Fall!

 The weather is so nice! Days in the 70's, nights in the 50's. I love it! I could do without the getting darker earlier part, though.

Snakes are up to date! About 3/4 done! 

Ralph loves Caesar salad, and this one from Philadelphia Provisions is a pretty one!

These were on Deals and Steals on Facebook, so I sent them to Manda. The kids love to make cookies, and love eating them even more.

I'm up to season 6 of Chicago Fire, watching it on Peacock. I'm totally engrossed in it, and I "watch" while cross stitching. 

Yesterday we made a Target run, the first we've been there in a few months. I needed shower curtain liners and some cards, and Ralph needed a bunch of things. About half the people were masked. 

Finally cooling off!

 Yesterday it rained most of the day, and cooled things off. And it's supposed to be in the 70's for the next week with night temps in the 50's! Hello Fall! 

This guy turned 18 yesterday! A new adult!

This guy is a little older. His birthday was Tuesday, so we went out to lunch.

A page finish! Lots of confetti, but I love the look of it.

Funeral services for David will be on November 13. Quite a delay, but it allows for Juliette and Ben to move in October to a townhouse, so they can have May, David's dog, live with them. 

Last night we had birthday dinner at Heather's, ziti, salad, and bread, with Sweet Eats birthday cake for dessert. Ed's parents were there, so Eddie had his both sets of grandparents there. He's enjoying being a college student, and continuing his work at the general store. Julianna likes high school, and is trying out for the dance team next week! She's been taking dance lessons since she was 5, so hopefully she's a shoo in! 

Puttering around

 A little of this, a little of that. I'm working on the computer desk now, what a mess!

Snakes are up to date! 

Work in progress. This page is not as annoying as the previous one. 

Our moonflowers have flowers! We planted late, so they are playing catch up. I had given Heather some seeds, and luckily she read up on them, as they are poisonous to chickens! She gave them to someone she works with, so they weren't wasted.

We took lunch to Frank and Charlotte on Monday. It's so hard to see people so deep in grief. No one should have to bury their children. I can't imagine how parents managed before vaccinations, when they would lose children to things like diphtheria and chicken pox. 

I stole this pic, because I found it to be so delightful.

It's supposed to be much cooler the next few days- I'm so done with 90 degree days!

Rainy Thursday

 A dreary day suits how I feel. David's death is hitting everyone hard. My other sister in law and I cried on the phone, talking about how awful we feel for Charlotte, David's mom. Two years after Joseph's death, Donna still cries every day, because she misses him so much. So she knows what's ahead for Charlotte. My girls have been hit hard by losing another cousin so tragically. Both my West Coast girls plan to come in for the funeral. 

On a better note, Happy September!

This guy started Grade 1 yesterday!

His first time in the school, since K was virtual for him. He doesn't remember much about daycare, but he did fine.

Another page finished! My phone camera keeps making the big picture sideways.

Snakes are up to date, too. When Ralph gets home I'll take a pic. 

I've watched all 6 (so far) seasons of Chicago Med, and I'm now watching season 1 of Chicago Fire. I say "watched" even though it's more like, the TV is on and I'm there, crafting.

We lost another one.

 Our family has tragically lost another loved young man. Our nephew David, youngest son of Ralph's brother and sister and law, died Thursday. 

David was 37, six months younger than our Steph. 

He's had mental health issues since he was a teen. 

He lost his battles with his demons, and committed suicide. He leaves behind a devastated family. 

Another woman had to tell a young child that Daddy would not be coming back. 

Another set of parents has to figure out how to cope with a life without their child. 

A brother and sister will never see their brother again.

Immediate and extended family wonder if we could have done more. (In our heads we know we could not, our hearts aren't convinced.)

And so we mourn. Rest In Peace, David.