My favorite time of year arrived a few short weeks ago. The brutal summer heat wave made me long for the start of fall even more this year than in the years past. Football season kicked off and the Astros just wrapped up the first round of play offs. My weekend will be filled with college football, NFL football, the Astros vs the Rangers, and cool weather for running. I cannot wait to sit on my back porch and sip coffee with Potatoe.
I find my life filled with so many simple pleasures as well the big picture of everything I worked for and hoped for in life transpiring. I feel blessed. I remember my many blog posts written on flights back and forth to Calgary, where I often wondered what the future holds for my heart and for the two boys that forever fill my heart. Those two boys grew into men seemingly over night.
After an amazing summer in Houston with his sweet girl friend, Brainy Bird returned to South Carolina for his junior year of college. He continues to pursue dual majors in computer science and mathematics. He loves the math. I love to see him passionate about his studies. I cannot wait to roll into South Carolina the week of Thanksgiving to see Brainy Bird and Sara. Potatoe will certainly be excited to see Sara as well.
Little Chirp continues to hold his own in high school. His grades are exceptional, including near 100 averages in computer science, engineering, and Pre-AP calculus. He will take his first AP exams this year, which will be physics and computer science. I like the friends that Little Chirp has chosen, and I am excited that he is participating in robotics this year.
My career continues to flourish, and I am just a year and three months away from total financial freedom. At the end of 2024, my living cost will be less than 10% of my income, and I will realize the freedom of being able to have any job I want. Assuming I am awarded financially as promised, my big plan is to stay at the job that I have now. I am happy more often than not, and I believe in the values of the company that I work for. I also love the nature of the work that I do. My dream of becoming a writer might be on a permanent hold.
I am looking forward to Thanksgiving in South Carolina, with both of my sons, Brainy Bird’s girlfriend and sweet Potatoe. I am hoping that my love also makes the trip, but he is on the fence about going. I realize that South Carolina might not be the most exciting destination, but it would be so nice to have a few days to snuggle together and relax. I love the sense of peace that being in South Carolina brings me. I would like to share that feeling with the man that I love.
Not long after Thanksgiving, I will be off to my first ever European vacation. I can NOT wait. I am beyond excited. I will be traveling to Italy with a close friend that is amazing at planning. Brainy Bird will be joining us as soon as he gets out of school for the semester. We plan to eat, drink and hike. Three of my all-time favorite activities.
Once I realize my plan of financial freedom, a European vacation will be in the cards every odd calendar year. I plan to return in 2025 with both boys. Little Chirp will get to pick the country or countries.
This December, I will be seeing Europe for the first time at age 46, while Brainy Bird will be making his second trip to Europe at age 20. This will be his second trip this calendar year. My heart bursts with happiness that he is living a full, adventurous life, getting to do the things that I missed out on in my early years. I am also excited that he put his deposit down to go to Greece at the end of his junior year.
Yes, I live vicariously through my children, but I also live my own amazing life with a man that I am completely in love with. The man in my life was the one thing not my plans. I am so glad that things did not go exactly as planned. Thank you God for everything that you bless me with every day.