Loch Ness is Yummy

As many of you know, my youngest daughter, Christine, turned 18 this week. Even though she is legally an adult know, here is a picture of the special request birthday cake "Sharon's Cakes" made for her:



Of course, one of the first things my brand-new 18 year old did was go to the Mercer Public Library and have her status changed so she could check out VHS tapes and DVDs. What did she come home with? Winnie the Pooh videos ...

Maybe she's not growing as fast as I thought she was. If only I could keep her like this forever ...

Proud Graduate

Christine Nicole Rightmyer and her daddy, Keith - graduation night, May 28, 2010

It is hard for me to believe I no longer have a child in high school - where did the years go? My baby - Christine - graduated this past Friday night, with High Honors. To say we are proud of her would be an understatement.

Christine will now have the summer off before packing up to head to Berea College this fall. In case you've forgotten, Christine was awarded a full four-year academic scholarship to Berea. I'm trying very hard not to think about her leaving us, but I am going to miss her so much.

On the grandbaby front - my first grandchild is due any day now. My middle daughter - Marie - has been having some irregular contractions, so I'm hopeful it will be very soon, for her sake. Her due date is June 6th.

At this point in my life, I am still grieving the loss of my mother last week, so my blog posts may be very spotty for the next few weeks/months. In case I don't post again soon, I hope everyone has a fun, healthy, happy summer.

God bless you all ...

We've Done Good

You realize you've done a half-way decent job of raising your kids when one of them offers to go to town and do laundry. With the fire clean-up still occupying the majority of our time, some things have gone by the wayside. Laundry, for instance. We have finished hanging the drywall in the laundry room and the handyman is supposed to come today to replace the windows, so we don't have the new washer and dryer installed - hence the reason for going to town to do laundry.

Most of the day Friday and Sunday, we spent on overdue yard work - bushwhacking, weeding and mowing. Because Monday was a holiday, I hadn't thought too much about laundry, but my daughter was one step ahead of us. When she came and suggested going to MaMaw's to do laundry, I was overwhelmed. Christine has been great with helping out since the fire, but with her heavy school load this year, I didn't want to give her too much extra stuff to do.

So, off she went to MaMaw's house with 3 baskets of laundry and hubby and I finished up the yard work. Almost 3 hours later, Christine returned home with clean laundry. By this time, I was so exhausted I could hardly move - I think my hubby was beyond exhausted. Christine then proceeded to cook supper.

We've raised a great kid and I am so proud of her. She is continually amazing me with her kind-hearted ways and desire to help others. We've done good with this one - we've done good.

Wantitis

I woke up feeling very old this morning - I no longer have any babies at home. Try as I might to keep my youngest from growing up, she is now a self-assured, independent young lady and I must force myself to see her in this new light.

At 17, she is now a senior in high school with plans of college swirling in her head. She is driving herself to school and to work and "Mom's Taxi Service" has officially been retired. She does her own laundry and many times, cooks supper for the family - thanks Baby, the potato stroganoff last night was delicious.

Although she is happy with her new position in life, I, on the other hand, am having trouble defining my new role. For 27 years I've had a house full of children and our lives were hurdling at full warp speed ahead. Now I feel like I'm moving in slow motion, slugging through a haze of "wantitis." I want my babies back.

I know the world keeps revolving and everything is always in a constant state of change, but just for a moment, I want the ride to stop. Rein in the carousal and let me get off, if only for a few minutes. I'm not ready for this stage in my life - not sure if I'll ever be ready - but it's here and I have to muster on.

Wading through my new role in life, I wonder if this is the beginning of a new phase in life, or if I've wandered into the Twilight Zone. Give me back the times when Mom could fix everything and all was right with the world as long as Christine's "pony" was within easy reach.

Happy Birthday ...

... I just want to take a moment to wish my youngest daughter a

HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY ! ! !

Christine Nicole was born on this date, 17 years ago at 9:10 in the morning. Even though she was 5 weeks early and only weighed 5 lbs. 10 oz., she has been the love of our life.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart, we love you bunches!

My 3 Week Empty Nest is Over ...

... and my baby is finally back home from the Governor's School for the Arts. Christine is now a 2009 graduate from GSA!

Here is Christine at the beginning of her final performance. She is reading one of 3 letters about "Dan's Beard" - Dan was her DA (disciplinary assistant) and at the beginning of the session, he had a full beard. After writing the first two letters, he shaved his beard and head - so the 3rd letter is a suicide note from Dan's Beard and Hair.


Three new friends - Jordyn Rhorer, Maddey Gates and Christine.


Dan Bernitt (minus Dan's Beard) and Christine.


Christine with another good friend, Nichelle Green


Christine with her Residence Assistant (RA), Rosalynne Duff


Christine with fellow Mercer Countian, Christian Marnon - they were the only 2 students accepted into GSA from Mercer County.


As you can see, Christine made some wonderful new friends and mentors. She tells us she had a marvelous time and learned many new things. Just from the reading she did on Saturday, I can tell she has finally found her voice.

I am so proud to have a daughter who enjoys creative writing as much as I do. With her permission, I hope to be able to share some of her work with you. She published her first chap book, WE'RE ALL MAD HERE, during her time at Transylvania.

My Birdies Are Flying Away

I have a horrible case of Empty Nest Syndrome! While I knew I would have to face this eventually, knowing it’s coming doesn’t make it any easier. Christine has been gone to the Governor’s School for the Arts for a full week now and I miss her like crazy.

I know she is having a wonderful time and she is learning all kinds of interesting things about writing and publishing – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she is making all kinds of new friends – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she will have a finished chapbook when she comes home – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she’ll be home before her 17th birthday – doesn’t make me feel better.

I know she calls us every single night – doesn’t make me feel better, okay, maybe makes me feel a little better.

This is the last baby I have at home, and I never dreamed it would be this hard on me, after all, I’m a grown up and I’ve had children in the house for almost 27 years. You would think I would be jumping for joy – but I’m not.

I am so proud of my wonderful daughter and I know she has a bright, productive future to look forward to. I know all little birdies have to grow up and leave the nest, I just wish my last little birdie could stick around a while longer.

I Miss Her So Much ....

There was a wonderful article in the Lexington Herald-Leader yesterday about the Governor's School for the Arts program. We have talked to Christine both nights she has been gone already, and she is having a wonderful time. She is doing lots of writing and making new friends.

Rehearsal

The rehearsal went off with very few problems - there are still a few kinks to work out, but all in all, things were good.

Here is the entire wedding party: the 2nd and 3rd girls on the left are my youngest daughter, Christine, and my middle daughter, Marie - of course, Amber and Jason are in the center.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber's 3 sisters: Cynthia Huffman, Christine Rightmyer, and Marie Huffman.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber looks like she is already praying for guidance.

From Rightmyer Rants

Amber at the rehearsal dinner.

From Rightmyer Rants

Bride and Groom bottles decorating the buffet table.

From Rightmyer Rants

The cake - we didn't get a picture before cutting into it - oh well.

From Rightmyer Rants

Jason's parents - Tammy and Robby Wilham - and her sister-in-laws did a wonderful job on the rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow evening at 5:30 is the real deal.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Last night was opening night for the Mercer County Senior High School's spring musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" - based on the comic strip "PEANUTS" by Charles M. Schulz - Book Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner. This is the first musical since the school merger of the Mercer County and Harrodsburg Independent schools.

Go fly a kite, Charlie Brown (Dakota Rogers)

The Woodstocks (Tevie Milburn and Fancy Goodlett) asleep on top of Snoopy's doghouse

Sally (Bethany Hood) upset over getting a C on her coat hanger project

The little Red Haired Girl (McKenna Milburn), Peppermint Patty (Lizzie McCoy), Shermy (Eli Edwards) and Frieda (Alisha Abner)

Charlie Brown (Dakota Rogers) and Lucy (Sarah Porter) - the doctor is in

Schroeder (Heath Green) and Lucy (Sarah Porter) making beautiful music together

Snoopy (Emily Horn) on the hunt for the Red Baron

Congratulations to the cast: Dakota Rogers, Sarah Porter, Heath Green, Bethany Hood, Nick Yeast, Emily Horn, Tevie Milburn, Fancy Goodlett, McKenna Milburn, Alisha Abner, Elie Edwards and Lizzie McCoy

My lovely daughter, Christine Rightmyer, was stage manager and she put in many long, hard hours of work behind the scenes. From microphones to lights to musical cues, she kept the actors on the right track.

A big thank you to all the hard work by Director, Dustin Mosko, Mercer County Senior High Drama teacher. Also, a big thank you to the crew - without you the show would not go on:

Vocal Coach - Erin Milburn
Choreographer - Kelly Russell
Music Supervisor - Jaziel Guerra
Set Design - Dal Platt
Stage Manager - Christine Rightmyer
Assistant Stage Manager - Tyler Woodrum

A special thank you to:
Wal-Mart of Harrodsburg
The Faculty & Administration of MCSH
The Mercer County Board of Education

There are still 3 more performances of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown":

Friday, May 15 at 8pm
Saturday, May 16 at 8pm
Sunday, May 17 at 3pm

Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and $3 for children.

WONDERFUL NEWS !!!

I have such WONDERFUL NEWS !!! My sweet baby received her acceptance letter today from the Governor's School of the Arts !!!

HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE !!!

Out of over 1,600 applicants from Kentucky students, she was one of 200 to be accepted into the summer Creative Writing Program.

She will be leaving the day after my oldest daughter's wedding, June 21st and will spend 3 weeks at Transy.

To say her Daddy and I are proud is a total understatement. This is something our entire family has been praying about since just before Christmas. To finally have the acceptance letter in hand is pure excitement.

Kentucky Youth Salute

You must excuse me while I do a little bragging on my 16 year old daughter, Christine.

Recently, on the website Bluegrass Mom, I wrote about my dauther applying for the Youth Leadership Program. She was accepted into this program and has been working hard with community leaders to implement strong leadership values among teenagers.

Today we learned she has also been nominated for and accepted into the Kentucky Youth Salute. The Youth Salute is conducted annually through the National Council on Youth Leadership in cooperation with the Central Kentucky Council on Youth Leadership. Students must be nominated by their high school counselors, teachers, principals and other community leaders to participate in Youth Salute. All nominees must be high school juniors at the time they are nominated, have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and have been elected to at least two leadership positions in a school, religious or community sponsored organization during the past two years.

Sometime during the coming spring, her photographs will be on display at the Fayette Mall with all the other recipents. I'll keep you updated on when this will happen.

Needless to say, my hubby and I are so proud of our baby!