Class of 2015

We walked into the gym and it was filled with 387 wide-eyed 14 year-olds and their nervous parents (ourselves included).   The jazz band was playing, club tables were set up with candy jars and informational flyers galore, administrators were seated on risers ready to address the group about the evening ahead of us.   Balloons were everywhere; cheerleaders were teaching the class cheer, and even the hip hop club was on the gym floor doing their “thang”.  It was an amazing, welcoming atmosphere to say the least.

When we finally settled into our seats, the principal gave his welcome speech and asked for a round of applause for the class of 2015.  That’s when the tears came creeping into my eyes.  I did everything I could do not to sniff.  I didn’t want to embarrass my soon to be freshman sitting to my right and didn’t want the other moms around me to know how much I was struggling with all this.  He smiled and some of the nervousness began to subside. 

We spent the rest of the evening going to our three different sessions; clubs and activities, curriculum, and the final stage of registration.  We walked the halls to the pool and racquet ball courts, checked out the lockers, talked to the French teacher and the TAG coordinator, signed up for baseball and put his name on the Key Club list and watched the video clips from the drama department. 

The announcement came to switch to the final rotation and it was his turn to register for his classes for the full year.  Biology, Geometry, Health, French II, Theatre/Drama, Civics and Freshman Literature were included in his list.  He circled the course numbers and then headed up to the stage of the auditorium to turn in his form.  He wondered if he looked old enough to be in high school and we assured him he did (even though as I looked at him all I could see was his two year-old chubby baby cheeks and his never ending eyelashes).

It was official.   He was now officially registered for high school and was soon to be part of the class of 2015.  He took his purple ticket up the stairs and turned it in for a RHS tote bag, class t-shirt and a Rams water bottle.  “We’re done?” he asked.  “That wasn’t so bad,” he said.  And, it wasn’t so bad.  It was good actually.  His nervousness was gone and that feeling had been replaced by a bit of relief and a tad of excitement and a small skip in his step as we walked out the front doors into the cold night.

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FEBRUARY VOCAB CHALLENGE 101

Day 6

caitiff:  (noun) A cowardly and despicable person.

Life Requires Effort

10 Tips for Being an Efficient Mom

7 Things You Can’t Live Without

5 Ways to Get Rich Quick

6 Shortcuts in the Kitchen

3 Steps to Happiness

It all sounds so easy doesn’t it?  Quick. Fast. Instant. Well, you know the saying, “If it’s sounds too good to be true, then (say it with me) it probably is.” 

I always laugh when the morning news shows have “experts” on to give their handy dandy lists of shortcuts to a better life.  It really makes me chuckle.  Are there people out there getting their notebooks and pencils out to take notes?  Do they really think that if we do their “Top 3 This” or  their “Best 5 That”, that our lives will be better? Easier?  Come on people! Reality Check.

You cannot buy three homes for zero down and think that is a safe investment because a book says so.  Buying a home takes a great deal of planning and hard work.  You give up eating out to save that $40 you would have spent.  You go for power walks outside and give up the gym membership.  You sacrifice some of the fluff to have what you want later.

You cannot read a book on parenting and expect the methods they suggest to work perfectly every time.  Being a parent is a full-time job and gosh darn it, it’s hard.  No book will prepare you for a girl breaking your son’s heart.  You just have to be available and fill them will all the love and support you have at that very moment. Chapter eight doesn’t cover that. Parenting is the hardest “learn as you go” job out there.  Sometimes you just have to punt and hope for the best.

 

I guess I’m just a believer that you reap what you sow.  Life requires effort.  

You have to plan ahead for vacations. You have to empty the cat litter box. You have to service your car, go to the dentist and pack the kids’ lunches the night before.  You have to wash the dirty clothes and some days eat rice and corn because that’s what’s in the pantry. If you’re always looking for a shortcut, then you’re probably missing out on some of the best life has to offer.  If life was always easy, then what would be the point?  Would we appreciate the homes we saved so hard for?  Would we feel as close in our families if we didn’t have to overcome difficulties together? I don’t think so. 

Don’t always try to take the short path, the fast lane, or order the glossy finish.  Life is in the journey, the walking, and the rough stones that cover the path each and every day.  Enjoy the effort. Enjoy your life.

FEBRUARY VOCAB CHALLENGE 101

Day 5 (yes, I know it's the 7th - bear with me)

dyspeptic: (adjective) Having a bad temper, gloomy, irritable

That Pang In My Heart

The snow started around 2 o’clock, just an hour before he was to arrive at the bus stop, which is only half a block from our house.  The wind was cold and the temperature was dropping.  I didn’t want him to walk even that short of a distance in the wet wind.  I quickly made him his favorite hot tea and put it in a to go cup, so he could have it as soon as he got into the warm car.  I left the cupcake I sprinkled for him on the table, so he’d know I was thinking of him and awaiting his arrival. 

I gathered my camera to capture an “everyday” moment of him getting off the bus and started the car.  I turned the heat full blast so it would be warm when he got in.  The tea was steaming delicious goodness out of the lid.  I pulled out of the garage and wasn’t even out of the driveway when I heard it. My cell phone rang and it was his ring, a pinball machine dinging and donging. 

“Hey, Mom. Can I go over to my friend’s house and you pick me up after you get the little guy?”  I could hear all his friends in the background laughing.   I said, “yes.”  I offered to pick them up and take them over there since it was so cold, but he said they’d probably just walk.  It was more than a half a block away.  He didn’t mind the cold.

I sighed in the car and pulled it right back into the garage and carried his hot tea into the kitchen and ate his cupcake.   

His mom was looking forward to him coming home.  He was looking forward to time with his friends.  It’s a good thing.  I know it is.  It’s my little reminder that I have to let go and let him grow.  That doesn’t mean it’s always easy and free of that pang in my heart.  I felt that pang for a few minutes today.  Ok, maybe several minutes.  Who am I kidding?

FEBRUARY VOCAB CHALLENGE 101

Day 4

verdigris:  (noun)  A bluish-green patina formed on copper, brass or bronze when exposed to water or air for a long time.

February Vocab Challenge 101

Words are fascinating to me. They are the fabric of our every thought and feeling. They mean so much when said at the right moment and can hurt when said at the wrong time.  They are strength for us and give us the possibility to express ourselves at a very simple or very deep level. 

I have to admit however, that I don’t have a Webster’s vocabulary.  I have more of a Reader’s Digest vocabulary where the words are simple, basic, get the point across type of words.  However, when you’re in the car with your children and they ask what “juggernaut” means and you think you know but don’t want to be wrong, what’s a mom to do?  (I have now downloaded the dictionary.com free app for my iphone so this won’t happen again!)

As I write more each day and read more each day I am realizing how limited my vocabulary really is.  (I’ve always known this, but it never really bothered me until now.)  So, I have decided to take the February Vocab Challenge 101 (which I have conveniently made up for myself  - and you’re welcome to participate if you’d like) and learn a new word each day.  The fun doesn’t stop there however; not only do I (you) have to commit the definition to memory, but I (you) have to use the word three times that day in my (your) writing or conversations. 

Yes, I realize it’s the 3rd of February and have already missed two days of the challenge. Have no fear.  I’ve already taken care of that.  Today, I (you) must learn three words. Oh, come on. We can do it.  We’re not that old are we?

For the month of February, I will post the word of the day along with the definition at the bottom of my post and come February 28th, we’re going to be so smart we’ll have to buy ourselves a new leather bound dictionary to put on display in the family room! Won’t we be fancy schmancy? 

I hope you will join me in the challenge!  And, if for some reason I forget to post the word, just let me know.  After all, I’m a simple woman with a simple mind and may forget one day.

Here are our three words for the day. Remember, three today to catch us up. We can do it!  Oh, and if we already know the word, yeah for us. No homework that day (except to use the word in your writing or conversations). 

FEBRUARY VOCAB CHALLENGE 101 

Days 1, 2 & 3

spartan:  (adjective) Lacking in comforts; marked by self-discipline or self-restraint.

helut: (noun) A serf or slave.

milliner: (noun) Someone who design, makes or sells women’s hats.

(Yeah! I knew all three. Now to use them in my conversations. This ought to be good.)

"Update Closed"

Today is the second of February and the news is covered with stories of snow and blizzard conditions.  The crawl on our favorite tv station says, “Update Closed” due to the cold temperatures, so no school once again today. More than fifteen states are under some kind of weather advisory. The Midwest to the East Coast is blanketed in snow and ice inches thick. 

Yet, we’re inside under our electric blankets toasty warm.  We have heat.  So many people today are experiencing power outages and are without heat and the comfort of their own home.

Today I am thankful that we can stay inside and keep warm and enjoy the day off without worry.  We don’t have to shovel snow and we have more hot tea than anyone could possible need.  I am thankful today for our safety and comfort.

As I was reading about the weather yesterday I came across this photo that made me laugh and wanted to share it with you.  I hope you all stay warm today.