Category: progeny

The Cookie Diva is gone. Long live a real mom.

On By DebIn calling em as I see em, Mom-dom, progenyLeave a comment

I did it. This year I did not stay up until 1 a.m. last Tuesday finishing cookies for the teacher’s holiday cookie exchange. (The parents provide the cookies; the teachers get to select a plate of cookies to take home.)

This year I made “Holiday Bites” — a simple, easy, and apparently ravingly awesome little confection. Ingredients: peppermint kisses, pretzels and M&Ms. Yes. That’s it. And in 20 minutes I made 6 dozen. BAM!

But even though I knew the teachers would enjoy them, I felt a little guilty. There are some amazing teachers at Over Achievers APs High. Really. There’s the head of the Arts & Humanities program who has inspired and encouraged my kids. A funny, enjoyable Latin teacher. A Foreign Languages resource teacher who saved a senior year. An incredible instrumental music teacher. A super “I can even make your kid like Pre-Calc” math teacher. And the list goes on. (OK, if you teach my kid, and I didn’t list you… Thank you!!)

I wanted to do more. But self-preservation and common sense meant I had to step back a little from my usual “the show must go on” mentality. And it was really a good choice.

Then the next day Petula Dvorak’s column came out about these “work-all-day, mom-all-night” moms in the Washington Post. It hit a little too close to home. There are many of us who want to work/play/create/volunteer/sleep in a 24 hour period. And when you run short of time, you run short on sleep.

Thankfully, I’ve gotten off the over-achiever Mommy track. It was the best decision ever.

Tonight, we ordered in Chinese, watched NCIS re-runs and chilled as a family. And I fell asleep in the chair. (True confession – I had to pick up The Johnnie last night from college after her evening class because of a dentist appointment this morning. And yeah. I am short on sleep today. The next thing on my agenda – SLEEP.)

So any of you who are convinced you must run the school auction committee (at 2 a.m.) or paint your bathroom, come over to the sane side of life. I won’t judge. And I’ll even make you a cup of coffee… if we make to next weekend.

Back-to-school

On By DebIn progeny2 Comments

She’s not really looking forward to all of the work ahead of her, but Reedy Girl starts back to school today. She will be a sophomore at Lake Woebegone High School here in Beltway land. It’s a good high school, but comes with the pressures of being in a school in AP-Land.

She’s ready. This summer, other than going through the ritual of Health Class during summer school, she’s had time to enjoy her passions of photography, writing, and spoiling the cats. She also treated us to some truly delicious desserts. As far as classes go, she’ll have a full load, but we have every confidence in her. She’s only slightly befuddled by her Algebra 2 review sheet (sorry my dear, I’m NO help at all in that subject!) and has finished the other preparations she had on her “list.”

Have a great year, sunshine! We’re super proud of you!

(Under pain of death, I can NOT put the picture up of Reedy Girl in her marching band uniform… so here’s a shot from vacation with The Johnnie.)

Back to her future…

On By DebIn parenting, progeny, Uncategorized1 Comment

The Johnnie headed back to campus this morning, eager to start her sophomore year. I know she is ready. I know she is incredibly happy there. The Great Books program at St. John’s College is absolutely perfect for her.

…but… I will miss her. We all will.

We’re proud of you, young scholar, and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you in the weeks and months to come.  Stay true to who you are and who you’ve been Created to be.

love,

M<3m

Friday Five: Forgetful Jones Edition

On By DebIn Friday Five, progeny, RevGalBlogPals, RevGals5 Comments

Songbird from RevGals writes:

No, it wasn’t my turn to do the Friday Five, but it was my job to confirm the new person whose job it is, so herewith, the Forgetful Jones Friday Five, complete with Sesame Street video for those who like such things.

1) What’s the last thing you forgot? Um, well, I forgot today is Friday. Having a Monday holiday messed up my calendar, I guess.
2) How do you keep track of appointments? I use my iPhone and sync it with my Outlook and Gmail calendars. And I send myself “dings” otherwise… fuggedaboutit.

3) Do you keep a running grocery list? Yes, BUT – remembering it to go shopping is another question entirely.

4) When forced to improvise by circumstances, do you enjoy it or panic? Depends. If I have inconvenienced a lot of people, then I tend to panic a little. But  try to keep it  relaxed and remind myself “it’s only time.”

5) What’s a memory you hope you will never forget? Our girls’ births. (Happy 15th Birthday to Reedy Girl, whose birthday is TODAY!)