Tuesday, January 6, 2009

New Year and new beginnings!

Ok, so I’m new at this blogging thing. One of my very good friends has been doing this for over a year now and has encouraged me to try it. Yes, I’m a nerd!

With this New Year, I’m giving thanks to my fantastic family, friends, and neighbors. In addition, thanking God for the many blessings we have and continue to receive. I don’t have any New Year resolutions or newfound wisdom. I have however discovered my total inability to play video games, remember the artist of songs, books I’ve read, etc… I suppose the kids will say dementia is contagious and I bring it home everyday.

My husband and I have reached a time in our lives that the kids are all hitting the change years 16, 18, & 21. Whew, we have almost made it. I use to think (when the kids were little) that when the kids got older life would be less expensive and easier. Well, I was wrong at least about the less expensive part. I mean do you know how much it costs to buy the kids cars, GPS, cell phones, school tuition, books, pictures, class rings, clothing, food, and the never-ending needs of extra money?

And to top it off, we are told we have reached the “way to old age” to understand their issues, fashion, music, etc… The last few Christmas’s my husband (Jim) and I bought the kids mostly practical things they would need now and later in life like cordless screwdrivers (so ours will be safe) laptops (with not enough storage space for the thousands of songs, video), clothing (totally the wrong style or brand). So this year we said if we don’t get a detailed list with what item (exactly) the place to purchase it and the approx. cost. If we don’t get a list then you get nothing for Christmas.
Oh my gosh this is the secret to a perfect gift giving for our brats. It worked like a charm and we didn’t have to run about town at the last minute picking out things they would either give away to the local thrift store or toss out as if it cost nothing. I don’t remember my parents ever asking us kids what we wanted for Christmas or Birthdays. We got what we got and if you are not happy with it too bad, next year you might get zilch. Thank goodness, this year was a hit; I don’t think I could take another year of total disappointment. Well, the kids didn’t really complain.

It has occurred to me over the last year or so that the kids are almost grown and will be making their own lives and decisions in life. Most of which I’m sure I wont like, but with any luck I don’t have to know about them all. I’m starting to appreciate and understand how my parents must have felt trying to be understanding and lead us in the right direction, knowing we thought they came from another planet.

Being 22 again this year I have learned that the only thing that really changes in life (with age) is our perspectives. The world really isn’t much different; I just see things from older eyes. Yep, I’m talking about saying things to my kids my mother said to me and thinking OMG, I did what I swore (at age 16) I would never do to my kids. And I find myself repeating it to our 18yr old “No you can’t stay out after midnight because my mother was right there is nothing but trouble out after midnight and you don’t need to have any part in it”, which she very politely replies, Yes Mam. I guess we didn’t do so bad after all.

Rock on people (or what ever the cool thing is to say now)!

Wendall K

33 comments:

Rhonda said...

Okay, so are you telling me that I'm just as stupid to my now 14 year old as I will be when she's 20? Crap.

Last time I asked her a question about something I had NO POSSIBLE WAY of knowing the answer to, and she rolled her eyes and answered in such a tone that made me want to slap her, I just said very calmly, "Don't worry, Asia. I won't always be this stupid. You'll be amazed at the things I will learn by the time you're in your 20's."

Are you telling me now that that's a LIE?

Welcome to Blogging! I hope you enjoy it. And it truly is good therapy, if you are in need. lol

Jay @halftime lessons said...

Well, by way of intro...

I am Jay.

Me Jay.

Jill Speshil, Jill say you Speshil, so me like you.


Ok...I'll stop. Please ask Jill, she will brief you on my sense of humor...she oughta know, as we share the exact same one.

Welcome to the bloggy world, it's a ton of fun. If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask...weare all here to help each other with the technical junk as well as the daily affirmations... ;-)

have fun!!

Jay

Dee said...

Welcome to the world of blogging. It is nice to meet you.

Unknown said...

sooooo you are a friend of jillys then you are a friend of mine...I am georgie as in porgie except i dont eat puddin OR pie...

You will ♥ blogging and then you will ♥ bloggin I'm just saying....it is addicting...stop by my place when u get a chance I am sure you will be bombarded with comments n such but I am the only one that really matters okay i kid i kid Jesus matters too ;-)

Unknown said...

Wendall!
Thats what I call my daughter :)
Gwendolyn just doesn't roll off the tongue the same way...

Any friend of Jill's is a friend of mine.
I think.
Well, I hope so anyway

Have fun and Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

I'm barely a friend of Jill's but I do like to hop over and read her stuff. And I love knowing there is someone newer at this than ME! I started a little over two months ago but everyone I know has been doing it longer! Or the moms I know who aren't doing it all and that's one of the groups I'm representin'! Anyway - you're scaring me with this older kid stuff - my kids are 6, 4 and 18 months. WIll they really get much older than that? I friggin' hope not! :-)

Anyway - nice to meet ya and see ya around blogtown!!

Amy Amy Bo Bamey said...

Well, Welcome to the Blog World Wendy!

You are off to a great start, you have a great blog partner in crime if you ever need anything. Jill is so nice and wonderful. So how much will it cost me to get all the dirt on Jill? kidding :)

Beth at Aunties said...

Welcome to the neighborhood! You will find lots of laughs, support and love. It really is great therapy and true neighborhood of woman who care:-)
I have learned so much and I want to just be better living in blogland!
Kids really do grow up and realize just how much their parents did love them when they hold their newborns in their arms for he first time. It is nice to hear them finally admit mom was right on!
Welcome!

Kritta22 said...

Coming over from Jill's place!! I'm excited to see your world!!

nonna said...

wow! jill must have a lot of friends, cus it took me what seemed like forever to get this many comments :) i am also new to the blogging world and just started following jill. just wanted to say hi and that i am totally jealous of your blog design. it's purdy (yeah i'm a hick) stop by my place any time you want. i loove new followers (and you will soon be craving them too) have fun in your blogging journeys.

Unknown said...

Welcome to blogging. I'm very new at it too and I have my daughters to thank for getting me up and running with it. I have met tremendous people here in blogland and you will too!

Threeundertwo said...

Welcome to blogland! I'm one of the thousands who do whatever Jill tells us to do.

My oldest is turning 13 this year and it's amazing how stupid I seem to be getting. *sigh*

jill jill bo bill said...

See how wonderful they all are and it didn't hurt a bit. You are going to love it!!!!

Brenda said...

Welcome to blogging! It is so true - the older your kids get, the more money holidays cost! Ah...I remember the good old days when I was Mommy of the Year for letting my kids pick out anything they wanted at the Dollar Store!

Shelley said...

Welcome to blog world. I hope that you will be comfortable here. I'm over from JillJillBoBill, she is sooo funny, but you probably already know that. Please feel free to stop over at www.ouisaforpresident.blogspot.com anytime. I'll be back to visit again tomorrow. Again, welcome.

Unknown said...

Welcome Wendy, friend of Jill's, you're already on the right track here, by following all the funniest bloggers. We're glad to have you!

Justine said...

Jill sent me over here to give you some love, so here's love to you, Wendall! If you're a friend of Jill's you'll be a friend of mine! I'm putting you on my blog list, so I'll be back!!!!!!!!!
Now, gimme the dirt on Jill Jill!!!!!!!!

Justine :o )

Debbie said...

Look at you! First post and you have this many comments. Most of us are happy to get one.
Welcome to our little blogland. You are a wonderful addition and I always enjoy people with kids near my kids' ages. I am looking forward to reading more from you.

Dawn said...

Well, I for one hadn't even been to Jill's blog to learn about you. I just saw I had a never follower and did a cartwheel! LOL!!!

But, knowing you are a friend of Jill's makes it that much better. I love her. I actually got to meet her when she was in OK. Such a cool gal.

I'm happy that you are going to give blogging a try! You'll love it.

Warning*** For the first couple of months you'll probably lay in bed at night trying to think of things to post about. Writing it all out in your head. LOL!

Oh, I got my daughter things that were on her list this year as well. She will be 11 next week. I thought it might take the fun out of it for her, but it didn't!! She was happy with everything she got... obviously!

Julie D said...

Hi Wendy, I'm Julie, and I put the word "fun" in dysfunctional.

Hope you'll add my blog to your reading material, and of course I will be stalking you as well. Any one who can survive knowing Jilldo in real life must be paid attention.

Deb said...

Hi!! My name is Deb and I'm a friend of Jill's. Hey, that sounds like an intro to a 12 step program...

Welcome, welcome, welcome!! I am now a follower of yours...feel free to check out Debland anytime.

Tiffany said...

Hi! I'm Tiffany. I live in the middle of nowhere in La and am known for my potty mouth. I just can't help myself. And I'm so glad Jill got you to blog. It's a fun thing to do and you can vent about anything on here. Oh and when are you gonna tell us some embarrassing things about Jill?

Annie said...

I'm 22 as well! How cool! Thanks for stopping by! I'll be back!

Ginger said...

Hi Wendy...welcome to blogland. I love your name (my daughter's name too) I have to tell you, this gets very addicting. The kids will suffer, the hubby, the house, and everything else that you used to do. lol. And with a best friend like Jill, you must be a lucky lady.
And you are so right in your post, we always swear we won't repeat the same things that mom said to us, and we do everytime!!!

Deb said...

wait-- did i read that correctly??? your 18 yo didn't pitch a big fit because you said no? do you have room for a 15 spoiled, back talking, know it all? you would only need to keep him until you set him straight and then i would be happy to take him back.

oh, and welcome, by the way! and we promise not to think less of you even though you know jill.

Debz said...

Mine are 24 and 21. And both (thank you lord jesus) out of the house. Life is great on the other side though. It can get quiet sometimes, but I've been raising kids since I was 19 so it's my turn dagnabbit.
Welcome to the blogisphere!! Look forward to reading more from you.

binks said...

Welcome Wendy!
I swear, I've never even had 24 comments on any post and I've been at it for 6+ months. Obviously, Jill is da bomb.

I have an 18 yo pain in the arse, so I can feel some of your pain.

Good luck in the bloggy world. From the looks of your first post, you will be a smashing sucess!

careysue said...

Welcome!

I thought that when the kids got older it would be easier as well....NOT! Blogging you realize you're not alone in this getting older journey and what I think others do as well! How cool is that!

Great job on your blog!!

Swirl Girl said...

Here at Jill Jill's behest.

Welcome to the blogosphere!!

My elder daughter is nine, but she is a pain in the ass already. Like mother - like daughter.

Look forward to reading more of you!

Jenni said...

Welcome to the bloggy world!!!

jill jill bo bill said...

30 comments? OMG! You rock!

Unknown said...

Yea to you!!

J'Ollie Primitives said...

Welcome to Blogland! It's easy to get lost so be sure to leave a trail of crumbs....or candy wrappers