Earlier this week I was back in my old stomping grounds. A work trip brought me to Rhode Island and the southern part of Conneticutt. While there I indulged in a bit of nostalgia by driving around, visiting old haunts (apparently my high school health teacher is now our school principal. huh.) and soaking in the senic views that part of the country has in abundance. Maybe it was being so close to where I grew up, driving by the house my family built or working at a place my father has been so many times for his own job but I just couldn't shake the thoughts of him and how life and distance has made me feel that I know him less than I did before. Sure, I can tell you the facts and that the man likes to fish but what's his favorite fish? I don't know. … [Read more...]
It’s All About Men
We are a house full of women, four of us and then the dog. Yet our vocabulary is all about men. I have a tendency to say, "Man!" when I'm frustrated. At least it's not "Man, alive!" anymore. Thanks years of evangelical schooling where you couldn't even say the word, 'man', without adding something about life to the ending.The Comedian has been walking around the house over a year now exclaiming, "Aww..maaaan!" when things don't go her way. She then hangs in her head in Charlie Brown-like hang doggedness.Now we are in a whole new territory in vocabulary courtesy of the Tiny Dictator. "Mannit!"When she drops something. When she spills something. When she falls or gets frustrated, it's "Mannit!"I think we are starting a new trend, Mannit! … [Read more...]
Is Your Life Eating You Alive?
I was talking to another woman the other day about women's busy lives. She mentioned that today's woman has so many choices but also has a life. It is no longer just a home life or just a work life. It is both with fitness pursuits, dream goals, full-time friendships and more. Yet, there is still only 24 hours in a day. These lives are full. Very, very full. It made me think-Are our lives eating us alive?The media blitz and pitches for Disconnecting to Reconnect on Father's Day was just another thread that seems to be pointing to yes. I love that I have a busy life. I thoroughly enjoy working out, running and all my friendships. I can't maintain them like I used to and I don't view myself as a stay-at-home mom anymore. The fence I was bordering of work-at-home and stay-at-home now seems to … [Read more...]
Determined to Rest
I subscribe to the Tennyson rule of thinking, "To seek, to find and not to yield." Or something like that. Meaning, I'm a Type A freak who likes to stay busy and makes lots of lists. I drink coffee, would smoke a dozen killsticks if it wouldn't kill me first and I compete with myself a lot.Do I sleep with my shoulders hunched up to my ears? Oh, indeed.Last week I found myself swiftly walking through Reagan National airport at the eleventh hour once again, dragging my life behind me on a set of wheels. I had a thought, "What? Doesn't everyone do this with their life?" Living off trail mix and bottled water, memorizing the low-fat meals at Applebee's and Chili's across the country? No, they don't.While I don't mind racking up frequent flier miles, upgrades and free hotel stays, I do mind how … [Read more...]
Glamour Magazine, Joe Biden and Domestic Violence
I haven't been a reader of Glamour magazine since my college days, but I just might pick up the June issue. In it readers will find an interview with Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden as they talk about a cause they hold very dear to them, domestic violence. For over twenty years the Biden's have worked on this issue. I applaud that. Biden's likening of domestic violence being "worse than prison" is quite accurate. It works perfectly with Glamour's 'Tell Someone' campaign.Personally, I feel that this issue isn't played up enough. We have just past the one year mark for Yeardley Love. I live in a state that has the worst policies in the country for domestic abuse victims. Sixteen years after my own "prison break" I still suffer nightmares, flashbacks and the odd ticks … [Read more...]
Recipe for a Great Mother’s Day
Yesterday was Mother's Day. In our house, predictable me, tends to ask for the same thing each year. No cooking, no dishes, sleeping in and a book.Over the years H has created sort of a recipe for a very successful Mother's Day. He knows that a happy woman equals a happy house and a happy H. Do unto others and all that good stuff...H's recipe for a great Mother's Day-Tell kids in advance what Operation M-Day entails. Protocol is as follows: no fighting or screaming while Mommy is sleeping. Do not wake Mommy! Wake Daddy and do it quietly. Go into stealth mode in the morning, if needed.We eat what Mommy wants to eat today. There will be crepes with strawberries and a pile of bacon so high you won't believe it. Many pigs gave their life for this breakfast. Thai food will follow.If Mommy wants … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday H!
It's H's birthday today. I wish there was a way to surprise him with an in-person birthday wish but that is a bit hard to do when he is in Hawaii for work. I wonder if paradise is just that when you are there without friends or family and you are in a hotel room last designed when Eisenhower was in office. So today H here are my wishes for you-If the Nats play today, I hope they win. (Hey, I can't be checkin' baseball schedules. I've got a blog empire to run and three kids to mold.)You find at least one meal on that island that is memorable in a Diners, Drive-in's and Dive sort of way. No Kitchen Nightmare type establishments today. Rock Star comes on the hotel room TV for you.That you know just how much we love you and miss you and can't wait for you to come home. It's been a long two … [Read more...]
Disney on Ice- Pure Bliss
They say "Go Big or Go Home." Well, I believe that sometimes you just have to go "Princess!" Full on Disney on Ice- Princess Wishes.Backstage in the Coach's Club before the big show. Crowns, Princesses and cookies galore!The Comedian meets her favorite princess, Belle and gets a hug. Pure bliss.For dicount ticket prices for the DC Metro area show, visit here! … [Read more...]
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I could so easily turn this into some saptastic post about how much I love Valentines Day. I do. Bite me, about the commercialization. It's my Dad's birthday (say 'Happy Birthday!' to my Dad, Internets!) and I just love sending Valentines to people. I'm a dork, I know. Go ahead and say it. Plus, red is my favorite color. I could fill you in on all the non-crafty craft projects I've done with my kids that include giving them heart post-it's because I'm that lame. You want a craft kid? Here! It's paper that sticks to things! Here's a red nub of a crayon. Have it! Isn't this fun, huh? Heh. There are hearts. There are flowers. There's even candy. Now above the fridge because some two year-old felt it … [Read more...]
Momma. Sad.
It was midnight. I had been in bed for two hours and still no sleep could be found. The house was dark and still but I tossed and turned. My mind a frenzy with negative thoughts that circled around like thick, black ropes. I climbed out of bed and went to the den downstairs to lay on the couch.I texted E. "Can you chat?" A few minutes later she responded. I had already spent a good half hour in the fetal position crying in the darkened den, feeling half crazed. I needed my best friend. Everything was too much. The house, the kids, the noise, the mess, everything. Days earlier I had gone balls to the wall insane (like Ms. Piggy karate-chop insane) on a pile of boxes that had taken up a month long residence in our bedroom. I was ready to … [Read more...]