I USED TO:

• sit at the computer and read different entertainment websites;
• chat on the phone with girlfriends during the day;
• love laying on my bed for 1/2 hour - 1 hour per day to relax and watch a show on HGTV or TLC;
• plan my day around "Days of Our Lives";
• go to the grocery store everyday;
• get Starbucks every morning and usually one other time throughout the day;
• think about the projects I wanted to do around the house, but never seemed to complete;
• try to organize my kids in such a way that pleased me; etc, etc, etc..........

The list goes on and on.  We always seem to evolve and change no matter how old we get.  I'm not saying any of those things are wrong - I took care of the kids, made meals, carpooled, did laundry and dishes.  I loved doing all of that and still do.  If the kids are happy and healthy, it's a no-brainer. 

Now, I look forward to my little job and love coming home to my family.  Hopefully everyone's becoming more independent.  I know I'm more organzized now.  And I feel like I've taken a baby step toward a life when my kids are grown. 

It's a whole new world with lots of "work" drama.  I'm the older, wiser one - which is quite a joke.  The young ones that I work with ask my advice and share way to many things with me.  I smile, dish out very neutral advice and remember a time when I was just like them. 

Glad I am where I am now,
NeuroticMom

Blocked the Kids

It came time in our household to block certain things on the TV.  I have to say, "Love it".

The kids are complaining here and there but I can live with that.  If we think the older boys can watch something that's blocked, we easily unblock it.  Voila.  Easy and simple.

Proud of ourselves,
NeuroticMom

Friends are everything.

Good Stuff

I thought I'd never live to see the day that one of my teenage sons told me, "I love going to school.  It's awesome!"  I nearly fell over...and he was serious (in case you're wondering!).

Makes me so happy that we are sending them to the high school that they wanted and now it's up to them to make great memories, have fun and do well.

I need to sit down and enjoy this moment.

Life is good,

NeuroticMom

The Express

I just finished watching "The Express".  What a great movie.  I love movies about true stories and this one is inspiring.  Ernie Davis was an African-American football player for Syracuse in the late fifties, early sixties.  He lead the team to the National Title in 1959 and he was the first black man to win the Heisman Trophy (1961).  I didn't know the history behind the story before I sat down.  My fourteen year came in 3/4 of the way through the movie and Ernie had started to experience nose bleeds and wasn't feeling well.  I didn't need to say anything, my son sat down and watched the rest of the movie with me.  Ernie Davis died of leukemia at the age of 23.  He was a player for the Cleveland Browns, who never played in a game because of his illness. 

After the movie, my son got up, gave me a kiss good night and said, "I was lucky."  You see, my son had leukemia - he is a ten year survivor.  With tears in my eyes, I told him he was lucky but I also believe with all of me heart that he is here for a reason - whether he does a million ordinary, simple things with his life or something extraordinary.  Maybe his children will do something extraordinary, who knows.  But, he is here for a reason....and he was very lucky:)

Counting my blessings,
NeuroticMom

Where can I find a huge bag of blue raspberry jolly ranchers?  Someone please tell me!!!!

We're all addicted,
NeuroticMom

Unfreakin' Believable

Sorry, but I have to vent.

Since when can't someone on "The View" state their view without the hosts, who make millions of dollars stating their views every freakin' day, walking off on their guests?  Someone please tell me.  Every day, these women let the world know how they feel about everything.  They preach tolerance and diplomacy and BAM - show their true colors.  I'm tired of some of the hosts, and you know who, setting the bar for all of us to try to live up to.  Please!  You get paid the big bucks to debate.  You don't agree with Bill O'Reilly's views, you knew it before you sat down with him, you knew he would instigate something and yet you let it get out of control.  Congratulations, you made yourselves look like spoiled little girls, which makes us all look bad.

Girls, here's a suggestion (and I'm not pushing my view on anyone): ask a few families who lost their loved ones on 9/11 what they think about a mosque being built a few blocks from Ground Zero.  Maybe that will give you the accurate information you should be striving to seek?  Maybe you should get a hold of some polls that you say you haven't seen?  We don't have time to hear your emotional, preachy views when we're all trying to live our own lives.

Tuned in today to see if there was an apolgy.  Now I'm hoping it happens Monday.  Ladies, are you embarrassed today or are you still angry?  Doesn't matter to me.  I won't be tuning in anymore.  I don't care what your views are!

Thanks for letting me vent,
NeuroticMom

Have an awesome weekend.  The weather has cleared up and we can finally enjoy some nice "Fall" weather.  Soccer games, walks outside and family time.  So excited. Enjoy it!

Help...

Son number 1 (Sophmore) is constantly asking me if a Junior on his soccer team can drive him home after soccer practice.  Son number 2 (Freshman) asked once, I said "no" and he hasn't asked again.  Calm, easy child (for now).  What the hell do I do about the other one?  He is a negotiator and pulls every card out of his hat - "you know him" (the driver), "he's responsible", "his parents are okay with it", "we're coming right home", "don't you trust me?"......

A friend of mine gave me a contract that her parents gave to her brother when he started driving (probably 30 years ago), but it's still good for today, even though so many things in the world have changed.  I'm seriously thinking of coming up with something similar for the boys about getting in a car with a friend.  If they break either contract the punishment will be simple to enforce  because they knew the consequences, right?

Scary times ahead - it's not getting easier as they get older.  Now I worry that one little mistake can hurt or kill them.  It doesn't even have to be their mistake, but they're in the car or driving the car.  Any thoughts as to what I should put in our contract?  I'll ask my friend if I can share some of the "driver's license contract" with everyone.  It will come in handy someday for you too.

Have a good one,
NeuroticMom

I've survived the first two weeks.  The amount of things to learn is crazy, but I'm enjoying it.  The time flies by.  I just need to get over the guilt - that I won't be there for everything the kids are doing.  I told a mom that I just went back to work after sixteen years and feel guilty that I'm happy to have a job.  Her response with pure shock in her eyes, "Honey, sixteen years, don't feel guilty."  Made me laugh.

And the drama - love it.  Many women working in a busy environment is hysterical.  I sit back and observe.  Quite entertaining.

I'm more organized with meals and spending less money on things I don't need.  Although, the refrigerator water line is broken and the floor underneath is now rotted:( 

I'm going to enjoy the things that I had my kids DVR for me (Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice) and maybe watch "Wall Street" before seeing the sequel.

Have an awesome weekend,
NeuroticMom