missing the calm

I am missing the calm and relaxation that we had in Hilton Head. I am missing the Peters. I am missing that general slow-paced life you find in the South. I think I am a southern girl at heart. I have always been interested in the whole ante-bellum thing ( minus the slavery, of course). I like how things are just more mellow and calm there. And people have such good manners. They are actually friendly. The Northeast is too fast-paced and crazy for me. It's a cutthroat way of life that I don't want to have anymore. I want to live in the warm weather and just slow down a little bit. I don't know why it's bothering me now, but the guys (aka, Randy and Matt) are telling me it's because it's time to go back to school. Maybe they're right. I don't like this time of year. I feel overwhlemed and disappointed in all the things I didn't accomplish over the summer. So I guess I need to start using my weekends more wisely. I need to get this house in better shape so I am not frustrated every single weekend. We'll see how it goes.

venting

I am really needing to vent tonight. I have decided that I don't like teenagers. Especially arrogant, spoiled teenage boys. Especially the ones who live in my house. Randy has been moaning for the past year that the boys have no responsibilities around the house and that they need a daily chore list. Well, he has given me no input, but he wants it done. So I have started a daily list for them. Monday was Day 1....I gave them their lists and told them that if they didn't do everything on it, they had no social life the following day. Matt had friends over on Monday night and ended up not finishing his list. Tuesday morning, the house was a mess from him and his friends and I told him he wasn't allowed to go out on Tuesday night. That made me the bad mom. Oh, and Randy thought we should let him go out... so anyway, I sent him on an errand to drop a gift off at his friend's house and come straight home. An hour later I am worried sick because he isn't home and he isn't answering his cell phone. I am sure he is in an accident somewhere. So I call the house, and he is playing Halo with the kids (who were also supposed to be grounded). He comes home and makes a big joke of it. This morning, he leaves at noon for a party that is ending at 10 pm. His work uniform and guidebook are thrown around the living room, there are still bowls setting on the counter from Monday night, and he and his friends left crap all over my driveway today. He called to see if he could have a sleepover tonight. I told him that he had better enjoy his social life today because tomorrow he has none. And he is furious.... He thinks it is unfair of me to ground him twice in one week!!!!! Arrogant little cuss. I have had it. And if Randy doesn't back me up on this one....I am going to run away. And don't even get me started on the little one...Puberty is Hell!

And home one more time

Now that we are home from Hilton Head, it's time to do my July Roundup.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month? magazines, People, Skymall, Creating Keepsakes, and Simple Scrapbooks. Books, I read The Memory Keepers Daughter, Highland Bride, Twelve Sharp
What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month? I don't think I saw any tv or movies that come to mind in July
What special days did I celebrate and how? On the cruise, we celebrated Pat's birthday and Mom & Dad H's anniversary even though they occurred in June. We had Pat's birthday party on July 18th, and we went to the Hughes party for Night in Venice
What illnesses or health concerns did I have? None, luckily
What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family? a cruise with family and friends, Night in Venice, Christmas in July
What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month? I had dinner at the new lodge/restaurant at Bear Creek with Pam and Cyndi
What special or unusual purchases did I make? A D Rebel! WooHoo
What were this month’s disappointments? only two pounds lost
What were my accomplishments this month? I did not gain any weight on my cruise. I got Patrick's room mostly emptied out
Anything else noteworthy to record? nope!

Overall, not a bad month.