Sunday, December 06, 2009

The Lights Are On, But No One's Home

Coadster singing "He Can Only Hold Her" for her special act at the Winter show.

Well, this was the first weekend I spent in my new house where I didn't have family visiting or I wasn't cleaning my old apartment. I actually got a lot done. The living room is almost how I want it now. I just have to paint it this week. We bought the paint today, because I've heard it's going to snow 1,457 inches in the next couple of days, and I thought it might be a nice hibernation project. I think I'll wait to do the floors at least until the Spring. I just don't want to have the self-imposed pressure of getting everything painted and ready in the next couple of weeks. Plus, we want to get our tree next weekend and if we tried to do the floors, it would overwhelm me even more than I already am...If that's possible.

Coadster dancing to the James Brown medley for show choir.

Friday was a great evening. We got our furniture delivered that afternoon and got a couple of rugs to match it that evening. Basically, as I predicted, we all lounged around on it and watched movies. It was a nice mellow night and I really needed that.

Coadster singing her solo ballad.

On Saturday, my cold was mostly gone. Of course, I had to lay off the running for four days in a row and that almost killed me, but it helped with the healing. Most of Saturday was spent running kids to high school and back for various activities. Then at 3, I went to Coadster's Winter show choir/jazz band show. It's one of my favorite performances of the year. Stinky and I took photos and were both all dorky and proud of Coadster's talent.

Saturday evening, I did go out for just a bit. My heart wasn't really in it, because all I could think of was all the stuff that needed to be done at home. It ended up being good, of course. I sat next to a guy named C., while G. talked to his wife. We both realized that we've never had a real heart to heart before. Sure, we shoot the shit, but we had a great conversation about classical music and parenting for the first time.

C. has two boys who are in their early twenties, but gave him all different kinds of grief when they were in high school. We commiserated about having two teenagers at the same time. If you've been there, you probably know what I'm talking about. Even if you have model kids, that combination of being dumb asses, but thinking they're smarter than everyone else is maddening. I told him that his sons' behavior was no reflection on his parenting. He thanked me for that, because he said he felt like sometimes people judged him. Basically, I think we do the best we can as parents, and sometimes we get lucky, and sometimes we don't. I will say, 16 seems to be the toughest age... At least for both of my girls.

Anyway, it was worth it to go out and have that conversation. Most of my friends are childless, so it's always nice to talk to someone who is at least a little familiar with my life.

11 comments:

laura b. said...

I can imagine how proud you are of both your girls...and Coadster here! She looks so beautiful and poised.
I think it is great that you are open to taking your time on some household projects. You will be there as long as you want to be and will have plenty of time to get every little thing just as you want it :-)
And it is very nice talking to other parents sometimes. It can feel very validating or something.

rel said...

Churlita,
Teens are a challenge for sure. Raising them is a great way to learn patience!
I'm happy to hear that you gave yourself the healing gift of rest.
rel

Tara said...

Great photos of the concert! I love the outfits, especially that red, glittery dress. I wish we could wear festive colors in our choir.

Poptart said...

I love the pictures!!

SkylersDad said...

Great pictures of Coadster! You must be very proud. My son is in his toughest age right now at 18. You can not imagine the amount of backtalk that a non-verbal kid can give you!

NoRegrets said...

make sure you post pictures of the house. great children you have.

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

I can't even imagine what it is like parent teenagers - I was an unbearable human being until I turned 21 and I'm pretty sure I only became bearable because I moved out.

You do the best you can and that's really all you can do - at some point outside factors can have a lot more influence than you do.

Ananda girl said...

That's great you had that conversation. Nice to have someone get what you mean. You've done an outstanding job with yours.

Coadster... absolutely stunning!

MrManuel said...

Those pics make it look like the concert was a top quality production! Awesome!

Glad you got to get out even if your heart wasn't in it, but sorry about the sickness. I have been on and off sick for a week and a half and haven't ran either. It kills me and now it is too damn cold.

Churlita said...

LauraB., I'm proud of both of my girls. Definitely.

Validating is a good word for it.

Rel,

You are so right. I'm sure I'm much more patient now that I'm smack dab in the middle of the teen years.

Tara,

You would look amazing in that red dress.

Poptart,

Thanks. They're a little blurry because we can't use a flash and the kids were moving all over the place...

Skyler's Dad,

Oh, I think I can imagine it...Unfortunately. My girls are very verbal and not shy about what they're thinking. My oldest daughter is the queen of grumbling under her breath. So annoying.

Nor,

I will post some after shots, once I get to the after place.

Lady,

Oh yeah. Especially with my youngest right now. It's all about her friends, friends and friends. Ugh.

Ananda,

Thanks. My girls definitely have their moments, but all you can do is go with them.

MrManuel,

Don't you hate being sick when it's nice out and you know it's just going to get too cold out the next week?

Unknown said...

It's like GLEE! Only I wish there was audio, too.
She's beautiful. You should be proud.