sometimes they listen...

Negative attitudes (crabbiness, pessimism, rudeness, projected depression etc.) are not tolerated in our home. Anyone (including me) who is walking around pulling a black cloud along with them is instructed to go to their respective room and not return until the attitude is improved.

Here is the transcript of one of those golden moments when you realize that, heretofore unbeknownst to you, your child has not only actually absorbed a lesson, but is putting it into practice.

During a short shopping trip, my son's phone rang. He answered it and started talking with a friend, responding to some sort of query with the information that he was at the store with me. A brief rant followed, after a minute or two of which our son suddenly said, very calmly, "J-------, you have a really bad attitude. I'll talk to you when you are in a better mood," and hung up.

A minute or two later, his phone rang. He answered it, and the (same) friend demanded to know, "Did you just hang up on me????" at which point our son replied, "I dunno. Did it sound like this?" and hung up again.

They grow up so fast...

I am so very, very tired...

of my kid being sick.

of stressing over money and housing.

of missing my best friend.

of wondering how long I'll be employed.

of lying awake all night, worrying about every freaking thing.

of the rain.

a rite of passage...

Z is now of an age where his extracurricular activities, while necessary for healthy social development, are impacting his sleeping hours. I realized this a.m. that he is past the age where my grandmother initiated me into the rites of morning caffeine. She did this with the aid of much sugar and warm milk (and I will be eternally grateful, having been addicted to the nectar of the gods ever since). Hence the following:

Me: Taste this.

Z: NO!

Me: Please?

Z: NO! I don't WANT any coffee!

Me: Please? Just try it.

Z: NO!!!

Me: (puppy eyes while holding out a small sip on a spoon)

Z: FINE!!!! (grumpy face. Tastes the coffee.)

Z: (grumpy face still in place) FINE! GIMME SOME!

Me: (maniacal laughter while going to prepare a cup for him)

Z: THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER! THIS IS A NATIONAL EMERGENCY! I DO NOT HAVE COFFEE!!!!

Me: (hands him a cup of his own)

And the torch is passed. Thanks Gramma!!!

happiness sneaks up on you...

and bites you on the butt sometimes.

Seven months ago I thought I'd never be happy again.

I can honestly say I'm now happier than I've ever been in my life.

Life's funny that way.