This Full House Archive

Tag: raising teens and tweens

  • Mom’s Thinking Place

    We've inherited several pieces of furniture over the years (okay, mostly ALL of it) and I often times find myself describing our home as being decorated in Early American Garage Sale.

    Most recently, 2 overstuffed recliners that belonged to my parents.

    Because of their declining mobility, they've chosen to downsize their livingroom, which, means we've upgraded to new-ish furniture.

    Mom's Thinking PlaceBut, this chair, right here, is what my youngest likes to call Mom's Thinking Place.

    Besides the bathroom, it is my favorite place to regroup, relax and reconnect with myself.

    Especially, in the early morning hours, while my mind is still quiet and I enjoy the nothingness that exists between sleep-encrusted eyes.

    No, it's not the trendiest or even prettiest of chairs, I know.

    Still, even the dog seems to sense its specialness (above all the other pieces of furniture he's otherwise quick to claim, as his own) and, well, I just love that, you know?

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

      Feed me, see more!!

  • Reason #21,123,166 Why I Would Be an Epic #FAIL on Fear Factor

    14 days into NaBloPoMo and, well, NOW I remember why I have never NaBloPoMo-ed before.

    This blogging every day thing is hard, man (for me, anyways) however, it's been a great writing exercise (so far) especially, this time of year, when my head could always do with a good, you know, brain dump-ing.

    You're welcome!

    Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going. 

    Today's prompt is a guest post by Ricki Lake:

    I was terrified to go on DWTS, but facing my fear and overcoming it has been an incredible experience. Have you faced fears and overcome them?

    (more…)

  • Keeping Our Options Open, Since 1993

    Brookdale Path

    We took our 18 year-old to an open house at one of the local colleges here in Jersey, this afternoon.

    Key words, rocking my world at the moment, in that last sentence being:  18 year-old and college.

    Yesterday, I became a mother of an 18 year-old woh…woh…WHOA!…man, sorry, but I cannot seem to wrap my head around the fact that my oldest baby girl is 18. 

    Today, we visited with college representatives = fuel to the fire for an especially emotionally-gifted person, like me.

    Thankfully, I had other things on my mind like:

    • Wow, look at ALL these expensive cars!
    • Wonder if she would mind driving a minivan to school?
    • Oh, look at ALL the pretty trees!
    • Are there enough lights in this parking lot?
    • Uh-oh, where's the bathroom again?

    Okay, that last one?  Too much coffee.  Not enough sleep.  Enough said.

    "What course of study would you recommend we follow?"

    Aaaaand, by we, of course I meant, our kid (fyi:  when talking about your kid, as long as we have, it's sort of hard NOT to speak in the first person) however, long story, short (you're welcome) that bridge, you know, the one we said we would cross when we came to it?

    Not only is RIGHT HERE in front of us.

    "Well, taking into consideration the present economy, I recommend all students keep their options open."

    That sucker just got way BIGGER.

    "Oh, look, let's check out the student center!"

    All things considered, we are way excited for her.

    "Oh, look, THIS would be the perfect place to sit, have coffee, talk and, you know, maybe even save the world!"

    [blank stare]

    "Or, maybe that's just me?"

    [grin]

    "Hey, maybe we could take some classes, together?"

    Would you believe:  her words, not mine? 

    "Trust me, you wouldn't want me hanging around for long."

    Because, in a less than perfect world, we ARE…that is to say…I am a force to be reckoned with.

    Or, maybe she was just humoring me.

    "Well, obviously, NOT together, in the same room, or anything, Mom."

    Aaaaand, I figured that out without a college degree AND everything.

    Stupid economy, dumbass bridge.

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

      Feed me, see more!!

  • Whoa, man, she’s 18!

    It's official, as of 4:30 this morning, I am the mother of an 18 year-old, as in, you know, a fully grown adult female.

    Lump, meet throat.

    Although, my husband Garth (NHRN) and I knew this day would come way, way too fast (we were right, dammit) aaaaaand, now that is here, well, DAMMIT!

    Whoa, man, she's 18!
    I'm still getting used to the idea of Holly as a teenager (sort of) but, you know what?  I don't mind it so much.  Not that I have a choice, or anything. 

    Beeeecause, no matter how hard I try and will my baby girl back (to about hip level) there is no use denying it, my oldest HAS grown into a beautiful woh, woh, woh, D'OH!!!

    Whoa, man, I swear, I got this.

    [clears throat]

    18 years to prepare for this VERY moment and, still, I've managed to muck it all up with silly, overly-cliché sentiments, like, MAH BAY-BEE GIRL IS ALL GROWED-UP AND EVERYTHING!

    Then again, now that she IS an adult (SOB!) being an embarrassment to a grown up child just isn't as much fun, anymore.

    HowEVER, seeing as I am ALSO celebrating my 18th Motherversary, I feel it safe to say that it's just too gosh-darned late to worry about propriety, at this point, really.

    Happy Momiversary to Me!

    Because, I seemed to have raised myself a new best friend, for life and, you know what else, I'm okay with that, too, you know?!?

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

      Feed me, see more!!

  • Honoring ALL Who Served & Uncle Bud

    Glen and Uncle Bud 2004Glen and his Uncle Bud:  Deployment of the Troops Ceremonies, 2004

    Funny, light-hearted and totally lovable, Steve is an amazing person.  Not long after this photo was taken, my twin brother lost a kidney to cancer (the bitch!)

    Still, you'd never know it.

    He's the sort of person who, after only a few minutes of conversation, you can't help but like the man and then, amazingly, come away feeling a little lighter in spirit.

    Trust me, I know.  Steve is a constant inspiration to the troops he's trained, the men and women who serve alongside him and, most especially, their families, who sacrifice a little piece of their hearts, every day.

    Not ONLY because it is his job, it's how he rolls.

    With love and appreciation to all who served:  most especially, thank you, Uncle Bud!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, this month (first time NaBloPoMo-er) feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, thus far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

      Feed me, see more!!

  • We Could Write a Bad Romance

    10 days into NaBloPoMo and, well, NOW I remember why I have never NaBloPoMo-ed before.

    This blogging every day thing is hard, man (for me, anyways) however, it's been a great writing exercise (so far) especially, this time of year, when my head could always do with a good, you know, brain dump-ing.

    You're welcome!

    Aaaaaanyway, the cool thing about NaBloPoMo-ing is that there are daily prompts to help get my blogging juices going. 

    Today's prompt is:

    What is your secret (or not-so-secret) passion?

    [blushing]

    Okay, I've got one and would you believe that it's NEVER been blogged either?!?

    (more…)

  • A Different Kind of “Dear John” Letter

    I received a very lovely email from a long, lost high school buddy (Hi John!) and if you appreciate my avoiding using the word "old," then you are probably a border-line baby boomer, like me, right?!?

    Aaaaanyway, it's been fun catching up (via Facebook) and learning a little about our respective family life, like, oh, I don't know, how difficult it can be, raising teenage girls.

    STILL IS: most especially, if you live in my house and happen to be the dad, which brings to mind the discussion, early this morning.

    Heads up, John, you're gonna LOVE this one:

    (more…)

  • I.M. Tired, But You Can Call Me Bro[o]ke!

    Not for nothing (Jersey speak translated as: FWIW) it's 5-something in the afternoon (I think) and this is the first time I've sat down, ALL DANGED DAY.

    Color me tired.

    Aaaaaand, not so much in a, "Look how busy I am," sort of way (aren't we all?) but, more like, "DANGIT, I should weigh at least 30 pounds less!"

    I mean, Brooke Burke may be the hottest mother of 4 (DAGNABIT!) today, I got dibs on being the tiredest.

    Also, 2 of them woke up sick and I know what you're thinking:

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  • Life in the Past Lane

    Bradi and Great-GrandmotherMy twin brother and our great grandmother in Hungary 1966

    I've been researching my family tree for quite a while, now — around the same time I started blogging, actually — and it's all my mother-in-law's fault.

    My getting hooked on genealogy, I mean (HI MOM!) she reads my blog, sometimes.

    Thompsons have fought in the American Revolution, helped bury victims from the Titanic on the shores of Nova Scotia, my mother-in-law's brother was one of the original Flying Tigers during WWII and they've went as far back as tracing their lines to the early 1600's.

    Me?

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  • She Ain’t Heavy, She’s Like a Little Brother

    Glen and Hope

    My son was a little over 2 years-old when Hope was born.  So, needless to say, Glen's toddlerhood is a bit of blur.

    However, I do remember diapers (lots and lots of diapers) also, projectile vomitting played a pivotal role in my believing that I had lost my mind, along with the senses of smell and taste, FOREVER.

    Long story short (you're welcome!) as far as my husband Garth (NHRN) and I were concerned, 4 was and still is our magic number:  everyone has a riding buddy on the roller coaster.

    Still, every year, my son would ask for a baby brother for Christmas or his birthday and most especially whenever Hope managed to get on his last nerve.

    Which is when I would point out that Hope was very much like a little brother, already, really.

    Today, she has NO trouble keeping up with her brother AND his friends, as evidenced by their conversation at the dinner table, Friday night.

    (more…)