Back to school, Part 2

So we filled out the forms, did the haircut, prepped the uniform, backpack, and lunch bag; And Josh went back to school yesterday. Today it almost seemed normal again. No fuss, no muss. But it still feels like the end of summer (it is) and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Especially since I will have fewer excuses for going in to work late, or for staying away from classes at the pool. But it was fun to get the news about school at dinner. A few new teachers, and a lot of the "same olds". Today will be the beginning of the magazine drive...(magazines or renewals, anyone?), and another boatload of paper to deal with. The biggest surprise is that I did not in fact book a program the same night as curriculum night at school, so I won't have to miss the meet the teachers thing. I know its weird, but I love going to school for a night. It makes the teacher stories so much more vivid if you know who they are.
I'm still fighting the feelings that come with him being the youngest. I mean its 8th grade already, but he's my baby, right? So I still struggle to let go a little more each day. I've got to admit its easier when he steps in and acts responsible too. The problem is that I have to be responsible and parental as well. We'll get there...together.

True Confessions

I beat my children...at miniature golf.
My husband beat me...ditto.
I had ice cream and spoiled my lunch. (Okay I made it my lunch.)
I finally slept through the night last night (7 solid hours, maybe even a little more). And I felt great when I woke up. I can't remember the last time that happened.
I don't feel guilty about wasting time this weekend. I'm enjoying it immensely.
I'm learning to screen calls with my caller ID. And not feel bad about ignoring some.
No more blogging...today.

Rainy Saturday

I just want to mention how wonderful it was to have a rainy Saturday with no place to go. I loved being able to sleep in, lounge around, eat whenever, do the laundry in between chapters of a book, and generally just hang out. I could use another one already. (Or at least a Sunday afternoon nap).

Missing you, and you, and you, too

We've spent an entire week at the library without the wonderful young people who worked with us all summer. I miss looking over at the circ desk and seeing my daughter just enjoying her job. (You could see it on her face.) But the surprising thing is how much I've missed some other people's kids too. I know I'll get used to new people and personalities, but its not the same as having the ones I've come to know and love. And yes, I know they are in a better place (ok, maybe not better), learning new things and enjoying their friends, and their independence. And some of them (Elizabeth, Dorothy, Sarah & maybe even Melissa) will go on to be real librarians and enjoy library life forever. But I still am selfish enough to wish they were still here. I know their spirits hover around because I hear the laughter sometimes.

BTW, I had a wonderful discussion with Arlene today about how much she loved working with my daughter, and that gave me warm fuzzies too.

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.

Deadlines and HEAT

Its happened again. The Town Times deadline sneaks up on me and makes me realize I need to get my fall programming together. And I have managed to pull together quite a bit of it in the last week. Its just the nuts and bolts of cleaning it up to submit the PR. Then the fun part of putting together a brochure and posters etc. No wonder I overwhelm myself. I guess I need to just take small steps. At least I'm mostly ready for this first deadline.
I am slowly also working my way through putting my bedroom in order the way I want it (and need it to be). Of course this means getting the junk out of the living room too, as I sort it back into place. And toss, recycle, donate or whatever I need to do. It is slow going, but I am soooo tired lately and so HOT. It promises to be a nasty week weatherwise, so it may be a good opportunity to lock myself in the bedroom with the AC on. As ever, the spirit is willing (mostly), but the flesh is weak (very).

Is there a 12 step program for this?

My name is Mary Ann and I'm a packrat.

The good news is that the new bed is here and installed and wonderful!
And the bed room is clean (mostly). Certainly better than its been in a long time.
The bad news is that the living room is full of stuff removed from aforementioned bed room. Lots of old clothes, books (surprise), magazines, dust bunnies. Well, we've released the dust bunnies to the wilderness of the vacuumland. I still have the task of sorting and discarding/donating all of that stuff, and putting away what I really want to keep. And really have room for.
Unfortunately I'm also left with major guilt for having let it accumulate like this to begin with. Maybe when I get rested up (in the new bed) and have the disposal task accomplished, I'll feel better.

But anyway, its very cool to have a new bed.

What's new...

Last week the research began on a new TV, and on Friday we went out and bought a one. HD and 34". Maybe more than we need for the little TV we watch, but the old one just wasn't working. And now we have wide screen for DVDs, which we do watch frequently. We had to buy it Friday night so by Saturday we could rewatch Pirates of the Caribbean. And we had to rewatch Pirates so we could go see the new one on Sunday. It was a good way to stay cool for 3 hours, and we enjoyed the movie too. We also went to see the Taming of the Shrew live at Highland Bowl, and that was fun. Here it is Thursday already and this week has been busy too. As we await the call from the Bed Room that our new waterbed has arrived I make plans for cleaning up and organizing my own bedroom, but have yet to take any action. Maybe if I didn't work, or eat, or sleep, (or blog?), I could find the time and energy. I know once I get started it will be fun. Why is it those first few steps are the hardest? Maybe I should at least wear a bandana today so that I can claim to be "cleaning house" like a (nameless) friend of mine. Will it work?

VBS

Here it is, Friday of VBS week already. The week always flies by because I am so busy. But also I am exhausted. I haven't slept very well because I worry. Or at least I think too much and then have trouble falling back asleep...which is why I've been up before 6 the last few days. It just makes 10 pm seem very far away. (Not that I actually go to sleep at 10 pm anyway. I just imagine that I will, when instead I will actually still want to read or do something else, but not actually sleep). Things have gone very well with the crafts. But I'm pretty sure from my energy level, and aches and pains, that I am getting too old for this. The planning and prep is one thing, but the execution is another. (Funny choice of words there...) But I still haven't learned to say no, I guess because I still enjoy it. Crazy? You bet. (Almost as crazy as making maracas with 160 kids. Pass the ibuprofen, please.)

How I spent my summer vacation

Got back this weekend from visiting family in Toledo, staying with friends in Ft. Wayne and doing "tourist stuff" in Indianapolis. We visited the Indianapolis Speedway, which really is huge, despite whatever you might think from seeing it on TV. And we went to the Children's Museum, which was pretty neat. My FAVORITE thing was a really fabulous Dale Chihualy glass ceiling. Wow. I could have stayed there for hours...Or moved it right to my living room. We also went to the zoo. The Indy Zoo has delusions of grandeur. Too much $ for too little zoo. There was lots of hype for the dolphin show, but it was a great disappointment. They did have an awesome dolphin viewing room, where you are under the dolphin tank surrounded by water. I planned to move that to my house too! There also is a really neat butterfly conservatory in the gardens next to the zoo (separate admission of course), but I wouldn't mind having the butterflies at my house either. (News flash: We are getting one in Rochester at the Strong Museum.) The nicest part of the Indy trip was seeing Kim after a year and half. It was wonderful to find out she is the kind of friend that you can pick up a conversation right where you left off, even after months apart. I realize again how much I miss having her here, but am so glad that all is going well in her life these days. PS to Kim: I had many, many of those homesick days when I moved to Rochester. I'm so glad your folks are trying to fill the gap. Mine did too, and I really appreciated it.

I'm outta here

Leaving town again for a week in the heartland of America...well not quite, but it is Indiana. I have the usual butterflies of anxiety at getting all the packing and chores done, but since there's no real time deadline I don't even understand that whole travel anxiety thing. I am disappointed to be missing fun stuff here, like painting parties and picnics, but alas, its a 4th of July tradition to go away. Maybe next year we'll make our Hoosier friends come here. Also traditional is that they have scheduled Vacation Bible School the week we get back. So I will have to face 150 smiling (I hope) kids that morning and do crafts! I am mostly, sorta, prepared, at least for Monday's craft, so I'm trying not to sweat that one either. But blogging might have to be put lower on the priority list (again). Sorry.
Have a great week and enjoy the fireworks. I will.