Summer of Fun: Week 2

*Disclaimer:   Not a teacher, but as a school nurse "close enough"

SAW-HEARD-DID

SAW:  This week, I continued to see the gifts that come from living in the same community for 20+ years.   We continued to celebrate the graduates with one last party at the Brown House. 

 4/5 graduated this year, AG graduated with Thing 1

 While all the parties were lovely, and I admit I'm likely a  bit biased (HELLO, Qdoba bar and giant cookie instead of cake?), this was a favorite party. 

The boys met back in early elementary school and have built a slow and steady friendship where these days, it's pretty safe to say they are forever friends. 

 And along the way, both families have become close friends.   Trust me, it's made parenting these two little devils a little less stressful being able to compare curfews and stories when something seems amiss.  

Gathering with more of the "coven"

 I love how the older they get, they still stay in touch (AG and SC graduated 2 years ago)

HEARD:   I heard all the latest news at coffee club.   Many years ago, a couple of us moms met for coffee at a local coffee shop on Wednesdays after dropping the kids off at school.   Pretty much all of us have now returned to the work force but we still try to get together whenever our schedules lighten up.   The big news of the week was admiring SG's new hair cut.  

 She's just radiating happiness...maybe the hair cut but maybe because she too works a school schedule and is enjoying some much deserved time off.

DID:   A tad bit of crafting.   This winter I upgraded my cricut to one that allows me to take advantage of more  of the features being offered.   With a slightly steep learning curve involved, I hadn't really dedicated much time to mastering it.   So this week, I set the goal of making a few of the projects I'd "saved for summer vacation". 

Disclaimer:  Yes, several sheets of vinyl were sacrificed to make this project happen

And I must say, they turned out pretty cool.    What did we do before You-tube tutorials?!  

Ok, maybe not $92...but the ROI isn't quite there yet...

Until next week...

Summer of Fun: Week 1

Ok, so I'm not a teacher, but as a school nurse, I can totally relate to this type  of statement.   This past year, my assignment provided me with a decent workload but I still found myself going straight into blob mode the minute I left the office and headed home.

I've come to appreciate summer will always be the time I reset and this summer will prove no exception.  

With many fun adventures on the immediate horizon, I'm going to try and do a weekly blog entry, if just to help me remember and organize these memories.

Saw-Heard-Did:   

Each week I shall reflect on the week using these three prompts.   Lets see if I can keep this up all summer long

Saw:   Well,  that's an easy one.  

 This past week we all gathered as a family (small as it may be) to help this young Thing celebrate his graduation. 

  I won't lie:  While,  I'm very relieved to have both boys finished with high school and on the road to new adventures, it's been a little hard letting go of the known and setting off into the unknown territory of parenting young adult men.   I get a little teary thinking this is the end of an era, but as friends and even a favorite TV character  (Mike from the Middle, calming down his tearful wife, Frankie)..pointed out "That's the way it's supposed to be".    

We are so fortunate that we reached this milestone with both of our boys, rather unscathed given all the paths they could have taken during their high school years.   

Heard:   Ok, this is likely going to be the tricky one of the three.   

This past week, and continuing into this week, I heard the laughter of good friends as we gathered  to celebrate various graduations.   Over the course of a week, I will have attended 5 graduation parties, celebrating 9 graduates.   For a homebody on WW, this will prove challenging on many levels but I think I'm up for it all.  And come on, that's some serious blessings we've accumulated in the friends-who-are-like-family category!  

Did:   Another easy one.  This past week, my sister was in town for a few days to help celebrate the graduate.  

And yes, she brought the "family heirloom" glasses with her, continuing the tradition of all 3 grandsons wearing the cheesy glasses that their grandpa bought on a whim.

For the record, cheesy glasses went back to MI, to be used for the college graduation of my nephew next May.

 After the graduation, my sister and I took off our mom/auntie hats and went on to play tourist in Boulder

At a small museum in "Old Main", we found not only this awesome Lego creation, but we discovered some interesting historical facts about the University.  Being a hometown tourist is fun!

 Sipping Tea at Celestial Seasonings World HQ.

We giggled at this sewing machine, used in 1969 by the first employees to stitch up the herbal bags of tea.  No, we weren't giggling about it being the 60s, or about the fact that this was Boulder so who knows what assorted herbs could have gone into those early infusions.   Nope, we were laughing as back home in WI, our mama had the identical sewing machine, down to almost an identical storage cabinet and I can guarantee you with 100% she wasn't using her machine to stitch up bags of herbs...but imagine the possibilities if she had?  (insert giggle and smirk...)

 What a fun treat it was to spend time with the one who has known me longer than anyone (except my dad of course).   This was the first (at least in a very long time), and hopefully not the last time, we spent time together without the responsibilities of being mothers or daughters...just two happy sisters having some quality sister-time.  Already I can see some perks to this new era that awaits us.

I also was able to carve out some reading time, some walking time with the neighbor ladies, happy hour with a couple other friends and a doctor's appointment.   All in all a pretty productive start to my summer vacation!  

Until next week....

A letter from mom...

With graduation right around the corner, it was a good opportunity to share some thoughts with Thing 2

Right Now: Spring Recap

I'm listening to:  the little voice  of reason rattling around in my head.    Summer break is but 3 work wake ups away, and I really should clean out the memory bank of recent events before the fun of summer starts in.     Much like exercise, I always feel better after I've done it...but starting is the hard part.  Here we go...

I'm loving...that while the school year is almost over, it's been a good school year. 

 For me, the switch in school districts is proving to be a good choice.   Oh sure, there are still moments where I think "Are you kidding me?" but what's different is the respect I am shown on a routine basis coupled with a work load that is totally do-able.  Not many people can brag on those two points on a consistent basis.   Bonus is...I still get my summers off. 

Even with full time work obligations, I was able to join my mommy-crew for a few days of mischief in Vegas (April 20-22) 

OK, we are all 50+ years old, suburban housewives,  so our definition of mischief is pretty tame compared to what usually occurs in Vegas. 

 A little bit of bubbly and brunch with Buddy V

a little bit of Michael 

and a whole lot of laughter.   

 Life is best served in the company of good friends!

From Vegas, we go right into Derby Day...

where the fascinators come out...

and the silliness continues...

I'm feeling nostalgic.    One of the things I enjoy the most about my specialty of school nursing is the seasons of the job.   Each year, there is a beginning, a middle and an end.   Then a pause and we re-start that year.

  I was fortunate to join two friends and colleagues as they were recognized along with 60 other employees on their retirement. 

 Yeah...I didn't count the points at this meal...

While it isn't my time to retire yet, it is my time to be a mom of a graduate.

Yep, this little guy and his stand partner...

 Performed for the final time (at least in the high school setting)

Friendship...much like  the viola...the music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever...

I won't sugar coat the reality that Thing 2 has been d.o.n.e. with his senior year for the better part of the year.   But together, we've made it through with minimal blood shed.   

I will miss the fun that comes with watching your child go through all  the various milestone moments of school. 

 From field days to proms, it was a wonderful ride.  

 But now, I turn my attention and talents to watching both Things (and their forever friends) navigate their adult lives...through college and beyond.

  Bring it on, we are ready!

I'm needing to:   get my rear in gear!   I've got a house guest coming in, and end of year projects to finish up for work.   So until next time...

Right Now: Winter 2018

I'm listening:   To the hum of the dishwasher and the tumble of the dryer.   Sunday evening chores.  It seems like this time of year, the weekends just fly by and I find myself scrambling to get to all the tasks I set out to do "on the weekend".   To include updating this much neglected blog.  Let's see if I can at least cobble something together.

I'm loving that the worries of the first quarter of this year seems to be sorting themselves out. 
We started out with being on high alert, as my dad showed us all just how determined he is to make a complete recovery from open heart surgery.  Here he is just a day after receiving his bovine heart valve...

And by mid-February, Hubby was relieved of care taker duties by my sister...

Lately, our troubles have been transportation related.   There is an intersection in our community that is notorious for trouble.   Thing 2 was headed home when the other driver attempted to make a left hand turn right into the hind quarter of Thing 2's "new to him" car. 

Poor kid:  had just made 2 payments when the Insurance folks said "She's a total loss".

  A second  car accident event occurred not even a week later, which left us all on edge.   What are the odds, being hit twice in a week, and neither event being his fault.   Yeah, the nerves are still not quite settled  for old Mama Bear Better order the bubble wrap now...

I'm feeling:   ready for summer!   An epic adventure is  being planned for Hubby and I.   It will involve all modes of transportation and actually will be several vacations and trips layered on on top of each other.   Stay tuned for hopefully frequent blog updates once that adventure begins. 

I'm needing:   to slow down and enjoy this Spring season.   These guys are no longer nervous freshmen

Nope...they are the too cool for school seniors...

And Thing 1 is wrapping up his first year of college...

 It seems to fly by all so quickly...just like the weekends...Until next time....

Right Now: January 2018

I'm listening:   to the morning chatter here in the office.   It's a happy chatter, and what a refreshing way to gradually enter each work day.   It gives me a chance to reflect and during this morning's reflection, I realize I haven't blogged in forever...and I miss that.   So, here I go, off to try to and resume a healthy habit I once practiced with greater regularity.

I'm loving that 2018 seems to be starting out pretty smoothly.   December was a blur with my father facing some health challenges and Thing 2's car being stolen.    I'm happy to report that my dad's health has stabilized to the point where he has now been cleared to proceed with a planned and very necessary surgery.

  And Thing 2 is now the proud owner of a new-to-him car, complete with co-signing a loan.   But alas, bad mom that I am I have no photographs of said new car.   I'll add it to the to-do list.  For now this picture of him learning to operate a side car will have to suffice...

I'm loving that despite how busy the days get, I still find time for hanging with the ladies.   In December, we went for a little culture...attending this fabulous musical.  

I'm needing to find time for regular exercise.    For the longest time, I had a walking partner who far exceeded me in the motivation department.   She called, and made sure we walked.   But she's had some back problems and has scaled back her walking efforts.   And that's all the excuse I needed to back off on my personal efforts.    This past weekend we got a small amount of snow that Thing 1 and I shoveled.   The sore muscles and the stamina were really a sign that I need to get myself back in the routine of exercise.    Start small, go slow but just get out there and do it.

I'm feeling ready.   Ready to continue with my weight loss journey after a small derailment with holiday eating.   I gained about 3 pounds and have managed to already say goodbye to half that gain.  If I add exercise, I'm confident that the rest will soon follow.   And if not, I'll still have peace of mind that I am treating my body with the kindness it deserves.   I'm ready to get back to the great joy of reading (or listening) to a good book.   So far, I've been on a winning streak, totally enjoying the memoir of Glennon Melton Doyle, who wrote Love Warrior and am now laughing with the wisdom of Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls fame.    I'm also reading a book called "Reading with Patrick" and it is the true story of a teacher who goes to Arkansas as part of the Teach for America.   She used a writing prompt similar to what I use here on my blog and the words of her young students brought tears to my eyes.   At times I forgot how protected my little world is.

Time to wrap things up...but fingers crossed that this new year continues in a positive and healthy direction for me and my family!   Until next time....

20 years of Christmas

Oh dear neglected blog...I promise I'll visit you later...yeah right...but know that I treasure the stories I shared here through the years, even if these days I don't take the time to continue this tradition.