Cheer camp is over, again, for, wait...FOREVER. Wow, that really hit me kind of weird. The last cheer camp of the cheerleader's high school cheer career. She is now an official senior and just returned from a three day camp that her squad has attended since freshman year. This was my fourth year of driving her to school for the early morning pick up on departure day. Yes, she can drive, now, but we didn't want her car left, unattended, at the school for that long in the parking lot. Anyway, this really isn't about camp as much as it is about my parking lot observations on the day we dropped off for camp.
In my ever changing moods, I am now the mom of a senior cheerleader and that makes me the mom who has come through the ranks and watched a lot of cheer moms. It is a weird year for both the cheerleader and me. It is weird for her to realize that she and her other senior pals are THE role models. THE leaders. Nobody is left ahead of them to continue to pave the way. They are the pavers. I have had to realize that the moms ahead of me the past three years are no longer there. Each year, I have watched them disappear, one by one. Now, we are the moms that I thought the newer moms would look to. Wrong. There is a new type of cheer mom in town. I call this new type of mom, Mrs. Avery. There were so many Mrs. Averys running around the parking lot on departure day. To me, Mrs. Avery has always been the ultimate control freak of a mom. I mean, seriously, what harm would it have done if she had just let Sylvia talk to the ex-boyfriend? And now, I get to watch all of these Mrs. Averys take over. It's both refreshing and scary. The year, I am sure will prove to be interesting.
I am of the moms that care and are supportive but have let our daughters cheer and stayed out of their business. Well, every group has it's one loose canon and our group of moms have had our loose canon. Yes, I blogged about it, last week. But, this is different. This is like a whole group of incoming freshman moms flying their own helicopters. You know, the hovering, bossy, competitive, my way or the highway kind of mom. The kind that wants to bypass all of that freshman cheer nonsense and have her Pookie front and center of Varsity. The moms that monopolize the coaches because they have MUCH better ideas. They complain a lot, too. Usually the complaint is about Pookie being wronged because she is not featured in each cheer or had to run an extra lap because she showed up in flipflops for practice. These moms don't like the uniforms, the bows, the shoes. They run in a group of 8 moms and are always huddled in a secret group at functions pertaining to cheerleading. They are stage moms and video every single step Pookie makes. They tell Pookie how to smile, cheer, jump. They criticize Pookie and tell her to loose weight/gain weight/wear a cheer face/wave to the crowd.
It is exhausting watching Mrs. Avery in action. If there is a parental meeting, Mrs. Avery and gang file in, tell everyone that THEIR way is the way we will be doing things. The senior moms just sort of look at them. They are like little annoying dogs that just keep jumping up and down and barking orders. We sit and stare at them, step over them, ignore them and get our way because not only are we senior moms but we are SILENT senior moms. The kind that the coach likes. I just want to get out a giant fly swatter when I see a Mrs. Avery approaching.
I usually take a deep breath, smile politely, let them state their case, stomp their feet, try to sway everyone to do something their way all while yelling at Pookie to stand up straight, put on a cheer smile, taking a quick picture and telling them to tumble on command.
Please, Mrs. Avery...take a step back and wait your turn. It will come, one day. It always does. Please let the senior cheerleaders do their thing, let the senior moms be the cool slackers. We have raised a different breed of girl and cheerleader. Once we are gone, next year, you can take over. Pookie will have her time in the spotlight and you can drive yourself insane by trying to control every minute of the next four years. Stop trying to control us and our daughters. I know that I have raised my daughter to cheer all on her own. I have never held her hand, made her jump through hoops, and let her make her own decisions. I am the anti-Mrs. Avery...the last of a dying breed.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Joy
I have decided to change my Saturday blogging. I am still going to blog on Saturdays but instead of calling it Suggestion Saturday, I think I will just tell you what I am currently reading, watching, listening to. I do like that I make Saturday a different kind of posting day from my norm, but I don't want to force my suggestions on you.
In my ever changing moods, I know that what I like is not going to be what a lot of you like so why do I feel that I need to suggest things?
So, the new Saturday format....
My Ever Changing Saturdays!
I was listening to my Ipod while I was mowing, yesterday, and picked the soundtrack from Boogie Nights to enjoy. I picked this song from the soundtrack because we used the classical version of this song as our guests filed into our wedding ceremony.
While I was listening to the soundtrack, outside, I was remembering the movie and how it is one of my favs. When I get a block of free time, again, or an evening, alone, I want to watch it for the one millionith time. Love the movie, love the soundtrack, love the time frame.
I am currently reading this book by Bret Easton Ellis...and just an FYI, I am totally digging this book but I totally dig all of his books. It is said that this can be a stand alone book, but I think I have to disagree. I feel that it would work better if a person would read, Less Than Zero, first. That's just my opinion but I feel it gives you a better view of the characters from the 80s that grew into the characters of the millenium...
Beware..reading any Bret Easton Ellis books will have you listening to all of your old Elvis Costello music...or discover him if you don't already know his music. So, along with my revisiting of Boogie Nights music, I have been listening to old Elvis Costello...
So, that is what my ever changing Saturday finds me doing....have a great weekend!!
In my ever changing moods, I know that what I like is not going to be what a lot of you like so why do I feel that I need to suggest things?
So, the new Saturday format....
My Ever Changing Saturdays!
I was listening to my Ipod while I was mowing, yesterday, and picked the soundtrack from Boogie Nights to enjoy. I picked this song from the soundtrack because we used the classical version of this song as our guests filed into our wedding ceremony.
While I was listening to the soundtrack, outside, I was remembering the movie and how it is one of my favs. When I get a block of free time, again, or an evening, alone, I want to watch it for the one millionith time. Love the movie, love the soundtrack, love the time frame.
I am currently reading this book by Bret Easton Ellis...and just an FYI, I am totally digging this book but I totally dig all of his books. It is said that this can be a stand alone book, but I think I have to disagree. I feel that it would work better if a person would read, Less Than Zero, first. That's just my opinion but I feel it gives you a better view of the characters from the 80s that grew into the characters of the millenium...
Beware..reading any Bret Easton Ellis books will have you listening to all of your old Elvis Costello music...or discover him if you don't already know his music. So, along with my revisiting of Boogie Nights music, I have been listening to old Elvis Costello...
So, that is what my ever changing Saturday finds me doing....have a great weekend!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion
There is something that Mr. Man and I are totally devoted to and that is continuing our love of the Grateful Dead and Grateful Dead shows through the different outlets that are still going strong. Throughout each year, we try to see as many Dark Star Orchestra shows, Ratdog shows, Furthur shows that we can. Our love of the Dead has never faded so why not continue to see the bands that still spread the music and the love? I love the chance to put on a twirly skirt, wrap myself in love beads and dance the night away.
In my ever changing moods, I am forever happy that I fell into the love vibe that was/is the Grateful Dead. The shows, the music, the people, the fun, the magic. We were young when our love for them started and like many Deadheads, we carry out love into adulthood.
Now that summer is in full swing, it means that our concert viewing is in full swing and it means that the Furthur tour and Dark Star shows are coming up in a matter of weeks. It's tradition for us to see Dark Star when they perform, locally, under the stars, each summer. It's four hours of total Dead recreations of shows. From the sound of drums in the air to the scent of patchouli wafting in the air, to the kaleidoscope of wardrobe colors, the gentleness and ease of strangers and the dancing...there must be dancing. My heart starts beating faster and faster as we make our way through the crowds at the shows. I cannot go to a Grateful Dead Show and now these other shows and not have a grand time!
The cheerleader was even at her first Grateful Dead show when we first found out I was pregnant. It was a show at The Omni in Atlanta. She danced to the sounds of Jerry and didn't even know it. Of course, that was a very different way to see the Dead, that time. No wine for me, I was ready to take a nap during the drum solo, I was fanning smoke away from me, the scent of patchouli was making my head hurt and I wasn't so dance-dance-dance since I was sort of feeling sick-sick-sick. But, she was there, with us, the three of us swaying to the music.
When she was born and would have cranky days or nights, the music that would soothe her would be the sounds of The Grateful Dead. As soon as we would play Ramble On Rose, Brown Eyed Women or Brokedown Palace, she would calm right down. She was a Jerry Garcia child and was soothed by his voice. (I don't mean that literally she was a child of Jerry Garcia. In spirit, in spirit...)
Her nursery theme was of Sugar Magnolia and had the words, Sunshine Daydream sprawled across her walls. Her nursery ceiling was an ode to Scarlet Begonias and in her world, her sky was yellow and her sun was blue...all painted with love, by me. She drifted off to dream land while listening to the bluegrass music of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. She knows the music of The Grateful Dead but she doesn't want to admit that she embraces it. Yet. Right now, she remains appalled that her parents throw on tie-dye and twirly skirts and do our thing. (Mr. Man does not throw on the twirly skirt..)
Anyway, we are a family built on the foundation of peace, love and happiness and what better way to honor that? Going to these shows is a tradition for Mr. Man and me...we remain deadicated, er, dedicated to our devotion.
Get on the bus!!
In my ever changing moods, I am forever happy that I fell into the love vibe that was/is the Grateful Dead. The shows, the music, the people, the fun, the magic. We were young when our love for them started and like many Deadheads, we carry out love into adulthood.
Now that summer is in full swing, it means that our concert viewing is in full swing and it means that the Furthur tour and Dark Star shows are coming up in a matter of weeks. It's tradition for us to see Dark Star when they perform, locally, under the stars, each summer. It's four hours of total Dead recreations of shows. From the sound of drums in the air to the scent of patchouli wafting in the air, to the kaleidoscope of wardrobe colors, the gentleness and ease of strangers and the dancing...there must be dancing. My heart starts beating faster and faster as we make our way through the crowds at the shows. I cannot go to a Grateful Dead Show and now these other shows and not have a grand time!
The cheerleader was even at her first Grateful Dead show when we first found out I was pregnant. It was a show at The Omni in Atlanta. She danced to the sounds of Jerry and didn't even know it. Of course, that was a very different way to see the Dead, that time. No wine for me, I was ready to take a nap during the drum solo, I was fanning smoke away from me, the scent of patchouli was making my head hurt and I wasn't so dance-dance-dance since I was sort of feeling sick-sick-sick. But, she was there, with us, the three of us swaying to the music.
When she was born and would have cranky days or nights, the music that would soothe her would be the sounds of The Grateful Dead. As soon as we would play Ramble On Rose, Brown Eyed Women or Brokedown Palace, she would calm right down. She was a Jerry Garcia child and was soothed by his voice. (I don't mean that literally she was a child of Jerry Garcia. In spirit, in spirit...)
Her nursery theme was of Sugar Magnolia and had the words, Sunshine Daydream sprawled across her walls. Her nursery ceiling was an ode to Scarlet Begonias and in her world, her sky was yellow and her sun was blue...all painted with love, by me. She drifted off to dream land while listening to the bluegrass music of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. She knows the music of The Grateful Dead but she doesn't want to admit that she embraces it. Yet. Right now, she remains appalled that her parents throw on tie-dye and twirly skirts and do our thing. (Mr. Man does not throw on the twirly skirt..)
Anyway, we are a family built on the foundation of peace, love and happiness and what better way to honor that? Going to these shows is a tradition for Mr. Man and me...we remain deadicated, er, dedicated to our devotion.
Get on the bus!!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
I Can See Clearly Now
Today has been one of those days that the unexpected has happened. One of those days that hits you with a surprise that lets you savor the unexpected event. A day that shows you that you really did handle an explosive situation, in the past, in the right way by just standing in the background and not making a scene. A day when the wheel comes full cirlce, when a quiet voice won over the loud, protesting voices, a day where the sun feels like it is shining just for you. Today is that kind of day for me. The day when I see everything so clearly and feel so free.
In my ever changing moods, I believe in the philosophy of karma. And, in one way or another, karma always works it's magic. You don't know when, where or why. Sometimes it can be quite frustrating and it can cause you to question if you handled a situation the right way. But then that day pops open with a sunburst of karma and today, I am left smiling with a weight that has been lifted and a free spirit. Today, I have finally been able to rid myself of a bit of pent up anger, irritation and frustration. And the beauty of it all? I didn't have to do anything to bring this on. I handled a situation much like I handle many situations. I am not an in your face, confrontational, loud mouth. I choose to pick my battles, wisely and calmly and quietly, when I can. This is where the frustration feeling can come into play. Because, when I walk away from a situation trying to be the bigger person, there is always a nagging doubt about if I handled it correctly.
I am not going into details or a play by play. I deal with things in quiet ways when I can. I am not talking about irritating situations with irritating people. I am usually quick to cut my losses, let that person know, move on, don't look back. I give no mixed signals on if I like you, don't like you, am over your behavior, etc. I am not a hard person to read.
But, sometimes a situation becomes highly charged due to a person spearheading the situation and because of all the people involved and all of the people who are going to feel the aftershocks. I try to access and decide how to proceed. A couple of years ago, I was faced with this type of situation. I did a lot of smiling through tears, a lot of inner conflict soul searching, a ton of biting my tongue and finally, a silent release and removal of me from the situation. And, I moved on. But, for many reasons, I still had to be involved with the inner ring of conflict.
This morning, after over two years ago, it all changed. The sun came out, the clouds parted and my sweet, sweet karma was smiling on me. Sometimes you never get to see karma come full circle. You never get to know when exactly it happens. Today, is my Christmas in June. I unwrapped a big, beautiful package of release. It's a day that I can finally let it all go and I was able to re-position myself to a position of control and a quiet victory. My words were not cruel, the other party needed me in an ironic turn of events, I was able to swiftly work my words out, delivered them, released my pent up irritation and move on. I don't know if the other party feels that they got the ally they were looking for but they definitely know that I know what they did, what they said and that I would never again be treated in that manner.
Today is the day, in my ever changing moods, that I have been waiting a very long time to see happen. I plan to continue my walk in the clouds a bit longer...
In my ever changing moods, I believe in the philosophy of karma. And, in one way or another, karma always works it's magic. You don't know when, where or why. Sometimes it can be quite frustrating and it can cause you to question if you handled a situation the right way. But then that day pops open with a sunburst of karma and today, I am left smiling with a weight that has been lifted and a free spirit. Today, I have finally been able to rid myself of a bit of pent up anger, irritation and frustration. And the beauty of it all? I didn't have to do anything to bring this on. I handled a situation much like I handle many situations. I am not an in your face, confrontational, loud mouth. I choose to pick my battles, wisely and calmly and quietly, when I can. This is where the frustration feeling can come into play. Because, when I walk away from a situation trying to be the bigger person, there is always a nagging doubt about if I handled it correctly.
I am not going into details or a play by play. I deal with things in quiet ways when I can. I am not talking about irritating situations with irritating people. I am usually quick to cut my losses, let that person know, move on, don't look back. I give no mixed signals on if I like you, don't like you, am over your behavior, etc. I am not a hard person to read.
But, sometimes a situation becomes highly charged due to a person spearheading the situation and because of all the people involved and all of the people who are going to feel the aftershocks. I try to access and decide how to proceed. A couple of years ago, I was faced with this type of situation. I did a lot of smiling through tears, a lot of inner conflict soul searching, a ton of biting my tongue and finally, a silent release and removal of me from the situation. And, I moved on. But, for many reasons, I still had to be involved with the inner ring of conflict.
This morning, after over two years ago, it all changed. The sun came out, the clouds parted and my sweet, sweet karma was smiling on me. Sometimes you never get to see karma come full circle. You never get to know when exactly it happens. Today, is my Christmas in June. I unwrapped a big, beautiful package of release. It's a day that I can finally let it all go and I was able to re-position myself to a position of control and a quiet victory. My words were not cruel, the other party needed me in an ironic turn of events, I was able to swiftly work my words out, delivered them, released my pent up irritation and move on. I don't know if the other party feels that they got the ally they were looking for but they definitely know that I know what they did, what they said and that I would never again be treated in that manner.
Today is the day, in my ever changing moods, that I have been waiting a very long time to see happen. I plan to continue my walk in the clouds a bit longer...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Cosmic Charlie
In my blogging mental vacay, I totally didn't get to blog about my bread baking experience. When I left you, last week, I was about to set off to conquer my fear of the kitchen and try to accomplish another goal in my ever changing moods. Bread baking. Can she do it? Yes, she can, and did!!
I have an online pal, C, who answered my plea for easy bread baking instructions. She gave me a recipe and directions via Facebook. She is a bread baking queen and was my shining star on that day. I took the directions and with flour and yeast packets, in hand, I jumped right in.
I will admit that the beginning stages of kneading did not go well. I didn't have enough flour, I don't think. I also forgot to flour my hands. I quickly got on board, though, and before I knew it, I had dough rising and then I when I divided it, I had two nice loaves ready to bake. The baking time found me biting my nails and staring at the timer. What emerged were two nicely browned loaves. I let them cool and then cut a piece for Mr. Man...he declared it awesome!! And so it was. And I continued to smile all through the evening.
Once my family returns to me, I plan to bake more and experiment with herb breads, roasted garlic breads, roasted olive breads and gasp....can she do it...flat breads???
The point is, I faced my fear in the eyes, that day. I like doing some things the old school way and I did it all by hand, no machine. I used to have a vision of myself many years ago when we were all young and it was of me, living in a huge old house, baking bread and taking care of my friends. I don't know why I had that vision, I just did. Anyway, one of the hurdles was the lack of bread baking knowledge. The other hurdle was that we all grew up and are so scattered and nobody needs taking care of. BUT...now I can bake bread for the family. The people I take care of.
And, like anything else I am doing or creating in the kitchen, I need music. Baking bread and The Grateful Dead just go hand in hand, in my book. Cosmic Charlie was playing during the kneading process. So, my maiden voyage into bread baking found me naming my bread, Cosmic Bread...
I have an online pal, C, who answered my plea for easy bread baking instructions. She gave me a recipe and directions via Facebook. She is a bread baking queen and was my shining star on that day. I took the directions and with flour and yeast packets, in hand, I jumped right in.
I will admit that the beginning stages of kneading did not go well. I didn't have enough flour, I don't think. I also forgot to flour my hands. I quickly got on board, though, and before I knew it, I had dough rising and then I when I divided it, I had two nice loaves ready to bake. The baking time found me biting my nails and staring at the timer. What emerged were two nicely browned loaves. I let them cool and then cut a piece for Mr. Man...he declared it awesome!! And so it was. And I continued to smile all through the evening.
Once my family returns to me, I plan to bake more and experiment with herb breads, roasted garlic breads, roasted olive breads and gasp....can she do it...flat breads???
The point is, I faced my fear in the eyes, that day. I like doing some things the old school way and I did it all by hand, no machine. I used to have a vision of myself many years ago when we were all young and it was of me, living in a huge old house, baking bread and taking care of my friends. I don't know why I had that vision, I just did. Anyway, one of the hurdles was the lack of bread baking knowledge. The other hurdle was that we all grew up and are so scattered and nobody needs taking care of. BUT...now I can bake bread for the family. The people I take care of.
And, like anything else I am doing or creating in the kitchen, I need music. Baking bread and The Grateful Dead just go hand in hand, in my book. Cosmic Charlie was playing during the kneading process. So, my maiden voyage into bread baking found me naming my bread, Cosmic Bread...
Who's That Girl?
Yesterday, I actually asked myself this very question. If any of my friends or family were to walk in my house, right this minute, I am sure they would feel my forehead and then cart me away as an imposter invading my body and home.
In my ever changing moods, I usually keep a very tidy and welcoming home. Right now, my ever changing moods doesn't even know me. I have veered left of center, I have fallen off a cliff, I am trying to swim in quicksand. In other words, my house is in a chaotic shambles.
Along with the house not looking normally pulled together, my sleep has taken a turn towards a girl I do not know, either. I am up until all hours reading books, watching mindlesss movies and tv. I sleep until after 9am. I cannot tell you the last time I slept that late in the morning. Even as a teen, I was an early riser. Then when I stumble out for coffee, I see the disarray of things in the house and I just keep walking...WHO AM I?
I ventured out for a hair appointment, yesterday, and on Saturday, I was away at a presidential retreat for my women's group, but other than that, my sofa has become my new oasis. I have books, blanket, netbook, tv remotes and dvd cases all where I need them on the sofa. I have a coaster in easy reach for my glass of vino. I can easily reach all that I need from my Sofa Office...Sofa Central. I have both my cordless phone and cell phone in easy proximity but if you don't make the screen of my calls, I'm not answering. This is my week of pick and choose. All me, all the time.
Mr. Man called me, this morning, to let me know about a special on tv for the 25th celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or something like that. I told him of my new way of life and he laughed. I said, you know, I have not been totally alone for over 16 years since the cheerleader made her entrance. He replied that he knew and that is why he scheduled this time for me. I guess he also knew that my claims of the past couple of weeks of making this time a home project time were totally bogus. I meant well, but when will I ever be totally alone, again? A girl has to take advantage when she can.
Today, I am getting ready to dive into the newest book from one of my fav authors of all times. Actually, I have two authors that I have followed over the years. They are not everyone's cup of tea since most books and music that I like are not always the mainstream of what people like but I am so excited to read what this author has in store for me. It is a revisit of sorts to his firt book of the 1980s that I bought the minute it hit the bookstores, back then. I would STILL have my vintage copy had my mother not sold a whole bunch of my things at a yard sale without asking me...but, I guess she didn't know.
I am going to venture out, later, for a coffee date and then I will race home to Sofa Central. It is my last full day and evening of alone time. I need to enjoy before I jump back on the crazy train, tomorrow, and pull this place, together, go out and purchase yet more cheer camp items...seriously, cheer camp seems to need enough items for a month long camp. They will be gone 3 days. No wonder they are taking buses to camp. No way could all of this fit into a caravan of cars.
Anyway...Who's That Girl? is a valid question until this time, tomorrow. Then, I will reappear and by the time my lovelies walk through the door, tommorrow evening, they will never know that I was anyone else. The house will be clean and organized, candles lit, the sofa empty of my office, dinner will be cooking and they will think that I never vacated. They will never know that Summer Girl invaded Super Girl.
In my ever changing moods, I usually keep a very tidy and welcoming home. Right now, my ever changing moods doesn't even know me. I have veered left of center, I have fallen off a cliff, I am trying to swim in quicksand. In other words, my house is in a chaotic shambles.
Along with the house not looking normally pulled together, my sleep has taken a turn towards a girl I do not know, either. I am up until all hours reading books, watching mindlesss movies and tv. I sleep until after 9am. I cannot tell you the last time I slept that late in the morning. Even as a teen, I was an early riser. Then when I stumble out for coffee, I see the disarray of things in the house and I just keep walking...WHO AM I?
I ventured out for a hair appointment, yesterday, and on Saturday, I was away at a presidential retreat for my women's group, but other than that, my sofa has become my new oasis. I have books, blanket, netbook, tv remotes and dvd cases all where I need them on the sofa. I have a coaster in easy reach for my glass of vino. I can easily reach all that I need from my Sofa Office...Sofa Central. I have both my cordless phone and cell phone in easy proximity but if you don't make the screen of my calls, I'm not answering. This is my week of pick and choose. All me, all the time.
Mr. Man called me, this morning, to let me know about a special on tv for the 25th celebration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or something like that. I told him of my new way of life and he laughed. I said, you know, I have not been totally alone for over 16 years since the cheerleader made her entrance. He replied that he knew and that is why he scheduled this time for me. I guess he also knew that my claims of the past couple of weeks of making this time a home project time were totally bogus. I meant well, but when will I ever be totally alone, again? A girl has to take advantage when she can.
Today, I am getting ready to dive into the newest book from one of my fav authors of all times. Actually, I have two authors that I have followed over the years. They are not everyone's cup of tea since most books and music that I like are not always the mainstream of what people like but I am so excited to read what this author has in store for me. It is a revisit of sorts to his firt book of the 1980s that I bought the minute it hit the bookstores, back then. I would STILL have my vintage copy had my mother not sold a whole bunch of my things at a yard sale without asking me...but, I guess she didn't know.
I am going to venture out, later, for a coffee date and then I will race home to Sofa Central. It is my last full day and evening of alone time. I need to enjoy before I jump back on the crazy train, tomorrow, and pull this place, together, go out and purchase yet more cheer camp items...seriously, cheer camp seems to need enough items for a month long camp. They will be gone 3 days. No wonder they are taking buses to camp. No way could all of this fit into a caravan of cars.
Anyway...Who's That Girl? is a valid question until this time, tomorrow. Then, I will reappear and by the time my lovelies walk through the door, tommorrow evening, they will never know that I was anyone else. The house will be clean and organized, candles lit, the sofa empty of my office, dinner will be cooking and they will think that I never vacated. They will never know that Summer Girl invaded Super Girl.
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Sound Of Silence
My blogging and my house have been silent for a few days. I guess I have just needed the mental holiday, the brain vacation, the white noise to all take a break...my family left me (with permission) and went on a mini vacation. All of a sudden, there are no teens eating all of the food, the ATM in the entry way has been silent, I haven't cooked a dinner in days, I am sleeping to my heart's content. Yes, right now I am alone and enjoying the much needed sounds of silence.
In my ever changing moods, I love my family beyond all that is possible. But, it's been a crazy, busy, emotional, stressed out year and last week was the week that both the cheerleader and I hit the brick wall. Mr. Man, knowing me better than I sometimes know myself, very wisely gave me this beautiful block of alone time. I love him for knowing me so well.
As a mom, I know that parenting an only must seem like a piece of cake to my pals who have multiples. In some ways, yes, yes it is. I only have to be in one place, at all times, for anything pertaining to the cheerleader. We are able to focus on just one kid, one drama, all at once. But, there are also challenges to raising a successful only child. In some ways, that is a huge challenge. I love the cheerleader with all of my heart and just this morning I was sitting with coffee and reflecting on the woman that she is becoming. She is made up of many pieces from Mr. Man, me, extended family members. And, these pieces, luckily, all seem to be the pieces that are the best of all of us. Combined, the pieces have made a powerhouse of a dynamo that makes me both proud and exhausts me, at the same time. So, a bit of a break, before we continue with the crazy summer and the even crazier upcoming senior year is greatly appreciated.
The cheerleader seems to possess all of Mr. Man's great traits! She bypassed the Mr. Man of high school and is not the wild child that he was. She has his self confidence, his business sense, his kind and gentle ways. She is a Type A and doesn't rest, much like he is. She is driven and focused and never gives up. Basically, she is all Mr. Man. I see some flashes of me, in her, but not a lot. She is much more sure of herself, more goal oriented, than I was in high school. But then she is well liked (I would like to think she gets this from me...lol) has a lot of friends, is very involved and she knows her mind and herself. This, she did get from me. She already knows what she wants to study in college and she and Mr. Man are busy mapping this out. He has a few supporting ideas for her, too. She admires Mr. Man and listens to all that he suggests and adivses. She is more apt to ignore me. Even if I say the same exact things at Mr. Man, I am her mom and that makes anything I say or do, very lame.
She is the child who has never been still a day in her life. She has always been on the go and has always been a body in motion. The most frustrating time of her life was when she had to undergo back surgery and had a four month recovery period. She was ready to go back to school a week after that surgery. She was so angry that the doctor had other ideas. I have never witnessed anyone so brave and determined. When her four months were up and she was given the green light to remove her recovery brace, I found her in the front yard retraining herself in gymnastics. She is a force and you cannot stand in her way. She has had two major surgeries in her young life. You would never know it. And, to watch her cheer and do her gymnastics during basketball season would bring tears to your eyes if you knew her history.
She is a powerhouse that never slows down. While I commend her for that, it is also hard for her very Type A/B mother to keep up. I am more of a balance between Type A and Type B...I live with two extreme Type A people. So, things in our house are always on the go, never at rest and always highly energetic.
That is why, right now, this Type A/B mother is totally enjoying this short time of silence. That is why I took a few days off from blogging. I let my brain shut down along with the white noise that seems to surround me at times.
It is not often that I find myself totally alone. I am truly taking advantage of it because when they walk through the door, this week, it will be back to the non-stop commotion. But, in my ever changing moods, while the break is nice, I wouldn't have our everyday lives any other way but highly charged.
In my ever changing moods, I love my family beyond all that is possible. But, it's been a crazy, busy, emotional, stressed out year and last week was the week that both the cheerleader and I hit the brick wall. Mr. Man, knowing me better than I sometimes know myself, very wisely gave me this beautiful block of alone time. I love him for knowing me so well.
As a mom, I know that parenting an only must seem like a piece of cake to my pals who have multiples. In some ways, yes, yes it is. I only have to be in one place, at all times, for anything pertaining to the cheerleader. We are able to focus on just one kid, one drama, all at once. But, there are also challenges to raising a successful only child. In some ways, that is a huge challenge. I love the cheerleader with all of my heart and just this morning I was sitting with coffee and reflecting on the woman that she is becoming. She is made up of many pieces from Mr. Man, me, extended family members. And, these pieces, luckily, all seem to be the pieces that are the best of all of us. Combined, the pieces have made a powerhouse of a dynamo that makes me both proud and exhausts me, at the same time. So, a bit of a break, before we continue with the crazy summer and the even crazier upcoming senior year is greatly appreciated.
The cheerleader seems to possess all of Mr. Man's great traits! She bypassed the Mr. Man of high school and is not the wild child that he was. She has his self confidence, his business sense, his kind and gentle ways. She is a Type A and doesn't rest, much like he is. She is driven and focused and never gives up. Basically, she is all Mr. Man. I see some flashes of me, in her, but not a lot. She is much more sure of herself, more goal oriented, than I was in high school. But then she is well liked (I would like to think she gets this from me...lol) has a lot of friends, is very involved and she knows her mind and herself. This, she did get from me. She already knows what she wants to study in college and she and Mr. Man are busy mapping this out. He has a few supporting ideas for her, too. She admires Mr. Man and listens to all that he suggests and adivses. She is more apt to ignore me. Even if I say the same exact things at Mr. Man, I am her mom and that makes anything I say or do, very lame.
She is the child who has never been still a day in her life. She has always been on the go and has always been a body in motion. The most frustrating time of her life was when she had to undergo back surgery and had a four month recovery period. She was ready to go back to school a week after that surgery. She was so angry that the doctor had other ideas. I have never witnessed anyone so brave and determined. When her four months were up and she was given the green light to remove her recovery brace, I found her in the front yard retraining herself in gymnastics. She is a force and you cannot stand in her way. She has had two major surgeries in her young life. You would never know it. And, to watch her cheer and do her gymnastics during basketball season would bring tears to your eyes if you knew her history.
She is a powerhouse that never slows down. While I commend her for that, it is also hard for her very Type A/B mother to keep up. I am more of a balance between Type A and Type B...I live with two extreme Type A people. So, things in our house are always on the go, never at rest and always highly energetic.
That is why, right now, this Type A/B mother is totally enjoying this short time of silence. That is why I took a few days off from blogging. I let my brain shut down along with the white noise that seems to surround me at times.
It is not often that I find myself totally alone. I am truly taking advantage of it because when they walk through the door, this week, it will be back to the non-stop commotion. But, in my ever changing moods, while the break is nice, I wouldn't have our everyday lives any other way but highly charged.
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