May 29, 2008
She's good
A couple of weeks ago, Chickie had her year end dance recital. Their call time was at 12:30 and rehearsals started at 1:30 (and went until 4:30). Her dad came towards the end, bringing food as well as her sister, Meelie. Chickie was fidgety and had a hard time slowing down enough to eat. She was non-stop chatter, which unless she wants something, is highly unusual for her.
This was her night. After years of practicing, sore muscles, sweat and performances, she was going to perform a solo. People? She NAILED it! During the break she admitted to me just how nervous she was. Back stage, before she went on for her piece, her friends helped her dress and do her hair. Dad, Meelie and I locked hands when it was her turn. The spotlight was shining down upon her and I felt my heart accelerate. I was sweaty, and my eyes became moist (and I wasn't the one performing). She had worked so hard for the moment and like any other mother; I wanted it to be perfect. Isn't that what all moms do?
It was flawless. Absolutely, flawless. Before you tell me that I am biased (I resemble that remark completely), I had several people come up to me during the intermission to tell me how wonderful she did and how much she has grown and improved over the years. And then I melted. All of the other dances went just as well (she was in 9 of them). Recently, the recitals moved to the Fine Arts Center at the University of North Florida, and they seem to be getting better every year.
If you could have just seen her face after the show and sat with her, listening to her animated conversation, you would realize why we don't mind taking her to all of her practices and why we don't mind paying tuition. The recital is where it all comes together.
And she's good. Very good. And she loves it. You can't get any better than that.
Posted by Moogie at 4:24 PM | Comments (3)
May 27, 2008
Time keeps on slipping....
Dear Chickie,
It seems like only yesterday that I held you in my arms. You needed me for everything, and for that I was very grateful (mostly). You were an easy baby, sleeping through the night at only three months old. You were quick to smile, and had long prehensile toes that would wrap around my finger. They also made putting socks and shoes on you something of an Olympic sport, but that's for another post.
The years seemed to fly by, with many "firsts." First tooth. First Steps. First words. First day of school. It seems like only yesterday, on the first day of Kindergarten, that you marched right into class, refusing to hold my hand, and excitedly looked for your desk. Your enthusiasm was catching. You slowly turned towards me with your eyes shining ever so brightly. "Mama, you can go now." My heart broke a little but I was so proud of you for taking the bull by the horns and jumping in feet first to this new life of yours.
After Kindergarten, it was first grade, then second, third, forth, fifth and then OMG middle school. I am certain that the first day of middle school was much harder on me than you. I worried all day about how you would do. Would you make friends? How would you cope? After all, you were my baby girl. You've never met a stranger. I needn't have worried. You, my bubbly child, fit in like just the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. You burst through the door when you got home, excitedly relaying to me every single part of your day. I was so relieved. I think in my head I knew it would be that way, but my heart was afraid.
And now? You have graduated from the 8th grade and will be heading off to high school. While I rejoice that you have come so far, I still grieve for the child I have lost. The child that no longer needs me the way she once did. I miss that.
I love you baby girl. I will always love you. Even when you are married and have some children of your own, you will always be my baby girl. I'm so glad you had fun at your 8th grade Prom. I can't wait (even though it hurts) to see what high school brings.
Love,
Mama
Happy Love Thursday everyone.
Posted by Moogie at 8:32 PM | Comments (6)
May 26, 2008
Computerzzzzzzzzz
With the patient help of my husband, I've pretty much gotten everything transferred over to the new computer. I had to install a couple of things, but it's almost restored to what I once had. There's only one gigantanormus difference.
Just like a new pair of shoes, it runs faster and jumps higher. In other words? It's slicker than snake snot baby!
And now, on to our regularly (more fiber!) scheduled blogging.
Breaking Free
Posted by Moogie at 7:07 PM | Comments (4)
May 23, 2008
Aaack..pffft
I have to do this really quick. My computer at home has rolled over and died a horrible death (I'm using my husband's right now). I was attacked by a nasty case of adware. The only good thing that is resulting in this is that when all is said and done, I will have a new and improved computer! My husband is diligently working on it now, painfully transferring all of my data and 1,364,123 photos. This has been a seriously frustrating week for me. What did I do BEFORE I had a computer?
I have actually handwritten out some posts because if I waited until my computer was up and running, I would have forgotten them. My short term memory fizzles after 3 hours. I didn't want to post because all of them require PHOTOS! Like the 8th grade prom! And the recital! And oh goodness, our 20th wedding anniversary was on Wednesday! And we are going out to dinner tonight. Sans kids! Oh, and did I tell you we are getting a new camera? Woooot!!!!!!!
All of that, and more. Coming soon.
Watch this space.
Posted by Moogie at 6:54 AM | Comments (2)
May 12, 2008
What's going on?
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. Even though our schedules here at Chez Moogie prevented us from visiting Mom on Mother's Day, I still had a marvellous chat with her, as well as my dad and brother. I'm sure it helps that we are planning to go down on Father's Day (if not sooner), and my older brother and his wife will be there (they live in California).
The past few weeks have been a whirl wind of comings and goings, and goings and comings. Don't get me wrong, it's all good, but we are looking forward to a slower pace of life, coming in the next few weeks (crossing fingers).
And now, an update:
- I would appreciate any prayers, or lighting of candles directed towards my FIL. He is having surgery on Wednesday to fix (we hope) an aortic aneurysm. The medical complexities of this surgery still confound me even though my lovely SIL sent a detailed explanation of what was going to happen. There are so many things that can go wrong (he could end up on dialysis for the rest of his life) and so many that can go right (it worked!). I try to remain positive and focus on the good things. It's doubly hard being all the way across the country. I can't do the whole see, touch, feel. I can't physically BE there, but I can pray, and I can offer support, via telephone and email, such as it is.
- Meelie's Cheer Leading team went to the National Championships a couple of weeks ago in Virginia Beach. They took six place, with an honorable mention. You can't beat that. I went with my girlfriend, and her daughter who is on Meelie's team. We had so much fun but I was really tired by the time we got home. This old bod can't do that kind of thing and recover as quickly as it once could. It took me about three days before my hearing came back and the ringing in my ears stopped.
- Chickie has her big recital this Saturday, and has rehearsals almost every day this week. Tonight, she told me she finally feels comfortable with her solo. She had been worried because she was having trouble remembering it all. Tonight she had one-on-one time with her instructor and she feels fairly confident, albeit somewhat nervous, about the piece. Since I'm the sole taxi driver (see #1) this week, it's turning out to be an juggling act of schedules, making sure the kids have dinner as well as clean clothes to wear to school. It's all doable, but requires some heavy thinking on my part. I'm beginning to learn the value of the "LIST."
- Speaking of Chickie, she has her 8th grade prom this Friday. My girlfriend's daughters saved all of their prom dresses and Chickie is wearing one of them. SCORE! We got her a really beautiful pendant to go with it as well as some shoes (both on sale - DOUBLE SCORE!). The only other thing I had to pay for was sending the dress to the cleaners. I'd say I made out like a bandit. We'll be taking pictures that night over at her friend's house. They have a beautiful backyard, complete with a swimming pool. My girlfriend is catering the event, so she'll be sure to give me all the details. I'm really excited for her.
That's about it for now. I'm hoping to update the blog a little more than I have been doing. I decided to take a bit of time for myself and family, and I must say I've enjoyed it.
I hope you all are doing well. Until next time.....
Posted by Moogie at 7:32 PM | Comments (3)
