
When my first born left for college I thought my heart might break.
I was in a funk for two weeks.
Then I learned about Instant Messaging, texting, email, phone calls and the fact that she had a break every three weeks
and usually came home.
I saw more of her that year than I did her senior year of high school.
With my next one I was better prepared.
He and I had butted heads for several months
and things got so much better when we finally had a little space between us.
Now we have long talks and I am amazed at the person he has become.
It is the natural order of things.
The caboose I thought might be tough.
What should I do with my time?
I'd been a mom forever.
What was my role now?
I never did get a real job after the kids started school.
Could I legitimately call myself a functional artist?
What was I supposed to do next?
Flash forward one year...
Crazy busy. Aubrie's wedding, Galena, stripping wallpaper, painting a bedroom, painting furniture, missed lunch with a friend, getting back in friend's good graces, becoming a blonde again, Alzheimer's meeting, birthday group, other birthday group, planning for Texas, missed workout, workout, meeting with class of '81 reunion planning,Did I miss anything? and that has all been since Saturday night. :)
That was a recent status update on my facebook page
Lately I've received numerous comments questioning my whereabouts.
Thank you and I love you for your concern.
Really, I'm fine.
Blogging just had to take a back seat.
It just has been ridiculously busy.
I know.
Everybody says that
but it's true.
To make my point
I thought I would bring you up to speed with what's been happening in my world.
I've been to two weddings and three wedding receptions.
Because of my camera fail last month I am lacking pictures from one of them.
My daughter was in the other one and Laura, the bride, is my pseudo daughter.
They couldn't be any more different or any closer.
Love them both.
Hugs.
I was so happy to have this photo sent to me at the same time from the same wedding.
Just looking at these two blondies , my mom and my baby, together makes me smile.
Big hugs.
Then we traveled to Texas for a wedding reception - different couple.
I was still packing at the last minute.
Literally throwing my stuff together.
It isn't pretty.
Now when you see my organizational posts,
you will know I'm a phony.
The worst part is this doesn't even include my cosmetics!
The trip to Texas was a whirlwind
but we did make it to one of our favorite Tex Mex watering holes
and we were able to see and stay in this incredible home.
We made a quick run into Chicago with our youngest for another first apartment Ikea run.
I want this for my closet.
A couple of jaunts to Galena where I've been stripping wallpaper and repainting a bedroom.
As you can see, I'm a very conflicted woman.
I will give you a hint on this one though - purple.
Not in your face purple or little girl lavender.
This is called Merlot Grape.
My husband, after the movie Sideways, is very down on merlot so I never told him the name of the color. :)
It isn't an old jewel tone. It's purple and so far I love it.
I was also busy making those decorations for my reunion.
Believe or not that took about three days of my life -
making sure there was at least one picture of everybody that had confirmed their reservation.
Then there was the reunion itself.
Way fun.
Yes this is the morning after.
Yikes. Not quite as much fun.
I'm still painting this.
and I need to paint one of these for a fundraiser.
Sprinkle the month with a couple of birthday celebrations with friends
( The consummate party girl)
and family,
A girly party in a Space to Inspire future post house,
(taken with my iphone because of earlier camera fail)
Learning a new camera,
Then having my new iphone 4 totally lay down on me.
Note to self, ALWAYS buy the Apple Protection Plan.
Throw in being the good wife and supporting my big guy's latest business venture and construction project
and the ramping up of the Memory Walk committee.
( Please join a Memory Walk team in your area and if you live in the vicinity of Cedar Rapids, Iowa I would love for you to join Team DJ Aanestad and walk with me to raise awareness for Alzheimer's and in memory of my dad)
I still managed a couple of Therapy Thursday Art Days with my peeps at The Traveling Door
and I finally finished this book - one month after it was supposed to be read for book club.
So that has left me very little of this.
And to think I was worried about what I was supposed to do with the rest of my life.
I received a facebook message from a friend yesterday who is facing this same dilemma.
I think I will just tell her to
1. read this post
2. learn to say no to a few of the community volunteer projects
3. make time with family and friends a priority
4. use your iCal or various scheduling calendar religiously
5. Not to worry. Life moves on, stays busy, and at an ever quickening pace.
6. Enjoy the quiet times. They are fleeting.
What is the saying?
These are the good old days that we are going to miss in the years ahead
Unknown
and another favorite of mine,
Sometimes you have to let go,
to keep holding on.
~The Wonder Years
XOXO,
P