I thought I would throw up when I read this.
I don't understand people and quite frankly,I hope I never do. There are some damn sick people in this world and the majority of them are abusing children in some way. STOP IT!!!!
I don't care if these kids had behavioral problems. Why were they all adopted then if 11 kids is too many? Stop at 1 or 2 and just help those kids.
I am sorry that people have difficult lives but don't pass it on to the next generation. Leave innocent children alone! They come into this world as a blank slate and we do the writing that nurtures their soul. The problem is that there are too many emotional illiterates out there and they are destroying the very essence of these children.
If I had an endless supply of money,I would try to adopt all the abused children in the world. My heart breaks when I hear about an abused child. I know adults who were abused children and their life has not been easy at all. It has been one hurdle after the next and it's not fair....not fair at all.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
A dream job
It's no secret that I am not thrilled with being an ophthalmic technician anymore. After 16 years of doing eye exams,I'm tired and burned out. I have stayed at this job because the money is good and the hours are so flexible. I can add in days if I need to or let them know Lillianna is on vacation and I can't come in that week. It has worked for me all these years but I've wanted a change.
Yesterday,an opportunity came up that I couldn't pass up. A neighbor that I had met this summer at the pool,asked me if I could watch her 9 month old granddaughter 3 days a week. A baby!! Oooooooh......I love babies and especially girls.(Nothing against boys.)
Mom and Kara thought this was a horrible idea. "You'll be tired!" Mom said.(Uhmmm....ya...with all the hours I add in to my job, I already AM tired!)
"You'll get too attached," Kara said. (My neighbor's grandchildren are coming to our state to live with her because her son and daughter-in-law are both in the military and as I understand it,they are both being deployed.) Of course I'll get attached. But it's not like I'm the foster mom and think there's a chance of adopting the baby. I'm the babysitter. I know this child will go home to her parents along with her 2 year old brother when one of their parents returns. That's fine. I just want to love and teach this child while I have her.
Rich has been very supportive. I asked him last night if I could give up my one morning during the week at the ophthalmology office so that I wouldn't be run down. The money I'll make taking care of the baby will make up for that day and one more day if I had picked it up. The plus side is,I won't have to commute 30 minutes each way and I'll be doing something I love as opposed to something I hate but forced to do. I am so very excited.
No one knows how long this will be for but for the time that I can do it,I'll be very grateful. For the first time in a long time,I'm looking forward to working!
Yesterday,an opportunity came up that I couldn't pass up. A neighbor that I had met this summer at the pool,asked me if I could watch her 9 month old granddaughter 3 days a week. A baby!! Oooooooh......I love babies and especially girls.(Nothing against boys.)
Mom and Kara thought this was a horrible idea. "You'll be tired!" Mom said.(Uhmmm....ya...with all the hours I add in to my job, I already AM tired!)
"You'll get too attached," Kara said. (My neighbor's grandchildren are coming to our state to live with her because her son and daughter-in-law are both in the military and as I understand it,they are both being deployed.) Of course I'll get attached. But it's not like I'm the foster mom and think there's a chance of adopting the baby. I'm the babysitter. I know this child will go home to her parents along with her 2 year old brother when one of their parents returns. That's fine. I just want to love and teach this child while I have her.
Rich has been very supportive. I asked him last night if I could give up my one morning during the week at the ophthalmology office so that I wouldn't be run down. The money I'll make taking care of the baby will make up for that day and one more day if I had picked it up. The plus side is,I won't have to commute 30 minutes each way and I'll be doing something I love as opposed to something I hate but forced to do. I am so very excited.
No one knows how long this will be for but for the time that I can do it,I'll be very grateful. For the first time in a long time,I'm looking forward to working!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Are all holiday greetings created equal?
This post is over at DotMoms. I'd love to hear what you think about it.
A magic marker "high"
Lillianna was sick over the weekend with a stuffy nose. While I was at work yesterday Rich said she just wasn't right. That was confirmed when she took a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day. I decided to keep her home from school today.
On the way home from work,I stopped to get her some Sudafed,which I had to show my license in order to buy at CVS and I had to sign my name to the Sudafed sheet. Apparently kids are making drugs from this. Who knew?
I was going to buy Lillianna new magic markers when I saw the white board that she has been asking for. She is constantly writing or copying recipes and since her chalk board broke from over use,I decided to buy the white board and the new markers.
She jumped for joy and thanked me a billion times when she saw her present. Then she wrote for about 3 hours straight while babbling,"IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou!" every now and then. It's nice to have a grateful child.
I was just about to hop into the shower this morning when I went to hug her. She was writing on her board again curled up on the couch.I got a whiff of the markers and nearly became disoriented. I looked at Lillianna in horror and said,"Are they making you dizzy? The smell is overwhelming! I could get high off that stuff!"
My congested daughter looked at me in a curious way and said,"But Mom...I can't smell!" Then we both burst out laughing since that is the reason she is home sick today. The poor child can't breathe through her nose!
She can't get high off the markers if she can't breathe.....can she?
On the way home from work,I stopped to get her some Sudafed,which I had to show my license in order to buy at CVS and I had to sign my name to the Sudafed sheet. Apparently kids are making drugs from this. Who knew?
I was going to buy Lillianna new magic markers when I saw the white board that she has been asking for. She is constantly writing or copying recipes and since her chalk board broke from over use,I decided to buy the white board and the new markers.
She jumped for joy and thanked me a billion times when she saw her present. Then she wrote for about 3 hours straight while babbling,"IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou!" every now and then. It's nice to have a grateful child.
I was just about to hop into the shower this morning when I went to hug her. She was writing on her board again curled up on the couch.I got a whiff of the markers and nearly became disoriented. I looked at Lillianna in horror and said,"Are they making you dizzy? The smell is overwhelming! I could get high off that stuff!"
My congested daughter looked at me in a curious way and said,"But Mom...I can't smell!" Then we both burst out laughing since that is the reason she is home sick today. The poor child can't breathe through her nose!
She can't get high off the markers if she can't breathe.....can she?
10 does not have to be the new 15
I was quite disturbed by this article. I'm well aware that kids of 2006 are more advanced than my generation in the 1970's were but I don't believe it has to be as bad as it is.
Modern technology has introduced many new things since I was a child:
Cable t.v.: I had channels 2,4,5,7,10,12,27,38 and 56...and that was it and that was more than enough. The only "kid shows" were on channel 2 which was PBS. I watched Zoom and occasionally, The Electric Company. Channel 27 had Willie Whistle which drove me insane. Nothing is worse than a squeaky voiced clown! Channel 56 showed re-runs of some 1960's classics like Bewitched and That Girl and they also had The Banana Splits on at 3:00pm when we got out of school. Hooray for cartoons!
With cable,Lillianna has so many channels I can't even count them all. I do check to see what she is watching and happily,her favorite shows are on Disney or Nick Jr. They are kid friendly shows.
What about the kids who are watching programs that are too adult for their child mentality? Are we so busy that we don't care what they are watching as long as they are quiet and not bothering mom and dad? Is that how 6 year olds get so grown up?
The internet: Our children have the entire world at their fingertips. They have access to kids and pedophiles everywhere. They can have MySpace accounts. They can IM each other and strangers. The list of horrors is endless. Is anyone monitoring what their kids are doing online?
Does anyone write letters or just call up a friend instead of IM-ing them? If not,why not?
Clothing: I think my mother bought my clothes until I was 14 or 15. She always chose what I liked so I never had a problem. As I got older,I went shopping on my own and surprisingly,picked out the same clothes my mom would've picked out for me. Even at 43,when my mom buys me clothes for a present,they're always just perfect.
I let Lillianna have some say in her clothing although I know what she likes: jeans with sparkles,anything that has Cheetah fur on it and anything that is snuggly feeling. She doesn't ask for short skirts,belly shirts or tight pants. She has told me,"Those are inappropriate for a girl my age,Mom." I completely agree but more important,at 9,she already knows that.
I get a pain in my chest when I hear young girls talk about being "sexy." What do they know about such things........and why???
When Lillianna came home and told me about a conversation some girls were having in school about a boy being sexy,I sat her down and had a long talk. I explained that at this age,the word sexy,was not a word I wanted her to use.It was not a "bad" word but it was something she could save until she was much older....like 21. At this age,kids are just kids and if you want to compliment them, they can be funny,smart,energetic,pretty,handsome or kind but sexy was not an appropriate word. She already sensed that and she was glad we talked about it.
Cell phones: Young kids are getting cell phones way before they are old enough to understand that this is a tool for an emergency and not a fun toy for their pleasure and their parents' check book.
I understand that if a child has an after school activity and needs to call home for a ride,then a cell phone can be a life saver but I know teens who have cell phones who are not using them for that reason. They call their friends all day long instead of using their home phone which isn't charged by the minute! Parents allow this to happen so kids will continue to take advantage.
The problem and solution lies with us,the parents. We have to set the rules and stick to them. Just because our child wants to wear Daisy Dukes and a belly shirt,doesn't mean they are going to be allowed to do it. The reason that our 10 year olds are becoming the new 15 is because we are not doing anything to prevent it.
Kids are only kids for a short time. They will have plenty of time to be an adult when the time is right. That time,is not now.
How do you handle this with your children? Do you let them do whatever they want or do you set age appropriate limits?
Modern technology has introduced many new things since I was a child:
Cable t.v.: I had channels 2,4,5,7,10,12,27,38 and 56...and that was it and that was more than enough. The only "kid shows" were on channel 2 which was PBS. I watched Zoom and occasionally, The Electric Company. Channel 27 had Willie Whistle which drove me insane. Nothing is worse than a squeaky voiced clown! Channel 56 showed re-runs of some 1960's classics like Bewitched and That Girl and they also had The Banana Splits on at 3:00pm when we got out of school. Hooray for cartoons!
With cable,Lillianna has so many channels I can't even count them all. I do check to see what she is watching and happily,her favorite shows are on Disney or Nick Jr. They are kid friendly shows.
What about the kids who are watching programs that are too adult for their child mentality? Are we so busy that we don't care what they are watching as long as they are quiet and not bothering mom and dad? Is that how 6 year olds get so grown up?
The internet: Our children have the entire world at their fingertips. They have access to kids and pedophiles everywhere. They can have MySpace accounts. They can IM each other and strangers. The list of horrors is endless. Is anyone monitoring what their kids are doing online?
Does anyone write letters or just call up a friend instead of IM-ing them? If not,why not?
Clothing: I think my mother bought my clothes until I was 14 or 15. She always chose what I liked so I never had a problem. As I got older,I went shopping on my own and surprisingly,picked out the same clothes my mom would've picked out for me. Even at 43,when my mom buys me clothes for a present,they're always just perfect.
I let Lillianna have some say in her clothing although I know what she likes: jeans with sparkles,anything that has Cheetah fur on it and anything that is snuggly feeling. She doesn't ask for short skirts,belly shirts or tight pants. She has told me,"Those are inappropriate for a girl my age,Mom." I completely agree but more important,at 9,she already knows that.
I get a pain in my chest when I hear young girls talk about being "sexy." What do they know about such things........and why???
When Lillianna came home and told me about a conversation some girls were having in school about a boy being sexy,I sat her down and had a long talk. I explained that at this age,the word sexy,was not a word I wanted her to use.It was not a "bad" word but it was something she could save until she was much older....like 21. At this age,kids are just kids and if you want to compliment them, they can be funny,smart,energetic,pretty,handsome or kind but sexy was not an appropriate word. She already sensed that and she was glad we talked about it.
Cell phones: Young kids are getting cell phones way before they are old enough to understand that this is a tool for an emergency and not a fun toy for their pleasure and their parents' check book.
I understand that if a child has an after school activity and needs to call home for a ride,then a cell phone can be a life saver but I know teens who have cell phones who are not using them for that reason. They call their friends all day long instead of using their home phone which isn't charged by the minute! Parents allow this to happen so kids will continue to take advantage.
The problem and solution lies with us,the parents. We have to set the rules and stick to them. Just because our child wants to wear Daisy Dukes and a belly shirt,doesn't mean they are going to be allowed to do it. The reason that our 10 year olds are becoming the new 15 is because we are not doing anything to prevent it.
Kids are only kids for a short time. They will have plenty of time to be an adult when the time is right. That time,is not now.
How do you handle this with your children? Do you let them do whatever they want or do you set age appropriate limits?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Celebrity liars!
First it was Mel Gibson with his anti-Semitic remarks who claimed he was not prejudice. Then it was Michael Richards with his "N" word who claimed he was not a racist. Now it's Kelly Ripa attacking Clay Aiken and claiming she is not a homophobe.
I listened to the exchange between Kelly and Clay and I don't care what she says,that was a gay attack. Rosie O'Donnell said it was clear to her that it was about Clay being gay but Kelly said that when he covered her mouth and she said something about not knowing where his hand had been, it was just a reference to him shaking hands with people and possibly contracting the flu and then giving her the germs. Oh please! If that were the case,she would've said that! I never liked Kelly Ripa to begin with and now she has just confirmed that she's a petty,shallow bitch.
I'm really tired of these celebrities lashing out in anger at a particular group and then backtracking when they get negative feedback. I'm not perfect,but even in a fit of rage,I wouldn't say the things these celebrities have said because I don't feel that way. A person doesn't say the "N" word unless it's already in his head and he looks upon African-Americans as the "N" word.
I'd have more respect for these people if they'd just stop lying.....wouldn't you?
Their pitiful explanations are just lies and we all see right through them. I don't think I can listen to one more outburst followed by a lame apology. I'm just sick of it!
I listened to the exchange between Kelly and Clay and I don't care what she says,that was a gay attack. Rosie O'Donnell said it was clear to her that it was about Clay being gay but Kelly said that when he covered her mouth and she said something about not knowing where his hand had been, it was just a reference to him shaking hands with people and possibly contracting the flu and then giving her the germs. Oh please! If that were the case,she would've said that! I never liked Kelly Ripa to begin with and now she has just confirmed that she's a petty,shallow bitch.
I'm really tired of these celebrities lashing out in anger at a particular group and then backtracking when they get negative feedback. I'm not perfect,but even in a fit of rage,I wouldn't say the things these celebrities have said because I don't feel that way. A person doesn't say the "N" word unless it's already in his head and he looks upon African-Americans as the "N" word.
I'd have more respect for these people if they'd just stop lying.....wouldn't you?
Their pitiful explanations are just lies and we all see right through them. I don't think I can listen to one more outburst followed by a lame apology. I'm just sick of it!
A beautiful beginning
Most love stories have such a beautiful beginning,"I saw her across a crowded room and our eyes met," or "There was an electricity between us...." or something romantic like that. Today I heard the most interesting beginning to a love story and I wanted to share it.
Today's episode of Judge Hatchett was about a paternity test. What else could it be about? Every court show or talk show is about,"I ain't that baby's daddy!" Use a condom,people...ok?
Anyway,Judge Hatchett asked the daddy in question how he met his ex-girlfriend. I think this is the most magical and romantic thing I have ever heard. He said,"Well,Judge,I was fresh out of prison when I went to my cousin's house and that's where I met her."
Confess,you're all jealous that your own love story doesn't start that way,aren't you? Don't be sad....it's only normal to be jealous!
Today's episode of Judge Hatchett was about a paternity test. What else could it be about? Every court show or talk show is about,"I ain't that baby's daddy!" Use a condom,people...ok?
Anyway,Judge Hatchett asked the daddy in question how he met his ex-girlfriend. I think this is the most magical and romantic thing I have ever heard. He said,"Well,Judge,I was fresh out of prison when I went to my cousin's house and that's where I met her."
Confess,you're all jealous that your own love story doesn't start that way,aren't you? Don't be sad....it's only normal to be jealous!
Friday, November 17, 2006
Run to your nearest grocery store!
Today I discovered the most delicious Jello-O snack. It's called vanilla caramel sundae. It's sugar free and it only has one gram of fat. I also bought mint chocolate sugar free pudding. I sampled that one in the store. Deeeeeeelicious!
Thank you,Jello-O! Now I don't have to feel sad at dessert time. I have a tasty and healthy alternative!
Thank you,Jello-O! Now I don't have to feel sad at dessert time. I have a tasty and healthy alternative!
Gay penguins.....who cares?
I would love to go around the world and just smack stupid people on the head. It would be a time consuming job but I think it would be worth it.
I have made my stand on homosexuality pretty clear. I don't care if someone is gay.
I also don't care what religion someone is. It has nothing to do with me. Nothing at all. I don't listen to people who say that being gay is a sin and that every gay person will be on a one way voyage to hell. If G-d loves everyone and He created man in His image,then wouldn't He love homosexuals too?
I was outraged when SpongeBob SquarePants was "outed." He's a cartoon.....and a sponge! Get a life,people.
Today I read an article about a children's book that stirred me up. It's a book,based on a true story about 2 male penguins at the zoo who adopt a baby penguin and raise it as their own. Parents are outraged. What else is new? Apparently there are gay penguins in the world but I can't help but wonder why this is a crisis.
The thing is,it's about creating a family from love. It doesn't talk about the 2 male penguins having sex. What the hell is wrong with a loving family? In this day and age where kids are basically raising themselves,it's nice to know that there are families out there.
I loved the book Heather Has Two Mommies. Lillianna and I read it together when she was 6 or 7. It explains how families may look different but they are all made up of love. Love....isn't that the most important thing? Well,isn't it?
Would you let your child read And Tango Makes Three?
I have made my stand on homosexuality pretty clear. I don't care if someone is gay.
I also don't care what religion someone is. It has nothing to do with me. Nothing at all. I don't listen to people who say that being gay is a sin and that every gay person will be on a one way voyage to hell. If G-d loves everyone and He created man in His image,then wouldn't He love homosexuals too?
I was outraged when SpongeBob SquarePants was "outed." He's a cartoon.....and a sponge! Get a life,people.
Today I read an article about a children's book that stirred me up. It's a book,based on a true story about 2 male penguins at the zoo who adopt a baby penguin and raise it as their own. Parents are outraged. What else is new? Apparently there are gay penguins in the world but I can't help but wonder why this is a crisis.
The thing is,it's about creating a family from love. It doesn't talk about the 2 male penguins having sex. What the hell is wrong with a loving family? In this day and age where kids are basically raising themselves,it's nice to know that there are families out there.
I loved the book Heather Has Two Mommies. Lillianna and I read it together when she was 6 or 7. It explains how families may look different but they are all made up of love. Love....isn't that the most important thing? Well,isn't it?
Would you let your child read And Tango Makes Three?
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
If OJ did it?...ya right!
Of course he did it! I don't know about you,but I wouldn't be able to "make up" a scenario to a brutal murder unless I actually did it or I was a brilliant writer. Apparently,OJ has such a creative imagination that he is going to enlighten the world with his "what if" version of his ex-wife's murder.
Isn't he clever? He can confess,basically,and never be tried for this murder again.
I'm hoping karma takes care of him one of these days.
Isn't he clever? He can confess,basically,and never be tried for this murder again.
I'm hoping karma takes care of him one of these days.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Soup for breakfast
Well,I don't know how it happened,but I'm sick. I started to feel congested on Friday but I thought it would pass. I went to work Saturday and Sunday but I just felt worse. I probably drank 10 cups of tea on each shift because my throat was bothering me so much but the tea didn't help much.
The past two nights,I have slept sitting up. Last night I ended up going on the couch at 1:30am because my post nasal drip kept making me choke. At 2:00am I heated up a pot of homemade chicken soup that I made for dinner. At 5:00am,I finally fell asleep for an hour.
I checked my blood sugar at 7:00am which is supposed to be a fasting blood sugar but the best I could do was to not have eaten for 5 hours. I had another bowl of soup at 8:00am after Rich brought Lillianna to school.
Rich gave me a funny look as I sat curled up on the couch with my big bowl of soup. "Soup for breakfast?" he asked. I gave him a dirty look as I said in a raspy voice,"Ya...do you have a problem with that?....... It's the only thing that I can eat!"
I hate being sick and cranky.
The past two nights,I have slept sitting up. Last night I ended up going on the couch at 1:30am because my post nasal drip kept making me choke. At 2:00am I heated up a pot of homemade chicken soup that I made for dinner. At 5:00am,I finally fell asleep for an hour.
I checked my blood sugar at 7:00am which is supposed to be a fasting blood sugar but the best I could do was to not have eaten for 5 hours. I had another bowl of soup at 8:00am after Rich brought Lillianna to school.
Rich gave me a funny look as I sat curled up on the couch with my big bowl of soup. "Soup for breakfast?" he asked. I gave him a dirty look as I said in a raspy voice,"Ya...do you have a problem with that?....... It's the only thing that I can eat!"
I hate being sick and cranky.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
R U kidding me?
I understand that there is a need for abbreviations in chat rooms and when text messaging but this ridiculous laziness is spilling into other aspects of life.
We are all stunned when we realize there are teenagers and adults who don't know how to read and spell but what should we expect? Children take writing and spelling short cuts every day. After a while,I wonder if these kids really know the correct spelling of anything.
As I drove to work this morning,I noticed the sign in front of a little antique store that read, WEBKINZ R IN.
Lillianna loves Webkinz but I wonder why the store had to use R instead of are. Were they missing the A and E? Was it too taxing to use 3 letters instead of the one?
Is it because they are trying to appeal to kids who only know the letter R and couldn't read the word ARE? Are we raising a generation of illiterates?
Does anyone know what is going on?? Is anyone surprised that kids can't read? Sadly,I'm not surprised at all.
We are all stunned when we realize there are teenagers and adults who don't know how to read and spell but what should we expect? Children take writing and spelling short cuts every day. After a while,I wonder if these kids really know the correct spelling of anything.
As I drove to work this morning,I noticed the sign in front of a little antique store that read, WEBKINZ R IN.
Lillianna loves Webkinz but I wonder why the store had to use R instead of are. Were they missing the A and E? Was it too taxing to use 3 letters instead of the one?
Is it because they are trying to appeal to kids who only know the letter R and couldn't read the word ARE? Are we raising a generation of illiterates?
Does anyone know what is going on?? Is anyone surprised that kids can't read? Sadly,I'm not surprised at all.
Friday, November 10, 2006
The cousin connection
When I was 6 years old,my Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Barney came to visit us in Massachusetts from California. Uncle Barney was my Papa's brother. One day,he said to me,"My granddaughter Becky is your age. You should write to her." I thought that was a fun idea so I wrote the following informative note.
Dear Becky,
Hi.I am your cousin,Robin. Please write.
Love,
Robin
It must have been my great communication skills that won her over because we were pen-pals for 7 years.
When I turned 13 in 1976,my Nana and Papa took me out to California that summer.That was the first time that Becky and I met. We were instantly friends. My grandparents and I stayed with Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Barney for 11 days and then they went home. I bounced around from their house to Becky's house for the 10 days I was there without my grandparents. Becky and I had so much fun.
When I turned 15,Becky came east to stay with my family for 3 weeks in the summer. It was like we had never been separated. We fell into an easy relationship right away. I didn't want her to go home when her trip was over because being a pen-pal was very different from having her in my life every day.
We kept in touch over the years until we were in our early twenties. Then we just stopped writing and calling due to hectic schedules and life changes. Over the years,I have thought of her often and wondered what she was doing. Uncle Barney died in 1998 and he was my last connection to California. I didn't know how to even reach Becky and being lazy,I didn't try.
This past week,Becky emailed me. It was a total shock and a wonderful surprise. She found me on classmates.com but when she realized I wasn't a gold member and couldn't open her email unless one of us paid $30,she decided to Google me.
Lo and behold,her Google search led her to DotMoms and she found my email address on my blog. Thank you,Internet! After a few email exchanges,we decided to schedule a time to talk. This morning,at 5:30am,her time,I called her and we chatted for 2 1/2 hours. She had to go out but promised to call me later today to finish catching up.
When I told my mom how long Becky and I talked for,she laughed and said,"You always liked Becky." I sure did. My whole family did. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed her until I heard from her. Thank goodness she is resourceful enough to find me.
The funny thing is,even though we had 20 years of catching up to do,it wasn't awkward talking to her. It was like I had spoken to her last week instead of 20 years ago. I guess when cousins are friends,the connection is never really broken!
Dear Becky,
Hi.I am your cousin,Robin. Please write.
Love,
Robin
It must have been my great communication skills that won her over because we were pen-pals for 7 years.
When I turned 13 in 1976,my Nana and Papa took me out to California that summer.That was the first time that Becky and I met. We were instantly friends. My grandparents and I stayed with Aunt Sylvia and Uncle Barney for 11 days and then they went home. I bounced around from their house to Becky's house for the 10 days I was there without my grandparents. Becky and I had so much fun.
When I turned 15,Becky came east to stay with my family for 3 weeks in the summer. It was like we had never been separated. We fell into an easy relationship right away. I didn't want her to go home when her trip was over because being a pen-pal was very different from having her in my life every day.
We kept in touch over the years until we were in our early twenties. Then we just stopped writing and calling due to hectic schedules and life changes. Over the years,I have thought of her often and wondered what she was doing. Uncle Barney died in 1998 and he was my last connection to California. I didn't know how to even reach Becky and being lazy,I didn't try.
This past week,Becky emailed me. It was a total shock and a wonderful surprise. She found me on classmates.com but when she realized I wasn't a gold member and couldn't open her email unless one of us paid $30,she decided to Google me.
Lo and behold,her Google search led her to DotMoms and she found my email address on my blog. Thank you,Internet! After a few email exchanges,we decided to schedule a time to talk. This morning,at 5:30am,her time,I called her and we chatted for 2 1/2 hours. She had to go out but promised to call me later today to finish catching up.
When I told my mom how long Becky and I talked for,she laughed and said,"You always liked Becky." I sure did. My whole family did. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed her until I heard from her. Thank goodness she is resourceful enough to find me.
The funny thing is,even though we had 20 years of catching up to do,it wasn't awkward talking to her. It was like I had spoken to her last week instead of 20 years ago. I guess when cousins are friends,the connection is never really broken!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Where did Nana say she was??
Yesterday Lillianna wanted to call my mom so I told her to try the house first. No answer. I told her to try my mom's cell. Now that she's in Florida for 6 months,she is up and out pretty early on most days. Lillianna's end of the conversation sounded like this,"Hi Nana....uh huh...uh huh....okay...bye."
My mom is known for not being on the phone with us for any long period of time. She'd rather have 3 short talks with us per day as opposed to one long one. I don't know why. Even this was unrealistically short for my mother so I asked Lillianna what she said.
With a perplexed look on her face she said,"Uhm.....I think she's boating!" I thought about that for a moment but it didn't sound right. Mom and John live right on the water but I didn't remember Mom saying she was going boating or who might have had a boat. I kept saying it in my head,"Boating....boating...." Then it hit me.
I looked at Lillianna and tried not to laugh as I asked,"Did she say she was boating or voting?"
Lillianna looked even more confused when she asked,"Why would she be voting?" I said,"Because it's Election Day."
Lillianna thought for a moment before she said,"Oh.....maybe she was voting and not boating." Then she just walked away.
If you don't have a child somewhere in your life....get one. They are so darn funny. Lillianna makes me laugh every single day.
My mom is known for not being on the phone with us for any long period of time. She'd rather have 3 short talks with us per day as opposed to one long one. I don't know why. Even this was unrealistically short for my mother so I asked Lillianna what she said.
With a perplexed look on her face she said,"Uhm.....I think she's boating!" I thought about that for a moment but it didn't sound right. Mom and John live right on the water but I didn't remember Mom saying she was going boating or who might have had a boat. I kept saying it in my head,"Boating....boating...." Then it hit me.
I looked at Lillianna and tried not to laugh as I asked,"Did she say she was boating or voting?"
Lillianna looked even more confused when she asked,"Why would she be voting?" I said,"Because it's Election Day."
Lillianna thought for a moment before she said,"Oh.....maybe she was voting and not boating." Then she just walked away.
If you don't have a child somewhere in your life....get one. They are so darn funny. Lillianna makes me laugh every single day.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Twelve years?
November 5,1994........It was an Indian summer in Massachusetts on the day we got married. Everything was perfect. I look back on that day and think,"We had no clue!" We were so sure that life would be wonderful and carefree because we were in love.
Anyone who says that marriage is easy is either single or a big fat liar pants! Marriage is many things.....easy is not one of them.
Over the years, we have survived the death of family members,loss of jobs,moving 3 times,a six month separation,2 different marriage counselors,my pancreatitis attack in Disney and the every day stresses that life brings to unsuspecting couples who think that love conquers all.
After 12 years I have decided that a good marriage is a work in progress. I know that with all life's ups and downs,I wouldn't want to share them with anyone but Rich. Even the times when I threaten to kill him while he's sleeping,he knows I'm joking. He's darn lucky that I fight like a girl. Otherwise,I could be typing this from prison.
At this point,after all we've been through,I think it's safe to say we won't give up now. This marriage is forever......for better or for worse.
Happy anniversary,honey. I love you.
Anyone who says that marriage is easy is either single or a big fat liar pants! Marriage is many things.....easy is not one of them.
Over the years, we have survived the death of family members,loss of jobs,moving 3 times,a six month separation,2 different marriage counselors,my pancreatitis attack in Disney and the every day stresses that life brings to unsuspecting couples who think that love conquers all.
After 12 years I have decided that a good marriage is a work in progress. I know that with all life's ups and downs,I wouldn't want to share them with anyone but Rich. Even the times when I threaten to kill him while he's sleeping,he knows I'm joking. He's darn lucky that I fight like a girl. Otherwise,I could be typing this from prison.
At this point,after all we've been through,I think it's safe to say we won't give up now. This marriage is forever......for better or for worse.
Happy anniversary,honey. I love you.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Last year at this time......
.....we had already arrived in Disney World and we were enjoying our first day in the Magic Kingdom. This was the start of our dream vacation.
I know I have to move past this event but today was really difficult for me. I have been on the edge of an anxiety attack all day. I've tried taking deep calming breaths or thinking pleasant thoughts but nothing has worked.
I'm sad for the trip that was ruined. I'm sad for the fact that my illness ruined the trip. I'm sad that Lillianna recently warned her friend who was heading south,"Well,I hope your mother doesn't have pancreatitis and almost die on your Disney trip!" Most people just say,"Have a nice vacation."
It's been one year since I got sick and believe me,I don't want to whine,but life sure has changed. I'm grateful to be alive and healthier than I was but I am still a long way from where I need to be in many ways.
I hope this year will be a better year for all of us.
I know I have to move past this event but today was really difficult for me. I have been on the edge of an anxiety attack all day. I've tried taking deep calming breaths or thinking pleasant thoughts but nothing has worked.
I'm sad for the trip that was ruined. I'm sad for the fact that my illness ruined the trip. I'm sad that Lillianna recently warned her friend who was heading south,"Well,I hope your mother doesn't have pancreatitis and almost die on your Disney trip!" Most people just say,"Have a nice vacation."
It's been one year since I got sick and believe me,I don't want to whine,but life sure has changed. I'm grateful to be alive and healthier than I was but I am still a long way from where I need to be in many ways.
I hope this year will be a better year for all of us.
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