8:09 a.m.

At that exact time, I got a notification on my Gmail. It was from our dear friends, and they're inviting us to hang out with them this coming Sunday at a brewery a couple of towns away. 

It has been months since we saw each other. The last was on our friend Jo's birthday. He treated us at Hootch and Banter in downtown Frederick.

Jay suggested a Saturday instead since we can't make it on that day, but sadly, they're also not available.

Bummer!

I was really looking forward to seeing them.

It was decided to move the get-together to December, after Thanksgiving weekend maybe. 

Over 3 Weeks

All of my online shops are closed starting now and will remain closed until the last week of November.

I'll open them back three days before Thanksgiving Day.

I haven't had this kind of a long break since 2013, when my sister-in-law gave birth to her youngest child in California. My two children and I flew to the West Coast before her due date.

Although I'd still be working for the whole duration, I just can't ship out sold items from where I will be staying. 

I am excited to take this break, though. 

I can't wait to tell you more about it. 

Does he miss us?

That was what I've been asking Jason for the past weeks.

The last time I saw Christian, my son from another mother, was a few days before we left for New Orleans in mid-September. It has been over a month since I last heard from him.

He'd send me a text message if he could come for tea after dinner, but most of the time, I'd invite him to come over for a meal, tea, or just to hang out.

Since the family got sick after that weeklong trip in NOLA, I didn't send him an invitation. 

It has been over a month. Still, I haven't gotten a word from him. 

Although Jason, my son, and Christian see each other often for a Friday night movie at their close friend Garner's house, what about me? 

The other day, I got a message from him. He asked if he could join us for breakfast. 

I didn't answer right away. I let him wait.

But eventually, I answered his text message by evening, after dinner. 

Finally, he came yesterday after his morning meeting. He was 15 minutes late, but his excuse was acceptable. 

I made a Filipino brunch of hot piping rice, hamonado longganisa sausages, fried eggs, and pour-over coffee. 

Since we, I mean the mister and I, are leaving again, I also invited him for dinner today so he won't miss us too much.

... or vice versa?

P.S. He's been really busy with his dedication to civic involvements, so I understand why we scarcely see him. In fact, we are extremely proud of him.

all photos are from Christian's Facebook account.