We live in kind of a shady neighborhood, (no I'm not referring to lots of trees), my daughter has always attended our struggling public schools. In spite of these obstacles she has worked very hard, and found opportunities such as the Classic Upward Bound / Trio programs, and managed to excel in every way. So much so that she has been accepted to an Ivy League College!
She joined the facebook page for this university and is becoming intimidated as she reads about how accomplished many of her prospective future classmates are. Students who have attended all of the best college prep schools, had advanced classes available in every subject, speak as many as four languages, have had private lessons in music, dance, theater, sports, or anything else that has interested them...it is quite overwhelming for a young midwestern girl.
She is feeling pressure to accept this awesome opportunity because so many of us are so proud of her, and according to one of the rankings this is the seventh best school in the United States. She and I are planning a trip to the Ivy League campus soon, and signed up for a tour and information session to get a feel for the area before she must make her decision.
Prior to receiving her acceptance notification to this university, she was planning to attend a nearby private college. This college is on a quite small campus, is very friendly, and she will assuredly be able to continue participating in orchestra, which is doubtful at the Ivy League University as she has only been playing violin for three years. She has a natural talent and has become quite accomplished in those years, but again it is intimidating to consider students who have had private lessons for most of their lives.
We are waiting to learn about the amount of financial aid that she will receive at the Ivy League school, which has an excellent reputation for making it possible for students to graduate in four years without being buried in debt. The local small college has been very generous with both academic and music scholarships already, but there is not a "free-ride" on the table at this point.
We continue to play the waiting game, knowing that her decision must be made by May first. I am and will continue to be incredibly proud of her regardless of which school she chooses. I am concerned that she may always wonder, and perhaps be regretful should she choose not to accept the Ivy League school, but I feel that she would have much less stress at the local school, less opportunities perhaps as well, but possibly an overall sense of belonging and a more simple happiness? I don't know, but I pray that she makes the best decision for herself, not to impress anyone else, or to stay close to her perhaps overly-attached mom.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Proud mom...
My daughter is quite an accomplished young lady and I could brag about her continuously for her achievements, but it is her kindness that touches me most.
She is a senior this year and Tuesday evening gave her last orchestra performance on her high school's stage. As she and the other students made their way through the halls after their performance, she noticed a wide eyed very "star-struck", and obviously mentally disabled young girl with her mother. Instead of rushing by as most would, she stopped, smiled and asked the young lady if she liked the show, and thanked her for coming to watch. This little girl was as excited as much as many of us would be if we had just met a rock star. Her mother smiled and mouthed the words "Thank-you".
My thanks are aimed heavenward, so grateful to have been gifted with such a wonderful young lady for my daughter!
She is a senior this year and Tuesday evening gave her last orchestra performance on her high school's stage. As she and the other students made their way through the halls after their performance, she noticed a wide eyed very "star-struck", and obviously mentally disabled young girl with her mother. Instead of rushing by as most would, she stopped, smiled and asked the young lady if she liked the show, and thanked her for coming to watch. This little girl was as excited as much as many of us would be if we had just met a rock star. Her mother smiled and mouthed the words "Thank-you".
My thanks are aimed heavenward, so grateful to have been gifted with such a wonderful young lady for my daughter!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Gettin' out of the ol' "comfort zone"...
My daughter and two of her friends were supposed to go to an orchestra festival at a private college in northeast Iowa, as they've done throughout their high school years. There was a transportation snafu, so they needed a parent to volunteer to drive. Both of the other mom's were already scheduled, so GULP, it was on me whether they got to attend this event during their senior year, (as the school system would not allow their teacher/conductor to take them.)
I may have mentioned that I have some issues with anxiety, so this was a challenge for me. No the drive wasn't very far, maybe 90 miles or so, but I had to take the truck rather than my familiar little comfy car, the roads up there are curvy and hilly, (seriously, Iowa isn't all flat rows of corn), and most challenging for me I was responsible for driving them home in the dark safely. I HATE night-driving with a passion!
We arrived in good time on Sunday, got the "kids" fed and to registration and tryouts. So as my anxiety waned theirs kicked in, but all 3 got respectable places in the best of the two orchestras, the chamber orchestra. They spent Sunday and Monday zipping from practices, to technique instruction courses, to master classes, etc. We pretty much saw them on occasional breaks, or in between running to different buildings on campus, oh and did I mention these have been two more of the coldest days/nights of an unbelievably frigid season, even for us Iowa weather veterans, brrrr!
I thought that their conductor would have more scheduled events to attend as well, but she only had one official meeting with the other conductors, and would occasionally pop in on the students' lessons. So we had a lot of time on our hands. I attempted to nap in a cozy little lounge I had found, but the opera students suddenly materialized and I couldn't handle them for long!
Discovered a lounge in another building with a cozy fireplace, and if the weather had been more inviting there was a lovely, huge deck with adirondack chairs overlooking a tree-covered area of hills and a little valley.
Anyway, we had ourselves a little pizza party after the final practice, and before we knew it their awesome concert was over. It was time to load up in the ol' truck, as my anxiety began rocketing skyward. Thank God there was no snow, just bitter cold, a bit of ground fog, (which I certainly didn't expect this time of year), and all of the aforementioned hills and curves. The kids shared lots of stories and belly laughs, a great hurrah was heard when the conductor received a text that there would be a two hour delay at school Tuesday due to the bitter temperatures! We eventually arrived safely back at our high school. It was a stressful, yet fun weekend, and I earned a new moniker, "Mamma D"! Gotta love these kids. :)
I may have mentioned that I have some issues with anxiety, so this was a challenge for me. No the drive wasn't very far, maybe 90 miles or so, but I had to take the truck rather than my familiar little comfy car, the roads up there are curvy and hilly, (seriously, Iowa isn't all flat rows of corn), and most challenging for me I was responsible for driving them home in the dark safely. I HATE night-driving with a passion!
We arrived in good time on Sunday, got the "kids" fed and to registration and tryouts. So as my anxiety waned theirs kicked in, but all 3 got respectable places in the best of the two orchestras, the chamber orchestra. They spent Sunday and Monday zipping from practices, to technique instruction courses, to master classes, etc. We pretty much saw them on occasional breaks, or in between running to different buildings on campus, oh and did I mention these have been two more of the coldest days/nights of an unbelievably frigid season, even for us Iowa weather veterans, brrrr!
I thought that their conductor would have more scheduled events to attend as well, but she only had one official meeting with the other conductors, and would occasionally pop in on the students' lessons. So we had a lot of time on our hands. I attempted to nap in a cozy little lounge I had found, but the opera students suddenly materialized and I couldn't handle them for long!
Discovered a lounge in another building with a cozy fireplace, and if the weather had been more inviting there was a lovely, huge deck with adirondack chairs overlooking a tree-covered area of hills and a little valley.
Anyway, we had ourselves a little pizza party after the final practice, and before we knew it their awesome concert was over. It was time to load up in the ol' truck, as my anxiety began rocketing skyward. Thank God there was no snow, just bitter cold, a bit of ground fog, (which I certainly didn't expect this time of year), and all of the aforementioned hills and curves. The kids shared lots of stories and belly laughs, a great hurrah was heard when the conductor received a text that there would be a two hour delay at school Tuesday due to the bitter temperatures! We eventually arrived safely back at our high school. It was a stressful, yet fun weekend, and I earned a new moniker, "Mamma D"! Gotta love these kids. :)
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Learn to love who you are...
I took this "selfie" with my daughter last summer, while I loved it of her, I hated it of myself. All that I could see were the wrinkles, the lack of make-up, the gray hairs, the crooked teeth...
Yesterday I watched a snip of an upcoming documentary by the Dove campaign where they took mothers and daughters and took selfies and talked about what they saw, wow what a new perspective!
My daughter had told me how much she loves this photo, because of the goofy, fun times that we share, but it didn't really "click" in my head until I saw the daughters in the documentary explaining how badly they felt when they heard their own mothers making negative comments about their own appearances.
What a difference a day can make, I too love this photo now. My wrinkles are visible evidence of years of laughter and many smiles, make-up is overrated, I earned every one of those gray hairs, and the money that I could have spent "fixing" my teeth was instead spent on adventures with people I love.
I will never be glamorous, and I am just fine with that. There are many types of beauty in the world and even as I age I am learning to see mine.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Happy New Brrr!
Experiencing a VERY cold, snowy beginning to our winter season here in the midwest! Queen Cat knows exactly how to spend these frigid days...
Take her advice, find a warm snuggly spot and hanker down until spring!
Take her advice, find a warm snuggly spot and hanker down until spring!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Hello again...
No, I haven't fallen off of the edge of the planet yet after all. I have a daughter who is a senior in high school and in the process of applying to colleges, and for scholarships, so things are busy and there is plenty of stress to go around, such is life.
I recently read that Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic new year, so maybe this is a good time to get back to my blogging.
On Halloween my Mom and I went to the local ice arena in costume and passed out goodies to our fellow walkers, we chose healthy snacks. :) We really had fun, even as folks giggled at us in our holiday attire. I wish that I'd taken a photo, but had enough to carry with my "cauldron" full of apples and of course my broom!
I know this is disorganized and I'm rambling, which is why I've been neglecting my blog, my mind is filled with all sorts of chaos. Being a mom has been my main identity for the past 25 years, when my daughter, (our caboose), heads off to college next year I will have to transition into, well I don't know what, a new phase of life awaits and I don't know if I'm excited or afraid? Perhaps a mixture of both...
Enough rambling, I've got other things that I need to get accomplished. Hope that I will get back to this with a bit of regularity and less chaos, but I won't make any promises, except to TRY.
Weather looks gorgeous so enjoy another beautiful day!
I recently read that Samhain is the beginning of the Celtic new year, so maybe this is a good time to get back to my blogging.
On Halloween my Mom and I went to the local ice arena in costume and passed out goodies to our fellow walkers, we chose healthy snacks. :) We really had fun, even as folks giggled at us in our holiday attire. I wish that I'd taken a photo, but had enough to carry with my "cauldron" full of apples and of course my broom!
I know this is disorganized and I'm rambling, which is why I've been neglecting my blog, my mind is filled with all sorts of chaos. Being a mom has been my main identity for the past 25 years, when my daughter, (our caboose), heads off to college next year I will have to transition into, well I don't know what, a new phase of life awaits and I don't know if I'm excited or afraid? Perhaps a mixture of both...
Enough rambling, I've got other things that I need to get accomplished. Hope that I will get back to this with a bit of regularity and less chaos, but I won't make any promises, except to TRY.
Weather looks gorgeous so enjoy another beautiful day!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Top secret, shhh...
Okay, not really but kind of. I started taking a few of my daughter's senior photos today. I want to share with friends and family SO badly, but I made a promise not to do so until she's ready, which probably means at her graduation party next June! She has patience, but I do NOT. :(
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Gun control...
With all of the uproar about preserving second amendment rights, I'm curious as to how many of these folks even know what the second amendment states?
Here ya go:
The 2nd Amendment was ratified on December 17, 1791 along with the other nine amendments that make up the Bill of Rights. While it is a very short amendment, its exact meaning in terms of what types of weapons are protected is still in contention today.
Text of the 2nd Amendment:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
So, what "arms" were available in 1791? Muzzle-loaders? Bayonets? Okay, that is what your rights are limited to!
Yes, I'm being facetious. I am not anti-gun, but I am anti-idiots with guns! I personally know at least one person whom has a license to carry a concealed weapon whom, I believe to be far too irresponsible, reckless, and sometimes just plain, well stupid, to have that privilege!
Yes common citizens should have the right to defend themselves, but the scope of those rights NEED to be determined in a REASONABLE manner! Citizens do not need, nor should they have access to assault weapons, fully automatic, or even semi-automatic guns/rifles with clips that hold ridiculous amounts of bullets.
I applaud the Obama administration for having the courage to step up to the plate and start issuing some REASONABLE limitations on our second amendment rights, it is about time! I am all for background checks, mental health evaluations, and restrictions of what firearms are available to common citizens. I do realize that there is some truth to the mantra " If you outlaw guns then only outlaws will have guns". I am not suggesting that we completely disarm law-abiding citizens, but we definitely need to limit the insane amount and type of weapons available to the public.
I must add that arming teachers is a very reckless suggestion and I am completely against that. There have been instances of young children wrestling firearms away from trained police officers. I sure would not want to introduce more opportunities for children to access firearms in our school buildings.
I realize that opinions are very strong on both sides of these issues, but we need to try to do our best to make REASONABLE decisions on how to best protect everyone in our country...my two cents worth.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Post election blues...
I am very grateful that my candidate won this election and has four more years to keep attempting to get this country moving farther in the correct direction.
That being said, I am disappointed, and saddened by all of the hatred, racism, etc., spewing from so many sources. We are all Americans first, and should be trying to resolve issues for the good of us all. It is disheartening to see so much misinformation posted on social sites. Unfortunately, many folks don't check to see if these stories are true, they just join in on the hatred bandwagon and forward/share it with all of their "friends", so the circle of negativity keeps growing.
I suppose that one of my biggest aggravations is that so much of this hate-mongering is coming from people who profess to be such loyal Christians...to me that is blasphemous to the most extreme level. When I was young I was taught that God is love, Jesus certainly championed the importance of love.
God please continue to bless America, in spite of our many faults. Please help our government officials work much harder to find common ground, to learn the importance of, and to implement the art of compromise. Thank-you!
That being said, I am disappointed, and saddened by all of the hatred, racism, etc., spewing from so many sources. We are all Americans first, and should be trying to resolve issues for the good of us all. It is disheartening to see so much misinformation posted on social sites. Unfortunately, many folks don't check to see if these stories are true, they just join in on the hatred bandwagon and forward/share it with all of their "friends", so the circle of negativity keeps growing.
I suppose that one of my biggest aggravations is that so much of this hate-mongering is coming from people who profess to be such loyal Christians...to me that is blasphemous to the most extreme level. When I was young I was taught that God is love, Jesus certainly championed the importance of love.
God please continue to bless America, in spite of our many faults. Please help our government officials work much harder to find common ground, to learn the importance of, and to implement the art of compromise. Thank-you!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
More Yeats...
On the other side of the cemetery.
He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven
Had I the heavens'embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
W.B. Yeats
Under Ben Bulben...
Will have to do a few W.B. Yeats posts for my brother, though I'm not even sure if he reads my blog?
"Under bare Ben Bulben's head
In Drumcliff churchyard Yeats is laid,
An ancestor was rector there
Long years ago; a church stands near,
By the road an ancient Cross.
No marble, no conventional phrase,
On limestone quarried near the spot
By his command these words are cut:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman pass by!"
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Legend of Diarmuid and Grainne
Back in the days of arranged marriages, the High King Cormac Mac Airt, betrothed his lovely young daughter Grainne, (Gra-nay), to the much older warrior and leader Fionn Mac Cumhaill, (Finn MacCool).
Alas, Grainne's heart yearned for a younger warrior, Diarmuid, (Dermot). Diarmuid returned her love, so they eloped. Fionn pursued them for many years, but as I was told he eventually moved on to other things.
Grainne and Diarmuid were living in a cave in the mighty Ben Bulben, when Diarmuid, (who loved to hunt), heard of a mighty chase of a great black boar. Diarmuid could not resist, though Grainne begged him not to join in on the hunt. He was mortally wounded in the fight with the boar on the slopes of the mountain.
Grainne begged Fionn (who had great powers) to heal Diarmuid, but he refused. Diarmuid died, and Grainne shortly after, of a broken heart. The lovers are said to be buried in the cave where they last resided...
Alas, Grainne's heart yearned for a younger warrior, Diarmuid, (Dermot). Diarmuid returned her love, so they eloped. Fionn pursued them for many years, but as I was told he eventually moved on to other things.
Grainne and Diarmuid were living in a cave in the mighty Ben Bulben, when Diarmuid, (who loved to hunt), heard of a mighty chase of a great black boar. Diarmuid could not resist, though Grainne begged him not to join in on the hunt. He was mortally wounded in the fight with the boar on the slopes of the mountain.
Grainne begged Fionn (who had great powers) to heal Diarmuid, but he refused. Diarmuid died, and Grainne shortly after, of a broken heart. The lovers are said to be buried in the cave where they last resided...
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| This is the cave on the back side of Ben Bulben, (the little white dots are domestic sheep). |
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Toodle-loo!
This is finally the day! We leave this afternoon... I'm excited, and anxious in a nervous way all at the same time. This is going waaay out of my comfort zone, but so looking forward to seeing this dream realized and lived to the fullest!
Hope to have some photos to share next time you "hear" from me. :)
Coyote should be howling in Gaelic soon! ;)
Hope to have some photos to share next time you "hear" from me. :)
Coyote should be howling in Gaelic soon! ;)
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Cyclops
My daughter got a web-cam yesterday... As I'm sitting here blurry-eyed, early in the morning, I feel as if the computer is staring back with one eye aimed directly at me. I'm wearing a ball cap to cover my bed-head, but still feel self-conscious wondering if any of you will be able to see how much crappier I look at this hour?
The Ireland trip draws nearer, the excitement is palpable. I have myriads of lists of things to do/pack floating around in my head...still this eye is staring at me!
Had fun at the farmers market yesterday with Mom. All I was going to get was wheat bread from the Amish girl who is always so sweet...but ooh, local honey! Right beside one of my favorite winemakers with a new batch of red raspberry...YUM! :) Then over to the Plaid Peacock for a couple of small gifts for our future tour guides!
This is homecoming week, so hit several stores with my daughter in preparation for the few days during the school year when full uniforms aren't required. I really don't care much for shopping, (especially on the weekend), but we managed to have fun in spite of the chaos. She finally decided on who to portray for character day, and a series of mini-miracles helped us find just the right items to pull off the look she's going for...don't think that I'm allowed to tell yet... :(
Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes, 2 years in a row! My Panthers stomped whoever they were playing! Jr. and Tony are in the chase! Life is good, in spite of the eye of Sauron ever watchful!
Like Pip, I blunder forward with my day to day routines, noticing that Fox, (guardian of the family, especially in travels), is popping up everywhere I turn. So I believe that in spite of my curiosity and nose for finding trouble, this "fool of a Took" will escape the ever watchful eye, by following hobbit logic... "The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm." Soon I'll be sipping a Guinness across the pond..."It comes in pints?!!!" ;)
My apologies to any of you who aren't Tolkien-nerds, and therefore probably do not comprehend large chunks of this post. My best advice to you would be to get The Lord of the Rings movies, books, or BOTH and catch up on the fun already!!!
The Ireland trip draws nearer, the excitement is palpable. I have myriads of lists of things to do/pack floating around in my head...still this eye is staring at me!
Had fun at the farmers market yesterday with Mom. All I was going to get was wheat bread from the Amish girl who is always so sweet...but ooh, local honey! Right beside one of my favorite winemakers with a new batch of red raspberry...YUM! :) Then over to the Plaid Peacock for a couple of small gifts for our future tour guides!
This is homecoming week, so hit several stores with my daughter in preparation for the few days during the school year when full uniforms aren't required. I really don't care much for shopping, (especially on the weekend), but we managed to have fun in spite of the chaos. She finally decided on who to portray for character day, and a series of mini-miracles helped us find just the right items to pull off the look she's going for...don't think that I'm allowed to tell yet... :(
Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes, 2 years in a row! My Panthers stomped whoever they were playing! Jr. and Tony are in the chase! Life is good, in spite of the eye of Sauron ever watchful!
Like Pip, I blunder forward with my day to day routines, noticing that Fox, (guardian of the family, especially in travels), is popping up everywhere I turn. So I believe that in spite of my curiosity and nose for finding trouble, this "fool of a Took" will escape the ever watchful eye, by following hobbit logic... "The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm." Soon I'll be sipping a Guinness across the pond..."It comes in pints?!!!" ;)
My apologies to any of you who aren't Tolkien-nerds, and therefore probably do not comprehend large chunks of this post. My best advice to you would be to get The Lord of the Rings movies, books, or BOTH and catch up on the fun already!!!
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Countdown begins! :D
September is here!!!
In less than 3 weeks Mom and I will be on our way to Ireland!!!
I don't think it will feel real until we meet our tour guides at the Dublin airport. I'm hoping to get some photos to share with those of you who actually look in on my little blog from time to time. :)
Erin go bragh!
In less than 3 weeks Mom and I will be on our way to Ireland!!!
I don't think it will feel real until we meet our tour guides at the Dublin airport. I'm hoping to get some photos to share with those of you who actually look in on my little blog from time to time. :)
Erin go bragh!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Rain! :)
Woke up to a blissfully cool and rainy morning!
Got some of the dust off of my wellies! :)
Flowers even got a little taste of rain, not just "city-water".
After the drought we've been having here this summer I will try very hard to refrain from ever singing "rain, rain go away" ever again! This year we are grateful for every drop we get! :)
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Intolerance
Why can't folks quit judging others and just focus on what they could/should do to improve themselves and the world around them, WITHOUT feeling the need to run anybody else into the ground?
Why waste your life hatin' on folks whom you do not even know, and telling them how they will be judged...reality check time, seems to me that spreading hatred is a pretty bad thing to be judged for!
My husband has a line that says: "Whenever you are pointing a finger at someone, look at your own hand and see how many are pointing right back at you!"
Why waste your life hatin' on folks whom you do not even know, and telling them how they will be judged...reality check time, seems to me that spreading hatred is a pretty bad thing to be judged for!
My husband has a line that says: "Whenever you are pointing a finger at someone, look at your own hand and see how many are pointing right back at you!"
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Confessions of a worry-wart...
I've had a LOT on my mind lately, I guess too much for the amount of quiet time to compose all of those thoughts into anything that makes much sense...
This morning I'm concerned about two little girls, 8 and 11 years old who have gone missing near a lake in a small town not very far from us. I pray that they will both be found unharmed, but I'm worried... and I'm trying not to be judgemental...
I've always been VERY protective of my kids, step kids, grand kids, any kids in my care, to the point of irritating the hell out of them, but I wouldn't change it because I always knew where they were and that they were safe. I remember lining them up before we would go to the public pool, (where yeah, I know there are lifeguards, but they are "kids" too...), and explaining all of my rules, making sure that they understood EXACTLY what I expected from them, (for example if you're going to be out of sight to use the restroom or something, tell me), they all knew that if any of my rules were broken we would leave immediately whether we'd been there for 2 minutes or 2 hours.
My youngest is nearly 16 and when she rides her bike over to her Grandma's house, (about 5 blocks away), I insist that she texts me when she arrives, and when she ready to head home. I know that I am overprotective but nothing is more important to me that trying to do my best to keep her safe...
It's been very difficult for me as the kids grow up and I have to let them make their own choices, good and bad. I'm proud that they usually do pretty well, but still worry a lot when they make poor decisions, or when they are struggling through rough times... I understand mentally that worry does nothing to help them, and that it can in fact harm me health wise, so I try to do more praying than worrying, but my anxiety issues sometimes win the battle. I know that their guardian angels are doing their jobs, guiding and guarding my kids through all of their days and nights, but I really miss KNOWING for certain that they are safe and sound...
Please say a prayer for these missing girls and all children of the world suffering in any way...THANKS!
This morning I'm concerned about two little girls, 8 and 11 years old who have gone missing near a lake in a small town not very far from us. I pray that they will both be found unharmed, but I'm worried... and I'm trying not to be judgemental...
I've always been VERY protective of my kids, step kids, grand kids, any kids in my care, to the point of irritating the hell out of them, but I wouldn't change it because I always knew where they were and that they were safe. I remember lining them up before we would go to the public pool, (where yeah, I know there are lifeguards, but they are "kids" too...), and explaining all of my rules, making sure that they understood EXACTLY what I expected from them, (for example if you're going to be out of sight to use the restroom or something, tell me), they all knew that if any of my rules were broken we would leave immediately whether we'd been there for 2 minutes or 2 hours.
My youngest is nearly 16 and when she rides her bike over to her Grandma's house, (about 5 blocks away), I insist that she texts me when she arrives, and when she ready to head home. I know that I am overprotective but nothing is more important to me that trying to do my best to keep her safe...
It's been very difficult for me as the kids grow up and I have to let them make their own choices, good and bad. I'm proud that they usually do pretty well, but still worry a lot when they make poor decisions, or when they are struggling through rough times... I understand mentally that worry does nothing to help them, and that it can in fact harm me health wise, so I try to do more praying than worrying, but my anxiety issues sometimes win the battle. I know that their guardian angels are doing their jobs, guiding and guarding my kids through all of their days and nights, but I really miss KNOWING for certain that they are safe and sound...
Please say a prayer for these missing girls and all children of the world suffering in any way...THANKS!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Great day, mostly...
This Father's Day my curmudgeon actually heard from most of the kids! He doesn't make a fuss, but I know that it hurts him when they blow him off. Maybe they are growing up after all, whatever the reason we'll take it. :)
My favorite NASCAR driver, (since his Dad died), finally broke his losing streak! JR!!! :)
On a different note, my son is running off with a group of hippie/gypsy types... I am hopeful that they are good folks and that he will have a memorable and fun experience on this adventure, but as a mom I'm nervous... He doesn't have a cell phone, promises to write, but what if I need to get a hold of him? Guess they'll be gone for a year if all goes according to "plans?" Hoping for the best, prayin' that his guardian angels are on full alert!
Gotta go get our walk in before the temp hits 97 or more today! Ugh, it's only June...
My favorite NASCAR driver, (since his Dad died), finally broke his losing streak! JR!!! :)
On a different note, my son is running off with a group of hippie/gypsy types... I am hopeful that they are good folks and that he will have a memorable and fun experience on this adventure, but as a mom I'm nervous... He doesn't have a cell phone, promises to write, but what if I need to get a hold of him? Guess they'll be gone for a year if all goes according to "plans?" Hoping for the best, prayin' that his guardian angels are on full alert!
Gotta go get our walk in before the temp hits 97 or more today! Ugh, it's only June...
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
R.S.V.P.
Reponde sil vous plait? In English means please reply...
I understand that many folks lead incredibly busy lives, or are in super-busy phases of their lives (such as raising very active kids, etc.), but I feel that we are in a very sad time when people are too busy to reply to someone who has taken the time to say, write, text, e-mail, facebook, leave a voicemail, or contact them in any other way.
I mean hey, somebody has taken time out of their day to acknowledge YOU, they were thinking of you today and made the time to let you know. Isn't that truly a precious gift, deserving of even the briefest of responses?
I know that sometimes I can be overly sensitive, but when someone completely ignores my attempt to acknowledge them in a positive way, I feel as if I've waved at them in public and they just pretended that they didn't see me and walked away a little faster without even waving back...it is hurtful. I know that there are times when I get busy and forget to reply too, I feel bad when I realize it, and guilty for being upset with someone else...
Sometimes, I get angry and swear that I'm done with "so and so"! But later when I calm down I remember my Grandma once mentioning how much my Grandpa enjoyed my letters, how he would re-read them and smile... I never had a clue! Grandma would write notes and send cards on special occasions and "just because", but Grandpa NEVER wrote, if she hadn't mentioned it, I would never have known that someone so very dear to me even cared that I wrote...
I understand that he probably only completed 8th grade and may have been self-conscious of his spelling or penmanship, and that being from an old German family affection wasn't really spoken of that much, instead it was shown in sharing fun and special times together, usually involving food and a lot of laughter!
I remember walking out to the garden and he would point to these little brown papery globes on these little plants, he showed me how to ease the papery cover back and pop the golden ground cherries out from their casing and into my mouth, still warm from the sunshine and bursting with sweetness! (My daughter grew a bunch last summer which brought those memories back with every sweet bite, I know I've shed a tear for every ground cherry she harvested, and there were an awful lot of them!)
I also recall catching my first fish with Grandpa, a beautiful little "sunny". Honestly, I thought that it was much too pretty to eat, but I couldn't be such a weenie and say so in front of Grandpa, he was proud of me, and I wasn't gonna mess that up by being a sissy girl!
Grandpa made the most excellent potato pancakes...each time it was a major event, (he could be a bit of a ham), I adored him! He would grate mountains of potatoes and fry them to crispy perfection, I liked mine with sugar sprinkled on top, Grandma still has his recipe, but it's him that I miss, they could never taste as awesome without him...
But I digress...my point is that we should all TRY to make that extra effort to acknowledge those we love/care about and let them know how special they are to us. None of us know how many years, months, days, hours or minutes we have left in this world, I don't want to be wishing I had written that note, or made that phone call, etc. I want to have another good memory to hold on to for the rest of my days!
Love isn't love until you give it away, so I'll keep sending my sappy notes and such, whether I get responses back or not... *virtual hugs & kisses*
"May your compassion reach out to the ones we never hear from."
~ John O'Donohue ~
I understand that many folks lead incredibly busy lives, or are in super-busy phases of their lives (such as raising very active kids, etc.), but I feel that we are in a very sad time when people are too busy to reply to someone who has taken the time to say, write, text, e-mail, facebook, leave a voicemail, or contact them in any other way.
I mean hey, somebody has taken time out of their day to acknowledge YOU, they were thinking of you today and made the time to let you know. Isn't that truly a precious gift, deserving of even the briefest of responses?
I know that sometimes I can be overly sensitive, but when someone completely ignores my attempt to acknowledge them in a positive way, I feel as if I've waved at them in public and they just pretended that they didn't see me and walked away a little faster without even waving back...it is hurtful. I know that there are times when I get busy and forget to reply too, I feel bad when I realize it, and guilty for being upset with someone else...
Sometimes, I get angry and swear that I'm done with "so and so"! But later when I calm down I remember my Grandma once mentioning how much my Grandpa enjoyed my letters, how he would re-read them and smile... I never had a clue! Grandma would write notes and send cards on special occasions and "just because", but Grandpa NEVER wrote, if she hadn't mentioned it, I would never have known that someone so very dear to me even cared that I wrote...
I understand that he probably only completed 8th grade and may have been self-conscious of his spelling or penmanship, and that being from an old German family affection wasn't really spoken of that much, instead it was shown in sharing fun and special times together, usually involving food and a lot of laughter!
I remember walking out to the garden and he would point to these little brown papery globes on these little plants, he showed me how to ease the papery cover back and pop the golden ground cherries out from their casing and into my mouth, still warm from the sunshine and bursting with sweetness! (My daughter grew a bunch last summer which brought those memories back with every sweet bite, I know I've shed a tear for every ground cherry she harvested, and there were an awful lot of them!)
I also recall catching my first fish with Grandpa, a beautiful little "sunny". Honestly, I thought that it was much too pretty to eat, but I couldn't be such a weenie and say so in front of Grandpa, he was proud of me, and I wasn't gonna mess that up by being a sissy girl!
Grandpa made the most excellent potato pancakes...each time it was a major event, (he could be a bit of a ham), I adored him! He would grate mountains of potatoes and fry them to crispy perfection, I liked mine with sugar sprinkled on top, Grandma still has his recipe, but it's him that I miss, they could never taste as awesome without him...
But I digress...my point is that we should all TRY to make that extra effort to acknowledge those we love/care about and let them know how special they are to us. None of us know how many years, months, days, hours or minutes we have left in this world, I don't want to be wishing I had written that note, or made that phone call, etc. I want to have another good memory to hold on to for the rest of my days!
Love isn't love until you give it away, so I'll keep sending my sappy notes and such, whether I get responses back or not... *virtual hugs & kisses*
"May your compassion reach out to the ones we never hear from."
~ John O'Donohue ~
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