long time - no see

No excuses.

I went MIA again

But here I am with just a bit of sharing for you 

32 skeins of yarn have been used from the stash.

Three baby blankets and this full sized beauty in blue, cream, tan, and brown.

and I have started one from yarn that I purchased but is NOT going into the stash, I've started that blanket. 

I'm also working working working on THE MOST INTRICATE cross stitch project I have ever done. 

This was a gift for my friend Renee. Well she's actually the daughter of one of my best friends. But since all the girls are now young adults, I can call her my friend, can't I?

We gave Miss Renee a bridal shower on Sunday afternoon. 

I used one of my crochet nests as the food table centerpiece. 

To see the exquisite nests that inspired me - go here

Vicki makes and sells beautiful knitted nests. 

She's a wonderful person and there is an amazing array of beauty at her blog. 

Get a coffee and spend some time.

Here's the bride-to-be with her mom and soon to be Mother-in-Love 

You can guess - but I will go ahead and tell you - her Mom is the one in pink.

A quick note about the Softball Princess.

it's over.

she graduates from college with her undergrad degree in Environmental Science next weekend.

She's graduating with honors.

and more than likely moving far away to continue school. 

I have EMPTY NEST SYNDROME

yes - those of you with small children are allowed to be jealous. 

I just want to know how this happened. 

She is supposed to just be a little bit bigger than THIS.

......

overwhelmed .... a letter to myself (and my girls)

Molly, it was a day full of fear. Fear for me, I was in serious danger of having a stroke or a seizure because my blood pressure was so high. When the nurse took those med bags loose from the pump and simply squeezed those life saving chemicals into me, I looked at your Dad and said "it wasn't supposed to be like this." Fear for you - if my body failed us - would you be alright? 

Abby, your day was different, but it came with its own set of fears. I had not known I was pregnant with you and I continued with those chemicals designed to keep this very thing from happening. Would you be ok - had I inadvertantly caused any kind of problem for you?

Then - in a rush of activity and pain and hard work and struggle - there you each were. Being held up and checked and wrapped and placed in my arms. I could feel my heart beating against each of you and in that moment, you were not just placed in my arms, you were placed into my heart. And each of you was perfect. Absolutely perfect. 

With you, Molly, they wheeled me out of the hospital doors, we tucked you in the car seat, and away we went. We drove up to the light at Atlanta Highway and the fear gripped me again. Holy Crap, I have no idea what to do. OVERWHELMED But one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, we figured it out. 

When we added you, Abby, to the mix, that fear was not as crippling. You got the benefits of a much more relaxed early few years. Wait, no, as you grew, I soon realized that much of what was perfect for Molly, did not work for you. Again, OVERWHELMED, now I was having to learn two ways to parent. But again, one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, we figured it out. 

Days, months, years. Looking back now, they flashed by. 

I cannot tell you how many nights, I quietly slipped into your room, watching you sleep. (Yes, Abby, creepy stalker moment there) Standing there, praying that every thing I did, said, tried, lived out, was encouraging and effective in helping you grow into young women. I would soak in the details of each of you. The hair falling across your face. Abby, you sleep all balled up. Molly, you tend to sprawl a little more. As I would stand there, the enormous responsiblity of being your mother was OVERWHELMING. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

Then there was the whole thing of sharing you with others. You developed friendships. Played sports. Went to school. You learned to drive. You two have no idea how hard those things cause a mama to pray. Would you make good choices? Would you be responsible? Leaders? Followers? Was compassion and caring an intimate part of who you are? Would you stand up for what you believe? Would you stand up for yourself? Had I given you the right tools and strengths to not just survive, but to also thrive, as you ventured out into the world? OVERWHELMED. And again, one challenge at a time, one adventure at a time, we figured it out again. 

Now, there are serious "others" in your lives. We are on the cusp of totally new adventures in our lives. Molly, you are about to marry your "one" and again I pray hard. I have so much I want to share with you about the work involved in relationship but it really comes to this... 

There is your idea of a partnership. There is Ben's idea of it. If you each refuse to stubbornly hold onto that part that screams "do it MY way", you will find this beautiful section in the middle that really is a partnership. It requires work, change, compromise, compassion, acceptance, and patience, to find that, but once you do, it really can be a beautiful thing. But lots of days it will be OVERWHELMING. And again, one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, you two figure it out. 

Abby, you are still growing and learning and defining who you are. You will meet your own OVERWHELMING times. Those times when you are just not sure what to do. But I can promise that one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, you will figure it out. 

I am OVERWHELMED by so much right now. Planning and executing this DIY wedding. How to pay for _______ (fill in the blank). What to do about _____ (fill in blank again). But once again, one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, I will figure it out. 

What can I promise you with this letter? You are not alone. God is with you in those times. Your Daddy and I are but a phone call or a quick trip away. You have made good choices in friends. There are numerous "old people" in your circles who can give you wise advice in those OVERWHELMING times. Use those resources. Leaning and needing to lean are not negatives. I need to learn to do more of this myself. 

Remember --- way up there at the beginning of this letter --- you two are in my heart. That will NEVER change. The love of sharing my heart with you two is more than OVERWHELMING, it is OVERFLOWING. And no matter what the heavy OVERWHELMING things are in our lives, one more time, then the next one more time, then the next one, again, one day (sometimes even one second) at a time, we will figure it out. Then we get to look back and see that  no matter how OVERWHELMED we were at a certain time in our lives. That heart we shared, the love we have been blessed with, OVERFLOWED in ways that helped minimize OVERWHELMING. 

So breathe baby girls, and simply know that you are loved well beyond OVERWHELMING. 

I love you both --- MOM

SLOW MOVING TRAIN....

There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate. Robert Brault

My buddy MaryAnn has the same hoarding issue as I do. So late one night as texting was going on, we came to a plan. A collaboration so to speak. We will take turns for the next few months picking a word. Then we will make things out of our stash that reflect that word. The things we make will not be sent to each other. They are to be sold, given away, or kept. Our choice. We are doing this to try and use up stash, to inspire some focused time in our studios, etc.

I got to choose the word this month ---- CELEBRATE.


Random assorted pictures and commentary.

On the way over the causeway - we spotted a rainbow. It was stunning. We followed it over the marshes and almost all the way to the beach.



My dog thinks she is part human. She sleeps on her back. In reality she would prefer to sleep in this position with a blanket tucked under her chin. Mean ol' daddy won't let her on the sofa.

MaryAnn (see link above) send notes, cards, fun stuff. I have a hoarding problem. But in the last few months, I have been trying to overcome that issue. So when packages with little goodies arrive, I try to immediately put those things to use. The latest envelope came with these circles, punched from sewing pattern envelopes.

I gathered these up with a few things from the stash, and knowing that I was choosing the word CELEBRATE. I made tags. Drawing from the circles she sent, all of these have a "sewing" theme.

My favorite one. I used a thread card from a thrifted box of sewing stuffs. The hearts are stamped on pattern tissue and cut out. Even the hangers are from a strip of silk that at one time tied up a bundle of fabric.

I stamped the circles with lines to add a TO/FROM note or some journaling.

I am really embarrassed by the fact that I have a little jar on my shelf that has spool labels and the little sleeves off of embroidery floss. Come on, you guys understand, right?

BTW - these are big tags. almost 6" in the longer direction.

These will go in the materials I take to the art show this fall.

I put on a swimsuit and went into public. Both of my girls were stunned that I even owned a swimsuit. While I have several more pounds to lose ( like 30), I was only mildly self conscious at the beach. I also realized that I was far from the worst looking person out there.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT --- ladies, please walk by a mirror before you go to the beach. That is not a cute little "muffin top" above the bikini bottom, on some of you it was more like the whole loaf of bread. Also - a bikini top is really intended to cover more that just your nipples. Do not get me started on fat men and speedos.

AJ's seafood - on the river side of Tybee. A family favorite.

Both my girls were with us. Molly will be 20 in August, so these memories are going to become fewer and farther between. It was fun though, to all be together. A great trip.

When you are 5'8" and 6'0" and wear a size 4, you can definitely not worry about what a swimsuit looks like on you. My beautiful athletes.

I told you - random babble.

Much love.

I have a beautiful life.

Hello there ---

Picture is a scan of a vintage card front. Grab it if you wish. Put please give credit if you do.

Good morning. Super spy top secret project work continues. So another posting without MaggieGrace goodness. But she is back and she is being very inspired and productive.

I said on my facebook last night that I am different now. Some people are worried about that. Let me clear up some things. I ain't depressed. Actually far from it. I feel blessed and fortunate and very happy. I just find myself having low tolerance for petty bull shit stuff. College Girl and I went to eat yesterday - IHOP - mmmmm. We were well after 'normal" lunch hours getting there. Staff is at a minumum at this time and they are focused on getting ready for the dinner hours, I know this from being a waitress in my younger days. A few late eaters were scattered through the dining area, one waitress was serving the entire area, and service was a little slow. The people at the table next to us complained for the entire time we were there - it grated on my nerves to the nth degree. Not the slower service - I understood that - but the whining about it. I am fighting myself constantly to keep from saying what I really think to those kind of folks.

Today is not the kind of day to be around that - all my censor circuits and filters seem to be shut down. Some sort of "malfunction" that would find me telling said people something like this ...

IF YOU WANTED FAST FOOD THERE''S DAMN DRIVE THRU WINDOW AT THE JOINT NEXT DOOR!!!!!! PUL EESE STOP COMPLAINING.

Thats what I mean by different. The good news is that the maintenance crew (ie my facebook circle, my cyber buddies from blogland and some local peeps) is working on my malfunctioning circuitry.

Off the soapbox --- sorry.

Now for some linky linky loves.

College Girl - my oldest daughter - Molly. You guys know her thru this blog from my perspective. I think she is bright, witty, beautiful - on and on. But she is my daughter and I kinda am biased in my opinions. But yesterday she spent the morning at my office with me, getting my help (yup that is funny) on setting up her own blog. Now you can all form your own opinion of my daughter. I am going to ask (beg) for you guys to link over there and welcome her to blogland. She picked a cool blog title too.......

Not All Those who Wander Are Lost....

Another one. My loverly niece, Alli, is a soon to be graduate from SCAD. She's thinking on moving to the upper west coast after graduation - look out Jen. I think she will be very successful as a jewelry artist. She has her blog and has posted some new pieces. Go take a look over here... If any one wants to gift me, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Emerson Piece.

Alli Hall

One last one. College Girl shared this with me yesterday. This young lady is not only a talented fashion designer, she does the softest most gorgeous pictures. Most def an eye candy site. Take off over here. That first picture of her on the BEACH post takes my breath away.

Esther - From the Sticks

There you go, some linky love. I promise, take the trips, they are well worth it.

Have a wonderful day.

I have a beautiful life.

All about the shoes..........

Several things occurred in my temporary Kidney Cancer Vacation. One of which was prom. Softball Princess first prom - College Girl's 3rd. College Girl is dating a young man who is still in High School.

There will be more posts about prom to come, but this one is just about a fun little detail.


College Girl's bare tootsies. Standing in the covered bridge at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Take note she is dead on 6 feet tall in this format.


She is barefooted because strolling out on a covered bridge in these was not exactly comfy or safe. Add 5 inch heels to a 6 foot tall girl and she is imposing. But that's her - prissy and frou frou and very feminine in her attire.

Softball Princess - is beautiful too. But some what more practical in her attire and lifestyle. She's a serious athlete and you can tell that by looking at her. But prom night she was stunning. Every girl deserves to feel and look like a princess on those special occasions. Again more of that in the next few days.

When we bought the dress, we bought the very first one she tried on. I knew it too. The smile on her face told the entire story. It fit and it made her feel great. She came to me later to ask about shoes. She knew what she wanted but wanted me to be okay with it. Her choice.......



Yup - converse sneakers. Bright shiny white canvas, with a really pretty black and silver print on the flap. The barefoot boy also sacrificed and wore the traditional white loafers with his tux.

So there you got it. A portrait of my girls' personalities summed up perfectly in one shot. I love this picture. How about you guys????

This last one is an oops - that I love too. College Girl and Sam walking out of the bridge. I love the silhouette effect this one has. (yes Jennifer you can snag it.) Notice - she is still carrying those sandals.

More to come as I slowly catch up.

Have a wonderful day.

ED information available here.

So sorry about that on my last post comments. I exercised my right to delete the offending comment this morning, but we were out of town all weekend and I never turned on a computer so I was unaware. If any of you were helped by the links left by anonymous in my comments, you are welcome. I have no idea why I am being spammed by those kinds of comments. The phone call to the man at my address was equally funny - I asked him if he was researching medications for this particular male problem on my computer. Boy was he pissed. Maybe because the conversation went like this.

Me: I have a question.

The man: what - in that tone that means he "knows" a fight is about to start.

Me: Do you have a need for long term erec*&%)? Are we having a problem that I haven't been made aware of?

The man: WTF?

Me: Is there some sweet young thing needing more from you?

The man: WTF?

Me: I've been spammed with adds for drugs to help with such problem. Though I would forward links if you need me to.

The man: WTF? Ah: No: Damn: Stammer --- stutter --- freak out.

Me: I'll take that as a you don't have a clue ---- Bye.

I know he is shaking his head and still wondering what this phone call was about.

"Poor ol' Charles" -- that would be one of the phrases to insert here. It has to be awful living with me at times.

Now for real stuff.


Spoons - for the Artist Market.

If there is frost on the grass, it is too cold for softball. Each afternoon was stunning though. Two days of watching girls do skills drills for college coaches. Sorry - this was boring for mom. Dad enjoyed it.

I did however really enjoy the few minutes we spent listening to this gentleman, Bill Lightle, read from his book Mill Daddy: The Life and Times of Roy Davis. We happened upon an authors show in the park in Dahlonega, GA on Saturday and sat and listened to Bill read from his book and give additional anecdotes about the book. The Man was bored to death with this little show, but since I was being drug to this sleepy mountain town against my will for the weekend, I played the "you are gonna do this" card and so we listened. You can insert "poor ol' Charles" here too.

I also bought 1 tiny bag of buttons ($4.00 total) and passed up one item I really, really wanted (still do). The antique store we were in had a pharmacy spindle full of old prescriptions. I didn't have $100.00 to spend on papers to look at, so I passed, but only after returning several times to the booth to drool.

Got in a little exercise (walking) and worked hard to eat right. I have managed to lose those few pounds that I had put back on.

I can't believe that we are searching for the right fit on a college for my baby. Seems like just yesterday she was keeping us up all night as a baby. Now she is driving herself and getting ready to leave my nest. Where did all those years go?

Have a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday - Mr Charles

Yesterday was The Man at My Address birthday. So a large group of our friends decided to meet at 6pm yesterday and throw him a party. Just so you know - they threw the exact same kind of party for our anniversary this past Monday ----

Last night I took pictures.



This one above is of Bryan - operating the hose from the sewer pump truck.



Not real sure who chose to show his arse. This hose is attached to a shop vac.

There were water games and mud wrestling activities. Several folks did participate.

Not real sure what those gloves are for - he is standing in 4 inches of mud and water at home plate. Damn - there's that arse again.

This was scene of the party --- this could go on for hours.

Yes -- for the third time -- this crew had to move LOTS of water off the softball field. There is no maintenance crew for this. Parents, coaches, players, all have a role. We are fortunate that one of the girls' dad owns a pumper truck business. There is no drought in our area any longer.

Tonight - we play two - hopefully we will win both and be done for a few days.

MaggieGrace has been sick. Early in the bed sniffling, sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever sick. I have avoided all contact with softball girlios - even my own - trying to keep all of them healthy for the Sate Tourney Finals next week.

Have a wonderful weekend.

College Girl

College Girl is home on her fall break. Morman Boy had a paper to work on and College Girl had a church project that she has found herself some what in a leadership role on. So she spent yesterday at home and then most of last night too.



She took over my studio and painted this bigger piece for the Penumbra Show. We are involved in this show because the Morman Boy's mom is the organizer of it. Anyway Jennifer has tried to get Molly to create a work for the show and she finally relented. I love this - it is a larger version of the one she painted for me back at Christmas. The sunrise or sunset glow at the bottom is stunning to me. Would it be wrong of me to purchase this just cause I like it??

Then she asked me to help her with her church project. She works with the younger girls and they are learning to sew. They picked out an A-Line skirt pattern for this beginning class. Already some valuable lessons are being learned.

College Girl is a size 6 really long jeans. But this pattern runs small. She bought a size 10 and we had to add to the measurements to make it fit my missy. I showed her how to do that and where and we cut out fabric.

Then a lesson in cussing the machine. Yes - she became well aquainted with that activity. This is a cheap WalMart Machine that I have had for years. It is functional but temperamental. Hence -- cussing required. (Please disregard the pile of crap in the background - it is destined for the studio but just has not made that trek. )

The pattern included two things I would have avoided if possible.

A zipper -- this machine has no zipper foot and they do not make one to fit it. Remember - I quilt and craft sew. I have no need for a zipper foot. A quick phone call to my Mama gave me the trick of hand sewing the zipper into place and then you can zip and unzip to get the tab out of the way. She did a pretty good job of putting this in for her very first zipper.

The other thing is darts - four of them bad boys. We measured and pinned. Her OCD tendencies were not a good match for my "winging it" style of doing some things, so a lot of compromise was required. I could not find my white chalk pencil, so she quickly learned that a bar of Ivory soap will work in a pinch on that dark fabric.

The finished view a la model pose.

It actually fits really well. We will be working on the hand stuff tonight. Hook/eye and hemming. Then she wants to put a skinny black velvet ribbon around the bottom. Not too bad for a very first garment.

I'll try to get a picture of her when they complete all the skirts and have the fashion show.

I had a wonderful time with her last night. She is fun to hang out with.

I have a beautiful life.

Man - I slept great

Not one step into the studio last night. Softball - we won - then I stayed and helped with the cleanup at the end of the night. When I got in the car, College Girl had called wondering where I was. She was home and wanted to talk. I have missed the kind of conversation we had last night. Real, involved, wonderful. I know she is growing up, and my function as her Mom is changing, but it felt so good to have that time together last night. She kept saying "I know you want to get to the studio, but just a few more minutes." So guess what - I took all those minutes I could.

I had both my chickies home in the nest and it was wonderful. I snuggled into my bed, knowing that all was right in my world.




The photo above is the first step in my Penumbra project. The name of this one should give you an idea of where I am headed. This one will be called "the world was her stage". Penumbra is derived from two Latin words meaning almost shadow and I have had this sihouette idea for a long time. The shape is covered with cancelled postage stamps from many countries and I have an idea to cover the back. I'll trim this tonight and show you tomorrow what the silhouette shape is. My favorite stamp is almost dead center - the orange floral one and I have a few more to put into some soldered charms.

Something happened to Softball Princess last night that has never before. She has been playing defense only for several games - struggling with her bat right now. But last night Coach pulled the girl batting in her position and subbed Abby in. Not knowing what was going on, the opposing coach deliberately walked my child. Catcher standing to the side and taking 4 pitches. Every one around us cracked up. This is one of the most unlikely batters to be walked. After the game, I called LBF and caught him up on the outcome. I asked Abby if she wanted to tell him about being walked like that since it was so unusual. Using her dry and twisted sense of humour, she responded "nah, let's just pretend like it happens all the time." TOOO FUNNY.

Here's a candid of The Man at my Address watching his baby girl play ball. He runs the sound system for the announcer and the music at the games. This man loves softball and even more important, this man loves his girls.

Taking 1/2 day off to watch more softball today and hopefully tomorrow.

Ya'll have a wonderful evening.

Days 25,26,27

I got pictures completely non related to MaggieGrace work. It continues, but there was so much more beauty to my life this weekend. So this is a beautiful life celebration post.

A dog crate is a beautiful thing. Poca ate the corner off my red leather recliner one day last week, so a crate became a priority. We found a used one to buy for a great price. Brought it home and put her in it - she took to the idea effortlessly. We call it her "room" and treat her when she cooperates with the process. Other people have told us this was the way to go, but I am still amazed.

We also visited with my inlaws on Saturday. Veggie soup -- yummy -- try adding a small jalapeno pepper to your personal soup recipe, just enough spice to warm it up nicely.

We talked to Grandmother and Granddaddy about a family history project that Softball Princess is working on for school. Just wait - we got a cool post later in the week about a wedding reception.


Have you ever gone and cut muscadines - the smell of ripe and fermenting overripe grapes is heady. Granddaddy is a man of fairly few words. We went to the grapevines and cut some. He showed me how to cut bunches and presort the over ripe ones before adding them to my bucket. Ask him about his garden and orchards and he is full of information.

He certainly looks many years younger than he is. I was happy and enjoying the time with him (in the drizzle) cutting these berries. We cut two gallons that I brought home, washed and dried. I don't make jelly, we just bring home jars made by Grandmother from their house.

Look at these loaded vines. Certainly looks like fall here.

Golden - sweet - yummy. We will eat these for days. Just grabbing a few off the counter.

Okay - subject change here.

When I decided to build MaggieGraceWorld, one of my definites on the wish list was that it feel welcoming to anyone who wanted to come and spend time there. Softball Princess is working on that family history project and also had to make a poster for the MCHS Softball Senior Night. She invited her friend Cortney to come over and work on the poster. They spent the entire afternoon in the studio working.

Look... two beautiful girls.

MaggieGraceWorld has become everything I hoped it would. They were happy and comfy there. The music was a little (okay - a lot) different than I would have chosen, the topics being discussed a generation apart. But this little section of my world is just about perfect. I left and went to the grocery store; on the way I thought about how my home and studio has expanded to fit my family and their friends. The same way our hearts expand to fit those same people.

My house is not fancy, nor is my studio. Neither is huge. But it doesn't matter. My heart and home and life have the ability to stretch and grow and welcome those we love. I am so glad to have every one of these "real world" people in my life, just as I am so glad to have my friends here.

No matter what, I recognize and I praise God for the fact that I DO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE. I am so so blessed.

Have a wonderful day.

Day 14 - time for an increase in prayer

Day 14 has been eventful and productive. Let me start by explaining the title of this post. The Softball Princess is now a fully legal under 21 driver. Got those license this morning and drove herself to school in the rain. Scary - the first time out by herself and it is raining. Thus my prayer time and staying up late worrying time just took a dramatic increase in intensity.

She also got her high school class ring last night at the ring ceremony. I am a bad parent - got no pictures of that.

Mommy update over.


These are the two journals that gave me the most grief. I wanted to use the wooden letters and then it was a struggle to find stuff in my stash to really work with the paper I covered the letters in. The little monkey face is a cheap plastic game like you would get in a bubble gum machine. It has little spots to drop the little balls into. The monkey is glued to a library pocket, so the owner can put notes into it (I'm making one for me with this feature - for my grocery lists, etc.) Once I got on track, I really like how these came out. Thinking teacher gifts here.

The journal on the left also gave me a little problem. Attaching the snowflakes to the tag. They are charms and had the little place for a jump ring that looked funny. After much pondering, I simply cut the little loops off and glued these in place. Problem solved.

The last two that are now complete. Damn I hate it when you finish something to sell and then fall in love. The baby picture is a scan of an "adopted relative" photo I thrifted. I made the little crochet flowers. The watch faces on the second one are vellum scrapbook embellishments. I have a question - is there a trick to working with vellum? I spent a long time cussing because it wanted to roll up on the edges. I used a vintage post card back - just because it was a great graphic. The calipers are a Rebecca Sower designed sticker that came from somewhere.

Now before I go, I want you to go see what the world's coolest grandmother did for her Sugarwings grandbaby. I met Karla at the En Le Jardin art workshop and she is such a sweet person. Talented - yes. Funny - yes. Loves that baby - no doubt in my mind. While you are over there look at the archives for the fairy trail she made for the same baby girl. I will definitely keep this little paper towel trick up my sleeve for future reference.

I have a beautiful life. Yes the stress of teen drivers just increased, but it is still a beautiful life. Y'all have a fabulous day.

Driving Mom (crazy)

A wonderful Fathers Day meal. Since my dad is gone, we spent the afternoon with The Man's family. Visiting, laughing, teasing, sharing, loving. It was a wonderful afternoon.

Softball Princess drove us home. This is the view from my seat in the second row of the Expedition. We only had a little issue - namely a turn taken way too fast for Mom and Dad. Even he grabbed his "oh SH*&" handle on that one. I must have been more comfy, because I took pictures and video while she drove. She still has to take her Joshua Law driver ed training before she can take her final exam.

We do have rules that go with her driving me. She can't roll her eyes and say "I got THIS" ( every mother of teens has heard that phrase with the eye roll, right?) - I can say anything I want to. The two most common phrases that I utter are "Abby - Brakes" and "YOU ARE TO CLOSE TO THE EDGE".

I also utter (scream) those phrases to the man when he drives too.

Another Mom was talking about this stuff on Saturday. She thinks we have got it all together since we have an older child. Here is an open comment for Belinda - "go ahead and start praying now, the easiest day was the day you brought her home from the hospital. We don't have any big secrets, we have just cussed more, yelled more, been scared more, and prayed more prayers than you have at this point."

Enjoy the video - have a wonderful day.

Laws of Nature (and Moms)

My morning started with this on my Facebook

Please tell me that our girl was at home this morning?!?

This entry courtesy of College Girl's Boyfriend's Mom.

She was at home when I got up late to go to the bathroom.

Seems there has been some curfew "stretching" and other irresponsible behaviors by the young couple.

I woke said College Girl up to discuss the matter(s). I expected "re-entry" issues when she came back from college for the summer. We have all been playing nice - but today - MOM HAS SPOKEN. It was time - it was not fun - it has "ruined her day". Oh well - this too shall pass.

Just like the stamens falling off my magnolia blossom, life happens. There are good days and challenging days, but the cycle must continue. Teens and young adults have to learn life's lessons. Moms and Dad's have to grow and learn to parent at each new level of maturity the child gets to.

This is a learning experience every day. It's exciting to see my girls grow and change and mature.

A later message included this comment about College Girl --

"She is perfectly well-behaved with me--respectful and helpful, and if I tell her something directly, she is compliant.And she does a damned fine job of sweeping my floors, btw! "

She may be a young adult, but it is nice to have good feedback about how she treats others.

Time and gravity have are starting to show their effects on these gorgeous blooms .(the same thing is happening to my body - LOL) They are still beautiful to me. Look at the detail in those stamens (don't they look like wooden matches?) Time is moving on in my children's growth. I'm choosing to try and enjoy every new experience (and challenge) as a mom and to remember that this is a beautiful cycle in life.

Have a wonderful day ---