Wicked, Wicked Girls

Glancing down at my feet this morning in the shower, I noticed my toe nail polish starting to chip. this is a particular pet-peeve of mine. As I was thinking about what color to choose next, I thought of a funny story. A while ago, when my daughter Kristin was home, I noticed she was wearing a dark murky brown color nail polish. It was quite dark and mysterious. It wasn't a color I was used to seeing, or one that my girls would normally choose. I didn't like the way it looked, and I didn't think I liked it, period. I asked her what it was . . .

Wicked, Wicked Girls - part II

She quickly replyed "wicked". Well it certainly was! This summer, I found myself wandering around a local drugstore looking for a new nail polish. As my eyes scanned the shelves, they came to rest on a bottle - slightly brownish in color - yes, dark and mysterious. It was 'wicked'. I picked up the bottle, and feeling daring, purchased it for later application to my slightly tanned toes. Of course i quickly forgot about it, never even thinking it important enough to mention to my daughters. When Kristin came home about a week later, she immediately noticed it. She looked me squarely in the eyes as she asked me to then state exactly WHAT was on my toes????? "Wicked" I answered with a somewhat embarassed half-smile. Needless to say, she immediately called her sister and they had quite a laugh at my expense. I guess it is kind of funny. It is a woman's perogative to change her mind though, right? Anyway, got to go - I need to change my toe nail polish - and I am feeling just a little 'wicked" . . . . .

Beauty Blitz

From time to time when I find a great beauty product, I've just got to share! This one comes from the referral of my daughter Rachele, who is a great beauty inspiration to me. It's a fabulous concealer and who out there doesn't love or need a good concealer? Since Rachele is in her twenties, this product definitely spans the ages!

Can be found at any drug store that sells Maybelline brand:

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer (several colors to choose from)
retails for about $7.00, Worth It! And it has staying power!!

Back-to-School-Night

For 21 years straight I have attended back-to-school night. Tonight I will attend again, only this time it is my very last one. As I sit here reminiscing, I can't believe that this is it. I admit, I do look forward to this event, as many parents do; however, based on the average attendance in the classes I sit in, many parents do not. Meeting the teachers; finding out what kids are in the same class as my kids, deciding if each particular teacher will be captivating enough to keep my kid awake. If my mind wanders during just the presentation, I know for a fact that its not a good sign. Most interesting is the years that I had to try to run all over the school because my girls were two years apart, and the back to school night was the same. I was coming and going, in and out of classes; a total distraction. Luckily, this was never held against my nearly angelic (?) daughters!

I mention back to school night for a reason. Moms who are in the same boat as me (your last), and I personally know quite a few of you, (as your babies go to school with mine) enjoy every exciting/boring/whimsical/melancholic moment. We will live on this for quite a while. For you moms out there who have younger kids, if you already go to this epic event at school, enjoy each and every one of them - the time will fly by and you will find yourself in the same boat as me and so many others. For you moms that always have 'something better to do' on BTS night, maybe you should try one, you just might like it, or at least find out something you didn't know before you went. You know, someday you'll have plenty of empty nights for that 'something better to do'.

They May Leave, but They Always Come Back

Well, at least some of us moms out there hope they do. I'm talking about our kids, of course. Both of my girls lived home for about a year after college, then went their seperate ways to share apartments with their friends. Yes, I missed and miss them terribly, but you kind of get used to it after a while. And they do come home for weekends and family vacations. Well, this weekend, my second daughter is moving back home for a while. Its supposed to be for only a month, but naturally I'm selfishly hoping its longer! I'm so excited to have her back, I can hardly wait. Another female in the house again - wow, its been a long time. Even though she works long hours in the city, I'll still get to see her so much more than I do now. Waking her up every morning with a steaming cup of fresh coffee (I'll have to buy hazelnut - its her favorite), picking her brain on what to cook for dinner, shopping, blogging, just hanging out; everything is better when I do it with one of my girls! Now if only I could find a way to get the other daughter home . . . . . .

And to my boys, of course I love you just as much - but I'm getting one of my girls home!!!!!!!

Finishing . . .

Why is it so hard for some of us to finish what we've started? For example, me and this blog. Its been weeks since I've posted; and I really wanted to write at least one a week if not more. How about projects around the house? Or crafts? Right now, I have a crocheted blanket for my daughter, in her room. almost done. I have about three more rows of ruffles, but yet can't seem to finish it. I have lots more like that too; even bigger projects like buying the paint for the family room, and it is still sitting in there, in the cans, NOT on the walls. I always have the best intentions; but somehow, things get in the way. Well, my excuse for not blogging is a brand new puppy. We got him two weeks ago at the young age of 8 weeks. Wow is it a lot of work, exhausting in fact, but well worth it! Its almost like having a baby; well, I said almost! We are spending lots of time with him, taking him in the car with us, (he's great in the car, very comfortable, thanks to the purchase of the LL Bean dog car blanket!). He's already such a part of the family - but I promise to steal away and BLOG!!!

Anyway, to end on a positive note - I did finish crocheting a small baby blanket this summer for our nephew's newborn son. I really forced myself to finish, picking it up whenever I had some spare time. Mind you - I am a new crocheter, so it does not come easy to me. Thankfully, we have a local knit shop where the ladies are always ready and willing to help if you get stuck. It felt really good to finally finish a project. Could this be the start of something?? I'll keep you posted. Got to go, I think there's a crocheted blanket waiting for me in my daughter's room . . .

College Blues

Why is it so hard for some of us to send our kids off to college? My girlfriend just dropped off her youngest of 4; however, her only girl, to college this weekend. She texted me that she was heartbroken when she left. I totally feel and have felt her pain, and wished there was something of comfort I could say. I just know from prior experience that the only real comfort out there is the child you just dropped off! About a week and a half ago, we brought my first son, (third born) to college for his senior year. Although I didn't cry when leaving, I did feel once again that unmistakable ache in my heart. When we got home, I couldn't help wandering into his room, so still, so empty. All summer it was so alive with all that is him. I picked up his pillow and just buried my head in it. We know that we'll see them soon, but why is it so hard???

As each of my three went off to college their first year, I spent a lot of time in their then empty rooms. I took great comfort in really straightening them; cleaning, dusting, looking through photos, crying some and laughing just as much. It was so therapeutic - somehow I felt closer to them and it made missing them just a little easier. And don't listen to those who tell you that you're crazy, after all you still have 1, 2, 3, etc. kids at home. Each child is different and your own, and it can hurt just as much.

And if it is your baby going off, after spending all that time in their room, read a book, or learn to knit or crochet, or start a blog! Call a friend that you haven't talked to in a while. Do something for yourself, something to validate YOU, And before you know it, that child that you love and miss so much will be home on a break, and you'll have lots and lots to talk about. Or you can just keep hugging them . . .

Introduction .. . .September 1st, 2009

Hi and welcome! First, let me wish you all a Happy New Year! This probably isn't strange at all to any mom, educator or administrator in a school, or library, or anyone for that matter who has anything at all to do with a school. Since my first born started kindergarten so many years ago, I have generally thought of September as the new year, not January. It represents the beginning of a fresh new school year, which everything seems to revolve around: vacations, sports, etc. Aah, those memories of the first day of school, each year I would line my kids up on the doorstep; first one, then two, then three and finally the fourth, all varying ages, all willing (or at least they pretended to be) to get that first day of school picture taken before heading out for the start of the school year. How quickly those school years do fly by! In two days my baby (I've got to stop referring to him as that) will start his senior year in high school. Do I still take that first day of school picture? And even more important, will he let me??? I'll keep you posted.

So, anyway, by now you guys know I have four kids rangeing in age from just turned 17 to 26; two girls, two boys. The reason I wanted to start this blog is, well, because most of the time I have a lot to say about a lot of things. I feel like I'm still learning every single day, and want to share all of the great and not so great experiences I have with all of you. I hope you will also feel comfortable enough to share with me as well. We'll talk about kids, (what to do with them and what to do without them!) and recipes, and entertainment, and beauty products - after all, what mom (or any woman) for that matter doesn't enjoy a great beauty scoop now and then?

So, again, Happy New Year everyone! And to all you moms that still do have kids in school, enjoy every precious moment, cause in a heartbeat, it really will be gone.