Seriously?! Apparently the head honchos of the evil Spam Empire need to raise their standards in their hiring practices

I've recently become addicted discovered Pinterest; as have (if the studies are to be believed) most women across the globe.  From what I can tell, it is used for different reasons by different people.

There are those planning a wedding or those preparing for a new addition to their family.  There are those that are interested in cooking, decorating, reading, beauty, fashion, humor, whatever....

It's an awesome place to find inspiration, save pictures/sites that you love in one central place.  It's AWESOME.

Except, that I've noticed a darker side to it.  Of course there are trolls (those who love nothing more than to stir up controversy over whether or not this or that is beautiful, someone is too thin or too fat, ethical or whatever....EXACTLY like blogging trolls actually).

This is to be expected.  I mean really....if you give people a computer (and a screen name) to hide behind then it stands to reason that some of them are bound to show their true colors.

But that isn't my complaint.

No, I can ignore trolls with the best of them.....although sometimes it's hard to bite my tongue (I'll admit it - there have been a few times when I've been awfully tempted to fire off a "comment" to put someone in their place....) but logic always prevails - because what is the point in engaging these people?  W.A.S.T.E.  O.F.  T.I.M.E!

No, my complaint today is about the spammers; a specific type of spammer.  Lately, I have seen MANY of these "comments" on MANY different types of pins.....

And I have to say to myself, "REALLY?"

First of all - what IS the purpose of spamming a pin, especially in this fashion.....it's not like this particular brand of spam offers up suspicious links, dubious websites or offers of great fortune if you only send them your life savings and/or your first born.

But what really galls me?  Galls me to the CORE about this type of spam?

Is that obviously, whomever "hired" this person(s) to spam pins gave them a "script" or a "form" to follow, but rather than tailoring the "form" to the pin(s) in question; this person(s) just cut and pasted the whole thing into the comment section.....without any thought to the relevancy of the "comment" to that particular pin.

And that?  THAT is sheer laziness, people.  And if there is one thing I can't abide (okay, there are MANY things I can't abide) is laziness.  Particularly laziness of this type.

I realize that  being a spammer is a thankless job and that as a spammer you are reviled the world over but this is your "profession" of choice - where is your pride in a job well done?

As my mom used to tell me (repeatedly), "If you aren't going to do a job right then don't do it at all."  With that thought in mind, I would say to these extremely lazy spammers - I don't think this is the job for you.  If you can't even put in enough effort to tailor your "comment" to the subject at hand then I suggest that you look for another line of work that doesn't require a lot of heavy lifting on your part.  Professional navel gazer, perhaps?

Really? My knuckle "concerns" you? I could give you a whole list of other things to worry about.

Well over a year ago I went to the doctor (not the 12 year old one).  I had a persistent itch on my head that would NOT go away no matter what I tried.  And I tried everything, believe me.

Prior to going to the doctor, after all my ideas ran out (what?!  I'm a mom!  I'm practically a doctor - without the ability to prescribe drugs, but still....we ALL know that moms have the ability to diagnose pretty much anything) I turned to WebMD; as do all modern mothers whose diagnosing abilities have hit a dead end, and after keying in the symptoms I was pretty certain that I had either a) psoriasis or b) leprosy.  I was betting on the psoriasis since leprosy is pretty rare these days....and because I've had a bout with psoriasis once before long ago.

So off to the doctor I went; where I proclaimed to her that I had psoriasis.  She looked and informed me that I did NOT has psoriasis but that I had Xdfjdejahdfsarjalrjwe (not the real name, obviously, but I can't remember it and I'm pretty sure it was that long and had very few vowels) which was a type of fungal infection (ewwww!  Gross!  How did that happen????).

This baffled me.  Because a) how could I have been wrong b) how could WebMD have been wrong and c) HOW in the hell could *I* have contracted a fungal infection....on my HEAD!?

After reluctantly conceding that SHE was the one who actually attended medical school (and had been a mom far longer than I), I finally accepted her diagnoses and took her prescription.  And it worked.

For a little while.  And then it came back.  So I called for a refill.  And it worked.  For a while.  And then it spread.  I called for yet another refill and I was informed that I had to come back in (oh, the horror).

I put it off because by now, "my" doctor had left for her new job (just for the record, I still believe that doctors shouldn't be allowed to just abandon patients like that.....) and I was reluctant to deal with a new one.  And so I continued to itch and it continued to spread until finally I just couldn't take it anymore and I called for an appointment.

The new (fresh-faced) doctor looked me over and promptly called in another (more experienced) doctor.  They both agreed that this was, in fact, Xdfjdejahdfsarjalrjwe.  They even took samples to look at under the microscope.  They both said that "aggressive" treatment was warranted.  They checked my blood - to make sure I was "up" to the treatment since it, apparently, can wreak havoc on your kidneys.  They told me to take the pills every day for six weeks and then return to show them that they are brilliant it worked.

Immediately after taking the first pill, I noticed that new areas had broken out.  But I persevered.  Because, dammit, I was tired of the itching and I was ready for this new "aggressive" treatment to kick in.  And it helped....a little; very little (yes, I admit, I was delusionally optimistic at this point).

After six weeks, I went back so they could see how I was coming along.  Surprise, surprise.....nothing had changed.

The new doctor admitted defeat and said it was time to refer me to a dermatologist.  Fine.  Whatever.  Let's just deal with this already - that was my attitude.  It took a while but finally I got the appointment, which was for the other day.

The dermatologist looked me over and in under two minutes declared that I did NOT have Xdfjdejahdfsarjalrjwe.  She looked me in the eye and told me,

"You have psoriasis."

I looked at her in total shock and stammered, "That's what I TOLD them I had!  I WebMd'd myself!"  She laughed and said something about "Doctor Google," gave me prescriptions for a whole host of creams, ointments, sprays and instructions on what not to do (in total contradiction to what I had been instructed TO do; apparently while the symptoms are similar the treatments are not) and said that I'd probably get some relief in under three days.

THREE days!  This has been going on for OVER a year.  And do you know what one of the main triggers of psoriasis is?

Stress.

What do you want to bet that the stress of the itching, the wondering where in the world I could have contracted Xdfjdejahdfsarjalrjwe and when it was all going to stop (in addition to everything else going on in my life right now) is WHAT contributed to the spreading of it in the first place?

Only me *sigh.*   Only me.  I swear, this stuff only happens to me.

****
The good news?  After only TWO treatments (which AREN'T poised to attack my kidneys) I am already feeling 100% better.  Imagine that.  It's amazing the results you get when you are receiving treatment for what you actually have.  The bad? I have an appointment with a rheumatologist....just in case, because, apparently, psoriasis is linked with arthritis and, according to the miracle-worker doctor, my knuckle "worries" her.  Seriously?  Out of the million OTHER worrisome things about me - THAT is what she decides to worry over; my knuckle?  And again, I sigh.

He's home. And, apparently, in need of a new toothbrush.

For the past several days, this house has been uncommonly quiet.  And neat.

Man-Child was on his Senior Class trip during his Spring Break this year.  They went to Disney.  Without me.

At the beginning of the school year, when the paperwork came home, he claimed he didn't want to go.  He said that we shouldn't waste the money.  Because he doesn't "do" rides.

We told him in no uncertain terms that he WAS going and he WOULD have a great time.  We informed him that this was a trip that he'd remember for the rest of his life.  We reminded him that this would be his "last hurrah" with the majority of his classmates - as they are all headed off in different directions after graduation.

And so he went.  And by the time they were ready to go, he was actually looking forward to it.  

I'm sure that this trip is part of the school's evil plan of weaning us from our children.  Up till now, Man-Child has never been that far away from either one of us for that much time.  It was hard to get used to the quiet that pervaded the house.  Even when he is upstairs, asleep and quiet, the house just seems to be FILLED with his "there-ness".

Somehow, we got through the days.  Both of us thinking quietly to ourselves, "Wow.  THIS is what it's going to be like come fall.  I'm not ready for it."  We both ended up voicing our thoughts before the week was out.  And both admitting that we aren't looking forward to it. 

When the weary boy returned home this morning he was met with great joy.

Upon questioning, he did have a great time and is eagerly looking forward to going back some day.   He obviously didn't miss us nearly as much as we missed him as he only called us ONCE the whole time he was gone.  Oh sure, I got a few texts - but only because I initiated them; otherwise, I don't know that we would have heard from him.

There was at least one "rough spot" (as he called it) in the trip.  Right after they arrived, they were handed their passes and meal tickets.  Man-Child set his on his breakfast tray and began to eat his breakfast.  When he was done, he gathered up his tray and promptly threw everything away.  Yes, you read that right - he threw away EVERYTHING.

But, since Disney is always prepared for anything - no matter how inexplicable - (he claimed they looked like napkins) they were able to remedy the situation pretty quickly, although he did take a lot of kidding about that for the remainder of the trip. 

We also learned that the kids were pretty much on their own the entire time; only having to check in with the chaperones in the morning and at night. Granted, they were confined to the resort but still.  Just another means of weaning our children from us, I'm sure.  Giving the kids a taste of the freedom that they will be enjoying in another few months.

He informed us in no uncertain terms, that going to Florida really made him appreciate North Carolina all the more.  He called it a flat and desolate place.  He had no words of wonder for the city of Orlando.  Now, before any Floridians get offended, keep in mind that all he really saw of Florida (outside the Magic Kingdom) was seen from inside a tour bus while making their way to the home of The Mouse.  (Obviously, he has forgotten that he absolutely loved Daytona when we visited a few years ago).

He then told me that he needed a new toothbrush.  Because, according to him, the water was so vile that it surely contaminated it (at this I had to laugh, because I know that he's been pretty much exclusively brought up on well water and not city water and that there IS a difference in taste).

And with that final piece of information, we've pretty much concluded that he will never hold a job as a tourism spokesman for the great State of Florida.

We've also determined that he will never be a great photographer either.  As I was unwilling to trust him with my camera (and after the passes/meal tickets incident I think I called that one correctly), we sent him with a disposable one.  Apparently, we should have sent him with more than one - but to be honest, I really didn't think he'd take ANY pictures.  But he did.  And he has his mother's knack of taking pictures in the wrong light, from the wrong angle, etc as quite a few turned out to just be shadowy figures.  He also told me that he took lots of pictures after the film ran out.  

*sigh*  He IS his mother's child.

Things I *should* be doing instead of this....

Back in the day, there were only so many ways to distract myself from doing the things I should be doing.  But with the advent of the internet, blogging, tweeting, Pinterest, etc. I have discovered that I can now procrastinate to INFINITY.

Instead of typing this post, here are just a few of the things I should be doing instead.

*  Get dressed and ready for the day (why yes, it is after 9:00 am - don't judge!)

*  Water my plants (jeez, weren't they JUST watered a week or so ago?)

*  Nag my son to finish completing his college acceptance paperwork.

*  Throw in a load of laundry (it NEVER ends!).

*  Fold the load of clothes that have been languishing in the dryer (see?!)

*  Clean the bathrooms.....and the rest of the house.

*  Give myself a manicure and a pedicure.

*  Weed the flower beds.....AGAIN, in order to ruin said manicure.

*  Make an appointment to get a haircut.

*  Actually GO to get the haircut.

*  Run a few errands.

*  Clean out my closet.

*  Make a few phone calls.

*  Clean the garage.

*  Actually attempt some of the stuff I've "pinned" on Pinterest (which could lead to an interesting post, at least).

*  Attempt to get Man-Child ready to leave for the Senior trip tomorrow (they are going to Disney.  Can you believe they didn't ask me to chaperone?!)

*  Yell at Man-Child because his room is a total pig-sty.

*  Arrange for a Hazmat team to come in and fumigate his room after he leaves for college.

This list could go on forever.  And since I'm faffing about on the computer, here is a short list of things I should be doing on the computer instead of this....

*  Respond to a few (read a LOT) of emails.

*  Figure out what is going on with my blog format (yes, it is still giving me grief.  I mess about with it for a few minutes and then just give up).

*  Teach myself some basic HTML; since I have a sneaking suspicion that is where the format problem lies.

*  Log on to personal Facebook and catch up with a few key people (who, apparently, ONLY communicate via Facebook).

*  Fill out Man-Child's paperwork for college - since it seems he is never going to do it.

*  Clean out my email folders AGAIN.

*  Get all my downloaded pictures in order (because yeah, I never did  do that).

*  Run all the necessary updates, etc. that I keep putting off (so the computer won't implode...or explode for that matter).

Again, this list could go on forever....but since I am now feeling a bit guilty; I suppose, I shall go do four, no three, maybe two, okay.....at least ONE of those things on the lists.

So what about you?  What should you be doing instead of reading this post?

How I know the Easter Bunny is a woman....and a mom.

After the great Easter Basket debacle of 2010, I have learned.....no matter how old they get they EXPECT an Easter Basket....period.  And no excuses are accepted.

Because I've learned this lesson so very well, I have been stockpiling items for the basket.

And then I made the mistake of involving Hubby in the process.  All I asked was that he pick up some plastic grass and eggs (where all the grass and eggs from previous years have gone is anyone's guess).

The reaction I received was expected.

I heard a few "are you crazy's?"  Along with, "that is insane!"  And a few, "you DO realize that he is 17's!"

But I also know that children....children of ANY age...love receiving Easter baskets and that their mother's (usually, if they remember) love making the baskets.

And if he wasn't such a crab, Hubby might even receive one; but it's the same as with Santa....if you don't believe; you don't receive.

I also KNOW that when the Easter Bunny visits there is chocolate to be had.....and that the Easter Bunny always makes sure there is some left over for mama....and that is how I KNOW the Easter Bunny is a woman.  And a mom.

Because if the Easter Bunny were a man?  Then there would not be Easter Baskets.  Or extra chocolate.  And THAT would be a tragedy.

And THAT is how I found myself creating a tutorial about indoor fountains.

You can all go over and thank my dear friend, Cora for this one....

When I blogged about the lucky bamboo being completely and totally root-bound and how I had to SMASH the pot to get it free a few days ago - she wondered why I didn't soak the dirt to soften it to make removing the plant easier and thus preventing me from breaking the pot.

VERY valid point.

It also made me realize, that in my quest to keep from over-burdening you with boring details, I left out some important points.  I didn't explain the plant and it's living environmental AT ALL very well.

Thus began an email exchange where I explained that the bamboo is a water-based plant so that there was no dirt to "soften."  She then wondered how I kept the plant upright in the pot, which led me to more explanations and I also mentioned in passing that it was also a "fountain."

She then replied, "No kidding???  How cool is that!!!  Were you able to get it all set back up in the same manner, with a new pot?"

Which led me to reply, in quick detail, how it was done.  Which led her to reply, "You need to do a post on this...or email me some pictures!  Please!!"

And THAT is how I find myself blogging about how to create a quick and easy fountain for your home.

Now, had I known that there would have been any interest at all in this little project, I would have taken pictures of the whole process last weekend.  But since I didn't and since I am NOT draining the pot and emptying it of its contents to recreate the process that I've already gone through more than once, we will just have to improvise with terrible, after pictures taken with the camera phone.

As a little background - I came across this idea somewhere on the web when I was researching feng shui some years ago.  I've always liked the idea of indoor fountains - the sound of the water on the rocks is SO soothing.  And according to feng shui principles, it is good for the "chi" in your home.  Whether that is a crock or it really works is debatable considering all that has gone on over here lately.  But I DO know that the majority of feng shui is just basic common sense design.  AND I like the sound of the water over the rocks.  So there you go.

Anyway, I found a similar thing online somewhere and adapted it....because their way was too complicated for me.

Materials needed:

A pot (with NO drainage holes)
LOTS of rocks (small pebbles/gravel and larger, decorative river rocks)
Water-based plant (such as bamboo)
Submersible fountain pump (can be found at most Home Depot/Lowe's type stores for around $20)
Depending on the size of your pot, you may need styrofoam or packing peanuts.

Another note - remember we are doing this Gigi's way (i.e., EASY).  You could get all fancy and drill a hole higher up in the back of the pot to run the electrical cord through - being sure to caulk the hell out of the hole to prevent leaking.  But WE aren't doing that.

If you have a smaller pot you can use the pebbles/gravel as your base in the pot.  If you have a larger pot, you would be wise to use the styrofoam/peanuts as it will keep the pot from being too heavy to move.

Center the plant on top of your base and start putting more (or begin to put) the pebbles/gravel in to anchor the plant.

Once you have enough pebbles in, place the submersible pump into the pot - letting the electrical cord hang over the lip of the pot (see?  We aren't all fancy about it).  Also make sure that the pump is kinda deep.  Because if you don't it will then spit water OUT of the pot in the middle of the night when you aren't looking and soak your table.

Ask me how I know this.

See how the cord hangs over the pot?

Now you will begin to place the river rocks in.  Your goal here is to cover the pebbles and the pump.  BUT you want to keep the pump's spout uncovered.  That is important.

The pump is bubbling away unfettered.  Horrible picture, I know.  But look at who are dealing with here.

Place the pot in the spot you want it and - THIS IS THE KEY - be sure the electrical cord hanging over the lip is at the BACK so no one can see it.

Add enough water to cover the pump's spout.

Plug in.

And viola` - you now have an indoor fountain.

Hopefully now that it has room to spread out the leaves will lose that awful yellow color

Just be sure to remember to "water" the plant often because if you don't evaporation will cause the pump to be exposed and pumping nothing but air.

Which will lead to the pump burning out.

Ask me how I know.

Oh, and you might also want to check on the plant every year or so.  Just so you don't end up with this....

Or this.....

Smashed pot

Now that you know how easy it can be; go make yourself an indoor fountain and let me know how it turns out.  And, extra points to you, if your husband walks around saying "We MUST have a leak somewhere!  Do you hear that?!" like mine did after I first made it.  Which I have to admit, I found kind of funny.

Go forth and spread some kindness....it won't hurt.

Kindness.  It's been on my mind a lot lately.

And apparently, it's been on a few other bloggers minds too as I keep seeing references to it.  In fact Mama Kat just posted a video (one of a few - all of them are great but the one I'm referencing here is the third one) on her blog not too long ago.  And then, WildernessChic posted a beautiful post about "paying it forward" pretty soon after that.  And then, Mama Kat posted another video and beautiful words about not judging people.

Add to all that - the random acts of kindness I've seen all over the blog-o-sphere lately.  I'm lucky, I guess.  I don't see too many trolls out there on the blogs I visit.  If someone is facing an issue - whether it be sickness, depression, divorce or worse - I've seen a multitude of people reach out and try to lift that person up with good wishes, prayers or just words of comfort.

Do you know how much hope this instills in me?  LOTS.  There may be hope for humanity after all.

And then just today, I witnessed kindness in my own backyard.  Literally.

If you've been a reader here for any length of time, you may know that we aren't exactly in a "neighborhood." We are surrounded by neighbors - but technically we aren't in a neighborhood; we just reside on the fringes of two neighborhoods.  The neighbors we do have aren't exactly "neighborly."   Especially, the one.  Actually, that one could be described more as ...... well.....to be blunt, he's an ass.  In fact, before we even had the house built I pretty much knew what he was all about and figured we'd never be close....unless I was scratching his eyes out.  Which still may happen.  We'll just have to wait and see.  I will, of course, blog about it....most likely from jail.

The others, well.....they seemed nice enough - but weren't the type that you would actually get to know and have over for dinner.  They are more the "wave-at-you-when-they-see-you" kind of neighbors.  This was actually kind of a let down after our last neighborhood.  But what can you do?  Unfortunately, you generally can't pick your neighbors.

For the past two weeks or so, our lawnmower has been out of commission.  You see, Hubby tried to change the oil (or something) on it in an attempt at "yearly maintenance."  The problem with this, you see, is that Hubby only has the ability to "fix" things that are entirely made out of steel or some other unbreakable, non-delicate material.  Throw in little plastic bits and then you can forget it.  He will totally break the little plastic bits when he over-tightens or exerts any type of pressure onto the plastic bit.

Yes, think "bull in the china shop" and you will totally get the picture.

As a result of Hubby "fixing" the lawnmower we ended up with this.....

Why yes.  That IS our lawnmower - covered in a tarp - sitting in my backyard......for TWO weeks.

And have been waiting, ever since, for the replacement (plastic) part to come in.

(The tarp, in case you were wondering, is to protect this precious piece of machinery from the elements.  Let's hope it worked.)

In the meantime, my grass has been growing ever higher.  The two days of rain this past weekend has helped it along immensely, I'm sure.  It had reached epic proportions.  Which basically meant that I was convinced I would get bit by a snake or some other vermin, when I went traipsing through it to retrieve yard tools from the shed last Friday.

Yard tools, that I might add, would be better suited to being kept in the adjacent garage......I'm just sayin'.  Why yes, Hubby and I DID have a conversation about that, how did you know?!

Today, Hubby could not stand it anymore and got out the push mower with the intention of at least starting on the grass.  He gets major points for this because we do not have a small yard.  Here is just a portion of our backyard....

Add this to what you see in the other picture and that will give you an idea of the backyard.  And no, I didn't leave the porch to give you a better shot.  Because I was already in my pj's.  Don't judge!

Just as Hubby was starting to try and mow our lawn-mowing-loving neighbor (not that one; the other one.  The one that lives on his lawnmower all summer long - seriously.  I am not kidding.  We've joked that it is his way to hide from his wife) came riding over to the rescue.  And proceeded to mow our entire lawn (front, back AND sides) for us - just because he wanted to help, actually saying he'd love to do it (yeah, we know!) for us.

And that, my friends, is kindness.  And when you show someone just a smidge of kindness it goes a long, long way.

Whether it's a word of encouragement, a hug, or even just a smile.  That little bit of kindness will then go forth and multiply.  And that's what we need more of in this world - kindness.

You know what else?  Our lawn-mowing-loving neighbor, Mike (gee, it's only been what? 4 years before we finally got his name?) - he will soon receive some kindness himself.  Because guess who will be the recipient of some home-made goodness in the next few days?  Yes, that will be Mike, the lawn-mowing-loving guy, and his family.

Go forth and spread some kindness and see what kind of magic you can spark.

Well NO WONDER this house has been without luck lately!

Our "lucky" bamboo plant has been looking quite sickly lately.

Today was the day to figure out what was wrong with it.  I attempted to pull it out of the pot.  No luck.  I put both my feet on the rim of the pot and pulled - still nothing.  I tried digging around the edges - with no success.

In the end, I had to smash the pot on the driveway to retrieve it.  And this is what I found.

It was completely and totally root bound.  Yes, those are the roots.  Orange and in the exact same size and shape of the smashed pot.

That explains EVERYTHING.

Now the bamboo is happily settled into a bigger pot and it's roots are roaming free.  Let's see what happens.

Sometimes the early bird gets the parking spot....dammit.

It's only a parking spot.....or is it?

The company I work for has its own building, which means we have our own parking lot.  There is no "assigned" parking - except for the executives.  They have "reserved" parking at the very front of the building, of course.  They have chosen their spots and they all park - without exception - in the same spot every day.  

Which makes it easy for us peons to spot just which executives are in the building at any given time and might notice if we happen to be running a bit late; which gives us time to plan our evasive measures of making it to our desks unnoticed.

As I said, there is no "assigned" parking....but the rest of us pretty much follow the executives example and tend to park in the same place every day - we kind of look at it as a "perk" - sure it's not as grand as having your own "reserved" spot, but still it's something.  Plus it makes it easy to find your car when you stumble out of the building, blinking furiously in the sunshine after spending a mind-numbing day bathed in florescent light.

When I first started with the company over ten (!) years ago, I parked in a particular spot in the far end of the parking lot because it granted me easy access to my area.

Then about six or seven years ago when I moved into this department, I began parking in another area of the parking lot which was more convenient to my new area in the building.  

I can say with absolute certainty that I have been parking in the exact same spot for well over five years.  It is ingrained upon my very soul to park there.  In fact, my car has also absorbed this knowledge and will direct itself to that spot every morning as I drive into work half asleep and in desperate need of more caffeine.

Until recently, when my car self-guided itself to MY spot....only to discover another car there.

Someone has decided that "my" spot has now become "their" spot.  This is not acceptable to me.

At first I thought that it was surely a "new hire" and that they would randomly roam around the parking lot until they found a convenient spot.

Until I happened to arrive early one day and notice the person exiting their car - the very same car which was parked in MY spot and I realized that not only was it NOT a new hire but it was someone who had been here longer than me.  And hadn't changed positions recently. As far as I know, this person is still in the same area she's always been in.  What's the deal?  Why the sudden urge to park in MY spot? 

I was livid and plotting revenge

But what to do?  Something that wouldn't end up being an "issue" for HR?  Well, with that for criteria, all my dreams for revenge pretty much went up in smoke.

So, I gritted my teeth and dealt with it.  While trying to get to work earlier than her in order to claim MY spot.

And then?  Within the last month or so I witnessed something else.

Someone else - who has ALSO been with the company forever - has been vying for that exact same spot.

So now, I'm fighting TWO people for MY spot.  The spot I've had for over FIVE years.

And this new contender?  Her hours are earlier than mine.  The odds of me beating her to my spot are slim.  Unless I commit myself to getting up and out a full HOUR earlier.  

I guess I'm gonna have to find a new spot....or get out there this weekend and spray paint "RESERVED" on that spot.  Without security catching me on video.

I'm thinking y'all might want to start taking up a collection for the bail money now.....

How is it that I can be SO proud and yet so heartbroken at the same time?

The decision has been made.

If you follow me on Twitter (which is a totally pointless thing to do since I rarely tweet anything worth reading), and you have been counting you will know that Man-Child has been accepted to all the colleges he applied to last year, including the Number One school on his list.

Yes, we are very proud.  As is he.  Then it came time to make a decision.

He immediately ruled out two (and I breathed a sigh of relief.  Mainly because I didn't think the one would be a good fit for him and because the other one is more than three hours away!).

Secretly, Hubby and I were hoping for one school - even if it meant more money - because it is only an hour away - maybe less (depending on who is driving).

He continued to flip-flop between the two.  I even offered to take him back to both schools so that he could refresh his memory of both campuses.  He put me off - apparently it was too heart wrenching for him to spend the day with me sobbing and hanging on to his ankles crying "PLEASE don't leave me!" again.  Apparently, the first time around was really tough on him (if he thinks that was bad then maybe I shouldn't be the one to drop him off when the time comes?)

Last week, he claimed to have made the decision.  After all the waffling, I didn't believe him.  But today he made it perfectly clear.  He wants to go to the school other than the one we were secretly hoping he'd pick.  It's about two to two and a half hours away (depending on who is driving).

I have reminded him again about the beautiful school(s) we have right here IN town.  AND I even offered to drive him to school every day.  He wouldn't even entertain the idea.....the ingrate.

So I guess it's really happening.  Tomorrow we are sending off his acceptance and the deposit.  And by August he will be gone.

Out of the house.

Not here.

We will be alone and looking at each other and wondering what we will do now.

Little did I know that sending him off to kindergarten looking like this.....

All cute and sweet

 Would, twelve short years later, lead to this.....

All handsome and eager to jump ship

How are we supposed to adjust to a household of just two?  After seventeen years of having him here?  After seventeen years of "Mom!  Can you....?"  "Mom!  Will you....?"  "Mom! You HAVE to...!"

(oh sure, there were some "Dad!  Can you's" thrown in there - but not nearly as many, by my count).

After all these years of being US.  Being OUR little family.  We are now supposed to somehow just let him go?!

Pour me some wine and hold me.  I don't know how I'm gonna make it through this; especially now that I see it's really gonna happen.  He's really going.

And he will do great.  And he will be fine.  He will succeed and become the man that he is meant to be.  The man that we have spent seventeen years raising.  And he will make us even more proud.

But my heart?  My heart will never be the same.

Cutting those apron strings and telling him to fly is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.