Losing. But have not given up the game! Am struggling every few days with family and work and daily things. Some times are better, some are not.
On the losing side: my arts and crafts business has had a few bright spots lately. 9 pairs of beaded gloves were sold in March at the ice rink pro shop, a framed photo of mine was sold at in the art gallery show, one of the shops I'm in expanded their inventory of my things, another is moving to a larger space and I hope they will do the same.
How many good things is that so far?
Add to that a point for continued involvement with Sierra Club. Somewhat low profile. I've been getting up to speed on fracked wells in my city (yes, wells are fracked not terribly far away, I was unpleasantly surprised to map them myself). Am putting on a River Clean Up for Earth Day in my neighborhood. Made a cool flyer for our chapter annual party. And choosing what other issues and events to get active with/
On the 'winning' side: in a nutshell - what should be a happy and supportive phase helping my high school son sort through and visit colleges, apply for scholarships, and all that goes along with that has morphed into a sad and frustrating experience. I AM GLAD to be able to be present for this, he doesn't want to put much into any of it. I am sure some of this is fear, some of it immaturity. He thinks he will breeze into college based on his grades. Unfortunately he is weak in life outside of school. This has been very difficult for me, and I'm trying not to get anxious. So my take away? DON'T CARE so much about what happens to him. NOT particularly a happy ending.
Ditto on him getting a summer job. Am trying to help, he isn't exactly motivated. We don't give him bucks. If he needs tennis shoes or shirts, yes, we buy that. The video game console is being turned off by summer vacation, as is the dish TV. Will he get out there and take charge of his life a little? I am trying not to get bent out of shape on this one too.
How many bad things is that so far?
Let me add: the big struggle with my daughter over high school gym choice, the little struggle with my daughter over repeatedly poor laundry/tidiness/chore duties, her continued choice of doing things at the last hour instead of smarter time management. Aggravation is me. Huge.
So lucky for you I have run out of time to elaborate!!
Except if we visit Portland, what do you suggest to see/do? We already plan to ride bikes around most every day that it is not raining.
Thx...
Score: Good Things 4, Bad Things 5 and what to do in Portland?
March 26th, 2014 at 08:58 pm
March 26th, 2014 at 09:21 pm 1395868914
Great news on the art sales, and I am really impressed with your participation with the Sierra Club. I'm still looking for my passion...
March 26th, 2014 at 09:50 pm 1395870629
Oh, may I join in the commiseration of children working their way through the teen angst. From research I did in grad school, the "adolescent turmoil" is universal, found even in the pubescent Trobrianders of some Pacific Island. Doesn't help mitigate the reality of it. For me it is the reluctant 16 year old who doesn't want her license. She likes to drive with mom or dad, fulfilled the requirements to get the license, but is afraid. I get it, fine, but she has to do it sooner or later, and it would be oh-so-more-convenient-for-me (as I return to school) if she were able to drive her siblings and self to activities ... *sigh*
March 26th, 2014 at 09:56 pm 1395870971
March 27th, 2014 at 12:13 am 1395879207
You know how you have trained your children. They know your values and what is important to you. They're now at a stage where they are trying out their own wings a bit. While they're still at home, they have a safe place to do this - and have you to come to when the landing is a bit rough. The more you push your viewpoint at this juncture, the more likely they are to push back against it. Maybe, if you give a bit of a loose structure, allow them to fall, go to school not entirely clean, etc., they'll learn the consequences quickly enough. It probably would be hard at first to do this, but I think it might in the end help relieve a bit of stress on your part.
I really hope I'm not coming off as a know it all. My thoughts are coming from how I know I reacted to the way my mom treated me when I was a teen. She pushed her point of view on me so hard as far as dress/makeup/etc. that I totally rebelled and became the exact opposite - something which has become part of who I am. (She is a snazzy dresser, hair and makeup done to the extremes at all times, etc., etc. I'm the exact opposite - could care less about fashion, and spend as little time on hair as possible and rarely wear makeup.)
March 27th, 2014 at 12:14 am 1395879287
March 27th, 2014 at 12:22 am 1395879727
March 27th, 2014 at 01:01 am 1395882094
March 27th, 2014 at 02:53 am 1395888825
And Portland markets, city hikes are getting on the To Do THX