Where Does the Time Go?

When I quit my teaching position last Spring I truly thought I would have all kinds of time to read, learn to crochet and to just have downtime.  That actually hasn't been the case.  I have been able to read more, but I have to actually schedule time for that.  Even though I completed all of the projects that I planned to before fall break, I still have felt my days growing shorter and my to-do list longer.  It dawned on me today that I didn't truly retire as I still had children at home that needed my help.  I am not complaining at all as I truly enjoy helping the Heinisch family.  I have just been busier than I expected to be.

Today was no exception to that. With Doug's busy schedule I have taken on all of the household duties that I physically can.  That has freed him up to not only stay on top of work, but to also relax at the end of the evening.   As we decided to host a gathering here on Saturday, I knew that I had to start cleaning today.  I wish that I had the stamina to completely clean the house all in one day, but it would be too hard on my back and legs.  Thus, I split the cleaning into three sections - upstairs, basement and main level.  Today's cleaning was all upstairs.  It was easier than usual as I have kept on top of their rooms and bathrooms this fall.  By the time I left at 1:30 to take Meg her newly laundered basketball clothes all rooms were dusted, tubs were scrubbed and clothes were put away.  

Election Day

The midterm elections were today.  As Brett, Cal, my parents and I had all voted via absentee ballot during the month of October, we were more than ready for this day to come.  Doug did make it to the polls when they opened at 6 a.m. this morning.  Normally, my parents would be there to greet him, but they decided to take a break from election work as it made that day too long.

Doug's name was on the ballot again for county council.  He was running unopposed, so we weren't too nervous for him.  It was nice to see all of the votes that he did get.  The local race that surprised us the most was Wawasee's school board.  For years we have been hearing that the administration and others in the community wanted to replace Mrs. Dixon.  There were two well known locals running against her, but it did not matter.  She still won.  The margin was small, only 126 votes, but she got enough to propel her into her fifth term.

Indiana's Senate race made national news tonight.  The long standing Democrat Joe Donnelly was up for reelection against a newcomer and Trump supporter, Mike Braun.  It was said to be a close race that few newscasters believed Braun would win.  In their words they felt that Donnelly's win would show Trump that the Republicans were on a downslide.   Brett had told me a week ago that he felt Braun would win.  I was skeptical as Donnelly has a huge following in Indiana, but I knew that Brett's predictions were usually correct so I believed him.  In the end Brett was not only correct about Braun, but also in regards to the Republican Senate winner in Florida.  In fact by the end of the evening the Republicans had lost the House, but had actually gained seats in the Senate just as Brett had predicted.  As most television analysts believed that the Republicans would lose the Senate as well, tonight was actually an overall victory for Trump and the Republican Party.  For me personally, I was glad that Brett had outsmarted the majority of political analysts, but more importantly I was thrilled that the political ad season would come to an end.

Basketball Commitments

This week we will fulfill all of our basketball commitments as parents until senior night in January.  Tonight we had to take snack and drink for the middle school boys team.  Tomorrow we will provide a meal for the girls team and Doug will also take tickets at the varsity game.  Thursday night I will keep the scorebook for the boys and we will officially be done helping.

It has been a strange phenomenon for me as a parent having to provide food for teams.  None of Cal's teams requested meals or sack lunches when he was in high school.  There were times that we could order Subway, but for the most part Cal just made sure that he had something to eat after school.  Brett was busy enough with the plays, academic super bowl and band, but once again he just packed extra food or bought something.  Mrs. Dixon would also make them meals, but that was because she wanted to do so.  It gave her a chance to worry about Brett being a picky eater.  Cal's tennis team would have us bring pizza or something once a year, but that was it for our commitments.

Since Cam does not eat before games and Meg only likes to have a sub or something small, I have to say it has been an adjustment for our family.  The expense and the time to make sure that we have food for 25+ people, keeping track of allergies and individually wrapping snacks has been challenging.  Thankfully, my Mom and Doug have been available to help, so it has not been as overwhelming as it could be.

At Wawasee we also did not have to work the games.  Ticket takers and those keeping the book or running the scoreboard were paid as that was how a lot of hourly employees made a little extra money.  I appreciate that Doug has offered to be a ticket taker this year.  Being an introvert, talking with countless people that I do not know can be overwhelming.  In saying that the one part of our commitments that I will enjoy this week will be keeping the book on Thursday.  Bethany plays Milford and I will know all of their players.  I will root for the Bruins, but it will be nice to see some of my former students.

Mass & Amish Acres

Today was a typical Sunday in the Heinisch home.  The only difference was that Jackie and Joey joined us for our adventures.  Last night the time changed which gave us all an extra hour of sleep.  Cam was especially appreciate as he did not have religion class due to a catechist meeting.  I used my extra time to walk this morning before mass.  It was forecasted to rain the rest of the day and I wanted to make sure that I got my steps in before it started.

Meg was a lector today and Cam was an altar server.  Since Doug had to usher, Joey and Jackie sat with me.  Mass went well and we were thankful for a short homily.  Doug made lunch for everyone before we picked up my parents for "Lend Me a Tenor" at Amish Acres.  The first act was funny, but really long.  I thought that maybe Jackie and Meg would head out at intermission, but they decided to stay.  The second act was definitely shorter and everyone left laughing.

Tonight Doug made dinner for my parents, Cam and I.  Meg went out with Carlos and Nick.  Our food was great and we had fun playing "Oh Hell" afterward.  I was the big winner once again, which Cam did not appreciate.  It was fun, however, and we finished the game in time for Doug and I to watch the end of "Pit and the Pendulum" before Meg got back.  She had had a great evening which we were happy to hear about.  All in all it was an awesome way to end the weekend.

A Weekend of Friends

Last night Joey came home with Cameron to spend the weekend at the Heinisch home.  Both boys talked the entire drive about the fish fry and Cam's lack of fish eating ability.  Joey was smart enough not to even try.  Doug and I both told Cam that he would end up getting sick (he did) which turned into stories of all of the "throwing up in the toilet" lectures that Doug had given everyone over the years.

The boys stayed up late last night watching the IU pre-season basketball game.  This afternoon they played basketball, took a walk, and watched college football.  Doug and I had to run errands this evening, so the boys talked my parents into taking them to Chubbie's for dinner.  Everyone really liked it and Joey was up for coming back another time.  After they ate they went to the girls' basketball game at Bethany.  We met them there in the third quarter to take them back to Syracuse.  They spent the rest of the evening watching movies and listening to music.

Meg spent all of yesterday and last night with her friends at the fish fry.  She decided to sleep in this morning.  She left for the basketball game early and brought Jackie back afterward.  They watched a new series on Netflix while Jackie worked on her driver's ed.  It was nice to have them here.  Meg's been a lot happier this week which has been great.

Cal spent his time this weekend by first going to Indianapolis with Jayce and several of his friends last night.  Today they drove to the University of Illinois to see their roommates band play in a bar.  In Champaign anyone over nineteen could get in, so Cal could actually participate in the fun.  They also toured campus while there first shouting "ILL" to everyone that passed and waited for them to yell "INI" back to them.  They were disappointed that only a few did.  Brett was busy with homework today, but did make time to go to dinner with friends last night.  He had been swamped with papers to write and work to do these past few weeks.  It was nice that he had time to go out.  In fact I was glad that everyone made time to enjoy their friends this weekend.  We had been going at a breakneck pace this past month.  It was wonderful to have some down time for all.

Fish Fry

Tonight was the senior fish fry for Meg's class.  Although she said that she did not try as hard, she did sell quite a few more tickets this year.  I believe it was the product of knowing more people at Bethany as Sarah and Jackie both had avenues for Meg to sell tickets.  Instead of making pies for the night I ordered them once again.  It was a lot easier than trying to bake nine pies and getting them to school on time.  In the long run the fish fry only cost us a total of $179.50.  Since it has been the only fundraiser that Bethany has required us to participate in, I haven't minded it.

Doug worked table set up along with Meg.  They were busy all night long.  Doug was impressed with how hard the students worked.  Meg liked the underclassmen that she was paired with, Caroline and Anna.  She went with her class to Culver's afterward and told me when she got home that she actually really liked working the fish fry, except maybe the breading part.

I did not have to help since he could work, so I took Cam over for dinner.  He made plans to meet up with his friends there.  Cam had talked all fall about the amount of fish that he would eat tonight.  Last year Conner ate twelve pieces and Cam wanted to top that.  He did not eat all day in preparation, but even so he couldn't keep up.  He had to stop at eleven pieces of fish and one piece of pie.  Conner not only had twelve pieces, but also two slices of pie, thus, ending Cam's record setting hopes.  Guess there's always the spring fish fry.

Let the Games Begin

Cameron's team started off the season well this evening with a victory over Concord.  Doug had to work and my Dad had a meeting, so only Mom and I were there to see him play.  I was very impressed with how well he did tonight.  He was the sixth man and the role fit him perfectly.  He was aggressive on defense and made several nice passes.  He did have a chance to score, but the free-throw rolled out.  He ended up playing about half of the first three quarters and only set out the fourth one so the guards could control the ball and keep the lead.  It was fun to be a part of the action and Cam was very happy when we drove him home.

Meg's season started tonight, but not for her yet.  She was supportive of her teammates and enjoyed being a part of the team bonding experience.  The girls lost decidedly to West Noble which was not a huge surprise to Doug and I.  Meg has been playing against their starting five since she was in 4th grade.  The Chargers were good then and have only gotten better.  One of their players had already committed to Purdue to play volleyball.  Meg said that her coaches were frustrated with their play, but we realize that it was early and they should improve from here.