Inspired by an incredible interlude with my long lost mojo, this morning…I hope it lasts…I blame Tara 🙂
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
Freshly-Brewed Elsewhere: Robin Wilson Home – Hypoallergenic Bedding Collection & Down Alternative Luxury Bed Pillow Giveaway [takes deep breath] because allergies suck wet poodle!
My oldest daughter started her FIRST part-time job last week (THANKYOUBABYJESUS!) so, I've been driving her to and from work, after school.
Her job is about 20-30 minutes further south, depending on traffic (which is how we measure driving distance here in Jersey) and, considering we live along the busiest highways leading to the Jersey Shore, it is a bit of a hairy commute.
Which is pretty much the reason why I drive my oldest daughter to/home from work.
Yes, she has her driver's license (SOB!) however, we only have the one car to share between us and, well, you know.
She is saving up for a down payment on a non-minivan and, at this rate, she'll be lucky enough to be able to afford gas for the gosh-darned thing; not to mention car insurance and clean underwear.
We live in Jersey, enough said.
It's really not all that bad (mostly) she works twice a week (for now) and every other weekend and my husband can help with that, unless, you know, he's working that weekend UGH!
I'm just glad the timing happens to work out well with my youngest daughter's softball schedule.
Plus, my middle two are bused (AND THEN THE ANGELS BEGAN TO SING!) so, no more worries about getting them to and from school.
My youngest, on the other hand, is still a walker (which is an oxymoron, because she still gets to and from school, in a vehicle, really) however, we have a mutually agreed upon meeting place that does NOT involve my having to actually enter the school parking lot.
I learned of it from a few other parents who also have this thing about school parking lots.
Plus, there's this one particular boy who insists on carrying Hope's book bag and, honestly, it's sort of cute.
Except maybe on Tuesdays and Thursday.
BEEEEEEEEEEP! BEEP! BEEEEEEEEEEP!
[squints at clock]
"C'MMMMMMMMMMMMON!!!!
Okay, most definitely NOT on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
"We have to get Holly to work!!!!"
However, I don't know which is funnier: the look on the other kid's face?!?
"GAH!!! I FORGOT!!!"
Or, his hauling ass after my kid…STILL holding her book bag…each AND every time?!?
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
My son came home from school the other day, threw his backpack into the dining room, I asked him how his day went (fine) if he had any homework (no) and if he was sure he did not have any homework (uh, wait a minute, I dunno, maybe) he's 13, enough said.
"Oh, and hugging is now against the rules in the middle school."
Seriously, I thought he was kidding.
"No, seriously mom, they made an announcement and everything."
Aaaand, two questions immediately came to mind:
While visiting with another dear bloggy-type friend (Hey, Sue!) before heading home (SOB!) she drives you to one of her favorite photo walks, turns the corner and you cover your mouth with your hand…trying REAL HARD not to swallow your gum.
While on your way home and at the risk of being called out as an Out-of-Stater (or, Stay-tah if you're from New England) you randomly pull over, take a few minutes to balance yourself on the driver's side seat, hoping you remembered to pull the parking break (ahem) then hold your breath and try to capture that very moment…in one heartbeat or less.
Okay, maybe two…I blame Sue.
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House
I promised my oldest that we would go prom dress hunting this weekend (SOB!) and just so there was no question on whether or not she would keep me to that promise, see pic above.
So, when my husband Garth (not his real name) and I got back from taking Doofus-Dawg to the dog park yesterday afternoon (whole other blog post, will save it for another time, you're welcome!) the girls and I headed out to the mall.
Actually, it was Holly's idea to invite her sisters along (NOT MINE!) and, well, if you have EVER had the pleasure of shopping with teenagers (bonus points if they happened to be girls) then, you know.
Even my youngest was all, like, "You mean you WANT me to go prom dress shopping with you, on purpose?!?"
At 10 years-old she knows: going to senior prom is a REALLY BIG DEAL. She's a girl. They figure this sort of stuff out REAL FAST. Trust me. I've got 3 of them (girls, I mean) and they talk, you know?
Still, shopping in the junior's department can be a little scary. Plus, I've heard stories.
My husband, Garth (not his real name) had a local Chamber of Commerce thingy to attend last night and, considering it was held at one of our favorite pubs, I'm thinking perhaps it's high time I joined the Chamber of Commerce.
Clearly, those Chamber of Commerce folks know how to, you know, thingy.
Aaaaanyway, Garth (NHRN) and I have been feeling a little estranged, lately (okay, for the last 18 years) but not on purpose, or anything.
We have 4 kids. 3 of whom are teens. Enough said.
Aaaaanyhow, I thought it would be fun to send him a few flirtatious texts to, you know, shake his thingy up a bit.
So, I sent him this:
I had exactly one week to plan my Bloggy Little Roadtrip #G2NO to visit my friend Sue in Cape Cod (you know, she lives in a hamlet, hates lobster) and by that I mean wrestling with mother's guilt (which never gets old, btw, sorry!) and tuning into The Weather Channel 24/7.
It's like Mother Nature is going all pre-menopausal here on the East Coast and, well, my luck (or, lack thereof) I would make it ALL THE WAY THROUGH CONNECTICUT (sorry, driving through non-stop traffic in such a long state requires UPPERCASE not to mention a few choice expletives) only to get stuck in a snow storm in Massachusetts.
Or, snow stahm (if you're from Massachusetts) either way, I HATE DRIVING IN SNOW!!!
Thankfully, I made it up to Sue's house relatively unscathed. Although, I did leave a piece of my bladder in most of Connecticut and there really should be an express lane to Sue's house.
Good thing the snow didn't hit the proverbial fanbelt until Day 2!
The morning I left for My Bloggy Little Roadtrip #G2NO (Friday, I think!) three out of four of the kids were off from school — my 16yo attends a specialized high school, they run on a slightly different schedule and no she was NOT happy about it — but, my son was still VERY upset.
"I had a dream that you died."
Grrrrrreat…best send off…EVUH…right?!?
"Is there something you're not telling us, Mom?"
Even if there was, it wouldn't matter, teenagers will make up their own stories.
"Like, do'ya have some sort of disease?"
See what I mean?
"An incurable flesh-eating disease or something?"
[eyes go wide]
"Aaaand, you're going away so we don't have to watch?"
A bit extreme, I know (even for a 13yo boy) still, I guess it's sort of difficult for the kids to understand, knowing how much I hate…Hate…HAte…HATe…HATE to drive in traffic (seriously, it's tour-chuh!)
So, why would I even consider driving 6 hours to go and visit with my friend Sue up in Cape Cod and, you know, NOT take them with me?
Because, my husband Garth (NHRN) made me do it (yes, I'm keeping him!) Although, he didn't have to try and convince me, all that hard, really.
I first met my bloggy-friend Sue IRL (in real life and from behind the computer screen) while attending BlogHer 2009 and, right away, it became clear to me that we were very much alike.
Okay, except maybe for the fact that Sue has blonde hair while I'm…hang on a second…(looks in mirror)…a brunette (this month, anyway!)
Aaaaanyways, she lives in a hamlet. No, really, they have them up there in Cape Cod, MA. Or, you may know it as Cape Cad (if you're from New England) also, Cape Cawd (if you're from Jersey).
Also, Sue does not like lobster. Or, lab-stah (like they say it over thah, in Cape Cad) also, lawb-stuh (if you're from Jersey) YO, what's wrong wit-chews?!?
Aaaaanyways, I LOVE CAPE COD (et al)!
My husband and I honeymooned there, we've taken our children along (after the honeymoon, of course!) on many family vacations, together with friends and even celebrated my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary where Sue lives…you know…up thah…in Cape Cad.
It's our pretend home!
Sooooo, when Sue and I were finally introduced in Chicago, by a mutual friend who lives in Chicago (go figure) and after hanging out at BlogHer 2010 (figuratively speaking, of course, as far as I remember, anyways) we promised to try and get together the next time we found ourselves…up thah…in Cape Cad.
Okay, I'll stop with the various pronunciations now, my mouth hurts.
The following summer, our ENTIRE CLAN invaded her little hamlet and had some really great lobster. Except for Sue, of course. She hates lobster, remember? Which is sort of weird, since she does live in a fishing village. It really and truly is a pretty little hamlet.
Great, now I'm hungry.
Aaaaanyways, I am SOOOOO EXCITED to be visiting with Sue and her clan for the weekend (WHOOT!)
I'm leaving on Friday and perhaps may be on the road, right this very minute, depending on when you're reading this…[waving to you, from a rest stop no doubt]…but, this time…I will be clan-less.
My husband, Garth (not his real name) has generously volunteered to hold down the fort (yes, I'm keeping him!) while I take my bloggy little roadtrip…you know…on the road and spend a Girls' 2 Nights Out with my anti-lobster friend Sue.
Although, I am a little nervous about it. Did I mention, Cape Cod is 4 states away and about a 5 hour drive from Jersey?
Aaaaand, if you're still all, like, "Meh, big deal," then you have NEVER had the distinct displeasure of driving through the ENTIRE state of Connecticut…YO, what's wrong wit-chews?!?
Sorry about that, you can take the girl out of Jersey…etc…
Aaaaanyways, I'll be Twitter-ing and Facebook-ing along the way (I get lonely driving by myself) during my various pit stops (and thirsty) so, wish me luck, as I head out on my adventure and I'll see you soon.
You and your pretty little hamlet too, Sue!!!
(P.S. Oh my gosh, Sue just posted a Facebook pic of my pretend bedroom for the next couple of days!)
(P.P.S. Wonder if Garth NHRN would mind it much if I ammeded the hashtag to #G6NO?)
(P.P.P.S. I'm kidding, Garth NHRN…sort of!)
© 2003 – 2012 This Full House