Monday Morning Musings - 2010!

Last night on facebook, my college roommate mentioned a security breach at Newark airport because it delayed her son's trip back to college. About 1 hour later, I was on MSNBC.com and saw a "breaking news story" about it. Scooped by facebook! How funny! I have several friends with students in college. It amazes me how they have to go back at vastly different times. Her son headed back today, another friend's son has to be back on January 10th and another friend's daughter doesn't go back until 1/25/10! I wonder why the wide range? I don't know what colleges would have a 4 or 5 week break at Christmas. Seems a bit excessive to me.

My son is named after his two grandfathers. My father was named Van and my father-in-law is Edwin. We figured that Evan would make both sides happy. My only concern was that the same college roommate had a son at the time named Evan. I hated to copy her but we had picked out the name before she had her son AND we live hours apart AND we weren't really in contact that much. Her son was born quite premature but ended up surviving with no ill effects. I ended up sending her a note with the birth announcement saying that I hope she didn't mind that I borrowed the name but that I hoped my Evan would end up being a fighter like her Evan. She was fine with it. Another one of those memories that have been rolling around in my head lately and just popped out on the blog.

My son had a few friends over for New Year's Eve and the surrounding days. I always let them use my laptop in the family room to surf the net and go on facebook. I have never had an issue with it. This time, however, someone changed my chair adjustment and I about ended up on my a$$ on the floor when I tried to sit down. They also changed the font since so it is now itty-bitty and I can barely read it. What is up with that? I can't imagine making changes to someone else's computer area like that! I have changed the chair back but am having issues changing the font size back. Hopefully my son will read this blog sometime and fix it for me. I hate to admit that I am technology challenged but I truly am.

Have a great Monday everyone!

Here's to quick posts.

Friday Fragments - Happy New Edition

Before I go racing into 2010, I thought I would take this opportunity to look back at 2009 and look forward to what I expect 2010 to bring. I have permission to be random, you see, because Mrs. 4444 tells me I can be. Every Friday, she hosts a plethora of randomness and encourages the rest of us to join in. Some may think she is being a bad influence but I say that she is the exalted ruler of de-clutter. Jump on over and see what everyone else has cleared out of their minds.

2009 has had its challenges work wise. Money is tight at work and the boss is not dealing with it very well. Our wonderful laid back boss is now a flame-breathing bear. Here's hoping that things settle down in 2010.

2009 has had some surprises for me. Last year at this time, I not only didn't know about on-line blogs but I would never ever in a million years have imagined that I would be writing one. Thank you all for accepting me, for commenting on my posts and for allowing me into your worlds. You inspire me and entertain me. In 2010, I will a) reach 100 posts and b) meet Hallie in person. Who knows - maybe even meet other bloggers in person too.

2009 also saw me - yes, the out-of-shape, middle-aged, clumsy ME! - start karate. The idea of ME! taking karate would have caused me to roll on the floor and laugh. My husband guilted me into taking a 6 week self defense seminar (under MUCH protest, I will admit) and I ended up loving it. Yes, loving it. Who knew karate could be so much fun and that I would love comparing bruises?

2009 saw me sitting back and enjoying the growth in my son. He finished his freshman year in high school, continued to excel academically, got his first (and second!) jobs and took driver's ed. I admire the young man that he is maturing into. 2010 will see him complete his eagle badge in Boy Scouts, get his license, and travel overseas without me. This is going to be another fun year to watch!

2009 saw me reconnecting with many old friends and making new friends because of social networks like facebook and various blogs. I anticipate that the same will continue in 2010. With some of my friends, I wonder how I survived being out of touch for so many years. I am happy that I got to see some of them in person in 2009 and I look forward to additional "reunions" in 2010.

My son had a few friends over for his annual New Year's Eve sleepover so I have taken advantage of the time to review some of my old posts. It has been an interesting experience. Some of the posts remind me of forgotten goals or ideas (diet and making jewelry), some make me cringe (sorry for whining) and some make me smile.

My son has been hosting a New Year's Eve sleepover since he was in first grade. That year, we had about 8 boys and it was the first time that many of them had ever spent the night at a friend's house. In addition, it was the first time that most of them had stayed up until midnight! My job that year was to keep them fed and entertained. It was fun but exhausting. This quickly became a much requested event! Fast forward until middle school. We were up to 12-15 boys (I stopped counting for my sanity!) and my job was to keep them fed (which took an amazing amount of food) and somewhat quiet. They yelled, they ran and they stayed up all night. That meant, of course, that I also stayed up most of the night. They also created a massive mess so I spent most of my time cleaning up after them. This year, my son only invited a few friends and my job was to provide food and stay out of the way. They were quiet, well-behaved and my only complaint was that they left a light on when they went to bed. No more all-nighters. No more yelling. No more trashed house. Life is good.

The only family member not excited about the sleepover was the dog. She likes the boys and they are all very good to her. However, she is definitely a creature of habit. She was not impressed that I stayed up past her bedtime. Our fierce doberman/dalmatian is afraid of the dark so she doesn't like to go upstairs by herself. She showed her displeasure by going to the foot of the stairs and barking to let me know what she wanted. Alas, I made her sleep on the couch until after midnight. She was very relieved when I (finally) said "Bed, Katy". As usual, she beat me upstairs and had her place claimed on the bed before I reached the top of the stairs.

I posted "May 2010 be happy for you" on a high school student's facebook wall. Her response was "Why May?". Yup, she was seriously thinking that I was telling her that May of 2010 was going to be a good month. Sigh. I had to explain that I meant "may" as in "I hope that" and not "May" as in the month. I guess she doesn't know any Irish blessings!

Here is hoping that 2010 is everything that you want - and more! Here's to randomness.

Happy New Year!

Thankful Thursday

What better day to have a Thankful Thursday posting than on Christmas Eve? Thankful Thursday is a time when I take a step back from the hustle and bustle of my life and spend time looking at all that is good in my life. Today, my thankful list includes in no particular order:

1) I am thankful that I haven't had to run around these past few days doing last minute errands.

2) I am thankful for the adults who have provided support and guidance to my son this year. These include, but are not limited to, the adults who spent time with him at the scout holiday party last night reviewing his Eagle Project booklet. It is ready to be mailed to get the district committee's approval!

3) I am thankful that my husband and I still have jobs.

4) I am thankful for karate which has taught me many lessons about myself this year.

5) I am thankful for my friends - new and old - who are always there for me.

6) I am thankful for the new people I have "met" thru the bloggie world.
Thank you for sharing your stories. You make me laugh, you make me think and you
often inspire me.

7) I am thankful that the people around me are mostly very healthy.

8) I am thankful that I live in a great town, a great state and a great country. I
feel safe, I (mostly) enjoy the weather and I appreciate the many freedoms.

9) Most of all, I am thankful for my husband, son and extended family for always loving me.

Merry Christmas to all of you that celebrate.


Here's to thankfulness.

Happy Birthday to my son.....

Fifteen years ago, my life changed forever. After a very difficult delivery and 10 days early, you showed up. I always said that the delivery from he** gave me “Evan from Heaven” and that has been so true.

I am so proud that you have always been a loving son. Hardly a day goes by that you don’t say “I love you” one or more times. As you said on-line, how many teens have ‘I love my parents’ on their facebook page? In addition, you are very caring towards your other relatives and your friends. Your empathy towards others is a wonderful quality.

I am so proud that you have always kept us on our toes. It has been an education trying to keep up with you. With your razor-sharp mind, you often process information twice as fast as me and often come up with a conclusion that had never occurred to me. I love the way you try to see both sides and come up with a win-win situation for everyone.

I am so proud that you strive for excellence in things that matter to you. You are a wonderful student and I can't believe I have never had to bug you to do your homework. I know your grades are important to you and the result has certainly been worth it.

I am so proud that you honor all of your commitments. Never once have you quit a sport or activity or given up. That will serve you well in the coming years.

I am so proud that you think ahead and plan for your future. I think it was in first grade when you first started talking about going to college! I know your plans will come to fruition and your future is bright.

I am so proud that you stand up for yourself and the things that you believe in. From when you insisted that we "ask the little guy what he wanted to do" at about age three to the high school freshman who advocates with the high school principal on what he needs for classes, you have never been afraid to speak up.

I am so proud that you are a leader and not a follower. While I may not always agree in the ways that you show your individuality (IE skinny jeans), I always admired you for not following along with the crowd.

I am so proud that you are my son and I know that the next 15 years will bring you many great things. Happy Birthday with love from your mother. I love you as much as you love me!