T-3 and Couting

Yesterday Pumpkin had a swim meet at Connecticut College.

I was able to recognize his shoulders and arms without missing a beat.  The Big Guy made me confirm with Pumpkin that this was really him.  Yes it is him!

He said he did not swim all that great.  He is tired.  I am sure it is getting to be a bit of a challenge to focus.  I know I am excited.  Fresh sheets are ready to be put on his bed.  The house is about clean.  I've got a few more things to cook and lots of leaves to rake.  Can't wait to hug this swimmer, late Tuesday night!

T-5 and Counting

We had some fun with the puppy dog this evening.  He's gotten used to getting a bone after dinner.  We  tested him to see if he'd grab it out of the Big Guy's pocket.  He just followed him around.

The Big Guy finished the dishes and sprawled out on the living room floor.  It was too cute.  Buddy just sniffed and paced around the Big Guy.  Finally, we pulled it out just a bit from his pocket and Buddy was able to pull it out.  He chewed it up in no time.

Pumpkin is so excited to see Buddy in FIVE days!  I can count them on one hand!!

T-7 and Counting

One week from today!  It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.  Gotta get a grip, huh?

I have cleaning to do, some shopping to do and some baking to do.

Pumpkin is so sweet.  He said that I only need to clean for guests and he is not a guest.  Gotta love him!  Can't wait to hug him tight.  If I am excited, I can't imagine how the atmosphere at the Academy is.

I'm also trying to squeeze in a few Thanksgiving gifts, gifts of gratitude.  They serve as a great form of procrastination.  Hope to post pictures...

T-9 and Counting

Down to the single digits!  I just get giddy thinking about it.

Meanwhile, at home Peanut is driving in the dark to dinner

The Big Guy is cleaning the boys' bathroom grout.  Yes.   You read that right!  He is a keeper!  The before and after are amazing.

 Buddy tried to help himself to some tissues in the garbage.

 Then, he headed to the bridge to supervise...

I finished up some knitting and am formulating lots of lists in my head.  I'm gonna head out to the stores to find some new black pants.  Love black pants, but they fade so quickly.

T-10 and Counting...

I can count the number of days on two hands!!

Random thoughts for today - -

Peanut is an assistant ref on the competitive fields.  This is his first time hoping the parents treat him well.  It was also the first time we'd been to the fields since he stopped playing.  Both the Big Guy and I looked at each other saying that we don't miss it.

Pumpkin is off to another swim meet.  Wish we could see it.

We are trying to assimilate all the furniture/decorations we inherited from my inlaws.  Some how that has led us to purging the Big Guy's closet.

Thinking about baking and stocking up for Thanksgiving.  We are going to have a few nephews stay with us for a bit too.

Last night, we dropped Peanut off at a friends.  It was after dinner.  The romantic pair that we are stopped at Marshall's.  The Big Guy got Ghiradelli chocolates and I got a bottle of balsamic vinegar.  Then, we went to Home Depot.  What have we become?  The good thing is we both enjoyed the time together holding hands in silly stores.

If you haven't seen this video, give it a watch.  It is so very touching with all that is going on in the Big Guy's family.  We talked about it this morning joking that our boys will be cycling the both of us around.

T-11 and Counting

Note to self - don't share selfies on a regular basis!

New do!  Loving the short cut, but gotta work on the wrinkles.

Do you think Pumpkin will notice the short cut?

T-12 and Counting...

Cool weather is the perfect time for Chicken Pot Pie.

The top of this one says it all - - 

T-13 and Counting

Less than two weeks!

Thrilled for Archbishop Kurtz.  He was Pastor of our church in PA for a few years before he was promoted to Bishop in KY.  We were so impressed with him.  Pumpkin was a little boy who could not always make it through mass.  The Big Guy and him would head toward the back of the church as there was no cry room.  On nice weather days, they'd head just out the front doors of the church.  Don't worry.  They weren't the only ones out there.  During this time, the Pastor got to know Big Guy and Pumpkin's names.  If he was not celebrating mass, he'd hang around to meet and greet the parishioners. He took a vested interested in the congregation.  He was known for memorizing the pictures in the Church Directory in an effort to address you by name.  It was impressive.  Congrats, Archbishop Kurtz on your election to President of the Conference of Bishops.

T-15 and Counting

So proud of our Cadet on this Veteran's Day and everyday

This video of the 2013 commencement is worth a listen.

So grateful for all those who served and are currently serving.

Thank You!

T-16 and Counting...

The swim meet against Wheaton yesterday.  The Big Guy got to see some good swimming.

He took more pictures, but gonna wait to see them until he gets back home.  He saw lots of smiling and laughing too.  It warms a parent's heart to see that as the days at the Academy can be very stressful.

I know he is enjoying the time with Pumpkin.  Only 16 more days 'til we are family of four back together…again!

T-18 and Counting

Feeling a bit crafty this afternoon - - I put this sweatshirt on in preparation for Peanut's first swim meet.  The hood was bugging me.

 Took a sharp scissors and cut it off.  I am enjoying this sweatshirt so much more!

Peanut had a good showing for his first swim meet.  I'm sure Pumpkin would have loved to have been there to cheer him on.  Only 18 more days!

T-19 and Counting

The weather is turning cooler.  I'm loving it!

I work all day on Thursday.  Gotta pick easy recipes for dinner.  Made this yummy soup.  It was perfect with a tossed salad.

Gotta get the chili recipes out now...

T-20 and Counting...

I guess it is the dog's prerogative.  He wasn't having any part of coming into the house on a beautiful fall day.

We went to Peanut's Cross Country Banquet last night.  We attempted to snap a last minute selfie to send to Pumpkin.

We were pleasantly surprised.  Peanut received the Freshman of the Year Award!  It was a nice evening.  He is going to miss the cross country.  As these seasons go, we are already off and running with high school swimming.  His first meet is just a few days away.  I volunteered to time.  It will be odd not having Pumpkin around and odd not having all his buddies in the pool.  The best thing, though, the Big Guy is flying up to the Northeast to see Pumpkin swim this weekend.  Very jealous!  Very happy they get to spend some time together.

And, as the post title states - - only 20 more days until he is here!!

T-21 and Counting...

From Halloween, but just received today

Made my day!

Gotta get up there to visit...

T-22 and Counting...

Can't see Peanut?  I barely picked him out either.  These are "official" pictures taken and posted on the TSSAA website.  If you look closely, his head is over the left shoulder of runner #715.  Looking at the few glimpses we got of him running makes it all even more impressive.  He is not breathing normally due to congestion.  In typical Peanut fashion, he did not complain or use it as an excuse.

I have ironing to do, washing to do, dishes to do, cleaning to do, and work to go to.  It is Monday!

T-23 and Counting

A great way to start the day - with an extra hour of sleep!  Even with an extra hour, we were a few minutes last to mass.  How does that happen?  After church, we went out to breakfast.  It was a bit chilly but the only tables available were outside.  We braved it.  I was excited to try this brunch menu.  It was only okay.  We will still have to keep searching for THE place…Peanut had a heart healthy (not!) meal of chicken and waffle.

Look at my boy in his winter uniform!  Can't wait to see it in person!!  I think this weekend's been a sort of tough one for him.  He had a swim meet and swam well.  The military stuff did not go as well.  Even so, he sounds like he is handling it all.  Again, I can't wait to see him!!

T-24 and Counting

Getting in the mood for running…

Peanut had a good run.  The course is a bit more challenging than what he is used to.  That combined with a stuffed up head, we were pleased with his performance.  Peanut's had so much fun this season.  So grateful for the cross country team and how it helped the transition to such a big high school. Kudos to the senior boys that took Peanut under their wings.  He will miss them!  The weather was perfect.  My niece game out to the course.  It was fun to spend some time with her.

Had to snap a picture of just the Big Guy and I.  We came to this park the first night we met.  Hard to believe that was more than 26 years ago!  I'm sure we don't look a day older.  Ha!

Only texted with Pumpkin.  He had a swim meet and swam well.  He also had an inspection while he was gone.  Apparently, it did not go too well.  He did not find out the details until he returned.  He said that he'd let us know.  This is when it is hard to be the mom SO far away.  He has a re-inspection in the morning.  The time change gives him an additional hour to do what he's gotta do.  I know it is all a learning experience.  It is a learning experience for me too!

T-25 and Counting!

November, you are finally here...

In just 25 days my Pumpkin will be home!  We all are catching the excitement bug.  He called three times last week.  We loved every minute of it.

Starting the month off with a trip to Nashville for the State Cross Country Meet.  Peanut is stuffed up.  Ugh!  Hope it all comes out in the run and does affect how he feels.