Rest in Peace, Queen Elizabeth II

 "Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all the day brings, and to put my trust in God." -- Queen Elizabeth II

photo credit: celebrityinsider.com

30 Hikes

Starting on June 1st our local library teamed up with a Get Outdoors program where they set up 30 different hikes in several parks all over the county.  You follow directions until you reach the post where the rubbing plate is.  It ended the day before school started.  We have been doing this for several years but this was the first year we got them all done and we finished on the very last day.

I take a picture at every rubbing post but here are just some.  

My son wanted to get them all done this year and I was determined to make it happen so he wouldn't be disappointed.  I'm super surprised my daughter got through them all, even though she complained a lot.  

It was a great way to get moving over the summer.  Some of the hikes were easy while others brought on quite a challenge but we got to see some cool things along the way like a bat cave, waterfalls, and standing in both Pennsylvania and Maryland at the same time.  We also got to visit a lot of parks we didn't know existed.  Despite the rise in gas prices we did it.  

I'm hopeful we'll be doing it again next year.  

Roller Skating

Brianna was invited to her friend's birthday party at the skating rink.  They said Matthew could come along too.  He's been wanting to try skating.  This was his first time and my daughter's second.  It was a wobbly start but they got the hang of it.  I sat back and watched.  I joined friends at the rink when I was a teen and my experience trying to balance on those wheels were unsuccessful.   I'm glad they had fun and they were good sports about having trouble.   My son said, "Everyone was once a beginner at everything."  I love that attitude.   

Now they asked a little boy a few houses down to play hide and seek with them but I need to get them inside for showers and prep for another week of school.  

Have a great week, friends!  

One Week Down

 Monday started the new school year.  My 5th year in the cafeteria.  It feels different this year.  I don't know if it's because I no longer have my own kids there or the frustration of doing the same thing every day.  Maybe it's both.  I feel this pull for a change and I've been praying that if it's time that God could lead me to something better.  I like the job.  It doesn't make me miserable.   Tired, sore feet, but not miserable. 

My son is now a freshman in high school and that just baffles me.  It's definitely a big change.  I take him to school and pick him up so I get that chance to look at the other students.  Oh my goodness!  It seems teenagers these days are a lot more grown than they were in my time.  It makes me sad to think I have a high schooler.  He's still just a baby to me.  He seems to be doing okay with being there but has filled me in on his American History teacher who has been pushing her political views on the kids.  I understand why many parents homeschool.  If only I could.

My daughter has started middle school and that has definitely been a huge difference from elementary.   She's reunited with old friends and made some more.  But the bullies from last year are still an issue for her.  It seems she's handling it well though, as I'm constantly reminding her that the problem is within them and not her.  

The nice thing is all of the Covid safety procedures seem to be a thing of the past and everything feels normal again.  I don't know what the rest of the year will look like but for now it's all about adjusting to the newness of being in middle and high school.