So long, summer.

So, I had it all planned out.

I would work four hours a day and the kids would go to camp at school for six. I'd run to the grocery store then come back and pick them up at 3.

That is SO NOT how this summer went.

Four hours of work per day happened sometimes (generally five or six), and after we got back from vacation, the girls didn't want to go back to camp. (Not that there was anything wrong with camp....our school's summer program is pretty fabulous.)

They just wanted to chill.

To read, fight and make up, watch TV and DVDs, chase the dog around, play Minecraft, sleep in, drink copious amounts of orange juice, and wear pajamas all day. And snack. Lots of snacking.

Basically, what I used to do as a kid during the summer. Be around the house annoying my mom, telling her I'm bored but not wanting to do any of her suggested activities. I think that is what most people used to do before summer became a maze of camps and enrichment programs.

The girls were happy as clams! Josie told one of the camp counselors (she did go back towards the end) that this summer was EPIC and AWESOME because they were allowed to stay home and have fun. Wow. I was shocked.

Both John and I were busy. Work and renting our investment properties on my end and a building opening on his, so we took turns being at home, making breakfast and lunch, and attempting to maintain some type of order. Lots and lots of trips back and forth.

We ate more Publix subs for lunches this summer than I'd care to admit, and the guy from Tong's Garden says 'See you soon!' as he leaves. If someone would have shown up unannounced I would have closed the door behind me, hiding the chaos of toys and books and forts and dog fur inside.

But lots of good stuff happened along with all that pajama wearing and Teen Titans Go viewing.

Both girls did tutoring every week except for vacation. Math and reading, with measurable growth. Josie rode her bike alongside John on his morning runs and went to morning mass with him quite often. We had a major breakthrough with some of Mari's issues and she is back to being the happy, goofy chica we had been missing. And Mari read her 5th-grade-level summer book to her dad and Sasha the dog. Plus beach, pool, movies, smores, and all the usual summer fun.

So as I write this on the last Sunday afternoon of summer, I am happy and proud of my little family.

Yeah, we are kind of a mess sometimes. But it's our mess. The busy, fun, giving, learning, praising, growing, sharing, loving mess of living our lives together as a family on this little island.

The girls are truly excited to go back to school. Maybe letting them live off schedule for this time has made them long for some structure? Or maybe they are just bored with my snacks. ;)

Long time gone

I know, I know....it's been FOREVER since I wrote a blog post. Actually, it was late December, but I get it, it's been a long time.

Thank you, fans, for missing me! I appreciate it. I truly do. Someone even sent me a list of possible topics, just in case I'd been absent because I'd run out of things to write about. Not the case, of course. I think of different things on a daily basis, I just haven't had the time or inclination to write about them.

Until today, that is. I'm home with a sick kid. I was bummed about the schedule change and missing work, but decided to embrace the day and get a ton of things done. Well, it's 12:40 pm and so far my list of accomplishments isn't very impressive.

So as I look at baskets of laundry I could wash, dry, and put away, and a pile of papers that I could file, I immediately thought about writing a blog post....way more fun than my other options.

I started working at my girls' school on March 1. As most of you know, I really starting working there in August, setting up the lunch program, training the employee in the cafeteria, and putting in a few hours every day as assistant lunch lady. Snack room on Friday's, fundraising events, etc, etc....I was there quite a bit.

So the change was that I became an EMPLOYEE not a volunteer. Yes, after almost 15 years at home with the girls (and enjoying a 'ladies who lunch and shop' life before they arrived), I have a job. A desk. Co-workers. And....a paycheck!

I am learning a new skill (accounting) and putting my old skills (fundraising, planning events, organizing) to use on a much higher level. I love it. Like, really, really love it.

After working for a few weeks I realized that before, I had all time in the world to do all the things I didn't want to do, like clean my house and do laundry.

And I felt guilty paying to have someone do those things (since I should WANT to do those things, adding some major beating-myself-up to the game). Not anymore! Mommy has a job....bring on the house cleaner, the yard guy, and I'll drop the laundry off at Sandy's on my way to school.

Maybe I'll get to the office at some point today and even check a few household chores off the list. Or not. Right now I'm enjoying a snoring dog on my legs and a little writing time.

The Christmas Puppy

She's not really a puppy, she will be 5 in January, and we got her the Friday before the big day, but Sasha has brought much joy into our home just when we needed it, so that is what we have been calling her. Just one more similarity with our beloved dog Murphy....we got her at the same time of year and always called her that. When Roy, Sasha's previous owner, was leaving her behind at our house and heading back to Miami, he said 'Your girls will love having a Christmas puppy.' More proof it was just meant to be.

We've been looking at rescue dog sites for months and have made many calls, but nothing worked out. When John found Sasha, it moved quickly and the owners (who were moving and couldn't take her along) offered to drive down and make sure she was going to a good home. After a few hours of looking at the front door, Sasha settled in and it's like she has lived here for years.

The girls and all their class mates met her that Friday after school....Sasha loved the attention. The following Sunday we had guests in for an open house and no one could believe we had just gotten her two days before. Sasha spent part of Christmas day curled up in one of our dinner guest's lap. Everyone just loves her. I think it's that special blend of dachshund and lab that makes Sasha so sweet, just like Murphy was.

She has filled a void that all of us have been feeling after my father passed away one month before Christmas. There has been much joy this holiday season, but it has all been tinged with a sadness that culminated Christmas evening. Lots of phone calls and texts, consoling each other from afar. Everyone has bounced back - we all agree that we were all just trying to get through the holiday and once we did it seemed okay to let the tears flow.

The girls are currently curled up on a sofa with their new Disney Princess and Pokemon comforters (even though it is still way to hot for them.....hoping this record heat goes away soon!). Giggling over Minecraft with Sasha right in the middle. They take turns taking her outside and holding the leash for walks. It's been relaxing and fun. We've got another week to hole up and enjoy each others company before school starts again. And I'm glad for this time together.

Good Grief

I've been hearing these words a lot lately since 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' is in heavy rotation at my house. We are gearing up for a wonderful Christmas at home this year. We decorated a big, full tree from MARC House. We've been playing holiday tunes and lighting lots of candles. There are several special events coming up at school and church, and two full weeks of school break to look forward to. Life is good, we are very fortunate. We have plans to help those on the island who aren't so lucky during the holidays. I've always heard that if you want to feel better you should do something nice for someone else.

Two days before Thanksgiving my dad passed away suddenly. I got the call that every person dreads. It was a shock to my entire system and to my whole family. Because Thanksgiving week is the busiest travel time of the year, we couldn't fly out until Friday morning. Those two days at home gave me clarity and although I was upset not to be able to be in Pennsylvania immediately, in hindsight I realize those days were a great gift. I was able to turn my grief from a raw state to a calmer, more reflective one. It has made me think of Charlie Brown's famous line. Maybe there really is a 'good grief.' You are sad and missing the person who passed terribly, but there is so much good to think about, wonderful memories and funny stories, that it is hard to focus only on the end of life.

It is difficult to live so far away from family during times of crisis. And there have certainly been times that I have felt selfish for being 90 miles from Cuba and 1,300ish miles from family. But in the days we have been back in Key West, I realize that this is my home. I'm am a proud Pennsylvania girl and I love my time there, but this is where my family's life is. The kindness that our church and school communities have shown us during this difficult time has been truly amazing. Honestly, I have never experienced anything like it. We are  thankful to be here and grateful for the people who have become part of our lives.

Heavy Metal

We've just celebrated the one year anniversary of my older daughter Mari having braces. She started with a palate spacer last September and on Halloween, just after the costume parade at school, we headed to the orthodontist for top braces. Bad timing, yes, getting braces on the the biggest candy eating day of the year, but we didn't have much choice. In Key West the orthodontists live on the mainland and have satelite offices here. Ours is on island every other Friday and Saturday. Not a lot of room for changing appointments around.

So every six weeks or so it's an ortho weekend. Either Friday after school or Saturday morning (sometimes both), we are sitting in the tiny waiting room on Northside Drive along with what feels like the majority of local kids aged 8 to 13. We see pretty much everyone we know there. And after quick updates on school and latest events, we chat about special ortho dental floss and if they break the rules and eat popcorn and tortilla chips. Important orthodontic topics. It's an island bonding experience.

Mari has done very well on this journey, which has been quite painful at times. After major adjustments, new wires, and adding the bottom braces she lived on children's tylenol, jello, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Her teeth look amazing! The before and after is impressive. And this year, with the girls at their new school with the amazing parent-run Trick or Trunk, Mari got to induldge in what she missed out on last year. I let them eat as much as they wanted for 24 hours and then it went in the trash. No sticky stuff, which can tear those brackets right off, but everything else was fair game. I think Josie made out extra well with all the stuff Mari couldn't eat.

When I was a kid I always wanted braces. I thought it would be so cool! I am blessed with straight teeth and I never needed them. My issue was terrible vision and I got my first pair of glasses when I was in first grade. I would have loved to trade them in for a set of shiny metal braces with the colorful rubber bands that my friends had. Now that I see what my daughter is dealing with, I'm glad I missed out.

Hide & Seek

So as I've mentioned before, Key West has two Publix grocery stores located just blocks from each other on Roosevelt Boulevard. The original is the 'Old Publix' and the newer one, the store that moved into Albertson's space in Key's Plaza, is the 'New Publix.' The chain is working hard to make the 'New Publix' even newer by redesigning the space. They've been at it since mid-summer. It's kinda making me nuts.

We don't have the shopping options of the rest of the state, and I've made my peace with that, but I always found solace in knowing where EVERYTHING I need is located for my quick trips to Publix between other errands or before picking the girls up at school. Yesterday as I wandered around looking for something, noting that the aisle sign was completely wrong, I briefly considered finding the manager to point out the incorrect signage and tell him or her how this whole renovation thing really wasn't working for me. Fortunately, because I live on a small island, I don't actually go through with these plans because I will run into this manager weekly if not daily, at Publix and every other place in Key West.

I was talking to a woman the other day about the renovation at our local K Mart. She was completely exasperrated that everything was someplace different. She went on and on. I hadn't known about that project because I only go to K Mart under duress. But it made me think that maybe my feelings are an island thing....maybe I'm not the only one who has a hard time dealing with change.

While on the topic of shopping, I could write several blogs on Key West's 'Dollar Store.' I'm not sure of it's official name, everyone just calls it that so I do as well. It is a microcosm of island life....a bit chaotic, slow moving, with a dose of crazy most times I go in there. Last weekend the girls and I ventured into the island's new dollar store, called Deals on Flagler Avenue. Josie said, "Wow! This is fancy!" I wouldn't go that far, but it is DEFINITELY a much nicer alternative to the other one. There are many reasons to move to Key West, but shopping isn't one of them.

Tales from the Cafeteria

I started this school year with a big volunteer project, one that I am truly enjoying. I'm the assistant lunch lady at the girls' school. I help the paid staff person prep and serve, and I write the monthly lunch menu and order the food from vendors. This may not sound like a fun gig to most people, but it is perfect for me.

I helped to set up the lunch program at a previous school, and I have a long history of food-related projects. I'm good at shaving food costs and maintaining inventory. But that isn't why I enjoy it so much. It's the diners who make the job so much fun.

At 11:30 the first students arrive in a surprisingly orderly fashion. If you packed your lunch, find a seat with your classmates. If you are purchasing lunch, form a line in front of the serving area. The youngest kids are just adorable, and some of them are really hearty eaters for little people! We had some communication issues in the beginning. It can be loud in the cafeteria with the oven vents on so we have to speak up. But after just a few weeks even the three year olds say 'yes, please' and 'no, thank you.'

Yesterday was a school favorite, chicken strips or chicken nuggets with macaroni and cheese. These kids can eat some macaroni and cheese, let me tell you! Each day brings something funny to the serving line. Sometimes we lunch ladies have to hold back a full-on giggle fit. Yesterday's joke was this:

Me: Would you like strips or nuggets?
Kid: No, thank you. I'll just have chicken.

This conversation happened many, many times over the hour of lunch service.

Each class sits together to eat, joined by their teacher. It is calm and surprisingly quiet. If things get too loud, it is quickly hushed. Tables are wiped, lines re-formed, and the students file out with their friends. They often wave and thank us. These are some polite students. I am impressed by them each day.

It's all over by 12:40 or so. At the end of it I am generally tired, hot, and my feet hurt. But I also feel happy and satisfied to have used my skills to help my daughters' school (by donating my time and experience) and to provide a nice meal to some nice kids.

On the first day of classes this year, on pasta and meatball day, one 5th grader saw the pile of freshly baked garlic bread sticks I added to the usual offerings and said 'This is going to be the best year ever.....we have bread sticks!!' This job reminds me that, yes, it's the little things that make life fun.