Mind Blowing Generosity

The only reason I can afford to go to school is because I get a fairly good amount of financial aid in the form of grants.  Being the working poor does have its benefits, LOL.

Anyway this semester I FINALLY, after years and years of writing scholarship essays, won a scholarship award . . . a RENEWABLE scholarship award.  It was an amazing feeling.  Also, my scholarship is what is called a "named" scholarship, which means it is funded by an individual who donated the funds to the university with specific requirements, and they are deeply involved in choosing who wins the scholarship.  

All that is to say, last weekend I went to the Recipients' Dinner and met the lady in person who funded my scholarship.  It was such an amazing and humbling experience.  She talked to me in detail, specific detail, about my essay and why she chose me.  She told me about herself and her life and how my life parallels hers in many ways.  It was such an intimate and enlightening conversation.  I almost cried.  Financial aid awards are one thing, but this was a remarkably unique experience like I have never experienced before.

It just really reminded me that there are still honest, genuine, good people in the world.  She is.  She gives me something to aspire too.  I'm glad to have had that experience.  I won't put her name on the Internet, because she may not want her privacy exploited, but I will post a photo of us at the dinner.

Me with my Benefactor

Has anyone or anything blown your mind lately?


Until next time . . .
 

Best Birthday Gift Ever!

Well, today is my birthday.  I'm still 40-something.

Interesting aside . . . I share a birthday with one of Amy's sons.  Isn't that neat? What are the odds I'd make an Internet friend whose son has my same birthday . . . although I'm sure we were born several decades apart, LOL.

Also my little sister's birthday was three days ago so we had a nice shared birthday dinner on Sunday.  All of my family and in-law's family came.  That was very nice.

But . . . here's the best gift ever I hinted to in the title:

Yesterday I was on campus and for the first time in the history of me going back to school, I was able to get the three Bs - my Belly, my Booty, and my Backpack - into a regular sized bathroom stall without slathering up with butter first or getting out of breath!  WOO HOO!!!

I'm down 50 pounds on my diet!  I still have another 50 pounds or so to go, but I'm sooooo excited.  This was a really big deal for me.  I usually have to use the handicapped stall because I was too uncomfortable in the regular sized stalls . . . apparently 50 pounds too uncomfortable.  Now I'm not!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Have you accomplished anything spectacular lately?  I'll be more than happy to celebrate with you.

Tell me about it.



Until next time . . .

 

New, Different, Exciting, and Exceptional

Today was a day of firsts at Two Moms' Homeschool . . .

This is the only proof we have that today was Baby Boy's first day at University.  Now no one can corroborate his story, but we don't have any reason to not believe he was there.  :-)

In a truly shocking and amazing turn of events, the biggest Fairy had her first day of kindergarten today.  We do want to eventually keep the girls home, but right now school is the option du jour for this Grand-Baby-Girl.

Biggest Fairy Saying Good-Bye to Twin Little Fairies  

Ready To Take On the World

We've Taught Her Well . . . Going Straight For The Books

Ready To Learn!

Has anyone else started anything new, different, exciting, or exceptional lately? 

Tell me all about it.

Until next time . . .

Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Baby Boy just drove off . . . possibly never to live at home again. 

He is going to college about 400 miles from us.  He will be staying with relatives for the first semester, but I won't be there. 

Whaaahhhh!  How on earth did you Moms of young adults survive this?  I've been weepy for the past few days and just a plain miserable crying mess all day today. 

Boy, they sure grow up fast.

Until next time . . .

 

This is . . .

. . . my wild child.

 Found her like this.  Straightened her out and covered her up.

A little bit later, found her like this. 

Which is why we keep her bed so close to the ground.

And this is just her sleeping personality.  You should see this little Texas Tornado when she's awake!


Until next time . . .

 

A Grown-Up Getaway

For the very first time in 12 long years Mom #2 and I went on a grown-up getaway with no kids, no grand kids, and no pets!  At first we hardly knew what to do with ourselves, but we recovered from that fairly quickly.  

First we found a very grown-up room in a historical and beautiful hotel.

 Then we thought we'd have some fun visiting some touristy attractions.

 We enjoyed lots of different sights that may have been fun for children . . .

 . . . But without the endless trips to the potty. . .

 . . . Without a pocket full of tissues to wipe runny noses. . .   

 . . .Without the too-cool-for-school eye rolls. . . 

  . . . And without leashes, kibble, doggy-doo bags, or travel kennels.

I'll never forget the complete conversations Mom #2 and I were able to have without interruption.  

 We also had several delicious meals in nice restaurants with real tablecloths, finely dressed waiters, and cloth napkins. 

When it was time for bed, I only had to bathe myself.  

And when we tucked each other in . . . . 

 . . . We only had to kiss each other.

We had an incredible time!  

I hope we don't wait 12 more years before we have another grown-up getaway. 

Have you done anything for yourself or your relationship lately? 

Until next time . . .

 

Mothers and Daughters at the Opera

Last night was the opening night of this season's Educational Opera Program.  They performed Pagliacci.  

I had never seen it performed live before, only on PBS.  It had to be the shortest opera I've ever attended.  We were home before 10 o'clock!

As an olive branch of good will, I invited my Mom to come with us, as she has never been.  I didn't think she had any interest in it, but a few weeks ago she began hinting around for an invitation, so what's a daughter to do.  She really seemed to enjoy herself,  even though she had LOTS of questions.  I'm glad we were able to spend a little quality time together without too much pressure of stimulating conversation.  I'm not much for small talk  these days and things have been a tiny bit tense between us since she moved so close to me.  Actually, I've been a bit tense, but I don't think she has noticed.  It is kind of unnerving to have your Mother about to pop up at your house at any given time of day or night.  Since I don't have a day job, she thinks I'm available to do things with her all day every day.  That's actually not true at all, my family keeps me on my toes quite consistently. Anyway, I'm working on boundaries.  Let me just say, it's a work in progress.  

She was already hinting around at an invitation for the next performance when I dropped her off at home last night, LOL.  That lady really is something else.  But she's my Mother, and I love her.  What else can you do.

Speaking of the performance, everything was spectacular.  Poor Canio, the Pagliacci, a jilted, suspicious, homicidal clown is really something to behold on stage.  Although his killing scene wasn't nearly as terrifying as Lucia's from Lucia di Lammermoor, I still had to give him a lot of credit.  He was a beautiful tenor.

There was a strange moment at the end where after the curtain call and all of the ovations, the three main characters . . . including ones who had just died . . . got up and sang a few bonus songs at the end.  I don't know if this has a formal name in the opera world or not, as I've never witnessed anything like it.  It was so nice to go drive home humming the bonus score.

I've never really understood why some people have a fear of clowns, but after last night, I think I'm going to keep my distance from them.  Also, I have truly witnessed the literal interpretation of "Tears of a Clown." 

So now I know what music I'll be playing around the house all weekend. 


What wonderful weekend plans do you have?
 

Until next time . . .

 

Apparently There is NO Justice in this World!

After surviving:

• The most frightening night of the year for any dieter, Halloween, without eating a single piece of candy.

•  A family dinner in which your Mother-in-Law, the slimmest lady in the world, fries ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING plus serves delicious desserts including a heavenly cake and scrumptious homemade cookies by drinking a couple of gallons of water and saying "No, thank you" excessively.

AND . . .

•  Sitting across from your brother-in-law who is shoveling desserts into his mouth like a human hoover while STILL WEARING a compression garment from the LIPOSUCTION he just had the very day before.

I got up this morning and weighed in.  I only lost 0.8 pounds this week.

Life. Is. Not. Fair.

That. Is. All.  

Until next time . . .

 

I think I'm blogging again

It's been a whirlwind few months!  I won't bore you with all the details but let me just say that we have been going through a LOT of changes.  I'll try to divvy it out in bite-sized pieces so it's not so overwhelming, LOL. 

I would like to share one of my tiny victories.  I finally finished my very last required Spanish class.  I took it over the summer. Thank goodness it's over!  I'm still trying to read, speak, and watch television in Spanish so I don't lose everything I've worked so hard for . . . but I must say . . . my Spanish speaking part of my brain is exhausted.  I don't know when it gets easier to switch back and forth between languages, but I certainly have not reached that point yet. 

Did I tell you that my parent's just bought a brand new house right around the corner from us?  We'll have to discuss the art of dodging a Mom who likes to call and say that she's on the way when she's actually in your driveway.  HELP!




Until next time . . .

Reunited And It Feels SOOOOO Good!

My parents, married thirty-six years and then tragically divorced, have been working on finding their way back to one another for the past few years.  It's been a long, arduous road, filled with ups and downs, and way too many tears. 

Well . . . On Saturday we attended the most beautiful, intimate, perfect wedding . . .

The Wedding Party

The Coordinator

The Blushing Bride

The Ceremony

Yes, She Gets ANOTHER Ring!

Sealed With a Kiss

It's Not Official Until They Jump the Broom!

A Family Reunited

We are all so very, very, VERY happy! 

 Until next time . . .

 

DIRRRTTTYYY THIRRRTTTYYY!!!!!

This morning I finally passed the 30 pound mark on my weight loss challenge. 

I still have a looonnnngggggg way to go, but 30 pounds down is a great start! 

I'm sooooooo excited, I think I'll celebrate with a 0 point value apple!


*SIGH*   ;-)


Until next time . . .

 

A Very Nice Formal Evening

Baby Boy escorted a Very Nice Young Lady to the Homeschool Formal a few nights ago.  There was a Masquerade Theme, can't you tell?  

All the preparations were going along fine until the actual night of the event.  Now this whole situation really has me thinking.  Every since the doctor said "It's a boy" I've been so happy that I had a son instead of a daughter.  

Not that there is anything wrong with girls, but I've seen what my sister goes through trying to find affordable fashions, the right amount of make-up, and just getting out of the house with my niece.  Let's just say, I don't have that kind of patience.  

Well . . . on the night of the formal, I had to say "good-bye" to my son without being able to see the Very Nice Young Lady's dress, corsage, or mask.  I was bummed!  I hated having to count on Mrs. Very Nice Young Lady to get photos of MY SON.  It did not sit well with me AT ALL. 

 Also, at my advanced maternal age, I can't stay up very late these days, so *SIGH* I was sound asleep when Baby Boy got home in the wee hours of the morning.  

Luckily, Mom #2 and I are early risers, so while Baby Boy slept off the memories of a fantastic evening, Mom #2 fished my handy dandy camera out of his jacket pocket.  

And found these incredible photos on the memory card.  

Thank you so much, Mrs. Very Nice Young Lady! 


Have a great weekend, Everyone! 


Until next time . . .

 

Change, Expectations, Sacrifices, and Realizations

Right now I'm trying to process a lot of change, expectations, sacrifices, and realizations in my life.  I about to unpack a bunch of emotional baggage, so . . . if you didn't plan to spend your leisure reading time hearing about an old lady's problems . . . you might just want to move on.

Changes:   The three fairies have become a front and center fixture in my life, possibly for the long haul.  Last week when they stayed with their parents, it wasn't as successful as Mom #2 and I had hoped.  We're really trying to work with their parents and get the girls back home as soon as possible, but we are meeting resistance.  That's very sad to me. I'm also still struggling with parenting a young adult, since that is apparently what Baby Boy is now.  Going from "Mommy" to "Ma" is quite a change.  *SIGH*  That last sentence is going to need to be a separate blog post one of these days.

Expectations:  I am expected to morph from "grandma" to "surrogate mom" on a dime and the transition is very labor intensive.  I still have a lot of presence in Baby Boy's life, and I am trying to be a good spouse to Mom #2 as well.   Baby Doggy also has a lot of needs, LOL.  I've apparently set up a system of dependence in every life I've come into contact with . . . and now I feel stretched a tiny bit too thin.

Sacrifices:  I didn't go to school  this semester.  The semester is over next week and I think this is the first time I've "said" it "out loud."  I see Baby Boy with his books and leaving for class, and I'm soooo envious.  This has led to some very good discussions between us though.  I've really been a not-so-shiny example of how not to wait until you're middle aged to get your education.  Right now I'm not sure if I'll be able to return next semester or not.  I have a few weeks to turn in my paperwork.

Realizations:  I do realize that these challenges will not define me.  I have a FANTASTIC support system in Mom #2 and Baby Boy.  I realize that there is a sparkly lining to every situation.  I realize that we'll make it though this together, as we've made it through so many things before this. 

Boy, reading back over this post, it sounds very depressing, but I'm not depressed.  I'm actually happy to have a little clarity.  Sometimes just getting all the feelings outside of yourself helps to bring resolution to what seemed to be a perpetual problem.  Off to enjoy the day!

Thanks for being my therapist for the day!
 
Until next time . . .