It's a Small World and Other Overused Cliches

It may be cliché but the older I get, the truer it seems. Is it because I have “been around the block”? "The past is catching up with me"?

Generally speaking, “it’s a small world” is viewed positively.

Take today’s job market, for instance. I have a college kid who’s looking for a summer internship. It’s nearly impossible to get a job after school these days without having a notable, successful internship. In days past, you sent a resume, had an interview and got the job based purely on your skill set and personality.

Not so these days.

The world revolves, good or bad, around whom you know. So living in a small community and having parents who went to large schools can make a big world seem a teensy bit smaller. That is definitely the positive side of “it’s a small world.”

My daughter previously refused to “use” anyone so she stubbornly made the job fair circuit. I admire her determination. However, there are times when people are pleased to help you like those who’ve bowled with you every New Year’s Eve while growing up and lived across the street for years. They’d rather hire a kid with whom they have history, a known commodity, instead of someone they’ve just met.

As days towards summer tick off the calendar and possibly a little applied pressure, we encouraged her to send her resume to a few dear friends who have successful businesses. Within an hour she received a reply. 

“Hello Miss Amanda-

It is very ironic, but we are looking for a marketing / advertising intern for the summer. The potential candidate must have the following skill set:

•                Female

•                Big Ten Conference

•                Young, energetic, outgoing personality

•                Creative

•                Family history of good athletic genes

Let me know when you are available to interview with my sales manager, Tom Johnson.

Steve”

(Note: I went to college with him and we were very good (platonic!) friends. I swear.)

“Mom, it sounds like he’s joking!”

“He’s not joking. Just having fun with you. That’s what he thinks of you. Cool, right? Follow up with a date to meet his sales manager.”

It’s a small world.

Recently I had a conversation with “Steve” and he told me he hired T.J. Johnson, a guy from college.

While in the end, we ultimately became friends,T.J. and I weren’t just "friends" for several months our sophomore year. And the reason we stopped hanging out was that he wasn’t a good kisser. Very shallow of me, I know. 

There’re times when the phrase “it’s a small world” is awkward. This is one of those times.

By now, T.J. knows Gina’s daughter is coming in for an interview, which makes it necessary to tell her that I know him. Details will be conveniently left out. Hopefully he has a poor memory.

“You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince” is a great cliché as well.

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If you aren't hanging out at Yeah Write, you should be. It's more fun than...a barrel of monkeys (they're fun, aren't they?).  Awesome writers!!!

Un-cool, Part Two

If you’re like me and your kids are nearly adults, you’ve spent most of their lives leading by example. Teaching them how to treat others with genuine kindness and respect, act with high moral standards. Do what’s right.

While doing this I whispered to the cool, hip one, “Your turn will come. Now’s not the time.”

The voice inside shouts to the dinosaur currently paying my body’s rent. “But when?” 

“Dinosaur? I take offense! Soon. Be patient.”

Watering them lovingly for years, they've grown into gorgeous saplings. I’ve done my job and it’s time to cast them free. Experiment with life, shoulder consequences and develop healthy, lasting relationships.

Guess who gets to come out to play now? Meeeeeee! Myself. The same mom, just funnier and more rambunctious. 

By now, my friends have told them stories about what I used to be like. They’re intelligent enough to know (because they’re my kids after all), there’s more to mom than meets the eye.

But it’s better to let out “cool and hip” me slowly. Don’t want anyone to freak.

Testing it out, I start belting out songs and seat dancing while driving together.

“Mom, you know the words to this song?”

“I’m down with this stuff.” (They don’t need to know it’s a remake)

“Ummmm. Wrong.”

Next step….Hit the dance floor at a college party.

Amanda says, “Whoa! Take it easy there, Mom! You’re not as good as you think!”

“Oh yeah! Dance with meeeeeee!!! I’ve had two beers. Watch me bust this move!”

“Matt! Get her to stop! NOW!”

On a roll, I try sprinkling in some language, including some “swears”, to spice things up. What did we used to say?

I know.

“I’m bad to the bone. Oh, don’t have a cow. Take a chill pill! Am I in deep shit?”

“Mom, you sound ridiculous. Plus you don’t swear. You’re not even good at it.”

“Wanna fucking* bet?”

It’s all in the 'tude.

Their friends thought I was cool.

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Blogger's Note: This piece is almost entirely fiction... except for possibly the swearing and the things I've done right in raising my kids, of course. I'm way more chill than this! And dare I say cool.

*Just so it’s clear, they were definitely of driving age before the f-bomb passed my lips in their presence….I think! I should ask them.

The writing challenge was to use the third definition of the word Dinosaur: 3. one that is impractically large, out-of-date or obsolete.

Oh The Things It Makes You Do...

Have you ever felt as if someone reached inside your chest, grabbed your heart with their hand and squeezed firmly refusing to let go? The first time you physically laid eyes on someone?

I'll raise my hand. And I'll name it. The "Crushing Hard" heart.

My junior year of college, I saw this gorgeous hunk of a guy at a kegger his fraternity was throwing. My best girlfriend, afraid I would embarrass myself AND her, told me to, "Pull it together. Put your tongue back in your mouth and wipe the drool from your chin." 

"Okay!" 

It wasn't that bad but I was crushing bigger and harder than ever before and we didn't know what to do. 

I was bitten by "love at first sight". 

I had him in a class too, Business Writing, and his physical presence (so he walked in and sat down) made my schoolgirl heart want to leap out of my body, onto his desk and scream, "Talk to me, please!" 

There were a few problems...(1) we didn't know each other (some silly eye contact was all) and (2) I was shy.

He always boxed in a campus charity event called "Fight Night". So my girlfriends devised a plan to get this tough, and naughty as the day was long, guy's guy to notice their girlfriend and ask her out.

They cast me as our sorority’s entry for "Miss Fight Night" claiming it was the only way to help a sister out because no one really knew him. RIGHT! Yet, they also knew it wasn't "me" to get up in a ring in front of a thousand plus people, all dressed up, and I’d most likely chicken out.  

Never underestimate the highly motivated.

“We” came in second but he saw me in the ring before his light heavyweight fight. I waved and the hook was set.

Who knew he’d be the most sensitive guy in the world?

Or we’d date for years and think it would last forever.

They Always Come Home

H-O-M-E. 

The sweetest four letter word in the world. Right?

And “home” means just about as many different things as there are people in this world.

For our family, it’s this red brick two-story place that holds all of our prized possessions.

Our memories.

Our photos.

Our holidays and birthday parties.

Where we’ve played games and cards, assembled puzzles, shared iPod playlists, and colored with crayons.

Snuggled watching movies, a stoked fire in the hearth.

Homework completed at the kitchen counter late at night; grumps waking for school the next day.

Bickering. To. No. End.

“Home” always has its arms open wide like a giant hug, doesn’t it?

And the definition changes when the kids go away to college.

Home then means:

“Is it okay that I brought my laundry with me?”

I say, “No problem! I’d love to wash five loads of filthy, stinky clothes for you and, hopefully, your sister brought home ten more! Because I LOVE LAUNDRY!”

And the can of worms is opened wide…

“Will there be leftovers for me to take back home?”

I say, “Of course there will be because I’m planning to cook all your favorite foods in abundance before your arrival. Actually, I’ve been preparing for days!”

“Thanks for dinner, Mom. What’s our plans for breakfast?”

AND “Can I have my friends over for a few hours, ‘cause I haven’t seen them in a long time? We’ll be quiet.”

“Can we go shopping? But if you don’t have time, I could just take the credit card.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know you wanted to see me. I made plans. How ‘bout lunch tomorrow but after noon ‘cause I’ll need to sleep in…if that’s okay.”

When the weekend is over, squeezing them and nuzzling their necks, I think, “You smell sooooooo good.”

And your heart breaks when they say, “I have to be ‘home’ by 6:00. Can lunch please be early?”

Home means here.

Where I sit and wait for them.

Or so they think….

Kids Need To Go Back To School: Random Tuesday

It’s Random Tuesday. I love Tuesdays for this very reason. I don't have to think too much and that's all good with me.

Right now, it’s early. The sun came up directly in the window with a clear path to my eyes. Looking down, I saw the computer exactly where I left it last night and began typing. Usually, someone would burst through my door after midnight, with his or her iPhone lit up, looking for it, waking me in the process.

I’m getting tired of getting woken up during the night. By someone doing something. Remember, I don’t have toddlers. No one should be waking up mom. And another thing! I’m tired of the shenanigans and the bickering. Again, I don’t have toddlers. I have young adults (who happen to never get along). Nothing heats me up faster, and not in a good way, then bickering kids!

It’s run its course, our summer together, in everyone’s eyes right about now.  By this time tomorrow, my house will be blissfully quiet but I'll have tears in my eyes, for sure. One leaves today and the other tomorrow. I absolutely love seeing their excitement for what this year holds. I LOVED college. I’d be excited to go back, too! Good luck with that "Introduction To Asian Religions" buddy. I'd enjoy it but I never pictured it to be in your wheel house!

Why is it when you are taking a shower, in one with a glass door, your husband finds about 5 reasons to keep coming in, asking questions, nose pressed to the door (or feels like it)? Then as soon as the glass fogs up, he gets on with his own business. Interesting.

I took a walk yesterday for the first time in 6 weeks. It felt great being in the sun and a cool 76 degrees. But I was huffing and puffing after the first half mile. After 1.5 miles, I threw in the soaking wet towel (ripped off the sweaty neck brace) and flopped down on the couch. I’ll go again today and a smidgeon farther.

What I realized during yesterday’s walk is I miss something very badly…my iPod. My music! For 30 minutes, I played most everything I wanted to hear! Just lovely!

Today will be another gorgeous day. I can tell from my window. But I think I’m going to close my eyes one more time and see what happens.

I'll Talk To Him...AGAIN!

This was written for Write On Edge's Red Riding Hood prompt, playing Victor/Victoria. If you typically write from the male perspective, switch it up to the female. And if you generally write female, go for the male. If you’re writing memoir share a memory from a brother/husband/father’s perspective.

Please Note: You are only “hearing” the guy’s side of this conversation and hopefully your imagination can guide you as to what the woman is asking or saying in response.

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Yes, I understand it’s my job. How many times do you plan to bring it up? 


I’ve GOT IT! Teach the boy to be a man. I know, I know. You’ve got the girls. It is different.

We DO talk all the time!

Come on. Do I really need to talk to him about THAT? Again? It’d be like the fourth time. 


That “film” in 5^th grade; the middle school talk and he said “No! No questions". I went over it again before he started high school and again before he left last fall. 


Yes, I told him he could ask me anything, anytime.

We DID talk about the “big” stuff, you know. He understands. How often do I have to sit him down about this? Daily? 


I was kidding.


Guys don’t talk about much on the golf course. Nothing came up. I’d tell you.

I don’t think finding that in his jeans means anything really. It looks old. 


No, I didn’t give it to him. I don’t have any! He IS in college, though. 


Well, yes, I did mention that he should always be prepared. Just in case, you know…

No. I don’t  know exactly what the “Fire and Ice” kind is but I could make a pretty accurate guess. 


Yes, you do too but you don’t want to go there because he’s your baby.

No. I don’t think his soul is in moral decay. I think he’s just a college guy looking to have a fun summer with... whatever. But, I don’t know the answer for sure! Again, I’m just guessing.

Ok, Ok! I'll talk to him again.

I hear you. Let me see what I can get out of him. I don’t guarantee he’ll tell me anything. 


When? How about this weekend? 


Fine, tonight.

Impending Chaos But I'm So Ready For It!

Don't Blink by Kenny Chesney 

(He’s not my favorite but I love this song)

Today is my last day alone for a very long time. It won't be all about me anymore, at least for a few months. But was it really anyway?

“The Stairs” were a sweaty and slimy affair this morning. It’s hot and humid here, almost gross.  A particularly sappy section of my iPod playlist cued up while I trudged up and down. Usually I’d have this stuff off faster than playing “Name That Tune.” but today I let it ride. (Sappy song list at the end)

I have no idea why the wallowing...maybe I need a cupcake. Is it because it’s the last day to be “me”? I’m not being dramatic here, either. I’m quite certain all parents are different in front of their kids whatever ages they are. Therefore, I won’t be exactly  “me” for a while, the one I've grown used to.

For 8.1237895 months…

I've been happy yet pensive; excited but often bored; traveled a ton and became a homebody; did major personal housekeeping (I’m talking about inside me) and ignored the laundry; wrote a lot and slacked off; packed in the movies and read; spent bunches of time with my lover and friends and a whole lot of time alone; got used to a quiet house but yearned for the chaos.

Then I blinked and it was May.

I’m sure everybody, at whatever point in life, feels time goes much too quickly. To me it feels more so when you no longer have the opportunity to spend every single day with your children. I can’t begin to explain the longing you experience especially at the beginning.

Although it becomes “the way it is”, it doesn’t feel completely natural to me and you don’t get used to it. Not really. My life doesn't feel complete unless I can hug and kiss my babies. There's a little emptiness. You begin to wonder how to fill the space. You try a few things but it doesn't work.

Am I nervous about what this summer holds? I’d be lying if I said no. We’ve all changed. We’ve all grown used to our new lives. It’ll become a question of merging our current lifestyles and compromising. But still, I can’t wait!

They’ll both be working fulltime, which is different. One will be at home with a way cool advertising/marketing internship and the other working a dream job at the lake alongside all his buddies (and a “crush” since 6^th grade, I might add).

So where does that put me? Haven’t decided yet.

I just have one more “sleep” until I can squeeze them tight and the anticipation is killing me!!! AND just received...

(The rest says...Go Study and good luck on your test tonight!)

I just know this will be one of my best Mother's Days ever. The best present...All four of us being under the same roof. I need nothing else.

Sappy Songs to click on:

Half Life (one of two Duncan Sheik songs) 

Dancing in the Moonlight  by King Harvest

Don’t Blink 

Play Me and Forever In Blue Jeans (both by Neil Diamond), 

These Are Days by 10,000 Maniacs 

5. The perfect Mother's Day consists of....

Calculus and Calculators

I may be wrong but I don’t believe I was ever allowed to use a calculator for math in high school or, for that matter, college pursuing math and economics majors. Did Texas Instrument even make the fancy, “do everything for you” ones then? The emphasis was on showing your work with the hope of providing the correct answer at the end. I was always good at that partial credit thing.

I took the AP Calculus test and it was four loooong hours that yielded a purely average score AND no college credit but then again, I didn’t have a calculator. Interestingly enough, my daughter took it with the TI 83 in hand and scored enough to receive her first college hours. Was she smarter than her Mama? Did she understand more logarithms? Or did entering numbers into an external “brain” do half the work for her? Naaah. She’s really smart and numbers are her thing, too.

What really struck my funny bone was when my son studied for Pre-Calc tests last year. I often quizzed him before with study guides. Labeled at the top, “You are allowed to use your calculator for this test” or “You are NOT allowed”. At least he’s learned some of it the old-fashioned, long hand way! Now, if he could just hang with Finite Math, he’d be golden!

To this day, I still do my math by hand. I will count the words in each of these paragraphs and add by hand. I divide and calculate percentages by hand, and the probability of….

It could also have something to do with the fact that I can’t find a “brain” in the junk drawer to help this sister out.

And really, the only math I wanna know these days is simple....

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Brain:

3. : something that performs the functions of a brain; especially : an automatic device (as a computer) for control or

Trifecta Writing Challenge

Just Don't Wanna: College Edition, Stream of Consciousness

Stream Of Consciousness Sunday

Today’s Writing Prompt: What are the things in your life right now that you just don’t want to do?

I’ve decided to interpret this Stream of Consciousness prompt a bit differently today and do a “College Edition” since returning from, arguably, the prettiest college campus in the Midwest only an hour ago. If I wait any longer to do it, I will be asleep.

Timer set for five minutes....

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Things I just don’t want to do on a college campus (until next year’s Mom’s weekend?):

I don’t want to do a beer bong at a fraternity house while my son’s brothers are chanting “do it, do it!”. However, I do want to dance and sing at the top of my lungs with all my daughter’s friends (Best new dance song, “Call Me Maybe” ADDICTING… Hey, I just met you,and this is crazy, but here's my number, so call me, maybe?) I also wanted to dance with my son but he declined my invitation and negotiated a time in the future.

I don’t want to do a bar crawl and bump into tons of people and wait in long lines for a bathroom stall to open up.

I don’t want to do shots but I do like tequila.

I don’t want to stay up until 3:00 in the morning but I did.

I don’t want to come home from the bars and order a pizza at 2:15am and have to wait up for it.

I don’t ever want to dip said pizza in ranch dip because all the girls do it. It was sooooo good but wrong in so many ways. 

I don’t want to wake up in the morning and look into red, bloodshot eyes instead of clear blue ones.

When my daughter woke up this  morning she said to me “Mom Bloomington successfully kicked your butt.” I shook my head in agreement.

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Can anyone take a guess as to what this is?

So, I'm always interested in learning new things but I thought I pretty much had the whole sushi experience down and well covered. I didn't know this!!! 

If I wake up before tomorrow morning, I may do a real version of this prompt.

Too Much To Do With Too Little Time!

Some days you have all the time in the world and nothing much to say. Other days, you have a zillion things on your mind and want to brain dump so badly and nary a moment to do it. Today is the latter.

I have so much rattling around upstairs that I’m almost beside myself. I should probably take notes.

Anyway…I’m off to visit my wee ones at school for Mom's Weekend.

I saw the itinerary. Wish me luck. I hope everyone remembers; I don’t stay up really late.

A friend of mine sent me this quote today and I love it! I try but acknowledge that I’m a work in progress.

“Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it...”

OH and Go Team Gel-LOTTO!

Maybe this time tomorrow, I'll be writing as a multi-millionaire!

Which Spring Break Would You Pick? My Last Few Hotel Stays

The weather is crummy, drizzly and gray. I could be napping or reading but decided nothing would put a spring in my step faster than writing about my last month on Spring Break. I won’t bore you with the whole month, just the last two weeks. It will be quick, simple and I’ll do it in pictures.

As an aside…

A guy friend came up to me at the gym this morning and informed me that we belong to the “Lucky Bastard’s Club” (LBC). “What the heck is that?” He went on to explain that we are fortunate to be living the dream and can do whatever we want since we don’t have kids at home. I’m sure he was talking about all his golf games so I agreed. It quickly came to mind that maybe I should start a “Lucky Bitches Club” and anyone could join…How about that?

As a member of the LBC, I recently had the amazing fortune to take two Spring Breaks (SB) to two wonderful islands and stay at one fab resort and one nice one.

The first SB was of the adult variety. We were two couples hanging out on the beach, relaxing, sipping Killer Bee’s at Sunshine’s and taking some adventures. Nothing could be better, IMO! We were carefree and mellow, a little too much so once, twice…okay maybe a few more times than that but we blame the Killer Bees. Our nine-day vacation looked like this.

Peaceful looking, right?

Sunshine’s on Pinney Beach, Home of the World Famous Killer Bees. Our favorite Rasta spot and the best sunset viewing…or maybe it was just a crazy fun place.

One night we helped with the beach bonfire at Sunshine’s. Probably wasn’t a great idea to let us near it but whatever, Mon!

Lazy afternoons were spent sipping rum punches or Caribes,

And every night included a gorgeous sunset.

Fast forward nine days and more than a few islands away, we met up with our freshman in college for his SB. Actually, he/we nixed his original SB plans, which included 10 pledge brothers in one room in Panama City, FL. It was never going to happen and he wised up fast when I dangled diving everyday in front of his nose.

After a diverted flight where he was fortunate to spend the day on a Dominican Republic tarmac and night in a roach infested hotel, by himself let mama add, he arrived to our spot in one solid piece and just one day late.

My vacation with him, aside from diving together everyday and sharing lovely dinners (he even asked me to dance once while a band was playing), looked more like this…

Due to his delay, he and his daddy only had one night together. Mom bowed out of boys’ night after the Cuban cigars were purchased. 

This is a picture from his dad’s camera! Why is a 30 year old woman dancing with MY 18 year old son on a bar? (Picture blurred for privacy but really because it’s a bad picture) Why is my son ON a bar? Dad??? They rolled in at 1:45am and were not quiet. I reminded my son that I would be tapping his shoulder in 5 hours for our two-tank dive.

He and I had spent only two days alone at this point (sorry you had to work, Dad) and he exclaimed, “There is no one at this place my age.” Hmmmm…Really? Maybe he was missing his other playmate or this one's not as fun because I don't smoke cigars. However, our room overlooked the pool and beach and I could see several kids just from the lanai. Being an extremely outgoing guy, he tells me he’s going to go down there and check things out. A few minutes later I walk down as well and he introduces me to three freshman girls from the University of Texas. Well, now. No one your age? Be quiet, mom!

That’s him on the dive boat the next morning. In the wee hours of the night, he ran up to our room, excited, and explained that he’d been trying to smooch (my word) one of these girls on the beach and that’s why he was late. TMI!!!

College SB finally caught up with my guy. I’m still recovering.

Even though I love spending time with my son, I’ll choose to stay at the other place, on the other island…the quiet one!

Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

1.) Describe an outfit you LOVED wearing.
2.) Share your idea of the perfect Spring Break family vacation.
3.) A lie you told.
4.) Pinterest Challenge, find something you’ve pinned, TRY it and share it. Was it worth pinning?
5.) What was the occasion? Write about the last time you stayed in a hotel.

There's Nothing Sweeter!

There is truly nothing sweeter than spending time with your kids especially when those times are so few and far between. You see…I am an empty nester.

I haven’t seen my son since he checked out of his personal Bed, Breakfast and More on January 8^th. Actually, his father informed him that check out time on that day was 12:00pm. You should have seen his face. It was really quite funny (Check Out Time).

My darling sugar plum fairy of a daughter has been home more recently but anytime away from her makes me sad. Her brother on the other hand, ehhhh! Just kidding but not really…him being the high maintenance one. Everyone always thinks it’s the girls but it’s all in the personality and not in the gender…in my experience.

We are very lucky they attend the same university, where their daddy went, so we can hit them up in one big swoop. I’m hoping everyone looks happy and healthy. Hard to tell when you aren’t pushing the food and vitamins. Trying to release that white knuckled death grip on them.

I suppose it’s all about letting go and that’s been hard for me. Not to say that I haven’t gotten used to a quiet household. I have, but it was a work in progress from August until December. You hope those wings you spent 18 years helping them develop actually work and they take off to fly. Then, of course, there is the fingers crossed “please make smart decisions” thing too!

Letting go is hard to do but it makes seeing them all the sweeter!

Things That Make Me REALLY Happy

The title of this post was originally going to be "Things That Get Me REALLY Excited" because, as I'm learning from another blogger, a title alone can be cause enough for people to visit and leave a comment.  However, the comment in most likelihood won't be related to the content at all. So.......

Waking up on the right side of the bed is just AWESOME, plain and simple! Top Ten reasons why I'm happy today:

1. My scale smiled at me today! She's usually a really big bitch and I have a habit of avoiding her at all costs. Today, I'm feeling good and, you know what? She REALLY likes me. I'm loving her so much right now that I did a happy dance which guaranteed she won't end up in the trash anytime soon.

(Not my ugly toes. Mine are ALWAYS painted. A mans?)

2. Don't know what's with the dreams I'm having lately right before I wake up...some crazy ass stuff. Today, I'm smelling the most incredible food (I LOVE food) and for whatever reason, my nose is 6 inches from my grill (I grill all winter) and I am starving when I wake up. I descend to the kitchen a few short minutes later and there's a breakfast taco waiting for me. Yeaaa! AND a note about the dry cleaning I forgot to pick up : (.


3. Addison and I get in the car for my mandatory, first things first, coffee from the shop right around the corner. Turn the radio up because my favorite band is playing. A great cup of coffee and music...starting my day out right.

4. My Thursday morning workout was particularly brutal but Dave, my partner in crime, is wearing a Rocky tee-shirt just for me so I hit him really hard for a half an hour. He makes me laugh and I get to hit him. Doesn't get much better.


5. I'm feeling very motivated and, therefore, really productive. Checking off things on the to-do list right and left. Cleaners, check!


6. Only blip so far is a text from my college guy. He hates Finite Math and "my teacher goes too fast and sucks", "I have lots of studying to do before this test". At least he's texting from class so I know he's there. "Hell Week" this week at his fraternity is bringing this pledge way down. As a mom, you're only as happy as your most unhappy child and this one sucks it out of me if I let him. Not today!!!


7. Just received a call to plan the second of two warm weather vacations for the month of February. Looking way, way up! I'm an admitted traveloholic.

(Island of Nevis, West Indies)

8. I texted my next door neighbor to go for a long walk this afternoon in the glorious weather and she said yes. 


9. My 13 1/2 year old Chocolate Lab is not wincing in pain and limping anymore from when I ran over her a week ago Monday. Thank God because...

10. The very best thing of all is my daughter is coming home today for a spur of the moment visit! She called yesterday and asked, "Would it be an inconvenience if I came home this weekend?". Are you kidding me? "I'll cook you anything you want, take you shopping and do your laundry (yuck). We'll have a glass of wine." (She's 21 so we can do that). 

It's only 10:00 a.m. and it's got the makings of a great, great day!