Chatty Catty

Every now and then T.J.mentions to me that I'm talking to him in the same tone that I talk to the dogs. Oh! I probably should mention the way I talk to the cats too.

It's true. I'm quite aware that I use the tone...we all do it. Biff, Grace and T.J. too. Grace pops in the door after school and squeals, "Feets! ....Dooog! ....Buddhist! .....Blink!" Translation: Fitz, Daisy....Boo..Jinx. And I'm the one being reminded? Hmmm. Kaley, Grace's BFF, told me I was talking to her like I talk to the dogs...I told her she should be flattered! I love our dogs.

Once, when Biff's brother was visiting, in the middle of a conversation, we noticed Grace's new kitty attempting to jump up onto the kitchen counter.......instantly we all sang out,"MEHHH-HEHHH!!!!" Ed burst out laughing and choked out,"I'm afraid to ask!"

So when i get a little reminder from T.J., it's not with the same teenage sarcastic tone or disillusioned look that he might give me when I ask the name of the song on his i-phone. It's not the pained look he gives me when I mention my twitter name to a friend....or that shake of his head when my blog is being discussed. His reminder is merely a cue to catch myself before I ramble on throughout the day speaking animal speak. At least I think that's why he calls it to my attention.

It's not that T.J. doesn't chat in his own "talk to the animals" tone of voice...he understands. It's the other people. I think T.J., like any other teenager we know, is desperately afraid that I'll continue my animal speak at the grocery store or at a school event. Really.

After all, the sole job of our teenagers is to monitor us or do damage control for every situation they have to be seen in public with us, the parents. That's quite a full time job! I wonder how Grace and T.J. can go to school with the responsibilty of reeling us in. Oh well, we manage to get by...until we're out with them in public again.

Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again

Wet Dog Days

Yes it's the day after...cleaning, scrubbing, mopping, washing, wiping, steaming. Today...wet dogs! Wet dogs smell. They shake. Paw prints on the white tile floor. Life. Life goes on...and on and on. I love our family, including dogs and cats and muddy prints, way more than the white tile floor...most of the time...just kidding...kind of. It's just more challenging the day after the mean clean.

Ooh, Ooh, Ooh, Looking Out My Back Door!

Ashlaen Farm Coffee, Old Lyme, Ct

Here in Connecticut it's a treasure to have a family run farm reinvented by roasting coffee, serving it fresh in the small coffee bar right there at the farm. What a step back in time..a real niche for locals to meet and swap stories, coo at new babies, keep up on local news and events.

Always greeted with smiles, a warm hello and immediate attention to the business at hand....putting a cup of steaming hot coffee in my hand.

It's the people, the place and the atmosphere...horses and random farm animals outside add to the peaceful, natural beauty while the interesting and friendly people that make it all a pleasure. I stop in for just a moment to get a morning jolt and ironically stopping at the farm gives is a little treasure....slowing down! For a mom, that's a good thing!

Do you have a favorite place that slows you down or gives you peace?

Cuddle Kitten

It's been a busy day. Finally I mademo it home between the raindrops and downpours....I took a moment to flop on the plumped up couch while reading my emails....suddenly Boo appeared and as if calling to me with a trill so I was aware he was ready to pounce, get some cozy time while nestling into my arm, settling in, purring and falling asleep. He was so sweet, stretching across my arm, I took those minutes to enjoy the quiet and his warmth on such a damp day.

Grace and T.J. arrived home from school just as my arm began falling asleep....funny because they don't think I do anything while they're at school. Now they have proof. Bon Bon mom!

More Laundry

just when I thought I was safe.after 7,658 loads of laundry today...in between taking out 214 bags of trash for the garbage collector, scrubbing bathrooms and attempting to look like a glamorous, put together stylin' wife/mom and dog walker (glamormama)....I heard footsteps coming downstairs long after our Good night and God Bless You's were through...maybe 10:30p.m.? It was T.J. He called, mid-staircase, "Mom, did my khakis get washed? I have to wear them tomorrow."

O.k. Practically the only thing unwashed? The khakis. I probably didn't need to tell you that...if you're a mom!

A Yogi Berra Monday...it ain't over til it's over and it's not over yet! I'm going to bed. It's after midnight. I put the khakis in tbe wash. First, I moved the load in the washer to the dryer. I poured in my Tide with bleach and closed the lid. I pushed the power button and went on my way.

About an hour later, I went to switch the laundry to the dryer.......Horror! Ahhh thr agony! Apparently, in my enthusiastic attempt to do yet another load of laundry, I must have skipped off after pushing "power" but not the "start" button. The khakisare on spin cycle and I'm on fluff...my pillow, that is. I'll have to switch the khakis to the dryer in the morning....when I wake up...if I wake up...in time to put the pants in the dryer..and remember to push the start button..or maybe I should just do the switch now???

What's a mother to do?




..

Me. Now. Tonight. Or Is It Tomorrow Already?

"Mom? My khakis?"......the first words I'll hear in the morning. Yawn. Zzzzzzz.

Forgot The List

As I skipped throughout the aisles at the grocery store, hunting and gathering dinner, I made it throught the fruits and veggies before it hit me. The list! I forgot the list. Again.

There I was smack in the middle of the meat department with no idea what to make for dinner The meat department is not usually my kind of place to linger but I have been working on my Becky Home Becky skills...like cooking. It's not that I can't cook...it's just that I've been boiling water and tossing in a different pasta every night....for years! Dinnertime is challenging...although pasta works with many dishes.

Grace is 16...her meal of choice is still pasta...white pasta. Peas or frozen Lima beans. Thankfully, T.J. has branched out in his Epicurean delights...although he doesn't eat peas...or frozen lima beans....or oatmeal, another staple in Grace's culinary repertoire.

Try not to judge...we all have to pick our own battles. Yours may not be food ...it may be school...or hair....or clothing...or friends...or homework....the battles go on and on. I didn't eat lasagna until college because I didn't like the name...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. By the way, Grace and T.J. both like apples.

Yes, we are an odd bunch. Speaking of bunches, bananas were one of Grace's favorite fruits...until they weren't. T.J. still likes banana. Both kids liked meatloaf...until one day at age 4 when Grace stopped liking meatloaf...and every meat. T.J. likes a variety of meats. Grace doesn't eat sandwiches. Or jelly. Yes for peanut butter on Ritz crackers. T.J. likes sandwiches. They both like waffles. Grace loves scrambled eggs...You guessed it....T.J. not so much. They both like cereal...Cracklin' Oat Bran yes...Grace doesn't care for Cheerios...T.J. does. They both like clementines, oranges, grapes, melons and strawberries. Raisins for.T.J, not for Grace.

Funny, I guess I should have made a fruit salad for dinner. Don't say it...you're thinking we're a bunch of fruits. Yup...maybe even mixed up. It makes life interesting.

Cleaning Lady

Mondays are like that. Why is the house even more upside down when we have a whole weekend to get it right side up? I guess I know the answer. Considering my mom taught me there's a place for everything and everything on it's place, you'd think I'd have caught on by now.

She's also the one who taught me to make the bed first thing in the morning so if all else fails, at least your bed looks pretty and it pulls the room together. At least I caught on to that tid bit of wisdom...or really, now I think it might have been the working mom's attempt to get it all done!

Oh! One other thing she taught me...if your house is perfectly spotless, then you're not having any fun. I guess I've been having too much fun....until today.

NOT!

Monday Morning Mellow

Gray day. Damp. Drizzly. Oh to cuddle up under the comforters again.

Bookstore Date

We've been going on bookstore dates from the very beginning. Biff and I love books. Today was a lazy, rainy day at home until early afternoon. We took some time to get out on our own. Sometimes we just need our own time....it's still a treat. It's not about where or what...it's just time for us to be alone...together. So we spent some time, side by side, in the bookstore. Reading. Sharing. Talking. Just a couple of hours....so sweet.

We called the kids and told them to get ready....we all went out for dinner for some family fun together.

Ladies And Gentlemen

Oops! He forgot to open the car door! His parent's jumped! How could you forget. We reminded you of that's earlier. You're supposed to be a gentleman! We all laughed. Awkward moments. Grace glided over to her car door...business as usual.

Pre- Prom Moments

How can it be possible? Our little girl is all dressed up to go to prom. It may not be her prom...her day will be soon enough! The boy invited her about a month ago. He arrived with yellow roses the day he came to ask Grace to the prom....sweet? Yes. Kodak commercial? Yes! Our little girl was asked to the prom...by a boy she knows from the winter ski bus.

It's prom day. It's time.

Fancy That!

Glamorama!

Pre-Prom-Prep-Pic

At the hair salon. Not the 1st hair salon with the crazy appointment time....12:30p.m. Yes. 5 hours before prom. Wait. No. Cancelled.

Really. The ONLY appointment! The prom is at 7p.m. Called another salon...and another...and another. Uh oh.

Grace was calm. We decided I could handle the curly locks pony tail that she wanted. No problem. Until I realized the mother daughter hair involvements I've lived through over the years. I called some salons in post prom towns. Score! 4:15!

I had just told the kids my traumatic story. The horror! Scarred for life because of my mom .....taking picture after picture of the wrong girl at a rather important 6th grade event. On the night before the momentous occasion, my mother curled my hair with pink foam curlers...lots and lots of pink foam curlers. My hair was so curly the next day...my own mother, the same woman who had given birth to me...only 11 years before...took pictures of the wrong girl.

I waved. Quietly. It didn't seem appropriate to create a scene. Mom. Mom. Hi mom, it's me...over here. When the film was developed, we had a whole roll of the other 11 year old...you know, the 11 year old with the straight hair. Maybe 2 pictures of me.

Issues? Who? Me? You betcha. I couldn't. let history repeat itself. Off we went to the 4:15

Pins And Needles

Prom Prep. Yup. Me....sewing. Just saying..just a little pressure...prom dress...the TOP of the prom dress...for our little girl. Yup. Uh huh. Hmmm. It's probably a good idea that the top of the dress stay ON! Pray for us! For real.

Just Sitting On A Saturday

T.J. and I were just sitting. Quietly. Chatting about the simple stuff. No agenda. No rush. Just sitting. Cats. Dogs. Biff passing by. Stopping. Talking. Sitting. Grace singing. Pausing to listen. Sitting. Me. Biff. T.J. Grace. Dogs. Cats.Petting. Cell phones. Messages. Chatting. Facebook. Chatting. Commenting. Laughing. Comfy. Calm. Quiet. Family.

Double Fluff Oreos

If It Looks To Good To Be True...

It is! That's what Mr.O told our friends long ago. Those words of wisdom, so simple, are words to remember. When things (or people or boyfriends or vacation rentals or jobs) look too good to be true....we don't like to question things.

We deserve good things and good people! We're having fun. Life is good. No. Life is great! It's all so intoxicating...we're living the dream. Finally. We think it's finally our time...our big break...our chance...our true love...that we've waited for so long.

Until...a shoe drops. Clunk. On our head..or heart...or paycheck. It's not until the clunk on the head that it all clicks....like a jigsaw puzzle. The pieces all begin to fit together. Little by little...we become acutely aware that there were clues that we eithee ignored or dismissed. Clunk. Click.

I'm watching another Dateline NBC story about a woman who married her "soulmate," a successful, well-educated,highly regarded surgeon,romantic, wealthy, genius...that's just the tip of the iceberg...or the click of the puzzle piece. I HAD to watch. The setting of the story...Greek Islands...Yacht...bikini blonde...billion dollar doc....and when she woke up, he was missing. Gone. Adios. Sionara.

Mr.O's words of wisdom...the words that follow the words, "by-the-way," are usually followed with unpleasant news.

By the way, if your lover, newly married bride or hot date is invited to vacation or honeymoon on a yacht, cruise or scuba diving, don't do it. They always end up dead..or they are leading a double life. "By the way," if it looks too good to be true.....it is.


Why is it so clear when we see other people falling? I guess we all learn in our own time. By the way, I hate when that happens.

It's Alarming

My grocery shopping extravaganza...in reverse order. Just an average day.

20**Delicious steak and fabulous salad is served! Oops..how did I forgetting the potatoes?

19**Started grill.

18**Carried ALL of the groceries into the house. No way would I let Fitz get our steak and Twizzlers.

17**Drove off...thinking about the nice people out there.

16** So nice. The lovely woman thought it was her car. I confessed it was mine.

15. Nice woman in the next parking space stops to pet Daisy and Fitz. She asked if her car alarm scared my dogs.

15**Finally quiet.

14** Apologized to dogs for the whoop whoop noise.

13**Ran out to car, put key in to stop whoop whoop whoop blaring noise!

12**Found keys in little hand basket under checkout counter.

11** Run to checkout. nope. salads.nope. meat department. nope. magazines. nope. cereal. nope.back to cashier. to customer service.Run back into store to find keys while car alarm whoops!

10 **Get outside to car with no car keys....dogs in car...windows open a bit....stuck arm in and unlocked car. whoop.whoop. whoop. whoop. whoop. whoop. Good Samaritan leaves in a hurry when alarm started whooping.

9*** Nice gentleman asks if I need help with my car door. Hung up on friend.

8**Walk out to car with groceries, chatting with old friend on cell phone, I realize I have no car keys.

7**Take the little basket for shopping since it will be a quick shop..salad, steak, cereal. and uh, oh yeah ...replacement Twizzlers...I'm in the mood. After these, I probably won't want them fir months!

6**Run into store

5** Leave all car windows open a bit for doggies. Tell Daisy and Fitzy that I'll be right back.

4**Nice parking space...dogs have a nice location for people watching.

3**Drive to grocery store, sunroof and all windows open...singing to an old "Boston " song...no kids in car to complain about my "old school" music. Dogs happy with the wind blowing their beautiful golden fur...and mine too.

2**Get in car with the dogs in the back seat. Start off to grocery store.

1**T.J. and I were talking about dinner. I asked what he was I. the mood for...we settled on steak on the grill for tonight. Better get out to the grocery store.