Life Update as Summer Comes to a Close

I haven’t kept up with my end-of-month stitching updates as I’d hoped for the past couple of months. While I work to sort out projects for status updates, I figured I’d do some life ones too. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a non-stitchy blog post. 🙂

Max is a few days away from starting fifth grade. He’s eager to get back to school and to see his classmates. I can’t believe it’s the last year of elementary school. Covid has definitely not helped matters, but the six years at his current school have gone so fast! I’m so proud of him. He really struggled in kindergarten and first grade, but he’s blossomed into a smart, funny, extroverted kid who’s generally really well-behaved and fun to be around. He’s still in his martial arts program, and although I would not categorize him as devoted to it – he enjoys it, and is currently at apprentice black belt – green stripe rank. If he passes his progress tests on the first try to get the next stripes, he could be testing for his full black belt sometime late 2024/early 2025.

Erich started a new job in April and enjoys it. We’ve had to adjust to second-shift work, but it’s going well. I get to see my husband for lunch most days of the week before he heads to the office. Max and Erich have time together in the mornings where I stay out of the way, and I take over the after school parenting. Weekends are family time. Erich had also really been struggling for several years due to his work status at the hospital, so seeing him in a much better mental state also helps mine.

I’m still working a hybrid schedule – one day in the office, four days at home. I’ve been warned that it’s likely to change to two days in office early next year. I work better and more productively at home, but it is what it is. (shrug) I finally have a strong team working with me where the egos are left at the door and we just get stuff done. It’s so refreshing. I’m finally ending days with less things on my plate than when I start my days.

We had our first family vacation in five years in August. We’ve had some little travels here and there, but a lot of them have been only Max and me. This time it was a full week together. We went to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, where we met up with my mom, her partner Barrie, and my brother, Scott. Hilton Head was my childhood vacation spot every June with my dad and my brother, but I hadn’t been back in about 25 years. I was so excited to share it with Erich and Max, especially since Max is the same age I was when I was introduced to the island. Things have changed in many ways, but in many others – it’s still so familiar. The live oaks with the Spanish moss draping, swaying slowly in the breeze, the hard sand and warm water. I’d forgotten how much I’d missed it.

Scott rented a charter boat for the Saturday afternoon we were there to enjoy a four-hour sail. We went out to international waters and spread my dad’s ashes among the waves according to the wishes he expressed to my brother before passing in 2016. Max got a little weirded out by it, since this was really his first encounter with any sort of funeral. Otherwise, it was honestly perfect – quiet, peaceful, and just… felt right. I’m glad that he can spend eternity near the island where he truly was always relaxed and happy. Once we spread his ashes, I noticed quite a few photos from cameras having green orbs on them. I know it’s probably just a trick of the sunlight on the phone, but I’d like to think it was Dad hanging out with us.

Our friend and Max’s adopted uncle, Matt, moved back in with us this past week. His rent was more expensive than our mortgage is, which is insane. His driving commute is definitely not ideal now – but hopefully it will allow him – and us – to save a bit of money. Our house is still a mess as we sort through and do some reorganizing, but it’s going to be a comfy, somewhat crowded home with tons of geekiness. 🙂

Life is good as we move into the cozy autumn season. 🙂 If I feel cold, I have this final photo to just make my heart a little warmer. Max and my dad’s green orb, enjoying the ocean as the sun goes down.

Happy Sunday,
Mel.