Fall Fun

We had quite a big weekend here in Acworth, and I haven't blogged in nearly 2 weeks, so hello! How are you? I mean, it wasn't an epic weekend, there was just a lot of stuff to do. Thankfully, I didn't feel stressy about any of it, and I think we had some fun. At least I did. ;)

Football

On Friday night, we went to the last regular-season home football game at Alex's high school. That is, Shawn and Kate and I (and a friend of Kate's) went. Alex elected not to. He felt weird about that, and Shawn and I felt a little sad about it, but his (one) friend Anthony was sick and not going, and apparently Alex didn't want to just ... I don't know, sit with his family. ;) Teenagers. We had to talk through whether we are okay with him making his own decisions or if we need to, instead, say, "No, this is what we're doing as a family tonight," and make him go. But we didn't make him go this time. 

The game was completely lopsided in our favor (final score Home 56, Visitors 0!), but the two girls had a great time. The weather had turned cold that very day so it felt right to bring jackets and order coffee instead of Gatorade. I'm kinda hopeful there will be lots of playoff games to attend.

I had such a moment during the game, though. I happily spent many a Friday night at the football stadium when I was in high school, bopping around with ribbons in my hair, cheerleading and smiling big for the crowd and giggling about boys, and being PART of it all... and in the 3rd quarter I got wistful about it. Wondering, inside my head, where had that girl gone? And my head said back to me, "You're still her," and that's what got me going, because sometimes it doesn't feel like it, despite how good life is. Fourteen feels (and is) so long ago! My every wish came true, but those were good times, in my youth. :) Shawn said I was scaring Kate's friend, crying at a football game. That's probably true, haha. But the heart does what it does, and mine ached a little bit Friday night for the things that used to be. I laughed about it later. What in the world?! 

Photo Shoot

Saturday morning bright and early, we went over to a little park/walking trail near home, and met our friend Shelly who's a semi-professional photographer. And man, did we take some photos. It always feels weird to play "models" and have to move around, supposedly carefree and comfortable, while she clicks away. However, we endured it because I am TIRED of not having any pictures of the 4 of us. I'm bad about forgetting to take them, and the last time we did a real photo shoot was 5 years ago.  I can't wait to see how they turned out and I'm determined not to be fussy about how I personally look. I just wanted to capture us. 

Wedding Singer

I sang at a wedding at our church after the photo shoot. That's about it, I didn't know the couple at all (except I found out the groom's last name is Thrasher!) and the songs were simple hymns, nothing fancy or solo-like. It was easy, and easy money. I wish there were more weddings at our church so I could really call it a helpful side-gig!

Sunday Mall Trip

Kate doesn't believe it's a weekend (or a break or vacation day) unless she's gone shopping. So on Sunday, she and I went to the mall. I've come to accept it. She's learning to ask nicely and it's more fun when I just say "yes" if I can. Yes to going, Yes to buying her a $35 pair of shoes, Yes to a new phone case (for me) that she wanted to choose because it says, "Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice." Why not. We change our phone cases now for the different seasons, apparently.

We were semi-accosted by a man selling facial cream. He asked us our names, used them too frequently, starting putting lotion on our hands (and my puffy eyes) without permission, and complimenting me about how young my skin looked -- I had made the mistake of not wearing any makeup, not even to the mall! I am that many years old -- and basically he sold me some snake-oil in the end. Kate was disgusted that I let him talk me into it. (Kate, who will buy anything you put in front of her!) And I felt guilty about it for an hour or so, but the truth is, I've been wanting to "up my game" in the care of my face, and have no idea how to do that, so it's fine. I got an exfoliating gel and a lotion that does actually smell nice. 

And then we rinsed the 'bad taste' of yucky salesman out of our mouths by going to Bath and Body Works and smelling all their fall candles.

Capped it off with an evening LifeTeen Mass and dinner at Panera while Alex attended his confirmation class, and I'll call it a great weekend. I didn't get to lay on the couch and read as much as I would have liked, but I think this was probably better.

Menus!

A chicken pot pie from last week turned out amazing, I thought. Shawn said, 'More chicken, fewer vegetables, please,' but to me it was perfect. This week:

M - Creamy tomato pasta w/broccoli

T - Oven-baked hamburgers, veggies and ranch, baked beans, BBQ chips

W - Burrito Bowls

Th - Meatballs in sauce, Pumpkin-Corn Chowder

F - I'm going to Book Club! You're On Your Own, Kids.

Happy Monday, people! Writing this has helped me enjoy mine. 

What's For Dinner? x Infinity

Been trying to plan better weekly dinner menus, with a few new recipes, the last two weeks. Now I'm reading LL's and mine pale in comparison (this is why you shouldn't compare yourself to other women) but still, I have felt pretty good about what we've been eating.

Last Week (and/or the week before):

Sunday: NEW Salmon burgers! These were delicious, I thought, including the avocado salsa. I tried to get the kids to try it. Served them with whole grain buns (trying so hard to be as food conscientious as I think I ought to be), but the family determined the bun flavor overtook the salmon a bit too much. I didn't eat one but I can believe it. I think we also had corn on the cob, and broke one of our little yellow corn handles that I've had since we got married. 

Monday: One-pan smoked sausage, potatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli, all roasted. Actually two pans, because I made both regular and chicken-apple sausage, and a lot of potatoes. Everyone loves this meal.

Tuesday: BBQ Meatballs, with mashed potatoes (Steam and Mash!) and corn. So super easy. 

Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken and Rice, with sugar snap peas that got overcooked and were not delicious. 

Thursday: NEW Lemon Butter Chicken, served with Uncle Ben's Wild Rice and probably green beans. I liked the chicken; it was even good as lunch leftovers with the rice, which is saying something. Usually I pack leftovers up and then end up throwing them away 1.5 weeks later.

(A few days are fuzzy in here, but I know one night I made a Pizza Ring using Crescent Roll dough, we had a Taco Tuesday at some point, and one night I made Meatloaf.)

On the menu This Week:

This past Saturday: On request, Shawn made Spaghetti and garlic knots for Kate and her sleepover buddy. I had a work event and didn't get to eat them, but I'm told the noodles didn't even stick together! Mine always do. (The sleepover buddy, however, was kind enough to tell me later that HER mom's noodles stick together, and she LIKES it that way. That kid can come back anytime.)

Sunday: Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup. Easy go-to that I will enjoy the rest of this week at lunch.

Monday: Tuna Casserole! Another golden oldie. Still, I feel good about this because it's our Serving of Fish. With fruit salad (yummy, yummy).

Tuesday: Spicy Fried Chicken! Spicy for Shawn and me, only Garlicky for the kids. ;)

Wednesday: We are going out to Moe's, because Kate is spending the night out (she is off school at the end of this week). Nachos for me, I think. Yum.

Thursday: Chicken Parmesan over egg noodles, probably. I don't usually bread the chicken, but maybe I'll try this recipe this week.

P.S. Good grief, I just clicked the "menus" category and every single time I post a menu, it includes Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup. I guess.... consistency? Maybe it will be the meal the kids request when they come home from college? hahaha! Oh, dear.

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. 

This One's About the J-o-b

I never did write about my trip to London from August. Feels so long ago now! It was hard to go, but/and I got through it -- that's important to remember. We can do hard things, as Glennon says.

There were many wonderful things about the trip, but first in my mind is this: the hotel-room portions of my days, after hours, after big dinners with drinks, paid for by someone else, were like a mini retreat. THAT is what I was grateful for. I spent from about 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm every night (because I wasn't sleepy for time zone reasons) journaling, reading, doing long yoga videos (I took my mat overseas!), praying, and then FaceTiming the family, because we live in the future. Treating that hotel time so carefully, not turning on the news if I could help it, being quiet and calm, helped me get through the working part of the trip, which was Less Fun.

On the outside of the hotel room I also got to see a lot of the sights, thanks to my friend and co-worker, Miranda, who toured me around generously. We walked and we walked. In her small town of Winchester, we saw the massive Cathedral, ate fish and chips and vinegar, and then met her friend for afternoon tea. It was so lovely! Cream tea! The English ladies said the scones weren't that great, but I didn't know any better and thought they were delish. ;) I learned the difference between Cornish and Devon cream tea. I'm a Devon devotee, myself. I had to be schooled about what whipped double cream actually is, though -- it's not just sweet butter.

Clearly, it was the most adorable and fun afternoon I had there.

In London the next day, we tried to squeeze in a peek at every tourist site we could -- starting with Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Hyde Park, then Kensington Palace and Gardens, then over to the river bank where we glimpsed the Eye, and for some reason tried to walk all the way to get a pic of the London Tower and Bridge. We didn't quite get far enough -- it's a very long walk -- and by that point I was wrecked, physically, so we had a milkshake and made our way back, by train, to Winchester for the evening.

Also lovely -- the King's Head Inn in Winchester. Full English Breakfast was part of the service and I enjoyed it both mornings I was lucky enough to wake up there in the country. (English countryside, achievement unlocked!) Baked beans and black pudding and all. The 2nd day, I had about 2 hours to kill after check-out, so I happily sat outside on the "patio" (just a table in front of the hotel) reading a work-related magazine and chatting, through an open window, with the innkeeper. I mean. Wow.

The working was work, but the days went by quickly enough. We drove to Windsor Castle (the town surrounding the actual castle) for dinner one evening. It was like New Orleans, tacky and touristy, but I loved it. Ate a fantastic Thai green curry and drank 2 fruity prosecco drinks that night, so it couldn't have been bad!

One last note is that I got teary walking down the jetway onto my return flight. Who knew! London charmed me, and I knew that I may not ever get to go back (though I hope I will). Feelings are so weird -- didn't want to go AT ALL, then felt sad when it was over.

Today, as I sit remembering it, I'm grateful grateful grateful for the experience. I'm home in my comfortable routine, but today, disliking what's in front of me this week. Work, right? Sigh. There are so many projects and a few challenging people to have to work with. Earlier this morning I had a small crisis of, "I just really don't want to DO THIS anymore." Some days are like that, in any job I guess. Other days you're in London. I'm doing my level best to TRUST that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, for reasons unknown to me. To just get on with it. Do my best.

Good old Monday.

Heart Emojis

"Rock Climbing Club," says Alex, along with another important sentence: "My friend Brady is in it."

A friend I do not know.

A NEW FRIEND. 

= all the heart emojis! 

This makes me happy. Alex has done a little rock climbing at his summer camp over the years, both indoor and outdoor, so I'm also glad he knows the basics before he starts. I'm sure that gives him a little confidence going in, too. They climb indoors every other Saturday and meet some Friday mornings at school -- and they also do service projects together. 

And now I can relax. My job here is done. ;)

I can't tell you how relieved I am.

.....

I had a full day at work yesterday, meetings from 9 until 4, seriously, and then a mental crisis when I thought I had lost my debit card. Again. (Left it in a restaurant 2 years ago.) The worst part of losing it was that, not 1 week before, we had taken Alex to the bank to set up HIS first debit card, with all the accompanying parental speeches about keeping it safe and being responsible. 

The good news is, I ... uh.... found mine in my wallet this morning. I had looked there, I swear! It was nestled between a $10 and a $5. Not its correct home, obviously, within the wallet, but oh how stupid I have felt about the entire incident. (I had even called Chick Fil A to make sure I hadn't left it with them during Tuesday's drive-thru lunch.) So embarrassing. And stressful.

.....

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult is an excellent book. I have loved so many of her stories. 

.....

I'm trying to be a student of Joy. I know I recommended the Sacred Space app, and I do still love that one. May I also recommend this Bible plan? I don't know if you have tried the Bible app by YouVersion, but how else would we read the Bible in 2018? On our devices, that is the only way. This particular plan of daily devotions was a really good one for me. And JOY is all over the Bible -- who knew?? But now I do. :)

Activities!

It has been so nice, this first month of school, without too many extracurricular activities to attend. SO. NICE.

Children's choir, first of all, is on a year-long hiatus, and all I can say about that is YIPPIE! Forced break and I will take it.

I had talked with Kate about maybe not signing back up at her gymnastics academy ("academy") this year, because... many reasons. Long story short,

1. She didn't always have fun or want to go.
2. She left class hurt several times. Nothing serious, but still. Back hurting. Neck hurting. Doesn't seem so good.
3. Lack of progress. 

Yes, she has learned to do a back walkover and her cartwheels have certainly improved since she was 5 years old. But to pay actual money every month and not really see her gain new skills or experiences from it...? I don't know. I feel like it has stalled out.

She and I had a kid-sized discussion about it earlier this summer, and I thought she agreed with me. So when it came time to register, I just... didn't. And now she has asked to go back. Luckily I guess, there's room in the class. It's not that expensive, and if she wants to do it, I want to encourage her. But when I asked if maybe she wanted to step it up and try a different studio (she'd mentioned cheerleading/dance as possible activities, too), she declined.

Anyway, that will start up again on Thursdays.

And basketball registration was this week, and practices will begin in October. I'm okay with basketball. It's school-sponsored and I do love Team Spirit. :)

Both kids are taking piano lessons, Wednesday nights right before bedtime (7:45-8:45). I feel like Kate's heart isn't in it. I think Alex's still IS. Neither one of them practices like I think they should. But let's talk about Alex for a minute...

Just how easy do I let him take things, now that he's in high school? I don't want to be a pushy Mom, but I need him to put in a little effort and get involved in something. (Not to mention those pesky college applications, which the high school counselors already won't stop talking about.) It's not news to him; we have told him all along that he'll want/need to join at least one club, simply to meet people. Well, we're a month in, and he hasn't really even thought about it from what I can tell. He sits alone at lunch, we've learned, and has come to some peace about that. But I am NOT at peace about it! Every time I mention clubs to him, though, I feel like a nag.

Parenting teenagers isn't as easy as it looks!

I just checked a couple of club pages on his school's website. So, okay, I didn't really see anything that was too interesting. He can be a Wrestling team manager. Or a videographer for the football team. Or a Young Democrat/Republican. (No.) Bother. What can I get him jazzed about? A/V production (the school 'TV' broadcast)? Service Clubs? History Club?

He's taking the Band class, but he isn't in marching band. Not sure I WANT him in that, frankly; it's super expensive and time-intensive, although the camaraderie can't be topped, from what I understand. We'll see, I guess, where this year leads. I know he's enjoying the challenge of it, compared to middle school band.

What did you do in high school? I was a cheerleader, and was lucky that tryouts happened just before school began, so I came in with a couple of new friends immediately. Also, my school was 72% smaller than his (gigantic public) school.

Insight

I have learned: Transitions = Hard for Miss Kate. Summer to school, for instance. We had ourselves a jolly little (big) meltdown last night over America's Got Talent. She put herself to bed - just fell asleep, exhausted. (She'd already been having an emotional day, crying at school during a thunderstorm, her teacher told me. This fear does not seem to be going away.) Nothing makes you more tired than a big cry, I know from experience.

Also. My PMS time is not a good time for her meltdowns to happen, sheesh-oh-pete. I had been having an emotional day for a variety of reasons, already, yesterday, too. Alex growing up. My job not fitting my parameters of work-life balance. Etc. But it is OKAY to not feel OKAY. And just because your feelings are fueled by PMS does not mean they're made up. They're the same feelings you'd have without PMS, only magnified. They're real, and they're allowed. Positive Self Talk.

I found a daily prayer resource that I like. It's an app called Sacred Space. I've been using it for a few days now.

This morning I read John 12:24 about the grain of wheat and unless it dies, it's just a grain. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. Never really understood that one, or cared to, just accepted it. But today, thinking about it, I finally get it. I FINALLY get that you have to be bruised and broken up, like the grain is at harvest, tilled under, in order to fertilize the ground and sprout and live. So all the intense arguments, the difficult relationships, the little sadnesses, the hardest burdens to bear - those are what give us life.

I'm not sure I am grateful for that fact -- like, still, why? Why does it have to be hard? -- but I see it now. I can accept it as true. 

I AM grateful for this time of insight and happy spiritual awareness lately. Possibly has to do with connecting in prayer more often (duh), but it's been good for my soul. Let the kids tell you about how I cried at Mass last Sunday! Woo, that was a doozy. From all my worry about Alex's first week of high school, all the crying out to Jesus that I did that week in prayer -- then to hear some really powerful music just broke me open. It was good, and right and cleansing and I needed it. They were properly confused by it... and when they kinda made fun of me, talking/asking about it, I got embarrassed and a little mad. So much crazy emotion. Gah.

Anyway. This is all over the place. Happy Friday. I'm so glad it's the weekend, and grateful for my life with all its grains of wheat.

World Traveler Goes To... London!

Up next is a trip to London for the world traveling working mom, me.

It's a weird arrangement that my job description, currently, is "50% Global marketing, and 50% U.S. marketing." Weird because that looks fine on paper, but how is a person supposed to equally divide her time? At first, I tried working on my Global tasks in the mornings (when the Europeans were also in the office) and saving my U.S. tasks for the afternoons. It kind-of works, unless you're a person who checks email first thing in the morning, because whatever seems most pressing is what gets attention using that system. Hint: I check email first. So I'm out of the Global Mornings habit -- in fact, I feel so far removed from the Global team that it's real hard to care at all about it.

But aside from the work aspect of it -- the trip is for a series of meetings about global content -- I'm going to London! And Winchester, south of London, where my colleague lives. It cost half as much to travel on a Friday night versus a Monday (the meetings start Tuesday), so I get to spend the weekend being a tourist. And when I look at the maps and the adorable hotel I'm staying at, I do start to feel excited about this trip. Praise God, they literally speak my language in England, and that alone makes it less daunting than Germany. My friend will pick me up at the airport, another bonus (and so kind of her), and she has planned out an entire itinerary for us, first in Winchester, home of the Jane Austen House Museum (!!) and then a big day in London seeing as many sights as I can see. :)

Some things to figure out:

• Where to park at the airport - I hate airport parking.
• Is it better to exchange money for cash, or for a Travelex card? At the bank or online? Or at the airport?
• What kind of shoes do I want for walking ALLLL over London? Do I want my old-ish out of style ones that I know are comfy-ish, or new ones? I think new, but, is that risky? Ouchy feet would not be fun.

It should be a good trip. My boss' boss, who called the meeting, said that "A lot of tasks will probably be created at this meeting, so it will be good if you are there." Ugggh. That takes a little of the fun out of it, haha, but I try to remember in these cases that the tasks don't have to be completed at the meeting -- it's just a first discussion of the tasks.

Anyway, I leave Aug 17 and will be gone nearly a week. (!) That's a long time.

Update: Not good. Then, better.

Wednesday dawned and we sent the boy off to high school, just as planned. It was raining. It has been raining for what feels like a month (really, 3 or 4 days), but I was incredulous -- come on, his First Day walking to the bus stop? That's just crappy.

Anyway, for all my nerves, he took an umbrella, found the bus, made it to school, (he texted me) and to his homeroom classroom, and things were off to a roaring good start. (Ok, honey, have a great day!!!) I worked from home a little, went to the office for 2 meetings and lunch with the girls, then came home to be there when he arrived home. My level of focus was extremely low all day, I'll admit.

I spent a lot of time on the Life360 app, following the bus. It's your basic "stalker" parenting app -- you can set up a "circle" or family members, and then you'll know where they are at all times, and what percentage their phone's battery has left (I guess if a kid's battery is low you can remind him to charge it, in case of emergency?) ... it feels slightly invasive, but also comforting. Naturally, on the first day, with rain, and construction going on at our particular school, buses were running really late. He didn't get home until an hour past when he should have. But that was okay, I understood it logically. It's the first day, there are kinks to work out. (So many parents online complaining! I laughed - really, people? Common sense says it's going to be rough on the first day.)

He came in the front door and graciously handled all of my questions (I tried to hold back), then went upstairs to start his homework. I was so relieved that the transportation logistics had worked out. That was one of my biggest fears/unknowns. Like I said, some glitches, but it was fine. (And even better the 2nd day.) Thankfully there was another kid waiting at the stop, so that helped Alex know he was in the right place.

Only later did we come to understand that things had been sad and lonely most of his day. He bent his head and had a little emotional breakdown under my chin. It is so, so hard to feel alone and unseen. He knows exactly 5 people in a school of 2,000, and guess what? It's hard to find those 5 in the lunchroom. So he sat by himself and ate pizza that he said wasn't any good.

Such heartbreak. So many things I could've said, but didn't want to overwhelm. Just, "I know, honey, it's so hard. I'm sure it will be better tomorrow. It's okay to feel this way." (In my mind: Think of all the positives. Count the blessings. We knew it would be a little unfamiliar. This is normal. Can you read at lunch? What can I do? Don't cry. You already did the hardest part. Everyone experiences loneliness, it's part of being human. Even Jesus. [Sooooo many things I wanted to say.])

I didn't sleep well that night. He woke up reluctant to go through a day like he'd had, again, but I tried to encourage him and say that every day, it will get a little better. Faces will get familiar. You'll be having conversations with people in class, and that will carry over into the social times of day, like lunch. I knew that to be true, but I know it's hard to believe it when you're the one feeling lonely.

Praise God, he came home yesterday (Thursday) with a smile. His words: "Much better." He actually FOUND his friend Will in the cafeteria. He also had another buddy that he was sitting with, from his homeroom. There's a sophomore in his band class and on his bus, who is Alex's height (unusual) and seems to be friendly to him. He likes his classes. He ate Asian orange chicken and it was delicious. Thursday when I got home, he was working on homework at the kitchen table.

He left today (Friday) with a little spring in his step. I pray it will really feel like a nice Friday.

And this morning, the rain seems to have ended.

The day in between...

Yesterday was a big day. Orientation for Alex at his new high school. HIGH SCHOOL. How do we have a kid in high school? A fourteen-year-old? I mean, it was NOT that long ago when I was fourteen. I remember it very distinctly, remember my first few days of 9th grade, where my locker was, what the combination was (31-1-15 whyyyyyy), all my teachers, the sounds and smells of the buildings... not long ago! Hahaha. Er, 30 years is short! A blink!

Anyway, I took Alex to Orientation and the first test of our fortitude was that the parking situation was terrible. Allll those parents and students, all at once, and guess what? It's a construction year! So half the parking places aren't available. Traffic was lined up to get into the lot, and even when we did, ten minutes late already, there were no spots. I had to let Alex out (good luck, honey! you're on your own!) and go down the street to find a grassy field with some room for my car. It all worked out, I think, and we got some good information during the morning's events. There was a moment later in the day when I could tell Alex was upset. It was after he stood in line and got his yearbook photo taken. He'd been waiting for his 8th grade friend to finish, as well (one of the three people he knows at the school), and waiting a long time apparently. I could see the very beginnings of tears in his eyes, and he said he was just "tired of having no one to talk to." Sigh. It's going to be lonely for a day or three, my boy. Until you meet some people and see them for a few days, and then know them. 

I have hope that his other known friend, Will, is going to have the same lunch period. There's a pretty good chance, and if that were the case, it would once again be God's hand giving us an outright gift. (There have been a few instances of that recently - other moms offering to keep Kate on days I just didn't know what we would do, babysitter-wise, etc.) I would accept prayers and crossed fingers on the lunch topic, from anyone who reads this. xo

Today is the day in-between. I'm at the office and I do hope he's working on his World History assignment -- naturally, the one summer assignment he did NOT complete yet, is his first period class. It's due next Monday.

I've been thinking about how nervous we all were when he started Kindergarten, and how that experience led us to this one. We've "started a new school" once before, and it became home. We can do it this time, too. 

Tomorrow's Day One. He'll take the bus for the very first time, and he told me not to walk with him to wait for it. He said it kindly, don't worry, and I get it. It may rain. :( More prayers for clear skies, at least at 7:40 am and 3:55 pm. He has money on his student lunch account, so he can buy something fun (pizza! nachos! chicken tenders! all the options we did not have in parochial school, for the low, low price of $2.60!). He has an idea of where to go. Shawn and I can't help but coach him; we both keep saying "just do..." and "just remember," and I'm sure it's driving him crazy. But here we are. 

Inside My Mind on a Quiet Sunday

I got myself into a little mental spiral yesterday, after leaving the kiddos at Susan's (MIL) for the week, and having 4+ hours of quiet time in the car trip back home. Here are a few of the things I was mulling over (and over and over and over):

1. When will it be our TURN, to live a more relaxing life? I don't mean winning the lottery  necessarily, or living a life of luxury. Because, as Shawn and I discussed last night, that would only lead to a different set of stresses. And we have a good life already. What I mean is, when will we be able to have a daily round that has more EASE? I feel like this summer has turned out to be very busy and slightly stressful day to day, after a school year which was also busy and stressful. I'd like to have the opportunity to just BE sometimes, and not always DO. To not have a tasks list. I'm grateful for this good life, but, you know?? Do we have to wait until we're retired? That doesn't seem fair.

1a. Am I allowing too many extracurriculars? Would cutting those back help me feel better? I have an opportunity to do so, here with a choir director leaving (again). Perhaps that's the first thing that should go - my choir commitment. And possibly Kate's. That's at least 2 nights of more ease, plus Sundays, so...probably. Yes.

2. Are we providing a good life for our kids? Is this life, which feels stressful to me, also stressful to them? Have they had a good, or a stressful, summer? (If it's been stressful for Alex, I can at least lay some of the blame on high school. He has an unreal list of summer homework and I'm mad about it.) We're doing our best. Is it good enough?

2a. Has leaving them at home alone so much this summer, so we can work, been the right thing to do? Has it made them feel abandoned? Or has it, on the other hand, helped them develop the skills of independence, time management, and self confidence? Taught them the value of hard work (seeing Shawn and I work hard) (and also helping with some chores every day while we're gone - simple things like litter box duty and laundry and loading/unloading the dishwasher)?

3. Do we need to move one grandparent or the other set up here closer to us? Will we, eventually? How will we even do that? How many weekends would it take to clear out and sell Susan's house? Or would she rather stay with her friends down there? I suppose the latter. I guess I started thinking about this because being in her house is so unpleasant, unfortunately. Wouldn't it be nice to get her into a nice, new living situation, for our sakes? 

4. How can we be better at communicating with family? We need to FaceTime with grandparents (and Aunt Jane) (and what about other aunts, uncles, cousins?) more often. We should do it during dinner, once a week, pick someone and call, so we all get to talk with them. Doesn't matter that dinner is supposed to be device-free. This would be better than NOT calling. Susan gave Shawn a little dig about not visiting more than once a year, and it hurt a little. We do the best we can. It goes back to #1, we're just always so busy. Even on weekends. When we do get a 3-day weekend, gosh, sometimes we just need a fricking DAY OFF. And I feel like this is not abnormal -- that every family with kids in school has this same schedule, this same level of busy. But I/we feel bad that we DON'T visit more often. (Nor do we visit Pensacola very often. Or, ever.) And it sucks that we NEVER seem have 2 full weeks -- or even one full week -- left at the end of the calendar year, for holiday trips. Never. We carefully ration our vacation days, and still, we can't get away for holidays in December. Also, we sometimes don't want to travel during the holidays, and then we're made to feel bad about it by some people.

I guess that's enough. My brain is tired. Overall, everything is fine, of course. Exactly as it's meant to be. But I got all thinky, and these are the things that bubbled up to the surface.

June, and now July!

I can't believe it's been so long between blog posts. But A LOT has been happening -- I mean, a LOT. June simply didn't slow down, not even when we ditched the kids at WinShape for 2 weeks. Er, lovingly dropped them off.

Much of my own "busy" was at work. It has just been non-stop. We had a Sales Meeting to prep for and then attend (11-13th, I stayed in a hotel down by the airport). We had an impossible deadline to meet, launching brand-new microsites in 4 different countries. Then they decided to throw in a PR campaign for said websites (2 press releases to write and several meetings to talk about how to manage the PR). More immediate deadlines. Then I don't even know what-all.

It made it a little harder that I had signed Kate up for a day-camp the week of June 18th. Oh, summer day-camps, how I hate thee. It is so unhelpful to have camps that begin at 9:00am and end at 3:00pm. I guess the SAHMs find those times perfect, but not this mom. No offense to the SAHMs. (Dear Kate, I advise you to become a teacher.) I brought her to my office most of those mornings. She was good as gold, actually, and I had worked out some carpools with friends, but it still complicated my week somehow. I also had an offsite, all-day meeting one of those days. WHY!? Gah. Extra shuffle, Shawn took her to work and to camp that day, and Carli helped with some afternoon pickups, too. Oh, also also, one of those days included dentist appointments for both kids, and since Alex had brought home a cold from Winshape, I went ahead and scheduled a doc appt for him, too. WHIMPER. I "worked from home" that day, which I love to do, but... after toting my laptop around town, sneaking in a half-hour here and half-hour there, I was mentally and physically exhausted by Friday. Mostly mentally. Had a touch of a breakdown, in fact, when I hit my head with the vacuum (because why not, let's also vacuum the house before we leave town, we don't have enough to do). It HURT, and I cried.

Thank GOODNESS we left for the beach the next day. And we did nothing, zero, zip, zilch at the beach for a week. It was a memorable year for that reason, and for the kids' parasailing adventure with Papa Joe (poor Alex got sick from the boat on choppy waters), and for the reason of having no extra uncles/cousins/people to entertain. Hooray! I read 3 books: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff (pretty weird, but interesting enough and well written); New to Me by Linda Sharps (the best! Laugh out loud funny); and then Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank (perfect easy (almost wrote 'dumb') beach read with a kind-of surprise ending).

Which brings us to now! This week the kiddos have been at Mom and Dad's for "Camp Grandmommy." And none of us knows what is going on with Kate, but she has called us and cried that she misses us (and she's scared of thunderstorms) nearly every night. WTH?! She's been going to their house since she was four years old with hardly a backward glance. The only thing I can figure is different this year is that she's ten, and maybe has some pre-teen hormones swirling around making her inexplicably weepy. Right? Surely that's it. She was weepy for 3-4 days after we returned from Seattle, too, missing it, overly sad it was over. So that has been weird, but they're having a great time, I think. Playing with the cousins, swimming a bit, shopping, movies, pedal/paddle boats, and today a ferry ride across the bay. I'm so grateful to my Mom and Dad for enduring the moody one, and for hosting/feeding/entertaining both of them.

We pick them up tomorrow, if I can get through one more day at the office. Then a quick weekend -- including Alex's 14th birthday on Sunday (WHUT?!) -- and then back at it.

Next post may just be about the first week of school. Whatever happened to deliciously long summers?? Sigh. These poor kids don't know what they're missing.

Survivors of May; 8th grade Graduation & Lots of Feelings

We did it. We did ALL the things and came out on the other side. Today is finally Kate's last half-day of school, and Alex has been graduated for 3 days and out for a week already, and my stress levels have dialed themselves back to "acceptable," for now. I do still have to get them packed for 2 weeks at camp in the next 8 days, but I think with a credit card that shouldn't be too difficult. (Aside: I know it's fun to have a different costume for every "Nite Life" at camp, Camp People, but I do wish you'd provide a BIN of costumes the kids can pick from once they get there, instead of making ME visit Party City for more junk after I've already spent very-many-hundreds of dollars paying for this camp.)

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That was all I could muster on May 25th; but we also survived the first 4 days of June and got both kiddos dropped off at camp. Hooray, camp!

Let me return to my Feelings from Alex's 8th Grade Graduation. There were a lot of them. On his last day of school, I made sure to have the day off work so I could participate in all the send-off activities, like their "Last Carpool," where the kids decorate the parking lot (read: they TP it gloriously) and parents driving their younger kids to school honnnnnnk their horns and make a giant noise to celebrate -- for a continuous half-hour. Several groups of teachers ride through the carpool line, too, a few times, usually in convertibles, sometimes squirting the lined-up 8th graders with water guns and blaring their radios. It's like the Party version of carpool, for one day. And, oh, it was fun. I was teary-eyed when it started (we had to be there an hour ahead of time), at the sheer celebration of it all. The kids just revel in being the center of attention, and it's such a festive atmosphere, so different from the buttoned-up every day! Afterwards, of course, they have to clean up ALLLL the mess, which they did, quite well, and then they're treated to donuts, they rehearse for Honors Night and Graduation, they have a picnic lunch, and then, the big event: The 8th Grade vs. Teachers Volleyball Game.

I've never known a school to do something like this, but it's huge at our school. They make a big deal leading up to it -- even holding 6 or 8 serious practices for the kids, because the kids MUST WIN. ;) I think the teachers practice, as well. Everyone wears their class shirts (which they decorate or destroy especially for the occasion), there's loud music and an actual game with a ref and coaches and all. Best 2 of 3, and Alex's class won in 2. Alex actually SCORED a point! It was so exciting for our little non-athlete! I didn't cry at this part, too much, until the end if I saw some of the 8th graders crying, which I did. Got a little choked up there.

Finally, on that day, the kids do their Last Walk through the halls, and all the littler kids stand outside their classrooms for high fives. It makes me teary to think about it, but in actual fact it was anti-climactic, I thought.

HOWEVER. Honors Night and Graduation were Extra Climactic. The first kid I saw dressed in a cap and gown nearly knocked me over with emotion, before the graduation Mass started. And it wasn't even my kid! It wasn't even a kid I particularly LIKE! But I've known him since he was 5 years old, and I think that's what undoes me in this whole thing -- it's the fact that these kids have been in my circle and in my heart since most of them were practically babies. We all share them -- we all parent all of them through the 9 years together. So it feels bigger than just one kid leaving the nest -- it's all the ones you've grown to love.

We were super proud of Alex who earned (tied for) the highest GPA in Social Studies, an award for Principal's List all 4 quarters of 8th grade (that's a 93 or above average in every core subject), and the Presidential Academic Award, as well as some other nice honors. And we were so thrilled Mom and Dad could join us. There was lots of talk about high school and where everyone is headed next, there were special songs and slideshows (including baby photos!), the kids had a pool party, Alex and Brandon had a 2-day sleepover while Kate still had to finish her last week (she was not pleased), and gosh, it was all a whirlwind.

I was really glad it finally ended, to be honest -- in the meantime and while all of that was happening, work was also stupid-busy, ugh! But if I think about it, I'm still quite sad that he's finished at St. Joe's. What a wonderful place. I'm glad I still have 4 years with Kate there!

Playlist

"That's My Jam" playlist from WLC Spr18:

-- Peter Warlock: Capriol Suite
-- John Denver: Take Me Home, Country Roads
-- Pharrell Williams: Happy 
-- Justin Timberlake: Can't Stop the Feeling
-- Mumford & Sons: Roll Away Your Stone
-- R.E.M.: Superman
-- Amy Grant: My Jesus, I Love Thee

Good mood music!

May

I said forcefully to Shan the other day, "I REALLY hate May," because of a work project that has been given to us (2 days of videography with breast cancer survivor-models), somewhat out of left field. Or rather, with an unrealistic deadline to get it all up and running on a website. Thankfully, most of the hard work is being outsourced to an agency, but the timing is just terrible. May is always a difficult, overly busy month, and this year even moreso.

But we're through one week already, and it was managed with a flick of the wand and a shared Google calendar, I suppose. Every day I'm grateful for our jobs close to home/school, and for a husband who always does more than his share. Any time I ask him to manage a (forgotten) doctor appointment or an after-school pickup, he says, "Sure." So I'm lucky. When I look at last week, though (and this week), even I'm a little baffled.

Maybe it's my fault for putting everything in the calendar -- Alex's stuff from 3:30-4:45, for example, doesn't affect me at all because I'm still at my office, but if I didn't, I might forget to remind him.

Last week I kept opening that Google screen and thinking, "How are we going to do all this? Just how?" Then I'd feel overwhelmed, add a reminder to my phone, get back to work, and try not to think about it.

But we made it through. Shifted piano lessons to Sunday so we could do the Art Show on Thursday. Handled late drama practices by ... not really cooking much last week (planned not to!). Mom and Dad arrived and, by the weekend, thank heavens, we'd landed at downtime. Saturday and Sunday were both VERY mild and obligation-free, and I appreciated that. I sat outside SO much! This week and weekend won't be quite as easy, but I love a good Drama performance weekend and a cast party. I'm going to insist that Alex go to this one (we skipped the last and did not regret it, but it's his last chance). I want him to soak up everything he can possibly get from SJCS in his last 10 days there.

Historian/diarist-me just wanted to save these two images because they're so crazy and impossible. Right smack in the prime of this life, aren't we? :) Thank you, God, for this good Life.

Silent Inbox, Kindle reading and Bottles of Wine (well, one bottle)

Spent the first hour of my workday wondering why I had so few emails, and no one was checking in on Skype to say hello, and where were all my assignments... and then I realized it's a holiday in Germany and my other counterpart from the UK is traveling today. Yay! Not going to even pretend to complain -- just going to come here and take a little time for myself.

Not sure I reported this here, but I finished the 30-day yoga challenge (yay!! hooray! go me!), then took a week off from waking up at 5:00 a.m. for it. It was a nice week off -- a few of those days, I woke up at 5:30 instead, to do a quick 10-minute stretch, as required by the WLC. Today I backed the alarm up a little more, and did 20 minutes. It's a nice way to start a day and I've gotten used to it. The cats always come with me. Sometimes they scratch up my mat, naughty kitties, but usually we all just purr together in the lamp light, hee-hee, and stretch and be still. 

I needed that stillness today, with the first of two super-busy weeks ahead. The month of May is always super-busy, of course, but this one even more so with Alex graduating. I'm practicing "one thing at a time," though, hoping it will help me not panic. "This moment is perfect, just as it is meant to be..." on repeat. Today is Kate's Battle of the Books at 1:00 p.m. -- she finished her last book yesterday (!!!) at around 3. HA! Talk about procrastinating. She also forgot said book at her friend's house, when she spent the night out Friday. That created a storm of emotion on Saturday late afternoon, when she desperately wanted to read/finish it but I refused to go to B&N and buy her another copy. Instead, I downloaded it from the e-library on my Kindle. Mom Saves The Day! Superhero pose! Cost us nothing! Except... and here is one of those things I shouldn't even record, because it doesn't paint Kate in the best light, but... I'm going to anyway. An e-book was NOT what she wanted. Oh, she spent 20 minutes sobbing and telling me she DIDN'T LIKE books on the Kindle! And she couldn't POSSIBLY read it because it wasn't a book with PAGES and etc. etc. (Overtired from her sleepover, to be sure.) I managed to calm her -- told her that while Daddy and I were out on our anniversary date, we would go look for the book at B&N. And after her tears dried, she did read on the Kindle until we finally got her own book back (well, the school library's copy) from her friend on Sunday morning. And no, we did NOT look for the book for her at B&N -- I told her they didn't have it. (...I think I won this one and I feel pretty good about it.)

What fun, right?! 

Bless her heart. (really. not the Southern meaning.)

One night she and I were talking about emotions, mostly related to a friend of hers who's been extreme-hot or extreme-cold lately, and I told her this may be the beginnings of puberty for her and her friends, with emotions being taken over by biology. She completely took the opportunity to ask, "Well, what HAPPENS during puberty, anyway?" Little extrovert, never too shy for anything. Ha. So I told her the whole thing. Yep, all of it. (Well, we'll still have a little more to discuss about the finer details, pads vs. tampons etc., but there's time.) I am so relieved to have it over with. ;) And next up, this summer, I'm going to give her a copy of Are You There, God, It's Me, Margaret -- maybe on my KINDLE. 

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We had a fantastic anniversary dinner on Saturday night. Treated ourselves to the expensive stuff, at Aspens steak house. Filet mignon for everyone! We also finished a bottle of wine. Been a LONG time since we did that! Reminiscent of our very first date, actually. It was funny, not being able to walk straight when we left the restaurant. ;) And we SO needed to get out and laugh like that. The day to day stuff, 17 years in, sometimes doesn't leave room for enough (wine and) laughter. It's all good stuff, of course, it's a well-oiled machine, but wow, leaving the kids at home and going out is AWESOME. No babysitter, even. We decided 13 and 10 is plenty old enough to manage for 3 hours, with a pizza. And they were totally fine. I see more bottles of wine in Shawn's and my future (at least I hope so). Year 18 is looking pretty good already. 

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I also want to record the nice weather we finally had this weekend, and the good day we had Saturday. Actually, it started with a shopping trip for Alex and me, to bulk up his summer wardrobe a little. We spent exactly one hour inside Belk, which is as long as I predicted he'd be able to stand shopping. Got several polos, though, some dress pants, and nicer shorts he can wear to church when the weather warms up. I have to continue adding for him, so he'll have enough clothes to wear in high school next fall, with no uniform! Eek! 

Afterwards, and after lunch, I planted my annuals. Petunias and marigolds this year, fingers crossed they'll live. It's an act of hope, particularly when I'm involved, to plant. It was a beautiful day; even helped Shawn pick up detritus later as he trimmed trees. Now if we could just get the kids to commit to helping, too, we'd be golden. #Goals.

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This is so long! But Shan is still not here yet and I've received one assignment so far since starting this post, which will take me about 5 minutes and isn't due until Wednesday. Menus! It's been an OK season of the WLC so far. I'm trying my best not to repeat too many meals so the family won't resent me being on the challenge. This week, I'm planning:

Brinner. (last night). I made Pillsbury biscuits for them, with scrambled eggs and turkey sausage and Harvest Apples. In my scrambled eggs, I added stewed tomatoes and onions. The Best way to eat eggs.

M - Tacos. Ground beef, mine in corn tortillas and theirs in (luckies) Doritos taco shells,with black beans as a side dish. I have guac and good salsa and iceberg lettuce, and it will be delicioso, as Dora used to say. 

T - Chicken/Green Beans/Potatoes in a casserole dish with butter and Italian dressing mix. Easy-peasy! 

W - Scheduled leftovers or You're On Your Own (Yoyo). I always have Hot Pockets in the freezer and egg noodles in the pantry, so everyone can find something.

Th - Annual Art Show and then Laredo's for dinner! (Or somewhere else, but I'm not cookin'.) :)

Fr - Burgers, I hope, cooked on the grill and eaten outside on the back porch. If the weather cooperates. 

Boss is here! Better go! "This moment is perfect, just as it is meant to be." 

Dear Alex, on your 8th grade graduation retreat...

The 8th grade graduation celebrations have started. The first is an all-day retreat today, and us parents were asked to send our kids letters. Here's mine. 

Dear Alex,

I'm so glad that I've had lots of opportunities to write to you over the years, mostly via the letters and postcards I've sent to WinShape. It makes this letter-writing a little less daunting. ;)

Today you're at your 8th grade retreat (duh, Mom). It's both unbelievable — it honestly seems like yesterday you started Kindergarten at St. Joseph's with your Batman backpack — and totally believable — sometimes the days have been long, haven't they? Finally, you're about to reach the end of 9 years. And wow, all that you've accomplished in your time there. My heart bursts. Your Faith in Action awards (3!), your amazing report cards every single grading period, your deep friendships, your excellent papers, stories, and essays, Scouting experience and achievements, Math awards and Honors, Battle of the Books awards, AR awards, Drama performances, and JESUS! ;) I'm most proud of that one. AND of your being chosen to do a long reading at your very first Mass in Kindergarten. 

You'll take all of these things, and what you learned from them, with you in the next phase, high school, and even beyond that. You may not realize it, but there are characteristics you've earned by doing, that are now part of who you are and who you will continue to be: dedication, commitment, integrity, friendliness (don't discount that one — it's super important), goodness, humor (I adore your sense of humor and it will take you further than you know, particularly because you know how and when to use it well), easy-going-ness (sorry, I know it's not a word), patience, and pride in yourself. Since you were very little, you've been self-assured. This pleases me to no end, because I don't think I felt self-assurance until much later in my life.

I am so proud of you. The joy you bring to our family is unique. I love you infinity, and I am always, always here for you. Congratulations, and enjoy these last few weeks. 

Love, 
Mom

Spring Break in Seattle

We had a lovely trip to Seattle. For memory's sake:

Wednesday: We arrived so early because we left Atlanta so early! Wakeup time was 2:45 am. (!) Flight took off at 6:15. The airport was a huge part of our excitement, though, since it was the kids' first flight. (not Alex's, but he was 3). They did great in the security check and getting to the gate -- only bad part was not getting any breakfast, but we survived that. Easy flight, if a little long. Kate's device wouldn't download the movie app, so she had to use mine. It was fine though. Landed in Washington around 9:15. First stop, Aunt Jilly's house! To see it, first of all, and to meet our cousin Thomas O'Malley the (alley) cat. ;)

Next, we headed down to the famous Pike Place Farmers' Market, for a delicious chowder lunch and some tourist-level shopping. So fun. In the rain. Afterwards, we stopped at the Starbucks Reserve and Roastary and had a coffee "experience" at the Experience Bar. My drink, a gin-barrel roasted Rwandan cold brew with tonic and lime (!!!) was delicious. We made dinner at home that night, a Sun Basket meal of chili mac with lime yogurt topping and everyone loved it. I'm going to try to recreate it at home one of these days (after May 26 when the WLC ends).

Thursday: Kurt Cobain's memorial park bench on the very anniversary of his death 24 years ago. We didn't quite intend to be there on the exact day, but that's how it worked out. Nearby was a beautiful Japanese Garden that we explored, in the rain. It did rain while we were there! A true Pacific NW week. ;) Lunch was amazing.... lunch was at Din Tai Fung, a Chinese dumpling place. Again, the kids were adventurous (the chili mac the night before was not their usual fare, with quinoa pasta and lots of veggies)... and I was proud of them. We loved it and ate a ton. That afternoon, we toured the Theo chocolate factory. A tad disappointing -- the other time I toured it, we got to walk through the factory itself and even the tasting/confection kitchen. This time not so much. But still, we got good samples and spent lots of dollars in the gift shop! Thursday night we went to a pizza place for dinner. That was a lot of food for one day! We tried watching a movie (Guardians of the Galaxy 2), but none of us could stay awake.

Friday: Bit of a later start, but we were totally fine with that. We took a ferry to Bainbridge Island on the one sunny day of our trip. It was interesting to think that some people take the ferry in to work every day, and home again. Many were eating their home-packed lunches or breakfasts, sleeping, and otherwise bored, while we were taking pictures, exploring the views, and finding it all so interesting. Once we landed, we shopped in the very cute main street area, bought souvenirs, ate ice cream, and enjoyed the weather. (Well, kind-of. Alex was annoyed he'd needed a jacket in the morning, and now he was hot, but knew he'd need it again later on the boat. I agree, that was kind-of tiresome.) Still, an awesome day. Dinner Friday night was.... hm, what was it? Oh yes, Chinook's, a seafood restaurant at Fisherman's Terminal. Delicious. I had salmon tacos. We watched A Man Called Ove.

Saturday: Finished Ove, since some of us had slept again. ;) We had not yet seen the Space Needle, so downtown we went! Got our tickets, spent some time hanging out by the giant fountain while we waited (in the rain), and then went up to the top. Super fun, even if it is under construction until June of this year. We'll just have to go back! After that, the Chihuly Garden and Gallery, which was just the art our eyes and hearts needed in all the grey weather. Loved it. Everyone was hungry so we ate lunch nearby and then home again, home again! Jilly had to sing at Mass, and Kate and I went with her while Shawn did some laundry. For dinner afterwards, we found Bizzaro, a little (really little!) Italian bistro. I loved our conversation that night. Jilly was asking lots of questions about the kids' school. It was yummy and we hated that it was our last meal together!

This update is really bare-bones, despite the large number of words. I just wanted to record some of the details for posterity. :) It felt both really busy/packed, and also relaxed and not stressful. Thanks to Jilly for being the BEST hostess. Kate's probably seriously considering college out there, after we talked about it and UW and Seattle U. Don't know for sure how I feel about that! But I know that parts of all our hearts are still in Seattle, and likely always will be.

Our Spring Break Trip 2018 Begins in 15 Hours...

At 2:45 a.m. tomorrow (tonight) we will get up and dressed, get in the car and drive south for our 4:15 call-time at the airport! Seattle, here we come! Finally! I've been wanting to do this for years. It's going to be SO FUN!


...I don't know that getting up in the dead of night is going to be FUN, exactly, but I'm saying that to keep the positive vibes flowing. But seriously, our flights to/from Seattle are going to be some of the best parts of the trip, according to Kate. First one takes off at 6:15 a.m. and since no one except me has flown on a plane since 2007 (or never, in Kate's case), we're all a bit excited about the experience. (Early morning flights were cheaper and non-stop, so that's why.) We started the packing process last night, which was smart. "Does this need to go in the carry-on?" "No, since that's larger than 3 oz., put it in the checked bag." "Are we checking this bag?" "No, let's carry it on, and then if we arrive at the gate and they're asking people to gate-check bags, we won't have to pay the $25 to check it." "Mommy, can I take this perfume?" "Why do you need perfume? You're TEN. No, that's out." Lots of questions and scurrying around to find quart-sized ziplocs and luggage tags.

But I'm excited that they're excited. It IS kind-of a lot of logistics to get 4 people on a flight. !  Not as easy as traveling solo with just 2 carry-on bags. Papa Joe is here and giving the kids lessons on what happens in the cockpit. I'm trying to explain security as best I can, but really, there's no way to understand it until you do it. I'm grateful, really, that we're going so early in the morning, because I HOPE that will mean the lines aren't quite as long and the crowds not quite as large. We'll see, though.

Once we get to Seattle.... yay!!!! We'll be hanging out with Sissy and her fluffy kitty, Thomas O'Malley, and sightseeing and enjoying a Pacific-Northwest spring (it's forecast to rain every day, woo!). Probably will go to the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, ride the Bainbridge Ferry, and maybe Discovery Park, too. Already booked a tour at the Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont. :) I've been looking a little bit at visitseattle.org this morning... cutting it close! But also trying to let it be a relaxing vacation, not a sight-seeing extravaganza with every moment planned. I'm hoping for one day that includes brunch out somewhere. I love brunch out.

We're grateful to Mom and Dad who came for Easter, and are staying to kitty-sit! Hee! I do feel a little bad we're going to Seattle without them. But on the other hand, it's good to take family trips, just the four of us, too, and make our own memories. That's what it's all about. Catch you on the flip side!

We love the kitties!

I haven't given much update on the cats! And since they have their own category, I think it is high time to remedy that.

We are LOVING being pet owners again, and these two cats in particular. They are so fuzzy -- I mean, funny -- with two little distinct personalities. Apple is SO "girl," and SO "big sister." She definitely believes she is in charge. She sits so pretty, when she's upright and stately. Most of the time, though, her default position is "cat loaf." Paws tucked under and rounded on top. ;)

And she is indeed rounded. Hee hee. Side note, I just wrote an article for work about body types and swimwear shapes (you know that article, about the pears and the apples, it gets published every year by every women's magazine, ever). She is aptly named. You see, Apple really prefers to eat kitten food, which is higher-calorie than her adult cat food. Anytime she thinks we aren't paying attention, she has a snack from Ash's bowl. I felt like she gained a lot of weight quickly when we first adopted her, which is why now, their dry food bowls get put away after they eat in the morning, before we humans leave the house. I think that's helping. I just don't want her to get toooo fat and happy. But I'm glad she's happy.



Favorite napping spot? Rocking chair in the guest room.
Best trick? Allows us to hold her, for just a minute. Sometimes even snuggles.
Funniest habit? Scratches the wall/door frame after she uses the litter box. (In case any got up there, I guess? It looks like she's torn up the door frame, actually, which is annoying.)
Nicknames? Apple-cat, Apple Jack, Apply-Dapply.

Ash is our little brother kitty. Shawn calls him Loki, the Lord of Mischief. He's harder to catch on camera, but ever so lovey when he's in the mood. When I work from home, he'll walk around on the table in front of my laptop. Classic. He's also SUPER talkative. Meow? Meow. Meow meow. Ash will start a chase any day of the week, you don't even have to ask. He loves to play, and jump on Apple. She tries to ignore him.

He and Alex have a particular friendship and he usually sleeps on Alex's bed during the day, and at night.

Ash will not let us near his paws, so off to the groomer he went last Friday, for a bath and a mani-pedi. ;) He smells so nice now and is so soft! (Apple's up next in a week or so. I couldn't wrangle both of them in one day.)

By far his most noticeable characteristic is that he prefers his water fresh out of the tap, please and thank you. We keep a rubber band around the faucet handle when we're out of the house, because more than once he has turned it on himself!

Favorite napping spot? Alex's bed.
Best trick? Drinking water from the faucet. (Oh, and jumping up to the tippy top of the kitchen cabinets one Friday night late!) (And running down the stairs to crash into the mat by the front door. He's wild! And he has lots of tricks!)
Funniest habit? He watches the birds outside and talks to them, whining that he can't go catch them.
Nicknames? Ashy, Ash-kitty, Buddy

I'm so excited for Mom and Dad to meet them at Easter!

30-Day Yoga Challenge

I decided to try a 30-Day Yoga Challenge, just on my own in between Whole Life Challenges. Those 7 "easy" WLC habits fall away immediately after the thing ends. No stretching or walking or anything. I'm working to NOT do that this time.

I'm using Yoga With Adriene, her Yoga Camp series, because I've heard so much about her online from others, and also hello, she's free. I like her style (now that I've gotten used to it). It's slower-paced yoga than many other videos I see online. At least so far. I'm on Day 5. Patting myself on the back -- not only for sticking to it, but also for starting on a Friday, giving me 4 full days (day off yesterday) before I had to set my alarm for 5:00 am today! But I did it. I decided that's the only time I can do a 30 or 35-minute yoga workout -- before everyone else is awake. Ten minutes after dinner? Sure. No big deal. 30 minutes? Much harder somehow. I try to remind myself that I LIKE yoga, a lot, so waking up for it is NOT actually torture. :) The good news is, we're already going to bed at 9:30 (we're so OLD!), so I'm not losing on sleep.

I'm feeling sore in some places and that is a good thing. Today's theme was 'I am alive.' In case you're curious, I try to also connect the spiritual side of yoga to my OWN spirituality. I do find yoga to be very focused on the inner Me, Me, Me. It has its place; self-awareness and self-compassion are important. But sometimes it gets to be a little too much for what I'm used to. A little too frou-frou, too hippie, too not-Jesus-focused, lol, although I appreciate the ancient tradition and the inclusive language of it all. Without trying to add any Catholic guilt to it (difficult), I try to at least look for my God on my mat. I try to take the calming strategies and the mantras and make them match my own heart and traditions. Don't want to get too deep here on a Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. (wink), and also, let me note that Adriene's style does NOT seem very spiritual, which I like. Sometimes I'm just in it for the workout and the relaxation, you know? In fact, I've only once had an instructor who was overly zealous with the Hindu stuff and the mala beads and the chanting. It did make me uncomfortable. But as far as I'm concerned, you have to find what's true for you, and I'll hold to what's true for me, and let the rest go. I'm not saying I recite the rosary while I stretch. ;) But a lot of Catholic resources online give yoga such a bad rap, and I just don't believe it's bad. I think if you're seeking the Divine, seek it in every instance. (Some websites say yoga is a tool of the devil. I ...strongly disagree. I remembered this morning that the Church also said, at one time, that Judaism was of the devil, and they tried to expel all the Jews from Spain. I just read an excellent book about that. So... they're not always right.)

I like that this is happening. Ignatian Yoga seems perfect. :) Anyway, all this is to say: another reason I'm learning that it's important to do my yoga in the early morning is so that I can find some quiet -- a prayerful moment, maybe -- and really BE in it. Not distracted or interrupted.

Speaking of self-aware: Kate is becoming so. She had a small moment this morning which caused her to wail and gnash teeth, but then she had a bit of applesauce and got over it. As she left for school, tears dried but her cheeks still rosy, I told her how pretty she looked. She came in for a hug and said she was sorry for before. "I think I was just tired." Aww. I think she was hungry, myself, but maybe both. But GOOD WORK, recognizing it was Something and ... well, getting over it.

Because I'd done my yoga I was t o t a l  z e n about the entire episode. ;)

What Time Even Is It?*

Haha, I know what time it is (Monday, 8:35 am). But I do feel a little bit wrecked this morning - I got home from my business trip to Las Vegas at about 11:15 last night. While I was out there, three time zones away from home, we changed to Daylight Savings. So my body clock is probably a little out of whack. Not to mention the fact that I have woken up several times every night since Friday night. Every hour, almost. Even last night in my own bed.

What am I doing at work, then?! You're not the first to ask. I had to get up anyway, to help get the kids off to school, and to SEE them, and Shawn, say hello... so I figured I might as well just go to work. I'm pretty sure I won't be super productive, though.

The trip itself was okay: A conference for nurse navigators in breast centers, with tons of very medical, very data-specific and jargon-filled workshops. I held my own, taking notes, grateful I didn't have any clients to entertain or responsibilities other than listening, but I did have mild existential questions like, "WHAT is God's purpose, actually, in putting me in this particular place today?" Because seriously: I'm not a nurse, I'm not planning to ever BE a nurse... or a doctor or a statistician... it was interesting to think about. I did have one mini-encounter with a speaker whose topic was different from all the rest. He is a brain cancer survivor, and was there to talk about self-compassion and gratitude, and how those tools can help nurses do their jobs better. It was just the topic I've been "studying" via the Happier app since January, and I loved his talk. I took a moment afterwards to thank him and he was very kind and appreciative. Maybe that was my purpose in being there? Maybe he needed to hear Thank You...? It was one of the best moments of the trip. The other was a dinner I had with a coworker and her family (husband, stepdaughter). Really enjoyed them all, particularly the coworker. Finally, the very best moment was my hour-long conversation with Jilly, since I was in her time zone! We were planning our Seattle adventure (more later on that)!

Anyway, instead of feeling grumbly about the fact that I was there, mostly I felt curious about it, and that helped, I think. Oh, I was plenty grumbly on Friday before I left and on my way to the airport, don't worry. Traffic was a nightmare and I just don't like Not Knowing where to go, what to expect. I also hate getting from an airport to a hotel. Just hate that in any city. Don't like taxis. I'm not yet an Uber or Lyft user (but should be). So I'd booked a shuttle in Vegas, which was only $10 and I thought would be a good option. It was a terrible option. I mean, it worked, but it stressed me out. My coworkers asked, "WHY did you do that?" But... I don't like taxis. Especially not at night, especially not by myself. Anyway. That was the hardest thing.

I didn't even touch a slot machine or have a drink in any casino (stayed at Bally's, meeting was in Paris LV). Someday maybe Shawn and I should go to Vegas together, and try to enjoy it. Although neither one of us is very good at parting with our money. ;)

*I find this sentence structure so fascinating. The kids do it. Not sure where it (even) comes from but I loved this article.

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. :)

Office update, happy Friday, weekend plans

Today my partner in crime (Shan) is away from the office and I admit I feel a leeeetle isolated. My new office is at the end of a back hallway. Luckily, it has a huge window so I don't feel claustrophobic, just "apart" from whatever's happening over there where everyone else sits. I'm not complaining -- you know I appreciate my moments of solitude. I'll just have to make an effort to get up and go visit people. (And I already have once this morning.)

I do love my new space. Yesterday I rearranged a little, and hung up some stuff. I still want to remove the leftover boxes and extra products that the previous three occupants left in here. There's a ton of it. But I've got my kids' school photos, my Kleenex and hand sanitizer, my little desk fan, and my favorite books from my work collection, so I feel "planted." I would say that I'm working better in the office than in the cube, being more productive than I was before (I have been, I think), but... well, I'm here on Blogger, so I'm not sure how truthful it will sound. ;) 

Anyway, it's Friday and I'm feeling happy. My projects, for the most part, are all waiting for someone else to do their part so I can afford a little personal computing. I'm reading a really interesting book, The Mapmaker's Daughter, set in Spain in the 1400s, and told from the POV of a Jewish woman. I LOVE reading about Judaism. One of my very favorite books was Bee Season, by Myla Goldberg, which went deep into Jewish philosophy and mysticism and was fas.cin.a.ting. This one has also hooked me; even made me look up a map of 15th century Spain this morning -- a country I have never once been interested in learning about. Yay, books! This morning I've also spent more than my fair share of time making a list of things to read next!

We had a "normal" week, with nothing extra. So nice! The kids even had three days in a row of Fun Food, so no lunchboxes to pack. This weekend I/we plan to: 

• Gather up and tag our too-small uniforms, to be sold next week at the Spring Used Uniform Sale. I have SO many. Alex is alllllmost grown out of his pants and I hate to buy him any new ones for $40 apiece. I really hope I can find a few pairs to get him through to the end of his uniformed school days in May! Meanwhile, Kate is growing too, having to buy size 12 shirts in order that they hang nicely over her leggings.
• Windex my bathroom mirror. HOW, I ask you, how does it always get so dirty? I do not spit on it or do chemical experiments in there, I promise. But you would think that I do. Ugh. 
• Hand wash some sweaters of Kate's that have now been sitting in the laundry room for 3 (4?) weeks. Now that it's 80 degrees of course. Ha. Maybe it will stay warm and they will stay clean until next winter. (I'm not going to detail for you every chore I plan to do this weekend, but this one MUST GET DONE and if I write it down maybe it will.) 
• Have at least one long workout or walk. That was my personal goal for the Whole Life Challenge, that I would do more than the required 10 minutes/day, at least once on the weekends. Pretty sure I've accomplished it. I'm so anxious for the Challenge to be over. It's seemed especially hard this last couple of weeks, for some reason. My office is starting a "Biggest Loser" competition on March 1 and I'm really torn about whether or not I want to do it. I do, but I don't. They're going to be doing workouts together 4 days a week, including Zumba, which I've never tried! So that's certainly appealing. But I will have just finished this! Not sure what to do.
• Going to see Black Panther! Don't want to miss out on important pop culture! If it's got Marvel's name on it, we're there. :) 
• Hopefully doing some cooking and baking. Might need to visit Whole Foods at my lunch break to pick up some coconut flour and almond flour, which are surprisingly hard to find at Publix. My sweets cravings are killing me and there are ways around this! I've just been too lazy to get the stuff for it.

New Reliables: Healthy Foods I Love (and Can Prep Ahead)

When I do the WLC, I have to do lots of meal planning and prep. It's something I enjoy doing even off the challenge, so not a huge deal. This round (my third), I've tried a couple of new recipes that have been awesome. In rounds 1 and 2 I relied on an easy tomato soup recipe, as well as butternut squash soup, for packing my lunches (and even some dinners), but I needed to change it up this time and I'm glad I did.

Some things I've discovered:

• This Creamy Crunchy Vinegar Vegetable Slaw. WHO KNEW that homemade mayo would be such a game-changer? But it is, and takes approximately 5 minutes to make. I bought a big bag of pre-shredded cabbage/carrots, added in some raw broccoli, dill relish, and the mayo and vinegar, and MAN, is it delicious! Of course, I'm someone who LOVES dill, and that's a big flavor in this slaw (I even add more fresh dill, since I have some in the fridge leftover from a salmon dinner a week ago). But it is fully satisfying to me. Really goes well with the next one:
• (I've mentioned it here before...) Paleo Pizza Soup. This is heartier than my usual tomato soup, with sausage and pepperoni. Nearly too rich/hearty, if I'm honest. Made a big batch one Sunday -- I added mushrooms, green bell peppers, and olives, which are pizza toppings I NEVER get to have since none of my family likes them -- and have had some really good lunches from it. I sincerely wish I could dunk a garlic breadstick in there, or melt some mozzarella on top! 
• We also had Easy Burrito Bowls one night, and they were my biggest success, WLC family-dinner-wise: Brown and white rice mixed, canned black beans, rotisserie chicken cut into bite size, corn, fire roasted canned tomatoes, cheese which I skipped, guac, sour cream, salsa, jalepenos, cilantro. I could eat it every day, I think. Shawn says not to mess with it by trying to do quinoa instead of rice. So I won't. Might make them again next week, in fact!
• Kate has started wanting Ceasar salads for her lunchbox. I love this idea for her, although I wish she'd let me put some chicken on it for a little protein boost (she does take 2 cheese sticks on salad days). So this weekend I cut up a big ol' gallon Tupperware's worth of romaine. Makes it super-fast in the mornings that she can grab a handful or two and be on her way. Me too! Today I made a salad for myself and had Buffalo Ranch dressing (LOVE that my Kickstart level lets me have Ranch dressing). It's just Ranch with some Frank's Red Hot Sauce mixed in. Added sesame seeds for crunch. Delicious!
• I might as well chronicle another soup we tried here: Hamburger Soup. Next time I might add more Worcestershire and maybe even mustard powder to up the flavor a little.
• Sweet potatoes for breakfast. Nearly forgot about this one, but it's perfectly portable: Peel/dice a couple of sweet potatoes, drizzle w/olive oil and roast in the oven w/salt and pepper on a Sunday. Divide them into your serving-size lunch bowls and store in the fridge. Add a chicken sausage patty on top and you're out the door in 1 minute (if you have a microwave at your office, which I do). Would also be delicious with a fried egg on top if you're eating at home! YUM.

Painted a room! And other good news

Kate's room is painted. I forgot to really take any "befores," and that's too bad, but here is the "after:"

She chose the colors, and she helped us paint. I don't mean just a few minutes' worth, either. She stuck with it. She worked hard. I was really proud of her and tried to ignore my actual feelings when she dripped paint on two places on her carpet. (Resolve to the rescue.) She realized after we put the furniture back in that her existing comforter is a perfect match, and so she let go of wanting a new one. Hooray! It really looks great and opens up her space nicely. Of course, she wants to close that back up by getting a desk for that empty corner behind her. But I'm okay with that. A kid needs a place to put all her stuff, you know? And maybe one day, to do her homework.

Next up is Kate's 10th birthday, next week! TEN! That's a lot of years! Other than the room makeover (which should be enough, imho), she's getting a gymnastics mat (I guess), a camera case for her Instax camera, some junk from Justice (because always), and... plane tickets to Seattle! A little much for a young girl...? PERHAPS. But I guess that ship sailed when we took her to Disneyworld on her 1st birthday, didn't it??? Yes, it did. Of course the tickets are for all of us, not JUST Kate, a trip I've been meaning to take them on for at least 3 years. However, Kate is the one who's been vocal about never being on an airplane, and she is the one who's going to flip out the most when it finally happens. So I'm happy to wrap up the ticket for her as a surprise.

-------

This month, at work, has been bonkers. Starting mid-January, I mean. New VP is already making big changes to the team, including my role. It's the 2nd time this company's changed my role without consulting me first -- well, I suppose they sort-of asked me, on Tuesday, but it was more of a "here's how it's going to be, you're okay with that RIGHT?" Eh. I don't have the time to care, I guess, or the motivation. It's still a job, close to school. The role doesn't change that much, and....

drumroll....

I'm getting an honest-to-God OFFICE.

This is big news!! It's right next-door to Shan's, and away from the constant chatter of the hallways and customer service people (I'll kinda miss the customer service people, actually), and it's got a freaking DOOR. And a huge window looking toward Kennesaw Mountain. I am beyond thrilled. (I only wonder how long they'll let me keep it. I wouldn't put it past anyone to hire some Manager-level person in the next 6 months and kick me right back to cube-land.) For now, BLISS. I move my stuff in tomorrow. :)

I've been joking, this last year, when people ask me, "You work full-time, too? I don't know HOW you do it!" -- side note, it's rare that people say this, but once in a while they do, and I like the validation of it -- anyway, my response is usually (self-deprecating), "Oh, work is where I go to REST." Because it's sort-of true, that work is a bit more restful than Not-Work. I do sit on my butt in front of a computer most days. But 2 things: 1) WHY do I do that to myself, acting in front of people like "it's no big deal, I don't work all that hard," when in actual fact it IS HARD to do all that I do in the time I have?  and 2) when work is MENTALLY stressful, like it has been the last week for me, then I definitely don't get the "rest" I probably need. The last several weekends have been just Go-Go-Go all day Saturday AND Sunday, this coming weekend, too, and I'm super tired of that. Shawn and I never get to just chill out together, sit down and watch a movie, drink wine and talk about random things, and we need to FIX IT immediately. He said so, too. I'm putting it down here for official-ness.

But this is The Life, Grateful for all the #blessed I feel, etc... ;)

Painting a room

Kate has wanted to redecorate her room in the last year or so. Wants it painted, wants a whole bunch of new furniture, and "decor." LOL isn't she cute? ;) Last fall, in desperation for her to stahhhhp bringing it up, we told her we would do it for sure by her birthday. 

Her birthday's in 2 weeks! But no worries, Shawn got most of the room taped off yesterday, amazingly. More impressive, Kate did all the packing up of existing furniture herself -- books off all bookshelves, dresser swiped bare, cabinets cleared, everything in plastic bins -- so that when it's time to move those pieces around, we can do it. I was so proud of her for doing that, and she only once asked me to help her. I brought her a garbage bag and left her to it! Our girl is GROWING UP. 

I remember when my friend Ashley's daughter turned 10, and they redecorated her bedroom to be less pink and princess-y, and more Pottery Barn Pre-teen. I'm excited that we're doing the same for Kate. She wants three walls to be a lovely teal, and one accent wall to be a lavender, I think. I hope it turns out lovely. (I'm unsure about the accent wall, to be honest, but I'm letting her decide.) 

I know it's going to make me/us want to do MORE painting, which is good. We promised ourselves we would not wait until the 12th year, like we did in our last house, before making it the way we want it! (Or even before doing any touch-up paint.) Of course, in our last house we were raising babies and toddlers, and time/motivation was much more difficult to come by. 

I was just sure we wouldn't have time THIS weekend, actually. We had so much going on. Basketball, drama, a classmate's birthday party thrown in for good measure, and the usual groceries/laundry/cleaning. But we -- SHAWN, all Shawn -- got it done. Thank you, DH, for being awesome and making our young lady very happy. :)