Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Ridin' Solo...


Summer's officially over here. Yes. I know school started almost a month ago. And even though the calendar confirmed this fact last Friday. The weather here has still been in the high 80's.

Nope. Summer officially ended here yesterday. When we dropped BSD off at the airport. To go back to work. For the next few .............  

So, I'm ridin' solo.

If I really sat down and dwelled on it. I'm sure I could throw myself a nice big pity party. Complete with party hats. And gallons of ice cream. Right out of the carton. I'm sure everything around me will start breaking. And my neighbors will soon be turning off the lights. And drawing their curtains. When they see me coming. But hey. It's nothing new. BTDT.

Plus, the ballerinas are older now. Only 3 months older than the last time. But even that little bit makes a difference. 

LB has more friends now. More of her own activities. Less dragging around after her big sister to do.


She's even more helpful these days. 


BB is in middle school now. 

She's more responsible. She's even got this funny little class called Study Hall. So when she gets home there's a lot less nagging about getting her homework done.

And then there's her strange SS teacher this year. A teacher so strange she somehow manages to teach the boring crap so that BB actually knows it. And I don't have to spend all night teaching it to her myself. The night before the test. Amazing. 

Now I'm not going to lie and say it's going to be great. Easy peasy. There will be times when I'll want to crawl in a hole and cry. Times when I'll want to list the ballerinas on Craigslist. 

But for now I'm going to focus on the positives.
  • I have complete control of the computer again.
  • I have complete control of the remote control again.
  • I can go to the gym in the morning without feeling guilty.
  • I can keep the lights on and read all night if I want to.
  • I can eat cereal for dinner if I want to.
  • I can eat ice cream for dinner if I want to.
  • I can spend all day at TJMaxx if I want to.
  • I can spend all day returning things to TJMaxx if I want to.
Yep. S-O-L-O. I'm ridin' solo.

15 comments:

sloan said...

first, these photos are seriously incredible, kim - geez! and you left something off the 'positives' list - my own personal fave in solo times: the toilet seat will always be down ;-) glad you're in a good place with it all ...

Kristin said...

WOW! Amazing pictures! I can't even tell you which one I like the best because I love them all! You may be losing BSD for a while, but you're getting your mojo back, so maybe something good will come out of it after all. I love your positives list because I can totally relate! Hopefully you'll find a way to embrace the time alone with the Ballerina's and he'll be home before you know it!

Andrea @ little buckles said...

Enjoy being solo for a while. I rarely am but when I am I do enjoy watching pure cack on the tv and eating junk. Amazing photos as always - your girls are growing fast and I love your chicken coop :) x

{cindy} said...

Flying solo does have it's advantages right?!?:) And you might as well choose to look at the positive. The rest will happen anyway.:)
Great pictures Kim. I have started that 30 Days to a Better Photo series on my own...I'm like on day 3...yikes! Just can't seem to find/make the time.
Love the TJmaxx comment...adore that place but usually end up back their returning too.
have a happy day kim

Gabe said...

Way to think positively. . .and yes a gallon of ice cream or a nice stiff drink might help some day:)

Beautiful pictures. . .LB looks so grown up, kinda like shes left the baby behind for good!

Isn't it grand when they have a great teacher who actually teaches them!?!

Tracy said...

I agree with your positives. When my hubby travels it is often weeks or months at a time. I have adjusted but it is hard. One thing I am not sure he likes...everytime he comes home, something in the house changes...I save all the projects to keep me occupied when he is gone.

Enjoy your solo time...it make together time even more special.

Nicolle said...

I like your list of positives. I might be a weirdo, but I really love my alone time and even though I miss Kevin when he's gone, I look forward to him taking a little trip or something. :) Eating cereal or a sandwich for dinner is the best part! I hope nothing breaks and your neighbors stay extra friendly while BSD is gone. Your girls are beautiful, and your oldest has such long legs. Pretty photos!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I like riding solo for all the reasons you specified. You can do what you want when you want and like sloan said, the seat is ALWAYS down!

I can also eat ice cream for dinner while reading blogs and watching crappy TV without feeling guilty.

I love your photos, especially the very last one! Great capture!

Amy said...

Okay, all of these are gorgeous. Love your list of positives. And if it gets bad, we're not THAT far away from each other.....rode trip to meet up? ;-)

mandy said...

must be hard to do the parent gig solo.
i love the photos and the positive attitude.
be kind to yourself on the days it's hard and the positive mind tricks aren't working as well as they do on other days.

Jen said...

Cereal, ice cream, TJ Maxx...Fabulous! Your photos are great...and Im sure Middle School will be no problem! Enjoy your time!

Pam said...

You know what I wish?
that we lived closer...so we could fly solo together.
or do you think that would be a bad thing? :)

I love your photos Kim.
stay strong girl. :)
and have a nice big glass of wine.

karren said...

Love the first one...beautiful!

Unknown said...

Your photos are gorgeous! The sepia one with all that delicious bokeh is my favorite!

A Mom Anonymous said...

I'm with you now and I have to share that you cross my mind often! I wonder HOW you handle him being gone for so long. Mine is gone for a few weeks at a time but it's been frequent. The worst part for me? No communication. I hate that he's in these remote parts of the world in somewhat dangerous situations and I can't just call him or get an email that says he hasn't been bitten by some crazy animal! I wish we weren't a country apart- we could soothe each others nerves over some wine!