Today I’m a Band Mom

I just returned home from my son’s Middle School Band Concert. He’s a percussionist and gets really excited before a concert.

Tonight he went above and beyond. We arrived early, so he jumped right in helping to set up the stage. Then, he was at the ready for the first tune. It was Honor Roll March and he was playing cymbals. Mind you, my kid has the shortest arms in all of band-dom and he was crashing cymbals for over 3 minutes!

They went on to play another song where he stayed on cymbals and for the third, he switched to bass drum.

I’m so proud of him (and not-so-secretly miss my days of being in the band). Hat’s off to you, Son!

Today I’m an Astonished Daughter

I got an invitation from my Dad to be friends on Facebook!

Hat’s off to my Dad!

Today I’m a Myopic 40-Something

It’s day one with my “grown-up” glasses.

It all started about 18 months ago, when I found myself squinting at the TV program guide more often than not. That was when I realized … my Lasik had “worn off.” Sure enough, my persistent astigmatism had come back and I found myself in glasses again.

This year, however, it was time. Bifocals. Just yesterday, I picked up my new specs. I’ve worn them all day and haven’t fallen down once. Haven’t run into any doors or bumped into any people in the hallway. However, I’m ready to take them off for a while after a full day.

I will say, it’s a whole lot easier to read Facebook on my iPhone now. And hat’s off to the folks who invented the progressive lenses!

Today I’m a Laundry Novice

I have a lot to learn. Apparently, over 20 years of doing my own laundry has taught me nothing. This weekend alone, I have inadvertently washed and/or dried the following non-laundry items:

• Kleenex
• Nickel
• Paper towel
• Piece of candy
• Pedometer

For the record, none of these were in my pockets, but those of my dear family members. However, I am the one responsible for ensuring everyone has clean clothes by the start of each week. It’s been that way for years, yet I still forget to check the pockets.

Hats off to those who have mastered the art of household laundering.

Today I’m a Bad Mom

Technically, it was yesterday when my parenting skills went awry. I just didn’t realize it until today. Every Wednesday morning, my son needs to be at school by 7:15 for band sectionals. And to date, we’ve had a pretty good routine going.

Until yesterday. Did the call from the school’s attendance office tip me off? Nope. It just made me question my son about missing a class? Being tardy? Leaving to use the restroom… for a long time? (I asked all those questions, and then some). He assured me that not only was he in every class, but he was on time, too.

It wasn’t until this morning —  a full 24 hours later — that it dawned on me… “Oh man! You were supposed to go to sectionals yesterday!! I’ll bet that’s why the attendance office called!” He tells me, “Yeah, I thought of that on the bus yesterday.” Sigh!

Oh to be in 7th grade and not worry about the things that send parents into panic mode. Hat’s off to all the parents who do the right thing… and those who do their darnest.