If only...

How in the world did it happen?

My eldest is 28.

It seems like yesterday, I was putting her hair up in ponytails. Matching her grosgrain bows with her outfits. Playing with Samantha or dressing up Barbie dolls.

If only I could just go back to those days for a little while.

And kiss her sweet smooth skin and laugh at her toothless grins.

And hold her hand and go back to her first day of school.

Or sit in the Auditorium and listen to her play the bells.

If only....

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Dr. La

That's right, Dr. La officially began working in her new professional career last week. I think Friday takes on a whole new meaning when you're working a 9-5 kind of week.

And just a random thought I've had bouncing around in my head...from the get go, ever since I've had to face the fact that she's truly moved away...I've just had this vision of her being like Mary Tyler Moore walking down the street... Remember how the opening of her show went? And the song......

And a here's few interesting tidbits:
Mary Richards (Moore) is a single woman who, at age 30, moves to Minneapolis after breaking off an engagement with her boyfriend of two years. I never knew that show took place in Minneapolis!

The opening title sequence features many scenes filmed on location in Minneapolis in both summer and winter, as well as a few clips from the show's studio scenes. The sequence changed each season, but always ended with Mary tossing her hat at an intersection in downtown Minneapolis. Again, had no idea...Minneapolis!

And of course the song...
Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well it's you girl, and you should know it
With each glance and every little movement you show it

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

How will you make it on your own?
This world is awfully big, girl this time you're all alone
But it's time you started living
It's time you let someone else do some giving

Love is all around, no need to waste it
You can have a town, why don't you take it
You're gonna make it after all
You're gonna make it after all

My brain must have sublimially been trying to tell me something....like maybe she's going to be fine after all?

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19

He woke up smiling.

19 today.

Oh dear, where has the time gone?

With a seemingly blink of an eye.

19 today.

My youngest.

My "little red headed boy"

Happiest of B-day's Son!

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A Snowy Day

After much teasing over the last several weeks(I'm not counting the inch or so we got after Christmas...didn't cover the ground completely) we finally got a significant snowfall!! I'm guessing somewhere in the 5-6" range. It was so peacefull and quiet as it fell. Amazing how still everything becomes during a snowfall. The birds did show up in force, feeding, flitting and flying in. The cardinals were beautiful against the white....so pretty!

So, here's our little piece of paradise on a snowy day....

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Heading to Minnesota

La headed out yesterday to drive up to Minnesota. A new job, a new life and a new apartment await her there.

In the meantime we have to adjust that she is no longer "just up the road" but now many miles away from us. I have to be honest. I don't like it one little bit. Yes, it was inevitable that this would come to pass, great jobs are hard to find and when one is offered the red carpet...one must sieze the opportunity.

We are excited for her, but sad nonetheless. We won't be there to help her arrange her furniture or have Monty hang her curtains and pictures. We're not there to share in her excitement of a new place, new town, new everything. And my heart hurts.

We said our goodbyes on Wednesday and with tears in my eyes it was hard. I came in, laid on the couch for the next 2 hrs and thought about when we dropped her at college and came home without her. Feels the same but different. This time there won't be any coming home for all the holiday's or a random drop in on weekend here and there. No, now they'll be work shedules, summer vacation and holiday schedules she'll have to work around.

I know somehow it will all work out. But, for now I feel my little family unit is changing. And, I don't like it one little bit.

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All's well or at least for now

Our holiday season was Crazzzy!

First starting with Thanksgiving. Aaron on his way home from Asheville hit a deer approx 50 miles from home. He was able to drive the car on in to our house and the following Monday we took it in to a repair shop. That's when we then found our insurance did not have a rider on it to pay for a rental car while his car was being repaired. At any rate he needed one to finish up his vacation and get back home so we sucked it up and rented him one.

Then 9 days before Christmas our Christmas tree fell over breaking lots of balls and sending water everywhere...what a mess! I didn't even bother putting the bulbs back on that fell off. Surprisingly the darn thing once righted still looked pretty good.

Next up was our trip to the Inlaws the weekend before Christmas. Driving down the interstate the steering wheel began to vibrate. We pull over only to discover the tread on the back left tire is coming off. We put the spare on make it on in to Raleigh. If anyone knows anything about Raleigh you don't want to go anywhere near Crabtree Valley mall during the busiest shopping weekend of the year, but that is exactly where the ole spouse ended up. Traffic was terrible and finding no other place open on Sunday to buy a tire he ended up at place called Just Tires. He bought a tire and preceded back to his parents house. After much revelry, food and fun we loaded up the car to come home only to find the brand new tire---was now almost FLAT! We went to the nearest Convenience store and put air in it. Then we rode back over to Just Tires to find they had closed early. We stopped only once on the way back to put air in it, finding out on Monday the tire stem was not seated correctly. Aggravating to say the least.

But wait..the craziness didn't stop there. Remember Aaron is in Asheville with no car. Well now he needs to get back home for Christmas and to pick up his car. The girlfriend says no problem I'll drive him down.. an hour out ...her car breaks down!! It's now Christmas Eve and if you've ever tried to rent car on a major holiday, well hold on to your hat! You are going to pay out the waazooo. We paid $166.00 for a one day rental to get them home.

After all of that I thoroughly enjoyed having all the kids home and the time we spent together. Bittersweet because next year they may not be able to get home at the same time. La and Aaron are taking jobs in Minnesota and Texas.

And if you are wondering about the car.. the place that repaired his car did a great job. Whew!

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A little rain.....and a rare sighting

When's the last time I saw one of these guys? Well, I can tell you it's been a while. The last turtle we had in the compound escaped at least a couple of years ago, so I would guess that would be when. Every now and then Trevor will mention seeing one down the hill in the backyard. You'd think living in the country that we would cross paths more often than we do.

But today, seeing this girl, it reminded me of the days of:

Walking in the rain, jumping in mudpuddles, carrying umbrellas and keeping an eye out for a hidden turtle in the leaves.

Rescuing misguided turtles from sure road death.

Finding turtles at auctions.

Naming turtles after the ever so famous Ninja turtles. Remember Raphael, Leonardo, Michaelangelo and Donatello?

Naming turtles girl names like Madeline or Samantha.

Being brought turtles by concerned neigbhors who knew of our turtle compound.

Watching newly hatched turtles, with their shells so soft, head toward the small pool.

Yep, with light drizzle falling, it's not surprising to see her out an about. After all we were always more successful of finding them after a rain.

Enjoy the memory!

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