LABOR DAY WEEKEND!!

As soon as I found out the Buckeyes would be playing in a Thursday night game for their season opener, I requested the following Friday off of work. Because this was the Friday before Labor Day, that made for a nice 4-day weekend, but since I have been sandbagging my vacation days (due to my heavy work schedule), I was able to also request Tuesday off and create a nice 5-day weekend!

My friend Lawrene made the mistake of telling me she had never been to a Buckeyes game before. Given my fortunate ticket connections, I was able to work up some tickets for us, and we went tailgating and headed to the first game of the 2010 season together. Unfortunately for Lawrene, she had to sit with me. I am quite...spirited...when it comes to the Buckeyes. We were winning by 4 touchdowns, and I was still screaming at the defense to get their act together, still screaming at the offense to make smarter plays, still screaming at the coaches about the special teams blunders...

I don't feel I am a hindrance to others' enjoyment of the game, but I get my money's worth for sure. And I support my team.

My aunt's seats were quite excellent too, so I am hoping we can get some more tickets throughout the year, but I am always grateful to get those that I get. Duane found a nice tailgate connection too--right outside the stadium--so that is going to pay off. And I swear I saw Kirk Herbstreit and his family walking near the stadium! I don't know if I buy into the hype about the Buckeyes just yet, but they are better than last year!

Friday I actually had to head into work for a few hours, and my boss granted me a half-day of vacation time in return. Then I began painting Rachel's new room (pictures to come). It made me pretty excited for finishing it off and getting her moved over! Saturday we did some more housework and painting. Then Sunday we held our fantasy draft at the house. My team turned out okay, though I didn't get all the players I would have liked because I ended up last.

Monday morning, I headed up to Indian Lake to help celebrate my parents' new house on the water. They invited all of their closest friends to see the new place, and it was a great time. Rachel really takes to the water -- she helped her Hoppa drive the boat!

Then all the men left and we began the kickoff to Women's Week -- a tradition where all the ladies party at the lake for a week, with no men around! Lots of good food, cards, games, laughs, drinks, boating, and more. And it is even better in the new house -- we had some boat malfunctions today, but we just sat on the boat parked in the dock and ate and felt the wind and the water blow us around a bit. The new place is really several steps up from the old one. I had so much fun sharing my childhood retreat with my daughter and seeing it through her eyes as my parents must have seen it through mine once. I spent so many weekends at the lake when I was younger, and I just feel so blessed that my parents were in a position to provide that for us and for our family friends, who are more like family than anything. I just wish I didn't have to come home and go to work tomorrow! This is my last short week scheduled until my friend Kim has her baby -- it will be rough working 5-day weeks again!

But this weekend, I am looking forward to the rematch of the 2003 National Championship game (Buckeyes vs. Hurricanes)! And then next weekend I am throwing a diaper/formula shower for the aforementioned pregnant friend. Since this is her second boy, she doesn't need a ton of stuff, but diapers and formula always help! It is also a chance for her to relax for the evening and just enjoy being around her friends for a few hours, with some good food and some good cake!