August highlights

I can't believe summer is over, and it's already September. The older I get, the quicker time passes. Thinking back about last month in our household, it seems that not much has happened, yet so much went on. Here are a few of the highlights my not-so-reliable memory comes up with...

• Eric started his senior year in high school. GO CLASS OF 2011!
• Had Eric's senior portraits done which cost an arm and a leg of course. At least he looks terrific in them, but that's not surprising since he's a handsome young man. The suit and tie shot required for his yearbook was the one the school used for his ID, and apparently he got some ribbing from friends for that.
• Eric got a job working at a Discount Tire store. His first day is tomorrow and he is pumped. So are we, as this means he will have money for a change, gain more independence, and expand his circle of friends.
• Eric also got his license and has already been helpful by serving as the designated driver running errands for us. It's great to be able to order a pizza and not have to pay tip or delivery fees!
• Justin started 8th grade. GO CLASS OF 2015! (eek!)
• Football practices and scrimmages started. Five practices a week were quite grueling for both Terry (coach) and Justin but now that we're into September they're down to 2x/week. Their first real game is tomorrow. GO DAWGS! 
• With practice taking up so much of the boys' time, I have had more time to myself and have rediscovered my inner Martha Stewart. I've been baking, beading and sewing and even making some Christmas gifts if you can believe that! I can't tell you what I've been up to because if you're on my gift list chances are you will receive something handmade.
• We had a massive summer storm hit us last Saturday - a microburst (kind of like the AZ equivalent of a tornado) came down on our neighborhood and wreaked havoc. Fortunately our only casualty was the fall-themed welcome sign I had just hung out that morning *snicker*. It did however move our backyard table, chairs and grill several inches, send a chaise into a bush and scatter trash throughout our yard. Our neighbors weren't as lucky - one had a huge tree snap in half with the top coming down upside down on their driveway. Another had their shed lifted up and dropped on their iron fence causing both to collapse. Our friends Jim & Kathy's covered bar was picked up and thrown against their grapefruit trees, while the barstools were tucked neatly underneath, so that after the storm passed the bar was sitting on top of the stools. Although I have heard about these storms previously I had never experienced one and am glad nobody was hurt (back when I first moved here there was one near where I worked an a man was fatally impaled by a lightpole while driving down the road).
• Suzy returned from her trip to Ohio and Michigan. Despite luggage nightmares both ways, she had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and family. She enjoyed playing with the grandkids and swimming at the lake house, and even got to ride on a motorcycle!

Sue & Luke (image courtesy of SIL Margaret)

Sue & Lynne (image courtesy of SIL Margaret)

Looking forward to September, what we have in store for this month includes more football (Dawgs and NFL), more crafting & baking for me, a business trip to Las Vegas, Terry's annual work dinner party (aka my one night of the year to get dolled up and maybe have a shot at dancing with my husband), and likely a bunch of surprises as well.

One thing I'm really looking forward to is the three-day weekend which starts today at 5:00 (or maybe a bit earlier if I can swing it). Hope you enjoy yours!