My nest will soon be empty

I try to start this blog over and over without much success.  I have good intentions but life has always been too busy to spend much time writing.  I will again try to post more often.  It's funny how I think of this page when major events happen in my life.  The last post was when I had to leave the job that I loved.  I still miss that place and the people that worked there.  Most everyday I find myself wishing that I could go back...when things were settled and happy.  Not that I don't enjoy my job now but I miss the friends and the connections.  It was like family.

Anyway, again I find myself with a major change in my life. The dreaded empty nest.  In two days I will move my baby boy to college.  My heart is sad but my brain is so excited for him. He will join his sister at OU.  I am so happy that while they will be 2 1/2 hours from me, they will have each other close by.  I think I have been dreading this day since my youngest was born 21 years ago. They are my world.  Most of my identity is as their mom. Sure I have a terrific career, but my joy comes from the two people that own my heart and soul. For the purposes of this blog my son is "B" and my daughter is "D".  D has been at OU for three years now.  While it was painful for me to let her go I still had B at home and she came home often. I don't know why it feels so different this time.

We have had a fantastic summer.  Vacation in Florida at Disney World and lots of family time since then.  We truly enjoy being together.  We are a tight family unit.  Hubby and I have worked so hard to make sure that they know that they are the center of our world.  I hope that we did enough.  I hope that we taught them enough.  I pray that they stay safe and make good choices. I hope that they know that whenever they need us we will always be here. We will always be their safe place.

So hopefully I can use this blog as a place to explore the changes.  To let go of the fear and enjoy the journey. To document the changing family dynamic.  

Dang!

My Sooners lost today.....that is all.......

Have Faith

Last night my best friend came over and brought me cake....and some very good advice.  She has a way of bringing me peace.  Her advice was to pray.  That simple.  Pray together for my baby girl's eyes to open and to realize her value.  I called on another of my old friends who I know has a very strong faith to join in the prayer circle.  Now we have the power of praying moms and I feel at peace. 

I start my new job tomorrow.  I am a little stressed about that as well.  I'm not worried about the work, I have confidence in my skills.  I'm worried about the new people and new surroundings.  I LOVE where I work and I don't want to leave.  The plant closed last Friday so I have no choice.  Our production was moved to a plant in Dallas.  I guess we are lucky after hearing that the entire company sold to a Japanese firm.  I am thankful that I was able to find something so quickly but still I worry.  I will write tomorrow about how the first day goes.  Closing down this place is so difficult.  It is quiet and empty and sad.  No production noise or people coming by my office to get coffee or candy.  Just the few of us that are remaining for the next month to close out the books and disperse our records to various locations.  I am going to work both jobs for a while.  Split the day between the two. I'm tired already......

Happy Saturday!

Had a wonderfully busy Saturday.  My oldest is home from college for the weekend and I for once didn't have to work on closing weekend.  I'm an accountant so I usually have to work one Saturday a month.  This would have been it, but thanks to the wonderful world of technology I did not have to today.

I planted flowers and herbs in my flowerbed.  I cleaned out cabinets and cleaned the piles on junk in my bedroom floor.  I made lasagna and did a bit of laundry.  I'm tired but feel good about all that I accomplished today.  I also drank the "pink drink" for the first time.  I have many friends that sell Plexus so I thought I would give it a try.  More on that later......

Things That I Have Learned

As I start this blog over again for the fourth time....I find myself thinking about all that I have learned in the last several years.  I know that I sometimes need to purge my brain and let it out.

1. Sometimes you have to just let things go or you will go insane.
2. #1 is easier said than done.
3. It SUCKS to watch your parent(s) get old.
4. It sucks worse to not get to.
5. You can try to help your kids until you are no longer helping them by helping them. Or something like that.
6. God puts people in your life when you need them.
7. My husband is the kindest, most honest, strongest, loving, devoted husband, father and son I know.
8. HE is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
9. My parents did their best.
10. My brother should NOT be raising his grandchildren while my niece does whatever she wants.
11. My son is a gift.
12. So is my daughter.
13. College is expensive!
14. My daughter should work hard and make good grades because college is expensive and I am not happy about paying the price for the amount of effort she is putting in.
15. I really really really like wine....but don't drink it very often.
16. I'm tired of being overweight but I love food.
17. Some people will just get on your nerves.
18. Some people will always make you smile.
19. Children really do grow up too fast.
20. I'm afraid of being alone.