Ordinary Time

Look at me, I'm updating the blog!

This has been a semester like no other, since we've moved to Blacksburg, as far as busyness. We've had a couple of changes at work, in staff and increased traffic to our office, so that my schedule is fuller than before. Also, for the first time I'm taking a class in the fall, and that class's workload far exceeds those of the other classes I've taken. In addition, I've signed up to lector at church and to teach Children's Chapel. !!

Look, all these ideas seemed great at the time.

I love what I'm doing, but I haven't had so much to be doing since we moved here. Good thing I love my job. And I am blessed this semester to be at relative peace and in good health (knock on wood) so far. I've resumed morning yoga. And my cool autumn sunshine arrived just on time. I hope to sail easily through the fall; just understand that if I fail to reach out to you, or if I neglect this blog terribly... I am trying to keep my craft sailing balanced and true.

This semester has given Miles twice as much preschool as before, Tuesday through Friday instead of just Tuesdays and Thursdays. And it gives me an opportunity, on Wednesdays, to do the dropoff with him. I feel like a real preschool parent!

The autumn colors are seeping in. Welcome!

I still enjoy my job which sends me strolling through a lovely campus every day.

I have always been intrigued by this sign in a campus elevator. Someday I will access this mysterious room...

Last weekend was a cozy, rainy one. We got the kids their first store-bought, name-brand play-dough!

Monday morning came early. We have a little frolic time before we all leave for work, daycare, preschool, and study.

My girl.

Miles shows off his beloved new shoes. Size 8.5.

I'm going to be late for work!

A view of the mountains on the way to daycare.

I only take buses in the evenings, these days, and the new bus for our neighborhood is CROWDED.

Reminders of my family at my desk.

This poster is our only window in my office room. We try to be philosophical about it.

In the fall, William Addison Caldwell seems to have an extra spring in his step.

I do love to gaze at Burruss. The bells were ringing..

The new apartment is in a busier, less adorable neighborhood. One of the things I used to treasure on our old street was the way I could walk to the municipal bus stop and see horses, high on the hill, on my way. It just seemed like an ideal mix, to me. I have accepted the less picturesque neighborhood that has allowed us to have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and hardwood floors. But as an extra blessing, as I am walking home from my new bus stop, what do I see across the street but this:

Can you see them?

My walk home continued.... and this view is really not so bad, is it?

Wedding Flashback

The blog has been silent lately. I'm sure you can attribute reasons for this. We are simply caught up in a routine. And it's a life-giving, tranquil routine of work and rest and play, but it is workaday and common and such things do not present themselves as photographable. I have snapped a few, and next update will contain some shining, everyday sights. But I thought the time was right to revisit  Las Vegas and display some pictures from that exotic, holiday, summer experience.

You'll recall that pictures of the wedding weren't yet available over the summer when I blogged about the trip. Happily, Michaela and Marshall now have dozens and dozens of brilliant images on display and have kindly agreed to let me share some here.

Pretty much captures the spirit of the event, to me :-)

We walked up the aisle of the small chapel at 12 noon on June 15.

Miles bears rings, and struggles to stay awake.

Adele was in no mood to walk herself. I plead jet-lag.

Is this not picturesque??

From the bit where Miles dropped the rings, then retrieved them.

The Grunert Side.

Where Adele went as soon as we got up the aisle.

She made a good centerpiece.

...and was in a much better mood after a delicious wedding dinner.

Do you not agree that all weddings should include leis??

Michaela & Marshall get a bit silly with the frosting.

They were such a beautiful, loving bride and groom. Blessings on them!!

Table shot. (Oh, MILES)

Tita loves him despite his ridiculous faces in her wedding pictures.

Thank you for the loans, Michaela & Marshall! Can't wait to see you all again soon!

A Tale of Two Weekends

I am three weeks back at work now, and one week back into classes. I feel in the thick of it, now! It's funny, if it was up to me when the semester would start, I don't think it'd ever begin. I just wouldn't have the courage. But once it begins on its own, I realize what a big package of gifts it is. I've got a variety of stimulating classes to caption, I've got one I'm taking that's teaching me to relish poetry again, and I've got a variety of simple and delightful weekend activities to look forward to all week. On my good days, I can appreciate this deeply. But even on the bad ones, I know I'm lucky.

Two weekends ago we made our second visit to the annual Montgomery Museum Heritage Festival. As with last year, the favorite attraction was the livestock.

These calves were literally born yesterday (I mean, the day before).

I just thought this sheep had beautiful eyes.

The purpose of this picture is to show growth. Here is Adele in the same position, last year:

In case I forget that a year is, really, quite a long time.

 Miles had a great old time. He made a turkey-calling redcup craft, and even sat for his portrait!

Blacksburg's beloved "Dr. Moon" was on site to play James Taylor, John Denver, and Jim Croce hits. Obviously, I loved it all.

And so did she:

This past Saturday, we made a long overdue visit to Jon's sister, Michaela, known to the little people as Tita, and to now-Uncle Marshall. We saw their big, beautiful old house and enjoyed the menagerie of animals (three dogs, a lizard, several tanks of fish, two turtles and a huge snake... did I miss anything?). And after naptime, we went to Lynchburg proper to visit the Riverside splashpark.

Awesome, right? Too bad it started raining furiously like an hour into it and turned the whole place into a splashpark.

At first Adele was like this...(she famously hates pools)

But the little waterlogged friends and the giant spouting fish won her over.

Uncle Marshall's antics helped, too!

Miles went for it with no reservations. He even pretended to enjoy getting dumped on by the water bucket.

We had a good old time at that park for as long as we possibly could. When the rain became too much, we went to ChickfilA for dinner and some more (indoor) play. We had just the time and wherewithall to snap this shot before the party had to depart:

Weekends leave an especially sweet taste now that I remember them from my quiet office.

Miles starts year two of preschool TOMORROW! It's sure to be a year full of change, growth, and joy. Oh that it lasts long, long.