Ethan’s Journey

 Happy Father’s Day to all the dad’s, uncle’s, grandpa’s etc!  We spent the day at the in-laws. Mom and Gene were there as well as Paul’s sister. Avery went with Kendall and spent the day with Kendall’s family. I encourage Avery to spend time with both family’s. Mother’s Day she and Kendall spent with us. Father’s Day was with Kendall’s side. We are all adults and understand that Avery and Kendall won’t be around for every single family function.  We try to be thoughtful of where Avery is going. Avery thinks sometimes she can do both families in one day. As her mom, I know she drains her energy quick and becomes emotional. She is learning to protect her energy. I took the dogs for a walk today. Moe psyched me out and made like he was running around the house, he then snuck up the path where I couldn’t see him and he jumped in the pond. He was filthy. He then got another bath in the outside hose to get the smell and dirt off. Ethan was in good spirits today. He told me all...

 Today was the day of “getting things done!” I got so much accomplished. I decided to “take one for the team” and tackle the massive amounts of poison ivy in the flower beds.  I suited up in my long pants, long sleeved shirt and rubber gloves. There was a lot of squatting and pulling that was happening. I was hot in the sun. Sweat was dripping from my brow into my eyes. Super attractive. I got mad at it! I was annoyed it was there. I started pulling out roots like a mad woman. Paul can attest that I am not nice when mad. When I was finished I told Ethan to stay outside. “Give me 5 minutes in the house before you come in.” I said “I am stripping nude in the basement and washing everything and will be running naked to the shower.” I did what I said. I took a cold shower due to how hot I was. I pulled out so much poison ivy. I was tracking the roots and pulling those out as well.  I picked up all the leaves and tossed them in the woods. I washed everything I touched with dis...

 I received my transition plan for work. It seems the transition will take place the week we are at the islands. Awe man! I was going to take a few days off but this is going to put a wrench in that. Boo! I was able to pick up my groceries tonight so that tomorrow I can get cracking at preparing meats for our trip AND do a little meal prep too! I also need to do yard work tomorrow so it should be a busy day. Avery sent me the cutest audio message. Ever since the kids have been young, when I see something that is pretty I point it out. “Look at the beautiful sunset. It is almost as beautiful as I am.” Years this has been going on.maybe even 20 years or more.  Avery used that line on Kendall’s mom. Kendall’s mom got them some marigold’s for their porch. Avery took a picture of them thriving. She attached the note “these flowers are almost as pretty as you are.” She said. Kendall’s mom thought that was great. It made her day. Avery shared the news with me…..flattery will get you ...

 I had the difficult conversation of saying NO and declining this position that was offered to me. Pushed on me? Pressured on me? Heavily suggested I need this in my life! I know I was disappointing my boss but I have to stay true to myself. I hate that feeling of disappointing her. She is wonderful and I love her. I was flattered she thought I could do a great job at it, but ultimately I had to stick with my gut. I felt awful afterward. I was proud of myself that I did it over the phone. It would have been easier as an email. I felt I owed her a phone call. I know she is in a tough spot. I told her I could help be an advisor or assist with small projects with the person they choose, but I didn’t want that responsibility of building what she wanted me to build. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. Things I don’t like:  disappointing people  having difficult conversations with people people - the ones that I don’t know and are acting foolish! The rest of the ...

 I woke up this morning and Paul asked me if I remembered him waking me up because I was snoring. I did not remember as I slept so soundly and beautifully. He then shared my response to his accusations of snoring. “You snore!…… I am a lady. I don’t snore.” He found this comical. I told him this morning….even in my sleep I tell jokes. I was most certainly snoring. Another day and more pressure from leadership to accept this new position. I tried to approach it with an open mind but my gut is screaming “No-Way!” My gut is usually spot on. I went to the dentist and got my crown. My idea of a crown is something that sparkles and is so pretty!  Did you know this crown looks like it was made out of tooth material? Not sparkles. What a rip off. It should be called a tooth hat. That is what it is essentially. I told them that the appointment certainly was not what I expected. Dropped $1400.00 and nothing is shiny or made of diamonds. I thought I was leaving with a crown!  I then ...

I was approached by leadership today with an opportunity to do a different job. It would still sort of be recruiting but working with students. I was flattered they thought I could make the program successful, but I am very hesitant as I like my team and where I am currently am. I made a pros and cons list. I have to give some sort of answer by tomorrow. It was heavy on my mind. It dominated my afternoon thoughts. I had a running pros and cons list. Ugh! After work, I went to dinner with a friend. I gave her a cottage core birthday mug. It had flowers on it with surprises in the middle. She loved it. We laughed! We had margaritas with dinner. We chatted and caught up. It was a nice evening. When I got home, Ethan had fed the dogs without being asked. Wow!!! This is such progress. I went to bed early.