2017...in a nutshell, so far

This past year has been a rollercoaster year.

• 2017 began with me flying out to Arizona in January to help care for my very ill father, which I will discuss in a later post. 
• Losing the entire month of March to a nasty sinus infection
• April began with me traveling again to AZ to help Mom with Dad. Our daughter began her new job in mid-April. We are so proud of her. It ended with our son graduating cum laude from Jacksonville State University with a B.S. in Computer Science and minors in Math and Physics. It was a very proud moment for Hubby and I.
• May saw hubby and I spending 10 days at the beach. Best vacation yet!!! Our son landed a job with an excellent company and began work on his birthday. Now, he'll always remember his work anniversary. 
• After landing his job and finding the perfect apartment, we helped our son moved into his apartment in June. Now, officially an adult...working and paying his own way.
• July was quiet.
• The beginning of August was crazy and crazy hot. So, of course, it was the perfect time to move our daughter into her apartment. I didn't want to climb stairs for quite a few days after we got her moved in. She loves it and is happy, so we're happy.
• September...was pretty quiet. 
• October has been the month of doctors appointments, starting a round of hormones and setting a date for surgery. It's nothing serious, just something that will make my life a little easier. I hope. Then the other day, I let someone get under my skin and I lashed out (the hormones make me a little irrational sometimes). I knew better than to let this person bait me, as they've done it before and I let it slide. Well, not this time. I said some truly mean things and feel horrible for it. I'd like to apologize, however, I don't believe they will even listen. Maybe with a little time, I'll be able to send my apology.
• Waiting to see what November and December hold for me and my family.
  

Until next time...

Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!  Punxutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning, so it's six more weeks of winter for us.

I'll be spending the next several weeks planning my flowerbeds, hanging baskets and vegetable garden.  How about you?

By mid-March, I'll be itching to get out work in my flowerbeds and yard.  However, I have to resist the urge to go to the nursery for my annuals because the weather here in No. Alabama can be a little unpredictable in March.

Until then, enjoy all the seed and bulb catalogs that are beginning to arrive in our mailboxes while snuggled up on your couch.

May 2014...Already?!

Wow!  This past year has flown by.  It's been almost a year since I last blogged...yes, it's been that crazy.

A few highlights...

The girl has moved from Oregon to home to South Carolina and is still working on finding her way. By all accounts is doing a great job.  Her current plan to head back to college in the fall in of all places...CANADA.  Hubby and I wish her all the best!

The boy has graduated from high school, finished up his first year of college, made the Dean's List, is currently looking for a job and working on his music.

Hubby and I celebrated 25 years of marriage in April at the beach!  We had a wonderful time...I could live at the beach. ;-)

I'm looking over the calendar for the next few months and it appears as though things won't be slowing down any time soon.

Ciao, for now!

I'll Never Understand...

Parents who don't teach their children not to touch things that don't belong to them. I saw fb post this afternoon by a friend whose youngest child took a work badge/pen as well as an ereader, hid them and then wouldn't produce said items when asked. I wanted to comment so badly, but couldn't figure out how without sounding like a b*tch.

We taught our children not to touch/take things that didn't belong to them, especially badges, wallets, etc. It worked when it came to not touching my or my husband's belongings. Not so much with toys, etc...but that's part of being a child and not wanting to share.

*stepping off soapbox*

I'm Okay with This...

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/another-restaurant-bans-kids--this-time-under-18--is-this-ok--195213639.html#!f6oRY

I saw this story this afternoon and I agree with their business model.  My husband and I have two children, ages 18 and 20.  When our children were little (even when they were infants), we didn't hesitate to leave a restaurant or store if they were fussing or misbehaving.  We did this out of respect for the other patrons and for our own sanity.

Over the years, I've seen countless meltdowns by over-tired, over-stimulated toddlers and young children.  In some instances, their parents were completely oblivious to the commotion their children were creating.  Or even worse...placating them with sugary treats or toys in order to, maybe, get them to behave.

In my opinion, part of our job as a parent is to recognize when our children are tired and/or hungry and take steps to head the meltdowns off that accompany these situations.  Sometimes that means postponing/cancelling that shopping trip/dinner out in order for the little one to have a nap or snack or both.  Heaven knows, I've done that often enough.

I realize that sometimes these situations can't always be avoided because I've had them happen to me.  However, I was always prepared with a snack and my children's lovies, so that they could (hopefully) chill in the stroller and I finished whatever it was that I was doing in record time.  These events always seemed to happen to me directly after a pediatrician appointment. Go figure!

Back to the story that brought this up...if the restaurant owner's want to create a niche for their particular restaurant.  Go for it...those who want to frequent their establishment will and others will not.  There are plenty of other restaurants that cater to families with children under the age of 18. I don't see a problem with their reasoning behind the decision to make it an Adults Only restaurant.

Of course...all of this is just my opinion.

Parenting doesn't end...

when the children move out on their own.  Sometimes this is even more difficult than when the children are living under your roof.

My eldest, who is 20, recently moved to Tigard, OR after spending an eye-opening year in Bellevue, NE.  In the last 12 months, she has taken a hiatus from college, moved to NE, married/divorced and moved to OR.  She is working on finding her way and doing it on her terms.  My husband and I understand this...we may not always agree with her decisions, but they are her decisions and we support her in them.

Now...my in-laws are another matter altogether when it comes to this issue.  Case in point ~ just before their visit this past weekend, my FIL decided that he would call C to 'check' on her and to convince her to move to NC and stay with them because my MIL was beside herself with worry that C isn't safe.  Believe me when I say C is safe.  She is staying with friends who would do anything in the world to protect her...they are great friends.  After my FIL spoke with C, I just happened to call her because I needed to verify some information and she was very upset when she answered.  C informed me of the call and gave me some information that upset me tremendously.  I was unsure what to do with this information and called my husband to give him a heads' up about it.  We were to the point of calling the ILs and cancelling their visit.  However upon reflection and a couple of glasses of wine, we decided to let the visit happen and see what would come of it.

There was a discussion with the ILs Saturday morning to get their side of the conversation.  Their side of the discussion was different than hers, so we tried to put all of the information together to figure out what exactly was said.  It turns out that there was a 'miscommunication' between C and her grandparents and we received the 'C-filtered' version of the conversation.  She did say that my FIL was nagging her about moving/college/etc and we don't doubt that.  We did explain to them that she needs to learn how to do for herself and that if we keep helping her, she's not going to learn how to do this.  Not sure if that is going to happen, but we said what we needed to and we believe that they understand.  Maybe...

I'm quite sure that this is not the end of the drama, however, at least my ILs know where we stand on the issue.  It is my hope that they will accept her decisions and let her find her way.

Great Things are Happening...

Today is such an IMPORTANT day!  Why you may ask...well, it is not only my son's 18th Birthday, it is also the day he graduates from Sparkman High School!  You have no idea how excited he was at the beginning of the year when he found out that both events occur on the same day.

Happy 18th Birthday, my handsome son!!!  We are so proud of the young man that you've become.

Congratulations on surviving the obstacle course that is high school!  You're destined for bigger and better things as you embark on your college career at Jacksonville State University.

Love you will all my heart!
Mom