One little thing out of many

I got an email from a friend today. We've been a bit out of touch, and he wrote that he's wanted to write for some time, about a lot of different things, but it's been so long and there's so much that he feels overwhelmed about it.

That's how I feel about this blog, and any writing that I don't "have" to do right now. I have several topics churning around in my head about which I'd like to write, but it just seems like so much to get started, and can I really take the time to do it? And wouldn't it be better to turn it into a column to be published? And on and on.

I wrote my friend that he didn't need to catch up, and to just start where he was. Pretty good advice (thank you, FlyLady!) So maybe a little dose of that is needed here.

One thing in my head pertains to this weekend's column, about Abby's not-so-secret admirer. I've been thinking a lot about this, and how happy it makes me, and feeling silly about the fact that it makes me so happy. I felt the same way about a similar situation for her two years ago, when she was in second grade. Why?

It doesn't hurt that "Friendly Boy," as I called him in the column, is a really, really nice kid. He's polite, neat, quick with a smile, and cute as a button, to boot. Combine that with not only his obvious affection for Abby, but how kindly he treats her, and it warms a mother's heart. It's adorable that Abby doesn't seem to notice, and even more adorable when I point it out to her (after the fact, of course) and she's obviously pleased.

But why am I so pleased?

The answer, I fear, has less to do with Abby, and more to do with me. On an interpersonal level, I'm so happy that boys notice her, and sadly, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that boys didn't like me when I was her age. Or at least I didn't recognize it.

This is not so healthy; I don't want to be a mom that lives vicariously through her daughter. Ick.

Another reason -- and this one isn't any nicer than the first -- is that I tend to see Abby as a collection of problems to be solved. Her Asperger Syndrome creates many challenges for her, and for 9 1/2 years, it's been up to Earl and me to find solutions for them. We celebrate her successes, of course, and there are many. But the challenges are still foremost in our minds.

This attention from Friendly Boy has allowed me to see Abby through someone else's eyes; someone who thinks she's great and who isn't aware of the challenges she faces. Or maybe he sees the challenges, and doesn't care. Either way, it pleases me to no end.

***
This is part of the reason why I haven't been blogging -- now the kids are up, it's noisy in the house, and everyone needs to get ready for school and work. So I need to end this now without a proper conclusion. So there it is. Draw your own conclusions, dear readers.

Abby's not-so-secret admirer

Puppy love is awfully cute, especially when one of the puppies hasn't opened her eyes yet. This weekend's "Just a Minute" column explains.

I've got a little list

I had to make a quick trip to Rochester-Pennsylvania-Rochester last week, for another family funeral. This made two in three months, from the same branch of my extended family. As I was getting ready to go, I was worried about all the stuff that had to happen while I was gone. Finally, I made a list. Read all about it, in today's Milton Musings for Patch.

The saga continues

Part 2 of the brotherly rivalry column. Really a sequel rather than a "to be continued," as promised in my previous Ledger column.

Good Neighbors

Earl and I love our neighbors, Paul and Sue. They make our neighborhood special for us. Today's Milton Musings explains why.

Catching up a bit

I've wanted to blog for a little while, but haven't made the time. Even with all the snow days (we're up to FIVE now, and it's only the first week of February!) I haven't taken a few minutes to really organize my thoughts about how things have been lately. So, here goes.

The big news this week is that Abby has learned to swallow pills! This is a monumental achievement, to me. To her, I don't think it's a big deal, as this week was the first time she ever tried to take a capsule, and she was successful on the third try. I don't mean the third DAY -- I mean the third drink of water. She did it! And then she did it again the next night!

It's such a big thing to me because I tried and failed for YEARS to learn to swallow pills as a kid. I was never successful until I was 12 or 13. And here is Abby, little Miss Gag-on-Anything, dealing with a palate expander in her mouth and still being able to swallow her daily medication in capsule form. I am amazed. She is surprising me more and more these days.

In musical news, I spent the day at St. Catherine's today, having sung a morning mass with my children's choir there. With a choir rehearsal in the afternoon, it made more sense for me to set up shop in an extra office and work from there. A lovely spot, really, and nice to get out of my home office (aka my living room) for a change. Plus the music director and I had a chance to connect, which was helpful. I'll probably work from there again the next time I have a similar schedule.

In writing news, I've taken on some more work for Milton Patch. Every Wednesday, the site will feature three short columns: Frugal Family, Grab & Go Kids Planner, and Great Escape. I'm on the lookout for deals and things to do with kids, anyway, and who doesn't like investigating ways to get away from it all (close to home)? Yesterday was the first day the three pieces ran, and I was pretty pleased with them. Once again, I am amazed at the opportunities that continue to come my way, and am so grateful for them.

I think there were other ideas floating around in my head to write about, but I can't think of them now, and it's time to get the kids to bed. Another time. Cheerio.