The Pennsylvania Report

We had a fun time on the weekend heading down to Longwood Gardens. Its quite a cool place if you like gardens and fountains and stuff (and especially photographing same). But for being very large and very well known, there was precious little signage to help you find the place. And like almost everything else in PA it was in the middle of nowhere. But we saw some fun things on the way there, especially since we took the "scenic route". There were the requisite corn fields and dairy farms, but who knew that mushroom farms abound in southern PA? We also saw an amusing group of middle aged men floating down a river on neon colored inner tubes, and a group of deaf motorcyclists signing to one another. There are several small college towns which reminded me very much of my trip to West Virginia last year. (In fact I had several instances of deja vu on the long winding roads.) We crossed the border to Delaware, because it was there, and had lunch and an ice cream at Brusters. And we went to Longwood Gardens. They finish the day with a lighted fountain show that was pretty impressive. And the fact that the rain held off all day was even moreso.
It was a sad thing on Sunday to say goodbye to Elizabeth, but easier knowing that we will see her again in October (hopefully). And since my family had just bought me a whole bunch of new clothes at the outlet store I couldn't cry too much.

Back to school - part one

Okay so now its really time to admit that the summer is just about over. We are heading to Reading to take Elizabeth back to school, and then Josh heads back in another 10 days. The little bit of maudlin thinking is creeping in, but I don't have time for it as I still have to pack my stuff. .. (In the few inches of space left in the car.) It seems like I've been to busy to even think lately, but I can't quite put my finger on what I've been busy with. Maybe too many books or dvds. Nah. Probably just my lack of organization makes me feel busier than I am. And when the time for doing fun things with friends has been squandered by lack of planning, well, I guess I feel a little sad. But we do have a fun family weekend planned, even if it includes the sad bit of saying goodbye. So I guess I should get started and make the best of it.

Survivor: Mom style

4 adolescent males age 13-14
5 hours
Volume set on Loud
Eating machines
Star Wars RPG
Everything's a weapon

But the fact that I'm writing this now shows that I not only survived, but thrived. I lived to tell the tale. I even got a laugh or two from my own lame jokes. I am Mom. I will survive!

19 days and counting

This morning as I (oof) keep pushing Josh away from the (oof) computer so I can have MY time, I am counting the days until school starts. I do love the child, and most times he's helpful and even interesting...But he doesn't always know (ok ever know) when to stop. You would think he would see the signs of my impatience when I've asked him politely to leave me alone, but quite often I just end up yelling exasperatedly for him to be quiet and go away! This morning I've asked him to go make me a cup of tea (please), which he does very well, so I am happy for a few minutes; but he'll be back.

Friday Haiku

Fun dying silk scarves
especially messy but
in good company

Just shoot me and put me out of your misery

I just want to say that after spending most of the week battling constant sciatic pain, I can totally understand why people suffering from chronic pain can be so cranky. Its unrelenting and oh so fatiguing. I just hope this knowledge makes me a better, more patient person (when I stop feeling cranky).

Thought for the day

From Garrison Keillor:

Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known.

Another weekend where?

We spent another weekend, mostly at home, still digging out from packrattiness. I am taking it slow, but deliberate. And trying really hard to throw things away (if I can). We moved the family room furniture around for our new TV, so we now have an antenna that reaches the window to pick up as many HD channels as possible. Its pretty interesting to find that there are 4 PBS stations...only one HD but 2 other digital channels too. And another Fox station that does music videos. I don't watch much TV anyway, but the boys have been happy with all the cooking shows this weekend on WXXI-C.
I'm struggling with the fact that its already a week into August and I haven't done enough "summer things", whatever they are. Maybe because its been too hot to do any outdoor stuff like hiking and picnicking. Any strenuous activity sounds too hot. Well, maybe we'll make up for it in the next few weeks before Elizabeth goes back to school. Or not. I'm too tired and cranky to care. (Oh yeah...a cranky summer too. I just don't like heat.)

Another motherless Disney child

Did you ever notice how Disney movies portray mothers? Or not? Just watched Chicken Little: His mother is dead. Nemo: Dead mother. Bambi: OMG, we hear her get killed. Snow White: evil step-mother. Cinderella: ditto. Belle & Ariel: who knows? But their fathers need help too. Mowgli: orphan.

Kinda scary that this is the company people rely on to entertain their kids.

Let's get (a) physical

I have an appointment this evening for a physical with my family doctor. But I don't want to go. I didn't want to schedule it in the first place. I don't like all the wires and poking and *gasp* disrobing that comes with having a physical. I'm not sure what I hope to get out of this. A clean bill of health? I mean I KNOW there's something wrong with me, maybe several somethings, but it never seems to show up on my "test scores". But I know it when I feel crappy don't I? Or is that just what it feels like to be alive? At least I am alive, and that's a good thing. I guess I finally just gave in because they kept suggesting I have my physical since its been "a few years" (like 10 maybe). Next I suppose I'll have to go for another mammogram, but that's a worry for another day.