Fall Break

Cameron's fall break started a day early as he took a college visit day so that we could do a self-guided walking tour of IU this afternoon.  We had planned to leave at 9 a.m., but he had a test in AP Calculus first thing this morning.  He left as soon as he finished and we were packed and on the road by 10 a.m.  

Our first stop in Bloomington was Social Cantina for lunch.  Doug, Cameron and I had never been and Meg highly recommended it.  We all enjoyed it very much and were glad that Meg was able to join us.  Our walking tour of IU started at Sample Gates and continued throughout the rest of campus.  On it, Cameron learned about the best areas to study at IU, the different classroom buildings there, and the history behind several of statues.  He also walked through the student rec building where there was an active game of three on three.  It was nice to see that some things had not changed since Doug and I were in college.  Cameron also got to view the Kelley School of Business where he saw a large classroom and a small one.  The tour continued through Wells Library and past Teter Dormitory.  It was a lot of walking and a ton of information for one afternoon, but a positive one overall.  One benefit of doing the tour the way that we did was that we could stop and take Cameron's senior pictures along the way. 

We spent the late afternoon and early evening hours grocery shopping for tomorrow's tailgate, resting and reviewing the pictures that we took today.  Cal arrived in Bloomington close to 8 p.m. and Brett got home from work shortly afterward.  We decided to try Upland Brewing Company for dinner.  Thankfully, IU was on fall break too, so we had no problem getting a table.  Doug and I really enjoyed having everyone together. The conversation was so much fun and we got to meet Cal's new girlfriend, Rachel.  She was very nice and everyone loved talking to her.  

Afterward Cal wanted to show Rachel a few of his favorite bars on Kirkwood.  Meg and Nick thought about going out, but decided to hang out at her place instead.  Brett, Cameron, Doug and I played a game of Ticket to Ride Germany before Brett worked on the story he was writing and Cameron read some more of his book, Just Mercy.  Overall, it was a wonderful first day of Fall Break and I appreciated everyone spending it together.  

Throw Back Thursday

While I was going through pictures this week, I ran across several ones of Jim.  I realized at that time that I had messaged him in awhile.  I checked my Messenger feed and was absolutely shocked to realize that it had been a year since I had corresponded with him.  When I thought about all that had happened during that time period, I decided that it would be best to start with a super long message about our past twelve months to start our conversations again. I sent it out Wednesday night and before I went to bed, I had a message back saying, "I'm calling you tomorrow."  

I sent my phone number out and this afternoon was pleasantly greeted with, "Do you have any caramel apples that I might have?"  I laughed out loud thinking back to our Halloween candy making party that ended with Jim and I crying laughing as we envisioned a caramel apple stuck to his head.  No one else ever quite got that reference, but it was ever so funny to the two of us.

After our atypical greeting, Jim and I spent the next two hours talking about every topic under the sun.  Some were more serious as we caught up on current events in our own lives and those around the world.  Others revolved around our time at IU and the shared memories that we had there.  We talked about the irony of Cameron applying to the University of Florida as we both remembered our vigil for the victims of the "Gainesville Gouger" back when we were in college.  We were also in disbelief that his husband Tim had never heard of Boone's Farm when it was referenced in the Jeffrey Dahmer documentary recently.  It had been our drink of choice at IU.  In the end, I could not believe that two hour had flown by when we finally ended our conversation.  I could have talked for two hours more.  It was definitely a great way to spend an afternoon as I waited for Doug to return from Florida.  I will not let another year go by before I message Jim again.  

Alone Again, Naturally

Doug left for Ocala on Sunday night and it has been extremely quiet in our house all week.  Cameron was home Sunday night, but he had Alina over and was busy playing pool and watching Netflix with her.  The rest of the week was filled with shopping for Samuel's birthday, Samuel's 18th birthday party, and the boys soccer regional.  Tomorrow night will be no different as he will have volleyball sectionals and soccer regionals for the girls.  

Tonight Cameron asked if he could stay at Samuel's, so they could watch "Silence of the Lambs."  He had to be at school early tomorrow morning to work the Bruin snack shop, so I was ok with it.  I don't mind Cameron being gone.  I would much prefer him to be busy as he spent enough time at home during Covid.  He has a lot of fun with his friends and the memories that they have been making during his senior year will last a lifetime. 

My mom asked me if I wanted them to come up and watch a movie with me.  I told her that I was fine.  I don't love being alone all of the time, but thankfully, Brett, Doug and Meg call me in the evenings.  Those talks along with the texts that I get from Cal, almost make it feel like they're all here with me.  Thankfully, Doug will be home Thursday night and we have a full weekend of activities planned in Bloomington.  I can't wait for that.  

So Many Pictures, So Many Wonderful Memories

One of the many downsizing projects on my to do list before we move next year is to sort through all of the pictures that we have in photo albums, frame and in boxes.  I remember doing it last year with my mom's pictures and Jeanette's, but it didn't quite fill so overwhelming.  That could be because I only had a few tubs to look through of their pictures.  In the Heinisch home, we have nine tubs to sort. 

Since Doug was scheduled to be gone this week, I told myself that I had to get this project started.  My end goal was to put all of our photos into Ziploc baggies organized by year by the end of October.  That way I could also find our old Fashion Farm and Halloween pictures too.  I really wanted to post them on social media this month if possible.  It wasn't quite as easy as I planned as many of the pictures were hard to get out of the photo album pages.  Thus by tonight I was really pleased to have finished three tubs.  

As happy as I was to reduce the amount of photo tubs that we had to store, the best part of the project was looking at all of the memories that we had created over the years.  There were so many fun trips in those tubs - Cincinnati, Chicago, Walt Disney World, Philadelphia just to name a few.  Pictures of fishing, swimming, and riding bikes at Grandma Jane's and Grandpa Cutes' home were abundant.  Precious memories of time spent with Jeanette, Granny and Paw Paw over the years were also found in those tubs.  Birthday parties, preschool programs, holidays, sports action shots and school field trips brought out a lot of smiles from me as well.  I will have to take a break from the picture sorting project for the next couple of days, but can't wait to see what I find in the six tubs when I resume.  

  

Covid Boosters & Flu Shots

The newest Covid booster came out in September, but Doug and I decided to wait until October to get it.  We wanted to see what the reactions were to the new formula.  We also weren't sure if we had Covid or not in late July.  We had all of the symptoms, but never tested positive.  The recommendation was to wait at least two months after having Covid, so October seemed to be the best option for both of us.  I told Doug before he left that I would go ahead and try to get my booster as well as a flu shot while he was gone.  

In the past I had gotten a flu shot at the doctor's office.  My first and second Covid vaccines were at the Library in Albion.  The booster last October was done at the Walmart pharmacy.  I thought about going  there again this fall, but had heard that CVS was giving out the newest booster as well flu shots this year.  I was a little leery about using the one in Syracuse as it usually was understaffed with long wait times just to get prescriptions.  

Since it was the only local option, however, I thought I'd give CVS a try.  I scheduled an appointment this morning and was pleasantly surprised with how easy the whole process was.  I arrived ten minutes before my appointment as asked.  I checked in with the technician and within a few minutes of that I was sitting in the chair with a flu shot in my right arm and a Covid Bivalent booster in my left.  I had to wait five minutes before I could leave just to make sure that I didn't have a reaction, but overall it was great to be done and back home in less time that it took me to drive to Walmart.

After my experience I talked my Mom and Dad into singing up to get their boosters and flu shots at CVS as well.  I also signed up Doug for both of his and Meg for her two at CVS in Bloomington on Friday.  The boys opted out of the Covid booster, but I did sign up Cameron for a flu shot at CVS next week.  He wasn't excited about it, but agreed it was important.  Brett has his flu vaccine at work tomorrow.  Now if I can only talk Cal into getting his some time soon.  I'm not sure if that's possible after the response I got from him when I sent him a flu shot reminder text.  "If I get the flu, I can actually miss work."  I can't argue with that. 

October Birthdays

Yesterday would have been my brother's 59th birthday.  I don't just think of him on that day, but many times throughout the year.  Sometimes those memories produce tears and other times they bring a smile.  Bunk's birthday is always one that brings a smile.  October was not only his birthday month, but his favorite time of the year as well.  For our family it started off the holiday season.  We went from Bunk's birthday, to Halloween, to my birthday, to to my Mom's, to Thanksgiving and then on to Christmas.  It was always an exciting time in our house with decorations and festivities.  Even now I make sure that all of the Halloween decorations are up by October 1st, so that my house is decorated for Bunk's birthday as well.  In my opinion there is no better time to live in Indiana than during the fall.  I'm glad that celebrating Bunk's life is synonymous with such a beautiful season.

Fall Fun

Last night Doug and I headed to Bloomington so that we could host a tailgate for Meg and her friends for IU's homecoming today.  Originally, we had planned on bringing Cameron as he had the day off from school.  With soccer and cross country sectionals, he opted to stay home to cheer on his friends.  Doug and I had also talked about going to the football game, but we realized that IU wouldn't have much of a chance against Michigan.  Thus, tailgating seemed like the best option.   It would also allow us to visit with Pam as she was in town for the weekend.

Doug's day started early this morning as he was up at 5:15 a.m. in order to make minestrone.  We did not have a parking pass for the grass lot like in years past, so he wanted to get there early to find a new place.  Thankfully, there were plenty of spots in the parking lot across from St. Paul's and there were a few other early risers there to help him set up the tent.  I arrived well before Meg and her friends did and Doug and I enjoyed catching up with Pam before she headed to an alumni event.

Meg, Nick, Gabrielle and three of Meg's friends arrived around 10:30 ready for some tailgating fun.  It was chilly this morning, but it didn't dampen the fun.  We had a variety of food and drinks for everyone.  The only issue we had was opening the first bottle of champagne.  Fortunately, a fellow tailgater stepped in to help after watching us struggle for awhile.

Pam left before noon to watch the game in person and we listened to it on the Pilot's radio.  We were surprised that the Hoosiers hung tight for the first half, going into the locker room tied at 10-10.  We had decided to pack up around 2:00 p.m. when we realized that the battery on the Pilot had died.  Thankfully, Meg's car was parked within walking distance and Nick was able to get it within a short period of time.  The Pilot started immediately after hooking up the jumper cables and we were soon on our way.  Meg and friends had plans to go out later in the day to continue the IU homecoming festivities, so Doug and I decided that we would head to Elkhart to watch the Bethany boys play in the soccer sectional finals.  

We listened to the IU game on the way home, not too much surprised that Michigan completely dominated the second half.  By leaving early, we completely missed the football traffic and made it to ECA just after kickoff.  We were glad to see that Bethany had already scored.  It was definitely cold watching the game, especially since we had already sat outside for several hours today.  It was a good game to watch, however, as Bethany controlled the ball and got some key saves from their goalie.  Jordan scored at the very beginning of the second half giving Bethany a 2-0 lead that ended up being the final score.  I enjoyed watching the students rush the field as we were walking to our car.  It was a chilly, cold day filled with a lot of driving, but definitely a lot of fun.