Four distinct seasons! I love it!
I am so glad to live smack dab in the middle of the country where we experience four seasons each year. I have visited other parts of the country and love the weather in Southern California but wouldn't it be boring for each day to be exactly like the next. Of course here in Kansas people often joke that if you don't like the weather, just wait 30 minutes and it will change.
Right now I am thoroughly enjoying summer.
Sitting out on the patio late at night looking at the fireflies...
Grilling anything and everything...
Late nights and sleeping in...
Flashlight tag...
Days at the lake skiing, tubing and just floating on a water raft...
Looser schedules....YAY for that one!
Homemade ice cream machines grinding rock salt...
Firework displays held in secret (lest you get caught)...
Listening to the locusts in the trees...
Yes, some places are warm and sunny all the time. I absolutely love summer but when it is fall I will be ready for it and then winter and spring. Each season holds it's own beauty and I am thankful for them all!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
What's Wrong With A Little Solitude?
Solitude...the word means different things to different folks.
Some people find the idea of solitude puzzling and some find it downright scary. For me, solitude is like a cool lake...refreshing and renewing. It was with this need for rest and renewal that I chose to spend a few days in complete solitude. The plan was simple, take a few days for myself with some general goals in mind but with no true structure.
It has been interesting to me the reactions I have received in my quest for solitude.
I have been made to feel guilty...
"You are leaving your children?" (They are teenagers and young adults). "You are leaving your husband?" (Only for a couple of days and yes I do love him!)
"You are leaving your children?" (They are teenagers and young adults). "You are leaving your husband?" (Only for a couple of days and yes I do love him!)
I have apparently caused worry...
Is something wrong? Are you OK? Is there something you need to tell me? (From my mom who worries about everything...and yes all is well.)
I have received comments that show that some are puzzled...
"What will you do all by yourself? (Whatever I want, thank you very much!)
I have even been the source of envy...
"I would love to be able to be by myself for a few days! (So why don't you take the time?)
I sat out on the deck looking over the lake at our condo this morning drinking my coffee and watching the birds and looking for deer. As I sat, I worked through some personal goals for myself and my family. I planned ways I can be more present as a mom and wife. I thanked God for the wonderful family I had back at home. They did not make me feel guilty...well just a little (smile).
At the end of my few days of solitude I will be bombarded by my husband and five teenagers for the long holiday weekend. I know now I will be ready for them! We will go boating, jetskiing and tubing. We will grill out and play card games. It will be loud and active and I will love every moment of it!
But for today...I will drink another cup of coffee and enjoy....SOLITUDE!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Just Gotta Share About This Book
I am generally a mystery, thriller kind of book reader. Give me a murder mystery and I will hardly get anything done around the house until I am at the end. My kids always tease me because I have so many books on my "to read" list that it is insane. I think I am up to 60 just waiting to be read.
One of the books laying around was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had heard a lot of great things about it but I just didn't ever feel like getting started. A couple of days ago I had finished my current mystery and was perusing my options when I decided to jump into The Help.
WOW! Why did it take me so long to read this book! Now, I am writing a little prematurely because I am only half done but I can barely put it down. It explores the issues of racial and class divisions in the South in the early 60's. What I find most interesting is that it is told from the perspective of several characters.
The help are the African American maids that work for the wealthy women in the deep South during a time of intensely difficult racial tensions. This book explores the inequity, biases and bigotry in such a way that it makes my heart literally hurt to read. The way men and women of color were treated seems so completely foreign to me now. What really amazes me is that this was less than 50 years ago!
The other characters are the women in Southern society. This was interesting and sad as well. The prevailing thought was that women did not need education or employment. The expectations were to marry well, serve on various community committees and allow The Help to raise their children, and perform all domestic duties. For those women who had other aspirations, their corner of the world was a very lonely place.
I would highly recommend this book. I don't know how it ends but I am enthralled. It makes me wonder what our little piece of the world will look like in 50 years...hmmmm.
One of the books laying around was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had heard a lot of great things about it but I just didn't ever feel like getting started. A couple of days ago I had finished my current mystery and was perusing my options when I decided to jump into The Help.
WOW! Why did it take me so long to read this book! Now, I am writing a little prematurely because I am only half done but I can barely put it down. It explores the issues of racial and class divisions in the South in the early 60's. What I find most interesting is that it is told from the perspective of several characters.
The help are the African American maids that work for the wealthy women in the deep South during a time of intensely difficult racial tensions. This book explores the inequity, biases and bigotry in such a way that it makes my heart literally hurt to read. The way men and women of color were treated seems so completely foreign to me now. What really amazes me is that this was less than 50 years ago!
The other characters are the women in Southern society. This was interesting and sad as well. The prevailing thought was that women did not need education or employment. The expectations were to marry well, serve on various community committees and allow The Help to raise their children, and perform all domestic duties. For those women who had other aspirations, their corner of the world was a very lonely place.
I would highly recommend this book. I don't know how it ends but I am enthralled. It makes me wonder what our little piece of the world will look like in 50 years...hmmmm.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Kids Keep You Young
On Saturday I had the opportunity to chaperone a middle school event taking place at the local amusement park. I am lucky because my 13 year old daughter still likes hanging out with me and asked me to share this day with her. Of course that meant also sharing it with a group of 6 other 13 year old girls. This being my youngest child, I am becoming vividly aware of how fleeting these moments actually become. Within another year or two, she will want to spend time with her friends and not include mom!
As I rode the bus to the park and listened to the giggling around me I thought, "What have I gotten myself into!" When we got there, I stopped the girls and gently outlined some guidelines so everyone could enjoy the day and not make me crazy! The first thing I asked was, "How many of you are riders?" Now, I know that some kids enjoy lots of activity and others are more nervous or relaxed. To my surprise they all seven raised their hands.
That was when my DD informed me that the kids signed up in groups based upon how much they enjoy rides, carnival games or other options. She informed me,"Mom, I told them you love to ride everything!" That statement was definitely true in my youth. My father loved roller coasters and that became a special connection between the two of us. When everyone else would bail, my father and I would jump in line again. In the last several years, I have been plagued with Vertigo and as a result have had much more difficulty riding as much as I would like. The girls were expecting me to ride so that no one had to go single.
That's when I made my decision. I would ride EVERYTHING! I thought of my father. Because of health issues, he is now limited in the rides he is able to do. The large thrill rides are no longer an option for him. I know he misses them. I wanted to drink in the full experience with these girls. These girls were relentless, often circling in line two and three times. I think the teacher had given me the little Energizer Bunnies!
So..I RODE EVERYTHING! Well...except for the spinning barrel. I just couldn't bring myself to do that one and it did not require a partner. Blessedly, I felt great all day. As I screamed and laughed and felt the wind whip through my hair I was so thankful to have this day with such wonderful kids!
As I rode the bus to the park and listened to the giggling around me I thought, "What have I gotten myself into!" When we got there, I stopped the girls and gently outlined some guidelines so everyone could enjoy the day and not make me crazy! The first thing I asked was, "How many of you are riders?" Now, I know that some kids enjoy lots of activity and others are more nervous or relaxed. To my surprise they all seven raised their hands.
That was when my DD informed me that the kids signed up in groups based upon how much they enjoy rides, carnival games or other options. She informed me,"Mom, I told them you love to ride everything!" That statement was definitely true in my youth. My father loved roller coasters and that became a special connection between the two of us. When everyone else would bail, my father and I would jump in line again. In the last several years, I have been plagued with Vertigo and as a result have had much more difficulty riding as much as I would like. The girls were expecting me to ride so that no one had to go single.
That's when I made my decision. I would ride EVERYTHING! I thought of my father. Because of health issues, he is now limited in the rides he is able to do. The large thrill rides are no longer an option for him. I know he misses them. I wanted to drink in the full experience with these girls. These girls were relentless, often circling in line two and three times. I think the teacher had given me the little Energizer Bunnies!
So..I RODE EVERYTHING! Well...except for the spinning barrel. I just couldn't bring myself to do that one and it did not require a partner. Blessedly, I felt great all day. As I screamed and laughed and felt the wind whip through my hair I was so thankful to have this day with such wonderful kids!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The More Things Change...The More They Stay The Same
This is just a random musing...call it my Thursday thought.
Why does it seem that there are things, situations, etc. in life that are continually changing but without problem resolution? Here is the example that led to this random thought today.
Today is trash day. So what? "Why is that a big deal", you may be thinking.
In the xx years I have owned a home, I have never had a great experience with trash day. First we had the bags that were set out at the curb the night before. These were often torn into by dogs, cats, cougars....I don't know, but inevitably on trash morning, the trash was strewn all over the street and yard. The answer seemed simple, set out the trash in the morning. Now, I don't know how it works in your neighborhood, but I never know when trash collection will be taking place. Sometimes, the trash will sit until dark...of course in that case the cougars have all day to feast on the contents of my garbage.
Other days, I swear it is the middle of the night, and we begin to hear the rumblings and Beep! Beep! Beep! You know what I mean. DH and I leap from the bed and scramble out through the garage, barely dressed, to lug the bags to the end of the driveway. Sometimes I think the garbage collectors pull this stunt just to see all of us running from our homes half naked with bags in tow. My mother's admonishment about wearing appropriate clothing to bed, "Just in case there is a house fire" runs through my head.
The benefit of the bags were that you could hide anything in them. Now before you judge, I stive to be green as much as anyone. BUT....sometimes you just have to throw things away! McDonalds toys, children's artwork and schoolwork (GASP! Not ALL of it! ), Hubby's "More Cowbell" T-shirt with Will Farrell on the front...you get the picture! I have become more careful since throwing out a pair of muddy old football cleats in the back of DH's closet. Turns out, they were from a particularly stunning high school performance where he claimed the school record for the number of yards rushed...YEP...his nameplate is still up at the school!
Now the bags could be placed in a can, however...Trash Day=Windiest Day of the Week Day! Hence, the flying trash can lid. These lids pose a hazard to cars, windows and small people standing at the school bus stop. If the lid was not properly sealed by the homeowner, the contents of their can could end up a mile away or in the next door neighbor's lawn. "Looks like the Smiths like their Bud Light!" Even if the lid was properly closed when set out, the garbage collectors do not care about order. I have spent mornings watching them pull the lids off, dump the trash, and then throw the lid into the yard, driveway, and even the street. Once, my lid was thrown into the truck by mistake. I happened to be watching, Yes...sometimes I stalk the garbage collectors. He tossed the bags and lid together into the compactor and then, as if realizing his error, he looked around and shrugged! "Not my problem!" he seemed to say. Therefore, trash day became the one day of the week for excercise (chasing the lids and trash) and conversation with neighbors..."Is this your lid?" "Nope...looks like the Smith's" "No, their lid is green. The black one goes to the Martins." "Looks like the Clarks had a big party last night!" You get the idea.
Finally, the city came up with a solution...the fancy cart style can with attached lid that can be lifted by a truck. The issue with this is the letter of rules that came with the cart. The cart may only be lifted by the truck. Therefore, no garbage collector will actually lift a cart, or trash bag. All trash must be placed in the cart. Sounds easy right? In a family of five, three being teenagers, we have a LOT of weekly trash. We tried testing this rule by putting one extra bag of garbage right beside the cart. I lurked with my cup of coffee on trash day. YEP...they were right. Not one "trash collector" will touch a bag of garbage set outside the cart. They have the guy who runs the truck and "lifts" the cart into the back and then they have the guy who stands beside the truck with his arms crossed "supervising" the lifting of the cart. My measly one bag of garbage sitting next to the cart remained exactly as placed.
This has led to a very funny practice in the neighborhood. Sometimes you can see someone look around and then take an extra bag of garbage to their neighbor's cart, furtively lift the lid and dump it in. Well, the Smith's are empty nesters...they don't use all their cart space. What will it hurt if my trash mingles with theirs? I can only imagine at the stroke of midnight the black yoga pants and hoodies come out as my neighbors look for a semi-empty cart in which to stow their extra bags. Now, I live in a neighborhood that has a famously uptight HOA. This practice of cart dumping has actually led to a letter circulated to all homeowners that this practice will not be tolerated. The fact that in a meeting, this issue was discussed and a formal letter circulated makes me chuckle!
Of course the next logical solution is to pile as many bags on top of the cart as possible. This has become a weekly contest for my DH and DS as the trash duty belongs to them. They push and shove and plot to see how many bags they can fit and still lower the lid on top of the bags (because that is the rule---they have to fit with the lid "on") I think they are up to 6 bags perched precariously on top. The trick here is to be able to stack all of these bags and not have your cart topple with the weight. If it topples, the trash is blown all over the neighborhood again.
Like I said before...the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Now, I have to run, literally. My pizza boxes from last night are headed to the Martins...SIGH!
Why does it seem that there are things, situations, etc. in life that are continually changing but without problem resolution? Here is the example that led to this random thought today.
Today is trash day. So what? "Why is that a big deal", you may be thinking.
In the xx years I have owned a home, I have never had a great experience with trash day. First we had the bags that were set out at the curb the night before. These were often torn into by dogs, cats, cougars....I don't know, but inevitably on trash morning, the trash was strewn all over the street and yard. The answer seemed simple, set out the trash in the morning. Now, I don't know how it works in your neighborhood, but I never know when trash collection will be taking place. Sometimes, the trash will sit until dark...of course in that case the cougars have all day to feast on the contents of my garbage.
Other days, I swear it is the middle of the night, and we begin to hear the rumblings and Beep! Beep! Beep! You know what I mean. DH and I leap from the bed and scramble out through the garage, barely dressed, to lug the bags to the end of the driveway. Sometimes I think the garbage collectors pull this stunt just to see all of us running from our homes half naked with bags in tow. My mother's admonishment about wearing appropriate clothing to bed, "Just in case there is a house fire" runs through my head.
The benefit of the bags were that you could hide anything in them. Now before you judge, I stive to be green as much as anyone. BUT....sometimes you just have to throw things away! McDonalds toys, children's artwork and schoolwork (GASP! Not ALL of it! ), Hubby's "More Cowbell" T-shirt with Will Farrell on the front...you get the picture! I have become more careful since throwing out a pair of muddy old football cleats in the back of DH's closet. Turns out, they were from a particularly stunning high school performance where he claimed the school record for the number of yards rushed...YEP...his nameplate is still up at the school!
Now the bags could be placed in a can, however...Trash Day=Windiest Day of the Week Day! Hence, the flying trash can lid. These lids pose a hazard to cars, windows and small people standing at the school bus stop. If the lid was not properly sealed by the homeowner, the contents of their can could end up a mile away or in the next door neighbor's lawn. "Looks like the Smiths like their Bud Light!" Even if the lid was properly closed when set out, the garbage collectors do not care about order. I have spent mornings watching them pull the lids off, dump the trash, and then throw the lid into the yard, driveway, and even the street. Once, my lid was thrown into the truck by mistake. I happened to be watching, Yes...sometimes I stalk the garbage collectors. He tossed the bags and lid together into the compactor and then, as if realizing his error, he looked around and shrugged! "Not my problem!" he seemed to say. Therefore, trash day became the one day of the week for excercise (chasing the lids and trash) and conversation with neighbors..."Is this your lid?" "Nope...looks like the Smith's" "No, their lid is green. The black one goes to the Martins." "Looks like the Clarks had a big party last night!" You get the idea.
Finally, the city came up with a solution...the fancy cart style can with attached lid that can be lifted by a truck. The issue with this is the letter of rules that came with the cart. The cart may only be lifted by the truck. Therefore, no garbage collector will actually lift a cart, or trash bag. All trash must be placed in the cart. Sounds easy right? In a family of five, three being teenagers, we have a LOT of weekly trash. We tried testing this rule by putting one extra bag of garbage right beside the cart. I lurked with my cup of coffee on trash day. YEP...they were right. Not one "trash collector" will touch a bag of garbage set outside the cart. They have the guy who runs the truck and "lifts" the cart into the back and then they have the guy who stands beside the truck with his arms crossed "supervising" the lifting of the cart. My measly one bag of garbage sitting next to the cart remained exactly as placed.
This has led to a very funny practice in the neighborhood. Sometimes you can see someone look around and then take an extra bag of garbage to their neighbor's cart, furtively lift the lid and dump it in. Well, the Smith's are empty nesters...they don't use all their cart space. What will it hurt if my trash mingles with theirs? I can only imagine at the stroke of midnight the black yoga pants and hoodies come out as my neighbors look for a semi-empty cart in which to stow their extra bags. Now, I live in a neighborhood that has a famously uptight HOA. This practice of cart dumping has actually led to a letter circulated to all homeowners that this practice will not be tolerated. The fact that in a meeting, this issue was discussed and a formal letter circulated makes me chuckle!
Of course the next logical solution is to pile as many bags on top of the cart as possible. This has become a weekly contest for my DH and DS as the trash duty belongs to them. They push and shove and plot to see how many bags they can fit and still lower the lid on top of the bags (because that is the rule---they have to fit with the lid "on") I think they are up to 6 bags perched precariously on top. The trick here is to be able to stack all of these bags and not have your cart topple with the weight. If it topples, the trash is blown all over the neighborhood again.
Like I said before...the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Now, I have to run, literally. My pizza boxes from last night are headed to the Martins...SIGH!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Morning Mayhem
Mornings are challenging at our household. We are most definitely late night people. Want to start a movie at 11 pm...we are with you. Sleepover parties...not a problem. BUT....try to get us up for school at 6 am and you have a totally different issue. Here is a typical school day in my household.
5:45-my alarm goes off..of course I hit snooze at least twice.
6:05- I yell upstairs "Time to get up!" Not one child stirs or acknowledges that I have spoken. I head for the coffee maker to start my deathly strong brew of life.
6:10-"Really! You all need to get moving!" A few mumbles are heard but no feet hit the floor.
6:20-" I am not joking around here! You need to get up now!" By this time I have taken the dog out, picked up the paper and am pouring my first cup of coffee for the day. I judge my mornings often based upon how many cups are needed to get me going. Is is a 4 cup day? 3? On rare occassions just 1?
6:25-"This is your last call! I am not telling you again!" Generally by this point I begin to hear feet, lights going on and showers beginning to run.
Now mind you the bus comes at 7 am at our house. At this point it becomes a race against the clock to see who can make the bus with lunch bag packed, track and other sports equipment, homework and any miscellaneous items in tow. For anyone who has school aged children you know this list can be endless. It seems like it is always: Crazy Hat Day, Silly Sock Day, Wear School Color Day...need I say more!Breakfast always seems to be the issue. I do not win the award for always feeding my kids a nice hot and healthy breakfast in the morning. They are known to run out the door to catch the bus with a pop tart or granola bar in hand.
Now, before you judge me and offer all kinds of organizational tips, please don't bother! Believe me, I have tried them all. I am extremely organized in most, if not all, other areas of my life. Mornings are just Mayhem! I have tried all the tested and true methods to avoid this chaos. Each night before bed they are supposed to: lay out their clothes, pack their backpacks, put lunch bags together and in the fridge, get athletic bags ready etc. I have purchased loud obnoxious alarms and even threatened to get the one that walks all over the bedroom until you get up and turn it off. They can sleep through them all!
Here is the problem.......MY KIDS ARE ALL TEENAGERS! They thrive off chaos. Of course they do not want me to help in any of the above departments...they have it COVERED! They also do not want suggestions the night before about how to make their morning easier...let the eye rolling commence. If I pack their lunch they will not eat it. If I make a nice breakfast, they just claim they do not have time to eat it. So...I feel trapped in this crazy Morning Mayhem!
This weekend, in one more attempt to push at least a somewhat healthy breakfast, I dusted off an old recipe for 6 week Bran Muffins that I used to make quite frequently. This recipe gets its name from the fact that it makes a large batch of batter that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
Here is the recipe:
1 15-20 oz. box of Raisin Bran
3 cups sugar
5 cups flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
1 qt. buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients in a very large bowl ( I use an old batter bowl from Tupperware). Melt shortening. Cool until room temperature and wisk in eggs. Add to the dry ingredients and thoroughly combine. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to bake, fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes approximately 6 dozen.
For the last two days, in between yelling upstairs for them to all get moving, I have made a fresh batch of muffins. Yesterday, they each grabbed one on the way to the bus. After school they wanted to know what those muffins were...they were great! YAY! Today they actually came down a little earlier than usual to get one while it was hot. Check mark for mom!
I don't have any illusions that this will last long. If the past is any indication, it will get old by next week. But for today....my kids have a semi-healthy breakfast!
5:45-my alarm goes off..of course I hit snooze at least twice.
6:05- I yell upstairs "Time to get up!" Not one child stirs or acknowledges that I have spoken. I head for the coffee maker to start my deathly strong brew of life.
6:10-"Really! You all need to get moving!" A few mumbles are heard but no feet hit the floor.
6:20-" I am not joking around here! You need to get up now!" By this time I have taken the dog out, picked up the paper and am pouring my first cup of coffee for the day. I judge my mornings often based upon how many cups are needed to get me going. Is is a 4 cup day? 3? On rare occassions just 1?
6:25-"This is your last call! I am not telling you again!" Generally by this point I begin to hear feet, lights going on and showers beginning to run.
Now mind you the bus comes at 7 am at our house. At this point it becomes a race against the clock to see who can make the bus with lunch bag packed, track and other sports equipment, homework and any miscellaneous items in tow. For anyone who has school aged children you know this list can be endless. It seems like it is always: Crazy Hat Day, Silly Sock Day, Wear School Color Day...need I say more!Breakfast always seems to be the issue. I do not win the award for always feeding my kids a nice hot and healthy breakfast in the morning. They are known to run out the door to catch the bus with a pop tart or granola bar in hand.
Now, before you judge me and offer all kinds of organizational tips, please don't bother! Believe me, I have tried them all. I am extremely organized in most, if not all, other areas of my life. Mornings are just Mayhem! I have tried all the tested and true methods to avoid this chaos. Each night before bed they are supposed to: lay out their clothes, pack their backpacks, put lunch bags together and in the fridge, get athletic bags ready etc. I have purchased loud obnoxious alarms and even threatened to get the one that walks all over the bedroom until you get up and turn it off. They can sleep through them all!
Here is the problem.......MY KIDS ARE ALL TEENAGERS! They thrive off chaos. Of course they do not want me to help in any of the above departments...they have it COVERED! They also do not want suggestions the night before about how to make their morning easier...let the eye rolling commence. If I pack their lunch they will not eat it. If I make a nice breakfast, they just claim they do not have time to eat it. So...I feel trapped in this crazy Morning Mayhem!
This weekend, in one more attempt to push at least a somewhat healthy breakfast, I dusted off an old recipe for 6 week Bran Muffins that I used to make quite frequently. This recipe gets its name from the fact that it makes a large batch of batter that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
Here is the recipe:
1 15-20 oz. box of Raisin Bran
3 cups sugar
5 cups flour
5 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
1 qt. buttermilk
Mix dry ingredients in a very large bowl ( I use an old batter bowl from Tupperware). Melt shortening. Cool until room temperature and wisk in eggs. Add to the dry ingredients and thoroughly combine. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to bake, fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes approximately 6 dozen.
For the last two days, in between yelling upstairs for them to all get moving, I have made a fresh batch of muffins. Yesterday, they each grabbed one on the way to the bus. After school they wanted to know what those muffins were...they were great! YAY! Today they actually came down a little earlier than usual to get one while it was hot. Check mark for mom!
I don't have any illusions that this will last long. If the past is any indication, it will get old by next week. But for today....my kids have a semi-healthy breakfast!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Oh Brother!
The call came yesterday, right in the middle of an already hectic day. "What are you up to today?" It was my younger brother. He and his wife had come into town to celebrate their anniversary.
Now, I know that some families see each other all the time, but this is not the case with my family. Although I would consider us close, I generally only see my siblings on holidays with the rare exception in between. We all live within a few hours of each other but are busy managing our own families and find it difficult to just catch up with each other.
I did not know that my brother and his wife were coming to town and they were hoping for some of our time. I must be honest, my first thought was, "This is not a good day for this." I had one child headed to a birthday party and we had not yet purchased the gift, another child was getting ready for prom and I was the designated photographer and another child had been patiently waiting for me to proofread her end of the year research paper. To say I was feeling a little overwhelmed was an understatement.
Of course I immediately ammended that thought and invited them to dinner, a movie and to stay overnight. As he accepted my offer, I began to think of the parts of my house that needed to be cleaned up in preparation of their arrival. That is just my nature. I pushed the thoughts aside and went on with the day. As I checked off one thing at a time, I began to think, "I can do this!" By the time I met up with my brother and sister in-law and sat down in the theatre, I could feel the stress melting away.
We laughed through the movie and stayed up late talking. This morning we slept in and spent the day playing board games and just enjoying each other's company. This became a very special day. This is my "baby" brother. He is several years younger than me and was not even a teenager when I left for college. I often feel that I missed out on so much of his life. I didn't go to his high school events and had my first child before he graduated. I love him dearly, but because of our age difference, I sometimes feel very old next to him. I treasure the moments where it is just us connecting to each other.
Because of this day, I have made a commitment to work harder to keep that connection strong between both my brother, my sister and myself. I have realized that once our children are grown and our parents have passed on, siblings are often the last link.
Thanks bro' for the impromtu call and the great weekend! Love you!
Now, I know that some families see each other all the time, but this is not the case with my family. Although I would consider us close, I generally only see my siblings on holidays with the rare exception in between. We all live within a few hours of each other but are busy managing our own families and find it difficult to just catch up with each other.
I did not know that my brother and his wife were coming to town and they were hoping for some of our time. I must be honest, my first thought was, "This is not a good day for this." I had one child headed to a birthday party and we had not yet purchased the gift, another child was getting ready for prom and I was the designated photographer and another child had been patiently waiting for me to proofread her end of the year research paper. To say I was feeling a little overwhelmed was an understatement.
Of course I immediately ammended that thought and invited them to dinner, a movie and to stay overnight. As he accepted my offer, I began to think of the parts of my house that needed to be cleaned up in preparation of their arrival. That is just my nature. I pushed the thoughts aside and went on with the day. As I checked off one thing at a time, I began to think, "I can do this!" By the time I met up with my brother and sister in-law and sat down in the theatre, I could feel the stress melting away.
We laughed through the movie and stayed up late talking. This morning we slept in and spent the day playing board games and just enjoying each other's company. This became a very special day. This is my "baby" brother. He is several years younger than me and was not even a teenager when I left for college. I often feel that I missed out on so much of his life. I didn't go to his high school events and had my first child before he graduated. I love him dearly, but because of our age difference, I sometimes feel very old next to him. I treasure the moments where it is just us connecting to each other.
Because of this day, I have made a commitment to work harder to keep that connection strong between both my brother, my sister and myself. I have realized that once our children are grown and our parents have passed on, siblings are often the last link.
Thanks bro' for the impromtu call and the great weekend! Love you!
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