13! for Thursday

1. It is back to school time in my house.

2. I went back this week, kids come next week.

3. No matter how much I have done, I always feel unprepared.

4. There are so many things I wanted to do over the summer that didn't happen.

5. Next year we are going to use a giant piece of paper to make a bucket list.

6. I think being able to see it will help tremendously.

7. Uniforms are hanging in closets; socks and underwear are in drawers; school supplies wait to be packed......

8. Possum needs a new belt; Jelly bean needs new bras (!).

9. Why do we moms never feel finished?

10. I guess because as soon as we finish one task, we hear the next one calling our name.....

11. This time of year is always bittersweet.

12. I am the kind of person who always looks forward to the next thing.....

13. But part of me is not ready to give up carefree days of summer (as if anything about my life is ever carefree, lol)......

Memory Monday

first day of school- 2010

(notice helen is already missing socks..... must be in her pocket)

(and the shoes are NEVER tied)

13! (for friday)

Things I have learned on this trip

1. Folks in Covington have started driving golf carts.

2. I catch a second wind when walking- at about 1 mile I feel like I will die- 1 1/2- I feel like I can go forever (which is actually more like another mile).

3. I really NEED for my children to have a normal bedtime. For my sanity. I cannot parent after 9:30 pm.

4. My mother is crazy.

5. I usually miss David more than I expect to. This time I missed him before I crossed the Georgia state line.

6. I never get everything I want to do in one trip.

7. So too many things did not get crossed off the list.....

8. and too much time was wasted hearing old stories that do not matter.....

9. I always return home feeling very tired.

10. But I also feel very focused on the things I need to get done.

11. I need to put my marriage first- David is the person who keeps me sane, and he is the person who will still be there when the kids are gone.

12. I need to put myself as a priority- my health really is riding on it.

13. And I know who my real friends are.

And that is how it is.......

I have crossed paths with old friends over the past couple of years. One person became someone I talked to and chatted with on a regular basis. When I went home to visit in February, I saw this person. Then everything changed. We stopped talking and emailing. I have no idea why, really. So I am left with theories, none of which are good for my self esteem. I guess I am too old, too fat, too unfun- something. All I can say is it has made me sad and I feel dumped for a second time.

Another old friend just got plain weird...... he and his stalker wife had to be blocked. I do not have time for wives of old friends being jealous and creeping on me..... especially one that I know is heavily armed!

THURSDAY/13

1. I am leaving this morning!

2. I found my camera.

3. The drive always seems so tedious.

4. But I think the stop on the way down is so much a part of the trip.

5. We always stop about 4 or 5.

6. We eat at Cracker Barrel.

7. We go swimming.

8. We sleep (or I try to).

9. In the morning, we have whatever the hotel offers (usually waffles).

10. We get ice for the cooler and gas for the tank.

11. And count the hours til we are in Georgia.

12. This year, Helen will be sitting in the front seat.

13. I will let you know if this reduces car fights.......

Memory Monday

once upon a time, hjs used a swim vest...... summer 2004