Nap Time

It's that time.  Paul dragged the Christmas boxes down from the attic today while I organized our "to do" list into categories.  Shopping, decorating, entertaining, cards...it's Sunday and I have the whole afternoon to be productive but I can't decide what to tackle first.

So I take a nap. 

I just want to savor the relaxed pace of this Thanksgiving weekend a little longer.   Thursday morning's Turkey Trot seems so long ago now.  Any calories we burned were replaced (and more) by four days of feasting with friends.  Lots of laughing.  Too much pie.  No, I take that back.  Never too much pie.  And, well, I'll just throw this in there, The Redskins beat Dallas.

The "to do" list will all get done eventually.  But today I'm thankful for my family and friends, a warm house, good food and a break from doing anything at all.  Today I'm thankful for naps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Cure for the Common Birthday

There is still no cure for the common birthday.  ~John Glenn

November 18th--today's Mom's birthday.  In my mind I'm thinking she's about 42 right now, but then I realize that can't be right because I'm almost 42.  How did that happen?

The key to successful aging is to pay as little attention to it as possible.  ~Judith Regan

I usually don't think of myself as "old."  40 is the new 30, right?  And 60 is the new 40?  My mom certainly doesn't act "old."  She's clever, fashionable and active.  She's still learning new concepts--now she knows how to download pictures from her iPhone.  I don't even have an iPhone.  OK, so maybe her Bridge Club gives her away a little...I don't know why, but "young" people rarely meet weekly to play cards.  That's how I figure she's at least 40.

Old age is fifteen years older than I am.  ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

I still think of myself as 28.  At work several of my co-workers are in their 20's and sometimes I pretend in my head that we're all the same age.  Occasionally I'm reminded that this isn't true.  Like when Abby tells me her new boyfriend was born the same year I graduated from high school.   Or when the girls invite me on a spontaneous shopping trip after work and I decline because I am heading home to job # 2: Mom.

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.  ~Chili Davis

Which reminds me...I blinked and my babies became teenagers.  The other day I was looking for a missing belt.  "I've got to clean out this closet--I can't find anything," I'm thinking to myself.  Then I realize Katherine is wearing it.  And so it begins.  Apparently this growing up thing applies to kids too.

In youth the days are short and the years are long;

in old age the years are short and the days long.  ~Nikita Ivanovich Panin

I saw the Skyfall at the theater this weekend.  Age--getting older--was a theme throughout the new James Bond movie.  I checked and Daniel Craig is 44.  And when you see him jump and climb onto a moving train, he doesn't look too shabby.  I think that's why I don't think about calendar age too much--it's more about your mental state of mind.  

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt;

as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear;

as young as your hope, as old as your despair.  ~Douglas MacArthur

Happy Birthday Mom--and many, many more! I wish you another year of faith, self-confidence and hope,  as well as lots of love and laughter.  Oh, and some good wine.  And a few strokes off your golf game. 

Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.  ~Robert Browning

Three generations of ageless beauty

A Party Fit for a Dog

Katherine takes after me in so many ways but in this specific way: She's a planner.  Only while I'm spending my time planning the most efficient way to tackle household chores and projects, Katherine likes to plan parties. 

 

Katherine has enjoyed planning parties for as long as I can remember.  This year she planned a Valentine's Cookie exchange in February and her own Tropical Themed birthday party in April.   

It doesn't have to be a major holiday.  Once I remember having to dress up as my favorite profession for a Labor Day party.  This year, we celebrated Bastille Day.  Napoleon even made an appearance.



What a great sport...just one more reason I love this man!



 

French flags, a French meal, French music...

So, when Katherine approached me with another idea for a party, I was not surprised.  "Mom, do you know we've never celebrated Tatum's birthday?" she asks.  Well, yes.  I'm aware of that. 

Tatum is a dog. 

Tatum's canine qualities don't deter Katherine, however.  She has decided that we need to celebrate his birthday.  She pencils a date on the calendar and starts making a list of invitees.  I notice that the weekend she picks is the same weekend I'll be preparing for 29 parent teacher conferences and completing all my report cards.  Several thoughts float through my mind.  Luckily, I have enough parenting experience that I don't say any of them out loud. 

"I'm sure Tatum will really appreciate a party, Katherine," I tell her.  And so, last weekend, we had a party fit for a dog.

It was a brunch so Tatum requested eggs.

The guests began to arrive

and soon the table was laden with gifts.  

 

Tatum couldn't decide what do do first--eat or open his presents.

One for you and one for me!

Mmmm, that was delish!

As usual, Katherine's party was a great success.  The dogs and humans all had a wonderful time.  Who knows what Katherine will plan next.  It just so happens that this Thursday, November 15 is Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day.  Think I can get her to celebrate that?

October Scrapbook

For every story I post, I feel like there are a million stories I don't post.  When I think back on October, I have so many memories...

Like the day we left school early to go to the Nationals play off game.  I told the kids I hope I didn't end up on the Jumbotron like Ferris Bueller did when he skipped school.  It was a beautiful day for

 rally caps,

 cheering for the home team, 

 and waving our red towels!

Here we are celebrating the win after Werth's walk-off home run.

Also in October Katherine performed in her last Haycock theatrical production.  She was fabulous as Helena in Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream!  (Quite the switch from last year when she was The Best Kitchen Maid Ever )

 "Oh, I am out of breath in this fond chase."

Helena and Hermia

My adventure to St. Michael's with the girls was another highlight.  Yes, we were driving towards the coast when everyone else was heading away from Hurricane Sandy.  We beat the storm and had a much needed and much deserved day off.

Enjoying the scenery

Being silly

Hurricane Sandy did blow through the end of October leaving us without power or school for two days.  The lights returned on Halloween night as Katherine (aka Katniss, the Girl on Fire) and Jack (aka The Leaf Blower) were Trick Or Treating.

Trick Or Treat!