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.

Merry Christmas!

We kicked things off with "Christmas Eve's Eve" - it's a fun way to rev up to the big day.

Auntie Dink and Uncle Thomas sent some totally fun Play-Doh toys that both kids totally loved!

I was able to talk them down that night but we spent a good part of

the following morning elbow deep in spaghetti and ice cream!

Christmas Eve was a quiet day. 

We had a fun morning of playtime and just hanging out.

Mommy was a bit under the weather so I napped when Wyatt napped

while Abby & Daddy prepared our Christmas Eve Feast:

Prime Rib, Spiral Potatoes and spinach!

We took the kids to church and it was really a wonderful, wonderful night.

It's hard to put into words but the feeling was there. 

Christmas, as a family, celebrating our Lord, celebrating with each other. 

It was truly perfect.

When we got home, we put out cookies & eggnog for Santa, tucked the kids in and waited for Santa.

Santa did not disappoint.

Jay and I were up at 6am (me with my ridiculously painful head cold, him with a sick wife).

The kids didn't wake up till almost 8:00!!

That was ok, though, the anticipation was fun for us and being able to enjoy a cup of hot coffee before the circus started was an added bonus.

Barbies, Matchbox cars, Choo-Choos, Polly Pockets and...  of course...

The Barbie Dream Town House!

Daddy finally got his "Kitchen TV" and Mommy's enjoying her new Keurig and gearing up to make her new sewing machine earn it's keep!

There is no "one thing" for me to mention about Christmas 2009.  It was "the best yet" as each year is.  As the kids get bigger, they get more excited, which makes it more exciting.

It also makes it more important that we remind/teach them about why we celebrate Christmas. 

It's not about Santa or lists or toys. 

It's about Joy and Peace and Faith and Celebration of our Lord.

It's about Family and Friends and Charity and Love.

Over the past few years we have celebrated Christmas with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins on the weekend prior to the actual holiday.  That day was this past Saturday.
It used to be that we ("we" being my family pre-marriage - parents & sibs) would gather with my mom's family on this weekend.  Then, after we all had kids of our own and sort of spread out across the states, it became our only day to celebrate together.
That has made it the official "Christmas" with my parents and siblings and a day that I truly treasure.  I absolutely love the day with my family.

If it snowed, we'd be crazy to drive in dangerous conditions.
But we'd be crazy to want to cancel our day together, too.
So - we gathered earlier than planned.

Our party was supposed to start at 3 with a kick-off (of appetizers and gifts) at my Aunt Carol's at 11:30.  The whole day was planned.  The gifts were wrapped, the cookies were baked.  I made a pie and a salad, Jay made (awesome) sausage & peppers.
With the impending blizzard - my aunt graciously allowed us to cancel our plans there and we headed to my parents' house for 11.
Everyone was there before noon (we were actually there by 10:30!) and the day went off without a hitch!

We sang our carols, ate our chow, opened our gifts and really enjoyed each other for a good, long time.  And then we all got home safe & sound in time for what promised to be (and didn't diappoint in this neck of the woods!) a fabulous snow storm.

The thing about my family that makes it so very special is so very simple:
We really like each other.
The enjoyment we get from just being together is priceless.

Sometimes,  you have to take a step back, really observe what is right in front of you and realize - honestly and deeply - how luck you really are.
My family loves me.
I love them.
And we had the merriest Christmas.

Abby said it best - "I got everything I ever wanted!"

So did I.

 

A very special Thank You to OmaReenie for the Mets glasses.

To quote Jay, "I just hope we don't choke when we drink out of them!"

Gramps.  Our patriarch at 90-somethin' years old.  He's gotten considerably quieter & the ride to Brewster isn't as esasy as it once was, but his presence is still lovingly anticipated and appreciated.

I really hate the new Gap Kids commercial.
It's a bunch of over-dressed, overly-colorful brats screech-chanting at their "parents" about what they refuse to wear and what they demand to wear.
It's sickening.
Equally sickening is the new Stella McCartney line at Baby Gap.
Who spends $70 on something sized 18-24 months?  Not your typical Gap shopper.

And if you know me, you know how much I love Gap.

So, I thank you, Gap Marketing.  You have allowed me some time to pay off my stupid Gap card as I am too repulsed to shop your brand right now.

Snow day today.  That was fun.  I had planned on taking the kids to the mall.  For someone so energized and organized about Christmas, I sure have not done much shopping.
And I am starting to feel the crunch.
Abby needs a dress (or two), Wyatt needs a shirt and/or sweater.  I need to figure out what I'm wearing and if I need anything, as does Jay.
And that doesn't even touch on what I have to buy still for gifts...  and I love buying gifts - but not having much done yet makes it a little stressful.

So, I was going to go today but got snowed on instead.
On the one hand, that's good - when school's canceled I have Q&K all day and that means a little extra money.  And I'm not shopping - so I consider that double profit!

The kids made a snowman while I shoveled and Jay snowblowed.  That was awesome.  They did a great job and it was definitely a first for Abby & Wyatt. 

Abby loved it so much and tonight asked me if the snowman would come to life.  Silly, yes - but so serious and cute that I wondered how to answer.  I'm still not entirely sure.  She's very clever and has a great sense of humor but I can't tell if she's kidding, testing me or dead serious.
I played it off with the "if you think so then he will" and "not as long as you're awake" stuff.  But...

While they were making the man - Wyatt decided to pull his tricycle out of the garage.  It was hilarious.  He rode his bike down the strip of driveway that Jay had blown and then looked at me and said "Ma!  Help You!"  Translated, that means, "Mom, help me with this, will you?  Shovel a good path for me, I want to ride my bike!"


I have got to find a Barbie 3-Story Dream Townhouse.  Why, oh WHY did I NOT go buy it on Thanksgiving Eve when it was on sale for $99?  WHY?
Now, if I can even find it - at full price - it's at least full retail price of $160.  At Amazon I saw it for $260!  That's crazy.
But I can see myself going mama-at-holiday-times-goes-batshit-for-toy-that-kids-love.
I will find that house.
If it kills me.
If I have to cross a state line.
I will find that house.
At a good price.

Less than 2 weeks till Christmas at my mom's house!  We always get together with my mom's family the weekend before Christmas and over the last few years that celebration has become our only Christmas celebration with my side of the family.  Everyone has young kids and we're pretty spread out so it's easier for everyone and frankly, I love it!
We can spend the entire day, there's no rush, there's no other families pulling us in a different direction...  we can just relax and enjoy each other and celebrate Christmas.
My parents are increasingly difficult to shop for and their recent purge of all things not nailed down has made it even harder.  But this year, I think we did a good job and I'm excited to give them their gift.
I also have a few other good ones in my head.
But, like I said, I need to get on that. 

Have you had a bowl of cereal lately?  I don't mean Cheerios.  I mean the good stuff.  I had a bowl of Cookie Crisp the other day at Jody's house.  I was so excited about it.
It was awful.
A few months ago, I had a Fruity Pebbles craving and bought a box.
Gross.
Then I found out that they don't have enough sugar anymore.  The companies have been "under fire" for being unhealthy.
Really?
People had ot complain to the cereal companies because they are not, in fact, an integral part of the "balanced breakfast" they boast of in their commercials?
Really?
Well, thanks, politically-correct America.  For Eff-ing up one more happy childhood memory.
No more sugar in "sugar cereal", no more sitting "Indian Style" and no more cookies for the "Cookie Monster".
Nice.


Have you seen the Walmart commercial with all the little kids waking up and running as fast as they can down to their Christmas Trees on Christmas morning?
THey're all in their little jammies.  Some with feet...  and they run so fast, a few of them actually fall.  It's hilarious and oh-so-cute...  it almost makes up for the Gap nonsense.
But not quite.
You won't find me at Walmart at Christmastime.  No way, No how.  And with no Gap this year... well - it just makes me happy for my zero-balance on my Macy*s card!

I'll wrap up with this:  after tucking the kids in each night, I head downstairs with one final "Good night, God Bless you, I love you."  Just as my mom did every night after she tucked the 4 of us in when I was little.
Tonight, as I closed Abby's door, I said it, as I always do, but for the first time, Wyatt replied "I Lah-loo, Mama".
Then Abby came out with "Goodnight, Wywy, I love you!"
To which he replied "I Lah-loo, Abby!"

I guess it's safe to say that the ground is too cold for Fall Planting now.  Since I fell on my ass in the snow yesterday.

Christmas Time is in Full Season!!  I love this time of year so much.
I love the joy that it brings - be it from shopping, baking, eating, singing, visiting, gifting - all the different pieces that make up the celebration of the season.

We put our tree up last weekend and this weekend I took my annual trip into NYC with the girls.  It was so cold, so wet and then so snowy, cold and wet.  But it was so much fun!

At one point, Debbie and I were a little lost (who knew that Rock Center was sandwiched, I thought we'd see it from the Avenue!) and walking for what felt like 89 blocks in the rain when our bags broke.
And we each had a couple of bags from Macy*s.  But they were pretty ful and made of PAPER - so they didn't last in the rain.
Then, we were walking, in the rain, holding onto our purchases like a couple of little old bag ladies.  Scarves wrapped around our heads, makeup running down our wet faces, crap falling out of our ripped up paper shopping bags that we're clinging to.  It was a mess.
So, of course, we had a stranger take our picture.
Unfortunately for all of you - it was with Debbie's camera, so I don't have it to share.  But here's one at the end of our day:

When we finally reached Rockafellar Center, the rain had turned into snow.  Giant, beautiful flakes falling onto the tree, the lights, the skyscrapers, the flags, the ice rink and the people below.
There is truly nothing like New York City at Christmas.

Best.  Weekend.  Ever.

It started with Thanksgiving.
Over the river and through the woods, to Grammy & Grambear's house we went...
The family was all in good spirits, the bird was cooked to juicy perfection and the day was just wonderful.
A few pics:

Grambear had Wywy on the carving board. 
Wywy loved it.

Then, Friday was a lazy day full of Christmas decorating, music listening and hanging out in jammies.  Until a decision was made to head over to Jay's cousin's house for an innocent evening of Lia Sophia for the ladies and cards for the guys.
We were lucky to grab our fantastic sitter last minute and we headed out.
"We'll make it an early night, no big deal."
Cha!
We had a lot of fun with the family.  Jay's cousin just got engaged so it was her first official hosting detail.  It was a delicious spread and a wine-soaked good time!  It was exactly what the doctor ordered - a night full of laughter, good conversation and loving, comfortable company.
There are a lot of good "in-law" jokes but I can't take claim to any of them, I adore my husband's family and we always have so much fun when we all get together!

A very early, dark (and painful) Saturday morning started at 6am.  My wine head (and stomach) did not agree with this hour but the Tailgating had to be prepared!
Jay put together a hum-dinger of a cooler, packed with eggs, bacon, bagels and - most importantly - Bloody Marys!
We arrived at Rentschler Field by 10am with Nana & Papa.  UConn Football!!!
I have never been to a football game.  Unless you count the Brewster Bears, Never.
It was about 30 degrees with a thousand-mile-an-hour wind blowing constantly.  We had the kids bundled to the point that Wyatt could not move and Abby had only her face sticking out and "the air hurt" her.
Jay cooked, I drank a little "hair o' the dawg" and by noon time we were gung-ho heading into the game.
We parked about 97 miles away (thank you useless parking attendants & EHPD) and Wyatt refused to walk. 
We saw the "opening act" (I have no idea what it's called) and I was totally awe-struck.  The music, the noise, the huge amount of people, the Marching Band (they were AWESOME!) and then the player's entrance with the cheerleaders.  It was all absolutely amazing.  I loved it so much!
It made the cold and the crying totally worth it!
Wyatt ate a hot dog, french fries, popcorn and Skittles like he hadn't eaten in days - after the tailgating breakfast.  Abby was totally into the game - yelling "Go UConn!" and "First Down" right on cue.
It was so nice to see my in-laws enjoying my kids so much.  And my kids enjoying their Nana and Papa so much.
Everything about the day was totally perfect and so much fun.
It was cold, I was hung over, the kid was heavy and our seats were 2nd to the last in the stadium (not that you could tell by the ticket price) but I want to do that a million more times.
I had So. Much. Fun.
Some more pics:

On the way home, Wyatt was cool as a cucumber in Papa's shades.

Sunday was Christmas Tree Day!

The pictures say it all:

This season is off to a beautiful start!

Life is Good!

I have gotten such a good jump on my Christmas Shopping.
I always plan ahead but I rarely stick to my plan and I rarely get much done, actually purchased, before Thanksgiving.  So, I'm pretty psyched!

My goal, before I die, is to make every single "cooky" in my Betty Crocker Cooky Book.  It is the book we used growing up.  My mom was not a domestic diva by any standard but she liked to bust out the flour and sugar at Christmastime.
At some point in my life I want to be able to say "I have made every single cookie in the "Cooky Book".

Tonight, Abby and I made Thumbprints.  Kids loved 'em and we packed them up to be sent to our Troops!  Tomorrow we will make Snickerdoodles.
I have made these before so it's not helping my cause, but I know I love them and I know how they are supposed to come out so they're a good one to make for the troops and for Thanksgiving.
I have a few others I'd like to make this season - Candy Canes (another repeat, darnit!), Pecan Spice Cookies (for my mom), Mini Fudge Tarts (yum!), Krumkake and a few more.
Will I make it a whole Christmas without baking Chocolate Chips or Sugars or Oatmeal Raisins or Peanut Butters?
Probably not.  But I am looking forward to broadening my "cooky" horizon!


Lots of activity on the Blog lately.  A while back, I got rid of my "stalker log".  Or, so I thought.  I hadn't noticed that it was still on my page until I did my Thanksgiving decorating.  I flipped through a few pages and noticed lots of traffic coming in from some new locations.  I mean, lots!
So, I deleted the counter, once and for all.  I'm glad I thought I had already and glad I really did this time.
I write a public blog because I enjoy expressing myself.  For myself.
If you are reading, you must enjoy my expressions.  And I thank you for that.

Quiet around here lately.
Last year we partied like it was 1999.  We had Jaybor Day in September, Wyatt's 1st birthday in October, my mother-in-law's 60th in November, Christmas Eve and then Abby's birthday in January.  We really packed it all in - and we throw a pretty good party!
This year, we had Jaybor Day and Wyatt's birthday and we'll have Abby's in January but nothing in between.  It's a nice break.  And nice to be able to relax, enjoy and take my time with no one to attend to but the 4 of us.

I will still be very busy, cooking, baking, shopping, wrapping, attending, helping and enjoying.  And celebrating!!!  I love the season so much, regardless of where, it's such a magical time of year.
And my kids are so excited already.  At 2 years old, Wyatt can barely say the words that he's thinking but they're coming to him, fast and furious, and among those words you'll hear:

"Merry Chitmas",  "Santa", "ho ho ho", "Chitmas Chee", "Thanksgivin" and lots more. 

Both kids freak out when they see anything Christmas-related but nothing beats Wyatt's near head-explosion in Target the other day when he spotted the area that they sell the trees, outdoor decor and other Christmas goodness.  I think he could have stayed there all darn day, just staring at the lights and trees and moving blow-up things that tacky people put in their yards.

I just realized that "A Quart" is one QUARTer of a gallon.  Should I be admitting that?
I mean - I always knew it was 4 cups, and I knew there were 16 cups in a gallon...  I just never "got it".
Sort of like, "Trust Sleepy's...  for the Rest of your life."
I have been hearing those commercials for what seems like decades but it was only recently (maybe a year or 2 ago) that I really "got it".
Rest = Sleep.

One of my favorite things about Christmas time (and believe me, the list is too long for just one blog entry) is my annual trip to the Hallmark store.
I love choosing the cards that we send to the parents, Godparents, grandparents...  some years I go a little nutty, some years I keep it simple.  But I do love choosing each one.
I also love picking out an ornament for each kid - I try to pick one that symbolizes that year for each kid.  Last year Abby got a Disney Princess ornament, Wyatt got an Elmo.
This year they will likely get Diego & Dora.
Let's face it - they could get Princesses & Elmo again - but I try to change it up.
I have a few gifts that I choose each year for special people, too.  I could order them online but I enjoy going, by myself, choosing, paying and walking away with a bag or two.
I love Hallmark.
I know I could do Carlton or even just the local pharmacy for my cards and probably get away cheaper - but it's all about traditions this time of year, isn't it?

Another favorite thing about Christmas is what seems to be becoming my Annual NYC Bus Trip.  Living up here in the sticks, I am surrounded by people who have never even been to New York City.  And there were a few years after getting married where I didn't get there.  But in the past 4 years or so, we have made it a priority to get to NYC.

We love going down for Easter weekend and were totally bummed last year when we missed it.  (Yes, I'm already looking forward to it this year and it's not even Thanksgiving yet!)
And this bus trip that my town's Parks & Rec department hosts is a great way to get down there, very easily.  And at $40 you can't beat it.  Gas, parking...  head ache.  Or train (plus driving and parking).  Sure, the bus may make me a little nauseous - but it's nothing a deep breath of nasty NYC air and a Dirty Water Dawg upon arrival can't cure.

This is last year with my good friends, Joanne & Debbie.

(I know - maybe I can find shorter, skinnier friends to hang out with, right?)

This is the year before with (l-r)

Frannie, Nancy, Stina, Gina, me, Stef, Doris Lynda

Is it too early for Christmas Music?
It's September 27th.
So, most of you will probably say "yes".  And I agree.  Sort of.
This morning while I made pancakes and looked out at the cold, Autumn rain...  I played one song.
Non-traditional.  Sheryl Crow.  It was good.  Bluesy Soul Rock, as I have come to expect from one of the greatest female rockers of, at least, my generation.  It was just right.
It's not like I busted out Johnny or Nat...  just a little sampling of what's to come.


I have said it before and it is oh-so-true.  God blessed me with babies in October and January for a reason.  (ok, several reasons, but here's the one I am talking about -)
By celebrating Wyatt in October, it puts my yearning for Christmas at bay.
By celebrating Abby in January, it puts my sadness that Christmas is over at bay.
Perfect!


I think I will start "tagging" my blogs with keywords.
I never understood why people did that.  Now, though, I see myself discussing many of the same things over and over again.  (I am officially into my second year of Blogging now, and come on - how many topics can one woman cover?)
Like, for example - pancakes.
I know we've discussed them before.
It will be interesting to see how many tags Abby & Wyatt get!
Also - I'm not sure how to do that, so I don't know when I will start.


Is it too early to change my header over to Green & Red?
Ok.  Yes, I know it is.


And finally, I just want to send a little happy message to my friend, Kimmie.  She's having a Christmas Baby this year and I am so excited for her.
This morning her Facebook status was something about cold Autumn rain and warm Beef stew - and it made me so happy.
I might have to go on-line shop for "Baby's First Christmas" crap right now.
XO