I can’t figure out if the owners hung the painting like this to be artistic, or if the real estate agent who took the picture just didn’t bother to straighten it first.
What do you think?
The other thing that feels “off” today: me.
Today is the first day of school. I sent my son off to 8th grade and my daughter to 1st. I should be celebrating my “freedom” now that I have my days to myself to work on my writing projects in peace, but instead I’m moping around the quiet, empty house, feeling a little lost and lonely.
Lily said she would “cry all day” at school because she’d miss me so much. But when she got dropped off at school this morning, she threw a kiss over her shoulder and didn’t even look back. Turns out I’m the one who feels like crying all day instead.
{ 42 comments }
And your little girl will be your best friend forever, Julia.
I adore my son, who starts his senior year in high school next, but my 12-year-old daughter — sigh — she and I really best buds. We even got new “back to school” haircuts together yesterday. Next up? Pedicures! hee!
Awwww….
I’m sorry to hear that your empty nest has you down. I don’t have kids but I have a feeling I’d be popping champagne corks at summer’s end (admittedly, probably best I don’t have kids with a reaction like that
Cheer up…at least *you* know how to hang a painting on the wall. (What is up with that?)
Sounds like you need to get out of the house, buy a drink from starbucks and go shopping! (even if you don’t end up buying anything)
It looks to me like the picture may have fallen off it’s nail hook or something…The rest of the furnishings don’t look daring enough to pull it off if they did hang it at an angle.
I’m so jealous… I want to be moping around with no kids here! ha. No, I’ll probably feel the exact same way next week when my oldest goes to Kindergarten. When it’s your baby, I’m sure it’s way worse. Sniff, sniff, Wa, Wa.
That’s sweet she said she would cry all day. At least she said she would miss you, whether she really did or not. Cute! I love little girls.
awww! i’m sorry. wish i could make it better.
Just found your site a couple weeks ago. I really enjoy it. Sorry to hear you are down. My daughter called last night to tell me how “down” she was. Her daughter started high school yesterday! It’s something every Mom goes through. You’re in good company.
aww…i’m sorry. its tough being the mom.
I don’t know what is up with that picture, but it’s really bothering me. I had to look away it bothered me so much. If it were my house, I would be fixing it as soon as I walked in the door, not even bothering to put down my key’s or purse first. I cried the first day Emma started first grade, the day seemed to drag on forever. then magically the day’s got shorter and shorter until I was wishing she had an after school activity. Hang in there, it gets better!
Hmm. I can understand if it was a LITTLE bit crooked you might not notice before taking a photo. But that is a LOT crooked, so it makes me think it’s on purpose? Weird.
How did the first day of first grade go?? It was hard for me to send my little ones off to K or First grade. By the time they are in 4th, you are SO over it. lol
Ahh Julia, we should have lunch!! My baby started 1st grade yesterday…He said over breakfast “Mommy today I am going to miss you SSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOO much” but when he came home he went straight to the computer! I was ok until about 12;30 when I realized that he wasn’t getting off the bus for another 3 1/2 hours!! Today, I am babysitting…so there is always something to keep us mommys busy!
Sorry you’re having an off day. It will get better. Enjoy having that extra cup of coffee with a little peace & quiet.
awwwwww…(((Julia)))…it’ll be OK.
You’re right! That entire room looks “off”…not just the painting, but everything. BIG open windows and that funky yellow on the walls and DARK, HUGE furniture…all off!
Jan
You poor thing! School starts next week for us. I had a customer in today that was saying the same thing – her daughter was going into 1st grade and she said the house is sooooo quite and she doesn’t know what to do! Last year my youngest was in all-day kindergarten – so I was also wondering around…..THEN I discovered I had time to myself…..as long as I was home by 3:15 to pick everyone up!! You’ll get use to it quick!!
Well, my dear, have a super (quiet) week!
Karla
By the way, I can’t imagine that the painting was hung like that………and if it was, why the agent didn’t move it, take the picture, then put it back the way it was!!
You poor thing; that’s gotta be hard being home alone after a summer of kid activity. Max has been riding the school bus to 1st grade this year (last year, in kindergarten, we drove him), and he’s so excited about it that he’s up and dressed before 7 a.m. every morning, even though he doesn’t catch the bus until after 8. It’s really hard seeing kids grow up and get their own little groove going, isn’t it?
I relished the quiet yesterday, but then my husband is a teacher, so everyone was under foot for the entire summer. They were ready to return and I ws ready to let them! Of course, it helps that I’m in school, too.
I think that picture askew was an oops. Someone wasn’t paying attention. That isn’t artistic, it’s just wrong!
Isn’t that just the pickle of being a mom? Some days you desperately wish for a bit of time for yourself. Then you finally get it and you miss the kids.
I hope you’re feeling better and that the first day of school went well.
My last son started school at the beginning of this year and I have to say it took a few weeks to get used to but now I’m enjoying the few hours of “freedom” each day…I’m sure you will too soon. As for the photo, when will RE agents learn they are not photographers!
It is terribly hard isn’t it?? Grace started back yesterday and I missed her so much. Oh yeah, I got more done and even was able to do the newspaper crossword but heck. I was lonely.
I was that way when Daniel was young too.
Oh my…again, my business idea chmes in…straighten pictures before snapping. D’uh. Silly realtors.
Hi, it doesn’t get any easier, mine left for college and I am blue too. They call and say I love you, and I think ‘but I want a hug.’
Anyhoo, I think the wall you showed with the picture, looks like a giant diaper (fireplace) on a baby that has sunburn(the picture). Both items don’t look right. You are right in your uneasiness (nice word for something is not RIGHT). Enjoy your blog, kiss and hug your babies when they get home.
Blessings, Debbie
Sorry to hear you are feeling a little down. Don’t worry…they will be home soon and will be so happy to see you and tell you all about their day
)
It kinds of looks to me like the real estate agent forgot to straighten the pic before snapping the shot? At any rate it should have been corrected! I wonder if this is one of my agent’s listings? You should have seen the pics she took of my house! @@
~Des
I’m often surprised by the photos realtors take of homes. This picture is killing me though. But it’s gotten a lot of interest, right? Maybe it’s a new sales tactic- LOL
I’m sorry about Lily. My middle daughter used to do that and I’d be crushed but now she’s in second grade and cries-every-day. I wish we were back to her saying “see ya Mom”! It will get better. A day like today calls for chocolate chip cookies, I think.
I’ve had many of those “off” days… sigh!
We have another thing in common… I too have a son who is an 8th grader… interesting age!
However, we don’t start school until Sept 2nd… so I don’t have empty house blues… with all this painting I have been doing for my blog and others… maybe I won’t get them… LOL… nah… I’m sure they will come… sigh… Or I will be too busy anticipating nagging about homework… hmmmm
Hope you recover quickly and can enjoy your peaceful time at home!
Poor Mamacita! I kind of wish I knew what that was like. Homeschool is proving to be really hard right now.
Your hushpuppies story had me laughing out loud! Yep, don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad boy in a pair of Hushpuppies.
Awwww…so sorry you are having one of those days. It will get better.
Should I send chocolate?
oh i feel the same, they start school and you miss them so much, sooo quiet
that painting is too odd, sometimes I laugh at the photos these real estate people take, I just think, you know, move this, change that, like a real simple change and the whole place will look different, don’t they get that or what?
hope you feel brighter after a day to yourself!
Sarah
Ya know…look at that off kilter painting. It is subtle, but can be gnawing.
You are dealing with the same. You are off killter. Your baby is off to wider shores. It IS bittersweet. and Poignant. It should be. You have done a good job(and your job is now changing) you helped your baby take a first little flight.
Embrace your sadness…take your TIME to fix the painting. Sometimes off kilter is grounding in the bigger picture.
i agree with you something is off. i want to say the soft doesn’t go with the space but maybe b/c all the pieces do not have a common theme.
my niece used to cry when we take her to school now she is besides herself with excitement going to school. sigh…. they grow up so quickly.
Seems like yesterday when you were starting first grade! I was watching the Seinfeld episode tonight with Kramer and his “Coffee Table Book About Coffee Tables”. Have you ever found different coffee tables for your blog?
Love you, Aunt Toni
It nearly killed me when my son moved out to go to college…but you adjust.
Time does have a way of helping us to adjust. Hopefully, it won’t be too hard for you!
As far as the picture…I would have to straighten it! LOL
((((hugs)))) for you Julia I feel your pain….
It kills dosen’t it; our little birdies leaving the nest??? Wait til they go off to college that was a real bummer…..
Kathy
Don’t you just want to grab ‘em and hold ‘em forever and ever? We have 4…25yrs, 23yrs, 21yrs…and then just to make things interesting we had one for my 49th birthday…we have an 11 year old….I have been buying school supplies for 20 years! Now, there’s a thought….don’t worry…it is just a thought! It is an amazing blessing….and I am here to tell you that when she flies off someday…..I will be the biggest puddle on the floor!…but then the hubby reminds me that there will probably be grandchildren running all about!!!!!!
Smiles ~ Ramona
If I were house shopping the crooked painting wouldn’t bother me. While I’m not nuts about this type of house I would notice the view of the trees and would be intrigued by the fact that window treatments are not necessary so the house must be very private. I’d like that, had enough of my window 12 feet from my neighbor’s window!
You can look on the negative side of back-to-school: everyone’s a year older, including mom-have I achieved anything this year? am I working on my goals? what’s it all about? OR you can look on the postive: Your child is learning valuable socialization skills while you are gaining at least five hours a day to do whatever you want to do! ohj
Julia, I like the connections you make. Off and off and off’er is right; I totally feel your back-to-school pain. It’s hard, but you should be so proud of that blown kiss and her independent spirit; clearly you’re raising some wonderful, happy kids.
See? I feel better just making you feel better!
maybe the house is in earthquake territory?
you’re a good mom, BTW…
I’m crying right there with you! Nova went to preschool today. I guess we’ll all get thru it, eh?! LOL…
Ok, I abhore the crooked painting. Blech!
Nikki
Awwww…this will be my first year at a little glimpse of freedom, my oldest will be in the 8th grade and my youngest will go to preschool for the first time. He will not be in the First Grade for 2 more years, I have been looking forward to these days…but then again, when it happens, I will be wishing for the good old days which are now. Life is funny that way.
I think they did that on purpose? (the picture)
Bella
I hope today was better for you. I know how it is when they find their independence
Btw, that couch cover story was frightening!
Loved the foursquare
rue
“Mama Duck said ‘Quack Quack Quack’ and all of her little duckies came back!” That’s the best part, isn’t it? When they all come home and get cozy under your wing again.
I have an 8th and 1st grader too, and a 6th grader. I am really both dreading and looking forward to it. I bet I will be sad for awhile.
My husband’s Mom had to come back to the school to see him at on the first AND second day. The second day she told him, “This has really got to stop. I can’t come back here every day.”
My little guy (4) is so attached to me but I am even more attached to him. My husband said that I will be crying every day when he go to school and my little boy will have to come home earlly. Then the school will be saying, “Mrs. Z, this has really got to stop. We can’t be sending him home early every day because you are crying!”
I understand how you are feeling. My 6 and 8 year old are going to 3rd and 4th grade next Wednesday! ): God bless you.
I can’t believe my Lily starts Year 1 next Monday!! She’s been through Reception (Kindergarden) but it still feels like she’s growing up fast. I hope your Lily enjoys school as much as mine does
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