Free Bird

The kids are gone and though it has only been two days, I have taken to walking around the house only clad in tank tops and my large granny panties. I find it extremely liberating, but those unfortunate enough to park at the next door deli might not feel the same way. I make a great effort to stay out of the window view but I think a group of landscapers might have got the full effect of my polka-dotted drawers. Since those particular panties are bigger than my swim suit, I didn't worry about it too much. I got a few confused stares from K also, but I am not sure if it was for the walking around in underwear, or the fact that the said underwear were granny panties. He is not a fan of the granny panties.

It feels odd; all my responsibility has been transferred to someone else. I feel slightly confused, but in a really good way. Yesterday, I went a late night movie, ate cereal for dinner and slept so late that I barely made my train this morning. I was kid-less so long ago that it is hard to resurrect the giddy feeling of no accountability, but I am giving it my best effort. Laters.

I'm A Gooby Goober, Yeah!

Is it weird that I wake up every Saturday think to myself, "Oh, its Saturday. Maybe we can go to Crumbs?"
Is it weird that I hate bananas but love banana bread, banana snow-cones, and banana Laffy Taffy?
Is it weird that I admitted to eating Laffy Taffy at my ripe old age?
Is it weird that all my diet restrictions disappear when I hold a fresh, unopened bag of Lay's in my hot little hands?
Is it weird that I am secretly proud that most of my furniture came from yard sales?
Is it weird that I am repulsed by public nose pickers and crotch scratchers?
Is it weird that I would rather let flies out the window than smack them?
Is it weird that I think I am all that and a bag of chips?
Is it weird that I immediately delete all emails instructing me to "forward this to ten people" if I love God?
Is it weird to want your mommy, even as an adult?
Is it weird that I consider walking up my stairs part of my exercise routine?

Laters.

Now Boarding All Passengers Except Psycho Mom

My kids leave tomorrow on their first solo flight. That means solo. As in A-L-O-N-E. As in without me or K.

That means if I let them go…………….

My current plan of action is to say a stranger packed our bags and they were left unsecured, cause a huge scene, pass out, and get us all kicked out of the airport thus keeping my little piggies home safe and sound with me. I have made a few discreet requests for Valium and Xanax, but so far no one is forthcoming with any. It is an almost six hour trip and my mind has run rampant with all the potential trouble. I have shared my number one flying rule with the kids though which is, "never flush the toilet on an airplane while you are sitting down on it." I once heard of someone getting their intestines sucked out through some kind of freak accident airplane flushing incident. I received some very odd looks from the boys, but Sher seemed to take me serious so I have at least one convert. To make it all worse, the airlines they are flying has no in-flight TV. That is all I will say about that- except come into the current century Northwest/Delta. Kids need TV when they fly. What are they supposed to do for 6 hours without video games or Disney channel?

Letting your kids grow up is so hard. I am so bad at it and I can only feel that it will slide downhill even faster when they bring home girls/boys and start driving. Please say a prayer for my sanity tomorrow. Laters.

By Living Large, I Mean The Size Of My Pants

Sorry for deserting you last night, but I had some things to do. Like a cruise around Greenwich harbor in a yacht, with a wide open bar. (not that I drank anything mom)

We had great friends along and I ate and ate from the hot, passed hors d'oeuvres and then was my full tummy in for a surprise when there was a dinner course as well; a create your own pasta bar.

As 6 coconut shrimp, mini egg rolls, and numerous other fattening things were already down the hatch, I decided to splurge on the Alfredo sauce. The chef was excited and said I was the only one who had tried it. I informed him that I liked to live large, and to load me up with the sauce and I even threw some extra parmesan cheese on top. It was delish and I made the chef happy, so I did a good thing.

We sat on an overstuffed leather couch and chatted the night away and I tried to reign in my tendency to over-share after (not) having a few drinks.

It is nice sometimes to pretend that all you do is eat hot, passed hors d'oeuvres and cruise around on a yacht. I enjoyed my evening out. Laters.

Thanks I Guess……

Be thankful in all things. So, I am literally looking for the rainbow in the storm clouds. My, has it ever rained this month.

I have found that it is easy to be thankful for rain and cool summer weather when it keeps my electricity bill low. It is easy to thankful when rain falls softly against the roof as I fall asleep; car tires swishing by. It is something to consider when I read the news caption, "South bakes in abnormally high temperatures." I am wearing a sweater as I read it and I find it hard to imagine the boiling sun ever piercing through the perpetual grey sky. I have the luxury of flowers without the hassle of lugging a water hose or can around the yard. So I am thankful. We are easily comfortable with window fans at night and I usually am only warm in the after-shower rush to get ready when I am forced to use my hairdryer.

I suppose there is something to be said for rain. So I am thankful. But I am afraid my thanks might be running out. Laters.

Thoughts on Fathers

A Happy Father's Day to all the good dads I know.

To my dad; for never treating me like a girl except in baseball. He thought I could do whatever I wanted and he made me believe it too, plus he still calls to check on me and makes sure I am home on time.
To my father-in-law for showing me a thing or two about devotion. I like his sense of order. I still owe him a race around the block.
To my brother who parents his girls with the zest of a true adventurer. What fun they have had on his hikes and picnics. What memories they will share.
To my hubby who is a sucker to the pleading eyes of a six year old for trips to the park. He makes extra trips to school, and never says, "be more responsible" when backpacks are left at home. He is a dad in action, taking a vital role in the everyday of our kids lives. He always sees the positive and reminds me to do the same. He has planted three trees and he is committed to see the saplings grow to oaks. He is a wonderful father.
I am lucky to know some pretty great guys. Laters.

Freudian Sher

I think that it is nice to be psychoanalyzed by your six year old daughter. Who else will draw an accurate picture of your strongest character traits and show them to you in the spirit of love?
As you can see K says "I am a expeot" which translated means, "I am an expert."
I concur that this is a well thought out diagnoses for K's positive attitude.
I receive a short shrift. All the sum and parts of me are described in this one sentence, "Kevin, I need my cup of coffee."
Laters.