Growing Pains

Lately my son and I seem to be butting heads on a daily basis.  I know a lot of it stems from his becoming a man and mom still wanting to be a mommy.  It is hard to cut the apron strings especially when no one else is tied to them.

This evening my son came up to me in the kitchen looking very serious and said he had a few things he wanted to talk to me about.   I was a little concerned.

He went on to tell me that in his Adult Roles and Responsibilities class they were discussing communication and he felt that he and I needed to "communicate" about a few things. 

Very calmly, he asked that I not interrupt him while he told me about his concerns about our relationship. Primarily the way  I "mother" him to death.  At least that was my interpretation, not his actual words. 

I was a little stunned.  A little offended. A little proud that he took the initiative to tell me what he was feeling.  When I could speak again, I came back with what I think were some pretty sound responses.

After addressing his concerns, I went on to tell him about a few things that are bothering me.  Basically his lack of initiative in looking for a job and a few other activities involving school.  When I mention he put in an application somewhere it is like WW3 is about to erupt in the living room. 

I am not sure he liked what I had to say but if he wanted us to be honest with each other, I was going to be honest.

And honestly the whole thing has me questioning my parenting skills or lack thereof. Whether or not I do more harm than good.  It is all so confusing.  I know there are no perfect parents, just parents trying to raise their kids the best they can. 

I know my apron stings are a little tight and I need to loosen them up, after all he will be 18 in September -  I think my heart skipped a few beats at the reminder.  Any suggestions on letting go and dealing with growing pains?

BTW - apparently he is planning on having a similar chat with his father.  Quite frankly, I am a little concerned about the fall out. 

Blog Block

I have a huge blog block in my head that has kept me from blogging lately.  I have thoughts that I want to blog about but when I get around to writing them down the words don't come.   Not to worry though, there have been no significant events I have failed to mention.  A little of the same old stuff and a few days of fightng with Comcast.  I miss my old local cable and internet provider. 

I did get a haircut.  I was tired of the old style and needed something a little different.  It feels and looks so much better.

I am looking forward to a small vacation next weekend.  My friend  has invited me to go camping in Moab.  I have never been there before and am looking forward to a few care free days.  The only thing I really need to worry about is what to pack.  My son had already planned to spend Easter at his Dad's house.  And though Easter falls on my Mom's birthday this year, she has told me to go and have fun.  Later this week, I will take her birthday present to her.  I just finished it this morning and can hardly wait to give it to her.  I think I need to make one for myself.

This bag was made using the pattern written and provided by http://www.etsy.com/shop/natyo2010
Have a great week.

Monday- All Day

I hope today was not an example of what I can expect for the rest of the week.

6:30 am - Upset stomach and bowing to the porcelain god.

11:00 am - Phone rings. "Mom. The car won't start.  I think the battery is dead."

11:45 am - Unsuccessful attempt to jump start the car.

11:55 am - Phone call to male friend: "Help" and then I started to cry.

Noon: Fix a piece of toast to help settle stomach.  Feels like swallowing razor blades.

12:30 ish - Male friend shows up.  More tears.  Jump starts the car.  We take battery to Autozone for a warranty swap.  Finally good news.

2:00 pm: Struggle to download music from iTunes for male friend.

3:00 pm: Finally get music downloaded.

3:10 pm: Check e-mail for work.  Discover I am missing all of my e-mail for the last two weeks.

4:00 pm: Male friend leaves. Spend an hour finding lost e-mail.  Try to drink a coke but throat is too sore from bowing to the porcelain god this morning.

5:30 pm: Struggle to eat chicken and noodles for dinner.  Feels like swallowing razor blades.

6:58 pm: Sitting on couch with redneck footrest (upside down laundry basket) hoping new Monday night shows will make me laugh.



If you can't say anything...

I have been trying to go by the adage of "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".  In my case I need to change the nice to "positive".  Last week was one of the longest weeks I've had in a long time.  I was emotional, angry, bitchy, and a little put out. The weekend was interrupted one too many times by work and so this week I have been taking it easy.  Just working, reading, and a little crafting. 

Now I am starting to feel a little more like myself.  I colored my hair tonight (from a box).  It looks okay.  Gave me feet a little soak and scrub and am waiting for the fuchsia polish to dry on my toenails. 

This morning I bought tickets to a Spaghetti Dinner to support my nephew's scout troop, donated an afghan for the troop to sell at the dinner, and spent an hour or two catching up with my sister-in-law.  My brother is one lucky man.  Thankfully he realizes it.

I have had a bad case of spring fever or cabin fever whatever you want to call it.  I am almost happy that we may get some rain this weekend.  Then I can stop thinking about what I can't be doing in my postage stamp sized yard right now.

I've tried catching up on blogs that I've missed reading lately but my attention span is a little off right now. I'll get it back. 

Fuchsia polish is ready for another coat now. Have a great rest of the week.

Mayhem

I could no longer  handle the smell of my dog  so I finally caved and gave him a bath.      

Indy in the bath looks nothing like this.

It is mayhem...

My bathroom ends up looking something like this...



And I end up looking like this...

And smelling like wet dog and dog farts.

But Indiana Jones looks like this...

Pretty and clean..if you can get past the bad photography.

I need to find a Dog Wash!