A Visit (SOL19 #30)

I drove up the driveway and saw the blue bag sitting on the stoop. My Old Navy shipment had arrived just in time for spring break! I grabbed my work bag, got out of the car, and made my way toward my package. 

As I approached, I smiled, and bent down to pick up the bag. Just as I lifted the bag something flew into my face. I swatted it away. A moth.

Unbelievable. 

I’ve written about moths before. Since the day we buried my father, moths have come to visit me and I truly believe those ugly, flying insects are him coming to say hello. Though strange, I feel a sense of calm whenever I have a moth visitor because it reminds me of my Dad.

I haven’t seen a moth in a LONG time, but it did make sense that the moth would come when I ordered something I probably didn’t need from Old Navy. He always hated when we would buy something purely because we wanted it. Hence, my most recent encounter with the moth dive-bombing me in the face. 

Hi, Dad. Miss you, too.

"We could actually win this!" (SOL19 #29)

“We could actually win this!” A smile crept across her face as she intently looked at the scoreboard. "We sure can!" I replied, just as hopeful. 

My mind flashed back to just a couple months ago when we first began practicing. Dribbling was tough, and we were just learning how to pass. 

“This is too hard! I can’t shoot!” 

I heard it all. 

Yesterday while watching the Lady Tigers take on the other district teams in the tournament was a moment of immense pride for me. It was great to see how much our girls have grown and have become a team. They looked for the open girl, made the pass, and girls who had not scored a basket all season, made their first two pointer. Although we didn’t win, I could not be more proud of their accomplishments this season. They never gave up, learned about teamwork, and cheered each other on. 

I also am looking forward to co-coaching again next year. 

Schedule Change (SOL19 #28)

My husband has been working in the car service industry for as long as I have known him. He is exactly the man you would want to work on your car because of his honesty and the way he treats his customers. He worked for a long time for a company that didn’t appreciate that and took advantage of his work ethic. He worked countless hours and missed many evenings and weekends with his friends and family. He has since found a different job that allows for more flexibility in his work schedule. He works from home five days a week, and has normal work schedule that doesn’t take him away from those that he cares about. 

Yesterday, while I was at a friend’s house he called me on one of his breaks. “I have big news, Katie. My schedule is changing next week.” I can recall many conversations where this would elicit an immediate feeling of dread. This time was different. It was much more interest than dread. I could hear his smile through the phone. “Well, what’s different?” I asked. 

“Well....” he held the ll’s out much longer than they needed to be. “This is going to be my last weekend working. My shifts have changed so I don’t have to work ANY part of the weekend anymore.”

Now this may not seem like a big deal. But it is. It’s a huge deal. I can count on my hands how many times my husband has had a Saturday off. Now, it will be our new normal. To say I am excited is an understatement. He is elated.

Hat day? (SOL19 #27)

As I drove down the road I was feeling pretty accomplished. I made it out the door with a cup of coffee already in, and had enough time to stop for some Starbucks on the way. The sun was shining. It’s sweater weather. Oh, and it’s hat day at school.

OH NO! It’s hat day! 

I recently cleaned out the ol’ Explorer. How good did I do? Did I get that baseball cap floating around the back of the car?

I pulled into my diagonal spot silently praying that I missed it. I was lame yesterday and didn’t participate in crazy hair day. I couldn’t go for two days being a non-participant in Spirit Week.

I opened the passenger door and looked under the seat. Nothing. Remarkably clean. This should bring joy. It did not.

I hustled to the back of the car and opened up the hatch. Still nothing. I flipped up one of the third row seats and there it was. Illinois State Redbirds hat.

Whew! 

Mrs. Suomi would participate after all. 

Credits Roll (SOL19 #26)

“Quick, we only have one dish left!”

“Put the lettuce on the plate, Katie!”

“Hold your horses, Steve-o!” 

“Just need to the tomato. Push! Push!”

“Annnnnnd we did it,” I said as I shoved the last dish in the giant, hungry meatball’s mouth. 

We all breathed a sigh of relief as the Onion King congratulated us. I watched the screen intently wondering how they would end the game. The meatball started to shake and then exploded into hundreds of meatballs.

Credits roll.

“That was it?” Disappointed doesn’t begin to cover it. Steve looked at me funny. “What’s your problem?” 

He had probably seen the end of hundreds of video games, but this was my first time beating a game. “It’s just not what I expected,” I added with a definite sound of glum in my voice. 

I don’t know what I expected, but the exploding meatball wasn’t it. Although, I don’t know what would have been worth all the hours of playing this silly game, shouting across the living room, and fear of the next insane cooking challenge. 

We did have fun though. 

Now, on to Overcooked 2. 

Pajama Day (SOL19 #25)

I grabbed my keys and headed up the stairs. So many are on break already. Not me. One more week. I say goodbye to Phil and he looks at me like I have three heads.

“You sure you’re ready?”

I looked down at my outfit and immediately understood what he meant.

Luckily for me it’s pajama day. 

“Yep. Jambo day!” 

Relief spread across his face. “Lucky you,” he said back. “Every day is pajama day at the Suomi house.” 

I rolled my eyes. This working from home thing really has it’s benefits. 

“Do you really think I would forget and just go to work in my pajamas on accident?”

“I don’t know. It is a Monday morning, and you look a little tired,” he replied.

Gee thanks. Happy Pajama Day Emerson teachers. Last Monday before break. We’ve got this. 

Puzzles (SOL19 #23)

I sat on the leather couch and watched the little boy spin in circles singing and dancing. I thought, if only I had half of that energy. The smile stretched across his face when he stopped and darted toward me. 

“Auntie?”

He climbed up and sat down next to me resting his head on my arm. His big, beautiful eyes peeked out from under the White Sox baseball hat. 

“Blake?” 

Giggle ensue. “Auntie, will you do puzzles with me? Yes?” 

His little head tilted as he gazed up at my face.

“Oh geez,” I replied. My face must have made a “oh my goodness how could I say no to that face?” look. 

“Don’t cry. Come with me.” 

I definitely wasn’t crying, and I was definitely wasn't turning down an invite for some puzzles with my 2 1/2 year old nephew.