And we're off!

Headed to lovely Estero Florida in a few hours. Packing the car, getting the snacks and surprises ready. So exciting! Can't wait!!

The Woogeyman

Well, I won't be doing any laundry today. I watched the Woogeyman episode of Charmed. Pheobe is always afraid of the basement and then she learns that her childhood story of the Woogeyman is actually real and the story that Grams used to tell to make it go away is actually a spell. Its a "shadow" of evil. And we all know my well documented fear of the basement and this house's track record with shadows and evil. Wonderful. I had a lot to get done today and now I'm going to be jumpy all day. In case you ever need it here is the spell...

I am light

I am one too strong to fight

Return to dark where shadows dwell

You cannot have this Halliwell

Go away and leave my site

And take with you this endless night.

I've kept it memorized just in case. I'm pretty sure you can substitute "dwell" and "Halliwell" with a word that rhymes with your last name.

Comic Relief

We all need a good laugh. Here are some funny Joshua stories;

1. On an episode of Blue's Clues Steve was teaching the steps to take when you get frustrated. While tucking Joshua in a few weeks ago he held up his "Blue" stuffed animal and said "This Blue is frust-er-ated" Then he proceeded to tell Blue what he should do: "Stop. S-ink (think). And put some cheese on it." I can't stop laughing even now while I type. When I asked Paige what the real steps were she said "Stop, breathe and think."

2. Then one night he caught me changing into my pajamas and was really craning his neck to get a glimpse. "You don't have a penis Mommy?" No, Joshua, I don't. "Is it at the store?" I think because we always say we have to get some more at the store when we run out of things that he just assumed mine had gone away and I needed to get a new one. Every now and then he'll ask me again to make sure I still don't have one. Almost in disbelief. I should probably reassure him that his isn't going away, I just didn't have one to start with.

Something has to be done

Why is it that I can buy a bathing suit in February in Connecticut when it is all of 5 degrees outside, but if you're looking for mittens for a child you're SOL??? I mean god forbid some kid loses or outgrows mittens during a winter. But hey, want to buy something that you won't need for another 4 months? We've got it in every conceivable color and style! Grrrrr!!!

How old are you really?

Chris found this site and it gives you your "real age." You go through this questionnaire (and yes, you have to register) but then it factors all these things like your general health, family history, diet, etc and tells you how old you really are. When its finished they send you an email telling you how you could be younger. For me, most of it was taking vitamins and increasing my intake of things like calcium and folic acid would fend off diseases. Chris found out that he needs to drink 1 glass of red wine a day. Ok! So anyway, my calendar age is 36.3 (36 and 3 months) but my "real age" is 38.8. I'm off by about 2 1/2 years. Which frankly I think is pretty good considering I eat like crap and never exercise. Chris' real age is like 36 so he's 2 years older too. How old are you? Find out: http://www.realage.com/reg/regvar/st1.aspx?mod=LONGFORM

The Club

Man when Shonda Rhimes gets it right she really gets it right. In tonight's episode of Grey's Anatomy after George's dad dies Christina goes to meet him outside. Even though they have not been speaking, even though there are people closer to him and he appeared to want to be alone, Christina went. And she said something like this, "There's a club. A Dead Dad's club. And you don't get to be in it until you're in it. Sure you might sympathize and feel sorry for someone but until you feel that loss you really can't know how it feels. George, I'm really sorry that you are part of the club." If you didn't see the show she then admits that her own father died when she was 9. His reply is that he doesn't know how to exist in a world where his father doesn't. And she says something like , "Yeah...that never goes away."

I have said most of those words myself. When my mother died I thought of all the people before me without parents and thought, man this is one group I don't want to be a part of...Cindy Hall, John Link, Kim MacDowell. I didn't want to be in that club! And when people lost their parents after me and I would go to the services they inevitably say "It sucks" or something like it. And my response is always the same. "I know. I know it sucks. I just wish you didn't have to know." I said it to Kim Hanjack and my cousin Nate. Probably to Kim and/or Johnny Clark. My friend Heather. Because I know when their parents died they thought of me and said "Man, Suzie Tetro. That is a club I didn't want to be in." And now they know. They know exactly what I felt. They're part of the club. And it never goes away.

Welcome Ryan Jay!

My new adorable nephew was born this morning at 1:37 am! He's 8lbs 15 oz and 20 inches. Very sweet and snuggly! Congrats to Sally, who was a trooper through it all. And to new Dad, Steve and new big brother Zachary! Can't wait to spend more time with him.

Birds Nests

Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always one reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight

in the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there

so tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lie
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

in the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here

~Angel, Sarah McLachlan

Christmas in July?

Or have we all been transported to the south somewhere? It is currently 41 degrees at my house. Yesterday I had 5 windows open in the house. And Sunday we had a high of 57 degrees! What is going on?? No wonder I don't feel like it's Christmas! Its like the Heat Miser has gained control for a year. Now, I realize if I was bundling my baby up in the snow or slipping on the ice in the driveway I'd be complaining about that too. But come on, forget White Christmas, it's supposed to be 50 degrees on the 25th! Just weird. Just wrong. This is New England, not North Carolina.

And while I'm ranting, I think those blow up lawn decorations look weird when not inflated. Like someone deflated Santa and left his shell in a heap on their lawn. Or that people just have a bunch of crap scattered on their front lawn. Just seems odd to me.

Sad

Peter Boyle died. Sad.

She's on the move!

Ally is crawling! Just now, crossed the room to get Joshua's new Thomas train. Go Ally!

Welcome Noah Anthony!

Nephew Noah Anthony Bell was born yesterday at 5:45 am. He has lots of dark hair and dark eyes. He weighed in at 8 lbs and measured 20.5 inches. Mother, father, big brother and big sisters are all doing well. Congratulations!

I hate people

Apparently I've said that before.
So I'm in Wal-mart yesterday in a ridiculous hurry as always. I needed formula and tights for Ally. And of course I bought more than that and now have like 45 minutes to get the kids dressed, pick up Chris and shoot across town to the church for the free family photo. As I plop all my stuff on the counter the lady says "Do you want to get this here?" I purse my lips together, raise my eyebrows in my best you're a fucking idiot stare and nod slowly saying "Why wouldn't I?" I mean what about my demeanor says I want to pack up all three kids and my stuff and move to another register? Was it shooing Paige away from all the register items, or swatting Joshy out of my purse or bouncing Ally to stop the crying? "Oh, um, I don't know" she mumbles. So then we continue on with the ringing up. She makes some comment about Ally being cute. Thanks I say, barely paying attention. Then she says "What happened to all her hair?" I'm sorry? She just doesn't have any yet. What happened to all your manners I wanted to say. And really had to restrain myself to not say it. But frankly I was in too much of a hurry and she still had a lot of ringing to do, I didn't have time to get into it with her. What is the matter with people anyway?!? Seriously. This is a 6 month old baby. What happened to her hair you say? What has happened to society I say.

Love this weather

Nope, not being sarcastic. I actually do. I guess it's the melancholy in me. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't want it to rain and be dreary all the time. But that white overcast sky, maybe with a little drizzly rain says fall in New England to me. Its often the weather of Thanksgiving so it makes me excited for that. And the yellow trees look just as beautiful framed by the white sky as they do with sun bouncing off them. Yep, I like a good dreary fall day every now and then. That's why I'm nuts I guess.

Happy Birthday Sue!

Welcome to the other side of 35! Its not that bad here, really. And look at all of us over here: me, Jeff, Scott, Becky, David, Joel, Melissa, Dave. You're in good company. Hope you have a great day and don't worry too much about the number.

So freaking bored!

Nothing to do, no one to talk to. Going out of my mind!!!

Know What I Miss?

Memorial Day weekends at the lake during the college years. I miss a lot of things and a lot of people. And frankly I miss the lake in general. Having a place to go to get away, looking at the moon through the trees on the water at night, the smell of must and gas stove, and the family memories I have. But today I miss those weekends in particular. I miss the float on the lake day and flav-or-ice day and toasting marshmellows over the toaster (even though I wasn't a huge fan back in the day.) I miss the fight about putting the pasta sauce on the entire bowl of pasta or allowing each person to sauce their own, Susan buring Darren with a hot marshmellow, the flood from the shower (didn't you empty the bucket, what bucket! Ugh!) the fight with my mom about letting us go and the payment of toilet paper, Uncle John and Johnny waking us up with the powerwasher, the freezing cold mornings, the fire by the water with lots of beer, the Rock 102 Memorial Day Top 500, shopping at the Big Y in Ware. So many things. Probably in about 10-15 years we'll be able to go away without our kids so those carefree times could come again. And since it was probably 10-15 years ago that this happened we're closer to going again than we think!

Proud of Our Girl

Paige came in 2nd place in both of her competitions at the big Baton Competetion last weekend in Somers. She participated in Basic and Military Marching for her age group. Also her class did their routine and they came in 3rd. Yay Paige! You did a terrific job!!

May 11th

Yesterday was "leaf day", as it has come to be known. And my dad even called me and remembered. He said "Well, today is May 10th and that's the day I normally say all the leaves should be out and it looks like summer." And he is right. It does pretty much. Its funny to me that he remembers because this is a man that hasn't lived here in 17 years almost to the date. And although he had lived here for 42 years when he moved away he's forgotten things like where I played softball for 10 years and where the library is. So to remember the date of when the leaves have bloomed is something.

And tomorrow is/would be Katharine Hepburn's 99th birthday. Can you imagine!

Quote of the Day

President Jed Bartlett (Martin Sheen, The West Wing) to a couple caught making out in the basement of the hotel where he has just given a speech and is making his exit, "Hey there fella! She deserves a nice room and some supper!"

Cracks me up every time!