Small towns...big memorials

I just got back from the Memorial Day parade held here in town. One of the things I love about this town is that they do so much on the holidays - and seemingly so much more so on Memorial Day & 4th of July.



My son marched with his soccer team, and they always "pull up the rear" - so my daughter and I got to watch the whole thing from the end of the parade location where we waited. It was great to see how much the Shriners do for the parade and the community. It's a great way too, to explain to the younger kids like my daughter what this is all about and how important it is to celebrate all of your heroes -- soldiers, as well as fireman and policemen.



We're off to go poolside, and I can't wait. I'm so ghostly white, which truly I'll be all summer since I don't like to age before my time and wrinkle; but that's what sunless tanner is for! I won't be swimming myself - the water's far too cold but nothing will keep the kids out. And if nothing else, it will help wash all the pollen that's surely making all of us sneeze -- go away.

You do the math....

Okay. So this birthday party for my son has gotten a little out of hand.

Foodwise, it's always out of hand... but that's the fun part for me. I love cooking.

Le menu du jour: Marinated chicken tenders, quarter pounder hot dogs, super thick .75 lb hamburgers, spicy turkey burgers, sausages (hot & sweet), baked ziti, lasagna, chili, cole slaw, potato salad, regular salad. Then of course, there's the desserts.

Of course, owning a wine shop - a dozen plus white wines of varying styles (some of my very favorites!) as well as about a half a dozen reds will be available. Truly, most reds don't move all that well - even at a bbq when the food really does it justice. But most people just drink what they know they like and most crowds gravitate to white. It's all set up "tasting" style so people can try what they like before they take a glass.

Curious Creatures will be making an appearance today, so aside from the bouncy house/slide/obstacle course combination, the kids will get to indulge in meeting animals from all walks of life; between that and the wiffle ball games, the bubbles, sidewalk chalk, big wheels, and everything else that's escaping me at the moment.

Did I mention that my son is only 7?

Well, we had to invite his whole first grade class -- and their families, so I had to think of something to keep the 25+ kids we might have here happy and occupied. 10 of them are coming w. their respective siblings, plus the cousins and other friends we have coming - so this is probably going to be one of the biggest parties to date.

Wish me luck. Me & my Williams Sonoma apron are in for the long haul today....

All I can say is "wow"....

For two very good reasons.

The first one being the results from American Idol last night.  For once, I was not dissapointed with the final two - and I was so very happy and pleased to see that David Cook took it all.  I really thought that David Archuletta was going to win, and though I would've been happy, I wouldn't have been nearly as happy as I was with the decision as it stood.  He is so, so good.  And I can't wait to buy his cd when it comes out.  It really goes to show that nice guys don't always finish last….

And the second reason, which is truly the most important one -- is that today is my 7th year anniversary of being a Mom.   That's right, seven years ago today my little peanut butter cup came into the world.  Yes, I gave my little guy the nickname Peanut Butter Cup because naturally, they are my favorite things in the world and so that was a perfectly fitting nickname for the little boy who was so tiny that he seemed like he fit in the palm of my hand.   It's absolutely a treasure to have a child, and what they offer to us is so much bigger than what we offer to them.  While we try to give them the love, support, confidence and guidance they need to become strong, capable and kind human beings; they bring to us endless amounts of joy, excitement, and a renewed view of life.  We get to see things as we saw them once but yet didn't fully understand.  We get to relive innocence and unwavering, unconditional love; something that I think once we leave the warmth and comfort of our own parents we don't see again until the time comes and we have children of our own.  The investment into our children is far less significant than what we receive in return.  I can not think of anything I would want in life more than being a Mother to my children.  And until you experience this for yourself…you will never fully understand it. 

So I shake my head in amazement and say "wow" and "thank you" to my son.  Because though it is his birthday, it's truly me who has received the gift.

Oh what a night....

Was it the magic of the full moon?
Was it the stars were aligned just right?

Or was it just that Jon Lester has worked his ass off trying to improve his getting ahead of the pitch count this season?

Who'da thunk that a random Monday night in May, during interleague play - we'd get to witness a no hitter?   And - a record breaking night for my boy Jason - might I add?  (Sigh...love him!!! J ust incase anyone was wondering…)  It was a great win - a great team effort and a tremendous accomplishment overall.

It was an absolutely great game to watch.

Tonight will be interesting, with rookie Justin Masterson pitching.  My goodness he's tall - on record as 6'6.  I mean, I knew pitchers were taller - but I guess I just never realized how tall pitchers generally seem to be!  But then again, when you're only 5'1 like I am (clearly, just an inch over dwarf status.  No, not really but I'm pretty flipping petite) - everyone seems tall.  After the first few inches requiring me to look up in the sky towards someone -- who counts any more! 

Carbs, not carbonara!

I'm absolutely obsessing over spaghetti today. 

I'm not exactly sure why either.  I sort of had a touch of food poisoning yesterday, I got really really sick after eating something - and while I'm feeling much better today, I still haven't ventured into eating anything terribly heavy.  I'm going to go running in a few minutes after I leave, and so I'm sort of obsessing over having a nice bowl of angelhair or spaghettini with red sauce for dinner tonight.   Not tough to crack the code - my body must be craving carbs.

It's quite a busy week ahead for me.  Tonight is I believe the only  night that I don't have something going on with either baseball, soccer, or party planning.   I'm really looking forward to Saturday, I've yet to peek at the extended weather report just yet; I've got the tent ordered and ready for delivery but I'm just keeping those fingers crossed for no rain.  Cold, we can do.  Rain, we don't want. 

I tried Tresca in the North End the other night for dinner.  It was very, very good.  But…. (putting on my unofficial food critic hat here)  the menu was very creative, taste combination wise; but servings are very petite for the pricing.  The atmosphere was lovely, the service was decent.  And the wine list was absolutely tremendous.  Phe-nomenal.  I'm glad I went once, but I wasn't bowled over - and not really sure that I'd actually go again when looking for someplace to eat while in the North End.  

Just my humble opinion…

C'est la vie...

Ah yes. Birthday season is upon us....which means it's also the beginning of my semi-annual rants regarding the lack of courtesy people have with regards to responding to invitations.

For those of you whom have heard this before - my apologies. Feel free to browse through the archives to last year, I'm sure I've got something similar to what I'm about to say now.

Birthday parties at my house are no joke. They're all out bashes. They're almost as much for the grownups as they are for the kids. Every year, the party generally ranges from 60-70 people. This means I cook up a storm. I'm cooking throughout the whole event, grillmaster extraordinaire, thank you very much. This year, I cut back on the amount of invitations to my friends, because my son invited his whole first grade class - which means potentially 19 children and their families. Again, trying to keep myself to the 60-80 person range, give or take a few.

We may actually end up with far less, due to the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend. But who the heck knows since only ten people have RSVPd thus far. So, even though I know I'm making enough food for 100 people, it would be lovely to not have to if I'm only going to have 45 people. At least have a ball park figure to base on for silly things, like favors for the kids, or seating.

Funny thing is, I've had people say to me, "if it looks like the weather won't be good, we'll be there. Otherwise we may go away..". I get that. At the same time, it sort of rings with a tone of "if we have nothing better to do...". I know that isn't truly the case, after all - it's a long holiday weekend, as opposed to just a random Saturday. But it doesn't help the party planning any!

So off to the soccer field we're going now. I just baked a tremendously heavy tray of lasagna, and baked ziti; thinking ahead to freeze so that I can just warm it up on Saturday. I love when I'm ahead of the game, and my goal is to not be running around like crazy on Friday other than to just get my food at the Restaurant Depot.

What do they say about the best laid plans??

I want more, impossible to ignore...they'll come true, impossible not to do.

It's funny how here I am, a thirty something mother of two - and yet I still hang onto the dream of being an a film actress.

Opportunities in Boston are so much more available now than when I was younger; before, casting was at a minimum around here.  You absolutely had to be NYC or LA based.  Now, not so much.  You can truly be a working actor in Boston if you play your cards right.  And now all this opportunity is around, and I don't always  have the time to go out and audition on most calls. 

I just found out last night, that Bruce Willis and crew were in my town -- and not just in my town, but literally across the street from me in the dune filming stunts a few weeks back.  How I did not know this was going on, is beyond me.  And so while I'm listed with just about all of the casting agencies in town, the timing just never seems to work for me lately.   Casting calls are tough, if you've never been on one - it's so very different from a specific audition.  I've been to some that you wait hours to be seen; and others you just sort of pop in and register.

And then, I read about some local girls get cast as "friends" to Kate in movies like "Bride Wars" - I look at them and think "jeesh, that so could've been me!"  If I'd only been able to attend the casting call for extras, one never knows what might have happened.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.  You can take the girl away from the dream, but you can't take the dream away from the girl.

And you just never know what lies ahead in life.

It's Wednesday....and so many things to say today!

1.  Are they together or aren't they?  Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo - on or off.  Clearly, this is the burning topic on everyone's mind today.  Between them and Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer - I don't know how the world will function properly without the critical minute-to-minute updates on their relationship status.  And here I was wondering whether they've found survivors in China…or who murdered an innocent family in Utah.  Not that I don't love a little bit of fluff now and again - does it really require CNN Breaking news alerts on whether The Cowboys Quarterback & The Blonde Bombshell are together or not?

2.  Speaking of fluff…that's the perfect segue to my little whine about how I'm entirely out of my favorite things.  Must get ASAP:  MAC LipGloss in Cushy White; The Body Shop Body Butter in Brazil Nut as well as Almond;  and most importantly, I desperately need fun new shoes for spring!!  DSW and/or Burlington Coat Factory are clearly calling my name.  As is Ms. Ann Taylor - she and I have not had a visit in quite sometime and I assure you -- it's looong overdue.

3.  Matt Walsh is an idiot.  As is the management and editorial staff at the Boston Herald.  I smell "slander and libel" in the air.   'Nuff said.  

4.  So the last few games of for the Sox have been frustrating.  Here's the thing…there must be something going on in the background as far as a player/pitcher that might be available that the trade rumors haven't picked up on yet.  Because we're not all that strong in middle relief ourselves - to let Tavarez go right now…?  I'm not sure what the thought process is on that, but clearly time will tell in what…roughly 8 days?   Games where we come back from behind and win - are always a good thing.  Games where we come back and lose….not so good.

5.  Speaking of the Sox, I'm very excited to attend the upcoming Celebrity mini golf tournament hosted by none other than….the Captain, Jason Varitek.  I don't know if anyone would remember from my posting last year that a friend of mine attended and got pictures taken with him and had a great time.  So, this year - one of my friends and I are planning on attending - and then promptly enjoying a lovely sushi dinner at a wonderful restaurant closeby afterwards.    I'm so excited, it should be so much fun - and again, charity towards a fantastic cause - which really is the most important thing about going.  (Okay, it's tied with the fact that he's going to be there, I've gotta be honest.) 

6.  And lastly, the weather report is not looking that good for this weekend which may really put a damper on my gardening efforts.  I plan on getting those tomato plants into the ground a week early so as not to conflict with the birthday party weekend I the following Memorial weekend.  Two birthday parties, one for my son - the other for my nephew (both born on the same day which is pretty cool) - and then the Memorial Day parade on Monday, in which my son will be marching with either his baseball or his soccer team.  I haven't presented that little dilemma to him yet.  But I digress….so this evening I'll be off to buy my hanging petunias and the such for the porch, and eyeball the plants to see how sturdy they look before committing them to the ground this weekend.    Tomatoes, Squash, Peppers & Eggplant -- along with basil, chives, and cilantro will be on my shopping list.  Anyone see any hearty looking plants in their travels in the North shore area or Metro West areas of Boston….do tell!   I usually go to Erics in Reading or Boston Flower Market in North Reading -- but am always open to suggestions….

Lyrically speaking, of course...

If I could throw this
Lifeless lifeline to the wind
Leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
And through the rain
Into the half-light
And through the flame …

You electrify my life
Lets conspire to re-ignite
All the souls that would die just to feel alive
But I'll never let you go
If you promise not to fade away
Never fade away…

Our hopes and expectations
Black holes and revelations….

Sometimes it's hard to know where I stand,
It's hard to know where I am,
Well maybe it's a puzzle I don't understand.
Sometimes I get the feeling that I'm
stranded in the wrong time
where love is just a lyric in a children's rhyme…

If you walkaway, walkaway
I will walkaway, walkaway...I will follow…

May love lie around you
Good fortunes surround you
You know where to turn to
When you need a friend

There is a season, turn turn....

I am pretty sore today - but in that "oh, I feel good" kind of sore.

Yesterday's race was so much fun.  It was just over a 5K -- 3.5 miles.  The course was not terribly easy, there were two or three hills -- and running up the hill isn't the issue for me; it's running down the hill.  You can't run fast going down a hill, because you will be absolutely exhausted at the end of it.  So you have to sort of work harder to slow yourself down so at the end, when you are on flat ground again, you can have that surge to move forward.   It was actually funny in a way to see people flying down the hill, because I ended up passing some of them as they ended up having to walk for a few minutes.  I definitely feel the difference between running a hilly course than a flat one.  It's interesting, even my neck and shoulders are sore because I think I was working a little harder and was a little more tensed up as a result.  But it's all good - and like I said, it's that soreness that's actually the high I chase after a good workout.  And the route was beautiful.  I went through areas of Melrose and Malden that I hadn't been through since I was a young child -and it was so pretty.

I kept my pace, registering at 10.05 minute miles.  I might have done better time had it been a flat course, but I wasn't running to win!  I couldn't imagine that -- the person who won was averaging something like 6 minute miles.  That's just craziness!   No, I'm perfectly content with my timing and my ability to run the whole thing without walking or stopping.  Besides, I was running for a great cause -- Melrose Alliance Against Violence (http://www.melroserunningclub.com/mrfw/2008/mrfw-info.shtml), and that was really the most important thing.

The next most important thing of the day - was coming home to my own children, who had breakfast waiting for me - performed their own made up play that they'd been practicing while I was gone  -- and who snuggled in bed for a little while with me watching "America's Funniest Animals" before we had to get ready to go visiting for the rest of the day. 

Short story…as I was tucking my son into bed last night, I thanked him for making my day perfect - and told him that I'm the luckiest Mom in the world for having he and his sister in my life.  He answered me with "all parents say that though, don't they?  Who's really the luckiest parent in the world?".  So I said to him "you know what, we ALL are the luckiest parents.  Because all of our children make us feel incredibly special and blessed - and you all are individuals and so very special to each parent.  So it's really true that all parents are the luckiest parents in the world, at that very moment.  Even if it's all at once.  Does that make sense?"  And he said, "yes.  So, when I grow up and have a baby - I'll be the luckiest dad in the world?"  And I said, "you absolutely will be. "  So then he said, "That mean's you'll have to be the luckiest grandmother in the world then…!"  

(GRANDMOTHER?!!?!?!  OMG, who wants to think that far ahead!)

But when that day comes clearly, I will be the luckiest grandmother, ever. 

Le Jour De la Mère!

Tonight, I don't have much planned. Yoga after work, and then just hanging out at home. Tomorrow, there's dance and then maybe soccer and baseball! I'm not sure what's going to happen because they're both at the same time, so I don't know if either gets played - which one we'll be at! Somewhere in between that I need to get birthday party favors and decorations because time is quickly encroaching on the 7th birthday of my little boy. Sigh…time goes by so fast. But more on that later….

This Sunday is Mother's Day. Which means, I also have to get Mother's Day cards. (Mom, if you're reading this - sorry, haven't had the chance to go shopping yet! It will be in the mail….) Add that to my list. That morning, my friend Jess and I are running that 3.5 mile road race I had mentioned before. It's for a great cause - fighting violence towards women - and so it's a good thing to start the day doing something nice for other women, as well as doing something good for ourselves in the process. And then the rest of the day, I'm looking forward to just being Mom. Hopefully with lots of little home made cards and things like that….! I love, love, love when the kids make me little notes and presents.

So, I'll end this week with random thoughts on motherhood and the like.

Be kind to the women in your life this weekend….!
*********************************

"To nourish children and raise them against odds is any time, any place, more valuable than to fix bolts in cars or design nuclear weapons." -- Marilyn French

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." -- Tenneva Jordan

"At work, you think of the children you have left at home. At home, you think of the work you've left unfinished. Such a struggle is unleashed within yourself. Your heart is rent." -- Golda Meir

"Never marry a man who hates his mother, because he'll end up hating you." -- Jill Bennett (Ain't that the truth!)

"Becoming a mother makes you the mother of all children. From now on each wounded, abandoned, frightened child is yours. You live in the suffering mothers of every race and creed and weep with them. You long to comfort all who are desolate." -- Charlotte Gray

Needles & Pins - Part 2

Yesterday was my first acunpuncture appointment for my headaches. I have to tell you, it was really -- really good!

Surprisingly, I wasn't at all nervous - and I think it's because I'm at a good place with my decision to do this. It's something I want to try, and so it's not as if I was dreading the situation. I was very relaxed, and the whole experience for me was a positive one.

I don't know if anyone out there reading this has had acupuncture before and can corroborate what I'm about to say, but I absolutely felt something special happen in my body with each needle. My body reacted to each and every one, and in a very positive way. Whether it was a relaxation of the muscles in that area, or a sensation in another area that was a direct result of that needle - I felt it. And yes, I did have one needle in my head, that truthfully - was my very favorite one. It had me feeling as if a gentle pressure was being applied to the top of my head and it felt so good. I am a very laid back and easy going person -- very low stress. That does not mean that I am not energetic and constantly on the go. I very rarely "relax" in the true sense of the word. Even when I have a massage, I never am so relaxed that I could fall asleep. Yoga and Savasana will do that if I take an evening class occasionally - but not to the point that I was yesterday. I was so completely relaxed, that I almost felt drunk. I felt like I couldn't speak properly. Must be all the good Qi (chee) running through me.

Whatever it was, I really enjoyed it. So, I'm beginning a series of preventative treatments and hopefully I'll see an improvement in either the amount, or the severity of the headaches I have.

Anyone have any acupuncture experiences they'd want to share?

Tres interesting....

I must confess, I have never been a big fan of John Mayer's music.  

But I don’t think it's so much the fact that I don't care for the music itself--- I think it's more the fact that the radio stations literally glom onto anything he releases and play it so frequently that the very sound of the first chords ringing through the air make me want to run and hide.   The truth of the matter is, I think I do like his music - I know I enjoy his lyrics, at the very least -- and I think the real issue I have is not with him, but with the radio stations letting up on the airplay of his songs.  

I stumbled upon this realization when listening to "Say" on my ride in this morning. I hadn't heard it in a while because I'd been listening to sports radio for the last few days, and so I just sang along a bit.  It was like I had an epiphany….and I started doing a mental inventory of all of the songs I knew of his and what they lyrics were.  And then it became abundantly clear to me what the problem was.  So not the artist…or the art.  Just the delivery of it. 

Anyway. It's become public knowledge now that he's "dating"  (loosely used term, do people in Hollywood over the age of 15 really just date?  It seems like they all sort of sleep around, but hey - what do I know? ) one of my very favorite people in Hollywood (not literally, clearly Jennifer Aniston and I aren't friends in "real life", though I tend to think we might get along really well if we did know each other.  Even if the only common thread we had were hair and yoga…but I digress…!) I thought I'd do a little research and background study on Mr. Mayer.  Wouldn't you know - he has a blog?  Fancy that…   Naturally I checked it out.

Okay.  I've got to tell you, I really liked his posts, as few and far between as they are.   And if he's legitimately the laid back, low key kind of guy that he appears to be, then you know what - I might just end up digging him after all - on all levels.  Although, if he breaks my girl Jenn's heart… all bets are off!  

Check it out for yourself:
 http://www.johnmayer.com/blog/john/200805

Yogurt and Hakius: Who'da thunk it?

 Landscapes are gorgeous
 Blooms of soft whites, and pinks
Against green grass it is a magnificent sight. 

(eh, not sure if that's exactly a haiku, but you get the idea.)

It is absolutely perfect outside today.
Per.  Fect.  (Yes, that required being broken up into two words.  It's that nice outside.)

You know those yogurt commercials, that show the really trendy, 20/30-somethings going on and on about how their yogurt is so good, it's…."fill in the blanks"?  (Note, for the record that I love, love, love yogurt.  Especially plain, or vanilla.  Yummmm.  Moving on…)

"It's desert island good"…"it's not catching the bouqet good"…. etc.

Well, today is totally "walking the beach, drinking lemonade and eating an ice cream cone" kind of good.

Soft, smooth and creamy
Sunshine and light
Vanilla yogurt rocks.

If you live in the Boston area and aren't loving life today -- then either something is horribly wrong and clearly, I’m sorry for that…or -- you're just looking for a reason to be unhappy!

Pink-o De Me-oh

So, today when I got my nails done, I had a color dilemma. I have to tell you, with my being a rather plain Jane in that area - I'm traditionally either a classic French Manicure type, very neutral/natural type -- or, deep dark reds. Usually not a tough decision. But today...a dilemma ensued.

I found some fun and bright pinks that I just could not tear myself away from! It was either going to be a very fun and vibrant pink, such as "I'm India Mood for Love", or something a little more subdued as "Aphrodite's Pink Nightie" - but it was a little too shimmery. So, I ended up with the very Easter-eggish shade of "Got a Date To-Knight". Which, if I'm being completely honest -- I don't love. Clearly just a sign that I am too pale looking and need to have my sunless tanner start making it's appearance for the season. So, note to self: Please don't use pale, pale flat colors when not tan. Really, not a good look.

Moving on...

It's Cinco De Mayo! Totally a great opportunity to throw back a few Margaritas or in my case - Cervasas to celebrate the....hmmm. What are we celebrating again? Oh right - the independence of Mexico. Well, sort of. The troops from Spain didn't actually leave, despite the declaration of independence. Ah. And yes, us here in America eat drink and be merry to celebrate the independence of a country who's people we don't want here any longer?

Interesting, the irony. But I digress.....as I sip on my Cervasa.

Hasta manyana mi amiga/amigos.
GO SOX. (Same in all languages I do believe....)

Namaste...

Your Dosha is Pitta

You have a quick mind, a gift for persuasion, and a sharp sense of humor. You have both the drive and people skills to be a very successful leader. Argumentative and a bit stubborn, you have been known to be a little too set in your ways. But while you may be biased toward your own point of view, you are always honest, fair, and ethical. With friends: You are outgoing and open to anyone who might want to talk to you In love: You are picky but passionate To achieve more balance: Be less judgmental of those around you, and take cool walks in the moonlight.

What's Your Dosha?

"Thursday goes too slow...I got Friday on my mind.."

Ah yes, the end to yet another week is here. And how did I kick off the weekend thus far?
With a big ol' fat piece of lime cheesecake for someone's birthday in the office. Sigh. Clearly I'll be running 5 miles today to burn that off!

But truthfully, I'll be doing lots of running around this weekend. Busy, busy - busy!!
Tonight, after I literally run - I'll be interviewing a seemingly lovely girl for occasional sitting. I'm pretty excited about that. Sometimes, I just need a break from either being at work, or being Mom and need to get out and see a movie! As in, a movie theatre - rather than 2 years after a movie is out on DVD up in Mantown!

Tomorrow, we have dance in the morning….and while the kids are at the soccer field, I won't be joining them as I will be working my arms and legs off at the Jimmy Fund Fundraiser of 108 Sun Salutations. For those of you who practice, you'll totally appreciate the fact that we do both Surya Namaskar A & B - and with both Warriors 1 & 2. Last year, I think it totalled to something like 340 pushups or somewhere in that area? And hello - Ms. Overachiever here does them all one-legged, so you can imagine the way my hamstrings will feel tomorrow night after a hot shower…..

Which shortly after said shower, we will be attending a graduation party for our favorite "little" cousin. Who's clearly not so little anymore. Sigh….where does the time go?

Sunday we have baseball at lunchtime….soccer at 3…..and a birthday party at 4:30.

Tired yet?
Welcome to the month of May -- officially the beginning of the busiest month of my life!

Milk Chocolate Melts in your mouth....

Who knew that something as simple as a Dove chocolate covered caramel could make a girl's day?

I just ate three of them. Bad, I know -- but seriously, so good. Sort of like the little messages inside of them! I had no idea there are little messages for you to read as you unwrap each one! How fun…! My three messages were:

1. Today is definitely a bubble bath day. Not a bad idea! I think that tonight, I might just do that! I wish I had a nice old fashioned soaking tub….

2. Sometimes one smile means more than a dozen roses. Yes, depending on who the smile comes from. Say for example, I get a smile from someone like, oh I don't know --- let's just say Jason Varitek. Well then yes, that would be a smile worth more than 20 dozen roses. Unless of course, the roses were from him as well..but I digress. (You know I had to get something about him in this post after last night's efforts.) But truthfully, a well meant and sincere smile can most definitely be far more valueable and heart warming than flowers.

3. Naughty can be nice. Absolutely. I do believe that I've often said that very line myself! Sigh….Sometimes I think I'm just not naughty enough…

Latest to arrive onto my list of "favorite foods"....

Okay, I have to preface this by saying that I'm not traditionally a soup kind of girl.  I'm more of a stew, or chowder person -- preferring something hearty and substantial in my bowl, rather than broth and a few paltry vegetables and pieces of chicken.  Not to say that I don't love my mother's home made chicken soup - because I do; but it's just not something I like to eat unless I'm sick.  But chili, beef stew, corn chowder, clam chowder -- now those are meals.

Recently, I tried a soup that I'd heard is not only amazingly good for you -- but that it was delicious as well.  Again, me thinking that soups are not my "cup of tea" - I often turned my nose up at the kiosk at Whole Foods when browsing for something to warm me up on a chilly day.  Then one day I said to myself, "…let's give this one a try".  I did - and ever since, I've been absolutely addicted to it. 

Say hello to my new best friend, Lentil Soup. http://search.foodnetwork.com/food/recipe/lentil+soup/search.do?searchString=lentil+soup&site=food&searchType=Recipe. (Um, yes I devoured a whole 14 oz. of it for lunch and then washed it down with some fresh pineapple. Yum.)  Lentil soup can be plain, as she was today….she can be beefed up, by adding a little sausage and tomatoes; or she can pretend to be beefed up (otherwise known as tomboy style) by adding spices such as cumin, and cilantro to make it taste more like a chili.  Especially if you puree portions of it to give a thicker consistency. Seriously -- to die for.

A bowl of lentil soup and some really good roasted asparagus with a hint of EVOO, lemon and garlic - how's that for a delicious and healthy dinner?
Okay, so it's not a thick porterhouse and mashed potatoes but seriously -- as Campbells would say -- "Mmmm good".

Fit to be tied...and other random thoughts for the day!

1.  Continuing on my rant regarding my company from yesterday….I walked in this morning to a lovely email that sort of spoke to me as if I was a child.  I wrote back a very firm but polite email stating that I really did not appreciate being spoken to in that manner, and that we could continue the conversation offline via phone call.  Have yet to hear back, but I'm sure that I will.  My initial email was a little scathing, and was going to end in the tone of "you can take your hours and….."  But - I scaled back of course knowing full well that I'm not that kind of person.  But it felt great to write it out anyway.  Be that as it may - I did circulate my resume to 5 companies.  Three of them on base, two of them off.  We'll see...

2.  I'm beyond horrified at the story out of Austria regarding the father who kidnapped and impregnated his daughter 7 times over 24 years.   I'm sorry, he's not going to be put to death, why?  Oh, and here's the best part:  he's facing 15 years in prison.  15 years?!?!  Well, here's my suggestion for the Austrian Prison Society or whomever they are.  Put this psycho in a cell with a really big guy who likes men for 15 years.  And let him be raped, shackled and deprived of sunlight for those 15 years. Over and over again. Oh, and starved too please.   That has got to be one of the most horrific cases of torture I've ever heard of!  And it happened in the basement of his own home!!  Clearly, his wife -- not the brightest bulb in the box.  I'm sorry, but if anyone ever said to me "don't go down in the basement, ever"…hello!  I'd be down in the basement the first chance I got!!!  Curiosity killed the cat remember?  I don't care how bossy this guy was -- wouldn't you wonder what he was hiding?  Seriously.  People scare and horrify me, not just with their ghastly treatment of one another  - but with their sheer stupidity.

3.  The Red Sox Flu has really taken it's toll.  I'm sorry, but am I the only one to think that Jason has lost a tremendous amount of weight?  He was thinner looking this season anyway but now he really looks thin in the face.  This weather certainly isn't going to help if they end up playing tonight and not getting rain delayed.

4.  I watched "Knocked Up" last night - I'd never seen it before.  It was pretty flipping funny.  I was horrified by some of it, but seriously - the girl who plays Katherine Heigl's boss was a flipping riot.  It was an okay movie - had some really decent laugh out loud portions - but didn't quite live up to the hype I'd heard.  I really like her as an actress though and I can't wait to see "27 Dresses" at some point in my lifetime.

5.  This Saturday is the day I'll be participating in the 108 Sun Salutations for the Jimmy Fund.  I can not wait - and truthfully, it is just the island of concentration and dedication that I'm really in need of.  Best of all - it's for one of the best causes around.  I'm going after work today for some well needed good karma - because truthfully, whatever good vibes I had going this morning, all got sucked away.  Must.  Find.  Center.

Monday, Monday...can't trust that day!

Today's title could also be "People are strange..."

Today was interesting to say the least. And, expensive....
First off, last night I made the discovery that my tire was beyond flat, beyond repair - and in need of a replacement. And my front brakes that out of the blue started to grind a tad during the week, became unbearable over the weekend. Makes me shudder to think that I drove the kids around in that condition. Note to automobile makers: You have lights that go off for everything under the sun in your vehicles. Please, please, please -create a light that goes on when your brake fluid is low, or your pads are in need of replacement. Seriously, could not feel it until they were grinding. WTF! So, $586.00 later I have new brake pads, rotors, and a new tire.

Spent a portion of the day at one of Boston's finest hospitals - Mass General. G pulled his back and was in need of some medical attention. I was lucky enough to sit next to one of Boston's most colorful characters -- a self proclaimed drug addict named Michael. I assure you, I didn't want to sit next to the poor soul. But it was a busy afternoon in the waiting room. Michael yelled, dozed off, snored...woke up and yelled, dozed off, snored. I was seriously feeling dirty just sitting next to him, as if some of his craziness was going to rub off onto me. He clearly just needed a place to sleep and it seems as if MGH Walk In Care is the place he chooses to lay his head. The staff seemed to know him well - and he certainly didn't take a number to be seen!

Then to top it all off, I hardly ever take time off for "emergency" types of things. I generally am in work every day unless I'm very sick, and even then, I dont' stay out when I should. So, I'm out today, clearly unexpectedly - and I get this rather reproachful email from my new company stating I need to either use vacation or make up the hours before the end of the week. Seriously? What am I -- five? I've been working there for 16 years my friends - this company is the new kid on the block, not me. I think I know what I have to do. I read the email and was like "Are you for real?!?". Seriously, step off. I STILL don't haven my medical cards, and I've been employed since March 17th with them -- never mind the fact that I got ripped on benefits.This girl is THIS close to walking away from it all....

Not my usual sunny self today... eh, must be the rain

Needles and Pins....

So, I've mentioned this before but today I'm taking an active stance towards doing something about my headaches.   This is the third day that I've had a borderline migraine - and I know that this week anyway -- it's all related to the barometric pressure; but it is so not fun to deal with.  Headaches for me, come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the cause.  This week, it's been like a white hot searing pain that shoots from the rear quadrant of my head on the right side, to over my eye.  Often, making me say "Ow" aloud, uncontrollably.  I feel as if I'm suffering from Turrets when that happens.  (So not a funny joke, but seriously - the reaction to the discomfort makes my response almost involuntary!)

I suffer from migraines pretty regularly, but I have noticed that since I stopped running and taking yoga as frequently as I used to - they've increased in frequency.  Which sort of makes sense since I'm not releasing the toxins in my system as frequently either.  See, the downside to always working out and eating well, is that when you stray from it - your body is much more sensitive to the "bad stuff"-- and you really feel the affects afterwards.

I'm a little nervous about acupuncture, only because I have such issues about needles.  But I believe in acupuncture as a treatment - I know plenty of people who go and love it.  I just don't want to be so tense that it's counterproductive for me.  But as soon as I hit "send" and email this post in, I am calling the woman that my yoga instructor (and friend) recommended to me.  It's got to be done.  It's got to be tried.  And I'm hoping it works…

This weekend is looking very busy!  I'm hoping to take 100 minutes of yoga tonight after work -- but not before I run.  It's been some time and I need to get back in that groove, so working out and yoga are on tonight's agenda.  Then hopefully my headache will have subsided some and I can enjoy and relax with the kids.  Tomorrow is baseball, bright and early - fortunately no dance this week -- but then right to the soccer field.   We'll be on the move from 10 - 6 tomorrow.  Oh - and I just remembered, we have dinner plans for after soccer as well.  Japanese steak house with my son's friend and his parents.    Sunday, maybe a little Canobie Lake Park action - weather permitting of course.

Whew.  I'm tired already, and the weekend hasn't even started!  No, maybe that's this flipping headache talking. 

I know, I know… I'm off to call "Ms. Natalia" now!!

Talk about a flashback!

I just got back from taking my son to a birthday party at Rollerworld.

It was pretty much the same -- dark, dirty, and crazy loud. But wow, was it a sensory overload bringing me back to the days when rollerskating was THE thing to do! All I could hear in my head while the lights were flashing was "Funkytown" by LIPPS, Inc. That song was the epitome of the rollerskating craze.

It also occurred to me that so many kids really don't know how to skate! My own son, now 7 - had his first rollerskaing experience today. Which put him in the majority it seemed. Funny to think, considering when I was 7 years old, I was rollerskating up and down HUGE hills in my neighborhood. When I would wipe out - I'd take pieces of flesh off! I'd be bleeding, but that didn't stop me...as I got older, I tried imitating axle jumps because you know, I was convinced that I was going to be in the Olympics for Rollerskating; as if there ever was truly such an event.

But nowadays, kids don't have the accessibility to play outdoors for hours on end unsupervised. Truthfully, a child gets their best form of playtime that isn't in a group sport - in a time frame that best suits the adult who's supervising them. It's not like when I was little when we'd go out and just play...unsupervised in a fenced yard, or quiet street.

I think I'm going to take both my kids to a rollerskating rink soon - and I'll be able to skate around with them as well. And though it might be Fergie or someone else singing in the background, you can be sure that this girl will be hearing "Born to Be Alive" in her head the whole time....

McDreamy, McSteamy, McYummy!

I'm almost beside myself with excitement.

In just over 24 hours, I will be reunited with my long lost friends from Seattle Grace. I can hardly wait! At risk of sounding absolutely ridiculous -- I've got some serious issues with this "Derek & Rose" dating business. While I'm not a huge fan of Meredith's at the moment either - I still think that he & she belong together -- not this Rose chick. Seriously, who does she think she is? They share one little kiss- and she's making snarky remarks like she owns him? Hmmph. I think not.

And I'm loving that Dr. Hahn (though she's irritating as well, but I think it's because I can't get past the whole "it puts the lotion in the basket" flashbacks from "Silence of the Lambs" out of my head) is constantly putting McSteamy (what IS his real name on the show anyway?) and Christina in their respective places.

Not sure how I feel about George (who I love, love, love!) and Lexie hooking up - but we shall see. Only time will tell how the tangled webs they weave will end up.

So, just for the record - any of you out there who know me in "real life", please - don't even think about calling me during the show! I know, I've got DVR but honestly - - I just won't be able to tear myself away...

Serious lack of attention today....

I have no interest for work today.  Zero.  Of course this might have something to do with the fact that I'm entirely under utilized and not challenged.  As I've mentioned previously, I have no patience for complacency -- most especially when it's me who's being complacent.  I like to be busy, and I'm at my best when I'm feeling as if I've accomplished something.  Not everyone feels that way - and many are willing to just coast through life.  Not this girl…!

I've been very unimpressed with music lately.  There have not been any new songs that have really made me say "wow, I'm loving this".   I'm not sure why, but it seems that music is very cyclical, and sometimes there's such great new music I don't know what to listen to first; and then other times, such as now - there seems to be a drying of the well.   So, if anyone has any musical recommendations that you think might excite me, please feel free to pass them along.  I'd be most appreciative.

Yesterday's game was a lot of fun, great seats - about 18 rows behind home plate.  So funny, I was sitting directly behind Dennis Drinkwater - you know, the guy who's behind home plate on just about every single home game played.  Of course, I was 18 rows behind him - but still.  It was so funny!  And, he really does look a lot like Robert Redford.  The only downside to yesterday's game -- I was in such amazing seats, and yet neither Jason nor Manny played.  I was beyond bummed.  Jason, Jason, where for art thou, Jason? 

Watching the marathon was very inspiring.  Some of these folks made it look so easy, I was thinking "I could totally do that!".  *Note to self:  No, you really could not.*  However, it did certainly make me miss running a bit - and I'm back on the track tomorrow.  I should be back up to speed in time to run the Mother's Day race with no problem.  We walked just shy of 3 miles from Fenway back to my car on the Hill, and so that helped burn off the most delicious breakfast had at the Paramount.  Whole Grain Texas Style French Toast with Fresh Fruit.  Oh yeah……. Sort of makes me hungry just thinking about it.

And on that note, I think I need to get up from my seat and go for a walk outside to clear my head.  Without my keys nearby of course, otherwise I just couldn't promise that I'd make it back to my desk…