September was a blur!
So much for writing twice a week…(I’m going to need for you to get it together, Robynbird.)
Thing 2 finally got sorted…not at school though, she worked herself up to literally (And I understand the meaning of the word, K?) foaming at the mouth she was so anxious. So after many tears, and a great deal of patience on all our parts, she has decided to get her high school equivalent and begin community college in January. Is this the plan I had for her? No. Do I think she gave going back to high school her all? No. But I do believe she feels more comfortable with this plan. She has passed all the pretests with good indication she’ll pass the GED test, and she is actively researching courses at NOVA with talk of transferring to a “proper” college in two years. (Just in case you aren’t aware, there are SO MANY wonderful Virginia schools to choose from.)
So, Thing 2 is employed at a job she really enjoys, ready to pass her tests, ready to enroll in community college, and just about ready to move into her new digs in the basement. All in all, I feel good about this, for her, and in general.
As for moving into her new digs…we’ve hired contractors to create a bathroom, bedroom (With a pretty spectacular closet.), and a big ol’ family/rec room in the unfinished basement. They started a week ago yesterday and in that time have framed, put in three windows and a six foot door, all the electrical and plumbing…and when I say plumbing, I mean they started with a jackhammer as there was no rough in. Yesterday the inspector came with two big thumbs and Monday we will have drywall. WOW!
So Thing 2 has chosen a sink and cabinet, a loo, tile, and paint colors for her bathroom…and bedding for her bedroom, but cannot seem to commit to a color choice for her bedroom. We went to Benjamin Moore earlier this week and she totally choked. She just shut down completely. I’ve seen her do it before and knew the signs. I just watched it happen, powerless to stop it. So…yeah, I’m going to need for her to get it together with a quickness.
I had surgery on my foot in September and am now on week three of being non weight bearing. Not that I’m a complainer or anything…but I’m kind of over it. Want to use two feet instead of one foot and crutches or one foot and a knee scooter. But as my beloved Grandaddy would have said, “You’re old enough for your wants not to hurt you.” At least they finally removed the stitches so I can wash my foot! I mean really wash it, you know with soap and water and a scrubbie. It’s like my own little Christmas being able to clean my stinky foot!
I know the surgery was successful because when I woke up, there was no pain, and not the anesthesia and pain killer kind of no pain, the kind of no pain that was the exact opposite of the excruciating pain I’d been in for the two weeks prior to the surgery. I’m pain free! But I can’t walk…yet.
YBW and I went to our twenty fifth high school reunion the last weekend of September! We went to see people we see frequently (Sundance) and people we only see every five or ten years, me on my scooter with the big boot on my gimp foot and a sassy high heeled shoe on the good foot, and YBW with two good feet.
Friday night was…blech. I couldn’t move around because the space was tight and a girl I knew briefly my sophomore year was hammered when we got there and latched on to me with stories of our deep and meaningful friendship and never left my side. Even Sundance couldn’t save me from that.
The next night was better. The venue was larger and I was able to get around a bit. There were less people there so we got to spend more time in smaller groups. But the most amazing thing about that night was that YBW stood up in front of all those people we went to high school with and asked me to be his wife.
OHMYGOD! I know! I was totally peeing my pants! (Sorry, that was my super squealy teenage girl voice.)
Seriously, it was the most precious thing, he got up and talked about how we began dating after our twentieth reunion and have been together for five years, four of which were long distance. He talked about how we love each other’s kids and how the words boyfriend and girlfriend seem strange words to use because we’re adults. But then he said he found a word he wanted to call me, he wanted to call me his wife. Then he walked to me and got down on one knee with the most perfect diamond in his hand.
I was shocked! Not that he asked me, because we decide in the summer we were going to get married…shocked that he did it in a room full of people that we never really see or have real relationships with, shocked that he did it in such a grandiose way.
Shock moved quickly aside and the joy has come a calling.
It’s big, happy, exciting news! We are filled with love and joy. We are accepting congratulations. We are using the word fiancé gratuitously. (But only to each other.) We are planning for the fall next year, and on the sixth anniversary of dating, we will be married.
All four Things are overjoyed for us and eager to celebrate with us.
Family and friends are supportive and loving.
I feel giggly and excited, but I also feel like I’m coming home.
therobynbirdsnest 
I enjoyed your reunion post, your sharing about your daughter’s educational choices and am so excited and need to tell you,
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Seriously, I was mid-sentence on Sunday, when the time ran out at the library. I had pressed Like and then was writing a soliloquy or an ode to love but the darn computer closed up and the announcement was made, The Library is closed at this time, please proceed to the front desk to check out what materials you need.
As far as my son is concerned, some readers already know he had straight A’s through middle school, perfect attendance, Science and Math awards, went to high school. played football and somehow without telling me, he had been ‘hazed,’ (this was 1996 with no ‘bullying prevention programs’ in place yet.) He would walk in the front door of the high school and leave out the back, day after day. I was contacted at my work, would leave at lunch, take him back. The social services people were so nice, suggesting we go to counseling. I enjoyed this very much, but he still refused to stay at school! I sent him to his father’s house, where he took him off anti-depressants and allowed him to drink alcohol! Yikes! (We were about an hour and a half away from each other.) Finally, when he married a girl with two children, then found out they were expecting, he got his GED. He is a great and caring father, wonderful stepfather and husband, son, brother… he is a chef. They don’t care if he isn’t college educated, but both his dad and I are…I sympathize with you, but know that you did all the right things all those years and they will ‘take root’ and you will love the results! Hugs, Robin
Sorry if you wish to edit this, please feel free! I was hoping for some dialogue and enjoyed this post immensely!
Pleas don’t apologize! I feel very strongly about your comment and my response. I have not been able to take the time I feel it deserves. That’s why no dialogue…Yet. 🙂
I hate reading about your son’s experience in school. Bullying in reprehensible and it breaks my heart.
Your son made the choice he thought was best for him, isn’t it strange when it isn’t what we think is best? His choice led him to where he belongs, with his family and creating food for people to enjoy. Clearly your work as his mom was meaningful and as you say, “took root”.
As for my Thing 2, she chose to leave brick and mortar high school for online school…but was not successful, partly because she just didn’t work, partly because she had no one backing her up, holding her accountable. She lost her spark, she was deep in the hole she and her father dug for her. But she, like your son, found what she needed to reignite her spark.
I’m not thrilled with the idea of a GED, but I figure after she goes to college it just won’t matter that much. And she is college bound by her own desires, she found her spark, stoked up the fire in her belly and is ready to regain her life.
I worked tirelessly to create the foundation upon which she would build her life…I trust that she will know the best way to do that. To become the woman she was always meant to be.
Thank you, Robin, for your kindness and willingness to share. Oh! And I very much thank you for your congratulations! My excitement is BIG! I am, without a doubt, exactly where I belong. ❤