Mid July

I am told it has been almost a month since I wrote an update. I don't mean to leave you hanging. The month has flown by.  Contrary to what one might think, for someone who works in a "school," summer is my busiest season at the Day School.  As a daycare, we run the same schedule from 7 AM to 6 PM all year.  In the summer, the program has a summer camp feel as we have a lot of school-wide activities, many of which I am in charge of. I will make a separate post here in a moment to give you a glimpse of our super fun summer that will wrap up this coming Friday.

Mom had cataract surgery on both eyes in late June, and after a couple of weeks at a slower pace, she seems to be back to her active life, including flowers, cookies, and puzzles. During my week off (my school was closed the week after July 4th), we did a little visiting.  Anna, Tim,  and the kids came to spend the day with us, and one day I took her up into the North Georgia mountains to visit a couple of friends of hers. We always look forward to catching up with friends the week I am off from school.

Peter is maintaining.  He shared with me a few weeks ago that "although he does not have schizophrenia or Bipolar, he does have insomnia."  That is his explanation for some of the crazier things he has done.  One night before that conversion, he had missed his meds and had a miserable night, unable to sleep.  So he is taking the Olanzapine because it helps him sleep.  I am grateful because that 2.5 dose does seem to keep the wackidoodle thoughts and behaviors away.  To most people, he probably appears "normalish." However, I can tell there is a more grandiose thinking and swagger that is not his typical self.  In honesty, I am not beyond the fear of "what if and when" where Peter is concerned. That keeps me prayerful.  However, for the most part, he seems to be doing well.  His job at Lowe's has been changed so he doesn't have to deal with so many coworkers.  He pays his bills and manages his money fairly well.  Peter has routines that he follows. Mom and I are part of those, so we see him weekly. He bought a season pass to a local water park and has been twice.  This helps meet his need for speed and adrenaline rush, which I consider a good thing. We're hoping to attend our 4th Atlanta Braves game of the season in August. After that, Peter plans to be busy following the local high school football as well as college football games.

In May, we met up with long-time friend Jaime and her family. 
It was fun to get a picture of the kids 

In April, a cat adopted me and the neighbors.  He won't tell me who his favorite is; however, when I drive up, he meets me at the car 95% of the time.  Often, he comes under the hedge from the neighbor's house.  The neighbor lady wanted this stray that one day appeared, but the man of the house said they had enough dogs and people to care for.  Both households feed him and love on him, yet I am the one who had Luna (the name they gave her) checked out at the vet to determine it was a Lou and that he had no microchip showing someone else claimed him. Lou is very social and amusing. I think he sleeps in my shed at night and often comes into the house to visit when I am home.  Our favorite spot when it is not too hot is on my porch swing.  He has added joy to my home, and yet I am so grateful to not have the responsibility of a full-time pet.  This weekend, he is miffed with me because he has been displaced.  He will be a full-time outdoor kitty for a week, as I am once again dog sitting for my favorite dog, Lincoln.

                                      

So that's what's happening here! As always, I am grateful for your interest in our lives and stories. And I am extremely grateful for your prayers on our behalf.