Pictureless Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real!

A quiet Sunday night here at the homestead. Sitting here with a glass of wine and taking some time to reflect on this past week.

Good news...we bought a good camera. Bad news...I am still trying to figure it out and so far the SD card I bought for it will not work on this computer. I am trying to convert back to taking photos primarily with the camera and not with my phone. So at this point you will have to use your imagination for pretty, happy, funny, real!

Gary and I took John to the park last Sunday and had a wonderful time taking some possible senior pictures. John wanted to do this but pinning him down to a day and time was difficult. He was not happy about going that day but once we got there he did great and made it a fun experience. I am hoping to take the SD card somewhere this week and see what we can come up with.

Autumn is slipping away and the colder temps are setting in. I am still walking some days but alternating with doing my walk videos at home. I feel like this fall it has taken me forever to settle into a good routine but even with the craziness of Elle preparing to move I do feel some sense of routine at last. Thank you God!

This week:
~Mass at Galion St Joseph on Monday and a beautiful homily by Fr. Miller. I am really enjoying my Monday Mass at this beautiful little church.
~Election Day was a good day for the Republicans and especially those who value life!
~Gary worked 2nd shift Wednesday and Thursday  : (   I hate him being gone in the evenings but I did enjoy some time in the mornings with just he and I
~Wednesday evening I was reminded how nice it is to have the lights low and some nice quiet music playing after dinner clean up....note to self...remember to do this when possible
~Thursday 1st Reconciliation with my class. It was a beautiful evening with a potluck and then a communal service. I did not have a single student this year that was hesitant to go!What a precious gift to help these children prepare for the Sacrament and see the joy on their faces as they leave the confessional.
~Friday I started the day with an early morning Mass at St Michael in Worthington. It was a school Mass and it was exciting to see the school children nearly filled the church. In the past few years some of the Dominican Sisters of Mary out of Ann Arbor have been on staff at the school and I sense their presence has made a positive difference. Immediately following Mass they had Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a Litany of the Sacred Heart and Benediction. What a beautiful way to start the day. My trip to Columbus was planned to have lunch with Debbie and Hillary LeMelle, and Elle and Colleen at LaChatelaine in Worthington. What a blessing to get together with friends after a long absence and realize 2 hours had passed without us realizing it and they had to get back to Springfield to pick up the "little" girls. Colleen, Elle, and I went into the little print shop in Worthington...what a treasure with their old fashion printing machines and lots of handmade posters, bookmarks, and other miscellaneous items. We topped off the day with some Graeter's ice cream. A bowl of Dark Chocolate and Carmel Gelato was my treat!
~Saturday: Thomas placed 1st in KATA (forms) and 3rd in Sparring in his very 1st Karate tournament. We stayed for all the events. It worked out we were able to be there for an older teen from his karate school who was there on his own and watch his event. John spent the afternoon at the tryouts for the school bowling team.
~Sunday... Mass and a belated All Saints Day parade around the classrooms with my second grade class this morning. Thomas made the decision not to tryout for the bowling team. Based on our discussion I think he thought it through and it was the right decision for him. I spent my Sunday "fun" time moving the desk Elle no longer wanted into the guest/craft room and began organizing my photo album supplies. I found myself fighting that feeling that I am wasting time. I think because I have let myself slip back into doing things on Sunday that while may not be "work" feel productive. Tonight John is at Life Teen in Marion and we just received a call that he made the bowling team. It was a very good weekend for the boys!