Last August Friday W's

 

     I had a back to work but very non-normal, in the dare I say it, new normal world I live in now. I've had something every night this week, from meet-up to an online meditation class. I met new neighbors that move din this month across the street, a young couple, np kids. I'm back to a quiet hours later afternoons and early evenings with my daughter back at school, as well as during the day, but I haven't been around much to take them in. As August ends and we transition to September, the start of fall as soon as Labor Day is done despite what the calendar says, I'll start my recap there. 

What's top of mind: The start of the school year is on my brain for work, community, and personal connections. Next week will be packed as most districts start school on September 7th in Minnesota. I've seen pictures of family in other states posting first day pictures already. Our towns school board met Wednesday night and all hell broke loose on Facebook with the decision that masks would be required through 8th grade. Of course, had the decisions been reverse, it would have exploded as well-probably more so as I think there might be more leaning towards masks than not. In my home, DD2 did safely load her car and we did not need to make the trek four hours each way. She Facetimed me Tuesday night and gave me the tour. She started classes yesterday and  messaged that she really liked them so far. She of course is pretty much all in her two major and minor classes having all her generals out of the way. 

Where I've been: Call me Sam the wanderer this week. Monday night was a meet-up with the  Mom's of Teens group, Wednesday was trivia, and last night I met with the soup mom's, my friend bunch that came out of our daughters first being friends. J couldn't make it because they had two positive Covid tests on Thursday-both her daughter, my DD2's bestie, and her husband had both heavy  cold symptoms, but also taste and smell issues. He was not vaccinated, but the daughter was. 

Where I'm going:  I'm staying put today and tomorrow! Maybe I'll walk or bike to the store for a few fresh groceries, but I want to tackle the extra bedroom that became a dumping ground for DD2's stuff. Stuff, and yet more stuff, is the theme in my house isn't it? If the weather is nice, we'll go to the lake for the day on Sunday. With all the rain, DH will want to  turn the bilge pump on on the boat and let it dry out a bit. We need to burn up some gas before we store it this fall. 

     We have a family birthday on Tuesday night for my twin niece and nephew and their older brother-his actual 18th birthday. These are the twins that I ordered the hoodie sweatshirts and  t-shirts for. They came this week and the one for my nephew looks huge-I can wear it, but I did order in the size mom suggested. I never worry about something like a sweatshirt being too big-especially for an 11 year old boy, No doubt he will grow inches each month. He passed DD2 in height this summer. His next oldest brother at 14 is already over 6 feet tall, the oldest is probably close to being done and I think is about 6  foot 1 or so. Basically, this rambling is to say, I'm pleased with the clothing items and think they will get good wear by the kids. The teen will get cash-and movie theater size candy. 

What I'm reading:  I got my first issue of the Real Simple subscription I opted back into. It came with two supplementary  issue-101 Container Ideas, and Our Best Storage Solutions.  have not opened them yet, but this will be my reading tonight and tomorrow night. 

What I'm listening to: While I'm back to work, my boss and so many others are on vacation this week, so I've had a lot of  solid work time free on my calendar. I like to stream BBC World News or MN Public Radio and have been able to do this. All week. 

What I've been watching: I've watched a few more episodes of Criminal Minds-I need to stop, but it is gruesomely addicting. Maybe it makes me feel like if I know the  threats, I can better avoid them. Naivety at its best. With staying home tomorrow night, I thought DH and I should look for something to watch and have a movie night. Recommendations requested. 

What I'm eating:  Too much! Last night with the mom's I had a ridiculously delicious crispy chicken club sandwich and perfect French fries. Today, I will eat a lot of fruit and steamed vegetables-balance right? Tuesday I cooked up some Trader Joe's three Cheese tortellini in a creamy cheese sauce. It was pretty darn tasty and there were leftovers for my lunch on Wednesday. I still have not bought corn on the cob and the season will be gone soon. Maybe I will drive to pick some up. My daughter is working out of state this week, and passed a free produce stand, someone's surplus garden produce, and was going to make a huge salad with her find. I had envy.

Who I'm paying attention to: I'm paying attention to the next actions of the president and the military in Afghanistan. It truly is a no win situation. I am a bit sick of the ageism of Biden. He's only a few years older than Trump, and despite a speech impediment is much more articulate than we had for four years.  Even with this crisis, he at least is calm and isn't adding fuel to the fire. It is a sad cluster*&^%$, though, and feels quite without a sorrowful end.

     Then, there is the FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine. I'm following to see if there is an uptick again in people choosing to be vaccinated because of this. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I do wish  laymen would stop saying, "I've done my research" as their reason why they won't get vaccinated. No, they found articles, and videos, to confirm their own bias. I am guilty of it too-we all are, But I tend to still trust that  organizations like the  American Pediatric Association and the American Medical Association who are advocating for vaccinations and mask wearing, and direct care nursing staff who have nothing to gain by promoting false preventative measures, and everything to gain with getting more people protected and not ending up in the hospital. I guess there will be those that argue that there is some other motive. 

What I'm planning:  More cleaning and purging this weekend as mentioned before. We also are planning a retirement/71st birthday party (missed his 70th as he was in Florida and not traveling) for my brother this fall. It will be an outdoor  potluck/BBQ at a big park. I also have to get the next family park cleanup planned. 

What's Making Me Smile: Monday night, one of my favorite Mom's group members, had multiple entertaining stories to share to get us all caught up on her life. Like me, she is one of the older mom's, but still has a junior in high school. She is the second wife of her husband who had  young teens when they got married, so she also has grandchildren already. She teaches 6-8 work out classes a week at the YMCA and  looks like she is at least 15 years younger than she is. When she tells stories, it is arms, body and legs as part of the tale. She kept so many of us active during stay at home with zoom work out sessions. She is an example of good people! 

     We had rain last night and may get more off and on today. I welcome that! It's not soup weather, but I am thinking about using my crock pot for something. What are you all having for inner tonight-I have no clue, but will rummage in the freezer later this afternoon. That's about all I got this week. If you'd like to play along, please do!