Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Cheating

Now, I know what you are probably thinking, but I'm not going to talk about "couple cheating." Right now I'd like to ponder cheating, as in...cheating. If we're going to be completely honest here, I think I can HONESTLY say that we've all cheated in school at some point, right? From glancing at the the back of the book to sneaking a peek at your neighbors' test to flat-out paying for answers. Somehow, back then, it seemed so innocent...even exciting.

However, when you have kids of your own and learn that they cheated on something, YOU ARE SHOCKED! Am I right? "Not my kid!" Ha ha, oh that's right...

So, when my ULTRA SMART daughter (really...she loves physics, math, anything geeky) asked me if she could wrap her heartbeat monitor around my laptop, I was intrigued. Here's her deal: she is taking so many prep classes that she has no time for "fluff" classes, like P.E., so she is taking "gym class on-line" (no kidding). All she has to do is record her heartbeat while exercising, and she has done so flawlessly all semester.

But tonight was different. She had "heard" from someone that if she wrapped her monitor around a laptop, it would record a heartbeat. Please remember, this is a very smart chick, and yet, she fell for it! My daughter spent more time trying to "cheat the system," instead of just doing the work...incredible!

As I watched her, trying so hard not to laugh, it occurred to me that even the best of us try to take the easy road every now and then. I asked her if she found the heartbeat -- she opened her mouth to, I am sure spout off something sarcastic, when she realized the ridiculousness of her situation and burst out laughing. That's OK, honey...my own older sister tried to sell me an elevator pass when I entered high school.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Priorities

It's amazing what a good nights' sleep can do for me. I know growing children and adolescents need a bunch of sleep every night, but a woman in her 40's (early forties, BTW)? I woke up feeling rested and refreshed...something I haven't felt in a while! My morning went well -- I even got the doggies out for a nice, long walk before church. When I got home, I started thinking about all the stuff I needed to get done and decided that since the fridge was empty I should probably go grocery shopping. My youngest daughter came along which was nice -- she usually doesn't "hang" with me.

I put some stuff that was on my "to do" list on the back burner and spent the day with my kids. Also, at some point during the day, I had a meaningful face-to-face conversation with each of them (really, no texting involved!). What I am starting to understand is this: if I don't complete everything on my list, it's ok. IT'S REALLY, REALLY OK. All the cleaning, laundry, and work will still stick around, just waiting for me. But spending time with my kids and by myself is truly priceless. And now that I think about my lovely day today, it actually started last night with a great friend at a Mexican cantina drinking yummy margaritas and listening to happy drunk women (no, not us!) karoaking to ABBA... life is good.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

When It Rain, It Pours

In a nutshell, my day went something like this: left the house early to have blood work done, got a call from the high school saying my daughter is sick and needs to go home, finished lab work, got daughter and brought her home, arrived at work, made two unpleasant phone calls, received one unpleasant email from ex-husband, the State made their surprise visit to the school (passed with flying colors, thank-you-very-much!), got dizzy from fasting the night before (blood work, remember?), got a heads-up that a position that I had applied for months ago, and had forgotten about until now, just checked my references last night and were very positive, went home and crashed (what I tend to do when I need to retreat), have been bugged by sick daughter to let her go on an overnight church retreat with new boyfriend and I said absolutely NOT, and then started receiving texts from new boyfriend pleading daughters case.

Just when I was thinking how much I hated being a single-parent-mom, I remembered something today that I hadn't been able to give two thoughts to -- a good friend and I are going away on vacation for a week this summer for some much needed R&R, for both of us. As I was thinking about this joyous, upcoming trip, I was reminded that there are special people that are put in my life for a purpose. And no matter how stressful and unpleasant life can be, there are always constants -- God, family, and friends...and sometimes those friends are my life-line.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

First blog ever..

Well, I succumbed to peer-pressure (at my age!), and started my own blog. How could I give up the chance to talk about me?! I can't. But it does pose a problem of sorts...do I continue to write in my journal, as well? Isn't that kinda like "double-dipping?" We'll see...

My kids are fascinated with my blog. Kind of like a train wreck, I think. They did, however, help me pick the colors, fonts, and all that important stuff. Then came the, "well, mom...what are you gonna write about? I mean, other people might SEE it." That's the point, yes? Anyway, I'm sure my kids will come up a lot -- after all, they are a part of me, live in my house -- great conversation pieces.