Since She's 18

The Princess turned 18 in December. She was our Christmas baby--we brought her home on Christmas Eve...in a little red stocking. We were released from the hospital exactly 24 hours after her arrival. I was ready to get home...Christmas was on us and there were 2 little boys at home waiting to celebrate. Whenever I look at pictures of that time, I wonder-- " What was I thinking?" I looked like death warmed over.

Fast forward 18 years.

Now that she's 18, she can excuse herself out of high school classes.

Now that she's 18, she can vote.

Now that she's 18, she can pierce her cartilege/nose/whatever else without parental approval. And don't get me started on what happened at our family medical clinic when she went in alone for her final immunizations.

When she goes off to college this fall, they don't have to release any of her information to me even if I am the one paying the bills.

And there's a whole other list of things that her mom does not want to think about that are perfectly legal for her to do...now that she's 18.

Independent children. Isn't that one of the goals of parenting?

She can pump her own gas and is learning to manage her finances.

She can make macaroni and cheese, a mean queso dip and bake brownies so I figure she's got the basics covered.

She can wash her own clothes and will eventually figure out that if you leave them in the washer too long, they mildew and smell bad. In college she'll learn that if you leave them in the machine too long, they get dumped out on the floor...or stolen!

She has a schedule that would boogle the mind of a White House aide and manages to get it all done...and she's so darn cute while she's doing it.

Yep, she's flexing her wings of independence and making her own choices. She doesn't really need me much anymore...

Except when she's in bed for 3 days with the bug that's going around...

And I bring her soup and jello and sprite...

Even if she is 18.

A Winter Reading List

I know. You thought I'd fallen off the face of the earth. I haven't. I am still here and still floating through the bloggy world but mostly just reading. A February blizzard has me at home by the fire catching up on life. Like this unexpected retreat, I stumbled on a site and was blessed by this post that spoke to me and I wanted to share with you. Take a minute and go see what Antique Mommy had to say. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Oh good, you came back.

Here are the ones that resonated with me today:

#3. In most matters, done is better than perfect. But done right is better than done fast, except for housework. Then good enough is good enough.

#6. You can disagree with someone and still like them.

#7. You can dislike someone and still be kind to them.

#9. You’ll never know how much your parents love you until you have your own child.

#10. You’ll never know how much you hurt your parents until you have your own child.

#11. No one will remember what shoes or earrings you wore to the party.

#18. Nothing in the mall will make you happy. For very long.

#19. We can’t all be leaders.

#20. If you can’t be a good leader, be a good follower.

#21. Make sure the person you are following is taking you where you want to go.

#22. Nothing good comes of a secret.

#23. On the other hand, every thought does not need to be expressed.

#24. Anger poisons the soul. A grudge prisons the soul. Forgiveness purifies the soul. Forgive with haste.

#30. Whatever stylish thing you are wearing right now will look ridiculous in 10 years.

#37. The only way to lose weight is to eat less and move more.

#38. Fashion magazines are designed to make you feel badly about yourself. Save your money.

#50. The person who most needs your kindness is likely the last person to whom you want to be kind.


How about you--which one(s) did you like?

Gina