How will I survive this? May 24, 2011

So I’m sitting at my kitchen table, looking through the mail, perusing one of my favorite catalogs, Uncommon Goods, when Kameron exclaims “MOM!” I look up, usually this means that he got a really good grade on a test, or that he’s discovered another cheat code to get to another level in his game he’s playing at the moment. He hands me a piece of colorful paper. An art project, I assume. But no, as I begin to read the colorful paper it says at the top “5th Grade End Of The Year Party.” “It’s gonna be awesome Mom,” as my stomach tightens. Where? At Claire’s house. Claire? The girl that sent him to my car on Valentines day with big tears in his eyes saying “she doesn’t like me the way I like her mom.” I’ve never wanted to beat up a fifth grade girl so badly (not really, sorta) but I was heartbroken for my son that day. Then I stopped, wait a minute, this is a girl/boy party. Then my head starts to spin, I can feel my lunch coming up, I turn and there is Kameron’s excited eyes right in front of me. “It’s a pool party Mom,” I gasped. “Sounds great bud.” He basically skips into his room. Leaving me with the dreaded pool party invitation in my hand.

At that moment, as a parent, a thousand ridiculous thoughts run through your head. Although, some might not be so ridiculous. I remember getting the call from Kameron’s kindergarten teacher that he has kissed Kaitlyn (his kindergarten crush) on the playground at school, that was fun. I remember being interested in boys in the 5th grade, but that just meant we chased them on the playground, and passed ridiculous notes in school. The “Do you like Stephanie – check yes or no” note. This has seemed to progress, rather quickly, for MY son, and this Mom.

The fact of the matter is, I had a boy/girl party at my grandparents house on Halloween when I was in the 5th or 6th grade. There was a huge uproar among the parents, if it was appropriate or not. I remember several parents sticking around, with the anticipation of a child dancing too close to another child. Simply this, we were too young and scared to do anything, because we didn’t know anything.

These kids know stuff, that makes me loose my lunch.

I have to believe that I have raised a respectable, honorable, young man. He might be girl crazy, however, he will be polite and gracious. Or grounded for the rest of his life.

If I hear anything about how someone looked in someone elses swimsuit, or if spin the bottle comes up, he’s a dead man.

The Sewing Artist May 18, 2011

Pants that fit perfectly in the butt and thighs, sigh, the waist is too big.  Awesome jacket that fits perfectly in the bust area, but the arms are too long.  Want to wear the handed down wedding dress, but Mom was a few sizes bigger than you?  Your man wants his jackets to fit better?  Or is he a perfect 36 x 35 in pants, and you just can’t find them anywhere?  I have a solution for you, my friend Linda Burton, The Sewing Artist.

Linda has been sewing for 47 years.  You have to admit, it’s a dying art.  To be able to take a piece of cloth and turn it into something beautiful, that is art.

Linda services include:  Alterations, custom sewing, special occasion dresses, vintage pieces, bridal dresses, and christening gowns for babies.

She can also help you with your home decor.  Drapes, quilts, comforters, pillows, seat cushion covers.

Have a kid in sports, wondering what to do with all the tee shirts they’ve collected over the years?  Have Linda make a memory quilt out of the shirts.  A special gift your child will treasure.

These are just some of the services Linda provides.  If you have specific questions feel free to call her at 317-331-8424, or find her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TheSewingArtist

Previous Teenager – Now Mother May 17, 2011

I once was a teenager, in 1985.  Where my son is now, getting ready to turn twelve, is exactly where I was on May 31st, 1985.  Ironically his birthday is June 1st, the day after mine, our personalities are NOTHING alike (sarcasm)……

Last week when I was in the car line to pick him up from school I was ambushed by him and a friend.  Both smiling, I rolled down my window to hear what I suspected was a proposal.  Kameron – “Mom I want to go to the library with Dylan today!”  “What,” said his mother, “what library?”  Kameron – “the Greenwood Library, Dylan said I could go with him today.”  Thinking to myself, the Greenwood Library is right down the street from OLG, but not having been there myself, I defaulted to “I’m sorry you can’t go today, mom has a meeting,” which wasn’t a lie, I really did.  “But MOM,” say Kam, (whose eyes were filling up with tears) – I said “get in the car bud.”  Wanting to say, don’t embarrass yourself dude, crying in front of one of your friends, uncool, even I know that.

Dylan, defeated, walked away.  Kameron, crying got into my car, and slammed the door in disgust.  I told him that I was sorry, but it was the first time I had heard about the library thing and that I was going to have to know more about it before he could just go to the library, unsupervised, down the street, without adult supervision.

Shit, I’ve become my parents.

When I was a teenager I could never understand why my parents wouldn’t let me do things that my friends got to do.  Go to movies, to the mall, spend the night at a friend’s house (without calling the other parents – to make sure that was actually what I was doing.)  It seemed ridiculous to me at the time.  I would have to hear of my friends excursions from the weekend.  What movies they got to see, what boys they met at the mall, that they got to have lunch together and just ordered dessert.  Man, as a teenager, hearing that, it sucks.  It also makes you hate your parents.  Not knowing why they won’t let you do the same things your friends are doing, and not getting any reasoning backing the decision besides the “because I said so” response.  I swore growing up, I would never say that to my children, what a joke.

A couple of days went by, again, I found myself in the car line.  Amazingly, Dylan and Kameron found themselves outside my car again, with the same plea – the library, PLEASE MOM.  I found myself making another excuse and telling Kameron, next week bud, let me find out more about it.

So over the weekend, I talked to another parent that I knew and asked if “”The Library” was on the up and up. If it wasn’t she would tell me and I would find further excuses for Kameron not to participate in this unsupervised event.  She reluctantly told me that she has let her son go before, it was ok.  “Baby Steps” as she put it, letting go of the fear I suppose we all have as parents, letting our child grow up.  I thought back to the first time I dropped Kameron off at daycare, I sat outside the facility for 15 minutes, crying hysterically.  When I looked in the window for the last time, he was laughing and playing with the other children, so there mom.

I promised Kameron that I would let him go to the library today.  At 2:30 p.m. my heart sunk, that is the usual time I leave my house to pick him up.  At 2:45 p.m. I started to feel a little panicked, thankfully Dr. Phil had an interesting show on today.  At 3:05 p.m. I stopped myself from jumping in the car and driving down to check up on Kameron to see what he was doing.  At 3:27 p.m. I couldn’t stop myself from getting in the car and driving down there, it was going to take me 20 minutes to get there anyway, my plan was to be there at 4:00 p.m. to pick him up.  An hour is enough time isn’t it?  To get the feel of the library, see what it’s all about, and decide whether or not he wants to go back.

I parked in the library parking spot, feeling happy that I was there, but remembering that Kameron didn’t have his phone, so I couldn’t call to see where he was.  I walked in confident that he would be looking for me, waiting for me to take him home.  I glanced into the cafe area – not there.  I found the “Children’s Area” positive that he would be there.  Looking around, nowhere to be found.  I did find a classmate of his, he said he last saw Kameron was in the cafe, where I had just been, so I knew he wasn’t there.  Practically running upstairs, past the cop that was leaned up on the stairs texting God knows who, I went into the community area.  Looking around, I saw Kameron sitting with his friend Dylan, watching some video.  I felt my blood pressure decreasing. Calmly, I tapped Kameron on the shoulder and said “hey bud, time to go.”  Rolling his eyes at me, he reluctantly grabbed his things and stomped out to the parking lot.

Mad, he asked, “why did you come to get me so early?’  I rebutted “you were there for an hour, isn’t that good enough?”

“NO”

Freedom, a little piece at a time, tiny pieces, for Mom’s sanity.

 

Happy Mothers Day! May 9, 2011

Isn’t it the simplest things in life that really are the best?

  Late last night, Kameron remembered that he had one more thing to give me for Mother’s Day, and very proudly presented me with this card.  I thought it might just have the typical, love you Mom, with a signature.  Apparently, they ramp Mother’s Day cards up in the 5th grade.  Inside there were statements, and Kameron had to give his take on what he thought about Mom.  So here is goes, here is my Mother’s Day report card – graded by Kameron.

My mom loves me best – “When I get good grades in school, and show my talents to her.”  (Cute)

My mom looks prettiest when – “She puts on any dress, or any kind of makeup.” (Aww)

I like being with my mom most when – “We go to a restaurant, or go to the mall.”  (Funny)

The funniest thing I can remember about my mom is – (Uh Oh) “When she plays with my dog with a chew toy.” (Dodged that one)

If I could give my mom something special just from me, it would be – “A beautiful, shiny, green emerald (Good Taste) or I would give her roses for her garden.”  (Thoughtful)

My favorite thing about my mom is – “That she likes wrestling like me.  My mom’s favorite wrestler is Hulk Hogan.  My favorite wrestler is John Cena.”  (Like minded)

The best time I ever had with Mom was when – “We ate at the sushi bar.  The best sushi roll I ever had was the California Roll.  My mom likes the Spicy Tuna Roll.”  (Sushi United)

Here’s a poem just for Mom:

“Mom, you are just the best and you beat the rest.  Flowers are your favorite, and you really love gum.  You find many cool dresses, and love to shop.  You are the best!  Love, Kameron.”

Doesn’t that just make you heart soar?

In fairness, I thought it would be appropriate to answer the same questions about Kameron, and give him my answers later today, so here is goes.

My son loves me best – when I see his big smile walking towards my car after school.  When he sneaks in a hug or a kiss when I least expect it.

My son looks most handsome when – he wears matching clothes.  Or when he has a shirt and tie on.

I like being with my son most when – we are in the car together, singing songs (we’re pretty good rappers), and when he helps me cook dinner.

The funniest thing I can remember about my son is – when he thinks something is so funny that he doubles over laughing about it.

If I could give my son something special just from me, it would be – a promise that I will always believe in you, I will always tuck you into bed every night, I will always try not to embarrass you when you’re a teenager, and I will always, always, love you.

My favorite thing about my son is – there are too many things to mention, can I just say everything?  I really like your taste in music, that your favorite thing to eat is sushi, what a caring and loving little man you are, and that you think your Mom is still pretty cool.

The best time I ever had with my son was – another unfair question, there are too many things to mention.  One thing that sticks out is the first time I saw him sing on stage in the play “Godspell Junior.”  He didn’t tell anyone that he had a singing part, he wanted to surprise all of us I think.  Definitely one of my favorite “Kameron” moments.

I’m not really good at poems, but I’ll give it a try.

Kameron, you are the best son a mom could ask for,  I really like it when you sweep the floor.  You like to sing, you like to cook, which is really cool in my book.  You’re really sweet, and very smart, your smile always warms my heart.  Always remember this is true, your Mom really loves you!

Spaghetti with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce May 7, 2011

I made this for dinner tonight, it was fantastic!

What you will need:

Whole Wheat Spaghetti (or your preference) – cook what you think you will eat

4 cups of heavy cream

4 oz of Gorgonzola Cheese – I used a block that I could crumble

2 Medium Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup of Bacon

1 carton (?) (the small blue thingy) of Mushrooms

1 medium onion

1 tbsp of minced garlic

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

Salt, Pepper to taste

Parsley to garnish

Gorgonzola Cream Sauce-

Take the cream and place in a sauce pan.  Bring to a boil.  Let the cream reduce, boiling for 30-35 minutes.

Cook spaghetti, drain, set aside.

Wash & slice your mushrooms.  Cook in a pan with butter until they release their liquid, drain them in a small strainer.  Set aside in a bowl.  Rough chop your onion and bacon.  Place in the same pan that you used for the mushrooms.  Cook until the onions & bacon are just cooked through.  Take out of pan, put bacon & onions in the bowl with the mushrooms.  Slice the chicken breasts thin and cook with garlic in the same pan as the mushrooms, onions, and bacon.  When the chicken is no longer pink in the center, place in the bowl with the mushrooms, etc.

Once the cream has reduced down (it will cover the back of a spoon) remove from heat.  Take your Gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese and place in the cream.  With a whisk, incorporate the cheese.  It will take a few minutes, but the cheese will melt, and the sauce will become thick and creamy.

Once the cheese is incorporated, place the mushroom, bacon, onion and chicken breast into the sauce.  Mix to make sure all of the components are covered with the sauce.  Put the spaghetti in a bowl, pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti and serve.