Brace yourself!

Ok, so I was waiting, as we moms always do, for my daughter to get out of an ortho appt. Well, this was an appt. like no other, the braces are coming off!!!  After our visit two days ago, to get her retainer impressions and ordered, I started to really think about what today would mean. This past summer I started becoming painfully aware of how fast my kids are growing up.  And how there is not a thing in this world I can do to slow it down.  It is like being on a roller coaster with no brakes...hang on, hold tight and scream!

Back to the whole braces thing.  You see, only 2 1/2 short years ago, a gangling, crooked toothed little girl walked out of the waiting area and into a dental chair to get her braces on.  And when she came back out, she was still a crooked toothed kid, happily sporting a myriad of colored bands on her braces, eager to show her friends.  She was also somewhat apprehensive, a normal response when facing peers for the first time.  And today, after what does NOT feel like 2 1/2 years, a more poised, adolescent walked out into the same waiting area towards me.  After swallowing hard, and closing my awestruck mouth, I was painfully aware that time is flying faster than I had realized.  This was one more milestone passed on "our" journey as she grows up.  Thankfully, as only she can, she snapped me back to the "now."  As I stood there, I told her that I couldn't believe how she looked, and my face showed it. Then I told her that I was tearing up...and out it came, something to the effect of  "Mom, you are such a dork," complete with an eye roll!  So, there it is! Reality...She is still the little girl who thinks I am a dork, and won't miss a chance to tell me either!

I have decided to TRY and embrace these milestone rather than dread them.  They are unavoidable and I can either make myself crazy by seeing them in a horrible negative light or I can embrace them, and help usher her into them...just as long as I am not too big of a dork!!!

Moving mountains!

Being an energetic, go anywhere, do anything...Jill-of-all trades kinda woman, I can easily spend the day plowing through piles of work, chores and projects. Rather enjoying myself as I feed my, self-diagnosed, mild case of OCD. However, I am always shocked at the post-illness recovery. How even the smallest of tasks, can make it feel like you have moved a mountain! 

So, after spending 2 full days in the recliner; suffering from one of many possible "bugs" brought home by my children, I find myself needing to dig my way out of a mountain of housework, laundry and other chores! Something that used to make me crazy...or crazier?

I woke up this morning feeling much better than yesterday and the day before, yippie! So, I started planning my day, item by item, chore by chore. However, as most of you know, your energy level is not normal and your reserve tank has already been drained when you run a fever for a few days.  

I managed to get up, make the bed, pick up countless shoes strewn around the house, and start a load of laundry only to find my way to the couch in need of a rest. 

Next on my docket...shower! Something I definitely needed after the past 24 hours! Feeling like jello after a nice, loooonggg, hot shower I again managed to find my way to the couch once again to rest. 

After pulling out 3 different things from the freezer, only to find them way beyond their life span, I settled for a pork roast and veggies. Throwing them in the Crock-Pot, I now have dinner done! Time to sit and think of my next thing (really time to rest).

Next, Halloween decor. I did manage to do some type of decorating, not my usual festive style but it will do this year! We will make a family outing soon to get some pumpkins, which will complete the porch decor. Hmmm, what next? I had better sit down and think about it! 

Oh, I really need to sweep, gag...my floor!!! But first, a request from the sick child home from school today;  "Can we watch, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs?"  PERFECT! Time to sit together and....yes, rest! Argh, the floor! Look at the floor...it is still dirty. Well, duh! Did the magic floor fairy come and sweep it during the movie? I don't think so!!! Which means, time to get up and sweep!!!

On a normal day, this would be a good start to the day! But today... I think I am done! You getting the theme here? Moving mountains could have been on my list of things to do today, since I feel as if that is what I am doing after each task. However, after many years of  stressing about "undone" chores...I found great delight in watching a movie with my daughter rather than sweeping up dust bunnies and hair balls and comfort in knowing that if I sat and waited 30 mins. before switching loads, the outcome would be the same...dry clothes! Perhaps the biggest mountain I moved, was the one I moved a while ago, the one in the way of actually being able to let things go, even if only for a short time! It definitely makes things easier and less stressful! I have learned that there are times when things can slow down, go undone and worked on  later. Something I learned the hard way! For this, I am thankful! After all, all the things I have to do, will still be there tomorrow. And tomorrow, I will feel even better, more energetic and my daughter will be back at school then too; not here, TODAY, with me...wanting to watch a movie together!