Hi everyone! Sorry to be AWOL for so long, but things have been so hectic. I'm the kind of person who needs the weekend to regroup for the next week, and I haven't had that lately. It seems like we never slow down. There have been a flurry of graduation activities the last couple of weeks, but that is about to wind down. DD's boyfriend's graduation was Tuesday night and DD's is Sunday. A friend that I used to work with was sitting behind me at Tim's graduation. The friend asked me what I was doing there and I told him that my daughter's boyfriend was graduating and Tim's mother said "oh, just tell them that it is your son...Tim loves you and spends as much time with you and he does me."
It was pretty emotional, but I think it will help prepare me for Sunday. I have such mixed emotions, but right now I'm just ready for everything to settle down a bit. I have already started doing things with my friends so it won't be such an adjustment when I'm home alone. Last weekend I went to a party Saturday night that I normally would have skipped, and ended up having a great time. DD insisted that I go. Then Sunday I went to Jubilee Jam...a three-day music festival. Sunday afternoon was the only time I could go and I had missed most of the bands that I really wanted to see. I intended to just skip the festival this year, but a friend called and asked me to go with her to hear the O'Jays. Do y'all remember them?? We had a blast. It was very cool and breezy and the music was great. I was right in the middle of the crowd...dancing away. DD couldn't believe that I actually danced. I was just having a good time and didn't care what anybody thought. Boy have I come a long way.
Carol, you have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since our phone conversation. I have good feelings about this, and I have faith that everything will be fine. Since my mother also had breast cancer and I also have "spots" that they are monitoring, I think I know a little about how you are feeling. It's scary I know, but you have lots and lots of good vibes coming your way. Like
Texaslady said, I really believe in the power of prayer.
Patti, I'm glad that you got that handsome son of yours graduated. It seems like just yesterday that mine was a tiny baby. Does it feel that way to you too? I'm sorry that your DH's daughter snubbed you like that. I know I don't know all the facts and don't know anything about the girl's mom, but I know that I would never have let my daughter leave her step-mother's name off the invitation. I would have insisted that she include you. My ex-husband and I were together for twenty years, and it was difficult for me to include his new wife at first. Of course, the fact that she was named in my divorce papers didn't help matters much.
However, I knew that she was going to be a part of my child's life and I feel like you can never have enough people loving your children. I'm thankful that she has been a good step-mother to my daughter. I remember a time when my DD and I were riding in the car and she asked me if it hurt my feelings to know that she liked her step-mother. Those words cut me like a knife. I knew then that I had to be very careful about what I said and did. I have made sure that she knows that I'm happy that she has a loving relationship with her dad's new wife. Your DH's ex-wife may have passed away or may not even be in the picture, but I'm just wondering if maybe some of his daughter's attitude isn't coming from her mom or other people. After all, I think you said that y'all just celebrated your 5th (?) anniversay. I would think that she would have accepted things by now, especially since you have a son her age. My ex and his wife have a five year old son, and I can't tell you how it warms my heart to see how much my DD loves that little boy and vice-versa. He adores his big sister. We get him often and take him places with us. I know it confuses him because he isn't quite sure how I fit into the picture. He knows that I'm DD's mom, but I know he is bound to have questions running through that little inquisitive mind of his. Whew...sorry...I didn't mean to get so carried away.
About the perimenapause...I'm going through it too. I'm 47 and it started several years ago. The only bad thing is never knowing when something is about to happen. I still get all the symptoms every month, but most of the time now nothing happens...which suits me just fine.
Jan, New Orleans sounds wonderful. However, that is my birthday weekend and I usually go to the lodge with all my friends. It's kind of a tradition, although some years we have to do it a week or two early or late...so there is always hope. New Orleans is so close to me, and I would hate to miss an opportunity to see you and your DH again and to meet
JOYce and
Patti.
Texaslady, I can't wait to see pics of your DD's house. It sounds so cute! Congratulations to your SIL on his graduation. Everything is just falling right into place for them. You and
Carol and I (and anyone else who can't make the first trip) will just have to plan another New Orleans excursion after the first of next year. Of course, hopefully we will still be having our annual get-together but maybe we can plan an extra one.
Saara, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Utah. I've never been there, but that would be so exciting to be there for the winter olympics. I love watching them on tv and really wanted to attend the games when they were in Atlanta, but things didn't work out. I haven't forgotten about the No Pudge mix either. Finances have been really tight with all these graduation expenses, but I hope to send you the package next month.
Liz, I hope things are slowing down a bit for you too. I thought about you this week. I've had an entire construction crew working outside my office. I've been checking them out on a regular basis!
JOYce, I agree with some of the others about the mudbugs...yuk!! We have crawfish boils around here all the time, but that is one thing that I have never even been tempted to try. You are going to love New Orleans!!
Hi to everyone that I missed. I was just trying to squeeze a post in during lunch so that y'all would know that I was still here. Unfortunately, now it's time to get back to work! Have a great OP week!
Janet (Kudzu)