Why I Love You

...........and you know who you are. Each one of you.
I love you because you are you. I think every person comes into our lives for a reason. I know there is some saying about that. I should look it up but I don't feel like it. I know the long and short of it is that each person that enters your life serves some sort of purpose. Whether it be for a short time for a lesson you need to learn or forever because they are supposed to be there. Man I should look that up. The thing is, my personal relationships, my family, my friends mean everything to me. I feel that even in bad times I am so lucky to have you. You. To have a shoulder, to have your hand. To make me a hummus wrap when that is what I need. I would do it for you too, just so you know. To jump on that train. A hug. To call at just the right time. You are Super, you are. The craziness of how people you are close to seem to know when you need them astounds me. A chance run in with an old friend, a phone call from someone you don't expect, an e mail. The unconditional love that surrounds me literally takes me to my knees and gives me back the breath that I feel I am losing. If you are reading this, chances are, I'm talking to you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And you, you the most.

Okay, I did look it up: and this is my favorite part,


Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people (any way); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these... it might have been.

Thank you for being a part of my life.

The Lion, The Cableguy and The Speakeasy

This is a true story. It's somewhat embarrassing because it shows that sometimes my judgement is not spot on. Sometimes one thing just leads into another. I tend to trust people. I never look for the bad. I know so many people that do. As soon as they meet someone they can pick them apart ten ways 'til Tuesday. Not me. I just assume everyone has good intentions. I worry about hurting people's feelings all the time. When I think or know that I have hurt someone it destroys me. So to avoid that I just try to be nice to everyone. Sometimes a good thing, sometimes.........not so much.
So many years ago Marc and I lived in a fun little house near here. We had lots of parties and lots of friends. There was usually some person or another living with us, depending on their situation. It never seemed odd to us, we were all about the more the merrier. At this time I used to make these big stuffed animals and sell them to people and to stores. There was a big red fox that my brother Chris named R.F. Chickenchaser. And there was a giraffe and an elephant and some others and a brand new one, a lion. No one had seen the lion yet. I had just finished designing the first one and had made him and he was sitting in my living room one day.
So I am at home waiting for the The Cable Guy to get there. I think he was hooking up cable in additional rooms, I can't really remember. So he comes to the door and comes in and we start chatting. He notices the lion and immediately starts asking me all sorts of questions about it. It was a long conversation. I felt obligated to ask him if he wanted a drink. That's what you do when someone comes visiting right? He says, "Sure, I'll take a vodka tonic." Hmmm.. I really had been thinking more along the lines of water or a soda, but if that's what he wants, okay. So yes, I mix him up a vodka tonic. Which he tosses back so fast and asks me for another. It seemed odd, but like I said, Marc and I were used to colorful people. As a side note, I feel the need to add in that I had two huge german shepherds. If anyone ever even looked at me cross eyed my male dog Buddy would have ripped them apart, so I never felt in any danger at all. Just thought that needed to be said. So I gave him another drink. He sipped this one slightly more slowly as he started telling me about his weekend. At this point for some reason we had walked outside, I don't know why, but he noticed we had a hot tub. He starts telling me about his weekend. He was like, "Man, you've got a hot tub? I'm going to be in a hot tub tonight. You know, eating shrimp, doing coke." Wait, did the cable guy just tell me he was doing coke tonight? While he is in my backyard drinking his third vodka tonic? It finally clicks in to me that this is slightly abnormal. It's not really how the whole cable guy visit should be going. I want him to leave now. I don't want to be rude though. So somehow I get us back inside. He's finishing up whatever the hell he was doing. Then he says, "Listen, my kid (you have a kid???) would really like that lion." Um hm... "Can I buy it off you?" As politely as I can I tell him no. It's the first one. I need to take it to my stores. He can't have it. "I don't care how much it costs he says, name it." "No. It's really not for sale." I just want him to leave now. "How about free Showtime for life?" Huh, interesting. Free Showtime. How does that even work? What if we move? Will Showtime be everywhere or just the living room? That was what was actually going through my head but I shook my head no. "I don't want to get in trouble." I said. "No trouble, I do it all the time" he said. Enough already. Get out. So he didn't get the lion. I didn't get free Showtime, but I'm pretty sure that night he ate some shrimp and did some coke had a good buzz going into it. There you have it Jen. I'm an idiot. Check.

A Bedtime Story For Jen-Part One

Many years ago, before kids, before my two stupid dogs when I had two smart ones, Marc and I lived in a another house. Not far from where we live now. We were young but strangely not a whole lot different than we are today. Marc worked a lot I spent my time making things to sell and playing with my friends. This was way before I ever knew Rachel or Lisa or Christina. This was in the days of Jen and Ashley and Suzy. All who live far away now and I miss them everyday. This particular little ditty is about Jen. Ah Jen, my lurker friend. My sorority sister from college, my fellow white russian drinker. I have some kooky schemes now but back then I was slightly even wackier, if you could believe this. They weren't quite as elaborate as some of todays hair brained ideas, but stupid non the less. Jen was with me through most of them.......
Jen was there when I decided to paint the outside of my house by myself. Seriously, she sat there smoking a cigarette watching tv as I came up with the idea, she sat there smoking a cigarette watching tv when I drove to buy the paint and she sat there smoking a cigarette and watching tv when I put the first ill fated swipe of paint outside my doorway. Then she left. This project bored her. I never did finish that painting, much to Marc's annoyance because after a couple hours it bored me too. I always have loved doing things half assed. It's one of my special gifts. Jen also was the other part of my funniest American Home Video team that I have mentioned before, I made her fall "accidentally" on the pool that was covered in grime. Then I mistakenly taped another show over it. Whoops. Jen and I wrote letters to anyone we could think of. We wrote to a potato chip company one time because we found an odd shaped chip in our bag and we were disgruntled. In it we included a picture of the strange object with Jen's long red fingernail pointing at it. We wrote to Cosmopolitan magazine with a list of Ten Why Don't You's, that we thought was so funny and so inappropriate we are quite sure they must have banned us from ever darkening their doorstep should we try. Remember those lists? Do they still have them in there? Like, why don't you draw a bath for your boyfriend when he comes home from work? Why don't you eat less and lose ten pounds before summer? Those lists annoyed us so we made up our own. Why don't you walk down the street with your skirt stuck in the back of your underwear? Why don't you intentionally hide your husbands wallet and then watch him lose his mind before work? Why don't you replace all carbohydrates in your diet with candy corn for a week? The list goes on and on.
The whole point of this post is that Jen moved to Virginia years ago to teach children. I miss her terribly. We have a weekend coming up with a bunch of our sorority sisters and we were chatting on facebook last night about it and I mentioned something that happened in that time period and she asked me to blog it...............
The Lion, the Cable Guy and the Speakeasy.....stay tuned.

"Bring It Yo"-said the Evil Elf

Wednesday night was The Bates Motel night. It's this scary place with a haunted hayride and a haunted house and a haunted corn maze. Lots of haunted things..... That kind of stuff scares me. A few years ago Marc and I took the kids to a haunted house and Chase and I left early, they had to let us out the back door. It was scary. I have successfully avoided such places.......until now. Lisa decided we should take the kids. Fine! She does all the leg work. Goes online, orders us up some VIP tickets so there is no waiting in line. Let me tell you, worth every cent. Even on a weeknight this place is packed. Packed with family with screaming kids, smart ass kids (like ours) drunk teenagers, the whole nine yards. For a mere thirty extra dollars a ticket we don't have to deal with any of that. We just march all 8 of us up to the front of the line and go first. Yes! (said exactly like the guitar player in Almost Famous says when asked if he wants to see the kid feed his snake a rat). Yes! Sign me up. So we go on the hayride first. I have the stupid position of the very back of the cart thing. This is where all the scary people jump on and scare you. You know what I did? I just didn't look at them. No engaging. I am so good at that to begin with, it really came in handy. Next was the haunted corn maze. This was kinda scary, Lisa held my hand the whole time. She had Benny (her 7 yr. old) in her other hand. He kept yelling, "Bring it Yo!" I, once again, just kept my eyes closed. Ben was getting irritated with us because we weren't moving fast enough for him. He was yelling at us. I swear he was scarier than the wolf guy that was kinda heavy breathing in my ear. Scary, but somehow...interesting. :) Just kidding baby. . So we went by this little crazy looking mean man called the evil elf. So jokingly, I referred to Ben as the evil elf, I got yelled at, AGAIN. Then we went over this bridge and this old woman was sitting there yelling out insults, she said to Chase (my precious angel), "Were you the last one in your family to be born without a tail?" For some reason this threw Lisa and I into convulsive laughter. Ben got mad again! He was losing patience. I will tell you (cause there is small chance of Saige reading this until many years from now, which is really the whole point of this to begin with) that her and Adam (Lisa's 12 yr. old) were quite the couple. He had his arm around her. At one point Lisa looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, are they on a date?" Eyes closed, Trudge forward. Last stop haunted house. This was supposed to be the scariest part of it. I held on to Lisa's hand and started in. It wasn't that bad. The hayride was scarier. At one point this big clown came out and Lisa made a funny comment and it made me laugh so hard that I couldn't be scared at all anymore. I called Marc as soon as we were done to tell him how I made it through. He was so proud of me. Now the next Halloween event is my pick. It's face painting and pumpkin picking. That's not scary at all.

I Did Not Know That

Did you know that you are not allowed to take pictures in the Halloween store? We didn't and so we got in trouble. We, as the adults (Lisa and I). I was so bummed out because I love going in the Halloween store and trying on every mask I can. I am so not a germ o phobe that the grossness of it doesn't even occur to me (until now that is). I like to wait for whoever I am with, my kids or friends until they are not paying attention to me and then surprise them with something like this......

Lisa was easy to do it to, she was occupied with her phone and totally distracted so everytime she looked up Saige and I would surprise her with a new disguise. Saige is good at it too.....

I was so loving that she chose the Barack mask with her "Can't touch this" t-shirt on. Gave me a giggle.
Until the girl with the devil horns came over and burst our bubble. "No pictures!!!" she yelled at us. I had on a big troll mask that went halfway down my body at the time. So of course I start laughing. Saige just turned around and walked away. Lisa was trying to be the adult and quickly apologized but asked her why? The devil girl said because if we put the pictures up on the internet no one would know if we bought them or not. Hmmmm? I'm sorry, I don't follow. I don't understand that. I didn't say anything though, because I was dressed somewhat like a hobbit and I didn't want to make anymore trouble. So we dumped our masks and went to look for the boys (all four of them). The boys were supposed to be collecting things they need for their costumes. They weren't. They too were being reprimanded by the (poor) devil girl. We hurried over to see what was going on, they were trying on the boobs. Which, sadly, gave us a small chuckle, but that girl didn't think it was funny. Not even a little bit.

"Dirty Fighting"

That's the street term for the new class that My friend Lisa and I are doing. The real name is Pekiti Tirsia. It's a Filipino form of martial arts. But see, the fun part is you learn it with weapons.Pekiti-Tirsia roughly translates as "to cut into small pieces, up close." There are big long sticks and Knives and little blade things. For our purposes everything is rounded and taped off. It's a good thing too, because it's rather awkward in the beginning. I am the first to admit how uncoordinated I am. Coordination is a funny thing, I can do all sorts of fancy tricks that involve bending and twisting and a whole lot of balance but when it comes to using both my hands and my feet in a moving stance while wielding weapons, well, that's a whole other ball game. You should see me dance, which you won't, unless we are out and we have had quite a few cocktails. Lisa is coordinated. She does step class. She wins the over 18 dance contests at Bar Mitzvahs, like they're going out of style. I swear this is true, when we were in Turkey she would be practicing her dance "moves" a la the "drop back at all hours of the night. I'd be fast asleep and she'd be jamming out to No Diggity, No Doubt. In this class though we were a little like dumb and dumber. We could never both seem to understand the same move at the same time. Our poor teacher. Rob. Rob has a sleeve tattoo and wears a skull ring and looks like he enjoys getting his party on, but apparently he is in the upper echelon of this fighting form. This is coincidentally (from yesterdays post) the same form of fighting that Matt Damon uses in the Bourne Identity movies. Funny, first Gary Busey kept popping up, now Matt Damon. So Rob was very patient. Lisa and I were laughing at ourselves because why do you think we would need to learn to fight with weapons? I don't know. Self defense perhaps? We learned about someone coming at you with a knife, how to hold a knife in either the "heaven-knife up" position or "Hell-blade down" position. They have fancier names too, but I wouldn't begin to know how to spell them yet. I wasn't sure Lisa was going to like it because it wasn't a huge workout. She loved it though, she said she felt like Angelina Jolie training for a movie. And I am one to believe everything happens for a reason, even when you choose that thing to happen. So poor Rob, we'll be back next week. Watch out out there. It's not just yoga anymore kids.

I Think the Rolling Stones Said it Best....

You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.
Right?
Is this true?
I have gone through my entire life expecting to get every little thing that I want. It was easy as a kid. Ask my brothers. They love to tell you how easy it was for me, how I never had to do anything I didn't want to, how all I had to do was ask and it was mine. Never had to rake leaves, blah blah blah. Listen, you are the youngest, with three older brothers, that's just the way it goes. I mean come on, if you're the fourth kid and there are already three boys, someone wanted a girl. So isn't it that girls right to be handed everything on a silver platter? I say yes. Some may beg to differ, to each his own. Write it on your own blog baby. Birth order. Wow, right? It makes a difference. I married an oldest child. My husband has two younger sisters. He had to work for everything. Not everything was just handed to him ( a lot was though, by his grandparents, don't let him fool you). But in his home, he was the oldest. There's a big difference. The oldest is usually the over achiever. It's just how it is. The youngest, like yours truly, sometimes is more laid back. More willing to hand over the reigns to the other guy. I see this on a daily basis with my own two kids. Saige will slave away for hours on her homework. Chase will explain to me how his teacher decided to "give him a break today," and then go play baseball with his friends. I am impressed by her work ethic and his ability to buck the system.
Okay, since I started to write this I decided to do a little research, although, to be honest I usually just write the most inane dribble that flows off the top of my head. I'm actually working for this, cause, well, really, I have nothing else to say, at any rate the first born tend to be more conscientiouness, but us last born are more agreeable. We tend to be funnier, more of a chance of us being a comic.... huh, how 'bout that? Also, it seems the last born tend to be more of a risk taker. That's interesting, right? Think, sky diving. Although middle children seem to be somewhat of a mystery to the "man", the people that do these studies. So, if I think about it in terms of my family, my oldest brother Scott (who you will never hear from on here) will never go sky diving, I will.... cause I'm the youngest, and Mark and Chris (MarkNYC and brother Chris) well, there's a chance. Interesting. What happens though when it is a family of "half" brothers and sisters, like it is in mine? I'm always looking for a reason. Why? Why are things the way they are? Why do we do the things we do? Nature vs. Nuture. One of my favorite topics. Well, you know, besides Obama vs. McCain. Just kidding. I think that's just a done deal.
So the point, I'm always trying to get back to the point, because you see, I am the last born, my mind wanders, I don't care what anyone else thinks, I do what I want, I expect it all. Did you know that Voltaire and Mark Twain were the youngest in their families? That is the company I keep.
So maybe Mick didn't say it best, maybe you should just expect the best and the best will happen. I'm the youngest, I can change my mind.
Where do you fall in line?
Okay, only because I am youngest am I posting this. Because Rachel (also the youngest) made me watch it. And for some reason we just howled with laughter the whole time, I think, cause in human years, we are almost 12. WARNING: MOM , DON"T WATCH IT!!!! TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE. Sorry...

Just to Push It Down A Little

So seriously that stink bug picture grosses me out. I did feel obligated to post it since some people probably don't have the joy of seeing all the "Chloe's" all day long. Although, truthfully, I haven't seen Chloe at all today. Not one. Not here, not at Rachel's house, not around little Hannah's neck. Christina almost drank one last night and Jami went to church with one. That kind of reminds me of a children's book. "The Adventures of Chloe the Stinkbug." She could have all sorts of fantastic things happen. She could find a giant peach with magical pests in it or perhaps tour a chocolate factory with a hyped up crack addict. I have a whole slew of original ideas. Maybe Kathy S, could you help me? You seem very versed in rodents, roadkill and unwanted bugs. What do you think? You know, what with the guys being in the car biz, maybe we could help out. Although, I will say, teaching yoga is a gold mine. I think I was able to tip my masseuse last week with money I earned. Go Amy.
Okay, I actually have nothing to say but I am in for the night because I have five hours of yoga tomorrow and I need to be sure I am well rested so I can one up Kirsten. She's so bendy and twisty, I need all the edge I can get. She's apparently silly stringing the neighborhood for some reason. I don't know why. Maybe because her house had ghosts and this is part of the ritual. I'm not sure. She was telling me but I was upside down practicing my one armed handstand so I could only half pay attention. Sorry Twist, you'll have my full attention tomorrow. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Twist, Happy Birthday to you.
Back to the point (as if there ever was one) how many are still there? Let me see a show of hands. So this morning my fancy friend Elizabeth (say it snotty like) who lives in EEstanbuul posted a picture of us on facebook from many many years ago. In a time called, "the 80's." In this photo I have this very odd sausage shaped bang. Disturbing. Sue, Yoga Sue, commented that she "liked my bangs." Kinda bitchy like. I sent her a message immediately instructing her to write something nice on my page to push that picture down a little. So good friend that she is, she did, twice, It's long gone now. Thank you fb friends. So, that's what this post is for, to push that picture of Chloe the stinkbug down a little. Check.

Inappropriate Yoga Class Music 2- Happy Birthday Twist

Let's Get Retarded-Black Eyed Peas
Wasn't Me- Shaggy
I Got A Man-Positive K
Officer-Slightly Stoopid
Sorry, Blame It On Me-Akon
Amen-Kid Rock
Perfect Gentlemen-Wyclef Jean
Classics of Love-Common Rider
Bleeding Love-Leona Lewis
I Am Over It-The Dandy Warhols
You Can Do Better Than Me-Death Cab For Cutie
None Of Your Business-Salt-N-Pepper
I Touch Myself-The Divinyls
Where'd You Go-Fort Minor
PainKiller-Turin Brakes
Rockstar-Nickelback
Your Heart Is An Empty Room-Death Cab for Cutie
I Write Sins Not Tragedies-Panic at the Disco
Murder She Wrote-Chaka Demus
The Chokin' Kind-Joss Stone
Bisexual Chick-John Oszjaka
Leave Me Alone-The Veronicas
I Always Get What I Want-Avril Lavigne
The Art of Losing-American Hi-Fi

You Know Times Are Rough......

When your child has a pet stinkbug. Yes, a stinkbug. Are they all over the U.S. or just east coast pests? Well here in PA, we have them all over. Someone told me they came here about seven years ago from Japan. I don't know if thats true, perhaps I should try and google it. Google is super smart. Anyway they are buzzing little fly like insects that apparently if you touch and kill they make a stinky smell. I have never done this, but Marc tells me it's true. This is their time of year.
So instead of freaking out over them my very smart (FB-Rachel is.....smarter than you.) friend, Rachel decided to work as a team with them. You see she had been suckered into pet sitting way to many times for the most annoying dog on earth. Chloe. Ah, Chloe. Chloe was beyond annoying. Yapper, peed everywhere, just ridiculous. I did however feel sorry for it when Rachel's three year old would talk to it sharply and carry it around. Hannah can be scary. So finally Rachel says no more dog sitting. Hannah misses Chloe. It's so sad. Here's the brainstorm: a stinkbug. Somehow, and I still don't understand this but Hannah could wear Chloe in a cage on a necklace. Poor poor Stinkbug. Of course Chloe dies, but the beauty here (unlike Ollie) is Chloe's are a dime a dozen in your own house. And it's not a disease ridden pet store that makes Chloe die, just natural causes I think. There's always a Chloe somewhere. You can hear Hannah when you're in another room sounding very irritated and disgusted, "Chloe! Get off the tv" or "Mom!! Chloe is outside again on the screen. Chloe!!!!" So now every stinkbug we see is called Chloe. Do you know Chloe? Have you seen her? She's a clever little stink bug.

Okay, after I wrote this I did google it. Turns out it is only in Pennsylvania. There is a whole bunch of info on it and on the article it is called the stinkbug. Here's what Chloe looks like.
I totally warned you yesterday about this. If you're still reading, you have only yourself to blame. :)
This is for you Paris. I hope Cats is going well and that shot pit throwing.

Yuck, right?

What Made Me Laugh Today?

Today was a funny day. Not for any particular reason, it was just one of those days that I laughed all day long. It started with taking the kids to school. Saige asked me yesterday to drive them. Apparently there had been some problem on the bus, she had her IPod on and wasn't sure exactly what had happened. She did know that when they got to school their bus driver was really mad and said that tomorrow (today) no one was getting off the bus until Mr. Brown (the principal) got on and had a talk with them. Come on. Who wants to start the day like that? It bummed me out and I wasn't even going to have to listen to him. So of course I drove them. They made me laugh the whole way imitating how it would go down.
Laugh No 2- picking up Christina for yoga. One of my funniest friends. She needs to write a blog.
Laugh No 3- The comment from Lula today brought back a funny memory. I could never blog about, and I'm sorry about that, but it's a good one.
Laugh No 4-Yoga class. Sue looking at me and shaking her head. Saying, "I'm never going to do that." Oh yes you are Sue. If I have to die trying, you will be doing that someday. Positive. Positive thinking. Do you know what movie that is from?
Laugh No 5- Our server at the sushi restaurant imitating Lisa (who wasn't there) saying, "I don't eat fried!!" Sorry baby, it was funny.
Laugh No 6-A e mail from BA. I put some old old pictures up for her to see and she liked them. Seems not much has changed in 20 years.
Laugh No 7- A funny txt from my friend Kathy who lives in Chicago (who I get to see soon! Yay.)
Laugh no 8- Meredith's idea of "wing suit" flying for our next adrenaline rush. YouTube it. It's man flying squirrel. It is crazy insane. I think you probably need some sort of training seeing as they dump you out from a helicopter and you fly down a mountain in a squirrel type suit and pull a little parachute at the end. It looks sick fun though.
Laugh No 9- Saige's face at the doctor's office when the kooky Dr. was talk talk talking.
Laugh No 10- The sound of Marc's voice when I said Chase was saving his homework to do with him.

There were a lot more laughs but this is getting old. Stay tuned for tomorrows scintillating post about stink bugs. You might want to tune out for a day.
What made you laugh tell me?

Speaking of Bandwagons.......

We live outside Philadelphia. The Phillies are our baseball team. Apparently they are in some sort of tournament or race or whatever it may be to go onto the next level which I believe is called the superbowl.
I have three older sports addicted brothers and a father who knows the statistics of every sporting event ever. I remember one time as a kid I was in Joanne Fabrics with my mom on a Sunday and there was a man in there. Seriously, I was so confused, I said, "Mom, what is that man doing here? Aren't the Eagles on?" She patted my little head and informed me that not ALL men watch, talk, eat, live and breathe sports. This was the first I had ever heard of such an idea.
My dad coached ice hockey and baseball, all my brothers played. Never a day in my childhood went by without some sort of sports talk. I will tell you, my oldest brother, who neither reads or comments on here, actually moved into a different house to get his boys in a different school district for football. It's cool, whatever, I get it. Obsession. I travel for yoga. I will spend hours on Itunes. We all have our hooks.
I will admit that besides all his other amazing qualities, one of my favorite things about Marc is that he doesn't plan his Sunday around a football game. He knows what's going on, it's just not the end all be all for him. I love that about him.
So the point of this, I just click onto one of my favorite time sucks called facebook and I see that Lisa, my side kick, my other half, the one who at times I feel I morph into has as her status, "Lisa is..... so happy the Phillies won last night." Um. What? Since when? I talk to her 323 times a day and we have never once mentioned the Phillies. "Amy is....confused???"

Why 100?

Can somebody please tell me why you can't get out of Target for less than a hundred dollars? I don't get it. I go in with three things on my list, light bulbs (to finally switch after a year of a dark fixture, I'm lazy), sink dish detergent and dog chewy bones. That was all I really needed. I was in a hurry too. I wanted to get in and get out of there. It just doesn't work that way in Target. This is a play by play (are you guys really bored? I'm sure you've been here before, it's like memory lane right?). So I get the detergent and I pass by the book section, this takes time and money. I just finished a book I like, recommended by Lula, called The Hunger Games. It was good but it's over. So I went to the library, I took out 7 books, read none and just got a late notice for the one misplaced one, damn. Buying books turns out to be cheaper. So anyway, I get a book. Then I am walking past the food section and remember this pasta and chicken dinner in a bag that Lisa made the other night that Saige loved. I end up with three of those dinners, a pizza, some saran wrap and 6 packs of gum. From there I move to the Halloween section, candy corn (Marc's crack). Light bulbs, lots of those. A selection of dog bones. Don't forget a really cute black knit dress (that coincidentally I found out later that Lisa bought too) and the Time magazine issue on your body. When you total it all up I'm looking at $102 and some change. Go figure.

Yay Meredith!!!!

Meredith's Sky Dive. Check it out.
Who's next?

And Then There Were Two.....

Here's usedtobecyberfriendmeredith who is now my friend Meredith. Isn't she pretty? That's not the point, I just thought it should be said. The point is... there have been many "NO'S!" to sky diving and one, my favorite, "Hell to the no." On the other hand there is a list of people who want to do it now. My whole gym is clamoring to go. But yet, not one reservation has been made. Not one irrefundable dollar spent on rocketing out of a plane. Until today that is. I got the most wonderful txt. I love txts, just so you know. I'm one of those. I love to see that little red light flashing on my phone. Back on track, so I got this txt and I am writing it here:
" Just got off the phone w/ them...I'm going skydiving Sunday at 12!!! U totally inspired me... can't talk anyone into going so I'm going alone."

Come on, can I get a holla. Talk about guts. I am so in love with that txt I think I might frame it. Because I am a total band wagoner. Right now I am on the sky diving band wagon, get me while I'm hot. I think everyone should do it. I'm talking to you. Seriously, you hurl yourself out of a plane at 12,000 feet, what can't you do? And to go alone? See, Meredith lives in Miami or I would definitely be there (taking pictures). I think that is so brave. I had Marc to lean on. Although at the end there, there was not a lot of talking. We were both pretty much wrapped up in our own minds, but still, he went first. So go get 'em Meredith. You rock so hard. Send me some of the stills, I'm posting everyone's sky diving pictures. Lula, you coming??

On another note for all of the brother Mark fans, which just annoyingly seems to multiply. Does anyone remember, he's gay! Do you know sometimes we go out and he gets hit on while I'm with him! Honestly, the nerve of some of those gay guys. For God's sake how do they know I'm not his much younger wife? His child bride? Anyway, Mark has decided he is going to jump too. He was scared, but so competitive (sibling rivalry) that he has worked up the nerve to go. I sure hope he doesn't wimp out, that would suck. I mean then I would be the best looking and the bravest. Poor little angel.

The Book of Life

Do you know what that is? I had never heard of it before. Last night we had the dinner for the night before Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday. Our friends came over, another excuse to hang out. No school today, the kids can still run around outside and play. Fun. Although, apparently Yom Kippur is a more "somber" holiday. I found this out because on FB Lisa wrote, "Lisa is.... going over to enjoy a somber dinner for Yom Kippur at Amy's house." "Holla."
So, coming back to what is Yom Kippur? We had this discussion at the dinner table. Dave (Lisa's husband) said it was the Jewish day version of confession. Hmmm.. "Who do you confess to?" I asked. "The guy at church?" Dave shakes his head, "No, not the guy at synagogue, you just confess to yourself." Well, Lisa was right, that is a bummer of a day. And there is a special day for that? Everyday is my Yom Kippur. So, that doesn't make any sense to me. I've never heard that before. Let's try again.
Lisa says, "It's the day your name goes in the book of Life for the year." This sounds better. Little Tommy, who is seven and Catholic got a little worried, "My name doesn't get to go in?" "No, your name is in another book," Christina tells him. "Hey, can you put all our names in your book of Life Lis, just to be on the safe side?" we ask. No sense in chancing it.
Then it's Chase's turn. My sweet little boy who is such an old soul. He is raising his hand. "I know what it is." he can't talk quick enough. "It's the day you don't eat anything so you can remember the people you have loved that have died." Seriously, love him. Now that makes the most sense to me, so that's the one I'm going with. I will fast, even if I'm not technically any religion. I think Jewish holidays are the best, so filled with meaning and tradition. How wonderful to have a day that you consciously just take the time to remember those you have loved that have passed away. Thanks Chay, you explained it the best.

Peace.

Live Vicariously.....

So here you have it. So many of you said you would never do it. I'm still going to try and talk you into it. But if you are dead set against it, that's fine. This is what would happen should you change your minds.
I finally called my Mom today, I had been avoiding talking to her since I said on here that we were jumping. I knew she wouldn't like it. She's my Mom for Gods sake. Although I have promised Saige that the day she turns eighteen I will jump with her. Is that like flying on the same plane as your kids? It's not as troubling if you think you're all going down together? Or is that just my warped way of thinking? Anyway, my Mom is just glad it's over and we were talking about the danger of it and I said, "Well, I never heard of anyone dying sky diving." Audible gasp. "Jim O'Brien, my favorite newscaster. Up in Pottstown. His chute didn't open." Damn. I am glad I didn't call before. I didn't want to know that. So anyway, that's it for me and my sky diving experience. I know I looked scared to death but did you see when I blew you a kiss. That was for you guys!

Kirsten, poem?
MarkB, Um....your turn.
And Lis, Edward is raring and ready to go. You know how vampires do it.

Another One Bites the Dust

Sadly this isn't another playlist song, I wish it were. In fact, if it were, maybe, All That You Have is Your Soul could be on it, or I'm So Glad We've Come Together Again. Those would be nice, because guess what? Ollie two has passed over. I was shocked as you are. In fact I had to be told the news second hand by Saige. I didn't even believe it at first. I spent all day with Ollie two's Mom and she didn't tell me.
I'm not trying to be accusatory or anything but I kinda remember asking you guys to send out a little prayer for Ollie Two. Did you? Did you really? I'm gonna be honest, I didn't take any pictures of him. I didn't want to get to attached because somehow I felt this day coming. It's weird sure glad it wasn't mine. I flew, Ollie two had his wings clipped.
It turns out that apparently if you buy a bird at a pet store and it has a disease, which I hear is what happened to Ollie One than you don't want to get another bird at that same pet store. Most time, all of them will be diseased. Also, if you do happen to have a bird die in a cage on your watch, a simple cleaning of said cage is not good enough. Bleach needs to be involved. And if not, you can forget it. Ollie Two's people found this out at dinner on Saturday night and by Sunday Ollie Two had left to meet his maker.
Honestly, it all makes me very sad. I don't even go to the zoo (except the San Diego one, that one is okay with me). Other than that I can't stand to see animals in cages. I remember my guinea pig Fluffy that I had when I was a kid. I recall the day my Mom told me Fluffy had died. It was awful. Now, as an adult, with children, I don't want any animals that live in cages or habit trails, or tanks for that matter. They scare me. It's hard for me to see dead animals on the road. I wasn't even allowed to watch Rudolph as a kid cause it made me so sad, and they were just mean to him. So seeing little animals die under my roof wouldn't work for me. Fortunately for Ollie's (One and Two) three human brothers his parents are willing to give it another try. From a different store this time, not the same diseased ridden one the two Ollie's came from.
So once again give a little shout out for bird number three. Who has not been bought yet, but is affectionately and with the greatest of love, refereed to as "Goner."

Kirsten? Do you have anything to say to Ollie two?

Leap of Faith

Is that trite?
What should it be called?
Jump?
We're Alive?
Sugar We're Goin' Down? (on my playlist of songs not to play on the way to the airport)

So it's all good. This is the story. Marc, Saige, Chase and Chase's brother from another mother, Ethan, and I, piled in the car and headed up state so Mommy and Daddy could throw themselves out of an airplane. You know, what else do you do on a Sunday once the weather has gotten crisp and the pool has closed? In true "us" fashion, we got lost, took the long way there. Luckily, it's kind of a laid back thing. We got there. Signed and initialed our lives away (truthfully, did not read one line of the fine print- the risks seemed obvious, no need to beat a dead horse). Then we watched a 4 1/2 minute video from the early 80's. I'm being honest. It was basically pointless. Once again, whatever. After that wealth of information with the Hare Krishna looking guy we just went and stood outside. And waited. And waited. And waited. They were running a little behind because the weather hadn't been great in the morning.

A lot of that time was spent with Chase and Ethan chasing eaching other around and Marc playing block breaker. I was listening to everyone talk. Like a stalker would. I wanted to hear all the people say how much they loved it. I was fine. Even when the kids asked me if I was scared, I said, "No." I wasn't. I was past that at that point. I mean Christ, we were here. It's pretty much a done deal. To back out now would be beyond lame. I could never do that to my kids. They were so proud of us. Really. I thought they might be a little apprehensive, but not in the least. They were psyched.
So finally it was time to suit up. Marc got his harness on first with all the obligatory snide comments of the guy whose lap he would be sitting on. Guy stuff. Whatever. Let's get this show on the road.

Then it was time. We got in this little plane, with no seats and no pretty girl to bring us drinks. We sat on the floor. My guy, Dave, and Marc's guy joked with each other. Dave has jumped 1600 times. I feel a little better. I'm feeling a bit anxious though, because, basically friends, there's only one way down. I'm trying to just breathe. My videographer girl was sitting on the opposite end of the plane and she kept smiling at me and asking me how I was doing, "Scared." That's it. But I just put it out of my head because this was happening, the choice was over, might as well accept it. So we get to the edge at the open door, I cross my arms in front of my chest and lean into Dave as we backflip out of the plane. We spent the free fall time looking at the videographer, smiling, giving the thumbs up. It was worth the hundred bucks just to have that to focus on. I will say, in complete honesty, it was hands down, the coolest thing I have ever done. It felt amazing. After the free fall Dave pulls the chute. The videographer flies away on her own and me and my new best friend float down. He points out lakes and quarries and Philadelphia. The whole thing was completely surreal. He tried to get me to fly. I did for a minute and then told him I wanted him to do all the work. :)

That's Marc with the red white and blue chute and Me, with the red, yellow and grey one.
We floated to the ground. It was amazing. Do it. I'll go with you (or Marc, he'll definitely go with you!)

And Mom, I'm calling you tomorrow. I've been avoiding it cause I thought you would be scared for me. I miss you.

Happy Birthday Rachel

Happy Birthday Paris. Juno how much I love you, more than a human baby, more than a fat kid loves cake, more than a whale bone brush, hey bring my brush tonight.
Have the happiest birthday. I'm sorry you're entering your late 20's, that must suck, what with me being your younger sister (wink wink). Love you to pieces. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your birthday Playlist

You're My Best Friend- Queen
Shaddy's Back- Eminem
Don't Go Breaking My Balls Heart- Elton John & Kiki Dee
Mexico- James Taylor
Sunny Hours-Long Beach Dub All Stars
She's Waiting-Eric Claypton
Me & U- Cassie
Smile- Lily Allen
SexyBack- Justin Timberlake
Irreplaceable- Beyonce
Friends-Viv
Celebrate-Wyclef Jean
Silver Lining-Rilo Kiley
Wildflowers-Tom Petty
Right to Be Wrong-Joss Stone
Sitting Waiting Wishing-Jack Johnson
Bruises-Chairlift
Bisexual Chick- John Oszjaca
Bicycle- Queen
Trouble Me-10,000 Maniacs

Uh Oh

I don't usually write anything on weekends but tomorrow is sky diving day (so this might be my last chance). Well it's the day we are signed up to go. I have not let it enter my head at all. Just kept pushing it out....until yesterday. Now it keeps creeping in and honestly I'm scared. I want to do it. I was told by two, not one, but two psychics I won't die, one did however say there was a chance of injury. Hmmmm.....
So I told Marc that I wouldn't be mad at myself if I chickened out. He said, "If you're going in with that attitude then you're not going to do it." So, okay, I will be mad at myself if I chicken out. I will belittle myself for the rest of day! And then I will go to Rachel's birthday party with all my limbs in tact. I'm really going to try. My best. Are you allowed to take valium before jumping out of a plane? Does anyone know? I'm not sure if they look down upon that sort of thing....

......Then a little later.... Saige and I were in the car. She heard me on the phone with my friend telling her tomorrow was the day and I was scared.
When I hung up she said, "Mom, I really think you should do it."
"You do?" I said.
"Yes," she replied.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I think you will like it and if you do I'll do my back flip at gymnastics this week and I'm really scared to do that."
Oh no........ now I'm going to have to. I can't let her down.
"And," she added, "Once you do it once, you're going to want to do it over and over again. That's how it was for me the first time I went on an upside roller coaster. I was crying and so scared and Brigitte was holding my hand and we did it, and then all I wanted to do was ride the upside down ones."
I love her so much. It might have been the push I needed.
One day, she will realize completely what an amazingly wonderful person she is, inside and out. I can't wait.

My Own Little Skit (not really mine)

I promise. I am not going to write one word NO MATTER WHAT nonsense is spoken tonight. I will leave that to the Saturday Night Live people. I do have to post one little thing, that made me laugh kinda hard. I am admittedly a Facebook person. It's fine. My friends are funny, so is my husband. They make me laugh. So this was a little "wall to wall" conversation that went on between Marc and Rachel. It entertained me. It started with some disgruntlement from Marc of our current situation in our country..........

Hey Marc! I feel ya. I can't believe that speech. Lately, I feel like I just don't even want to pay attention to all those politics anymore. They're such idiots! I can't wait to get my vote in. I loved the statement that Hillary and Sarah made. That was awesome! Did you catch it on SNL? It really gave me a lot of good insight on which way I'm leaning. Go Hillary! Wait, she's running, right?

Marc is.......thinking of running for president. How hard can it be?

Marc, that's a great idea! I think you'd do a great job! Hmmm. Could I be vice pres? I think with my political background I could really help your campaign. To the left, to the left. How bout it? When is the election again?

We can have you all up to speed by November and I don't think Sarah Palin can cut hair.Your in!!!!

What can she do? Who the heck is Sarah Palin? Is she your friend on facebook?

A Fun Fun Musical Game

I love games. Whenever people come over I'm always trying to get them to play them. Right Sue? Marc grudgingly will play for a while, he doesn't want to, but he does, to make me happy. That's a full time job, huh? So listen, here's one (that I can play by myself), but now that I'm thinking about it, I'm planning a game night and you're all coming, you know who you are (you're all invited!) and that means you too Twist(ed), make sure Johnny's home and you can come play. That being said, here's a game for now..... I stole it off clll's blog and I think he borrowed it from someone else. But here is the general idea. Do a soundtrack of your life. You know, with categories and then songs that relate to them. I added a couple new ones, and sometimes I put more than one, cause that's how I roll. Great fun for me. So play along. Seriously, don't leave me hanging, even pick a couple. You anonymous. I know how smart you are. Fyi- I could have gone over this all night long, Marc wanted to watch tv....
Opening Credits: (of your life)-Can I Kick It? -A Tribe Called Quest
Waking Up: Sunny Hours- Long Beach Dub Allstars
First Day of School- (does college count?- it's your game baby) - When I Paint My Masterpiece- Grateful Dead
Fight Song-Told You So- Barenaked Ladies (I'm a girl, I don't fight, I can (cause of Dave right Lis?), but I don't, at least not fair)
Breaking Up-Stuck In A Moment-U2 or Silver Lining- Rilo Kiley
Friends- Kettle's On-the Feeling (I think this is supposed to be about a lovah, but honestly it's how I feel about me friends when they're gone, "Come home." and... Troublemaker-Weezer :)-Right???
Prom-Thirteen- Big Star
Mental Breakdown-Under the Bridge-The Red Hot Chili Peppers (reminds me of a best friend who loved this song and died)
Flashback- Friend of the Devil- Grateful Dead (but I do love the Counting Crows version)
Getting Back Together-Somewhere Only We Know- Keane A Little Less Conversation-Elvis
Wedding-Let It Grow-Eric Claypton (this was our wedding song) and Annivesary Song-Cowboy Junkies (I've been married for a while)
Birth of a child-Loves Me Like A Rock-Paul Simon /Daughters-John Mayer
Final Battle-Just Like A Woman- Bob Dylan
Death Scene-I Shall Be Released-Jack Johnson
Funeral Song-I Will Follow You Into the Dark-Death Cab for Cutie
and just to be safe-I Love You and Buddha Too-Mason Jennings
Ending Credits-This is How She Goes-John Oszjaca

And on a lazy note, for those of you who wanted it, (couple repeats in here, they're in my head now- Wednesday class playlist)
Lucky- Jason Mraz (featuring Colbi Caillat)
How Am I to Be-the Watson Twins
Good Morning Baby-Tim Finnn, Bic Runga
Goodies- Ciara
American Boy- Estelle and Kanye West
Ooh La La-Faces (Could be a category-"Being an adult")
Mixed Bizness-Beck
Catch My Disease-Ben Lee
Sweet Home Alabama ("Dirty South Version") B.A.M.A.
Don't Be Shy- Shwayze
So Lonely- the Police
My Way- Los Lonely Boys
Crooked Teeth- Death Cab For Cutie
Bittersweet Symphony-The Verve
Try (Just a Little Harder)- Janis Joplin WAS replaced by Painkiller- Turin Brakes (for 3 minutes of boat pose) You love me still?
Tonight You Could Steal Me Away- The Spin Doctors
Fairytale- Sara Bareilles
Hang On to Me- John Oszjaca
Music- the Beautiful Girls
Home- Jack Johnson
Breathe (2AM) Anna Nalick
Riga Girls-The Weepies
Waiting In Vain-Annie Lenox We never got to those last two, but they were on there.