Good Morning

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.   Psalm 118:24

I've been hibernating

I haven't blogged lately because...well, truthfully, because I've been lazy. I've been completely lazy and self-indulgent the past few days.


It's been absolutely wonderful.


The kids are at camp. Mr. Wonderful was visiting his mother. I was completely and blissfully ALL ALONE.


Because this never happens, I ran with it. I hibernated in the house. I had a pajama day. I didn't turn on the television at all. It was peaceful and silent and perfectly wonderful.


I'd have little bursts of energy where I'd sweep the floors (which miraculously STAYED clean!) or wash the sheets or water the plants. Then I would look around at my still clean house and shrug my shoulders and go back to reading or playing games on facebook. I even indulged in what seems to me to be the most self indulgent activity of all - Pinterest. If you don't know what Pinterest is, it's like a virtual bulletin board where you can "pin" things you like. That's why I say it is the ultimate in self indulgence...it's all about me. Stuff I like. Stuff I'd like to have. Sayings that I think are funny. Things I think are pretty. All me, all the time. 

I also took advantage of the opportunity to browse through a couple  of my favorite sites in search of free (or nearly free) e-books, which I loaded onto my Kindle. And then I loaded my Kindle into a plastic bag and loaded myself onto a float in the pool...and I floated and relaxed and enjoyed reading a book without being interrupted.

I ate salads and frozen weight watchers meals - I didn't cook at all. I hung sheets on the clothesline. They're still there...two days later...whoops! I threw the ball for Lucy. I fed Jack. I went to buy coffee and plants to put by the front door. I read the paper. I painted my nails. I took a bubble bath. 

I am so relaxed.


I am so relaxed that...I think...I might be a teeny tiny bit bored.


It's really, really quiet...I can't believe I am saying this but - I miss those noisy, crazy kids. I can't wait for them to come home.


I can't wait to be entertained by their antics. I can't wait to tell The Boy to pull up his pants and to tell The Princess to stand up straight. I can't wait to tell them to pick up their towels and put their cereal bowls in the dishwasher and to stop bickering.


I can't wait to hug them and then hug them again and tell them how much I missed them.


I can't wait. Because, frankly, I've discovered that I am pretty boring.

Empty nesters...for the week

Our house is quiet. It is clean. There aren't any piles of miscellaneous books and papers and shoes or dirty socks. The cereal was not left out of the counter. There aren't any dishes in the sink. The laundry is actually all caught up!

It's weird.

The dog is moping around and keeps glancing hopefully at the door as if she is thinking, "Are they back yet? Huh? Huh?"

Mr. Wonderful and I sipped our coffee and read the paper in a leisurely fashion. We were not interrupted and no one pilfered the sports section or the comics.

This peace and calm feels both wonderful and awful at the same time. I love it...and I hate it.

Yesterday was camp day. We drove to Camp Weed.

We took Kelsey with us. Kelsey used to live here and went to church and youth group with the kids. Then her family moved to Japan. They just moved back to the U.S. but live in another state. She was able to attend the senior session at camp with The Boy and the rest of the youth group and is also LIT-ing (leader-in-training) this week.

The Boy seemed different at camp. I've been looking at him in a whole new light. He spent a week at camp as a camper, then came home for one day before heading back to camp as an LIT.  During the last session, he called to tell me that he had been invited to work as a counselor next week. Most of the counselors are in college. 

I think the staff at camp must see a more mature and responsible young man than his parents see. We tend to focus on the messy bedroom, the unmade bed, the homework that wasn't turned in, and the grades that could use a bit more focus. I think it is good for us to see him the way the world sees him. He is a good, moral boy. He has integrity. He is kind. He is funny and smart and hard working.

I am so proud of him.

The Princess was thrilled to discover that Kelsey was her LIT when she walked into her cabin.

She was also thrilled when I stopped fussing over her bunk and unpacking her bag and announced that I was leaving. Her teenager tendencies had made it all too clear that she was quite ready for mama to vamoose. 

And so I did.

And now I plan to revel in my freedom by doing absolutely nothing. 

Hotdogs and Ferraris..Yee Haw!

I spent the morning running errands and bonding with The Boy. Don't get me wrong - I'm well aware that the only reason he consented to run errands with me was because he wanted me to run him over to his friend Maddie's house to pick up his cell phone, which he had left in her car yesterday. 


But that's OK! I'll take it!


We had a fun morning anyway. We hurried to Costco, where we picked up supplies (chips, water bottles, gum) for him and stocked up on other things for the rest of the family (food, milk, etc.). And then, being the epitome of fabulosity that I am, I splurged and took him out to lunch (The $1.50 hotdog special at Costco) which made The Boy very happy, indeed.

After that, we loaded up the car and hit the road. And THAT is when the day began to get really, really good for The Boy.

We saw THIS...

The Boy was speechless...his mouth gaped open and he began to breathe very fast while gesturing frantically toward the vehicle in front of us.

"Oh, that's cute", I said..."What is it?"

"Cute?" He gaped at me in astonishment. "Mom...that's a Ferrari!"

"That is sick and nasty," The Boy said reverently.

"It's bad?", I asked him... I was getting a bit confused.

"NO! Oh. My. Gaw. That is my DREAM CAR!"

You know, honestly, it was cute and all, but it was kind of in my way. So I passed it.

That's right. You heard me.

My 2010 Honda Insight, which the menfolk in my family derisively refer to as the anteater, PASSED A FLIPPING FERRARI!

"Hey C...I just passed a Ferrari. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Mom, please. It's an OLD GUY driving it. I don't think that counts. He's probably an old oil tycoon or something."

"Or an old drug dealer", I huffed (in annoyance because my AMAZING little hybrid was not getting the respect it deserved!)

My son's dream car got off on the same exit as us and then passed us as we got into the turn lane for Target. 

I doubt he could have overtaken the Incredible Insight otherwise.

The Boy continued snapping pictures in awe as the old drug dealer/oil tycoon sloooowlllyyy crept past the astonishing and phenomenal little hybrid.

The Boy sighed.

And then The Boy and I giggled over the vehicle in front of us.

The Cube.

Do you think someone got a bonus for naming that thing?

(If you have a Cube, I apologize. But, you know, it IS kind of funny looking. And the name IS kind of ridiculous. No offense.)

But that's not all!

The day of wonder wasn't over for The Boy. As I pulled into the parking lot at Target, we saw this...

The Boy had an awesome day eating hotdogs and ogling a Ferrari and a Porsche.

And so did I. It's not everyday that a girl and her little hybrid get to pass a Ferrari, you know!

The sleek and awe inspiring Insight.

There IS no substitute.

Today will be filled with laundry, junk food and hugs...

Guess what?

The Boy is home from camp today.

He arrived with more dirty laundry...and a big hug for his mom.

His previously clean room now looks like this.

I'm so happy that he's home that I don't even care. I have all next week to clean it again.

My family will all be together today.

In between doing the massive loads of laundry generated by The Boy, I will be finishing up the packing for The Princess. 

She goes to camp tomorrow. The Boy will be working as an LIT (leader in training) while she is there. He has also been invited to work (as in get paid!) as a counselor the week after that. He is very happy and Mr. Wonderful and I are very proud of him. Most of the counselors are in college. This is a wonderful opportunity for him.

I'm going to miss him though!

I "borrowed" some photos from camp from his facebook wall.

I know that he showed good judgement (he wore his seatbelt!)

Although, perhaps not such great table manners!

Honey! Remember...bring the food to your mouth, not your mouth to the food!

(*sigh*)

I'm going to spend the day today hugging my babies and doing laundry and stocking up on junk food at Costco so that I can send the kids a care package while they're at camp. And then I'll hug them some more.

I have to stock up on those hugs too.