It Is Just Wrong - That's What It Is!

I'm not sure I was seeing correctly, but I believe that while I was in the grocery store for yet another trip this week (my two older boys started two-a-days in football becoming walking, talking worm holes in the space time continuum of my kitchen), I actually saw the candy aisle prepared for Halloween! Bags and bags of 'fun size' treats lined up in perfect rows and columns. Believe me there is nothing 'fun' about the size they induce the week after this evil holiday, appropriately described if only for the treats we eagerly rescue our children from-for their own good, of course. But I digress and I'll save the value-sized dieting issues for another posting, or two, or three.....

What never ceases to amaze me is the arrival of seasonal merchandise so much earlier than one can even conceivably think about preparing for the actual intended event itself. I mean really, can you possibly get your teenagers to shop for long-sleeved shirts and jeans during the second week of August when the temperature outside is only a mere 104 degrees? But of course, in New Mexico we call that a 'dry heat', LOL! And while in Hobby Lobby in JULY!!! perusing the clearance VBS supplies, I could not believe I actually passed aisles and aisles of Christmas decorations! (And yes, I really do still have my Christmas tree up!)

But this next one only added to my Mom angst as I prepare to watch my oldest son, Zach, leave the fine nest I have so lovingly, if not in retrospect a little too comfortably, feathered for him. He came home on the first day of school and handed me a large envelope. Thinking this was the obligatory packet of carpel tunnel-inducing informational forms, which have to be reproduced in triplicate in my case, I started to toss them to the side. That is, until I saw the printed side of the envelope upon which was printed in bright blue gigantic font these words: Graduation 2009 "It Is...What It Is!" (this is apparently their 2009 motto?) For Seniors Only: Important Graduation Information For Seniors and Parents.

OMG! No Way! It couldn't be, could it? Already? You have got to be kidding me! It cost how much? (They were kind enough to print package prices on the outside of the express order envelope - how much more express can they get? I'm pretty sure he's not going to qualify for early graduation. At this point in the first week of school, getting him out of bed 30 minutes before he has to leave is cause for celebration!) Those were only some of the phrases I voiced out loud....I think? Announcements and inserts and labels to buy! Caps and gowns, and tassels, OH MY!

So apparently we must make the first of many decisions that will be new beginnings for my not so little bird. Will it be Deluxe Grad Pack #1, Supreme Grad Pack #2, or Basic Grad Pack #3? I must go now, I have an announcement list to make... and yours may just come with a Christmas card!

P.S. And just in case I wasn't quite prepared for the reality of this one event alone, I was also lucky enough to get the packet to order my middle son, Daniel's, class ring on this same momentous day!