Settling down

When I posted last time, it was Wednesday and I still felt rather frazzled. I’m happy to report that things finally feel like they’re settling down.

We had a busy but overall nice week.

Like I mentioned, we attended a Senior Parent Meeting on Wednesday at Ethan’s school. Of course, LOTS of “college application” talk and other reminders.

It made me feel a few things- one, a teeny concern of “is Ethan’s college list not big enough? Should he be considering more options….?” I don’t know- Ethan’s top 2 choices remain UW-Madison and Marquette University (with I think a BIG leaning toward Marquette as #1). In my heart of hearts, I feel like I see him most at Marquette much more than at UW, though yes, UW is the bigger name/ bigger school etc. (and closer!).

The other thing the meeting made feel was a slight sense of urgency. Now, knowing the fall would bring multiple AP classes + a busy soccer season, I did heartily recommend that he start working on essays and such over the summer, but, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. 🙃

I mean, he’s fine. At the meeting they provided a suggested ‘timeline of artificial deadlines’ which I think he found helpful. Right away last week he set up another 1:1 meeting with his counselor and reached out to a few people for letters of recommendation. Over the summer he did at least fill out the bulk of the common app “basic info”. So, the ball is rolling, at least. I told him, the sooner you get some of these annoying tasks DONE, the sooner you can just enjoy the rest of senior year!!

Thursday was the first actually CHILL night we’ve had in a long time. I made a quick but healthy dinner:

We walked Charlie, I sat and played the piano for about 30 minutes, and Ivan and I decided to enjoy a glass of wine on our deck. It was a perfect temperature- warm but just that slight tinge of “fall is coming” coolness in the air that seemed to keep mosquitoes away. We lit a candle and it was cozy and great.

Ethan’s soccer season is officially underway, and we spent both Friday night and Saturday morning at games.

Friday’s was an intense game against a D1 school. Ethan’s team was down 0-2 until like minute 70, when they somehow scored 2 goals within like, 3 minutes!! The game ended in a 2-2 comeback TIE, but since this was a little mini tournament, someone needed to WIN, so they went to penalty shootouts.

Sadly, Ethan’s team lost in PKs (and Ethan was one of the 5 who took shots and the goalie blocked his!! 😭He was so ticked. It was a great shot but the goalie dove in the right direction….).

The parents and players all went out for dinner after at Delafield Brewhaus. I am on a mission to connect more with the parents this year. I have been bad about getting to know the soccer families…..and here we are, senior year and I really only know a small handful. 😬

Saturday morning I woke up stupidly early at 4 a.m and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was planning to be up by about 5 anyway- Asher had asked me to “make sure he was up” at 5 since he had to leave by 5:20 for his CNA clinicals. I’m so happy he’s doing this- he’s been telling me stories about the confused dementia patients he’s working with, and I am just thrilled he’s getting these real-life experiences (no matter what he ends up doing long term).

Ethan had to be up by 5:15, too, to take the bus for his game. I spent from 5-5:45 in the kitchen scrambling eggs and puttering around while they both got ready and headed out.

Then Ivan and I left by 8 for Hartford to watch his 9 am game. This time they dominated and won 3-0, with goal #2 being Ethan’s!! yay!

Ivan and I grabbed Chick Fil A on the way home, then Ivan left for his own soccer game at 1 pm. I had the afternoon to myself. I made a grocery list, walked Charlie quickly, and did then did an hour-long Lower Body strength workout, followed by a 30 minute incline treadmill walk at the gym! It was so nice to NOT RUSH for once. (I listened to this interesting podcast episode I ran across called “How to Avoid Cognitive Decline & Dementia (starting in your 40s).

I then hit up both Aldi and Woodman’s for groceries. We invited my parents over for dinner (I made chicken tinga tostadas) and we all watched a movie (Ticket to Paradise). I was in much need of just….sprawling out on the couch, and that’s what I did. 🙂 It is still weird (in a great way) that my parents can just “stop over” for a few hours and then go home.

And today, Sunday, we have NO PLANS!!!! NO PLANS!!!! For the first time in literal months.

I can’t tell you how happy this makes me. 🙂

Of course, I will do something, but the key is that it will be whatever I want. I already booked a 5 pm Body Balance class. I want to read a book! I want to do some Q4 planning. I bought ingredients to make a cauliflower chowder with French bread for dinner (even though it’s going to be 84 degrees today).

(Side note- you all know we tend to eat out a lot, but omg this summer we took it to like, next level, and I am literally almost repulsed by eating out right now!! We ate at home ALL WEEK and it felt soooo good (well, except for Friday night with soccer and Chick Fil A yesterday… gah, okay, that’s still probably more than many people eat out in a week. haha).)

I have been super consistent with my workouts this week, finally eating more protein again!, and just feeling much more in the zone. IT FEELS AMAZING.

Asher starts school on Tuesday so our summer is officially coming to an end. This upcoming week doesn’t look too bad- I have a swim team board kickoff meeting tomorrow night, and E has a game Thursday. It’s our 19th anniversary on Wednesday. woohoo. Not sure what we’re doing for that yet. And, I’m greatly looking forward to a hopefully low key Labor Day weekend coming up. I kinda live for those 3-day weekend holidays where we actually don’t have holiday plans!!

Some upcoming posts I hope to get to soon, also:

• my July + August recaps! (darn, missed July- will have to just combine, I guess)
• continue my Project Routine Optimization posts
• Q4 goals!

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.

Daily Gratitude:

I am grateful for a wide-open day today.