23 years...

First born is house/pet sitting for us this weekend while we take a short anniversary trip. Our two guys are still living at home, but Dreaded Middle Born has to work, like constantly, so he gets up minutes before he has to leave, then is gone the entire day/evening. The poor dog wouldn't be able to hold her legs together for that long, and the cats would probably pee on something for spite. The Baby just doesn't wake up very easily, and the animals would be no better off I'm afraid. First born is used to getting up early, and she has a little more empathy where the animals are concerned, plus she's desperate for money. ha ha ha I'll take lots of pictures (hopefully good ones) for her to see. (She is a photo nut!)

Pictures...

HEY! What happened to flickr!!!???

Birthday boy...

Someones having a birthday today...Dreaded Middle Son turns 22 today. In a little less than 12 hours to be exact. I threatened him that we would all pile into the restaurant with balloons and presents. He was a little panicked, he didn't know for sure if I was kidding or not. He just said, "Please don't do that." Hmmm, it sure would be fun, but I don't think I could pull it off, so he's safe for now.

Messy room 2...

While I was sitting in my messy room last night, playing on the computer, again, as always, I was listening to the June Bugs hit the window screen. I was pretty much ignoring it when the sound of buzzing (they have a certain sound that's not quite buzzing, but pretty much) got a little louder. I turned around and one was IN the room flybuzzing around. I jumped up ready to run out of the room, when I realized that it could just fly out after me and I could lose it. How would I ever sleep if I knew there was a June Bug loose in the house. It helped me out by landing on the floor, and I picked up a sandle that just happened to be lying on the messy floor and I...well, you know.

Messy room...

I'm sitting here at my computer, in my new room (daughter's old room), with 1/2 of the contents of her closet sorted out on the floor. I went through everything and boxed up some of it, books from college and stuff from high school that she wants to keep, just not with her. That's OK, I can find a spot for it. It's in plastic buckets so 'things' won't get in and chew on it. Then there is a large pile of crafty stuff, a pile of photography books and pictures, a pile of Psychology books, some cards for holidays, and a bunch of frames. I'm hoping she'll come around sometime this week and let me know what she wants to take and what can be boxed up, because it's kind of messy in here. I have a cabinet that I want to bring up from the basement (for some more storage) that I'm going to paint, and right now it doesn't have anyplace to go.

Birthday...

Dreaded Middle Child is having a birthday this week, Saturday the 23rd, to be exact. Of course he will be working on Saturday, maybe we'll hop on over to the restaurant and give him his present. I wonder how well that would go over?!! Probably better to give it to him at home. But, you know, that restaurant idea sounds kind of interesting. We do of course have to eat anyway...ha, ha, ha!

More on jet plane...

I just asked my Baby, and Honey will be gone for 18 days...yeow! He's so sad...I think I can keep him busy though. He'll be soooo happy (for reasons other than the obvious) for her to be back. But...just maybe, we can get a few things done around here, things that take some muscle.

Leavin' on a jet plane...

Third born's honey is leaving in the morning to go to Europe with her sister for...a week? two weeks? I guess I'll have to find that one out, but I think it's two weeks. Her older sister just graduated this weekend, and for a graduation present, she is going to Europe. Parental units didn't want her to go alone, and she probably didn't relish the idea either, so Honey is going along. My baby is none too happy about this. He recently saw the movie "Taken" and is freaking himself out, worrying that her sister is going to get them in trouble of some kind. Honey is pretty practical, and has her head on straight, but I'm not sure about her sister. I get the impression she's a little more of a free spirit, doing before thinking it through. I just hope they have a fabulous time. As long as they use their sixth sense, they'll be fine. My baby bought her a canister of pepper spray to take along. I'm betting he'd like to be able to stuff himself in her suitcase and go along. He'd be wonderful protection. I always feel safe when I'm with him. Even when he was a little kid, he just observed his surroundings without being obvious. He said he always knows what's around him. Some things are just part of your DNA.

Application...

Third born filled out his application to Hennepin Technical School and dropped it off today. He'll find out in a few days if he's accepted or not. If he is, then he takes the entrance exam and signs up for classes. This is a total about change from what he wanted to do before. He was going to IPR (Institute of Production and Recording) and he was going to record bands. Well, that didn't work out too well, so now that he has had some time off to reconsider, he's thinking that Autobody would be a better choice. He love tinkering on cars, wiring sound systems and fixing the engines. With this degree/diploma, he would be fixing the bodies of cars once they have been dinged or crunched. I hope this is a better fit for him.

Being Lazy...

My Third born baby is pretty much a lazy person. He can talk himself out of just about anything, (he can also talk anyone into just about anything) huh...strange how that works. He's not going to school right now because he had a few problems with getting his work done. I told him that when you get in college, they really don't care one bit if you get your work done, or even go to class. They just won't pass you. Imagine that... He gets the picture now. He took a look at a different school that has classes in car repair? detailing? painting? something like that. He says he's going to go there now, but I don't see the registration form filled out, in fact it is still sitting on top of the piano where it has been sitting for a week.
He works part-time, goes out with friends and sleeps. His room looks like a bomb exploded and smells worse. He has money for tattoos, fun, his car, but not for insurance, school loans and all the parking tickets he has. My face is getting dirty from all the shoe wiping (because of my being a doormat). He actually did what I asked him to do today. I'll give him another list for tomorrow. He's going to work off the parking tickets. If my husbands name wasn't on them, I'd ignore them and let him suffer the consequences when he gets stopped by the police and gets thrown in jail for a while. I think he'd get the picture then. I guess that's what it takes for him to finally understand...I have to step back and let him fall on his face. [only took me 19 1/2 years to figure out, what does that say for me?]

Sharp objects...

When Dreaded Middle Son was little, I'm thinking about 1st grade or so, he was very interested in sharp objects, mainly knives. He would take them from the kitchen and hide them. ??? I could never figure this out, I don't know if something happened that I don't know about, or if he was just facinated with knives. Did he feel threatened? Scared? I just thought he was a little bit of a kleptomaniac. He always denied taking them, even when they were right by him. Strange. I wonder if he remembers taking them, and if so, what possessed him to do it. Funny that he is in a profession that deals with knives. Coincidence?? I don't think so!

Big move...

Well...it's official...my firstborn child, my daughter, my friend has moved out. I've been wanting her to move for awhile now. She was in Oregon this last summer for a zoo internship, and I flew out there to drive back with her at the end of September. We all thought she would be getting a zoo job pretty quickly, but NO. The recession set in full fold. So, we thought maybe she could get a job doing something else, because, really, she has a four year degree. Well, it seems that a four year degree only means one thing...you have a four year degree! Anyplace she applies to wants experience to boot...and how does one get experience if no one will hire them?? Internships are one answer, but they don't pay anything, and it's hard to live on "nothing". Now that her college loans have come due, that makes it even harder. She could get another internship, but that would not guarantee her a job. Anyway...she just happened upon a deal she couldn't pass up. Her oldest childhood friend's grandmother moved out of her home into assisted living and the family was trying to sell the house, but when that didn't work, they decided to let two of their grand daughters live there. My daughter happens to be a friend, so she moved in too. She's got the teeny, tiny room, but it's so pretty. She painted the walls a creamy yellow, and one wall dark purple. She has a black wrought iron bed, and baker's rack, and her dresser is painted black. The black looks great on both the creamy yellow and the purple. So anyway, about how I feel about this...it's way different than when she was at school, because I knew she would be coming back, but this time, she's NOT coming back. Unless something catastrophic happens. It's okay, but very strange. I'm happy that she/they got to be on their own this way, with no lease or contract. If a job comes up for any of them out of state, or just far away, they can leave without causing anyone any harm. She'll do great! (me too)

William Sonoma...

Aaahh...William Sonoma. I think most people would associate a woman with William Sonoma. Ha! Usually maybe, but NOT always. Dreaded Middle Child is a sous chef at Flame, Cooking With Fire, and what does a chef use most often??? Knives! Oh my goodness gracious does this boy like knives. Apparently he was cutting up a hunk of meat (forgive me, but I forgot what kind) and he decided he needed a different knife, so he went around the corner of the building and into William Sonoma and bought a new very sharp, very pretty knife. His co-worker sous (executive?) chef just had to have one too. Since then, he's bought two more, both of which he ordered from Japan. The first ones shank was kind of rough for my hand, so while it was pretty, I wouldn't have been able to stand using it. The second one though...oh my! I'm jealous, I'm thinking of hiding it somewhere in the house for myself. Think he would notice?! ha! ha! It is such a nice knife though, light and extremely sharp, nicely balanced. I was thinking it would be a great knife for someone with arthritis, because it is so user friendly. I was trying it out last night (while he was watching) and I was holding an orange pepper with my fingertips while slicing. He got this panicked look on his face and said,"Mom, you never, never cut while holding with your fingertips, that's a good way to cut them off. Always hold with your knuckles out, so the blade hits your knuckles and misses your fingers." I do actually know this, but I've never had really sharp knives, until the last year, and it's hard to change habits. Good knives though, are so sharp, that if it slips off what you are cutting and hits your finger, your finger could be gone before you realized you made a mistake. And what a bloody mess you have, then the stinging, and the flap of skin left on your finger, and...well you get the picture. Anyway, he is soooo excited with these knives, it's fun to see. Just like a little kid with a birthday present he's really wanted. I love to see him excited about things.

A place of her own?????

First born might have a new place to call home. Her oldest friend from waayyy back (kindergarten) has a room in her grandmother's house (who is not living there at this time) that she can rent. Woo hoo! It sounds so very exciting, I'm a little jealous. They took a look at it last night and she came home very hyped. They've got the house painted, furnished, decorated with art work and the table is set with new white dishes and a scrumtious meal (in their minds). I hope this works out for her, because this is something she really wants and more importantly, needs. After living at college for four years, it's hard to move back home into a little bedroom that is stuffed to the brim. Even though she can do what ever she wants and doesn't have a curfew, "Mom and Dad" are still here keeping an eye on her. It's hard to let your children grow and become adults, because the very thing that they need to do to accomplish this, is to move out and become their own person. I don't want her to go, because we won't get to do as much together, but I also can't wait for her to go, because I feel she really, really needs to. I can feel her regressing, questioning herself, becoming dependent again. Once she's on her own, these will change and she will blossom. We have a wonderful relationship and while it will change, it will be good for both of us, and I'm certain and confident we will always be close. I love her very much and wish only the very best for her.

Crazy...

Ack!! Help me please, I'm going crazy. There are too many people around here, big people, like in "young adult kids". This feeling is nothing new for me, it's a cycle I go through every now and then. It always goes away and then I'm very happy with life, but for now... everything ticks me off. The kids and my husband are the biggest things, (probably because they are human). They make messes, and while they sort of clean up, it's not how I would like it done. They have comments and opinions, which they should and it's good, but they aren't comments or opionions that I want. They make noise, OMG, but it's iritating. I almost feel like I have "Spring Fever", except that it's already spring, and it's nice out. Sometimes I just wish I could be all by myself, in a little house out in the middle of nowhere with just a cat and a dog. Someplace I could do what- ever I wanted, whenever I wanted and no one would be there to ask anything of me or interupt me or make a mess for me to clean up, etc. etc. etc. Geez, what a complainer, huh?? I'm sure that everyone feels this way from time to time, I'm just taking the time to voice it.

Petty...

Having children does not mean that you automatically have someone to unconditionally love you. You always love them, you might not like them very much at times, but you always love them. You do things for them, bail them out, lend them money, make excuses, over and over and over. But...turn the tables around, and the scales are not even. I just happen to be talking, pettily, about gifts, birthday gifts in particular. It seems like kids, well young adults, always have money to buy stuff for themselves or their friends. When it comes time to pay bills, get license tabs, pay car insurance, buy deoderant or hair gel, then it's 'Mom, I don't have any money. I had to get gas. It was our anniversary, we went out to eat.' So, doormat that I am, what do I do? I bail them out! When it happens to be MY birthday, what happens??? I'm broke, I didn't have any time to go shopping, I don't know what you want, etc., etc., etc. Gosh darn it all, I'd like for once for one of my grown kids to think of Mom for once, without having to be reminded. I realize this is incredibly petty and immature of me, but that is how I feel. It hurts to be walked on all the time, even if I do it to myself.

no wish for me...

Kira got up for work and wished me a "Happy Birthday". Ethan came home from dropping off a car to the shop and wished me a "Happy Birthday", and he got me a musical card and candy last night. My sister Barb and my mom called my cell (I didn't answer because I was shopping and didn't hear it) and left me a "Happy Birthday"song msg. My other sister Karen called my cell (again I didn't hear it) and left me a "Happy Birthday" song msg. My husband wished me a "Happy Birthday" and got a cute card. [We got a new camera for his birthday, my birthday, and our anniversary.] The only one who didn't wish me a happy birthday is my dreaded middle son. I even sent him a text telling him about our Easter/birthday get together tomorrow at Karen's and all he text back was...I work 6 to 10. NOTHING about my birthday. How sad...I'm feeling kinda forgotten, and worthless. I guess I don't count.

Last name to choose...

Third born was much easier to decide on. I'm not positive what we had chosen for a girls name, it may have been Eyelia again, but I know what the only boys name we had chosen was. There was a TV show on back in the late 80's called 'Thirty Something' and one of the couples had a son by the name of Ethan. I remember hearing the mom call out for her son...Ethan...what a great name. The meaning of it is Ethan (Hebrew for strong) and John (Hebrew for God is gracious), and both of those fit him well. He has a strong personality. Very outgoing, but very kind and helpful with loads of empathy.

Boy's name?!

Picking out a name for my firstborn was very difficult and I thought maybe it would be easier the second time, but I was wrong. We had already used the only girl name we liked, so the next choice I could think of was Eyelia, (pronounced like it's spelled). This is not the actual spelling, but I didn't want people messing it up, so this was how I would have spelled it. Good thing I only had one girl. ha ha
I had a few more choices for a boy though. Johnathan (too many Johns in the family already), Adam (my ex used it for his son) and Andrew (after my grandfather) David (after my husband). Andrew (Greek for man warrior) David (Hebrew for beloved) is what we went with. He is a warrior of sorts, fighting for what he wants, and of course he is beloved...

What's in a name?

When I was growing up, my friends and I always pretended we were someone else, and names were very important. I always wanted to be Priscilla (name of my best friend's mom). I thought that name was pretty and exotic. I just knew that I would name my firstborn girl Priscilla. A few years later, I just knew that I would name my firstborn girl Regina. Then I got pregnant. What a very difficult job it is to think of a name for your child, hopefully one they won't hate. My husband (then my boyfriend) and I got a book of 10,000 Baby names. One would think that it would make life easier having a few choices...HA! The ONLY name we both liked and thought we could live with was Kira (Persian for sun) Leigh (Old English for meadow). Thank God she wasn't twins, because Kira Leigh was the ONLY girl name we had picked out. Now that she is older, we've come upon a fair number of Kira's. Every now and then when we're out together, we'll hear a mom call Kira...we just look at each other and smile.
So, while I was writing this, I thought I better look up the meanings just to make sure I was right...I found out that Kira in Gaelic means dark lady. Well now, this shines a whole new light on the subject of Kira. She really seems to be a combination of the two, sometimes she is sunny and sweet and helpful and loving...and then there are other times. Dark, brooding, stay away from me times. Like first thing in the morning, or when she's tired, or has a headache, or shoulder pain, or has to work when she'd rather be reading, etc. etc. etc. BUT, she's usually just like a sunny meadow (to me at least).