The Day of Truly Frightening Festivities

Pumpkins were carefully (kinda) carved.

The jack-o-lanterns were lit, after knife removal.

Grace and Sam donned their costumes:

The mighty Donkey Kong,

 

and the music star went door to door in search of candy.  Grace opted to wear a mask as she wasn't feeling well. 

She managed to score a ton of candy, though. Halloween was a grand success. 

What 45 Looks Like

We celebrated my birthday a couple days early this year, as everyone had friend plans on Halloween. So Michael, Grace, Sam, Ethan and I gathered on Sunday evening to celebrate and eat. Michael spent the afternoon in the kitchen and made fluffy biscuits, sausage gravy, and grasshopper brownies for dessert. We were awash in whole milk, cream, and butter. It was delicious!

After dinner Grace needed to run a "quick" errand before the party started. Her errand took forever, but she finally arrived home breathless and frazzled, as she had got repeatedly lost on the way to the store. I was startled that she had gotten lost on such a familiar path, but then she handed me my presents. She had biked into the nightmare that is downtown to get chocolates and flowers from Trader Joe's, as she wanted to get me something that she really thought I would love. Raising teens can sometimes feel like I'm raising sociopaths, but then they will blow me away with their thoughtfulness. Having four teenagers is never dull, sometimes exhausting, and absolutely wonderful. 

Grace explained, again, how she got so lost.

Libby wasn't able to make it, so she sent me a gift. A portion of the card,

"happy birthday. halfway to 90. I would like to apologize for the janky aspects of this gift, while also acknowledging that i am the best daughter ever. I have to figure out how to A. go to the post office and B. how to send a package..."

She successfully sent the package and I received a book and delicious jam. 

Michael got me a new knitting bag, and Ethan got me new headphones.

I am ready to nest for winter. Chocolate, books, jam, audiobooks and knitting. I might be 45 going on 80, but I like it. 

I used my supplies to make up these odds-and-ends socks, left over from all my other pairs of socks. They might be my favorite to date!

Here's to another year of family, food, fun, and knitting.

Autumnal Vibes

I don't want to make several blog posts, so I'm just smashing a week or two of October into one long stream of consciousness. Stream of consciousness is always super interesting,  right?!

October 14th started gray and cloudy, which was deeply disappointing. We were looking forward to an annular solar eclipse that morning. We were stocked with a supply of solar glasses and ready to view the phenomenon. As the time drew nearer, the clouds began to part, and we all gathered in the front yard for maximum viewing delight. The neighbors were curious to find us staring at the sun but joined us when we passed them glasses and explained what was happening. We had an impromptu neighborhood party, including my niece-in-law and her boys. We did not get a picture of the eclipse (eclipses are so hard to photograph) but I am sharing this photo of the sun's shadows reflecting on a piece of wood during the eclipse. Pretty cool, huh?

After the eclipse, we retired inside, where Finn showed appreciation for our new rug. It is awfully cozy. 

The front of my house was also ready for fall to begin. The lawn may be shaggy, but the pumpkins are amazing! 

Later that day my sister Becca and I headed out to Ontario. Michael's sister Amy invited us over for a night of Bunco and revelry. We didn't really know anyone there but ended up having a wonderful time. Becca won the bat, but only briefly. I also briefly had ownership of the bat before it was snatched away. Alas, the pitfalls of gambling. By the end of the night, we were well-fed and well friended, Becca won a few dollars and we were glad we had gone.

A week or so later, on the way home from Sam's voice lessons, we stopped at my Halloween work party. Sadly, it was really cold, Grace wasn't feeling well, and it was tailored toward young children. Sam did grab a few donuts and we got a great picture. Then we scurried home.

This fall has been lovely, but it always makes me sad as well. I don't like the days getting cold and dark and the world growing weary. I'm making a concentrated effort to celebrate the season instead of dreading the short days to come. Bring on the blankets, books, knitting and chocolate. 

All in One Weekend

Friday, Sam was able to attend an all-day voice clinic with Francisco J. Núñez, a renowned conductor. After working all day with other junior high boys, they performed that evening. They did amazingly well! Junior high is not an easy time for boys and singing, but it was wonderful. Michael and I were so proud, and Sam had a great time. 

Saturday we kept busy chasing these naughty great-nephews around. 

A little naughty and a little sweet. Love these boys.

In the evening Sam and I went to a friend's backyard party. This was the only picture I took the entire evening as I was enjoying good food and great friends. I snapped this picture to send Libby, as Milo is one of our favorite people. He's one of Libby's dear friends, so I had to let her know we were all hanging out. Without her. That will show her the next time she thinks about moving across the country.

While at the party, everyone kept asking after Michael. Alas, he had chosen not to accompany me. He was in prison for the night. 

With his friend Andrew. 

Michael even managed to land himself in solitary confinement (Siberia). Thankfully his phone was not confiscated; otherwise, he never would have managed all the selfies. 

After being released for good behavior, he was given a balanced dinner of bread, beans and beautiful fresh well water. 

He settled down for the night and prayed to be released in the morning. 

Why Michael and Andrew actually paid money for this experience boggles the mind, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. It certainly helps the first dinner they were presented was actually a joke and they were fed a catered meal. 

By the time Michael came home on Sunday, we were both exhausted. It was a great weekend, but we were quite happy to spend Sunday resting peacefully at home.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Libby knew she wasn't ready for college, so she opted for a gap year. After a lot of thought, work, and filling out forms, she decided to volunteer with AmeriCorps. Then there was more paperwork, interviews, and so much waiting. Months after she started the process, she accepted a position in Lewes, Delaware, staffing an after-school and summer program for students who need a little extra assistance.

That led us here:

4 am on Sunday morning; dropping Libby off at the airport with Michael helping her tag her worldly possessions for the next year.

We hugged her,

a lot.

 

We dried our faces and sent her out into the world on her own. As hard as it is, I also felt a deep sense of contentment watching her walk away from us. I'm so glad she has the courage and skills to take on the world and help other people. What more could parents ask for?

9 pm on Sunday Monday (Libby edit: It was like 36 hour later, 12 hours later makes me sound pathetic) evening; my phone rang. Libby did not feel courageous. She had a headache, no medicine, and no way to get any. She was scared, sad, alone, and overwhelmed. She wanted to come home, desperately. She may be amazing, but she is also deeply human. I love this girl so much and am so proud.

Photo's she has sent me:

"view from my living room"

Me, "How does it feels to be so fancy?'

Libby, "Lonely"

Her entirely ghost free beach. The jury is still out on the hauntedness of her apartment. 

"jealous?" "camp library"

Wednesday morning; She has found Advil, bought hangers, gone beachcombing, started her training, and worked on arts and crafts. She still has not gone food shopping (no idea what she is eating), but she is feeling a little more grounded. The grand adventure has begun.