Lyrically speaking....

What you want baby I got
What you need
You know I got it
All I'm askin' is for a little respect
When you come home
Baby when you come home

Respect
I'm out to give you all my money
But all I'm askin in return honey
Is to give me my proper respect
When you get home
Yeah, baby, when you get home

I ain't gonna do you wrong while you gone
I ain't gonna do you wrong
'Cause I don't wanna
All I'm askin' is for a little respect
When you come home
Baby, when you come home
Respect

Ooh, your kisses, sweeter than honey
But guess what, so here's my money
All I want you to do for me
Is give me some respect when you get home
Yeah, baby, when you get home
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Take care, T-C-B
A little respect

I'm gonna knock you out...Momma said knock you out...!

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this.
So here's my second post in one day - and only the second time I've ever done that!

Guess where G and I are going in August?
Guess....!
Give up?








To see Mike Tyson's Undisputed Truth Show in NYC!  Front row and VIP Meet & Greet to meet Mike Tyson.   Holy canoli...!!

So much fun.  I can't wait.

What doesn't kill you makes stronger....

I'm just ready.
Done.
'nuff said.

Today I had a hair appointment at a new salon that a friend who has hair that is always gorgeous - recommended.  Now, the stylist she uses was booked - so they booked me with someone else, whom the person who booked it didn't mention was the lead stylist - aside from the owner. 

So imagine my surprise at the cost when checking out.
( I went to a salon in the town where I live.  We moved to a rather affluent North Shore community where everything is more expensive just because of the zip code; so I knew I was in for a bit of an increase but oh, my....)

However, I am not disappointed with the results.  Not even a little bit.
As a matter of fact, I think it was worth every dime.

I can't remember the last time I went to the salon and really loved or felt like I got what I wanted.  But I did today!

Did I mention that we may be building a third store, in the aforementioned affluent North Shore town?  Yes, we have an Internal Design Review with all of the town players in two weeks.

Hopefully, the sales generated will justify the cost of my salon visits....!
Somehow...I think it will.

Whew - it's been a while!

I've been MIA so to speak - it's been a busy time of year!!

Most of it has happened in the realm of the kiddies. Here are some of the highlights:

Princess Petunia had a Flag Day ceremony at her school that was so nicely done and incredibly touching.  The whole second grade put on a concert for the school and families which included local veterans from as far back as WWII to as recent as the current conflict.  They all spoke and gave their feelings on patriotism and the flag.  The children sang, some spoke - and this girl was moved to tears by this poem, read by one of the veterans.  I have always been patriotic, and working for the military for so many years I'm sure heightened that to a certain extent; but 9/11 affected me in a very profound way, and I tend to get emotional and choked up when I hear certain songs or poems regarding our country.  I was fortunate to have worked side by side with many men and women who choose to serve and protect our country.  And while I don't miss my job, I do miss the environment and the good people I met along the way.

We've had art night and ice cream social night; Field Day and Field Trip day -- and of course, Class Trip. 

My son graduated 5th grade today!  Both kiddies have their last day of school tomorrow, but he had an actual graduation ceremony today.  When I was little - I had no graudation outside of high school.  And it was a beautiful ceremony, complete with each child speaking their favorite memory of the school. I asked him tonight if he was sad that he was going to be leaving the school and moving onto Middle School and he said he was a little -- he liked the school.  I can see why; while I'm happy that my daughter will get the full experience of it, I wish he could've been there for a longer time.  But it's okay, I'm glad he experienced what he did.  I just sort of wish that we moved here sooner than we did; this school system is head and shoulders above where we were before. All that mother's angst for not....

I am sick with a stupid freaking cold.  Ugh, who gets colds this time of year?  Oh, a word to the wise - don't take Mucinex DM.  It made me dizzy, nauseous and just gross. It made me actually feel worse than I already did!  So, me with the typical Demi Moore raspiness of barely having a voice and a cough -- fun fun.

And hopefully, tomorrow we'll get the hot weather we're hoping for, and we will all enjoy being out in the yard.  Because this girl - is taking a half day off!  And it's not to lay in bed like Monday....my cold damn well better be half way gone by tomorrow at noon.  Or else....

Opposites Day....

Since I normally post the warm and fuzzies of my favorite things - let's shake it up a bit, shall we?
These are a few of my least favorite things....

Ignorant Mercedes Drivers.  Selfish and self centered people.  Narcissism.  Laziness.  Disrespect.  The smell of rotten lettuce. Bad movies that take up 2 hours of my life that I'll never get back again.  Shallow & superficial.  Wasted energy on jealousy.  Anything with raisins.  Liver and onions.  Sweet drinks.  Mean spirits.  Bad Karma.

Saturday something or other....

Sunshine.  Sleepovers. 
Poolside.
2 Nephews.  2 Nights.

Wine -- clearly a necessity.

Neighbors dog.
1 Houseguest off....1 down to go.

Supper?
Not BBQ.

Cause that's tomorrow......

Wine -- clearly, a necessity.

Duck, duck, duck....GOOSE!

Today was Princess Petunia's acting debut.
She was the lead in her class play of Charlotte's Web. 
Literally the lead -- first name in the credits even!
(And to those of you in the creative world, you know how important credit placement is...just sayin'.)

She was so prepared....she knew her lines, the other kids lines -- she even would prompt the other kids when they didn't know who was next on cue.  She LOVES this stuff! 

I was so very proud of her.

(Maybe, she got this bit of the acting bug from her mother??
I'm always wondering what the heck she did get from me, because it certainly isn't her looks --she is all her Dad --  or her spunk!)

She was sooooooo good.
So good!!!

Definitely up there as one of my top Mom moments, for sure!

Oh how I miss my Grey's Anatomy....

It's been quite some time since I watched Grey's.  I miss that show.

I did manage to catch up on a few episodes from last season (not the one that just ended, the one previous) and it wasn't a challenge to figure out what was going on.  That's part of the beauty of soap operas -- years can go by and so long as a few of the characters are still the same, you can pretty much piece all of the parts together to figure out where they're at in the storyline.

But I do miss Meredith's imperfections and McDreamy's perfection - and McSteamy's lack of caring about perfection.

So here's a little tidbit from the show, from an earlier season.  I love, love, love the monologues that open and close each episode.  The writing of these really pieced each weekly escapade together, and even when seperated from the script as I've done here -- they truly hit home for msot of us, at certain times - on so many levels.

"We all get at least one good wish a year, over the candles on our birthday. Some of us throw in more, on eyelashes, fountains, lucky stars. And every now and then, one of those wishes comes true. So what then? Is it as good as we’d hoped? Do we bask in the warm glow of our happiness… or do we just notice we’ve got a long list of other wishes waiting to be wished.

We don’t wish for the easy stuff. We wish for big things. Things that are ambitious, out of reach. We wish because we need help, and we’re scared, and we know we may be asking too much. We still wish though, because sometimes… they come true."

A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.

Okay, so not so long ago I was talking about the Real Housewives of the OC and how I didn't like any of them - not even a little bit.  I started watching LA, purely out of curiousity of how the insanely wealthy live, and I ended up liking them.  

This show, I started watching because I figured "what the heck" - and found them all so pretty but so catty - that it was almost uncomfortable for me to watch.

Well, here we are 16 or so episodes later and I do like some of them -- at times.

But there's one girl who I really like.  Really, really like.  I think she's the real deal, mature, and while sure she's funny and fluffy a bit - the truth of the matter is, she's a real person.  She's grounded despite her wealth and I just like her. 

Mrs. Heather Dubrow.

Cheers Sistah!

(I'm holding on tight to the resolution of NOT watching New Jersey or Atlanta.  Ugh, way too much drama...they're just c-razy!)

Everybody's workin' for the weekend....and other random thoughts.

Ah yes, how I love my Fridays.
A glass of wine in hand...dinner cooking...classical music playing...and all this insane pollen making me oh-so tired. 
It's all good.

I'm feeling a little less blonde than I'd prefer these days.  I'm so not digging the new ombre hair style - it's like, when your roots are growing out so the dark is heavy and the light is at the ends.  It's so not a good look.  I'm sort of the reverse; lighter on top, darker underneath.  While cool, I still would prefer to be brighter.

On the upside, my hair is definitely long again.  It's like all of a sudden...it grew!  By my one year anniversary of cutting it short, it should be pretty much where it was when I cut it.  Unbelievable, right?  That's what I'm thinking....

I really and truly can't be growing old.  I just can't be.  Today at Starbucks, I ran into a married couple who are friends of mine from high school; for the 5 minutes we spent catching up, it was like we were right back in school.  I mean, I see them from time to time anyway - but today for some reason, it was like we were kids again.  And even though we were talking about our kids, and how it's fun being a parent and challenging at the same time -- it still felt like we were the kids.  It made me feel very nostalgic for when I was young, and truly didn't realize just how much life I had ahead of me.   It's funny how when you're "in the moment" of life, you really just don't know all that you think you do.  Anyway, it was a good visit....It was good to see them, and I look forward to the next time I run into them again.

I can tell you what I am not looking forward to -- all this flipping rain we're supposed to get.  What is up with cold and rainy?  Ugh, so not what I was hoping for.  But you know, with the ying is the yang - and the upside to all this lousy weather is that tomorrow I can look forward to just hanging in and catching up on laundry. (I know, crazy to be happy about catching up on laundry, but truly - there will be nothing to distract me from it which is a good thing!)  Pajamas, a good cup of coffee and warm, cozy smells of laundry.  Little people running about and hopefully a day of relaxation.  Best of all, all of this horrible pollen will hopefully be washed away!! 

And then maybe....this girl will be able to wear mascara once again.....

Stuck in the middle with you....

Sometimes, you just get a song stuck in your head.  You don't even know how or why the melody popped in there in the first place, but once it does - it's locked there until somehow, someway - it gets dislodged.

Occasionally it might be something I heard on the radio; but more often than not - it's just a quirky, random song that I used to like.  Today, it was the most popular song from the movie "Reservoir Dogs".

I barely even remember the movie.
But who can forget the song?!?

And I don't know why...and I don't know how....but it has been going 'round and 'round in my mind all day.

I only hope that the next song is one I know more of the words to.

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.

I love this time of night.  It's 8:25, and if it wasn't so cloudy the sun would still be in the sky.  But it's still light, and it's balmy....and I'm sitting in my sunroom, free from the mosquitos but still getting to enjoy the warmth at the end of the day.  I can hear the television in my family room where all who are here (yes, it's the "I'm just a girl" hotel environment once again...but only for another week!) are watching that crazy guy on Animal Planet who catches wild animals from other people's homes.   The wine is in my glass and I'm just here surfing the web and thinking how perfect it would've been if I'd only been able to take a yoga class today.

And this is how my night is going.
How is yours?

Never underestimate your local grocery store bakery department...

Because this beauty, was made at my local Market Basket.
They ROCK.

(I have a better shot without the shadow - but it hasn't been downloaded yet.  You get the picture though...)

Fly the friendly skies....

Today I was at the airport picking my father who we flew in as a surprise for my son's birthday.
(The look on his face when my father walked in the yard --- priceless.  It's a memory that I will hold forever.  I wish I had a camera; I should've thought to videotape it.)

I love being at the airport.  I miss working there truthfully.  But I didn't work in a terminal, I was in a seperate building - but I loved the atmosphere just the same.

Walking through you see so many stories unfolding.....
People tearfully saying goodbye; people tearfully saying their hellos.  Excitement of going on vacation, and the weary faces arriving back home from vacations. 

I love the sights and smells of the terminals; watching the planes make their descent onto the tarmac and equally as fun watching them take off.  It's the magic of flying that takes us from destination to destination in a blink of an eye - and it's the ability to travel the world within hours that's allows us to create the memories and stories that the terminals hold .

It's a birthday and anniversary...all in one!

Yesterday was my son's 11th birthday -- and my 11th anniversary of being a Mom.

I can't thank him enough for coming into my world and changing it forever.

We watched video from when he was born before taking him out for the dinner of his choice "Five Guys Burgers".  It was bittersweet to see, because it brought back so much happiness and joy from the moment he was born....and made me appreciate all the times we had when he was small.

The saying that it all goes by too quickly is so very true.  And while he's still relatively young - he's growing up so fast.  And one day I'll look back at when he was 11 and have that same joy at remembering his youth.

If I could just keep them small and with me forever...I think I'd be happy with that.  At the same time, I want to see them spread their wings and have happy and full lives.

Being a parent is such an adventure and truly the toughest job you will ever love.  There's nothing perfect about it, and there is always a lesson to be learned.

I know I am always learning -- and most definitely love being a Mom -- even at the most trying of moments.  Nothing is better than hearing "I love you" at the end of the day.

I think I'm gonna like it here.....

I spent my whole weekend poolside.
It was an entirely relaxing and beautiful way to enjoy my home.

We have spent so much time wanting a yard, and hoping for a pool....and now we finally have it.
And we're loving it as much as we thought we would.

Princess Petunia is already incredibly tan, and the rest of us are pleasantly pink.

I am looking forward to what's hopefully going to be a summer of sunshine and laughter.

What makes a girl happy....?

This does:

(Insert choir of angels singing HERE)

We bought it tonight, and after the first hour of it's 3 hour full cycle of scrubbing, vaccuming and brushing my gunite pool while also filtrating the water as it goes - my pool was spotless.

Spotless!!!

(Insert choir of angels singing HERE once again.)

I love my Dirt Devil.
I LOVE IT!

The less I itch, the more I scratch....

Have you ever noticed that when you have mosquito bites, they won't itch all day -- and then suddenly, one will itch, and then they'll all itch at once?

And it's almost always first thing in the morning, or at the end of the day; typically very little itching goes on during the day.

It must be a histamine thing.  I bet you that they are time released or something.
Let's Bing it and see what we come up with, shall we?

And I got....nothing.

Anyone....anyone?

These are a few of my favorite things....

The smell of a pool that has been freshly shocked.  The sound of the rain beating down in the early morning.  Jalapeno & Cheddar burgers.  Lavendar fabric softner.  Cardinals playing in the morning sun.  Cupcake scented room freshener oil.  A fat Chardonnay.  Music that hits my soul.  Steaming hot showers.  Nag champa after a strong practice.  Peace and quiet.

Bake Sale Ban Overturned -- as it should be!

Okay, I get that obesity is an issue with children and society today.
However....

While I whole heartedly support the removal of tonics, sugary caffeine based drinks and excessively fattening foods from the vending machines in schools - as well as healthier food options at lunch times; I just as whole heartedly oppose the recent ban of bake sales!

Bake sales at school events such as craft fairs, basketball games, art appreciation nights and other sanctioned after hours events - should not be governed for caloric intake or attention defecit contributions.  These are social events, more often than not PTO driven - where parents are attending - and we as parents can make the choices as to what does or doesn't go into our children's mouths at that time.

These sales are fun for the children, many who help in the kitchen making the goodies and they are used to raise funds for many school events.  And truly - who is it hurting?  Do we really need the state to intervene and say that we as parents don't have the right to determine what our children can or can't have at social functions?  What's next?  Banning popcorn at the movies....??

What is the world coming to these days?  Is there nothing that can be kept wholesome and innocent and fun?  Does it all have to be governed and monitored and regulated. 

Dear God people, be quiet and eat a chocolate chip cookie or two - and be happy!

You know I can't smile without you....

It's funny how you never know when your last memory of something, is really going to be your last one of that particular person, place or thing.

Today is the 2d anniversary of my Mother passing.

And the only thing I can really hear in my head is Barry Manilow's song - "I can't smile without you".  That was her favorite song of his.

And of course, that melody brings me back to when she, my aunt and my sister and I saw him at the Boston Garden....and then went for a late night pizza in the North End.

My mother didn't go many places or venture out with me much -- it would have to be a big thing, like a Barry Manilow concert to get her out the door it seemed; and we are all "Fanilows" in my Family.  (Would that make us Familows?  Just sayin'...)

The good news is, that I still smile without her...it's just different now.  That's all....

Isn't she lucky...

"Isn't she lucky, this Hollywood girl?
She is so lucky, but why does she cry?
If there's nothing missing in her life
Why do tears come at night?"

I'm so happy that I didn't get discovered earlier in life.  Not to say that I wouldn't have loved to have been a successful actress earlier in life, but now that I'm a Mom - I couldn't imagine being so public.
There is something to be said about the sanctity of privacy.

I don't understand when I watch these reality shows and how it ruins people's lives- we all see it happen and yet, people still sign up to be on them. 

Really, is money worth the flash in the pan and the lack of privacy?  The constant criticism, scrutiny and ownership that the public feels that they are entitled to have.  

I'm happy that I'm just plain old me.
I'm no one special - and yet I'm special enough for my family.
And really, that's all that matters. 
And it's good enough for me.

"The strength of a tree lies in it's ability to bend."

"Breathe and you dwell in the here and now, breath and you see impermanence is life." Thich Nhat Hanh

"We have never arrived. We are in a constant state of becoming." Bob Dylan

"Love what you do, do what you love." Zen Proverb

"Things don't change. We change." Henry David Thoreau

What was I thinking???

So, I remember when I found out I was having a girl I thought "Oh, that will be nice....they won't fight!  What will they have to fight over?  No sharing of clothes, no "stealing" of friends", and all the other things girls bicker over..."

Boy, I was wrong.
Dead wrong.

They don't fight sometimes....they fight all the time.
All the time.
Over everything.
CONSTANTLY.

(Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating.  But today, it feels like it's that way.)

Don't get me wrong, they truly area great friends...and I am quite fortunate in that area.  They keep each other occupied, they make videos together, play video games and even have sleepovers in my son's room at least two nights a week.  But they fight just as hard as they play. 

Clearly I had no clue that brothers and sisters fight just as much - if not more - than sisters alone do.

But of course....

Today we opened the pool and.... it's going to be cold.
But of course!

Today I got back to my mat and it felt soooo good.  I don't dare jinx myself and say I'm back to practicing regularly because we all know how that goes.  I try to stay on focus but something always tears me away.  But it felt so good, I've got to keep making it a point to go.

I ended up having a day at home today which wasn't entirely as I'd planned, but it all turned out okay.  I cleaned the pool house, washed the floors (it has beautiful dark hardwood floors, they look so much better now!), rearranged the fridge that we put in there today and it looks almost ready to go.  It needs some decor and we need some things to put in there (e.g. dishes, storage bins, etc.) but clearly, given the weather forecast we still have a little time.  Which is a good thing....

We got a new fridge for the kitchen today, which is how the pool house got one.  I'm not going to lie, it's pretty flipping nice.  Now if we can just keep it clean.... hmm, is it possible for a family of 4 plus 1 manage to do that?  Only time will tell...

Our first soiree is on Mother's Day. 
And I'm praying the weather cooperates.  It doesn't have to be a pool day but it does have to be nice anyway. 

Because our next big soiree is two weeks later, and we'll have two parties two days in a row.
And if it rains, I'll be really pissed off.

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the beautiful weather we've had all Spring, I mean Winter, I mean Spring.