Date Night (August)

Now that we finally have gotten into our summer groove....summer is on it's way out. I plan to hold on tightly and milk as much summer out of Sept as I can. I had an epiphany in July that has started our August off with  a big happy sigh. Feels like I've been holding that sigh in for a while.

Greg and I had an impromptu date night last weekend. It was one of those days that worked out smoothly from start to finish. And it was such a nice night. Remember that sweet big bear we ran into on the canal a few weeks ago? He's not only an author and expert on Abe Lincoln, but also a very talented musician. Fortunately for us, he happened to be playing at a spot an old friend of Greg's recently opened.

                              (I couldn't get a good photo that night, so I pulled this old one from the net)
                        When J spotted Greg he announced mid song "GD is here". Or something like that.         The expression on his face was priceless, so what he actually said was a blur. So funny. J is one
                         of the sweetest guys I've ever met.

Because many of Greg's old friends were in town for a memorial service for PSH, it turned into a mini reunion. (Did I ever share about Greg's acting debut with PSH??) The weather was perfect for outdoor                              chatting and the oldies music was so fun. It was such a good date night.

July Highlights So Far

One of the things I love about summer is closing our "school room" and having somewhat open ended days. Honestly, for about the first 2 weeks of summer I had to force myself to let go, put the books on the shelves, and chill out. The responsibility of having to coordinate my boys curriculum is in the back of my mind somewhere, but lately the thought of it only comes out when another homeschooler asks if I've figured out such and such.  My point is.....I really dig summer. And I am digging being back home this summer.

* grandma's pool....and time with G & G
* rib and blues fest
* VBS at G&P's church ( we have had hit/ miss vbs experiences, the boys week there has been a huge hit. I think it reminded them of our church in NJ)
* Decorating with Lam
* deck time...and BBQ time....and basketball, rugby
* stacks of good books.
*walks with my girls ( and an impromptu sleepover- just the girls)
*finally "getting it" (nothing material or physical) ; )

The cutest thing happened one Saturday in July as we were walking along the Erie Canal in Greg's hometown. One of the reasons we were in that particular spot was because Greg wanted to look at a house that was for sale. Before finding our current house, we were strongly considering another house...a house I still decorate in my mind all.the.time. Though, I actually think we liked the location of the house more than the house itself. We made the right choice between the houses, but the desire to live in that area has been on our minds a lot.

So, we were walking along when a man running along the canal looked at Greg, suddenly looked startled , and then yelled something I didn't understand. Greg yelled back. Then....in what seemed like slow motion.....they ran toward each other, jumped in the air and hugged. These two men had not seen each other in 30 yrs, but it felt like yesterday to them. The runner man then started hugging me, grabbed my face and said " Paizano?!". I could not stop laughing as he kept hugging each of us. I instantly fell in love with Greg's sweet friend ( who was like a big teddy bear).

They quickly caught up on some lost years and then he shared that he lived right where we were looking and so did another of Greg's old friends. He further convinced Greg to put that for sale sign up and move back "home". We'll see......

On Dentists and Thunderstorms

Today we met our new dentist. Yes, I'm not proud to admit it took us a year to find a dentist. Back in NJ, we were faithful 6 month visit people. Finding doctors here has been a chore. Thankfully, my boys enjoy going to the dentist. Today was no different. While I sat in the chair getting my teeth cleaned my boys hung out in the waiting room chatting with the equally chatty receptionist. The thing is.....my boys are usually timid or stand-offish with people they don't know. Today, they did not stop talking....the three of them discussed edamame, basketball, and a bunch of other topics. Other than my cavity, it was a very good dentist visit.

Today also brought a big rain storm. The thing about rainstorms.....they usually contain thunder. Ever since living in NJ and experiencing two hurricanes ( Sandy & Irene) Sam has a strong reaction to thunder. If the power goes out ( another reminder of the hurricanes) it's even more of a stressor. Since moving back to Roch, we've gotten used to Sam's thunder protocol. Usually, Sam will shut all the curtains and then sit on the couch - ears covered and faced buried in a pillow. That's just what happened today when a thunder filled power outage rain storm came upon us. This time, though, as Sam and I sat close together he also requested music.....Steely Dan's "Reelin' In the Years" to be exact.

As I sat there with him I couldn't help but smile. I know my boy will overcome this fear. I pray he will overcome it soon. But at that moment....Greg and Ross were sitting nearby reading books, Sam was buried in his pillow- ears tightly plugged, and Steely Dan was filling our room with music. It was sort of crazy, and funny....but totally perfect.

He next requested The Lumineers and then Building 429. I just love that boy.

I also love friends who text me during rainstorms because they know Sam so well. Texting just to see how he is doing and to tell me they are praying for him.  So sweet.

You Don't Know......

I'm not sure if it's the singing off key, the random lip movements when they don't know the words, or the passion and hand gestures when they do? Maybe it's Greg shaking his head and grinning ( as he usually does with me and my antics) that makes me smile. This home made video reminds me that seasons change. This was taped a short time ago, but these days I'm pretty sure my boys would not have participated as enthusiastically. Maybe a drum or electric guitar solo.....? ( and, oh, please ignore the twisted seat belt??)

Memory Lane

I have no clue why I have been blogging so much lately. Maybe because I'm not on Facebook?
Mostly because I look back at the last few years of blogging and I am so very glad that I have so many things documented.

Like this post. I had forgotten all about that.

 And this...that basement was perfect for dodge ball. So many changes within our family since that day.

Or, this....And for sure, this! NJ is always on our minds in one way or another. We were always a bit homesick while there, but really enjoyed our life there as well. I miss being in a new city with all its new areas to explore. I felt like we all learned so much in our 3 yrs there.

I came across an old blog post I wrote about one of my (and Greg's) oldest friends. Everyone needs a Carla in their life. She tells it like it is. Even if it feels like she's shaking you a bit while doing so.