End of year post....Good bye 2025

My word that I assigned the year 2025 was "simplify".  In looking back at my year in blog posts, I do feel like I started this process and for the most part did a good job.  I said no to a lot of things I would normally say yes to including a board position re-nomination, PTO nomination for middle school, a new board position in a new club nomination, and being the one that brings food and or volunteers for every sporting event my child participates in.  I've given my time in all of these areas, so I let go of the word YES and let go of the guilt of the word NO.  I've been a work in progress for sure and still have far to go but ask my mom and my therapist how proud they are of me LOL!!!!!  In some ways it sounds very selfish yet in other ways, I have taken this year to take care of me, to set up VERY healthy boundaries, and to keep up with my work outs and physical health in ways I never have previously sans guilt.  

This is the year I started back with strength training, not just classes but actually lifting.  As I near 50, lifting and being strong is very important to battle the effects of perimenopause and eventually menopause.  I wanted to get back to lifting heavy shit, and I did so in a big way.  I started this journey last year thanks to a coworker encouraging me to go to classes.  Then this year, Tony bought me a real racking system (I had a bar and some free-standing racks already) and I got some new kettlebells and dumbbells and used the Peloton Strength app to guide me.  I scaled back my running in the summer and installed 4-5 work outs a week since my ability to deal with heat on runs has gone way down and Ollie can't not lose her ever loving mind every run.  Even when I got back to running post summer heat, I have still maintained 2 lifting work outs a week while running 3 times a week and for that, I am super proud of me.    

This year we also said goodbye to our favorite sport, quarter midget racing.  I ended my second, 2-year term as secretary and emotionally tried to let go knowing this was it.  We really had hoped for at least one more year, but Andrew's huge growth spurt sealed the deal. I'm sad to walk away but I know the club is in good hands and I will always be around for a call or a text.  Emotionally, this was HUGE for me.  This club and all the things that go with it has lived rent free in my brain for 7 years.  To have extra space for other bigger and better things is well... big.  While I thank this club so much for getting me back into therapy, I'm ready to move on mentally and emotionally.  I swear kid's sports will wreck you if you let it and boy did I ever.  

This year I started on hormone replacement therapy.  It's expensive and not covered by insurance BUT I am seeing small improvements in my life.  My energy has been more stable and my desire to work out daily has returned.  I am still not 100 percent sold that testosterone is exactly what I needed, and I am pausing it till the new year however I do feel like we are the right track.    I also started on hair growth therapy as I have seen my already thinning hair thin out even more.  As a woman, my hair defines me and not having much and watching my hair line recede daily is a huge blow to my self-esteem.  I have tried every supplement and shampoo out there and I'm excited to finally see some improvement.  I have worked hard to up my protein intake and eat a little better, but I am not perfect and still love a good set of mcd's chicken nuggies.  I am so glad and lucky that a nutrition store opened up in our town and has helped me with this journey with some good (expensive) clean options.  

This year, I also endured our last year of middle school sports and watching my kid essentially stand on the side lines game after game.  There have been tears and frustration on my part, but we made it through, and I am glad to be on the other side.  I am not sure what high school will look like sports wise but it's his decision and I am standing by whatever he decides.  I have learned that if he isn't bothered by this bull crap that I shouldn't be.  I need to keep my mom heart in my body and not on my sleeve and move on.  

This year I also worked more hours than I ever have in my adult life.  Two jobs, lots of hours at my #1 job and lots of time on my feet, work trips that took me to the great white north (see above picture), lots of late nights working on experiments for new products, and lots of weekends working.  I do love overtime and what it does for my paycheck but also this breakneck pace is about to wear me out.  Sometimes I feel like I am back in grad school and I am not a spring chicken.   I do have 22 weekends at least planned for racing for next year with more to come.  I'm not sure if this is going to work for my current job and its weekend expectations so stay tuned. I don't want to leave my job as I love what I do and I love working so close to home, but it's not fair also to be the only one constantly saying no to weekends.  

I think those are the biggest events and changes in my 2025.  On to 2026!

As usual, I don't have any real resolutions for the new year.  I would like to continue to get 2 lifting work outs and 3 runs a week as I can and have grace with myself when I can't.  Dirt racing is going to be different and tough for me to adjust to with the late nights and the faster cars, but I am looking forward to the challenge.  I would like to continue to hit my protein goals as overall I feel SO much better when I do.  I would also like to get back to 10 mile long runs on the weekends or some sort of longer runs on the weekends before race season starts.  I will probably keep to mainly lifting in the summer thanks to Ollie losing her mind on every run and me not doing well with heat.

My word for 2026 since I like that versus resolutions is adventure!  2026 will be full of new adventures for our little family and I can't wait!  Middle school move up, high school freshman year starts, potentially high school football and wrestling, Disney trip with the band, marching band field show time, dirt racing, and more exciting projects at work.  Life is a fun adventure right now I am here for it!  Have a safe and happy New Year!

I need a break....Now

I knew this week would be a challenging one and I wasn't let down at all.  We usually take this week at work to clean and get ready to hit the ground running for the new year.  This year, we still had experiments that needed to be finished or just done, and we were all very stressed.  We knew together we could get it all completed, but it was still a race to the finish line, and my experiment didn't really work 100 percent per se.  Sigh.  Eleven days off and it will be cherished as it is surely needed.  I'm so ready for this break and also to spend some time with friends, both new and old.  I'm also ready for a slowdown.  NO medications to take, no practices to get to, no rush in the morning to down my coffee and read my emails and get myself and Andrew ready.  Just slow and peaceful and easy.  My soul needs this.  

First, we celebrated our 20th year of marriage!  We usually try to get to a fancy restaurant or something fun, but with me being sick and our schedules being crazy, it just didn't happen like we wanted.  We decided that some good beer and some Hy-Vee deli take out was just fine this year and much cheaper.  I love Manhattan Brewing company at this time of year as they decorate, and it feels so festive and fun.  

Christmas was great as usual with our little family.  We hit the jackpot on what Andrew wanted with the bass guitar Tony bought at the last minute being the best.  I was really worried at first because I thought since he had picked out the majority of his Christmas ahead of time that he wouldn't be very excited.  He was very specific in what Lego sets he wanted this year and picked them out ahead of time.   He opened every present like he had no clue what was coming and made my momma heart happy, even showing excitement for clothing and underwear.  Is he already done putting together all the Legos as I type this on Friday?  Yes.  Him and his dad are still battling on Atari, and we will be getting more games to play for sure.  I feel like that was his biggest surprise and also the hardest one to master since playing with a joystick if foreign to this generation.  

Tony and I decided to spend our money on our trip instead of each other, but I did get him some dog dad pants, and he got me some new KSU lavender.  

I need another sweatshirt like I need a hole in my head, but it is what it is.  It's soft and purple and I love it.  

Most of the day was spent playing games, watching football, or eating.  Tony prepared a prime rib for dinner with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans, and it was amazing!!!!

On to work outs.  It was an abnormally warm winter week. Most love that except the weirdo that is me.  I LOVE winter running meaning cold temperatures and wind chills. I don't love ice, but an occasional snow is welcomed and nice.  This hot and muggy winter mess is not my favorite at all.  Plus, now we have mud and I wasn't ready for mud season yet.  The good news is, if I am rested, I am more ready to work out.  Heck one day I even got 2 work outs done in a day.  Three humid moist runs, and three work outs including arms, abs, and lower body was accomplished this week.  I call it a win! 

I shouldn't have to run the fan in the shop in December but here we are.  

We ended the week with a trip to Sugar Creek and Stranger things marathon in our pjs.  I don't sit very often so this is special for me!  Sitting still is not my specialty, and neither is resting. I am trying to get better about it, but I am work in progress.  Sunday saw a HUGE drop in temps from the balmy 60s and 70s to feels like 10 as of typing this.  

Have a great week y'all!  We are heading to Tulsa this coming week to cheer on all of our favorite racers.  I can't wait!

Twas the week before Christmas

Not again.   We seem to have all caught the mess that Andrew had.  While we never had a fever or caught it when we were feverish to test, we have had a massive head cold, all of us.  SO much snot and coughing and tissues and lack of sleep.  Plus, I had some cortisol dumpage around 3 am several mornings that woke me up and kept me up.  Sigh.  Let's get to it shall we?

Got three runs in this week despite this dang bug we all have and two lifting work outs.  Surprisingly I can lift even when I feel like pure dog shit.  Since I have my own home gym, I can work out without infecting others.  I also finally got this little pad for my bar this week and It's making a world of difference for several of my lifts.  Now I can do hip thrusters and bridges with my barbell and not have the pain I've had in the past with that weight sitting on my c-section scar.  

I had a rough week at work being sick and having to work so much and so intense.  Some days I think I am too old for this and I need to find something a little slower paced, but also overtime is nice and is not always offered at my level of experience.   Usually, I would be salaried and not hourly, but because our company wanted people to be able to take unpaid leave if needed, they put us all hourly which means OT is now in play.    I try to keep my eyes on the prize even when I am tired and run down.  I also try and remember that I have been in this game way longer than anyone I am currently working in due to my age.  I've been in science in some capacity since the summer of my junior year in high school.  I've dealt with lots of different types of bosses and supervisors over the years, so I do have more perspective into what makes people tick.  No one is perfect, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone has a totally different personality.  That is what makes our lab interesting and successful because it takes all types to make R and D work.  We are a very diverse group from someone in their 60s to someone in their 20s.  To someone who is hugely creative but distractable and not into details, to those who are anal about every single detail yet not creative at all (me:) we have so many wonderful co workers.   While sometimes we do clash, overall, we make it work and get through some tough stuff together.  I just hope the next week we can make it through everything that was set forth.  

Lastly, Andrew had his final week of school and FINALLY got straight A's!  This has been his goal for a while, and he was always falling slightly short with one high B every semester.  I am so happy for him and his hard work finally paying off!  

And one more thing :) I think either today or tomorrow is our 20th anniversary.  I will always love this beautiful dress and that amazing and crazy night that we got married.  It was simple, we were surrounded by friends, and we had so much fun!

Have a great week y'all!  If this week doesn't kill me, it's going to make me stronger for sure!  

NCKL and NOOOOOO!!!!

Andrew has missed two tournaments this year, I've seen such good things in the one he did make it to and all the matches he did.  Wrestling is finally clicking for him and I LOVE it.  Him and his partner both have really grown in their technique and that is all I want, growth and try.  Unfortunately, Andrew started feeling bad on Monday of this week.  A little congestion and a little dry hacky cough, just like before.  We loaded him up with meds and prayed he could get through the week fever free and make his goal of varsity at NCKL.  Tuesday night was his big band and choir concert, and he was for sure struggling but still fever free.  By Wednesday morning, he had a 104-degree fever and major snot issues. URGH.  Not again.  We kept him home obviously, but by some grace of God, his fever broke mid-morning, and he was fever free the rest of the day.  Thought about sending him Thursday so he could at least wrestle off for his position, but even fever free he felt like dog ass and there was NO way I was sending him feeling that badly.  Coach graciously allowed him to come weigh in with a mask on and I am grateful that he did.  That meant though no varsity for him, no wrestle off, no chance at ending on the Varsity team for the big dance, which was his goal all year.  We've battled weight and insecurity the entire season, but we at least made it through and ended the year on his goal weight, and I am totally fine with hitting that goal if we missed the others.  Heck, we all lost weight together adjusting our diets, and that is never a bad thing.  

I wrote this on the book of faces but it's true here too so I'm just going to copy and paste LOL! 

Welcome to Michelle's musings. Grab a cup of coffee and sit for a spell. Here goes. Last year in middle school wrestling, we saw Andrew suddenly get the balls to shoot every single match, something we've been asking for and wanting for years in kid's club. The problem with this? He would literally walk up, shake hands, hear the whistle, and shoot. He got pinned many times because of ill placed or ill-timed shots, but it was a start, right? Then we wrestled JV for the NCKL tournament and suddenly he won 2 of his matches, got second place, and we thought hmmm, maybe the switch is finally flipping in his brain with wrestling.

This season we saw less shooting but more moves per se, AND he started analyzing his matches, talking about what he was doing wrong or right and talking about wrestle offs for position and this fire for being on varsity. Of course, we battled weight all season as he started out 175 and he wanted to wrestle 165. We talked to parents, coaches, and searched the internet to how to get him down safely, but it took most of the season to get him where he wanted to be. Yesterday I was so excited to see what he could do at 165 JV. We were finally in the same gym as varsity, and I had a front and center seat to watch all the matches. We watched his teammates secure back-to-back championships. We watched several kids who just started win matches and we cheered our butts off for every single kid. We watched a team that had wrestlers at literally every weight class take the overall championship, but we were damn proud of our kids for battling to win runner up even with that disadvantage.

Andrew had a good day, not a great day but a good day. He got kicked hard in the face in warm up to start out the day and has a nice battle scar from it. Every match had something I was proud of. He had 1-minute matches since he was JV and he went 1:39, 1:58, and the full three in his last match. If you know Andrew or have coached him, you know this is a HUGE step for him. Yes, two of the matches ended in pins, but his last one went all three with his teammate and he never got pinned no matter how hard Brian tried.

As we say goodbye to middle school sports, I am excited to see what he decides to do in high school. I pray wrestling is on his mind as it is one of the best sports I have ever witnessed for kids. The resiliency, the grit, the chess match that they have to play at warp speed makes them amazing athletes. I love it. I love sitting in the gym all day with moms cheering and celebrating the wins and analyzing the good things when there are losses. I love the team aspect with the duals, and I love the tournaments where we can win as a team and as individuals. I love watching them cheer each other on mat side. I love celebrating success with his practice partner and knowing that Andrew played a part in getting his partner ready to get 2nd place this year at varsity! I love the mom group that battles for their kids and steps up and makes sure that they get the love and respect they deserve. I hope we get to do some kid's club this year but he's going to take a little break and enjoy the rest for a few days.

If you've made it to the end, thanks for supporting Andrew this year! Thanks for the videos, the pictures, the hugs, and the encouragement. He's finally getting it, and I can't wait to see what happens next! I didn't get a ton of photos or videos as I was just soaking up the moment. Congrats Raider Wrestlers! Go forward and do big things in high school!!!!!

I feel this so strongly.  I never knew what wrestling was before we moved to Kansas and now, I just pray he decides to go forward with wrestling in high school.  We've seen such a transformation this year and I am here for it and want to see more!  It's in there waiting and someday that athletic self will rise. 

 

Okay enough about my kiddo :) I got three runs in this week and two work outs, so I hit my self-imposed target.  I prayed all week to not catch this latest bug, and it worked (knocking on wood right now).  I did almost hit the ground one run due to my dang flexible ankles turning.  You know how when you bite the inside of your cheek and then turn around and do it again over and over in the same spot?  Well, that is me with my dang ankles.  This time I didn't go all the way down, but I seriously thought I had broken my ankle.  Thank God I was talking to my mom on the phone, and she talked me through the pain.  I was pretty sore the rest of the week and am still sore as I type this.  My hamstring is the most pissed off and my foot feels like a giant bruise.  I was super surprised that in my first run back, my foot behaved, but I was sore all over like I had been in a car wreck.  You know me, I don't do anything halfway and am just glad I can still move and run and lift even if I am sore.  

To end, we finally got our trees up and I am fully in the spirit!  All but one of the presents I have ordered have made it here which is a miracle as a couple got delayed.  Even if the one doesn't make it, I have a picture I can wrap up of the present, and it's just for Tony anyway.  Tony still wants to get Andrew something just from him and he's thinking it may be a bass guitar.  The trees weren't exactly what we wanted as we got two tall skinny trees last time that fit perfectly in front of our windows, but these will do.  They are kind of scraggly, but I am glad we could give them a good home.  

One more week of school and two more of work and then a break!  I can't wait!  Have a great week y'all!

On the mat

First, I am going to talk some girl talk.  If that offends you, and you don't want to read it, skip down a paragraph.  You have been officially warned.  After several months of no period, it's back and it's horrible.  I've had several days of cramps and bleeding with no end in sight.  I had really thought maybe I was done, but I hear this is part of the process.  0 out of 5 stars.  Do not recommend.  At least I get to use my new period panties that I got on black Friday sales right???

Okay off of women's stuff.  We had a big week of wrestling.  Andrew made weight and then lost his wrestle off, so he had to wrestle 165 junior varsity and only got one match in this week's dual.  He looked a little intimidated in the video that was sent to me, but I had another mom send me several photos and he had a very determined face on the entire time.  

I had to miss yet again due to my experiment which I will talk about later.  I hate that I have missed so many football and wrestling games/matches, but my job pays really well, and overtime is essential right now as I pay for Christmas presents and our trip to Tulsa.  

We also had a tournament this weekend at Junction City.  For some reason, the coaches moved the varsity 165 kid up to 180 and had Andrew wrestling Varsity.  I first thought that maybe the kid didn't make weight, but he did so who knows.  I'm not one to complain about his coaches as he loves them, but I'm just not impressed with them this year.  It was a four-mat tournament, and they had to multiple times be told what mat to go to by us in the stands, and when and then half the time when they were at the right mat, they were looking at their phones or just staring at the ground.  Sigh.  I just hope Andrew sticks around for high school wrestling.  The new coach they just hired is really, really good and I hope Andrew will stay and get coached by him.  I don't see a ton of value in Andrew standing on the side lines in football, but I do see a ton of value of him wrestling JV in high school.  

Andrew had two matches with his first match being really, really good even if I missed the whole first period.  They had announced that all varsity matches would be on mat one and two, so I wasn't even paying attention to mat 3 until I looked up and saw him already wrestling.  He worked his ass off, almost got a pin, but got pinned in the third period.  I'll take it.  He tried so hard and never gave up and that's all I've ever asked for.  He even executed a Peterson roll, a move he'd been working on in practice.  We have one more tournament and I'm excited for him to wrestle off for his position and possibly finish the season strong.

While I can't give specifics of my job, I can say that even though my project is not front and center for the company right now, it's nevertheless very important and I am hugely stressed about it.  My boss can't give her full attention to it for many reasons out of her control, and that's very frustrating being the person performing the experiment.  I've been working on this experiment for months and I am going to be very upset if they scrap everything I have done. It's been lots of super long days and weekends and I don't want it to be for nothing.  Yes, I still get paid for what I've done, but it's still very frustrating especially when I've been voicing my concerns to deaf ears.  I've had lots of 3 am wake up anxiety attacks.  We just had yet another very key individual leave in our company due to not being heard and I'm scared.  I don't like not being heard and that's what has been happening.  Sigh.  I wanted to retire in this job, and I hope that I can, but the words that the RD is the first department to go really scares me.  Everyone else is working on the main project and I feel like I'm on an island doing my own thing.  Enough whining and enough panic attacks.

Only two runs and two work outs, but overall, I got enough done this week with all that was going on. My lifting was quality and I'm seeing huge gains even with knocking back to two lifting days a week.  I'll take it and I have one happy Ollie to get out and run.  She also celebrated her 2nd birthday this week and I can't believe she's two already.  

Have a great week y'all!  Two and a half more weeks till a nice long break!  We've got this!

Of course I would

Of course, I would get whatever Andrew had even though they said it wasn't contagious.  That's what moms do right?  I started getting a sore throat Sunday night and even with the help of my elderberry immunity stuff, I still came down hard Monday with whatever this is.  I seriously felt like someone had taken a wire brush and used in on my throat.  I had to make it through three days of work before I got a break.  I had very important experiments all week and even had to go in for an hour Thanksgiving and the day after.  After having several experiments fail due to media issues that we still aren't sure what happened, I am happy to say that two of my experiments worked and mentally I needed that.  Ah the life of a scientist.  A whole lot of failure and a tiny bit of success thrown in to make you keep going.

For my mental health, I needed some work out and run time.  This week has been amazing weatherwise for running.   Instead of being stupid and training through, I took the time off, rested, and tried to get better.  Not going to lie, it killed me inside, but also, I wanted this mess to go away as quickly as possible.  

I had planned on either going to Manhattan Thanksgiving morning and running the 5K there or doing one at home with miss Ollie.  Neither happened thanks to being sick, but Ollie got lots of outside time thanks to the amazing weather.  She may love running, but chasing squirrels in the backyard comes in a close second.  She also loves her dad very much thank you.  She loves to be held like this and cuddled like a baby but only by dad.  She is the weirdest dog I have ever had.  

We had a pretty uneventful Thanksgiving with all the usual food.  It was just the three of us and we will have leftovers for days.  I have so much to be thankful for!  I did get lots of black Friday deals online and am done with Christmas shopping early this year other than some small stocking stuffers. Check out my Facebook page at Running with Reds for great deals that extend till the beginning of December and beyond.  Some of my favorites are Oiselle, Shokz, Knix undies, Stunt Puppy, Gypsy runner, and our local running store.

Towards the end of the week, the sickness seemed to lessen its hold on me just a tiny bit.  While I did get end of the month book work done and lots of computer stuff done that I needed to do, I was getting a bit stir crazy.  I had lifted at the beginning of the week which takes care of my one lift a week minimum streak I've been doing since May, but I wanted more.   I tried a leg work out Friday night with the promise that If I felt bad, I would stop and I made it through just fine.  I also did a PUSH work out Saturday and again, felt pretty good.  We had brief periods of snow and horrible winds all day.  Sunday and I had decided if there was no ice that I would try and get a run done.  

Ollie had been waiting patiently, and I woke up feeling good and ready to try.  It was feels like 8 F so perfect running weather for us.   I asked if Tony could pick us up out by the feedlot instead of doing an out and back so that we could maybe see eagles.  I had gone out the day before and they were out.  

The puddles were all ice, and the snow was swirling, and it was just perfect.  Did I cough my ass off when I got home, you bet, but it was worth it, and I even had a second cup of peppermint mocha flavored coffee to celebrate.  

Have a great week y'all!  The final push to Christmas break as begun and I can't wait for another chunk of time off!  I didn't realize how much mentally I needed this big break and I do feel very refreshed and ready to tackle the next three weeks of school/work/wrestling/life.  

Birthday Week #48!

Let's start out my birthday week with some work outs, shall we?

Two runs with miss ollie girl and two work outs.  Almost the sweet spot.  I'm loving it.  I love night runs, especially this time of year when people are putting up their lights and their decorations.  

One dual and one match on JV.  Still not at 165 but getting closer.  I was super proud of this match because he was a varsity kid and Andrew went toe to toe with him.  Andrew made one mistake and the kiddo capitalized on it and that is okay.  He learned a lesson and probably won't make that mistake again.  That is what wrestling is for Andrew, still a learning process and still improving even though he's been doing this for 9 years.  

Came home from the dual complaining of headache and dizziness.  He had a very low-grade fever and a sore throat that I felt like was either drainage or his lymph nodes.  Woke up and was just kind of stuffy and had an easy day anyway of a choir field trip.  Still no fever.  Called me pre practice and said he felt like shit and wanted to come home.  I was okay with it as I didn't want the entire team to come down with something even though I am sure they are passing something around anyway.  He kept saying his ears were really bothering him and kept asking me to clean them out because he couldn't hear out of them.  I suspected maybe an ear infection so when he got up the next day and still didn't have a fever but felt like shit, I made him an appointment to see the doctor as soon as we could and called him in sick to school.  They did all the swabs which he truly hated but needed to be done and he was negative for the big three, covid, strep, and flu.  He did have a double ear infection and some sinus infection, and the doctor wanted him home another day and no wrestling.  Thankfully we have fall break next week so he can rest and recover and hopefully join wrestling next week.  

Now to my birthday day!  My work bestie bought me a tea and shake, and Brickhouse got me a candle and had me blow it out.  LOVE Kelsey and Amanda.  

It wasn't a great day at work as we had to remake a ton of solutions and lots of stress with an experiment we have been trying to get done before Thanksgiving.  Science can be a cruel mistress for sure.  

I came home to flowers, some new windshield wipers, and a new key FOB that actually works for my Tahoe since mine literally fell apart.  

I had a reservation for 20 people at 785 Brewing in Topeka.  Their Christmas pop up was starting and it's seriously my favorite.  I love the over-the-top decorations and the lights and the themed food, and I wanted to share it with some of my closest friends.  

We had the BEST time and of course I said NO GIFTS, and they came prepared anyway.   I got cards, gift cards, beer, and the best handmade bracelets ever.  I love these families and their kiddos so much.  We've all been through some shit working in the tower and on the board and we've tried to handle it with grace and a smile and then drinks later.  

Finding and keeping friends when you are an adult is hard.  I'm glad I've found some people that are here to stay in my life.   While our kids may not race together next year, I will still be coming by to watch and cheer them on!  They all have raised such amazing young women and men that are respectful, kind, and smart.  I can't wait to see what these kiddos do in the future!  It was an amazing night, and I won't forget it.  Thanks for making this girl feel so special.  

We also celebrated another birthday Saturday night and got to hang out with some of our local sports kid's families.  It was so good to just sit and talk without the yelling and the screaming of a gym or football field.  We had a great time and had some yummy drinks and did some shots.  Let's just say I am getting too old for back-to-back nights of fun!  Happy Birthday Bobbi!  We sure do love you!

Sunday, I had planned on running but instead, I had the urge to clean and organize, and I ended up working all day long on several projects I'd been putting off.  I reorganized our metal shelving unit in the kitchen, cleaned out Andrew's bedroom, got all of his metal awards on the wall, and took 4 bags to the garbage and one to donate, cleaned out tow junk drawers, and just sorted and pitched stuff we didn't need.  Tony even helped me go through some stuff including a total clean out of our fridge and his desk.  While I spent all day cleaning and sorting and didn't work out, I am so glad that the urge hit me and could just work all day on the house.  We aren't hoarders by any means, but we tend to hold on to things that we don't need to.   Andrew has a TON of art supplies and lots of stuff he's brought home from school every year that needed a new home.  We bagged up three HUGE bags of pencils, markers, and old crayons to donate to his school and found several things to donate to his school's Santa's workshop.  It feels so good to see some of his stuff go to new homes and still be used and loved.  

Onto next week and Thanksgiving with some time off mostly.  Have a great week y'all!