It's a Saturday morning and there's frost on the grass.  The sun is shining and the sky is blue.  Perfect fall day.  And I no longer work on weekends.  I'm still pinching myself.  We just finished a breakfast of toast, bacon and poached eggs and orange juice.  The kids had hot cocoa and the adults, coffee.  

While sitting at the table, the dog was by me whining for some more, ahem, bacon.  The cat came running over and jumped up on her hind legs and gave the dog a "hug."  The cat patted her a bit around the neck and then ran off.  Too funny.  And a little strange, I might add.

Happy Saturday!

I'm not sure why but it seems this 40+ body of mine is wigging out.  I had an allergic (?) reaction to roasted chestnuts last weekend.  We made a chestnut puree and I was licking the spatula with all the yummy syrup on it and about 8 min later developed tingly lips and tongue.  My throat started to close a little.  I quickly downed two Benadryls and the symptoms went away about 20 min later.  And then yesterday I had a peanut butter sandwich and the same thing happened.  I know that tree nuts and legumes are different animals so yesterday's event puzzled me.  I'm scheduled for allergy testing in a couple of weeks.  

I've started looking for a new job.  I need one that pays real money.  Oh sure, the free airplane travel has been nice.  I've gone to places in the world that I otherwise wouldn't have.  But, if we are ever going to build the "dream" house, we need some more cash flow.  I like being able to get out of this town at the last minute, though.  I wish my family wasn't so far away...

I woke up yesterday feeling anxious and down.  Things at work are changing late October and in a lot of ways it will be worse.  I've been working a Saturday or Sunday for the last two years (unless I got someone to work for me) and I'm growing tired of it.  My boss retaliates regularly against me.  I can't bear the idea of not having a place to go during the week.  I actually like to work and am lucky I don't have to do it.  So, working 3 days a week is just fine.  But, I want to feel like there's meaning to what I do and it's appreciated. 

So, we went to church yesterday.  It's so easy to not go to church (since I have to be at work at 11:30).  But, we did go.  And I'm so glad.  The sermon was just what I needed to hear. 

^" Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6

After church, while the kids were in Sunday School, we had coffee with this other couple.  We hadn't drunk coffee with them in a long time.  It was so fun.  Then I went to work.  The one woman who works on Sundays, who can't stand me, was off!  And then I found out that yesterday was my last Sunday to work.  My immediate supervisor (not the jerk manager) is switching me to Wednesdays.  I'm so excited!  I'll have the whole weekend to do family stuff! 

A burden has been lifted.  Thank you, Lord.

11 years

It's been eleven years since that fateful day in New York.  I had just gotten married the July before and we took a Manhattan island cruise the day after the wedding.  I have a ton of pictures with the twin towers in the back ground.  I had no idea the significance of the towers then. 

It's still mind-blowing the number of souls who perished that day.  People from all over the world making a living, or trying to.  I'm reminded that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.  Cherish everyday. 

Many changes have happened and are going to happen.  First, the kids went back to school last week.  They love it.  My daughter is a 5th grader and at her school it means she is a middle schooler.  Of course, she is feeling all grown up.  My son is a 3rd grader and really likes his teacher. 

The company I work for is going away.  It means another company is taking over and we are getting the short end of the stick.  No more buddy passes, no ZED fares.  Yuck.  And the pay goes down but they will pay $1 more per hour if you work the counter.  So, I'll actually be making a little more money per hour.  And if I stay my classification, it means my travel will be limited.  The supervisor had a meeting a couple of weeks ago and told us this information with glee.  He can't stand me.  There is another flex employee who travels a ton and he can't stand that guy, either.  At first, it sounded like it would be 30 flight days per year per employee.  Which means that for my whole family we would only be able to do 15 round trips a year for all of us.  I have asked more questions and it sounds like it's 30 flight days per year per eligible traveler.  I think we could live with this and it wouldn't impact me as much.  Take that, supervisor!  I still need to see it in writing before I get too excited, though.

So, it's Labor Day weekend and I'm stuck at home because I work Sundays and Mondays.  My husband and kids flew to Portland, Maine for the weekend and will hopefully be home tomorrow (the joys of standby travel).  The kids are going to see their 99 year old great Grandmother (Nana).  Lucky kids to have a great grandmother! 

Well, that's it for now.