It's the midpoint in the semester, it's cold, it's rainy, and I'm slowing down. I'm realizing how much work I have left to accomplish in a month and a half, and I don't feel like doing it! My poor students... It doesn't help that I've been getting a lot of stomach aches lately. Hello, stress, I was hoping that you'd never return. The past few weekends, JD and I have found ourselves looking at the clock after watching a couple of movies and realizing that it's only six o'clock. What will we do with the rest of the cold, rainy day?
First, I need an attitude adjustment. Second, we need to turn up the heat. Third, I need a nap. No! I musn't give in. I realize it's just the midterm doledrums, so I try to suggest a house project for JD to work on so that he can motivate me to get some work done, but then we lay around on the couch thinking about that for a while until we agree we don't feel like it.
But today starts a new week, and I have some resolutions to get me over the semester hump. Number 1: stay busy, be productive. If I feel like sleeping, I need to leave the house and run an errand. Number 2: Remember how lucky I am to be here in this doctoral program, and I need to appreciate it. Yes, it's a lot of work, but what isn't? Number 3: Look forward to the breaks that are coming. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner! And finally, Number 4: okay, I can't think of a number 4, but I think that numbers 1-3 will keep me busy for a while anyway.
And that work becomes especially aparent when the neighbor rakes his yard, and we don't.
To his credit, JD worked hard to clean our yard, and we now have a massive leaf pile waiting for the garbage men. But I'd say there's still 70% of the leaves still on the trees, so we've got a ways to go.
Saturday morning, we followed Michael over to Mom and Dad's only to pass them going the other way! We followed them to IHOP where they were meeting my grandparents, so we got to suprise everyone at once! Some tears were involved, and it was a happy reunion.
After breakfast, we headed over to the Pond's house. When they first saw us at the door, they were afraid that something was wrong, but we assured them that our visit was pure pleasure. We got to have a great lunch with them and to catch up on all our news. That afternoon, Michael hosted a barbecue to break in his new house; my uncles and cousins came over as well as the Ponds, and it was a wonderful evening of family togetherness. 
It really made me start looking forward to the holidays. We spent Sunday driving the 10 hours back to Normal, but the trip was worth it. Every moment counts.
In Bloomington, we had a delicious lunch at Kelly's bakery.
Friday afternoon, we met up with Emily and her out-of-town friend Allison at a pumkin patch and corn maze. Needless to say, we got very lost in deep mud until Michael took control and led us out of there.
Michael had a good time checking out JD's bike; it was a little chilly for riding though.
Friday night, Michael was very brave (and JD too) by attending my Children's Literature First Friday party. He got hugs from professors, lots of interesting (and I do mean interesting) conversation, and quite a mish-mash of foods. Now he knows what JD and I do for fun! Saturday, we hit up some town thrift stores, played board games, and went out to eat. Emily came with us to Distahl for a delicious dinner.
I'm very sad that Michael's gone; it makes me homesick and miss my whole family even more. But every time someone visits, I have more memories of people I love in my house and around my town. That's priceless. 
