What was God thinking when he made teenagers?

Let me begin by saying I have the ALMOST perfect teenager, and she deserves the best I can give her - within reason.  Teenagers are a challenge in many ways....but also rewarding.  I've raised a couple of children before Lindsey so I'm a "master" at figuring out their multiple personalities, sleep deprivation behavior and the little lies, almost lies, twisted truth and saying nothing to avoid the repercussion of the parent - Me.  Each day brings on a new personality trait.  Sometimes I ask - "Lindsey, is that you?  Am I talking to someone else?  Do you have a name? Can you get Lindsey for me? :-) 

Having intelligent children bring its own challenges.  They think fast to rebuttal.  They find holes and challenge your time-proven reasoning.  They have fresh and accurate data to throw back at you. So, in the end, that is why we say so often "Because I said so!".  I tend to say "hmmm..." a lot so I can either get on the computer and Google for better information or call my life line (friends) before I confront her again. 

It's time to plan the BIG Sweet 16 birthday party. Ugh.  Lindsey's best friend has been traveling the world for the past year with her mother and 3 siblings.  Lindsey and McKenna (BFF) have stayed in touch over the year and have been planning their joint sweet 16 party.  It has gone from a simple gathering at the park to an elaborate party at the local posh hotel, with a DJ and costumes!  Now you had your first clue (...traveling the world...) as to why this may work for her friend's mom, but me being the poor parent in this formula, there is a limited budget. Mine is the party-in-the-park budget.  Of course teenagers think that money just falls from the sky and they are not real clear on why some families have more than others.  We are working on that.

We are stepping into this slowly and I'm really trying hard to not upset her over this event.  I want her to have good memories but I also want to take care of my other needy children - VISA, MasterCard and American Express.  They need love too.  And they could get nasty if I don't show them the love they deserve.

The party will be in September so I have a little time to figure out a few ways to cut back or start selling my extra organs.  Let's see...I know I have an extra kidney, I don't use both lungs.... I know! I know!  I'll stand on the corner with a sign and a cup.  I hear that it can capture fast, tax-free income. I could turn in my foot and drag it a little to get pity funds.  No?  Probably not.  She would be scarred for life if I did that. Our goals as parents are to get them into the world with very little emotional baggage.  Given the teenagers and society in this day and time, I'm not convinced that I can do that.  I'll just keep pressing on and deal with the multiple personalities, eye rolling, and sighs and continue to show her how much I love her and hope for the best.

Ta!

Let us take a moment to show appreciation to the person who invented air conditioning....

These are the days that I like to stay inside my little (air-conditioned) house, watch great movies and patiently wait for first cold-front of the fall.  I have never been one to embrace, or even like, the intense Texas heat.  Actually, I get a little cranky and a bit ill if I get too hot.  I'm that middle-age woman tucked under the umbrella to keep my skin from becoming well-done on the walk into Walmart.  You can even find me flapping a fan to keep the breeze moving. Yes, people look, but I'm at the age where I don't care.

When we were in France and/or Austria, I periodically stopped; stood still; closed my eyes and concentrated on the cool breeze against my skin.  I wanted to lock in that memory to recall upon when I got home to the heat.  Europeans would ask me about the heat in Texas.  Apparently it is known to them to be uncomfortable at the least, and deadly at the most. I'd like to take a moment to show appreciation to the person who invented air conditioning....

When I was a child, I spent a lot of time outside in the sun - indirectly, of course. It was hard to escape its overbearing presence while playing. People would think I was Mexican because my skin was so dark.  It only made sense - dark hair, dark eyes and dark skin. My tolerance for the sun quickly got less and less as I got older.  I didn't grow up with air conditioning.  I didn't know it then, but A/Cs were mainly for the rich, well, at least richer than us.  We lived on a homestead with plenty of shade and cool breezes.  The temperature was at least 20 degrees cooler in the yard than in the house sometimes!  One of my favorite things to do was to climb into the fig tree where little or no sunlight could touch me.  I would eat figs until my tongue burned.  When mama would call, I knew it was time for dinner.  Play time was over and time to get down to the routine of getting ready for bed. That always meant a nice cool bath or a quick rinse from the water hose (fun!).

We are going to experience extreme heat this weekend.  Temperatures that will make us feel like we are in 106-109 degrees - ouch!  I guess you know what I'll be doing.  The movies have been selected; my favorite chair is waiting and cool drinks are readily available. I'm looking forward to a Audrey Hepburn or Jane Austen movie marathon.  I hope everyone will heed the heat warning and stay safe and cool.  Preferably in the air conditioning, drinking icy, cold libations and letting the dog days of summer get by. 

Ta!