Moms of Boys

Has it been two months again?? And I'd promised not to be AWOL again.  Promises, promises, huh?

Since I last wrote, my oldest son has started his senior  year of high school and is just finishing up college applications, while my middle son started his freshman year of high school and is (thankfully) making that tough transition from middle school very well (thankfully). My youngest, age 8, is in second grade, and though, that's gone okay, it's not been as smooth as I'd hoped and expected. He had the same teacher for K and 1st and was in combo class for two years with the same students; this year he has a new teacher, and the combo class kids have been separated into different second grade classes with only one of them in my son's class with him. So it is taking some adjustments.  

I've also been working on my next book, which means spending a lot of time on the computer. Since the back surgery I had in August, I've switched computer chairs and have been more aware of my posture while typing since I think bad ergonomics at the computer contributed greatly to my back problem. My back and left shoulder and arm feel pretty good, though I still have spasms in the shoulder from time to time -- just some mild jumping that reminds me to take it easy. Comes in as a great excuse sometimes though like when I recently played racquet ball for the first time with my good friend, Robyn.  Lots of fun, but a racquet ball player I am not.  

Sorry to be AWOL from the site the past few weeks, ladies.  I'd been having pain in my left shoulder blade and arm since mid-July. I eventually had an X-ray and an MRI that showed a large herniated area from a disc in my upper back (cervical spine region, which is confusing, since cervical has always meant something else to me). Anyway, there was weakness in my left arm, which concerned the doctor so I had back surgery this past Monday, August 4th, which was one day after my youngest son's 8th birthday party and a few weeks before the chaos of a new school year.  Isn't this the way moms always plan their own schedules -- by how it will affect the kids?  Anyway, 

Hi Ladies,

I hope you are having a great summer so far.  Happy July 4th!  My oldest son, Billy, was born on July 4th in 1991, so we celebrated his 17th birthday yesterday.  17????  I still remember how his tiny hand fit in mine when we walked across the parking lot; for some reason every time I think about holding his hand like that to protect him, I get all teary-eyed.  Maybe it's because he will be going to college next year, and I know that I won't be around to protect him, so to speak, any longer.  I know that he's an extremely responsible, good-hearted young man, and I know he will make good decisions; still, I worry about all that is out there. I also ache at the thought of him no longer living in this house. He and I have such similar tastes in things, and I find we share so many thoughts.  I love watching The Office or The Colbert Report with him because our senses of humor are very much alike.  I just know I'm going to miss him so much as a son - but also as a friend.

Hi ladies, In my daily routine and the boys' schedules, one of the things I like to do when I can is to watch the Ellen Show. I love her laid-back, clean sense of humor and think she is quite a natural comedian. I noticed on her website for the show that people can write in and let them know about favorite websites. I'd greatly appreciate it if you were to let them know about www.momsofboys.org -- I have the link posted below, or you can go to her site at www.ellen.warnerbrothers.com and click on the Be a Part of the Show page where the website question is way down near the end.

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=9

Thanks so much! Sharon