Growing Up! Oh My!

I often thought that my girls would be grown up when they got married and had kids. Boy was I wrong. I realized Mandy had grown up so to speak when she visits and she no longer has to be asked to do the dishes or I can tell she really means it when she says thank you.

I really want to brag about Lauren. I will fill you in later about Mandy and her school and travels later.

Just like her big sister the first time I realized Lauren really was growing up was seeing her for the first time in their prom dresses. WOW is all I can think of (See Pic). Lauren is now also starting to be more outspoken and take on her own personality when it comes to dealing with me. By that I mean she argues with me more now about what she thinks instead of just saying yes Dad all the time. I remember what it was like to be a teenager in a house where your feelings were not allowed to be expressed very frequently if at all. So I try my best to listen more.

Lauren will be driving in a couple of months also. I wish there was an anti stress pill for the both of us before we go out on that first lesson. Any suggestions are appreciated. I don't mean for a good drug either! She is very sensitive and I think she might take some of the things I am saying to her as being too critical. I am sure we will be just fine. I just wanted to sound off a little and prepare myself some by writing about it here. I also just wanted to show every what a beautiful daughter I have.

Bathroom Thoughts are the Deepest!

A few days ago my sister Barb wrote in her blog a funny story about texting from the bathroom and few days earlier my other sister Mary wrote about looking at her inner self in the bathroom mirror. So too keep with the bathroom theme, here are a few thoughts of mine while I am in the bathroom. I tend to peek out of the shades and look out the window. Across the street is the local church where there is always something going on. I try to imagine all that has happened there over the years. How many masses? Weddings? Funerals? First Communions? Confirmations? Picnics? This church is going to be torn down soon and replaced by a new one out of town. I often think of the day my parents were married there and what that day was like. Model A's or T's lined up out front. Was rice thrown? Was there a party after? I will definitely have to ask Mom about that some more.
One summer day I was outside washing my car and got the crap scared out of me from the guns being fired in a final salute to a veteran at his funeral. I stopped and stood at attention and paid my respects. That reminded me of my fathers funeral where he too was honored with a gun salute and taps. I also get to see neighbors in there pajamas letting the dog out or the lady walking her dog past the house. Or the kids walking home from school.
Maybe the reason I find this interesting is I use to live in the country and never saw more than a few squirrels and birds in the backyard when looking out the kitchen window into the woods. Now I have a live view from my throne of a different kind of wild life.
I think every house I live in from now on will have to have a view from the throne. It gives me time to just relax and observe all the things happening around me. Taking time to reflect and observe those around you is always fun to do even if your not on the throne!