Day by Day

Holy Cow.  I guess we paid our dues with Hurricane Irene (no power for four days) because we have power after the NorEaster when most of Wallingford does not.  Most of the state of CT does not have power.  Both Bob and I were able to stay home today-no power at our work places.  Bob went to Lowes (which is at the most five minutes from our house) but it took him an hour to get home.  I guess people are out getting food, getting warm, getting gas.  This is unbelievable.  And...will we be trick or treating today?  I think the Mayors are basically saying at your own risk.  We might take Keera up one road that we know has electricity.  I can't imagine children and teenagers walking into wires that you can't see in the dark.  I don't think in 43 years I have ever seen a Halloween like this one.  Wow. 

Life is good....life is good!!!

I think I over did it.  Many times in the last couple of years, I have found myself saying, "We will get that when Dad gets a job."  Guess what?  Bob got a job and now I am eating my words.......those teenagers have a whole list of what I said that to.  Done gone kids.

Brendan decided to take a road trip with his friends to visit a friend in Philadelphia.  When this first came up a few weeks ago Bob and I said "no".  Brendan did not take it well, but we just weren't ready for that.  Well, it came up again and I knew we couldn't keep putting this off.  He is 18 and becoming his own person.  We allowed him and two friends to go to Philadelphia. As he was leaving, I still wasn't happy about it-worried is a better word.  I decided to "suck it up" and support him-you know, I said, "I love you, be careful, etc.etc.".  We kept in touch throughout the weekend.  I was texting on Sunday to find out exactly when he was coming home and I realized through our texts that this 18 year old kid drove on 95 into Phillie, drove around Phillie, and was driving home.  I realized I was impressed.  Most adults don't want to drive through NY on 95 (George W. bridge, etc).  I texted him I was impressed and he asked why....

Bob got a job.....two interviews and a letter saying, "you're over qualified, so we are not hiring you", didn't stop him.  He emailed his disappointment and his interest in the job to the President of the company.  The email back was an offer for the job and a comment from the President stating that he was impressed with Bob not giving up.  Thank God!  What a weight off of our shoulders.  Although, I will miss coming home and having Bob here to talk to or spend a few minutes with.  The last two years have been great for us seeing each other.  Not every couple has the opportunity to do that in the midst of having 4 kids and working 2 jobs.  We are counting our blessings right now.

Keera has started tap, ballet and jazz.  She really liked the first week.  I didn't know what the teacher would be like, but she was really nice.  She constantly smiles and is happy and warm.  The second week, I said, "Keera, you have dancing tomorrow."  She said, "I don't want to go."  I asked her why and her response was, "Because that teacher freaks me out....she is always happy and smiling."  (Unlike mom or anyone else apparently.)  I told her that was a good thing and she should enjoy it.  She did agree to go to dancing but I think it still throws her off to have such a happy teacher.

About a week or two ago, I had the pleasure of being a part of a funny conversation between Katie and Connor.  It all started on a day that seemed forever long.  I was exhausted-one of those days-and then I came home to many people wanting many things from me non-stop-one of those days.  Only a mother would understand what I am talking about.  From 4:00 on it was "Mom" this and "Mom" that.  By 9:00 I was beyond exhausted.  I snapped at Keera, which did not go unnoticed by Connor and Katie.  Then Bob came in from working on the garage room, so Brendan can live in it, as I was doing laundry.  I made some snide comment like, "Could you help with laundry tomorrow."  He went into the bathroom and when he came back, he had blood running down his forhead and he asked me how bad it was.  My response should have been, "Oh my gosh, what happened."  Might I say that almost any other time, that would have been my response.  (Ye...

20 years as of October 5th.  Wow...we had a week long celebration.  Tuesday night we went to 5.00 movie night.  I took Friday off and we went to breakfast and hung out together and then Saturday night we went out for a quick bite to eat.  It is possible that Bob will get a job as of Monday.  Putting it in writing is like jinxing it, but I have to say that the last two years of him not working has been trying at times, but truly brought us closer together.  I thank God for the last two years; I thank God for Bob and I thank God for (hopefully) finding Bob a job at a place that does mailings for Catholic Diocese throughout the country.  I also thank Bob for hanging in there with me through so many ups and downs in the last 20 years.  We both bring our strengths and weaknesses to the relationship, but he honestly saw my strengths much more than he saw my weaknesses.  Love ya Bob-thanks for a great week and a great life.