I'm declaring a vacation from life...care to join me!

[Camperroo]

Well said Elisa, you are so right...there's been a lot going on for us, but you know, I should have sat back and delegated things, I didn't.  I did what most of us moms do, I just sucked it up and tried to be the great fixer of all situations for everyone.  

My kids are well old enough to help out around the house so far as making their beds, picking up the dishes, helping with laundry, etc, but I've always done it because for the most part I enjoy it, but then when you couple it with all the crazy, unusual circumstances we were thrown into, then it got a little hectic!!  Delegation in a family is key and learning to say NO is a great word to learn and not feel guilty about!!!!  I'm going to practice it daily!!!  no, no, no, no....gee it looks good when you write it!!!

[NightOwl]

Camperoo, I am SO HAPPY for you!  Not just because things are going better and because you feel so much cheerier :S but also because YOUR FAMILY LOVE YOU SO MUCH and they have shown you in the most loving way a family can.

Still, you are right, we Moms are socialized to just "suck it up" and we  do it out of habit sometimes and dont stop to realize (because we dont have TIME ) that  there are options, and "NO" is a very good one now and then.

So glad your DH took a hand with the high school situation and made the decision--one more worry off your  caring shoulders!

Hooray for you and your excellent family!!!

[Camperroo]

Ahhhh...ok what a difference a day really makes...DH and DD came home, cooked a yummy dinner for us all and get this....I'm giddy with excitement, as they are now spoiling me because for dessert they bought a Boston Creme Pie which I just enjoyed with a cup of tea!!!  Now DD and I are together in the den about to watch American Idol!!!  The boys retreated downstairs to the family room to watch the Bruins playoff.

Hmmmmm venting good.......definitely very good.....anyone want some pie!!!!   :W

[vjm1639]

Camperroo...you must have really scared them!  LOL.. I LOVE IT!!!!  sometimes it takes just getting totally fed up to get their attention.  Sounds like you have a terrific family who loves you and actually notices that MOM IS SERIOUS!  :>
 
 
Good for you!  
 

 
I LOVE Boston Cream Pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sandykayak]

I am reminded of Ann Landers (RIP) and her constant  "This, too, shall pass."

Glad to hear that the sun is shining again....just don't let people (yourself included!) slide back into old habits.

Things like bulletin boards with assigned chores in writing should eliminate the need to "nag."   "This is how it is, folks."

My daughter developed the knack of "If I don't do it long enough someone (usually her younger brother!) will do it."  He was far more helpful but she's now married and expecting #3.  Payback's a bitch, isn't it?

[NightOwl]

My daughter developed the knack of "If I don't do it long enough someone (usually her younger brother!) will do it."  He was far more helpful but she's now married and expecting #3.  Payback's a bitch, isn't it?

OH, hahaha Sandy--this is SOO TRUE about "Payback being a bitch"  

When I was thirteen and knew EVERYTHING, but wasnt allowed to really talk back, I developed the skill of saying wearily   "Ohh, Motherrrrr, you just dont understand! " delivered with a very snotty look.  One day, after I had done my little  Superiority Act, she turned and said to me, "Girlie" (she always alled me that whenever I was being a brat) " all I can say is, I hope some day you'll have one just  like you so you'll know how much control it takes for me not to lock you in a closet for the next ten years!"

So when Elisa T was about that age and fixed me with her cold blue eyes in a stoney stare that said clearly, "my mother is a worm"  I got on the phone and called Mama right away and said, "Mom, this is THE DAY--your wish finally came true!"

And I said to Elisa the same thing my mother had wished for  me years before.  And sure enough--One day I got my wish.  When DGD Hannah was about 13, she also reached the Age of Cold  Hard Stares!  And Elisa T finally understood!

It sure takes a strong sense of humor to get a child raised to the point where  they finally realize you are smarter than they are and there is a GOOD REASON why God put YOU in charge!  :W

[B-flat]

Wow! NiteyOwl, several generations of cold hard stares.  It runs in the family.  LOL!  :J