Domino's Pizza Delivers

When you read the title of the post, did you sing it?  Remember back in the day "Domino's Pizza Delivers" used to be their tagline and they would end commercials by singing that?  (If you don't remember that, then you probably aren't old like me and you weren't watching TV in the mid 80s.)

I think I mentioned in a previous post in May that Peter had gotten a job working for a company that managed construction zones.  He worked with them for 3 weeks and then quit.  The 10 plus hour days and the 5:00 AM wake up calls were too much for him.  And honestly, too much for me.  Because guess who else was waking up before 5:00 AM to make sure he was up?  

If I know that someone in the house has to be up early my brain starts reminding me around midnight that someone has to be up early and my sleep from then until time to actually get up is very sporadic.  If I do manage to go back to sleep, then my brain wakes me up a little bit later to check on the time again so no one oversleeps.  Apparently, my brain does not trust the alarm clock to do it's job.  All this to say, that I was not too disappointed that he quit. That job was wearing ME out!

He has gotten another job with Dominio's. He is a delivery driver and so far so good.  The time goes by quickly, there are no early morning alarms, and he gets tips.  Although some of them are better than others.  Last night he got a $0.17 tip but he also got a $10 tip.  It all averages out to be pretty good money for a summer job.

Another benefit that he has been enjoying is that he gets 50% off anything he orders.  But last night, he got a free pizza!  Apparently someone placed an online order for 5 small pizzas and then cancelled it after they were already in the oven.  So they offered them to all the drivers and since he hadn't eaten dinner yet, he brought one home.  

He said the worst part of the job so far(other than receiving a $0.17 tip) is when someone orders the Cinnastix because they smell so good when he is delivering them that it makes him hungry.  

Isn't he cute in his uniform?

Tokyo 2022 and Father's Day!

When the kids finished their first year at Our Lady of Mercy (Sarah 2nd, Peter 3rd), we celebrated with dinner at Tokyo Japanese Restaurant.. This restaurant is just a minute from the school so way back in 2012, we thought it would be a fun way to celebrate the fact that they completed their first year at a new school.  And we've gone back every year since to celebrate the end of another school year. 

We always tried to go the weekend closest to their last day of school. But with Peter being in college and getting out in May, Sarah's graduation, Sarah's birthday, everyone's schedules, etc. we FINALLY got around to celebrating this past weekend even though everyone has been out of school for weeks!

Here are my babies at our first Tokyo meal in 2012:

And here they are in 2022:

As usual, we had a delicious meal and enjoyed spending time together.  I was figuring that this will be the last end of school celebration but we decided that we could probably make it work next year after Sarah completes her freshman year in college and Peter completes his sophomore year.  The only issue will be getting their schedules to align but surely we can find one weekend between May and August that we can continue our tradition!

When we got home from dinner, Sarah had the Basement over and Dan made them a fire in the firepit and we proceeded to stay out of their way.  They seemed to be having a good time and no one needs their parents hanging around so I went to bed and Dan and Peter watched Groundhog's Day. (I do not like that movie but Dan does and Peter had never seen it.  He, too, is now a fan.  Must be a male thing.)

Anyway, I think the kids had fun.  They made s'mores and did a lot of laughing around the firepit.

On Sunday, we celebrated  Father's Day with our normal Sunday lunch at mom's and came home to unwrap presents and cards.I am so thankful for this sweet man of mine.  He's the best father and husband and I thank God for him every day!

Celebrating the birthday girl!

Sarah turned 18 on Saturday. EIGHTEEN!  I'm still a little shocked that I have an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old. How is that possible since I, myself, am only 21?  

Saturday night we went to The Spring House in Winston-Salem to celebrate her birthday and her graduation.  It was a lovely dinner.  We had a wonderful time together and the food was delicious.  If anyone local ever goes there, you have to get the bread service.  It was four or five different types of bread and it came with four spreads: sun-dried tomato tapenade, whipped goat cheese, honey bacon jam, and pimento cheese.  (It also came with fresh butter.) We devoured that in a heart beat.

Here are a few pictures from the evening:

And of course on Sunday after church, we had lunch at my mom's where we enjoyed the dessert of Sarah's choice (strawberry triffle) and birthday presents.

 

My mom sure knows how to decorate a festive table with lots of Sarah's favorite color!

I really enjoyed spending time with my family and the birthday girl this weekend!  I'm trying to treasure every minute because I know this summer is going to fly by.

Eighteen is...

Eighteen is....

confidant

intelligent

creative

thoughtful

beautiful

hardworking

capable

kind

conscientious

 

 

Eighteen loves to...

 

listen to Harry Styles

watch Netflix/Hulu  (Pretty Little Liars and Grey's Anatomy)

hang out with her friends

lifeguard at the pool

go to the beach

get ice cream with her brother when she's not annoying him

drink Starbucks and Boba tea (her new favorite)

sleep in 

have a plan

be organized

get her nails done

 

Oh how I love my sweet eighteen!

Happy birthday, Sarah!

 

 
 

 

 

Two hummingbirds, one mockingbird, and one goldfinch.

I got my first hummingbird feeder the summer of 2017.  Every year, I excitedly hang up my feeders in early March waiting hopefully for their return.  And typically they arrive by the second week of April.  And I would joyfully watch three, or four, or even five birds fight over the feeder to enjoy the nectar daily until they disappeared in late September/early October.  If you've been around here for a while, you know my hummingbirds bring me great joy. 

But this spring was unseasonably cool and rainy around here so I decided not to even bother putting the feeders out until early April. And as soon as I did,just like clockwork on April the 11th, we spotted one hummingbird  feasting!

And for a week or so, it was just the one.  Another one finally joined it and we have two that hang out at the house and eat from the feeders regularly.  In the past I know we have had at least four (and maybe a couple more) because they would all fight over the feeders (even though we have plenty of feeders, apparently hummingbirds are very territorial). But this year, there are only two.  

I'm assuming it's because I put the feeders out later than normal and a couple of birds came, saw no feeders, and kept flying until they found some food.  Lesson learned. Next year I will put the feeders out in March and hope for the best!

But don't worry about me missing my little visitors because this ridiculous mockingbird visits multiple times per day. He perches on the part of the feeder where the netting over the nectar is missing and pokes his beak in and out.  I'm assuming he's getting some nectar because he continues to come back. When he's had a few sips, he flies away and that sends the feeder spinning and of course, annoys me to no end because it cause some of the nectar to drip out.

In addition to the giant mocking bird, I have also been receiving frequent visits from the cutest little goldfinch. It perches on the feeder or sometimes the string and just hangs out.

Do you see her hanging from the wire above the feeder?  Crazy bird!

So between the two hummingbird visitors, the mockingbird and the goldfinch, I've got plenty of activity at my kitchen window and that's making me happy.  I've contemplated one of those clear bird feeders that hang on the window. You fill it with bird seed and then can watch the different birds eating it through the feeder. I'm close to getting one but I'm afraid there will be a huge mess underneath it (spilled seed and bird splatter). Does anyone have any experience with one of those feeders?  I'm thiiiiiiiiiiisssss close to getting one.

And if I do, this will be me...

Have a great weekend!

Happy Graduation to the Class of 2022! You made it!

Sarah is officially a high school graduate!

The festivities started on Thursday morning with Class Day.  This is an academic awards ceremony attended by the whole school and parents and family members.  The senior class processed in wearing their caps and gowns and giant smiles.  It was the last time they would all be together at school. It was bitter sweet as Dan and I realized we probably wouldn't be back there again either. Although, Dan insists we will go to some athletic events but I seriously doubt that will happen.  Time will tell, I guess.

After many awards presentations and a sweet video with lots of images of the senior class through the last four years, there were refreshments in the courtyard and lots of photos taken.

Sarah and the Basement!

Sarah and all of her classmates that also attended Our Lady of Mercy for K-8th grade.

After Class Day, Sarah hung out with her friends and Dan, Peter, and I headed to lunch and then did a little shopping. Peter needed some new dress clothes.

Later that evening we headed to Holy Cross for the Baccalaureate Mass. And just like last year, at the very end of Mass, they played Ave Maria and the students took roses to their mothers.  And just like last year, I started to cry.  Even though I told myself I WAS NOT GOING TO CRY. But I did anyway. 

Luckily, Dan's sister Cathy made it from Washington in time for Mass and afterwards, we all went to dinner and then came home to get ready for Friday morning!

The graduation ceremony was in Greensboro at the Carolina Theater.  It was absolutely lovely. The speeches were perfect, the Class of 2022 was all smiles again, and just like that - my baby is a graduate!

We all went to lunch after the ceremony and then Sarah came home, changed clothes, and scooted off to a graduation party. The next morning, she hung out with us for a little bit but then headed to another party and then to work and then after work went to another party.  Someone is a social butterfly!

And now, my sweet Sarah is at the beach with the Basement enjoying the sun, surf, and sand!  She texted me this picture of the sunset last night and I'm only a little jealous....

Sarah has a busy summer full of life guarding (and I'm sure hanging out with friends in her free time). She's been made guard manager at the pool she works at and the pool is extremely understaffed so she will be working a lot.  And of course, in her spare time, we will be getting her ready to go off to college.  

The days are long, but the years are short.

Senior Sunrise and the beginning of all the graduation events....

 Things are getting busy as we head towards Sarah's high school graduation.  On Friday she was up at the crack of dawn and headed to school to join the rest of the senior class for Senior Sunrise.  It was an overcast morning and I was worried there wouldn't be anything to see but...

God hears our prayers and answered with a pink sunrise that managed to break through the clouds!

After the sunrise, Sarah and "the Basement" headed to a local diner for breakfast.  I've asked Sarah before why they call themselves the Basement and I haven't really gotten a good answer.  It sounds like they jokingly at some point referred to themselves as that (even though they don't hang out in anyone's basement) and they named their group chat that and it has stuck!

Friday was also Fine Arts Day at school so they didn't have to be back on campus until 10:00 am.  And they spent the whole day outside enjoying musical and theatrical performances, checking out all the art displays, and eating food prepared by various clubs and groups within the school.  There was even an ice cream truck!  And best of all, they had plenty of time to sign yearbooks.  Sarah was a little sad when she came home. She's had a really great year and she's wise enough to know that even though she will always keep these kids as friends, it's never really going to be the same.

Yesterday she had  two exams (she had already taken her AP exams) and she is now officially done with high school!  She has graduation practice tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning is Class Day (which is an awards day and it's the last day that the senior class is at Bishop together.) Thursday night is the baccalaureate mass and then graduation is Friday morning! 

Dan's sister Cathy is coming in to town to join us for the festivities but we warned her that between all of her social engagements and work (she starts life guarding this weekend) we won't be seeing much of Sarah.  And Peter may or may not be going to Raleigh to visit friends after the graduation ceremony.  He hasn't firmed up his plans yet so I'm secretly hoping he stays here but as Dan says, "It's hard to keep 'em down on the farm..." 

Tuesday was an early and long day!

I made it!  Tuesday was election day and capped off 2 and a half weeks of 12 hour days.  Whew!  Early voting is not for the faint of heart.  Thankfully though, this election was much calmer than in 2020. We weren't nearly as busy which, while less stressful, made the longs days pass by more slowly.  But I worked with a really nice bunch of retirees and my friend Christy so we had fun.

Tuesday the polls were open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM and we had to arrive by 6:00 and we had to take down all the equipment after the voting so it was a very long day.  

I addition to what was already going to be a long day, Peter started his summer job on Tuesday morning and had to be in Kernersville by 5:00 AM!  Thankfully one of my election day workers always makes a giant pot of coffee each morning at the election site.  I had four cups on Tuesday!

Peter was up at 4:00 on Tuesday and I'm a light sleeper and had to be up early also, so I got up at the same time he did.  He was sweet enough to pose for this photo before he left.  If you zoom in on  the time on the stove clock it reads 4:24 AM.  

Peter did not get back home from work on Tuesday until 7:00.  That's a long day!  But I don't think all of his work days will be that long.

He's working for a company that manages road construction zones. On his first day the crew had to head to Rocky Mount (two hours from Kernersville) and put out safety cones.  Then they had to monitor them throughout the day to make sure they stayed in place and also move them as necessary. Then when the construction job was completed that afternoon, they had to remove the cones.  Even though it was a long day, there was a lot of down time.

Yesterday he worked at the shop filling sand bags for an upcoming project  and did a safety/training video on how to work the stop and go signs at a road construction site. Thankfully he didn't have to be at work until 7:00. He hasn't quite adjusted his sleep schedule yet - he's still in the stay up late, wake up late mode.  

I'm not sure what he's doing today but I look forward to hearing about it at dinner tonight.  I think he's regretting not getting more of a part-time job but this place literally hired him on the spot, the pay is good, and there is plenty of work available.  And as a bonus, he's working with a friend so that makes it a little more fun! 

I'm trying to get caught up on all the things that were left undone for the last two weeks: bills, laundry, errands, cleaning etc.  Welllllllll,  I'm not sure how much cleaning I'll do today because I'm beginning to beleive that dirt and dust add to the character of a home! :)

Mother's Day 2022

I wanted to post a few pictures from Mother's Day.  It was a really nice weekend.  I have been working the polls for early voting for the primary election and I had to work on Saturday which meant I had to cut short our family viewing of The Batman Movie on Friday night short.  Well, they kept on watching it but I went to bed halfway through it!  When I got home from work on Saturday, we headed to Mass and that meant I got to sleep in on Sunday which after a week and a half of getting up at the crack of dawn and working from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, was a nice break.  :)  

I woke up on Sunday to cards from all my people and some beautiful yellow tulips. And then we had lunch at 2520 Tavern with my mom and my brother.  They had a special "MOM"-osa for Mother's Day, a lavender lemonade mimosa, and I treated myself and had one!  It was yummy.

When we got home, I headed to the mall with Sarah to shop for a dress for graduation and then after that headed to our favorite brewery for a drink with Dan. It was a perfectly lovely day and then I had Monday off from the polls and was able to catch up on laundry, errands,grocery shopping, bill paying, and all the other things  that I normally do that I was behind on so it was nice to feel caught up.

Tomorrow is the last day working at the polls for early voting and then, of course, Tuesday is the election. I will appreciate the paycheck but 12 hour days are not my thing.  

 Here are a few pictures from Mother's Day:

Sarah made Sunday dessert so I wouldn't have to!  It was delicious!  And don't ask me why I don't have any pictures of me and Peter.  Whoops!