Yesterday was the beginning of High School.....sort of. Aptitude tests, career and interest surveys, course perusing and then....boom...time to schedule the Freshman year. No more little school or middle school...HIGH SCHOOL. Such an exciting time! The excitement is tempered with a bit of trepidation. Who really knows at 13 where you'd like to attend college or what you'd really like to do when you grow up. Most don't have plans for next week and have no idea what they'd like for dinner tonight. Their interests may change but thankfully their skills are blossoming! You begin to realize you won't be a lead singer in a band but you could be combining graphic skills with computer skills. You probably won't be an Olympic gymnast but you could be a pretty successful marine biologist with an added interest of finance. Your skills are evident in the science and math fields but you're not really a people person so ruling out a lot of interaction might be a marker!
It's an interesting year when your student realizes that it might be smart to do just a little bit more than is warranted or expected. We are really fortunate to have a school district with a young, talented compassionate guidance department. They take their guiding seriously for all their students and introduce them early to the colleges and opportunities that are literally surrounding them.
I think the next four years will be full of knowledge, excitement and growing with a few eye rolls, under the breath mutterings and some pep talks thrown in for good measure. The best part is the daily understanding that you have all learned from other's mistakes and will make a few of your own.....but you can and will be a success in whatever you aspire to be and do.... and I'm right behind you 100%♥
Friday, March 6, 2020
Friday, January 24, 2020
Our New Normal
I actually have a few extra minutes this morning and I thought I'd better see when I last visited my blog... Holy cow, it's been TWO months. Life is a bit fuller (and busier) now that we have a full house again. We cook more meals, wash more dishes, do more laundry, drive more miles, play more games, buy more groceries but we also love more fully. Hugs and I love yous before bed, conversations about your day at dinner and kudos for all the wonderful accomplishments each day. Who knew this would be our life at nearly 70? Not that I am complaining one single bit. ♥
Bonds are stronger than ever; cousin to cousin, uncle to niece, granddaughter to Papa and Grandma and grandparents to grandson. The mother/son one has been there for 4 decades. Don't get me wrong, we ALL still need our "me time" and we ALL pretty much know when it becomes necessary. We've got it and it's working!
We made it through the fall birthdays and holidays. I'm continually trying to understand that less is more....Now that it's all here, I get it! Chores are shared and it's working.
Don't get me wrong....it's different. A year ago I could eat a Hershey bar for dinner and be good to go...Not so much now! Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy aren't just on at 7, they're tournaments right down to our final Jeopardy wagers and bragging rights that go a long way. So, many hours of Word Party get traded for equal numbers of minutes of Property Brothers. Yep, we have many TVs but everyone's learning to tolerate each other's likes and dislikes. I have learned to very much DISLIKE "The Office!" Bailee's favorite all-time show. Just hearing the theme song makes me cringe!
A quick week-end get-away is in store for B and me. Off to Turning Stone to watch Dancing with the Stars ...Kate Flannery will dance and of course, she was on The Office!!! The men will have their me-time too......without us. Hoping Mother Nature is good to us and Father Time stays away from everybody!
Bonds are stronger than ever; cousin to cousin, uncle to niece, granddaughter to Papa and Grandma and grandparents to grandson. The mother/son one has been there for 4 decades. Don't get me wrong, we ALL still need our "me time" and we ALL pretty much know when it becomes necessary. We've got it and it's working!
We made it through the fall birthdays and holidays. I'm continually trying to understand that less is more....Now that it's all here, I get it! Chores are shared and it's working.
Don't get me wrong....it's different. A year ago I could eat a Hershey bar for dinner and be good to go...Not so much now! Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy aren't just on at 7, they're tournaments right down to our final Jeopardy wagers and bragging rights that go a long way. So, many hours of Word Party get traded for equal numbers of minutes of Property Brothers. Yep, we have many TVs but everyone's learning to tolerate each other's likes and dislikes. I have learned to very much DISLIKE "The Office!" Bailee's favorite all-time show. Just hearing the theme song makes me cringe!
A quick week-end get-away is in store for B and me. Off to Turning Stone to watch Dancing with the Stars ...Kate Flannery will dance and of course, she was on The Office!!! The men will have their me-time too......without us. Hoping Mother Nature is good to us and Father Time stays away from everybody!
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
We have a teenager!
Birthday weekend...complete! We began with a movie on Friday night followed by a Roadhouse dinner. Saturday began with shopping and ended with a little local culture enjoying Fiddler On The Roof Jr. at the Jr.-Sr. High School. Bailee's friend, Chris stole the show and was rich in talent. Bedtime began with being 12 and waking up Sunday morning 13. The Buffalo Bills won for Grandma but the Dolphins flopped for B. Oh well!! Sunday dinner was a giant 3-foot sub, soup, fruit and cake, and ice cream. A pretty fun weekend♥
Next week brings another, slightly older, birthday followed by Thanksgiving, turkey and ornaments. It will be fun to sit with the grands and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. A bit of a tradition for Bailee and me that we'll share with Jett this year!
We're taking one day at a time around here. Some days are tougher than others but we have each other and we'll survive.
Next week brings another, slightly older, birthday followed by Thanksgiving, turkey and ornaments. It will be fun to sit with the grands and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. A bit of a tradition for Bailee and me that we'll share with Jett this year!
We're taking one day at a time around here. Some days are tougher than others but we have each other and we'll survive.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Peaches
I never really liked peaches. Never liked old peaches, canned peaches, fresh peaches, peach cobbler, peach jello or peach melba (although I did have an Aunt Melba that I quite liked.) And I am absolutely 100% certain that I don't like imPeachment. First, let me say that I don't adore everything about our president. He's a little mouthy and outspoken although I can relate to that and he spends way too much time on social media....(having a houseful of addicted screen people, I dislike it more every day.) With that being said, I quite like many things about our president and the past few years. The Dow seems to grow exponentially under his leadership. I begrudgingly agree with a lot of his immigration thoughts. I love that he takes no salary! I think the First Lady is loyal, intelligent, beautiful and classy. I do not believe that our foreign policies are any different than they have been for decades..we just hear and see more about them. I firmly believe that we support other nations far too much and ours far too little...although I understand give and take and peace and war.
The one thing I do not understand is Democrats. I have never seen such a hypocritical group of self-serving asses. I'm pretty sure the entire group couldn't list ten major or even minor accomplishments that they have achieved in the past 3 years....forget prior to that for now. So much energy into getting rid of someone who just plain pisses them off.....and whom they just can't seem to control. So much money spent on productions that even the jerks in Hollywood couldn't pull off.
Nixon quit! Andrew Johnson and Slick Willie were impeached but never removed from office. Even if the House garners a simple majority, the final stage must be the Senate. Hello, the Republicans won't allow that 2/3 majority. This entire fiasco is moot! Regardless if you like Trump or you don't...he's the president and the decision to keep him or heave him belongs with the American voting public.
Needless to say, I watched very few minutes of yesterday's hearing. All I can say is "hearsay!" Whatever happened to having directly heard something to be deemed "evidence!" Once again...it's hogwash. I'm not blindly against all democrats....just the ones who like peaches!
The one thing I do not understand is Democrats. I have never seen such a hypocritical group of self-serving asses. I'm pretty sure the entire group couldn't list ten major or even minor accomplishments that they have achieved in the past 3 years....forget prior to that for now. So much energy into getting rid of someone who just plain pisses them off.....and whom they just can't seem to control. So much money spent on productions that even the jerks in Hollywood couldn't pull off.
Nixon quit! Andrew Johnson and Slick Willie were impeached but never removed from office. Even if the House garners a simple majority, the final stage must be the Senate. Hello, the Republicans won't allow that 2/3 majority. This entire fiasco is moot! Regardless if you like Trump or you don't...he's the president and the decision to keep him or heave him belongs with the American voting public.
Needless to say, I watched very few minutes of yesterday's hearing. All I can say is "hearsay!" Whatever happened to having directly heard something to be deemed "evidence!" Once again...it's hogwash. I'm not blindly against all democrats....just the ones who like peaches!
Monday, November 11, 2019
Veteran's Day
It really is a special day to honor all of our servicemen and women. I am thankful for my relatives who were veterans and actually thankful that some couldn't or didn't have to. My Dad's eyesight actually kept him out of the service, Lee's number was never pulled and Jeff grew up in a time of voluntary service.
As I think about the words veteran and war, I wonder if most every person today isn't a veteran of some kind of war. It might be a very personal internal war, a family war, an addictive war, a tragedy or just sometimes a war of words. The battles are real and the outcomes are often deadly. Each of us loses a little (sometimes a lot) in each of our battles. It's often family members, communication, even a big piece of our heart or happiness can be lost.
PTSD is often diagnosed in folks who have never set foot on a foreign battlefield. It doesn't distinguish between women or men, young or old and often never goes away...you just learn to live with it and avoid triggers.
So today is a day for everyone....not just veterans of the military but for those whose personal battles rage in their everyday life. Our thanks to all who have served in our military, who have fought for our literal and figurative freedom and to those who continue to brave their own battles. Today is for everyone!
As I think about the words veteran and war, I wonder if most every person today isn't a veteran of some kind of war. It might be a very personal internal war, a family war, an addictive war, a tragedy or just sometimes a war of words. The battles are real and the outcomes are often deadly. Each of us loses a little (sometimes a lot) in each of our battles. It's often family members, communication, even a big piece of our heart or happiness can be lost.
PTSD is often diagnosed in folks who have never set foot on a foreign battlefield. It doesn't distinguish between women or men, young or old and often never goes away...you just learn to live with it and avoid triggers.
So today is a day for everyone....not just veterans of the military but for those whose personal battles rage in their everyday life. Our thanks to all who have served in our military, who have fought for our literal and figurative freedom and to those who continue to brave their own battles. Today is for everyone!
Friday, November 1, 2019
Thirty Days
Well, here we are..November first! We made it through another month on this crazy roller-coaster. I have never wished away time but I'll be glad to see 2020 roll in and 2019 be far behind us in the rearview mirror. I might even stay awake until midnight on New Year's eve and give it a couple of whoop whoops!
As I've been reflecting on the past 304 days, I have learned that every family has its dysfunction. That has been a bit comforting while also a bit disconcerting. I could probably search for answers but they'd undoubtedly end up being more excuses than answers. My children have made less than stellar decisions.....each culminating in losses...huge losses. One has learned from them..one has not. Helplessly I stand by to pick up the pieces and try to reconstruct the shattered souls....and shattered they are! Bailee always likes to hear my prayers at night. Especially the part about "helping to make me "Elmers!" She's a smart cookie and she put those words together understanding that I hoped to be the glue! I will continue to work on it as best I can.
November is a month of celebrations. I hope we can make it a drama-free month of birthdays, hunting and Thanksgiving. Simple things make for simple smiles. That's really all I ask for these days. I will try to be more thankful than regretful (not sure that's a word.) Facebook usually has a WIATF challenge and I will join in.... Sometimes we just need a little nudge to help us remember!
....And of course, Christmas is only 54 days away.... That'll help!
As I've been reflecting on the past 304 days, I have learned that every family has its dysfunction. That has been a bit comforting while also a bit disconcerting. I could probably search for answers but they'd undoubtedly end up being more excuses than answers. My children have made less than stellar decisions.....each culminating in losses...huge losses. One has learned from them..one has not. Helplessly I stand by to pick up the pieces and try to reconstruct the shattered souls....and shattered they are! Bailee always likes to hear my prayers at night. Especially the part about "helping to make me "Elmers!" She's a smart cookie and she put those words together understanding that I hoped to be the glue! I will continue to work on it as best I can.
November is a month of celebrations. I hope we can make it a drama-free month of birthdays, hunting and Thanksgiving. Simple things make for simple smiles. That's really all I ask for these days. I will try to be more thankful than regretful (not sure that's a word.) Facebook usually has a WIATF challenge and I will join in.... Sometimes we just need a little nudge to help us remember!
....And of course, Christmas is only 54 days away.... That'll help!
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Oh Christmas tree, tree, tree, tree!
For as much as I love tradition, I enjoy something new to decorate. I've been trying to clean out the storage room and get down to one tote per holiday...yeah right! I have taken more decorations than I can fathom to the Thrift Shop. This upcoming Christmas will be another different day. We seem to adjust and readjust each year... Family members added ...............and subtracted. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself thinking that this holiday would be three of us (adults) waking up and hopefully four for dinner... My tables are so much fun for me but cooking and decorating for 3 adults and possibly no children was, to say the least, depressing.
Then B came home! Not the frivolity and excitement has returned. Her monogrammed snow boots won't sit in the closet, her ornaments will adorn the tree and even the Elf on the Shelf will return (I hope.) Marvy appears more for my amusement but he's still a welcomed tradition and with Jett being here more, he'll enjoy it too.
So, it's always one big, beautiful tree adorned with ornaments old and new...Not this year... I think a celebration is in order and everyone should have their Very Own Tree!!!! You want purple lights? you get purple lights. You want Harry Potter or rainbow coalition..you get it!!!! You want guns and ammo...welllll..OK!! I want plaid and trucks...yep. So, I just lack one tree! This week-end everyone gets to choose their decorations and it'll happen!
With presents purchased and wrapping complete, these are the fun things I have lots of time to "make happen!" Our annual tradition of Thanksgiving ornaments will be complemented with their individual tree trimmings too.
Let the holidays begin. Oh Christmas Tree♥♥♥♥
Then B came home! Not the frivolity and excitement has returned. Her monogrammed snow boots won't sit in the closet, her ornaments will adorn the tree and even the Elf on the Shelf will return (I hope.) Marvy appears more for my amusement but he's still a welcomed tradition and with Jett being here more, he'll enjoy it too.
So, it's always one big, beautiful tree adorned with ornaments old and new...Not this year... I think a celebration is in order and everyone should have their Very Own Tree!!!! You want purple lights? you get purple lights. You want Harry Potter or rainbow coalition..you get it!!!! You want guns and ammo...welllll..OK!! I want plaid and trucks...yep. So, I just lack one tree! This week-end everyone gets to choose their decorations and it'll happen!
With presents purchased and wrapping complete, these are the fun things I have lots of time to "make happen!" Our annual tradition of Thanksgiving ornaments will be complemented with their individual tree trimmings too.
Let the holidays begin. Oh Christmas Tree♥♥♥♥
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