Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Happy Autumn
Happy Autumn to all... I want to decorate for Halloween, but some family people are objecting to this notion: "It's TOO SOON!!"
So, I just have to settle for a harvest theme in the back yard and we'll see how it goes for NEXT weekend...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Senior Prom-o-Magic
Saturday, May 02, 2009
"Mom! Will You Be My Prom Buddy?"
So, recently, our baby girl (almost 17) asked me if I would be willing to hang out with her while she did all of the "prep work" to assist her in attending her first senior prom. Even though she is a junior, this is the first dance occasion where she is not attending her own prom... because it is on the same night as that of the BF... Since he IS a senior, she graciously agreed to attend his... with his friends and their dates and GF's. Not a problem for an outgoing "nobody is a stranger" kind of young lady... However, this meant that she would be without "the usual suspects" (her girlfriends)... all of whom always get ready together... and so, she needed a "Prom Buddy." I was happy to "fill the void." My PB Mission: Assistance with... the Dress, the Shoes, the Hair, the Make-Up, the Jewelry, the Mani, the Pedi, the Prep for the "After Prom" Event, the Flower for the BF, the Final Funds (from her dad) and... oops... MY CAMERA... (again!) It has been weeks of intermittent "prep work," culminating in a marathon today... This afternoon, her dad and I admired our little lemon chiffoned, silver heeled, freshly coiffed, MAC'ed 5'10" chicky and her equally fine looking (and taller!) BF embrace, say their goodbyes and begin their evening... We just smiled back at them, held hands... and remembered... when we felt all of those "Prom" feelings... Now, I reflect on the fact that I enjoyed being the "Prom Buddy" about as much as I enjoyed my own proms... differently, but just as deeply... Besides that... we remembered that WE don't have to go out and dance 'til dawn! As it is... I think both of us are exhausted!!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Puppies for Easter!!
Nothing speaks for Spring like the frisky noises from... no, not bunnies.... But PUPPIES!!
In honor of the celebrations of Easter and Passover and Springtime... here is the preview of the new Presidential Puppy.... "Bo," bought by Senator Ted Kennedy for the First Family. Please note that he is dressed accordingly!!
Have a Springtime Chuckle!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
SuperGirls!!! Fly Away!!! Summer 2006
What a great time these two teens had, flying across their room and making all sort of RACKET!!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
I Am Just Toooo Cooool for You.....
Well.... It just always starts out like this... Two boys jockeying to see who is going to be the hold out for the big HUG! On the right, we have one standard 10 year old... on the left, a wily, savvy 18 month old... Who will win this dual of WILLS??? Let's watch and see who prevails.....
Friends... I Just Love Hamsters Doing the Hula Hoop!
Well... what else is there to say? Better to have your hamster doing the hula than running around in those wheels in your head!! My hamster wears a pink tutu... and there is no end to the relaxation this visual can bring you. Ahhhh..... Relaaaaxxxxx.... That's rightttt... Now, take a breath........ and... again...... See? ...... Start to feel the shoulders relaxxxx.... Ahhhh.....
Friday, February 13, 2009
Facing That False Pride Obstacle ... Go, Dude!!
Wow!! What might happen if you actually go to the tutorial center on your college campus, ask for help in figuring out how you can break out of the "solid B" grade on your English essays... You know you can write... we know you can write... you love to write... so, what is the hold up?
Ohhhh, that's right... There is that little teeny thing called "false pride." It doesn't sound pretty; but, there it is....
So, you grew up through that FP phase! Congratulations!
We are so proud of you!! Your challenge was right there in front of you, you met it straight on, and you triumphed... We don't focus on the grade, as you have heard before (!) but only to the extent that you did your personal best... You did that personal best, with your meeting your challenge, overcoming your obstacle and being blessed with an "A+" on top of all that... Okay, so go and snowboard at Vail all day, today... and all weekend!!xo
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Post Holiday Season Reflections...
What an amazing dozen of weeks it has been... The great moments included health, contentment among many, gratitude for our blessings and thankfulness for our family and friends...
Gladly, children were home, there were great connections with extended family members and reconciliations among many...
College people appreciate returning home, where the door is always open, and a safe harbor awaits.... Not to mention great food, treats, constant entertainment and other high school people competing for the best bathroom!! Thankfulness surrounds this season, full of reflection and hoping for peace and stability in the new year...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Buff Family Weekend 2008
We Are Deeply Thankful for our Family Weekend...
That particular location used to be in our home; within our neighborhood, our community, our soccer fields, our family and our friends.... Now, our togetherness "lives" that reality in a new place: (GO, BUFFS!)
What a great time to be together, although it does not replace the nightly dinner together at the table, with the candles and music at play... We miss those discussions about politics & history & the gold standard & Socrates & the Sharks, the Earthquakes & the 49'ers. Now, we enjoy discussions about other things: Dad loves talking about math & other girlie-girl topics, as you can imagine!
We hope you continue having a great time, actually studying a bit, making friends from all over the land, and running your 8 miles a day... Please eat more protein and we'll see you soon.. xoxo
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
A Moment of Reflection and Gratitude
I received two wonderful gifts this last week:
Gift #1: One marathon telephone call from Mr. College Freshman, responding to our simple text message: "Did you get the tickets?" (That took me a pathetic 16 minutes to type a text!) He was out running his 7-8 miles per day (News to us: Is he still in training?) and he wanted to chat... A few minutes with me, 15 minutes with his dad, and then the phone came back to me and we talked for 2 hours... I think I said 26 words... He talked about many things, most of which are "classified." At the very end of this call, Mr. Cool said "I want you to know that I couldn't really call and talk to you guys until I knew I was settled in here... not because I forgot about you... I love you guys..." Pinch me.
Gift #2: One email from a consistently-in-contact childhood friend... We met when I was 12 and living in upstate New York. We were part of group of pranksters who staged huge snowball fights, rode toboggans (standing up!) and played relentless games of Monopoly on snow days... We thought we were hilarious when we (while cleaning the church) answered the church's phone by saying "XYZ Church, God speaking." These guys taught me how to jump off the traditional "cliff" into Nyack Lake, how to flip baseball cards and how to "throw (news)papers."
My friend's family was like a "second family" to me. He and I have always chatted about twice a year. His parents visit my family whenever they are in town, and he stays with us for a few days, every couple of years. He wrote to say that he was reflecting on his life, back to "all of the great moments we all had shared" when he was visiting out here.
When I started to read this, I froze, wondering if he was ill. (He was not.) He recalled many of our wonderful schemes and adventures over these many years... and I smiled and reflected, too... Then, he just thanked me for my friendship, that we were always welcoming to him and our inviting him on all of these various outings over these last 30 years... I read these amazingly kind words and cried. Pinch me twice.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A Time for Letting Go...
So... some of us are off to college! Some of us hung out at "Bed Bath and Beyond and Best Buy (did you know they merged?)" Some of us zipped through the high desert of Wyoming while others rattled around in "Old Paint!" There were a lot of high points in our adventure: too many to count... But, there was a great moment where the driver next to us cruised right through an EXTREMELY red light... and there were two motorcycle cops at the intersection, watching her scuttle right through. It was awesome!! Haven't you ever watched that happen and thought "Where is a cop when you need them?" Me, too! So, it was so rewarding watching them turn on their lights and chase after her! I don't wish misery on anyone, but this was just too much to take. I thought they could have driven faster ("Blue Buick Eludes Cops in High Speed Chase through College Town!") but, it was still a great moment! Great people, fine ribs, beautiful campus, perfect weather, nice dorm, used textbooks, fun with a son... and time to say goodbye and we'll see you at Family Weekend. Of course, we love our new black and gold flip flops!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Congratulations to Wildcat Matt!
Such an exciting time! Here is the smile of an adventurer!! His baby sister is back in D.C. for 2 weeks at a national leadership conference... meeting other teens from all over the US and Europe, working very hard, having a blast and thriving... ("Mom, the Solicitor General spoke about...")
She and her brother have already started to "VideoChat" while she's been away... ("Mom! We're encrypted!")At home, we are getting down to the wire, preparing to take our "Baby Boy" to college... The other morning, I suggested that we go buy new sheets for his dorm room. He looked surprised and asked "Don't they have sheets, there?"
I tried hard not to laugh (with mediocre success) and said no. He asked "Well, do they have beds?" I said yes; they are extra long, though... "Well, then I want to take my pillows, definitely..." said the 6'1.5" Freshman... and still growing... You may have your pillows... Absolutely... And anything else you need... Anytime... Signed (with love), xoxooo
Your Parents
(who are thrilled for you and wistful and missing you, already, silently!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)