Ever had one of them days?

It wasn’t a bad day. Until it was.  We got started on a big project at work.  It was started a full month early.  It has been 3 years in the making and I am more than ready to be done with it.   I was happy. I got Evie picked up from preschool, I had the lessons done for my RE class.  I came home and managed to get lunch made and the pony caught before the farrier arrived.  Evie was helpful.  Things were feeling nice. 

I left on the bus.  Upon dropping off my last kid, I checked my phone to see that Quincy got sent home from work.  Because she hasn’t had her booster shot, she gets tested twice a week for Covid. She tested positive today.  Not what I wanted to hear for sure.   I drove the 20 minute drive home, and when I shut off the bus, I had missed calls from my engineer, and my contractor.  Apparently a landowner who was on board with our project is no longer on board. He stopped our contractor, threatened him, and proceeded to say if they kept working he would call the police.   I had to order them back to work, and get our attorney involved.  I then had to call in to let the RE director know we might be  carrying germs. Thankfully she said to stay home.   I then had to stop what I was doing to fax in documents and help the attorney so we could continue with our project because it is on a schedule and we cannot afford to burn nice days.  I then realized 2 hours had gone by and I had not even thought about dinner or figured out the school’s Covid policies for this year.   Luckily, 2 of my very best friends are the school nurses.  I put in an after hours call.  We got it figured out. The girls and Preston can attend school but either have to wear masks or be tested every other day.  Quincy has to stay home for 5 days. What a mess.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would still be dealing with Covid.   I honestly thought we would flatten the curve and it would be a done thing in a few weeks or months.  Naive I guess.  But here we are.  Quincy is asymptomatic and quarantined in her room.  Everyone else is negative.  Praying it stays that way!  Bed time and prayers for a better tomorrow.  

Good weekend

Any weekend where we have no place to be, no expectations, no obligations and nothing planned is a good weekend in my book.  I thought I could get the house cleaned up, and the laundry caught up, plus watch the new Dahmer show on Netflix, maybe catch a movie and catch a couple of extra hours of sleep.  Most of that came to fruition.  Mayyyybeeee the housework is going to need a couple more tweaks, maybe there is a little bit more laundry, and maybe I spent a bit too much time watching college football, but man this was a weekend I needed!  Jim and Andrew went fishing yesterday.  If Jim wasn’t responding to my texts about the KSU game, I would have worried that they fell in!  They were gone a long time!   They had a good time, but didn’t have good luck!   Either way, I’m always happy when they get a chance to do something that they love.  

Preston was accepted to KSU a couple weeks ago.  He had also applied to their school of engineering, but was told that although he was accepted into KSU, there was a separate acceptance into the engineering college.  This weekend, he was notified that he got accepted.  I’m not 100% sure that he will end up becoming an engineer, he is still tossing around a few options, but I am so proud of this kid.  He is one smart boy!  

Who doesn’t sword fight in the kitchen?  

We had Sunday dinner.  Mallory showed up with all the makings for Coco to become a unicorn.  These pictures both make me happy, and crack me up.  This pony is a sweet, sweet boy.  He will literally do anything if you have a few horse treats in your pocket.  Evelyn loves him.  I think it’s safe to say we all do!  

And another weekend blew by.  I was truly blessed by the downtime and family time  contained in this one.   I miss my big boys (and their girls).  

Off to a new week.  New adventures.  I hope it’s a gentle one.  

Last day

We have been swimming this whole month.  Today was a literal record setting hot day.   Tomorrow there is supposed to be a cold front which will drop the temperatures to more normal fall type levels.  I told Evelyn we could swim after lunch, and that this would probably be the last day for swimming until next year.  The girl loves swimming. She and I were both sad about it.  Is a pool necessary?  No. It absolutely isn’t. Is it a ton of work?  Yes!   But I absolutely love ours.  

As we were swimming, Evie was acting sort of sad about closing the pool.  I told her it’s ok, we have to move on and do fun fall stuff now.  I gave examples of pumpkin patches, apple picking, and Halloween crafts.   We swam for a bit longer, and then got out so I could get ready to drive the afternoon bus route.  We got dressed and she was eating her snack and she jumps up and informs me “I’m ready to go grammy!”   Where are we going?    To the pumpkin patch!   I raised 8 children. You would think I would know better than this!  

It was a fun summer.  I’m sad it’s over.  I do love some fall fun though!  And I will admit that I am tired of sweating my buns off while driving the bus.  Bring on fall!  

Instead of the pumpkin patch, Evie and Madison took some treats to Coco.  Tractor supply had a sale on some weird horse treats.   Coco liked them!  

Not this again

My weekend… Gone.  Again.  Whyyy?   Why doesn’t the weekend ever last?   I’m so not ready to go back to work.  But…adulthood is calling I guess.  

As weekends go, this was a good one.  Colin and Spencer were up for a wedding, so we got to see them (and Cash and Volt) for a while.  It had been a few weeks.  I loved getting to see them.  

We had Sunday lunch rather than dinner so that we could eat with Colin and Spencer.  We burned the grill food, had some weird side dishes, and had to eat up some of the salsa that I made yesterday that didn’t seal, but the main thing is we were together right?  Andrew brought us some ice cream from his side job (as an ice cream maker) and it was awesome!   The redeeming part of the semi-failed lunch!  

I also heard from Cameron and Lauren and texted with them a little bit.  Lauren sent this picture and I cracked up at seeing Bella helping Cameron with his video game!  It sounds like their classes and jobs are going well so far!  

I stole this little gem off of Facebook.  I love this one!  (Thanks Spencer!).  

This weekend we did accomplish a lot.  My friend Grace has convinced me that there will be tomato shortages this winter.  She is a reliable source of information, since her job requires her to order food and plan meals for a large school district.  I figure listening to her won’t hurt, so I bought a couple flats from a lady in town.  I canned some salsa, and I put a few quarts of crushed tomatoes in the freezer.  I have been buying an extra jar of spaghetti sauce every time I go grocery shopping, as well as a couple extra cans of tomatoes.  I figure it won’t go bad, and we will use it eventually.  Winter foods, chili’s and soups  taste better with tomatoes. I hope she is wrong, but it’s better to be prepared!  

Now if I could just get my mind wrapped around being prepared for another week!  

HOCO 2022

It was homecoming week on the Trail. The kids had all sorts of craziness going on.  The kids on my bus have been absolutely bonkers.   I can’t say that I’m sad it’s over!   Today was the grand finale of all the activities.  The high school kids broke into different groups.  Some went into the downtowns and painted windows/decorated the town. Some went into the grade schools and helped the younger kids make noise makers, flags and had pep rallies with them.  

Quincy was on window decorating.  She and her friend painted up my office real nice.   

Preston was on going into the grade school where he helped stir up Mallory’s class and then left.  Or that was Mallory’s story.  

She sent me a photo, but because it shows her class’s kids faces I’m not sure if I am allowed to post it.  Preston told me he didn’t like the kids all touching him and trying to hug him.  I guess he forgot what first grade is like.  

After all the decorating and wiring up the younger kids, they had a homecoming parade.  It was at Scranton this year.  I had to drive the bus over.  I was able to catch Preston playing in the band.  I felt bad because I had told Evelyn we would go to the parade when she got off the bus.  That didn’t happen, as her dad got off work early today!   

The kids did a nice job putting on the parade and community pep rally.  I saw Preston playing in the band.  I saw Quincy walk by where the buses were parked.  I never saw Harper or Saige!  

This evening, we attended the game.  Andrew was on duty.   I had to stop and take his picture. Luckily nobody was hurt so all he had to do was sit in the fire truck.   

We enjoyed watching Preston in the marching band.  The football team didn’t win, but they played really hard.  Jim went along this time so he could get his own scoop on the way things went, since I am a bad source of information on the game itself.  It was a nice night.  

This week was a 4 day week that felt like a 230 day week.  I am glad we are having a weekend now.  It is much needed and long overdue!  

Two in a row

It was a good weekend, and for the second week in a row, the kids don't have school on Monday.  Last week was a holiday, this week....well I am not really sure.  I think the teachers have some sort of development time - sorry Mallory!  It was nice to not have to be up to drive the bus!  :)  

We did a lot of work around the house, and enjoyed the 70 degree, rainy weather!  I managed to see or hear from all of our kids!  Lauren sent me these cute photos of her and Cameron attending their first LSU game as students!  I gotta say, the pre-game fireworks and show that I got a video of were pretty impressive.  Jim and Preston were both like "well yea, it is the south - they are pretty serious about football in the south!"  Anyway, it looked like they had a good time at the game, and LSU won!   I never really worry about Cameron and Lauren - they make friends easily and tend to have fun no matter where they go!  

Colin sent me a picture of the rest of the brick he has been laying around their house.  I love how it turned out, although upon receipt of the photo, it was sideways and I wasn't sure what I was looking at!  Moment of ridiculousness.  He and Spencer are making their house into a lovely home and I am very happy for them!  

Here at our house, I talked Jim and Preston into installing my new dishwasher, rather than waiting for the repairman who can't get here for a while yet.  They were able to get the electrical and plumbing all hooked up no problem.  I was so excited.  And then they went to slide it in.  The dishwasher is a lot taller than the available hole, thanks to the previous owners building the hardwood floor in front of the dishwasher hole.  They tried so hard.  I was able to use it, but it is definitely not in the hole correctly.  A whole lot of work for a disappointing result.  They did get the new microwave installed a few days back, and it works!  I do not think Jim will be leaving his job for one as an appliance installer anytime ever.  He definitely wasn't enjoying himself.  I am going to brag on Preston though, the boy has picked up some amazing skills, which we attribute to working for the Clawson's.  He knows all about electrical stuff, plumbing stuff, and tends to just know how things work.  I am definitely impressed.  He was also accepted into KSU this week and is working on getting into the college of engineering.  He will be close to having his freshman and sophomore years knocked off when he graduates this May.  My little "let's have one more kid - a tag along baby!" is sure growing up fast! 

I didn't take many photos this weekend, we didn't really do much that was photo worthy, but it was nice to be home getting stuff done.  It was much needed!   

What the….wait - what?

This has been one strange week.  At every turn, some weird thing happened.  Luckily, nothing bad, just odd.  The kids have been busy, Jim and I had meetings and projects.  The week flew by and I feel like I got drug a mile by my feet.  

Happily, the weekend is here!

Saige stayed home from school today.  She had a terrible headache, and a cold.   She is better this   evening, but we are told there is a ton of sickness already going around the school.   Gotta love kids sharing germs.  Saige has been working hard on her clarinet skills.  She has been showing me new notes she learned almost daily.  I’m glad she is working hard!  

Mallory’s been wanting to take Evelyn to the sunflower patch to do fall photos.  They bought her an outfit.  They planned.  They waited patiently for the sunflower field to be open for the season.  Last night, was finally the night.   Evie is beautiful and makes an amazing photography subject. But yesterday was a school day.  On school days, Evie is at my house at 5:40 in the morning.  Evie has long days, and by evening she is tired and ready for bed.  I don’t think she was super excited about going for a photo shoot.  At one point, they had to face time grammy for a pep talk.  I wasn’t able to get her talked into cooperating.  Some of the photos are absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.  Mallory did a great job of taking amazing pictures.  There are a few that I love more than the beautifully posed ones though.  Ones that show off the sass.  Ones that capture my little baby monkey as she is.  These are my favorites.   I love this little girl, and the role she has put us in as grammy and poppy.  All of the fun, only part of the responsibility.   

Today in our district there was a bus wreck.  It was not me.  It was minor, and nobody was hurt.  I felt bad for the new bus boss, as this was his first official day on the job.  It was a reminder to me of the tremendous amount of responsibility we have as drivers.  I really like my job.  I enjoy the kids.  The hours match up pretty well with our lives and what we have going on.  But the burden of keeping kids safe, of never knowing what other drivers will do, the weather, watching to make sure kids are clear, plus just having control over a large vehicle is a lot.  I am thankful that this time was minor.  I pray there is never a next time.  

Tonight was the first home football game.  Preston’s band was putting on a halftime show.  I wanted to go watch him.  Somehow, the band boosters tuba toss booth needed some help as well. (Tuba toss- you pay $1 to try to toss a football into a tuba.  If you succeed you get a 2 liter of soda that is donated by the band kids).  Luckily, we sold out of 2 liters before halftime, so I was able to catch Preston’s whole show and the band made quite a bit of money as well.  I don’t really love  football, particularly if my own kids aren’t playing, but I did have a great time visiting with my friend Dusty, who I haven’t seen in a while, and with my nephew and his wife.  I enjoyed seeing Josh and Carissa, it was nice to catch up for a while.  I did feel bad when I got home and Jim asked me what the score was, and how the game went and I had absolutely no idea.  I know he was probably disappointed, but after all these years he was definitely not surprised.  

I was sad I that I was busy with tuba tossing and football halftime shows tonight and didn’t get to go to the Huff-n-puff balloon rally with Evie and Madison.  I am hoping to take the girls up tomorrow, but it will depend on the weather.  I am hoping for some rain, but I also hope that Jim and his crew get the fishing derby done first!   Also keeping my fingers crossed that between all the running around we can find some time to accomplish my list, and maybe sit down and relax a little bit!   Gotta love a good weekend.