So here it is New Year's Eve Eve...and I feel compelled to write my last blog of 2011. Even as I type I am wondering where am I going with this...and I am kind of thinking the same for the next year...where am I going with this?
Well let's take on the easy one first...what to blog blog blog about....the year in review perhaps? Yeah- like all years, 2011 had its ups and it had its downs but all in all it was a very good year ( I hope everyone sang that last part). Boy- did it go fast though. If this is how fast all the years are going to go by....I better concentrate on more than blogging!
This year was a year of some firsts....my sweet grandson's first birthday and he is even more so the shining light of my life.
With that same feeling in mind, I was so thrilled to see my sister enjoy the feeling of being a grandma as her daughter had a daughter. Even though no one warned me...I was happy to share with her the concept of the "new layer of worry" that comes with the totally overwhelming joy you feel as a grandparent! I feel it is my duty to warn grandmas-to-be (especially Italian ones) to expect a punch in the stomach.
I realized it myself when my daughter was in the labor room and I was in there for some support ( I wasn't there for the delivery ...I couldn't take that moment away from her and her husband...plus... a c-section..um... no thanks) While I was in her room, I was watching the beeps of the machines that I knew nothing about (but it also seemed the nurses were fumbling over the new computerized system too).......those beeps don't seem right to me...which one is the baby ...which one is hers...it was then I realized as I prayed ...that if anything happened...I mean ..that is MY baby having a baby...POOF- along with the birth of my grandson was the birth of the new layer of worry !!! Maybe you have to be Italian to get this paranoid way of thinking---my sister - she gets- I mean, she's my sister !
As life goes -there were some losses. A very dear friend, gone way too young... I miss him every day and will try to keep his memory alive with my theater kids...(by the way...2012 will be an AMAZING TECHNICOLOR year....yay! MJ directs a show blog part 2 coming this summer to a computer near you .....) But as I look back- yeah there was injury and illness...the good won..thank goodness!
Some Goodness of the year included
-playing Yatzee with my kids at our cottage ...all three ...in the same place for a whole night and the stand up surfing the next day and lauging until it hurt!
-securing a home for my summer show kids
-having those same kids come through for me and our town at a toy drive for the community center that houses us!
-my daughter graduating from college /low point - my idea of buying her an idiot dog as a gift...although Louie made a great Toto.
-of course my train trip with my sweet boy...that will be the highlight of many many years!
-walking around NYC with some of my favorite people in the world on a beautiful fall day
-the whole Christmas season....teaching a little boy Jingle Bells etc....decorating the (dont touch the tree) ...watching him open gifts...getting the ho ho whole idea of Santa but also singing Happy Birthday to Jesus (I wish there was a font to relate how he says Jesus because it is awesome!!)
And that brings us to New Years Eve Eve...and where am I going with this?
Resolutions? Nah..I break those before my head hits the pillow on New Years Day...No diets, no exercise routines...no trying not to swear so much ...WTF- I'll save that last one for Lent! So what's a girl (hah) to do to be a better person in 2012? No weight loss/diet regimen is going to do it...that's external...although there is a pair of jeans I would like to fit into again.....but let's concentrate on the inside. The person inside the those really, really, REALLY tight jeans- What can I do to be better... we all can be better in some way or another right? So let's do it....
Lets ALL be better!!! ...let's be considerate, let's take time for each other - let's not wait for someone else to call.... you call to make plans with friends...let's not be so money oriented...I learned this holiday that no amount of gifts or money spent can replace the look on Coop's face when he found M&M's in his stocking that Santa promised to bring him!
Let's be better! Let's make each other laugh...let's smile more and stop complaining so much...let's appreciate what we have and who we are. Let's be better- we can do it
...and let's not let the little things get to us...like those slow ass drivers who only speed up to make the light that you get caught at...or the people who call and call and call to remind you that your credit card payment is due in 2 weeks ....or incompetency on soooo many levels ..from doctors that don't call back when they say they will to the Tim Horton's people that don't get that black coffee means no cream and no sugar... or those FU**ING Kardashians...enough already with those no talents morons...hey so what.. I got a big ass too...just sayin...Happy New Year!!!!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Buses, Trains and Automobiles
So I traveled across the state with a 20 month old and lived to blog about it! I loved every minute of if...well almost every minute. Before I get too detailed about this little adventure, let me just say there are two kind of people in this world. People who appreciate children ....and everyone else. Now let it be clear that I have most definitely asked hostesses in restaurants to move me to a different table if I am seated near children. That doesn't put me in Column B...the everyone else column.... I like children, I work with children and have for 17 years. I never planned to, my degree in communications and public relations was never put to actual use because of my own children...but life happens and everything happens for a reason. (Apparently the reason is I can make less money working in a school than I can in an ad firm.) But what ever....there are two kinds of people but I guess Column A can be broken up even further...1. Loves kids and 2. Loves WELL BEHAVED kids...which is why I usually ask to have my seat moved. That being said, my little companion falls in the "well behaved" group...for real...not grandma real either.
On to the trip. The reason for the trip in the first place, was to take my grandson to Albany to see his mom who was there on business and then the three of us to travel for a side trip to NYC.
The first leg of the trip is all me!
We walked in to the train station in Buffalo to begin our adventure. He was so excited...woo woo (-along with the arm pump )..let's wait for the train. We were greeted with some genuine smiles and some "oh shit is that kid going to be on the train with me?" smiles. Speaking of shit...he did ...in the train station. Which by the way Amtrak is in Column B. No kid friendly rest rooms.....no place to really change the "I'm so excited to go this train ride" dump he took. But we managed and the people with the nice smiles immediately moved over to the "oh shit" group...literally
So freshly diapered...we boarded the train. We luckily got a seat with tons of space around us to accommodate the equipment one needs for traveling with a grandchild. A portable DVD player ...a necessity ! To an adult ...a luxury,when traveling with a toddler...a NECESSITY! A Yo Gabba Gabba sleeping bag...a bag full Barney DVD's (sorry every other passenger) supply of juice boxes, healthy snacks from mom and grandma specific snacks like cheese balls and m&m cookies and then of course a suit case of 5 days worth of clothes (and shoes).
All aboard...and he was awesome....even with an hour delay our 7 hour train trip was a successful one. We ate, we watched dvd's and listened to a loop of his 5 favorite songs (again, sorry every other passenger)and then he slept. I am so proud of him for sleeping and proud of myself for not. Imagine: sitting on a nice warm train...the motion of the rails...no interruptions or distractions...and I can't believe I stayed awake. I sit down for five minutes at home and I'm out like a light, hell, I'm dosing as I write this...but some how I stayed awake...(Grand)Mother Bear instinct I guess!
Now the moment of truth...the two kinds of people....The train is pulling into the Albany Station. As I gather up all the above mentioned paraphernalia and I keep my eye on this perfect little boy who has kind of turned into a ticking time bomb....he can blow at any minute..."all done" train! While I hike my bags on my shoulders and scoop up my companion....people have already invaded our space to get off the train first....Adults!!!!!! these are...ADULTS!!!...pushing their way to get to the door. I am reminded of school when these kids die to be first in line..."I'm the line leader" I envisioned this middle aged man with one small bag saying as he CUT ME !!! I have to say one nice Cloumn A man offered to help me but at this point I was balanced like a Jenga game and one false move and game over.
So off the train to hail a cab in the rain of course....me and my boy off to see Momma or as I see my lovely daughter: another set of hands and eyes to watch him so I CAN PEE!!!!
A day and half in an Albany hotel in the middle of nowhere was a challenge but we had enough nonsense to keep us busy....and that 3 hour nap (we both took this time) was priceless so ...with Mom along we were off to the big city.
This leg of the trip involves a cab- a train -a cab -a bus -and a car....all in one afternoon/evening. Though we had another companion (set of hands/set of eyes) with her came a fold up stroller and the biggest suitcase I have ever seen. I still include the fact that it had wheels on it in my nightly prayers. God Bless my family and friends and thank you for the wheels on that suitcase....Amen.
So my best friend in the world met us at Penn Station....my best friend who I saw as another set of arms... escorted us to the clusterf*ck that is NewYork City in front of Penn Station on a Friday evening.....We ignored the cop "suggestion" that we stay on the curb and wait in the taxi line....and hijacked a cab as some one jumped out we jumped in...and by jumped I mean loading all our crap into the trunk in the rain ( it wasn't really raining..I just threw that in)
From the cab we jump out ...and by jump( see previous sentence) and walk to catch the bus. On that little trek, a bag with some "necessities" rips and spill on to the streets.
Someone...an angel, I believe, or at the very least..some one in Column A stopped and gave us one of her plastic shopping bags.. I Heart NY!!!
So to Port Authority to get on a bus...by the way, the wheels on the bus go round and round. This is where we meet the president of Column B, the "I see people with kids and suitcases everyday"guy ...who scolded me for trying to get that giant suitcase on the bus and again for going the wrong way to have that giant suitcase put in the storage area. So-rry buddy....did you meet the nice lady on the street with the plastic bags. So the wheels on the bus went round and round ....for an hour straight...We get off the bus and here is the conversation:
Me: I have a bag under the bus in storage
Bus Nazi: (disgusted)Oh yeah and you know what ...you never gave me your ticket
Me: You never asked me for it
Bus Nazi: Where's your ticket?
Me: In my pocket....
Bus Nazi: I shouldn't even give you your bag...no didn't give me a ticket
Me: I don't give a shit...it's my not my bag anyway...it's my daughter's
Bus Nazi: <trying not to laugh>
Me: Look Dude...I'm a grandmother and I have been traveling for 3 days with a 20 month old....bring it bitch....(I didn't say that last part ...but how cool if I did) Here's my ticket...
Bus (not so much like a )Nazi: smiles and laughs and says have a good night.
And with that we spent the next couple days with our friends and family in the city and in New Jersey and had a wonderful "did everything we wanted to"time. I have to say one of the best times I ever had. I was kind of "held captive" with this spectacular little toddler and loved every exhausting minute of it. Some people thought I was crazy to take this on ...but when has that ever stopped me. This trip was one that I will always remember as one of my best ideas and I hope some way, some how he will have a little glimpse of a memory of when he and his "Ga" went on an excellent adventure! After 5 days we are back in Buffalo with all our shit..and....shit happened -again in the Buffalo Amtrack Station...full circle...just sayin.
On to the trip. The reason for the trip in the first place, was to take my grandson to Albany to see his mom who was there on business and then the three of us to travel for a side trip to NYC.
The first leg of the trip is all me!
We walked in to the train station in Buffalo to begin our adventure. He was so excited...woo woo (-along with the arm pump )..let's wait for the train. We were greeted with some genuine smiles and some "oh shit is that kid going to be on the train with me?" smiles. Speaking of shit...he did ...in the train station. Which by the way Amtrak is in Column B. No kid friendly rest rooms.....no place to really change the "I'm so excited to go this train ride" dump he took. But we managed and the people with the nice smiles immediately moved over to the "oh shit" group...literally
So freshly diapered...we boarded the train. We luckily got a seat with tons of space around us to accommodate the equipment one needs for traveling with a grandchild. A portable DVD player ...a necessity ! To an adult ...a luxury,when traveling with a toddler...a NECESSITY! A Yo Gabba Gabba sleeping bag...a bag full Barney DVD's (sorry every other passenger) supply of juice boxes, healthy snacks from mom and grandma specific snacks like cheese balls and m&m cookies and then of course a suit case of 5 days worth of clothes (and shoes).
All aboard...and he was awesome....even with an hour delay our 7 hour train trip was a successful one. We ate, we watched dvd's and listened to a loop of his 5 favorite songs (again, sorry every other passenger)and then he slept. I am so proud of him for sleeping and proud of myself for not. Imagine: sitting on a nice warm train...the motion of the rails...no interruptions or distractions...and I can't believe I stayed awake. I sit down for five minutes at home and I'm out like a light, hell, I'm dosing as I write this...but some how I stayed awake...(Grand)Mother Bear instinct I guess!
Now the moment of truth...the two kinds of people....The train is pulling into the Albany Station. As I gather up all the above mentioned paraphernalia and I keep my eye on this perfect little boy who has kind of turned into a ticking time bomb....he can blow at any minute..."all done" train! While I hike my bags on my shoulders and scoop up my companion....people have already invaded our space to get off the train first....Adults!!!!!! these are...ADULTS!!!...pushing their way to get to the door. I am reminded of school when these kids die to be first in line..."I'm the line leader" I envisioned this middle aged man with one small bag saying as he CUT ME !!! I have to say one nice Cloumn A man offered to help me but at this point I was balanced like a Jenga game and one false move and game over.
So off the train to hail a cab in the rain of course....me and my boy off to see Momma or as I see my lovely daughter: another set of hands and eyes to watch him so I CAN PEE!!!!
A day and half in an Albany hotel in the middle of nowhere was a challenge but we had enough nonsense to keep us busy....and that 3 hour nap (we both took this time) was priceless so ...with Mom along we were off to the big city.
This leg of the trip involves a cab- a train -a cab -a bus -and a car....all in one afternoon/evening. Though we had another companion (set of hands/set of eyes) with her came a fold up stroller and the biggest suitcase I have ever seen. I still include the fact that it had wheels on it in my nightly prayers. God Bless my family and friends and thank you for the wheels on that suitcase....Amen.
So my best friend in the world met us at Penn Station....my best friend who I saw as another set of arms... escorted us to the clusterf*ck that is NewYork City in front of Penn Station on a Friday evening.....We ignored the cop "suggestion" that we stay on the curb and wait in the taxi line....and hijacked a cab as some one jumped out we jumped in...and by jumped I mean loading all our crap into the trunk in the rain ( it wasn't really raining..I just threw that in)
From the cab we jump out ...and by jump( see previous sentence) and walk to catch the bus. On that little trek, a bag with some "necessities" rips and spill on to the streets.
Someone...an angel, I believe, or at the very least..some one in Column A stopped and gave us one of her plastic shopping bags.. I Heart NY!!!
So to Port Authority to get on a bus...by the way, the wheels on the bus go round and round. This is where we meet the president of Column B, the "I see people with kids and suitcases everyday"guy ...who scolded me for trying to get that giant suitcase on the bus and again for going the wrong way to have that giant suitcase put in the storage area. So-rry buddy....did you meet the nice lady on the street with the plastic bags. So the wheels on the bus went round and round ....for an hour straight...We get off the bus and here is the conversation:
Me: I have a bag under the bus in storage
Bus Nazi: (disgusted)Oh yeah and you know what ...you never gave me your ticket
Me: You never asked me for it
Bus Nazi: Where's your ticket?
Me: In my pocket....
Bus Nazi: I shouldn't even give you your bag...no didn't give me a ticket
Me: I don't give a shit...it's my not my bag anyway...it's my daughter's
Bus Nazi: <trying not to laugh>
Me: Look Dude...I'm a grandmother and I have been traveling for 3 days with a 20 month old....bring it bitch....(I didn't say that last part ...but how cool if I did) Here's my ticket...
Bus (not so much like a )Nazi: smiles and laughs and says have a good night.
And with that we spent the next couple days with our friends and family in the city and in New Jersey and had a wonderful "did everything we wanted to"time. I have to say one of the best times I ever had. I was kind of "held captive" with this spectacular little toddler and loved every exhausting minute of it. Some people thought I was crazy to take this on ...but when has that ever stopped me. This trip was one that I will always remember as one of my best ideas and I hope some way, some how he will have a little glimpse of a memory of when he and his "Ga" went on an excellent adventure! After 5 days we are back in Buffalo with all our shit..and....shit happened -again in the Buffalo Amtrack Station...full circle...just sayin.
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