My baby is growing up!

I always wondered, since being a young mother, what it would be like when the baby in my arms would start to drive. Well, I got that opportunity a few days ago. The first time I drove with my oldest son, who is 16, was rather terrifying. I broke in a minor cold sweat when Tony rounded the corner from our long street where he'd been practicing on for a few months. When we actually hit the street and started to mingle with the other cars, the imaginary gas pedal on the passengers side was there! I was pleasantly surprised by his driving. It was much better than I thought, although he had a tendancy to hug the right side of the road, because I think he was scared to get to close to passing cars on the country roads. However, he's getting better and so have I. It's really exciting for me and him. He gets to take me to do errands and I get to look around (just a little bit) while he drives. It's like having a private driver in the family and not paying for it (I know, we are paying for it!). He's also changed a bit, his attitude is more relaxed and he's more receptive to daily life. I'm excited that we've made it this far, him as a teenager and me as mother, without getting on each other's nerves. He's actually a very pleasant teenager to be around and am quite proud of him. As they say, "Life's Good", well for right now. So I'm going to sit back and bathe in the enjoyment a bit longer. So gotta go and bathe! Enjoy life, play hard and work healthy! Loni

Happy New Year....And all that comes with it!

Well, welcome 2008, you couldn't look any better. But 2007 wasn't bad either. A trip down memory lane brings me to think of people I've met, new places I've never been and the accomplishments I've made. When I think of these things, it makes me smile. I've made some new friends, and have learned some things about myself from these people. The places I've been to have been wonderful, it's like going out on an adventure that's in my own backyard and beyond. The first of 2007 brought a wonderful trip with the family to the Hawaiian islands, with stops at four of the islands, including the Big Kahuna. And then it just kept going from there. I found I could ride a bike with people to Cloverdale, Petaluma and all over without getting in the car to do it! And accomplishments of 3 sprint triathlons have boosted confidence into 2008 to try out an Olympic and 1/2-ironman distance. So we'll see how things go. Right now, I'm enjoying time with the family, going to the coast to play around in the water, go to Pier 39 and shop, and play cards and eat whatever I wanted (for a short time though)! So Happy New Year, and have you made those resolutions yet?! CU soon. Loni