I’ve got everything ready to go, from my financial aid (thank goodness!) to my notebooks and pens.

Nervous doesn’t accurately explain what I feel. I know once I’m there that I’ll be fine. I just have to stay calm enough to reach that point!

The kids are not as optimistic as I am about going back to school. (Although I think “B” is more excited than she is willing to admit.)

While we’re on the subject of back to school, I was recently made aware of The Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s BackPack Program. There are many children that rely on the free and reduced lunch programs at school, but do not have enough food to eat at home on the weekends. The BackPack Program provides backpacks full of food to those children who have the potential to go hungry over the weekend. To make a donation to this important cause, visit their website or donation page.

I wish everyone a safe and smooth transition into their school days!

We took–and failed–a COBOL class together.  What a bore that teacher was!  We consistently pissed the teacher off with our laughing and talking, but, that was the only way we could find to get through that period!  Mr. Krout would be shocked to learn that Paul is now in the IT field. 

We lived only blocks apart, so not only did we see each other at school everyday, we rode the bus together and would often bump into each other around our small town.

We even worked at the same retail chain store, though I lasted only a month or two, and Paul ended up staying there for ten years.

I can’t remember a time during high school when Paul and I weren’t friends.  He was always there for me.  He was a true friend.

Sadly, as so many high school friendships do, we eventually lost touch.  I’ve thought of him often over the years, and wondered how he was, where he was and what he was doing.

When I signed into MySpace the other day, there was a new friend request.  Much to my surprise, it was Paul! I couldn’t believe it!

We’ve exchanged a couple of emails so far, trying to catch up on the last twenty-plus years of our lives.  Talking to him again, after all this time, is so cool!  I can’t tell you how happy I am to be in touch with my friend again!

*In case you’re reading this, “Hi, Paul!”*

Oh how I wish this website was around when all four of my kids were in school! Some years, the four of them would be spread out over three different schools, with multiple teachers and a variety of required materials. Driving from store to store to store, trying to find everything was like a full-time job!

If your school is registered with EZ School Supplies, they will receive a 10% donation when you shop! Teachers can also publish their own supply lists, so that you can simply log in, and order what your child needs.

As an additional perk for my readers, EZ School Supplies is offering a 10% discount when you use this promo code: EZMB065.

The folks at EZ School Supplies sent me a sampling of their items so that I could see the quality for myself. I was quite impressed! The prices are reasonable, and, really, when you add in the convenience factor, how can you go wrong? Go check ‘em out, and tell them Real World Mom sent ya!

Here are this week’s entries for wackdom:

Not just a plane wedding for the British couple who exchanged vows while strapped to the top of separate airplanes. I want to know how they convinced the Reverend to join them…

A slot machine ’stole’ this guy’s money, so he called 911–not once, but twice–to report it. Said idiot is now in jail.

During the same week, another Florida dumbass man called 911 because a restaurant forgot to put the sauce on his sandwich. What the ?? If this was my biggest problem, I’d be celebrating!

“The Culprit”

One of the benefits of living at the New Jersey Shore is the boardwalk. (My apologies for the crappy cell phone photo. Bad mom forgot her camera!)

A friend and I took my daughter and one of her friends to spend too much money hang out on the boardwalk last night. The girls had a lot of fun–and so did we!

Here they are on a ride that is somewhat like an upside-down ferris wheel. As they would pass us (upside-down), they’d wave. Although this is the kind of thing I loved when I was younger, I wanted to puke just watching it!

This one was slightly easier for me to watch. It goes around in large circles, first in one direction, and then the other. This shot was taken while the ride was stopped, pretty high up. (Did I mention I’m also afraid of heights?)

In case you hadn’t already guessed, I didn’t go on any of the rides. I just enjoyed watching the girls have a blast! But I did treat myself to this cool mug:

Gotta love this philosophy, right?

Forty-four year old woman gives birth to her eighteenth child. Eighteen kids??  What the hell is she thinking?!  Among the brood are 10 girls and eight boys.  I’m going to have nightmares.

Seventy-three year old man grows pot along with his begonias. Police believe neighborhood kids actually planted the marijuana in with the flowers on the man’s doorstep.  This poor guy was apparently admired for gardening skills even he didn’t know he had!

Man blows up his apartment while spraying for bugs. Should this guy be living alone??  Fortunately, he’s ok, but his apartment is a loss.

Sanjib Saha divorces pretend wife. Then his real wife found out, and the shit hit the fan!  I can certainly understand wanting to be divorced, but…duh!

Hope you’re all smiling! 

Continuing with my “summer theme”, I give you this week’s Give Me 5 Monday from Becca at BeccA’s Buzz!

Give me 5 fun summer vacation memories from your childhood:

1. Spending time at my grandparents’ house. They lived in upstate Pennsylvania, and I loved it!
2. When I was 13, we drove to Florida, and spent a week there. I think that was my first ‘real’ vacation.
3. Going to Hershey Park with family and friends. The SooperDooperLooper was one of my favorite rides! (You could not pay me to get on that thing now!)



4. Sleeping late–and not feeling guilty!
5. Trips to the shore. (For those of you who don’t already know, I’m originally from PA. Now, I’m lucky enough to live at the shore!)

The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun info with each other in a simple short list! Here’s how it works. Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified. Sign up for weekly reminder emails @ beccagirl@charter.net.

Summer is my absolute favorite season. Here are some of the reasons why I love summer so much:

• Laying in the sun totally relaxes me
• The sound of seagulls
• Going to the beach (although I like that any time of year)
• Seeing (and smelling) all the beautiful flowers
• I’m able to wear shorts, go barefoot, or wear sandals
• It’s butterfly season
• Barbecues
• Sandy beaches
• The boardwalk
• Gardening
• Green leaves on the trees
• I can spend time outside
• My semi-tan

What are your favorite things about summer?

Real World Mom is now a college student!

About 26 new students gathered in the lounge for orientation. I have to admit, I felt completely out of my element at first. Of those 26 people, I’m sure I was the only one old enough to drink!

We were taken on a tour of the campus–which probably would have been more enjoyable had it not been so hot and humid–but I found it helpful.

Finally, we went to a lecture hall to meet advisors and begin scheduling our classes.

Being the anal detail-oriented person that I am, I already had my ideal schedule worked out, as well as a back-up to that.  Unfortunately, none of my classes were available at any of the times I wanted.  So, I did the best I could.

I’ll be taking three classes on-campus and two more online.  Hopefully I’ve set it up so that my work hours won’t be affected too much.  We shall see!

On Thursday, I’m going back to spend some time in the Financial Aid Office.  Originally, it seemed that my financial aid award would fully cover my tuition and books.  I found out yesterday that isn’t quite the case.  So, I have to go and see what, if anything, can be done.

I’m off to lay in the sun for a bit while it’s still sunny!

This is such a huge step for me. I’m excited and terrified!

For a very long time, I didn’t think that going to college was an option for me. And, the older I got, the hazier that dream became. Until I met someone who encouraged me to begin believing in myself–and my dreams–again. If it weren’t for him, the idea of going to school would be no more than a distant memory by now.

He helped me to see and understand that I could do this. When I was unsure of something, he would guide me through it. The times I allowed myself to doubt or falter, he’d either lovingly encourage me or lovingly kick me in the ass.

For all of this, and so much more, I thank him, from the bottom of my heart.

I also have to thank my friends and family for helping me reach this point in my life–including so many of you! When I wrote of my indecision about going to college (here), I received a lot of comments and emails from you, full of support, encouragement, and similar experiences. You truly made a difference!

Janice: I doubt you realize how much of a part you played in my decision, but I have to wonder if I’d be doing this if it weren’t for you too. I love ya, Honey!