Are you blogging?

If you are blogging, I'd like to know about it.  Because if you are reading this than it is very likely that we know each other and I would be interested in what you have to say in your blog.
And, by the way, thanks for reading.

I have been inconsistent, at best, but I've missed it.
I rarely "tweet" and I quit Facebooking.  I manage to stay in touch via those old stand-bys like phone calls, text and email.  I know.  I'm so old fashioned.
But even with the occasional touches that phones (of whatever variety) and email I still feel like I am somehow "off the map" and while I am personally ok with that, I worry that my friends think I am out of touch.
That is not the case.  I still want to be friends, and be in touch, and get together, and hear how you're doing.
I just resent that we all seem to think that Facebook is the only way to do that.

I can be a responsible, caring, loving friend without the crutch of hourly status updates.
And it is our jobs, as friends, to reach out.  Friendship requires effort.  You have to pick up the phone, share your news, put out the energy to stay friends.  You have to be a friend.
You don't need Facebook to be friends.  It's a mirage, people.  You only talk on Facebook?  You hadn't talked in 20 years but now you're BFFs on Facebook?
No, you're not.

I made some connections on FB that I missed and that I have since maintained and enjoyed.

I stayed in touch with a ton of my local friends through Facebook, keeping up with where and what was up.  Somehow, though, I still know what's happening, where, and with whom.  And what I don't know, I don't miss.
And I managed to throw together a pretty fabulous holiday party with most of them (sans Facebook) via text message.  I didn't even have a MacBook to email with at that point. (She's home now, all recovered, poor baby girl.)  As much as I loathe the telephone, sometimes I have to use it and I don't usually regret it when I hang up, smiling, after a conversation with my friend.

I made some connections on Facebook that allowed for closure that I didn't need or want to pursue further.

I made some that were people I genuinely cared for and was thrilled to reconnect with.  But without Facebook we will go our separate ways again.  But that's ok.  It's ok to think fondly about an old friend, workmate or acquaintance from your past.  That's what your past is for.  You're not supposed to collect every single person you ever knew - liked or disliked - in one room.
People come and go in life.  Everyone leaves their mark.  Appreciate it.
Then, when you run into them at Olive Garden one crazy, cold, wet afternoon and you both look like shit and you're hungry and grumpy and you have a "20 minute" wait for a table then you can go on and on about each other, then you can tell each other how awesome you look, how much fun you used to have, how happy you are to be together and then  you can go sit and enjoy your endless salad, breadsticks and chardonnay with a pleasant smile and a peaceful memory.  That's how it's meant to go.  You're not supposed to hear about every time their new baby shits or their spouse gets the flu or their boss is a donkey.

I do not miss Facebook.  Sometimes, I miss the connections here and there.  But honestly, if our paths are meant to cross again, they will and in the meantime, we will all go on with our lives and smile fondly when a great memory passes by our conscious.

*********

Have you read any good books lately?
I have been on an Autobiography kick for a while now.  Maybe I have always liked them.  I am a nosy girl.  But it seems they have become more popular to write so they are more available and I am more aware of them.
Rob Lowe's book was great.
There is a lot more to him than hotness and that was nice to learn.  I said it then (or I tweeted it) and I will say it again - if Charlie Sheen writes a tell-all, I will be in line to read it.
They grew up together and there were a lot of stories that involved both Charlie and Emilio and their dad, Martin Sheen.  It was not a name-droppy kind of book.  The fact is that Rob Lowe grew up with a lot of the guys we watched him star in movies with.  That was his life.
If I was rich and famous and wrote a book I would have lots of people to tell you about, too and if they were rich and famous I might sound name-droppy...  but they're not, and I'm not, so I won't bother. 
(Hi, Katie & Melissa!)  xo
Anyway....
I read Smashed and really enjoyed it, though my husband thought it was pretentious and aggravating.
And a few months after that, I stumbled upon Loose Girl in a Borders that was closing so I picked that up for about $2.  (btw, did you know that Borders was originally a little book shop started up by 2 brothers?  How very You've Got Mail!)  It was good, in the same way that the drunk book was good. 
I could totally relate to both vices but I was never that drunk or that slutty, so my arms length judgement was intact.

Right now I am reading Ellen's latest book, which is her third I've learned since opening it.   Seriously, it's awful.
I like her.  I like her show.  I would be interested in hearing her story of being a woman in comedy, a woman in business, a lesbian, a cat lover, a fake blonde...  any of that.  I like her.  But this book is not more than schtick and the only reason I haven't quit it is that Jay bought it for me and I don't want to hurt his feelings.
I am also reading a little Nora Roberts on the side.  That takes the edge off.
Chelsea Handler, Jenny McCarthy - both female comedians, both wrote at least 3 books (that I read, anyway) - both managed to keep it real and interesting and hilariously funny.
Sorry for expecting more than blank pages of "meditation" and some coloring pages.

I read the first of the 4 stories in Stephen King's latest (?) and while it was a very good story, very King-y and scary and gross and creepy it was also very scary, gross and creepy which, I realized as I wrapped it up, just is not my thing anymore.
I know that at least one of the next 3 stories involves rape and torture and I can't imagine there's another Shawshank or Stand By Me in one of the other 2 so I shelved that one.

My mom is reading Regis' latest and Jay is almost done with Jim Breuer so I look forward to both of those in the upcoming months.

*******

Winter is upon us.
Christmas is all but over. 
New Year's Eve is tomorrow.
I enjoy the peaceful hibernation.
We'll celebrate Abby's birthday quietly - a Ballerina Dance Party for her little friends and maybe a nice restaurant dinner for the little princess ...  nothing major, no house party, no pinatas.
We'll head south in February for a break from the cruel, cruel world.  Snow & Ice be damned, we'll be in the pool, strolling along the beach and screaming through Space Mountain!
And we'll carry on with Kindergarten, Pre-K and the day-to-day of our lives while Jay travels to the icy mid-west and we all wait for Spring and summer to return.

Life is Good.
And it's good to be back.

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Pumpkintown is for the Bees...

Today might have been our last foray to the land of the Pumpkin.  I love Fall.  I love the smells, the sounds, the flavors...  I love Wyatt's birthday and how it kicks off the entire holiday season.
What I don't love is aggressive, stinging bugs coming at me with a purpose - only made worse when they aim for my kids.
Call me a ginat baby but the bees literally chased me out of Pumpkintown today.
No, thanks!  No, way!

So, our visit was cut short but we really could have tried harder...  the truth be told, we didn't care that much.  Pumpkintown was a fun, enjoyable, season-y thing to do when the kids had pretty much nothing else to do with our time.
Now, with school and activities we had to squeeze it in.  And squeezing in a fun activity is hardly a good way to start out.
To add insult to injury, we had to pay admission.  In previous years, when it was a random weekday that we decided to head to Pumpkintown it was free.  Today, being Columbus Day Observed, we paid $4 each.  So, $12 to get chased by bees in blazing sunshine while sweating in line for a pumpkin bounce house that, according to Abby, had too much air and was not very bouncy at all.

Perhaps we'll put P-Town behind us.  It seems we've outgrown it.  But it will forever be a fond memory of my tiny kiddos' Fall line up...

2009

 

Today, 2011

Today, 2011

2010

2009.  Where's Wywy?

How Tall in 2010?

Today, 2011

Two Weeks is like 5 Minutes...

I was worried about what I would do with my "free" time when Wyatt started school.  I was worried that I would be lonely and bored.

< insert ridiculous eye roll and lip twist here >

Instead, the days are blending into the weeks and the month of September is almost over.
I am back and forth to school at least twice a day, I am up and down the driveway for the bus twice a day, I am babysitting for a 3-year old baby girl 2 days a week, 10 hours a day.

Abby goes straight from school to dance on Mondays.  I cannot take her because I have 2 extra kids, in addition to Wyatt, on Mondays and Wednesdays but I am so grateful that my good friend, her little friend's mom, takes both girls every week.  But it's a long day apart.  She gets home around 5:45, in time for dinner and bedtime.  We snuggle and talk about her day and make bedtime as late as we can because Mondays are long, and we miss each other.
Tuesday mornings we stay in our jammies, stay cozy and try to regroup from the busy weekend-into-Mondays.  But Tuesday morning ends quickly when reality hits and both kids are off to school and I am getting whatever I didn't finish on Monday done.

I am donating my "extra" time to PTA activities and volunteering in the kids' classrooms in addition to the old stand-bys of cooking, cleaning, shopping and maintaining the household.
My head is constantly spinning.  My to-do lists are piling up because while most of it is getting done, I don't have time to care and check it off the original list.
I cannot believe how wild and busy and crazy and exhausting and fun September is!

Abby asks Wyatt about every detail of his day in Pre-K and today, she wanted me to drive her in so that she could see him go to Drop-Off and get a quick hug from her precious Mrs. Monarca.  And tonight, she cried about how much she missed her Pre-K teacher, friends and school day.  She's working so hard, she misses her easier days.  Last week, Thursday I think, she cried "why do I have to go to school every day?!"  But when she was done crying she said "I guess when I'm in first grade, I'll cry about missing Kindergarten".

Seriously?
First grade?

School.

Tomorrow is the first day of school.  Tomorrow should have been the 6th day of school but, as you may have noticed, Irene had other plans.
So, tomorrow I will put Abby on the bus and send her off to Kindergarten.  She will be driven by Mrs. C, who she knows as Tyler's mom - not scary.  And being that she is going to Afternoon Kindergarten the bus will have only other afternoon kindergartners on board.  PM-K is good for so many reasons.  Many of which I never considered and am now so grateful for.  Not getting rushed in the morning and not having big kids on the morning bus are only 2 of those things that I never knew I would value so much.
Once I get Abby safely loaded onto the "D" I will then head up to Gilead with Wyatt loaded up in the Bu, ready for his first day of Pre-K.
He is very, very excited.  If you ask him, he will carry on about playing with toys, being with his friends and Mommy dropping him off and leaving him with Mrs. Aubrey - but coming back to pick him up - but not staying with him.
The very thing that has him the most excited - Mommy dropping him off and leaving - is the very thing that leaves me without breath and very sweaty.
I have never left my baby boy anywhere - to do anything - without me.
Yes, he goes to "daycare" at the gym.  It's never more than 2 hours and I am never more than a few feet away.  And if he cried or needed me, they could get me within 2 minutes.

Once I drop him off tomorrow I have to Drive. Away.  I won't see him or what he's doing.  I won't hear the funny things he'll tell his teacher or the conversations he'll have with his little friends.
He will be on his own, in a group of his tiny little peers, all by himself.  For the first time ever.

It's only 3 hours, 4 days a week.  And I couldn't have asked for a better school or teacher.  And Abby went to the same program for 2 years.  I have nothing to fear.  No legitimate concerns or issues.

I am just very, very attached to my baby boy.

I don't love him more than I loved his sister when I sent her off to Pre-K 2 years ago.  I cried that day, too.  But I didn't have this anxiety.  My heart was not racing and my stomach did not feel feathery.
He is not less excited than she was.  In fact, he might be more excited because he has been waiting and watching for 2 years and now it's his turn.

I am not worried or anxious for Abby to start Kindergarten.  There are 14 kids in her class and her teacher is seasoned, kind and confident.  I can't say more than what my first impression told me but I already like her.  Abby would do well either way, though - that's her personality.  I don't worry about the situation she is heading into, I know Abby will adapt and be awesome.

I will just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.  My friends tell me that by the end of the month I will be thanking the heavens that they leave me (almost) every day for a few hours.  They tell me I won't know what to do with them over Christmas vacation or *sigh* summer vacation next year. 
But I know I will know what to do.  Enjoy,  Every.  Moment.

I will be in their classrooms.  I will be on their field trips.  I will be here when they get home and hear all about whatever they want to share with me.
My house will be decorated with artwork and projects.
And when they want to watch tv, I will happily turn it on because I will know that they have had full, productive days and deserve a little downtime.
I will make hot soups and crockpot dinners. 
It's almost holiday season - ghosts, witches, pumpkins, mums and corn...  followed by Santa and Angels and Christmas trees...  followed by the lingering snowflakes and snowmen..  all homemade and full of glue and sparkles!

Hurrican Irene - in pictures

 Day One
More wind than rain...  these pictures don't really do it justice. 
It's hard to capture that with the camera but it was awesome to watch.

The fact that we hadn't lost power for what seemed like "the worst" of it helped my awe.

This tree snapped and fell across the street.  The town had already moved it back off of the road when we (and the rest of the neighborhood) took our walk.  It was the photo-op of the day...  I should have charged $5 a shot!

I arrogantly began baking this pineapple bread pudding while the storm was still raging.  I finished baking it in the grill.
It was delicious.

Cook 'em if you got 'em.
They were talking about 5-7 days of power-free living before Irene even reached Connecticut so we were prepared.

Abby & Wyatt camped out on our floor...  it was very, very dark.

  

Day Two

After the lights went out on Sunday the wind continued to whip through the afternoon and night. 
It was very unsettling.  

The next morning, however, the sun was shining and the sky was a beautiful blue. 
Jay made us coffee with the camping coffee pot and we made breakfast on the grill. 
It was still pretty fun.  Our food was still cold and our adventurous spirits were high,

Gorgeous morning for hot coffee!  (Really, really hot!)

Juice boxes in the morning!!?  Aw, Yeah!

Helping Daddy pick up sticks.  Obviously.

Dinner by candlelight...

Goodnight!

A few things I did not get shots of Monday:

• Driving out to Nel's to grab showers & dinner and stopping to find Q broken & bleeding in the middle of Charles Lane.  Jumping into action for my girl only to find that I cried harder than she did while Jay called 911 and her parents.  I'm no good in an emergency.  (At least not when Jay is there and I don't have to be.)
• Watching Q get wrapped and strapped and zipped away in an ambulance.
• Seeing her on the couch 2 days later, smiling through the pain and flinching/crying as she tries to get comfortable while telling me the full story of what led to our finding her on Charles, bleeding.  (And my rage at all things teenage and stupid.)
• Her broken tib/fib, surgery with 2 rods, skinned and bruised legs, feet, toes and arms.
• Jody wrestling with frustration, sadness, anger and stress while maintaining patience, kindness and warmth.  Being a good mommy is so hard sometimes.

Day Three
Sitting around by candlelight was starting to feel a little icky.  We didn't want to be "quitters" but we were getting antsy sitting in the warm, dirty dark.  We missed running water.  A lot. 
So we decided that if there was no progress on Tuesday we would go stay at a hotel for a night or two.  We needed a break.  Or so we thought.

Dunkin' for breakfast with Hershey's Strawberry Milkshakes?!?!?

The fridge.  After.

The fridge, Before.

Come on, Ride the Train!!

Hello, Sanctuary!!

This room was as big as our first apartment.  That door on the left lead to our bedroom with 2 Queen beds. 
You also can't see the sectional.

Indoor pool...

...takes the sting out.

Day Four

Waking up in the hotel was nice...  air conditioning, comfy beds and warm showers are hard to beat.  Add free breakfast and coffee to that and well, I miss it right now.

Considering that we were staying for free with Points earned by Jay because he stays at Hyatts every week for work - he was not having a good time staying at a Hyatt "for fun".
And considering that our dogs were still at 131, we couldn't exactly go far...  we had to take care of them which meant driving back and forth two or three times a day.  It sounds cool, but it just wasn't relaxing, it was annoying.

By mid-day we were already planning our trip home.  We felt helpless and like we deserted our post.  One more night and we planned to head back, lights or no.

The final straw:  these 2 kids arrive for another day of fun in the indoor pool to find it locked.  "Maintenance" closed the pool.  We were already ready to go home but this sealed it for the kids.

 Day Five

It was really nice to get home.  

Jay got the fire pit going and we bribed the kids to pick up sticks by allowing them to toss them in.

It was a gorgeous day, the fire smelled great and I put a good dent in my book while relaxing on the deck.  Reading in the quiet, in the middle of the day, outside is one of the most relaxing, loveliest activities in the world.  One I intend to participate in far more often.  

(Especially once the kids start school!!  Did I mention school was supposed to have started on Monday of this week?  Not even Winter yet and already 5 snow days deep!)

We also decided on this day that without power we could not hold a proper Jaybor Day Celebration.  We pulled the plug on the 35th Annual Celebration.  I can only hope to make the 36th unforgettable.

The branch that snapped and wedged itself into the "Tri-Tree" is huge.  It's basically a "Quad-Tree" now.

Widow-Maker.  Gotta find a tree guy.

It was nice to be back.

Day Six

We decided to take a break in a different way on Friday.  We headed to the gym - earlier than I have ever headed to the gym in my life because really, what else was there to do - exercised, showered and headed down to the shore.

We ate lunch at Flanders Fish Market.  

 Flanders offers the most delectable, amazingly delicious, creamiest, tastiest Lobster Bisque I have ever tasted, smelled or seen.  I highly recommend it.

This girl was...

telling me something...

very serious.

After lunch we took a drive and stopped to look at the drawbridge, some boats and just the water in general.  I had hoped to find a strip of beach to walk on...  fantasized about it, dreamt of it...  but we did not.  We weren't willing to pay or trespass so we just kept on driving.

Always making our day a little bit more interesting, Wyatt managed to get his head stuck on this little walkway.
He was released unharmed.

 After our shore excursion we headed to Nana & Papa's for dinner.  Nana baked something she called "macaroni".  We were so starved for home-cooking we ate it, but when enough time passes that we can make fun of her without it being too sensitive, we have every intention of doing that. 

She's a great Nana, but she's no Betty Crocker.

Wyatt steering the ship.

Our little mermaid.

CL&P had already promised us our electricity so when they promised again neither of us took it to heart.  Candlelit cards and a bottle of red wine, in bed by nine.  I was getting used to it.  Truly, I did not miss tv or internet or noise.  I missed water and clean laundry and showers but the peaceful darkness was becoming comforting.

That night, at 2am - give or take - the house lit up like a Christmas tree.  Bright and noisy with beeps and bloops and bops...  Jay and I jumped out of bed like we heard gun shots.  

LET THERE BE LIGHT!!  

It was comforting and a relief to know it was over.  But I have to admit, I will never forget that little sliver of sadness I felt when the tv lit up and the phone glowed.  

Irene, thank you for the cleanse.  We all needed it.

Things I will no longer take for granted:

Flushing.

Using soap and water together.

My dishwasher.

My pool.

Bright light.

Things I will find the time to stop and do:
 Play outside.

Read on the deck.

Take a walk.

Enjoy the silence.

As I wrap this blog entry, I have to say that I know I missed things.  I missed memories that I will never forget.  This week was not one that will be easily forgotten.
Moments of tension and stress you could cut with a knife.
Moments of laughter and peace and joy that couldn't be properly described.

Pride.  Happiness.  Fear.  Responsibility.  Community.  Love.
It's not something you can understand if you've never lived it.  
It is something that I am grateful I was able to experience.

Hurricane Irene

I have taken so many pictures over the past 4 days, I can't imagine my camera will hold much more, but I have vowed to unload them all at once, when it's all over.

And while the storm came and went in less than a day, her effects are still lingering and likely will, for a very long time.

Some observations:

• Hurricane Gloria was fun.  Because I was 10.
• Hurricane Irene is an adventure for my kids, who are 3 & 5, and have never experienced "no tv" never mind no lights or no cold food.
• People surprise you.  We know when to step up for each other.  We can be reminded of what's important.
• No one should have to live without electricity for 4+ days, not when it's not a planned camping vacation - and even then, you have running water.
• We may have to cancel Jaybor Day.
• My neighborhood is awesome.  I don't know how we wound up in Hebron but you can't pick a better town to raise a family.  Especially if you're lucky enough to live in The Heights.
• Q is one of the toughest cookies out there.  I saw her broken bones moving around under her skin and she was holding it together like a soldier.
• My husband's life of luxurious hotel rooms and restaurant meals is not nearly as luxurious as I once thought it was.
• Looking forward to planning our 1st Annual Hurricane Irene Reunion Party for the 'hood - it can't only be when the power's out that we all walk around and mingle.
• Realizing that Jody and her kids are our family, even though we always knew it.
• Mother Nature, in all her glory, is a force to be reckoned with.  And I reckon she kicked our ass.
• Hotels are for vacations...  relaxing, prepared and budgeted-for vacations.
• The pool water is fine for flushing and washing dishes but you can't drink it.
• My husband's preparation for this storm was legendary.
• Cleaning up the yard, smelling the fresh mow and the burning branches, grilling and sitting at night with AM radio by candlelight have never sounded so good.  I can't wait to go home.
• That said, the Hyatt has treated us better than well and I would look for this place on any vacation I planned and looked forward to!

When power returns and the pictures are uploaded, I may return.  But for now, that's all I got.

The Days are Long but the Years are like Lightening.

I can't believe it has been two years since I went through this process with my baby girl.

I ran into a guy that I hadn't seen in months - possibly last summer - and he asked how Jay was, how are the kids, and "what's new".
My answer was "nothing, life is good".
When I shared the convo with Jay upon my return to the homestead I pondered whether or not I should feel stupid or somehow unworldly because, truly, honestly - there is nothing "new".
It wasn't a long thought process.
I don't.

I like things to stay consistent and for now, nothing really should be "new".  I'm not pregnant, we're not moving, the kids are not at an age where they're accepted anywhere or going to finals with anything, Jay's job is going very well, the house is in great shape, the lawn and gardens are coming together quite nicely, the pool is open...  Life is Good.
Maybe that's not exciting but it sure is nice.

What is new, however, is that I am preparing to send my baby girl to Kindergarten.  And my baby boy to Pre-School in the fall.
I can feel my heart tighten in my chest, my pulse race and a lump form in my throat as I write that.
I know I felt a little sad about sending Abby to Pre-school (blog reference, if you choose) but I also remember feeling very, very excited for her because she was so ready and so excited.

Today my baby went into Gilead Hill School for his Screening.  I assume he did well since no one came out to tell me anything when it was over.  A few parents were pulled aside and the rest of us were "dismissed".
Tomorrow is the Lottery.  The kids that were chosen as Peer Models are separated by gender and the slots are filled at a 1-to-1 ratio.  Tomorrow at 11, I will know where Wyatt will go to school in the fall.

"Where Wyatt will go to school in the fall."
Seriously?

My heart aches.  He wants to go so badly.  He loved today so much.  He talks about going "in the fall"  all the time.  When I asked him tonight at dinner "what was your favorite part of today" he said, without hesitation, "SCHOOL"!
And he should love it, I want him to love it, his sister loves it...  and he's going to be awesome!  He's so smart! 

But he still likes to get into my bed in the middle of the night, just to snuggle.
And he has such fat feet most shoes don't fit him.
His fingers are so chubby and he drools all the time!
He's my BABY!!!

I know he'll be fine.  I know he'll be awesome.
How will I be?  Without my little buddy with me everywhere I go, all day long?  How will I drop him off and leave without him?
My baby boy...

One thing is certain - I am going to enjoy the hell out of him and his sister this summer.  Bring on the summer vacation!

Happy Mother's Day

Today was Mother's Day. 
Not my first but it felt like the most special thus far.

I woke up around 7 to the sound of my husband ushering Abby & Wyatt out of my room so that I could sleep a bit longer.  I am always up by 7 because that is when the children wake up.  Even if they get in bed with me, it usually pushes me out.
They got out, got dressed and went outside to help Daddy open the pool.
May 8th and they were out there pulling the cover off, scooping the leaves out and dumping the chemicals in.
At about 8:20 I rolled out of bed, into the kitchen and poured a big, hot cup of coffee.  While Jay is on the road I usually make a quick Keurig cup and rush out the door.  But when he's home (Mother's Day or not!) he almost always makes a whole pot.  And while the K-Cup is better than Instant and more convenient than making a pot for one person, it is neither big enough nor hot enough to truly satisfy that coffee luxury in the morning.
With my big, steaming cup of coffee I stepped out on the deck.  The trees are filling in with green leaves, the grass is getting borderline long, the fresh mulch is perfect and brown and while there are not a lot of colorful flowers yet, I can see where they're planted and picture how they'll look in a few weeks.  This is the most beautiful time of year because everything is fresh, new, gorgeous and full of anticipation.  What's to come...  warmth, sunshine, playtime, swimming, cold beers on hot nights and relaxation.  (Oh, and the weeds haven't taken over yet!)
Taking it all in, I see the kids running around the yard screeching and laughing.  They're playing with Wyatt's car and just basically giddy for being giddy.  That's the kind of pure joy you wish you could bottle and save for adulthood.  They know nothing of stress or worry, they only know the here and now - and the here and now is awesome.

Jay was playing with the filter, adding chemicals, scooping crap & bugs, doing his best to avoid scary spiders and other heeby-jeebies in the pool storage box.
Maybe it was 60 degrees, the sun was shining but the ground was still wet.  It was a perfect morning.  I might as well have been in a Folgers commercial.

We had brunch reservations at 11:00 so I had no intention of eating at home.  An all-you-can-eat-buffet was about to meet it's match and I wasn't wasting an calories with food I had been staring at for a week.

The Bagen Family at the Hotel Thayer, Mother's Day 1984 or 5, I think.
This is the last time I went to a Mother's Day Buffet Brunch and I still remember it, the chocolate mousse, specifically. 
The mousse, and my disappointment at arrival when I saw "thayer" while hearing "fair" the entire car ride there. 

The kids got dressed in their fancy clothes, I showered and got ready in peace (thank you again, dearest husband) and we were actually out the door on time.

At the Brunch we were joined my in-laws (of whom I took no pictures, let the record show I am so sorry I missed the opportunity to get a picture of them with the kids while everyone was dressed so nicely.  Why didn't anyone remind me?) and my very good friend Jody with Q & K.  You may remember previous references to these friends/neighbors who have become so much more than that over the years.





The food was delicious, the company was delightful and I was so at peace and happy with my life, my decisions, my friends and the people (friends, family & community) that I choose to surround myself with and be a part of my life.

This brings me to my initial point, that this was my best Mother's Day thus far because I spent the majority of it reflecting and truly appreciating what I have in my life.  Not the stuff, the stuff. 

 Sometimes I worry that my kids don't appreciate how fortunate they are, I worry that they don't realize that their daily blessings are not the same for every kid.  Then, on days like today, I realize that while they don't walk around with wings on their backs and halos on their heads, they do hear us and they are learning.  I see their manners, their composure, their innocent sweetness that makes all the sweat and tears disappear and only pure joy fills my heart.  The pure joy I wish I could bottle.