Catching Up

So many things have happened this past month. I can't believe how fast time has passed! Between all of the graduations and spring concerts, school was just a whirlwind of activity right up to the very last day with Field Day!

I have had 2 full days at home alone now, and am still finding it hard to fill my time. I don't like to sit and watch the television hours on end, nor do I enjoy sitting at my computer all day any more. I don't have anyone to chat with, so time just drags when I'm online.

I mentioned in my previous post that both Michael and I had lost an uncle. His Uncle Chuck died on the beach gathering seafood for his family. That was one of his favorite things to do. He showed Michael his favorite spots for devil fish (octopus) a while back. Michael was so tickled. Now he almost feels as if he shouldn't go there because Chuck is no longer with us. I told him that if Chuck had wanted him to stay away he wouldn't have shared his secrets. I think at the next low tide, I'll encourage him to at least walk on Chuck's beach even if he can't find it in him to bring anything home.

My Uncle Don passed away after a long bout with cancer. I hadn't seen him recently but have many fond memories of him from my childhood. He was quiet but quick to smile. He had a unique and contagious laugh. That's what I'm going to miss the most. He lost his wife and children when they were young. I never did know how. I know he missed them, though, even after all these years. His passing has brought my family closer together. I'm sad that it took his death for us to realize we were drifting apart, but thankful at the same time. He's not suffering anymore and now we all have each other again. A blessing in disguise, I suppose.

Lucione and Lindsey are doing well. Lucione is filling out applications to hopefully get her first job. She doesn't like to spend money, but she likes having it. That will help her later in life, I think. She's quite responsible when it comes to money. The exact opposite of her mother. Lindsey is looking forward to going to a sleep-away camp in Juneau.

I am waiting to hear if Michael has a job and with which company. He has a chance to work with our housing authority as a truck driver. They need 25 new pads for 25 new houses. He also has been offered a job with the same company that had him traveling back and forth. He could possibly end up back in Fresno. He wants to work here at home because it means more money. I kinda want him to work in Fresno. We've discussed it and decided that if he gets a job in Fresno, rather than traveling back and forth, he'll stay down there all summer and I'll come join him. That would mean I'd be just a few hours drive away from my mom and sister. I haven't seen them in way too long and this would be a good chance to sneak in on them. I haven't told my mom yet...so if you are a part of my bebo page, please remember it's a secret! He's got a few days left with his current job and then we'll see what happens.

I think that's about it for now.

Mother's Day

Yeah, I know...it's been over a MONTH since my last post! It's been a very busy month with plenty of ups and downs and here it is already Mother's Day.

Between baby showers, retirement parties, the death of one of Michael's uncles, the death of an uncle of my own, and trying to wind down to the end of the school year, I have tried to keep my sanity and my wits about me.

Now it's Mother's Day. I can't reach my mom. She had to work today. I've left messages on both of her phones and drew a picture for her on her Bebo whiteboard but haven't talked to her.

We don't really talk on the phone all that often, anyway, but I'm still a bit disappointed.

The weather is gorgeous today. Low 50's right now at 7PM. That's summer weather in these parts. haha We went for a drive, got pictures of a blue jay, and came home to find a gift on the couch (nope...we don't lock our doors when we leave the house; I don't remember the last time I used a key to get in).

It's a set of candles in martini glasses. It's a Mother's Day gift. From my in-laws. They both wrote very nice messages to me thanking me for being a 2nd mom to my girls. I got a phone call from Lindsey. She said, "Hi, Auntie. I just wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day. You're my 2nd mom, remember?"

Like I could forget.

I've dedicated much of my life to taking care of them. I help them with homework, lecture them about breaking curfew, talk to them about boys, attend every single activity they participate in, and have even been known to hand out a punishment or two.

I let them talk and when it's my turn, they listen. I am still amazed at how well, even after all these years.

I slipped up one time a few months ago. Lindsey was wearing make-up for the first time and I said to Michael, "Look at your daughter!" Nobody even caught the mistake. When I realized what I had said, Space Cadet said, "It's okay. You ARE their 2nd set of parents."

If I never bear a child of my own, it will be okay. It doesn't hurt as much as it used to. I'm actually glad I was free to be there for my nieces as much as I have been. To be able to give them my full attention and all of my love and the best guidance I knew how. I would never take full credit for raising them but it's nice to know that others, even the girls themselves, give me partial credit for the wonderful young ladies they are growing up to be.

Happy Mother's Day to the rest of you. Including you, Jay, another wonderful 2nd mother. :o)