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