Happy Memorial Day & The Move is ON

We had a great memorial day weekend doing a whole lot of NOTHING. My mama came to town to hang out with us. Saturday the husband and nephew went off to paintball. Came home 7 hours later, splattered and tired. Saturday evening we had a cook out - mmmmmmmm....steaks on the grill.

Sunday, Mama and I were off to shopping in the morning and then home to cook up some corn and go to a pool party. The pool party was fun. Our friends with the pool even treated us by HEATING it! That's right! VERY nice.

Monday - the actual holiday and all - was spent at our own community pool, being useless. It wasn't as crowded as I expected it to be, I guess most people were out of town.

TUESDAY & TODAY have been spent working on the ole office move. Busy physical labor stuff. :) I am tired, but mostly set up. Though we can't officially work on official business in the new office yet. Some city code thing. Hopefully (or maybe hopefully not) soon!

Mama took my cookie!

Ok, so I have relayed this story to friends about 100 times, but I wanted to get it down before I forget about it. The older I get the less I remember.

So about November of 2004, we plan a weekend at Gram's cottage. To attend the number something annual Urbanna Oyster Festival. I grew up in this tiny town, so the annual pilgrimage to loads of fried foods, mediocre art, lots of boats, some ok music and loads of drunken people is close to my heart. I won't lie, I actually love it. I believe the girl has been to every one since her birth.

The Oyster Fest is always the first weekend of November. So we pack up and are set to go. Now, knowing our darling is going to be going first by Gram's work and meeting Gram's boss etc, we (I) dress her ever so cutely. I remember vividly. A lovely little off-white cable knit cardigan with a silk tie in the front.

Being silly, I left my husband in charge of getting the girl into the car while I got a few more things from upstairs (because really it takes a ton of stuff to travel with a little one).

I return downstairs to the garage to see him loading her in the car. Me: "What is that in her hand?" Him: "A cookie." Me: "Why does she have a cookie?" Him: "Because she wanted one." Me: (knowing that she at this point in life did not like chocolate chips and these were the cookies we'd baked the night before that she continually somehow ate around the chocolate chip and then spewed the melted, slobbery chip out of her mouth saw a problem).

So, I contemplate...then I decide I MUST wrentch the cookie from her hand. She's just holding it at this point not actually eating it. So I say "Give mama the cookie" Her: (Having few words but one in particular she knew well) "NO."
Me: "Please give mama the cookie." Her: "NO, my cookie!" So I (being the kind of benevolent dictator I am) take the cookie. SHE WAILS. From the garage all the way to the top of the driveway.

Here's an aside parenting lesson for you all: If you are consistent and don't cave your children will not wail for long. If you are inconsistent and cave often, they will scream bloody murder until you give in because they know EVENTUALLY you will give in. Hubby and I are a united front on this - no means no, yes means yes, maybe means maybe. We do not CAVE.

SO ... she wails. From the garage to the top of our driveway. Pulls herself together and happily watches her movie all the way to gram's work. Along the way she chats with me, tells me she loves me, tells me about her movie and so on.

We arrive, climb out of the car, and make our way to gram's office. After 3 hours in the car we all need a good stretch. The girl is still chatting with me. Happy as a lark. Then. She spots Gram. She turns and looks at me with a "now you are gonna pay look" and looks at her gramma, makes her way over to gram, climbs on her lap and says, "MAMA TOOK MY COOOOOOKIE" with a frown.

Gram: "What? Mama took your cookie?"
Her: "MAMA TOOK MY COOKIE!" with a look on her face as if she's saying Mama beat me with a stick and sent me to bed with out dinner.
Gram: "Oh honey, Gramma will get you another cookie"

It amazes me that for 3 HOURS a 2 year old held that kind of a grudge! The photo is of her around July 4th of her first year - just after she started walking, or about 4 months before the cookie incident.

Happy Birthdays!!!

That's right, Birthdays! As in more than one. It still freaks me out just a little that 2 (almost 3) of my favorite people in the universe were born today. My husband and my friend, Mari. One's a little bit older than the other, but I digress. . .

Our girl was originally due on the 24th as well, on her daddy's birthday, but he being selfish and all ... oh no, not really ... with her having some prenatal issues needed to come early. They were trying for the 8th but that's our anniversary so we decided on the 5th. Of course, she came on the 6th. May is a busy month.

ANYHOO...back to my point. I just wanted to give a little shout out to one of my favorite women in the world, Mari. Who is also one of the funniest people in the world. And, of course, my hubby. Who puts up with me day in and day out :) What more could a girl ask for!

The photo above was from our trip to STJ with Mari & her sister back in May of 2002. Time does indeed fly!

Sunburn, bugbites, and a weekend at gramma's

It is amazing to me that we have returned, tired...sunburned (me & hubby)....covered with bites (the girl - despite our best efforts at bugspray)....stuffy with allergies (me) and yet we feel like we had the most wonderful weekend.

We took the girl to gram's cottage on the creek for a weekend of relaxation and fishing. Her dad insisted she have a fishing pole for her birthday and we decided it was time to break it in. We could not have asked for better weather. High 70s, breezy. On her first excursion she hooks a Ray. I didn't believe them at first until a couple of innocent bystanders confirmed.

I am too tired to write much more. But I just had to post a picture!

Amazing Grace

I just discovered Kate Havnevik. I can't figure out how to BUY the song. It was in the Der/Mer scene from the season finale of Grey's Anatomy.

You have to go to her myspace page and listen to Grace. It is amazing. Her voice is so beautiful.

Lyrics:

GRACE
Im on my knees
only memories are left for me to hold
Dont know how but Ill get by
Slowly pull myself together
Theres no escape
So keep me safe
This feels so unreal
Nothing comes easily
Fill this empty space
Nothing is like it seems
Turn my grief to grace
I feel the cold
Loneliness unfold
Like from another world
Come what may
I wont fade away
But I know I might change
Nothing comes easily
Fill this empty space
Nothing is like it was
Turn my grief to grace
Nothing comes easily
Where do I begin?
Nothing can bring me peace
Ive lost everything
I just want to feel your embrace

Clive Owen

Are words really necessary here?

My Mama

With all this talk about my little girl, I thought I might turn some focus on my mama. Here she is when she was about the same age that my daughter now is. Its so strange to see your mother as a child. It is even stranger when I realize looking at this picture of my mother, is like looking at a photo of my daughter some how made to look "old timey".

I know mother's day has come and gone, but I have to give it to my mom. I am the mother I am (good and bad) because of her. She raised my brother and I alone and I might say did quite a good job. She taught me what I know about hard work, tenacity, love, understanding, patience, and the futility of crying over split milk.

Not a day goes by with my daughter that a situation doesn't arise that I have to think "what would my mom have done when I was little?" That is the highest compliment I think to her parenting. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but when you want to parent as your parent did, that is saying something. I hear so many people who say all they are doing is trying to make their child's childhood better than their own. All I am trying to do is make sure my daughter grows up with the sense that she is loved, valued and treasured. Just as I felt (usually) as a kid!

I know all bets are off once we enter adolescence, but I am basking in this current "best mama ever" phase!

We Really Are Moving!

My office that is. Today about 10,000 orange and black crates arrived. It looks like a bad halloween movie. Ok, so its only about 600 crates but still. That works out to about 17 crates per employee. I am thinking I need 3. :)

So the official move is still over a week away but I have to say I am looking forward to ALL new stuff. By June 1 I will be settled nicely into my new office.

No more hand-me-down desk, file cabinets, mis-matched this and that. Uniformity. It appeals to me. Cleanliness. Also, very appealing. Being on a floor with mostly sane people. YAY. It will be good. What can go wrong?

Medivac

So yesterday, while working from home, around 5 or so, I hear lots and lots of fire trucks. I think nothing of it. Until my hubby comes home and says "What's going on outside". Well the first trucks had come and stopped about 1/2 a mile from our house. They had turned off their sirens. So 4-5 fire trucks, several ambulances, lots of police vehicles are outside.

I walk up our drive and see that our road has been totally blocked off in either direction. Then I see the firemen walking around our furthest neighbors house. So I am thinking "its gonna blow!" Of course, they would have evacuated us right?

Then I hear what I thought was a traffic/news chopper getting CLOSER and CLOSER. Until, that's right, it lands right on the street in front of our house. Disheartening but very cool. It was a medical evacuation helicopter. Apparently there was an accident on a cross street and this was the closest flat spot to be had. Still, there are powerlines quite tight to the road. Apparently, the pilot circled 4 or 5 times before he actually touched down.

Swim Class

Swim class has come to an end. Here are some photos of her last class. She is going to be just like her mama was in school - - - "great student, but talks to much in class!" Can't tell you how many times that was on my report card. The swimming instructor was a saint. The girl must have said "um, excuse me (insert question/statement here) _________" a thousand times!



Here are the bathing beauties practicing their kicks



Oh, and more talking....

The Girl is 4!

I know that I am biased, but its official - she is the cutest kid I know! Well, another year has come and gone. I can't believe just 4 years ago our lives were dramatically altered by the addition of one little girl, but tis true. May is such a busy month for us. Hubby's mom birthday. The girls birthday. Our anniversary. Mother's Day. Hubby's birthday. I need to take deep breaths just thinking about it. I guess that is what Yoga class is for (though that is a whole other story).



The Birthday Cake




The flowers from me to her are a tradition now.



The new helmet to go with the new roller skates from Gram! Dr. G. says he's gonna get a brand new car this year :)



Ella & her Gramma Mezo. Thick as thieves. Peas in a Pod. Partners in Crime.



I have to say the very best part of the entire birthday celebration came on the day we took in the cupcakes we had made and decorated together to Miss. Jeannie's for her school friends. As we were loading up to go to school, she says to me "mama, you are my best mama EVER!" So what I am her only mom, she meant it as the highest of compliments.

New word of the week - Deflated. Learned in reference to the balloons dying a slow death around the house!

Photographic Evidence

There is surprisingly little photographic evidence that I actually went to Mexico. Oh well.

Meet our poolside Iguana. She looked bigger to me when I was next to her.



This would be the view of the beach from the pool, yep, that pool. The one I never moved more than 10 feet away from except while dark or for one afternoon of shopping.



The Condo - Kitchenette & Dining Area. (ignore the flash off of the bathroom mirror)



One bedroom with a King bed, the other had two doubles.



There is this lovely photo of a bimbo....truck. This is in Playa.



the end.

Back from Mexico

Unfortunately, my Mexican adventure is over for now. Having been to quite a few warm, tropical locations this one was right up there. It was no St. John :) but definitely very good.

I left Sunday morning from Washington, DC and the flight going was great. First, I scored a great exit row seat with plenty of leg room. We departed at 9:00 am and arrived at 11:45 am Cancun time. I was off the plane, on the shuttle and at the resort pool by 1 pm. Ahhhh.. relaxation.

The first thing I did poolside was lather up & order some lunch and a cocktail. Did I mention there were not one but 2 bars IN the pool? Another 2 on the pool deck. The pool was definitely my favorite feature of the resort. It was gigantic and overlooked the maya riviera. Poolside there were tons of thatched little huts with comfy chairs, then in addition there were about 30 or so actual queen sized beds with cool white sheets and pillows. We were lucky enough to score one of those a couple of the days. I was generally up at 6ish and by the pool 10 minutes later!

Monday I was up at the crack of dawn & by the pool. After a couple hours of relaxation and sun. And hitting happy hour at the pool bar, of course. We decide to trek into Playa del Carmen to do some shopping and have lunch. This was the one time I left the resort. Apparently about 10 years ago Playa del Carmen was a tiny town - 3 streets x 3 streets, quaint local shops and a gorgeous beach. Also apparently, Playa del Carmen is the fastest growing city in the world now. Mucho construction. Resorts/condos going up everywhere. Sort of sad to see, but still a good time. The local people were SO nice. Santos, our cab driver, dropped us off and asked when we'd like to be picked up & SHOWED up! He was very sweet. The entire feel was completely opposite of Cancun, though it is quickly being developed. Gifts in hand & a new ring to boot, I headed back to meet up with Santos and the resort. I was back in the pool by 3.

Tuesday was another banner day. I was again by the pool by a little after 6. Scored a great poolside bed! Relaxed, read. Summer showed up around 8 I think. I wandered off to have breakfast. Came back, read. Sunned. Slept. Tuesday was the best day for me. Slept a bit, read a bit. Sunned a lot. Ordered lunch from the pool waitress. Read, relaxed, sunned.

And soon discovered my #2 favorite spot. The spa. Smack on the beach, next to favorite spot #1 - yes, the pool remember? I scheduled an 80 minute massage at 2:30 so I wandered in around 2. Took advantage of the Steam room, steam shower, sauna, Swedish shower, outdoor Jacuzzis and plunge pool. Very tranquil. I will be honest I didn't expect much, and they way overdelivered. Peaceful. 2 hours later I emerged from the Spa. I had a pedicure scheduled for 5, but an hour to go back to my poolside bed. Rested, sunned, read. Ate an ice cream from the ice cream man who came by. Back to the spa for my pedicure. Then, you guessed it, back to poolside until almost 6:30. All in all I was poolside on in the spa for 12 hours on that day!!!

Coming back to reality was a bit of a challenge. The airport adventure involved crashed computers, double booked seats galore, a virtual strip search for me (yes, I again was picked out for more aggressive screening - along with the 7 year old girl in line behind me), 3 seat changes for me ONCE I WAS ON THE PLANE, an hour delay getting of the ground, and Customs & Border Protection agents boarding the plane at Dulles to remove a guy. The only saving grace was that I scored another EXIT seat coming home. And I got to watch Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - Eugene Levy is so funny!

Anyway, I got in at about 9:30 Wednesday night. Hubby was waiting for me with beautiful white Tulips! The girl was passed out on the airport chair. Opened her eyes enough to say "mama, you're back. I missed you. I love you. Zzzzzz"

Its funny that no matter where I go, its always good to be home. I promise to post my own pictures soon!

Mayan Palace...The POOL is even better than I anticipated

Ok, So I am totally stealing this picture from Summer's blog, but it wasn't until I went to the Mayan Palace homepage that I realized it is the actual pool. YES! That rocks. I'll be in the POOL! Or should I say Pools! I don't believe I even need a room!

Are we there yet?

48 hours from NOW I will be getting ready to board the plane to Mexico. It's funny, now that I am a mom, I always worry when I travel alone. I don't worry when we are all together. I'm like if we go down we go down together. But when I go alone, I think awwwwww what a tragedy that would be. Though I know between her daddy and her gramma all would be taken care of still I worry.

Regardless of that deep and heavy thought, I mostly enjoy the FREE time. The ability to read, sleep, listen to my ipod, do nothing, people watch. All the things I can't do when I am in constant "entertain a 3 year old" mode. Not that she's a bad traveler, she's actually a great traveler. Its just .. she is 3! Well, almost 4 ;)
So .. 48 hours. 72 hours on the ground of relaxing, sunning, swimming. Then back to the grind. Then a minor pause until the rest of the year's whirlwind travels. Mostly long weekends here and there but a couple longer trips.

Where am I?

April 23-26 - Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
June 29-July 5 - Indy for the Formula 1 race
(the closest I'll be to Juan Pablo for the year :( Maybe I'll make the pit crew finally - talk about world travel, those guys go all over!)
August 3-10 - Seattle, Washington for business & a bit of fun on the side
September 24-October 1 - Virginia Beach for Neptune's Festival
November 3-5 - Gram's house for the annual Oyster Festival
November 11-18 - ST JOHN homecoming with Gram for her birthday

Yes, its true. We don't sit still often.

On a totally other note, I have to just give my props to my hubby. Who apparently rocks. He decided about two weeks ago that he really wanted to change it up career wise. Stay in computers but move out of government contracting and into private, corporate work. We had his resume tweaked by the middle of last week. He had his first interview on Wednesday. And his first offer yesterday. Considering he hadn't interviewed in about 6 years, I thought that was pretty impressive.

Did they not get my list?

From CNN..."White House press secretary Scott McClellan today announced his resignation, continuing a shakeup in President Bush's administration that already has yielded a new chief of staff."

Ok, its pretty clear they didn't get my list. And yes, it was in the order of preferred departure. McClellan, mildly annoying, because well...he works for GWB. However, he is no where near as offensive as the list!

1.Rumsfeld
2.Rove
3.Condi

There that would be a nice start. Stop giving me peons...I want heads to roll.

Brooke Shields & Tom Cruise have a daughter

No not together, but still am I the only one who finds the fact that both of their daughters arrived on the same day odd? I bet Brooke is highly annoyed.

Beach Girlness Runs in the Family

I just love this photo of the girl. Its her post-sunscreen and ready to rock and roll. She loves the beach. Just like her mama. This was taken in late August at my godmother's beach house in Nags Head. We had a great long weekend just relaxing!

We are all looking forward to not 1 but 2 weeks at the beach this year. The first will be in late September to Virginia Beach. The second will be a trip back to St. John to celebrate my mama's 57th birthday. To say we can't wait would be the understatement of the century!

6 Days and counting

In a mere 6 days I (and a gaggle of girlfriends) will be on the way to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico ... just in case anyone is counting. I am really hoping our pool looks something like that ;)

Is it really Sunday Already?

I can't believe its already Sunday. Afternoon, to be exact. Where do the weekends go? Yesterday was spent on a bit of a shopping spree. I was given a bonus at work for getting our membership over 18000 for the first time since the late 90's. So, I was determined to update my wardrobe a bit for the spring. It was actually a lot of fun. I am usually a buy this piece and that piece, ON SALE, kind of girl. Buying entire outfits was a bit of a departure for me.

So that shot most of Saturday. Last night we tried Ray's The Steaks in Arlington for the first time. Us and another couple. YUMMMMMY. Really the best cut of meat I've ever had in a restaurant. Very basic menu. Steaks, a few sides, a few appetizers. Hubby got the blackened scallops which were the best scallops I've ever tasted in my life. Blackened, prepared perfectly, with a little bit of sauteed garlic on top. I wanted to lick his plate. I started with a buffalo mozzerella salad with mixed greens, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Everything was very simply prepared, but fresh and delicious. The restaurant itself is a total dive, no decor to speak of, dozens of people waiting to be seated at any given time. No reservations. Totally worth the wait. We arrived at about 6:40 and were seated by 7:05. Our timing was pretty good because the wait soon went to about 1 hour.

The meal was done and we headed back to our place to hang out on the deck having a few more cocktails. More Cosmos! Yum. I am not sure if my hubby has the proper recipe but his taste like sweettarts. I could drink them all night like they were coolaide.

Of course, the Easter bunny had to come last night. Which involved negotiating easter basket stuffing and egg hiding on 3 huge glasses of wine and a couple of cosmos. Miraculously all were discovered today! The girl was so excited that the easter bunny brought her eggs with "chocolate chips" in them. Chocolate Chips = hershey kisses :)

So now I am going to prep a few appetizers and head over to a friends for a nice Easter lunch.

Happy Easter!!

1 WEEK until Mexico!!!

Good Times at Busch Gardens

The Girl & I enjoy a carousel ride...


Not much is better than a cotton candy mustache!! The girls at Busch Gardens...

My Great Grandparents

Here are my great grandparents on the paternal side. My don't they look happy.

Traffic Woes

So after work yesterday we had a lovely little happy hour. My former assistant was in town from Texas (or Tejas) to visit so all of the worker bees gathered at Stella's in old town. It was so nice to sit outside and enjoy the weather! Good times. Lots of laughs. Until...

We all leave to head home around 7:30. Thinking surely traffic will be all clear. Well, not so much. Apparently there was a chain reaction accident on 95S blocking and closing all lanes. Something like 15 cars??? I know there was at least 1 car under a tractor trailer and a fatality. So, it could have been worse for me. But shutting 95S for several hours around 6pm on the Thursday before Easter spells NIGHTMARE. I can't even imagine if we had to evacuate the DC region.

It took me 1.5 hours to go 17 miles. What would usually at that time of night take maybe 20 minutes.

My all time favorite song (at the moment)

Crush
Dave Matthews Band

Crazy, how it, feels tonight.
Crazy, how you, make it all alright love.
You crush me, with the, things you do,
I do, for you, anything too oh.
Sitting, smoking, feeling high.
And in this, moment, ah, it feels so right.
Lovely lady, I am at your feet, oh, God I want you so badly.
And I wonder this could tomorrow be so wondrous as you there sleeping.
Let’s go, drive ’til, the morning comes.
And watch the, sunrise, and fill our souls up.
We’ll drink some, wine ‘til, we get drunk,
yes...It’s crazy, I’m thinking, just knowing that the world is round.
I’m here I’m dancing on the ground.
Am I right side up or upside down,
and is this real, or am I dreaming?
Lovely lady, let me drink you, please, I won’t spill a, drop
no, I promise you.
Lying under this spell you cast on me.
Each moment the more, i, love, you.
crush me, come on. oh, yes.
It’s crazy I’m thinking, just knowing that the world is round.
I’m here I’m dancing on the ground.
Am I right side up or upside down?
Is this real, oh lord, or am I dreaming?
Lovely lady, I will treat you sweetly, adore you,
I mean, you crush me.
Oh it’s times like these when my faith I feel.
I know, how, i, love, you. come on, come on, baby.
It’s crazy, I’m thinking just as long as you’re around.
I’m here I’ll be dancing on the ground.
Am I right side up or upside down?
To each other, we’ll be facing.
My love, my love, we’ll beat back the pain we’ve found.
You know, I mean to tell you all the things I’ve been thinking,
deep inside my Friend.
With each moment the more I love you.
crush me, come on, baby.
So much you have, given love,
that I would give you back again and again.
Oh, the love, many now hold you but please,
please, just let me, always

Is the pool open yet?

The girl is ready to inspect the pool anytime! (Actual Pool is from trip to St. John, May 2005)

My recovery...

No not from drugs (unless sudafed counts)...from the long long weekend. The family and I trekked off to Williamsburg last week for a getaway with another family (also the parents of a 3 year old girl). The weekend was grrrreat as my girl would say, as if she's Tony the Tiger.

Let's see --- we caravaned down on Wednesday night via HOV. Tres nice. The 3rd family member often comes in handy. We stopped off of 295 around Richmond to chow at Nacho Mama! What a great name for a restaurant. Yummy eats too. One margarita later we were back on the road. Hit W'burg around 8 pm. Settled in.

Our place was awesome. 3 bedrooms, huge living/dining room. Full kitchen. We definitely felt we could spread out a bit. Indoor and outdoor pools (both heated). It was so nice Thursday we were in the outdoor pool!! In April. So you know I was a happy camper. There was a starbucks in the reception area. So really happy camper! Internet room. Billiards. It was much better than I anticipated for $200/per couple for the week. Timesharing definitely works out from time to time! The girl liked it so much she wanted to stay at her Williamsburg house because "I love it here MOM!" We got seasons passes to Busch Gardens and spent two days there. I hadn't been since my old college days at William and Mary. It is still such a great park! Friday was GORGEOUS!!! 75 and sunny.

Friday night we went to my friend Adam's restaurant, the Blue Talon. Yummy & it was so nice and warm we ate on the patio. That's not Adam below by the way, its the chef.



The highlight of the weekend had to be learning to play Texas Hold'em. Saturday night we ordered in and played cards until 2 am!!! I am now addicted. My mom, who had stopped by to say hi, even joined in and CLEANED the table up. The first night we played (Thursday) my hubby took the table. On Saturday, my mom who'd never played a day in her life kicked everyone's bootie. She is a great cardplayer. Runs in her family, I think I missed most of that gene!

Hung's main duty was playing bartender all weekend. We went through almost two bottles of grey goose & 1.5 bottles of cointreau. It was COSMO heaven!

Anyway, Sunday we got up, loaded the cars and went back to BG from 10-5 or so. We didn't get home until 8ish lon Sunday evening. That is when the itchy throat and sneezing started. I wasn't sure if it was a cold or allergies or sleep deprivation or a hangover ;) I am voting for allergies. Today I am feeling human again.

Pictures of the trip to come!

Things I love about my girl

There are a million reasons why people love their kids. Here are a few of my favorite things about my girl.

I love that bubbles in the bath can COMPLETELY make her day.

I love that her favorite 4 toys are these little stuffed animals from the Target $1 spot :)

I love that she's named them - Simba (a cat), Max (a dog), SimbaD (another cat), Reginald (a dog) and Baby Monkey (a monkey).

I love that her favorite foods and mashed potatoes, carrots, apples, and chocolate and she makes no distinction of one being way better than the other.

I love that she has an opinion about just about everything.

I love that she is totally interested in a baby brother puppy or a baby sister puppy but has absolutely no interest in one of the human variety.

I love that even though she's about to turn 4 she tells me that "3 will always be her favorite number!"

I love that she, like me, loves the water in any shape or form.

I love that she is triffling to her father and makes him work for the hugs and kisses!

I love that she is sweet and compassionate. Ex. She allowed me to win the race to the front door of Jeannie's house because she wanted me to know I was a fast girl. Of course she informed Jeannie that "mama won, but I let her."

I love that her laugh comes from way down in her tummy and is so genuine and totally joyful.

James"P.J." Ransone - my new favorite actor

I will admit it I am not digging this guy because of his acting, but only because I've never seen him in anything. Currently he is in the new Spike Lee "Inside Man" - with Denzel, Jodie Foster and Clive Owen. Ohhh...Clive Owen and Denzel Washington in the same movie. Does one need any more reason to go??

I digress. So, why my newfound love for PJ Ransone, you might ask. Check out the story in the NYPOST's Page Six. I've highlighted my favorite parts!

ACTOR James "P.J." Ransone became a real-life action hero Monday night when he saved a woman from a brutal rapist.

Ransone, currently on-screen in Spike Lee's "Inside Man," was in his Lower East Side apartment e-mailing a friend and studying for an audition when he heard muffled cries for help.

"There was something in her voice," he relates. So he grabbed a broomstick which he later dropped for a metal bar, called 911 and ran downstairs "in my pajama bottoms - no shoes, no socks and no shirt," Ransone says.
He got to the vestibule in the nick of time. "There was this Hispanic guy in a blue sweatshirt choking my neighbor and pulling his [sex organ] out," he told Page Six's Lisa Marsh. "I pictured my mom, my girlfriend and every girl I've ever loved and thought, 'Vengeance is mine.' "

The would-be rapist took off on Eldridge Street with Ransone - who at a slim 5-foot-9 is not exactly physically threatening - chasing after him. "I looked north and south and saw him running," Ransone recalls. As he ran after the attacker, he passed a friend walking his dog and called for him to join in the chase. "I screamed, 'Follow me! This girl almost got raped!' " Ransone caught up with the assailant as he entered a building on Allen Street. He broke a glass door to get at the perp and then cracked him on the back with the metal bar.

"I said, 'You rapist piece of [bleep]' and heard a crack when I hit his shoulder blade," Ransone says. "He mimed taking out a gun and said, 'Do you want to go to jail?' - and made a bee-line for the door.

"I cried, 'I'm not done with you yet' and kept swinging," Ransone says. Then the cops arrived and the attacker disappeared into the building. An arrest is expected soon.

"All of my friends would have done the same thing, but nobody else in my building came out," the actor says, adding, "I did what anybody would have done."

The police were so impressed with Ransone, they tried to recruit him: "They told me I could still go on auditions during the day and work nights."
Although he doesn't think he nailed the audition for which he was studying, Ransone - who has appeared on "The Wire," "Love Monkey" and "CSI" - is optimistic for the future. "I don't want any casting directors telling me I'm not tough enough," he says.

Montoya Gets No Respect

Ok, I am coming out with it - I am a closet Formula 1 racing fan. I have no time for Nascar or Cart or any of that crap. But there is just something about F1. Particularly a fan of Juan Pablo Montoya and the Maclaren Mercedes team. Even if Kimi's voice does sound like a little boy.

Let's face it these guys have cojones of steel.

So my driver, JPM. Yeah, I love him. Yeah, it might have something to do with the fact that he's columbian and foxy. So what he's 5.6 or something! He's dark and handsome and is that type of gutsy that borders directly on insane. I love that he's firey and has been known to punch a camera guy. Anyway, I digress.

He's arguably one of the best drivers in the world. Everyone knows that F1 drivers are the cream of the proverbial crop. But my man either is on the podium or he's out of the race. Random stuff, unlikely, unlucky stuff never ceases to happen to him.

Sato (arguably the worst F1 driver - ok, maybe just I think so) takes him out when he is BEING LAPPED!

Last race, Montoya comes into the pit to see what ... Kimi his teammate sitting in the pit. Now I am not sure if the Kimi pit took longer than they thought or if they miscommunicated to Montoya when they told him to pit. But who else have you ever seen pit to find their teammate in the way. With a pit stop averaging about 6-8 seconds its not like he's gonna sit there and apply some lip gloss while he waits!

AHHHHHHH!

The life of a dog

Another great thing about telecommuting is the lunchtime break/doggie walk. it makes Butter dog's day and also is good for me. Here is the puppy, being particularly useless!

Gibney Beach, St. John, USVI

Another view of St. John. I guess I reiminesce a bit too much, but about this time last year we were preparing for our trip there. This is gibney beach.

Oh ... only 220 days until we go again.

If not in St. John...

Then please let me go to London. Just a year old picture from our trip to Europe last Spring. Ah, london...

The Girl's comment of the day

On the way to daycare drop off this morning its raining for the first time since February I think! So my girl in the back seat starts to sing.

"It's raining, it's pouring, the old Man is snoring" pause pause. Then, "Mama, who's that?" Me: "Who?" Her: "The old man?" Me: "I am not sure honey." Her: "Mama, I think the old man is daddy!"

I laugh everytime I think of how astute my little almost 4 year old is ;)

I love April!

I just looked over my calendar and decided, I LOVE APRIL! I just realized I've planned myself a three day week & a 2 day week this month! This definitely makes up for the fact that I haven't had a vacation day since the beginning of the year.

I hate winter and tend to hoard my extremely generous vacation/flex/comp days for the Spring & Summer. I get 15 vacation days, 2 Flex days, and 4 comp days a year (this doesn't include the 12 sick days I also get). Most of my days are used between April and September. Though we do have a winter trip planned (November 11-18) to STJ for the first time ever. BUT I digress...

This week is a three day week. In the office today, working from home tomorrow, in the office Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon at breakneck pace, fly home, get everyone loaded up & hit HOV whilest it is still HOV so we can be at least 1/2 way to Williamsburg by dinner time! Feed the girls and then continue on and hit the 'Burg by bedtime. Then 4 days of shopping, adventure parking, eating, playing, resting....

Back to the grind for 2 weeks.

Then on April 23 I board a direct flight to 5 days in beautiful Playa Del Carmen with 4 lovely ladies! I can't wait. Sun, relaxation, eating, drinking, swimming. After lots of laughs and maybe with a little tan I will come home and it will almost be MAY!

Ah, I love April!

Busch Gardens here we come!

I am so excited to report that this will be a 3 day week for me! Yay. We are heading down to Williamsburg after work on Wednesday! Spending Wednesday-Sunday enjoying Spring. We will be going to Busch Gardens, the outlets & just generally relaxing and having a good time.

Another couple and their 3 year old daughter will be joining us. It should be a blast! I can't wait!!!

Yoga is SUPPOSED to be relaxing!

Yoga is supposed to be relaxing. And, in theory, can be a wonderful thing. Fairfax Co. Parks & Recs however have managed to turn what should be a joyful, peaceful thing into a STRESSFUL situation.

Last session I was signed up for and found my "yogi" the one I would follow to the end of the earth. Vicki is the BEST ever. Great instructor, knows her stuff, and also is so mellow and careful with her students. A wonderful thing for me, who happens to have a wonky back and a lack of a sense of my own limits. Can we say pilates???

So last session was great. Sunday nights at 7pm every week I went, I stretched, I toned, I sweat a little, I relaxed in corpse pose, and pulled myself up off the floor and I went home a happy woman. Refreshed and ready to start the new week right. To say I loved Vicki & my yoga class would be a bit of an understatement.

Of course, sessions end. But being me, a planner, months ago I signed up for the NEW session after confirming with Vicki she was teaching the same class at the same time. 3 days before class is to start, they CANCEL it. Ok, breathe, be calm. It's yoga. Surely I can find another session with her and switch.

I start calling on Friday...nothing. No one can tell me who's teaching what or when. Call back Saturday they say. Now, note that the first classes of the session start Saturday at 9am. So I call back Saturday at 7:30 as they have told me to do. They say, we still don't know, the person who knows is in class until 8:15, call back then. I call back at 8:20. Voicemail. 8:22 Voicemail. Finally 8:25 - I get a human. Ask to speak to the one who is supposed to know. She's no where to be found. SO I vent. "You mean to tell me the first session starts in 30 minutes and you can't tell me who is teaching that class?" Yes, maam that's what they mean. Had no idea who was teaching any of the sessions. AHHHHHHHHHH.

Fine, I know there is a class Sunday am at 10. I decide instructor unknown to switch to that class. Show up, sign up, sit and wait. I wait until two other students who show up with mats. The same guy who signed me up and checked me in 5 minutes prior tells them "oh your class has been cancelled." As if I am NOT sitting there waiting for the same class!!!

I did manage to find and dig Vicki's email address out of the back of my car. I am hoping she will be teaching somewhere sometime. I feel like such a stalker. I will email her and find out! She also teaches at Sun & Moon - a real yoga studio. Not as convenient (county location is 5 minutes from my house) but worth it to be in her class.

I swear I just need a yoga class to calm myself down. Luckily, just today's class was being cancelled - instructor illness - not the entire session! Hopefully, this time next week I will be post-class calm.

Bliss

A beautiful picture of a beautiful place on a beautiful day!

I must just be lucky

So I was reading through the Washington Post this morning and there is a new blogger about parenthood, specifically momdom. Anyway, it is ironically called "On Balance". However I am failing to see the balance. For example, today's post from the blogger:

Heart-to-Heart

While I was brushing my teeth recently, my husband looked at me in the mirror and asked:
"That stuff in your blog about how I don't help out with the kids, that's old stuff, right? Or at least an exaggeration?"
I thought about letting it pass. It was late, a bad time to risk a fight. But this blog is about telling the truth, so I did.
"No, honey. It's true. I just don't complain anymore. And I don't think it's your fault. You're just not as good at the childcare stuff as I am."
He didn't get angry. "But everyone tells me I'm such a great dad."
"You are a wonderful dad. You do a lot more with our kids than my dad or your dad did. But moms can never really work full-time unless husbands start doing more childcare and household stuff. You know, staying home for sick days, worrying about the kids' lunches, that kind of thing."
To my surprise, he looked contemplative, as if he were chewing on what I said. But at least there was no fight.
By Leslie Morgan Steiner

I don't know why, but this chick just annoys me to no end.

My husband is the most supportive, involved dad I've ever known. He is a dream when it comes to caring for our daughter. We both work full-time and he has always done at LEAST 50%, many times more, of the getting up in the middle of the night, taking off when she's sick, doctor's appts, baths, and so on. Plus, he is totally engaged with her and incredibly loving. His goal is to raise a determined, strong, smart girl. I often overhear him saying how strong she is and how he is so proud of her.

I travel for my work and he never once has complained about being a single parent for a week here or there. From day 1, he has encouraged me to have girl time and alone time. I would not be 1/2 the parent I am, or even sane for that matter if it were not for my husband. I did not grow up with a father, so it is truly a blessing to see - for my own sake but more so for my daughter's.

For us its really just the way it is -- and the way it should be. 50/50. Somedays I do 75 he does 25 but then the next he's doing 75 and I'm doing 25. We try to recognize when the other is nearing a breaking point and then step in and take over. It has made for a peaceful homelife & resulted in our daughter getting the best we can possibly provide. We're not perfect, but I see it could be so worse.

Him not participating equally just was never a possibly - for me, but more so for HIM.

Bye-Bye Andy

Ok, I just have to say my official good bye to Andrew Card. Now, if Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Condolezza Rice, Donald Rumsfeld, oh and GWB could just turn in their resignations I'd be a happy camper.

Next....

St. John Magic

One of my favorite places in the universe to be is the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. What's the magic people will ask. It is so hard to define, but I will try.

The magic is that after traveling to at least a 1/2 dozen other islands, I never have felt more at home than I do on STJ. I step off the ferry from St. Thomas and I just feel different. Calm, happy, sedate, warm, welcome. It seems like the stress and frustration of daily life just melts away with the sight of Cruz Bay.

The magic is that though this island is not perfect, it is real. There is traffic, congestion, overdevelopment looming ... but there are acres and acres of pristine park land, Francis bay with its sea turtles, Uncle Joe's with his finger licking BBQ, the goats that you nearly hit coming around the corners over in Coral Bay, and ultimately the freedom to wake up each day and say..."which beach is it today?" and know that NO matter what you choose you can't go wrong.

The magic is that no matter how many times I come back I discover something new each time. All I can say for sure is that the magic must be real, because my almost 4 year old who was 3 at the time - and has traveled all over - keeps asking to go back to our St John house! ;)

I am usually a rush around kind of gal, do as much as I can as fast as I can. In STJ, I linger. I laze in the pool, nursing a fronzen concoction. I smile more. I laugh so hard at times my stomach hurts the next morning. I dream more.

Men are from mars...

This is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time so I thought I would share. I have no idea if its true or the source, but it is surely funny.

Here's a prime example of "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus" offered by an English professor from the University of Colorado for an actual class assignment.

The professor told his class one day: "Today we will experiment with a new form called the tandem story. The process is simple. Each person will pair off with the person sitting to his or her immediate right. As homework tonight, one of you will write the first paragraph of a short story. You will e-mail your partner that paragraph and send another copy to me. The partner will read the first paragraph
and then add another paragraph to the story and send it back, also sending another copy to me. The first person will then add a third paragraph, and so on back-and-forth. Remember to re-read what has been written each time in order to keep the story coherent. There is to be absolutely NO talking outside of
the e-mails and anything you wish to say must be written in the e-mail. The story is over when both agree a conclusion has been reached."

The following was actually turned in by two of his English students:

Rebecca and Gary
THE STORY :
(first paragraph by Rebecca )
At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The chamomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl , who once said, in happier times, that he liked chamomile. But she felt she must now, at all costs, keep her mind off Carl. His possessiveness was suffocating, and if she thought about him too much her asthma started acting up
again. So chamomile was out of the question.

(second paragraph by Gary)
Meanwhile, Advance Sergeant Carl Harris, leader of the attack squadron now in orbit over Skylon 4, had more important things to think about than the neuroses of an air-headed asthmatic bimbo named Laurie with whom he had spent one sweaty night over a year ago. "A.S. Harris to Geostation 17," he said into his transgalactic communicator. "Polar orbit established. No sign of resistance so
far..." But before he could sign off a bluish particle beam flashed out of nowhere and blasted a hole through his ship's cargo bay. The jolt from the direct hit sent him flying out of his seat and across the pit.

(Rebecca)
He bumped his head and died almost immediately, but not before he felt one last pang of regret for psychically brutalizing the one woman who had ever had feelings for him. Soon afterwards, Earth stopped its pointless hostilities towards the peaceful farmers of Skylon 4. "Congress Passes Law Permanently Abolishing War and Space Travel," Laurie read in her newspaper one morning. The news
simultaneously excited her and bored her. She stared out the window, dreaming of her youth, when the days had passed unhurriedly and carefree, with no newspaper to read, no television to distract her from her sense of innocent wonder at all the beautiful things around her. "Why must one lose one's innocence to become a woman?" she pondered wistfully.

(Gary)
Little did she know, but she had less than 10 seconds to live. Thousands of miles above the city, the Anu'udrian mothership launched the first of its lithium fusion missiles. The dimwitted wimpy peaceniks who pushed the Unilateral Aerospace disarmament Treaty through the congress had left Earth a defenseless target for the hostile alien empires who were determined to destroy the human
race. Within two hours after the passage of the treaty the Anu'udrian ships were on course for Earth, carrying enough firepower to pulverize the entire planet. With no one to stop them, they swiftly initiated their diabolical plan. The lithium fusion missile entered the atmosphere unimpeded. The President, in his top-secret mobile submarine headquarters on the ocean floor off the coast of Guam, felt the inconceivably massive explosion, which vaporized poor, stupid Laurie.

(Rebecca)
This is absurd. I refuse to continue this mockery of literature. My writing partner is a violent, chauvinistic semi-literate adolescent.

(Gary)
Yeah? Well, my writing partner is a self-centered tedious neurotic whose attempts at writing are the literary equivalent of Valium. "Oh, shall I have chamomile tea? Or shall I have some other sort of F--KING TEA??? Oh no, what am I to do? I'm such an air-headed bimbo who reads too many Danielle Steele novels!"

(Rebecca)
As*h#le.

(Gary)
B*tch.

(Rebecca)
F**K YOU - YOU NEANDERTHAL!!

(Gary)
In your dreams, Ho'. Go drink some tea.

(TEACHER)
A+++ I really liked this one!!

iPod Makeover

I literally spent 5 hours yesterday reorganizing and reaffliating my songs with iTunes. Our music hard drive had a hiccup so everything had to be moved. PITA! Oh well. It is done now.

Current Top Tunes:

#41 - Dave Matthews Band
Alive - Pearl Jam
Always on My Mind - Willie Nelson
Bad Day - Daniel Powter
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Breathe 2AM - Anna Nalick
Broken - Jack Johnson
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Crush - Dave Matthews Band
F-Stop Blues - Jack Johnson
Hallelujah - Rufus Wainrigh
Push - Sarah McLachlan
Some Devil - Dave Matthews Band
Surround Me - Ben Taylor (son of James)
Uninvited - Alanis Morissette
Wrong Turn - Jack Johnson
You and Me - Lifehouse

Uber Moms

Is it just me or does it seem that parenthood of today, particularly motherhood, is way different than it was just a generation ago? I swore when I had my girl that she would become part of my life NOT MY LIFE. And so far, almost 4 years in, I think I am keeping to my word.

My hubby and I both have worked to maintain grown-up lives despite the fact that we are parents. It is so easy to become completely absorbed, because the kid can easily take over your life if you let 'em. From day 1 we knew the other needed outside interests. He's always like go with your girl friends, go get a pedicure, whatever. He has volleyball 2 nights a week. Our daughter's needs come first of course, but we don't have a sense that she won't be able to survive if we aren't both staring at her 24/7. We maintain other relationships too because she's going to grow up and have her own life and friends and we don't want to be sad and pathetic when that happens. Balance people.

Before I had my daughter people who look at me with that "you will see" look in their eye, as if total absorbtion was just the natural order of things. I would shake my head and say nope. I REFUSE!!!

What's so wrong with 1 activity at a time? Right now, that's a 1/2 an hour of swimming 1 time a week. Don't get me wrong, at times, I wonder will she be able to keep up with the 3 activities at a time kids. But then I have a reality check and realize, I don't care. Is she happy, well-adjusted, fun loving. Does she seem to enjoy life? YES! Then we are all good.

Too often I think we don't trust our instincts, our intuition. When I first brought her home from the hospital I felt so ill-equiped, so clueless. I rushed out to the bookstore. I bought, I kid you not, 4 books on childrearing. You know what, I read each one and realized they all contradicted each other. I closed the books, and opened my eyes to the fact that I knew all I needed to know. Common Sense would prevail in our household.

It reminds me of the time when she was in a commercial daycare - Childrens' World. I show up and they tell me "Your daughter has been written up for biting." She was all of a year old. My response, using my outloud voice accidentally was "there goes harvard!" They were not amused. So I ask, "what happened?" The response: "Well, Child X placed his hand in her mouth and she bit him." ME: "And?" Them: "We had to write her up." Me: "Sorry, but I think it was an entirely appropriate response for a 1 year old when someone puts his unwanted hand in her mouth." Soon thereafter we went in search of new childcare arrangements.

Now teaching her at that moment, "no no biting is bad" would have given her 1 year old brain the mistaken idea its OK for someone to invade your space, put their hand in your mouth and you can't do anything about it. Yeah lets try to obliterate any sense of control she has over her self and what happens to her person. I don't think so.

Here's to common sense parenting. Becoming rarer and rarer! When you don't care what others think and you are no longer trying to keep up with the Jones, you will be happier, your kid will be happier. Dare I say they may even grow up to be a more grounded, reasonable, & happy people? There I said it ;)

Just a Quote

"My kind of loyalty was loyalty to one's country, not to its institutions or its officeholders." —Mark Twain

Neighbor Battles & Shared Driveways!!

Ok, so I know its been a while. Lo siento! I've been dealing with a few neighborly troubles. Our neighbors who moved in last December (that's 3 months and counting) are let's say ... not so neighborly!

That's the Driveway above facing their house. The entire part coming down from the street - our property. We are nice enough to let them drive across it ... but park on it NO.

So we had a lovely confrontation with them the other night. Apparently the police had stopped by to ask them to move their van (which by the way had been blocking both their and our mailbox for 4 days). So, though it wasn't us who called, they assumed it was! I am thinking the post man called.

The entire time I was talking to them I was thinking why are we even having this conversation. This should NOT be an issue. Common courtesy!! Simple concepts.

Anyway, back to the police thing. They said the "caller" said that the van was stolen. I am not stupid enough to call the police & FILE A FALSE report. then informed them my best guess was that their mystery caller was the postman because it is ILLEGAL to block a mailbox.
And surely the postman wouldn't say anything about the van being stolen. You know why I think the cops thought the van might be stolen .. cause when they told them to move it -- guess what!? They couldn't. Why??? Because they didn't have the keys! IDIOTS!

This is what I live next to! So they came over to tell us that "we've called our attorney about the false report" I responded "good, I hope they charge you for that because it was NOT us!"

This all stems from the fact that we share a driveway (which is primarily on our property by the way) that they can't quite grasp the concept of "sharing". Parking willy nilly, blocking people in or out, and generally just parking like jerks, is not my idea of sharing!

So the rant went on. "the first thing we heard from you was 'move your car' not 'welcome to the neighborhood' etc. I responded, well that would be because the DAY you moved in you blocked our entire driveway. What exactly would you do if you came home and found a semi truck (I am NOT kidding, I could not make this up!) blocking the entire driveway? Bring over cookies????

Then they say, "as a matter of fact every time you knock on our door its to tell us to move our car!" DING DING DING EXACTLY, we have a winner!!! We aren't just harassing them about every little thing, we are repeatedly and quite politely asking that they kindly remove their car from our property. We have never, in fact, asked anything else of them. Seems like they'd catch on.

And these people are the pastor and his wife of the gospel church of christ or whatever!
Very Christian like eh? There is NOTHING I hate more than when someone is rude and unreasonable but they try to make it seem as if you are the bad guy. Sorry, but wanting you off my property and to show a little common courtesy is not too much to ask.

/rant. Man I feel better now.

So today I am home with the little one - she was sick. Well last night anyway. Woke up and I think faked me out this morning. "Mama, my tummy hurts." Well, no evidence of said tummy ache for the entire day today. I've been had by a 4 year old! Good thing she's so cute.

Quote of the day:
"mama, the front of the boat is called the bow"

The dentist, the dmv & the gas station

Today was a banner day for me! It started with a dental appointment this morning. Yeah, they are typically not such a great way to start the day, but in this case it was a great start. My tooth had been bothering me so I went to check it out with a new dentist. He was awesome. How many times have you gone to the dentist and had the actual dentist come out and introduce himself and hand you the paperwork? Turns out I just had a little gum irritation. Yay me.

Second task, go to the DMV. Now I don't know if any of you live in the DC metro area, but the DMV can be an all day affair. I found an off the beaten path one in Alexandria and couldn't believe my luck. I walked in and before I could be given a number they were calling me! Amazed, I hadn't even completed the paperwork, I made my way to the counter and completed two transactions. I got a new car back in January and wanted to transfer my personal tags to it. 2nd task: replace the photo on my driver's license that was taken on 5/3/2002. Why is this significant you might ask? Because 3 days later on 5/6/2002 my daughter was born. So almost ready to pop does not a pretty picture make. The new picture is pretty orange (and I am not fake'n'baked) but orange is better than bloated & miserable looking anyday!

Third on the list was said vehicle's inspection. Even though it is brand new I bought it in Maryland and registered it in Virginia. So I need to have to inspected in Virginia they say. Ok, fine. Prepped by my good fortune so far I think surely this will be the miserable wait. But no, I pull in and there is no line. My assumption -- they are closed! But I ask anyway & am shocked to hear, "sure just pull right up he'll take you right in." HUH?

So here I sit waiting for the other shoe to drop!

What is wrong with this picture?

Likes:

Flip-Flops
St. John, USVI
My daughter, who is lovely and almost 4
Hubby
Jon Stewart
Peace
Jack Johnson

Dislikes:

Stupidity
War
GWB

Well hi there! Welcome to my blog. I thought I would get those out there from the beginning. I am a 32 year old mother of one, wife, daughter who often finds herself just thinking WTF is going on in the world. I try to be good. I hope that others will also do their best, but still I often just wonder. What is going on?

So...where to begin? I was struck the other night while watching Jon Stewart (yep, he's a fav) by his commentary on the James Frey Oprah debacle. So here's a guy who writes a book about his life and lies and gets raked completely over the coals. By the way, there's this other guy who basically lied about many, many things to an entire country and yet nothing. I mean Clinton got a little action, lied about it and was impeached. This guy does things that have likely irreparably harmed our country and nothing, nada, zip. But yeah, James Frey is the reason for the end of morality.

I have to say I bought the book. I loved the book. I recommended the book to friends. Guess what? Yep, I still like the book. Here's my take. This guy wrote a novel based loosely on his life. Tried to sell said novel. Novel didn't sell. It came across a publisher's desk who said "hey, we could sell this as a memoir. Is this a memoir?" Sure its a memoir. It gets published. Never in a million years did the guy think he'd be on Oprah or make the best sellers list. Did you see him on the first, praised Oprah? He looked like a guy who'd just won the lottery not some evil up to no good hookwinker! He didn't go to Oprah and say please make my book your pick. She picked it. Her staff failed to fact-check it. The publisher failed to fact-check it. But he's the bad guy. Yeah, ok. But no now we all need to sue him and the publisher? WTF?

Its sort of like the gal who sued Mcdonalds because the coffee was too hot and she spilled it on herself. Now there is a guy suing Apple because ipods (with earphones) can cause hearing loss! Like I said ... what is wrong with this picture?

Introductions

I am just an every day flip-flop wearing wife and mother who also happens to hold down a job. I have no goal other than to amuse myself and keep a history, especially of the life, travel and times of my family!

Yes, the water obsession started very early!