Garden Variety Work...

It has been quite a while since I've posted, I know! I find myself preoccupied with so many other things, I forget to blog about how it is being an "empty nester"!! We had a wonderful Easter with both of our children here! We had a family shopping day and it was nice just to hang out with both of them. Megan is having a successful time at school and she is able to talk with John in Afghanistan often. Austen is doing well, but ready to come home and live with us...(rriigghhtt...) One of the things that Scott and I have decided to do is garden!!! We are actually loving it and very proud of the work we have done in our simple, plain backyard. We don't have a big dog that might dig, so we are growing tomatoes, banana peppers, okra, red peppers, and green bell peppers. Scott built me a raised gardening bed that I absolutely LOOOVVVEEE!! We also redid our flower beds (with rocks...YES!!). We also have a lot of hanging plants and potted flowers!! We have found some great deals!! Here are some pics!!

 

 

Oh What a Beautiful Day...

It is such nice weather here is southeast Texas!(Granted, it is a little warm for spring..)  Yesterday, Scott and I went to the movies and out to eat.  I have to give my sweet man credit...he has always went with the flow when it comes to my geeky side.  I am a huge reader and I can read a book or two in a weekend.  My favorite series is Potter.  My man does not like science fiction, fantasy, or reading for pleasure.  But yesterday, he laced up his tennis shoes and took me to see "The Hunger Games".  Yes, I read the entire series about a year ago.  He has seen every Potter movie, Percy Jackson, and...Twilight.  Yep.  I am loved.  He has seen all of the Twilight movies and could probably explain what is going on in the series.  He has stood in line with me for a couple of Potter midnight premieres.  Trust me, it is not his cup of tea. But he does it because he loves me....well, and he is racking up credit for when he has something he wants..I'm just sayin'...

Austen came for a visit.  It was nice to see him.  He hung around a little more than usual and that was nice.  We didn't know that he was coming, so when he opened his bedroom door on Saturday morning while Scott and I were getting dressed to leave, I screamed a little! Haha!  He rode with a friend, so there was no car in the driveway!  So how were we to know???

I planted some new plants in the back yard.  I'm excited because I'm trying to get some hummingbird visitors!  I bought a honeysuckle vine, as well as a hibiscus and a couple of red petaled hanging plants.  Come on, birds!  Your feeder is waiting.

My ankle is healing OK.  I don't have to use a crutch anymore.  I fell down a couple of stairs at school last Monday, and by Tuesday afternoon, my ankle area was painful and swollen.  I didn't work on Wednesday, but the final x-rays came in and nothing was broken (like they made it seem).  I just have a bad sprain.  It feels "wobbly", but much better.  I still can't turn it certain ways, but I can walk on it much better.

Well, next weekend is 4 days of bliss!  Both of my kiddos will be home, so the place will be crowded.  But I'm up to it!!

Until then,

And......They're Gone Again....

My Megan left Friday night to head back to school in Huntsville.  Her husband 2LT John is not in Afghanistan and she's back in Texas.  For all she's having to go through, she is content and in good spirits.  It says a lot about her character.  She is, no doubt, one of the strongest women I know.  I'm so proud to be her mother.

 

My Austen confirmed to us that is indeed coming home at the end of this school year.  All of his friends from home, who went with him to Blinn, are returning home and attending college here.  Some of them only stayed a semester.  He doesn't want to be there without his good friends.  He doesn't want a stranger for a roommate.  If you knew him, you would understand.

For Scott and I, there are pros and cons (believe it or not!):

Pros:
1.  Our son will be in our home again.
2.  He will keep going to college.
3.  We no longer have to pay rent and give him such a big bi-weekly allowance!!!!!!!
4.  He will not be driving back and forth to College Station.
5.  He will be here to help his dad with the yard, cars, etc.
6.  I will love hearing his jokes and sarcasm.
7.  I tend to feel "mom" needed when he's here. (see cons)

Cons:
1.  We are used to having a clean house.
2.  We are used to laying around the house without feeling guilty.
3.  I now have to cook big meals again...that means no leftovers for lunch.
4.  Probably have to get another cable box...that equals more money.
5.  I will probably be on his butt about school/grades, which means more "Oh my God, Mom!!!!"
6.  I tend to feel "mom" needed when he's here.  (see pros)

 

But, life always changes and we have to adapt. 

I've also decided to let go and just start enjoying the people I'm around and that like to be around me. Mother always told me that if I didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.  And I'm not.  And I think that I'm at the point that I don't care what people think of me.  I know who I am and what I stand for.  I'm done trying to please people who "manipulate".  I deserve better.

Stepping...
             down...
                     from...
                            the...
                                 bi#$%ing box...

Well, I'm off to watch a show or two, finish some school projects and get some rest.

God Bless...
Keep our troops in your prayers...