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So by yesterday evening after not having heard from Pepe LePew, I gave in and clung in desperation to the old apron strings in fear that he may have defected, joined the foreign legion, or run off aimlessly chasing a lovely feline with French parfum and a white stripe painted down her back. After having contacted the surprising teacher, I learned that Marc seems to be having a problem with his cell phone, which he has attempted to rectify but could not. So we will try to fix the problem from here or ship him a new one. The bright side is it prevented him from ringing up $2,500 in charges like he did on his last trip and he'll be sure to return ~ survival in life depends on that phone. And I thought being told at 10 pm on a work night that cupcakes were needed for the next day was bad.

I'M HAVING A REALLY CRUMMY DAY SO RATHER THAN SIT AND THINK AND CRY UNTIL I'M ALL CRIED OUT AND STILL REALLY IN THE SAME SPOT. i THOUGHT I'D TRY WHAT I'D DO PRESTROKE. IT WORKED WITH TWO HANDS AT FULL SPEED, WHO KNOWS? IF NOTHING ELSE IT WILL ENABLE ME FOCUS ON WRITING IT FOR A WHILE WHICH IS A GOOD DIVERSION AND I GUESS SOMEWHAT THE POINT. WHEN I HAD KIDS I VOWED I WOULD NOT BE STIFLINGLY OVERPROTECTIVE AS MY MOTHER IS AND I WOULD TRY TO RAISE THEM TO BE STRONG INDEPENDENT ADULTS. WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER SHE HAD A HARD TIME COMPREHENDING HOW I COULD BE SO COLD AS TO LET GO WHEN I WAS TEACHING THEM TO RIDE THEIR BIKES BECAUSE THEY MIGHT FALL. HOW ELSE DO YOU LEARN? A BOO BOO ON A KNEE HEALS, LIVING LIFE IN FEAR RARELY DOES. I STRUGGLED FOR MANY YEARS TO GET BEYOND THE CONDITIONED APPREHENSIONS AND AS I SAID I SWORE I WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO MY KIDS. SO LAST NIGHT AS I PUT MY 15 YEAR-OLD SON,MARC ON A PLANE TO FRANCE MAYBE I GET IT. MAYBE AS LONG AS I'M FEARFUL, I'LL LOOK TO HER FOR SECURITY. BUT I THINK I GOT IT AS HE LEFT AND I SAW NOT A MOMENT OF HESITATION. I KNEW IN 2 YEARS HE'LL JUST AS EASILY LEAVE FOR COLLEGE AND IN ALL HONESTY IT SCARED ME MORE THAN STARING DEATH IN THE FACE THAT MAYBE HE'LL NEVER LOOK BACK. FOR ALL THE YEARS I RESENTED HOW MY MOTHER TRIED TO CONTROL ME WITH GUILT, I UNDERSTOOD A BIT BETTER. YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST OF THE MAJOR APRON STRINGS I CUT, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE BOTH OF THEM AROUND AND NEVER HAVE THEM LEAVE, BUT THAT WOULD BE VERY SELFISH AND UNFAIR TO THEM. I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT SO I'LL CONTINUE TO CUT THE STRINGS AND HOPE THEY REMEMBER ME.

George, To have such a claim from one of the testosterone laden, he must be one of two things either very brave or working an angle and running for president. You have my vote for the later. Keep thinking the estrogen needs and appreciates your support.

Hey pretty college girl, He works in mysterious ways.... Well you couldn't drive, so came into your life a much needed caring friend with wheels and romantic aspirations ~ sounds much better than the license right now. and He knows what He's doing. Enjoy, the license will come. Maria

Beth, Glad to hear things sound like they are getting better and moving in a much more positive direction. Keep up the good work. Try not to stress over cutting back on volunteering, you need to put your health and family first. You'd be amazed at how people step up and get things done when they have to. To the disappointment of my ego my department and the district did somehow manage to carry on without me. That doesn't mean what you do is not important or easily replaceable, but it will be there if and when you are ready to return to it. Maria :friends:

Beth, It's good to see that blogging has seemed to encourage you to think more positively about yourself. Through your posts we see so many great qualities in you. I'm sorry you feel they are unnoticed and not valued by who you want to see them most. We are a supportive group as you know beyond just stroke support. We're here to be your friends whenever you need us. Maria :friends:

I see you're leaving no stone unturned...even planning to shower for the trip! I promised not to pick on you, but I didn't say for how long. Hope you and Kath have a wonderful time. Enjoy, Maria

Kathy, I'm so not going to say anything about the cold since I've been chiding you for months about how you were going to freeze your little tushy off. Congratulations on finding a place that makes you happy so quickly. I hope all goes smoothly with acquiring it and you settle in and get comfortable in time to plant spring flowers. Maria

Katrina, I think we all get tired of being the way we are, my heart just breaks for you that you must deal with this at such a young age. When I look at your pictures I see a very beautiful normal young woman.The botox takes some time to really take effect. Keep up the good work in your classes. High expectations are a good thing. If you shoot for the stars, you land among the clouds; if you shoot for the clouds, you get poked by the tip of a skyscraper. Have fun and be well! Maria

George, Do what you enjoy without pushing yourself beyond your limits. There is no Diedastrokediehard.net. It takes a lot of hard work to earn this membership, and enjoy the fringe benefits of relaxing. It doesn't appear too difficult, my husband seems to have mastered it. Maria

Bonnie, I sort of have a mental image of a new Punxsutawney Bon next year peeking out from under her quilt. Would certainly be a much cuter critter and more reliable indicator. Hibernate dear, enjoy it, we'll wake you in the spring. Maria :friends:

Stu, Try not to think of it as apprehension, but rather excitement and anticipation. You are going to have an incredibly good time. From the moment you step on that ship in your new rides you'll be so caught up in it, you won't have a care. So enjoy, have a blast, and take it all in, so you can blog it all and be the envy of the crowd when you safely return. Maria :friends:

Kimmie, I can appreciate #25, I love to live vicariously through Stephanie also. Thanks for taking the time to let us know you a bit better. Maria :friends:

Kathy, So happy to hear you and your herd of turtles made it safely. The worst part is over. Looking for a house is the fun part, and as Bonnie said when you find it you'll know. Smile your pretty smile Polly soon you'll be kicking up your feet in your favorite socks in your new home. Maria :friends: xoxo

Bonnie, Funny hair color story. My ex, Tom, was gray from age 22 or so. He's blond so it was never very noticeable, but it always bothered him. When we separated he came to pick up the kids after playing basketball in gym shorts all sweaty trying to look cool. He flexed a few times for effect and then complained about being being sore. I casually said you know Tom maybe you're just getting too old for this as I shot an innocent look at his hair poor guy was only 36. He so had it coming.The following week the the door bell rings and there is Tom with bright red hair. I looked at and said we'll take 2 happy meals and a cheeseburger. the genius tried to dye it but didn't read the color on the box, just went by the picture and dyed it black. He then tried to get it out and oxidized it. The following week he showed up shaved. Tom didn't weather the divorce well. Be grateful you have mouse that's an easy transformation to gray. The only way to get from black to gray is through Lily Munster.

Kathy, Share the kibble in your pockets, it'll be good for your diet. Try not to get too freaked out, everything comes out in the wash. Worrying your pretty little head isn't going to change anything or help you find anything or not lose things. It's all there somewhere and you'll find it all eventually and survive without it in the interim. Just be careful your brain isn't in one of those boxes you get disgusted with unpacking toward the end and just wind up tossing. It will be fine, and the kicker will be when you finally get settled he'll say so... Kath, what'd ya think? winters up here are a pita, wanna move back down south? Maria :friends:

Liesl, Sorry I didn't see your blog earlier. Good to hear you're out power sauntering. Come on fess up ~ you were distracted by a pair of shoes. Maria :friends:

Doug, I give you a great deal of credit for trying, which says much about your character after all you've been through. Just let it go. As you know, you can't control other people and it's not worth trying or letting it get to you. You have Teddy and us. Be well Maria :friends:

Bonnie, Great list. Be sure to include in the other 50 that you are the world's sweetest lady. Maria :friends:

Doug, Teddy seems to follow suit with your observation from your last blog. Now all he needs to do is learn to feign ignorance when given a command and he has the gender mastered. Welcome to our world. Best wishes for a great 2008.

Phyllis, I'm with you on the can opener thing. It was more trouble than it was worth, and met its fate in the trash. I will admit I do love my Swedish cutting board. Loved the Gameboy story. Would that be the same niece whose mom is sharp enough, however, to know that highly structured private schools do not require a change of batteries? Maria

Lorri, Very insightful friend, great suggestion! You do have many blessings. Just as you are blessed, so are those around you to have you. Maria :friends:

Vi, The beauty pageant was fixed! You should have won Great list!! Maria

I was born and lived in NYC until I was 27 and moved to NJ. I am an only child and was a spoiled brat. I had an academic scholarship to college. I am highly allergic to and really don

Lorri, Get yourself a new mirror. Yours is distorted by a reflection of someone who is far too hard on herself and needs to give herself some much due credit. You are a very courageous and admirable woman! Maria :friends: