Right Now-November Recap

 Right Now...

I'm listening to  Adele on Spotify.   I never considered myself a big Adele fan- but earlier this month I caught her interview-concert with Oprah (who I am shamelessly a fan of) and well, I just can't seem to get enough of this crooner.   

Normally I wait until the end of the month to recap-update the blog.  But, it's Sunday morning after having the past week off (Fall Break + Thanksgiving Holiday=all week off), and I figured I'd do a little digital housekeeping before losing my peaceful bliss and returning to work tomorrow morning.

I'm loving...that we had a week off just when I think we needed it most.   In the week leading up to our time off, my district was struggling with 2 school related shooting events.   One occurred at the park near a high school and another occurred in a parking lot on the campus of a high school.   Both schools are about 15 minutes from my location and are the schools where most of my students attended (My "kids" are all older).   Tensions and stress were high- having had our typical fall break shortened as the district experiments with whether a long break at Thanksgiving is "better for the kids" than our mid-October break   I've got my thoughts- but I'm not in charge so we shall see if the powers that be make decisions that align with my thoughts.

Anyways- on a whim- I decided to fulfill a promise made to my cousin- and I flew out last weekend to check in on her.  

Cousin S- in the red dress and me with my little red purse

With the help of her daughter- I pulled a classic "surprise" visit as I walked out of the terminal to my cousin's great delight and true surprise.   

I also was able to spend time with childhood friends- as we spent Sunday together roaming the streets of Wauwatosa and the Milwaukee area.  

Our joy was dampened as we received word during dinner that tragedy had struck our hometown of Waukesha.  

I'd marched in that Holiday parade through my high school years and it has been sad to see my friends now struggle with the "how can that be" sort of sadness that unfortunately Aurora and Colorado has seen one too many times. 

  I don't have the answers...all I can do is lean into the need to surround ourselves with people that bring us joy- knowing that anything is possible...and don't put off those promised visits for you never know what is ahead on this road of life.

I'm feeling rested and ready.   Hubby has been out in search of AZ sunshine and both Things were working the bulk of the week- so Thanksgiving itself was a rather simple affair.   I used this time off to 

play with my Cricut

Accidentally complete a 5k...what can I say- it was a really good audio-book

Start a  little decorating...

With a kitten that is now cat- I suspect this will be 2nd year where I minimize the decorations that actually go onto the tree- lest I spend January searching the corners and crevices of the house for ornaments that Owen decided would make the perfect toy. 

Until Next Time...

 May you practice kindness- because that's the world I think we all want to live in..

Hopefully surrounded by a cuddly friend or two...

Right Now- October recap

 RIGHT NOW...

I'm listening to... a google meeting with my colleagues in the nursing department.   It's our twice a month Friday morning coffee chats.   A calming way to start our day- especially after a rough week where we find ourselves dealing with yet another change to the district COVID protocol.  

Speaking of work, I was recently recognized by my state professional organization with the title of School Nurse of the Year.   I have to say- it's a humbling award as I know that all of my colleagues are working just as hard (if not harder) than myself, we all  pour our whole selves into our profession.  So when they name you as  as the best of the best it is indeed a considerable honor.   

On a funny note- when asked to send in a picture of me- it took a fair amount of digging to find one that I was smiling, looked fairly decent and wasn't wearing sunglasses or holding an adult beverage.   What does that say about me?   The biggest grins are when I've got my shades on or am celebrating with a glass of wine or whiskey?   

I'm loving....that this month brought two special occasions to celebrate with friends.

First was a beautiful bridal shower for family friend Allie. 

 When her mom (my dear friend Judy) passed away, Allie really struggled.  That struggle took her down some pretty dark paths, but now, here she is a beautiful, in love and sober young bride.   

What an honor it was to be part of her special celebration- and even more so to be joined by Thing 2- as my plus 1 to the party.  

The 2nd celebration was of course with the BAGS.   This time we gathered to celebrate the youngest in the pack with some home town treats shipped in from Chicago.  Oh my-Portillos for the win.

This time we invited the men folk to join us- because HELLO- we can't be having Chicago style Italian beef without making sure the guys get a sample.   So here is indeed a rare pic of the Mr. socializing with the "coven" as he affectionally calls my crew.  

I'm feeling  ok.   We've been fortunate to have a nice long "Indian summer" with only one short cold snap reminding us that the seasons are about due to change.  

  I won't lie- I REALLY missed our usual week long "Fall Break" that occurs during October.   Our district is trying to sort out the pros and cons of a week long break in mid October or push through and take the full week of Thanksgiving.   Given my role, I can't really say I have a true "dog in the fight".   I like that October weather is predictable enough that Hubby and I can go camping and in years' past we've made excellent use of that time and traveled to nearby states (New Mexico, UT, Northern AZ and South Dakota).   But at the same time, I am looking forward to having some downtime during Thanksgiving- a chance to get my house back in order, some books read and just enjoy a break from the routine of work.  

I'm needing...to wrap up this update.   The morning call has ended, and it's time to greet the students and start our day.   

Until next time...