Reunion download

Just got home from the high school reunion and let me say, if you're not sure about attending your own reunion -- GO! It was so great to see people as adults. All of the old cliques and groupings fell away and we all talked as equals. I'm still processing all of the action but it was well worth the long road trip.

More to come, but reconnecting with old friends makes it easy to choose happy.

We're going back in time...

Reunion weekend is upon me and I have to admit, I'm really nervous/excited. Just pulled out the old yearbook and it's crazy how hard it is to remember some of these people who populated my teen years. I mean, my world revolved around these classmates and now if someone wants to Facebook friend me I have to look up who he/she is - I just don't remember!

Maybe it's because I moved away from my hometown, so I don't encounter former classmates. Or, it could be that just a whole lot of years have passed.

Either way, my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. Have a great weekend and choose happy.

Bye Bye July

Whoosh, where is the summer going? So much happening....

1. Recently spent some quality time with my mom, who had hip replacement in April. She's had a number of problems with the hip and we ended up in the ER this past weekend. She's fine, but this situation is opening the door to a number of concerns and considerations re: her health. It also provided the Mr. with an opportunity to use this line: "Did you hear about her mom's hip? First they popped it back in and then they shook it all around." Hokey pokey references, ug. ** Props to Southside Hospital ER in Long Island; they were amazing.

2. I asked the fellow I work out with for 30 min./once per week if I could lose 10 pounds and four inches. He said, "Sure, by October." I said, "Nope, by Friday." It's high school reunion time. Stories and details to come!

3. Tonight I celebrate the 20th birthday of my oldest baby boy. For dinner he's requested chips & salsa, sushi and mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. Oh, to eat like that again.

4. The other boys are keeping us on our toes. Two still at camp, four now home. Still working through issues with one son but fingers crossed that we're inching closer together. David has made friends with most retailers in town, the librarians and a few public safety officers (yes, there's a story there).

Enjoy the rest of July and choose happy.

The Cool Mom

I'm pleased to report that despite the sweltering heat blanketing much of the nation, my oldest son's friends have decided that I am a "cool" mom. Who among us doesn't want to be the cool parent? It's not because I let them party or otherwise do inappropriate stuff at my house. I think it's because a) I always have good food around and welcome them to serve themselves (which they do!), b) because I let them know how much I appreciate it when they clean up after themselves, and c) because I talk to them, find out what they're interested in but don't try to be their friend, just an interested adult.

With all of the work and struggle that goes into parenting, these brief moments when you get kudos from your kids make it all feel good.

So stay cool, and choose happy.

Surprise!!!

Just had the great honor and pleasure of attending a surprise party for my sweet dear friend in Philly. She's a former neighbor whose move away several years ago hit me hard.

Her hubby threw her a lovely party -- great food, great friends and a beautiful setting, their elegant backyard. She was totally surprised and was in happy tears for the first hour of the evening.

That said, I don't think I'm surprise party material. I don't have the grace to pull myself together when surprised at seeing the faces of my most special and loved friends and family. So to my own sweet Mr., no surprises, please.

Stay happy!

On the Road...

I'm college-searching with one of my 17-year-old sons, EJ, and it's been an anxious time for me. EJ has been particularly upset/angry with me for months, still pissed that I got engaged, married and moved him into a new home with a new family. I get it; it's tough when you're a strong-minded, change-averse young person and change happens without your ok.

Put the need to start thinking about college on top of that and you have mom-directed anger in buckets. I've been really concerned that EJ would continue stiff-arming me throughout this trip, upending me efforts to get close and repair the damage in our relationship.

So this morning, as he lay sleeping in our HoJos motel room (conveniently located across the street from Dunkin' Donuts and next to a Perkins), I meditated. I used to turn to meditation quite often, but as life smoothed out, my need for it fell away.

It was difficult to stay focused, but I finally got "there" and it really did help soothe my mind.

I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of meditation for the next few days!

Stay happy.