WW: Pomp and Circumstance

You probably think all three of the people in this picture look way too old to be participating in the obvious activity on display. Well, you're right, they are. The characters in question? My parents and me. The activity? College graduation. 

The year was 1997. I had just had my second son. In fact, during my final semester, I spent 4 weeks on bed rest. My mom came up from Texas and drove me to and from class. My husband was still in training for his career, making mere pennies, and I had taken out every student loan I could get my hands on. I figured if we were going to be poor, we might as well be destitute. If you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly, right?

We all look deceptively sane in the photo, don't we? It's weird how I remember that day FAIRLY well, but the years preceding it are so blurry now. My memories of walking to class, being called Mrs. W by my classmates, study groups, research projects, husband being in charge (I use that term VERY loosely) at home while I was in class... they're all pretty much gone. But the good news is those memories have been replaced by ones of the kids, family activities and other precious things.

However, graduating from college, 100 years late, is probably my most significant accomplishment to date. I don't consider being a mom or a wife accomplishments. And I don't mean that derogatorily, either. I would consider them to be blessings. Or maybe works in progress. 

Life has intervened at almost every turn in my life. My plans I had for my life when I was a teen have been reshaped by car wrecks, stupidity, true love, health scares and time... but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. 

*author's note: as impressive as this all may sound, please note that said graduate has done NOTHING of value with that little slip of paper called a diploma. 

And let's hear it for Angie, hostess with the mostest of Wordful Wednesdays!

Tuesday's Tribute: Renaissance Man

I am going to try very hard to steer this away from me. However, the origins of this post stem from my shortcomings as a mom, and my bad habit of following the path of least resistance. See? There I go! Already an entire paragraph about me...

These Tuesday's Tributes are perfect for blathering on about Mr. G, my brave, funny son battling cf. He is a force to be reckoned with, that one. The only thing is... I have another child! Yup. I have to remind myself of that sometimes, too!

You see, Mr. Beans is easy. He is healthy, he is even tempered, and he worships (and worries about) his older brother. That's a lethal combination if you want to get attention around here. So today, it's all about Mr. Beans. I think you'll be impressed.

The list of his accomplishments is quite diverse. He is an amazing breaststroker. He plays the saxophone and has just picked up the electric guitar. He plays both instruments by ear, rendering sheet music unnecessary. He writes poems. He has been the champion, or runner up, in the school-wide geography bee for the past 3 years. And to top all of that off, he is a budding fencer. How cool is that? 

However, as amazing as those talents are, they are not what make me so very proud of my Bean. It's his innate desire to share... Insisting I try a bite of his food, so I can see for myself how delicious it is. It's his natural ability to be a friend to all. It's his gentle, loving manner he has with our pets. It's the way he puts others before himself, without hesitation. It's the way, after 12 years, he still wants to cuddle and always makes me pass through the "Hug Toll Booth". 

Mr. Beans, I love you. I am proud of you. And I thank you.

Alright, everybody... Won't you play Tuesday's Tribute with us?

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

N Sync

So by now, you all know the drill. The only thing left is to recognize (blame) those who made today's post possible. It appears this little game has been circulating for a while and can be traced back to Kel, our favorite Girl in the Glasses. More recently, Soxy Deb has been wielding her power, assigning letters to bloggers everywhere. One of those bloggers, my dear, dear Em was nice enough to bequeath me the letter N. And so, a post was born.

NOODLES: As in pasta. Macaroni, ravioli, tortellini, spaghetti... You name it, I'll eat it. I can eat it from the box (Thank you, Kraft), I can eat it wearing socks. Or even eat it on a train. Or maybe even in the rain!

NONSENSE: Am I the only one that thinks you can be educated, well-read and well-spoken and have a subscription to People? Why can't you be intelligent and never miss an episode of The Biggest Loser, The Hills and American Idol? I have NO problem setting aside my IQ to revel in reality TV, celebrity gossip, potty talk with the boys or just plain silliness. I don't take myself too seriously, and I highly recommend it.

NAPS: Really? Is an explanation needed?

NOT MY BUSINESS: In fact, the MORE not my business it is, the more I love it. I am always on alert for a conversation to overhear. My favorite is when I happen along people needing help or directions or an answer to a question that I know the answer to! Oh, how I love inserting myself, unsolicited, into other people's lives. 

NEW: Newborns, new shoes, new tv seasons, new years. I love the newness of new. I think it is the clean slate that is so appealing. The promise of things to come, unspoiled by reality.

NEWS: I am a junkie. Fox is usually what's on at my house, since my husband is a die-hard conservative. But I am not choosy. CNN, MSNBC, Local, National. I have it on constantly. I want to be in on any disaster, controversy or breaking news alert the SECOND it occurs. As I have said before, God forbid Armageddon begins and I am the last one to know! 

NORTH STAR: Is there anything more magical and wondrous than looking up on a clear night and seeing the bright, twinkling lights that shine regardless of our problems or achievements?

NICENESS: Sorry, but I like nice people. I like being nice to people, too. It makes me happy to have pleasant exchanges with strangers. My favorite easy way to be nice is to intercept someone walking their cart back to the grocery store as I am headed in and offering to take it for them. 

NOTHING: Days when there is nothing on the schedule are few and far between. I am very good at taking advantage of the nothingness and enjoying every second of sitting on the couch in my p.j.s, waiting for the sun to go down so I can pick up the phone to have pizza delivered for dinner.

NEBULIZERS: I got this idea from Em. Normally, these pesky, high-maintenance gadgets would be on my hate list, but I am going to try to see the positive in the things that get my goat. And this positive is a big one. These plastic vessels, that have to be taken apart, hand-washed and air-dried daily, deliver the miraculous medicine to my sweet, moody teen's lungs, that keeps him healthy, fresh, maddening, funny and ready for any adventure. 

What In the World Am I Wearing?

Oh, I had such big plans for this week... I was going to transform from my usual rumpled, exceedingly casual everyday look, and razzle and dazzle you all with something über-fashionable and chic (which would probably require both a magic wand and an expensive trip to the mall). However, per usual, life intervened. 

I went to bed feeling under the weather last night, and by 1:00 am, I had relocated to two different beds, returned to my own, changed pjs, found, and used, my son's inhaler, and woke my husband to complain about how horrible I felt, as if, somehow, it was his fault, or he should be awake to monitor my respirations, or something. Misery does love company, doesn't it?

Anyway, I am pretty sure I either have lung cancer or the flu, because, of course, it can't just be the virus striking every home within a 10 mile radius. But since the show must always go on, I present to you... what I am wearing.

Now don't be hatin'... Not everyone can pull together such fabulousness at the drop of a hat. 

Flannel pj bottoms: where else? Target.

Unacceptably unpainted toenails: moi

The rest was just too disturbing to display.

Brought to you by Tiaras and Tantrums. C'mon, play along, too!

The Very Best Torture Money Can Buy

I think skiing is somewhat like childbirth... Each time, while you're in the moment, whether having a contraction or suffering through the rental line, you can't help but wonder, "What was I thinking? This is a complete nightmare! Never again. NEVER AGAIN!" But miraculously (or insanely), you find yourself only remembering the good, and wind up right back where you were before... Either having more kids, or sitting by a fire with 1,000 of your closest, sweatiest friends, eating a cold $15 hamburger while trying to regain the feeling in your toes. 

Except not this time! I have vowed to remember, and learn from, the physical and emotional pain I endured while on our wonderful, fun-filled, family ski trip to Hell this past weekend. The awful combination of being hot and claustrophobic, yet cold and in pain, along with my marginally coping youngest son, having his own, uniquely embarrassing meltdown, causing him to strip off all his winter-wear, rendering him unable to help carry multiple boots, skis, poles, mittens, helmets and scarves, while the husband, who has his own equipment, has (probably intentionally) disappeared, has been seared into my memory. Yes, yes... I'll ski again, but not without making some major changes in my planning/execution.

Speaking of skiing (and very likely, Hell), I am allowing my 15 y.o. to go skiing with his schoolmates in Canada. WHAT? Am I insane? He's a good boy, but responsibility is not his strong-suit, and he has a bad habit of losing things (especially things of value). He'll be chaperoned pretty closely, and I don't think he will be looking for trouble, as he really does love to ski. He gets on the mountain on the first ride up, and I don't see him again until the lifts close. He skis far better than the rest of us, and I think it will be fun for him to be among fellow daredevils, tackling the double black diamonds and conquering the 360 he just knows he can do. Personally, I am glad I won't be there to witness it. 

Don't worry, you can all tell me, "I told you so," when I have to race to Canada to either bail him out of jail or feed him ice chips in the ICU.

Tuesday's Tribute

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Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.
Ugh, this was a tough one for me... I have been short on time, short on patience and have not been in a tribute-y mood, whatsoever. My family isn't doing it for me these days, and my friends are striking me as shallow and extra competitive lately. What's a co-host of Tuesday's Tribute to do? After mulling over my tribute options (p.j.'s? hard-boiled eggs?), I decided to set the bar really low for those of you that might be on the fence about participating. When brainstorming about the rules/guidelines for our Tribute Tuesdays, Jay and I both agreed that casting a wide net was important. We wanted to give everyone options. Lots of them. So I am going to take advantage of my vast options. Please feel free to do the same. Make it what you want it to be... Or what you need it to be. There's always next week to talk about how great your kids are.

Today I am shining a spotlight on snow. Those of you who live in northern climes might be rolling your eyes... Those of you that live farther south may be wondering what, exactly, it is I am talking about. The simple act of God that brings beauty to brown lawns and the hope of a snow-day to school kids everywhere. It's been in short supply here this winter, but driving a short three hours to the mountains this weekend gave my family a refreshing and much needed opportunity to romp in the frozen whiteness that brings so much joy, just by being.

To participate in Tuesday's Tribute, Fill out a Mr. Linky below with your name and URL address to your Tribute. Need a button? Go Here.

And the Winner is...drumroll...

JSPRIK (Joanna)!!
From...
Hot Diggidy, Blog Diggidy,
What You Do To Me!


Joanna wins the coveted and greatly anticipated "MISSION: Monday" Grand Prize Gift Basket including the Ruth's Chris Gift Card, The MP3 player, The Itunes Credits, and more!





In the spirit of MISSION: Monday, the Holiday Season, and the New Year, do you think you could all pop over to her great blog and congratulate her? Jay and I couldn't be happier for you, Joanna, and thanks to everyone for playing!!

Remember that tomorrow is the Inaugural Tuesday's Tribute. We will throw up a Mr Linky at HalftimeLessons and at Dirty Socks and Pizza tonight, so come on by, sign up, grab a button, and pay tribute to someone worthy (or even not-so-worthy) tomorrow...Jay and I are so excited to come find your Tributes.

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Now here is how our winner was chosen for the drawing.

Each "MISSION: Monday", we printed the resulting Mr. Linky.


Then we wrote the week number next to each entry so they could easily be looked up if the entrant was not easily recognizable.


Then we cut out each of the entries, cutting each to ensure they were all roughly the same size, and put them in the drawing bowl. If you did "extras" that got you additional entries, like posting on your blog, using our button, etc, we tracked them and hand wrote additional entries for you. Now you can watch the video above to see the results!