We had yet another tramatic experience today. Andy flew by himself to Oklahoma. I have been dreading this day. It all started at 3 am when the alarm sounded time to get up. I was VERY nervous! We planned to get there with two hours to spare, just in case. As I parked the car, my stomach was all in knots about all the scenarios that could happen to Andy today.
When we went in, there were people everywhere! I don't know if I've ever seen it that packed except maybe at holidays. We stood in incredibly long and slow lines. All of the sudden I remember that in all my nervousness, I forgot to pay attention to where I parked. Andy tells me the parking space number, but I am a stress case about if he can do this alone or not, so I still don't pay attention to the number. We have flown as a family countless times, so Andy has a lot of experience, but as his mother I still feel the need to take care of him.
I got a special pass to be able to walk with him to his gate. I saw him board the plane and even had him call once inside. He thought I was going a little overboard, but he is my baby! When he called from inside the plane, I reminded him to turn off the cell phone when we were done.
About 2 minutes after we hung up, I suddenly remembered that I still didn't know where I parked. I franticly called Andy back, but as an obedient son, he had turned off the phone! Ok, no big deal, how hard can it be to find the car. I know I parked on the 5 level, so that's where I headed. I felt pretty confident about it as I started traced our steps back to where the car should be. First, go across the skywalk, then up the elevator, and then just on the other side of the elevator should be the car....
My car was no where in sight. I was in a dark parking garage full of vehicles, but no people, and I have no idea where my car is. I was remembering scenes from movies at this point, it's not good. I started going across every aisle, begining to panic now. Breathe, calm down, Ok, what was it Andy told me?? 5N something or other? I am in aisle D. I start to head for aisle N looking down each isle. I am getting closer, closer, (there are about 800 cars on this level) finally aisle N. There is my car, right where my son said it was.
This is just another one of those life lessons for me. Andy has now safely landed and is in my mom and dads care, but today my eyes have been opened to the fact that my son is quickly growing into a man. I thought I needed to go into the airport to "take care" of him, and the biggest problem I encountered was my own parking problem, which Andy solved for me.
So, I end this day with pride that Andy is so capable, but also with a pang of sadness that my little boy is no longer my "little boy."
Off he goes into the wild blue yonder
Drivers Beware!!
Life is a journey. We have many twists and turns along our way. My son Andy just got his permit yesterday. This is a big change in our lives. In the last 24 hrs, I have spent 2 1/2 hours in the passengers side with him behind the wheel. Whew!! I feel tense all over.
I have kept my calm and only grabbed the wheel twice. My foot feels like I have a pulled muscle from trying to apply the brakes on my side. My right hand is tight from gripping the door on my side in fear of going off the road.
We did about an hour in a big empty parking lot practicing corners, parking, backing up, and parallel parking. It was great, he only hit about 10 imaginary cars. Next we hit side streets. At one point he had to cross main street. He stressed out a little then, because the car across the street waved him on, but there were cars coming(way back there, but hey better safe than sorry) so he wasn't sure what to do. Finally he listened to the guy across the street and went in front of the cars. It was totally safe, but I want to teach Andy to wait if he isn't comfortable, instead of feeling like he has to trust other drivers judgement. He drove to Uncle James and Aunt Gale's and was richly rewarded with wow's and cool about his permit and driving. He is feeling quite pleased with himself.
I am pleased with myself that I have been patient and willing to let him drive so much. I guess I am looking to the future, where I can hand most of my driving over to him because I don't really enjoy it and never have. But for now, if we can just get home safely from the library!
The cooking hum drums
In the past few months I have been getting very bored with my meals and when I mentioned this to my family they were too quick to agree. 4 oclock would roll around and I would scramble for something to cook, many times the same things like:
Meals-
fahitahs
tacos
homemade chicken soup
burritos
Sides-
green beans
baked potatoes
steamed rice
home made bread
My sister in law Gale started making a menu a few months back and she inspired me. I haven't planned a whole months worth of dinners yet, but I have done better than before.
Laurie, another sister in law, told me that a taste of home class was going to be in our area soon and this sparked my enthusiasm to make a BIG change. Years ago I subscribed to the taste of home magazine and I have liked every recipe I have tried from them, so I pulled out some of my old issues to help me in my vow to make a change. I had also gotten a new taste of home cookbook a few months back, but I hadn't put it to use yet. Between the cookbook and magazines I had many choices, butI chose only recipes that had ingredients I usually have on hand, with just a few exceptions if it looked really yummy. It has been about 2 weeks and my family is very happy. I have tried a variety of things like:
Meals-
meatloaf
fried fish
chicken stroganoff
beef brisket
pizza
stew (with left over beef brisket)
Curried chicken salad (lunch)
chicken soup with butternut squash and kale-made by Laurie (I have never liked butternut squash, but this soup is fantastic!!)
Sides-
seasoned oven potatoes
stuffed zuchinni
home made rolls
chicken curried rice
spanish rice
fried cabbage
zesty vegetable salad (zuchinni, tomatoes, avacadoes, onions, lemon juice, garlic, YUM)
steamed carrots
I have only tried one new dessert since we don't usually eat dessert. I took some peanutbutter oatmeal bars to a potluck on sunday. They were a huge hit, as were all the new recipes.
Last night we had fahitahs, and that's ok. We like fahitahs and I 'm not going to kick them out, we'll just have them once or twice a month instead of once a weak. I am very satisfied with the change I've made, my family is HAPPY, and it hasn't been alot of effort, just a little planning.
Friday night is the taste of home class and I can't wait to go and get more ideas. Thank you Gale and Laurie for giving that help and encouragement I needed.
