SHE SAID...

Dawn Boyle

I agree with Tony's feelings about today. I HATE that summer is over. I mentioned in a post last week about the days, weeks, months and years flying past and how it brings me this sense of time running out.

Even though my kids made me crazy the entire summer, I did get a little teary eyed this morning as they got ready. My big girl is in fifth grade. Which only means that each day that passes she will hate me more and think what a horrible mother I am, no matter what I do. The baby going into second grade no longer wants to wear party dresses. She has been interning behind my back with Rachel Zoe and does not want to hear what I think about her fashion choices, complete with the roll of the eyes and that long drawn out "MOOOOOMMMMMMM"!!!

For a few hours today it was a little sad. It is sad that my babies are growing up. The time that is so precious is now, these are the days to look back on. Memories made. Funny stories to tell.

I am an emotional wreck today - not sure what it is....probably just inner anxiety that homework is only a few days away...tests and reports to follow,  AND CHRISTMAS is only 16 weeks away!!

Go buy their Halloween costumes now - it's only a half hour away! I don't care how old they are.. the rule still is,  no one is going to be slutty pirate even if it's a "TWEEN" costume!

POST HOLIDAY RE-RUN: What Matters?

Barbara Ward-Finneran

What Matters? What really matters?  What matters today and right now, can change in an instant.  No matter how hard you try to live a good life, follow your conscience and consistently do the right thing, bad things happen to good people.  We have personal failures, relationships implode, people get sick, suffer and die, people die tragically, accidents happen, disabilities exist, people disappoint us, hearts get broken, jobs are lost, finances go to ruin, foreclosures run a muck, the list goes on and on.  WHY?  WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

Life can be trudging along of so happily and then in an instant the life that you knew and embraced ceases to exist.  My first taste of this was when my grandfather died.  I was twenty-three at the time and it was the biggest loss of my life.  Little did I know at the time that it was nothing in comparison to what would follow about 18 months later, a few days after my wedding shower, when my Dad went to sleep and never woke up.  The shock was so horrifying

Daddy's Girl

Tony Walker

Nothing makes a parent shake with anger more then when injustice or unkindness happens to your child.

This past Friday was the school play at my daughter's middle school. We were so excited to see our daughter because she is autistic and had no friends in the play with her. A big characteristic of autism is a lack of social skills so there was no chance she was going to approach anyone in hopes of striking a friendship. She didn't have a big part... she was a chorus member, extra, whatever you call it but by getting up in front of all those people was a big step for our girl, we were so proud.

We've been fortunate that our school district has some excellent academic programs for kids like our daughter. But the social skills programs have been subpar. The elementary school she went to in the district was wonderful but the other schools don't have much to offer.

Little Ladies Dance

Dawn Boyle

Last night our elementary school had it's Little Ladies Dance. I was on the committee and had the luxury of being there. The fly on the wall to see what goes down when "Daddy" is out with the kids.

I have to be honest with you. The only reason why I joined this committee a few years ago was because I didn't think my husband would be able to handle it. A million thoughts rushed through my head. What would happen if she had to go to the bathroom. What if he lost her. What if she decided to eat a hot dog and he didn't cut it into little circles and then into smaller quarters. My own unwillingness to "let go" drove me to be one of a handful of "helper moms" that were not out doing a Moms Night Out while their husbands were with the kids at the dance.

Well I am hear to report back to all the mothers that feel the same way as I do....THEY CAN DO IT!

WHAT MATTERS?

Barbara Ward-Finneran

What Matters? What really matters?  What matters today and right now, can change in an instant.  No matter how hard you try to live a good life, follow your conscience and consistently do the right thing, bad things happen to good people.  We have personal failures, relationships implode, people get sick, suffer and die, people die tragically, accidents happen, disabilities exist, people disappoint us, hearts get broken, jobs are lost, finances go to ruin, foreclosures run a muck, the list goes on and on.  WHY?  WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

Life can be trudging along of so happily and then in an instant the life that you knew and embraced ceases to exist.  My first taste of this was when my grandfather died.  I was twenty-three at the time and it was the biggest loss of my life.  Little did I know at the time that it was nothing in comparison to what would follow about 18 months later, a few days after my wedding shower, when my Dad went to sleep and never woke up.  The shock was so horrifying