Sugar and Spice

Another Friday is here! For all you 9 to 5er's a two day reprieve before you have to do it all over again.

I hope it's a good one!

We have had THE crappiest weather this week. Rain, drizzle, more rain...throw in a little fog and humidity levels that do not dip below 90%.

Can we say sticky and disgusting? You never feel completely dry. My dogs have tracked in so much dirt and mud into my house I've just about surrendered to the fact that my house won't be clean until it dries up a little.

On the brighter side - both of my rain barrels are full again!


But the silver lining to all this crappy rain was that I got to spend all day with BOTH of my kids yesterday. My son is in from Chicago for a few days and daughter C had the day off so we went to our favorite little town: Ocean Grove and had a nice lunch. Afterwards my daughter wanted to put in an application to THIS store so my son and I moseyed about and he was getting ideas on how to decorate his new apartment since this one is bigger than his postage stamp size one he previously had.

My daughter played chauffeur and I have to tell you it was kind of nice being driven around!

We had to stop by the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner and then my son and I went to the liquor store and he picked out a very nice Chilean Pinot Noir. Agustinos Reserva if you want to check it out. Nice and light and it went very well with our dinner which was beef, chicken and shrimp kabobs.

My daughter and her boyfriend were there and M came home just in time for us to serve up dinner.

We chatted and laughed and I am still smiling today because I enjoyed myself so much.

Here is a picture of my son, my daughters boyfriend and my daughter. (there was a picture that included me in there as well but between the sunburn I got on Sunday and the reaction to the sulfites in the wine I was as red as a lobster so I'm not going to post that one!)



Also - I want to mention that R (daughter's boyfriend) is in a band called Racing Kites. He's the drummer. If you ever want to check them out please do!

I let you know what my son's theme song was when he was a baby, but now it's C's turn. It's not a tune that is as well known but the first time I heard it was right after she was born. The very first time I got to hold her in my arms I said: "Hello little sweet pea! You have the brightest eyes!"

Sweat Pea was her nickname when she was little and she still is my little sweet pea, but she's all grown up now.



Thanks for a great day yesterday kids! I love you both!

Peace all - have a great weekend!

C's Road Trip

The daughter took her first "road trip" this past week. The son, having flown in from Chicago on a bit of a break from school agreed to drive back with C and her friend.

They left on Thursday.

All day long I was on pins and needles thinking: I hope they are OK. What if the car breaks down? Do they know how to change a flat? Did she remember her AAA card? Does she have enough money for food? Gas?

Finally around 10:00 that night I got the call that they arrived in Chicago...safe and sound. Tired and hungy, but safe!

Whew!

exhale.

The daughter had her big plans for Chicago. They bought tickets to the Pitchfork Music Festival on one day and then were going to tour around the city with the remainder of the time. Play it by ear, have fun in the city.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too cooperative, but I think they made the best of it.

This isn't the first time she's traveled on her own. Heck, she's been taking the train into NYC by herself since she was about 16, but still...every time she goes away...my heart holds an extra beat until I hear from her that she's OK.

The daughter will be 21 in a few months. Very much an adult...but she's still "my baby girl". I look at her and think - "You're so young...you don't know enough of life to be out on your own yet!"

I was married and had my first child before I was 22 years old.

I thought I was so grown up, ready for the world.

Interesting how your perspective changes when you become the parent.

The son has been out on his own for a few years now...and even though he's skinnier than I would like him to be...he's fine. He's learning about life.

It's different with the daughter though for some reason, maybe because she's my baby, my little girl...maybe it's just because she's a girl and I get so afraid of what can happen to young girls out in the world on their own.

I could drive myself crazy with worry if I think about it too much.

And I'm not really a worrier by nature.

So...little by little...I'm learning to "let go" a bit more each day.

Learning to let out that breath that I hold in.

The daughter just called a little while ago. She and her friend on "on their way home!" They should be back in NJ by 10:00 tonight if weather and traffic are kind to them.

Ugh...I can't help it....I will still hold that breath until she walks in that door and I know she's safe and sound.