Friday, May 13, 2011

Welcome Summer!!



All grades were turned in by Wednesday and I worked most of the day on Thursday in my office just trying to straighten everything up.  We will be moving offices sometime this summer so I've been trying to get some of my office things packed up and ready. 

I woke up this morning with every intention of doing the same.
But I just couldn't do it.

I spent half of the morning in my pajamas...washed load after load of clothes and dishes, changed sheets, cleaned the pool filter, arranged some pictures on my mantle...and napped.
I did finally put on some shorts and a t-shirt...but no make-up, my hair in a ponytail and barefoot for most of the day...when I didn't have on my house shoes ;)

The best nap of the day was with Uh-Oh...all the chaos of late has had Uh-Oh in a tizzy...his meow has taken on an alert distressed level...he's been in and out at all times of the night and day...he just can't seem to settle down...I know exactly how he feels.

But, today we both relaxed on the couch...he was purring and I was snoring.  It was nice not to have to feel anxious about what was next...where I had to be...or a stack of papers to grade.

We still have a senior party next week, the firstborn's graduation and a trip to Maryland and summer school...
But it was nice today to just take the day and be home.
Really Home.
Have I mentioned how much I love HOME?
:)


Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Senior Prom...sniff, sniff...


This past Saturday night was my firstborn's senior prom.
To be honest, by Saturday I was just about exhausted with the entire production...she's been planning since January!

But, then she came out of her room...




And, then we took the entire group of kids to a lovely home for photos...



I decided all that hoopla was well worth it :)

All in all it was a wonderful night...I suffered from the normal parental anxieties surrounding prom and waited up for them until their safe arrival home at 2 a.m.

The chaos was even more well worth it when my firstborn climbed up into my bed the next morning to tell the Head of My Household and me all of the details.

By Sunday it hit me like a load of bricks:
My baby is not a baby anymore.

I'm both immensely proud of her and incredibly sad at the same time.
:(





Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day 2011




My mom was 18 years old when she gave birth to me.
Since the photo above was her Senior portrait, I would be born the following fall.
A life I cannot even begin to imagine.
Needless to say, things weren't and aren't always smooth for her.
She never really was able to have a life of her own; she went from being a daughter and a sister to a wife and a mother.
And, she wasn't always thanked for it.
After my parents' divorce she raised my brother and I in a 2 bedroom apartment on a college secretary's paycheck.
There were times when I know the only way she made it through each day was one minute at a time...an independent know-it-all teenager (me) and an active little five year old boy nipping at her heels constantly.
Nevertheless, my brother and I both graduated high school and college, have good jobs and happy lives and neither of us has ever questioned whether or not she loves us.  We just know.
I think life with a silver spoon in your mouth is highly overrated.
As my brother and I have progressed through the stages in our lives, she has also progressed through stages in hers.  Using gumption, strength, and perseverence she has become a successful businesswoman and is beginning to enjoy some freedom in her life that she has never had before.
Kudos to my mom; nobody deserves it more than she does.

As my own first little bird prepares to fly from the nest with the 2nd little bird close behind, I've been taking a long look at who I am and what kind of mother I've been to my girls.  I know that I've not always done things "right," but there are some very important things that I've learned from my mom that I try to instill in my daughters.

On Mother's Day I thought it appropriate to list a few of those things my mom has taught me:  

Life is not a bed of roses...so don't expect it to be.
Stand on your own two feet.
Never, ever give up.
Hold onto your faith.  Believe.
Honor extended family...they are a part of who you are.
When you are down on the floor, pick yourself up by your bootstraps and stand back up again.
Work your arse off.
Job descriptions include whatever it takes to get the job done.
Survive.

Be responsible. And, if you're not, own up to it.

Don't whine.  Do something about it.
A mother's love never ends. Period.
Mom's can get angry, disappointed, frustrated and even exasperated...but they're still always there for you.

My mother doesn't teach these things through words so much...
She teaches them through her actions...day by day...year by year.
I only hope I am half the mother she is.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
From, your little girl.