Month: September 2010

Does anyone out there ever feel like a complete and utter failure as a parent? I do. I raised three amazing children, however, one, the youngest is determined to stumble through life the hard way. I try to be a good parent even though he is technically an adult now. I try to be there without being smothering, without giving advice unless asked specifically for it. I try the tough love; you have to do that when they are out of control, throwing things, breaking things, just angry at the world.
You can’t let the wild accusations pierce your heart, although that one is a tough one, you have to stand firm and not allow the one to override the obvious good you have achieved as a parent.
No one tells you that this is the tough part, oh they all talk about potty training and teaching manners, and getting through the horrendous homework load phase, but no one ever tells you about this.
This is the most difficult part of being a parent, the letting go, while still being there for your child, guiding but not demanding, giving but not enabling. My own mother did this with such aplomb, I wish she were still here for me to ask how she did it.
I myself was a difficult teenager that seemed to stumble for a bit, my mother never judged, never blamed and never offered ultimatums, however, she was always there to listen and gently guide. I remember asking her what I should do one time, she so did not want to tell me, finally, after much badgering on my part she said, well, I’ll tell you but I don’t expect you to do what I would do as you are a different person. I try to be that way; it is hard with this one.
No one tells you the pain of letting go when you see that they are stumbling on the wrong path, no one tells you how difficult it is to be on the outside of your child’s life watching them suffer, no one tells you parenting doesn’t end at 18. Oh the government tries to tell you that, by not allowing you to make doctor appointments and by limiting your knowledge of their medical information, doesn’t matter that you pay the doctor bills or the insurance premiums. The government says that you should never know anything medically about your child. Even when you finally make a breakthrough and they say they are willing to go see someone for the problems they have been having.
I am telling everyone, the hard part is not watching them get on a bus to go to school for the first time, or watching them fall down physically on the baseball field when a they get hit by a ball, the hard part is not being able to help them when they are considered adults and you see them making horrendous mistakes. That is truly the hard part of parenting.

Yesterday was a stellar day for United Way Soliciting! We hit the mother lode at the Starbucks at 15th and Central Expressway in Plano; they were way beyond generous with us. Please, if you are in need or want of a Coffee Treat stop by there.
We also have Rangers tickets for the game on October 3rd with a parking pass, please contact me if you want to purchase a raffle ticket, they are 1 for $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. We also have a Kindle we are raffling off, same purchase price on the tickets. We will draw on September 27, 2010 for the Rangers tickets and on October 21, 2010 for the Kindle. More raffle opportunities coming your way, those are just the largest and immediate right now!
I fully expect another day full of adventure today. Well I am off to gather more items and get things ready for our big kickoff on September 13, 2010! Have a great Friday!

Another day is upon us, another day to go get stuff donated for United Way! Yippeee! I am very excited about this year, I know without a doubt you all are going to get tired of me writing about it; however it is such an amazing organization. It helps the communities that are all around us, if you have ever been a part of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or joined a YMCA or been a part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs you have partaken in a United Way funded program.
We have already gotten amazing donations for us to raffle off which I will be unveiling next week, I hope all of my readers buy a raffle ticket for at least one item that we have available.
I keep having strange dreams, the other night I dreamed that I was asleep and that my cell phone kept calling random people. When I woke up for real, I found that it had indeed called someone; at 4 am our time, 2 am the callee’s time. Luckily she takes sleeping pills and never heard the phone go off. She called later in the day very concerned that I had tried to call her at such an odd hour. When I explained what happened with my phone we both had a good chuckle over it.
But it has me thinking, remember when I had the dream about Chewie running away in the city, in the rain, when we were on vacation? Is that going to come true? Will I be vacationing in New York City with the dogs? If so, why??? And if there is anyone else who could accompany us, to help wrangle the Wookie of course, please volunteer. You will of course have to pay your own way; I’m not made of money ya know

Since when did we coin the phrase “my man” I hate that phrase. I have a fiancé, I never ever say the words “my man”, and to me it just sounds needy. I am appalled when I hear that particular phrase; I hear it more and more and would like an end to it please.
I believe we should all be independent creatures, one that can be alone, and not depend on anyone for our happiness, entertainment or anything else. Well except if they live with you, then half the bills, half the rent, half of the house cleaning and half of the groceries and so on and so forth.
Did anyone happen to catch the reunion show of The Real Housewives of New Jersey? Turns out Danny is a real actor, however he really did go to prison on racketeering charges. He bragged during an interview that he knew real mob bosses and hung out with them, so the Feds saw that and started investigating him. Off to prison for him, for three years. I have no doubt he was playing a part on the show, however I have no doubt he is a stupidly dangerous man as well.
I cannot work myself up into a rant today; I am too worn out and have a long day ahead of me. The Irishman and I made a decision a couple of weeks ago, as I have stated here his schedule has changed to something horrendous and we had a huge discussion about it. The only way to truly make it work so we could spend time together was to merge households. So he moved in yesterday. Yes, I am living in sin. When I spoke to my son Jeffrey about the decision he said Mom your generation invented that, he went on to give me his approval. I would not have done this without their approval.
So that is my big news. What does everyone else have?