I was so upset that Rich's present didn't arrive on time for his birthday last Friday but he got it today! Even though I ended up telling him what I had ordered for him, he was still surprised when he opened it up.
Rich is a huge fan of George Custer so I ordered him a t-shirt with Custer's personal flag on it and under the flag it says:
U.S. 7th Cavalry
Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana
I also got him Custer's flag. It was larger than I thought it would be.Rich is toying with the idea of putting it on his car antenna. He thought this was a pretty cool gift!
You have to understand Rich and his....give me another word for obsession.....fascination with George Custer. He knows everything about this man. I admit that we have a huge portrait of George hanging in our living room. When Lillianna was 3 years old she admitted she had always thought George was a member of our family. He had the biggest picture in the house,what was she supposed to think?
So all in all, Rich's birthday present was a success.
What fun birthday gifts have you bought for your spouse?
Monday, January 31, 2005
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Compliment or insult? You decide.
This was posted on The New York Times about blogging parents.I think it makes us sound like self absorbed,narcissistic people who couldn't care less about our children.Apparently we write about our mundane and boring existence to get attention from other boring and self absorbed parents. Who knew? I thought I started my blog because I enjoy writing. I didn't start out being a mommy blog but I am a mother and I write about my life. Why aren't I considered a wife blog? I certainly write enough about Rich.
On the one hand, Dotmoms was mentioned in the article and it is definitely cool to have a blog I write for mentioned in The New York Times. I just wish the writer had more respect for what we do. The final comment in the article was,
And of course the more parents blog, the less likely they are to get the attention and validation they seem to crave. "If every parent in the world has a blog, then maybe it really will be about the child rather than the parent," Ms. Waldman said. "Because at that point the child is the only one who's going to read it."
I print out many of my posts and keep them in a binder for Lillianna. She reads my blog everyday unless I tell her I wrote about something that I don't want her to read.She likes to check out Dotmoms twice a month when I have written for that website. She isn't traumatized because I write about her. One day she said, "Well, I see you wrote about me again." Surprised, I asked,"Does that bother you?"
"No,"she explained,"But now I want to write about you." I laughed and said,"Go right ahead." Here is Lillianna's post.
Please read the article and let me know if you thought it was a compliment or insult.
I am voting for insult!
On the one hand, Dotmoms was mentioned in the article and it is definitely cool to have a blog I write for mentioned in The New York Times. I just wish the writer had more respect for what we do. The final comment in the article was,
And of course the more parents blog, the less likely they are to get the attention and validation they seem to crave. "If every parent in the world has a blog, then maybe it really will be about the child rather than the parent," Ms. Waldman said. "Because at that point the child is the only one who's going to read it."
I print out many of my posts and keep them in a binder for Lillianna. She reads my blog everyday unless I tell her I wrote about something that I don't want her to read.She likes to check out Dotmoms twice a month when I have written for that website. She isn't traumatized because I write about her. One day she said, "Well, I see you wrote about me again." Surprised, I asked,"Does that bother you?"
"No,"she explained,"But now I want to write about you." I laughed and said,"Go right ahead." Here is Lillianna's post.
Please read the article and let me know if you thought it was a compliment or insult.
I am voting for insult!
Friday, January 28, 2005
Happy Birthday,Rich!
Today my darling husband turned 38. He was 26 when I met him and he seemed like such a baby to me. I was a mature 30 at the time and was quite worried about our age difference. Now it just seems ridiculous to have even thought our age would be a problem.
I am very disappointed that the present I ordered didn't arrive in time but we had our friends and family over to celebrate and it was a nice evening.
So,please wish Rich a happy birthday,because he's a great guy and he deserves it!
Thank you.
I am very disappointed that the present I ordered didn't arrive in time but we had our friends and family over to celebrate and it was a nice evening.
So,please wish Rich a happy birthday,because he's a great guy and he deserves it!
Thank you.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
No school again today
This is Lillianna's fourth day off this week because of snow.At this rate she will be in school until July! I can't imagine that the school will open for one day tomorrow so she will probably be off then too. At least I can get some shopping done then. I am planning dinner for Rich's birthday and I still don't know what I am making!! The present that I ordered for him hasn't gotten here yet and I will be so disappointed if it doesn't get here by tomorrow.
I am off to shower and brave the elements and head to the scrapbooking store. The wind is blowing the snow around but I have to get some more paper to make Kara's scrapbook. I might as well work on her book for a few hours today before going to work at 3:30pm.
This is a boring little post but between PMS and a stiff neck, this is as good as it's gonna get today!
I am off to shower and brave the elements and head to the scrapbooking store. The wind is blowing the snow around but I have to get some more paper to make Kara's scrapbook. I might as well work on her book for a few hours today before going to work at 3:30pm.
This is a boring little post but between PMS and a stiff neck, this is as good as it's gonna get today!
Are you computer savvy?
I have a computer question for anyone out there with computer knowledge. When I use McAfee Virus Scan, it tells me I have "x" amount of unwanted files or viruses. I can't clean,quarantine or delete them because they are write protected. So...... great! I just have viruses that I can't get rid of?
When I checked the support page I have the option to leave a message on a message board (someone asked this question yesterday and hasn't gotten an answer yet)or pay a tech from $29-$79 to fix my problem by phone. Is there a better way?
Any suggestions??
When I checked the support page I have the option to leave a message on a message board (someone asked this question yesterday and hasn't gotten an answer yet)or pay a tech from $29-$79 to fix my problem by phone. Is there a better way?
Any suggestions??
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
When praise is not helpful.
Suzanne wrote a post at DotMoms about praising our children's talent.
That got me thinking. I definitely agree that we should encourage our children in whatever they do because in a child's mind, he/she can succeed if their parents say they can. If mom looks at her child's drawing and says,"What the heck is that thing? What a messy paper!" that child believes he is an artistic failure and may never draw for pleasure again. If Dad covers his ears while his child is giving a concert in the living room,that child may never feel comfortable singing in public again.
Children dream of many things and I for one wouldn't think of squashing Lillianna's hopes for the future. All talent involves practice so the more a child practices the better he becomes at that task. It's quite simple.
This brings me to the American Idol try-outs. Are these tone deaf performers a product of parents who told them they could do anything? As adults, are they so used to hearing empty praise from friends and family that they aren't even aware that their horrendous singing is torturing everyone within earshot?
I think kids who love to sing or dance deserve praise but I wouldn't want to see someone I know,screeching out a tune on national t.v. and being made the butt of Simon Cowell's joke, you know?
What do you think?
That got me thinking. I definitely agree that we should encourage our children in whatever they do because in a child's mind, he/she can succeed if their parents say they can. If mom looks at her child's drawing and says,"What the heck is that thing? What a messy paper!" that child believes he is an artistic failure and may never draw for pleasure again. If Dad covers his ears while his child is giving a concert in the living room,that child may never feel comfortable singing in public again.
Children dream of many things and I for one wouldn't think of squashing Lillianna's hopes for the future. All talent involves practice so the more a child practices the better he becomes at that task. It's quite simple.
This brings me to the American Idol try-outs. Are these tone deaf performers a product of parents who told them they could do anything? As adults, are they so used to hearing empty praise from friends and family that they aren't even aware that their horrendous singing is torturing everyone within earshot?
I think kids who love to sing or dance deserve praise but I wouldn't want to see someone I know,screeching out a tune on national t.v. and being made the butt of Simon Cowell's joke, you know?
What do you think?
Monday, January 24, 2005
An unplanned pajama party
I knew there was a blizzard warning as I drove to job #1 at 7am on Saturday morning. Living in Massachusetts for almost 42 years gave me the knowledge that we could be in for 3 feet of snow or just a flurry. You just never know how Mother Nature is going to act. I finished job#1 at 12:30pm and drove down the road to job#2. I was supposed to work from 1pm-9:30pm and then I was scheduled for Sunday from 7am-3:30pm. Keeping in mind that there could actually be a blizzard, I packed 3 pair of underwear,jammies and a change of clothes. If it was snowy out, I was not heading home after my shift to risk life and limb in the ice only to turn around a few hours later and go back to work. Plus, Rich had said that if I drove home Saturday night then he was not letting me out Sunday morning. He rarely puts his foot down so I knew he meant it.
A few hours into my shift it began to snow. Justine,who wasn't scheduled to be in until 6:30am Sunday morning, came in at 3pm Saturday afternoon. She also came with an overnight bag.By Sunday morning it would've been dangerous to drive so she came to work while it was still safe. We had a sick call so Julie, who was on call, came in at 3pm with her overnight bag and a good supply of food in case the overnight person called in. If that happened,Julie would have to do the overnight shift too since she was the one on call.
It started to get pretty bad outside with snow drifts half way up our windows. We tried to look out but with the wind gusts it was hard to see anything but white on white. At that point the overnight person called in and Julie figured she would be alone on the 11pm-7am shift. Justine and I knew we were sleeping at work at that point so we said we would all do the shift together. The more the merrier and all that.
From 9pm until 7am it was just the three of us. I am a morning person so I was worried how I would make myself stay awake and then work my regular shift the next day. We decided we could each have 2 hours for a nap. I was the first to nap from 11:40pm-1:40am. I changed into my flannel pajama pants and t-shirt and tried to sleep. I think I got a good 30 minutes of rest in between tossing and turning. It was actually enough to keep me going.
I brushed my teeth,changed my clothes and put on my make-up. It was a brand new day for me. At this point I was starving so Julie laid out all the food she had brought:granola bars,Rice Krispie treats,grapes and a sandwich and said to help myself. I ate some grapes which tasted like little green sour apples. They were delicious. Justine's nap ended at 6:00am and she was proud of herself because she woke up without us waking her up. Yay,Justine. I must add that Justine looked adorable in her cow slippers.
In spite of the fact that the three of us worked for 24 hours with just a short break to rest,we really worked well together and made what could have been a horrible situation into something that turned out to be kind of fun afterall. So, thank you to my pajama buddies, Julie and Justine. I enjoyed being snowed in with you!!
Did you ever have to sleep at work due to bad weather?
A few hours into my shift it began to snow. Justine,who wasn't scheduled to be in until 6:30am Sunday morning, came in at 3pm Saturday afternoon. She also came with an overnight bag.By Sunday morning it would've been dangerous to drive so she came to work while it was still safe. We had a sick call so Julie, who was on call, came in at 3pm with her overnight bag and a good supply of food in case the overnight person called in. If that happened,Julie would have to do the overnight shift too since she was the one on call.
It started to get pretty bad outside with snow drifts half way up our windows. We tried to look out but with the wind gusts it was hard to see anything but white on white. At that point the overnight person called in and Julie figured she would be alone on the 11pm-7am shift. Justine and I knew we were sleeping at work at that point so we said we would all do the shift together. The more the merrier and all that.
From 9pm until 7am it was just the three of us. I am a morning person so I was worried how I would make myself stay awake and then work my regular shift the next day. We decided we could each have 2 hours for a nap. I was the first to nap from 11:40pm-1:40am. I changed into my flannel pajama pants and t-shirt and tried to sleep. I think I got a good 30 minutes of rest in between tossing and turning. It was actually enough to keep me going.
I brushed my teeth,changed my clothes and put on my make-up. It was a brand new day for me. At this point I was starving so Julie laid out all the food she had brought:granola bars,Rice Krispie treats,grapes and a sandwich and said to help myself. I ate some grapes which tasted like little green sour apples. They were delicious. Justine's nap ended at 6:00am and she was proud of herself because she woke up without us waking her up. Yay,Justine. I must add that Justine looked adorable in her cow slippers.
In spite of the fact that the three of us worked for 24 hours with just a short break to rest,we really worked well together and made what could have been a horrible situation into something that turned out to be kind of fun afterall. So, thank you to my pajama buddies, Julie and Justine. I enjoyed being snowed in with you!!
Did you ever have to sleep at work due to bad weather?
Saturday, January 22, 2005
My husband, the super hero
Thursday was just not a great day for me. I only had a few hours to do what I needed to do before I picked Lillianna up from school,dropped her at my friend Janet's house and went to work.I was in one of my trash bag moods which is where I go through the house with a big garbage bag and throw away just about everything that's not nailed down!
So there I was frantically tossing every bit of debris in the trash when the phone rang at 12:00pm. It was the school nurse telling me that when Lillianna went out for recess she got snow inside her boots and now her tights were wet and her feet were freezing. Lillianna got on the phone to confirm the frozen toes and to beg me to bring up a new pair of tights for her. I was showered but not dressed and I was supposed to have 1 1/2 hours left before I had to pick her up from school. I hate to go skipping down Selfish Road but I have so very little time to myself and now I have to cut into my cleaning time, get dressed and run up to school.
Wanting to be a good mom but feeling very put upon, I agreed to bring her tights up.
I threw on my clothes and sneakers and ran out the door without make-up. I had to plod through a huge snowbank to get to the car. I was not happy when I realized my sneakers were wet. I have been driving my Mom's car for the past week just to keep it in good working order since she is in Florida. I got in the car, tights in hand and started the car. It wouldn't turn over. I tried again. Nothing. I tried again. No luck.
I looked over at Rich's snow covered car and thought, "Ok, well I guess I will have to dig that car out!" I had told Rich to drive my car that day since I had my mother's car. I started the car and began to brush off the snow. It was slow going so I got back in to put on the defrosters.That's when I noticed the big old E telling me that the gas tank was empty.Empty!! That was it. I had had quite enough. I called Rich on his cell phone and had a melt down. I rambled incoherently about the gas gauge being below E, how was I going to make it to school without running out of gas?........What was I supposed to do?
Rich tried to calm me down and finally told me I would have enough gas to get to school but I would have to get gas after that. That would be great except I don't pump my own gas! Ya, ya, that sounds pitiful but that's the way it is,folks,sorry I am not a hip and happening woman.Big disappointment, I am sure. So now Rich is telling me that if I just pop the trunk and jiggle a few wires, that'll pop the gas tank when I pump my own gas. In my head it sounded like....blah,blah, blah...you are so screwed...blah,blah,blah!
Finally I shouted something like, "That's it! I've had enough!" and I hung up the cell phone and stomped upstairs, still clutching the tights. I called the school to tell them the car wouldn't start and to please explain to my child with the frozen toes that I was sorry and couldn't bring up the tights.Meanwhile I ignored the ringing cell phone like the bitchy wife that I was and I began to stress about what I would do next. Call Janet and tell her I couldn't bring Lillianna over? Call in sick for work because how the heck was I going to get there with no car?
I finally decided to answer the phone. Rich asked sweetly, "Would you like me to come home and bring you your car? Then I can take mine back to work." Was my husband offering a solution? Could this overwhelming problem actually be solved? "Ok," I sniffled. He was home in 30 minutes. I gave him a great big hug and thanked him for coming home. He noticed the 3 trash bags in the living room and asked, "Are you sure you really needed the car or did you get me home just to take out the trash?" That just made me laugh and once again I thanked G-d for granting the wish I made long ago. I wanted to marry someone with a good sense of humor.
Rich was a super hero in my eyes. He was kind and compassionate and he rescued me from a difficult situation.I got overwhelmed by how much I had to do and then because of the car problem I couldn't even bring Lillianna a dry pair of tights.
So,thank you to my dear husband who didn't yell at me even though he probably wanted to. You're the best husband ever!
So there I was frantically tossing every bit of debris in the trash when the phone rang at 12:00pm. It was the school nurse telling me that when Lillianna went out for recess she got snow inside her boots and now her tights were wet and her feet were freezing. Lillianna got on the phone to confirm the frozen toes and to beg me to bring up a new pair of tights for her. I was showered but not dressed and I was supposed to have 1 1/2 hours left before I had to pick her up from school. I hate to go skipping down Selfish Road but I have so very little time to myself and now I have to cut into my cleaning time, get dressed and run up to school.
Wanting to be a good mom but feeling very put upon, I agreed to bring her tights up.
I threw on my clothes and sneakers and ran out the door without make-up. I had to plod through a huge snowbank to get to the car. I was not happy when I realized my sneakers were wet. I have been driving my Mom's car for the past week just to keep it in good working order since she is in Florida. I got in the car, tights in hand and started the car. It wouldn't turn over. I tried again. Nothing. I tried again. No luck.
I looked over at Rich's snow covered car and thought, "Ok, well I guess I will have to dig that car out!" I had told Rich to drive my car that day since I had my mother's car. I started the car and began to brush off the snow. It was slow going so I got back in to put on the defrosters.That's when I noticed the big old E telling me that the gas tank was empty.Empty!! That was it. I had had quite enough. I called Rich on his cell phone and had a melt down. I rambled incoherently about the gas gauge being below E, how was I going to make it to school without running out of gas?........What was I supposed to do?
Rich tried to calm me down and finally told me I would have enough gas to get to school but I would have to get gas after that. That would be great except I don't pump my own gas! Ya, ya, that sounds pitiful but that's the way it is,folks,sorry I am not a hip and happening woman.Big disappointment, I am sure. So now Rich is telling me that if I just pop the trunk and jiggle a few wires, that'll pop the gas tank when I pump my own gas. In my head it sounded like....blah,blah, blah...you are so screwed...blah,blah,blah!
Finally I shouted something like, "That's it! I've had enough!" and I hung up the cell phone and stomped upstairs, still clutching the tights. I called the school to tell them the car wouldn't start and to please explain to my child with the frozen toes that I was sorry and couldn't bring up the tights.Meanwhile I ignored the ringing cell phone like the bitchy wife that I was and I began to stress about what I would do next. Call Janet and tell her I couldn't bring Lillianna over? Call in sick for work because how the heck was I going to get there with no car?
I finally decided to answer the phone. Rich asked sweetly, "Would you like me to come home and bring you your car? Then I can take mine back to work." Was my husband offering a solution? Could this overwhelming problem actually be solved? "Ok," I sniffled. He was home in 30 minutes. I gave him a great big hug and thanked him for coming home. He noticed the 3 trash bags in the living room and asked, "Are you sure you really needed the car or did you get me home just to take out the trash?" That just made me laugh and once again I thanked G-d for granting the wish I made long ago. I wanted to marry someone with a good sense of humor.
Rich was a super hero in my eyes. He was kind and compassionate and he rescued me from a difficult situation.I got overwhelmed by how much I had to do and then because of the car problem I couldn't even bring Lillianna a dry pair of tights.
So,thank you to my dear husband who didn't yell at me even though he probably wanted to. You're the best husband ever!
Friday, January 21, 2005
The "outing" of SpongeBobSquarePants
I have turned a deaf ear to the Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston situation because quite frankly, I don't give a damn about these movie stars. They aren't friends of mine, I don't know them and their life has nothing to do with mine. That being said, I just can't turn my back on the SpongeBob issue.Is he gay? Is he promoting a gay lifestyle to unsuspecting children who will clearly be influenced by, you know.....a sponge!!
If he is living happily with his friends, why do we have to pick his lifestyle apart?
A family is what you make it. Some of our family are people we are not related to. They are our close friends who we love as family.
I don't watch SpongeBob's show, although Lillianna does, and if he is promoting kindness and friendship then leave him alone. I hate to break this to anyone but SpongeBob is a cartoon! He can't make lifestyle choices. A cartoonist may be able to do that but "Bob" is not real.So if the public at large wants to make a big deal out of SpongeBob being gay (and how is that even possible since he is not real?) then I say, "If you have this much free time on your hands,go volunteer at a hospital or homeless shelter. You have to get a life."
Even if there were to be an episode where SpongeBob is French kissing another male sponge I wouldn't get hysterical. They are sponges. Put it in perspective,people, ok??
How do you feel about this situation?
If he is living happily with his friends, why do we have to pick his lifestyle apart?
A family is what you make it. Some of our family are people we are not related to. They are our close friends who we love as family.
I don't watch SpongeBob's show, although Lillianna does, and if he is promoting kindness and friendship then leave him alone. I hate to break this to anyone but SpongeBob is a cartoon! He can't make lifestyle choices. A cartoonist may be able to do that but "Bob" is not real.So if the public at large wants to make a big deal out of SpongeBob being gay (and how is that even possible since he is not real?) then I say, "If you have this much free time on your hands,go volunteer at a hospital or homeless shelter. You have to get a life."
Even if there were to be an episode where SpongeBob is French kissing another male sponge I wouldn't get hysterical. They are sponges. Put it in perspective,people, ok??
How do you feel about this situation?
A question of ethics
I received the following e-mail from my cousin,Risa.She asked me to post this on my blog so that she could get other people's opinions on what she should do. She is 38 and has been married to her husband Al for 7 years, I believe. (Sorry if I got that wrong!)
Any way, this is what I was thinking if possible, to ask in your blog.
Recently, a man in his seventies at the pier who I work with asked me out for coffee. He caught me off guard, so I said sure and blew it off.
Then two days later he asked me out for coffee on a day that we don't work. He gave me his phone number.
I told Al about the "meeting for coffee" when Bob first asked and Al said sure but then when I brought home Bob's phone number two days later,he said to tell Bob that he didn't like it.I don't want to go any way and threw out the number.
Bob and I are acquaintances but then it made me mad. Shouldn't he take his wife out for coffee instead of a woman in her thirties? I mean what kind of person does he think I am? I just know that it's inappropriate. It just bothers me that he had the nerve.
I don't want to be naive but I don't like hurting people's feelings either.
This week end I'm going to tell Bob that I'm just too busy. Which is the truth and if he pushes for another time, I will tell him that it's really not appropriate. What do you think????
I did bring up the fact that what if the roles were reversed and a woman in her seventies asked him out for coffee. Al said it would be different. He was so funny. He said that he doesn't drink coffee.
It basically depends on the woman. Women can be just as bad.
Let me know what you think. The consensus is that it's inappropriate. The age ranges are from late twenties all the way up to early seventies. A couple of
responses were a quick yes but then once they thought about it, the answer was a definite no.
My opinion is this: I don't really think any married person should invite another married person of the opposite sex out for anything. I can't see any situation where I would invite a married guy out for coffee and I love coffee!
I would say,"No,thank you," to any invitation from any married or single man of any age. To me, that is very inappropriate.
What do you think?
Any way, this is what I was thinking if possible, to ask in your blog.
Recently, a man in his seventies at the pier who I work with asked me out for coffee. He caught me off guard, so I said sure and blew it off.
Then two days later he asked me out for coffee on a day that we don't work. He gave me his phone number.
I told Al about the "meeting for coffee" when Bob first asked and Al said sure but then when I brought home Bob's phone number two days later,he said to tell Bob that he didn't like it.I don't want to go any way and threw out the number.
Bob and I are acquaintances but then it made me mad. Shouldn't he take his wife out for coffee instead of a woman in her thirties? I mean what kind of person does he think I am? I just know that it's inappropriate. It just bothers me that he had the nerve.
I don't want to be naive but I don't like hurting people's feelings either.
This week end I'm going to tell Bob that I'm just too busy. Which is the truth and if he pushes for another time, I will tell him that it's really not appropriate. What do you think????
I did bring up the fact that what if the roles were reversed and a woman in her seventies asked him out for coffee. Al said it would be different. He was so funny. He said that he doesn't drink coffee.
It basically depends on the woman. Women can be just as bad.
Let me know what you think. The consensus is that it's inappropriate. The age ranges are from late twenties all the way up to early seventies. A couple of
responses were a quick yes but then once they thought about it, the answer was a definite no.
My opinion is this: I don't really think any married person should invite another married person of the opposite sex out for anything. I can't see any situation where I would invite a married guy out for coffee and I love coffee!
I would say,"No,thank you," to any invitation from any married or single man of any age. To me, that is very inappropriate.
What do you think?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
What the heck are cankles?
Tonight was quite a funny night at work. Justine was talking about something and used the word cankles. I thought I heard her incorrectly. I asked her to repeat what she said. She said cankles again. What an absolutely silly sounding word. Just hearing it makes me laugh. Cankles.....cankles....it's so goofy. I had to ask her what cankles were and when she told us we all burst out laughing. (Not so loud that it interfered with our job,though,just to be clear!)
When I got home at 10pm, I asked Rich if he knew what cankles were. He certainly did, much to my amazement. He was surprised that I didn't know. Wow, I am 2 weeks away from turning 42 and I have never heard of cankles.
Do you know what cankles are?
When I got home at 10pm, I asked Rich if he knew what cankles were. He certainly did, much to my amazement. He was surprised that I didn't know. Wow, I am 2 weeks away from turning 42 and I have never heard of cankles.
Do you know what cankles are?
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
How did you survive the first year of parenthood?
I have a friend who is going through what we all went through that first year of parenthood:she is torn between plotting her husband's death and taking the baby and running away. This is by no means a male bashing post. In fact if there are any men out there reading this, I hope you will comment with some helpful suggestions.
For the sake of privacy, I will call my friend Tanya. I have always liked that name so what the heck?
Tanya was complaining about her husband, uhm, let's call him Sergio. No this is not a story in Penthouse but let me have a little fun with the names, ok? So Tanya works 24 hours a week and Sergio works 40 hours a week outside the home.Their daughter, Esmeralda,is taken care of by Tanya's sister. Still, it's hard for a new mom to leave her baby and go to work no matter who is caring for the child.Tanya is stressed just because she has to work and leave her baby in someone else's care. I remember feeling that way and it is horrible.{Guilt + work= sad mom.}
One of Tanya's pet peeves is that Sergio refuses to put Esmeralda's hat on when he takes her to his sister-in-law's house. He may put the hood up but he won't put on the hat. Come on, what's the big deal, Sergio? Bundle her up!
I don't want to put words into anyone's mouth (a hot fudge sundae maybe, but not words!)but I believe Tanya said that Sergio won't put on Esmeralda's hat because Tanya told him to do it! He doesn't want to be told what to do with his baby.
Keep in mind we live in Massachusetts. It was zero degrees today. ZERO! It gets freakin' cold here. A hat is a necessity!
No matter how you look at it, the truth is, after that bundle of joy arrives, the wife looks at her husband and thinks, "Oh my G-d! This guy is a moron!!" and she is aggravated. She is sure she knows everything and her husband, if he ever had any brains, now is completely brain dead. The husband looks at his beautiful bride and thinks, "When did she become a nagging hag? Does she think I'm an idiot? I'll just tune her out and hope she goes away.......nope....still there.....damn! I think I will hide in the bathroom!"
We totally forget how much in love we were and why we got married in the first place.
That first year is all about communication: sitting down, explaining your needs, listening to your spouse's needs and figuring out what you can do for each other to make it all work for your family! If this doesn't seem practical you can do what Rich and I did, pay $125 an hour for a marriage counselor. She kept us from killing each other. I will be forever grateful for that.
So please tell me how you survived your first year of parenthood. I will print out all your comments and give them to Tanya. I am sure she will appreciate it.
For the sake of privacy, I will call my friend Tanya. I have always liked that name so what the heck?
Tanya was complaining about her husband, uhm, let's call him Sergio. No this is not a story in Penthouse but let me have a little fun with the names, ok? So Tanya works 24 hours a week and Sergio works 40 hours a week outside the home.Their daughter, Esmeralda,is taken care of by Tanya's sister. Still, it's hard for a new mom to leave her baby and go to work no matter who is caring for the child.Tanya is stressed just because she has to work and leave her baby in someone else's care. I remember feeling that way and it is horrible.{Guilt + work= sad mom.}
One of Tanya's pet peeves is that Sergio refuses to put Esmeralda's hat on when he takes her to his sister-in-law's house. He may put the hood up but he won't put on the hat. Come on, what's the big deal, Sergio? Bundle her up!
I don't want to put words into anyone's mouth (a hot fudge sundae maybe, but not words!)but I believe Tanya said that Sergio won't put on Esmeralda's hat because Tanya told him to do it! He doesn't want to be told what to do with his baby.
Keep in mind we live in Massachusetts. It was zero degrees today. ZERO! It gets freakin' cold here. A hat is a necessity!
No matter how you look at it, the truth is, after that bundle of joy arrives, the wife looks at her husband and thinks, "Oh my G-d! This guy is a moron!!" and she is aggravated. She is sure she knows everything and her husband, if he ever had any brains, now is completely brain dead. The husband looks at his beautiful bride and thinks, "When did she become a nagging hag? Does she think I'm an idiot? I'll just tune her out and hope she goes away.......nope....still there.....damn! I think I will hide in the bathroom!"
We totally forget how much in love we were and why we got married in the first place.
That first year is all about communication: sitting down, explaining your needs, listening to your spouse's needs and figuring out what you can do for each other to make it all work for your family! If this doesn't seem practical you can do what Rich and I did, pay $125 an hour for a marriage counselor. She kept us from killing each other. I will be forever grateful for that.
So please tell me how you survived your first year of parenthood. I will print out all your comments and give them to Tanya. I am sure she will appreciate it.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
A re-cap of the day
This morning I woke up at 6am and I took a shower. At 7am I woke Lillianna. She was reluctant to get up so I took her pink bear and her purple bear and made them dance on her head. She stopped being grumpy and giggled and asked for the bears to sing a song.They did. Then I asked her to help me get Rich out of bed. I challenged her to a race. One, two, three.....off she went. We woke up Rich. I helped Lillianna put on her heavy tights and long warm dress. She brushed her hair and I put it in a ponytail. Lillianna hugged and kissed me and we snuggled for a few minutes. I poured her a bowl of Frosted Flakes and I sat across from her and we talked. While she brushed her teeth, I packed her snack,juice and lunch money and put everything in her backpack. I got out her heavy coat and zipped and buttoned it to the top. I wrapped her warm fringed scarf around her neck and helped her on with her mittens.
We said good-bye to Rich who said he wasn't feeling well.
I hugged and kissed Lillianna and dropped her off to school before heading to work.
On my way home from work, Rich called and said he threw up twice and was on his way home.
At 1:50pm, I picked Lillianna up from school and gave her a big hug and kiss. When we got home I gave her a snack and then we read Anne of Green Gables on the couch all snuggled up for an hour. It was lovely.
There is a reason I am telling you all this. So far Lillianna has talked to her Papa and my sister Kara and her re-cap of the day goes like this....
"Well, Mom forgot to send me to school in a hat and it was freezing out and Daddy threw up!" End of story! How the heck did she miss all the rest??????
Do you and your children have a different memory of the day's events?
We said good-bye to Rich who said he wasn't feeling well.
I hugged and kissed Lillianna and dropped her off to school before heading to work.
On my way home from work, Rich called and said he threw up twice and was on his way home.
At 1:50pm, I picked Lillianna up from school and gave her a big hug and kiss. When we got home I gave her a snack and then we read Anne of Green Gables on the couch all snuggled up for an hour. It was lovely.
There is a reason I am telling you all this. So far Lillianna has talked to her Papa and my sister Kara and her re-cap of the day goes like this....
"Well, Mom forgot to send me to school in a hat and it was freezing out and Daddy threw up!" End of story! How the heck did she miss all the rest??????
Do you and your children have a different memory of the day's events?
Monday, January 17, 2005
Friday, January 14, 2005
What do I get for 50 bucks?
Last summer, my doctor recommended that I use Rhinocort nasal spray every day to help with my congestion. He didn't like how much Sudafed I was taking and he thought this would be a better approach. When I went to pick up the prescription I nearly fainted when I was told it cost $30. I paid the price but I was horrified. This will cost over $300 a year just so I can have clear nasal passages. Once that bottle was empty, I never refilled it.
Today I just couldn't take the congestion anymore. The over the counter saline spray hasn't been working.I called the pharmacy and reluctantly refilled my Rhinocort. As one of my co-workers pointed out,my health is certainly worth $30 a month. Ok, fine.
I picked up the prescription and the price showed $50. Fifty dollars! Fifty U.S.Dollars!! The woman in the pharmacy said, "The price went up and it's really expensive. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to take it." I had to think about that and then I decided I am not spending $600 a year for a nasal spray that only lasts around 3 weeks at the most. I decided to call my doctor on Monday and talk about alternatives.
In the meanwhile I have been thinking about what I would expect from this nasal spray if I paid $50 a month for it.
For that amount of money, I want an good looking doctor to appear in my bedroom right before bed and say, "Lay down dear and I will administer your nasal medication for you. Ok, here we go. *spray* Ah, now that's one nostril. *spray* And there's the other one. Now take a breath. Better? Now I am going to sing you a lullaby for your relaxing enjoyment. Have a good night and sleep tight. See you tomorrow."
Yup, that's what I expect for my 50 bucks! What would you expect for $50 medication?
Today I just couldn't take the congestion anymore. The over the counter saline spray hasn't been working.I called the pharmacy and reluctantly refilled my Rhinocort. As one of my co-workers pointed out,my health is certainly worth $30 a month. Ok, fine.
I picked up the prescription and the price showed $50. Fifty dollars! Fifty U.S.Dollars!! The woman in the pharmacy said, "The price went up and it's really expensive. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to take it." I had to think about that and then I decided I am not spending $600 a year for a nasal spray that only lasts around 3 weeks at the most. I decided to call my doctor on Monday and talk about alternatives.
In the meanwhile I have been thinking about what I would expect from this nasal spray if I paid $50 a month for it.
For that amount of money, I want an good looking doctor to appear in my bedroom right before bed and say, "Lay down dear and I will administer your nasal medication for you. Ok, here we go. *spray* Ah, now that's one nostril. *spray* And there's the other one. Now take a breath. Better? Now I am going to sing you a lullaby for your relaxing enjoyment. Have a good night and sleep tight. See you tomorrow."
Yup, that's what I expect for my 50 bucks! What would you expect for $50 medication?
A packing quiz
Question: Your 7 year old daughter is sleeping overnight at her aunt's house out of state. How many pair of underwear do you pack for her?
A) One: She will be wearing one pair to get there and then she only
needs one other pair for the following day.
B) Two: One the next day and one "just in case."
C) Three: One the next day and two "just in case."
D) Four: I don't have to give you an explanation of why I am packing
four pair of underwear.I think four is a
good number of underwear to pack and who asked for your
opinion anyway? Oh, I did? Sorry!
Ok then,how many would you pack?
A) One: She will be wearing one pair to get there and then she only
needs one other pair for the following day.
B) Two: One the next day and one "just in case."
C) Three: One the next day and two "just in case."
D) Four: I don't have to give you an explanation of why I am packing
four pair of underwear.I think four is a
good number of underwear to pack and who asked for your
opinion anyway? Oh, I did? Sorry!
Ok then,how many would you pack?
Hold on tight
Today is extrememly windy. I don't think Dorothy knew such wind as she was blown into Oz. I held Lillianna's hand very tightly as we walked to the car to go to school. We barely made it. I was so grateful that we didn't bring umbrellas because even though it was sprinkling out, the umbrellas would've been blown inside out.
I jokingly said to Lillianna, "Be careful walking into school. I don't want you to blow away." Lillianna replied,"Mom, I think gravity will help."
What can you say to that?
I jokingly said to Lillianna, "Be careful walking into school. I don't want you to blow away." Lillianna replied,"Mom, I think gravity will help."
What can you say to that?
Harry's punishment
On the news this morning, I learned that Prince Charles has ordered Harry to go to Auschwitz as a punishment for his poor taste in costume. It didn't say what Harry has to do once he gets there. I would like more details.
Sarah Ferguson, who until today I have liked, said that Harry has learned his lesson and that the Jewish groups in Britain have forgiven him so we should just get over it. I believe she said, Harry needs a break. A break? Ya mean like, cut the boy some slack, man? Did anyone hold a gun to his head and force him to dress like a Nazi? A Nazi!!!! He didn't go as Superman or a pimp. He chose to dress as a killer who enjoyed wiping out the Jewish people.
When I lived on Kibbutz Eyal, one of the products we made were lenses for glasses.
Many of the volunteers worked in the lens factory. One kibbutz member was a man named "E". He had been a small child during the holocaust and his whole family had been killed. He had a number tattooed on his arm which always gave me the chills.He was a quiet and very nice man.
One day, an English volunteer who had been working next to "E" decided to put a swastika instead of a check mark on the lenses that passed inspection. So there they were, a box of lenses, all with swastikas on them! The volunteer leader came to the factory,made the volunteer apologize and then escorted the boy back to his room, helped him pack, and took him to the airport.
The volunteer leader yelled,"Do you understand what you did? Do you? "E" barely survived the holocaust. His whole family was killed. How could you work next to this man and do such a thing? We want you out of the country!" He was packed up and at the airport within a couple of hours. Done! There is no tolerance for this kind of behavior!
So Auntie Sarah, giving Harry a break is out of the question! Nice to know you approve of this kind of behavior!
Sarah Ferguson, who until today I have liked, said that Harry has learned his lesson and that the Jewish groups in Britain have forgiven him so we should just get over it. I believe she said, Harry needs a break. A break? Ya mean like, cut the boy some slack, man? Did anyone hold a gun to his head and force him to dress like a Nazi? A Nazi!!!! He didn't go as Superman or a pimp. He chose to dress as a killer who enjoyed wiping out the Jewish people.
When I lived on Kibbutz Eyal, one of the products we made were lenses for glasses.
Many of the volunteers worked in the lens factory. One kibbutz member was a man named "E". He had been a small child during the holocaust and his whole family had been killed. He had a number tattooed on his arm which always gave me the chills.He was a quiet and very nice man.
One day, an English volunteer who had been working next to "E" decided to put a swastika instead of a check mark on the lenses that passed inspection. So there they were, a box of lenses, all with swastikas on them! The volunteer leader came to the factory,made the volunteer apologize and then escorted the boy back to his room, helped him pack, and took him to the airport.
The volunteer leader yelled,"Do you understand what you did? Do you? "E" barely survived the holocaust. His whole family was killed. How could you work next to this man and do such a thing? We want you out of the country!" He was packed up and at the airport within a couple of hours. Done! There is no tolerance for this kind of behavior!
So Auntie Sarah, giving Harry a break is out of the question! Nice to know you approve of this kind of behavior!
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Is there a difference between rebellion and stupidity?
So Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a party. Didn't anyone think that would be a bad idea? Hmmmmm......come on now. Think about it.The world is turning up it's nose at the English royalty over this now. He is a moron.
Rich said that Harry has always been rebellious. He was not defending his actions in any way. He was just trying to understand the lad. Seeing as he will never be king like his brother William, I guess he figured, "What the heck?" Diana would be trying to do damage control if she were here. Would Harry have done that with his mother watching? I doubt it.
What is your opinion about Harry's behavior? What if anything should we expect to happen next? Should he apologize?
Rich said that Harry has always been rebellious. He was not defending his actions in any way. He was just trying to understand the lad. Seeing as he will never be king like his brother William, I guess he figured, "What the heck?" Diana would be trying to do damage control if she were here. Would Harry have done that with his mother watching? I doubt it.
What is your opinion about Harry's behavior? What if anything should we expect to happen next? Should he apologize?
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