A new post is coming soon..for sure..just getting all my “after” vacation ducks in a row..(which is the worst part of a vacation..really)..and then will sit down and post more later..

because..I have a dramatic post coming..the one where I survive an attempted burglary by a large black bear..my vacation was more exciting than I ever imagined, as you can see!

more soon.

I will be married 19 years this Fall..and I was thinking of how my wedding changed two of my friendships forever. It’s kind of weird..but true.  I had just met Kathy the summer or two before we got married. Kathy was part of a group of girls that I went out with on weekends when I was home for the summer. I liked her and we had fun, but when my wedding planning came-I never thought to ask her to be IN the wedding. I chose people who had been close to me my whole life, as well as my own sister and sisters of my husband.  Kathy was so upset that I hadn’t asked her to be IN my wedding, that she stopped speaking to me and never even came to the wedding. I think our last conversation was me explaining that I’d love for her to come to the wedding, but could only have so many people IN the wedding..and had to include family and then some of my girlfriends that I knew for many years. My explaining didn’t change her mind. Looking back now, I think how sad it is, that she let that come between us. Perhaps she should have been glad she didn’t have to buy the one time maid of honor dress! The second friend that I lost due to my wedding, was Lisa. Lisa and I were friends in college. We were very close and even after college we visited one another and talked by phone quite often. Lisa was one person that I WANTED to be in my wedding. Lisa, however refused. Not only did she refuse to be in the wedding but she couldn’t possibly come to the wedding. She was quiet, curt and not at all like the Lisa I had known. Years later I received a letter in the mail from Lisa. She apologized to me profusely.  She explained that when I was planning my wedding, she was feeling very jealous and upset that she herself hadn’t met the right guy yet.  I was very glad to hear from her and glad that she let me know why she had walked away from our friendship. Now, more years later we stay in touch and she is happily married. I still sometimes shake my head when I think of those two situations. I’m glad I had the friends I did, in my wedding AND the best one of them all, turned out to be my husband!

Here we are mid-August..and finally-summer is here. Warmer temps and sunshine. Which is good, because we leave for the Adirondacks this weekend and it is a bit cooler there than here. I always feel a little guilty when I say I’m going to the Adirondacks- because most of my friends that go there are camping there. We’re  going to my uncle’s lake house for a week. He doesn’t live there, but its a vacation home. He wants family to use it. It’s big and beautiful, and larger than my own regular sized home.  Not campish..and sadly..i enjoy the fact that we can roast marshmallows outside or in the fireplace, and crawl into a big comfy bed at night instead of some sleeping bag. That thought alone makes me feel guilty. Because camping! Everyone I know camps!  Camping crossed my mind for about five minutes once. I love the outdoors. I love to walk in the woods and hike. I love to go kayaking and love campfires. What I don’t love is not sleeping! I don’t like sleeping on the ground. I don’t like sleeping in tiny cramped spaces. I love warm showers. I guess that does not make me a true camper at all. So I will enjoy the nature and kayaking..but will be happy to hear the loons on the lake as I lie in a comfy bed!!

In the teen world, all is as it should be. The girl that broke up with my son for his lack of attention to her? She called my nephew and broke up with him. She told him she was going to be back with my son. She then messaged my son on myspace and he said “No thanks” and that was that. She hoped she would make him jealous by “going with” his cousin, I imagine. Reminds me of  sneaky soap opera characters I used to watch years ago.

I’m looking forward to a week of relaxation and fun with my family. School is coming so fast..and although I’m starting at a new building..my son is too. I’m more anxious about that really. High School..is..IT. It’s the last four years and that pains me. I hope I can get through them.

Raising a teen is no walk in the park. I know this. I knew it when he was 2 years old..i thought ahead to the future and thought to myself “Good lord..how will i ever live through teenage years?” because I KNEW THEN what I was getting myself into.

My son is not yet 15..but ended the school year with a ‘girlfriend’..we think he was mostly her friend, but after something ended another girl he REALLY liked, this girl asked him to “go out” with her and he said yes. Keep in mind that mostly its talking on the phone, texting and we took them to the movies twice (adults present!). Over this summer it became clear that she was asking a bit much for a boy who is only 14. She’d call him like 5 times a day and then by the 5th time she’d get mad if he was starting turn his attention towards something else. Anyway over time I think he got a little tired of it and started returning her calls a little less. But I could tell when she would get a hold of him, she’d give him the third degree about not calling right back etc.  Whether she ended it or he let it end, I’m not completely sure. But within five minutes of it ending, she was on myspace getting his cousin to agree to “go out with her”..she then called my son to tell him. I heard him telling her that was ridiculous–that it was his COUSIN, and he tried telling her that it was kind of rude to do that. However, I told him I thought it was just as odd that his cousin was also so quick! Sheesh. Maybe at 14 there is no unspoken rule of “You don’t date your cousin’s ex, within five minutes of the breakup”??? Sure seems rude to me. His cousin goes to another school district, isn’t as popular with the girls..and i think he just thought any girl was better than none!

This whole boy girl thing just pushes me over the edge of crazy. I’m trying to remain calm. Its just the beginning but I am constantly amazed at how aggressive these girls are.  I always thought raising a girl would be hard in this world. But raising a boy in a jungle full of needy girls, isn’t fun. Girls get mad fast, girls expect all of the boy’s attention..its just crazy. I keep telling him, that at 14 or 15 you don’t need a girl giving you the third degree if you aren’t available 24/7.

He’ll have enough of that years ahead into the future, when he’s married and has a wife!

Julie and Julia is one of the best movies I’ve seen, in a long time. Maybe though, its because it was inspiring to me and I could relate so much. Both Julie and Julia wanted to do more than their regular day to day..I’ve always been that way..writing and submitting things to be published–because just doing a job that i’m paid for, during the day-wasn’t enough for me.. I could relate to that so much..and both of them had husbands that were supportive, loving and attentive..something I also could relate to. My husband (like theirs) will sit down with me -look me in the eye and remind me of what I’m good at, bring me back up when I’m feeling not as good about what i do..and he’s just an all around good husband. (I am sure..that many of the guys I dated in my past–would never have turned out to be the husband and friend, that I have right now!)  Seeing Meryl Streep become Julia Child..was inspiring..because there she is.. a woman who has been in so many movies–and each time she is THAT character. Never just Meryl Streep, acting. She amazes me.

It felt good to be sitting with my mother in the theater..making time with my mother is important to me..and enjoying a good movie with her, was nice. I even brought along her favorite candy (in my purse of course) –candy is much less expensive *anywhere* else BUT the theater.

Well so far August has been a little Autumn-like! The weather has not been horrible..but kind of cool in the evenings/and mornings. Not at all like summer..and sometimes i wake up thinking i should be at work, because heck..this feels JUST like September or October! Now that i am feeling more like myself though, i’m happier! The outcome of my surgery has been great and i can concentrate on regular stuff..

Last night we went with family to a Japanese restaurant (the type where they cook at your table and it’s fun to watch) since my son had never been. He really enjoyed it and it was fun to take him. We got ice cream after –which i was looking forward to more than the meal .

I need more blueberries, so today I am going to run some errands..more blueberries and some other things. I am going to see Julie & Julia tonight. Looking forward to it.

I am so close to finishing the Twilight Series. I have taken forever to finish the final book (which is long!). I couldn’t just give up since I’d read the whole series.. now that i’ve stuck with it, i’m glad because it’s gotten better. I will have it done soon and can get on with some other books i have waiting for me. The two I am looking to start next are: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, and three little words (a memoir) by Ashley Rhodes-Courter. Last summer I read at least 5 memoirs!

I am feeling good about Fall and the start of a new school year. My main anxiety lately..is my son starting high school and the idea that he has four years there..and my brain starts to fill with panic. How can it go so fast? How can I possibly imagine him that age? Yeah. The next four years are quite possibly going to challenge my anxiety levels..A  LOT.

Sometimes you get used to reading someone’s blog and wham they just don’t blog anymore or they take a long break for various reasons. (Ok i’m guilty of that too.) Sometimes it’s hard because you have no way of knowing how they are anymore! I think of Scarlett (I’m no Belle)  and wonder how she is, when I realize that her link on my page, doesn’t lead to a blog anymore. Or it requires a password, which i’m not sure if that means she’s blogging and only allowing password entry or if she just password protected what she wrote thus far. I don’t know. I just hope she is well and happy. I loved reading her cheery posts and seeing her smiling face on her page!  Then there’s Mindi..(The Simple Life) who hasn’t blogged since early June and I miss seeing her cute children’s faces, her creativity and love of life. Hope she returns soon, to blogging. I obviously haven’t removed those links from my list, because I’m forever hopeful they’ll be back at it! I also have some newer ones I read that I should add soon.

I’m hoping my blogging will continue when work starts up again. That’s where I fell behind (during the school year)..but this year I’m moving to a completely different school, and it might be better for me to blog about the changes as I go through them. Will comfort *me* anyway!  because at least I know a couple people read here, who will still be around- when I’m working with all new people..and so here, there might still be some “familiar faces” to cheer me on. I could use that.

I’m actually starting to feel less horrible about all of it. This week I’m going to pack up my stuff and move it. (I was a procrastinator and put it off for awhile) I’m ready..and have a better attitude about it..and excited to teach reading again in the Fall.  Because no matter who I’m surrounded with in terms of coworkers, its those kids I teach every day that makes my job what it really is. *That* part will be constant..and fulfilling to me no matter where I go.

Thanks for the few of you that come by here still! I appreciate it.

Goodbye July..today is your last day.

I have to say, I usually love July..but since I spent most of this one healing, I’m glad to bid it farewell. Also, it has not been a very hot July..which translates to: We have barely used our pool this year. And I wonder why we even have it.

Either way I like the last day in July..it is my hubby’s bday and tonight I’m taking him out to dinner, just the two of us..with a family celebration taking place tomorrow.

I like having time to make good lunches in the summer.. I have time to cut up fruit and veggies to add to cottage cheese or yogurt, or salad. That and of course, there’s more variety in those foods this time of year. I love having blueberries every day in my cereal, and cucumbers (small ones especially) are my fave. I love tomatoes with a little basil and mozzerella..and nectarines are a great snack.

I am still watching Big Brother (don’t ask me why..i have given up trying to figure that one out). Please America, vote for Jordan or Jeff to win that special power (they’ll get to change up any nominations etc in the next two weeks.) Let someone nice win something for a change. Seeing Ronnie imagine that America will choose him, makes me laugh. He needs to go home to his video games and his wife.

Jon Gosselin must be taking tips from Lindsay Lohan’s dad or something, about how to improve his image. (Not sure why Linday Lohan’s dad would be *helpful* here..but it seems to be what’s going on.) Jon had been traveling with the 22 year old Hailey Glassman, holding hands etc. Next he was seen with a Star reporter (who apparently lost her job over dating him.) Soon after that Hailey was quoted as being surprised about him dating someone else. She seemed to think they were exclusive.  Meanwhile Kate Gosselin has not been photographed out with single men. She’s been photographed working OR with her children. Jon was hanging with Lindsay Lohan’s dad and within 24 hours he (Mr. Lohan) told the press that Jon was not really involved with either of those women. He went on to tell the press how Jon was wanting to remain friends with Kate and how he was focusing on his kids and career. The day after THAT, Jon himself told the press a very similar story. Suddenly Hailey and the Star Magazine reporter.. weren’t so important. It’s all about his kids and career etc. … which, HA! Totally makes me think that Mr. Lohan had dinner with him the other night and said “Jon! You’ve gotta slow it down man. You’re going to be the most hated man in America!! Lose the babes and talk up your kids and career.”… and thus..that is what happened. Not saying it happened that way, but it sure looks funny.. and Jon Gosselin? You still look ridiculous. For someone who didn’t like the effects of a reality show on your life, you sure are milking it lately.

So this morning I finished painting the outdoor chair that needed brightening. My son thought its last color was “Silver”..which cracked me up. Nooo it was white. And weathered..and thus silver was what weathered white looks like I guess! Now it’s ocean blue..and calming. Then I took this large canvas I’ve stored away..put it on my easel down in the basement where all my arts/crafty stuff is..That was the first step. Taking it out and setting it on the easel. I intend to paint something for my bedroom..and since I have not painted in a few years I need to take steps to point myself in the right direction. Step one: PUT CANVAS ON EASEL. (Applause).. ok so now i need to buy more paint. I don’t think I have enough paint for a canvas that large.  I will tackle that step in the next two days. I’m trying–to get back in touch with the “me” that I’ve always been..the “me” that sometimes gets put in a box, because being a mom, wife and teacher–takes first place. I used to love to paint, draw etc. . I think we all need to remember to take those parts of ourselves out, and dust them off. .

Is there a part of you, that you put away and could take back out?