The shape of macaroni and cheese and other back-to-school ponderings (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

Does macaroni and cheese taste different based on the shape of the noodles? My son pointed out that I hardly ever make macaroni-shaped macaroni and cheese—and right away everyone else at the dinner table chimed in. I never realized that I buy the shell-shaped version more often—or that anyone cared.

So, I very carefully bought the long skinny noodles on my next grocery run. It all tastes the same to me, but everyone is different.

~2~

The other night I had an evening work obligation, so I asked my parents whether I could drop our boys off for dinner. It just seemed simpler for everyone, especially since John had errands to run for our bathroom renovation project. Fortunately, my parents said they were happy to have their grandsons for a visit.

Hurrah!

While I was picking them up, I saw my sister Treasa, who apologized for not returning our loaf pan. I had forgotten she had it.

I told her that must be why I haven’t been baking bread for my family lately. Then we laughed.

~3~

Our younger son started seventh-grade last week, and it’s been a relatively smooth transition. But I underestimate every year the emotional exhaustion we all experience with the beginning of school. Starting a new school year is exciting, but it is also so tiring.

Meanwhile, I had thought the button-down shirts and khaki pants I bought for our older son were all wash-and-wear, but apparently most of them aren’t. The school shopping saga continues, even as we prepare to send our older son off to his first day of high school on Tuesday.

This has been the longest back-to-school runway ever, and it’s certainly been a bumpy one. I am hoping that once everyone is at school, everything will be smoother. But I suspect it will just be a different type of crazy. But I know it will be worth it.

~4~

Have you seen the redesigned Catholic Review? My copy arrived this week, and I really enjoyed reading through to see the different look. Their photographer Kevin Parks came to my house a few weeks ago to take a new photo of me for the redesign. I haven’t had a photo taken since we lived in our old house, and our toddlers were literally running in circles behind me for that shoot.

This time, Kevin and I chatted peacefully in the backyard while my teen and tween hung out inside, happy to stay out of the way to avoid the camera.

I don’t love photos of myself, but I think he did a great job.

~5~

Our bathroom renovation project continues, and I think it will be finished next week. It’s exciting to see it come together, but we have reached the point where we just want everything to be done. I think I was imagining it wouldn’t be as disruptive as being without a kitchen for a few weeks because we have another shower and all. And it’s much, much less disruptive. Nothing compares to losing a kitchen.

But construction in a house does throw things askew. We will be happy and relieved to have it completed for so many reasons.

~6~

Have I mentioned that I’m pursuing a master’s degree? There is no time in my life to take grad classes, and a smarter person might postpone this effort. But I’ve reached a place where I’ve realized there is never a good time to take grad classes. You can always say that you’ll wait until the children are older, but older children also need lots of love and attention and listening—and so much chauffeuring.

So, even though I’m working many, many hours, and raising two amazing children, and trying to be the wife I am called to be, I am also taking graduate classes. Because there is no perfect time. So, this is the perfect time.

~7~

Today, we are going to try to fit in one last swim of the summer for our boys! Hope you are enjoying this beautiful long weekend.

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