Pushing on a Rope
Parenting
When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true
How lucky I was last night: Basil called as the GHS chorus began its medleys of Disney tunes for the park visitors last night and held the phone up so I could hear, too. Even through the crappy phone connection, they sounded terrific threading their way through the first, a 20-minute series of classics — … Continue reading
Jolly Holiday
Ah, Day 4: It has been a cooking, cleaning whirlwind. From the piles on Catherine’s desk, next to her desk and crammed into the bookcase I’ve carted off an armload of teen magazines, last year’s school papers (taken out of the backpack in June and not touched since), and a collection of dried-out lip glosses … Continue reading
I’ve got no strings to hold me down
Day 3: A girl could start to like being on her own. Oh, sure I miss Basil and Catherine, but what a treat to have my own agenda for the day — no place to be, no friends to drive, no predetermined mealtimes, kid-specific errands or shopping requests. I don’t have to stay awake past … Continue reading
Whistle while you work
Day 2, the first full day of freedom, er, long-suffering vigil, as Basil and Catherine travel with the GHS choral groups to compete at DisneyWorld. It has been a good, productive day. Working against the backdrop of hammering and the on-again/off-again hum of a compressor while Catherine’s bedroom gets a face-lift, I was able to … Continue reading
Hakuna Matata
Florida will never be the same. Catherine and Basil finally landed late this afternoon. It was a victory of sorts for them both. Basil reports his group of 12 boys is nice and listens. (Fingers crossed that remains the case, and that Catherine’s chaperone is sending a similar message to her spouse.) Catherine overcame her … Continue reading
The Happiest Place(s) on Earth
So it begins. This morning Basil and Catherine left for the GHS Chorus trip to DisneyWorld. The group will compete tomorrow, sit in on a music workshop with Disney professionals and sing for park visitors on Main Street USA Sunday night. Plus they get to play in the various Disney parks. Followers of this blog … Continue reading
Can you hear me now?
A lot is made of mother’s guilt, especially working mother’s guilt. Been there, done that. I’ve sobbed in the car after dropping a reluctant toddler at day care — and watching her little face pressed up against the classroom window begging me to stay. (And I’ve returned to said day care and had to convince … Continue reading
16 Candles in My Heart Will Glow
Oh, there’s just no way to skip the cliches, so I’ll just have at them: How time flies! Where do the years go and how do I now find myself here, the mother of a 16 (16!!!)-year-old daughter? For I know I haven’t aged THAT much. It was just yesterday that I was waking Basil … Continue reading
Girls just want to have fun — Part 2
As we’d hoped, Catherine’s Sweet 16 party last night was an affair to remember. The combination of 10 close girlfriends, a trip to New York and lots of sugar fit the bill rather nicely. Catherine wanted a celebration unlike what many other girls are doing for their milestone day, and she got it. I love … Continue reading
It’s a thankless job … but someone has to do it
I used to laugh with abandon at Bill Cosby’s parenting routines. These days? Not so much. I’m living them. Remember the bit Cosby would do about his wife being sick in bed and the kids needing breakfast? He took the lazy route, fed them slabs of chocolate cake, and they sung his praises — “Dad … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 