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

It's Official!!!

Time Flies

It's been well over a year since I last blogged.  I must admit that I got caught up in the blur that is social media...i.e. Facebook and Twitter.  At the time, I thought it was much easier to post a quick blip on those sites rather than sit down a create a post on my blog and things were changing quite rapidly in my household during the last three quarters of 2012 through now.

Items of note:

• Daughter decided that JSU wasn't for her and that she was going to move to Bellevue, NE, which she did in June 2012.
• Daughter gets married in September 2012...surprised us, too.
• Son starts Senior year of High School and we all know how crazy that is.
• Marching Band's Fall 2012 Show - IRobot - was AWESOME!!!
• Spent most of the Fall planning/organizing my in-laws 50th Anniversary Party long distance, no less.  Thank goodness that's over!
• Daughter and SIL decide that marriage isn't for them and she moves to Portland, OR this Spring.
• Son went to NY for his final Band trip and had a blast!
• Hubby and I went to Orange Beach, AL for our anniversary and loved it!
• May rolls around and we're gearing up for our son's 18th birthday and HS Graduation.

There you have it the last 14 months in a nutshell.

Once again, our lives are about to change in a major way with our son heading off to college in August and we will come home to an empty nest.  My goal of this blog is to chronicle how our lives will change and how I feel about all of these changes as my Hubby and I move into this new chapter of our lives. My hope is that you'll follow along on our new adventures.

Spring!

Rough night

I've been awake, off and on, since 2:15am this morning. Wondering if I can squeeze in a little nap this afternoon before Hubby and the boy get home. Maybe...

Storms, with tornado warnings, rolled through here between 2-3am. I'm thankful that we didn't lose power and could check to see where the storms were. Still...it's a little disconcerting to be awakened in the middle of the night to tornado sirens going off. We heard from our daughter at 4:50am to let us know that the sirens were going off in Jacksonville. She's fine, thank goodness!

Mind you, bad weather never used to bother me much. That is until April 27, 2011. I will never take severe weather warnings for granted again. Suffice it to say that losing power and not being able to keep an eye on the radar was nerve-wracking!!!

Thankfully, last night was nothing like that day in April here in No. Alabama. The same cannot be said for people living in Jefferson County. My thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected by last night's storms.

I'm hoping this isn't a precursor of our spring to come.

A new year, a new beginning, a new me...

I've decided that instead of resolutions this year, I'm going to set goals for myself. Two of the most important goals I've set are to get back into shape and make healthier choices...everything in moderation. It's been way too long since I've felt really good and I'm ready to get back to that. Besides if I want to grow old with my husband, I NEED to do this...for me and for him.

Did you set any goals for yourself?

Here's to a successful, happy 2012!!!

Happy New Year!

My favorite - Silent Night

Merry Christmas for Our House to Yours!

Merry Christmas from Sparkman High School Symphonic Bands

Last night was my son's high school Christmas Concert. It was fantastic. It's amazing how much a great band director can bring out the best in their students and we have TWO of them!!!

My son is in the larger of the two bands performing. The beginning of the video features our Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion groups. They are perfecting their shows for the upcoming Indoor Competition season and wanted to give us all a little sneak peak.

Without further ado...here is Sparkman High School's Symphonic I & II Christmas Concert.



Merry Christmas!

Where has the time gone?

It's December 10th already and only two weeks until Christmas! Guess I've just been that busy between subbing, band and life, in general.

We had a wonderful Christmas Party last night at our house. It's always great to get together with close friends. I suppose we could rename it Our Annual Chili Party because that's the main dish and everyone brings something to share. Oh, and I make my infamous rum cake...you know the one...the Bacardi recipe. I even cut back on the amount of rum in the glaze because, at full strength, it would put hair on your chest. It's always a hit and I should've sent some home with everyone because we still have 1/2 of it left.

But I have one question...

Why do we always end up hanging out in the kitchen?

Not that I mind...I just think it's interesting that it's where we all end up.

So, where do y'all hang out when you host parties?

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for this year...our family, health, home, surviving first semester of college. We hope that you're spending it with the ones who mean the most to you.

From our home to yours...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sparkman High School Marching Senators

They are AWESOME!!!



Here are the results from our marching competitions last Saturday (10/8/11). Yes, I said competitions...we participated in TWO. Needless to say...it was a crazy, busy day, but so well worth it. The kids were AWESOME!

Dixie Pride Marching Classic (10/8/11)

1st Place Best in Class Band AAAA
1st Place Best in Class Drum Majors AAAA
1st Place Best in Class Percussion AAAA
1st Place Best in Class Color Guard AAAA
Challenge Cup Winner in Class AAAA (an average of all captions)
Dixie Pride Champions Band (All Divisions)
Dixie Pride Champions Drum Majors (All Divisions)
Dixie Pride Champions Percussion (All Divisions)
Dixie Pride Champions Color Guard (All Divisions)
Superior ratings in all categories including Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, Guard and Band.

Renaissance City Shoals Invitational Marching Competition (10/8/11)

1st Place Band, Percussion, Guard and Drum Major in Class AAAAA-2
Grand Champion Large Band Division
W.C. Handy Award (an average of all captions in all divisions)
Best Soloist Award: David Dickson
Superior ratings in all categories including Drum Major, Color Guard, Percussion, Guard and Band.

P.S. Yes, I'm just a wee bit biased.

Welcome Fall!

My favorite season has finally arrived...

Crisp mornings and warm afternoons

FOOTBALL

Trees beginning to change

Chili/soup/stew in the crockpot

Life is good!