I was going to name this blog WTF 2012 but I am trying to watch my language even in the blogworld...wish me luck.
Here it is only 52 days in to 2012 and I am wondering what the what is happening? Now everything started out pretty okay...uneventful which at my age is a good thing...but then....some time in the middle of January ....boom....not BOOM....but boom.
It started with the big evergreen tree in front of our house falling down in a windstorm....didn't hit anything or hurt anyone, but it was unnerving and me with all my Italian-ness wondered ....what's next...this stuff happens in 3's.
Next was the week that I went to 4 doctors. None for me....but 4 in almost as many days.
My oldest daughter, who after 2 years of motherhood became a true mother when she ignored her ailments and kept on plugging away at life when she should have probably been on some big time meds. Doctor 1....I dragged her to clinic where she had all kids of "itises" and was put on some big time meds. Welcome to motherhood honey.....
Then I more or less tricked my father in to letting me take him to the doctor for his knees. My dad...the man who never took an aspirin in his life....who would roll his eyes at a "cut" that could have used a band aid...a stitch....a tourniquet.. is now walking with a cane and grimacing with every step.
Under the guise of me needing to pick up some films from the doctor (can't believe he bought that) I was able to drive him and mom (oh he's fine) to get his knee checked out once and for all....knowing that a knee replacement is in our future. Yes, OUR future...we are currently on our 4th second opinion....the man clearly does not want surgery...and he doesn't want some kid (me) telling him what to do....Doctor 2
When I was growing up, if someone got sick- my mom liked to trace it back to the source....so and so got you sick- I knew it.!! I would be afraid to cough some times because here's my mom figuring who's fault it was- tracing it back to some monkey in the jungle like in the movie Outbreak.. Well this time the little monkey was my grandson who seemed to get everyone sick (not his fault....ever) But eventually it was his turn for some meds....my poor lovey. Just a little ear infection and a runny nose ...Doctor 3
Now I was about to make some snarky post on Facebook about my doctor ordeals, but something held me back .....these things come in 3's I foolishly thought.....cue the ominous music. Boom...- I mean BOOM
My youngest daughter's little puppy got hit by a car. Now she is totally in love with this little pain in
the ass (whoops) dog and the night before it happened she was snuggling with him saying she can't
believe how much she loves him ...if this were a soap opera ( isn't it?) there would be a long, dramatic
camera shot on my face....looking fearfully into the lens..biting my clenched fist....aaaand commercial.
The next day, he ran out the door, down a busy street, and got clipped by a car that should have probably killed him....thankfully for my daughter it didn't ....
His little legs were broke ...broke.....broke in a way that required surgery ...Notice how many times I used the word BROKE ...pun intended! I usually have a policy on animals and vets....money IS
an object and I am never sure if the poor little things even feel better even though their owners do. But there is no price that can be put on the well being of my child. We had the means to fix her little love --- so we did it. (Animal) Doctor 4.
That was one week folks....one week ... and after that came the loss of a job ( my son's) more illness...unexpected bills...finding out the we are paying more taxes than Mitt Romney, work nonsense etc etc...It was then that I looked to the heavens and said ...Hey- what gives?
Now I used to be a church go-er....I made all my sacraments and made sure my kids did too. Every Sunday, for years and years I would sit- stand -kneel like a good little Catholic....but recently I stopped going as much for various reason. One day I sat -stood -knelt and realized I really don't agree with a lot of this stuff. Not so much the water and wine stuff....that's actually pretty cool - but the don't do this don't do that stuff that made me feel bad about myself.
I sin....like everyone else (maybe a little more than everyone) but I don't think leaving early to get my kid to her job or not giving enough money or using a contraceptive for instance makes me a bad person. I would leave feeling horrible about myself....the EXACT OPPOSITE of why you go to church.
Thankfully, I never lost my spirituality ....I still pray and believe in the higher power but lately I have had too many days where I sit and cry like Holly Hunter in Broadcast News. I have a great life ...it is....to quote Mary Poppins Practically Perfect in every way! But I need a little inspiration ....a little lift to get myself out of what has been called the Life Troth. (how do you say that word?)
As I watched my gorgeous brown eyed boy turn 2 this week and prepare for a weekend with my girls in NYC ....I see that there is hope for 2012....it had a rocky start. no doubt about it....but I think with a little help from above and some positive thinking I will see that hey it's only money and a little dog with a limp is kind of cute. There are jobs to be found, money to be made and spent...and my goofy family who is always there for each other no matter what...is all mine and wouldn't trade them...not all of them anyway...
I never like to use the phrase :it could be worse, because it could be better too. So off I march...in to March....looking to the skies to save me....looking for some inspiration...some crazy new avenue to take...a new recipe ...since food DOES make everything better...a new outlook and something new to believe in and hey it could be worse....I could be Mayan....just sayin
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hi Cock Muffin
Okay..Now I that I got your attention...this is not a blog about my favorite pet names or a new line of pornographic pastries.
This is merely a quote from my adorable grandson. He was saying that he is about to enjoy a delicious chocolate muffin.
He has his own little language that only our family can decode. Well, most of our family and only some of the time.. We do have those.."what is he saying" moments or random text messages of "what does dee dee dah mean?" And we all know that "cock" means black or in food terms...chocolate. Now a friend of mine commented on how nice it is to greet your food before you eat it and I agree. (Hello AND Good bye New York Strip Steak and Lobster Tail). I sort of remember when I was younger taking a piece of warm bread and giving it a little kiss before eating it. That probably explains my love/hate relationship with carbs.
But I love the look on the face of the counter person when they ask "what kind do you want, honey" and he says "COCK". It's priceless. We are at the point where we are ..."duh, chocolate".
I am amazed at how much and how fast he is learning. I guess when you are a parent you are in the trenches and they learn - they grow and you are in the midst of it. But not when you are a grandparent....it is (like everything he does) truly amazing. I don't see my grandson for a day or two and he is speaking in full sentences. He is such a little character too...The other night he was staying over night and he clearly requested that I sing a Lady Gaga song for him so he can fall asleep. So I did...without the meat dress. He is growing up so fast and has very definite tastes. Music for instance...he is a big Green Day fan....but is not above the Best, Best, Best Peeeeeet song from Sesame Street.
And of course colors...that sweet little voice saying boo....geeeen...pah pur..weddooow and the ever popular Cock!
I guess I was always a fan of baby language and the way their baby minds work. Words like hoppadopper (helicopter) skilliers (my nephew's version of skewers) jump to mind.
They repeat or try to any way. My grandson is very good at the cadence of words and the melody of speech. He is pretty good at it.
Which also makes me, a gold medal, world class swearer,....kind of have to watch my filthy f****ing mouth. But this is nothing new. It goes back to his mom...my oldest. When she was a baby she spoke very early and come to think of it hasn't stopped since. She had a funny way of looking at things too.
I dressed her up for Halloween as Baby Miss Piggy when she was about 4 and she suggested that she carry Baby Kermit with her so people don't think she is just "another pig in a dress"...Classic!
A couple years before, we were driving down the street (driving is where I believe swearing was invented) and someone did something stupid and I said "watch it ass" and from the back car seat came "mommy, the word is asshole" Ahhh I stand corrected.
Now I really have tried to watch my big mouth in front of little ears and I always give up swearing for Lent. (which makes for a colorful Easter morning....find your f***ing baskets kids....not really). As my children grew up they knew what was appropriate language and when to use it. Like the word "sucks"...Sucks became almost acceptable our language. This all of a sudden happened in the years that my kids were growing up...it was in movies (like kid movies) and tv shows and books. Which, for lack of a better word, sucked because it was said all the time but not appropriate in my opinion for children to say. But my kids knew not to use it in any arena that would ultimately get them in trouble or more importantly make me look bad.
But there was this one time.....(surprised?) my youngest at about age 4 came home from playing at a friend's house. It was earlier than I expected but she assured me that her friend 's family were having an early dinner...hmmmm? Right on the heels of my little darling was the mom of the supposed early diners....She was kind of laughing and told me that she had to send her home because she was jumping on the bed (ok....not the best behavior -but being sent home seemed a bit little harsh) and oh yeah ,she was singing a little song that she obviously wrote called fuck shit....cuuuute. I apologized and since it was during Lent I assured her she didn't hear it from me ...recently. In the mean time my other two children scattered like rats on the Titanic. Embarrassed a little...Amused... a lot.
And I can't leave my son out of this ...he didn't curse ( or never got caught and I know he was behind that fuckshit song) but the innocent minds at work always made for great memories.
Our family went to African Lion Safari which is that thing where you drive your car through a zoo with out cages and monkeys tear of your car antennae and big cats lay around like they would in the jungle even though we are an hour out of Toronto, Canada....you get the picture. Well here we are driving around and in our window we see a gi-freaking-normous giraffe head...Holy shit! That's one big ass giraffe head is what I thought but did not say ( I was learning)...well my son looks at those huge giraffe eyes and says "it's a girl giraffe" because it had eye lashes....just as the words left his precious mouth...the giraffe raised its head and walk along side our car and there in our window we see gi-freaking-normous giraffe .......junk.... NOT a girl....if you get my drift or I could use my grandson's word for chocolate ...just sayin
This is merely a quote from my adorable grandson. He was saying that he is about to enjoy a delicious chocolate muffin.
He has his own little language that only our family can decode. Well, most of our family and only some of the time.. We do have those.."what is he saying" moments or random text messages of "what does dee dee dah mean?" And we all know that "cock" means black or in food terms...chocolate. Now a friend of mine commented on how nice it is to greet your food before you eat it and I agree. (Hello AND Good bye New York Strip Steak and Lobster Tail). I sort of remember when I was younger taking a piece of warm bread and giving it a little kiss before eating it. That probably explains my love/hate relationship with carbs.
But I love the look on the face of the counter person when they ask "what kind do you want, honey" and he says "COCK". It's priceless. We are at the point where we are ..."duh, chocolate".
I am amazed at how much and how fast he is learning. I guess when you are a parent you are in the trenches and they learn - they grow and you are in the midst of it. But not when you are a grandparent....it is (like everything he does) truly amazing. I don't see my grandson for a day or two and he is speaking in full sentences. He is such a little character too...The other night he was staying over night and he clearly requested that I sing a Lady Gaga song for him so he can fall asleep. So I did...without the meat dress. He is growing up so fast and has very definite tastes. Music for instance...he is a big Green Day fan....but is not above the Best, Best, Best Peeeeeet song from Sesame Street.
And of course colors...that sweet little voice saying boo....geeeen...pah pur..weddooow and the ever popular Cock!
I guess I was always a fan of baby language and the way their baby minds work. Words like hoppadopper (helicopter) skilliers (my nephew's version of skewers) jump to mind.
They repeat or try to any way. My grandson is very good at the cadence of words and the melody of speech. He is pretty good at it.
Which also makes me, a gold medal, world class swearer,....kind of have to watch my filthy f****ing mouth. But this is nothing new. It goes back to his mom...my oldest. When she was a baby she spoke very early and come to think of it hasn't stopped since. She had a funny way of looking at things too.
I dressed her up for Halloween as Baby Miss Piggy when she was about 4 and she suggested that she carry Baby Kermit with her so people don't think she is just "another pig in a dress"...Classic!
A couple years before, we were driving down the street (driving is where I believe swearing was invented) and someone did something stupid and I said "watch it ass" and from the back car seat came "mommy, the word is asshole" Ahhh I stand corrected.
Now I really have tried to watch my big mouth in front of little ears and I always give up swearing for Lent. (which makes for a colorful Easter morning....find your f***ing baskets kids....not really). As my children grew up they knew what was appropriate language and when to use it. Like the word "sucks"...Sucks became almost acceptable our language. This all of a sudden happened in the years that my kids were growing up...it was in movies (like kid movies) and tv shows and books. Which, for lack of a better word, sucked because it was said all the time but not appropriate in my opinion for children to say. But my kids knew not to use it in any arena that would ultimately get them in trouble or more importantly make me look bad.
But there was this one time.....(surprised?) my youngest at about age 4 came home from playing at a friend's house. It was earlier than I expected but she assured me that her friend 's family were having an early dinner...hmmmm? Right on the heels of my little darling was the mom of the supposed early diners....She was kind of laughing and told me that she had to send her home because she was jumping on the bed (ok....not the best behavior -but being sent home seemed a bit little harsh) and oh yeah ,she was singing a little song that she obviously wrote called fuck shit....cuuuute. I apologized and since it was during Lent I assured her she didn't hear it from me ...recently. In the mean time my other two children scattered like rats on the Titanic. Embarrassed a little...Amused... a lot.
And I can't leave my son out of this ...he didn't curse ( or never got caught and I know he was behind that fuckshit song) but the innocent minds at work always made for great memories.
Our family went to African Lion Safari which is that thing where you drive your car through a zoo with out cages and monkeys tear of your car antennae and big cats lay around like they would in the jungle even though we are an hour out of Toronto, Canada....you get the picture. Well here we are driving around and in our window we see a gi-freaking-normous giraffe head...Holy shit! That's one big ass giraffe head is what I thought but did not say ( I was learning)...well my son looks at those huge giraffe eyes and says "it's a girl giraffe" because it had eye lashes....just as the words left his precious mouth...the giraffe raised its head and walk along side our car and there in our window we see gi-freaking-normous giraffe .......junk.... NOT a girl....if you get my drift or I could use my grandson's word for chocolate ...just sayin
Friday, December 30, 2011
Let's Be Better!
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!!!!
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!!!!
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.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Sandwich Generation...sounded like it would be way more fun ....
When someone says SANDWICH...don't you think "Yay!!" I mean seriously, think of it....from grilled paninis to peanut butter and fluff AND jelly...you have to admit, it's a positive experience. Don't even get me started on ice cream sandwiches! So don't you think comfort, you think safe...you think being nestled in the middle...(that's a whole other kind of sandwich) But not so!! I am quickly finding out you put the word Generation after the word Sandwich and you get something completely different! I, like sooooo many of my friends and acquaintances, am a member of the Sandwich Generation. Now I have to admit my Sandwich is not quite as overwhelming as some. I mean it's not a turkey club or anything that requires fancy toothpicks to hold it together. My sandwich is in the beginning stage...but I can see condiments being added as the years go on.
For those of you who think this blogger is food obsessed...well, you're right...but in this instance I am metaphor-ing all over the place about a position in life. I have 3 children and a grandchild. Because of the way of the world these days, 2 of them still live at home and one is married with a baby ...who we baby sit so my daughter can work...the way of the world. I am proud of my kids and what they have and have the potential to accomplish, But the reality is: they still need help. Of course my involvement in their lives varies at different times and I do understand that when you are sick....you still want your mama! So that is one slice of bread !
I am also so lucky to have both my parents. They have been healthy and from what I can see happy for many years...but just recently ..it has started...there was a fall or two and pneumonia, a couple little hospital stays and now arthritis..but they have been lucky to get to know their 2 (so far) great-grandchildren! So that is slice number two. Which makes me the ...baloney? turkey?...choose the filling of your choice!
See we are a generation who is "sandwiched" between helping our kids and helping our parents. That seems like a job for a grown up,but damn it...I don't feel like the grown up.
Come to think of it I have been waiting my whole life to feel like a grown up. I remember buying my first car ...a rust Comet ..rust was the color and the condition...the radio went on and off when you hit a pothole or a bump...but it was my own car...I kind of felt like a grown up... I had a loan and car insurance to pay...but no I wasn't quite there. I graduated from college ....got married...and boom! got pregnant (in that order) all in the second half of 1982. I must be grown up now because I'm a mom...this has to do it. But every time I would bring my overall clad, wild curly haired kids over to my parents house...they would immediately plop them on the kitchen counter and wash their faces and ask why I never put bibs on them... Damn! a grown up would have bibs on their kids !! So I blinked my eyes and here I am watching my kids graduate from high school, college...watched one of them (so far) walk down the aisle....and the check I wrote for the wedding was certainly a grown up check! But hmmmmm...I partied at that wedding like I was 18 years old ....so not a grown up. C'mon ...I have a mortgage...I have a real job....a couple of 'em ...so,when? when?
Fast foward and here I am a grandma...and anyone who has ever read my blog know I LOVE being "Ga". ...but holy shit when is this grown up thing gonna kick it. As I look at my responsibilities, I know what I have taken on is not for the weak of heart...certainly not kid stuff! I realize that the tough parts are still ahead of me...the talks! THE TALKS!!! "what to do with their house...what to do....we need to get this in writing"...OMG ( so not a grown up thing to say) I know the situations await me and I will try my best to handle it in a grown up way....I will continue to be there for my kids...what ever they need.
(Like taking a trip to Albany and NYC with my grandson so his mom doesn't have to be away from him all week on her business trip ****more on that stay tuned for the "Coops and Ga's Excellent Adventure" Blog!)
I will also be there for my Mom and Dad...what ever they need...I will gladly make the upcoming holiday turkey and make sure gifts are bought and doctor appointments are kept, groceries are in the house!! So order me a sandwich...hell, I'll have a sub...I guess it's falls under the heading "you gotta do what you gotta do..."
But with my track record I guess...in the words of Peter Pan... if it means I must prepare to shoulder burdens with a worried air....
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me.....just sayin (and I'm sticking my tongue out)
For those of you who think this blogger is food obsessed...well, you're right...but in this instance I am metaphor-ing all over the place about a position in life. I have 3 children and a grandchild. Because of the way of the world these days, 2 of them still live at home and one is married with a baby ...who we baby sit so my daughter can work...the way of the world. I am proud of my kids and what they have and have the potential to accomplish, But the reality is: they still need help. Of course my involvement in their lives varies at different times and I do understand that when you are sick....you still want your mama! So that is one slice of bread !
I am also so lucky to have both my parents. They have been healthy and from what I can see happy for many years...but just recently ..it has started...there was a fall or two and pneumonia, a couple little hospital stays and now arthritis..but they have been lucky to get to know their 2 (so far) great-grandchildren! So that is slice number two. Which makes me the ...baloney? turkey?...choose the filling of your choice!
See we are a generation who is "sandwiched" between helping our kids and helping our parents. That seems like a job for a grown up,but damn it...I don't feel like the grown up.
Come to think of it I have been waiting my whole life to feel like a grown up. I remember buying my first car ...a rust Comet ..rust was the color and the condition...the radio went on and off when you hit a pothole or a bump...but it was my own car...I kind of felt like a grown up... I had a loan and car insurance to pay...but no I wasn't quite there. I graduated from college ....got married...and boom! got pregnant (in that order) all in the second half of 1982. I must be grown up now because I'm a mom...this has to do it. But every time I would bring my overall clad, wild curly haired kids over to my parents house...they would immediately plop them on the kitchen counter and wash their faces and ask why I never put bibs on them... Damn! a grown up would have bibs on their kids !! So I blinked my eyes and here I am watching my kids graduate from high school, college...watched one of them (so far) walk down the aisle....and the check I wrote for the wedding was certainly a grown up check! But hmmmmm...I partied at that wedding like I was 18 years old ....so not a grown up. C'mon ...I have a mortgage...I have a real job....a couple of 'em ...so,when? when?
Fast foward and here I am a grandma...and anyone who has ever read my blog know I LOVE being "Ga". ...but holy shit when is this grown up thing gonna kick it. As I look at my responsibilities, I know what I have taken on is not for the weak of heart...certainly not kid stuff! I realize that the tough parts are still ahead of me...the talks! THE TALKS!!! "what to do with their house...what to do....we need to get this in writing"...OMG ( so not a grown up thing to say) I know the situations await me and I will try my best to handle it in a grown up way....I will continue to be there for my kids...what ever they need.
(Like taking a trip to Albany and NYC with my grandson so his mom doesn't have to be away from him all week on her business trip ****more on that stay tuned for the "Coops and Ga's Excellent Adventure" Blog!)
I will also be there for my Mom and Dad...what ever they need...I will gladly make the upcoming holiday turkey and make sure gifts are bought and doctor appointments are kept, groceries are in the house!! So order me a sandwich...hell, I'll have a sub...I guess it's falls under the heading "you gotta do what you gotta do..."
But with my track record I guess...in the words of Peter Pan... if it means I must prepare to shoulder burdens with a worried air....
I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up
Not me.....just sayin (and I'm sticking my tongue out)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Trick or Treat...witches
I love Halloween. I don't know what it is about this holiday...holiday? I believe it is a holiday, at least for retailers and people who decorate their houses. It seems to be a huge business for Haunted Houses or Fright Worlds and Corn Mazes (I call it Maize). Halloween paraphernalia is out right after the Back to School supplies are gone which, I guess now, is July. But I do love this season.
Maybe it's the costumes or possibly and most likely the candy (fun sized butterfingers..yes please.. 3 or 4 of them) I know it's not the horror movies and the desire to be scared. Of course my definition of scary has change since I was a kid. It used to be monsters in your house and noises and ghosts. Now its any time one of my kids say ...."I have something to tell you " or "what's this thing on my neck..." Those phrases make my blood run cold and grays my hair like the bride of Frankenstein. Monsters and noises at night???...bring 'em on. I've looked in the face of fear, my friends, and it's called a "pre unlimited texting cell phone bill". Although I'm still not crazy about that whole under the bed scenario...I've seen too many movies. I read somewhere that Stephen King won't have any part of his body hang over the bed when he sleeps. Hey, who can argue with the man that thought up those creepy twins in The Shining. And I have to admit I still can't bring myself to watch The Exorcist....never have, never will.
So I think I love the dressing up part of Halloween that I love. It's a chance to be someone or something else for the day. I never wanted to be a nurse but it was fun to dress up as one. See, I work at an elementary school and it is a great excuse to "have to " dress up. It's surprising how many people detest this day. Of course at school, it's about a week of sugar induced ADHD and kids talking about what horror movie they are "allowed" to watch. Mind you, the the school only goes up to 5th grade (about 10 year olds) and the little darlings are talking about watching Saw. Seriously, Saw??? I refuse to watch that. The scary part is kids that can't remember that a quarter is worth 25 cents are probably memorizing the tortures scenes for future use.
Anyway, I do love the dressing up. I think it comes from my childhood. I do believe my mom was one of those who detested that day. In those days my choices for Halloween costumes were limited to hippie, gypsy or Indian (sorry, it was politically correct to use that word back then). Those three were interchangeable ...give or take some beads and move around the head band. My sister and I were one of those 3 things every year from ages 7-12. I guess it didn't matter because Halloween in Buffalo usually meant a winter coat over your costume anyway.
As I got older and was able to create my own costumes...my world opened up to a wind up doll, Space waitress and on to Miss Yvonne to my boyfriend/now husband's Pee Wee Herman (pre- masturbation in the theatre Pee Wee Herman) and I even dyed my very black hair very red and we were Lucy & Ricky Ricardo. We had parties where everyone dressed up. I used to love to see people going about their party business costumes and all. Where else can you see a bloody shot up gangster having an very in depth conversation with a full grown Winnie the Pooh. I mean a real serious conversation. I would also like when you were driving and there was a bunny driving next to you....or a Star Wars Storm Trooper ...or a clown....well that last one is horrifying . It was amazing how many costumes were so inventive and sometime inappropriate (funny inappropriate, that is....read on) Plus, we used to hate the girls that would come to these parties in "pretty costumes" as we used to call them. Now it seems to be the norm. No matter what you dress up as ...it's sexy.
Vampire....a sexy vampire . Little red riding hood....sexy little red riding hood. ...a nun...a sexy nun?...sexy Cinderella....sexy witch. It's like a fetish episode of HBO's Real Sex. Gives new meaning to Trick or Treat now doesn't it.
But another reason I love Halloween is that we moved into our house on that day. I remember watching our new neighbors looking at us .... a Black Cat walking up the drive way with a little Snow White and an even littler Batman. (my son was Batman for about 4 years, by choice though).
My kids, as you may have guessed, loved and still love Halloween. I recall sitting in a dance studio in May when my girls got their costumes and thinking....all right!!!....awesome Halloween costumes!!! They had 2 or 3 costumes ...indoor ones and out door Buffalo Halloween ones. Ninja Turtle, Jasmine from Aladdin, Little Bo Peep. Phantom of the Opera, a parrot, a viking...the list went on and one. I'm proud to say they still dress up and the costumes are all pretty clever. They don't get candy anymore unfortunately...but there is some kind of liquid treat involved.
So I will always have a fondness for this holiday. Now I get to relive all the fun of carving pumpkins and weeding through candy with the next generation of costume loving kids (my grandson is Tigger this year, but at any time of year will walk around the house with a dish towel tucked in his shirt so he can be Superman).
And speaking of candy...don't give out those gross black and orange wrapped whatevers. What are those???...or worse..apples (remember the razor blade in apples urban legand) or the very worst....pennies. You might as well give out eggs and toilet paper because that's what your house will be covered with if you give out pennies! I am big on bubble gum....and huge hand-fulls of bubble gum at that (if I buy chocolate, I have found...it will never make it to Halloween, no matter where I hide it... so I have learned to buy the stuff that will make it to the 31st.) So whatever you give...just don't be skimpy. It's all about filling the pillow case...it's all about the hand fulls...and that's what you get when you come to my house and always will even when I'm too old to dress up in anything but a house coat...a sexy house coat.....just saying
Maybe it's the costumes or possibly and most likely the candy (fun sized butterfingers..yes please.. 3 or 4 of them) I know it's not the horror movies and the desire to be scared. Of course my definition of scary has change since I was a kid. It used to be monsters in your house and noises and ghosts. Now its any time one of my kids say ...."I have something to tell you " or "what's this thing on my neck..." Those phrases make my blood run cold and grays my hair like the bride of Frankenstein. Monsters and noises at night???...bring 'em on. I've looked in the face of fear, my friends, and it's called a "pre unlimited texting cell phone bill". Although I'm still not crazy about that whole under the bed scenario...I've seen too many movies. I read somewhere that Stephen King won't have any part of his body hang over the bed when he sleeps. Hey, who can argue with the man that thought up those creepy twins in The Shining. And I have to admit I still can't bring myself to watch The Exorcist....never have, never will.
So I think I love the dressing up part of Halloween that I love. It's a chance to be someone or something else for the day. I never wanted to be a nurse but it was fun to dress up as one. See, I work at an elementary school and it is a great excuse to "have to " dress up. It's surprising how many people detest this day. Of course at school, it's about a week of sugar induced ADHD and kids talking about what horror movie they are "allowed" to watch. Mind you, the the school only goes up to 5th grade (about 10 year olds) and the little darlings are talking about watching Saw. Seriously, Saw??? I refuse to watch that. The scary part is kids that can't remember that a quarter is worth 25 cents are probably memorizing the tortures scenes for future use.
Anyway, I do love the dressing up. I think it comes from my childhood. I do believe my mom was one of those who detested that day. In those days my choices for Halloween costumes were limited to hippie, gypsy or Indian (sorry, it was politically correct to use that word back then). Those three were interchangeable ...give or take some beads and move around the head band. My sister and I were one of those 3 things every year from ages 7-12. I guess it didn't matter because Halloween in Buffalo usually meant a winter coat over your costume anyway.
As I got older and was able to create my own costumes...my world opened up to a wind up doll, Space waitress and on to Miss Yvonne to my boyfriend/now husband's Pee Wee Herman (pre- masturbation in the theatre Pee Wee Herman) and I even dyed my very black hair very red and we were Lucy & Ricky Ricardo. We had parties where everyone dressed up. I used to love to see people going about their party business costumes and all. Where else can you see a bloody shot up gangster having an very in depth conversation with a full grown Winnie the Pooh. I mean a real serious conversation. I would also like when you were driving and there was a bunny driving next to you....or a Star Wars Storm Trooper ...or a clown....well that last one is horrifying . It was amazing how many costumes were so inventive and sometime inappropriate (funny inappropriate, that is....read on) Plus, we used to hate the girls that would come to these parties in "pretty costumes" as we used to call them. Now it seems to be the norm. No matter what you dress up as ...it's sexy.
Vampire....a sexy vampire . Little red riding hood....sexy little red riding hood. ...a nun...a sexy nun?...sexy Cinderella....sexy witch. It's like a fetish episode of HBO's Real Sex. Gives new meaning to Trick or Treat now doesn't it.
But another reason I love Halloween is that we moved into our house on that day. I remember watching our new neighbors looking at us .... a Black Cat walking up the drive way with a little Snow White and an even littler Batman. (my son was Batman for about 4 years, by choice though).
My kids, as you may have guessed, loved and still love Halloween. I recall sitting in a dance studio in May when my girls got their costumes and thinking....all right!!!....awesome Halloween costumes!!! They had 2 or 3 costumes ...indoor ones and out door Buffalo Halloween ones. Ninja Turtle, Jasmine from Aladdin, Little Bo Peep. Phantom of the Opera, a parrot, a viking...the list went on and one. I'm proud to say they still dress up and the costumes are all pretty clever. They don't get candy anymore unfortunately...but there is some kind of liquid treat involved.
So I will always have a fondness for this holiday. Now I get to relive all the fun of carving pumpkins and weeding through candy with the next generation of costume loving kids (my grandson is Tigger this year, but at any time of year will walk around the house with a dish towel tucked in his shirt so he can be Superman).
And speaking of candy...don't give out those gross black and orange wrapped whatevers. What are those???...or worse..apples (remember the razor blade in apples urban legand) or the very worst....pennies. You might as well give out eggs and toilet paper because that's what your house will be covered with if you give out pennies! I am big on bubble gum....and huge hand-fulls of bubble gum at that (if I buy chocolate, I have found...it will never make it to Halloween, no matter where I hide it... so I have learned to buy the stuff that will make it to the 31st.) So whatever you give...just don't be skimpy. It's all about filling the pillow case...it's all about the hand fulls...and that's what you get when you come to my house and always will even when I'm too old to dress up in anything but a house coat...a sexy house coat.....just saying
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Live, Laugh, Love.....especially Laugh
Well, it has been kind of a rough week for this usually cheerful/cynical girl. I lost a good friend. I lost one about 9 years ago -I lost one about 9 days ago and for some reason there is a connection.
My friend that I lost years ago was also my sister in law...but she was certainly my friend. She lost a battle with breast cancer and this being "Pink-tober" ...that feeling was in the air. Everywhere you look is pink...and that's cool...it's awareness ( yes I know ...I'm over due for my mamo...I'm going ...I'm going). The fact that everytime we tried to take a step of the Breast Cancer walk...it poured...it teamed ...it was very clear to me that she was in the air...
"Quick- everyone-under the tent"
"Okay...it's slowing down...let's walk" ...... rain...rain...RAIN!!!!
"Quick- everyone- under the tent"
Finally I thought...I don't think she wants us to walk! - Okay, read the signs any way you want...but if you knew her, that rain her was saying ...go ...go have breakfast...go watch the Bills game...so we did.
I get those signs all the time. On the anniversary of that awful day that she left this earth...I say to the heavens (where she most definitely is)"Hope I see you today"...and I always do. To some people they were just little gifts ( oh by the way did I mention it was Christmas time when she passed away ...seriously Christmas time!??!! )To some people it was just an angel ornament...a pink scarf ...a little figurine collectible -but to me it was a big hello from my sister in law...my friend that I miss so much.
The best was this past year. I was waiting ...emotionally looking around every corner...waiting for my hello. But she is tricky my sister in law, my friend... I was getting gifts here and there ,but nothing that would resemble her hello ( although the bottles of "spirits" -pun intended- were appreciated). Then my phone buzzed...who is texting me???....forgetting that my own sister was awaiting word about the sex of the baby her daughter was carrying....I check my phone and all I see are two words...THINK PINK!!!
Cue waterworks...so happy that my sister was going to have a granddaughter and experience the joy (that I know first hand ) of being a grandma...but with those two words I got my hello and I would like to think a little intervention...My niece was so hoping for a girl...and yeah, yeah.. I know how it works XY chromosomes and all that shit....but in my heart- my sister in law, my friend worked her magic. She was like magic... she truly did live-laugh and love and we did that together...especially laugh!
I can remember after every show her daughter did or my family did we would chat for hours about it. We would talk about what was great...how great our kids were...how everyone else sucked ...and how we would have done it differently....it was really one of the best parts of doing the show other than the actual doing of the show!!! I miss that more that anyone will ever know
.....so here's my connection.
Last week, I lost a friend. He was a show friend ...but so, so much more. There were people that you did shows with...and then there was Tom. Now I haven't heard from Tom for almost 30 years and one day last year I got a FaceBook message from him saying "I found you". That was it...we were back!
Say what you want about FaceBook....it's a soap box...a self serving one at that....a place to put pictures of yourself looking all fancy or most of the time looking like a jackass...but to me it will always be the vehicle that got me back in touch with Tom. We saw each other quite a few times over which turned out to be his last bit of time on earth . But who knew... we were back...we acted like it was 30 years ago. True, it wasn't a catch phrase back then but we certainly did live laugh and love...especially laugh. Even just recently at a 3 hour lunch...we laughed... I could always count on him for a laugh and at the most inappropriate things...my personal favorite things to laugh at.. for example..(and I'm really, truly sorry if I offend anyone ) the 911 call of the women who owned the monkey who attacked that other woman's face. He did an awesome impression of that awful screeching phone call...
"he's killing her"
"who ma'am??"
"MY MONKEY"
...so sorry... again so so sorry ....with heads hung in shame, we both agreed how horrible that event had to have been...but the phone call ...it made us both giggle a bit...alright a lot...but that was Tom.
So when he sent me a text on the opening night of The Wiz and so eloquently quoted a line from a Wiz song... so perfectly timed that I could tearfully share it with the cast...I was touch but not surprised ...that was my friend Tom.
I will miss him more than anyone will ever know. And like with my sister in law, my other friend, I will look for signs. I may have already gotten one. The night of Tom's wake, I was on the computer playing some mind numbing game and looking at some old pic (okay some stalking). I was on the computer literally for hours when I decided to hop on to his page...the page where I learned about his passing and I was able to read all the tributes to him and see his face once more ... just then, my computer froze. After hours of no computer problems at all...it froze...froze on his page...on his name...on his face. To some people it may have been a technological glich...to me it was hello....just saying.
My friend that I lost years ago was also my sister in law...but she was certainly my friend. She lost a battle with breast cancer and this being "Pink-tober" ...that feeling was in the air. Everywhere you look is pink...and that's cool...it's awareness ( yes I know ...I'm over due for my mamo...I'm going ...I'm going). The fact that everytime we tried to take a step of the Breast Cancer walk...it poured...it teamed ...it was very clear to me that she was in the air...
"Quick- everyone-under the tent"
"Okay...it's slowing down...let's walk" ...... rain...rain...RAIN!!!!
"Quick- everyone- under the tent"
Finally I thought...I don't think she wants us to walk! - Okay, read the signs any way you want...but if you knew her, that rain her was saying ...go ...go have breakfast...go watch the Bills game...so we did.
I get those signs all the time. On the anniversary of that awful day that she left this earth...I say to the heavens (where she most definitely is)"Hope I see you today"...and I always do. To some people they were just little gifts ( oh by the way did I mention it was Christmas time when she passed away ...seriously Christmas time!??!! )To some people it was just an angel ornament...a pink scarf ...a little figurine collectible -but to me it was a big hello from my sister in law...my friend that I miss so much.
The best was this past year. I was waiting ...emotionally looking around every corner...waiting for my hello. But she is tricky my sister in law, my friend... I was getting gifts here and there ,but nothing that would resemble her hello ( although the bottles of "spirits" -pun intended- were appreciated). Then my phone buzzed...who is texting me???....forgetting that my own sister was awaiting word about the sex of the baby her daughter was carrying....I check my phone and all I see are two words...THINK PINK!!!
Cue waterworks...so happy that my sister was going to have a granddaughter and experience the joy (that I know first hand ) of being a grandma...but with those two words I got my hello and I would like to think a little intervention...My niece was so hoping for a girl...and yeah, yeah.. I know how it works XY chromosomes and all that shit....but in my heart- my sister in law, my friend worked her magic. She was like magic... she truly did live-laugh and love and we did that together...especially laugh!
I can remember after every show her daughter did or my family did we would chat for hours about it. We would talk about what was great...how great our kids were...how everyone else sucked ...and how we would have done it differently....it was really one of the best parts of doing the show other than the actual doing of the show!!! I miss that more that anyone will ever know
.....so here's my connection.
Last week, I lost a friend. He was a show friend ...but so, so much more. There were people that you did shows with...and then there was Tom. Now I haven't heard from Tom for almost 30 years and one day last year I got a FaceBook message from him saying "I found you". That was it...we were back!
Say what you want about FaceBook....it's a soap box...a self serving one at that....a place to put pictures of yourself looking all fancy or most of the time looking like a jackass...but to me it will always be the vehicle that got me back in touch with Tom. We saw each other quite a few times over which turned out to be his last bit of time on earth . But who knew... we were back...we acted like it was 30 years ago. True, it wasn't a catch phrase back then but we certainly did live laugh and love...especially laugh. Even just recently at a 3 hour lunch...we laughed... I could always count on him for a laugh and at the most inappropriate things...my personal favorite things to laugh at.. for example..(and I'm really, truly sorry if I offend anyone ) the 911 call of the women who owned the monkey who attacked that other woman's face. He did an awesome impression of that awful screeching phone call...
"he's killing her"
"who ma'am??"
"MY MONKEY"
...so sorry... again so so sorry ....with heads hung in shame, we both agreed how horrible that event had to have been...but the phone call ...it made us both giggle a bit...alright a lot...but that was Tom.
So when he sent me a text on the opening night of The Wiz and so eloquently quoted a line from a Wiz song... so perfectly timed that I could tearfully share it with the cast...I was touch but not surprised ...that was my friend Tom.
I will miss him more than anyone will ever know. And like with my sister in law, my other friend, I will look for signs. I may have already gotten one. The night of Tom's wake, I was on the computer playing some mind numbing game and looking at some old pic (okay some stalking). I was on the computer literally for hours when I decided to hop on to his page...the page where I learned about his passing and I was able to read all the tributes to him and see his face once more ... just then, my computer froze. After hours of no computer problems at all...it froze...froze on his page...on his name...on his face. To some people it may have been a technological glich...to me it was hello....just saying.
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