I guess I won't be getting that nomination for mother of the year...

Today as Anna and I were leaving the dentist's office, I realized I had received several texts. So as we made our way to the car, I quickly tried to reply to them. Since the dentist's office is on the top floor of a junior college, there was a group of college students hanging around outside.

I heard several of them talking as I walked by. "Oh my gosh. Did you just see that?" And, "Can you believe her mom just clobbered her in the face with the door like that?"

My first thought was, "poor kid, her mother should be paying more attention" and then I turned around.

And saw Anna. She was standing in the doorway with her arms loaded down with all of my stuff (Obviously I couldn't text with my hands full), her face smashed against the glass door.

I ran over and opened the door for her. As we walked by again, I heard someone say, "Poor kid."

Trying to redeem myself I paying extra close attention to make sure Anna was completely inside the car with the door shut and seat belt fastened before I drove away. Because that's what a good mother who is paying attention does.

Look! Our very own tomato!

We have a plethora of tomatoes growing on our back porch. Anna counted 17 green ones.


We also have strawberries which didn't do so well. I think we got 5 or 6 tiny little strawberries. And one raspberry plant that has yet to produce a single raspberry. I wonder if they aren't just snobby fruit that are offended by being planted in kitty litter containers...


For a while our neighbors thought that we were growing illegal substances on our back porch. But we set them straight.


So it appears that gardening isn't really our "thing." But we are trying really really hard. And we're going to eat our tomato and smile.

Charting new territory.

I've been wondering if there is a protocol. You know. For how long you are actually supposed to wait after your children leave for college, before you can take-over their bedrooms. And put your stuff in there.

My kids are telling me that I can't actually have their rooms until they leave.

In theory, I guess I have to agree with that. It does make sense.

Except if I wait until after they leave, who will be there to help me pack up their stuff and re-paint their bedrooms? Who I ask you?

So this was my general thinking back in May. Maybe a day or two before the girls officially graduated from high school. As I had them pack up their belongings. Into nice plastic bins. That are now stored neatly in a closet.

And Sarah really did do a great job painting the new recording studio.

P.S. Lest I seem too uncaring, please notice that I did leave a "guest" bedroom for the girls to use if they do decide to come and visit in the future.

And I sincerely hope that they will come visit.