Day 310: Beautiful blooms

"The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less." - Joseph B. Wirthlin

Project 365: #310 

The reason why I started this daily blog, was to be grateful for little things, and appreciate everyday events in our lives, and to document them for our near and dear so they could also have a glimpse of our adventures. It is easy to take things for granted when we see them every single day...and people too. We become complacent, and stop noticing and appreciating the small things. The garden has come alive, almost overnight, with the ornamental Japanese maple in full leaf, and the beautiful dogwood in full flower. Even the dandelions are flowering, a sure sign that some weeding is necessary! I am grateful for the garden, it is uplifting! I am also grateful for weeds, they inadvertently provide a cheaper alternative to the gym...possibly healthier too, as you are a workout while breathing in fresh (hopefully) air!

Day 309: My loyal companion!

"You give loyalty, you'll get it back. You give love, you'll get it back." - Tommy Lasorda

 Project 365: #309

I did not ever consider myself a 'doggie person', but love having the company. Riley wants to go everywhere with me, and the minute I pick up the carkeys he is at the garage door, waiting to go! This was actually at 6 am, after dropping Cait at the bus for Philly and the Penn Relays. He did NOT want to get out of the car, and had a sit-in protest! I secretly think he was hoping for a play date with Scout and Ranger! The love and loyalty of a dog are uplifting! (Another aspect of this is that at 6 am it is completely LIGHT!!! Yippee!!! Summer is really and truly on the way!)

 

Day 308: Puppy play dates

"Motherhood is tough. If you just want a wonderful little creature to love, you can get a puppy." Barbara Walters

Project 365:#308

Sage advice indeed! So, this is what happens when your children grow up and are almost leaving home...instead of having more children (because you are too old and too tired, and know the downfalls of motherhood), you get puppies! And to make new friends for you and your puppies, you have puppy play dates! I can highly recommend this! Riley with his new friends: the very patient and wise Scout to teach Riley how to properly behave like a grown-up dog; and cute, cuddly, contented Ranger to teach Riley what fun it is to have a friend! (Don't get me wrong...I love being a mother, but I also love puppy kisses and waggy tails that make-you-feel-all-better-no-matter-what). I also haven't forgotten the kitties who have brought us continual joy and therapeutic purrs)!

 

Day 307: Highjump and hurdles

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do." - Pele

Project 365: #307

With Spring Track and Field fully underway, I have managed to catch one or two snaps of Caitlin doing what she loves - highjump.  Although it is Spring, and the weather is continually improving, it is a little hit and miss with cancelled meets for rain and snow! This pic looks like awesome weather, but was freezing cold, and the wind was blowing so hard that it kept knocking the pole down...Anyway, it signifies up and onward for us, over those high jumps, and crossing those hurdles! Cait was invited to be part of the 4 x 100 m Varsity Team participating in Penn Relays, a prestigious College meet at U Penn. What an awesome adventure her perseverance has taken her on. I have no doubt after all the struggles and challenges of her senior year that she will be successful no matter what her future holds. She has worked hard, studied, learned, sacrificed, and endured!

Day 306: Flying visit to Boulder, CO

"Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free." - Cesar Chavez

 

Project 365: #306 

I have not been inspired to maintain Project 365 for a number of reasons:

• I will be sad when it is complete, as it has provided me with a focus
• I am not ungrateful for where we are or what we have, but am currently overwhelmed by the process
• I have not touched sides with all that has to happen on a daily basis
• When completed, it will mark a year in this adventure, and that will be hard to believe

Anyhoo...on with the adventure of the day. With the impending deadline of May 1 for college acceptance, and some colleges automatically ruled out because of their cost and our current circumstances...Mike and Caitlin embarked on a rushed, last minute visit to the University of Colorado in Boulder at the weekend. It was a useful exercise in that Mike and Caitlin had to spend confined time together...creating important, albeit under duress, father-daughter bonding time, with cramped aeroplane seats, hire-car dilemmas, and late nights! They also got to see the inside of the airports at Charlotte NJ, Denver CO, and Dallas, TX! I do know that there were some exasperating moments, based on texts flying in my direction from both parties...but it seemed to be a relatively successful outing. Although, I am not sure that we are actually any closer to making that final decision! There are just too many choices here...it is just so overwhelming! One thing I do know, is that students are students wherever they are...as can be seen by this statue at U Colorado fitted suitably with a new pair of shoes! Clearly students still think for themselves, and are not confined by the constraints of society! Hopefully ours will use their initiative too, and make the most of the new opportunities, learning to act and think for themselves, the future leaders of nations.

Day 305: Promposals

"Gone are the days when you could simply ask the object of your affection to prom. Now, you have to have a plan. High schoolers all over are finding creative, cute and downright hilarious ways to ask out their significant others to the big dance."- Andrea Romano

Project 365: #305 

I have no idea where the last couple of weeks have gone...Spring Break was here, Easter, then back at school...all in a flash. The whirlwind of time seems to be just sweeping me away...anyhoo...there is still much to be grateful for, and new adventures to be lived, even if it doesn't always feel that way. This week started with a bang (in a nice way)...it is the season of 'promposals' and Cait was surprised with this awesome invitation from a member of the baseball team on her way to Track in front of loads of people! And she thought no one would ask her!!! What fun! You obviously have to get in early...prom is still about 6 weeks away! Poor boys with all this pressure to come up with a cool idea to impress the girls!!