Since our last update, many things have changed: The leaves on the maple trees became unnatural shades of red and orange, then dropped. The girls have enjoyed piling them up and then crunching them beneath their feet. Abby has started using the potty fairly regularly and loves running around the apartment in her birthday suit. As does Sophia. Dan and I just roll our eyes, acquiesce, and ponder the meaning of this behavior, especially when it's in the 30s outside.
Abby has adjusted well to going to school twice a week. It has been several days since she has shed a tear when being dropped off. Sophia has always done well and it is fun to see her enjoying herself with friends she may never see after this. Children are so "in the moment" and everyday I learn from them. They live in the "what is" and not in the "what isn't", as grownups so often do. They enjoy their days and experiences regardless of whether they will ever do it with the same people again. I try to remember this as I get together with the friends I have made here.
And I have made friends! Sophia's classmate's mom, Cathy (The Mom Who Saved Me) has inroduced me to two very nice ladies. Sophia's teacher, Ms Maegan, invites me regularly to her house, and the one night I joined her, I met SEVEN awesome ladies. One of them went to school at Trinity, just 'round the corner from the San Antonio Zoo, so we had a lot in common and talked for hours. I think I got home after midnight that night. I had a blast and it was just what I had needed at that time-- to hang out with other moms and talk like grownups. It was great!
On the business side of things, sales from my shop have slowed a little, whether due to the economy or due to the fact that I haven't updated my inventory much since having moved here. But I have had 3 custom orders that have taken up much of my free time. The two flower girls dresses are DONE and ready to send off! HALELUJAH!!! After stressing for months over these dresses and looking forward to never seeing hot pink satin ever again, the customer walloped me with a third dress order. Oh well! I have all the kinks worked out now, so it should be easier. Plus, I told her I wouldn't start until March or April. Ha ha! A few weeks ago I was contacted by a boutique in St. Louis about making 15 lame' (remember tissue lame' from the 80s?!) skirts in 5 different sizes. That was a big order but I finished it a few days after she wanted it and she was very happy with them! So that was exciting. Now that those are done I can focus on sewing Christmas dresses for the girls and gifts for my dear friend Elizabeth's baby, due in December.
Whew! And now we are looking at going home! HOORAY! Only 12 days left! We've been marking the days off the calender, more for my sanity than for Sophia's. Dan's parents will be making their annual trek to San Antonio and will be in town when we get home. I am planing a big party for everyone we know when we get home! Everyone is invited! See you soon!
My next entry will be a photo collection of all the interesting yet everyday things we see during the course of our travels. Driving down Troost to the girls' school is always an eyeball adventure. I notice something different everytime. It's a neighborhood that we normally would not think of driving through at home. You'll see what I mean when I post the pics. Anyway, see you all soon!
We drove to St. Louis on Nov 1st to visit my great aunt Velma and great uncle Bob. Bob is Grandma Helen's "little" brother. We had a very lovely visit and some delicious chili and banana bread! The girls enjoyed their dog, Midnight, and talked about her the rest of the way home.
