Has anyone read the book Intensity by Dean Koontz? I will tell you, this is one intense read – a real page turner. This is the second book I have read by Koontz and he is definitely into action. As an author myself I wonder how he thinks this stuff up? How does his mind work? You’d have to read the book to know what I’m talking about – really creepy, but good if you are into that sort of stuff…
Anyways – wow, it has been so quiet around my house. After the UCONN shuffle our little girl started her playschool and then our 9th grader started his classes and then our middle schooler started at his school and in a few days we take our oldest back to his college – the sound of silence is so nice :) I will admit, it is very quiet around here sometimes and I miss the kids coming to my office where I am working to ask if they can ride their bikes into town and get an ice cream or when my daughter comes to me crying because when she was outside playing she noticed that one of the piggies got loose from its pen and she was worried it was gong to run away and get lost…
But…I think I can handle the silence. Maybe now I can catch up on some of my work!
Posted by: Paula on August 31st, 2006 | No Comments »
Well, we did it. The UCONN shuffle…our second oldest son, Nick, is gone. Today was the day that we packed up the SUV and headed south to The University of Connecticut. He is now an official Huskie and he is SO happy to be there.
We headed off this morning, car packed with all his junk, and drove for 3 hours and 15 minutes until we arrived in the UCONN traffic jam for another 45 minutes. (Our 4 year old daughter was not too excited about waiting and was happy to boss the cars that were holding us up) :)
After arriving at his dorm we eagerly unpacked our car and headed out in search of his room. He was hoping that his roommate would not be there yet so he could pick the bed he wanted – no such luck. We found the room, entered, only to find his roommate and his roommate’s parents already setting up his side of the room. Too bad Nick.
We ended up chatting with them for quite some time (great family) and then unpacked his belongings and headed out to grab a bite for lunch and stopped for some munchies to keep in his room. Finally the time came to take some family pics and to say our goodbyes (sob sob). Nick was ready. I could tell. He has been waiting for this day for months and it was time to let him go…
We tried to call him tonight on his cell phone – no answer. I’m sure he is having a great time. Oh well, I will keep trying – thank goodness for Instant Messaging and emails.
This mom will track him down somehow :)
Posted by: Paula on August 25th, 2006 | No Comments »
It’s just about time. Today is August 18th and the days are passing by so quickly. There is so much to do and NOT enough time. In exactly 7 days we will be packing up the SUV and heading off to UCONN with our second oldest son, Nick. He was ready to leave 2 months ago. I worry. Who will watch over him? That is my job. And believe me, he needs to be watched over! I am proud of him though. UCONN is an excellent college and he will be in the Honors dorm…and his mother will be calling, IMing and emailing him everyday and night whether he wants her to or not :)
Our oldest, Tony, heads back to UMASS Amherst in 2 1/2 weeks. He also is ready to go. I understand, he misses his college buddies from last year as he has not seen them for the past 3 months. I remember those days well. And he knows very well that he’d better keep that cell phone of his on him at all times because mom likes to hear his voice from time to time…even if it means calling him at 9am on his morning off :)
Phillip and Joseph start back to school on the 29th. I still need to get my butt in gear and take them clothes and school supply shopping – Note to self: Drop everything next week and GO SHOPPING.
With the start of school season brings the wonderful game of soccer for my guys. I love the sport, lots and lots of running and exercise. It will be back to the soccer fields every late afternoon for this sports mom. Fun! Now we just need to get our 4 1/2 year old daughter interested in the game, but for now, she’d rather spend time with her dog, Charlie or with her stuffed kitty and moose…
Little does she know that her brothers have other plans for her…
Posted by: Paula on August 18th, 2006 | No Comments »
Well, another busy week here – where the hell is summer going?
This past Sunday we took our son, Joseph to a camp that is about 30 minutes away from where we live. Joseph has been waiting 2 months to attend this camp which runs from Sunday through Friday. Do you know why he is so excited about this particular camp? It is a DRUMMER’S camp, that’s why. This place is gorgeous – the owners have a beautiful home on 500 acres, a pool, awesome drum sets and musical instruments everywhere – and they own a home in Costa Rica as well. Nice.
Anyways, hopefully Joseph is wearing his ear plugs I sent with him for the week. God only knows I would have one fat, giant headache returning from a camp where everyone was banging on drums 24/7. He loves it though and I am happy for him :)
On the other hand, life has not been so enjoyable for my son Nick this past week – far from it. Nick’s impacted wisdom teeth were dug out on Monday and today, Wednesday, Nick looks like one irritated chipmunk. It’s amazing how it takes a couple days for the swelling to set in. So it’s been pain killers, ice packs and lots of soft foods for Nick.
Fine with me – at least I know where he is at night – safe and sound in his room as he calls to me for more TLC :)
Posted by: Paula on August 9th, 2006 | No Comments »
…and he is smelly!
Poor guy. He just wanted to go out for a walk in the state of Vermont – you know, where the biting black flies are as big and viscious as Piranha’s.
It went like this –
Hubby: I’m going for a walk – be back in half an hour.
Me: Great, see ya!…Hey, wait a minute. (sniff sniff) What’s that smell?
Hubby: What? (sniff sniff) Oh, THAT smell. Um, that would be the FLY DOPE. See ya!
OK…….
Three days later…
The hubby has just taken a shower and crawls into bed next to me for the night.
Me: What’s that smell?
Hubby: Hmm? Oh, I, um, I think it’s the FLY DOPE.
Me: STILL? Didn’t you lather up in that like a week ago?
Hubby: THREE days ago. Come on, really, it’s not that bad, is it…?
Me: Oh NO, it’s not that bad. (Gag, gag). Um, did it work, you know, did it keep the flies away? (God knows it would keep any human being away).
Hubby: (Not looking at me) Nope. I got eaten alive by those damn things.
Me: So let me get this straight – you bathed in this FLY DOPE, you were still attacked by the flies, you have showered and washed your hair about 5 times and you still smell like…TAR. That stuff works pretty good honey! (Can you sleep in the guest room tonight?).
Whatever you do, do NOT waste your money on FLY DOPE. BTW, he did not end up in the guest room that night. I already have earplugs and now I guess it’s time to purchase a noseplug.
Hurrah for me.
Posted by: Paula on August 2nd, 2006 | 1 Comment »