October Goal Update!

I know we are half done with November but I am still making progress on my yearly goals. October was a pretty great month, with lots of nice running weather. I'm glad I took advantage because now, it's cold, dark and wet and I'm struggling! 

Another exciting thing happening at our house is Daryl started a job last week. He works part time (actually PRN) at Stormont Vail Hospital. I'm so proud of him! He is doing a lot of adult things this year, and while he still needs mom and dad's help from time to time he really is starting to mature and figure things out. I was almost emotional as I dropped him off for work on Sunday. I couldn't help but think about how he was born in that hospital. I bet a lot of employees there have that same story!  

Read 18 Books 19/18  DONE! 

Just because I reached my book goal doesn't mean I will stop reading. My TBR pile is too high for any of that. And I may have celebrated hitting my book goal by a nice trip to Half Price Books. Oops! 

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg has been on my pile to read for a couple of years now. I have even started it a time or two but never dug in. There is nothing like an airport day to get me hooked onto a book. I traveled to Virginia at the end of October and I finished this read between my two travel days. It is a great leadership book for women and I wanted to love it. It was written in 2013 and it's depressing that not only have women not made many strides in workplace leadership they are most surely falling backwards. I used my highlighter in this one to try and take in all the good that still applies. However, it is discouraging to see how women's rights can not only stall, they can go backwards. 

Run 600 Miles 538/600

I got 57 miles in October! The Half Marathon  in the beginning of the month really helped but I couldn't slack off. I had another half first weekend in November so I did put a couple of longish runs together to prepare for that. I won't finish this going in November but should be very doable to finish it this year!! 

Monthly Healthy Habit ???  

I am not even doing this anymore, please pass the pecan pie. 

2024 Money Goals:   

• Replace Windows Done August 
• Down payment on New Car (Done July) 
• Pay Mortg. Principle down 4K Made a principle payment in October 
• Hit my Savings Goals for the year Made a savings deposit in October!
• Replace Garage Door- This was on the list, then off when I got the bill for the windows, now it's scheduled and back on the list! 

I think your "first day" of work picture should be a thing!

Bye bud, do good work!

With Daryl gone, Alex has to hang out with the dogs. LOL

A 4-H Weekend

 Last weekend the boys' 4-H club had 3 activities, so I'm calling it our 4-H weekend. I represented the family at Landon Trail clean-up. While it was cold in town, with the trees blocking the wind, it was really nice weather to clean the trail. With our other club we mainly just picked up trash but with Silver Lake we also helped trim back some growth to keep the trail clear for walkers and horse riders. It was a fun morning and I got my steps! 

On Saturday night we had Achievement Night. I'm always so proud of all the kids going across the stage. I've never had much luck trying to get the boys to do record books, but we attend to support our club and maybe, just maybe, win a door prize. We are 0 for 6 on that quest, but you can't win if you don't show up! 

Then we had our regular monthly club meeting on Sunday. We have been in the Silver Lake club for a year now and Alex is finally starting to talk. LOL They filled Christmas Shoe Boxes for a service project and both the boys had fun doing that with another club member. 

While we do little 4-H these days, I am glad the boys have stayed enrolled and get to meet some youth outside of their school circle. You can never have too many friends and 4-H is a great place to make some connections for your kids. 

Now, to see if we can juggle 4-H with my new three........

When you get caught taking a secret picture...

oops I think I edited out Daryl. Oh well, he won't mind. LOL

After a weekend of kids activities, margaritas! 

Running and Soccer

 When I tell you that I ran a half marathon last Sunday (Nov. 3) I need you to be extra impressed. It rained almost all day Saturday and Sunday morning the forecast was more rain. 

I am the definition of a fair weather runner. This is about the time of year I hit the treadmill because it's too cold outside. When it's raining outside, I go back to bed! 

So it's a good thing I signed up for this one with a friend. I texted her on Saturday and said if you don't want to run anymore, I understand and I concur! She didn't let me off the hook, she said she was all in. Ok then, here we go. 

It rained for the first hour then after that we were just dodging puddles. It wasn't cold, all the runners on the course agreed, "it could be worse!" If that isn't Midwest logic, I don't know what is. 

My official time for my first time running the Kansas Half Marathon: 2:19:15 10:38/min mile pace 

That's a good run for me in nice weather. I'll take it! 

This week Alex started his first Middle School soccer season. He had a game on Monday and one on Wednesday. He was unsure all year if he would join the team or not but I'm glad he did. He is really enjoying it! Cheers for staying active when we would rather be under covers!!

This race came through with the free pictures!

Child and Parent Milestone

 Yesterday, Daryl did a thing that had me as nervous as his first day of Kindergarten. He drove himself to High School. I wasn't able to follow him in my car, so he was really on his own. Before I left at 7am I asked him to text me before he left the house, then put his phone away, then immediately text me when he was safely parked at school. 

He followed my three instructions to the letter. He texted me at 7:29am then again at 7:37am. I honestly think I held my breath for those eight minutes. He did it, he also understands the responsibility that comes with this privilege. I am both in disbelief that he is old enough to be driving and so incredibly proud of him. 

I made him text me again today when he got to school. Not as nervous today as yesterday but understand now that I will think of him every day, and hope that he is being smart with his decisions and staying safe. 💞💞💞

Last Trip of 2024

 I have had the pleasure of attending the national ESP conference in Virginia Beach, VA this week. Also, please forgive my spelling and grammar as I "airport" blog from my cell phone! It was a good conference and I'm ready to get back to work with some new ideas for my job and our state association. The only things better than the conference were the company and location! 

I did learn that just because you are on the beach doesn't mean it will be warm! Sunday through Tuesday it was much warmer in Kansas than Virginia Beach. I cancelled the kayak adventure with dolphins but did get to see a state park, art museum, botanical gardens and the Neptune statue. I'm counting that as a win! 

Jeff came along for the first part of my travels because a good Uber is hard to find. 😉 He should be careful, I could get used to having my own personal driver that also irons my shirts! I'm glad he got to meet some of my work friends from across the state, he is getting a whole new appreciation for the Cooperative Extension Service!

I'm going to miss Halloween trick- or-treating. When I had left the boys still said they were not dressing up. It happens kind of quick, one year you have two boys in costumes and the next year you don't. I hope everyone posts pictures of their kids' costumes. I want to see them! Happy Halloween! 

From many years ago! I think 2019.

I was obsessed with the Bonsai tree garden at the Botanical Garden 

Great work friends are an awesome perk! Brought together by NELD, staying together via ESP!

Good advice!

Also what extension agents need to hear! 

So long Virginia Beach. You were a great host!

Wanna Be Band Mom!

 Last Friday,  Alex's middle school band got to play with the High School. They have been practicing for weeks and it was so fun to watch! I don't bring up marching band too much, because if I get excited about something it does the opposite for the boys. LOL 

I think part of the fun for Alex was hanging out with the High School band members and eating pizza before their show time. I was sitting in the front row and still couldn't see my trumpeter ,but that's OK. I captured lots of smiles before and after! 

I realized I never posted a picture of Daryl's
homecoming dance outfit! His aunt Sofia helped him pick
it out. She is much cooler than mom!