Saddest day

Today is the official saddest day of the year.  The end of summer break.  I mean, perhaps for some people it isn’t sad.  But for me….sad.  

I know technically summer isn’t over for another month. Weather wise, definitely not over.  But that is really part of the problem.  Buses don’t have air.  I spend a lot of time outside. As long as the air is moving, I am generally ok.  But the kids who I haul?  I find that they spend very little time out of the air conditioning.  They are miserable and I do worry about them. Plus, I like the schedule-free summer carelessness.  Basically- the school schedule cramps my style.  Will I get over it?  Of course.  But not before I whine a little. 

Jim took me to get my bus this morning.  I do not know the last time I was so angry. Whoever drove that bus last left it trashed.  And not just a little. It was GROSS in there.  Rotten food, sticky,  trash, smashed peanut butter all over the seats, more school supplies than I bought for my kids to start school, and clothes.  It literally took me 2 hours to get it clean, and it isn’t the kind of clean I’d like, but it’s good enough for tomorrow.  We were told to turn them in clean.  I spent over an hour cleaning an already clean bus before I dropped it off in May.  Madison got my old bus, and she did thank me for not leaving her a mess.  I want my old bus back!  I guess he should have been checking when they were turned in because not everyone did the job. But more than that - those buses sat out there all summer- we paid a bus maintenance person and this is what I get?  Not only that but they told me to watch my tires because they were really low.  I told them I was not picking it up until they had the tires checked.  They told me they did….but if they drove it someplace they sure should have seen how dirty it was. It should have been cleaned.  And not only that but there are lights on the dash that don’t turn off - and he told me not to worry so much.  Sigh.  I’m sure it will be about 2 days until the first breakdown.  And I unequivocally have too much of my father (and mother too for that matter) running through my blood because I wanted to drive it back out there and tell them to do it right, or cram it.  If I win the lottery, that is exactly what I will do!

GG took Evelyn to get her nails done for school.  Evie has Ms O this year.  She is an amazing, awesome teacher and I can’t wait to watch Evelyn bloom under her!   

Evie and this one start tomorrow.  Harper starts on Friday.  Not sure why, but I guess we are rolling with it.  Today, she has picked an outfit, whitened her teeth, been relieved because her new shoes arrived in the mail, and packed her bag.  She’s ready for 8th grade.  I’m having a hard time digesting that my “baby” is in her last year of grade school.  

Last weekend, I had Jim and the girls help me plan a menu- goal being as we are getting on schedule we don’t have to think about what to cook.  Saige picked corn dogs.  Today she begged to flip around  the menu com so that we could have the corn dogs as her “last supper.”   I told her ok, and asked what side dish she wanted.  She said “uhhh how about ketchup?”  Clearly her pallet isn’t maturing as fast as the rest of her!  

After being stuck in Chicago, and having to take separate flights to Ireland, I think these 2 are finally having the trip they dreamed of!  I love the photos!   I asked how cold it is there since they seem to be wearing jackets and long sleeves.  Spencer said it was 62 with a brisk north wind. She said after leaving where it was 100ish - it feels downright chilly.  

Last year for Christmas, I gave Spencer’s parents some Irish whiskey from this distillery.  I think it’s neat that they got to see it!   

Also I have always been a sucker for a castle. Or a castle shaped building.  Or anything medieval looking.  I am living  vicariously through them this week  

Mallory sent me her “first day” photo.  She had her first day with kids today.  

Her dean sent me this photo.  I love that she is working under him. He is absolutely amazing.  I couldn’t be happier for her. I hope this job is all she dreams it to be. 

This one is about to get back to her job as a bus para.  I hope it cools down a little bit for her sake!

I tried really hard to do a summer highlight slide show.  I made one, but it was too large to download to the blog.  Editing out my highlights made me feel sad.  We had a great summer!  Got in a lot of family time, Evelyn lost her first tooth. We took a nice vacation. Attended our son’s beautiful wedding to a girl we all love,  showed goats, raised a garden, swam, played, Jim retired from the city, Hatper got her learners permit, raised meat chickens, put fruit in the freezer and made jelly, my mom recovered nicely from hip replacement, we grew beautiful flowers and planted trees.  I wish we could do it all over again!  No matter how many years I live, summer will never be long enough.