Little House

LOL, guess I'm not the only new fan of Little House on the Prairie.  It seems to be as appealing to Toccoa as DogTV.

And please ignore the floor, Toccoa is a fan of toys too!

Busy Day, Busy Night.

That's when you know that you're busy.  I have sessions to edit, custom sewing orders to complete and a set of custom designed tags that I have to get to work on.  That doesn't include invoicing, ordering, taxes (which are due NOW) and a handful of other commitments that are falling to the side.

So I sat in the craft room tonight and this was my view.  One laptop with studio work and one with custom design work...all while Jeff helped me with the paperwork part and Will put together my artist trading cards so I can scratch them off of my list.

Busy?  Yes.  Happy to be busy?  Yes.  Feeling blessed that I have a houseful of boys that will help whenever I over commit myself?  Absolutely!  I love you all!

Insert Eye Roll Here!

I love technology.  There are a million devices, inventions and tech tools out there that I think are brilliant.  But I'm the first to admit that I giggled (with a quick eye roll included) when I saw the DirecTV ad for DogTV.  I mean really, who needs this?  Isn't it bad enough that we've raised a generation of kids that's only entertainment comes from something with a video playing?

Let me tell you how my opinion changed tonight, when I got to have a completely uninterrupted dinner.  Finally, something to entertain the puppy for at least 1/2 an hour while I eat.  Don't get me wrong, she's pretty well trained.  She doesn't beg for food or wait for scraps.  She simply doesn't like to be alone so she sits with her head on my lap until we finish eating.

Until tonight.  Jeff changed the channel to DogTV and this was the result.  Just a few minutes of peace.  Thank you, DirecTV (and I'm sorry for the eye roll!).

Welcome!

As I say goodbye to Hunter today, it's so nice to know that he's being welcomed into the arms of his "new" family.  I watched him today with his friends and left with a sense of comfort.  He's where he needs to be and with people he needs to be with.  A group of young men and woman that will help him grow beyond what I can.  

So welcome home Hunter!  And since I cried and missed my parting words - here they are....

Have fun.  Study hard.  Do laundry at least once a week.  Sleep at least an hour more than you think you need.  Eat more salad, but splurge on ice cream.  Make new friends but call your mom.

Just a few tips...

I've been sitting here tonight, feeling a little low as we faced Hunter's last night before heading off to Ohio State to begin yet another years adventures.  I was certain that this time would be easier...boy was I wrong.  So what to do when you need a little pick me up?  Find others to commiserate with.

In my search to confirm that I wasn't the only parent on the planet that felt like life was changing again, I ran across a blog with Tips on Sending Your Child to College.  Bingo!  There must be something there, a hidden gem, that would make me (and Hunter) feel a little better.  So I started reading...and laughing.  Maybe we're both going to be ok after all.  

Tip #1 - Think about your parting words.

Parting words?  I usually just cry.  Now I won't have time to cry because I'll be thinking (way to much) about my parting words.  I guess they think I should part with something more eloquent than "Use a condom" or "Make your bed occasionally".  Crap, I'm really going to have to work on this one.

Tip #2 - Know that your lives will change.

Really?  I'm so thankful that someone pointed that out.  They starting changing when he learned to drive.  Now I have to mow the lawn, take the trash out and get my own stuff when it's in another room.  Heck, was it really necessary to list this as a tip?

Tip #3 - You won't be able to wait for them to come home (or leave).  

Ok, so this one is true.  But again, it started years before he left for college.  I know they're referring to living with an adult.  One who eats on his own schedule, no longer sets an alarm and doesn't need you to help them through their day.  But I have to disagree with the leave part...I don't think you ever wait for that.

Tip #4 - Don't change your childs room.  That is their "home base". 

Oh no!  I've already blown that one.  Hunters room, aka the spare bedroom, has already seen the traces of him disappear.  And what about Will?  Am I really supposed to leave that huge bonus room just the way he left it?  I've already measured it for a new sewing table, craft shelves and a kiln.  I guess home base will have to be the living room.  Anyway, are we really trying to encourage them to move back?

Tip #5 - When a problem arises, move like your feet are stuck in molasses.

No worries there.  That's how I tackle most problems.  I'm sure there are helicopter parents out there that swoop in to fix the world...but that's not me.  I'm more of a listen to the problem, make a suggestion or two and then don't answer the phone for a couple of days until the problem is corrected kind of mom.  He's an adult.

Tip #6 - Don't expect the same grades in college that they got in high school.

Ummmm, no.  High school was a job, just like college.  I don't expect perfection, but I do expect effort.  And in reality, I can't even see his grades.  Did I mention he's an adult?

Those were the tips...and by my estimation, we're doing ok.  Will it be a sad day?  Not really.  It'll be a little quieter when we get home, the dogs will mope for a few days and I'll clean his room (aka the spare bedroom) as we have a guest arriving on Friday.  He'll jump in with both feet, have a wonderful time, take chances and make a few mistakes.  But at forty, I'm still doing the same thing.  

So here's my tips on sending your child off to college....

Enjoy.  Enjoy the ups, the downs, the moments they're home and the moments their away.  Show them that life is about change and the strongest people handle it with grace.  Encourage them to get involved and lead by example by getting involved in something new.  Hug them a little tighter when they leave and know that the best is still ahead.  

Opinions?

A few minutes without the boys and I managed to drag Jeff to Joann's.  To be fair, we stopped at Lowes on the way.  I'm not a complete jerk.

So after much deliberation, what do you think?  These are two of the three fabrics I've picked for the camper.  I'm still looking (actually, my wonderful hubby is looking) for the coordinating solid to tie them all together.  But I think I'm in love!

What do you think?

My Point of View

Once again, gathered around the table.  Half an hour of jokes, laughter, french fries and milkshakes.  A quick trip to get Will's schedule resulted in a late night snack and lots of fun.  

It's been a glorious week and we still have a few more days left.  But come next week, when the house is silent, I'll remember this moment and my heart will smile.  

This is what tonight looked like from my point of view.  One loving dad, one fabulous young man and one outstanding teen that's well on his way.  I will hear the laughter long after the milkshakes have melted and the boys have disappeared off to their rooms (they are still teenagers!).