The one where I get interviewed...

You guys are not going to believe this, but I'm going to be interviewed and featured on this site: Mommy Page. I know, you're all wondering if they actually read my blog before picking me. That was my initial thought too. Then I thought maybe I was being punked. Because, I hear you all saying, "But, Spot, you're more like the anti-Mommy." I know, right? But they must have read my blog because the interview questions actually pertain to a post or two. And those questions? Man, they're hard. I'm freaking out just a little. But don't tell anyone, it would ruin my image.

So I'm definitely going to do the interview and I will let you all know when it is up; hopefully, you'll find a minute or two to sneak over and check it out, leave me a little comment love, and generally promote a site that apparently doesn't want to be preachy or "cookie cutter"ish. Let's face it, if they did, they wouldn't touch my blog with a ten foot pole. I mean I've openly admitted to not knowing where my children were every minute of every single day; letting them endanger their health by climbing tall trees, handling snakes (okay, so I totally did not encourage that, quite the opposite), riding without pads or helmets; and snarking at them. But, hey, they survived and became mostly functioning members of society (provided you don't ask Lu where any European countries are located or think that plans for total world domination is an odd life plan for a guy).

I've also stated numerous times that I'm looking forward to my children vacating the premises. I get really funny looks for that one sometimes. And it makes me wonder if people think they want their kids to live with them forever. And if they do, what kind of accident was it that caused the head injury that knocked your screw loose? Because, let's face it, no matter how close you are to your offspring (and anyone reading this blog knows that I'm nearly super glued to mine), there comes a time when you want some space. And I'm not talking about locking yourself in the bathroom for ten minutes with your fingers in your ears, refusing to converse with anyone standing outside the door. (You know you've been there, don't try to deny it.) And after raising them up, I deserve some "me" time. Or better yet, some "me & mike" time. So while I love them dearly, and will cry copiously the day they move out, I will also do a secret (okay, now that I've put it in writing maybe not-so-secret) happy dance.

They need the chance to blossom. Lu needs her own house so that two adult women with different ways of doing things aren't trying to survive in the same kitchen. Sean needs to not have me cook for him, clean his room, balance his checkbook, and amuse him on a routine basis. They need to flaunt their independence, make some mistakes, and become fully adult. Do I wish they weren't both moving half a continent away? Definitely. But I also know that there's nothing much around this area for them. We've always raised our children to want to get out of dodge and find their own niche in the world. I'll miss them like crazy (especially my adorable grandson) but there are cell phones, skype, and air travel. I'll make use of them all. Frequently.

And Mike & I? Well, I need time to devote to work and not feel guilty about neglecting the family. We both need a little less stress and a little more downtime. And we need more couple time.

And guess what? Lu & Sean took baby Dylan to visit his dad in Texas. So the next six days are a practice run at being empty- nesters. I'm only 8 hours in, Lu's called once already, but I'm kind of liking this silence thing. Just me and six sleeping cats. I'll let you know how it goes...



♥Spot

The one where Lulu proves I should have stressed geography more...

So I talked to my sister, Hildi on Tuesday. I video called her. Which is still a new toy to me. I like being able to see her when we talk, and I like being able to see my nieces, and I LOVE that it's free. But it's very limiting. Usually during our chats I do laundry, clean up the kitchen, make the bed, and other household chores. With the video calling I'm trapped at my computer. Time will tell if I deem it worth it. But she happened to mention that our cousin had a FaceBook page and she had friended him. I was excited because our cousin in currently at a NATO base in Norway and I haven't seen him in a year and a half. So I looked him up and friend requested him. And then I looked at his photo albums. Apparently he'd gone on a trip to Lithuania at some point and holy hell the photos were amazing. So at lunch, I mentioned it to the kids~

Me: I'm cousin Alex's friend on FaceBook now.

Lu: Well aren't you special!

Me: I am, thanks. He has the coolest photos! Of Lithuania of all places. I totally want to go there now.

Lu: You're making quite a list of future travel destinations.

Me: I know right?! I would never have thought that Lithuania was so pretty but it really is.

Lu: Well of course it is.

Sean: Lu, do you even know where Lithuania is? You know, on a map?

Lu: Of course I do.

Sean: Where?

Lu: It's over there with all those other "anias".

Sean: What other "anias"?

Lu: um...

Me: Albania or Transylvania.

Lu: Right! And they're probably like the sister country of Pennsylvania.

Sean: Um. You do know that Transylvania is not actually a country. It's a province in Romania. Right?

Me: Um. Sure I knew that. *thinks: how the hell does he know this stuff??*

Lu: See I know.

Sean: And where are the "anias" located?

Lu: *crickets chirping*

Me: *whispering in her ear* Say Eastern Europe.

Lu: Eastern Europe.

Sean: *sighs and shakes his head* You're sad Lu, very sad.

Lu: Whatever. So why is it called Pennsylvania?

At least she's pretty!

As an update on Sean's levitation/hover craft/device, he was explaining it to his Dad later the other night and of course Hubby was asking pertinent questions and it all sounded like blah blah blah to me. Interspersed with "air intake system" and "reverse thrusters". But listening to the two of them, I got the idea that it might be a wholly possible concept. What does one where to the Nobel Prize ceremony??!

Happy Thursday,
♥Spot