Melancholy Mom

I'm most inspired to write when I'm having a happy moment. Thus my blog may give the impression that our family is perfect. But, lest ye be decieved, I am not perpetually peppy. I am what is sometimes referred to as a melancholy personality. I think deeply, analyze intensly, and hyperventilate when all of the flat surfaces in sight are cluttered with stuff.
But I do try...really hard...to be more laid-back.
So I just sigh when my Boy leaves his empty cereal bowl in my bedroom, mentally adjust the clock when my Husband says he'll be home in an hour, and bite my tongue as I stroke my Daughter's hair while she tearfully rants about the boyfriend I wish she didn't have.
That's not to say I don't ever speak up. I do ask Parker to help me with chores...and he does...usually pretty willingly. I tell my husband when I need "chair time"...and he gallantly makes it happen. And I point out to Hillary things I see from my Grown Up side of the situation...acknowledging that she has to make her own mistakes and giving her room to make them.
I'm not perfect.
And neither are they.
And thank goodness...cause how boring would that be?

Parallel Play

When we are born, we think the world is all about us. We cry...we are tended to. We act and the world reacts.
As we get older, we realize that the world has other people in it and that we occasionally have to adjust to their thoughts, actions, and feelings. Eventually, we learn how to "play" well with others, agreeing on a common plan, assigning roles to each person, and working together to make things happen. This is called "cooperative play." And grown-ups are supposed to be good at it.
But between those stages is a stage called "parallel play" where two kids are doing their own thing, but beside each other. And that's where my husband and I are this week. Oh, we started our marriage in the usual immature way...I cried and he tended to me...he acted and I reacted...but we soon found out that neither of us was the center of the world and adjusted accordingly. So now, while we are mostly "cooperative" we have learned to be happy with occasional "parallel play." He sits in my classroom and watches game film while I work on new learning centers. I sit beside him on the couch and read my book while he watches basketball. It's not earthshattering communication. But it is comfortable companionship. And he's my favorite playmate!

Farewell, My Lady

When we were blessed to get a house in the country, my husband and I decided it was finally time to let the kids get a dog. We saw an ad in the paper for a puppy from Shelter Pals who needed a home. We went to see the dog, and she immediately stole our hearts. Lady became part of our family.
For the last 5 years she has greeted us with a leaf in her mouth when we pull in the driveway. She lay under our feet as we sat in the porch swing, burying our toes in her soft fur.
She protected our yard (and the neighbor's too!).
She made us laugh...and cry.
And now, due to a series of events beyond our control, she's no longer with us. But she will always remain in our hearts.

Full House

We have company this weekend. They came to see Hillary in The Wizard of Oz. They brought hugs and laughter and car seats and pets. It's so good to see them.
We actually managed to get everyone in a real bed, except for one who likes to sleep on the couch. Parker and Hillary slept in the king sized bed with us...a rare treat for them! Even after the lights were out, we giggled and wiggled and took so long to settle down that Yancy finally mumbled...."This is like having a sleepover."
And as I snuggled under the covers, with everything most important to me right there in that room...and the rest of it right there in the house...I thought...
4 Grandparents
1 Little Sister
2 Kids
1 Aunt
1 Cousin
1 Baby
and 1 Dog
= 1 Full House!
And a full house makes for one happy heart!

Out of Tune(s)

It was a bright warm Sunday afternoon. The kind of day that beckons you to wash the car. But not by hand. No...this was the kind of day that found us running through the automatic car wash while we waited on our to-go order to be completed by our favorite Mexican restaurant. The four of us were together, laughing and chatting...and listening to music. My husband put the debit card in the machine and chose the Ultra Wash. $8 worth of frothy clean. I never choose this wash. I always go for the $5 economy wash, but hey, what's the harm in a little indulgence now and then. Settled in the cozy dim bubbly light, Hillary and I opened books to get in a few pages during our wait. Parker and Yancy watched the spinning brushes...commenting on whether or not they were actually touching the car and wondering if they were on sensors or just permanently set. Water poured over the car, rinsing off the grime of the last few week's weather.
Then the blower came down.
It was much closer to the car than the brushes had been.
Yancy and Parker decided this part definitely had to be on a sensor.
And as it slowly moved over the hood, windshield, and cab, Yancy said, "Uh oh." "What's wrong?" I asked. "I forgot to turn off the radio."
I fumbled for the off button, but it was too late. The blower slid right down the back window, effectively maiming our erect antena.
I thought the kids were going to die laughing.
And I have to admit, the look on Yancy's face as the broken antena swayed at an awkward crooked angle WAS pretty funny.
Not so funny today when the mechanic told me we could get a used antena from the salvage yard for $100 (plus $25 for labor). Or we could get a brand new one for twice that price. Our $8 car wash just turned into a $125 car wash.
Needless to say, we will have to wait a few days on this non-essential car repair. So for the time being, we are a family in total harmony...but temporarily tuneless!

Stopping by the Blog on a Friday Evening

Whose life this is, I do not know.
Her house is in a village though.
Her kids take turns at falling ill.
Her car to the city, often goes.

My little car must think it queer
To stop without a Starbucks near.
Between my job and sports events
I haven’t time to shed a tear.

My husband gives me just a shake
To see if I am yet awake.
The only sound’s the loud alarm.
I think there must be some mistake.

I’ll stop before this gets too deep
Cause I have dirty floors to sweep
And loads to go before I sleep
And loads to go before I sleep.