A Milestone Day?

I don't know...is it?  Is it a milestone day when you realize this may very well be the last morning you drag a boy out of bed, make his breakfast, and send him off to school?

For 27 or so years I've been waking up a little boy or two little boys, in the early morning hours, making sure they had a good breakfast and got dressed, dropped them off at school or at daycare, and headed to work myself.  When Nicholas grew up and moved out, Neil was still at home, in middle school, and life moved on as usual, just with one less boy under the roof.

Today is Neil's very last day of school, as a high school senior.  He is my last boy at home.  As I sat in the early morning darkness, enjoying my quiet time and coffee, before all the "rise and shine" activity, I realized this could be a momentous day in my life.  No longer will I be waking a sleepy child to get to school on time.  How much longer will Neil be at  home before he discovers college roommates and trying it "on his own?"

I must admit, the thought of a slower, quieter morning sounds, well, very nice.  But the thought of some how being less needed...I'm having to get use to that thought.

Wow....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter. Please.

GO AWAY!!

We've had enough.

Now...be gone!

This has been a long, wet, hard winter.

In our house, we've

had the flu,

had pneumonia..still trying to recover,

lost a dear friend,

and are saying goodbye to sweet, dear uncle.

Time changes this weekend.

With it I hope comes Spring...quickly.

I need the

Beach,

a Margarita...

and a cupcake.

Hurry June.

I've Got It!

I've learned to avoid lofty New Year's resolutions. 

Rarely do I complete them,

and I really don't do disappointment real well, when I look back at the end of the year,

only to check off all those well intended resolutions that I didn't meet. 

Sure, I could resolve to do all those reasonable things,

like lose weight (which I need to do...badly).

Or, be a better mom,

Or be more patient,

Or practice one act of kindness every day.

But, aren't those the kind of things we do each day, anyway?

 

So, I decided to simplify my resolutions, and have just one;

one very simple resolution...

 

HAVE FUN!

Yes! Have more fun...laugh, and look for fun and every opportunity to seize it.

Hopefully this will not get me into too much trouble.

 

 

Sounds simple enough....

 

Well... maybe just one more thing...

Greece.  Visit Greece.

My brother lives there,

and has begged me for years to come visit him.

I think I will resolve to work hard to save my money,

and plan a trip to see him.

This is his view from his apartment in Athens.

 

 

 Fun...and Greece. 

Think I'll be disappointed?



A New Year

Tonight is New Year's Eve.

I have BIG plans!

I plan to spend the evening browsing Home Depot.

And, purchasing a new area rug for my dining room.

I'll be starting this new book....

And, popping open a bottle of my favorite red...

I know...

My life is so exciting.

Please don't hate me.

Seriously y'all...

I'm exhausted.

I've had a house full of guests since the weekend before Christmas.

Thank goodness, they all finally went home this past weekend.

But, I have more guests arriving this next weekend.

I should get the "World's Best Hostess" award.

All this festivity is killing me.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Beginnings!

Christmas Wonder

 

There's nothing like a little child at Christmas,

is there?

This is our lovely little Lena.

As we wind down, and approach the beauty

of Christms Day,

I wish for us all the wonder of Christmas,

as seen through the eyes of a child.

Peace.  Love.  Joy. Amazement.



Merry Christmas

                                                                        from Garden and Gun

From my little corner of the South,

Merry Christmas.....

Christmas snuck up on me this year.

Like a mischevious child, sneeking up from behind,

shouting "Boo!"

The planner, always wanting to be prepared.

part of me is in a tizzy.

Final presents to purchase,

and wrap,

and menus to plan,

and food to purchase,

and cook,

guest room preparations to make...

all these things swirl around in my head,

this week before Christmas.

Then there is the one thing...

that looms over it all,

the great sadness of those families

in Conneticut.

I imagine the presents under the trees,

and presents yet to be wrapped,

who's receipient is missing.

And, my heart breaks.....

Why should I be in a tizzy? 

I wanted to blog about my home decorations,

family celebrations, meals and recipes.

But I can't...it doesn't seem right for me right now.

My Christmas wish is for comfort for the children and adults of Newtown,

peace for us all,

a friend for each of us,

and to love and be loved.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Do not be afraid."

JC

Helen & Charlie

I am absolutely intrigued

by this photo.

Its a photo taken in 1919,

Helen Keller meeting Charlie Chaplin.

Just think about that for a moment.....

I love how he has taken off his hat.

And, how her fingers seem to be touching his moustache.

He appears to be smiling,

and there is just the faintest hint of a smile on Helen's face.

I love it.