Always

Always

I saw the word "always" as a writing prompt. Immediately, my mind began thinking thoughts of eternity or forevermore. I wrote a few jagged sentences to get my pen moving, but scratched them out. I decided to conduct an internet search on Google. com for "always". I was presented with four links to a feminine hygiene sanitary product, a music video link and a definition on dictionary.com and another definition at wikipedia.com I clicked on the link to dictionary.com. I discovered yet another avenue to find more information about sanitary pads in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

The four definitions I found were:

1.) every time; on every occasion without exception
2.) all the time; continuously; uninterruptedly
3.) forever
4.) in any even; at any time; if necessary

I even check urbandictionary.com! The third definition there made me giggle! It is quite possible that the only reason it did was because it contains an f-bomb. The definition reads: "A fucking long time, sometimes for all eternity."

My conclusion: The internet always provides entertainment.

Chasing Light

As we were out an about tonight, I wondered if my children will look back favorably on these little outings. When they were little, they almost loathed going on photo shoots with me. They'd see me dragging out my big gear bag and their bodies would start to twitch with angst.  Times have changed a bit. While some of them refuse to have their faces in my line of view, I think they do enjoy the outings.

A Bug In Your Ear

Life is funny, isn't it? Just when you think you have it all figured out, someone goes and changes the rules! The important thing is to not let that last bit trip you up too much. At least, that is what I have discovered.

I have a week left in this place I call my home. I have a whole list of little adventures I had hoped to make before I left. But now with all the to-do lists growing longer and and the countdown clock getting closer to lift-off, I am beginning to embrace the fact that some of these adventures will have to be left undone. And that is okay.

I am ready to go back home.

I am ready to put down roots again.

I am ready to begin this new chapter in my life.

Three times this week I have been talking with various friends on the phone and have used the idiom "putting a bug in your ear" I catch myself each time and let out a grand guffaw. Why? Well, Sunday night, I finished up my homework and closed my laptop, set it on the floor and rolled over, closed my eyes and quickly drifted off to the land of nod. I was awakened by an insect which had ventured into my left ear. I heard a loud noise and I knew exactly what it was! I could hear its footsteps as though it was tap dancing on my ear drum. I had no idea how big or small the bug was. I was afraid to try to put my finger in my ear for fear I would push it further into my ear.

I tore out of bed and shook my head and the bug wiggled and continued tap dancing. I knew I was going to need a doctor's help to get this remedied. Excitedly, I convinced my husband he needed to take me to urgent care right now.

Needless to say, he was not at all amused by this rude awakening. But really, would you be able to rest knowing there was a bug...a real live, six-legged and possibly even winged creepy bug inside your head?

We went downstairs to get our shoes on to leave and I was pretty certain I felt the bug walk out of my ear. After that, I didn't hear the the tiny foot steps.

Once I had calmed down and decided a trip to urgent care was no longer in order, I crawled back into bed. This time I pulled the covers up over my ears.

Needless to say, I hear that phrase and it has a whole new meaning to me!

Generations

It was 22 years ago yesterday that I held her in my arms. Newborn Amanda was so tiny and so small. Maybe neither of us realized it then, but we both had so much to teach each other and so much to learn from each other. As she grew and matured, so did I.

Now, in just a few short months, I will be a grandmother and she will be a mother. I am certain we will both learn many wonderful things in our new roles. As Little Tatum will be our brand-new, tiny teacher. As he grows and matures, so will Amanda ... and so will I.

Another Adult Child

She counted down the days and there was a huge sigh of relief that she breathed as she walked out the doors that day last December. She met all of the requirements to graduate a semester earlier than her classmates. We knew she wanted to walk with the class in May, so we waited for the celebration.

I met her friend so he could follow me to our house. As we made our way up the winding hill, it hit my like a ton of bricks. The emotions all washed over me and I started to cry tears of joy. Her big day was finally here! Her friends and family made long drives to be here on her special day. 

The ceremony was lovely. I got a lump in my throat when I heard the band play "Pomp And Circumstance" and then again when I saw my daughter walking out from behind the big black curtain. She looked so proud, confident and beautiful.

Kaitlyn, 

I am so very proud of you. You are truly an inspiration and I love you. I am so glad I got to be YOUR mom. You are so smart and can do ANYTHING you have the desire to do. Stretch your wings and fly! 

May you know no limits.

I love you more than Swedish Fish!

-Mom

Today, I am loving:

...that we are this much closer to moving back home.
...the lovely memories we got to make over our last weekend trip to Colorado.
...hot coffee brewed by my fantastic hubby in my beautiful polish pottery mug
...this photograph of the apple core my daughter crafted with her teeth.
...the fact that there are just 13 weeks (give or take a week or two) left to go until I get to meet my grandson
...the beautiful weather today
...that Kaitlyn's graduation ceremony is THIS weekend
...a nice quiet morning in comfy pants


What do you love today?

This week, I have:

explored and learned important softwares

enjoyed breakfast in the yard with my mother

enjoyed long phone calls from a very special friend who lives far away

dreamed of tending my own garden

planned a very special photo shoot

fallen completely in love with Spring again

cast on another baby project for my grandson

celebrated Alex's accomplishment of doing well in school this year...more celebrations to follow

enjoyed the company of some very beautiful Orioles in my backyard!