Thursday, January 19, 2012

Three Things

I love this shed.  In spite of the few minor cosmetic issues, I love it.  



Thursday is upon us once again which means it's time to share three things. I'll go first.







1. These pictures are of the potting shed referenced in yesterday's post about my visit to Carol's house and our walk in the woods. As soon as I spotted this structure I dashed over, introduced myself, and began taking pictures. This shed has lots of personality, but the windows were my favorite part. (The last photo below was my favorite of all.)








2. Last night after racing home from a long day of work to retrieve CB Daughter from basketball practice, I spilled into the front door and dove head first into the dinner making process, do not pass Go, do not even change out of your work clothes or take a moment to collect your thoughts because teenagers must. Eat. NOW.

After CB Son and I exchanged a few pleasantries, he proceeded to inform me nonchalantly that there was a basketball game at the high school. Ordinarily this would cause me to grimace because it would require two more trips for me that evening: one to deliver him and one to retrieve him.

In this instance, however, I realized he could drive himself in my car, since he now has his license. And I still grimaced.

Sure, it's nice that he can drive legally now, but this opens up a whole new can of Worry--an extra large vat of it, in fact. Nevertheless, we went over the rules for easing me into this concept of him driving alone at night:

"Text me when you get there. Text me when you leave. But dontchoodare text while driving. Drive directly there and straight home. Do not pick up or drop off anyone else or venture elsewhere after the game. Night time driving is different. Even if you think you can see, animals dart out. Big ones. Other drivers may not be able to see at night even if they are perfect drivers in the day. Yes, I fully realize I sound like the stereotypical mother but I can't help it. Just yesterday you were in a bassinet and today I'm handing you my car keys. Cheeseandrice, where did the time go and how much longer before you all leave me in a corner of the arts and crafts room at Sanders Assisted Living?"

We really did discuss all of that and more, except for the cheese and rice part and the assisted living scenario, which occurred only in my head.

I am pleased to report that we both survived this major milestone. It was far easier for him than for me, a trend which no doubt will continue with each step he takes away from me towards adulthood.

Serenity now.







3. This Saturday night Baby Sis and Middle Sis will be in town to celebrate my father's 71st birthday. We're planning a big dinner for us and a few neighbors, but any time our family gathers it morphs into a dance party. All I can say is it's a good thing I've been running here lately, because I think I'm going to need lots of endurance.







4.  (Because three is only a suggestion...) Between the son officially driving and the upcoming weekend celebration, I'd like to state for the record that I really, truly, love my family dearly but at the same time really, truly dream of some day escaping if only for the rest of my life a week, to Bora Bora.


Now it's your turn to share three (or more) things. 


 Whatever you want. 


 Anything at all.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

CBW--I am majoring in "serenity now", but am far from mastery, as the mother of 2 adult sons (and a daughter in law who drives down freeways at 95mph ..)
When I got my license, CA driving age was 18. Now there is talk of a graduated license allowing day time, no passenger driving, advancing into day and night driving, lastly allowing friends in the car. Eso me gusta mucho...
LLC

Karen Deborah said...

I shared 8 things at my blog and it wore me out. You pegged it on the bassinet/car key thing it really does go fast. Are there any canibals in bora bora?

deborah said...

I remember that conversation - it has happened here twice. It doesn't get any easier the second time, I'm afraid. I know your fears and am sure you were relieved when he was home safely! He will be careful!

Wishing your father a very Happy Birthday! Sounds like you are planning a fun party!

I try to always practice 'serenity now' but the last few days I've not been able to find that zone. Maybe tomorrow?

Kay L. Davies said...

I taught my youngest brother to drive. First, I took him out in my car (automatic transmission) until he got his road sense, then I took him to a large parking lot in Mom's Toyota (standard transmission). He really had trouble with the clutch and the gas (of course) but I insisted he had to be able to drive Mom and Dad's vehicles in case of an emergency. I said, "Some day you'll thank me," to which he replied, "No I won't, I'll hate you for the rest of my life." Then we sent him to driving school to get the lowdown on parallel parking, etc. By the time he was out on the road on his own, Mom and Dad and I knew he'd be okay. But we still worried.
That has to be at least 3 things.
K
PS—he is now over 40, still alive, and doesn't hate me.

Maria_NJ said...

Such interesting places...I love the bit of green here and there...

Happy Birthday to your Dad, I wish him many, many more...

My life has been very busy lately, I need some of that calm...too

my 20 year old does not drive, he is weary of driving, I'm OK with that..

cheese and rice...you are too much!

Jamie said...

1. Midge was accepted to Wilkes University! I have mixed emotions. So proud but what the heck am I going to do with her living 3 hours away??

2. I should be completely moved back into the family commune by the end of the weekend. It's a good thing, but it's also the weekend I was supposed to go to Deltaville. So I'm not totally happy.

3. I'm in for Bora Bora, but I call dibs on the hammock on the beach

fighting mermaid said...

1. Remind me to take pictures of my shed... which is quite similar but overgrown with grape-vines and weeds and a pine tree...only about 20 feet from the house. I should have been able to control the local wilderness a little bit.

2. Congratulations on your survival! Noah is saving for a dirt bike (really wants me to drive to Colorado to get my sisters Honda 100) so I'm having panic attacks about that--especially since I crashed my brother's as a kid more than a few times.

3. It was downright cold in our neck of the woods this morning. Made me think about the old days skating (in slippery shoes or on a skateboard) across Blackwater Creek. Been decades since that was possible...but it sure was cold.

Daryl said...

My favorite is the next to last shot .. perfection! And you know NYC is a lot closer and .. well .. come on back .. BTW Carl said he found a tortoise shell hair clip under the sofa ..

Mental P Mama said...

1. San Francisco is a mere 9 months away. Kinda like a baby.
2 Those driving teens mean the need for wine one one.
3. Did you know that if you take the t,h, w and s out of Mathews and add an l, b and c, then you have malbec!

growing wild on waverly lane said...

1. I hear tell that one of my famous daughters drove the family vehicle loaded with friends around the by roads of Mathews when she was supposed to be at basketball practice. Payback is ... justice applied.

2. We get it. You find family flings taxing. Maybe when we're dead things will be easier for you.

3. CB son is far from grumpy and sneaky, so count your blessings.