The First Day Of Fall

It's another beautiful day here.  The high has been 69; it's sunny, and there's a nice breeze blowing.  I did some yard work this morning while it was still in the 50s;  I ran a few errands which included buying some large storage totes and some smaller storage boxes  --  to better facilitate this de-cluttering/organizing/simplifying jag that Martha has started us on. 

I slept well last night, and haven't had to take a nap all day.  Lately I've been so sleepy through the day, even when I've had a good night's rest, that I was starting to get a little worried.  Yesterday morning I sat down on the couch about 11, turned on the TV, pulled a throw over me, slid down in the cushions, and the next thing I knew I was waking up at 2:30!!!  I think the changing of the seasons has a lot to do with it.  At least I'm hoping that's what it is.

This week has been hectic.  Eler Beth has ISTEP testing, which doesn't seem to stress her out, but it makes me stress, because I want her and the school to do well, and the only control I have over that is seeing that she gets enough rest and eats well.  So I'm a little stricter with bedtimes, as a result, and I go to a little more trouble with breakfast, urging it onto her, even when she doesn't really want much to eat.  As well as ISTEP, she and Thomas have been taking this hunter's safety course, so that she can participate in the youth hunt this weekend.  (I took it with Andrew when he was 13;  Thomas and I didn't really have to take it, but we feel it's good to have, even when you're a veteran hunter.)  Anyway, if you've never taken Hunter's Education, you may be surprised at how much there is to learn and how much of it that they test you on!  So in addition to regular homework, we've been quizzing her every night.  They take the test tonight, and then that will be over.

Andrew has had reports/essays in three of his classes, one that is due tomorrow, and I helped with some of the research.  He's not stressed about them, but I, the ever-faithful perfectionist/nag/normal-mother, have hovered quite a bit, and probably driven him nuts asking, "When is it due?  Are you sure that's what they wanted?  Would you like me to proof it for you?", etc.  No, really, I'm not that bad; at least, as a rule I'm not that bad, but I have periods where I go through a hovering-more-than-usual phase.  Some day they'll thank me for it!  I just know they will!

Last night was homemade vegetable soup and subs; tonight I think it'll be burgers on the grill, some veggies on the grill, and maybe I'll even do some homemade home fries.  Seems like there was much more that I was thinking about writing, but if so, it's gone out of my head for now.

So until later..............