1) You should always know your Target! - Roy is watching something about guns and shooting, and this little pearl of wisdom comes from the guy on the show.  ALWAYS know your target, that way you won’t shoot a family member, a friend, or a neighbor.  So, those are my options?  Shoot a paper target, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor?  (Ok, I get what he is saying, but the WAY he said it…)

2) Ivy League colleges accept people with no common sense - Won’t say who I’m talking about though…

3) My Dog is Jealous - He goes nuts when Corey’s dog comes near me, especially when I have food.  Wait… maybe he goes nuts when Corey’s dog comes near the food…

4) I am Dean’s Womey - Roy always jokes with Dean that he needs to stop kissing on his woman.  Dean’s answer to Daddy saying that is “No, she’s my womey.”  Roy said I could be Dean’s womey, but I’m his woman.  That seemed to satisfy Dean.

5) Hayden is not a morning person - And I have no patience for dealing with his whining.  EVERY morning I hear the same thing.

“No, Mommy.  I’m tired.”

“I know you’re tired, Hayden. I am too, but you have school today.”

“Can’t I stay home?”

“No, Hayden. Time to get up.”

“You never let me do anything!  You’re so mean.”

Same conversation, every morning.  It’s getting kind of old. Perhaps tomorrow I need to switch things up a bit.

6) My dishes procreate at night - I’ve said this before, but I’m pretty sure I have proof now.  I think my crockpot gave birth to five bowls last night.  Dirty dishes took over my kitchen counter.

7) December has shorter days - Now it’s winter, so the days seem shorter.  I’m pretty sure there are like 5 hours instead of 24 hours each day.  How else could it already be December 19th?

8) I am woefully behind in my Christmas shopping - But for once, I’m not stressed out.  I’ll get it done this weekend.  Roy’s off and the boy’s will be out of school.  Which means, Roy and I can hit the stores alone for some last minute shopping.  I’m actually looking forward to it!  Crazy, right?  At least if things get nasty none of the kids will be there to see my downfall.

9) Hayden stresses about his grades - He took a test on Friday.  It was about Magnets.  I helped him study, Roy helped him, and Joe helped him.  He was ready.  He asked me at least four times this weekend if I could check his grades to see if the grade was posted online yet.  Friday he asked me if there are 25 questions, and he misses one, is that still an A?  What if he misses two?  He’s in second grade!  High school is gonna be a bitch!

10) I’m old - I could be a grandmother in less than 10 years!  I think I’m having chest pains right now just having typed that… no, seriously… I am!

I think for the most part we’ve been lucky. Almost all of the teacher’s the boys have had, and we’ve been dealing with the public school system for 13+ years, have been wonderful.

They’ve pushed to make learning exciting, found new ways to teach the same material year after year, and the boys reap the rewards.

Now that our last year as the parents of a kindergartner are coming to an end, I want to say thank you to Dean’s teacher.

She’s always smiling when I see her, though it has to be physically impossible to always feel well, be happy and alert-especially with a toddler of her own at home. But smile she does.

Dean is a mommy’s boy, I admit that, but she made school fun for him. Even on the days that he doesn’t want to go to school he comes home with a smile and a funny story about Mrs. “G.” One day in particular stands out. I had to take the boys to school and as we entered the school they boys were supposed to go one way, and i was supposed to head into the office. Well, Dean wasn’t having that. He started to cry and Hayden tugged gently on his hand. Dean shook him off and suctioned himself to my hip. I tried in vain to take him off, and finally one of the other kindergarten teachers recognized him, and came to take his hand and bring him into the cafeteria. Dean fought and cried, and I felt my heart break just a little bit. But the teacher never lost her patience. She gently steered him towards Hayden who was waiting by the cafeteria doors.

I expected to get a call or an email from the teacher that Dean had a rough day. Nope! He ran off the bus that afternoon, smiling and laughing. He had a beautiful picture that he drew of the two of us playing a game. He said Mrs. G helped him with it. It still hangs on my office wall.

I was worried that this year would be hard on Dean. He went from three half days in preschool to five full days, but he’s been fine. he’s thriving his teacher tells us.

I get reports from Hayden’s teacher that he’s a funny and enthusiastic participant in class discussions, especially in History his favorite subject.

The older boys bring home fun and interesting projects to do in their classes. Projects that make them think and look outside the box.

I missed my 20th reunion, but when I think about my own years in school one teacher comes to mind, and I’m angry that I can’t remember her name. I remember that she LOVED the Cleveland Browns and Julio Iglesias. She wore these beautiful gold hoop earrings too. But what I remember most is how she encouraged me to write. How she encouraged my love of books.

We read a book called “Cry the Beloved Country.” I told my dad what we were doing and he brought home a copy he bought for me. I read through the book in a day. When I was the only one that raised my hand to participate in class discussions, she sent me to the library with the instructions to find another book with the same themes, read it and write a report on it. She gave me an extra test grade for that.

When we read Beowulf, I remember i had no trouble grasping the imagery and content, but it wasn’t my favorite assignment. I was the only student in all six of her class periods that got a one hundred on that test. She said my paper was beautifully written. I’ll never forget that.

When we wrote short stories she gave me constructive criticism, and when she got choked up during one scene I’d spent hours writing, I knew I was on to something.

And yet I can’t remember her name. She was my English Teacher during my senior year of school. I can’t even find my yearbook!

I remember her face, I can hear her laugh, and I remember feeling strong and smart in her class. Maybe I took with me the most important things a teacher can give a student-confidence and the willingness to look at things differently.

So thank you to all the teachers that have made a difference in my life-and there are many. Some taught me, some taught my children and I know Roy must of had a few teachers that struck a chord. 

Thank you for coming to school most days with a smile on your face, and thank you for taking the time to care about our children.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So, this past week Addi and I have been talking, and he has asked to go back to the public school system.  For the most part, we have been very pleased with the school system in our area, and since he will go from middle school to high school, Roy and I agreed that it would be a fresh start-as long as he takes advantage of it.  It’s a chance to start over.  The teacher’s don’t know him, he can make more friends, and the high school has so many opportunities-sports, clubs, etc.  He’s excited about the upcoming school year, and that’s a first!

And then it dawned on me-I will be alone!  My sister is deploying and our 8 year old niece if going to be with us for the school year.  What’s one more, right?  

So here’s what we have:

Corey’s finishing up his Associate’s Degree.

Joe will be a Senior

Addi will be a Freshman

Hayden will be in Fourth Grade

Reagan (our niece) will be in Third 

Dean will be in Kindergarten.

Joey’s finishing up and Dean’s just starting!

And during the day, it will just be Roy and I at home many days.  I can get some of the projects I want to do around the house done.  I can go to the gym, Roy and I can go out for lunch, I can take my dog to the park.  (He needs the exercise)

And yet, I would be lying if I dismissed the idea of putting my last little one on the bus.

Just thinking about it is bringing a tear to my eye

It’s been a rough few weeks.  As I mentioned yesterday, we are seriously looking into homeschooling Addi.

I’ve always been very ambivalent about the idea of homeschooling.  If you want to do it, do it…if you don’t, don’t.  We have always had very good experiences with the public school system, we have one son that graduated from public school last year, and he excelled.  He had wonderful teachers, and made great friends.

Joe is a junior and he is also having a great experience.  He has been very involved with his JROTC program, and it has been a great time for him.

Hayden has had a positive experience so far, and Dean is attending a private school for preschool.

But we are having a difficult time with Addi.  

Many people against homeschooling proclaim that kids NEED to be around other kids, but what do you do when the other kids are the issue?  What do you do when those other kids are distractions simply by being in the same room because your child can’t control himself?

I think each parent needs to do what they feel is best for their child.

As I tell the teachers, you know teaching but I know MY son.  It’s ridiculous to apply one logic across the board for all children.  What works for our 18 year old, might not work for our 17 year old.  And what works for our 17 year old might not work for our 13 year old, etc, etc.  It’s a matter of finding out what works and going with your gut.

Too bad my gut feels like someone punched me in it right now.

No, I am not talking about overly lenient parents.  I am not talking about parents that are afraid to say no.  I am talking about the fear that all parents have once you hold your baby.

I am not trying to scare off new parents, or soon to be parents, or HOPE to be parents.  I am merely talking about my experiences raising my five boys.

Our oldest is getting ready to graduate, and our youngest will start preschool next year.  Each stage of a child’s life brings about a new set of fears, or at least it did for me.

Will they make friends?  Will they stand up for what is right?  Will they eat their boogers and be ridiculed?

But the one thing I have learned is to trust in myself.  Roy and I do our best with the boys.  Sometimes we say the wrong thing, sometimes we do the wrong thing - but in the end we always try our best.  And there comes a time when you have to trust that your best was enough.

You have to believe that your best taught them right from wrong.  You have to believe that your best taught them that even if they are confronted with temptations, they will follow their heart and do the right thing.  You have to trust that your best taught them how to protect themselves and those around them.

You have to find a place where you KNOW that you can tell the difference - sometimes your kids (and I am talking older children here) will need you to be a parent, they will need you to step up and protect them, and sometimes they will need a friend/confidant.  Someone that’s older that can offer advice, but will trust them to make the right choice in the end.

Once you get over the sleepless nights and the 2 AM feedings, you get to a place of wonder.  There are so many firsts that first couple of years - first tooth, first time they roll over, sit up, etc., etc.  But one thing I didn’t realize until the boys got older is as soon as they take that first step, they are stepping away from you.

Gone is the tiny baby that needed you for everything, and in its place is a strong willed toddler, an excited preschooler, a nervous elementary schooler, an intrepid middle schooler, a snooty high schooler, and then finally a young man/woman.  Each of those stages brings its own set of firsts, and each of those stages serves to remind us, as parents, that our babies are growing up.

I sat down to eat breakfast with Corey the other day and told him that college doesn’t need to be a time of stress.  So many of his friends are going so crazy - taking this test, trying to visit colleges - that they are missing what an exciting time this is.  He wants to be a chef, and right now we are trying to figure out the best way for him to achieve his goal.

“Look, honey,” I told him and he looked up at me, “YOU need to do some research.  Figure out the best way for you to get where you want to be in ten years.  Maybe you want to talk to chef from the cruise and ask for a job for a few years, see the world, get some real kitchen experience.  Or go downtown and talk to some of the chefs and see what they did.  You want to work for a few years after high school, do that.  You want to work part time and go to the community college, cool.  But whatever you do, try and make sure it gets you closer to your dream.”

And then he looked at me, and for the first time I think he actually got what Roy and I have been trying to tell him.  For the first time, I think he looked forward to making this huge decision and didn’t fear it.

We aren’t perfect. Lord knows I have made mistakes as a mom, but in the end I just keep reminding myself that I am doing my best, and my best is going to be good enough.

Boy, not a very interesting title to the post there, but it was a long day yesterday, and it’s already been a long morning. Ok, so a few more things that seem to make our school year go a bit smoother:

1) Decide on lunch the night BEFORE-if your mornings are anything like mine, knowing what the kids want to do beforehand can cut down a bit on the running around.  As I said in my last post, the older boys are in charge of their own lunches, though I still discuss things with Addi and Hayden the night before.  I tell them what the school cafeteria is offering, and let them decide if they want to eat in school, though Roy and I put a limit on that.  The school has a system for parents to load up their ‘ID numbers.’ Basically, the kids are all assigned a student number, and at lunch they can punch in the code to access their account.  The system allows parents to load the account with money using a credit or debit card.  The older boys prefer to pack, but I put enough money for 5 lunches and five little treats on Hayden and Addi’s accounts every two weeks.  When the money is gone, they have to pack and wait until they get more money.  This allows them some freedom to pick and choose their lunches, and they both seem to like that.  Knowing the night before if they want to buy I can tell them if they still have money, or I can allow myself a bit of extra time to help them get their lunch boxes ready.

2) Do Family dinners-We don’t do this every night.  I try to cook at LEAST every other night, but when we do cool we ALL sit down together, unless previous arrangements have been made-the older boys are out with friends, working, etc.  Family dinners are fun!  We laugh, and joke with each other, and in between the laughing fits, the boys share tidbits of their days.  It’s a more relaxing way to find out about the kids lives than grilling them, as I have been known to do on occasion.

3)Go Over Homework-I won’t lie, the two older boys’ math homework is above my head at this point.  Well, Joe I can still struggle through a bit, but Corey is taking Calculus-right over my head!  Luckily, Roy can still help him.  BUT, I can make sure that they have at the very least done the work, might all be wrong because I can’t check the answers for them, but I can see that they have done the assignment.  I can remind them that IF they have questions, please go ask Dad instead of just putting something down and not getting it (makes it tough to do it again on the test later).  English and History are more my things, and I go over their assignments with them-Oh, I don’t do it for them, but I make sure I know what is going on with ALL the boys in their classes.  Part of Addi’s English homework is to spend a bit of time reading each day-only about 15-20 minutes-when he reads (because it is not his favorite thing to do) I try to sit at the table with him and read as well.  Even IF you aren’t familiar with the material, simply going over it with your kids can help you become so.  I am surprised how much of my literature I remember when Corey asks me questions about one of the books he is reading-Frankenstein, Beowulf, Canterbury Tales-I figured they were all lost to me, but when he talks to us I find myself remembering small details and even lines from the books.

4) Be interested-As a mother of five, I find this can be tough for me.  Not because I’m NOT interested, but because Roy and I are constantly shifting gears.  Corey’s work is different than Joe’s.  Joe’s is different than Addi’s and so on, and it can be hard to shift from one mentality to the other.  We can’t always talk to Addi, Hayden and Dean the same way we can talk to the older boys, and at the end of the day, when we are tired it can be hard to go from one speed to the next, BUT we try to make the effort, and the kids know that, they get it, and they appreciate it.  I know Joe appreciates it, even though he protests, that Roy and I remember the name of the young lady he likes.  I know he appreciates it when we ask him about her, NOT tease him, but ask him about her.  Corey likes it that we talk to him as if he were a young adult about school, career, etc.  And the younger boys just want us to listen to them talk about the coolest level on Roblox-some computer game, don’t ask, I don’t get it.  Even if you have to fake it at first-be interested in your kids.

5)And tell them you love them-I’m thrilled that the boys-all five of them-don’t seem to care if we drop them off right in front of the school.  They don’t care who hears them tell us they love us.  My 17 and 15 year old still give me a kiss on the cheek as they leave the house, and damn anyone that sees.  And I think they do this because it’s a normal thing in our home.  Roy and I often tell the other person so much we love each other, we show affection every day, and we aren’t afraid to do so with the kids.  Roy hugs the boys and they return his hugs, it’s normal.  And no, I don’t think it’s because all the boys are mama’s boys, but they know how much we love them, and they know in the end we will always have their backs.  It’s a part of our family, it’s who we are, and I think it helps them feel secure with who they are.  It’s a simple thing.  I think Roy had that growing up.  His parents are very open with their affection, my parents not so much.  I KNEW/KNOW they love me, but it would have been nice to hear it more, to feel it more.

Be present in your kids schooling-that’s the bottom line.

First Day of School here in our household-boy did this summer fly by.

The boys are getting older, way to quickly.  Yes, I know how birthday’s work, but I can’t believe how fast the days go by.

Dean-our youngest is starting third grade!  He’s such a hard worker, and so conscientious in regards to school work, and homework. This is the little boy, that was almost in tears when he forgot his reading homework at school. He was terrified he would get in trouble and have to move his name. (his second grade teacher had everyone’s names on clothespins, and if you got in trouble you had to move your name to a different color) He is smart, funny and so kind to the kids in his class. If you need help, he’s willing to pitch in. He pointed out that he could now attend school dances and he couldn’t wait to see which of his friends were in his class this year. He’s anxious to share his summer adventures with his friends, and hear all about their’s.

Hayden-seventh grade this year! He transferred schools, and I think I’m more anxious than he is. Hayden makes friends everywhere he goes. Kids know him, and the girls adore him. (this scares me!) He’s a natural athlete, things come easy to him, but we are so proud that he isn’t afraid of hard work either. Like his brother’s he’s charming and so very smart. 

Addison is a SENIOR in high school! What the heck?!  I remember his first day of kindergarten.  Hayden was just a little guy-five months old, and I took the boys outside for the bus.  Corey was in fifth grade-and he took Addi’s hand and they crossed the street with Joe.  As the bus drove by, I see three little faces looking out at us, waving.  His first day of his first year of school, and now he’s about to start his first day of his last year of school (aside from college should he decide to go). I can’t believe it.  He’s been gone almost the entire summer, visiting his grandparents in Alabama. Helping his papa paint a work room, and learning to do woodwork. He’s been helping his mema with the dogs, and enjoying their pool. I miss him so much-can’t wait to get this year started!

And then our two oldest. I still can’t believe we have two boys in their 20′s!  Crap, this means I’m getting old too.

Joe is home now (YEAH!), and we are enjoying our visit with him.  He just bought a truck.  Roy and I joke that it looks like our truck had a baby.  (Joe’s truck just looks like a smaller version, of Roy’s) He’s so different than the 18 year old that left home a few years ago-he’s bigger, stronger, but also more confident. He seems….lighter? I guess that is the right word. More sure of himself and his place in the world. He has so many stories, and he’s more vocal. Already, I’ve gotten used to having the older boys home, and yet sooner than I care to admit-Joe will have to deploy and Corey will be graduating from college.

And then there is our oldest, Corey. He’s a senior, IN COLLEGE! I still can’t believe it.  Perhaps because he is so independent-though Roy jokes that he still lives in out house and eats all our food-I don’t realize just how much he does. He goes to school, and rarely asks for anything. He pays for it, buys own books, gets to class. He works a full time job, and he still finds time to have fun. In less than 18 months he will have graduated with a double major. Our boys are moving on-and they are making their mark in this world.

I saw something the other day, a quote and though I don’t remember the exact words-it basically says that as parents we know we’ve done our job, when our kids move on from us.  We work to install the confidence and the knowledge in them that gives them the strength to leave the nest.

And yet, I think I’m the one that lacks the strength sometimes. Thank goodness I have Roy.

Here in our little corner of the world sports are big.  Even Middle school sports. Making the school team is an honor, and one many of the kids take seriously. 

This year Hayden is in 7th grade (I can’t believe it!) and he trained very hard over the past year for his tryouts.

Now, before I got any further let me say that we live in a small town-the good 'ole boy network is in full effect here.  A few families are well known, and popular-they play all the sports, are involved in all the youth leagues and people defer to them-in a sense.  And that’s ok. Roy and I get that. Unfortunately, and understand it is a BOY’s network-me knowing about sports, being knowledgeable (I even coached high school swimming for a number of years and was quite successful at it) means nothing; it’s for the guys-Roy doesn’t have the time, and if we are being honest the inclination to be a part of this network. I like to joke that if he was, the boys would have it so much easier when it came to sports.  He isn’t biting.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it isn’t that skill isn’t involved when it comes to these kids. They are talented, and it seems like many of them are good kids. They enjoy what they are doing and are willing to work hard.

Soo-here in Virginia we have "Senior Night.“ Basically all that means is that the graduating seniors are honored-or in our case the 8th graders.  They do this at a home game.  The kids are walked onto the court or field or pool deck by their parents, their names are announced over the loud speaker along with a bit about them-where they will go to school, what they would like to do in life, etc.

This is to honor THEM. Their hard work. Being a parent, I know the role we play. We support them, we go to the games and cheer on the team. We drive them to practice, and wash smelly gym clothes-but in the end that’s about all we can do.  We can’t make them get out their and practice as if this was the last game they would play.  We can’t make them go to the park and play-in the cold-just to work on their skills. That drive and that passion is within them.

So, don’t take their moment from them.

Since Hayden is in 7th grade, Roy and I did not participate in the ceremony. We sat on the bleacher and cheered on the kids.  One young man is a very good player-he seems like a good kid, works hard and plays hard.  So, when he is announced, mom is on one side, arm through his. Dad is on the other side with a big smile on his face.

And mom actually start walking onto the court with a….gee, what can I call it but a strut. And I mean hard core strutting. Hard core like a pimp in a bad 80′s movie. Got the limp going, arms swinging hair flying around.  My eyes widened, because I was truly confused. When she got to the area with the other parents she sort of stumbled and seemed like she was about to break out into dance, maybe sing a song.

"is she drunk?” I whispered to Roy, because honestly that was my first thought. And now, 12 hours later, I’m still not sure.

He shrugged and shook his head.

This wasn’t HER turn for an audience-this was her son’s moment. And with her ridiculous antics, she took the attention from him, even if it was just for a moment.

See we had our time in the middle and high school spotlight-is your ego so fragile that you need to relive that? At the expense of your child?

Not cool, Mom. SO NOT cool.

Dear Parents,

I’m not an expert.  I don’t have a lot of initials behind my name. Hell, I didn’t even finish college!  What I do have going for me is that I AM a parent.  I think the advantage I have now versus 10 years ago is that my kids are all over the place age wise - 17, 15, 12, 7, and 3.  I have one that is getting ready to finish up high school, and one that hasn’t even started school yet, and then everything in between. 

And I want to say this - JUST because your kids are in high school doesn’t mean you stop being a parent!  Sure, maybe you have to relax the reins a bit, as the idea is to prepare them for their next step in life (college, the military, the work force, marriage, whatever!), but you don’t abdicate all responsibility!

If your child starts to do poorly in school, sure you give them a warning, give them the opportunity to fix the problem themselves. But if they continue to do poorly, step in!

If your child is having sex, and you suspect they are not being as careful as they can, talk to her/him. You better make sure that they are protected.  Because if your 16 year old ends up pregnant, YOU will be picking up the pieces, or you will be helping that 16 year old boy take responsibility in some form or fashion.

If your child dresses provocatively, and you allow her/him to, don’t be surprised when they get whispered about.  Sure, it sucks, but that’s what teenagers do.

If you make racist comments, jokes, use racial slurs, don’t be surprised when your child does to.  And don’t be surprised if they get their butts kicked for it.

If you are homophobic, don’t be surprised if your gay child leaves and doesn’t make you a part of his/her life.  That’s if they even get the courage to accept who they are in the first place.

Be willing to admit your child makes mistakes.  It isn’t always the teachers, their friends, their boyfriend/girlfriend, the kid down the street, etc.  No child is perfect, and pretending that they are is setting them up for a pretty hard fall.

Put your own relationships first sometimes, but understand that you can’t do that ALL the time.  Your kids aren’t babysitters.  They are not responsible for raising their siblings, nor should they be responsible for raising themselves.  Same goes for work, friends, etc.  SOMETIMES, your kids have to come first. It’s called being a parent.

Don’t judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.  People forgetting this rule is one thing I will never comprehend. Sure, maybe you had a rough pregnancy, but you don’t know how I feel.  You can empathize with me, you can listen, but you are not ME.  So please don’t judge.

Say sorry to your kids once in awhile.  It doesn’t mean you are a failure as a parent. It means you are human, and a teenager wants and needs to see that from his/her parents.  How else do they learn humility?

But in the end, most of us are just trying to do our best, and admitting we aren’t perfect, admitting we don’t have all the answers is humbling.  What makes us better parents/human beings is trying to BETTER ourselves. Especially since we don’t have all the answers.  Because apathy and parenting simply don’t mix.

Best wishes,
A Mom of Five

Sooo, I make a pact with myself to spend more time giving in to my feelings of restlessness when it comes to writing…and than I don’t write for four day?  Go figure!

It could be because our timeline got moved up.

What timeline you ask?

Well, I’ll tell ya,  Hayden is a Freshman this year, Dean is in fifth grade-so he’ll start middle school next year, and Roy works about 60 miles from home. NOT horrible, until you factor in rush hour traffic.  Sometimes, Roy gets into the office in an hour an a half, sometimes it take twice that-my goal was to move the summer before Hayden’s junior year.  That would give him two years at a new high school, Dean would have two years at the middle school before moving into HS, but my husband is beat.  With the new position he accepted, he’s going in almost daily-and I know it’s hard on him.  So, we’re looking to move in just a few months!

Ugh, I said it out loud

We’ve been here so long, I forgot why I dislike the process.  Getting the house ready, finding a new house…and than there’s THE PURGE.

I decided to start small, something no one could have any say over-my closet.  I listed items on ebay, I put aside items for a yard sale-and felt accomplished until I looked at my closet.  Pretty sure it looks no different.  When did I accumulate so much stuff?  

To be fair, Roy’s side of the closet looks similar.  I tell the man he needs to purge and he gives me two t-shirts-out of the 50 he owns-though he only wears about 10.  He has a t-shirt that he wears constantly (I wash it, he wears it-vicious cycle) that I can see through-I kid you not.  It didn’t start out like that, he just wears it constantly!  To boot-it says Grooveshark (does anyone even remember what that is?) and he got it for free!  Not that there’s anything wrong with promotional swag-I love my pens, but when it’s starting to disintegrate, maybe it’s time to move on?

Now, for my case I realized I have way to many shirts with goofy sayings.  Some I bought for the specific purpose of basketball games-I have a few with sayings, or Hayden’s number, etc.  But most say ridiculous things like, “More Tacos please.”  I’m not sure why I need three shirts that say that-especially when all are just different shades of grey.  

And you’d think when the shirts hold no real sentimental value it would be easy to let go of-apparently, it is not.  You never know when you might find yourself in desperate need of tacos and maybe you’ve lost your voice?  I don’t know…

And let’s not even get in to my legging collection.  Now, in the winter I do wear them-daily for the most part.  I wear tunics and leggings, or a sweater and leggings, etc.  They’re warm and cute-the more colorful the better!  But I’m short, so specific brands fit me best-so why do I have pair after pair that are too big? 

I think there was a time when I bought clothes to make myself happy-I was feeling out of sorts, sad-and when I worked through that-I was left with a packed closet.  And so, THE PURGE commenced.

I truly hope the kitchen isn’t like this-or you’ll find me crying in the shower…