Fiscal Responsibility

Do you ever have one of those aha moments where you realize that there is something with your children that they're just not getting?? Mine came last week during this discussion with my daughter, which I'll paraphrase for you.

D. Are you going to buy my laptop for college
Me. We've found one for a good price, and we're setting aside the money
D. I have to have one
Me. I know
D. So can you buy me cold cream


Hmm, laptop I get, but cold cream. Please - I hope you've set aside enough money for that! I should back pedal a bit though, when my daughter was sick this winter her doctor told her to quit working for about 6 weeks. She was really run down and working with the public during the winter is a sure way to get sick all over again. So I know money is tight. But cold cream...my response will not be printed here!

On another note, loaded home computer with FireFox. Kids seem to get it, but Dad isn't quite sure. I've downloaded some add ons and in general just fooling with it. Which is a pleasure after hunting for spyware on my computer for 4 days. Sheez!

Just for Laughs

Gack - I have been remiss about keeping up on top of things. Prom is over, daughter is hunting for summer job and we are in the eye of the storm pre-college. So anyway, in keeping with last week's assignment, I'm posting one of my favorite clips that I watch whenever I need a good laugh!

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And Now For Something Completely Different

Well Dear Reader - even though this is a getting daughter ready for college blog, I feel guilty not giving my son some air time, so here we go. For the first time in weeks hubby and I had something fun to do (not letter writing to Pitt, or filling out forms or refilling forms,) It was spring concert time for the high school band. My son, the freshman drummer is in concert band, which is one of about 6 bands in the school that were performing last night. So amid the thunder and lightening, we skuttled off to the high school auditorium for some music. My son is the shortest drummer in his band, which means a lot of eye strain and neck stretching to see him behind the massive bass drum. We like the nights he gets to play the tambourine, at least we can see him.

Anyway we started off with some medley of southwestern tunes, which you've heard snippets of in every John Wayne western. The student musicians looked bored, the parents were restless and then the stage band took the stage. They were all dressed up in tuxedo shirts, black pants, purple cumberbunds and bow ties, and started off with a Dave Brubeck tune and the place really woke up. After four big band tunes we were off and running and ended up with a medley of Beatles songs and the audience singing the na na na's to Hey Jude. Whoa - what happened here. It was actually fun, and I got to watch my son run from kettle drum to bass drum to bells. He's short,but fast!! Loved it and the price was a 3 dollar donation to the band fund. Well worth it and I'd gladly do it again.

Countdown to Prom

Well June 5th is the big day. I am scheduled to drive around girls for hair and make-up appointments and the drama from my daughter's end continues. First they were in the limo with her group, then she was bumped out when her supposed best friend went ahead and booked the limo without her. They told her she could give them her share of the money on Friday, but went ahead and booked the limo on Thursday telling her they couldn't wait another day. There seems to be a disconnect between what I consider friends to be and what she considers friends to be or do. Anyway, another girl and her boyfriend backed out of the limo and now there is a spot open and no one to take it. Could this be Karma??

There is also the disucssion of what to do after the prom if over and the usual suggestion of the group getting a hotel room - her father is against that, and I haven't heard a thing about it - so don't know where we stand on this issue. I suggested a trip to Mt. Washington and a diner afterwards, but after all I am old and what do I know??

Anyway as the days count down for her departure for Pitt Johnstown, I am amazed at how much the drama is ratcheting up. Seven more full days of school, and the tears are flowing right and left. Too many end of year projects, too much to remember, and all I can do is remind her that nothing is forever, and soon this part of her life will be behind her and a new path is opening up. Is she listening? Don't know - bit I am hoping that the drama will end, and she begin moving toward her adult life with open arms.

Battle of the Bulge

No we're not talking weight here - but the appearance of my daughter's room. I wanted to take a picture of her new prom shoes to post, but I opened her door and I couldn't see the carpet, so I knew I wouldn't be able to find her shoes. But we have a deal. You see whenever I was looking for a piece of scrap paper last night to write a list I came across a draft note written to the attendance office dated May 6 for her boyfriend, excusing him from school. Hmm -I say what fresh hell is this. So this morning while she was blasting her music, I brought her a cup of coffee tapped on her door and showed her the note. Ooops busted - yes they skipped school to go to a diner.

My initial reaction was to get angry, but, the look on her face when I showed her the note was priceless, and our deal is she must clean her room today from top to bottom and do so cheerfully. One of my friends told me her daughter did the same kind of stuff before she left for college. It's driving me nuts, but I know my reaction to what she's doing is as important as how me helping her to see that all her actions have repercussions...(rolls eyes up into head!) When does that lesson ever get into their heads!

Mom's Got Sole

It's off shoe shopping tonight. Yep, the prom for dear daughter is two weeks away, and we have dress, but no shoes. Now this isn't officially college stuff, but I'm looking at it as the last rites of high school. It's probably also the last time for a while we'll be shopping for dress-up stuff.

For a little history, we went through the school uniform phase, the goth phase, the skanky/grunge phase and now after years of changes I am seeing colors like pink and purple show up in her wardrobe. To be honest I was totally baffled by the whole goth phase. In high school I went for the "I don't want to stand out look" My daughter's whole approach was to stand out - so she went to church in black pants with chains, showed up at a museum in fishnets and boots and has dyed her auburn hair black for three years straight. At this point - I have a hard time remembering what her hair really looks like! There were parents we'd known since grade school who would just glare at her, while some of the elderly ladies in our neighborhood told her they liked how she looked. You just don't know how people will react, or how quickly they'll judge. It was a learning period for me too.

Even further back, this was the child that loved Disney Princess gowns and dressed up in my cast-offs. I'd hear her clunking around in my high heels while she sang songs. Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz was a particular favorite, and yes I was the witch!

So tonight we're off looking for dress/dance shoes and it will be fun. For all our differences, we have always had a great time together. She inspires me to take chances, and I try to tone down her edge just a bit. And most importantly - we make each other laugh. That's one thing I will miss when she's at school - her quirky sense of humor on a daily basis.

What is THIS?!?

Nice large flat envelope from Pitt is sitting on my table. Hmmm I think, you know more about me than the IRS at this point - what could this be? And (drum roll) please...it an ad for the best college gift ever - sheets, towels, quilt (and some with the UPJ logo) on them for $199 - and guaranteed to perfectly fit a dorm room bed. So what size are these beds? They looked twin to me or were they made in some far off foreign land where teenagers are only three feet tall?? Don't know, but the letter with the ad was about parents being frustrated about the sheets they bought for the student son or daughter not fitting the bed. There must be some sort of placement test for bed sizes now, and the parents are failing!!

On another note - getting very pumped for the robot exhibit at the Science Center. My goal is to deal with creatures that display no drama or emotions. Yes, the perfect afternoon out. Before that of course, there are prom shoes to buy, hair appointments to schedule and a graduation party to plan. Bring on the robots...please!!