Sunday, November 30, 2008

Useless and Self Serving

These were the words someone used to describe non business or work related blogs. Huh. Really? Useless? Maybe to the author of that statement, but you know what I'm thinking? Hey, here's a thought, don't click on. It's so easy. It's like when Howard Stern was on regular radio and people would complain about him. Don't turn that channel on. It's such a simple concept. I guess in the same respect everyone has the right to their opinion, even when they say it in a way to put someone else down. I remember that from grade school. Kids are mean. But it's cool, cause it only made me laugh. It gave me a big old giggle. Then after I giggled I had to of course call my girls and discuss. We like to share every inane thought that crosses our minds. I own it. I love my friends. I love to hear them laugh, I'll listen to them cry. When they say jump (although they never do, but if they did) I'd turn on Patience and start doing push ups. No! I'd jump, not off a cliff (unless it was Rick's Cafe, I'll do that any day of the week) or you know, out of a plane. I'd jump then. But you know that.
Reel it back in! What's my point? I think tonight, as we are winding down Thanksgiving weekend. Apparently the most traveled weekend of the year. Traveling for what? To see people, people you love. Why? Because there is a connection. People inherently want to be connected. To belong. To feel loved. So, if it's by flying across the country to see family, or meeting someone for lunch, or sending a letter, or poking someone on facebook, or reminding them, they're pretty (cause they are) or writing a blog and having your friends join in and connect that way, I say, be thankful. Don't hate. Love. It's so much easier.
Peace out.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Dear Blog,

So it was so crazy. Jen and my brother Mark were here. You know Blog, Mark, the gay one that all my friends want to make out with? Well, I was trying to take their picture but my camera wasn't working (dead battery) and they were posing kissing. It was taking a long time so they had to keep kissing. It got a little whacky blog. I don't think Lisa is going to like this one bit. One time my brother said he had a crush on a girl and Lisa could not quite wrap her head around that one. I'm sure all that wine they drank had something to do with it. For some reason they felt the need to drink a bottle before we went to the store. Mark wanted to visit Homegoods while he was here cause they don't have them in New York City. What do you think Blog we nicknamed the store? Come on, guess, Mark wanted to go...it's called Homegoods? Get it Just change one letter in there and you will see that are twisted. Do you think I meant the g to a f? Wrong!!
When we got back we ate dinner that Mark and Jen had lovingly prepared together while I made myself scarce and took a shower. It was chicken with onions, tomatoes and olives. I scraped off all those things and spread some spinach dip on top of mine. It was yummy. Good job you guys!!
Then we played Word Yahtzee, Mark won but only cause he cheated. Oh well.
Love, Amy

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

Taking a cue from Sue . I want to count my blessings. Really, what is Thanksgiving? From what I recall in school, it's the day the pilgrims and the indians put aside their differences and had dinner together. What if all enemies, or frenemies or people who just didn't like each other did that? Like, I don't know..... the Israelies and the Palestinians ate dinner with each other? Just sat down ate some sweet potatoes and turkey and let bygones be bygones? If they could do it on the third Thursday in November, couldn't they do it on Friday too? Let's throw Saturday in there, just for kicks. Of course I know it's not that simple. People just don't do that. It's a fact Jack. So if they can't do it with others, maybe just count their own. That's what I tell Saige when she gets mad at I don't know what. "Count to ten and then acknowledge it."
I'm gonna count to ten myself.
1. My children. The light and loves of my life.
2. My family. You can't pick 'em, but my dice roll was double sixes.
3. My friends. Unconditional love. Nuff said.
4. Music. "I'd like to use a lifeline please Regis."
5. Yoga. "I'd like to phone a friend."
6. Laughter-
7. Unexpected kindness
8. Sunny days
9. Holidays
10. You, you and you. You all fall into one of those categories. Jen, you more than one.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

In Daylights, In Sunsets....

In midnights, in cups of coffee.......

How do you measure a year in a life? Did you see Rent? I love this song. I think it is so thought provoking. How do you measure time? In the rise and descent of the sun? By the new season of Lost? The bringing out and putting away of your Christmas decorations? There are a million and three ways to measure time. It seems to slip by. Snake it's way so quickly that it's hard to remember how you got from here to there.

My daughter, my baby, my first born, is going to be eleven in nine days. The thought is insane to me. How on earth could she be eleven? Honestly, I don't get it. Where does it go?

I don't notice it on a daily basis. I guess life is just to busy. Things move so fast. What was normal a month ago is like a different lifetime. It's cold outside now. I remember wearing flip flops. There is still a raft outside next to the pool that was covered in snow two days ago. The days are so short. I remember looking at the clock at 8.30 and it still looked like daytime. It goes by at a speed faster than sound to me. It changes an morphs things and people at a pace so slow you don't see it happening but so fast you can't believe you missed it.

There is one person in particular that makes me notice the passage of time more than anyone. I think it's because I don't see her on a daily basis. I have known her since she was a tiny baby. She and Saige sat in their car seats next to each other while her mother and I tried to figure out how we were mom's. I have known her mom since I was in first grade. Now she is my daughters oldest and best friend. Mackenzie. I love her like she was my own. She and her sisters and her mom came over last night and I almost fell over. She is almost as tall as me. I remember her at every age, but specifically at 18 months peering in my fridge pointing out grapes. Now she is in 5th grade, has a boyfriend and wears her moms shoes.

So we are at T minus 9 and counting to the end of my daughters first decade.

Where does the time go?

Friday, November 21, 2008

Self Inflicted Pain

Thy name is Twilight.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry if you enjoyed this movie but to me it was a punch to the gut. It actually hurt me.

Okay, this is how it went down. It was a major snow morning here in PA. Now I don't know if the news people said this was going to happen. I am never up late enough for the news. I do know that when I woke up this morning the world out my window was covered in school. The trees, the road, the lawn and there were big huge flakes dropping down. However there was no sign of canceled school. So we went to the bus stop. It never came. The roads looked bad. Saige wanted to go to school. I drove them. It was bad. A man had to help me down the hill. In my car. I was to afraid to take my foot off the break. I think he tried to sell me tires. He kept calling me miss. It was odd. So after a ton of slides and going around cars pulled on the side of the road that couldn't move I got the kids to school. My friend Lisa lives about one minute from there. I went there, home was to far. At this time we decided to go see Twilight that morning.

So we go. Lisa bought my ticket. So really, she was the big loser, twenty bucks and two hours of her life, right out the window. Buh Bye.

I won't go on and on about how awful it was, I will try to make it concise. It was like a bad after school special. It should have never hit the big screen. Most of the movie consisted of Bella making really wide eyes and shaking her head. Every time one of the vampires (except Alice, she was cute as a button) came on we actually would break out in laughter. It looked like they had been powdered and red lipsticked and shoved onto set. I wanted to leave. Lisa wouldn't let us. So during the film (if you could call it that) we cooked the idea to make the kids (ours) make a spoof of it on Monday when they have a half day. We spent the second half of the movie casting it. We are going to get one of those fog horn things (or whatever they're called), we are going to wear hats, we are going to get directors chairs. I'm thinking Lisa might put out a spread as the "Kraft table." I need to mention that. We need to get the lists from Saige and Adam who will be playing Bella and Edward respectively of what they NEED to have in their trailers. Adam will probably be good with some sushi. I know Saige is going to be a diva. She's going to want flavored water and I don't know, maybe some hard to find licorice or something. It's going to be so much fun.

When we walked out of the movie Lisa looked at me and said, "Seriously, my intelligence is insulted." All I could do was laugh. I have to say, I haven't laughed like I did during that movie in a long time. I laughed til I had to shush myself. I'm going to tell you when the dad, "Carlise," first came on screen I think my body actually shook and I had tears running down my face.

These are a few questions I have for the movie makers so Lisa and I can do a good job.
1. What was with Edwards B52 like hairstyle? What product are you using?
2. Although Edward "flew" up the hill with Bella on his back do you think Adam pulling Saige in a wagon would have the same effect?
3. What kind of shotgun was Bella's dad cleaning? (BTW- that was my hands down favorite scence, when Chief Swan was cleaning his shotgun and drinking beer. We can't wait for Jack to act that out. We're giving him real beer too!)
4. What on earth did you put on Edward's skin in the sunlight? Does Michaels Arts and Crafts store carry that?
5. The powder used to make the vampires faces white, just J&J right?
6. And the lipstick, oh that red lipstick, what brand? My friend Lula wants some for everyday use.
7. Was Carlise supposed to be funny?
8. Was Esme that girl from Grey's Anatomy who had to have facial reconstruction and then by accident faked a pregnancy cause she was crazy?
9. Who did Alice's hair? That was cute.
10. You're not making a second one, are you???

I still love Edward and Bella. I just have to go back to them in my head. That's going to be tough....

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

More Alike Than Different?

I say Yes!

Yes! (just like Russell in what movie, Lula?- Yes! Almost Famous)

How do would you describe yourself to a stranger who is blind?

5'3 1/2 ( I won't let go of that 1/2 eva!)
Tri-colored hair (skillfully done by Rachie)
Blue eyes
I'm nice. I am. Sometimes you might think I'm not, but I mean well.
My kids mean more to me more than anything on the whole earth.
I like people.
I like music.
I like to workout.
I used to love dogs. Then I didn't. I do again.
I can be selfish.
I'm a picky eater.
I like high heels.
I love my own personal people (friends and family) fiercely and unconditionally.
I have a slight (or more) case of ADD.
I am slightly obsessive.
I am scared of organized religion (I'm just being honest- no offense)

Okay, so the list could go on and on. The point is, although some of these are general. Some are kind of unique. Not everyone is a picky eater or is really (weirdly) into music or you know, scared of OR.

So a few years ago I went to this yoga workshop and before the actual yoga started they had us "journal" a bit. They had us write down a strength and a weakness. Then we had to turn to the person to our right (a stranger) and share our journal. It was a little daunting. You thought it was going to be just for you. I didn't want to share what I wrote. (This was obviously before the whole blog thing, where I discuss my dog pooping and dead rats.) Anyway, the girl next to me was a teacher in the studio and I was slightly in awe of her (obviously a long time ago, RIGHT TWIST??? Are you there yet?). It turned out we had the same weakness. I'm not going to say what that is right now. It's still a struggle. The interesting thing was that there were over 60 people in that room and probably about 2/3 of us had the same issues as the stranger sitting next to us. We were different sexes, sizes, races, religions and just different people. Same problems though.....

I find in this difficult time in our country and for some in life when you share your problems, or your triumphs for that matter. Whomever you are speaking to can usually relate. On some level we all deal with the same crap. When you open yourself up, even the slightest bit, it seems everyone can jump on the bandwagon. Even if it isn't exactly the same, it might show itself in another form. Some may over eat. Some may under eat. Some may worry to much, some not at all. Some may have kids that are to shy, some to over excitable but we all struggle with the same issues.

The important thing is to not try and one up your friend with your craziness. That's just rude, really. We all know who the craziest is. You. Yes, I mean you. You. Not me. You.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Twilight~The Movie

So it's a Tuesday night in my little town and my dog is making those weird heaves that make it look like he is about to throw up on my bed. I think it's just a hairball. Mickey is actually part cat. I'm pretty sure. He has many cat tendencies. He mews. He bats things with his paws and he gets hairballs. I don't know what the hell was going on in that pet store, but I love him just the same.
Well, except for when he "accidentally" poops in the kids playroom. He does that sometimes. It irritates the hell out of me. And then when he knows I am going to see it he waits outside the door for me to see it and say, "Bad dog. Outside." But before I can even get the, "Outside" out he runs for the door. I love him to pieces though. I like to pick him up and pretend (only for a millisecond, because EVERYONE knows I don't like 'em) that he's a baby. He likes it (kinda, not really) but so what? He poops in the playroom for God sake!

And then there's Lucy. Lucy who has cost us a fortune in vet bills because she might or might not have gotten her tail caught in the door and cause her metabolism is that which super models are made of. Meaning the vet can't understand why although she eats like a horse she still loses weight. Um, come look at my yard before the lawn guy gets here. Then you'll know why. Right Jen? You know what I'm talking about. Finger to nose.

Why are you wondering is the title of this post called Twilight the movie? I'm going to be honest with you. I don't know. I started it a while ago and I must have had something to say about that but since then my phone has rang, I have talked to Chase, I have listened to some music, read some e mail, played facebook, watched Saige do handstands, made lunches, folded laundry, brushed my teeth, answered e mail and cleaned up Mickey's poop. For the life of me, I don't remember what it was I was going to say about that. Hmmm....

Monday, November 17, 2008

When Worlds Collide

Do you remember that Seinfeld epidsode? Is it like so every episode of Seinfeld with a tag line, like the soup nazi, or a close talker, or George Cantsatnadya (isn't that our favorite Jen?) I just love the whole aspect of worlds colliding. George and I are kind of different. He didn't want his "worlds" to collide. To me, there is nothing better.

Like everyone, I have friends from all different periods of my life, childhood, Jr. High, High School, College, having babies, yoga, gym, blog land, my family and the present (namaste baby). These to me are all clear concise little categories that I can pretty much fit everyone into. Some overlap, my best friend from high school and I went to college together (uh oh), like that.

Now to me, there is nothing better than when these people meet. It kind of makes me think of when I start rearranging things in my house and I can move them from room to room and they go together. The common denominator is, well, me. I picked it all out. It all reflects me. It all fits together. Like when one of my new best friends Lisa came to Turkey with me to meet her (basically) polar opposite, one of my oldest best friends, BA and they totally hit it off. I love it. My worlds collide nicely. I think.

Where am I going with this? So I go to another one of my new best friends, (the brilliant-although she hates me to say it) Sue's blog. On there are comments from my Mom, a blog friend, Christy, and one of my very best friends from college, Jami. Seriously it just warmed the cockles of my heart. Is that the right term?

Let me tell you why. This whole blog thing is interesting right? Some say narcissistic (Sue will tell you that people love to throw that term around way to much), some say stupid, some say voyeuristic, whatever the case may be, it's like the book I am reading, Tribes. People who do the same things congregate together. The internet facilitates this. So where else on earth could my hardcore Republican friends and my used to be blog but now in real life friend say they want to make out with my gay brother? And when ever could have I introduced my Mom, Jami (college), Sue (yoga), Christy (blog) together? All such like minds. People who I love (only Christy might be freaked out by this, but isn't it obvious by now how much I love my friends?) It just delights me, that there are relationships building. There are thoughts being shared. There are people connecting. I couldn't love that anymore.

Yesterday on another blog friend known as Simple Answer she gave me a big shout out for being blog friends. It meant the world to me. It was an award that she passed along to me speaking of the proximity of each other through our internet world.

So new or old, internet or IRL, husband, brother, mom, or yoga buddy, I give you a few words from none other than......
Fatboy Slim

We've come a long long way together
Through the hard times and the good
I have to celebrate you baby
I have to praise you like I should.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

UB40 Said it Best



Well, except for the rat was in my family room.
Yup.
(insert me screaming)

So, Saige and I are home having a lovely night together. We watched "Penelope" (with Christina Ricci) very cute. Then my phone rang and it was one of my best high school friends who I haven't talked to in a while. So I went downstairs to clean the kitchen and catch up with her. I was turning off all the lights to go upstairs and Lucy (my big crazy german shepherd dog) starts pacing around the door. I let her out for the last time before bed. She races outside like a bat out of hell. I see her running in circles for a minute then she ran in the house. I had all the lights off. It was dark. She had something in her mouth.

"Drop!" I screamed. Although it could have easily been a big rawhide bone. I couldn't really see. I just knew it wasn't good though. Just knew. Paige was still on the phone. She has dogs too. She said, "Are you okay?" By this time I had turned on the light. I let out a blood curdling scream For real. I did. I still feel sick. Saige came running down. "What? Mommy, are you okay?" I think I just kept repeating the words, "Ok, ok, ok, ok," about a hundred times. I threw a dish towel over the humongous rodent. I got the dust pan. I tried to scoop it in the trash can. I only managed to move the dish towel.

Scream
Scream
Scream

I'm sorry. This is beyond gross. What do I do? I call my neighbor. She's a bit tougher than me. She comes over with her daughter and a shovel. Strangely enough the rat doesn't bother her at all. She scoops it in the trash can and then takes the whole thing outside and tosses it over the fence.

Thank you Nancy and Emily, we are forever in your debt. We love you.
I am already wondering what section of the Hallmark store would have a card for this, should I look in pet deaths or just plain thank yous. "Dear Friend, Thank you for removing the dead rat off my oriental rug. You are aces in my book. Thank you for leaving the shovel were the rodent lay so I could spray rug cleaner on it. Thank you for coming out in the rain in your pjs. Thank you for owning a shovel." Something like that, maybe?

Friday, November 14, 2008

It's A Bittersweet Symphony.....

So it's quite obvious I am happy about Obama. You know, by the pink Obama banner that flashes constantly on the side of my very low rent blog. I don't know anything about html codes and overriding things and what have you, so my blog is simple. That's actually neither here nor there. Except for simple can be good sometimes....

Here's the deal. I loved that Obama got elected. It was one of the happiest days I have had in a long time. I felt a sense of hope in not only the world but within myself that I have been missing. The only thing is that whole California deal. That bummed me out. They decided to make gay marriage illegal.

It seemed so odd to me. Here on this day of renewed hope and a showing of equality and some scary people rip away what should be a basic right for anyone. I just don't get it. I don't understand. Marriage is a slippery slope no matter who you are. Why should different sexes get rights same sexes don't? The divorce rate is what, one in two? Yeah, we've really got it mastered. I get it. Not.

The thing that boggles my mind most is when strangers care someone else is gay. I don't understand, it seems so simple to me. If someone has found someone else to love. Why, seriously why would anyone judge that? A basic human need is to be loved and cared about. If you don't have enough going on in your life that you need to judge someone else, I'm thinking, I don't know, get a hobby. Paint, macrame, maybe bang out some of those rock pets, but seriously butt out of other's people business. Cause guess what? It's just that. Other people's business. I'm willing to bet if you starting digging into any of those haters that went to so much trouble to overturn that California law you'd find some serious nonsense. It always seems that the people who protest the most have the craziest shit hidden in their closet. I'm just sayin'.


So tomorrow there are rallies all over the country to fight for gay marriage to be legal in every state. Whether you care enough to go or not, I think it's nice to at least be aware it's going on. Because knowledge my friends, is power.

I think if we all spent a little more time lovin' and a little less time hatin' we might all be a little happier. That's just me.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

You've Probably Seen This

Oprah had it on the other day. I dvr Oprah (like I do any show I might watch) and watch it when I have time or feel like it, which honestly isn't that often. So I'm always a bit late to the game. I also tend to FAST FORWARD through much of the show that I find boring, those without ADD (Marc) find this somewhat irritating. I don't get it. I'm only trying to help. I am weeks behind in Greys Anatomy. And (I'm sorry Lula!) I lost Lost a season ago. Watching tv mostly bores me, there are a few exceptions, but I won't share because it's embarrassing. I do love Weeds. I talk about it all the time. I think that Jenji guy who writes it is a genius. "Little house's made of ticky tacky....." Anyway, minds wandering. Do you know I'm writing this only for you? I know you understand me. You know who you are.

So I love this You tube video. I also love The Black Eyed Peas and Fergalicious because she rocks the house. Say it like YOU do Jen.

Anyway, so she (Oprah) had Wil I Am on doing his song and it just made me smile. It's a nice thought, right? It's a new day. That implies that yesterday is gone. Today is the day. It starts now. And not just cause Wil I Am said it, cause it's true. Do you think his Mom intended him to be Wil I Am, or just William? A my. That's not cool. You know when I was thirteen I signed a note I had written to my best friend BA "Aimee." It was going to be the new me. The French me. Until her dad (the inspector who used to bust us for EVERYTHING) found it and made fun of me. It is 20 years later (give or take-;)) and he still calls me Aimee with an accent. He's just screwing with me right? He doesn't really think that's my name, or maybe he does........ It's a new day.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

You Know, Whatever....

So I had this whole (what I really thought) clever post about religion, or lack there of, however you might see it. It included a Youtube video of Mason Jennings and my very favorite, Jack Johnson singing 'I Love You and Buddha Too.' This is a little ditty I like to turn on the IPod when I am thinking my children need a little religion.

I'm gonna to tell you a secret though, they ask for it. Not only my two little angels, but their friends too. Every Wednesday night on the way to gymnastics (which I am the "to" carpool mom for, I get this as a request. The other big favorite is Bruises. I think they like that because it speaks of Handstands..... "I tried to do handstands for you. I tried to do headstands for you. But every time I fell on you. Every time I fell."

I don't think my amazing ten year old and her awesome friend understand the meaning of this little tune. I'm happy about that. Unfortunately at some point mother nature and father time will unfold the harsh realities of love. Lessons to be learned. Can't get out of it. All I can do is try to teach self confidence. I believe that to be my main job. Believe in yourself. So when they ask for both songs, I always play "I Love You and Buddha too," first. Hoping that it will play until we are almost there. Silly, right? I love hearing them sing it though. Naming all those different Gods, Jesus, Rama, Krisha, Buddha, the whole lot. And they ask me questions. I love love love explaining (way more than I like talking about the Swedes who make a colony where Wilmington Delaware is, who the hell cares about that?) that people all over the world pray to different Gods. That is doesn't matter what or who you believe in, as long as you believe in yourself. At least that's what I think. I've been known to be wrong though.

This went off track (as per usual) what I was really going to talk about was, what's the feeling on Box 'O Wine? I introduced a few friends to it this past weekend. I am a big fan. In fact, I think I am going to form some sort of group on Facebook called "Fans of Box O Wine" and see if I can get any joiners. Sue, Rachel, Lisa, Christina, Heather and now Jami and Kathy are you with me (Jen, I already know you're there, duh) And Mark, I think I know where you stand (right next to the kitchen counter :)) And let me add in, Meredith, I did do that fb blog thing today and Lula and Christy, I know you're fb junkies, what's one more group? And Rock, although I believed you to be above boxed wine. It would be my honor to have you co-chair with me. I just got this book called Tribes that talks about sites like Facebook and how people inherently want to be in groups, "tribes," if you will and the internet has eliminated geography as an obstacle. In simple(answer) terms, you could live in Amman and be in my Box O WIne tribe. Hell, I'll send you one. :)

Check out Sue's blog "What Got Me Going Today." She's way smart. I'm just sayin.

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf

Monday mornings. They can be tough for lots of people. I usually always drive my kids to school on Mondays, just to give them a little extra time to chill in the morning. They are usually very busy over the weekend and need it. This weekend was no exception. A big sleepover at the gymnastics center with a bunch of friends. Playing all day Sunday. Saige was up very late working on a Science project. So when 7.20 rolled around this morning and Chase came downstairs I was a little surprised. I was going to let him sleep until 8. Right away though he started with the, "I don't feel good." Ugh. Not today. "I think you're just tired," I said. "No, " he insisted, "my stomach hurts." I have to be honest. I wasn't buying what he was selling. The Monday morning blues. The "sickness." It's called, not enough rest. That's what I am thinking. I had a lot I was planning on doing this morning. Being sick is one thing but telling me you are and when you're not is a whole other. I told him, "Buddy, I have a lot going on today, are you sure?" Oh, he was sure all right. He let me cancel an appointment, call my Mom to come over, agreed there would be no playing after school with anyone, agreed he would go to sleep for a while, my sweet and precious angel was ready to sign over his soccer cleats and cell phone to not have to go to school. I knew though, but what as a mother do you do? So I drove Saige to school and came back with the requisite Ginger ale and tucked him in his very comfy bed and told him he could have some toast later. Fifteen minutes later he was downstairs asking my Mom to play Scattegories with him while I went out. Hmmmm...... His stomach hurt of course, but he was well enough for a little game. I came home a couple hours later with bags full of groceries. He saw stuff he liked. It was time to come clean. Coming clean is the hardest part, right? You know at some point you are going to have to, you're not sure when. You can't keep up the charade forever because eventually you are going to get hungry or bored or something that is going happen to make the jig be up. So my baby walked over to me and with his huge eyes staring up at me said, "Mom, my stomach doesn't really hurt. I was tired. I didn't want to go to school today." Although happy with the honesty I was a little upset. "I told you how important this morning was to me Buddy, you let me cancel that appointment." He nodded. "I'm sorry." he said. So we made a turkey sandwich, turned on a show he liked and chalked it up as a personal day. He is my baby after all.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

All My Life.........

I'm not going to finish that song, because, well....it's goofy. There are a couple of you out there that could sing the next line. And let me tell you, I had the best time hanging with you this weekend.

So a bunch of my sorority (yes, that is what I had said) friends came from near and far to hang out and catch up for a night. There's nothing like old friends right? Is it just me or when you are with old friends do you go right back to how you were with them when you were with them all the time? It doesn't really matter how much time has passed, how many miles they live away, little kids, crazy lives, the good, the bad, the ugly. I feel like I could walk into a room with these girls and declare my new career as a serial killer and they would find a way to make it positive. They would hold my hand and rub my back and tell me everything was going to be okay. And I would believe them. Cause I always do. Then we would turn on the tunes, crack open some wine and laugh about that party at Delta Pi twenty years ago when we danced on the bar and couldn't remember how we got home.
The thing is too, and I'm sure everyone feels this way about their friends, but honestly, I love to say this, it's one of my favorite Lisa lines, but, "You're so pretty." All of you. Seriously. It's crazy. Remember those days of big (Huge, I mean Huge) hair? And yellow pantsuits (yikes-Denise!), and crazy flowered jeans that get passed around, lot's of hairspray and to much party? It was fun. One of my very bestest friends (not from college, although her husband was a Phi Sig brother) likes to tell this story about when her three children were very little. She calls it the time of "walkin' and whining." And it was hard. So so hard. Her mother in law said, "Appreciate these days, they are the best of your life!" Christina (in an incredulous moment of disbelief) said, "These are the best days? I'm sorry, did you ever go to college? Those were the best days!." We all love our kids. They are awesome, but those college days were some serious fun too. I feel so lucky to have had them and to still have my friends. All of you.

I gonna miss you the most scarecrow(s). You too Jen, you just weren't there for the Pix (get it?) That's a clue to the title. :)

Thursday, November 6, 2008

I'm Not As Stupid As I Thought

There are many times my fifth grader brings homework in and starts talking about it and I stare at her stupidly. I admit it, in many things, I am not smarter than a fifth grader. I don't know different kinds of soil. I can't for the life of me tell you the exact order of every species in the food chain. Really isn't it just, Man then Lion then everything else? And I do know that the lion is really the head of the whole food chain (them and those pesky sharks) because they can eat us any day of the week. So in reality, if you don't count weapons, we're kind of low on the food chain. Couldn't one of those tiny poisonous frogs sting us then a snake eat us? Maybe that is in the text books and I just don't know it. Anyway, tonight Saige wanted to understand percentages. Ask any of my friends, this is one of my special gifts. I am good with numbers. I can figure it out in my head in seconds. Nothing fancy like Algebra or Trig, but simple multiplication, division, percentages, they come very quickly to me. Saige, is not that confident in math. She is a wiz at researching something, doing a project, more creative thinking. Chase, strangely enough, is good at math. It's something with a definite answer. If you can memorize, you can do it. Although by degree and a fair amount of talent I could be called an artist I feel more comfortable with math. If you take your time, there is always a correct answer. There aren't two ways to 50% of 100. It's always 50. Yesterday, tomorrow and a 1000 years from now. It will be 50. There is something comforting in that. Being able to figure it out. Not many things in life are that simple. Not at all. Not by a long shot. So tonight during homework time, when I not only knew how to do it, but how to explain it too, I felt great. One thing down, 1,678,985 to go. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

America Today

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Shuffle

Sometimes, like I think it is a magic eightball I will ask my IPod a question and put it on shuffle. This is true. It is just another crazy thing (that might not be cool) that I have decided to share. It's a little like that IPod game that people have posted about where there are like 25 questions and you shuffle your IPod and take the names of the songs as the answers. Lula has done this. It's fun. Anyway, I did my little game this morning. Which is unusual, I have been stuck on the same list for quite a while. It's like I need to hear certain songs. Today I decided to get all crazy and shuffle. The first song that came on was one of my favorites,
The Fugee's version of No Woman No Cry.
A dedication to all the refugees worldwide
One time say, say, say
I remember when we used to sit in the government yard in Brooklyn. Observing the crookedness as it mingled with the good people we meet. Good friends we had,
Good friends we've lost along the way.
In this great future you can't forget your past, So dry your tears I say And to my peeps who passed away,
No woman, no cry, no woman no cry, say say say.
Hey little sister don't shed no tears
No woman no cry say say say.
I remember when we used to rock in a project yard in Jersey, And little Georgie would make the firelight,
As stolen cars passed through the night
And then we'd hit the corner store for Roots, paper, and brew. My drink's my only remedy
For pain of losing family, but while I'm gone Shorty,
Everything's gonna be alright, everything's gonna be alright, Fugees come to the dance tonight, everything's gonna be alright, O everything's gonna be alright, The gun man's in the house tonight,
But everything's gonna be alright.

[CHORUS]
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah

[CLEF]
No woman no cry, no woman no cry.
Hey, little sister, don't shed no tears
No woman no cry say say say.
I remember when we used to sit in a government yard in Trenchtown.
The hypocrites as they mingled with the good people we meet. Good friends we had Oh good friends we've lost
Along the way hey.
In this great future,
You can't forget your past so dry your tears I say
And no woman no cry. No woman no cry say say say. Hey, little sistser, don't shed no tears
No woman no cry and to my peeps who passed away

[CHORUS]
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah
Oh ah oh ah

I do take it as a sign. Everythings gonna be all right. I say this as the eternal optimist. It's what I believe.
If you have not seen it, link to Christy's post today. The Yes We Can video, it rocks, just like she does.
Peace.

Monday, November 3, 2008

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love You, Tomorrow......

It's only a day away. Hey, that was like a show tune. Did you like that little ditty? Cause we all know what tomorrow is, right? It's not Halloween (that's over), it's not Thanksgiving (there are still some livin' turkeys). Right? It's get yourself out and vote day. Pick a guy and mark your ballot. Now this is just me, but I truly think if your kids are off school tomorrow, which many are. I kind of think (only my very humble opinion) that you should bring them with you to vote. Because we all know there are many people in this country who don't vote. I'm sure they have their reasons, I don't really understand them but you know, no judgement. I'm just saying, lead by example. Show your kids, this is what you should do. You should brush your teeth, try your best to eat right and get some exercise daily and VOTE!!!
Vote because you have the right to. Vote because your choice does count. Vote because it's important.
Okay, I'm going to hop down now and start sharpening my number 2's. ;)

Saturday, November 1, 2008

There Is A Place.......

That's just the first line to this song that I totally love. Like many songs I'm not sure how I found it. Music is such a huge part of my life. I don't know why. Sometimes I just like how a song sounds, sometimes I like the words, sometimes I like the music of it and every once in a while I like every single thing about it. Do you ever have those songs? The very first time you listen to it you know you love it? You could be 2/3 of the way through and you know you will listen to it fifteen more times before the day is done? Sometimes it only takes one line in the whole song to make me know this. This particular song has that line it, but as a fun little game for probably no one but myself I won't say what the song is, who the artist is or what my favorite line is. If you are so inclined, or have ever downloaded any of the songs I have listed before, this one is on it. Ya know, if you're alone and bored and have nothing else to do. :) The interesting part is sometimes I will listen to a song what seems like a hundred times or more and just love it and suddenly on like the hundred and fiftyith time I will understand it and it's like an epiphany. This makes me happy. But I'm simple like that.

The song game, favorite lines? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

"If I could name you in this song, would it make you smile and sing along? Cause this is the goal to get into your soul........."
That's one of Saige's favorites....

Putting On A Show

Halloween is such a show, right? It's my favorite holiday at school. I love all the costumes. I love the little parade and the creativity in each child. As my hands down favorite child costume, thought up by the child is my friend Kathy's daughter. Her daughter thought up her costume on her own. I don't know how. I would love more than anything to be privy to the thought process that went through this 4th graders head at decision time. She was Steven Tyler. I mean come on! How much does that rock? I love it.

My own two little angels were adorable to, S and her friends were some devils and some other things. To them though it seemed this year more than any, Halloween was way more about the social aspect of it. The being together. Candy didn't seem to really play any part in it at all that I could see. They went to one friends house directly after school. They got ready, they trick or treated together. They giggled and laughed and had their arms around one another. They are a group. They love each other. They have inside jokes and favorite songs and a seemingly deep seated understanding of each other already, I guess cause they have been together for years. It makes me so happy. Right now all five of them are snuggled somehow in S's room, sound asleep, just resting up for whatever they decide might come next.

And then my little boy. Not so little anymore. 4th grade. Also, in a group of friends. To cool this year. He and his buddy were Red Mohawk Guy and Bam. From the picture that is stuck on here because I cannot get into my flickr acct no matter what I do. C decided he wanted a red and green mohawk, that was the crux of his costume. I did run around like a maniac trying to get him the studded bracelet and the skull ring but he lost interest in those. Those boys were out for candy. The more the better. They had a blast and someone even gave each of the 150 kids one of those giant Hershey bars. That was the main score of the night.

Meanwhile my friend Lisa and I sat and handed out candy and tattoos and oohed and aahed over the costumes. When the trick or treaters started to wind down I did tricks for her, to entertain her, to make her laugh, cause that's what she does for me. ;)