Crock Pot Days

Fall is the craziest time of the year.  School, XC practice, soccer games.  Doesn't leave much time to eat dinner.  Last Tuesday we were all out of the house by 7:30 am and didn't get home until almost 10:00 pm.  {and it was the worst soccer game of the season, a huge loss to Geneva}.  I have a dinner menu for the month, so we actually eat food that doesn't come from McDonald's.  I was doing so well, until Thursday...when I think I reached my limit of preparedness.  The story of dinner that day pretty much sums up how the world is turning for the Bartons.

Knowing that I would be going straight from XC practice to the 5:00 Varsity only soccer game at MHS, I put the chicken & the ranch dressing & the buffalo sauce & the butter into the crock pot that morning & turned it to low as I walked out the door.  Patrick texted me {when he got home & was supposed to turn the crock pot to warm, eat dinner & get back to school for the game} saying, "I think the crock pot is broken, the butter isn't even melted."
Oh, the best intentions that work out...some of the time.  We ended up eating at Joey's & having buffalo chicken Friday night...after I fixed the tripped GFI outlet.

Patrick has applied to college ~ Akron & University of Cincinnati ~ I am so knotted inside.  On one hand, I'm so excited for him.  This is a great time of life.  He's so ready to start that chapter {as soon as I teach him how to do laundry}and I know he has so much ahead of him.  On the other hand, I'm not ready to close this chapter in my life.  Once again I wish I had the ability to express myself eloquently.  My baby is grown up.  My job is pretty much done.  And the question...did I do it right?...weighs on my heart.

But, as I constantly remind myself, ENJOY the moments.  Last night was the Perry/Madison football game {Madison won 28-27 in a wild, wild finish} & 50's night for the band.  Check out my rumblin' trumpet players:

My face is getting better.  Here's proof:  {Helps that the newer pic is a little blurry too.  If I just keep moving, no one will notice the Harry Potter scar on my cheek.}

August 24

September 8

And a funny Mike Barton story:
He had done something that really bothered me.  And he'd done it for the 15th time.  And I'd finally had enough.  I went upstairs just seething.  He came up, oblivious to the fact that he'd pissed me off...Here's the conversation. {remember I'M PISSED}
B: "If I were you, I wouldn't talk to me yet.  I'm still really pissed."
M: "What are you mad about?"
B: "You always...{honestly, I don't really remember what he always}...and today was the last straw."
M: "So you're leaving?"

What kind of answer is that?!?