Ahem. Tap, tap. Is this thing on? Okay... yeah, I'm here.
Apparently (insert warm fuzzy), there is a small contingent of people who are wondering where I've been and what's going on in my life. So, keeping that in mind (the fact that there are people who actually care what's happening in my little corner of the world), I've decided to take a minute to share the condensed version of my month of June thus far.
The last blog entry indicated that I had laryngitis. Well, the laryngitis was actually bronchitis and pneumonia. It hit when I was in Texas and became increasingly worse as the trip progressed. I marched myself into the doctor the minute my flight landed back home in Virginia. My new favorite doctor (who reminds me of Doogie Howser - how can someone so young be a real doctor?) set me up with some strong antibiotics and promised I would feel better in a week. Pffft. The crud lingered for ten days and it knocked me on my butt. The timing could not have been worse, because the first weeks of June are always a busy time - not only work and travel sort of busy, but also busy for the mother of end of the school year teenagers who seem to think that the entire universe revolves around them (in their mind, they are their own planet, and all other planets depend on the survival of the world in which they inhabit).
So, in a nutshell... here's where I've been this month:
- Arlington, Texas, where I taught six classes and hosted three crops.
- Home in bed, with no voice, meaning I parented via a pass-the-note method.
- The land of Harry Potter... lots and lots of Harry Potter. I've made good use of my sick time and have tackled the entire series. Gotta say - it's even better the third time around!
- Chantilly, Virginia, where I taught four more classes and hosted three more crops - and yes, I stayed in a hotel because even though this convention was on my home turf, the fourteen hour days made it impossible for me to drive back and forth from home to show.
And here I am. Rather boring, if you ask me. Well... the classes and the crops weren't boring, nor has Harry Potter been boring, but life in general has been relatively uneventful considering I've spent most of June in bed or on the road. We did, however, successfully close the door on Alyssa's junior year and John's freshman year at DHS. *Sigh* Time continues to fly, and I can't seem to slow it down to match my pace.
Oh, yeah... there was a prom that happened during my absence. Alyssa had the time of her life, and based upon these pictures, I know that every prom dream she ever imagined came true this second time around. She managed to pull it off without me, and she did so with much grace and great dignity. I could not have been more proud of her. This was the night that I had hoped she would have - she felt like Cinderella and she looked like a princess. Matt's mom took the pictures, and I was once again reminded that it takes a village to raise today's teenagers. I was so thankful that Matt's mom was willing to step in and take over my mothering duties. She did a fantastic job, and I will forever be grateful that we have these pictures for Alyssa to remember her special night.
Which brings me up-to-date. Now we have arrived at Alyssa's birthday week. She started the countdown at the beginning of the month (possibly fearing I would forget the date, as I did forget to mail birthday packages to my sister and my nephew, as well as forgetting my husband's birthday this month - but hey! I remembered Father's Day, so all was not lost). Alyssa has asked for all sorts of BIG things as birthday gifts this year.... things like the new iPhone ($500), and a car (several thousand), and lots of money (she's asking for more than I have to donate to her cause, which goes back to the car). After seeing me do the eye-roll with each and every BIG request, she has scaled back and asked for a trip to visit her Grammy in Washington state this summer. And that is what I think she will get. This is the final summer before she heads off to college; a trip to Grammy's will remind her that she has a very loving extended family who believe in her and who support her in whatever choices she makes in the future. In my mind, a Grammy trip is the perfect gift for my beautiful (almost) seventeen year old girl.
So there you go. Life and all it's randomness is alive and well in the House of Edge. Thank you to all who inquired within while I was absent. And a special thank you to those who took the time to send prayers and well wishes while I was fighting pneumonia. Things are looking up now: school's out, summer is in full-swing, CHA is just around the corner, and I finally have my voice back. And when I stop to consider all I have to be thankful for, I know that life is good in spite of the random nature in which it is served.
Hi! Had an awesome time in your classes and crops this past weekend!! Can't wait until you come to Frederick!! I found the sanding stick that you were hunting. It's made by a company called Creek Bank Creations. They were at the Arlington GASC, they were not at Chantilly, but they will be at Grand Rapids in July.
Posted by: Lee Ann | June 26, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Funny you should mention Harry Potter. I just pulled out my books to re-read before I get the next one. I am still so shocked by the ending on the last one though so I know I will be thinking about that the whole time and trying to analyze Snapes behavior.
Posted by: Catherine | June 26, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Beautiful pictures!
Posted by: Helena | June 26, 2007 at 04:54 PM
So good to have you back! The pictures of Alyssa and Matt are wonderful! Made me almost long for Alexa's 1st prom, almost :-) Glad to also hear the voice is back in more ways than just the audio level. Have a blast at CHA, I'll look forward to your reports and stay well! You can always check in with me on my blog. Stay in touch, Donna
Posted by: Donna | June 26, 2007 at 12:08 PM
she is beautiful Kelly! So glad you are finally feeling better..
(((((hugs)))))
Posted by: Mary Rogers | June 26, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Beautiful photos of your daughter! You must be so proud of her. Back to backs like what you have been doing and all the classes -- no wonder it took awhile to shake the pneumonia. Isn't great that the kids are old enough to mostly fend on their own? News - DS leaves for basic training next week, we are starting to feel "older" somehow.
Posted by: BuckeyeSandy | June 26, 2007 at 09:20 AM
Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Posted by: La Tonya | June 26, 2007 at 09:17 AM
ARGH! I can't get the prom pictures. Waaaah! So glad that you're feeling better and are back to blogging! :)
Posted by: slammie | June 26, 2007 at 07:32 AM
Glad to have you back. The pictures are beautiful.
Posted by: Beckym | June 26, 2007 at 06:25 AM
Glad to hear you're healthy again... and you and your kids survived June. :)
Posted by: Barb | June 25, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Yeah! I have been wondering how you are doing. Glad you both feel better AND got new prom pictures :)
Posted by: Stacey B | June 25, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Sorry to hear that you had pneumonia..glad you're better. We go to Yakima this coming weekend to meet the new addition to the family...Graydon. Did you get the pictures? It is my younger sisters 50th party and Brandon said that he would bring the baby over. Neil and Jordan are coming up from California, also. I haven't seen them for almost 2 years. Jim is going with us to Yakima, he hasn't seen Jordan since she was about 7 or 8 and she is now 17. Kelli has to work, but as she says she will be living there for two years so when they come visit she will be there. Great pictures of Alyssa and Matt. She sure is a beauty, Michael says that she should model. Got to go...until next time Randi
Posted by: Randi | June 25, 2007 at 06:32 PM