For Mother's Day, my family bought me a New camera! I love it so much! It's little and it's quick and it takes great shots!
Our first day in Florida, Wyatt fell head first into the pool. I immediately pulled him out. My brand new, Mother's Day, Gift of love and happiness, Camera went in the pool. It was ruined.
I cried and cried. I was so sad that I broke my new camera. I was so sad that my loving husband was so excited to give it to me and now I broke it. It still makes me a little weepy, to be honest.
That afternoon, Jay went to Best Buy and bought me another camera.
Same one.
I love my husband so much. He didn't want me to feel sad.
He did, however, request that next time - I let the boy float for a second while I put my camera down.

As we arrived home from dinner one rainy night in Florida, I heard the very loud, very needy cry of a kitty cat.
Oh no.
I do love kitties.
She was wet. She was adorable and she was trying, very lovingly and sweetly to try to get into our house with us.
Jay took the kids in while I talked to the cat. She was very cute.
Fortunately for Jay (and me, cuz really - who are we kidding, I couldn't bring the cat to CT on the plane), I found out - after knocking on the neighbors' doors - that the kitty lived across the street and had a habit of trying to visit everyone.

Speaking of neighbors - you should have seen these maniacs when I knocked on their door. It was about 8:00. Maybe that's late, but it certainly isn't obscene.
I could sort of see and totally hear all FOUR of them behind the door. There I am, in the rain, nicely dressed, not at all an alarming visitor, waiting while they stare in wonder.
Finally, the man of the house opened the door, we discussed the kitty, I went on my way. No big whoop. But how strange were those people?

Also, they live in Florida. Inland, sort of, too. We were about 35 minutes from the beach. And they didn't have a pool. Granted, the community pool was in sight of the house, but come on. When you live in Florida, using only a community pool is sort of like saying "we don't need AC, they have it in the Clubhouse, we can just go there to cool off."
I would never NOT have a pool in Florida. Maybe that wouldn't have been such a big deal but after the staring and whispering, I decided they were freaks.

Each time we went out, we had to drive down the main road (70) and almost each time we had to drive by this little shack at the corner of 70 and some Avenue. It was hard ot miss since you could be at a red light right in front of it. A tiny, run-down, shady looking house with a giant sign (that didn't light up) - "ASAP Divorce".
Because sometimes you just can't wait, I guess.

While in Florida, we had no batteries in any remotes in the house. We found a few channels and stuck with them. And the kids watched their movies that we packed. (Abby packed for both kids.)
The one movie that Abby watched about 33 times was Disney's Tarzan. We all loved that. One day, I started crying at a particularly sad part. Just tears, I wasn't sobbing or anything, just movie crying - you know you've done it. Abby took one look at me, said "mama, are you crying?" I said yes and she LOST IT! She was hysterical! Crying and sobbing and hugging me... it was so sad and adorable.
Then, after we both calmed down, I started telling Jay what just happened and from listening to me re-tell it, Abby started crying again. So, I did, too.
It was so cute and sad. Re-telling it doesn't do it any justice. You really had to see her precious little face when she saw me crying. Then her little face just crumpling after hearing the story again, only minutes later.
Oh, it was like nothing I have ever experienced. What a sweet, sensitive little lovey-girl she is.

Wyatt's movie of choice was Elmo's Dinosaurs. If I can find the song from it, I will link it here. It will drive you crazy if you listen to it 1839 times in one week. Like we did.

I just wanted to share those few tidbits. I am sure more will come to me and I will post them.
It was a fabulous vacation. It flew by. And usually, we're really ready to go home. This time, it took us by surprise how quickly it was all over.
Now, we're home. Our routine has resumed.
Vacation has a fabulous way of making the routine feel good again, though.

Way Back Wednesday

This picture was taken by my mother on the day that Jay & I arrived to their rented house in St. Pete, FL. I think it was February of 2001 because I think we had twin beds in our bedroom. I am sure my parents felt silly separating us but ok with having us in the same room, with 2 beds. See, we wouldn't be married for a few more months. :)
Now my parents own a condo, on the water, with a great view in a great 55+ community with great pools and restaurants and shopping etc... I love it there so much. They bought their condo in the same complex that my grandparents own(ed) theirs for my entire life.
I spent my entire childhood going to Florida. We went as a family and when I was old enough, I went alone - to stay with my grandparents on school breaks.
Now, my Grampa has passed and my Gramma is in an Assisted Living facility in NY. But we still have FL because my parents are there now. The world keeps on spinning, right?

Anyway - this picture is so great because we had flown down and you know that feeling when you first get to the warm vacation destination from the cold winter of home? That feeling of ice and snow and aggravation literally melting off of your body? I love the smell of Florida. I love the smell of Tampa International Airport. I love the way the humid Florida breeze blows away worry, stress and cold.
And this picture shows the yuck falling off of us.

Notice - Jay already has on his vacation hat. I am still wearing my cold weather clothes - that guy wasted no time throwing on shorts and his bucket hat. (I seem to recall having a spa appointment the next morning for appropriate vacation-hair removal.) But we're sitting with our feet in the water, looking out at the people on their boats, jet skis, other docks and thinking

"now this... this is what we work for."

Two & a half weeks till the "aaaahhhhhhhhh" hits us again. This time we are not traveling in the cold of February but I suspect I'll still feel it. It's still Florida. It's still palm trees and warm, humid breezes.

Florida Trip
Day Five

Not a lot of pictures today. We just hung around the house. We were pooped!
It's been non-stop action around here.
Also, Abby had a low fever (99.5) and was telling me that her throat hurt.
Her little cousin has a sore throat so I am wasn't sure if she really felt that way or heard her Auntie Dink talking about it. But you can't argue with a fever.
So, I gave her some Tylenol and we hung out.

Worth it.
Totally.
We just chilled. The Four of Us.
Enjoyed our little Family Unit.

And in the later half of the day, we took our bathing suits off and put some clothes on.
We saw a fabulous, Florida-style t rain storm followed by a beautiful rainbow.
And we headed out to dinner with the fam.
My sister and bro-in-law treated, which was awesome - THANK YOU!
And we kept it simple by going to Red Lobster.
The thing is, there is nothing "touristy" about Bradenton, FL -
to get a good, local joint would require a half hour in the car.
We just didn't have that tonight.
So, we hit the Lobstah. Which was fun, cuz we don't go to RL at home.
And you can't beat those biscuits.

Pre-Dinner Handsome-ness.

My sweet girl packed up some toys in her backpack for her & Wywy
in case they got bored at the restaurant.

The rainbow that Abby spotted. It really was gorgeous.

The post-afternoon-storm sky.
If you've ever been to Florida then you know that the weather is
"hot with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon."

How freaking gorgeous is my nephew?

Last time we went to dinner Abby sat amidst her big cousins
and only after we got home did she tell us that she wanted to be closer to mommy and daddy. Our hearts broke.
So, this time, I sat next to her and Jay sat right across from us, next to Wyatt.
When I tucked her in, she said "you sat next to me at dinner, Mama. I'm glad."
Kids really break your heart.
And warm it.
Often at the same time.

I believe Ray Romano coined the phrase "Your Ladies Days"... and I believe it was that same episode when, in an attempt to be a good husband, he purchased some products for his ever-condescending bitch wife at the Pharmacy for her "Ladies Days" and she desperately searched through the bag and said "What, Ray, they were all out of 'Bitch-Be-gone'??"
Well, that episode and those phrases come up around here... every.... say... 30 days or so. And we laugh at what a bitch Deborah is (in every f-ing episode, really, not just this one) and what a nice try Ray made (because while he is often an idiot, it is not nearly as often as Deborah is mean).
And Jay has often made a trip to the Pharmacy in search of "Bitch-Be-Gone" and I have often cried about the fact that he needs me to take it.
So goes the "cycle" of life, right?

This leads me up to my Diet Update.
I didn't lose any weight last week. I wasn't the picture of perfect dieting but I wasn't a pig, either. I thought I would have lost at least a pound if not 2. But, no.
I still think a week without gaining weight is a winning week, though. Plus, I realized I was retaining water - and that is probably a good 2 pounds.
And now, this week, "Flo" is here so I can't pressure myself to diet like a machine. I can be careful and not pig-out but let's be realistic, shall we?
I will call this week a success if I don't gain, again.

Florida.
We are going to Florida in May, for a week. It will be 2009's BIG vacation. It will be expensive.
It will be 4 people flying, 4 people lodging, eating and entertaining, a family car rental and the dogs' resort for the week.
That all adds up pretty quickly!
However, we have the option of using my parent's Timeshare for the week IF we can exchange and we can only so that IF something opens up where we want to go.
Why so picky, you ask?
My sister, her husband and her 2 children are flying over from Scotland, for 2 weeks, to go to Florida. Hence, the reason for this vacation in the first place.
So - every day I check the Interval website and every day it says "NOPE! NADA!"
Until, the other day - we have the option of booking a place, a 2-bedroom condo on the beach, full kitchen, living room and private balcony plus the resort has a pool.
The only hitch?
It's about an hour north of where my sister will be.
Certainly worth it, it will save us at least $800. But an HOUR!!!
There are 4 other places that will put us within 10 minutes of each other but htey just haven't opened up.... yet.
What if one DOES become available like, the MINUTE after I book this one!?
Add to this the fact that a direct flight from Bradley to Tampa is less than $200 right now. How long is that going to last!?
Oh, what to do, what to do!?!?!?!

I will leave you with this - because it's too darn cute to keep to myself:

Here we are in August.  Summer will end as quickly as it started at the end of this month.
School starts August 30th here and while I miss the days of "Wednesday after Labor Day weekend", it doesn't bother me that school starts before summer officially ends.  It is what it is and I'm excited to get back into the routine of it all.
Normally at this time of the summer I am planning our Annual Jaybor Day BBQ.  Jay's birthday falls right around Labor Day weekend so we host a party, a "kegger", if you will - and it is always a lot of fun to plan and always a lot of fun to host.
Attendance varies from year to year as Labor Day is a busy weekend for most but the good time does not.
This year, however, I am not planning our annual bash, I am searching the web for SeaWorld coupons and cursing myself for putting our luggage - packed - into storage.

We're headed down to Florida for a birthday-business-trip and I am unbelievably excited!
It started out as a business trip for Jay and is winding up as a week's vacation for me and the kids!
More on that as it comes, but for now - rest assured - Jaybor Day will return in 2011.

Speaking of summer vacation.  I haven't blogged much these past few weeks...  partially due to my addiction to my Bakery & Hotel on Facebook, I'll admit it.  Partial blame goes to Blogger for not allowing me to blog for a while.  I have no idea why or how it fixed itself or I fixed it.  And partial blame goes to the glorious sunshine of summer.  The kids & I have not wasted a minute of this summer vacation and we plan to party like Pre-K rock stars for these last few weeks of it.

We've been to the shore, to several lakes & ponds, visited family & friends, a few day trips, a few playdates and a lot of yard & pool time right there at 131.  Even Daddy has emerged from his cave (err - I mean office) for a few beach days and some pool time!
We're very tan, very tired at the end of each day and a very happy family.  Life is, indeed, very good here.

We have more beach days planned, in addition to Abby's swimming lessons every day.  We're headed to Davis' Farmland at the end of the month and then, of course, Florida!

When we get back, we promise to get serious.  School, Soccer, Gymnastics and the holidays will take over.  We'll cover the pool, pull out jeans and sweaters, plant mums, carve pumpkins and turn the lights on around 4:00.
For now, though, we'll carry on.

I am not babysitting this school year.  That will be a weird change.  I only did it for 2 years, but when you consider that Wyatt is only 2 - that's a pretty good chunk of my life.  Both kids are comfortable in Jody's house and with Q&K like they're family and really - they are.
It will be nice to only have my own kids to worry about.  Our own schedules, our own needs.  But I'm sure I will miss my daily dose of Q&K and I'm sure they'll miss me kicking their butts around their busy schedules.

W, K, Q & A
Just another day in paradise...

Tomorrow, after swimming lessons I am taking the kids to see Toy Story 3.  They have never been to the movies and I think, at this point, we are making more of it than there is to be made - as far as milestones go.  So, we're just going.

Originally it was Debbie's idea but since she's in labor right now, we're going without her.

Here's Deb.  This is from last year, when we played softball.  

She's probably using Jack as an excuse not to play Right Field.

Come on, baby!  Come out!  I need my drinking buddy back!

 

Florida, St. Pete Biz Trip, Day One

We woke up very early.  Very, very early.
We flew to Florida.
It was fairly routine and uneventful - except for this:

Here's Wyatt steering the plane.  Yes.  He's on the pilot's lap, steering.  I shit you not.

I still have a little bit of New York in me, that is less from the fact that I grew up in Putnam County and more because my parents and extended family are all genuine city-folk.

I have a lot of Connecticut, which my NYer family often makes fun of. Simple differences like, I say ORange, they say AHrange. (The fruit. Stay with me here.) FlORida, FlAHrida.

Sometimes I squash my "a" sound, which drives me crazy when I hear it. You know it - when someone says the name "Carrie" but it might as well be "Kerry" - they don't pronounce them any different. It makes me crazy to hear it but it makes me NUTS when I do it myself.

When I get a cup of coffee I have to concentrate when with my CT brethren, I try very hard to CAH-ffee but it never fails, there is always some funny-guy who has to say "oh, she wants a cup of CAWFEE, get this girl some CAWFEE. Hey, did you hear that? She said "Cawfee"." That never gets old, I laugh and laugh at that funny, funny guy.

My speech is very impressionable. After a week with my sister in Scotland I picked up a few tidbits that have stuck with me. I say "cardi" rather than cardigan sweater - I think that's cute because my niece, Cara, loves her cardies and talked about which one he would wear endlessly.
I also say "cheeky" because it's cool - you all wish you had a good reason to use a cool, British term. I have one.
My most noted and most involuntary is my pronunciation of the word "naughty". If I don't pronounce the "t" very speficially it feels wrong to me, but I also know that I got that from my week with Deborah, not my proper-English upbringing.

One day with Michele and I sound like J-Lo for a week. (J-Lo also tends to pop out when I am angry or drinking... both times of very fast speaking, I can't control myself.)

Send me south for a quick vacation, I carry a twang for weeks. Send me to Maine for a long weekend and I'm eating "lobstah".

I don't do it on purpose, I just do it. And I used to be so self-conscious of it but now, as we have discussed here so often, I have gotten much more comfortable with me, as a person who I really like and don't constantly criticize or apologize for. So, I like it.

I am really looking forward to a week in Florida (twang, here I come) with my sister, Deborah and her Scottish brood.
Can you have a twangy brogue?

Florida Trip
Day Six

Today we spent a lazy morning in the house.
Abby is still running a fever and complaining of a sore throat. She is also very whiny and clingy with very little appetite.

Miss Thing in her Watermelon Jammie dress and Auntie Dink's hair wrap.

And if you know Abby you know that whiny, clingy and no-appetite are NOT her style. So, we layed low in the morning.

We revved it up in the afternoon, though.

Wywy is ready to go!

Headed north to Tampa to visit an old friend.
Scott got married (eloped) and bought a house since our last visit to Fla so we went up to meet the wife and see the house.

I am so sorry I didn't take a picture of Jay with his oldest and best friend, nor did I take a picture of the happy couple. Sucks when you miss those obvious shots, ya know?
But - their home is absolutely gorgeous - right out of Better Homes & Gardens. And Jen was a gracious and lovely hostess. Abby really liked her and I suspect it was mutual. I look forward to having more time to get to know Mrs. Newman.

We also stopped in to see Scott's parents. They were happy to see us and that was mutual, as well. Scott's Dad had a stroke and he is in a wheel chair but aside from that he was the same happy, welcoming guy I remembered. It was really nice to have the time to make that visit.

Friends and Family are important.
And taking the time to remember and recognize that is what life is all about.

After our Tampa visit we went back south and stopped in St. Pete to see my parents. They have a 7th floor apartment overlooking Boca Ciega Bay (I think that's what it is, it's a Bay, either way) in the same complex that my grandparents' apartment was my entire life (and still is, even though my grandparents aren't in it anymore).

Jay and my Dad looking out at the water from the balcony.

We visited for a bit and then headed out to Crabby Bill's for dinner. Jay and I were aching for raw oysters and grilled Grouper sandwiches.
Crabby's did not disappoint and neither did that Florida weather as we watched lightning pierce St. Pete Beach while getting drenched in an absolute sky-opening downpour. Gotta love it.
We purchased a great souvenier photo ("only $10 for 2!!") that I will scan in when we get home. At least we got that shot!

We drove home in the rain (we would literally drive out of it and watch it catch up to us before we got out of it again to wait for it again.) We stopped at McDonald's so that Abby and Mommy could pee. ("Look, mama! They sell Icecream here!" Cutie. She has no idea what McD's is and I love that.)

I wrapped up this night watching the 2-hour Season Finale Event of Grey's Anatomy.
And seriously - not since I was a high school girl in love with Dylan while trying to be Brenda have I loved a television show so much... I cannot believe I have to wait until the weather is turning cold again to find out how this is all going to work itself out... Crazy.

So, tomorrow night at this time I will be packing up, cleaning up and wrapping up this most fabulous week of relaxation, resting, sisterly bonding, husband and children quality time, beach, pool & eating heaven. I doubt I will blog. I will be returning, slowly but surely to my wound-up-too-tight life of organization and micro-management.
But I am so glad I blogged each day up to now. I am so glad I captured each day's memories.

And I am so glad my husband made this trip happen. Because without him.
Well... I wouldn't have any money so I couldn't have come. hee hee
Thanks, babe. Love you.

Florida Trip
Day Two

Happy Mother's Day!

Cousins & Dunkin'.

Look out, Uncle Jay!

Big-Boy Jamie enjoying his "Lollipop".

And, once again, Peace reigns over the Kingdom.

If a book doesn't catch my attention immediately I tend to put it down and then forget why I picked it up in the first place. That's why I always have several going at the same time.
For example, I picked up The Senator's Wife in Target before we left for Fla.
I knew I had wanted to to read it because I read about it in Entertainment Weekly. But I can't remember more than that, so I trusted my instinct and picked it up.
In Florida, I read the first chapter. I just didn't get back to reading. I napped a lot, though. It was vacation, after all.
It has been a few weeks now and I have found myself thinking about it so I plan to pick i tup again soon.

When we got home, my Amazon order had arrived and I started reading the Dr. Laura book I had been waiting for. I am not a Dr. Laura listener or fan. I have never read a book by her but I don't live under a rock, I knew who she was. And the title was worth taking a look at. So, I began to read. I felt connected right away. I love this book so much and highly, HIGHLY recommend it for all stay-at-home mothers.

I have to caveat here, if you are a working mother - regardless of why - do not pick this book up.
It is very, VERY hard to stomach the VERY one-sided-ness of Dr. Laura.
She firmly and without give, believes that a mother should be home, caring for her children, home and husband. And I have yet to see her yield for any reason other than death of the husband. She does say, though, that daycare is better for children of drug-addicts or whores. Nice of her, eh?

So - I have to say that while I find it hard to see around her sometimes, I also find myself agreeing with her far more than I thought I ever would.

Frankly - I, too, believe that mothers belong at home. I really, really wish that every mommy in the world could stay home and love, nurture, protect and provide from the safe, cozy place of home. It is a dream of mine to always be here. I want to be here now, as my babies are new to the world and everything it offers. And I want to be here later, when they come off the bus with all the stress and fears, pride and excitement of the school ages.

So, that part of Dr. Laura's opinion is very difficult. She sees no reason why a woman, once becoming a mother, would do anything but be home.

There isn't any easy way to have that discussion.
It always ends up as "Working Mom vs Stay-at-Home Mom" and I hate that. It's not a good discussion because it doesn't go anywhere. It goes around and around and around, there is no one way, no answer, no solution, no finality.
Being the best mom you can be, the best way you can, the way that makes you happy and your family happy - that is the right way. Not the way that Dr. Laura says you should.

The last book I am reading right now is Columbine by Dave Cullen. I haven't read past what you can see on Amazon yet. I plan to pick it up after I put Dr. Laura down and finish the Senator. I remember that tragic day so well. I was young, it made a huge impact on me as a person. I seriously didn't read or watch the news for years after that. Years. I'm not kidding.

But, I am borrowing Twilight from Carly tonight, so if that is as quick a read as I hear it is, I will read that first. It is the book for June's Book Club (fun, light, summer read!) so I need to read it by June 15 if I'm gonna read it for that meeting.

Florida Trip

Day One

Wywy's first plane ride (Abby's third, not that she remembers).
Waking up at 4:30, taking off at 8:00 proved to be too much for his little body.
He knocked out somewhere over Delaware.

**Worth Noting**
As we stepped off the gate and into Tampa International I was feeling very nostalgic.
I said to Jay, "it's weird to get here and my parents (or grandparents) aren't here to pick me up."
But I didn't get to finish my sentence because, Surprise! There they were!
My Auntie Frannie landed a few minutes before us so they came up to our gate to greet us.
I was so surprised and happy!

On the drive to Bradenton! We have a Rav4, a surprisingly roomy, small SUV.
Abby fell asleep a minute after this picture, Wyatt hung in there.

We wasted no time.
Dropped our stuff, stripped down and jumped in.

This, my friends, is why he works as hard as he does.
Cheers!

Does Anyone Else See Spots?

This has been a very mild winter.
Yes, we got slammed by Irene in August and then again by Alfred 8 weeks later...  but I am feeling light-headed because I feel like I have been holding my breath for 3 months.

We're in Florida right now and the weather is...  mild.  Not too hot, not cold.  I haven't been sweating and dying to jump into the pool.  I have been enjoying the warm sun without the need for a quick cool-down.
We have been swimming, we have been int he Gulf and the pool.
So, not too-too hot, but not so cool that we can't swim and wear sundresses.

The kids and I spent 2 nights at Grammy's.  Thursday we headed to the Orlando International Hyatt to meet Jay.  We spent the evening strolling the mall/airport and the next day we spent at the Roof Pool.  That was cool.
Friday afternoon we checked into our timeshare/condo for the week.
Saturday was spent visiting with good friends of ours that live down here.

And Sunday...  we headed to Disneyworld!!
Sunday at Disney was - By Far - the greatest day of our vacation.
Color me brainwashed.  Call me a stereotype.  Put the Mickey ears on...  we loved it.  Every ride, every character, every employee, every sight and experience...  it blew away my expectations.  Every single bit was so much better than I expected it to be.
I cried at least a half dozen times, for various reasons.  Overwhelmed.  It was awesome.

This morning we decided we had had enough "Cow Country" and headed for the Gulf.  We spent the day at the beach, the pool and then - out to dinner with Grammy.
We're in a Marriott now and Life.  Is.  Good.  I do love a Marriott.

We'll head home tomorrow night.  It's been a wonderful week+ and I am feeling so blessed and so happy and so content and warm & fuzzy and happy....
And full.
Fat, really...

I am so happy that there is absolutely no food in my house right now...  So ready for a clean slate, fresh start and a healthy turnaround...
Fresh, healthy, fat-free, sugar-free, exercise-packed lifestyle.  Because if you put aside all the happy, mushy, "we're so fortunate" crap from the week, a definite takeaway is this:
I cannot take this fat ass into summer.  I will not.

Show me a household that does not stress about money and I will show you a beautiful bridge that just went on the market... or maybe you'd be interested in some waterfront property in Florida...

My point is that everyone worries about money. Everyone spends too much money. No one "stays within their means". The more money you make, the more money you spend. And be wary of people who say they don't - they're the worst ones. Remember this commercial? I t cracks me up because it is so f---ing true, it's silly.

I was recently discussing with Gina, my wedding. I loved my wedding. I loved every last detail. And I can tell you what each detail cost, too. Wanna know why? Because somehow, some way, Jay and I pulled that off. Dollar by dollar.
Wanna know how?
Well, I can't help you with that. I have no f---ing idea how we pulled it off.
It's the American Dream, right? You want it - you get it.

Money can't buy happiness?
I disagree. Money buys you stuff that makes you happy.

Money also allows you the freedom to enjoy the things that actually make you happy. For example - if we don't have money, I need to get a job, if I have to get a job I don't get to spend my time watching my kids grow. What makes me happy here is that I am home with my kids, what allows that happiness is the money.

Some mothers like to work, I get that. Some women need the satisfaction of a paycheck and a career. Some women just get really bored at home, no matter how much they love their kids, the monotony is torturous.
This is not a debate as to which side is right or a better mother for it - I have been down that road too many times to try to solve that question. That is a non-question, there is no answer.

My point is - for every mom that stays home, you'll find 10 that wish they could.

"Wish" they could because they "can't".
"Can't" is completely subjective and another conversation that can never end well. No one, no matter how smart you think you are, no one can decide for someone else what the right choice is.

I used to work with a guy who's wife stayed home with their 3 kids. I am certain he made less than $100k per year.
Is that enough money for a household of 5 in a nice home in a decent town? He was so opinionated and was so sexist that he used to spout off about how "if we can do it, anyone can do it".

No, not necessarily. Different families have different standards and different expectations.

So, I understand that money does not buy happiness.
Directly.
But it certainly facilitates it.

Each New Year's Eve, for at least the past 8, we have held the tradition of a quiet - yet decadent - night in.

We sip champagne, eat food normally reserved for cocktail parties and guests and reflect on the year we've had and what we'd love to see in the year to come.
Last night, we changed things up a bit.  For 2 reasons.  The first being that our children are coming to an age where being included matters and the second is that we were able to go out, have a wonderful dinner with our very good friends, but still come home and have our quiet evening after the kids were put to bed.  So we were able to have our cake and eat it too, bascially.
We had a wonderful night.  We cooked lobsters and ate appetizers and sipped champagne at Debbie & Dave's.  (My pregnant friend sipped sparkling cider!)
The kids played and chased the cat.
And we were able to toast in the New Year (even if it was barely 8pm) with our great friends.  We truly enjoy being together - our kids are great friends - and the next year promises to be full of more great memories just like last night's.
Sometimes you are just lucky enough to find people in your life that you really, really like and feel comfortable with and the feeling is mutual.  That is what we have with Deb & Dave, and I felt very lucky to be in their home on that special night.

By the way, here's the picture I was telling you about earlier:

So, here we are on Day One of 2010...

The Kitchen TV (the newest and most welcome member of our family since Wyatt was born!) is on the official New Year's SVU Marathon, the kids have Diego (or Dora) blaring in the living room, I am sipping coffee and I am thinking about my last 12 months.

A lot has happened.  A lot happens every year.

My daughter started school.  That was a biggie.

Wyatt is talking.

Jay's new job, while not technically "new" for 2009, really took off and proved to be a risk that showed reward.

I promised to lose 50 pounds, lost about 12 and gained about 20.  (I'm gonna promise that again, btw.)

We spent a fun, relaxing and family-oriented week in Florida.

We camped with our very good friends for 2 nights.

We spent a cold but very fun weekend in Boston.

Abby took swimming lessons and the first class in what will prove to be a lengthy career in Ballet.

Countless visits, parties, celebrations and gatherings.

This year we have lots of plans, dreams and considerations...  and there is nothing more satisfying than a clean slate and a whole year ahead to live, love and laugh.

Happy New Year!

Florida Pics -

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Made on a Mac

A sure sign, as if we needed another one, that summer is over?
We closed the pool today.  So sad.  But also - so liberating.  It's like that final piece of the season, that final, lingering "is it really Fall, can I buy my pumpkins?" feeling is complete.
Summer is over.  Done.
I can look forward to Christmas now.  Officially.

But first - I am looking forward to Fall TV!!
I thought I would share with you, while listing and organizing for myself, what I am looking forward to for my Fall television lineup.

On Mondays, I love CBS.  But, from what I can see - they have once again eff'd with the schedule so I am not sure if I will still love CBS.  I love "How I Met Your Mother", "New Adventures of Old Christine" (I know, it hasn't been on Mondays in forever - whatever), and "Big Bang Theory".
I may DVR the shows I like since I hate "Two and a Half Men" and I don't really feel like being stuck watching some new, crappy show in between the shows I already love.
That leaves my Monday nights open for "House", who I love.  Yes, "who", because, really - if he were real, and not the doctor on tv played by Hugh Laurie, I would leave my husband and stalk him for the rest of my life.  I love Dr. House!!

Tuesday brings me the new Melrose.  "Melrose Place" pretty much sucked in the 90's, but I watched it because I was a die-hard 90210 fan.  But, I fell out of love with both shows long before they fell off the air.  I watched the new Melrose, though, because it intrigued me.
I liked it, I'll DVR it, but no promises...  I will really be surprised if I still like it after another episode where they let Ashlee Simpson talk.
Likely I will watch whatever I DVR'd Monday night on Tuesday.

Wednesday is all about "Glee".  I have not been so excited about a tv show since...  I don't know, I'll compare it to American Idol, I think since it really doesn't compare to Grey's or 90210 - my two most favoritest tv shows ever (20 years apart but equally obsessive).

Glee starts at 9 so should I find myself sitting before that, I might watch "New Adventures of Old Christine" followed by "Gary Unmarried" - both very funny but neither worth rushing to get my butt on the couch for.  (I dvr Christine - it's always funny and fills a gap if you have nothing else to do.)

Nothing compares to Thursday night.  I don't go out, I don't do housework, not even folding laundry.  I sit, with nothing but a drink of water, curled up on the couch and ready to completely lose myself in Grey's Anatomy.  I love that show so much, it's ridiculous.  I get angry if Jay makes noise in the background that might distract me from my program.

I watched the Season Finale on the couch in our house in Florida this past May.  It's on again this week and I cannot wait to watch it at home!  Then, next week is the Season Premier.  YAHOOOOOO!!!  I love it, I love the characters, I love the show and 9:00 is the perfect start time.  (Ok, the premier starts at 8, I think, but it's usually 9.)
My obsession is so deep that I actually DVR it, start to watch it about 15 minutes into the episode so that I can fast forward commercials and usually end with the show running live.
I have sort of-kind-of started to watch Private Practice.  The season finale was pretty exciting so I'll give it another shot this year.  But, really, I haven't liked any characters aside from Addison, so I don't know - that show might go away with Melrose.
Also, maybe worth noting, is ABC's new show "Flash Forward".  I plan on dvr'ing that because it starts at 8, which is not a good time, I wouldn't make it every week, but it looks interesting.  And ABC brought us "Desperate Housewives", "Grey's" and "Lost" along with numerous other runaway hits, so it might be worth getting into early on.

Friday nights are not big tv nights but the USA Network present "Monk" and "Psych" and Jay loves them.  I don't have a regular Friday night line-up so one of two things can happen - I might go out.
I can go out because Jay is so happy that it's Friday, he has the weekend ahead of him and his favorite 2 shows on tv, I have no guilt or worry leaving him home alone with the babies.  Or, I snuggle up with my man and watch his shows with him.  I do like both shows, but mostly I just love how much he likes them.

As a side note - on HBO I watch "Big Love" - I love that show a lot, I'm really into the Henricksons.  I also like "Hung" - I dvr it and watch it an hour or 2 at a time, it's 30 minutes - not a very good show but I just keep watching it.

Saturday and Sunday are not (were they ever?) big tv nights.
I never got into "Desperate Housewives".  "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" makes me cry - or gag, depending on Ty's crew.  I do like "Iron Chef America" and "Big Love" is on, when it's on - who knows with HBO, right?  But mostly, the weekends are up for grabs.

This all may make me sound like a total couch potato, but I can assure you - this is more of a wish list than an actual schedule.  Aside from Grey's Anatomy, none of these shows get watched with any regularity.  I forget.  Or I get annoyed.  Or, I'm just too busy or tired.
But I do love tv.  And I love Fall and new seasons, new series and early darkness...  they go together.

What are you watching this year?

As I prepare to embark on our first week-long family-of-four vacation, I am finding myself with less excitement and more anxiety.
Will it be more of the same, but in Florida?
Or will it actually feel like a vacation - "away from it all"?
This is not a complaint or a "poor me" post - just an observation.
Is the life I have chosen, as a stay-at-home-mom, not one rich with vacations, relaxations and getaways?

My husband works hard, every day, more than 8-10 hours a day. In addition to his hectic work-life, he goes to college at night and had a house to take care of while also making time to be "daddy" and "honey".
I, too, work hard, I know. I'm not comparing. There is no comparison. I am "mommy" 24 hours a day. I don't punch in or out, I don't get annual reviews or salary increases (or salary, at all). I am my own boss but most of my day is controlled by other forces (namely Abigail & Wyatt). So, if this is my choice, perhaps I need to just give in and know that come September and then in the years to come after that - I will have all the "alone time" & "relaxation" one could ask for.

I have never had any intention of "returning to the work force" once the kids are in school. I plan to clean my own house, volunteer at school, do more in the community, be here more for my husband. Because if you have kids, especially small ones, you know how hard it is to be everything for everyone. So, in these early years, pretty much everyone gets sacrificed for the good of the little ones.
Then, I can let go a little of "mommy" and grab hold more of "wife".

Anyway - we're packing up. The neighborhood is "on watch" and the bags are packed.
Unlikely I will be Blogging considering there's a Hot Tub in our House in Fla!!

So, enjoy your week without me. I will overload you with pictures when I return!

School started on Monday and I already miss the sandy bottoms & fresh sunburned cheeks of summer.
Yes, it was 97 degrees today.  But I went to Ted's and did laundry.

It's school time.

First Day, 2010

First Day, 2009

Back to routine, structure, bed times and healthy snacks.
All the things I've missed and looked forward to.


But, man, summer was awesome!

Oh, and did I mention I'm also pretty busy packing for our vacation to sunny, sandy Florida?!

Yeah - that takes the sting out a bit.

Florida, St. Pete Biz Trip Days 2 & 3

Hard to say what's the best part so far...

Is it the beach?

Maybe it's the pool?

Or it could be just enjoying my family...  the 4 of us.

We needed this.

Life IS good.

Florida Trip
Day Three