The Write Stuff

"Mom, you need to update your blog."

"Mom, why haven't you updated your blog."

"Did you write about (insert very important event here)?"

Sigh. Life has somehow taken me away from this writing thing that I actually enjoy. Of course, I actually enjoy many things. That's the problem, I think.

I enjoy my job. I enjoy that I get a paycheck to do said job. I enjoy playing with my photos. I enjoy making photobooks with said photos. I enjoy my husband.  I enjoy watching movies, going out to eat and just hanging with said husband. Oh, and then there are the offspring. I enjoy having time with them, all of them. And don't even let me get started about that sweet, cuddly, adorable little grandbaby.

Can I borrow a cup of time, please?

Time is zooming all around me. It is not unusual for me to work a few to several hours overtime here and there. A girl gets tired. The laundry doesn't care about the tired thing. My kids have all but grown up in the blink of an eye. This year really sealed that reality for me. Two babies graduated from high school.





Look at all of us together!!


I don't have the proper words to describe the pride I feel. At the same time, those milestones are a reminder that my babies are now faced with the reality of adult responsibility. It's a good thing. And I guess I am supposed to be looking forward to more Me time in the coming years. But a big part of Me Time over the last 18+ years has happily been wrapped up in Kid Time. Who's gonna need me anymore?

Sigh.

Oh, I know it'll be fine.

Distracted

Okay, first, don’t even freak out about today’s song. I just love the Stones and it has the word Mother in it. And, of course you know that I am NOT old. But hey. Rock out, babeeez. hehe

The other night Mackenzie asked, “Mom, why is the ironing board up here?” (Here being the top part of our two-level bedroom, the level where I don’t iron.)

I replied, “Well, I thought it would be easier to iron all this stuff in front of the TV. I got interrupted before I finished, and now here it sits.”

I started thinking back to the last time this happened. 30 years? No, come to think of it…never. Dang. I guess I am just a little tired and busy being the super working outside the home Mom these days. Oh well. At least it’s just my own stuff. Which I save up for weeks until I absolutely need to wear it. Hopefully I won’t need to wear that sweater on the right till next year. Spring, do you hear me???

Speaking of Spring…

My orchids in the foyer are going nuts. 4 out of the 5 on the chest are blooming at the same time. I love orchids – they will bloom for at least 4 months. These poor guys tried to bloom last May when we were having our kitchen remodeled. Once all the workers were gone, all the petals dropped off each plant. I am amazed that all these are blooming at once. I guess it is because I am not only a super working outside the home Mom but also a super I can grow orchids without really having a clue Mom. Boohah.

Who Dun It?

So far, it seems no one knocked this over and “accidently” forgot to clean it up. I guess I will also be the super I will clean it up even though I don’t know who messed it up Mom today. Sigh.

Have a great Sunday. I have to go to the Mall this afternoon. Ugh.

Today’s Daily Blog Song – “Mother’s Little Helper” by The Stones (don’t worry, I won’t become a drug addict. I just like this song. My mother’s little helpers are the teens who should clean up that dirt!!!)

Facebook Killed The Blog Writer

Remember that song in the 80's, "Video Killed The Radio Star?" You know, the one that is playing in the background right now? That is what I feel is happening to me and a lot of my bloggie friends right now. The quick and easy Facebook status update is taking over the thoughtful and inspiring (!) blog posts. Or, of course, I could just be overdramatizing the fact that I have been busy as hell with no time to think about blogging. I dunno.


I miss writing, but I find myself constantly choosing the fast solution over using my mind to create something more interesting. Hmmm. When my teenage daughter tells me she misses my blog posts, that is when I realize that my postings are more meaningful that I thought.


In the beginning of this blog, I basked in the glory of receving numerous comments on my rantings and musings. I would spend a great deal of time (too much, sometimes) searching for new blogs to read and comment on. I still read my favorites - I just haven't had much time to let you know I am reading you. Sigh.


Sure, I like getting comments from my newfound blog friends. But the tickle to my ego comes when my own kids like what I do. So here we go, folks. I promised Mackenzie that I would reconnect with my blog.


Soooooo....without further ado, back to my old, self-promoting Teri.


Did you know I have a new grandson?? How could you miss it. I love love love this little man. Alexander is now 5 weeks old. Here are a few pix of him a couple of weeks ago. He is just the sweetest lump of sugar.







I can't get enough of this angel baby. Just can't.


Did you know I turned 50!!!! Yes, last month was the BIG 5-0! My work friends decorated my pod for me. I wonder if everyone at work could tell it was my birthday?



I was really excited, actually. I love birthdays. I mean, as I have said for years, it sure beats the heck out of the alternative, am I right? I was gonna have a big party, but a lot of family things happened around that same time. Then it got to be a little too late, so I thought I would just wait till the next time I turn 50. hahahahaha


Oh, and one more pretty exciting thing. My plum van, a/k/a the Barney Mobile, has been replaced by this beauty.



Yes, I finally agreed to get a new vehicle. Ugh. I hate spending money on a new car, but I was more hating constantly spending money on that old one. Barney was outwearing it's welcome. A lot.


I love my new ride. I am still learning the ropes, though. This morning I accidently hit the button that guides me through setting up my cell phone for the hands-free thing. The lady's voice was really nice, but I couldn't figure out how to turn her off for now. I found it in time to resume my satellite radio listening for the ride into work on this "lovely" dark and rainy day. Nice.


Okay, I am back. Back. Back. More pictures, more words, more musings, more me me me! I told you I would write something, Mackenzie.

Today's Daily Blog Song - "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles

He's Here!

It happened a bit earlier than planned, but Baby Alexander made his appearance at 10:37 p.m. on February 3.  Yay!!!!  I can't tell you how ecstatic we all are.  Doug and I waited at the hospital for several hours until we could hold this sweet little man.  It was close to 1:00 a.m. the next morning before Alexander was ready to meet us.  And that was fine with us.



Doug was anxious to get a couple of minutes with our grandson so he could share a few special words with him.  Lasting memories.



And then I got my turn.  I'll never forget it.



We shared time with our granddaughter over the next few days.

She is such an intelligent 10 year old. The more we talked about deep subjects, the more I forgot that she is still just a kid. I was reminded of her youth as she explained how she just traced the veins in her hand with a blue market. I get it, Sweetie. I taught her to sew just a tiny bit. She is making a wrist bandage with some leftover fabric. That kid is so cool.



 
As if Alexander's arrival wasn't enough of a joy, I was given yet another surprise for my 50th birthday last week.  Doug purchased a ticket for Nicholas to fly in for the weekend at the end of next month!  Yay!!!!!!  I can't even properly express my happiness.  A new grandson and a visit scheduled with my reunited son.  Thank you for my life.  Big time.
 

 
Today's Daily Blog Song - "Loves Me Like A Rock" by Paul Simon

Oh Baby Baby

I don't know if I told you all that I am getting a grandson very soon.  Baby Alexander is due March 4.  We found out yesterday that Aspen (our oldest) is now on bedrest while Baby Alexander chills for his arrival that should happen within the next two weeks instead of in March.  Wheeee!  I may get to hold that little man by the time I turn 50 this month.  Yes, I said it, 50!!!!!  Aging is a good thing.

Please allow me to introduce you to Baby Alexander.  This was his first portrait in December.



This is just so exciting.  I can hardly wait to share (tons and tons of) pictures with you.

Today's Daily Blog Song - "Baby Mine" by Allison Krauss

A New Day

It's been a few weeks since I last posted anything here.  Seems I've said that a few times over this last year.  Most times I've just been busy or I had nothing to say.  I'm still busy, seriously.  But this time I have something to say.  A big something.

I wanted to share three weeks ago, but I just wasn't ready.  It's a good thing, don't worry.  Here goes:  If you've played along over the last couple of years, you have probably read about my older son, Nicholas.  When Nicholas was 13 1/2, he went away to live with his dad in West Virginia.  It was not a happy situation at all.  I have had numerous sleepless nights and teary days during all the time Nicholas has been away.  He was never open to any contact at all.  That kills a mother, you know?  All that pain is what initially pushed me to go back to school and get my degree...in philosophy.  Yep, I was looking for the meaning of life, I kid you not.  It ended up being one of the most worthwhile experiences of my life.  So, in the middle of tremendous pain, good things find ways to rest upon us.  I survived.

Three weeks ago tomorrow, my son texted me.  Yes, he did.  I was shaking and crying as I tried to respond (I had to reach for my glasses - I can't see those little letters!)  We texted back and forth for quite awhile that evening.  Then we texted some more later that evening.  Then the next day.  And the next.  I even spoke with him on the phone one night.  It was a bit jarring to hear my son's voice and not immediately recognize it because it has changed so much.  I got over that - I was ecstatic to hear him.

We have kept in touch every single day since then.  We are going to his gradution this summer.  That has been my dream since he was a little guy.  I get to see my boy move to the next phase.  Thank you, Sweetie.

I will share more often.  Promise.  I am in heaven.  All my kids are a part of my life again.  Yay for me!

Just so so happy.  :-)

Today's Daily Blog Song - "Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley (Don't worry about a thing, 'cuz every little things' gonna be alright)  It is indeed alright.

Happy New Year To Ya

Well, well, well. This girl has taken a well-deserved break from blogging. The longer I didn’t write, the more I realized I wanted to write. But hey, the eggnog and ham and fudge and standing rib roast were all calling me. Unfortunately, the scale had the last laugh. Ugh.

We had such a busy Thanksgiving and Christmas season in our household. In fact, it was so busy that it was Christmas Eve before I realized that the kids hadn’t created this year’s masterpiece gingerbread house. Oh, they were just ecstatic when I reminded them. “I did it last year.” “You do a better job, you do it.” “Do we have to?” Ah, the sounds of the season. Whatev.

Yes, they had to do it. And they did a marvy job. Look at them being all crafty and stuff.



Team work. “You hold it.” “No, you hold it.”



They look like little angels.



This is more their natural states.





Hey, at least I got that gingerbread house built. Mom rules.

Are you still recovering from your holiday? How much coffee does it take each day to remind yourself that it really isn’t a day off from work anymore? So tired.