Every once in a while I get confirmation that maybe, just maybe, I did a decent job at something and today I got a double whammy! First my friend Vickie called and needed some parenting advice and I was very flattered that she asked my opinion. Vickie is a great friend because not only is she 1/3 of the Women of Substance but she is also a faithful reader of this blog and knows that on occasion I’ve been know to voice an opinion! The one that lead to her call came in part from my blog entry on May 7th entitled “The Friendly Curmudgeon”.
Vickie has a delightful daughter who is at that in-between age of 14 which means middle school, peer pressure, raging hormones and all those other defining criteria we all remember even though we’d like to forget! I think Vickie and hubby Chas are intelligent, caring and for the most part, no-nonsense parents who love their daughter very much and want what’s best so I have no doubt she would have reached her conclusion with or without my suggestion but I was still quite honored that she asked.
Then daughter Tammy stopped by my office with a little gift – she had ordered a new mouse pad for me which featured the “Pearls Before Swine” cartoon from May 13th – the one shown on this blog. I was quite touched that she thought of me and gave it to me for no special reason. I’d like to think it’s because her wonderful mother raised her to be the caring, generous person she is but chances are she got those traits from the generation before mine.
The count to D Day is now 8 working days – I’m vacillating between “oh my gosh, how will I ever get everything done, pack up my office, tell my friends good-by, blah, blah, blah” and “hurry up and get here – I can’t wait”. Guess I just need to wait until June 6th, realize that what work doesn’t get done by me will get done by someone else, stay late some evening and pack up my “stuff” and know that I don’t plan to really say “good-by” anyway – it will be “see you later” instead.
I guess threats, yelling and washing my mouth out with soap qualify as you raising me to be “caring and generous”, huh? Or maybe I actually deserved to be punished so I could grow up to be caring and generous!
Naw, you did the best you could with the kids God gave you. I’m glad you like your mousepad. I’m enjoying my coffee out of the mug I ordered with the same cartoon.
You mentioned me again!
Makes me smile to read your blog. Hannah and I went to the grocery store and I bought some of her favorite treats… she was thanking me and told me what a great mom I was… perfect opportunity….so I did as you suggested – I asked her if she wanted to go to her honors assembly… she said she would go and then rolled her eyes. Then I did the bad parent thing and told that I won’t be able to go…. I had organized a going away party for a co-worker and I was in charge of the event. Hannah said that was ok. Then I distracted her with talk of vacation. She has stars in her eyes thinking about a celebrity sighting in LA. 
Thanks Anne – you are a dear.