Once They've Grown - Life After Raising Children: September 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

I Bet You Remember Too

If you are reading this most likely you know the significance and gravity of today's date for the United States. I wasn't sure how'd I feel today. Every year I recognize 9/11 in some capacity. Some years though, if I am being completely honest, I don't do much more than pause and reflect on the significance of the day. I think of those who lost their lives on 9/11, of those who lost their lives because of the medical and/or psychological effects of being on the ground cleaning up after 9/11, of the families and friends who lost loved ones this infamous day.

Other years, like this one, I take a little bit more time out of my day and spend time talking with my own family about the day, remember where I was when I first heard the news that there was something terribly amiss, and watch tributes online from others honoring this day for the tragedy it was. (Which are so beautiful and sad I end up with tears streaming down my face.)

If you were alive on 09/11/01, and you weren't a small child, I bet you too remember where you were when you learned that a plane had crashed into one of the Twin Towers, and all of the subsequent carnage to follow.

I had just come home from working a third shift job. Andy was about 16 months old. I was pregnant with Joshua, but didn't know it yet. I went to lay down to catch a few hours of sleep before Bobby had to leave for his second shift job when he woke me up and told me to come out and watch the tv with him because something was terribly, terribly wrong. I sat there in horror watching the news coverage of the first plane hitting Tower One and then the second one hitting Tower Two. No one knew at that time if it was a rogue pilot, or hijackers, or a plane malfunction. Once news trickled in that the Pentagon had also been hit and that there was a 4th plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, I think our worst fears were confirmed, and we knew we were under attack by some kind of terrorist.

What sticks out in my mind the most today, after the heartbreak of all of the senseless loss, is how united we were as a country. There were no Republicans or Democrats, no conservatives or liberals, no illegal aliens or legal ones, no rich or poor - we saw beyond all of those limiting things - and just identified ourselves as humans, American humans who were going to lay aside all that separated us and stand as One. Before we picked sides and declared enemies, before battle lines were drawn, we were One. One people. One nation. I will never forget that feeling. The generosity and caring that poured out of all of us to help in any way that we could. The humanity we shared. I haven't felt that unity before or since that tragic day and time.

That Oneness was special, and I am so glad I got to experience that feeling because it makes me believe that we can tap into that unity any time we choose to. We just have to choose to do so.

I will never forget 9/11. I bet you won't either.

(Image courtesy of cbsnews.com)

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Titanic Exhibit With My Boy

A Titanic exhibition was in Charlotte for a couple of months over the summer. Andy and I had hoped to get up there and see it while it was in town. Luckily, after months of conflicting schedules, we were finally able to go last week. I wasn't sure what to expect other than we were going to see some replicated items and original items from the ship and that it should take about an hour to go through.

To be honest, my expectations weren't too high. I figured anything that only took an hour to go through wouldn't have a lot of items to peruse. In fact, I was actually thinking of skipping the exhibit altogether as we live far enough north now, that traveling into downtown is a colossal pain-in-the-ass (I'm talking about you, I77), the ticket prices were a little bit more than I really wanted to spend for an hour long exhibit, and I wasn't sure if the exhibit was going to be hokey.

I am so glad that we went! Andy and I had such a fun time We ended up taking two hours to go through the whole thing as there was so much information provided and exhibits to see. Everything from dishware, to furniture, to replica rooms, photographs and letters - there was just so much to see. Each person was given a card with information about one of the passengers on the ship that included things like name, age, origin of country, marital and class status, where he/she slept/roomed, and a brief description of his/her life prior to boarding Titanic. At the end of the exhibit you got to see if your person survived the shipwreck or whether you perished. (Andy's person ended up dying on the ship while my person survived.)

There was a simulated iceberg at one part of the tour that you could go up and touch. This was to replicate the temperature of the water at the time the Titanic sank. How anyone survived in the ocean while waiting to be rescued is a miracle because that water was so unbearably cold.

It was so neat to see so many authentic items from the ship as well as the recreated items. The quality of workman ship of the furniture on the ship was out of this world and the intricate patterns of the first- and second-class dishware was incredible. (Because, of course, none of the classes can eat on the same dishware. Insert eyeroll here.) Third class didn't get any fancy dishware, or really fancy anything, but I did learn that the passengers themselves were happy with the ship as the accommodations for second and third class was (supposedly) superb to other steamers of the time.

As for the history of the ship and the longer bio's of some of its passengers, Andy and I ate that information up. (Which is probably why it took us twice as long to get through the exhibit than your average visitor.) In hindsight, there were several signs that maybe this voyage was doomed from the get-go, but I suppose that is a given in any tragic situation.

Overall, I am so glad that we went to this exhibit. I don't know where it is headed next, but if it comes to your city, I recommend you go see it. I think the best part of the whole thing though was spending time with Andy.

P.S. I would have taken so many more pics but didn't realize that we were allowed to do so until we were almost entirely through the exhibit.

A replica of a parlor aboard the first class section of the titanic. Along the back wall are two tannish frilly curtains covering two windows. Centered in-between these windows is a fireplace with a very ornate wood carved mantle. Above the mantle is a centered picture frame hanging on the wall and some knickknacks on display on the actual mantle itself. The carpet is maroon with a square pattern running in diagonals across the whole room. There are several chairs, all of them wooden with a light upholstered fabric covering the back and butt portion of the chair. There are also two chairs of a much darker wood with a dark blue or black fabric upholstering it. A small circular wooden end table sits in front of, but also bwtween the two darker chairs. On the far right wall is a mustard yellow couch with curved arms on wooden legs. There are both lamps and wall sconces lighting the room. The ceiling is coffered.

A first class parlor.

Third class accommodations.

The infamous white glass double doors leading ito the dining area. To the left and right of the double doors are two potted plants in two white ornate planters. There is a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling just in front of the double doors. The walls are stark white as is the ceiling, but all have ornate white molding and trim. There is the same red patterned carpeting as was seen in the first class parlor.

You’re looking down a long, perfectly symmetrical hallway lined with white paneled walls and evenly spaced doors. Warm wall sconces and crystal‑style ceiling lights give the space a soft, golden glow. The floor is covered by a deep red carpet patterned with gold diamonds, adding a sense of formality and old‑world luxury.

It’s a warm, slightly nostalgic hallway scene. You’re looking down a long corridor with red flooring that has a soft, almost velvety look. The walls are bright white, clean and simple, which makes the red floor stand out even more. Along the ceiling, white pipes run the length of the hallway, giving it a bit of an industrial or historic‑building vibe. The lighting is gentle and warm — wall‑mounted fixtures cast a cozy glow that softens the space. At the far end, there’s a black metal gate with a crisscross pattern, like an old elevator door or a security barrier. Just before it, on the left side, a gold stanchion with a black rope suggests restricted access or a guided area, almost like you’re in a museum, hotel, or some kind of preserved historic interior. The whole scene feels tidy, quiet, and slightly old‑fashioned — a mix of elegance and utility

You’re looking at an ornate wooden staircase, richly carved and beautifully detailed. The wood has that warm, honey‑gold tone you see in historic luxury interiors. At the base of the stairs stands a bronze statue of a figure holding a torch, elevated on a pedestal so it becomes the focal point of the whole space. The staircase rises and then splits into two sweeping directions, left and right, with decorative paneling along the walls that adds to the elegance. In front of it, red velvet ropes on brass stanchions block access, making it clear this is meant to be admired rather than used — almost like you’ve stepped into a preserved piece of history. The floor is tiled in white with black geometric patterns, crisp and classic, grounding the scene with a bit of contrast.

Oh, Rose and Jack...

You’re looking at a wooden door standing upright against a dark background, almost like it’s being showcased. The design is classic: an arched upper panel and a rectangular lower panel, both framed with clean, traditional molding. What makes the image striking is the surface. Half of the door is still covered in a pale, creamy paint, while the other half has been stripped down to the raw brown wood. The transition isn’t neat — it’s irregular, textured, and full of character. You can see the grain of the wood emerging where the paint has been removed, giving the whole door a sense of transformation, like it’s caught mid‑restoration or mid‑rebirth. The dark background makes the door pop.

They both could have fit on the damn door.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Where We Are Now

A picture of Josh, you, Andy, and Elizabeth standing together in front of an airplane. Josh is wearing a Texas Longhorn baseball cap, a black t-shirt, and khaki jean pants with white sneakers. You are wearing your hair down with a blue strapless summer dress that goes down to your shines with white dressy flip flops. Andy is wearing his cap which a royal blue color. His gown is zipped down exposing his light blue long sleeve button down dress shirt, brown belt, khaki pants, and tan and brown boat shoes. To the far right, is Elizabeth also wearing her hair down with a spaghetti strap, v-neck white summer dress that hits at her shins. She is holding her black cellphone in her right hand and is wearing tan wedge shoes. You all are smiling at the camera. The sky is a bright blue and the sun is shining brightly.

My greatest loves.

I thought it might be nice to provide an update on what we have been up to these last few months as it seems almost everyone has something going on in their lives right now.

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but we moved again this past April. We were looking to downsize a bit and weren't too crazy about still living in a construction zone 3 years after moving into the new build we rented in 2023, so we packed up our belongings and moved to the town of Troutman, NC. Our new neighborhood isn't our favorite, but the home had the things we were looking for to get us through the next two years before we have the ability to leave North Carolina and head out to either another new state or one that we have previously lived in before. (Except Ohio, sorry.) We would have moved out of North Carolina a few years ago but are staying until Sarah finishes her schooling. It is my intention to post some photos of the new house at some point.

Bobby and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary at the end of this month and will be taking a vacation to Cape Cod for a week. We have some amazing friends who have a house there and are letting us stay at their home. We are looking forward to enjoying the time away and celebrating this big milestone.

Andy is probably the one with the most to share...He graduated at the end of July as an aviation mechanic after attending a program for a little over two years. The FAA requires that all of those working with their aviation and powerplant licenses to pass five tests - three written and two oral and practical. He has successfully passed the three written exams and is now working to get his two oral and practical tests done so he can start making some real money. Because he is partially certified he can get a job working for an airline but not doing the scope of work he went to school for. Once he passes these last two tests his options open up exponentially.
The reason he is holding off a month or two on taking those last two tests is because he is moving to Austin, Texas to live with Josh! He leaves on the 21st of September and is driving down there by himself. (I did offer to go with him.) The boys have rented a two-bedroom apartment in the same complex Josh is currently living in. I am kind of a hot mess about Andy leaving, but it makes my heart so happy to know that Bobby and I raised kids who like being together so much that they are choosing to live together in a whole new state. I know Josh has been lonely without having any of us nearby and now he will have one of us with him all of the time. I know both boys are really looking forward to this new adventure.

Josh started teaching 8th grade math at a new school in Austin after the middle school he taught at last year closed down. He was also offered a coaching job and will be coaching the boys middle school soccer team. We are all so excited for him as he has always wanted to be a soccer coach. I think he would like to move up to high school (and maybe even beyond) eventually, but for now he is really excited to have his first coaching gig. He is loving life in Austin. The vibe suits him perfectly.

Sarah just began her senior year at UNCG. She is a social work major and will be interning all year at a middle school that has a student body that struggles with some very serious, very real issues. I know she is going to do a wonderful job. Sarah has spent a good portion of the summer traveling. She spent the month of June in Ireland as part of a study abroad program through her college. She and Elizabeth also flew out to California to see Noah Kahan at the Rose Bowl a month ago. This past weekend they both flew out to NYC to see Harry Styles perform at
Madison Square Garden.

Elizabeth has been traveling with her sister as mentioned above. She is working for a doggy-day-care facility which she loves. She is great with animals and doesn't love people (or at least the general public), so this job suits her very well. She is getting ready to purchase her first car which is great because her social life is picking up and she is currently using my car to get around.

All-in-all life is very good for our family. Andy leaving is definitely going to be a very big change for us, but for me especially. I am so happy for him, and I know that this is what is supposed to happen with our children, but it is such a bittersweet experience for me.

Elizabeth is alone in this picture. It is a close up of the upper part of her body. She is wearing a baby blue t-shirt with her left hand cupping her face over her eyebrows to block out the sun. Her hair is pulled back into a braid which is sitting over her left shoulder. She appears to be staring into the distance at an unknown object. The sky above her is a brilliant blue with no clouds in sight.

My mini-me.

Miles Gregg sitting in the grass in the backyard staring intently at Dad who is out of camera range. Miles is panting lightly with his tongue sticking out of his mouth just a little bit. The 6 ft brown privacy fence is in the background of the picture as well as the surrounding woods.

Our rascally puppy Miles.

Sarah's bedroom in the on-campus apartment she is living.