So long Summer

It's Sunday night, the kids are finally asleep, (they go back to school tomorrow!) and I am depressed as hell! Where did the summer go?
I remember as a kid summer used to last for a year!
We would be gone from sunup til the streetlights came on - we would check in with Mom and Dad for an occasional meal, a fix of a bump or scrape, maybe a quarter so we could walk down to the store to get a popsicle, and be right back out again! But I do know that by the time August rolled around I was ready to go back. Now that I'm an adult it seems like it goes by in the blink of an eye.
I feel guilty too that my family didn't see much of me this summer. I haven't worked since my daughter was born, and this whole Avon thing has been a bit of an adjustment for all of us. I keep having to remind myself it will all be worth it when I'm an Executive Unit Leader and making 6 figure salaries. Soon, Trixie, soon!
Anyway, I know we did have some fun. I would have liked to take a major vacation, but it just wasn't in the cards. (Or the purse, for that matter!)
We like to take a lot of short trips during the summer, and this one we were able to take quite a few. The day after the kids got out, Andy had to go to Boston for a weekend work trip, and I was able to go with him. It was awesome-my first time in Boston!


It was a nice relaxing weekend with my bestest buddy....


I got my very first taste of real New England Clam Chowdah!!!






We also got to go to Cedar Point, for Andy's annual company picnic! It's always fun to go there, (especially since it's free!!)

It just so happened the day we went was Molly's 8th birthday, and Andy's boss stood up and announced "A special little girl is turning 8 today, let's wish her a happy birthday" and everyone clapped for her. She was so embarrassed, but very happy.

It's a shame, though, that Molly and I are the only ones who like roller coasters - Andy and Alex hate them! But at least we were all able to ride the train! After Cedar Point we went on up to Michigan to visit the family. A great little mini vacation!













Alex got to play with his favorite cousin - Bailey the Retarded Squirrel! (Actually he's not a retarded squirrel - he's a very pampered Yorkie-Poo)


OH, and let's not forget, the Harry Potter Book 7 Release party! An awesome event, held in Hudson Ohio. Alex dressed up as a wizard, had total strangers coming up asking to take his picture!














We also took a day and went up to Lake Erie to walk on the beach. I couldn't believe how warm the water was! I was expecting it to be freezing like it is in Lake Michigan. A little cruddy, perhaps, but very warm! And as you can see, a gorgeous day!





I wish summer could last so much longer, that you could fit in everything in that you wanted to.

But now school is starting, Alex's first year of high school, Molly's third grade. It's time for me to start singing a big chorus of "Sunrise, Sunset". Yikes. I am such a sap.

The Death of Common Sense

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.

Obituary
Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a Band-Aid to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, sing his praises. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

A gift

Christina Aguilera and her newly preggers bod.

Don't really have anything funny or witty to say; just a gift for my husband. All for you baby - luvya.

Sweet.

One of my favorite all time Saturday Night Live sketches - Alex Trebek, (done so well by Will Farrell) with Sean Connery making fun of Alex, this just kills me every time. I came upon this vid on the internet, and I have new respect for Trebek. He rocks. :)

Stealing something else from Facebook

the "I hate Nicholas Cage with a Fiery Passion" group.

What we're about: This is a group for those of us who can't stand the lackluster acting, the slackjawed vacancy, the watery blue eyes, the unintelligible mutterings, or the long hangdog face of stupid Nicholas Cage. We hate his boring acting choices. We hate his pasty complexion. We hate that his only expression is an apathetic "You killed my puppy?" look of concern. We hate his receding hairline. And above all things, we wonder how anyone would ever believe that he could be a romantic interest. Ever.

Ok, I did join this one....
Seriously,....this was only one of many about Old Nick

I was digging through some old family pics

And I found Andy's and my wedding photo....aw...memories....

Frustration

My son is autistic. Don't know why that has always been so hard for me to say. He was diagnosed 12 years ago, you'd think I'd be ok with it by now. I remember it so clearly. Took him to preschool; I knew he wasn't talking but assumed it was because he wasn't around other kids much. Went to pick him up from school, after 1 week, his teacher says, "There's something wrong with him, don't bring him back." I detest that woman to this day. She was right to tell me, but could have handled it much better. Who wants to hear that, ya know?

I lucked out in the fact that I was able to get him help from the get-go. Had a friend who knew a speech pathologist, I had her come out to the house to evaluate him. This lady was awesome, she really was. After observing him for a while, she comes back with the hated words - autistic. Wow. At that time, all I could think was what everybody else thinks immediately - retarded. (With a little research, I soon found out how wrong I was, thankfully!) I knew nothing about it, aside from Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. So, took him to Akron Children's to get tested, came back with the dreaded diagnosis. Autism. I just remember bawling and bawling. Looking at this little face that I loved more than anything in the world, I'm thinking; what is his life going to be? Will he ever speak, how bad is it, will he have to be institutionalized, every worst case scenario goes through your head. And of course, the guilt sets in - the irrational stupid guilt that plagues me to this day, even though my head says it's dumb. Is he paying for my sins? (Not that I feel I had many, but hey- ya never know!)

When I think back though, I am so amazed at how far he's come. He's 15 now, starting high school this fall, last year he got an award for being on the honor roll for the whole year! I'm happy to say, he did learn to speak. He's even learned to backtalk his dad, which is an endless sense of amusement to me! He has overcome so much - I just can't believe how proud I am of this kid. It's amazing.

They say that autistic kids see the world differently. The things he does and says, I really wish more people saw the world the way he does. Maybe we're the ones screwed up.

http://www.cureautismnow.org
http://www.autism.org
http://www.autism-society.org

Tip of the Day

I love to read new tips and pointers from people, so I am starting a tip board! Anybody that has a great way of doing something, please share!

What brings me to this is that I read a great one today. For stinky shoes, (which, with my 15 year old, his shoes could choke a warthog!) Take one of your old socks that doesn't have a mate, dump some baking soda in it, tie or rubberband it, and, voila - you have a deodorizing ball. Simple ideas like that just kill me - it's awesome!

Next time I'm posting 101 uses for Avon Skin-So-Soft....ask me where you can buy it..... :)

Flylady

A friend of mine showed me the coolest website. It's called the Flylady. This is a wonderful woman, well, now a group of women, that counsel you on organizing your life. When I first looked at it, I thought, oh great; looks like it should be coming from Stuart Smalley ("I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!") (Remember that one? :)

Anyway, it is like that to an extent, the concept is based around "Flying", Fly stands for Finally Loving Yourself. Meaning, not beating yourself up when your house is a mess. There are tips to get rid of Chaos in your home - Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome. I love that one!
There are daily exercises you're supposed to do when you start "Flying", the first one is, every night before bed, shine your sink. Do your dishes, clean your counter, etc, but especially make sure your sink sparkles before you go to bed. The idea is that when you wake up in the morning, see that bright and shiny sink, it will fill you with a sense of accomplishment and put a smile on your face the whole day. Think I'll try it sometime. Soon.
Oh, yeah, it helps you with procrastinating too! LOL!

Start flying! http://www.flylady.net

No, no ladies,....he's all mine

Totally Geeked...

Wow. So the hubby has been after me for years now, "Hey, why don't you start your own blog?" and I've resisted at every turn. But I've become so jealous lately of all my friends who have their cool ones up. So, who am I to resist the bandwagon?

I'm hoping this will be a place to share my thoughts, ideas, problems, complaints, etc. Please feel free to share your own! I will try to update frequently, but, no promises.

Thanks for visiting!