Jennifer Aniston went to Tom Hanks's party on Saturday. Other celebrities who attended the party were Paul McCartney and his girlfriend Nancy Shevell, Julia Roberts (natch) and Uma Thurman.
Click here to view the photos
Source
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
coffee
I'm at the coffee shop. Dan has plans that do not include me tonight, and I wasn't about to suffer my children's moods on my own, so I scored a sitter and here I sit.
Suddenly I'm reminded of the summer I was oh, maybe 17? I have a flash of a specific night (much like this) when I was sitting in PJ's uptown on Carrollton (I'm not sure this particular location is still there post-Katrina, may have to investigate when I return home) with my journal (oh how times have changed, as I currently sit here with my laptop), pouring my heart out and saving my empty packet of Sweet & Low, pressing it between the pages as one would a leaf or a flower. Though I was heartbroken and feeling alone, part of me thought I was uber-cool for being at a coffehouse and journaling. I did always tend to feel set apart or somehow ahead of my time in some respects---my friends were mostly out drinking it up (not that I didn't do that on occasion) and having these wonderful, popular, fun lives...while I was sitting by myself at PJ's mourning my love life (or lack thereof), my mess of a family, and my latest failed geometry test.
Is there such a difference between 17 & 32? Yes and no. I'm still wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I still feel 17 on the inside...is that weird? Is that normal? I don't know. I am still a klutz. I still love to read and write and dream about being a famous writer someday. I know that I never will, because I will never DO it, and because I'm such a small person in such a big world and I feel like no one would care about what I'd have to say. I don't even know what all I have to say. There I go. I'm crying in the coffee shop just like I did when I was 17.
I still think too much. I still form intense attachments with people and I get sad when I feel like those people don't like me as much as I like them. I open myself up, pour my heart out, I am fiercely loyal (or so I think)...but I try not to need anyone too much. Does that make sense? I don't like to be/seem needy. But it's funny because as much as I try not to be that way, perhaps that is exactly what I am on the inside--needy--constantly looking for and yearning for acceptance and love. Wanting everyone to like me. Maybe part of that comes from those rough junior high years and Mean Girls. Or maybe that is how everyone is? Doesn't everyone want to be loved/needed/accepted?
Maybe I need to reach out more. Maybe I keep myself at a distance to protect myself. My thoughts are all over the place and this probably isn't making much sense.
This song just came on in here---from the soundtrack to that Natalie Portman movie, Garden State(one of my all-time favorites, by the way)...."Let Go" by Frou Frou is the name of the song. Reminds me of a good friend I lost a long time ago. I have a lot of associations with music. I wish I could listen to more of my own music ("Mommy Music," as my girls call it)....kind of an apropos way to conclude this post...with thoughts of a sweet friend and learning to let go, as it were.
Suddenly I'm reminded of the summer I was oh, maybe 17? I have a flash of a specific night (much like this) when I was sitting in PJ's uptown on Carrollton (I'm not sure this particular location is still there post-Katrina, may have to investigate when I return home) with my journal (oh how times have changed, as I currently sit here with my laptop), pouring my heart out and saving my empty packet of Sweet & Low, pressing it between the pages as one would a leaf or a flower. Though I was heartbroken and feeling alone, part of me thought I was uber-cool for being at a coffehouse and journaling. I did always tend to feel set apart or somehow ahead of my time in some respects---my friends were mostly out drinking it up (not that I didn't do that on occasion) and having these wonderful, popular, fun lives...while I was sitting by myself at PJ's mourning my love life (or lack thereof), my mess of a family, and my latest failed geometry test.
Is there such a difference between 17 & 32? Yes and no. I'm still wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I still feel 17 on the inside...is that weird? Is that normal? I don't know. I am still a klutz. I still love to read and write and dream about being a famous writer someday. I know that I never will, because I will never DO it, and because I'm such a small person in such a big world and I feel like no one would care about what I'd have to say. I don't even know what all I have to say. There I go. I'm crying in the coffee shop just like I did when I was 17.
I still think too much. I still form intense attachments with people and I get sad when I feel like those people don't like me as much as I like them. I open myself up, pour my heart out, I am fiercely loyal (or so I think)...but I try not to need anyone too much. Does that make sense? I don't like to be/seem needy. But it's funny because as much as I try not to be that way, perhaps that is exactly what I am on the inside--needy--constantly looking for and yearning for acceptance and love. Wanting everyone to like me. Maybe part of that comes from those rough junior high years and Mean Girls. Or maybe that is how everyone is? Doesn't everyone want to be loved/needed/accepted?
Maybe I need to reach out more. Maybe I keep myself at a distance to protect myself. My thoughts are all over the place and this probably isn't making much sense.
This song just came on in here---from the soundtrack to that Natalie Portman movie, Garden State(one of my all-time favorites, by the way)...."Let Go" by Frou Frou is the name of the song. Reminds me of a good friend I lost a long time ago. I have a lot of associations with music. I wish I could listen to more of my own music ("Mommy Music," as my girls call it)....kind of an apropos way to conclude this post...with thoughts of a sweet friend and learning to let go, as it were.
NOLA bound
So two weeks from today we'll be in NOLA. I'm super psyched and really looking forward to it. We'll be celebrating my dad's 60th birthday and just hanging out. Dan is staying for 1/2 the week, but the girls and I will be there for a full week...which means that I'll be flying solo with them on the way back to KC. I'm trying to push the thought way to the back of my mind so I don't obsess about it. I've never flown with them on my own before, and I'm not the greatest flyer to begin with. I am mostly just worried about handling them and any tantrums/fits & trips to the lovely, germ-ridden airplane restroom--because I have no doubt at least one of my children will feel the need to christen it at some point during that day, despite using the airport restrooms prior to and in between flights (we have a layover in Dallas).
I've bought them their first official little backpacks and am going to stuff them liberally with crayons, little notebooks, Barbies, toy cell phones, candy, stickers, etc. We also have a portable dvd player. Beyond that, I'm simply going to pray. And have a drink if necessary (though that could potentially look very bad and I certainly don't want anyone calling Child Protection Services on me). In the past on various occasions I've been able to rely on the kindness of complete strangers. Having twins seems to attract attention anyway, and other moms in particular are usually very helpful/sympathetic. So we'll see. We haven't traveled very much with the girls at all, and when we have the destination has always been New Orleans. It is my hope that this will go well and perhaps I could even take them on my own for a long weekend or two later in the summer...
In other news, I think I've plateaued/hit a wall with Jazzercise. I'm not getting any smaller/losing any weight....which is frustrating because the routines change every 10 weeks for that very reason---to trick your body into thinking you're doing new exercises. Some of my shorts from last summer are too tight---and I was considering that perhaps I've added more bulk to my body (i.e. muscle). My thyroid has also been all over the place. I am trying not to get on the scale as frequently because it makes me sad. I hate focusing on a number, and I am incapable of starving myself. Maybe someday I will look back at this time and wish I hadn't spent it obsessing/being unhappy with my figure. But for now I can't help it. The grass is always greener. Part of it is accepting that I do not have a tiny frame---I am big boned. I am tall. I am not petite. I will never be one of those cute little things. I am me. And I need to learn to be okay with that.
I've bought them their first official little backpacks and am going to stuff them liberally with crayons, little notebooks, Barbies, toy cell phones, candy, stickers, etc. We also have a portable dvd player. Beyond that, I'm simply going to pray. And have a drink if necessary (though that could potentially look very bad and I certainly don't want anyone calling Child Protection Services on me). In the past on various occasions I've been able to rely on the kindness of complete strangers. Having twins seems to attract attention anyway, and other moms in particular are usually very helpful/sympathetic. So we'll see. We haven't traveled very much with the girls at all, and when we have the destination has always been New Orleans. It is my hope that this will go well and perhaps I could even take them on my own for a long weekend or two later in the summer...
In other news, I think I've plateaued/hit a wall with Jazzercise. I'm not getting any smaller/losing any weight....which is frustrating because the routines change every 10 weeks for that very reason---to trick your body into thinking you're doing new exercises. Some of my shorts from last summer are too tight---and I was considering that perhaps I've added more bulk to my body (i.e. muscle). My thyroid has also been all over the place. I am trying not to get on the scale as frequently because it makes me sad. I hate focusing on a number, and I am incapable of starving myself. Maybe someday I will look back at this time and wish I hadn't spent it obsessing/being unhappy with my figure. But for now I can't help it. The grass is always greener. Part of it is accepting that I do not have a tiny frame---I am big boned. I am tall. I am not petite. I will never be one of those cute little things. I am me. And I need to learn to be okay with that.
Friday, May 29, 2009
thoughts on grammar
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a stickler for grammar/spelling, etc. I confess one of my major pet peeves is poor grammar---perhaps because it's something we all learn in elementary school and because writing is one of the primary ways we present ourselves to others. It can be a horrible first impression if you can't grasp the simplest of rules. I'd love to take this opportunity to go over the most common/glaring mistakes.
Lesson 1: Your & You're
Your denotes possession, i.e. "I love your sweater."(think of his, hers, its, theirs--these all denote possession without using an apostrophe!!)
You're = you are. The apostrophe alerts you to a missing letter, the "a." For example, "You're going to the movies with me tonight." In the same vein, it's = it is.
Lesson 2: To, Too, and Two
To is a preposition, i.e. "We are going to the mall."
Too means also, i.e. "She likes pink, too."
Two is a number, i.e. "We have two daughters."
Lesson 3: Should have
I swear if I read one more thing that says, "I should of studied more." That makes ZERO sense. It should instead read, "I should have studied more." Of is a preposition and doesn't belong in that sentence. Period. End of story.
I will have to ponder on some more and add them later. Or feel free to submit your own!
I realize some people think this is really silly, but if I was trying to hire someone for a job and saw mistakes like these on a resume, cover letter, etc., I'd run the other way. It amazes me how some people got through elementary school, high school, and college without ever fully comprehending these basic rules....although I did work in the Millsaps Writing Center and we were encouraged not to correct students' grammar errors. I think the general consensus was it was a waste of our time, and if those people didn't know their grammar by then, they would never learn it at all....
Lesson 1: Your & You're
Your denotes possession, i.e. "I love your sweater."(think of his, hers, its, theirs--these all denote possession without using an apostrophe!!)
You're = you are. The apostrophe alerts you to a missing letter, the "a." For example, "You're going to the movies with me tonight." In the same vein, it's = it is.
Lesson 2: To, Too, and Two
To is a preposition, i.e. "We are going to the mall."
Too means also, i.e. "She likes pink, too."
Two is a number, i.e. "We have two daughters."
Lesson 3: Should have
I swear if I read one more thing that says, "I should of studied more." That makes ZERO sense. It should instead read, "I should have studied more." Of is a preposition and doesn't belong in that sentence. Period. End of story.
I will have to ponder on some more and add them later. Or feel free to submit your own!
I realize some people think this is really silly, but if I was trying to hire someone for a job and saw mistakes like these on a resume, cover letter, etc., I'd run the other way. It amazes me how some people got through elementary school, high school, and college without ever fully comprehending these basic rules....although I did work in the Millsaps Writing Center and we were encouraged not to correct students' grammar errors. I think the general consensus was it was a waste of our time, and if those people didn't know their grammar by then, they would never learn it at all....
Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox spotted in Fleetwood Mac concert
Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox were spotted enjoying themselves at the Fleetwood Mac concert in Los Angeles last night (May 28).
Source
Shopping
I just *finally* visited Bon Bon Atelier in Westport (their blog is featured on my favorites list), and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!! I scored some Orla Kiely stationery, a handmade/repurposed t-shirt purse, and an adjustable ring with a pink fabric flower on it. Couldn't resist. Check it out:
http://www.bonbonatelier.com/
I was also salivating over their darling aprons and wondered if buying one would inspire me to cook more/cook better. But I was trying to behave. I wish I could sew/create/be creative, because they have so many darling fabrics and ribbon and things....I could just cry.
I'm thrilled it's Friday! We're heading to the Royals game this evening, and it's supposed to be H-O-T. I might have to wear shorts.
More later. Stay tuned.
http://www.bonbonatelier.com/
I was also salivating over their darling aprons and wondered if buying one would inspire me to cook more/cook better. But I was trying to behave. I wish I could sew/create/be creative, because they have so many darling fabrics and ribbon and things....I could just cry.
I'm thrilled it's Friday! We're heading to the Royals game this evening, and it's supposed to be H-O-T. I might have to wear shorts
More later. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Jennifer Aniston texts John Mayer when she gets lonely
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston will texts John Mayer when she feels lonely or a bit drunk.
One source said “[He] wasn’t calling her or texting her. But, as she got lonelier and the shoot wore on, she started reaching out to him, sometimes very late at night and sometimes after a few too many glasses of wine."
Source
Jennifer Aniston follow Angelina Jolie in acting action movie
Jennifer Aniston's next movie, "Bounty Hunter" will be an action movie and people are saying that she is folowing Angelina's footsteps by acting such movie.
New York Daily News quoted an insider “Jennifer knows people are going to say she’’s copying Angelina, and she doesn”t care."
Source
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jennifer Aniston's dog is treated like director
Jennifer Aniston brings her dog when she is on the set of The Baster. Her dog is treated like a director.
A source told the National Enquirer magazine: "Norman is important in Jennifer's life, but the crew is fed up with having to dote on him. Jennifer needs him around all the time and she won't stand for him being chained up. So the dog has his own chair near the director, and Jennifer also has a doggy masseuse tend to Norman every day."
Source
Monday, May 25, 2009
Courteney Cox feels lucky to have Jennifer as friend
Courteney Cox feels that she is lucky to have a friend like Jennifer Aniston . This is because Jennifer always there for her in whatever situation.
She said “We’ve known each other nearly 15 years now, we grew up together emotionally."
“I lost my father, Jen got divorced, and I had a baby. We have been through huge life changes together.
“I can be myself around her. We never judge each other, we support each other, but we are honest with each other too.
Then she added “I feel lucky to have her in my life."
Source
Monday, May 18, 2009
Today and every day, I am a Jew
Today I visited the local mikvah (ritual bath) and had a little ceremony with my rabbi and two other rabbis. This is normally something done by people converting to Judaism; however, one may choose to do it anytime for a variety of reasons.
My mother is Jewish, and therefore I am Jewish by birth. But I wasn't raised Jewish and never had a bat mitzvah, etc. I always longed for that piece of my life and felt a void as I was growing up. I met the Fuhrmans (dear family friends and neighbors) when I was 17 and that's really when my education began. I went to services with them, had Shabbat dinners with them, and they taught me so much. When I went away to college, I became close with a few of my professors who were Jewish, and I often went to synagogue with them. I also knew in my heart I wanted to marry a Jewish man and raise my children in a Jewish home.
When Dan and I got engaged, the rabbi we selected to marry us (back in New Orleans)wanted me to have a mikvah. I just couldn't wrap my head around that one. I felt as if he didn't consider me "Jewish enough" to marry Dan. I ultimately refused to have the mikvah for a myriad of reasons, mostly because the idea of it made me extremely uncomfortable (I was a lot more modest before I had kids---you have to get naked to go to the mikvah) and I also felt as if he was passing judgement on me. I felt that if I was making the decision to identify as a Jew, to lead a Jewish life and create a Jewish home, then those things should be enough. And on some level he must have agreed, because he married us.
Since then, it hasn't felt like enough, though. Perhaps it was the arrival of my children, or maybe joining the temple here in KC...I don't really know. I can't really blame the rabbi for it because he married us despite my refusal to have the mikvah over seven years ago. I guess it's been a feeling growing inside of me, nagging at me; a feeling coming from within---of not being worthy. I guess I just feel like calling oneself a Jew isn't something to be taken lightly. It's not a coat you just throw on. You have to earn it and wear it proudly. The number of Jews in the world is dwindling rapidly, and the Holocaust didn't help...I feel a powerful responsibility to learn for myself, teach my children, and be a positive Jewish presence in the world.
Today I went to the mikvah to shed my clothes and my insecurities. I let the water wash away all of my negative feelings and worries. I went there to begin anew. I met with the rabbis before and after, and they gave me a group hug.
Today and every day, I am a Jew.
My mother is Jewish, and therefore I am Jewish by birth. But I wasn't raised Jewish and never had a bat mitzvah, etc. I always longed for that piece of my life and felt a void as I was growing up. I met the Fuhrmans (dear family friends and neighbors) when I was 17 and that's really when my education began. I went to services with them, had Shabbat dinners with them, and they taught me so much. When I went away to college, I became close with a few of my professors who were Jewish, and I often went to synagogue with them. I also knew in my heart I wanted to marry a Jewish man and raise my children in a Jewish home.
When Dan and I got engaged, the rabbi we selected to marry us (back in New Orleans)wanted me to have a mikvah. I just couldn't wrap my head around that one. I felt as if he didn't consider me "Jewish enough" to marry Dan. I ultimately refused to have the mikvah for a myriad of reasons, mostly because the idea of it made me extremely uncomfortable (I was a lot more modest before I had kids---you have to get naked to go to the mikvah) and I also felt as if he was passing judgement on me. I felt that if I was making the decision to identify as a Jew, to lead a Jewish life and create a Jewish home, then those things should be enough. And on some level he must have agreed, because he married us.
Since then, it hasn't felt like enough, though. Perhaps it was the arrival of my children, or maybe joining the temple here in KC...I don't really know. I can't really blame the rabbi for it because he married us despite my refusal to have the mikvah over seven years ago. I guess it's been a feeling growing inside of me, nagging at me; a feeling coming from within---of not being worthy. I guess I just feel like calling oneself a Jew isn't something to be taken lightly. It's not a coat you just throw on. You have to earn it and wear it proudly. The number of Jews in the world is dwindling rapidly, and the Holocaust didn't help...I feel a powerful responsibility to learn for myself, teach my children, and be a positive Jewish presence in the world.
Today I went to the mikvah to shed my clothes and my insecurities. I let the water wash away all of my negative feelings and worries. I went there to begin anew. I met with the rabbis before and after, and they gave me a group hug.
Today and every day, I am a Jew.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Okay, will someone please explain the in-sync poopage?
Okay, why didn't the pediatrician warn me that my twin girls would often need to poop at exactly the same time?
Today, for example. They were eating lunch at the island in the kitchen while I was working on the turkey lasagna we're going to have for dinner tonight (in-laws are coming over). Lots of different things on the stove, right? Suddenly Abby spills her glass of milk. I order her up to her room (we have a bad habit of playing around and spillage is rarely accidental) and begin cleaning up that mess. Izzy announces she's done with her lunch and asks me if she can poop. Why she asks me I'll never understand---just go get on the toilet, child!!!! So she does. I'm mopping up the floor and Izzy calls, "Mooooooommyyyyy, I'm ready to wiiiiiiiiiipe," and I comply. We wash hands together and I return to the kitchen to check on the lasagna noodles, which are boiling on the stove top, and give them a quick stir. I think I hear Abby screaming from upstairs, so I go to the hallway and listen. Sure enough, it's another, "Moooooooommmmmyyyy, I'm ready to wiiiiiiiiiiiipe," and up the stairs I go. We wash hands together and I race back downstairs but not quickly enough---the pasta water has boiled over and made a mess. Oh, and the dog is whining at the front door because he needs to go out.
And did I mentioned before this all happened we'd gone grocery shopping and Abby had a meltdown in store. We came home to play outside for a bit, and nothing made her happy there, either. That's when we went inside to have lunch.
They are napping now, but I am dreading wake up time.
In other news, I officially registered with http://www.terracycle.net/ today to begin my own juice pouch recycling brigade. If you are reading this and you live in KC, I'd love to take your empty juice pouches and put them to good use!!! I am going to see if I can put up a flyer at the girls' school and maybe one at Jazzercise. I've recruited a few friends and am going to chat with my new neighbors as well. My kids don't drink juice, but they do drink the Capri Sun Roarin' Waters (flavored water). Terracycle will take Capri Sun, Honest Kids, and Kool Aid pouches (note: not juice boxes). There's no rush since I have to accumulate 100 pouches before I can mail them in.
Anyway, I guess that's about it. It's a beautiful day here and I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!!!
Today, for example. They were eating lunch at the island in the kitchen while I was working on the turkey lasagna we're going to have for dinner tonight (in-laws are coming over). Lots of different things on the stove, right? Suddenly Abby spills her glass of milk. I order her up to her room (we have a bad habit of playing around and spillage is rarely accidental) and begin cleaning up that mess. Izzy announces she's done with her lunch and asks me if she can poop. Why she asks me I'll never understand---just go get on the toilet, child!!!! So she does. I'm mopping up the floor and Izzy calls, "Mooooooommyyyyy, I'm ready to wiiiiiiiiiipe," and I comply. We wash hands together and I return to the kitchen to check on the lasagna noodles, which are boiling on the stove top, and give them a quick stir. I think I hear Abby screaming from upstairs, so I go to the hallway and listen. Sure enough, it's another, "Moooooooommmmmyyyy, I'm ready to wiiiiiiiiiiiipe," and up the stairs I go. We wash hands together and I race back downstairs but not quickly enough---the pasta water has boiled over and made a mess. Oh, and the dog is whining at the front door because he needs to go out.
And did I mentioned before this all happened we'd gone grocery shopping and Abby had a meltdown in store. We came home to play outside for a bit, and nothing made her happy there, either. That's when we went inside to have lunch.
They are napping now, but I am dreading wake up time.
In other news, I officially registered with http://www.terracycle.net/ today to begin my own juice pouch recycling brigade. If you are reading this and you live in KC, I'd love to take your empty juice pouches and put them to good use!!! I am going to see if I can put up a flyer at the girls' school and maybe one at Jazzercise. I've recruited a few friends and am going to chat with my new neighbors as well. My kids don't drink juice, but they do drink the Capri Sun Roarin' Waters (flavored water). Terracycle will take Capri Sun, Honest Kids, and Kool Aid pouches (note: not juice boxes). There's no rush since I have to accumulate 100 pouches before I can mail them in.
Anyway, I guess that's about it. It's a beautiful day here and I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
family photo
my mom took this when she was here...we don't get many family photos, especially ones where everyone is happy, smiling, AND looking at the camera simultaneously. here's the best we could do: Abby is looking crabby (as usual) and is incapable of removing her thumb from her mouth, while Izzy's preoccupied with a new puzzle from GiGi. Dan and I were about to go to an Alzheimer's Association fundraiser.
mom
Nicole (Woman About Town) inspired me to write a little something about my mom since Mother's Day just passed...my brother, Mark, penned a wonderful poem (if he'd email it to me, I'd love to post it here) for her but sadly I haven't made any of my own attempts at creative writing in a very long time.
My mom is an amazing person. A native of Wisconsin who essentially moved to the South to marry my father, a New Orleans native, and left her not-so-wonderful family behind. Despite having grown up with a somewhat abusive father and a mentally checked out mother, Mom managed to rise above all that and become an exceptional human being and mother of three children. She stayed home to raise and care for us while dad worked long hours, commuted to work, and often had to entertain clients or prepare for trials late into the evenings. She packed our lunches, drove us to and from school, and helped us with our homework. We used to get into it over math (my worst subject ever); she'd try and try to explain things to me, but I'd get frustrated and angry over my own apparent stupidity, and I'd yell and throw the pencil and take it out on her. I'd come home from school crying because kids teased and bullied me, stole my lunch, called me "Witch Nose," or "kike," or made fun of me for my laugh. Mom was always there to comfort me when I came home, humiliated, from another tragic day at school. When I fought with my best friend, suffered endlessly from unrequited love, and got my period, Mom was there.
When we were in elementary school Mom decided to go back to school herself and get the degree she'd always wanted. She went to the University of New Orleans, taking classes during the day while we were in school, and still managed to handle getting us to & from school and was home with us afterwards. She went part-time for about eight years and got her bachelor's degree in social work, followed by her master's. And in the middle of all this, Dad came out of the closet and they got divorced. How she juggled all of that I'll never know. I do know it wasn't easy, but she survived and grew stronger because of it.
My mom is one of the most selfless people I know. She consistently puts herself last and does without so she can do for her family first. She is an incredible mother and grandmother and has taught me about the kind of person I want to be. I just wish she saw herself as others see her---maybe then she would shine even more.
My mom is an amazing person. A native of Wisconsin who essentially moved to the South to marry my father, a New Orleans native, and left her not-so-wonderful family behind. Despite having grown up with a somewhat abusive father and a mentally checked out mother, Mom managed to rise above all that and become an exceptional human being and mother of three children. She stayed home to raise and care for us while dad worked long hours, commuted to work, and often had to entertain clients or prepare for trials late into the evenings. She packed our lunches, drove us to and from school, and helped us with our homework. We used to get into it over math (my worst subject ever); she'd try and try to explain things to me, but I'd get frustrated and angry over my own apparent stupidity, and I'd yell and throw the pencil and take it out on her. I'd come home from school crying because kids teased and bullied me, stole my lunch, called me "Witch Nose," or "kike," or made fun of me for my laugh. Mom was always there to comfort me when I came home, humiliated, from another tragic day at school. When I fought with my best friend, suffered endlessly from unrequited love, and got my period, Mom was there.
When we were in elementary school Mom decided to go back to school herself and get the degree she'd always wanted. She went to the University of New Orleans, taking classes during the day while we were in school, and still managed to handle getting us to & from school and was home with us afterwards. She went part-time for about eight years and got her bachelor's degree in social work, followed by her master's. And in the middle of all this, Dad came out of the closet and they got divorced. How she juggled all of that I'll never know. I do know it wasn't easy, but she survived and grew stronger because of it.
My mom is one of the most selfless people I know. She consistently puts herself last and does without so she can do for her family first. She is an incredible mother and grandmother and has taught me about the kind of person I want to be. I just wish she saw herself as others see her---maybe then she would shine even more.
we moms might want to read this....
The Today Show just featured this book & author, and it sounds right up my alley. I'm going to check it out, and you should, too!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30686047/
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30686047/
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thanks, LeAnna!
LeAnna helped me give my blog a mini-makeover! what do you think? I am not very techno-savvy, so this will have to do until I have more time to mess with it....
Thanks, Le!!!
Thanks, Le!!!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Lately
Lately I've been feeling a slow fog of panic settling in over me, even though it's early and perhaps a little silly. I realized over the weekend that the girls are 3 1/2 years old. How can that be? It seems like just a few months ago my house was a mess of bottles, burp cloths, dirty diapers and hidden stashes of Mylicon and A & D ointment. But it won't be long before they'll be in school 5 days a week.
And then what will I do?
Don't get me wrong---I realize my days will still be full of shuttling them to/from school and extracurricular activities, helping them with homework, plus the daily tasks of cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. But clearly I'll have lots more time on my hands, time to hopefully do what I want to do.
But what do I want to do? What am I qualified to do? What am I realistically capable of doing? Shit. It's very scary to me. Yes, I have Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English. I love to read and write, but my short stint at a publishing company in New Orleans proved to me I wasn't cut out for that side of things; and I have zero confidence in my ability to teach. My interests are varied, however, and it could be that I end up dabbling in lots of other random things. You all know I love to be green...I could really focus on doing more of that. Hell, I'd love to work at Whole Foods! I'm not creative---I can barely sew a button on and I definitely can't make dainty crafts to sell on Etsy. I'm not that girl. And I don't know who will hire me after years of being at home with kids and a mushy brain. I am out of the loop for sure.
It's not about the money. I just want to do something for myself, to feel worthy, to feel like I'm a part of something bigger. It's so easy to get wrapped up in your children and forget who you are and how you got there...and while I've loved every minute of being a mom, it's a lonely life sometimes.
The reality is that as much as I've talked about writing a book, it's just not going to happen. I don't know what to do with everything in my head and how to roll it into something cohesive, entertaining, smart, appealing, and witty. It just seems impossible and hugely daunting. And who would really want to read it anyway?
So I don't really know where this post is going. But I haven't posted much of anything "real" recently and I hate that. I need to get back to more substance. Will work on that.
Thanks for reading!
And then what will I do?
Don't get me wrong---I realize my days will still be full of shuttling them to/from school and extracurricular activities, helping them with homework, plus the daily tasks of cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. But clearly I'll have lots more time on my hands, time to hopefully do what I want to do.
But what do I want to do? What am I qualified to do? What am I realistically capable of doing? Shit. It's very scary to me. Yes, I have Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English. I love to read and write, but my short stint at a publishing company in New Orleans proved to me I wasn't cut out for that side of things; and I have zero confidence in my ability to teach. My interests are varied, however, and it could be that I end up dabbling in lots of other random things. You all know I love to be green...I could really focus on doing more of that. Hell, I'd love to work at Whole Foods! I'm not creative---I can barely sew a button on and I definitely can't make dainty crafts to sell on Etsy. I'm not that girl. And I don't know who will hire me after years of being at home with kids and a mushy brain. I am out of the loop for sure.
It's not about the money. I just want to do something for myself, to feel worthy, to feel like I'm a part of something bigger. It's so easy to get wrapped up in your children and forget who you are and how you got there...and while I've loved every minute of being a mom, it's a lonely life sometimes.
The reality is that as much as I've talked about writing a book, it's just not going to happen. I don't know what to do with everything in my head and how to roll it into something cohesive, entertaining, smart, appealing, and witty. It just seems impossible and hugely daunting. And who would really want to read it anyway?
So I don't really know where this post is going. But I haven't posted much of anything "real" recently and I hate that. I need to get back to more substance. Will work on that.
Thanks for reading!
Mother's Day Egg Souffle
I got this recipe from a good friend who made it over the weekend--Delish! I will be making it myself this weekend for the Mother's Day brunch we're hosting for family at our house.
You will need:
1 box sliced mushrooms
2-3 tomatoes
1 chopped onion
21 oz artichoke hearts...drained and chopped (I use 14 oz)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
10 oz frozen spinach thawed and drained
5 whole eggs
3 egg whites
1.5-2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon each of: salt,pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, and tarragon
Saute first 4 ingredients with garlic and butter.
Beat eggs, whites, seasonings all together.
Pour sauteed veggies into egg mixture and stir well.
Pour into greased baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
You will need:
1 box sliced mushrooms
2-3 tomatoes
1 chopped onion
21 oz artichoke hearts...drained and chopped (I use 14 oz)
3 cloves of garlic, minced
10 oz frozen spinach thawed and drained
5 whole eggs
3 egg whites
1.5-2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon each of: salt,pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, and tarragon
Saute first 4 ingredients with garlic and butter.
Beat eggs, whites, seasonings all together.
Pour sauteed veggies into egg mixture and stir well.
Pour into greased baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
