boys and girls

We live in a boy house.   Rugby, cricket, grunts, and food rule the roost. There are sports clothes soaking in the laundry, hanging over chairs and shoes scattered everywhere at any given moment.  Over the years I have realized that some of the nice female treats have fallen by the wayside.  Fortunately, my work counter balances that effect but I find myself sometimes tilting my head in wonder while listening to stories of woman's lives that involve some of the softer things in life. 

Last week, while away I got a call from John.  I worried at first by the tone of his voice but then he whispered down the line, "Kath, there's a girl in the house!"  WHAT!  I tried to stay calm as the long distance alarm bells went off.  Quite frankly, I was not prepared for this news!!!! This new development in the boys life, that of girls, is causing me to slip away mentally on a regular occassion.  I can't help but think about what it would be like to be dating one of my sons.  What do the girls see?  Do my boys know how to properly behave?   Have I done my job here and  made them aware of what women expect from them????  Yikes.  Time will tell I guess but we are now at a new development stage with eyes wide open and a gag handy at all times so I don't say something stupid.

On top of that, it's formal season.  I woke up with a start the other day remembering that a young lady might like flowers for the formal.  (not DANCE mom!  you always use the wrong words...)  

Floranectar, a lovely local flower shop, is on my way to work so I popped in and got the royal corsage treatment.  It was fun and I could tell I was in good  hands...with someone  who understood what a gal would like!  

The wrist corsge was a very pretty arrangement that smelled like heaven.  I wanted to hang around in the flower shop chatting pretty things and was mulling over how much fun it might be to work color and design with flowers but we had a tight schedule for the evening.

 Noah arrived home all calm and unhurried but I fixed that with enough panic for everyone.  While he was having a quick shower we got Oscar to polish his shoes, a job he loves sharing with all of you.

Again, I slip away mentally thinking back to formals in my day. Waiting for that special guy to approach me in the high school hall and ask me to the dance...or less formally to ring on the phone while we were having dinner so everyone in the family could hear my response.  Long dresses, curlers, giggles, mom's borrowed shoes...it was all so excitingly girly.  We thought ahead, planned and anticipated.  Today, as many of you know, the invitations might be on myspace or even worse a text message over the phone.  It seems so much easier now albeit a bit less romantic.

 No matter how the invitation went out for this date it was happening in a big hurry.  We had to get across town for pick up and then get to the "befores" in rush hour traffic.  Shoes and tie done in the car while calling for the address...ahem...as well as phoning in job references.  No last minute detail left unturned at the last minute.  

We finally arrived at her house for the photo.  She was calm, cool, collected and simply gorgeous!  The contrast was startling for me but I don't think Noah noticed my reaction.  (flowers left in car by the way!)  Is there anything better than a young lady with manners and grace  under pressure?  Back in the car and traffic to the before party...

Where have all these lovely young women been keeping themselves I wondered? I am locked out of the social life of boys and not happy about it at all. Why do I only get to share the sidelines and not the chat lines??? I listened to talk of spray tans and hairdressers as if it was another language!  Short skirts, makeup, legs and higher than high heels surrounded me!  How DOWDY can one feel?? Can they really be only sweet 16!  Meet the boys...

and the girls...

my goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 I realized I simply do not get out enough.  I drove home in a whirring state of manic reflection...home to the safety of my needles and pins...home to my standard comfy chair to quilt to not dance but rather quilt the night away. I was hoping they had a fun night of twinkling lights on the harbor cruise. Although I knew the details would not be shared I was hoping them a  night of dancing and smiling and laughing and sharing the excitement of life...the joy of discovering themselves and how much they have grown up.  The thrill of holding hands and well, maybe a kiss. Life is long, I always say.  The opportunities for fun are varied.  I love the quilting life, as you all know, but sometimes these days my boys are reminding me of a different kind of fun.  One of anticipating the shiney happy road ahead for boys and girls, young men and ladies.  kathy

Comments

[Nancy Stevens]

Oh, I SO enjoyed this post! Thank you for it.

[Juanita]

I'm right there with you!

[wishes, true and kind]

Well put. And what a great looking group of young people!

[Caroline]

Thanks so much for sharing, it was lovely to see how gorgeous they all look, much more glam than my year 10 formal!

[Caroline]

Oh, this post made me smile. I have 6 sons and the first girl who stayed in our house tied up the bathroom for HOURS LOL. I couldn't believe it!

Lovely pics :)

[Renee]

what a great post! Those girls looks gorgeous - but whatever happened to floor length dresses? I like the short ones though - much more fun and party like :)

[Sarah]

Aahhhh...great post Kathy. You filled me with butterflies just reading. Oh to be young again, to wear shorts skirts and oh, I could go on. I've got a grin from ear to ear with the memories!

[Annie]

Thanks for sharing that, sure enjoyed reading about the formal. A good time must have been had by all.

: )

[Jeanette Deetlefs]

Lovely blog and great to get your view. I missed you as we ended up at the 'pre's' at Declan's - under pressure from Warrick's date. Liam's arm is out of plaster having skillfully missed the athletics season!
Chat soon
Jeanette

[Sexy Swimwear Manufacturer]

A great man is always willing to be little.