My weekend began, technically, on Thursday. I finished teaching and went home and tidied up before my parents got into town. They weren’t here but for a few minutes before we all headed to dinner. Nothing fancy, just Texas Roadhouse, but it was nice that we could all go out together. They had an Airbnb in the neighborhood so they went back and we wrapped up the night.
Ash ran Friday morning and got a haircut, then we went to Maria Maria with my parents, as they had never been. It was good! They left for home soon after and Ash and I ran up to his side job to pick up a check and then into Total Wine. We mostly just watched movies that night. I’d like to believe we did something else but lord knows I can’t remember!
Saturday was our planned collaboration brew with a local brewery. We’ve done a couple before and they’re always fun. The other breweries have traditionally been really accommodating and let us do a good bit of the work, from pouring in the grains and other water adjustments to flipping valves and all that. This one was no different and Sheldon was super nice to us. They usually let us drink a few free beers too so, no complaints! I had to leave by 1:30 to get to Isaac’s second soccer game. Ash tried to get there but as he is brew club president, he had to stay for the whole event. (Below, Ash and I both doing something during the process.)
But I was there for Isaac’s two goals, so that was awesome. They won their first game 8-0 and the second, 3-1. A good day all in all. When we got back, I’d planned to make food but Ash ended up getting pizza (after I left of course) and no one else was hungry, so I waited a little while then cooked. We watched FSU lose – again – and went to bed early.
Sunday morning was 30 mile ride day, as we have been upping our mileage by 5 each week. We went back to the flat route though, which was good. Sadly, it rained on us quite a bit so we were pretty soggy. I felt pretty strong though so that was encouraging. I should have taken more pictures but with the rain and all, I couldn’t. But the trail was nice; we even saw a deer as we got closer to the coast. We tried to stop for a second at 15 miles but it was so mosquito-y we got swarmed the second we hopped off. Immediately got back on and rode five miles away from said coast and it was just fine.
I was not feeling like making a big Sunday meal so I said screw it and took us out to Glory Days. It was pretty good and we hadn’t been in a while. Then as always, laundry and football. It was dreary all day long so I didn’t mind sitting around. The rain let up a little in the late afternoon and I put my new inflatable out.
My son has been working at a local restaurant since late October last year and he went from dishwasher to busser, to recently, cook. For a while there, maybe 2 months ago, he was kind of becoming disillusioned and he even thought he might go ahead and put his 2 weeks in. Then he started to really like cooking and as kids got fired for not even showing up, he took on extra shifts. I didn’t get the full story, but yesterday, his manager said he’d heard from others about the 2 weeks thing and they basically let him go. Seems a bit unfair; he may have wanted to ask if he was thinking of quitting, etc but hey, it’s a restaurant and I guess they figure all kids are expendable. My son was a little upset but also, this may have been the impetus to get the other job he’d wanted. Not a huge step up but he has some friends working at a nicer establishment up the road. I told him to take a week off and really think about things but he said he’s already been in contact with the two buddies who work for the other place and he’s trying to get an interview this week. His call but for me and my husband, we see this as one of those bad milestones everyone has to go through and it probably feels worse for us! He’s taking it ok and moving on, thankfully.
***************3
Wow, really uncool for me to pick my favorite rock band or song, as that IS my genre.
I mean, SO many songs to pick from. I can’t really narrow it down so I’ll just pick a few all-timers.
incognitusscriptor.com 
Sorry about the job situation, but hopefully something new works out well for him. It feels a bit odd to talk about ordinary life when there is so much happening all around us, but I think we need to carry on. The world needs bright spots and bits of happy now more than ever. Have a great week and am glad the storm should give you a miss. We’re still reeling here but this one isn’t supposed to come our way.
I’m glad this one is staying low on Florida; the funny thing is that I feel like South Florida ALWAYS got the storms and now, they seem to be coming into the Gulf way more. I know it’s all cyclical but still – ugh.
Congrats on the bike ride and your sons´s two goals! That is awesome. Who needs fancy when you can have those soft billowy rolls from TR? I know TR is a chain and that is in part why they can keep their prices low, but I am impressed with their prices and the quality of their food. They are doing something right! Speaking of restaurants, that stinks so much about your son. And if many people are not showing up for work, someone dependable sounds pretty ideal to me. I hope the new job works out.
Yes, agreed about the prices at TR; we don’t go often but when we do, it’s always a little impressive. And yeah, I hope he can recover enough to move onto another job. We all have to go through it. I mean, I have never been “fired” until this last job and even then, it was more of a “this isn’t working out, keep working until you find something new then leave” situation. Not everyone is so lucky, I guess.
Nice job on your bike ride and thanks for sharing some retro hit- some of my faves!
Yes, your son’s job situation is just one course in the Learning from Life series. I’ll hope it’s for the best. Sometimes it is, but I know it hurts to go through the experience. Now I’m craving some beer. We’ve lost a couple of long standing breweries recently in our area. I don’t even know what’s open anymore. Alana ramblinwitham
I hate to hear about his job — life is so unfair at times. Are y’all in the path of the storm? Stay safe!!
you are so busy and athletic. I was happy to go on a very difficult hike along the Niagara Escarpment. It was 2.5 km with tree roots and huge boulders. For my joint disease this was a triumph includingbthe endless stairs I had to climb. Thank goodness for my walking sticks. My friend, from Vancouver, came down so it’s always fun to hike even though I am slow. Your son is getting to know the real world and how it works which can suck at times. You are great parents because I know many who let their grown children live at home, not working and sponging off mommy and daddy and they are over 30! I see this often in my line of work ( Credit counsellor/ bankruptcy counsellor). He is already bouncing back!
I’m not one for heavy metal and I don’t like the last song when they sound like Satan. I find it evil which is sooo weird because I am not religious or anything like that…it just gives me the heebie-jeebies.
LOL thanks for the words of encouragement; it’s always been our goal for the kids to be able to leave at 18. I know today’s economy isn’t so helpful for that but we’re trying!
The funny part about Slipknot is they are so NOT satanic at all; it’s just the persona and as bands go, they’re pretty tame on that front!
That’s too bad your son lost his job. It’s best to keep things to yourself when you’re thinking about quitting but he’s young and has a lot of learning yet. I hope his new gig is better than the last and that he excels there. I hope y’all are well with Melton going wild. Thanks for joining the party this week. Have a boogietastic day!