My Anniversary

Today is my anniversary. I have been a parent for 28 years. Yes, it's my son's birthday. Happy Birthday, JJ!!!! Twenty-eight years ago today Jeff and I became parents to the world's best son :) Things I remember best about JJ when he was young:

-- His first words (other than Mama and Dada) were "Yup OK". He did not say "no" until he was more than 3 years old!
-- There were no terrible two's. He always had a sunny disposition and rarely acted up in public. I don't remember temper tantrums at all.
-- He was, and still is, one of the brightest people I've ever met. He read by 3 years old, spoke clearly and with an advanced vocabulary at a very early age, and had a very adult sense of humor, which people often mistook for him being precoscious. He also had a wonderful sense of right and wrong.
-- He loved stop lights, the water tower in Lawrence, MA, every holiday, and his grandfather. He loved anything to do with Math and numbers, and firmly believed he was meant to invent things. He was an avid reader throughout elementary school.

Now an adult, he carries over many of the characteristics he showed at such an early age.
-- He has an excellent and exceptional sense of responsibility and work ethic.
-- Family means everything to him.
-- He still has the same off-beat sense of humor.
-- He is self-confident with every right to be so.

I'm proud of my son. He means the world to his Dad and I, and we're so happy that he's happy with his life and his work.

Happy birthday, sweetie :)

xxoo, Mom

Jeff and Brayden working outside

Jeff took yesterday (Friday) off, so Brayden and "Grampy" had a day of mowing the yard. Brayden loves to ride on the mower, but Jeff only lets him ride on the mower on the straight stretches, so he has to "sit out" and watch while Jeff mows the curvier sections. He's quite put out when he has to stand on the sidelines, but he does stand there without fussing, and watches until Grampy signals that he can come back.

Monday's To Do List

I got all laundry done over the weekend, including ironing! Today's To Do list is not long, because I really need to get into the quilt room this afternoon and get some sewing done. Here's my list: To Do List - Monday -- Empty dishwasher - done -- Clean stove, counters - done -- Clean kitchen sink - done -- Jeff's breakfast - done -- Pack Jeff's lunch - done -- Put laundry away - done -- Sweep leaves off back deck - done -- Put pumpkin in trash? (or cut up and make muffins? pie filling?) -- Fill humidifier - done -- Quick clean* two upstairs bathrooms -done -- Dust master bedroom - done -- Change master bedroom sheets - done -- Empty kitchen trash - done -- Clean cat box - done *Quick cleaning bathrooms. With just the two of us using three bathrooms, it's not really necessary to scrub them from floor to ceiling every week, as it was when the kids were using them. I generally "quick clean" one week, then scrub thoroughly the next. For me, quick cleaning means simply using Scrubbing Bubbles wipes on the sink and toilet seats (and right behind the seat) and tank top. I put in clean towels and washcloths, check the TP and soap situation and refill if necessary. Then I swiffer the floor and empty the trash. Voila! Clean enough :)