MILESTONES

Well, below you'll see pics of my star graduate, my beautiful, fantastic son at his Roast n Toast Barbecue.
I've had a bittersweet few days as he has been at his College Orientation with his Dad in upstate NY, where yes, I have already proudly told you, is being paid for by scholarships and grants that he obtained on his own. THANK GOD for that!
He's a reserved kind of kid, very selective of friends, an individual that believes in being kind, honest, and gives a 110% to anything he does.
Except when making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, because he still claims I make the best!
I think I'm being swindled on that one! (:)
I must say that when I got my morning coffee yesterday and passed by his sneakers in the TV room, I cried a little. I remembered those sneakers being oh so small, sitting askew next to red patent leather Mary Janes (my fave) that belonged to his sister, his soul mate, his Irish twin (as we call it) that is only a year younger.
I thought of how she will miss him. How I will miss him dearly and how the little guy will have a void in his heart for a while without his big brother around.
Geez, and he hasn't even left yet...it is after all...orientation!
I want to thank the family and friends at the barbecue and their generous gifts which helped my son get the laptop he so needed for college.
We only had to chip in a little bit, which is all we could afford.
However, he still needs book money and dorm necessities.
So if anyone is so inclined to help us send this wonderful kid off, with all he needs as he embarks on this wonderful journey, I am once again taking contributions at Paypal to bluejude126@yahoo.com
Thank You! And congrats to one of the most extraordinary people I have had the privilege and blessing to be the mother of for the past 18 years!
BlueJude hugs to all!

The STAR Graduate

OUR STAR
GRADUATE
At
OUR
ROAST
N
TOAST
BBCUE!
WHAT FUN!!

Looking Upward

Well, things are looking up despite the fact that the car still isn't fixed, my daughter has an infected wisdom tooth that needs to come out and I can't find a dentist that takes our insurance. I had a tooth fall out. I have no insurance. A tree fell on our house during Friday's storm (everyone is safe THANK YOU GOD!) The dog (who is now blind) needs a visit to the Vet in order to get his insulin and needles rescripted for his diabetes and well, we dont know how we're gonna swing that one. My son needs some money for those hidden college costs one doesnt think of when sending their first off to college- despite all his scholarships and grants.
Our food stamps will go under, now that hub has a job, but of course they dont understand that we still need help to cover expenses like, well...uh food! I've lost about 10 pounds over the past 9 months and now my jeans hang off me like I'm farmer Jane. No offense to any farmers named Jane out there! (:) Tho I've never been one for malls and being a fashion plate, so in the grand scheme that's the least of it. And my little garden and tomatoes are pretty much a reflection of my life right now. Stunted and weedy.
The good news is that my son's Graduation barbecue went fantastic! Lots of food and beer and good friends. Funny they were calling for a 70% shance of rain, but he insisted if we sing Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles and stay positive that it just wouldn't happen. AS how could God refuse a Beatles song (: AND ya know what, we had a clear day and sunny skies. God IS watching out for that kid! My shining star.
And they may increase my husbands hours at work. SO there are some things to be thankful for. Always. And in the meantime, I just keep looking upward and kissing it all up to God that all will be well. That we can stay in our home for another year (till my daughter graduates), pay our bills and feed our children....while we all adjust to my son leaving the nest.
Yup, just looking upward, praying nad trying to stay positive. And occasionally singing Here Comes the Sun! Happy July all! BlueJude Hugs!