Laundry

Oh the joys of the missing sock!! I know there have been scientific studies on exactly where those socks go.. and I believe the most factual theory is that they are eaten by aliens.

I used to spend hours and I mean hours gathering the socks and matching them. Even the white ones had to be matched to the proper partner. Seriously, they are made at different plants, factories whatever, the cuffs may be different, the thickness, the age, the staining.. everything.. then one day after I had finished had all the socks neatly ready to find their way home to their little drawers my daughter walked up.. took out two pairs of socks.. separated them, took one from each pair, dropped the remaining partners single and alone back in the basket and walked away. "Ashley-Frances" I uttered "what do you think you are doing?" she just smiled shrugged and said "I don't like to wear socks that match" Needless to say.. I have never matched socks since.

Teenagers!! ain't life grand??

The Unending Money Tree

One has to wonder if my kids understand even remotely what the words I don't have any money means.

At the ages of 14, 16, 18 and 20 do they honestly think it means oh wait let me go harvest it from the tree in the back yard? Or yes I have money but I don't like you and don't want to share. I enjoy watching you sit here and harass me for hours asking me over and over again just to see if I will cave in. And I especially like borrowing money from you.. it brings me great joy to horde my money and then demean myself to see if you have any on hand. I especially enjoy the years of harranging you do when you feel it is time for me to pay you back.

And of course mom, I completely understand that you are attempting to pay the bills, feed us, clothe us and pay for two trips to Florida this spring break with the band.. but mom, can I borrow $20.00? Or my personal favorite.. where is my change.. oh mom, I lost it.. I spent it.. I just had to have....

No worries.. I am back to the money field to harvest more..

Going to Vote

So today, we made it to the polling place as in everything where Cori is involved there was a struggle a challenge..

It started out just plain old fashioned nerves.. so he wasn't going. I had to tell him, you don't vote you cant live under my roof. So he got himself ready and off we went. Of course there was an issue with mine so everyone kept ignoring him.. let all sorts of people go first, he was getting nervous and ansy.. then we had to re spell the last name.. it is 4 count em 4 letters long.. and actually only has 2.. this should never be a problem but for some reason always is. Then finally he got his ballot and went to the booth.. as I sat and waited for my crises to be concluded, I watched and wished that I had my camera. I was so proud. Tears formed in my eyes.. a lifetime of learning right there being acted upon. Of course, I really wanted to know how he was voting.. but I refrained from asking.

Finally he stepped out all beaming and proud and recieved his "I voted" sticker. Which he promptly put on the inside of his wallet and it will remain there for quite some time. Mission accomplished. Then it was home to watch the election on TV and for him to ask and me to answer a million questions..

Oh how I am still beaming.. two adults, two votes.. does a mother proud

Today's the Day

Nothing has more power in this world than the vote of a single person...

One voice is heard

Teens Who Vote

The government says 18 is the magic age, we are an adult. We can move out of our parents house, join the armed services, get married, get arrested, drive without parental permission and we can Vote.

On this historic election, I have two children going to vote. They have been raised in a household full of civic duty and pride so of course they will vote. As small children I would bundle them up and take them with me. One year I was a poll watcher and all the girls spent the day with me at a an election site. When president Clinton came to town, his secret service men spent hours joking with my son and his best friend about their light up shoes. Our town has long been an opponent of O'hare expansion and my son at 12 collected signatures and submitted a petition to several elected officials. There is so much more.. they are all civically aware, of course this is not because of tv or radio or even their friends. No this is because they were taught all of their lives about their civic duty.

Now tomorrow we will vote together once again. This time I will proudly walk in with my son, the other will vote as he can, and help get him set up. Watch him walk to the booth and probably cry. A mother's true joy...When did that happen.

Finally their voices will be heard.. what a wonderful thing

Can We Say Rocket Scientist??

Now for those of you who are unaware, today's teenager has a heavy burden to carry, personally I am not supprised when I hear of one snapping. Sad I admit but not surprised. I am sure I will return to this theme over and over again, but here is an example of the insanity we put our teenagers through.

As I am sure you are all aware, Friday night was Halloween.. ok a time where kids and teenagers and some crazed adults just have fun, trick or treating, parties or just watching the parade of kids it is a long and exhausting evening. So what does our local HS swim conference do? They plan the season ending conference meet (ok some swimmers go on to sectionals and state but for the most part) on the day after Halloween.. Now it was scheduled well in advance so the kids could be ready for this sad fact (hello teenagers here none of them had a clue).. so the Coach being a magnimus sort changed practice from Friday afternoon to Friday morning.. yes they had a 5:30 morning practice on Halloween. So here it was 4:30 in the morning and my girls are trooping off to school. After a tough practice, my youngest was out and on her way to swing choir practice at 7.. then a full day of school for both (both of whom have honors classes so not a walk in the park).. then off for their prepared evenings..

I am sure I will deny this later but my oldest, Frankie at least had the brains to come home at a reasonable hour and get some sleep but the younger one came trooping in about midnight.. And the next morning it was up at 4:30 so they could leave the house by 5:00 to make the bus.. and drive forever (well an hour) then swim.. then back home and to me.. needless to say by the time the late afternoon came and they were home well they were not in the best of moods.

And who said the witches left after Halloween..

Halloween -The Day After

The problem with teens.. ok one of the problems with teens is that they somehow at some point decide they are too cool to trick or treat. Instead they insist on hanging out with friends and party hopping.

Now those of you parents with small kids and tooth decay to worry about are probably giving a sigh of relief about now..sadly it is not relief I feel. No more sweet little babies who want you to help them find the perfect costume and whatever you come up with is considered perfect. No now it is more like screaming banshees waiting till the last minute then wondering why you never make them any cool costumes (and selective memory and all - why you never did)

And while the are party surfing and hanging out with members of the opposite sex.. they are not off getting the yearly candy haul. So tell me what am I supposed to snack on in the middle of the night they are all sleeping and I have to have some chocolate?

sighs.. babies no more