A fine October morning

(Even though it's a Monday.) 

It's 47 degrees, currently. What bliss! I had to wear a vest-jacket and layers! And socks! Definitely not sandals weather this morning. I live for this time of year. Hot coffee, bathrobe, heavy comforter, fuzzy socks, and sweatshirts: Welcome back! 

As I rev up my work-engine for a very busy week, with a meeting I'm sort-of in charge of, on Friday, and some office visitors T-Th (UGH to all of it), I'm still thinking about this past weekend. We had tickets to the UGA football game and we had such a nice day of it. 

The game was at 7:00 pm, so thankfully we did NOT have to wake up at the crack of dawn to drive there in time. Instead, we had a leisurely morning and left the house around noon. It helped that we didn't have tailgate plans, although in the future, I wouldn't MIND having tailgate plans -- it seems to be a very fun activity for game day and I bet the food involved would be better than stadium pizza. Not to mention having a little adult drink would be nice. 

Anyway, we arrived around 2:30, walked through campus toward the stadium, stopping at a couple of tailgates where we had friends. I had to explain to Kate that there's a code of tailgate etiquette, and that we couldn't simply invite ourselves to join these friends, only stop by to say hello. She was disappointed and so am I, frankly, but you have to have manners. We had places to be, anyway: wanted to catch the Dawg Walk with the band, and see Alex as much as we could when he wasn't required elsewhere. He was very sweet to come and find us whenever he had free time. And the band sounded great and so festive, as usual. 

The weather was just picture perfect. Sunny but cool/breezy, especially in the shade. The game was exciting -- our guys won -- and we hadn't ever experienced a night game before. It's extra atmosphere, for sure. Worth staying out really late and walking what felt like miles to and from our car. 

Afterwards, Alex let us come to dinner with him and several alto-sax buddies including 2 of his roommates. It was simple, not a party or rowdy at all, like you might imagine. These band kids are tired after a full day of being in uniform, and just want some food. ;) I was touched that Alex left the table where he had been sitting to join the three of us instead. 

A lot of little moments, in fact - when he texted to say he had some extra time and could come find us again; when he gave us long hugs; at dinner; some of our conversation about his girlfriend - are evidence to me of how he's maturing. I mean, Alex has never been particularly immature, but it's really neat to watch him change ever so slightly. And it's gratifying that he doesn't mind being with us. He might actually even enjoy it. :) 

We do get to see him again tonight, since the band is coming to our county to perform for a bunch of high school band kids! Yay!

But this morning, I'm trying to hold onto the big joys from the weekend and face whatever "adventure" lies ahead in my Inbox.  

Lots of Proofreading and Memory-Making

It's a busy time for me at work. Our product catalog is in production, as well as another mini-catalog, so that means I'm doing a lot of proofreading. Most of our publications originate in Europe, so that means I change a LOT of "fibres" to "fibers" and "colours" to "colors." And all the "-ise" words to "-ize:" Realise, minimise, accessorise. It's tiresome, but easy work. I can put on an album and get into the flow of it. Our office has moved, but we're still waiting on final inspections before we can actually GO to the new building. I've seen my cute new office (I got a real room, not a cube, woo!), but I can't set my stuff up yet. I LOVE the idea of putting things away in an orderly new way. A place for everything (except all the old stuff I happily threw out) and everything in its place. I bought myself a little violet plant for my new desk (no windows, so it has to be something that does okay in fluorescents), and I have new school pictures to put in my 5x7" frames, so come on, building inspectors! For once, I want to be there! 

For a day or two. Then I want to work from home again. ;)

Updates: Band

Alex's senior marching band season has come to a close! Or, it will, tonight at the Fall Awards Reception. We made it! All the Friday afternoon/evening meals, all the competitions, all the football Fridays have finished, as well as our memorable trip to Orlando. The poor kids did not get to march in a parade at Universal  after all: Weather prevented it. I had seen the forecast for "90%" chance of rain, and thought, "Eh, it's Florida. It will rain for 10 minutes and then clear up again. This happens every afternoon." 

I was so wrong. It POURED rain from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm, non-stop and hard. And cold, for Florida. The high that day was about 65. But we put on our ponchos by golly and endured it, because we had paid money to be there! I guess the band kids were happier, even, because it meant more time on the rides than they would have had. 

Anyway, the Thrash family enjoyed our time at Hogwarts/Diagon Alley, drank our butter beer (yum), practiced magic with our $60 (!) wand, and rode every ride we could fit in. Most of them were simulators with 3D video, which I enjoyed at first. But I'm here to warn you: at age 47 after several of those in a row, the inner ear is not a happy inner ear. I closed my eyes in each of the last 5 or 6 rides we did, and breathed very deep, slow breaths. I still feel a little sick remembering it. 

On day 2, we hopped over to the Magic Kingdom, leaving Alex behind but happy to be in the Happiest Place on Earth. (We really did like Universal, though, and want to go back. Lots of rides were unavailable because of the rain.) I'm so glad we took Kate to Disney again. Last time she went, she was four years old. So this time was completely different -- we rode all the "roller coasters" they had. In quotes because Disney roller coasters are not very scary or big. She was scared of them! But brave! And we loved them all. Seven Dwarves Mine Train (a first for all of us), Big Thunder Mountain (my very favorite), and Space Mountain! We even stayed until the fireworks show (also a first! when the kids were little we never stayed late) at the castle. It was a Magical day, for sure. And we were so tired, after 2 days of it. But it was so worth it.

Volleyball

Club volleyball started last night with Kate's first practice. Here's what I was hoping for: All the moms who've done this before welcoming newbies like myself... someone asking where we live... perhaps finding a neighbor who asked did I want to carpool (the practice locations are a 25 minute drive for us)... coaches giving us parents a friendly welcome speech and "here's how it's going to work," and Kate receiving the $500 worth of uniforms I bought a month ago.

Exactly none of that happened. 

Maybe it will, on Wednesday when the practice is JUST our team (last night was a "master coaching" practice with a mix of several teams). But so far my eyebrow is raised. I can see 2 tournaments on the calendar so far, one local and one in Montgomery, which isn't too far away. So that's a positive...

Meals

When we got back from Orlando last Sunday, what sounded good and was easy was a good old spaghetti dinner. Yummy. The rest of the week we ate:

• Chicken enchiladas
• Chicken and Rice skillet
• BBQ shredded pork (bought for a fundraiser), which we've had two ways so far - once as sandwiches on buns, and once as a "pork plate" with green beans, baked beans, and King's Hawaiian rolls. There's still a lot leftover.

I'm planning one other interesting meal this week, which is:

• Pineapple Pork with Coconut Rice

I'd also like to make a tortellini/sausage soup recipe my sister sent me, but not sure anyone but me would eat it. Bummer. Maybe I should make some for my lunches.

Next week is Thanksgiving! Can you believe it?? We're going to Pensacola to be with my parents and I can't wait to make sausage dressing with my Mom, and Apple "Waldorf" Salad for my Dad. :)

Band-tober Continues

So much marching band! Since Oct. 14, they competed in their highest priority BOA competition in Alabama (came in 5th overall and 2nd in their class, which is not their best showing), played/performed at 2 home football games (those are the busiest, with Events feeding the kids both before and after), and had Senior Night, where Shawn and I got to walk out on the field with our Senior for recognition.

I had a painful blister on my heel in that moment because of setting up the Senior Night reception beforehand -- I stupidly wore "nice" shoes for all the pre-game stuff, because I couldn't figure out how/when I would have time to change clothes before the game. Also I hardly ever wear nice shoes anymore, thanks to Covid! [[Side note: The reception came together beautifully despite the early troubles. We had tons of help, we set it up in an odd location (gym lobby) but it looked really nice in the end with our balloon bouquets, the Pinterest-worthy die-cuts Allegra bought, and my idea of Mason jars with twinkle lights inside. We hadjust enough tablecloths. I got some beautiful frosted sugar cookies made, we gave each senior a small gift, and the food was perfect and perfectly estimated -- not much leftover! Best of all, since I am a senior parent, everyone was making a big deal about me NOT helping too much, so once the party started at 6:00, I was allowed to do no more! I enjoyed it!]] No blisters could dampen the joy of being there, celebrating this sweet, talented class of kids. I love that I know a few of them now, can recognize them when they come to sign in for their meals (never thought I would learn their names, like Luke and Davis and Michael and Carter and Ashley and Maggie and Sarah and Lily, and Rocky and Mason and Kate and Zeke). Not that they care who I am, but it's still fun for me. ;)

I am so grateful for the ones whose parents I consider real friends. Like, GOOD friends. Cindy and Dalia and Heather and Teigha and especially Allegra. I had hoped for this additional benefit of Alex being in band, but wasn't sure it was going to happen, especially with last year and Covid taking away all that time we could have been volunteering. We are trying like heck to get Kate interested in band for next year (she doesn't play a marching instrument but could surely play keyboard in the front ensemble, or join the Color Guard - no experience necessary!), just so I can continue hanging out with my friends who have kids younger than Alex. ;) It's a tough sell and won't work, I'm afraid. Kate wants to forge her own path and we understand that. But I'm going to really feel the loss of these daily interactions with these particular friends. I may have to volunteer with them for a few things on the side, next year, and will definitely have to do my best to get them together for lunch or dinner once in a while. I guess we will still go to football games; Kate will want to, and won't want us around her. We'll be free to go sit in our normal section with the band parents. I also think about the future: Who will Shawn and I hang out with once our kids are all grown and gone? At least one set of the band parents I know is a set I'd like to include in the answer to that question (Allegra and Lawrence). 

All this to say, the high school years are VERY short. I know we still have half the year left, but everything from now on feels like it's "the last" thing. The last football game. The last competition. The last Night of Jazz. Sunrise, sunset.

In the meantime! I pulled Kate from her piano lessons. It was a very, very fraught decision for both of us. But last night after having a few weeks off from it, she reassured me, "It actually wasn't that much fun anymore," so maybe I can stop feeling guilty. She had a say in it, don't get me wrong, but she didn't want to be the one to disappoint me or her teacher, so I had to make the call. Maybe it isn't forever -- maybe she will want to go back to it. But the scheduling, combined with her homework load, combined with She Never Practiced, and I mean Never, and therefore she often came away from lessons upset because her teacher was a little hard on her... it just didn't make sense emotionally or financially to continue. 

Her volleyball practices start soon, and she will be glad to get back into that. And basketball for St. Joe's has already started. Sports! Here we come!

This week and last, I have managed some meals. We eat at 7:30 or 8:00 pm, but at least we eat. You know what's getting harder? Keeping all the ding-dang PHONES turned off and away during a meal. Sometimes we'll get to talking, and need to look something up, either about our calendar or something more fun, like a movie quote or the definition of a word, and then, whoops, whoever looked it up has a moment and Snapchat or Twitter is open. I'll continue working on that. The meals are reeeeeal basic, but they still count:

• Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Bisquick topping (a handwritten recipe from a former coworker that calls for cream cheese in the filling, yes, please)
• Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork (not as delicious as I'd hoped it would be, but serviceable- it made a great taco yesterday for my lunch)
• Hello Fresh Carnitas Tacos - a request from Kate and SO yummy
• Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup (Alex rightly says, "If I didn't know what this is, I wouldn't think it looked very good." It does indeed look like slop, but add bacon, green onions and cheese, and it's *chef's kiss*)
• Oven Baked (from Frozen) Chicken Tenders/Fritters, with a pasta side dish including some  zucchini I need to use
• Bulgogi Meatballs with rice & broccoli (if they ever stop carrying our Bulgogi sauce at Publix, we will be SOL and very sad)

Guess what? We have a trip coming up, right around the corner. We're going (with band of course) to Orlando for a weekend in early November. They'll march in a parade at Universal Studios and then get to play in the park for a couple of days, and we'll be hanging out with Aunt Kimmy and Uncle Art. I'm excited, when I can stop to think about it for a minute. We haven't gotten to go to Orlando in YEARS. On the 2nd day, we're going to Magic Kingdom (the band is staying at Universal). So, without Alex, but he'll have more fun with his friends anyway. Kate's excited about Disney, since all her friends go there all the time and she doesn't. We plan to pack the day and stay for the fireworks show at night, and we know we'll be bone tired but I think it's going to be worth it. 

Let no one say we aren't making memories this year! I'm grateful for a place to record them, here. I sometimes feel like my blog must be so boring, as mostly a recap of the run-around schedule. Why would you read mine when you have one of your own?! I don't take the time for insight or contemplation, or well-written phrases that make anyone laugh or bring a tear to your eye. I wish I were that kind of writer. But right now I'm a memory record-keeper, and that has to be okay.

Big Wins

Alex Update:

The Harrison High School Marching Band won their first competition of the season, with a huge score of 92.1 (usually scores are in the 80s)! It was a great night, a local competition here in our county. They worked SO hard. Just a week prior, we had seen the end of practice (a "Parent Performance," the night that we had our dinner party) and it was a sad, sad state of affairs. But hard work and adrenaline made it all come together and it was a beautiful performance. So proud of them! We go on to our out-of-town competition this Saturday.

Alex was also named one of the top 50,000 kids taking the PSAT for the National Merit Scholarships, and was recognized for that. Top 50K doesn't seem that great unless you think about the number of high schools in your own state, let alone the whole country. Then it's pretty impressive.

Kate Update:

After a harrowing day of tryouts -- mostly because she was shooting daggers at me the whole time -- Kate made the volleyball team she wanted to make. She was mad at me because I wouldn't let her try out for the National/Travel team. Her 3 friends from school were all trying out for that highest level (only one of them made it). But sorry, girlie, I still have a full-time job and I knew I simply could not make that work, especially since this is our first go-round with club volleyball. Still, she played her heart out and maybe the anger even fueled her to do better. On day 2 of the tryouts, I watched from across the gym as she was pulled aside during a drill. She went to the sidelines and the coach said a few things to her and then fist-bumped her. Kate smiled ever so slightly, but her whole body relaxed and got lighter in that moment; she hopped off to get back to the drill but I knew they had offered her a position on the team. And, oh, my heart just swelled with happiness for her. What a moment. 

My bank account may never recover from this, however. Did you know that sports (outside of the little Catholic schools' league we are used to) are Stupid Expensive?! Imagine me looking at the grand total just for the uniforms (because there are so many "optional" pieces that I know she will want) and blinking slowly, repeatedly. Yikes. (Mom and Dad, don't worry, we have it covered, it's just surprising.)

Shawn Update:

Yes, there is a Shawn update! He also had a big win this week, in that his Atlanta Cornhole League team, The Sigourney Fevers 2, WON the local tournament last night! I'm so happy for him and his buddies. I like that he has this way to relax and have a beer with friends during the work-week. And I love that they WON! They now go on to a state ... wait for it ... Corn-ament! ;) 

Me Update: 

My Events Planning band job is kicking my butt. Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. My partner got Covid, for starters. We have a home game and a competition this weekend so I'm having to manage those without her (thank goodness there are plenty of volunteers). And our next event, Senior Night, has had hiccups as well (the location we wanted is unavailable; the caterer is unavailable). It will all work out but it's caused me to wake up THINKING in the middle of the night, and that's always terrible. 

Last night was the first one in a while that I've gotten to stay at home after work. Alex had his piano lesson, and I did run to the grocery store, but after that, I sat on the couch and read my book. A luxury! I'm reading The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate -- a book I picked up while just browsing at Barnes & Noble, and how long has it been since you've done THAT?! so fun! -- I really like it so far. I was tired from getting my flu shot the day before, so a night off was just what the doctor ordered. That was MY Big Win for the week! :)

State of the Garden and other Updates

Despite the extreme heat of the last 3 weeks, my garden still looks okay. This isn't typical for me! This year I have tried not to water every day, but to definitely water every other day. We've had a lot of rain, too. Most every weekend, I've added fertilizer to the water. Here's the state of things:

Tomatoes: We've harvested several, and they taste delicious. They've not all looked lovely, however; some have had cracked sides which I read is from.... too much water! They're too heavy and they just crack. A couple were attacked by squirrels or birds so they were pock-marked. Unless they were really gross, I've cut them up anyway and added them to salsa or salad (cutting around the eaten parts, obviously). I figure, not every tomato in a field is going to look nice, so why should mine? There are three more on the (single) vine at the moment, and last week I saw a blossom but I'm not sure if it will be fruitful.

Petunias: I cut them back by a lot 2 weeks ago and that helped. One pot in the front yard got destroyed when we had the pressure washers here in June. Another pot in the front just burned up and I replaced them with some white Vinca. I'm sick of deadheading them all but it definitely helps them bloom.

Lantanas: These two hanging baskets are the saddest things when they're thirsty! But even when they look nearly dead, a good soak usually brings them back. They've flowered twice and it looks like they might one more time (?). They're supposedly a butterfly attractor, and I'm disappointed to not really be seeing tons of butterflies - but at least they're still alive.

Impatiens: So pretty. So easy to grow in the shade. One in the far backyard looked peaked on Saturday morning but I tended to it and today (Monday) it seems a little happier. I've had to spray to keep critters from munching on that one.

Begonias: Flowery and big! No trouble from these guys at all, they just grow and bloom no matter what I do.

Coleus: These are on the front porch in the shade and I'm not sure if that's the best spot for them, but so far they're okay. I love coleus; the ones I bought this year are green and red.

Jalepeno! Kate convinced me we needed a pepper plant and she was RIGHT! We've used several in our weekly salsa. 

Japanese Maple and Bridal Wreath (3) bushes: These, we planted in the front yard where we took out all of our Bradford pear trees. They seem to be doing okay despite being mostly ignored by me (bushes = not as fun to tend as flowers). 

All in all, it's probably the best garden year I've had, spring to summer. Not sure what I'll do this fall. I would definitely like to plant some kind of bulbs, but I can't decide what type/color or where. 

In Band Mom updates:

I got the pizza place sponsorship, AND one from a chicken restaurant as well, woo hoo! I've learned that people respond better to phone calls and that persistence pays off. And that I don't ever want to be in sales. This week is the first football game and we are taking orders now to feed the kids on Friday afternoon before they board the bus. It's a lot of work and I'm trying not to be stressed about it. The hardest thing is that my co-chair took a full-time job at a school and therefore can't really do any of the behind-the-scenes work during the day, so it's now all falling on me. Argh. Kinda annoying but I am TRUSTING that it will all be fine. We get along well and it's kinda fun having a friend texting me constantly, I must say. I think the worst is really behind us, lining up all those weekly meal sponsors. 

In Extra-Curricular news:

Kate has joined her school's volleyball team! It's been exciting because she has impressed her coaches. They ask me, "Where has she been playing? How much experience does she have?" because they say she's doing so well. But this is her very first time! I think she loves it, and it's a pretty low-key team. Maybe it will lead to more volleyball for her. I feel good about that; especially since the Drama club is still on hold until at least January. 

The only bad part is that the practice schedule makes our weeknights a bit crazy. This is the first year where we just may not eat dinner together many nights. I'm planning casseroles, freezer things, and crock-pot meals as a result. I'm not mad about it. ;)

Sunday: Chicken Tetrazini, made with zucchini instead of mushrooms

Monday: Frozen black bean burgers or chicken patty sandwiches, and fries

Tuesday: Bulgogi meatballs with broccoli and rice, if I can remember to stop at Publix and buy the sauce which wasn't available at WalMart this weekend

Wednesday:  Crock-pot chicken soft tacos (chicken, black beans, salsa, corn in the crock pot, sooo easy)

Thursday: Maybe pasta, maybe Leftovers on Parade (I imagine we'll have plenty)!

Friday: Football game!

Saturday: Band tailgate and parent performance!

It's a very full time of the year/of our lives, that's for sure. 

First 2 Days, Done!

The first 2 days of Alex's band camp are done. They were busy ones, with nighttime Events both nights. Hooray, the hard part is over! All we have left are 3 lunches this week and then one noon-2:00 event Tuesday next week. (...Until football starts.) I'm exhausted but happy.

Allegra (my co-director) and I were the last 2 people in the school building yesterday when we left at 9:15 pm. We had a potluck for 250 people in the cafeteria, cleaned it up, including "pulling trash" from all the cans and taking it to the back dumpster (I didn't know the phrase "pulling trash" until these days of volunteering/clean-up duty; very custodial). But I thought, as we walked out the door, THIS is the kind of thing that they always talk about that makes memories -- being out late, being exhausted together, but having accomplished a good thing. I was glad I was present enough to notice.

And Bless Kate: She is enduring this week like a champ. She came with me on Monday to the Directors' Lunch, and was properly bored. So Tuesday she elected instead to stay home in the morning -- she watched Gilmore Girls and made friendship bracelets -- but came with me in the afternoon to set up for the potluck. And she was really helpful -- earned herself a service hour! I know she kind-of hates all the focus on band/Alex; she's not very good at being a "background" character, lol. Next week she gets to go to the beach with her best friend's family and I'm so glad. She'll kind-of be their "special guest" so that will hopefully make up for this week. I did take her thrifting and shoe-shopping yesterday in between events, which was fun! (I had taken the day off work.) She helped me pick out a few things for myself, too. 

When I drive by the practice field at school, Alex is usually supervising his section. In his sunglasses, looking like he's in charge. Makes me so glad to see him developing leadership skills, growing and becoming. It's just one of the very best parts of parenting, isn't it? 

Picking Up

Do you remember when May was SO busy we couldn't see straight? End of year parties, weddings, graduations, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, packing for camp, recitals, awards receptions... Aside from the weather, I used to almost dread May.

Last year, of course, we didn't have any of it. I mean, people still graduated, but it feels like everything else was just skipped, and that was fine by me. I noticed that I only have one post from last May, and it was on a day when I was furloughed and the kids basically slept in and then did their assignments on their own schedules. Kind-of weird to think about it now, really. My company's business has picked up pretty well since then, and of course the kids are now IN school, and winding down to their last 10 days or so.

With the vaccines and the new mask guidance (which, yikes... a little premature imho), everything's coming back. We're grateful, right? Yes, of course. It is right and good and thank Science. 

And it's also pretty overwhelming. 

I did get voted in to the Band Boosters Board, and have since had 1 Zoom meeting and 2 in-person obligations (Kickoff Weekend), and I LOVE IT, but wow: I'd forgotten. 

Having to wash my hair and finish my coffee to be somewhere at 9:00 am on a Saturday is new! 

It probably follows that work will gear back up, too, and I'll have to commit to going to the office more days per week again. I wonder how long it will be until I'm asked to travel? Ugh. Conferences, site visits, global meetings....? How will those factor in to my volunteer schedule, haha... oh dear...? 

I am having trouble scheduling Kate's first vaccine, because her June is so packed full of camp and other activities already, that scheduling the 3-weeks-later dose is hard! But we will get there. (At least one conflict is our beach vacation.)

It's going to be GREAT. I am going to do FINE on the board, they are going to be glad they have me and things will fall into place. This is what I keep telling myself. And even when St Joe's Drama Club comes back in full force and Mrs. M. starts sending me requests to be the Business Manager (I kind-of already am), I can do that, too. It will all work out. Positive Attitude will Make It So. You need something done? Ask a busy person. It is going to be FUN, after a year of NOT FUN (or, a year to enjoy the quiet, at-home bliss...). 

'21-22 is our year of having an 8th grader, who graduates, and a high school senior! Oh, the places they'll go! Will we have 2 graduation parties? I'm thinking yes, probably... and what about a wedding in the family next year (my sister)?! When and how?! Well, I can't get ahead of myself there. Just roll with it, and keep eyes open to try to ENJOY everything. Yes, that's the ticket. Happy, proud and thrilled. 

- - - - - - 

And what have we been eating lately? I don't know how I got out of the habit of sharing that here -- I still love reading people's menus on other blogs -- but maybe mine just don't seem that interesting to me. (Of course not, duh.) I can't see NOT planning my menu and thus my grocery list, but gosh, am I tired of it. Even after creating a spreadsheet of all the meals I can remember, so I could literally just highlight 6 meals and the week would be decided. 

Anyway, I've been sick of it, but have PERSEVERED. This week, we are planning the following for dinners:

Sunday - Salisbury Steak with egg noodles, and steamed green beans. This recipe is so tried-and-true, and everyone in the family likes it. I made extra and we still didn't have any leftover. I highly recommend you double the sauce. It's good over mashed potatoes, too, but very rich.

Monday - Chicken Piccata. My kids have never tried this and I've never made it, but it does not look that difficult. And I love it, I order it at restaurants sometimes. I am also making a very fancy packet of Lipton/Knorr Parmesan noodles to go with it, and probably a salad. I seem to have lots of lettuce and cabbage at the moment.

Tuesday - Make Your Own Pizza (Flatbreads). 

Wednesday - My parents will be here! Their first visit in more than a year (SOB)! So I'm planning on Bulgogi Pork Tenderloin, Jasmine Rice, and broccoli. Hope I can get the timing right. (If not, we'll keep eating happy hour cheese and crackers, I'm sure. I have been somewhat resisting cheese, [except for the Rotel dip I made last week, oops] and so I'm pretty excited about this.)

Thursday - I slotted in a takeout night for ease of mind, but it's possible we'll think of something to cook. My Dad always suggests meatloaf, which I find funny. I don't get very excited about meatloaf.

Friday - BBQ Ribs. We've made them a few times this year and have found a good recipe, which I like so much I wrote down in my recipe book, and for which I then promptly lost the link. But they use a dry rub, cook in the oven for 2.5 hours at 250, and then you grill them for 5 minutes. They're perfect. I'm making corn, plus corn casserole, plus maybe baked beans to go with them. 

Band Boosters News

The first time I went to a Marching Band Boosters meeting, I cried. The Boosters were, of course, enthusiastically telling us newbies that band is a FAMILY and how it was going to change our students' lives, and ours too, especially if we GET INVOLVED. They were really being honest and genuine along with their desperation to sign us up for jobs (I knew their ploy), and it got right to the core of me. I love stuff like that. I love thinking of young lives changed, forever friendships, and all that. 

I watched the co-president up there making her speech, and I wanted to be her. I already admired the directors from the little I'd heard them speak at new-parent meetings, and I knew I wanted to know them better, and them to know me. I wanted them to be impressed with my kid, yes, but some part of me felt like a student again, wanting to be seen (Please be my friend!!). I was bummed we'd missed out on a year of it already, since Alex didn't march his freshman year, but no matter -- I was going to get myself involved and meet the people and do the thing. 

So we did. Shawn and I helped with concessions at some events. I tried chaperoning at a game or two. I helped serve and clean up at a few banquets. I sold "shout-outs" at a color guard competition. Shawn was on the parking crew at football games. I tried sewing hems on uniforms at the beginning of the year. And by golly, we went on the big trip as supporters! I wanted to give everything a shot, to see what I liked. It was a really good testing-out year. I learned that a lot of it was a BIG No Thanks, like uniforms and game-day chaperones (as opposed to Band Camp chaperones). And then Covid struck, and this year there haven't been any volunteer opportunities to speak of. 

So imagine my surprise when last night, the outgoing co-president called me up and asked me to please serve on the Board, as co-president for next year! 

...Don't get too excited, I can't take that job. Not because I don't want it! I DEFINITELY wanted it! But they're looking for a parent of a junior or someone who has a younger band-kid as well, because they already have one co-pres who's graduating out in '22. So sad! I had to tell them that we, too, will graduate... so they immediately moved down the list of jobs to Co-Chair of Events -- with my favorite parent I've met so far in band (underclassman, so she'll stay another year after me). So there you have it: IF I was approved last night on the official slate of officers, I am about to be Co-Chair of Events! 

Daunting, for SURE. Besides once a week meetings, there are a LOT of Events to be in charge of. But the good news is, I can let myself off the hook a little for other things. No need to stretch too thin. (I'm sure I'll be suckered into everything, anyway.)

Hey, there is other, BIGGER band news: Alex was chosen to be Clarinet section co-leader! WOO HOO! He is going to be great at it and I'm thrilled for him. There used to be a Leadership Retreat -- a camping trip -- over the summer, but he thinks that's not happening this year. Still, a great honor for him. I can't believe it's going to be his senior year. It's a good thing I'll be busy. No time to think about it!

I do want to say that I'm banking on WFH Forever, here, to make this work. Most events happen after school of course, but flexibility is going to be the name of the game. 

Next weekend is the end-of-year concert. I'm on concessions duty and Shawn will be taking temperatures of attendees. We're IN IT, y'all. Doing the thing. 

When Will This Feel Normal?

Tuesdays are now my office days, necessary because Shan and I are handling our Education department, and with virtual classes only, we are mailing out course materials each week for the next week's participants. It's a lot of FedExing. But hey, if I have to go in, at least there is work to be done, and at least it's still only once a week. Our boss has said he still doesn't want everyone back full-time. I am so thankful for him. Not thankful that he got COVID, but it has definitely worked in favor of those who don't want to go back to the office full-time, like myself.

This feeling of the strangeness of heading to the office, though -- it's odd like everything else this year, I suppose. It feels weird to blow-dry my hair and have to choose shoes. Putting the coffee into a travel mug... I wonder if those things will ever be so mundane that I don't think about them, again. 

An aside: I bought myself a new coffee mug for home this weekend, from Publix. One of my favorites, from my college, chipped on the rim, and that is no good at all. I regretfully threw it in the trash. While shopping several weeks ago, I had seen a mug that said, "I'm not feeling very Worky today" -- and wanted it so badly! So me! Unfortunately, I am so cheap that the extra $5.00 wasn't a "necessary" spend -- this was before my college mug broke... but I have regretted it ever since because it sold out immediately (I've looked every time I've been to Target since then). The new one is bright orange and not as adorable, but makes me happy, especially because it was $1.99.

Alex goes back to in-person marching band practice today, as well. With all kinds of rules, of course, and thank goodness: Rules about where to park so the directors can come to your car to take pre-rehearsal temperatures. Rules about where to stand after you get out of the car. Rules for the brass instruments about covering their bells. Rules about promptness for pickup because they can't gather anywhere in a group to wait for latecomers. No sharing snacks during breaks. No water jugs to refill your water bottles. No parents can congregate to watch rehearsal (one of the most fun things). STILL: I am so glad they get to do this. I hope and pray everyone behaves so 1) no one gets sick, and 2) they get to keep doing it. It's just for football season, and they're only playing at home games, and not everyone will get to play at every game because there isn't room, social-distance-wise, for every band kid in the section of bleachers assigned to them. Sigh. But it's something, and they will practice together. Amen and Amen.

....annnnnd I've just been reminded that something huge is due today and I haven't yet done it. There is so much going on, all the time, at work and I dropped the ball! AgH. So today in the office is going to be a scramble. I've gotta go, but I do want to catalog three yummy dinners we're having this week!

S - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn (haven't made meatloaf in so long. it's a classic for a reason.)

M - Creamy Parmesan one-pan chicken/rice with steamed broccoli

T - Calzones made w/Crescent rolls and chicken sausage, salad

So Proud

What a weekend we had at Grand Nationals in Indianapolis!

I have to explain: Our kids' show was entitled, "Restricted: Area 51," so early on in the season, parents started talking about tinfoil hats, and then some of them, including my typically not-so-spirited husband, ordered costumes. We were a pretty wild bunch of spectators, to be honest. 

...about to take the field... each band has 15 minutes total, to set up, perform, and exit the field. The show is 8+ minutes so it's pretty intense getting on and off! 

First set, before it begins...

Kate was over it by the end of the first day, and this pic was taken on the 2nd, so you do the math...

Clarinets section after their semifinals performance, I think

Because of copyright, we can't post the video yet, as far as I understand it. We did learn last night that each band's show is put to bed after the season, and won't ever be done or seen again, live. That's kinda sad, isn't it? But also, cool. Exclusive.

A few other memorable things:

• The drive up was fairly easy, and unlike when we take 5-hour road trips, I helped drive. I took the shifts that were closest to home, which I thought would make them easier, but actually I think there are more semi trucks near Atlanta and Chattanooga/Nashville, than further north into Kentucky and Indiana, so that was a mistake on my part. Whatever, it was fine. Scenic drive, morseo than when we go south. We even saw an Amish horse and buggy. 
• Our hotel was ...fine. It was a Towne Place Suites by Marriott, but it's hard to know what you're getting into when booking online. When we drove up at 4:00 on Friday, with Indy having had snow earlier in the week, things just looked kind-of dirty and sketchy. We were in a nondescript business-park kind of area, and there was at least one beat-up car leaving the parking lot as we arrived, and we were a little put off. However, our suite was completely fine with a mini kitchen and 2 bedrooms (we got upgraded). A little too much air freshener in the hallways, but otherwise acceptable. (I just realized no one cares how our hotel was, but I feel like I always get us rooms at these questionable places, because I'm always trying to save a little money. Ugh. Next time, I'm just going to have to be okay with spending a bit more, I have decided.)
• Lucas Oil Stadium is huge! Surprisingly, I have never been in an NFL stadium before! I am a fan of Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy, and liked the Colts back then, so I was happy to visit this particular venue. And what a feeling it must have been to perform there!
• It would (will) be verrrry easy for me to slip into being a total, unabashed marching band nerd. I have already been sneaking over to the hornrank.com discussion forums and following conversations with interest. ;)
• Our preliminary performance was good; however, there were some technical difficulties. The equipment crew couldn't find one of the tarps that are supposed to be laid on the field... one piccolo soloist's mic wasn't working... another tarp folded up accidentally during the show... and another prop had a door malfuntion, unnoticable to most, but not to those of us who were familiar with the show. STILL, it was enough to send us to semifinals.
• Semifinals was a SPECTACULAR run. Everything went smoothly, they found the tarp, it was heart-stirring and I sat there with my hands clasped under my chin the whole time, in nervous anticipation. They did so well. Left it all on the field, as they say.  ;)
• After both performances, it took me about a half-hour before I had fully calmed my nerves. 
• Thursday and Friday nights, we went back to our hotel and watched movies on Disney+. That was a nice way to wind down. We chose The Cat from Outer Space (ha!) from 1978, and then the new live-action Lady and the Tramp. Both were awesome. 
• Even with our stellar semifinals run, we didn't quite make finals. Our scores were so super close... but we just couldn't beat some of the enormous bands from TX and IN. It was disappointing, but what matters most is the heart with which the kids accepted that news, the pride they always have, and the memories they undoubtedly made. Those are the things we're taking away. In the end I think we finished 15th out of 90 bands. Not too shabby!
• I'm so, so glad we all went to experience this alongside Alex. It was incredible. It is an indescribable feeling to be a parent, watching your kid do huge things. 

Crunch Time: Grand Nats, Tgiving, Xmas Plans, and Books

Turned in 3 time off requests today, for the day before Thanksgiving, December 16th, and the 2 days after Christmas. I have one more I need to turn in, for a couple of days after New Year's, so we can go to Pensacola to meet my soon-to-be-new-BIL. :)

This is definitely crunch-time with fall activities and pending holidays. Whew, I mean, yesterday Kate had Drama rehearsal, which I chaperoned, from 3:30 until 5:15, and right after that, she changed her clothes and ran up to the gym for a rescheduled basketball practice from 5:30 to 6:30. We got pizza on the way home. No cooking on a day like that! 

I have found one trick that helps me feel relaxed during crazy-long days -- reading. When we're at home in the waiting-hour after we get home but before Alex does, if I sit down and read for a few minutes (I usually set a timer so I remember to get up and start dinner), I feel less stressed. Sure, I could vacuum or clean a bathroom, and probably should... but instead I read. Last night I tossed a book in my purse and read while Kate played ball. I guess it's the ultimate leisure activity for me, so it helps me feel leisurely, even when things are busy. Tip from me to you. 

Important to have a good book, of course. I gave up on The Shores of Tripoli because life's too short to read books that aren't captivating. Sorry, Mom, I hope you liked it (I gave it to her for Christmas last year and she passed it back to me). Instead, I'm revisiting something from my childhood: Homecoming, by Cynthia Voigt. This was my favorite book of all time, forever, until I discovered Jane Eyre, I guess. I got it for Kate to read since I was about her age when I read it... and she almost picked it up a few weeks ago, but went for a graphic novel instead. Not sure how I feel about that and I hope she won't skip it entirely. But I am LOVING IT. I remember nothing about it, really, except that I thought it was very deep and wise, back then. And it's a 3-book series, so now I have plenty to dig into slash take with me on our upcoming road trip...

to Grand Nationals! A phrase we knew not, until 6 months ago. Bands of America's final marching band competition of the year is held in Indianapolis, and this year our band is participating. Hoping to take home a trophy! And we decided to go to support them, as a family. I think it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip for Alex, since the band doesn't go every year. So yeah, I want us to be there. 

We're having quite a countdown, with flurries of messages and emails from the Band Boosters, events and practices and send-offs and goody bags and so much to do. Ironing the uniforms, gah! A full-day mini-camp for the marchers tomorrow, and a Parent Performance at the end of it. Not to mention a bit of drama from Kate about missing two days of school. Pfft, get over it, child, you get two days out of school! I can sense the beginnings of a small panic about packing, and about all the other stuff we have to do because the days leading up to the trip are just NORMAL DAYS... and and and... stopping to breathe now. 

I want to think about my Thanksgiving menu, and I have, a little bit -- mostly desserts. Really, I can't think about it until after this trip. Still, here are the three things I want to maybe make this year. Three desserts?? For 6 of us? Yes, maybe. 

1. A Cherry Pie. Because we don't really like pumpkin pie, and you know who likes cherry? My Dad. And me. 

2. S's pumpkin bars!! I am super excited to discover this recipe and definitely want to make them instead of p. pie. 

3. Maybe something chocolate. I can't remember if I have a trifle bowl. Maybe...? If so, this looks easy and yummy. Or possibly something more cake-like. 

The dinner menu is so defined, not much room to wiggle, you know? So desserts are what's up. ;) 

Okay, I really should get to work, eek. Happy Friday, people! 

Friday again, thank goodness!

Fall is rolling along so fast -- yesterday was the end of the first quarter of school for Kate, and here we are, nearly mid-October. Finally, the weather has shifted into "Tolerable" status; it was even chilly this morning, and I'm wearing jeans and long sleeves (3/4 sleeves, technically) with sandals, one of my favorite combos. I should be perfectly dressed for football tonight.

It has been one heck of a long week, starting last Saturday night. I had a work event downtown -- breast cancer awareness month, y'all -- at 4:00 pm. Alex had started his day even earlier with a mini-camp band practice from 8:30 until 4:00, and then they got into uniforms and went by bus to their first competition of the season. (We've learned there is such a thing as Band Competition Season.) I left my event early thanks to the kindness of Shan, offering to pack up our exhibit all by herself, and zooooomed up the interstate to make it for Alex's 9:00 pm performance time, and I made it, JUST.... and then they were delayed for possible weather. Ha!

In the end there wasn't enough weather to cancel, so they performed at 9:30... and were awarded the Grand Champion trophy around 11! (We didn't think we could possibly win! There were some other good bands. We (the band) didn't even do our whole show, and didn't use our full set of props!) IMHO, our band's musicianship -- they definitely sounded the best of all the bands -- and the level of difficulty of their show, gave them an edge. It was suuuuuper exciting when the awards were going out. I was all tense, hands clasped in front of me, eeeeeeeee..... and then yay!!!!

And that was just Saturday! The following Monday, another performance -- the county marching band exhibition (not a competition). That went until 11:00, probably, ending with a rousing performance by the guest band from Georgia Tech, which was awesome. Shawn took Kate home to bed, but I went to pick up Alex after the bus returned him to HHS, and after he helped unload the equipment truck (ooh, there goes my heart swelling again)... and we didn't get home from all that until probably 12:15.

Got up and went to school/work like normal the next morning, Lord have mercy and thank you for coffee!

So the week started out a little tired-y. We noticed a water stain on the kitchen ceiling on Tuesday or Wednesday. Something must be leaking upstairs, oh goody. Shawn and I have been showering in Kate's bathroom, because we think it's our shower leaking. The plumber is scheduled to come tomorrow morning (Saturday). I'm hopeful we can do some remodeling around the issue, for instance, removing the terrible flourescent light in our kitchen, like we did in our last kitchen, since our kitchen ceiling will likely be cut up and open anyway. We'll see. Fun stuff!

At work, it's been a week of management meetings, and me trying to make it appear that I'm making a difference. Sometimes I don't feel I am -- like I'm just here to help Shan with whatever she asks me to do. And helping is fine, being a helper is GOOD and worthy -- but I'd like to contribute in a bigger way, sometimes. This whole week I've been conflicted about not being invited to the mangement meetings. I'm not a manager, and don't necessarily want to be. But I do want to be considered more than just a general flunkie. Bah. I don't know. It's just background noise for my real work of Life With My Family, anyway. But it can make those 8 hours a day kinda challenging, especially when the task-load is light.

Tonight is a football game with our nearest rival, so it should be fun, and good weather for the FIRST time all season. I'm hoping to eat nachos LOL. Happy Friday. :)

Big Kids

A sophomore in high school, 15 year-old boy, who has a learner's permit to drive. And a sixth grader -- middle school, who does her own hair and definitely does NOT want to wear clothes from Justice anymore.

These are big kids living in my house and it's surprising sometimes. They take care of themselves (mostly). They manage their time and homework (pretty well). They shower without being asked to do so.

They both have such great personalities. You know what's awesome, with bigger kids? Joking around. When someone comes up with the perfect sarcastic one-liner, and everyone gets it, and it's FUNNY. We have some of the best laughs around the dinner table lately.

I have to share a photo that I just found on the Band parents' FB page: 

Newest marching clarinets C. and Alex

I just need to get one of him in his shako and plumes, with his instrument, so you can see the full pomp and circumstance. But THIS KID! I am so proud of him. C. next to him is a freshman, who looked like a deer in headlights the first few days of band camp. I think (hope) that Alex has been able to welcome and guide him along as he gets to know high school, just as a kid named Nick did for Alex last year. I hope that these two will be good friends -- the kid behind them is the only other male clarinetist, a senior. I bet the 3 of them have fun.

We have had fun. From the first home football game, when Mom and Dad visited and went with us, to the most recent Saturday band camp days with mini "performances" at the end for parents, to the first away game last week, we are learning the ropes and sitting on a lot of metal stadium benches. I've volunteered as a chaperone a couple of times, a seamstress a couple of times, and just last weekend, a concessions server (and Shawn was a Grill Dad). Hoo boy, it is a lot! But it's the best lot -- I'm having the time of my life. 

Guess what starts this week? Kate's middle school Drama Club. They are producing Aladdin, Jr. in January. I already have a volunteer title for that, too! And I'm feeling not stressed, but "BRING IT." I'm so excited for these two, and just love watching them do really impressive things.

Journal-y

I'm feeling journal-y this morning. Band Camp starts in about 12 minutes for my boy. I'm so excited and happy for him - wishing I could be there to chaperone and watch, but knowing he doesn't really want me there, and that's how it should to be. (I think I will sign up to chaperone next week, though.)  I know it's going to be a great time. I know he's going to excel at this. I pray he will stand out to his directors and develop as a leader, too. I really want that for him. To find a place to shine.

We had a nice weekend, starting on Thursday when I was able to work from home all day (1 day a week, worked this out with Shan in May). Then Friday, I went to the office in the morning, but came home at 11:30 to drive Alex to his sectional rehearsal, and then worked from home in the afternoon again. Shan was out both days and no one noticed I was gone. Not that it matters. But it was so luxurious, and I even got some work done (not all of the work, but some). Kate sat alongside me and finished her summer homework. I think every working parent should have this option in the year of our Lord 2019. Laptops are a thing! VPN access is a thing! Even phones you can take with you, to your home, are a thing -- so even our Customer Service people could have the benefit of a work from home day once in a while. I told our IT guy that last week -- that if he got the technology in place, it would be a huge win for everyone's morale.

Anyway, I worked at home. Friday night went to the New Band Parents' meeting. LOVED IT. Had to try hard not to cry before our band career even begins -- I already feel the emotional part of it. Everyone who spoke said it's the "best decision they ever made" for their family; that their kid has grown so much; found his/her people, made lifelong friendships. Sob! I already adore the kids' director; he seems so honest, so sincere in his goals for all of the kids. I totally want to be Band Boosters President one day. Haha! Like I have time for that. But seriously, I am ALL IN already. Anxious to find my place. I will attend Chaperone training tonight, and hopefully chaperone a football game or two this fall, or practices or whatever. I want to work in the Spirit Shack selling t-shirts. I want to work with Special Events (dinners, banquets). I want to do it ALL. (Except fundraising, lol. Too much pressure there.)

Saturday morning, Alex and I were supposed to work at a (band) car wash. But it was cancelled due to rain in the forecast. Yippie! I didn't have to be anywhere or do anything until 2:00, and that was awesome. At 2:00 I took Kate to a sleepover which she was so excited for; it was a group of girls she really likes and a house with a pool, so she was in heaven. And that meant the rest of us could go to Mass and dinner and finish watching Stranger Things, and so we did.

Then Sunday morning, I did a long yoga video and worked on the NYT Sunday crossword (almost solved it completely but had to give up after I'd spent too much time on it, deciding I needed to turn my attention elsewhere) before going to pick up Kate. Groceries, a trip to shop for workout clothes for Kate -- gymnastics camp this week -- and then a lovely Sunday dinner of maple-glazed salmon and roasted potatoes and broccoli.

It was really great, somehow, because there was some ease in it. No rushing around, no real deadlines or must-dos. I need more days like those.

Here are my menus for this crazy week, in case anyone has read this far down the page:

M - Chicken patty sandwiches and fries, both from the frozen aisle, but this is how it is on a day when we have camp pickup at 5 and then an evening camp event at 6:30.

T - Band Potluck! I am taking pasta salad with peas and celery

W - Chili with rice

Th - Fettuccine w/ Creamy Tomato sauce and broccoli on the side

F - Leftovers or Whatever You Want night

Band, band, band, band BAND!

I couldn't focus yesterday, and don't seem able to today either, and the reason is BAND. Alex has joined the marching band, and I am both excited and slightly terrified.

Emotion number 1: Excited. This was Alex's idea -- he came to me, I didn't push. And I'm so glad for that. I was content this year (or maybe resigned is a better word), for him to be in concert band only, and not march. Even for next year, if that's what he had decided. He's learned so much during his year of concert band! It's so refined to play onstage like a symphony orchestra! It costs so much less money. It's great! (I'm jealous, even, because I've never played in an instrument ensemble, and although chorus is similar I'd love to experience the instrumental side of it.)

I completely understand why he didn't march this year as a brand-newbie to the school, and why he's been hesitant about it: So Much Commitment. Every Friday. Practice after school 3 times a week. Hot, polyester black (sun-absorbing) uniforms in the Georgia heat. No time for any "life" other than band. 

BUT. His friends from concert band/lunch table encouraged him. The directors of the marching band encouraged him (!! #proudmama). And he can handle the commitment. He is a smart kid who's good at time management. We will help him. And more than anything, I want him to make close friends and memories. High school can be a social upswing, and marching band is a perfect avenue for it.

Emotion number 2: A little bit terrified! The parental commitment is as big, if not bigger, than the student commitment. First of all, there are fees and fundraising and more fees, and then the incidentals like stopping at McDonald's on the way to and from games or competitions, and new water bottles and new instruments someday.... and hoo, boy. 

But more than that, the TIME required of parents is insane, and in very short supply already. They have more volunteer positions for the band than our elementary school has for every activity together. You can be an equipment manager, a bus chaperone, a t-shirt-selling cashier during games or practices, a meal-provider before home games, a launderer and seamstress for uniforms, a planner of banquets, a concession-stand person or a director of the huge color guard competition that our school hosts. OMG, there is a lot. I know it will include Shawn and me developing lifelong friendships with other parents, and I want that for sure... but I'm unsure how we will fit it all into the calendar! (The laundry option does seem like one of the easier volunteer positions, and I was kind-of interested in it, except when I thought about 150 kids' stinky, sweaty clothing and towels being in my car every week. No, thank you, not at all interested.)

It will be fun. I'm really excited, despite my misgivings, and as a result I've been reading the 60-page Handbook and studying the Band Boosters' website instead of focusing on work. ;) I envision we'll have to change our family dinnertime schedule this fall, because practice is until 7:15 three nights a week (8:00 dinner like the Europeans?) and then games on Fridays. It solves one of my summer dilemmas: What will Alex do with his time? Hahaha. Band camp is nearly 2 weeks in July. (How I will occupy Kate those 2 weeks is another question.)

Here we go, though! Let the madness begin!