John's last day of school...♥

Hello Friends! ♥

And all of a sudden, here we are.  John's last day of school.   High school over in a blink and I'm still in disbelief. Has this really happened? Yup!  

Here he is.  

The first day of 1st grade....

and today...the last day of 12th.  

 

I kissed him goodbye this morning and off he went.  All smiles! ♥

It's hard to put into words how I'm feeling today.  I'm so full of joy and pride my heart could literally burst. My little boy has grown into a confident, smart, funny, kind, well rounded, talented, young adult. He loves people and people love to be around him.  And now he's about to graduate high school. The world is waiting for him and he can be whatever he wants to be.  He's excited for his next chapter and I'm excited for him! 

However...♥

Selfishly I feel a little sad.  Sad because it all went by so fast. All those years of making lunches and driving him to school.  Helping with homework and teachers' meetings.  School shows and field trips.  Is it really over?  I guess I'm just too nostalgic for my own good (at least that's what Rob tells me : )

How do countless mom's get through graduation season every year?  

I'm also sad because I wish my mom was here to see this.  She and John were very close and I know she'd be so proud.  She always said she wanted to see him graduate.  I'll know she'll be there looking down on him, but still...I wish I could see her and talk to her about everything that's going on.  The prom and all the party preparations.  It just doesn't seem right without her.  I constantly feel like I'm doing things alone these days.  Things I should be doing with her.  It's really hard without a mom.  

But it's not about me is it? It's about John and I want to make these next few weeks as special as possible! If anyone deserves it, he does!  

As some of you may know, John is a drummer.  He joined the school band in 5th grade and never looked back.  He loves music.  I cannot say enough about the high school music program!  Every year I am more and more impressed by the talent of these kids (and teacher!).  The transition into a large public high school from a very small catholic elementary school was not an easy one. BUT one thing made it so much better.  BAND.  He loved it from day one and some of the kids he met there have become his best friends.  They are even planning of forming their own band this summer.  

Wednesday night was John's last performance in the jazz band.  I wanted to preserve a few clips here on my blog because music has been such a big part of his school life.  It's hard for me to imagine no more school shows.  There have been so many!! But I'm excited to see what comes next.  I'm sure it will be something great! ♥

And now I think I'll make myself a hot cup of vanilla coffee, wrap up in a blanket, put on an I Love Lucy episode, and dig up some chocolate that I know is in the house somewhere.  Chocolate always helps!  

I'll be ok ♥

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, friends!  The summer is practically here! 

Love you! xo 

My weekend ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Monday! ♥

I hope you all had a nice and restful weekend.  We were blessed with beautiful weather (in the 70's) both days which made me very happy.  If only it would stay that way...but alas...I know it won't.  It's ok.  I'll enjoy it while I can.  I had all the windows open to let the glorious fresh air in.  I'm finding I do that more and more these days and I really like it.  I even sleep with my windows cracked now, even if it's on the cooler side.  I think the fresh air helps me sleep better.  Rob is usually freezing and I'm "just right." That's marriage for you.  Just wait until we put the a/c on! : ) 

I spent the better part of Saturday out here on my deck with my new little friend.  He really took a liking to that spot and would not leave.  I thought maybe he was building a nest or something because he seemed to be guarding the spot, but after further investigation I didn't see anything. I'm still not convinced.  I'll report back later : )   

I finished Darling Girls which I really liked!  

I hadn't read a good book in a while and this one got me out of my slump.  This week I'll head to the library to find my next read ♥

 I had run out to Walmart (which...going on a Saturday is like going into battle!) but I needed a few things and wanted to check them off my list.  First stop was to Dunkin Donuts to get the mango refresher.  

It's so good and really hit the spot! ♥

I've needed to repot one of my plants for ages and wanted to get that done this weekend.  I picked up this pretty one which is perfect for my kitchen.  Only $5 too - so the trip into battle was worth it.

*Not to say I don't love Walmart because I do. It's just MY Walmart (the one near my house) is very small and always crowded.  They never have enough people working there so it's a given I'm going to be standing in line for ages.  It's literally my worst nightmare.  All to save a few pennies on paper towels and dish soap, but I do what I have to do! I've been to super Walmarts that are so much nicer than mine.  I hope one opens closer to me one day. I can only dream!*

ANYWAY - I also picked up a few things for John graduation! EEEK! 

Today marks the start of his last full week of school.  As of Friday, that's it! Except for finals, he's done.  It's so hard to believe and SO exciting too!  

Next up is prom! ♥

This is one of the proofs that I got with his senior photos.  I didn't buy this one for his senior picture, but I really like it.  He looks so grown up! 

On Sunday it was such a beautiful day Rob and I had a little day date and took a walk on the beach.  The water and sky were so BLUE.  I needed to hear the sound of the waves and smell that salt air.  It's so peaceful. 

 And notice how there's no people?  Glorious! It won't be that way after Memorial Day so we're getting in our beach time now. 

We always stop and comment on those condos over there.  We dream about retirement and even toured the inside once a few years ago.  I would love to wake up to this view.  And Rob would never have to do yard work ever again! ♥

And so begins a new week.  I have to get better at meal planning.  I'm definitely slipping because It's already lunch time I have no idea what's for dinner.  My plan for the week is to work on staying organized.  With John graduation (and everything that goes along with that) coming up, plus my Dad's recovery (and everything that goes along with that) I've felt like an actual hot mess. I know I need sleep and am in dire need of a pedicure so I can bust out my sandals.  I just need to find the time to do it.  

                                                                            

If you have any tips, please send them my way! Love you! Have a great day! XO 

PS Update on Dad - He's been working with PT like a trooper and it's going well.  He saw the doctor on Friday and he said everything looks great.  The pain will get less and less, so keep going.  It will be worth it.  Fingers crossed it's sooner than later ♥

This week flew by! ♥

                                                        Hello Friends and happy Friday! ♥

It's a rainy one here today. It's supposed to rain all day today & tomorrow, but we're promised a sunny day Sunday for Mother's Day.  The Lillies of the Valley are in full bloom just in time.  I would always pick a bunch for my mom on Mother's Day.  She loved to put them on her night table so she could smell them while she was in bed.  The smell will always remind me of her and that makes me very happy.  

This week went by so fast! My Dad is doing well.  PT is coming every few days to work with him.  He's still in a lot of discomfort but overall recovering nicely.  I'm in charge of daily meds and ice packs, as well as meals.  He's getting there! ♥

I made this yummy dinner the other night that was a hit with everyone.  Chicken piccata over linguini. It's one of my go-to weeknight dinners.  I hadn't made it in a few weeks, so it tasted extra good. I added fresh chopped parsley for a nice touch. My Dad is still traumatized by the food at rehab so anything I cook tastes like a gourmet meal to him! LOL 

It's been a week of catch up for me.  Work, phone calls, and errands.  It suddenly occurred to me that John is graduating in less than a month and we have a party to plan! It's coming up so fast I can hardly believe it.  I'm making lists like crazy and it's really fun.  

I'm so happy for him I could honestly burst ♥

Time really does fly! ♥

In other news I watched an interesting documentary last night that made me SO SAD.  

Blackfish (on Prime) is about the killer whale Tilikum, an Orca, who was held at Sea World and involved in the deaths of three people.  It highlights the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity.  This documentary is so disturbing, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about.  The torture this poor whale went through. And it's still happening. All animals should be able to live freely in their own habitat. I am certain I will never step foot in Sea World ever again.  Please watch this documentary if you haven't already.  

My weekend plans include things around the house on Saturday and then meeting up with my friend Julie for lunch.  Our kids have known each other since kindergarten so it's an emotional time for both of us! : ) 

On Sunday we are heading to my sister in laws for brunch and them I'm hoping for some R&R in the afternoon.  

And of course coffee, coffee, coffee! ♥

Have a great weekend, friends! ♥

Talk to you soon! xoxo