My Kids

I have three boys. I am the sort of mom who loved every minute of my pregnancies (OK - no one enjoys every minute!), loved their infancy, toddlerhood was just a blur (thank God). When my boys were school age, I did it all - Cub Scout leader, room mom, Sunday School teacher, PTA president, band booster extrordinaire - made all of their birthday cakes and most of their Halloween costumes. I taught fulltime before Rob's birth - then went on a maternity leave that somehow stretched from 1976-1991. Clearly, I have enjoyed every moment of being a mom.

I suffered severe pangs when Rob went to college in in L.A. 1994 and Randy followed him 3 years later. Ryan stayed with me a little longer, but when he left the nest, it was for another WOMAN! :) The woman I knew as mom was losing her raison d'etre.

Well, a few years down the line - what I have discovered is that the best years of being a mom are right now. My boys are wickedly funny - smart and good looking. I enjoy being around them more all the time. I look to them for advice - from things technical to things careerwise. Ryan has given me my first daughter (in law, but that's just a formality). Lisa is my shopping buddy - we share a love of makeup and all things girlie. Rob is giving us Katie in December - can't wait to welcome her into our family! Katie is a doctor - smart, pretty - and the best part about her is that she loves my son even more than I do. They all have so much going in the right direction. I am proud of them all - my 3 sons and 2 daughters. (and Randy is a real catch if anyone knows a nice girl.) Grownup kids are wonderfully, surprisingly the best (but I can't WAIT for grandchildren!)

New Week, New Diet

Don't laugh (I almost waited until next Monday because it would have been July 1st - but then decided that I was ready TODAY)

I found some software that allows me to track my progress, journal food, measurements, weight, daily moods, alomost every thing except bodily functions (probably has that, too, just haven't found it yet) It's called Fit Day. I smile at how I feel as if this is going to be the boost I need (every time) I have spent more of my life thinking about dieting, thinking about my next diet, thinking about food, thinking about my weight than I care to admit. For those who don't know - I lost a bunch of weight while going through my divorce - but magically, when life settled down to happiness found it (plus a little extra for good measure.) Enough already!!

I am a good person. I am not my weight. I am attractive, funny, smart, kind, happy (about everything but my freaking weight!) So - - - here we are again. I am always optimistic. Life is too short to be unhappy about anything you have control over. More later.

Father's Day, 2007

It is a nice quiet day at home here. Catching up on the wash, cleaning out the office, finding a place for all the school "stuff" that I toted home Thursday. My kids are going to their Dad's today. I hope that it is a good day for him - he is a good dad (better dad than husband, but we won't go there!)

I've been thinking about dads a lot lately. My XH's dad died last month at the age of 88. He was ready - was just a shell of himself, faded fast. I went to the hospital to see him one last time. I don't think he knew I was there, but it made me feel better. At his memorial, XH gave a nice tribute to him, said that his dad knew how to do everything. (I agree) He was a good guy.

My dad has been gone almost 21 years now. That is hard to believe. If Bob's dad knew everything, mine taught him everything he knew. The man could remodel houses, fix cars, refinish furniture, grew beautiuful roses and wonderful tomatoes. Of the five of us kids - 3 boys and 2 girls, my older sister is the one who seems to have inherited my dad's genes. She is my go-to person for advice on all things needing fixing these days.

My kids are lucky to have their dad still here and involved in their lives. He is their go-to guy when they have car issues, the disposal doesn't work, or something needs fixed. Wishing them many more years of that comfort - a dad who knows everything.

Sunday before Summer

I am JAZZED! Only four days left in the school year. I took my coffee and paper out on the patio this morning and thought about how close those 8 precious weeks are. This has been a hard year in the classroom - they come to all of us here and there - something in the water that year. I had (have) a class of mostly boys and the energy level is off the charts. I love the cozy, nurturing, easy loving part of teaching 6 year olds - but this year I felt as if I could never let my guard down with them. They seized on such moments and ran with them (along with several subs who would not return to my classroom.)

Since I have found myself a singleton a few years back and realized that I would be working well into my twilight years, I have been grateful that I love my job and the kids. It has always been a joy (the classroom part - not the paperwork/district/administrative side of it). I have felt (since I came back to the teaching fold later in life in my mid-forties) that my attitude in the classroom was better than it might have been if I'd been doing it steadily since graduating from Clarion State Teacher's College in 1972. After this year - I am hoping that it was just that - a tough year. No more, no less. I am hoping that next year's class will let me be my warm and Mama Bear self - and I am exceedingly grateful that school is almost over.