What's Next?

So much has happened in the past few weeks I feel like a tornado that finally stopped spinning long enough to stop and take a look at all the chaos around me.

To start with, my computer (hard drive) crashed...again. I asked our computer guy what the heck I'm doing to make this keep happening and he assures me it is a hardware issue...NOT me. Not a virus. Not malware...etc... . He also says he can see all my info on the computer, just can't get it to boot into Windows but is confident he can save everything (clients ::::::sigh::::::: upon hearing that news!). Note to self: Seriously, Terri. Get a back up system. Your computer is your income. Take care of it.

Also, we went on a vacation and just got back last night. I'll write about the whole vacation in another post, but let's just say we had a great time and really needed the R&R as a family. It couldn't have been better and the kids got to see the beach for the first time! Obviously, this is something we need to do with them a lot more often as they loved it.

Finally, school starts a week from today and the kids both got teachers they are thrilled with and have friends in their classes. Yea!

I'm ready to get back on schedule and kick life back into gear. I feel like we go from 0 to 90 to 15 to 75...you get the idea. Kids really do much better on a schedule and while it's been difficult for me to keep them on a consistent one this summer (I know, summer is kind of about that...letting them chill-out and not have such a regimented day)...my kids do much better on a schedule. They like knowing what's next.

Knowing what's next at their age is important. It's part of the security we, as parents, are supposed to provide to them and I try and do that as best as I can while still letting them know life has a way of throwing you curve balls from time-to-time. People and circumstances around us aren't always kind and don't have other people's best interest at heart. My reaction to those curve balls has a big impact on my kids, whether I notice it at the time or not.

Case in point: I had a horoscope last week that said something about someone basically ticking me off and I jump out of my car to confront them, only to find my single defense is a luke-warm cup of coffee at which point I ask myself, "What is dignity?" Several times at Sea World (during the vacation) adults actually pushed my kids out of the way in their hurry to get places. Seriously? Don't ever be in such a hurry - especially at an amusement park where you are SUPPOSED to be having fun! - that you push someone's kid out of the way. Or anyone for that matter.

I'm proud to say that I wanted so bad to say something to (okay grab and shake) these people every time, but instead bit my lip and explained to my kids why they should never act that way. There are many circumstances in our lives where people cross us and/or our family where we feel the need to have retribution. We may even have a full arsenal that could do damage to those who dared to cross our paths and cause harm or pain to us. Making the choice to be a better person is what I want to show my kids. Not to be confused with someone taking advantage of you. That's not what I'm talking about at all. But if I can show them a way to take a higher road, they will have a much more fulfilling life. Oh to try and be the person I want to be.

I'll also make sure and mention to them NOT to go to Sea World on the last weekend of summer before school starts. Ughhh! There must have been some regional invite that said, "Rude people of South Texas Unite at Sea World!"