When life gives you lemons...

You know the rest of the saying. So, I recently tested positive for that pesky virus that causes us to isolate when we get it. Agonizing and totally bored after a couple of days being stuck inside. Thankfully, my husband didn't get it and he and my son have been taking great care of me. I mean, who doesn't like breakfast in bed, day after day? The good news--or lemonade--is that when our daughter arrives for her spring break, I should be in the "all clear" and able to hang out with everyone. I am so glad the timing is working out!

What a crazy couple of years!

I know--it's been crazy for everyone. On top of a pandemic, we moved to Northern Colorado. So, there you go. While it started out as an anxiety-producing time for me, I really love where we've landed. 

I was even able to get a job and I started about a month after we arrived. That has been really good for me. Today we had a lot of snow, so I didn't have to go in. 

I've recently joined two choirs! One at church and the other in the community. It's good to get out and have something else to do than just work. I found that I was really bored at night just watching Netflix. 

We will survive!

I'm tired.  It has been a few, long months of this pandemic.  I know I will get through it.  I'm thankful our addition was completed before I started working from home, as well as having air conditioning.  It's good to remember just how good I got it.  I'm healthy.  My family is healthy.  I have a roof over my head.  And food on the table.  

I do miss some things from before, however.  I miss traveling carefree.  I miss planning trips.  I want to go to Europe!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to travel and experience different cultures.  So, this staying home all the time is hard.  I can't wait to explore this big world again in the future.

In other news, we drove 18 hrs to Kansas to pick up a new puppy.  He was the runt of the litter, but don't tell him that.  He's BIG!  He has a huge personality and he keeps us on our toes.  Since we are home, it's a good time for a pup.  I hope I can survive until his baby teeth fall out.  He seems to be fitting in the family.  If only the cats would want to play with him.  We have time.

My daughter will go off to college this fall.  In just a few weeks, she will be on her own.  It's not what any of us envisioned for her freshman year.  She's handling it really well, from what I can see.  This age group seems better equipped for all that life can throw our way compared to other age groups.  Time will only tell...

Blue

I attended a memorial service today for a 25 year old who ended his own life.  No parent should ever have to bury their own child.  The church was packed.  Every person who spoke did eloquently--not too short, not too long.  

I've never felt so down or hopeless that I didn't want to be here.  But, people actually do have those feelings.  It's so hard to reconcile that people are in that much pain.  It makes me very sad to think of their suffering.  

I took my son with me today.  There were so many young adults in the church.  My son is the same age as the brother who was left behind.  They go to high school together and attend Sunday school together.  I know the mom from church and other things.  She is a lovely person who has had a lot of tragedy in her life--not including this one.  My prayer is for strength for both of them.  I pray they will feel the love of Christ surrounding them.  

This was the first funeral/memorial that I attended where a parent has outlived the child.  In all my days, I hope I never have to experience another one.  

Tonight we are hosting some scientists from China.  I think they have been in town for a few days.  One of them was here a few years ago for several months.  He's a nice guy.  I think we'll have burgers and hot dogs.  I mean, we can't serve them Chinese Food, can we?!?!  I'm such a slacker though.  I used to make homemade desserts (I'm good at it) but I haven't had time this week.  I like working full time but it cuts into my creativity!  And housework.  

Other than that, there is not a lot going on.  A birthday party (dinner party) to attend to Saturday evening with friends.  I'm looking forward to a lazy Saturday morning...

Happy Fall!

Hello!  It's been a while.  Things are going well.  My daughter is a senior (AACK) and my son is a sophomore in high school.  Time really does fly.  

We have become "house poor" with the addition, but so happy to be able to host dinner parties.  It's nice not being embarrassed of one's home!  Now, I love having people over!

My title of "happy fall" is sort of misleading.  I like fall...as long as it doesn't end too quickly.  I'm not a fan of winter.  I like the crisp, cool days of sunshine that September gives.  It won't be too long before the skies stay gray and it turns colder.  I know I shouldn't wish the days away, but in the next few months, I most definitely will.

And then there is my daughter and her senior year in high school.  In some ways, I wish I could stop time or make it slow down a bit.  I feel the need to savor every moment with her knowing that next year things will change.  I'm sure she will be ready, though.  And a teenager daughter is not always easy to get along with.  There are the mood swings and drama of high school kids.  Hard classes (she frets over anything that is not an A) and essay writing for colleges.  Field hockey practice every day when there is not a game.  She's a starter this year, so there's that.  I love hearing her name over the loud speaker.  I know that next year this will just be a memory.  The house will be feel different next year for sure.

Weekend re-cap...

It was a fun weekend.  We left work early and took the kids out of school on Friday.  We drove north about 3 hours to Watkins Glen, NY to meet up with some friends.  My husband's best friend from high school/college bought a summer home on Seneca Lake.  He wanted us up there when he did the final walk through and got the keys.  It's a beautiful home with huge windows, a dock and boat.  He has many acres of woods and a great yard.  But being on the water is the key.  The kitchen is awesome.  We came home Saturday night.  

Today, we finally made it to church as a family!  It felt good to sit together again.  I no longer work on the weekends so it's a priority to get back into the routine.  After church, we went home and got the kids' sports stuff together before we headed to my husband's cousin's baptism.  I'm not Catholic but I was the Christian Witness for the baptism.  My little cousin, by marriage, is so cute.  He was so well-behaved the whole time.  A real doll at 4 months.  Then we all headed to lunch with my husband's uncle, aunt, cousin and her partner and the little baby.  It's nice having family in town (even if it's by marriage).

Speaking of family...my sister and mom will be coming in March for a visit.  I'm looking forward to it.  My dad doesn't want to spend the money to come up.  Oh well.

Needless to say, it wasn't a very restful weekend.  I did enjoy it, though, and it's nice to have a job during the week and the weekends off. 

Happy New Year! (a couple of days late)

It's 2016 now.  Gosh, I can remember when it was 1976.  I sound old, I know.  It's amazing how time has flown by.  My dad said it would go by faster and faster.  He certainly was right.

I've never been one for resolutions.  But, rather, it's good to focus on new beginnings.  Today was my last day at the airport.  I recently started a full-time job at the free medical clinic where I have volunteered as a phlebotomist since 2009.  I started Oct 2015.  I tried to keep both jobs (mainly for the flight benefits with the airline), but soon it was very overwhelming.  With a family and all the activities that go with it, I just couldn't keep up.  So, today I start out with just one job outside of the home.  It will be nice.  

I can actually get into a routine.  A first.  I plan to exercise regularly since I won't be "throwing" bags anymore.  

I plan to sleep in on Saturdays and relax around the breakfast table.  I'm looking forward to spoiling the kids with crepes on a regular basis.

I plan to get back into going to church regularly.  I'm sure my husband will miss the slacking, but it's good for me to feel centered and balanced.  I no longer will have to work strange hours (very early or very late) so it will be easier to get up on Sunday. 

It will be nice to plan on dinner with friends after work and know that I won't get stuck because of a delayed flight or cancelled one.  

Don't get me wrong.  I loved working with the recent group.  The boss was wonderful and she never yelled.  The supervisors were very nice and tried to be fair.  This is not the norm in the airline industry and I valued it from the start.  The flight benefits were awesome.  I took the kids to Madrid this past summer.  I recently flew to Lisbon in October just before I started the full-time job.  I'm so glad I did, too.  I love to travel and experience different places, but it just wasn't going to happen as much as I liked.  These two kids of mine need me to be around.  I need to be there in the morning to assist them so they can catch the bus.  I need to be there after school to run them to whatever practice they are doing that day.  It's all good.  I left the airline on a good note.  I worked the gate today and both flights were on time.  Who knows?  I might end up in the industry again some day.  It's addictive.  The flying, the people, etc.  

For now, I will concentrate on the new job and doing the best I can there.  It's a new chapter, a different phase.  And it will all work out.

My new favorite bird

I've always loved the roadrunner, the woodpecker (all kinds) and the cardinal.  But recently, the hummingbird has taken my fancy.  We have a feeder just outside the window by the kitchen table.  I sit here when I'm on the computer.  I've been watching several hummingbirds all summer, but lately, we've only had one.  The feathers look unkempt and muted in color.  I think this one is trying to fatten up before the long journey to warmer climates.  Some days, the pesky wasps scare off the bird by ganging up on him.  My favorite being bothered by my least favorite of all.  

I can feel fall descending upon us.  Gray skies, cooler temperatures.  Perhaps, that's the reason for my melancholy today.  My husband's father was here the past weekend and we had a lovely time.  Maybe the let-down from having company is responsible, too.  

One thing that cheers me up for sure is travel and planning travel.  I *hope* to make it to Portugal Saturday.  My friend is flying there from France and since I'm back at the airport, I'm going standby.  I'm anxious and excited and hoping the shift trade gets approved so I can fly out Friday night.  I've never been to Portugal but have only heard great things about it.  Fingers crossed.

Yes, I'm working again at the airport.  It's for a different company and a different manager.  She's great, my age and very fair.  She'll thank me as she's heading out for the day and I thank her for being a reasonable boss.  She knows the other guy I used to work for, so she knows it's a real compliment.  

I don't know why, but I really like the airline industry.  The pay is horribly low and I don't know how people really make a go at it.  If my husband didn't have a great job, I would be looking for something else--I would have to.  The health care field is all but nil in this town.  No nuclear med jobs to think of.  A clinic had an opening maybe 6 months ago and I didn't even get an interview.  I've all but given up on getting back into the lucrative field.  Some days I miss it, others not so much.  I still volunteer at the free medical clinic in town and it's gratifying.  But...I'm conflicted.  I feel like I need a break, but feel guilty for feeling that way.  

I'm going to try to blog more often now.  The kids are both in middle school and God knows I've got time on my hands.

Thanks for reading.

XOXO

"Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will never hurt me."

If only this were true.

My husband went on a hunting trip last Wednesday.  I've been on my own for a few days.  It has been easier than when the kids were very young, but I've been driving and driving and driving.  They have activities such as tutoring, piano, guitar, and sports.  Today was a very busy, but fun day.  Still, I don't know how single parents keep their sanity.  I'm exhausted.  And lonely.  

So, one of the carriers at the airport is hiring.  I applied and am waiting to hear back.  I don't know if I'm ready for the early mornings but I need to be around people and feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.  I still volunteer but that's about it for getting out and about.  It sucks to be an extrovert sometimes.

I'm missing being around family too.  I enjoyed Christmas break so much.  It was fun to hang out with my sister and her husband.  It was great seeing my parents.  I saw my brother's granddaughters.  Sigh.  I'm working on my attitude on living in the cold north.  As my mom once told me, "Bloom where you're planted." 

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015.

It's the end of 2014 and I hope this year was everything you wanted it to be.  I've had good health this year, as so my family.  I just saw my parents and siblings and their families for the holidays.  I'm aware of the limited times I will get to be with all my relatives for the next Christmases to come.  Sometimes it feels like time stands still and other times it moves so quickly that I can't catch my breath.  

I'm thankful for my children even though it is hard sometimes parenting.  But, I would rather take my role seriously than raise children who grow up to be a burden on society. I'm lucky, so far.  

I got to go home for the holidays this year.  Thanks to my sister using miles to fly all four of us home.  We had a good time.  The kids learned to play poker!  Hahaha!  Nothing like going to the Bible Belt to learn to play poker.  Pete and I worked out everyday at a fitness club.  It helped us from gaining that weight that we usually pack on.  I got to go to my favorite place in Fayetteville--Hugo's.   The kids got to eat at Sonic.  I even got some yummy donuts from the south!  I love coming home.  It's always so hard to leave.  :(

So, I hope next year brings peace to you and yours.  Happy new year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

I made a tomato tart last night.  So simple.  I made the crust and then put it in the tart pan with removable sides that I bought in France.  It consisted of mozzarella, basil, tomato slices, olive oil, salt and pepper.  I added garlic last night, too.  My son inhaled it.  My husband was appreciative.  My daughter ate a small slice.  While I started making this recipe in the summer with all the cherry tomatoes that sprouted from the compost, it seemed to be a perfect recipe for this time of year with all the red and green from the tomatoes and basil.  Of course, I had to buy the veggies for this at Christmas time, but that's OK.  

Christmas time.  I can't seem to get excited about anything.  I feel so alone most of the time.  I miss being near family and having close friends.  I recently had a second interview at a place I already volunteer, but they went for the candidate with supervisory experience.  I felt like this would be my ticket to get back into the workforce and be around people.  I suck at being a homemaker.  Oh, I know that for a fact because my husband tells me so.  Oh well.  First world problem and I need to pull myself up by my bootstraps.  At least, I got bootstraps.  So many people don't.

I love to bake, especially this time of year.  Sugar cookies, peanut butter blossoms, Mexican wedding cookies.  I love decorating the sugar cookies with butter cream frosting.  A chance to be creative.  I actually can control myself around the cookies, too.  I guess when you can bake whatever, it's not a treat.  This year I want to bake a Buche de Noel.  I made one a few years ago but I think I can do better this year.  One of the blessing about not working is I can take the time during the day to bake.

I need to start blogging again.  It can be therapeutic. 

Ho hum

I've been in a funk for a couple of days.  It's cold in central PA and the sky is gray.  I think it even snowed a little today.  It's going to be a long winter.

Exercising always seems to help.  As much as I don't like running inside on the treadmill, I feel it's going to be necessary.  I prefer to run outside past the dairy operation and the farm where we got our two cats.  There's an open grate bridge and then some horse stables on my run, too.  I looked forward to the familiar scenery on my runs in the warm weather.  I'm one of those who wishes summer would last forever.  Don't get me wrong, I love spring and fall when each season lasts 3 months (like where I grew up).  But, there isn't much of a spring up here.  And winter is too long.  Last year's winter was never ending and it was so cold.  Even my hardy Northerner husband grew tired of the cold and snow.

What else is on my pea brain?  Not much except I'm busy running my kids around and I love it.  I've learned to love my job of being a mother.  I know that sounds weird, but for years I think I resented being a mother.  A selfish attitude that I'm glad to no longer possess.  Yes, I've had a change and I'm better for it.  There will come a day when I miss these moments of dropping kids off here and there.  The little conversations and questions that crop up in the car.  So, here's to new attitudes.  

There are four things that I love to do:  baking, volunteering, traveling, singing.  No special order, however, traveling is probably the top one. 

Recently, we bought a magazine with a beautiful chocolate dessert on the cover.  I made it and it was yummy.  There was also a chocolate souffle recipe in the magazine, which I made and is pictured above.  It turned out amazing!  My son said I always have good luck with the first try.  I guess I need to make it again to see if it wasn't a fluke.

I volunteer weekly at Centre Volunteers in Medicine.  It's only two weeks but it gives me so much meaning.  I love it.  I love meeting the patients.  I enjoy working with the other volunteers and staff.  I'm lucky to work with a great nurse.  While I think I would like to work full-time, I know I would miss this special place if I did.

I don't know what it is about traveling.  Is it seeing the sights?  Meeting the people?  Eating the food?  The escape from reality?  What ever it is, I love it.  I know longer work at the airport, but it's OK.  It's good to be grounded and I enjoyed the crazy trips while they lasted.  I still have a long list of places I want to go:  Istanbul, Cape Town, Buenos Aires.  I wouldn't mind going to New Zealand again.  We are going to Southern France this summer to see my sister-in-law's vineyard and we will fly to Barcelona and then drive up--thanks to my father-in-law.  I can't wait to show the kids a little bit of Spain. 

And finally, singing.  I have a duet partner and we will do our first official gig this Saturday.  I must be getting nervous because I had a strange dream last night about it.  I really hope we do a good job.  It would be fun to make this thing become a reality (although I will have to learn how to stay up late). 

Is it Spring yet?

I guess it will be another 6 weeks before we see spring.  But I live in the north, so Ground Hog day doesn't really make any difference.  Plus, we know it's just a bunch of bunk.  I'm so ready for heat and sun.  I was lucky enough in January to go to Mexico with my family.  Pete had said we would all do it since I said I gotta go somewhere warm and sunny in January.  I get the winter blahs.  I live in a very cloudy place and it gets to me.

My kids didn't have school today.  I watched one of my son's classmates all day.  It actually worked out since he's a nice kids.  The boys played outside and then played the Wii inside.  My daughter played on the Wii with them.  I had to bribe her to walk the dog a bit.  I didn't go outside at all.  I hope the kids have school tomorrow since they are forecasting another storm on Wednesday and the kids will probably be home again. 

Here's dreaming of Mexico:

We went snorkeling and we all loved it!  Finally, something we all like to do.  We do ride bikes together in the warm weather, but this was the first time we all went snorkeling together.

We had the best weather for our trip.  Tulum was very interesting.  We're already planning on our next trip to Playa del Carmen next year. 

I'm back!  I don't know if I'll keep up on blogging.  I'm not very interesting and I don't do a lot.  One thing--I'm no longer working at the local airport so no more exotic trips.  It's all good, though.  The job had taken over my life and my family lost its priority in my life.  I realize this can't happen and missing the job isn't as prominent as it was when I first quit.  Sure, I'll miss the last minute flights to visit family, but other than that, I won't (and don't ) miss much. 

I'm still busy during the week.  I've joined a Bible Study Fellowship International bible study and it's been just what I needed.  We joined the local YMCA and started rock climbing on their indoor wall.  Another thing that has been good for me and the family.  And I'm still volunteering at Centre Volunteers in Medicine.  It's a charity that is near and dear to my heart.  An organization for under-insured or uninsured Centre county residents.  My sister is a physician and for a couple of years she and her husband were uninsured.  Yep, it can happen to anyone. 

Don't get me wrong.  I still want to work again some day.  I'm such an extrovert and the feeling that I can contribute to this society outside of the house is still there.  I'm waiting.  I'm being patient.  I know the time will come again.  For now, I'm concentrating on making sure the middle schooler gets on the bus on time and that the 4th grader gets to his rock climbing class every week.  And I'm loving it!

This has been an up and down week for me.  I guess being sick hasn't helped.  There is some virus going around town that sneaks up on you in the form of allergies.  But, before you know it, you're feeling awful.  I lost my voice.  Imagine trying to parent when you can't yell!  ;)

So, originally, this weekend we were going to go camping to the Adirondacks.  It is about a 6 hr drive from where we live.  We were going to take the kids out of school today and drive to Ithaca, NY last night.  The place we would be camping was remote and we would have been roughing it.  I'm not a camper by nature.  I checked the forecast and it was for rain.  We did this last year (not on Mother's Day) and it rained.  I survived it and I enjoyed my time.  However, I just could not imagine going all that way for rain again.  And no shower, heat, electricity, etc.  And then a 6 hr drive home on Mother's Day.  Seriously, this seemed more like a Father's Day outing to me.  So, I called my husband at the eleventh hour (I had already packed) and pleaded my case.  I was willing to let him and the kids go without me, too.  He was not happy about it but he listened to my case and actually changed his mind.  I'm so glad I said something.  I'm tired of always going along for things that really don't interest me at all.  It would have been fine some other weekend, just not this one.  

So, he came home from the grocery store and brought me roses.  I was expecting a fight, but got flowers!  You could have knocked me over with a feather.  So, we then went outside as a family looking for morels.  We found some and cooked them up for dinner.  A much better alternative to the camping...

Another thing that happened yesterday was I applied for a physician recruiter position at our local hospital.  I have some contacts there.  We'll see.  It would be good to have a real job again that pays.  And it would be nice to grow professionally.

So, that's it for the week. 

                                                     Morel Cream sauce.  It was delicious!

I got an email out of the blue from an old friend the other day.  She found me from my blog.  Hi Cindy!  If you're out there still.  Anyway, it's always nice to hear from old friends/coworkers.

I've been under the weather this week.  No. Energy. Whatsoever.  Oh, and I've lost my voice.  Stinkin' laryngitis.  I got to tell you, when a talker like me gets laryngitis, life is hard!  But, then again, it's been nice to sit back and just listen.  I'm sure I don't do that enough.  

Because I was sick, I had to make some changes in my plans for the weekend.  My son and I were going to fly to Little Rock and then drive to Murfreesboro and did for diamonds.  We were going to go here.  I've never been and I even grew up in Arkansas.  My son loves geology so this would have been right down his alley.  We'll do it another time.  

And speaking of Arkansas, my hometown of Fayetteville got snow today.  Can you believe it?  Snow in May.  Unbelievable.  It was warmer up north today. 

There is nothing else new going on here.  I'm looking forward to an easy weekend so I can rest and feel better.