Soccer mom

I never thought I would be a soccer mom, but here I am. Today (for the second time this season) I get to haul a load of boisterous 13 year old girls to the Twin Cities area for a game. Last time I did this the weather was terrible. The game was delayed for 30 minutes because of lightening and it poured the entire game. I sat in the comfort of my warm, dry vehicle peeking between the steering wheel and the fenceposts on the field to watch the game. I never said I was a GOOD soccer mom. You would think that the girls would have been cold and tired and have slept all the way home, but NOOOOO! I listened to literal shrieking for two and half hours, not to mention the absolute stench of five pairs of smelly, wet soccer shoes, pads and socks. Ugh. I'm bringing some Bounce dryer sheets with me today to at least mask the stench slightly.

Here's to hoping the girls conk out on the way home tonight!
Camille

Weekend adventures

What a weekend! Friday night the little one had her dressed rehearsal for Saturday's recital. Ugh - like three hours worth. Saturday during the day I planted the rest of my flowers, finally! And it was a beautiful day so it was so nice to be outside and enjoying some sun. I even noticed that Greta got a little bit of sunburn on her shoulders. Saturday night was the recital which was darling, but again a late night. After the recital we celebrated by going to Cold Stone for ice cream. Yummmmm is all I can say to that. I haven't had Cold Stone for so long. I had to kind of perform an Intervention on myself in the Cold Stone department awhile back. The summer before last I was going there on my lunch hour for my daily fix of the Founder's Favorite. Let me tell you this: the Founder's Favorite is BAD for the hips! I had to break myself of the habit before I looked like a blimp!

Today we went to a graduation party, then to Target (Greta starts tennis lessons tomorrow so we needed to get a racket.) Here's how the Target trip goes: I, of course, first hit the dollar section ( I LOVE THE DOLLAR SECTION) - I only found a pair of flip flops for CJ; how disappointing. Then the usual: laundry detergent, kleenex, etc. Then on to the purpose of the trip: the tennis racket. Husband is in charge of the sports stuff, so I step back and watch the show. The choices are this: Dora or Sponge Bob. Isn't it obvious that Dora wins - the Dora racket is pink, after all. But no, it cannot be that easy. All of a sudden, Greta doesn't like Dora anymore (since when????!!!) After a few minutes of drama, it's decided that the Dora racket is to be purchased. So, we check out, get to the gas hog and CJ (middle daughter) says, "Mom, this racket says for age 4 and under." Well, little one will be six next month, so that obviously doesn't work. So much for husband being in charge. Back into Target we go. Return racket, search for next size racket, no dice. On to Dunhams. Thankfully, they have a Barbie racket in her size (Barbie is MUCH better than Dora and gee, only $15.00 MORE! ridiculous!!!!! Then, on to the grocery store for more fun and games. I love the weekend, but I'm glad this one is over!
Peace out,
Camille

Graduation Day

So, here she is -my oldest daughter on her last day of high school. The first photo is of all three girls and the second photo is the graduate, fresh out of the shower and looking soooo happy! Isn't she gorgeous? Tonight is her commencement ceremony and the all-night grad party. I'm so glad they do that supervised party now. I think back to the night of my own commencement and I wince at the thought of the things we did! I remember that my dad bought me a six pack of Michelob and I thought I was so cool! Now I wouldn't DREAM of buying alcohol for my daughter - funny how the times have changed! I'm so lucky that she is such a good kid!!!

Home Sweet Home

So, I've been back home for over a week now. In many ways it seems as though I was never gone. From day one I have resumed my normal activities of cleaning house, chasing and hauling kids, looking for a job and helping my husband with his business. Funny how that works, isn't it?

I must say I do miss my construction friends. Although it was a short time that we worked together, because it was 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week it seems like it was much more than just a few weeks. If you're reading, partner - let's try to get together for margaritas or something! I miss you!!

I have returned home a different person. I realize that I have put too much emphasis on what I "have" - that is material things for sure, but also status. It really doesn't matter what you do or what you have - what matters is that you are making a difference in this world. Don't get me wrong - I like nice things- but when you're five year old tells you to stop buying her clothes because her closet is full, you realize that you don't NEED all that stuff (when I was gone my mom counted said five year old's shoes: over 40 pair!!!) I don't NEED to spend hundreds of dollars for an outfit, or hundreds of dollars on vitamins and "health foods" or Arbonne makeup or Longaberger baskets or whatever. I don't need to. Hmmm - it kind of sounds like I'm trying to convince myself, doesn't it? That is true, I suppose. For a long time I have pretty much been the ultimate consumer so now it will take some getting used to to change my ways. Any ideas out there? Any recovering spendthrifts with some advice for me? I may be your biggest challenge yet!

Peace out,
Camille