4th of July!

4th of July Letdown

Maybe it's just me, but is anyone else feeling the 4th of July letdown blues? I turn on the news this a.m. and all I see are the injuries and even deaths due to either malfunctions, or human stupidity! Many families around our country are spending countless days in the hospital now due to such mistakes. What happened to the "simple" celebrations? Baseball games, trips to the beach, clam bakes, cookouts, etc... It would be nice to just turn back time and celebrate the 4th the way we use to. Imagine the money that would be saved and even lives. Something to think about.....

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

As the pieces of wood, metal, shell, or glass of wind chimes move in the breeze and rebound off one another, they produce a blend of resonant tones.
Wherever we are, whatever we do, we, too, blend and interact with those around us in a chorus of harmony that enriches our lives and the lives of others. We do not have to be alike to be in harmony with one another. Through our variety of ideas and from our diverse backgrounds, we contribute to and complement one another.

AND I THOUGHT BASEBALL WAS OVER

Well... here we go AGAIN! On my summertime list, I never included baseball...which I guess now I should have. Austin playing in the 7/8 league was chosen to play on the All Star Team for 2 tournaments this summer. I was very proud of him for being chosen, since there are over 80 players in this league and only 24 were chosen. However, I didn't realize that these 2 tournaments meant practicing 3 x a week until our July tourney.

We just finished our first one this weekend in Willards and the team did GREAT!!! We won 2 out of 3 games. I don't want to brag too much about my son, but he did GREAT defensively and a good job offensively. On top of having a fever all weekend long.

So if you can't find me at home, just reach me on my cell and most likely I'll be at the baseball fields. And most of you who are reading this know that I absolutely LOVE it!

HAPPY SUMMERTIME TO EVERYONE!!!!

TGI....SUMMERTIME

SUMMERTIME = 1. being a mom all day

2. staying up late and sleeping in

3. boating and beer

4. reading novels again

5. flip flops, pony tails, and hats

6. brightly colored toenails

7. RELAXED time with family and friends

8. July 4th on the boat with friends and beer

9. sandy beaches and cool pools

10. vacations

If you can add on to your favorite summer plans, please do so!!! THANK GOD IT'S SUMMERTIME!!!!!!!

GIVE IT UP FOR......M.O.Y. (MOTHER OF THE YEAR)

Well, a proud moment for mom!!!!!
I have always wondered (after loosing my husband) could I handle all the decisions that come with raising two little boys. Anyone who has a child, realizes the enormous responsibility.... but doing it ALONE truly scared me. Then a friend tagged me with the nickname (MOY) when I forgot something in regards to my oldest ( I can't even remember now what it was...I think his bus#). That just raised my insecurities even more.
Well, my proud moments have come. Austin received straight A's in all the above level classes ( Reading and Math) and earned numerous awards at the end of the year. Besides the typical "completion of 2nd grade", "gym", "choral", etc..... came the real biggie, which was the President's Award for Educational Excellence. This pretty much combines classroom grades and standardized testing scores and only a handful of 2nd graders received this honor. On top of all this, we just received today in the mail, that he has met the criteria for magnet placement!!!! While I know there are pro's and con's to this magnet program...... I am soooo proud of my son. Makes me feel like I have done my job well as a parent, and sticking to our routines ( which some of my friends think are too strict) has paid off. Whether he goes or not ( he would rather be with me at my school) doesn't really matter. What matters to me is that he worked hard all year with a very strict teacher and earned every single one of those A's.

So M.O.Y. is going to celebrate tonight with a few drinks and a movie with a special friend and realize that I'm doing a GREAT job as a mother!!!!!!!!!!

WHEN LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE BALL

O.K. Most of you know that these past 2 weeks have been like a roller coaster ride. While I have unfortunately focused on the negative, I have quite a bit to be thankful for.

What I wouldn't be able to do without :

1. Friends at work who just pop into my room to tease me or just smile and give me a hug.

2. My mother who calls every day to check in on me and the boys and is willing to sit and listen to me and even cry along with me....if need be. And lately, it has been a NEED.

3. Baseball. Both teams have been a stress relief at times and then a huge headache at other times. Regardless..... I LOVE IT! And I love to support my boys.

4. A dear friend who has been like a second father to me and has gone out of his way to make sure the boys and I have something to look forward to. Imagine a basketball hoop, a flat of portulaca (flowers), and a card sitting on your door steps when you have had a horrible day at work. This is just one example of many.

5. Friends who can drive by and flip the bird to one another.

6. Silly e-mails to just cheer someone up.

7. My team mom. I would be lost without her.

8. Family and friends who know when to leave you alone or MAKE YOU cheer up.

9. A new special someone who shows up with a bottle of wine and a smile....hmmmm.

* Thanks for all of you who have been supportive these past few weeks and never turn a deaf ear. You guys are appreciated more than you know!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That's for Amanda :)

Career Change.... Any Ideas?

As of today, I am thinking very seriously of a career change. Anyone with any suggestions.....please comment!