Something about this fall hasn't felt right. Maybe it was the earlier than usual beach week, followed by the evacuation and recovery to some semblance of a routine. Or the fact that we decided to rev up our house hunting in New Jersey to see what our options are elsewhere. It's felt very unsettled. And not entirely in a bad way, but still the idea that we aren't rooted is strong and yet I'm trying hard to make it feel like just another school year with all the surrounding norms. Just keep things moving. Of course taking the girls for another round of open houses in Glen Ridge, New Jersey over the weekend was definitely a step in the right direction even if it's all very vague at the moment. We opted for an easy lunch at the popular Tick Tock Diner and then off to see a few homes in Bloomfield near Brookdale park before visiting a gem in Glen Ridge. The girls were mostly game for the exercise and kept trying to figure out which bedroom they would have. The conversation turned to fictional pet dogs with names like Mango and Jupiter and tears were shed by Carolina who REALLY REALLY needs her own dog apparently. Oy. These kids are going to drive me crazy no matter where we live.
Sunset in Sunnyside is hard to beat
Ballet besties who can't help but strike a funny pose
Baking therapy to deal with the atrocious Kavanaugh hearings
Jessie reunion on Friday night was just what I needed
Skillman Oktoberfest was decidedly low-key
Look who turned up at Sunnyside Gardens Park! We made an Ann(e) sandwich out of Lisa
Former Astoria residents and friends Rafa and Kathleen visited us from Barcelona. Next time at their place!
The week ended with a few fun meet ups with friends from near and far. It really solidified my belief that true friendship spans distance and time and all that other stuff. I am fortunate that we've stayed in the same area for over a decade and our lives with kids have blossomed with so many good friendships. But we also know that there is more around the corner and the tough years of middle school and high school are still ahead. Where do we want to be for that and who is waiting to make new friendships that we can't even imagine yet? The girls are happy to talk in the hypothetical for now and so we are trying to navigate the what ifs. In the meantime, Sunnyside is still home and we are trying to soak it all up. September may be almost over but my favorite season is just beginning.
