Attitude Adjustment - Day 4

Next week, my first-born begins the next chapter in her life.  She has filled the calendar with hours and hours of "Welcome Week" activities at the university, and even though she will be a commuter student, I have recommended she attend as many events as possible, even if it means driving cross town late at night to retrieve her at the conclusion of the night's activities (because the busses are no longer running).

Today, I am grateful for the following:

1. a mother/daughter lunch with my soon-to-be college girl, sharing food and swapping laughs and stories;
2. a drop in the day's humidity levels;
3. leftovers for dinner (so I didn't have to cook);
4. an unexpected surprise from a friend, lessening my workload just a tad on an upcoming project for the band; and
5. a schedule free from volunteer expectations today.

Later daze.......

Attitude Adjustment - Day 3

I'm really trying to keep this up so that I truly generate a change in my attitude.  I've grown grumpy of late.

Today's blessings include the following:

1. Hugs from my 5'11", 15-year-old son (who, it seems, is NOT too old for mommy snuggles);
2. A night off from cooking (dinner at Pei Wei!);
3. The excitement in my daughter's eyes as she describes all of the welcome week activities at the university, scheduled for next week;
4. Good manners; and
5. The imminent return of regular season, NFL football!

Later daze...

Attitude Adjustment - Day 2

Taking stock of my life, I'm grateful for the following:

1. The beautiful, much needed rain that fell all night Tuesday and part of this morning;
2. The laughter I hear coming from my children as they continue to grow closer as they grow older;
3. A compassionate family practice doctor;
4. Naps; and
5. Sprouts Farmers Market being halfway between school and home so it's convenient for me to run in and buy milk when I run out (every other day!).

Later daze...

Attitude Adjustment - Day 1

I am blessed.  It's past time for me to acknowledge my blessings.  I am grateful for the following things:

1. Really great medicines that treat my disease;
2. Having the past 18 years to raise my children, showering them with love, lessons, and laughter;
3. My "new" reliable vehicle;
4. Air conditioning;
5. Trusted friends.

Later daze...

A Picture May be Worth a Thousand Words, But a Missive is Worth $10,000

There have been many, many times in the past when I chided myself for not selecting a college major that would net me more income.  An English degree makes me an excellent communicator, but it doesn't really pay more than a few bills.

Today, however, I am feeling a bit vindicated, not to mention considerably heavier in the wallet.

My daughter, newly accepted university freshman that she is, was required to fill out a "housing exception" application in order to commute to school from home rather than live on campus with the other 5,000 freshmen.  Now mind you, campus is a mere 25 miles across town from here, and there are free student shuttles that can take her from the branch campus near us to the main campus cross town.  Still, they like to keep all of their newbies on campus in order to "encourage their freshmen to stay in school and complete their degrees," so I guess I can understand it.  Somewhat.

Still, understanding it and being able to afford it are two entirely different animals, so we promptly filled out the exception form asking for "permission" for her to continue living at home (what's wrong with this picture???).  As one of her parents, I was required to write a letter, explaining why it would be "academically advantageous" for her to live at home rather than on campus.

HUH?

Yeah, whatever.  I can bullshit with the best of them, so I penned an eloquent missive, explaining how my daughter would suffer undue stress living on campus knowing her parents COULD NOT AFFORD the $10K it cost to have her live there rather than here in her room with her books, her television, her family, a full cupboard and refrigerator, etc., etc.

Fast forward to today, when we received, after four weeks, the answer for which we have been waiting.  "Dear student: This letter is in response to your request for exception from the University Housing campus living expectation for the 2014-2015 academic year. You have been approved for an exception from the on-campus living expectation.  Please be advised that in order to maintain your approved status for exception, you must maintain the circumstances under which you were approved."

Maintain living at home?  Yeah, I don't think that's an issue for at least the coming year or two.  No worries.  I don't think my baby girl wants to give up the cushy life she's living just yet.

The moral of this story is stay in school boys and girls, and learn to write well.  It might not earn you the big paychecks, but it might just save you some money when you least expect it.

Later daze.......

Nine Years the Conqueror

Nine years I've travelled this road.

In these nine years, I've cheered on one child as he earned three black belts in a martial arts discipline.

I've had another child earn her high school diploma with honors.

I've made countless trips to the hospital emergency room in the wee hours of the morning and endured an extended in-patient stay during a Christmas holiday break.

I've driven thousands of school carpools, chaperoned seemingly endless trips with the band, hauled musical instruments across football fields throughout the state, cheered at dozens of high school football games in the searing desert heat; attended parent-teacher conferences, band parent meetings, martial arts practices, and choir concerts.

I've trudged across soft sandy beaches, carrying bulky beach chairs and umbrellas in order to enjoy hours of relaxation seaside.

I've sung at weddings, funerals, weekly church services, and anniversary celebrations.

I've made small hikes alongs canyons and streams, stood at the top of a 9,000 foot vista, washed mountains of laundry, carried years of groceries, vacuumed floors, moved furniture, and hosted parties.

I cook, I clean, I drive, I shop, I sing, I volunteer.  I am mom, wife, friend, and sister.

I am the face of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension nine years later.

I am the Conqueror.

Meet Me in the Aisles

He's not a hearts and flowers kind of guy, so I don't expect a romantic dinner with candles and wine.  Neither of us likes to dress up, so we don't go to fancy restaurants often.  We've done the big chain fondue restaurant once (we liked it despite the price tag), and we've done the local steak house and swooned over the melt-in-your-mouth 10 oz. Delmonico.  We've gone to romantic movies, shared ice cream sundaes, and picnicked in the shadow of the Red Rocks in Sedona.

Honestly, though, our best date night is spent cruising the aisles of our local Trader Joe's without kids in tow.

REALLY?

Yes, really.  See, I'm somewhat of a foodie.  He is NOT; however, he is willing to try new things within reason.  So while I can't get him to eat the carrot and cilantro bulgur grain salad, he will try the chicken pesto sausage.  And with offerings like a .75 lb. package of fresh lobster ravioli for $7.99, Trader Joe's makes it easy for one to eat like a gourmand and without busting your grocery budget.

With kids in tow, my husband and I have been known to spend a mere 30 minutes in the store, dashing down the aisles and picking up two weeks' worth of essentials while trying not to put too many of the "Mom, we really want these" items in the cart.  On date night, we can peruse the aisles at a leisurely rate reading labels, creating menus in our conversations, and imaging ourselves as the next "Chopped" champion.

I'll admit, it's not your typical date night place, but it can be romantic if you are a foodie.

And if your husband sneaks back into the store and buys you your favorite sea salt chocolate covered caramels.......and a dozen yellow roses priced at $9.99.

Later daze.......