The best laid plans

So the Troop 285 bus was supposed to pull out this morning at 10am, meaning we had to be at the predetermined meeting site at 9. Which was quite a nice change from the 4am time of last year.

Then the bus showed up at 9:30am with no a/c. For 41 boys, 6 SMICs and a 4+ hour drive to OK. Not going to work my friends. They send us away to wait saying coming back at 10:30am for the new bus. In what can only be described as a comedy of errors, the new bus doesn't show up until NOON.

A little before 12:30pm our boys, and the brave men, head off to Oklahoma for a week of Boy Scout camp. I spend the rest of the day trying not to think about another week without the kiddo, having a great time of course with friends, paint, a pool and white wine (it's hot in this state so yes, chilled white instead of the standard red). The reassuring email comes that they arrived safely and are looking forward to a great week.

Then life gut checks you and you have to pause and remind yourself that raising an independent child is awesome...yet... he will be gone before I know it and well prepared for life.

Here's to our amazing children, and the moments we realize that the pride we feel is only second to the love in our hearts for those crazy, moody preteen boys:)

Go....

I spent a great night with friends/family and know that even though my blood family is far away, some of my family is less than 3 miles away...proving once again true friends are the family you choose.

Thank you my family - the kiddo and I would be nowhere without you! Yes my friends, even the strongest and most independent of us have to admit we need our family; and if I can do it - so can you!

Think about it, who is your family ?

Little Celebrations

Tonight I have a date with my #1 boy - my son! Burgers and a movie...SO EXCITED!

See, my preteen kiddo is growing up way to fast and is quickly approaching (if not already there) that phase where he doesn't so much need Mom and would rather hang out with his friends. I am going to celebrate these moments with all I have as too quickly he will grow up...as he should.

What are you celebrating today?

Just a quick question

Too many people today have earned the following infamous dog look of "What in the heck is your problem? You are kidding, right? I am not amused but nice try."

College kids today

Had another tour of our 'experience' today for local college kids who might want to work in IT someday. The tour ends with a presentation from one of our top technical talent about what they do and how to be a success.

I am pretty sure I talked about this before, but back in my day (yes I am being an old foagy) you dressed up, or at least business casual for these things. These are potential employers and you are given the opportunity to see things that the average student is not.

Tell me the level of self ego allows you to show up in athletic shorts and a t-shirt? Anyone?

Yes, I am old.

Back from vacation

There is always a let down coming back from vacation, the waiting laundry, house chores and, of course, the work. In this day and age of email, to see 300 unread messages waiting is enough to put me into a tail spin sometimes.

This time however, coming back was different. Yes, all the chores and work were waiting but so were the decisions of what to do next. Do I go with the status quo? Do I think about what the end of that vacation means? Do I look at this as a new door?

Here's the thing - I did have a suitcase come with me, and a lot of GREAT experiences while gone. I think this is a new door, even if it is at the same house, same office, same everything. It is different because in that week away, I am different.

And of course - there's always the ears:)

Rain - time to dance

When I lived north, it was in a state where the sun rarely came out and the rain/snow/yuck was not something we treasured.

Now I live where rain at this time of year is a rarity and I find myself dancing in the rain as if I hadn't done the same thing yesterday.

Life is full of surprises, failures and victories. When we forget how to have fun with the little things - i.e. my dancing in the rain as if I don't have a care in the world - that is when we truly fail. Being down sometimes is human, being scared and feeling lost is part of the journey. However, getting through those times (maybe through dancing in the rain...) is the fun part.

What is your rain dance?