Fall Break

I knew we had to spend a day shopping when Ty emerged from his room ready for pajama day at school last Friday in what could be confused as a crop top and capri pants. All of his pajamas were drastically too small. His feet are busting out of his three month old gym shoes and his pants are barely covering his ankles. How this is happening while the boy eats only snacks is beyond me. But I managed most of his needs online and only tackled shoes in person. He is not the most enjoyable shopping partner. Anne and I spent a different morning wandering around more relaxing stores together before grabbing lunch at a new to us restaurant. Discovering it has been almost two years since we last had a day out together was shocking. I need to work on priorities. Friendships need to reflect their higher value on my schedule. 

I painted. A lot. We live like savages according to the baseboards and front door. I didn't have it in me to also tackle the walls. They will last until Spring, my achy arms decided. As I finished each area, Layla made herself comfortable laying against recently dried trim work. The dog exhausts me. This bothers her exactly zero percent. But the boy got a long overdue update to his walls with a simple exchange of red for his favorite, blue. Despite the Baughman brainwashing, the boy doesn't care much for sports, much less the Buckeyes. Greg is demanding a DNA test. 

Makenna and I both voted this week. I am grateful my role is over. However I anticipate a very long season before this election is settled. 

A friend wrapped both radiation and chemo this week. Her goal is to gain both weight and strength before upcoming scans in November. We are praying for positive news. Another friend managed to persevere through her young son's open heart surgery. His recovery has been remarkable. We are all so relieved. My mom heart just broke for my friend as she shared her fears. Mighty Max will be once again conquering the world in no time. A doorstep delivery of wine, flowers, and charcuterie board was the socially distant hug another friend and I decided to share. We added some cookies for our little heart warrior. The need to DO something was significant.

Day at the zoo or plotting a heist? Also related: am I the only one ironing cotton masks or is this further proof of my insanity?

A gorgeous day was spent at the zoo with friends. What animals were on display were fairly active. We were disappointed though by the number of exhibits closed due to covid restrictions. Seeing the carousel was available at the end of the route was frustrating. The on-going inconsistencies in this pandemic exhaust me.

That night, Kate and Ty decided to pitch the tent in the backyard for a sleepover. Sometimes they get along. Briefly. 

But the tent was Kate's idea as a compromise when Ty declared he was sleeping outside in his box. Honestly, I worry the neighbors may have us investigated some day. "But officer, I swear he WANTS to live in the box!"

Layla got a new bowl and she is not happy. It is designed to slow her down as she eats and potentially eliminate some of her upset stomach issues. She is so pouty about meals now and keeps escorting me back to her old bowl in hope of persuading me to concede. She is a pitiful sight but is now chewing her food so we are calling this a win.

Kate and I spend a ridiculous amount of time styling the bookcases together. Using only what we had but wanting a refresh was challenging. We are satisfied with the result but have ordered updated photo plaques to replace the nine year old black and white images. My brain does not understand how nine years have passed since I took those photographs of the kids. Time flies.

But we noted we were both wearing Halloween socks, black sweats and white tee shirts so we had to take a silly photo together. Ty, our short photographer, was upset I didn't shed my sweater so we really matched. 

Friday I painted the front door after grocery shopping and before a photoshoot. It was supposed to be a dark gray......

The jury is still out. Greg doesn't like our purple door. It's growing on me. Mostly because I am tired of painting.

Fall break was productive. I miss the part where I read, visit my grandson and relax. It appears that second week of break is needed to cover all of the items on my lengthy to-do list.