my kids went to sleep away camp this weekend.
and although i miss them (already!), i am excited for some time to just be…and for them to have (what they believe is) freedom!
and right now as i am baking for the camp owners (i’ll overnight treats for the adults only!) i am relaxed and happy.
last summer, my kids went away during an impossibly difficult time. they left with heavy hearts and we hoped they’d leave the sadness at home and just have deserved fun.
ultimately, after my mom died and they came home and went back, they did have fun and a much needed break from the chaos…thankfully. but we didn’t…obviously.
well, this summer keith and i are going to have a good time (dammit!).
carefree behavior, silliness, laughter and levity.
that’s my plan anyway.
what will you do to make yourselves happy?
xxx
jennifer
facebook: jennifer koppelman hutt
twitter: jenniferhutt
hi jen. i’m glad you are moving on. it’s tough and tough for your kids too. But look at how resilent kids are, they live in the moment and that’s what I do when I need to make myself happy. I just live in the moment and enjoy what is going on right now instead of thinking what I can do to make me happy at some later date. Sometimes we, as adults, know too much so we think too much. enjoy the time with your hubbie.
Jennifer,
I know how you feel and some people say it takes a year (going through all of the firsts) to get over such a loss. I have learned that it’s not as neat as that. There will be days when the smallest thing will put a lump in your throat and bring tears to the surface.The thing to notice is that those days become less frequent with the passage of time.
I have also leared that another close death can bring all of those feelings of missing your Mom rushing in and it can be overwhelming.
Both of my parents died in the 1980s when I was in my early 20s and when my brother died in a car accident three years ago I was in mouring for all three of them. It was as though I never came to terms with my parents'(cancer) deaths.
Don’t be too hard on yourself but know you are not alone…everyone has to deal with this stuff at some point.Just think how strong you are to have survived one of the hardest ordeals in life.
Elaine
I have to say I am going to be spending time with my kids before they start school. I have been a stay at home mom since day one and now my litle ones are 3 and almost 5. Both can enter a pre-school type of class. I am going to spend every second with them having fun. You are awful brave to let your kids go. It is hard for me to leave mine for a few hours
Putting aside all my medical issues, I would like to create memories for my son ( 8yrs.old) that will stay with him forever during these treasured summer months.
I remember being with my mom for weeks, in a rented house on the beach during our summers. We played in the ocean, cooked fantastic meals for the family and watched the sunsets.
Those days to me were my bliss and I recall them now and hope I can create that same happiness for my son, and in so doing be totally fulfilled. Of course if my mother could be with us now – I would be the happiest person on the earth. She never got the chance to see him, nor did my Dad. We have no family left to share golden moments with, but we have each other. If I can enrich his life through memories of my parents and what they did with/for me (which was a lot), I will be happy.
Enjoy the time, it is the most precious gift we all have, no matter what your bliss.
Don’t ever feel guilty about going out and having fun. I learned that the hard way. My 16 year old son passed away (from the flu) and it took me many years to let myself enjoy anything. One day I just had a moment and came around to live my life again. I still mourn everyday, but it’s a very private thing I will allow myself to do it, then get up and get out. Summer camp, yeah baby!!!
Jennifer, just have fun! your and Keithy will have a great time just being husband and wife…go to a movie, out to dinner, things that couples do, when you don’t have to get a sitter, or worry about what time you have to be where. For that matter, order in and have fun!!!
Hey Jen, I know how hard it is to loose someone you love, and it takes time. I hope you enjoy your summer this year, and know that your Mom would be happy to see you smile! All the best to you.
Keep it up with the positive attitude, Jenn.
Hi Jen,
Glad to hear someone else sends baked goods through mail, those flat rate boxes r the best!!! I also had last week my hubby off of work, a vaca, in this economy is unheard of, the boss even called 9am mon morn, and that almost cancelled it, but we were haning tough, my honey had all last week off, dread now for him to return to the job, no more sleeping late:( well let loose while they r gone!! and i just washed my hair w/o conditioner and thought of ya, lol
I wish there was a Summer Camp for Adults..Spa Day, Wine and Cheese Night, Sleep in Late..Ahhh a girl can dream..Enjoy the time with Hubby!!
Mojitos and scuba diving – not at the same time.
Mojitos take me back to Cuba (I’m Canadian & allowed to vacation there), where the sun is warm, the sand is white, and the drinks are never ending.
Scuba Diving allows me to get away from work, cell phones, email, everything – just me and the fishies wondering what the other is thinking.
jenny ~ dance around the house naked. just. do. it.
((HUGS))
I try and do “something” fun with my kids every day during the summer. Last week that consisted of: going to the beach, hitting the pool, finding a new library, staying in our jammies and playing the whole day, going to feed the ducks and seeing extended family.
I love it. I know too soon they will be of an age where they won’t turn to me for fun. I’m soaking it up while I can.
Nothing relaxes me more than cooking! Whether I’m working that day or not, I love to just take some quiet time for me and indulge whatever craving I am having at that moment! I finished culinary school six months ago after nearly two years in Chicago, but now that I’m back “home” in Michigan I’m forced to be much more creative!!!
JENN, DENIAL IS NEVERT A RIVER IN EGYYPT. YOU WILL BE SO UPSET LEADING TO LOSS & AFTER. LOSS HAS NO TIME SPAN/ LIVE. DONT PLAN. II TTHINK CAMP SUCKS. YOUR KID,S NEED YOU. YOU NEED THEM. I DONT APPROVE OF SENDING KIDS AWAY. YOUR A FAMILY!!!!! YOUR LUCKY TTO BE OONE!!!!!!!1 I SSPEALK FROM GREAT LOSS.JENN, NAMSTE!!!!!
Enjoy your time alone with your husband. Do what you need to do to feel happy….whatever that may be for you. You deserve it Jennifer!
I am so surprised you send your kids to Overnight Camp. You seem so overprotective. I raised two daughters and never sent them to Over Night Camp. Never understood it. They leave soon enough. Summers are terrific family bonding time. But then again… to each its own.
Good for you Jennifer!!
Camp is GREAT! They should go and be happy and carefree.My kids went to camp for years and it made the transition to college easy for all of us.I didn’t cry and they were never homesick.We all were used to separation.
My husband and I went out for diner most nights in the summer or if we just wanted wine and snacks outside that was it.We did what we pleased and for a few weeks I had no real responsibility.It was just like it was when we were first married.Of course I missed my kids.I was a stay at home mom so my whole routine changed.But what’s wrong with change.
We went to visit them on visiting day and before we knew it summer was over and home they came.
It makes me happy to be near the beach.I go for dinner for lunch or just to stroll.
We have been badly hurt in this recession so this summer we have to try to have local fun.So far so good.
hi jenny! what makes me and my hubby happy is that we go out in his dinghy and lounge around! we love love love it. we have carefree behavior too and we laugh laugh laugh. smile and happiness to you and keithy. lots of chocolate too! we’ll think of you while on the dinghy.
While your kids are at camp take your husband and head to Italy! We just got back and I was so happy there! Great sights, people, food….. Positano or Venice or the Lakes…..romantic and life-affirming.
I will lay on a blanket with my cats in the middle of my flower garden and read while sipping a cocktail.
That sounds fabulous!!! Except for the bugs that maybe be crawling around the garden.
how long do the kids go to camp for? a few weeks or the whole summer? enjoy!
jenny, i sugges you and keithy do what bridgette does: lay on a blanket with hazel hutt in the middle of your garden and read and sip cocktails. you’ll love it
the kids are away, I know you love them but live it up for a little bit now!!
oh and what is with “Keith’s” above post? Who is that and what’s with all the horribly spelled words and weird grammar?
What makes me happy is smooching on my husband, not having to get out of bed, no tv – just silence, gardening, crafting, and a beautiful day!
“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
Go for it! 🙂
It makes me happy when “Ms. Elso” and “Lisa in Hawaii” don’t comment, as it means I don’t have to slog through their ridiculously long posts and their pathetic attempts at co-opting your blog.
Well, wher do I start the list is so long… but kick off your heals pop open a bottle of champagne and let the games begin! Have a good time and enjoy each other.
sleep over camp: never went, never sent. was that how u spent your summers? are u giving yours the experience you loved as a child? what was it like?
best memories of my children’s childhood: the lazy summmer days spent at the beach in our hometown and the other families/kids. day camp for art, swimming, riding. my kids, now adults, still love the ocean, that childhhood beach.
relax, enjoy, heal.
it will hit you . 1 year loss of mom. you can,t deny it!!!!!!!!!!.
ho hum, ho hum. and there’s amyrabuf and her dinghy again!!
DITTO!! And how Ms Elso tries to sound all worldly and educated…way too funny and pathetic!
Why don’t you come back and write another chapter? This is Jennifer’s blog. Why do you feel the need to post such long detailed descriptions of your own boring lives? Keep it simple and short so the rest of us don’t have to read your self absorbed novels. One or two lines is all we need folks.
Jennifer I will see all my kids this summer that will be a good summer for us. They will all be on this coast. We saw my son last Saturday performing, we see my daughter every day (she and her hubby live here, we see my grandson (that son and wife live nearby but he travels to the west coast a lot), other son will be here with a band tour next month. The rest of the time I spend with my wife or playing with my toys (RC airplanes) and sometimes traveling to San Juan. Just having family around is great. My daughter and her hubby and my grand daughter will spend some time at inlaws in Maine. Possible that I may see my brother and his wife after the summer but that is all the family except for my Uncle who will be here sometime this summer he says. Life is short and kids grow up fast. As a kid I hated family gathering but now I see it is important. Again life is what happens while you are doing other things.
dont deny your feeling,s, .you must feel your fellings jen. everone is not being real.your mom is gone 1 year, you cant escape it. jen.it will hit you!!. i have lost many
When my son is in camp I plan to tackle a few closets and organize the storage room off our playroom. After that is done, I will relax!
Enjoy yourself!
jennifer, when your kids are having fun at camp, remember that and let yourself loose a little bit too! They’ll be back before you know it… This summer im training for a marathon in october so i’ll be using the extra exercise to bake more and actually something of what i make! especially the s’more cupcake recipe I just found. happy summer!
Aw, come on now, you odd little person. Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful and worldly and educated – I can’t help that, and envy is extremely unbecoming. But I’m compassionate, too, so I’ll try to use smaller words so that your feelings of deep, agonizing inferiority won’t manifest in such pained responses. I like you!
Please join Elso, Lori, Elaine in writing a group novel but stop cluttering up this blog we don’t like to have to waid through all your long winded personal comments.
Ms Elso and Lori in HI are great and frankly I don’t see any “long” post here.Some of yall need hobbies or shrinks.
do you all think jenn will not be upset the anniv of her moms death. ???you cant escape it!!!!!!!!!!. be ready jenn. to be feeling all of it!!!!!!!!
Enjoy lots of sex with Keithy!!!!
What makes me happy?
Jennifer undating her Blog
Okay, all these people that say you shouldn’t send you kids to camp suck! I sent my daughter b/c she WANTED to go. I’m sure your kids do too, and you wouldn’t send them if they didn’t. The kids have a blast! Now, our camp was just 5 days and 4 nights…don’t know if I could do two weeks.
🙂 Enjoy your time with your husband!!