Conversations with Chloe

Over the last week or two I have had several memorable conversations with Chloe. I keep thinking about each of them and decided I should attempt to document some details. One, so I can always remember them and two, so I can share my joy of Chloe.

The first interesting conversation happened last week. Chloe will occassionally play with my hair. Sometimes we are sitting watching TV, sometimes I'm sitting and she is passing by and will just stop to chat and run her fingers thru my hair and sometimes she is just feeling silly and will attempt 'new' hairstyles for me. Whatever the motivation, I love it when she does it. I have, on occassion, offered to pay her if she would just stay right there and keep it up.

This time as she was sifting her fingers thru my hair, she BEGGED me to keep coloring my hair. She said she isn't ready for me to be all gray. I explained I was over the hassle and had decided the gray wasn't that bad. She pleaded. When I suggested I would buy the supplies and let her color my hair, she agreed. I think I'm stuck now.

The sweetest conversation took place over a couple of hours on Tuesday night. Chloe had a rather trying day and evening. She returned home from visiting with her dad in a rather, shall we say, aggitated state. I think she managed to keep it together until she saw me. I know from experience, you can put one foot in front of the other and deal with things and keep going for only so long and then you see your mom and just fall apart. As she sobbed on my shoulder and told me the many things that had gone wrong, I hugged her and tried not to cry right along with her.

I suggested two possible, immediate fixes (I felt so inspired) and she was able to calm down and we had a game plan. I am happy to report both solutions did the trick and we were both thrilled. When she came to say goodnight and give me my hug, she said "You can't die until I'm 80." and that is when I started to cry. :-) I explained that I would be 110! As she patted my arm she said, "You're strong mom. You can do it. I have faith in you." It was just one of those times I'll always remember. She needed me and I was able to come thru for her.

The funniest one was Wednesday night in the car on the way home from church. I usually drop EJ off at the house on my way back from our services to pick up Chloe from her program. So it was just the two of us in the car and out of the blue she says (if you've spent any time with Chloe you know these kind of statements happen a lot), "No offense to you, 'cause, I mean I know you're smart. But where does EJ get his brains from?" I just lost it. I laughed so hard I almost had to pull over. She then proceed to stumble around and reassure me that she did not mean to imply in any way that I was not intelligent. This just made me laugh even harder! "I mean, it isn't like he studies secretly in his room at night. But who did he get that from? Does it skip a generation?" Then she started trying to make me feel better again. I'm not exactly sure why that tickled me so, but I sure did have a good laugh.

That girl just makes me smile.

Go Katie

I called to check on a church friend Thursday evening. Before we hung up she said "Congratulations on Katie's good news." I was a little stumped but she went on to explain she had seen Kate's name in the paper announcing that she had been named on the Fall 2008 Merit list at Brenau.

The college (or paper) spelled her name wrong, which is a little upsetting. But is nice to see that the college makes a point of sending out notice of these achievements. My friend saved her copy of the paper and let me bring it home. I thought I would share.

I hope Katie can have another successful semester. She is working so hard and I'm very proud of her.

Winter Funk

It happens to me every year, but this winter I can see it in my children as well. All I really want to do is stay home and be still. I would love to be able to just sleep and eat. I don't seem to have much energy for anything else. There isn't a sport or activity that I need to run children around for or be a spectator at. It is that time of year where we are between activities and EVERYTHING seems to be slow.

And yet, this month has been busy. So why are we all struggling so? I've been kept fairly busy at work, church, volunteering for the band and trying to keep up with EJ's college application processes. EJ has been busy writing essays, taking physical fitness tests, attending interviews, getting teacher recommendations, sending emails to admissions officers and staying on top of his school work. Chloe has been busy with school, band, driver's ed, and socializing with friends. But we all seem to be dragging ourselves through the motions. I think we would all be very happy to be able to hibernate; for just a little while.

EJ is in college application limbo. He's done everything necessary on his end. Now he waits. Limbo land is my least favorite place to be.

Chloe is trying not to think about the college application process and taking SAT's and ACT's. She is also 'over' band. I'm very disappointed by this. As of yesterday, she wasn't sure she wanted to march her senior year. I have very strong opinions about that, but I'm trying to let her sort things out in her head. I'm really hoping it is all just part of our winter blues.

Katie started her field experience in a differnt county and school yesterday. She will be with third graders this semester. Apparently, Hall County schools are not as technologically advanced as the Forsyth County schools. That was the first observation she shared with me.

Every year is a little different, but I would like nothing more than to shake this year's funk early. I'm ready for longer days, more sunshine and being able to get outside more.

Here We Go Again

Today is my last day of my Christmas vacation. I am not looking forward to returning to work. I really enjoyed my time off and would like just a few more days to enjoy no agenda. But a few more probably wouldn't be enough. At the end of those days I would be begging for just a few more, so I guess I'd better just suck it up and get on with it.

I left Cumming on December 23 and drove to Spartanburg to spend Christmas with Debbie, Michael, Garrett, Mom and Dad. I had a wonderful Christmas. Debbie made prime rib for dinner - OH MY! Garrett was so much fun to spend the day with.

Kate, EJ and Chloe arrived at Debbie's on Sunday, December 28. We had a nice evening together watching movies and playing games and just catching up. Monday morning the four of us loaded the van and headed for Manassas, VA and the Duvall's. We had a wonderful time just being together. We were treated to a steak dinner on the night of our arrival complete with cheesecake. Steve - Kate is still talking about that steak. YUM! We managed to make the trip north and return without having any weather issues. Yeah.

So today will be spent unpacking, putting away Christmas, a trip to the grocery store and savorying the last day of no agenda. I believe EJ has several essays to write and college applications to complete. (His back up plan in case a Letter of Appointment does not come through for Annapolis or West Point.) Chloe has some homework to complete. I think Kate is the only one that does not return to her 'regular' life until Wednesday and so she can spend the next couple of days doing nothing. We're all very envious!

Happy New Year.