Here we are well into September already and I'm still thinking about August. More specifically, the end of August. I'm calling this: August Share Four Somethings - Reunion Edition! 

Something Loved: I loved going home to Salem, Ohio to attend my 40th high school reunion and to spend time with my parents. They have lived in the same house for 55 years and I love returning to my childhood home. 

My bestie since pre-school, Lisa, was able to come as well. We both stayed at my parent's house and re-lived our long-ago slumber parties, but we had our own rooms and real beds instead of sleeping in the living room with our sleeping bags.  

The reunion itself was a blast. We ate, caught up, and danced the night away to the sounds of all '80s music played by the DJ. I decided I'm getting too old to stay up until midnight or later 2 nights in a row, but that's what happens when you have old friends around.  About 80 attended, which was almost half of our graduating class.  One of our members dressed up as the assistant principal, Mr. Cabas, and handed out detention slips to everyone.  It was hilarious.

On a more somber note 20 class members have passed away since graduation day and a member of the planning committee, set up a Memory Tree of ornaments with deceased class members' names and the year they died.  It was very meaningful to have this tribute.  

Something Accomplished: I couldn't decide if I wanted to drive or fly, as I was traveling by myself. I took an extra day to drive and I enjoyed stopping at a couple of places on the way home. Grandpa's Cheese Barn in Ashland, OH, and Jungle Jim's International Market in Fairfield, OH, to say hi to my friend Amy who couldn't attend the reunion.

I finished all of the podcasts in my queue for the week. I also listened to the majority of Prince Harry's memoir, Spare. Traffic was normal even for a holiday weekend and the weather was great! 

Something Improved: Whenever I go back home these days, I like to help my parents clean, organize, etc. This time around I deep vacuumed the whole house. I also trimmed Mom's rhododendron as she put the clippings into the garbage bag. Then we went out by the garage and trimmed the trees/bushes along the property line that were hanging over the fence and on to the garage.  She said her neighbor wouldn't mind.                                                                                     

                                     .       

Something Noticed: Lisa and I went to church with Mom and Dad and I was so blessed to worship with them.  We sang Goodness of God and I was so very aware of His presence in the church where I grew up and where I received His gift of salvation for myself. As the song says, "All my life You have been faithful, And all my life You have been so, so good, With every breath that I am able, Oh I will sing of the goodness of God."

Check out the other writers on Jennifer's blog!