Thursday, May 31, 2012

hugging a little longer

Our small town had a tragedy happen yesterday. One of the middle kid's classmates was killed in a car accident yesterday afternoon just a couple of miles from her home.

She turned left in front of a dump truck. She was only 17.  She died instantly.

Although I recognized the girl's name, I didn't know this girl.  My daughters know her and her family lives just two doors down from one of their best friends from soccer. In a town our size, everyone has a connection to this family.

As I held my crying daughter yesterday, all I could think about is how fragile all of this is. We just never know. Everything can change in an instant.  So often we get caught up in our routines and our responsibilities that we forget that.

We forget to hug a little longer. We forget to say I love you. Tragedies like this one remind us to slow down and take more time with those we love.

I know I did last night.






Wednesday, May 30, 2012

taking that first step

After hubby left campus late in the afternoon, he gave me a call to report on how the day had gone for him and for the oldest.  He said he didn't feel overwhelmed, but he was tired of sitting in meetings all day. They had meetings about everything under the sun, well, at least everything under the sun that pertains to becoming a freshman at a major SEC university.

The kid will pick her classes today and maybe some of the information her Daddy has passed along will help organize her approach to that process. For example, keep a 'work' like schedule. Think about if you really want to be in class all day on Friday during football season. Ha ha.

She's already learned how two classes can drive your entire semester. She wants to take Honors Calculus (yuck) and that class meets Monday through Thursday for one hour each day. Everything else will need to work around that selection. Her other main class is an engineering course that is also only offered at a certain time.

In many ways, the hybrid block schedule she has juggled for high school will serve her well when it comes to college. She is use to the M,W,F and T,TH class arrangement. But, high school had a bit more flexibility when it came to getting certain classes worked into your schedule.

I spoke with her for a few minutes yesterday while they were on their lunch break. She told me that even though she didn't know any of the people in her orientation group, she felt very comfortable and she felt confident that she chose the right university. Whew.

Last night after the hubby left, she had all sorts of social activities to attend. I wonder if she even slept last night!

They will be home later today and I will get a full report from each of them.

Enjoy the day....so glad it is Wednesday!


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

the hazy and not so lazy days of summer

Summer is underway. The oldest departed for the university last night in order to attend registration/orientation today and tomorrow. Wow. Hubby is there with her as I didn't have enough PTO earned to take time off for this trip.

In other exciting news, we purchased new kitchen appliances yesterday. After looking, comparing, chatting, reviewing for days, we took the plunge. It should be interesting as all of it will be delivered just a few days before the oldest's graduation party.

I've been reading "The Crown" by Nancy Bilyeau. Set during Henry VIII's reign, this novel features a backdrop of the dissolution of the convents and monasteries, but has several mysteries for novice Dominican nun, Joanna Stafford to solve including why King Athelstan's missing crown is coveted by the powers at be.

Short week! Yippee!! I also start my summer hours today and will arrive a half hour early so I can leave earlier in the afternoon.

Summer Reading has started at the library and it seems the kickoff event went well. Of course, nothing brings them out like free food and I guess the free TCBY did the trick.  The current Friends president got the emailed newsletter out and did a wonderful job on it. Whew. I can let that responsibility go with no reservations or regrets now.

Although the literacy committee met last week, I haven't heard a report on what they decided at the meeting. Not sure what is up with that, but I'm almost afraid to email and ask. Ignorance is bliss? Might just be true in this case.

Enjoy the day.




Thursday, May 24, 2012

only thursday

Yes, it is only Thursday. Ugh. When the weekend does get here, it will be so nice to have three days off. I am looking forward to the break.

Now that graduation festivities are over, we have a lot to do this summer, but the pace will be a bit slower. At least for a little while.

Enjoy the day!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

moving on

Graduation is over! We did it! She did it! The ceremony was really nice and everything went well. Whew.


Tuesday, May 22, 2012

scholarships

The special moments continue to roll into our lives. The senior awards ceremony was last night and the oldest received a scholarship named in honor of the principal who led her high school during her years there. He recently took an assistant superintendent's position with the county system. It was one of 10 she applied for. We went into that whole process with the thought that if she got just one, it would be worth it. Well, she did and it will be a nice boost to her bursar's account.

She also received a 'signed' letter from President Obama, a special ACT 30 and Above paper weight, a special President's Academic Excellence pin, an award for best Senior Art I student, and recognition for the 11 honors classes and 4 AP classes she took during the past 4 years.

I'm so proud of her! Tonight she will walk across the stage at the area's mega church (Six Flags over Jesus). She will get to walk in the first group as the top 10% graduate first. Then we will watch the other 400 plus students make that same walk.

What an exciting day! I can't believe this moment is here! I can't believe we get to do this again next year for the middle kid! Unreal. Unreal.

I must remember to breathe and enjoy the moment. We took her out for a special dessert last night after we finished at the high school. A beautiful, talented and well rounded young woman sat across the table from us. We've done what we can do as parents to get her to this point and now it is her time to FLY.

Monday, May 21, 2012

graduation week

Graduation week is here. I will be the mom of a high school graduate in just a few short hours. I'm feeling my age a bit this morning. I had a rough night and didn't sleep well. The storm that rolled through didn't help matters, but it was more my mind that kept me awake than the thunder and lightning. Thoughts about the past 18 years kept rolling around in my head. Not bad thoughts, lots and lots of good thoughts. Yet, it was enough that falling asleep was difficult.

Concentrating at work is going to be a bit of a chore.

In other news, the middle daughter and I went to the library yesterday. I found two books and she came home with three, one of which she read while we were at the baccalaureate service for the older one last night. I gave the other two kids a 'pass' on attending that as I knew seating would be at a premium. She is on a mission for scary mysteries with a bit of a paranormal element to them. We picked out "Relic" the first Aloysius Pendergast novel by Preston & Childs. If she likes it, she is set as they have about 10 books featuring Pendergast.

Okay, off to get more coffee and see if the paper has arrived yet.


Thursday, May 17, 2012

deadlocked

I finished the most recent installment in the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse last night. "Deadlocked" is the next to the last book Charlaine Harris will be writing about the telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana. I have loved this series and have stuck with it from the very beginning. Are all the books great? No. Some were better than others, but Harris always entertains and Sookie continues to be a loveable character. This latest book begins the end and unless Harris has a major plot twist up her sleeve, the cards are laid out on the table.

The book is getting some lukewarm reviews on Amazon and B&N and I can understand that. While this novel features a murder mystery at its center, the mystery doesn't drive the plot. Sookie and her relationships with the men in her life continues to be the source of the conflict. I cared little about who killed who and more about Sookie's crumbling 'marriage.'  The books have always been about Sookie and this one reveals even more about her.

So, now we wait a year for the final novel. Harris has already released the book's title and publication date. I wonder if she will feel relief when that last one hits the shelves? Sadness? Joy?

Sookie is an icon now and if nothing else, Harris should be damn proud of that.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

slog fest

This week is starting to feel like a slog fest. Those weeks are filled with days where you can barely put one foot in front of the other and keep the forward motion going. Yep.

I managed to get through the work day yesterday, and I wasn't alone in feeling the pain. Several of us were commenting on the fact we were having a hard time getting stuff done.

Not sure what was in the air, but it was real. Maybe it is just time for a three day weekend and we are all feeling it. Come on Memorial Day!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

programs

It looks like our literacy group has unofficially chosen "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" for the official novel of our community reading event. Over the past week the committee members have been posting ideas for programs to offer the community. Of course, these events must tie in with the book in some fashion.

I weighed in with my ideas yesterday. Not a minute too soon. I fired off an email to the group while I was still at work. The ideas shared by others were good, but not broad enough in scope. So, I suggested about ten different things that would reach out to a bigger portion of folks in our Town. The committee chair has yet to respond to my 'off the wall' ideas. My words, not their words. 

The next meeting takes place on the night of the Senior Awards ceremony for the oldest, so I'm not sure if I can  do both and keep it all together. Might be one appointment too many to try and keep.

Happy Tuesday.

Monday, May 14, 2012

post prom

Prom was a huge success for the girls. They looked so beautiful and had such a good time with their friends. It is hard to believe that prom is over after the hunt for dresses, shoes, makeup, hair stuff, nail stuff etc. I have to say, it was all worth it to see their smiles and hear their laughter.

The dessert trays were a hit. The kids didn't lack for food. The oldest had dinner at the Methodist church. One of their cooks volunteered to prepare the meal and the parents served. Good stuff. Might make a few of the Baptists in the crowd rethink where they attend on Sundays.....actual kitchen conversation! It was quite funny.

The younger daughter had plenty of heavy appetizers at the home of her date. His mom put out quite a spread of easy to eat finger foods and then hosted the entire crew for the after-prom.

I posted a ton of pictures on facebook for all of our family and friends across the country and even over the pond in England.  But this picture is the one that gave several of the folks quite a chuckle.  The oldest was to have a soccer match yesterday afternoon, but she decided a short nap on the pitch was in order. It was a good thing the other team didn't show up, someone might have tripped!


Happy Monday!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

don't get it

I need to watch the full comments the President made in support of gay marriage. The news tidbit popped up via some posts on facebook yesterday. Yes, I was playing with facebook yet again at work, and getting paid to do so!

Anne Rice linked to a news article about it as did several other writers I follow. Today I'm waiting for the evangelical right to hit back.

Churches have always had the right to marry or not marry people. The government can not force them to marry two people if they don't want to. Civil marriages are another matter. States, I guess, can legislate who is allowed to marry. There used to be laws that prevented interracial marriages. Then, of course, you have the whole marrying your cousin thing.

Bottom line for me is this, if a church wants to marry two gay people, let them. If they don't want to, then they shouldn't have to. The federal government should be able to allow civil marriages between two consenting adults. Whether or not states have the right to define what they consider marriage to be or not be might have to be left up to the Supreme Court.

Marriage has evolved over the centuries, both in and out of churches. Marriage is a contract, always has been. It is just in modern times that the financial/property aspect has been removed from center stage for some couples.

In world that has so much hate, why do so many people feel threatened by love? In a world where so many marriages end in divorce, it seems a bit hypocritical to hold up the sanctity of marriage as some holy grail.

Stepping off the soap box now.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

randomness

I hate running errands after work, but with only a half hour for lunch, I have to do just that. So today I need to make several quick stops and take care of a few things before I can go home. Ugh.

Made the oreo truffle balls last night and they are now chilling in the fridge. The next step will be to dip them in chocolate. Up next are the lemon bites, the maids of honor and the hershey pretzel hugs.

Pulled a lasagna from the freezer for supper tonight. So nice to have those meals in there ready to go.

The plates are all spinning this week, nothing falling to the floor. Amazing!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

prom

The girls' prom is this weekend. I have two BIG trays of desserts to make. We settled on four recipes - little bite sized desserts that are easy to eat and not too messy. No ooey-gooey messes, please.

I'm also in charge of the centerpieces for the oldest's dinner. That group is gathering at the local Methodist church and having dinner in one of their dining rooms. It is being cooked by the father's and served by the mother's. Pictures are happening in the prayer garden on site.

I may need those prayers to get through the day! Ha!

The younger daughter is going to her date's home as his mother is coordinating that dinner. They are having heavy appetizers to eat and taking their pictures there as well.

So, the plans are set. I just need to get started on the goodies.

Monday, May 7, 2012

fun times at the movies or I love Joss Whedon

I took the oldest and the youngest to see The Avengers last night. What fun we had! With the incredibly talented Joss Whedon behind this superhero blockbuster, I had no doubt we'd be entertained. It was great fun. Lots of action, lots of spectacular superhero scenes, but my favorite aspect of the film, by far, was the dialogue. Whedon and company crafted some great lines for the likes of Tony Stark/Ironman, Thor, The Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Loki and the rest.

I'd see it again as I'm sure I missed some of the lines due to the audience interaction with the movie. Very, very fun stuff.

Off to work I go on a rainy Monday. Ick. We needed the rain, but it is hard to be chipper when the weekend went by too quickly and the skies are dark gray.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

community reading project

I believe our Literacy Council has narrowed the field to two titles: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.

I enjoyed both books and think either title would enable us to offer a host of events to the community. I know book clubs in the area have already read these books, but they are good enough that many might choose to read them again.

Trying to pick which one will be the ultimate selection is out of my hands...thank goodness. We had three committee members absent from yesterday's meeting, so the chair will collect their votes and let us know the final tally.

In the meantime, I have some emails to send to begin to garner financial support for the project. And I need to start thinking of programming for either book as well as YA and Children's titles that might be good 'supporting' reads.


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

the 3,000

I made it downtown, parked the car, had some lunch and got to the convention center at the perfect moment. The deputies were just opening the doors to the huge room we were to gather in and I managed to sneak in and grab a seat on the end of row two. This, I had been told, was prime seating. The trick to jury duty is to get your week and get out of there. That is just what I did, after informative lectures from the clerk, a judge, another judge and then the clerk again. They called the first week, I dashed to the side of the room, was about fifth in line, handed in my summons notice, got my jury week card and left the building.

Three thousand folks gathered in that room yesterday. We were told 13,000 summons had been mailed in the last 10 days.

I will be experiencing the second phase of this process in July when I have to report for the actual jury selection event.

Happy Wednesday.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

when work and hobbies collide

Part of my new job is to assist with our social media efforts. Yesterday our department director returned from his trip out west and promptly made me an admin on our Facebook page and a moderator on our Linkedin page. He was also ready to sign me up to access the Blogger account. Well, that one wound up not happening as the new website we are planning on launching sometime this year (nonprofit land can be a bit loosey-goosey when it comes to some timelines) may include some sort of blog feature that will render our Blogger account obsolete.

So, I actually get paid to post to Facebook now and toy around with our other social media sites. Ha! All that time I've 'wasted' online may actually begin to pay off....pretty amazing.

I'm at work for a couple of hours today as I have to travel into the big city to do my civic duty and line up for jury selection. Ugh. Don't mind the civic duty part, but I do mind the timing and the travel. Of course today is jam packed with TONS of family stuff to do. It always works that way.

Happy Tuesday.