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Showing posts from December, 2008

Oh no I didn't

We had a jolly Christmas Eve party. (Just in case you might be wondering.) P's sister couldn't be there, so she visited us via skype.  We carried her through the house to join in the party; think Pam in New York on The Office.   I was so happy for the wonders of technology.  Despite my earlier rant, it can help us be more connected.  The internet connection was so strong she joined us in the car as we loaded up.  That night had been full of meatballs, stuffing, creamed corn, wings, cake, cheese cake, cheese balls, cream cheese, cheese roll, did I mention the cheese? Erlack! Sometimes cheese, as much as I love it, does a number on me. As I climbed my very full body through the car, I could hold no more and I let out a much needed post-party toot.  "Ew, gross!" I heard.  Oh, the shame of being caught in the dark privacy of one's own car.  Is no place sacred?  Isn't the car man/woman's last place of solace?  I think I will have to blame the excellence of the

Joys and Sorrows of Mail

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With the advent of email, the joyous walk to the mailbox has been replaced by a shuffle for bills. As much as I appreciate the ability to easily connect within anyone in the world, the personal touch of mail has been lost. No longer do I get to see handwriting or mistakes or an individual choice of stamps. Instead, I get flyers and coupons. Hence, Christmas is a particularly festive time of notes from loved ones. I do a small skip to the box each afternoon. My husband and I know a family who sends sarcastic, witty Christmas letters. They actually cause us to read it more than once. This year, I saw the address and shouted to my husband "We have THE letter!" We gleefully sat down to read it together. I ripped it open and we settled down for laughter. It was a poem. It told us of how they were doing. The other spouse wrote it. Sigh. I don't think we finished it. Normally, I do read these kind of letters. We just felt so let down. I confess I don't write cle

On a snowy morning

On a snowy morning, I sat my kids down to see this, (sound seems a bit delayed): I clearly remember waiting for the radio to play this song. We would sit in the car and hope it would come on. This video is still my favorite Christmas message. Then, I was in the zenith of my young- teen- MTV-watching career. Every singer was a favorite and sooo cute. There you will find that Bono is young and hot. Boy George is funky before he channeled all the crazy. George Michael still looks sexy and innocent...well mostly. Simon Le Bon growls his lines and it is a fun tune. Bananarama, Paul Young and Spandeau Ballet are all there. The men display their full-color hair with eye make-up. (My daughter remarked the men look like girls/ the girls like boys. Bananarama was doing grunge before it was cool.) The bangs, tousled hair and glam of the 80s are delightful. They re-did the song recently. The newer version includes Cold Play and Natasha Bedingfield. Amy Winehouse is missing from it

PLEASE READ

Those words were at the top of a small, pink slip from my doctor's office.  The following note was attached :  "Unexpected billing system requirements and delays in filing claims with health insurances have caused a major delay in you receiving your statement....We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.''   Translation:  We don't know how to use our new computer system. Neither does the IT guy.  We were kind of behind filing the claims.  But there is not a darn thing you can do about it any way. So, enjoy. Wouldn't you love to be able to send notes like that?  I would love to write back: Dear health provider,  I lost my check book again, yes for the third time and I stuck my credit card in a pair of jeans...I just can't remember which ones.  In addition, an opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime to Cancun came up.   I sincerely apologize for the delay in payment and any  inconvenience this may cause.   We have had our share of exp

Why I like being a mom

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   I became a mom almost eight years ago.   When I first became pregnant, I wanted the whole thing taken back.  I was scared and unsure of how life would be as a mom.  I was working, attending a full-time master's program and helping in an after-school program.  In short, I found life to be busy and fulfilling.  I'll admit it.  The first few months of having a baby threw me.  I was grateful for this amazing creation.  However, I had time to do nothing. My brain didn't feel like it was always working.  I would wait by the door for 5:15 to hit. When my husband came through, I would attack him with all of my saved-up words.  The lack of sleep and structure drove me crazy!!!  My fierce sense of me as independent woman had been shattered by having my husband pick up all the bills.  (I hadn't been that dependent since I had been a young teenager...boy was that hard for me!)  Somewhere between then and now, I'll admit to something.  I  fell in-love with being a mom.  Her

A Super Hero Combo

My boy has been one to admire every job/hero he meets.  He loves carpet layers, plumbers, cops, fire-fighters and farmers--to name a few of the many possibilities.  He also tries to pay attention in church.  He must have been listening to the big people talk about the blessings of the kingdom of God or something like that.   While standing on the couch with a stick, he yelled, " I am the King of God !!!"  I dare you to match THAT super-hero.....I'm still waiting.