RandomThoughts

My Mom's Best Friend

2006-12-28T12:09:00.000-05:00

Hi All (If there's anyone left),

It's been a while so I'm not sure if anyone reads this anymore but regardless I'll use this arena to vent. In the past, I've spoken here predominantly about my dad's illness and death which occurred about a year ago now. I'm sorry to report that my mom has sustained another great loss in her life.

We got Muti about 12 years ago as a tiny little baby dog. My brother and I were both still at my parent's home at the time and we kept her in an egg crate. She was about the size of our arm from finger to elbow. We used to cradle her in our arm and hold her like a baby. She cried and cooooed before barking and warmed on the graces of everyone she met. Prior to having this dog, I would have walked across the street if I saw a dog on my path. I was frightened of all animals.

Soon enough she started to grow. She got very playful. She ran circles around herself chasing her tail for endless amounts of time. If you took out a towel to play with her, she could entertain you for hours trying to grab it and hang on. Her zest for these activities was literally like watching a child walk and talk for the first time. Her appetite for food was ferocious. We trained her to not walk on carpets and go to the bathroom out back without anyone having to walk her. She was such a great dog with so little maintenance. She ate the food you gave her but was pleasantly surprised when you gave her real food. She listened when you called her or sent her away. She knew her place and always stayed out of the way when people who were scared of her were around. She was very gentle around my kids later on and was so careful not to move near them as the strength of her eventual 60 pound body could have knocked them over with just a wag of her tail. She was really all that you could ask for in a dog.

When my father passed away, Muti became my mom's security blanket. She was thrilled to still have something in the house to come home to and her frightening bark let my mother know when there were strangers or anyone around. My mom didn't sit down to meals entirely alone as there was always another physical being around. I understand now where the quote "Dog is man's best friend" comes from. Muti was just what my mom needed at the time to keep her from going insane.

About two to three weeks ago, Muti started showing signs of sickness. Her belly swelled up and she became very lethargic. My mom took her to a vet to get her checked. They said it was probably advanced illness of some sort and wanted to take ex-rays. She asked the vet what could be done for any of the illnesses suspected. He said not much do to her age. She did not subject Muti to the ex-rays. She brought her home not sure what to do with her. We all told her to put Muti to sleep and keep her out of pain and misery. She couldn't bring herself to do it knowing that when she got to the vet, her sweet dog was going to get killed. Last night Muti came into my mom's room and was struggling with her breathing. My mom called my brother and told him she wanted to take the dog right then to take care of it. She couldn't watch Muti suffer. The dog barely made to the car on her own. By the time they got to the vet, my brother had to carry the dog in. They walked into the door, and as they did Muti fell to the floor and died. It was natural and my mom was happy she didn't have to do anything to her. She and I will miss her terribly.

Good Luck AirTime

2006-07-05T09:35:00.000-04:00

With a farewell barbeque, we bid Airtime a Goodbye and Good Luck. As it turns out, with the Airtime's making aliyah we might get a chance to see them more frequently. Chances are we will visit Israel sooner than we will get to Detroit.

We got together last night and partied like it was 1999 with people who we have not seen since about then. For me it was a chance to catch up with not only the immediate Airtimes but also some extended Airtimes. I always like to hear how the family who is not making aliyah is taking the move. In the case of Airtime, it looks like the whole family on both sides will be there eventually so it's good news all around.

I want to wish Airtime and family much hatzlacha and lots of happiness with their move. We are very proud of them and we hope everything runs smoothly and easily for them.

If You Like To Dance

2006-07-05T09:26:00.000-04:00

Check this guy out? It doesn't matter what your genre is, he's got it all.

Dance

It doesn't matter what your genre is, he's got it all.

Like GrandFather Like Son

2006-06-12T15:49:00.000-04:00

Kids are so cool. So many things I love about them. Their innocence is great. It makes them susceptible to being real and always showing their true emotions without facade. Their zest and love for new things and thirst for acquiring knowledge makes everyday a new and fun learning experience for them. They go through life not afraid to love or be loved, displaying untainted and unconditional expression and joy. The one thing I really love about kids, specifically my own, is how they are just like the hub and I and even my dad.

While all of my kids look exactly like hub (in my house they ask who the momma is), my middlest, who is 4, seems to come right from my side of the family in terms of personality. To be honest he is really most similar to my father. He has been goofing around since the day he was born. When teachers ask him in school how to describe himself, he can only say that he is silly. He carries jokes in his head and will stop at no cost to make people laugh. My father used to say that he might be the only person that can carry the title of Rabbi and comedian. It helps that he is purely delicious looking with bright blue eyes just like my dad. He enjoys the same foods as my pop and I, with our favorites being baked ziti, chips, and pickles. He doesn't take school to seriously as it comes very easily to him. He is a night person like my dad and I, so the other night as he was lying in bed about an hour and half after his bedtime, I went to lie down with him. For a while now, he has been asking me different math questions all the time.

"Mommy what's 1 and 1?... 2"
"Mommy what's 8 and 8?... 16"
"Mommy what's 32 and 32?... 64"
"Mommy what's 64 and 64?... 128"
"Mommy what's 6 and 12?... 18"

All along I have been thinking, great he has good memorization skills, thank you cyberchase. Just out of curiosity, I started throwing out random numbers to him. He started answering properly and I was thinking, cool he's getting lucky with the answers. Then I started giving him 3 numbers to add together. Again right answers. Then I went onto four numbers. Then subtraction. Right again again and again. It then dawned on me that he wasn't getting lucky anymore and really he is just a math genius like my dad. We now go through our tables every night. The 3 table then the 4 table. "Oh mom, I love the 5 table, it's sooo easy." The nicest part about this newest find is that my son continues to be a living, breathing resemblance and reminder of my dad.

24... Final Thoughts

2006-05-23T10:57:00.000-04:00

OK, could you believe MARTHA LOGAN? I mean, what she wouldn't do for her country! She showed tremendous courage in her act to frame her husband. She did it as an act of revenge for herself, for Aaron, and for the country. I didn't think that she had it in her to use her feminine powers of seduction while on all that medication but she was never clearer of mind. The only shady part of her performance last night to me was that smirk she had when security stepped up for Logan during his speech. While she despised Logan for how he acted, and certainly felt the weight of the world on her shoulders as the only one that could've delayed Logan's trip, I still think that she should have showed some compassion when he was taken just due to their long history together and the fact that she did truly love him before. Other than that, Martha was superb.

We knew that Logan had to go and there would be confrontation but I like how it all played out. I mean the final battle between he and Martha was riveting. Jack, being as slick as he was, placing the recorder on Logan himself, was brilliant. Logan was so well played and he had me convinced that he believed that he did everything for the country. He was so despicable that I had to close my eyes during the intimate Logan/Martha scene. It's great to see the villain go but I applaud his performance.

Onto Chloe. I love her. I'm a little perturbed at the husband being brought in. I don't like new characters popping up out of nowhere that have a history with the old ones. I only started watching the show last season so maybe he was on before but he is new to me. I loved loved loved the Chloe/Edgar picture. Such a great way to recap their strong bond. Nice touch for the writers.

Buchanan and homeland security woman, that was cute. I guess they are like the new Tony/Michelle. The show needs a good CTU worker's romance. We know Chloe will never get Jack. She will just pine away for him forever and risk her life continuously for him.

Audrey was a bit irritating. I would have liked to have seen her father back. They should have been smarter than to assume that Kim would be calling from a phoneline out to nowhere. Where were there instincts or were they just to wrapped up in the moment?

Jack's acting was superb as usual. Nothing left to say about him. His action stunts I don't care for much. OK, 1000 different ways to kill people, great! I liked him bloodied up at the end. Good makeup. I forgot about those Chinese folks. A nice connection from here to next season. Well done, 24. Hopefully, I'll see you next season.

Question about boys

2006-05-23T10:24:00.000-04:00

Someone quoted me this today:

A daughter is a daughter for life
A son is a son till he takes a wife.

Should I be concerned about this as the mother of 3 boys?

Finales

2006-05-17T10:14:00.000-04:00

I get a little choked up this time a year when all the shows are coming to a close. I don't catch too many of them throughout the year with the exception of Grey's Anatomy and 24 which I am religious about. But when it comes time for the shows to end, I feel compelled to watch them and see how they conclude. The toughest for me are the Series Finales even if I haven't watched the show for years. That 70's Show, 7th Heaven, The West Wing, Commander in Chief, and Will and Grace are all closing their doors for good.

More than the final episodes, I like seeing the cast take their final bows. It makes me see them as people and realize how most of them have become a family after working with each other day in and day out for so many years. These actors are then out of a job and looking for work. Will they go into movies? Perhaps another TV show. If they can't let go, they will try and come up with a sequel to the show that just closed. Closing the doors to comfortability and opening them up to new possiblities. One door closes while a new one opens. And such is the circle of life. Ahhhh, you learn so much from TV.

How I'd love to dance with my father again

2006-05-03T10:54:00.000-04:00

The lyrics flow in my head constantly even though I am not able to listen to music....

Back when I was a child,
before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high
and dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around 'til I fell asleep
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get another chance,
another walk,
another dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again

If I could steal one final glance,
one final step,
one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
'Cause I'd love, love, love
To dance with my father again

Sometimes I'd listen outside her door
And I'd hear how my mother cried for him
I pray for her even more than me
I pray for her even more than me

I know I'm praying for much too much
But could you send back the only man she loved
I know you don't do it usually
But dear Lord she's dying
To dance with my father again

24 Update

2006-05-02T09:08:00.001-04:00

What would you do if you were sitting in a bar ever so casually trying to get some work done and a persistent stranger kept coming over to pick you up even though you blatantly told him to go away? On top of that, the work that you do is so top secret that if anyone even gets a glance at it your whole cover could be blown. If you are Chloe O' Brian, you invite the distraction over as if you are responding to his rudeness and then you stun gun him to shut him up. When he wakes up you stun gun him again and both times it looks as if he has passed out on the table.

Those were my favorite scenes from last nights very disappointing 24.

Ding Dong The kids are gone.

2006-04-24T12:23:00.000-04:00

Pesach was nice but I'm thrilled it's over.

We were home the whole time, yes that includes my kids, and now they're back in school. No more cooking. No more cleaning. No more nagging. No more whining. No more runny noses. If they have em' I can't see em'. It's now the teacher's responsibility.

It's not like I'm totally void of responsibility. I've got the baby home with me but if there is one thing that my kids did successfully do these past two weeks, it is make my baby look good and easy.

So life now goes back to normal and I couldn't be happier.

Pesach Expenditure

2006-04-05T09:29:00.000-04:00

It looks like we are staying home for pesach and not going to a hotel. As a pick me up to my pesach cleaning, I think that means that I have the allocated hotel money (8,000) or so to blow on Pesach at home? Some remodeling seems to be calling.

Reminders of Dad

2006-04-04T10:16:00.000-04:00

As Purim passed and Pesach is approaching, I can't seem to manage my thoughts from flowing to my dad constantly. Figuring out details of yahrtzeit and whether to say yizkor or not are all just triggers. I had thought I was doing so well until last week when I paid a shiva call to a friend of mine who unfortunately also lost her father. I've seen incidents before of what I did but didn't really expect it from myself.

During our shiva, a woman came to visit who lost her husband about three years ago. When she walked in, she burst into tears and we ended up consoling her. Her own loss, I suppose, overwhelmed her at our shiva house. Also, at my father's levaya, a friend of mine who had lost her father six months before found herself inconsolable. Why is it that other people's tragedies dredge up so much from one's own personal experience?

I had gone to pay a shiva call to console my friend and really found myself not just feeling her pain, but completely feeling mine again as if this were my own shiva house. I felt terrible. I really did go to comfort her but she and her mom ended up consoling me. It was embarrassing and I had to leave.

I guess I go though the overall motions of everyday life with this underlying sadness just under the surface that I could usually ignore but when confronted with these emotions in other people, I can't control my own. After speaking to so many people that lost someone, I know that this is normal. Unfortunately they say the sadness will never go away. Maybe the newness will, but the sadness will not. I suppose that when I was confronted with my friend losing her father, I didn't cry just for me, but for her as well. The thought of her going through all of what I had the last few months and the bleaker future which was in store for her was enough to push my sadness past the surface.

Visiting my grandmother, my dad's mother, this week, did not help. Luckily she is older and doesn't fully comprehend what went on with my dad. Being in his house where he grew up and where some of my greatest childhood memories are from, coupled with my grandmother being in the condition that she is when she was such a strong capable women proved to be another kick in the gut. The happiness replaced with sadness and old age, all part of life and all to depressing. My 80+ grandmother represented a sad picture of life and what the future holds down the road if we are lucky enough to make it till then.

It looks like the sadness is here to stay for a while. As much as I try to be normal, I can't disguise the truth from myself. I miss him terribly and tragedies as well as yom tovim and simchas seem to just enhance the feelings. Maybe it will subside again soon and maybe it won't. I doubt I will ever stop missing him.

Not Such A Bad Investment After All

2006-04-03T10:58:00.000-04:00

The Gameboy that my son had purchased turns out to be a lot more entertaining than I thought. I was worried about the non educational, baseless value of the gameboy when we bought it. I looked hard to find a game that didn't contain fighting in it. The last thing I wanted to do is encourage his fighting.

After searching through many a toy store for a cartridge for him to play, I came across a MsPacMan Game. Further, to my delight, the same cartridge contained DigDug, Pole Position, and Galaga on it. I'm an 80 's girl and being that I was MsPacMan champ back in the day, I couldn't hold back. Without hesitation I knew this was the game that would be perfect for my son. I wouldn't have to read directions, or worry about fighting. I mean Galaga is much better, just promotes shooting everything that drops down. And MsPacMan, getting eaten by monsters will not at all enhance my sons fear of the dark and what lies beneath his bed at night.

While my son was in school I bought it, unwrapped it, and popped it into the gameboy. I scrolled to the MsPacMan game and started to play. Things are a little different when playing without a joystick. Sometimes MsPacMan has a mind of her own and doesn't quite take the route you had envisioned for her in your head. But sometimes she does, and when she does she glides through the boards, eating power pellets, and chomping on blue monsters, raising her score as she goes. Ding Ding Ding, 10,000, free man, whoohoo up to the challenge. I can't stop. Pesach cleaning will have to wait, blogs will come later, and my son who really wants to play will just have to hold out until tomorrow when "mommy can teach him, after she learns more about how to play."

Folks gotta go, I think Galaga is calling my name.

Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas... I love that one

2006-03-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

- The reason why terrorists attacked New York City was because JackBauer was in LA.

- You can lead a horse to water. Jack Bauer can make him drink.

- Jack Bauer let the dogs out.

- If Jack Bauer was in a room with Hitler, Stalin, and Nina Meyers, and he had a gun with 2 bullets, he'd shoot Nina twice.

- If you wake up in the morning, it's because Jack Bauer spared your life.

- Colin Farrell smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. Jack Bauer smokes apack of terrorists anytime he feels like it.

- Deaf people listen to Jack bauer.

- Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.

- Jack Bauer killed 93 people in just 4 days time. Wait, that is a realfact.

- Jack Bauer has been to Mars. Thats why theres no life on Mars.

- Jack Bauer cannot stick his elbow in his ear, but he can stick your elbow in your ear.

- Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the nexthalf-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.

- 1.6 billion Chinese are angry with Jack Bauer. Sounds like a fair fight.

- Osama bin Laden's recent proposal for truce is a direct result of himfinding out that Jack Bauer is, in fact, still alive.

- Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to JackBauer.

- Jack Bauer's favorite color is severe terror alert red. His secondfavorite color is violet, but just because it sounds like violent.

- Jack Bauer doesn't miss. If he didn't hit you it's because he was shooting at another terrorist twelve miles away.

- Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.

- If Jack and MacGyver were locked in a room together, Jack would make abomb out of MacGyver and get out.- Jack Bauer got Hellen Keller to talk.

- The quickest way to a man's heart is through Jack Bauer's gun.

- Jack Bauer once told God he needed access, the event has since beenreferred to as "The Big Bang."

- Lets get one thing straight, the only reason you are conscious right now is because Jack Bauer does not feel like carrying you.

- When you open a can of whoop-ass, Jack Bauer jumps out.

- When life gave Jack Bauer lemons, he used them to kill terrorists.Jack Bauer frigging hates lemonade.

- Did you know there was a national disaster last night while you weresleeping? Of course you didn't, Jack Bauer was on duty.

- When the boogie man goes to sleep, he checks his closet for JackBauer.

- Jack Bauer played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.

Random Rant from a Desperate Housewife

2006-03-23T09:56:00.000-05:00

Some days I just feel like Cinderella with my evil husband, children, and mother nagging me from all ends. Just a random sampling from yesterday's requests.

From the mouth of the husband:
Cinderella, did you call the pediatrician?
Cinderella, What's for supper?
Cinderella, How's the pesach cleaning coming?

From the mouths of the kids:
Cinderella, get me dressed.
Cinderella, I'm thirsty.
Cinderella, can we have some friends over?
Cinderella, help me with my homework.

From the mouth of the mom:
Cinderella, when are you coming to visit?
Cinderella, did you speak to the doctor for me?
Cinderella, please bring back those things you took from the house.

Whah whah whah. Blogging... Take me away.

24

2006-03-21T20:28:00.000-05:00

OK, for anyone who watches 24 out there. 2 words. Audrey Raines!

Godol Hador vs Jrants

2006-03-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

Had it been a contest to see where I would receive more traffic from, Godol Hador wins. After commenting on GH's site and having a new post refreshed on Jrants, I received more traffic referrals from GH. Very impressive Godol!

Laid Back To a Fault

2006-03-20T11:21:00.000-05:00

I've been called many things in my life and I've certainly come to confrontational bouts many times. Usually I let it all slide. I'm extremely unconfrontational and would rather avoid fights. I guess it's due to the fact that I'm laid back.

The things that most people are sensitive towards, I really don't care much about so why bother fighting. Additionally, most people who are more head strong cannot be persuaded that easily to change their minds or thoughts, so why waste my energy on them? I've always felt an argument is only useful when it can impact change of some sort. I've always valued this laid back quality of mine and was kind of shocked when it got used in an argument against me. I wasn't really sure how being laid back could be thought of as a detriment when it's obvious how much easier my life is due to it. It got me thinking about the pros and cons of being laid back.

Being easy going lends itself to a relaxed way of life on most levels.

When my children have small ailments or problems that most mothers would be running to doctors with immediately, changing their schedules, and picking up kids early, I kind of let it slide for a day or two before taking it seriously which most of the time it's not.
When my house is messy and I'm too exhausted at night to clean, tomorrow is another day, it can always get done then.
While most mother's are anxious about homework and school, I don't really sweat it as long as my kids are not too far behind. I'd rather them take time out of school to spend with family than take school too seriously.
This can be taken a step further to tutors and therapists as well. Unless I believe there is real problem, my kids are not getting these just because all other kids are.
While others strive to keep up with the Jones, especially in the five towns, I don't really care much about what other people do. I'm totally confident with how I do things.
Politics, kind of useless unless you're going to devote yourself fully towards it and impact change. To just discuss and discuss without resolution is just useless.

Don't confuse all of these issues with neglectfulness. While my children aren't made crazy by school and other obligations of theirs, I do teach them the value of whatever it is that they are doing. They do their homework when they come home and review everything. If there was an issue that I noticed with my kids, I would certainly take them to therapists for evaluations or tutors if needed. Obviously if there is a real medical issue I do not ignore it by any stretch of the imagination. I take care of things but not at the expense of making myself or my family crazy with things. I'm not sure if I'm the opposite of OCD which would probably be total neglecting. I'm just completely moderate.

On the opposite end, there certainly are negatives.

While moderation is good on an emotional level, it lends itself to moderation at best or even under achieving on a practical level.
By thinking why make them crazy over school or extra curricular activities, chances are they won't be the best they can be at them as they won't push themselves.
I could be much more productive but in my head if I'm not going to do something fully, why do it at all.
It leads to indecisiveness. On a small level, when I go to a restaurant, I have no strong opinion about any individual item leaving me to toss back and forth between the choices. Decision making is very difficult for me.
I don't get the highs and lows that excite or destroy competitive people. This could be either positive or negative but on a negative note makes me a less passionate person.

All in all I would continue to be the laid back person that I am and try and keep the negatives at bay if I could. When I look at all the nervous, stressed out, and compulsive people out there, I deem myself lucky to have this trait. They have many struggles on a day to day level while I only really get hit or impacted by very serious issues.

Purim and a Bris

2006-03-10T12:35:00.000-05:00

My son was born a year ago today according to the hebrew calendar. It is the 10th of Adar.

I was worried beforehand that his bris might end up on Purim. Not that he would be born on Purim but rather the bris would fall out on Purim. Imagine a Purim bris. The moel might be drunk and a child could come home with the wrong place cut. And who knows if it was really a moel. It could've just been a disguise. Thank g-d his bris fell out a little after Purim and everything went smoothly.

I want to wish Yochi a happy Birthday and everyone else a freilach Purim and a good shabbos.

Blogging Issue

2006-03-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Friday. There's a lot to do yet I'm on my computer blogging.

Just curious if is it the powerful draw of blogging and reading or the avoidance of everything else I have to do? Not sure but either way this is stolen time. So I'm gonna be quick.

My husband thinks that my blogging has become a problem. Probably due to the already stated reason. I think it's very therapeutic and if he tried it, he might understand it better. So hub, this one's for you. Want to see you blog.

Tag

2006-03-07T10:11:00.000-05:00

Tag. I'm it. I don't usually care for these but since Just Passing Through was my sole reader for a while, I'll do it for him.

Q: WHOS THE 4TH PERSON ON YOUR RECEIVED CALL LIST?
A: Shayna Millstone

Q: WHATS YOUR MAIN RINGTONE ON YOUR PHONE?
A: I forget what I have on there now and I'm too lazy to go check

Q: WHAT WERE YOU D0ING AT MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT?
A: Sleeping

Q: WHAT DID THE LAST TEXT MESSAGE ON YOUR CELL PHONE SAY
A: Don't know. I really don't text much.

Q: WHOSE BED DID YOU SLEEP IN LAST NIGHT?
A: Mine

Q: WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
A: White turtleneck.

Q: MOST RECENT MOVIE THAT YOU WATCHED?
A: Sweet Home Alabama. It was on television the other night. I'm a sucker for romantic comedies.

Q: NAME 3 THINGS THAT YOU HAVE ON YOU AT ALL TIMES?
A: My baby, keys, and cellphone.

Q: WHAT'S THE COLOR OF YOUR BEDSHEETS?
A: Don't laugh, pink.

Q: HOW MUCH CASH DO YOU HAVE ON YOU RIGHT NOW?
A: $82.00. I'm not counting the change.

Q: What is your favorite part of the chicken?
A: The wings, preferably barbecued.

Q: What's your favorite town/city?
A: I love Lakewood, NJ. I grew up there and most of my family is still there. It just always feels like home.

Q:I can't wait to (till)...?
A: My son starts walking. He's right on the verge.

Q: When was the last time you saw your mom?
A: Last Sunday

Q: When was the last time you saw your dad?
A: January 12, 3 days before he passed away.

Q: When was the last time you talked to them?
A: Spoke to my mom about and hour ago. Speak to my dad all the time in my head.

Q: What did you have for dinner LAST NIGHT?
A: Chicken soup, chicken, and sweet potato. Yes, it was leftover from shabbos.

Q: How long have you been at your current job?
A: I've been mommying for almost six years now.

Q: Look to your left. What's there?
A: A printer

Q: Who is the last person you spent over $50 on?
A: My family, food shopping, this morning.

Q: Whats the last piece of clothing you borrowed from someone?
A: I can't remember.

Q: What website(s) do you visit the most during the day?
A: Hotmail and yahoo.

Q: Do you have an air freshener in your car?
A: No

Q: Do you have plants in your room?
A: No.

Q: Does anything hurt on your body right now?
A: Yes, my back regularly hurts from carrying kids. One of the reasons I can't wait for my baby to start walking.

Q: What city was your last taxi cab ride in?
A: NYC

Q: Do you own a camera phone?
A: Yes

Q: What's your favorite Starbucks drink?
A: Cafe Vanilla Latte

Q: Recent time you were really upset?
A: Last night, don't want to get into it.

Q: Have you been in love with anyone?
A: Yes.

I now tag Still Wonderin.

A SuperWoman

2006-03-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

She stood as the face of courage. She was steadfast in her determination to raise awareness and find a cure for paralysis for her late husband, Christopher Reeve. She was the face of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center.

As a woman who never left her husband's side through his tremendous ordeal she shone as a ray of light and hope for so many. After her husband's passing, she swore to her teenage son that she would always be there for him.

Her spirit was seen again when she announced in August that she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She lost her battle yesterday. I am sorry for her father, sisters, stepchildren, and mostly for her son who she leaves behind. They should think of her for strength.

Food induced sleep

2006-02-28T12:47:00.000-05:00

It was obviously a good meal. I took his clothes off as he was ready for a bath. I threw them downstairs and I returned to find my son asleep in his high chair.

Saving Money

2006-02-28T10:38:00.000-05:00

About 3 months ago, we went to my family for the weekend. My kids spent most of the weekend with their cousins. A large part of the weekend was spent playing/fighting over the cousin's Gameboys. It was the first time my kids had been introduced to Gameboy and it was a big mistake.

My five year old decided that he needed a Gameboy. I'll tell you that when he decides something, there is no letting up. He's extremely persistent even borderline harassing and there is no ignoring him. I decided to use the opportunity to teach him a lesson in responsibility with money that I had been planning on for a while.

Until now my kids had been given ones, fives, and even ten dollars everytime they saw their grandparents. I've tried to protest that the grandparents should stop giving this as they are teaching them to devalue money and abuse it. Being that my kids are cuter than I, they prevailed and continued to collect money from them whenever they saw them. The problem is that they have no real concept of what money is and the money that they had been getting from their grandparents was treated in much the same way they had treated their toys which they had also received in abundance. In knowing that they would receive money just for showing up or asking nicely, there was really no reason to save it or treat it with any respect. I banned the toys from the house a while ago and started bringing in only toys that I thought they would love. Being that the kids received them much less frequently, they treated them a little better than they had. We've still got a long way to go with the toys. Now was the time to teach them how to handle money.

I told my son that if he wanted to get a Gameboy he had to save up for it. He asked me how much he needed to save up. I told him a Gameboy costs $80.00. "How will I ever save up $80.00?" "Each time you get money from your bubbys and zaidy, you need to put it away and save it." We bought him a wallet to hold his money and store it in. Every night he was busy counting his money, trading quarters for dollars, and fives for tens, and tens for twenties. He was very creative in his ways of acquiring money. My personal favorite was foot massages. Three dollars bought me fifteen minutes. It took him about 2 months to save up and last week I took his money and purchased him a Gameboy. We sprung for the first disk which costs about $30.00 (ridiculous amounts). I was not happy buying him a Gameboy as there is not even one disc which has any learning value to it. It's all just dumb amusement. We have a VTech game on the TV which is excellent. It taught him most of his letters and how to spell words. I wanted to buy him a handheld VTech game instead of the Gameboy. He told me that it was his money and he wanted a Gameboy. Who was I to argue?

He is now onto his next quest, this time some disks for the Gameboy. He certainly has a lot more understanding about money and how to spend it. The next lesson will probably be that it's not so easy to collect $80.00 in two months.

A First Meeting

2006-02-27T10:24:00.000-05:00

When they met, it had been love at first sight. She talked about him for months and the buildup for her was almost too much to bear. She lay in a hospital bed for the better part of a month recovering from a stroke. She was weak and couldn't move but talks of him got her through the day. She lost over 50 pounds that month due to the fact that her mouth muscles were weak. Her recovery was very slow.

I would go there each day and we would talk about what he would look like and how he would be. The doctors didn't think that she was able to talk but I told them they were wrong. She talked to me, especially about him. We talked about the first time they would meet. She told me that she had to get better so she could hold him in her arms. She envisioned him looking like me. Brown hair and hazel eyes perhaps. She waited with baited breath for the day when they would meet.

It was his arrival time and I was nervous. Would he be what we envisioned? Would he be OK? My fears had gotten the best of me but when I saw him I realized how silly they were. He was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Perfect eyes, blue not hazel. Blond hair but not much of it. His head was shaped a little oddly but nothing that a hat could not hide. I was sorry she couldn't be there to meet him at the same time as me but she was coming home tomorrow. He would be the perfect medicine.

She came home from the rehab center the day after he and I had met. She got ready and I brought him to meet her. Her eyes lit up and she mustered up all of her strength to hold him. I put him on her lap and the broadest smile came across her face. It was the first time my mother met my son, her first grandson/child. She was very much in love.