning. I don't have a clue what happened, and luckily I was able to recreate the work, but argh, that's annoying.

We've met our Unicorn (VP of Marketing). Finally! It's been a year and a half without a boss. We started calling her "The Unicorn" during the hiring search, because it seemed like we would never find this special person with all the perfect qualities and qualifications. I liked her well enough when I met her on Tuesday. Of course there's the cultural difference of personality/tone of voice that kind-of causes everyone to stumble over conversations and squint our eyes, at first, until we get to know her better (she's Danish), but I think she sees our challenges and is here to help us by making good decisions... I hope, too, she'll be able to argue for some additional help within the department -- and she mentioned wanting to reconsider roles/responsibilities, so that might be an improvement. I don't know.... it's possible she'll be my hatchet-man. It's possible she won't.... we're all in a bit of flux until we know what her M.O. is. I'm trying to think positively, be open to her ideas, and not feel defensive if she starts critiquing things. That's part of her job, I guess. Just keep my head down and do my work until I'm told otherwise. ;) 

Work. Bah. 

On the side, I'm reading Defending Jacob -- it's really good. A courtroom drama. Makes me want to read some of the recent John Grishams. I gave him up after The Firm, I believe, LOL. I'm also trying to gear up for the WLC! Yesterday I made lists, for family meals and for lunches, so that when I'm meal-prepping and shopping this weekend I'll know what to get. I think the first thing I'll make will be gumbo, which is no sacrifice at all (EDIT: Phooey, I guess I can't really make gumbo. I could try to find organic andouille, but there's no getting around the roux. I'm going to call the flour in the roux negligible and anyone who wants to argue with me is welcome to it)! I do love this health plan. Snacks are the hardest part, but there's a Whole Foods near my office now, woo hoo! Game changer.

Allergy / Asthma?

In other news, my allergies might be flaring up.

We went two months with the cats and I had not a single allergy symptom. I was taking Claritin or Sudafed every day and felt absolutely fine, even with them sleeping on my bed, even spending lots of time (as much as possible, really!) petting them, and even allowing myself to deal with the litterboxes (because despite all their promises, the kids don't just "remember" on their own to do it, surprise surprise). (Supposedly there is a lot of histamine in feline urine, and isn't that a pretty sentence?)

Anyway, I was fine. Hooray for cats! I do love cats.

The night that we had snow, our power went out for about 5 hours. Being Christmastime, I had several candles around the house already, and I lit about 6 of them, downstairs. We all kind-of camped on the couch during those hours, with the candles. Sure smelled nice! The kitties did come around, and they curled up on the couch with us for an hour or two. Around 11:00 pm, still in the dark, I noticed I was wheezing a bit. I felt sure, since I'd had no trouble with the cats so far, that all the candles were probably affecting my breathing. (At this point I was a week into taking a generic Zyrtec -- I don't know why I bought it instead of Claritin, but I did.) So I blew most of them out, and the power came back on after a little while longer.

(That day I had also vacuumed downstairs pretty thoroughly, which probably kicked up a lot of dander in the living room and on the couch.)

But my lungs still haven't really recovered. It's been more than 2 weeks and I've been carefully NOT lighting candles, but I've had this tiny little wheeze ever since; if I get to coughing, it gets worse. One night I was miserable, and miraculously found an old Albuterol inhaler, which I used. (I think it was Alex's, actually, from one time he'd been sick as a toddler.) I'm trying NOT to use it, but I've used it more than twice. It helps a little. The wheezing is worse at night.

I'm back on Claritin now and really hope it kicks in. I want to just tough this out and am hopeful it  will go away on its own. But if it doesn't in another week, I guess I'm going to have to see a doctor. (Side note: In my 20s, a primary care doc had diagnosed me with a touch of allergy-related asthma, and given me a prescription for albuterol to keep around, just in case. I had a few attacks of wheezing when I visited friends with cats. But 3 or 4 years ago, a different PCP, whom I didn't particularly like, told me I did NOT have asthma, and she didn't know why that previous doctor thought I did. Hmph. I'd like to go breathe on her now and see what she says.)

Am not happy about all this.

Snow days, Christmas prep and whatever else comes to mind

This time last week, we were anticipating snow, and SNOW it did!

Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 | Early release from school!

In total, we got around 8.5 inches at our house, while the area where we live officially reported 12 inches and I'm not surprised. It was gorgeous, but only because we made it home before the roads turned icy. I was feeling that old post-traumatic stress in the last few miles of our drive home from school, but nothing some hot pizza (thank you, Shawn!) and a little Kahlua in my afternoon iced coffee couldn't cure. I managed no work the rest of the afternoon, although I tried.

Shawn and the kids built a snowman - it was a great wet snow for building and for snowballs - and the power even went out for several hours. I regret that we didn't build a fire in the fireplace (we really need to get it inspected before next time), or make hot cocoa or play board games like the fairy-tale power outage families do, haha. It was around 6:30 pm so we mostly camped on the couch under blankets, listening to a Brian Regan comedy show via Shawn's phone, which still had some battery power. After 2 hours, the lights came back! ...And then went out again. We all slept on the couch with lots of candles burning and kitties purring, until around 11:30 pm. Mama's back was SORE. 

Saturday we cleared the driveway so that we could drive as soon as the roads were safe. Honestly, I was so glad to have another full day of being stuck in the house. After all the busy-ness I've been complaining about, it was good to balance me out. The kids didn't even whine too much ;).

And just like that, it's the middle of December! We're doing okay with our Christmas shopping, although I definitely still have a few things I need to hurry up and buy/wrap/ship. As always. 

We're going to be in Savannah on Christmas Eve/morning, driving back that very day so that I can come back to work on the 26th. Sucks, but eh. I'm off next week instead, the 19-25th, and the week of New Year's, and the quiet at my desk on the 26-39 will be helpful as I try to write a bunch of words for our next fashion collection, due January 12. Every day from now until my vacation, I have lunch plans, so that's fun. ;) 

Here are twelve things I love about this year's Advent/Christmas season:

1. Santa's White Christmas coffee, and coffee coolers (iced coffee)!
2. Our wooden Advent calendar. I didn't get it out last year and I missed it. Found some good candies to fill it with this year, and I have had fun writing up dumb Christmas jokes, too. Even snuck in some spiritual prep for the kids on a few days, like "Be a good elf: See how many people you can help today."
3. The Atlanta Christkindl German Market! I got to go yesterday with my lovely friend Shan, and drink Gluhwein during the workday! Our company's German, after all.
4. Amazon Prime, like everyone else. I do wonder if UPS and the people who work for Amazon logistics hate Christmas, though.
5. TheGrommet.com - found some cute things there!
6. Kitties!! I have a trip to Petsmart on the to-dolist, to buy them stockings and treats! LOL Also, they've not eaten/broken any significant Christmas decor yet.  
7. Being away from choir commitments on Dec. 24-25. It is SUCH a relief that we won't have to be at church all afternoon on the 24th for the children's Mass (Kate's choir), and then me, again, from 10:00 pm until 1:00 am for Midnight Mass! SUCH A RELIEF. 
8. I'll still attend the choir Christmas party, of course, which is this weekend, Shawn. ;) Reminder. The really nice thing is that for once, it is NOT a potluck! The odd thing is we'll have to work around (Edited because I was wrong about the dates.) Alex, who's attending a (co-ed) party of his own peers the same night! 
9. Being Santa. I think we've thought of some good gifts this year. We're taking them all down to Savannah (well, almost all - not the bball goal), kind-of a pain, but as they're getting older it gets somewhat easier. It's true that presents get smaller but more expensive. ;)
10. Anticipating plenty of time off, and baking cookies next week.
11. Anticipating lots of READING under a blanket (loved Pride & Prejudice, btw, and also Longbourn, which I'm reading now).
12. Letting go of the need to send Christmas cards. I mean, I'm still feeling a bit of guilt about it, but not as much I could be. The world will go on without my professional family photograph, carefully selected design and matte finish, rounded-corners card with a Shutterfly logo on the back. I'm sure of that. 

Merry Christmas!

A Beep in the Night

Monday morning at 2:37, Kate tapped me on the shoulder. She'd had a bad dream and needed to be "in the middle" of my bed, between me and her Daddy.

Bad dreams, I allow for a cuddle. Everyone needs a hug after a bad dream. So I let her in. Didn't take more than a few minutes before I was too hot and crowded, though, so I convinced her to come back to her room, and that I would stay in there with her. But I didn't sleep well in there, I'll admit. It wasn't even her fault -- my hands/wrists started throbbing and going numb (wreched carpal tunnel). 

I had just drifted off and was having a pretty weird dream, myself, when my 5:35 alarm started. Drat.

So I was sleepy yesterday morning, but got over it. Thank Coffee. Was greatly looking forward to a better night's rest last night.

2:30 am, though, guess what? Alex tapped me on the shoulder. "Creepy dream," he said, and also that he was hearing a weird dinging noise. I heard nothing, but into my bed he got. My 13-year-old almost-a-high-schooler. His puppy feet touching mine, my arm over his back. Bless it. Still needs that hug, like I said, and everyone gets one after bad dreams. He clenched the covers over his head, in his fists. 

Once again, I got hot and needed to go to the bathroom. In the bathroom, finally, I heard the dinging. More like a beep. I went to tell him I'd heard it, and then started wandering around the house to find the Beep. Downstairs, then back up again, not sure where it's coming from. By this time Shawn's awake, and with his help, we discovered the smoke alarm in the garage was the culprit: battery must be out. Why does this only happen in the dead of night?! (Also, why do they always come to Mommy's side of the bed first? Well, I know why... Mommy's a light sleeper and Daddy isn't. lol.) We'll fix the alarm today. And all the other smoke alarms will get new batteries, too. Alex went back to his room and we attempted to go back to sleep, but never really did. 5:35 came too soon again.

I promise I haven't been serving spicy food at dinner, or letting them watch horror movies or anything.

Watch, my body will wake itself up tonight at 2:30. I just bet.

I want a cat

First, I want to not be allergic to cats. I fear that might be a difficult thing to achieve; however, 17 years ago I relied on a daily Sudafed and managed being allergic to dogs JUST FINE. By the time Shawn and I bought our first house, I'm pretty sure I didn't need the Sudafed anymore, and lived with the dog easily for another 9 or 10 years after that.

Sorry for that preamble.

I've decided I want us to get a cat. ...I think. The kids would love to have a pet again, and I feel like we need to pull the trigger on that sooner rather than later, because they are growing fast and neither one will even live in the house with us (presumably) in 9 years or so! I want them to have that "pet" experience as kids.

We don't feel we can get another dog right now. We're just never home. These days, we leave the house at 7 am and don't get home until, on average, 6:45. This isn't fair to a dog who needs to play and be walked, and, oh yeah, go out to potty! But a cat... you know, they are trained to go potty in a handy box inside the house. It might not smell amazing, but I'm hopeful that kitty litter has come a long way in the 30 years since I've had a cat. Plus, a chore! For 2 kids to learn responsibility!

So, FYI, I've been snooping around on a local cat adoption website. It says that it would be even better to adopt two cats, so they'll have each other and not get bored. Heh. We are going to discuss this at dinner tonight.

Service Hours

In middle school, our kids are required to turn in 3 hours of "service" each quarter. I use quotes because it's a little loose, what they define as service. For instance, you can run a 5K that's "for a cause," and that counts. If you are a member of the Safety Patrol one morning a week, that counts. And while I understand that those two services do some good for some people, I think they're pretty weak if you're actually trying to nurture a servant's heart in a kid.

Maybe I look down my nose at those options because when I was in high school, we had to do service, and Marybeth and I had a weekly appointment at a nursing home, where we helped with bingo, played the piano and sang hymns we didn't know, or just talked to the residents, and it was always awkward and a little uncomfortable. I think we did it for a semester. Come to think of it, I also did nursing home service when I was a pre-teen, at the request of my friend Nikki (or maybe her parents). One of the nursing home residents I met would sometimes call me up at home, to chat. Uncomfortable. I was 11, and she only barely knew me. She could kind-of ramble and I remember trying diligently to end the calls. I guess she needed someone, and now looking back, I hope I was at least a little bit of a comfort to her.

Anyway, since it's Alex's last year in Catholic school and he'll have to do even MORE service during his Confirmation year coming up, I have been thinking we need to progress beyond Safety Patrol. (I should say that he's also helped a couple of Eagle Scouts on their projects, but now he isn't in Scouts any more, so that's out.) There should probably be some kind of sacrificing involved, like a couple of hours on a weekend, don't you think? I'm not making him go to a nursing home, but I did sign us up, him and me, to work at the Parish Picnic this Saturday. They needed a lot of volunteers, so I picked the Putt Putt Challenge. Sounds pretty stress-free and hopefully we'll get the sense that we're serving the community in some way. (He has to turn in a form every quarter that asks, "How do you feel you benefited spiritually from this service?" That's hard to answer for school Safety Patrol, he's told me. Might be hard for putt-putt, too, but we'll see.)

I'd like to do something even more meaningful, like helping at the St. Vincent DePaul society store or a homeless ministry, but it takes a bit more effort to connect with those things. I'm going to try, though.

-----

Opposite of service: What I really want to do this weekend is N O T H I N G. Not that we've been doing a lot on the weekends, really, but Wednesday and Thursday nights, I've just come home exhausted. I guess having hurricane company drained me. And I think being bored at work doesn't help. Seriously, yesterday I had so few tasks and deadlines, I felt it physically (and mentally) by the end of the day. Restless, but seated at a desk. Anxious, but also unmotivated. You know when you lay around and do nothing all day but you feel extra tried by the end? It was like that. Awful. Today I made sure to have a couple of work tasks ready and waiting.

And then, I will look forward to:

• Cleaning my kitchen. Totally needs it after two weekends of company in a row.
• Going to the grocery store on a Friday night. No one will be there and it will be blissful!
• Switching my purse. Had to buy a new one yesterday at Target -- it had been SO long since I'd spent $100 at Target! (I also got new sponges, with which I'll clean the kitchen!)
• Decorating for fall? It could happen. 
• Having my morning coffee on the back patio, and needing a sweatshirt if it's chilly.
• Finishing my book (The Glass Castle - really good!)

-----

One other thing. I started daydreaming yesterday that I'd really love to rent a cabin in the mountains some fall weekend. Take an extra day off, even. I don't quite know why, except, well, I DO know that being outdoors makes me happy, and the woods seems to be my "happy place" more than the beach. Also, it's like being at home without having any chores that need doing. I wonder if we can make it happen this fall? Early Nov. or late Oct. maybe? I barely even care about seeing fall color -- I'd just like to have the getaway and the fresh air. Hmm.

Mid-December update

I feel like I'm forgetting to just observe my mind and not believe everything. My mind is trying to tell me that there's a lot to do, "and you still haven't started this and that and the other, and you need to have it all planned to the minute and get another gift for X person and hurry hurry don't forget!!" But not all of that is true. I need to breathe. (I need to take 15 minutes and close my eyes to breathe, I mean. Every day. How is it that all my coping mechanisms have gone out the window, when I was just here, proclaiming that they're how I cope so well!?)

We have done some festive baking, without too much hurry or stress. Sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles, an easy "funfetti" cookie with M&Ms, and the first batch of peanut clusters last night. (It just isn't Christmas without them.) Kate's been dying to bake and bake and bake. When I'm not rolling my eyes as she explodes eggs into the batter instead of gently cracking them, I think she enjoys herself. Bless it. There's no other way for them to practice, I guess, than to make messes. And I know that in the long run, letting her spill and stir and help clean up teaches her confidence, and that I trust her and love being/doing with her, no matter what mistakes she makes. Important! (But it is a little test for me to stay patient.) I want to get Alex involved, too, but he manages to always be working on something else when we're in the kitchen.

The last 2 weekends have been easy, with very few plans or commitments. I'm grateful. We ordered Chinese food one Friday night, went to a cozy pizza place for dinner early last Saturday, then came home and watched Christmas movies all piled up on the couch. We've had our typical chores and errands, but nothing much additional. No choir party this year... no extra birthday parties, somehow... no need for dressing up or getting a babysitter. It's good. Although I'd really like to go to some kind of Christmas concert (or the Nutcracker) at some point while the kids are young, I'm glad we haven't had to work it into our calendar right now. Maybe there will be one at a church this weekend.

I wonder if my working hard to stay calm is what's also slowing me down at work. I just don't have any drive. Or is this time of year is always quiet at work (something I should certainly be grateful for)? I'm unsure. None of my projects interest me. Some are writing projects, but those are hard to start. And I often feel like I work in a vacuum: my closest team members now are in the UK and Germany. There's not enough idea-bouncing. Or something. New for me this year, I'm planning content months in advance. It's really hard to be interested when the deadline isn't until March or April. Ah, well. I did get a raise, thanks to Shan's kind negotiating it. Not a huge raise, and it sounds like she really had to push our grouchy German head of HR to get even that, but I'm grateful.

So I guess the tl;dr is that we're having a fairly quiet Advent, when I manage to turn off the voices in my head. :) I'm lighting candles nearly every night, and waiting for Christmas to come.

Post-Break: Feeling Relaxed, Planning Dinners

It's my first day back to work after Spring Break 2016, and it's nearly noon, so I'm just finishing my "Ease Back In" program, which consists of reading my emails, then reading my blogs and goofing around a bit while also checking various things like the company Facebook page and my calendars/to-do lists. I figure half a day is a good time limit, and allows me some hours to remember what it's like to sit here all day 5 days a week.

And to write down my FEELINGS about it. ;) Thusly:

I do really need a refresher, honestly, about work, because I took the week OFF. And I do mean, off, from ANY and ALL responsibilities. I didn't cook much, I didn't clean much, I didn't ever ONCE sit down at the computer or look at a Google calendar, and I certainly let go of my work stuff for the week. It was nice. I needed a break. I'm unsure if the kids really had fun, but they say they did. I felt a little social-media-inspired guilt, seeing everyone away at this or that beach, or London or California or a Caribbean cruise, like some of our acquaintances. WTH, everyone? Does no one value the STAYCATION? I do. I valued it a lot. Like I said, we didn't make a lot of plans. We hiked the mountain and picnicked, which has become our Spring Break Staycation Tradition (I didn't even feel sore the next day, I'll have you know), and we ordered Chinese food one night and played Table Tennis and 100-pin bowling on the Wii, which was fun. We saw a movie (Zootopia, CUTE), Kate had a long playdate, Alex went to a sleepover, and that's really about it. The kids stayed up 'til about 10 every night, as they are doing lately on the weekends, but that was fine I suppose. We used the excuse of "Daddy has to work tomorrow" to send them to bed at 10. It was too bad he didn't have the week off like the rest of us, but having that limit was a good thing.

I slept "in" every morning until about 7:30 -- Kate until about 8:00 (Alex still woke up early as is his norm). I read two whole books, both awesome. (Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, and then Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier.) We had a few lunches out (Subway, McDonald's) and several of leftovers or sandwiches. We got ice cream one afternoon. I went out for Mexican food and margaritas with some mom friends. We just took it easy. I had joked with a coworker that I was going to nap every day; unfortunately, that didn't quite happen, but still, the days felt luxuriously lazy.

I'm so grateful that I had enough vacation days this year to cover the week. I'm so grateful my kids were okay with doing basically nothing. I'm so sad it's over. But, sigh. It's time to come back to the real world, and be engaged and Do Things. ;)

I'm trying to rev back up to "normal routine" standards. Getting a cold late last week didn't help for motivation but I'm feeling better today than I did Friday/Saturday. Made a big list at work this morning. LOTS of big tasks that need breaking up into smaller tasks, this afternoon. Checked the family G-cal today and remembered a couple of events, like I'm responsible for snack for the Girl Scouts this Wednesday, whoops! Shawn has to chaperone a Drama Club rehearsal, AND take the kids to their dentist appointments this afternoon! Teamwork, it's how we roll.

AND I tried to put together a decent dinner menu for the week. I said over on Lagliv.blogspot.com, that I've been wholly uninspired lately, and really, really bored with trying to come up with dinners every night. Her blog is full of suggestions, so I'm excited to think about and plan a few new things. First, my menus for this week:

S - (last night) Maple-glazed salmon, buttered broccoli and wild rice [SO YUM. Everyone ate it, no leftovers.]
M - Pizza Casserole with sausage and pepperoni (if I can get it done quickly when we get home tonight), garlic toast
T - Frozen chicken tenders w/BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and corn, and Stouffers Harvest apples
W - Burgers and tater tots! Everyone's favorite!
Th - "Whatever" night -- with gymnastics at 6:30 and then me leaving for choir, I do Spaghetti-Ohs or corn dogs or mac and cheese for the kids usually, and Shawn heats up a bachelorhood-nostalgia favorite like SOS or Salisbury Steak when he gets home. Lame, but it's working for us for now.
F - (Shake n Bake) Crispy Baked Chicken Breasts, green beans and maybe salad, crescent rolls

Bookmarking some of the things I think look interesting that LL has mentioned (she's a working mom slash weekday dinner inspiration!):
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/soups/cheeseburger-soup/
http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2012/03/black-bean-spinach-enchiladas.html
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/13983/mexican-vegetable-rice/

Little stuff and big stuff

Well, that's that for slowed-down summertime! This week, we've amped right back up to normal speed, and I have a full week of errands to run and things to do. This isn't necessarily bad, but did cause me to grab a sheet of paper last night to write it all down before I forgot.

• Uniforms - I'm hopeful that Alex will have at least one pair of correct pants and a shirt, and shoes, for the first week (he has to have all new uniform colors this year for middle school). Eek. Kate needs one more plaid jumper, too - tried them on  yesterday and... nope. I didn't intend to let it go this late, but on the other hand, I wasn't thinking of mid-July as that "late" for planning for the next schoolyear. 
• Pest control. Gotta be done, and it's definitely my turn for serviceman duty at the house. No biggie; I plan to put something in the crock pot (shredded BBQ chicken) while I'm there waiting for him on Thursday.
• Call to schedule Kate's gymnastics class for fall. -DONE!
• Pickup the kids' finished pottery at the Art Camp location - Calling on Shawn to handle this one, please, since it's closer to his office.
• School supplies - Kate and I bought hers this weekend because she saw the printed list and got excited about it (I don't blame her, it's the best part of Back to School), but Alex wasn't home from Scout camp yet. He came home Saturday afternoon.
• Middle School Dance Committee - I forgot I had scheduled a meeting this week of the moms on this committee; really another way of saying "dinner out with my friends," but talking about this volunteer job is going to get me a little panicky, I think. It's a big job as it turns out, and I'm not sure why I agreed to it. At least there are 3 of us.
• Having friends over Friday night! Why not?! They just moved to our neck of the woods and I was hoping to relieve them of having to cook/plan during those first few weeks of unpacking. I remember those nights from our move last year. I really like the couple (...I think our kids like/tolerate their kids), but as it turns out, it's kind-of a crazy week to do this. Oh well! Nothing like anticipating company for a housecleaning motivator.... so perhaps some vacuuming downstairs is also on the plan for this week, wheee!

In other news, I have had several heart-to-hearts with my sweet Kate-Kate this weekend/week --  some triggered by good things and I will leave it to your imagination for how the rest were triggered -- but gosh, do I love that challenging little girl. I said to her last night that being a parent, raising a person, can sometimes be so HARD for parents, and we don't always know what to do. Honesty, right? She was crying over something, and sobbed, "But WHY is it so hard to just RAISE somebody???" Why, indeed. She couldn't fathom. I suppose none of us can, until we do it. But gosh, it IS so hard, isn't it? Knowing what to say, and how to say it? And how not to say it? She's growing up before my eyes, and I know that because even through her fits and stubbornness, she's starting to feel right and wrong, and more important, empathy. She frequently tells me, after an episode, that she's worried she's hurt us, Shawn and me, by being disrespectful. Yesterday I got to tell her, "YOU ARE LOVED, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. You can't ruin that or mess that up, ever. Period." ....I can't put into words how honored I felt to teach that big and significant lesson, both in words and in actions. And grateful for the grace of that moment.

It's excellent timing before her First Penance next spring, too. She'll be ready, I think. Age of Reason. Pretty smart, Catholicism.

Also interesting re: Saint Claude de la Columbiere.

...


Back to my busy week, I guess, but I'm basking in the big stuff to reflect on, to keep perspective. Grace. Love. We can't mess up badly enough to ruin it. We do make mistakes, but we're still loved absolutely.

Home decor, yippie!

We just ordered this pretty patio table and chairs set, on sale, for delivery next week. And an umbrella. YAY!! I am so excited for dinners and weekend mornings outside. Shawn said he expects to always be asking "Where's your Mom?" and the kids to answer, "Outside on the patio," after we get this set...since I've insisted we get it so... heartily.

He and I have been having so much fun homecaring the last week or so, since coming back from vacation, that it's really starting to feel like "We have a beautiful home we are proud of." This makes me happy. We've bought and hung (expensive-ish) framed art, put up some curtains in the main living room, cleaned top to bottom, including the front porch ceiling, columns and windows, and picked up the kids' crap which is usually everywhere. God love 'em. I hope they don't feel like they can't just BE, in the house. We don't nag too much, I don't think. When Kate's stuff multiplies we just pile it up on the bench in the den and ask her to take it upstairs. Sometimes she does that. Sometimes we even help her. And shoes. Socks and shoes seem to also fly all over the house and land in the middles of rooms.

Mom and Dad are planning to haul their piano, which was Grandmother's piano, to our house soon. I am excited about this, definitely. I've never "wanted" it before because I really didn't have any place for it. Now I actually have a place, and really, have wanted it all along. How awesome will it be to have a real piano, and the one I played as a child? I think THAT room will start to feel like a grown-up living room, as well, as soon as it's installed. I am a bit sorry for them, not to have a piano at their house anymore. But Mom says no one ever plays it down there, so I'm trying not to be sad. Nor think about the general idea that they're giving me big furniture, as generations do... nope, not thinking about that.

Next up on the projects list: A gallery wall upstairs. We have some items ready for it, and have Pinterested some ideas and tips for inspiration. Just need to find the time to work on it and hammer those holes into the wall. :) We still need to figure out a bookshelf solution for the guest room/play room. And last on my list is to find something new to hang over the bed in the master bedroom.

Well, not last. There's never really a last project with a home, is there? Thank goodness. More fun to come. Future projects: extend the back patio slab (and make it nicer-looking), which will then require fixing/replacing the fence on that side of the house... Fire Pit and comfy chairs around it... this morning I was thinking about a little running bird-bath / water-feature.... lots in the backyard, it would seem!

Perfect Christmas Day

First of all, I didn't get sick on Christmas Eve! Amazing in itself.

Second of all, the Santa presents turned out exactly even. Or, even enough that I was perfectly satisfied. Shawn had done some prep work while I was singing at Midnight Mass, so when I got home the setup was pretty easy. We got to bed around 2:30am. Oof! Had made the kids promise, after they said they would be getting up at 6:00am, to pleeeeeeeeease wait until 6:30. And they did. ;) Evidently, their alarms went off at 6:00, but they waited in Kate's room, probably giggling and squee-ing just like Jill and I used to do (and peeking), until the stroke of 6:30. I had woken up a few minutes before they came tip-toeing into our room, whispering, "I'll get Mommy, you get Daddy." So adorable to get to hear the excitement in their whispers. I'm grateful God nudged me awake for that tiny gift.

They loved their presents and were just as happy and excited as they could be. It was awesome. And then, because we didn't have anywhere we had to go, or anything we had to dress up to do (no going to Mass! Two on Christmas Eve was enough!), we stayed in our pajamas until 1:00 pm, and just enjoyed being together. I started the coffee after we finished presents, turned on some Christmas music in the kitchen (how I love having our old iPhone on speakers in the kitchen!), started making crepes, and the kids played with each one of their new things in succession. Shawn and I were able to get on the floor and help/play with them, too, and allowed ourselves to do that. Even when I was making crepe batter, I told myself there was no schedule, and I could pause a few minutes to look at something when Kate asked me to. (I really need to work on doing that more often on regular days.) The crepes didn't take too long, much Nutella was had, Shawn did the dishes, we turned on Christmas Vacation for the 2nd time and laughed when Cousin Eddy said, "Shitter was full!" ....and how fun is it, that the kids are old enough to enjoy a few naughty words here and there and we can trust there won't be repercussions?...

At one point during the still-early morning, Kate wanted to take her bow and arrow outside to shoot it. I took my coffee cup and sat on the porch while she did, and it was cool, crisp outside without being uncomfortable. And sunny! After 3-4 days of grey and rain, the sun was out! There's not much I love more than being outside in the morning. We stayed out there about 20 minutes. Another perfect gift.

The whole thing was just blissful. Quiet, and warm inside, the kids worked hard to get along all day, and we soaked it all up. I took a tiny nap and didn't feel guilty. I think Shawn did, too. Later in the afternoon I poured some red wine and put together a huge lasagna and a salad. We ate in the dining room with the Lenox Holiday -- candlelight dinner! -- and talked about what a great day it had been. Shawn did the dishes AGAIN, even the fine china (thank you so much, Honey).

Truly, a Christmas day to remember.