Sunday's Snippets

Mark and Matt out in Irvine, California at US Open where Matt officially turned 21!
READING:  I would love to say that I am reading any number of excellent books that are lined up on my bedside table just waiting for me, but the truth is that all week I have been reading bits and pieces relating to new appliances, etc., none of which I was absolutely certain how to operate.  Between that and unpacking, my reading time has been almost non-existent. Soon to be corrected.  

SWIMMING NEWS:  IU Men's Swimming & Diving, and also the IU Women's Swimming & Diving, have started the season already and are not only practicing but in the process of interviewing possible new recruits for next year, so it's a busy time in Bloomington.  Matt ended his sophomore year last spring with some wonderful accomplishments...being selected All Big Ten, All Big Ten Academic, and All American. His 800 Freestyle Relay Team also broke the IU school record, which was very exciting. Over the summer he was home helping with the move and practiced with his CSC team, attending the US Open in late July and achieving new best times to end the long course season.  Now back at IU he is gearing up for what he hopes will be a great Junior year with the team.

Matt, Eric, Jimmie, and Steve with IU record-breaking 800 Freestyle Relay last spring.

Matt and Daniel at US Open this summer enjoying dinner and drinks...Daniel at age 22 and able to order more than iced tea...Matt needing to wait for an official birthday drink until his 21st birthday the last day of July.

Okay, it's official, Matt is 21...birthday dinner in California during US Open.

COOKING BYTES:   Things have been at sixes and sevens with the move this summer...but I am finally reunited with my cookbooks, cooking/baking equipment, and a renewed interest in joining my blogging group friends in the quest for learning new recipes and techniques.  They have all been making marvelous things in my absence and I've been missing out!

FAV NEW FIND:  Lots of favorite new finds as we are enjoying discoveries a new area brings.  Probably the most of favorite of everyone is that after 36 years of commuting to work, Mark is now able to walk to work in just a few minutes and is enjoying the extra time added to his days with the non-commute! 

FAV THIS PAST WEEK:  Getting most of the boxes unpacked, things put away, everything in working order, etc.
WEEK IN REVIEW:  We closed on the selling of our house of over 21 years the Friday before last and spent this past week getting settled into the new place.  Got to spend some time with Matt in Bloomington, some time at GCHS subbing senior history re Russian Revolution, and generally just trying to get everyone organized in new spaces (Matt has a new apartment and a new roommate at IU this year, Lee).  

LOOKING FORWARD TO:   We have traded in lawn care, house maintenance, pool maintenance, and life in the suburbs for a stint living downtown in Indianapolis in a luxury apartment on the canal.  It's a year of adventure, at the end of the year we might continue or we might opt back for suburban living in a much smaller house with a much smaller lawn, etc. but we thought there was no better time to try something new and different than when one is between bouts of house ownership and living in a small space is good practice for downsizing!

OH, AND...Happy 56th birthday to my sister Karen, who as she always reminds me, "will always be younger than you." Hope it's happy and joyous, filled with celebration and fun!