an apology

Something has been making me very sad lately, and I haven't yet figured out how to fix it. But I do want to apologize for it. "It" being the way I've been neglecting my friends. I've been horrible--I've been spotty at best in reading/commenting on blogs and I've been pathetically slow at returning emails (and that's when I manage to return them at all). I have this list of little projects and cards I wanted to make for friends for Halloween--and I'm making ridiculously slow, nearly non-existent, progress on that front.

I don't want to whine and dish out my laundry list of things that keep me from paying enough attention to my friends. After all, we're all busy, arent' we? I just seem to be sorely lacking the organizational skills to find a way to fit it all in...and I swear I've been trying to work on my organizational weaknesses, but I don't seem to be making much progress.

Anyway, it's so unfair that my friends always seem to be the ones at the end of the line. It should *not* be that way. I swear, you're all way more important to me than the tomatoes in the garden...but since you won't rot on the vine if I don't get you canned, I tend to the damn tomatoes first. And a little boy, who after a great start to the school year, is now crying every morning worrying about going to school...well, he soaks up a lot of my emotional attention. And...and...and... But I won't go into all the "ands"--like I said, I don't want this to be a whiny, "I'm overwhelmed" post.

My friends mean so much more to me than it would seem from my behavior as of late. And I am so very, very, very sorry. I truly am.

I'll get my act together one of these days. I promise.

scenes from an 8-year-old's birthday weekend

 Birthday boy's breakfast of choice: Double-dipped berries.

 Birthday boy's gift: A shiny red DS.

 Birthday boy's cake of choice: A cat, of course.

 Birthday boy's dinner of choice: Chuck E. Cheese, with a friend.

 Birthday boy's choice for an evening activity: Cat crafting.

 And Saturday brought another day of fun: Wickham Farms for big pillow bouncing, ice cream cones, pumpkin picking, and a corn maze. Then a visit from cousins, pizza, more birthday cake, and another present. :)

and she's off...

Oh my goodness. Just look at this girl. So many thoughts crowd my mind as I stare at this picture I took this morning...

*I hate that "summer" is over. I hate it. I'll miss you being gone all day.

*But at least you'll only be "gone" for school two days of the week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays--you'll still be stuck with me. :)

*Unfortunately, that isn't the case with your brothers. And tomorrow when they head off for their first day of school...yeah, I'm going to be a mess inside.

*Since when did 13 look so old?!! I guess it probably always has...but looking at 13 through parental eyes is somehow different.

*I'm so sorry that you're so worried about Chemistry. I'm hoping that after today, you'll be a little more comfortable. You really are going to do just fine, sweetie! I know you are.

*Still, three hours of chem lecture starting at 8:00am is quite a shock to the system, huh?

*I hope you'll call me before your afternoon class starts and let me know how things are going.

*You're so beautiful. 

*I miss you already--though if you were home, you'd still be in bed anyway.  ;)

*I'm proud of you. For so many things. 

*I love you more than words can say.