Friday, April 02, 2010

What's happening Lately?

Never a dull moment at the Johnston house.  Weird that almost all our conversations lately revolve around really grown up stuff.   Use to be barbies--now it is College visits and Sorority options....time is really flying this year.
Dylan will graduate 
Sydney is applying early for college and planning trips abroad
Abbey is kicking culinary butt & landed an internship at a 4-star restaurant for the summer.
Kate is ending her grade school years and getting ready for a wicked soccer season!

And me?  I'm so excited to go to Ness/Dighton this June to visit old friends!  Weird to think that my mom lives in Dighton now and not Ness!  Old Settlers will not be the same without being at 321 N. Penn Street and having everyone stop by.   How did we all get to be 40 somethings?????





Saturday, October 31, 2009

Hello there

Wow! I took 2009 off and it was weird today to notice that I still had the blog up and hadn't deleted it. I've been having so much fun on facebook lately that I hadn't thought about this blog much.

Monday, December 29, 2008

On Turning Forty

The problem with getting older is not so much the getting older part, it's the awareness of it. I wish I didn't deep down think of it as being one day closer to my expiration date.

I've only been married once and have 4 healthy, beautiful children. I've seen many divorces amongst friends & family and I've seen others struggle to have children and some that have lost a spouse or a child. This may be the biggest blessing in my life.

But, I have to admit I lost the last half of my 20's and most of my 30's with a deer-in-the-headlights, spit-up soaked, where-did-my-IQ-go look about me! I also lost a parent and close touch with friends that I should have made more an effort to stay connected with.

I'm thankful that I will no longer wake up in the middle of the night to change diapers or take someone to go potty. My vocabulary no longer consists of ridiculous sentences like, "We don't go pee-pee in the tub," and I haven't had to talk baby talk or spell out curse words in quite some time.

My kids are older now and I am enjoying seeing them "coming into their own". I do not hover but you can bet they know what I expect of them. I am proud of them and I don't or won't feel bad about the things I maybe bypassed or gave up to give them all my attention. I can impress my kids with my vast knowledge of the songs on their rock band video game. I can score a perfect score on several songs by the Clash, Kiss & even some Red Hot Chili Peppers. So, at least I'm not an "un-cool mom." Plus, when the last one leaves for college I'll just be getting ready to hit the big "50" not too old to do some of those things on my "bucket list".

In my forties, I'd like to look forward to becoming a bit more like the 20 year old me (but wiser), not only as someone's wife or mother, sister or daughter or friend, but as the woman I've become somewhere along the way. I'm not sure that I know her all that well. I've given up feeling bad that I didn't ever return to the pre-baby Junior sizes. Or, that I should have had a more exciting life. Even if I have no great new accomplishment to show for the next ten years, I'm simply hoping that the "ride" will be enjoyable and that I can say in the end that I had no regrets!

I celebrated my 21st b-day with a wild party with friends from high school and college. I danced on the table to Cheap Trick music. Salt, Liquor, Lime…ouch that morning after was BRUTAL. I am much too mature for that now. Someone pass me that bottle of Pinot Noir and let's get this party started.

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ "WOO HOO, what a ride!"

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Cross Country--Abbey





Tonight at the Cross Country Banquet Abbey, my Freshman, was surprised to find out that she received her "numbers" for qualifying in enough meets this year. She is now excited to get a letter jacket to put her 2012 numbers on.

The coach had a great powerpoint slide and there were 2 shots of Abbey (above)
5-6 miles every practice. I'm so proud of her, I know that I couldn't do it!!!

I was a varsity tennis player back in my day :) I'm the blond on top of the van. Isn't it weird, how your child can look NOTHING like you at all? I do see myself in her "attitude" she is quite the debater,social butterfly & teacher's often say she is a bit too talkative.
---My mother cursed me when I was 16 that someday I'd have a daughter just like me and then I'd know....." I'll have to tell her that "now I get it!"

Monday, November 03, 2008

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Kevin Costner Speech

Kevin Costner spoke today at the University of Northern Colorado. I really think he did a nice job.

Vote, I can't say how strongly I wish every one would care enough to do it.

link