My Sister, Etc.

Can I just tell you something?  I'm feeling stressed about my blog right now.  It is ridiculous really; but, I have SO many things I want to write about and; while I'm loving the 31 Day series, I can barely get those posts cranked out (hello, 6 lessons done in 12 days), much less anything else...

Just so you know what you are missing ;), here are a few of the post topics floating around in my head and begging for two hours to materialize:

- Thoughts on working part-time
- Awesome Boy Oh Boy give away
- My Fall wardrobe uniform
- Pumpkin patch photos
- Fall decorations and,
- A 15 month update on my boy

Maybe one day... In the meantime, I don't think I've mentioned that my SISTER MOVED out of town!!

Other than my brief stint in South Carolina for college, I have always had the privilege of living in the same town as my sister.  (I even rented a room in her college apartment with her one year while I did my graduate work, and spent many a night on her Radford sofa during my student teaching.  When I think of how intrusive that was now, I cringe a little... But, it was still a special time for me.) In more recent years, Kathryn has lived in the same neighborhood as Jeff and I, and I've enjoyed being able to walk to the local movie theater in snow storms, "pop in" to remedy a late-night wardrobe crisis, or call her in a bind at 6:30AM when Jeff forgets he has a morning meeting and the babysitter doesn't arrive until 8.  I admit it, I liked being able to say that Jeff's brother was three blocks in one direction and my sister was three blocks in the other; and most days, I took it for granted.

 Now, she is three hours away.  Sad days.

All that said, I'm super happy for Kathryn as she embarks on this new adventure and chapter of her life in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  I've joked sometimes that I like to live out the single-gal (and by single, I mean not married - don't worry Dewayne) in the city - life vicariously through her.  And, while I don't regret the decisions Jeff and I have made for our family to be in Roanoke right now, a part of me does envy this opportunity that she is making for herself to spread her wings a bit.  There is always risk involved with change, but she seems to be handling it beautifully.  As always, I'm a proud older sis.

All that said...

One of the "silver linings" of her move, however, is that now she gets to be a visitor.  I'd never really given it much thought before, but living in the same town, we weren't always intentional about our time together.  In fact, we hadn't gotten to have a real "sleepover" in at least the five years since I got married.  BUT, this past weekend, she came back into town for Radford's homecoming and got to stay with us. Even though this 'sleepover' involved things like cleaning my bathroom (which can only be done with the company when the company is your sister) and taking care of a teething little guy, it was still such a treat!  As corny as it sounds, one of my favorite things was our lazy Saturday morning trying on outfits, sharing accessories, and letting her fuss at me about how terrible I am with my make-up.  (Seriously, I'd be SO much more of a train wreck if it wasn't for Kathryn's honest criticisms once in a while. And, yes, she did warn me not to tie my scarf like that -- I didn't listen.  Big mistake.)

Sneak peak of pumpkin patch photos. Ha!

Love you sis! I'm already planning my girls' weekend in Fredericksburg!

P.S. Read Lesson #6 here if you missed it.  It is an important lesson to me.  Lesson #7 will be up later today (I hope).

P.S.S. My ten year high school reunion is this weekend.  Woot Woot!