Everyone was Kung Fu fighting...

Well, not everyone. Just Timmy the Hamster and I this morning.

I feed him every morning before I go to work. He sees me come in the room and he runs towards the door. I usually put his food in his cup, he runs up the door which is open - I pat him - and he turns around and runs to his cup. Well, today started out to be a day like every other, except....

When he ran up the door for me to pat him, he climbed in my hand and turned around - and promptly turned around, and chomped on my finger. HARD.

My response? I yelled "owwwww, you suck!" - and promptly flung him!

I couldn't help it! It was a knee jerk reaction to get the pain off my finger, because he wouldn't let go! Fortunately, I was right in front of the cage, so when I flung him, he did a triple axle and landed on the cage and clung for dear life.

Poor little guy.

I feel badly. I know they can't see very well. I know that his sense of smell drives him - and that he smelled the food on my hand from where I had it, and after all, our fingers do resemble the color of their little pressed pellets.

I'd have given him a hug, but.... just not taking the chance again. One punctured finger is enough for this girl for today.















(This is not Timmy....just a visual represenation of Timmy the Flying Hamster! After all, my Timmy is a Teddy Bear Hamster, and clearly - this guy is not! But if I could've taken a picture of him on the side of the cage, trust me, I would've!!! Please do not call PETA on me.)

What a long weekend.....

I'm beat. I had a wonderfully exhausting weekend.

My son's 5th birthday party was excellent... the weather was beautiful, and we all had a blast. Our birthday parties are not just for kids- but for grownups as well, so we all usually have a great time and it's usually a late night. This year proved to be no different...

Sunday, we cleaned up -and it was gardening time!!! I planted my vegetables and herbs - I'm so excited. I planted a few different things this year, and I also just found out that different vegetables do quite nicely when in large pots too - so I'm thinking of adding a few new ones to my collection this week. Lettuce, Shallots, Onions.... yum.

Incredibly busy this summer....starting with this past Saturday - we have parties, showers, christenings, baby namings, and graduations through July 22. When it all ends with my daughter's 2d birthday. Yes, another bash once again.

Summer's here in Boston... Life is good. Sunshine is good for the soul. I just don't know how people in England do it. I'd be entirely homicidal if I lived in such always dreary conditions.

Lights, Camera....Action!

So, I was browsing those cute BlogThings - and found this one. Hmmm. Maybe I should hook up w. Ben Affleck and Dennis Lehane while they're filming in town? Maybe they need some "on the fly" writing assistance for the script!

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby....

Monday was my son's 5th birthday. I'm off from work through today because my new sitter already had a Disney trip planned for these days - which worked out really nicely. It gave me a few days to do some party preparation for the big Superman Bash that's going to take place here on Saturday! Granted - it's taking me three days to do what I'd normally do in one - but that's what happens when you have two kiddies along for the ride...

It's so hard to believe that he's 5 already. It's funny - it seems like just yesterday - and a life time ago, all rolled together into one.

My parting words for today are from Joni Mitchell.... appropo as Miss Sassy Shirley seems to think I resemble the great storyteller : "Like the color when the spring is born...There'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow...Just a little green....Like the nights when the Northern lights perform...There'll be icicles and birthday clothes...."

Seeing "Stars".....

When I was about 14, the movie "Desperately Seeking Susan" came out. It launched a little known actress - Roseanna Arquette -into becoming a house hold name. It also started the beginning of having everyone tell me how much I looked like her. I even had strangers telling me that. I didn't find it very flattering because I didn't think she was that pretty - but, it still was kind of cool. I don't think we necessarily look alike, but I do see a resemblence at times....from a distance, and at an angle. (And from a tree, across a brook, on a rainy day!)

By the time I was a senior in high school, the comparisons moved on from Roseanna to "Felicia". General Hospital was out of the "Luke and Laura" phase and full swing in the "Frisco and Felicia" movement. Now THIS was a comparison I thoroughly enjoyed. And while I still didn't see much of a resemblence, to be thought of as looking like Kristina Malandaro's little sister wasn't too terrible on the ears.

And now, I often hear that I resemble another celebrity. Again, it's not something that I can really see...outside of having high cheekbones - but again, she's not too terribly hard on the eyes, so I'll take it: Sienna Miller. Well, I like her name anyway!

I've sort of always thought that I looked like...well, I don't know...me!
(I did have some really great photos of all of these girls to post, but Blogger isn't cooperating for some reason!)

Have you ever been told you resemble someone famous? And if so....who?

What does the letter "B" mean to me?

I asked Ms. Naive No More to assign me a letter from this little list game I saw on her blog - and she waved her magic wand - and granted me the letter "B". Interesting letter choice...but then again, aren't they all?

Here's how it works: You take your assigned letter and then write 10 words that start with that letter and explain why they are important to you. If you would like to play, let me know in the comments field - and I'll assign you a letter.
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Beauty - There is beauty within all of us. And I try very hard to see the beauty in everyone - even those who prefer to show us their "ugly" side.

Brilliance - Superficial beauty is only skin deep....a strong mind is far more appealing, and part of one's true inner beauty.

Baby - Because we were all beautiful babies once....so perfect, so innocent - and unjaded. And because babies are truly miracles.

Blessings - I am so thankful for my family, and all that I have accomplished within my life. For this I feel blessed.

Beef - Because after all, I AM a meat and potatoes kind of girl....

Beyond - I do believe that there is a place bigger and better than all of us. This word reminds me of that. And it makes me feel as if I can always accomplish more...

Belong - We all need to feel like we are a part of something. Whether it's family, or a group of friends. It's important to feel needed and wanted.

Bravado - There is a time and a place for having false bravado when the real thing isn't around. False bravado can sometimes lead into being the real thing.

Business - Such a big portion of my life. Our shop....and future entreprenuerial ventures to come.

Baseball - Clearly, this one needs no explanation.

Blogging - One of my few hobbies. I truly enjoy it! I'm not writing to impress....I'm not writing to be creative. I'm just writing random thoughts. And I like that I feel as if I've got a bunch of new "pen pals", which is pretty cool. Pretty, pretty cool. (Little joke for all you "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fans...)

Bonjour.....

Peter Paul Almond Joy's got Nuts....Peter Paul Mounds Don't...

I'm a vast wasteland of useless information. I remember all those obscure cartoons, commercials and jingles from the 60's and 70's. (Clew mentioned a few of them in one of her posts recently). When it comes to playing the Entertainment version of Trivial Pursuit, or any type of Hollywood/Celebrity/Television type game - I do really well, because I have this uncanny knack for remembering these tidbits of trivia.

It doesn't just end at television. Oh no. I seem to hold onto all bizzare information, and inject it into my every day conversations. As one of my best friends told me, she calls me whenever she wants to know something because I usually have the answer. Hmmm. I guess that'd make me a "know it all"? Is that a good thing though?

Another curse I have - is that I notice typos. This is mostly because of the field of work I'm in. While I don't always notice my own (we all need a second set of eyes because the mind automatically acknowledges the mistake as to what it's supposed to say...), I notice other people's spelling and grammatic errors as if they were nails down a chalkboard. I see them everywhere....on menus, in movie theatre commercial/trailers....on CNN news tickers. I once walked around a perimeter of a mall, because I happened to notice that they left off one of the letters in the name of the mall on the lettering etched into the front door. Oh yes, I laughed hysterically checking every single door because whomever designed the doors made this mistake on every single one of them. And no one picked up on it?!?!? Where was the Quality Control?

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have many the idiosyncrasies. But I can't help it... I am, who I am.

And I am just a girl. With alot of issues, clearly.

(Tsk, tsk, tsk Ben... Given the title - I know where you were hoping this post was going!)

Life is good...if you're a duck!

So, this neck of the woods is experiencing the worst rain storm and flooding of the past 70 years. It's wild to see all the streets and areas that I normally drive through, submerged under water.

My old street - the house I lived in before this one - had a brook at the end of it. It's now a rapids, and it engulfed two of the houses near it. They're sitting roof high under water. Amazing.

Fortunately for us, while we're in an area that has been affected by the flooding - our neighborhood is in a newer development that has been built up. My driveway, which is at a very steep incline - doesn't even have puddles in it. But the woods behind me, which are about 20 feet below us - are a small river. The mosquitos this summer are going to be brutal! (Thank goodness for my Mosquito Magnet!!!)

And now, they're talking about diseases being spread in the still waters in many of the towns that are affected. Sewage pipes broke and mingled with the river/spring/creek waters that took over the roads.

Right now, however - the sun is shining! I can't believe I'm seeing it. But it's not to last I've heard. Rumor has it - more storms tonight and potentially even more flooding as it's supposed to be a 2" rainfall.

But I'm enjoying the sun at the moment....

Fit for a King....

But meant only for the Queens of the Day.
Mother's Day Brunch.

Where? My house, of course.
And true to my usual sharing of menu - here was the spread:

Mimosas
Orange Cinnamon Rolls
Bages/Lox/Cream Cheese
Muffins
Fresh Fruit
Shrimp Cocktail
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon (Maple Sugar and Hickory)
Banana Creme Crunch French Toast
Spinach and Feta Quiche
Spiral Ham w/ Pineapple
Chicken & Shrimp over Penne w. Creamy Pesto
Roasted Asparagus
Salad
Corn on the Cob

And I think that's it. I can't remember...
Any one need a caterer? Give me a call!

A Mother's Love...

In the five short years that I've been a Mom, I've had a lifetime of memories.

Hearing each of my children cry for the first time at birth....
Holding them for the first time.

I didn't get to see either of my children when they were born...my first was an emergency C section, and so I awoke to a Polaroid on my chest of my son in the nursery. That was still such a magical moment for me. My daughter was a planned C section - but she was premature, and due to complications - my C section became an emergency of sorts. She was sent to the NICU, and I stayed in surgery for 2 more hours. My first glimpse of her in the NICU where I only got to touch her little fingers for a minute were beautiful. I held my son for the first time 5 hours after he was born; my daughter, 12 hours. Those who say you don't bond if you don't hold them immediately after birth clearly has never had a child.

Watching them experience things for the first time in their lives... the simple things like seeing the Christmas Tree lit up; patting a dog; experiencing the snow falling on their face; eating certain foods they'd never had before. So many things that are precious and new in an untouched, unjaded and perfect little life.

Everyone always tells you before you have children, that once you have them - you don't remember what life was like before they were there.
This is so very true.

The fun you had before children is nothing in comparison to the fun you have with your children.
You get to re-experience life through their eyes...and sometimes, through your own. You get a second chance at childhood - enjoying things with your children that maybe you didn't have the opportunity to try as a child yourself.
Time goes by so quickly when you have children...they grow so fast.

I cherish the moments and love my children have given to me....
and look forward to the lifetime of love that I can give to them in return

The downside of up...the bad side of good....and everything in between

We've all seen a man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dread-locked, and full of mange
He asks a man for what he could spare, with shame in his eyes
"Get a job you F*n slob," is all he replies
But God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues

I'm a registered Independent.
I tend to lean Republican fiscally and with international politics; with regards to domestic social issues, I lean Democratic.
Some have told me that's more Libertarian.
I call it "middle of the road". I call it "opinion based per issue....not per party".
Because clearly, I don't agree with all issues that both parties believe in.

I can't stand "wishy washy flip flopping" politics.
Have an opinion - and stand by it, no matter what public opinion says.
You can't say you believe in something, and then "change your mind" based upon the polls.
Stand for something. Even if I don't agree with it, I can respect you for holding true to it.
But if you don't stand for what you believe in, no matter how tough it gets - then what are you made of?

Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom that said he was in love
He said, "Don't worry about a thing, baby doll, I'm the man you've been dreaming of."
But 3 months later he say he won't date her or return her calls
And she swears, "God d*n, if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his b*s."
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walking through the door
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner and they call her a whore...
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose

And today's weather report is.....

Crisp and clean....
Grey.....but green.

Warm and sleepy...
Cold and wet.

Thirst quenching....
Soul cleansing.

Fresh and pristine...
A season inbetween.

Spring time in New England.

Breathe...just breathe

I really enjoy David Blaine's street magic performances. He's truly amazing. The sleight of hand that he pulls off is fascinating, and while that's impressive enough - it's the mind tricks that absolutely blow me away. I think that we all know that I have an affinity for believing in the possibilities of psychic ability. While he does his in a performance manner, it certainly leaves it open for skepticism. And I'm not saying I believe he's psychic. Although it is difficult to not find yourself believing just for a second - because you can't imagine how he's pulled off these "tricks". However, he does have an amazing mind. And last night's feat proved that once again.

I had a hard time breathing just watching him sit in that tank - let alone hold his breath for over 6 minutes. That is just amazing. Anything over 3 minutes is a tremendous physical strain, and the fact that he mastered the art of 5 minutes is just amazing. Especially after spending 177 hours submerged in water, which in of itself is exhausting. But to watch him surpass that timeframe, was painful. At least for me. And at the end, when he was losing it and going to start to breathe - it seemed the dive team didn't quite jump in until the instructor said "go" about three times. I was definitely concerned for his safety.

That being said, I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Despite how crazy his physical "stunts" are - they truly aren't stunts. He's got an amazing will and mind strength to push his limits of physical endurance.

And while I wouldn't do the things he does, I tip my hat to him for having the drive to do it.

I hear the secrets that you keep... When you're talking in your sleep

Growing up, I would walk in my sleep. My parents would tell me stories of how I would wake up in the middle of the night and walk into the living room, sound asleep. More often than not - I'd have conversations with them too. Yes, I'm a bonafide sleep talker.

I talk in my sleep while dreaming, that's pretty common. But my husband and I have had conversations that I don't remember because I was sleeping.

I miscarried a child before having my daughter - and as a result of being further along, I needed to have a procedure done in the hospital, requiring general anesthesia. I clearly recall them preparing to "put me under". The next thing I remember, is hearing myself talk, and asking the nurses that I could see in front of me "are they going to get started any time soon? I feel like I've been here forever!". To which I was promptly told that I had been there for quite some time, and they were done. Done??? Which means, yes - I talked throughout my recovery - and more than likely - throughout the surgical procedure as well. I mean, HELLO - I talked enough to wake myself up! What is wrong with me?!?!?!

When I saw my doctor the next morning, I sheepishly asked him if I talked while under anesthesia. To which he smirked at me - said "don't worry, you didn't incriminate yourself about anything..." and laughed. Of course, I prodded further - "well, what exactly did I say?" and he said "lets just say you are one of the most talkative people I've run into in a while. But don't worry, you really didn't say anything that would embarrass you. You just talked about random things - and if I asked a question about anything you said - you launched into a full discussion about it. It was pretty funny actually."

Typical Rebecca.
So yes, the myth we've all heard about "truth serum" or talking under anesthesia is not a myth.
Clearly, I am not conversationally challenged - even while I'm asleep!

Movin' on up....

We're moving offices today at work. We're actually moving to another building here on base. You don't realize just how dirty, grimy and dusty your working area is until it's completely upheaved. Ugh.

I went over to check out my new digs this morning. Not too shabby. I don't necessarily enjoy some of the people I'm sharing a room with, but they're far enough away that I don't have to look at them if I choose not to. Which isn't such a bad thing. And, I have a window - which is very nice. I'll actually be facing it, as I always have my PC facing so that my back is never exposed; while I'm working, I prefer to face the door. People have a tendency to sneak up on you, and I get very engrossed in what I'm doing, so I tend to tune out everything around me. Which makes for great practical jokes on me! So, I try to avoid this at all costs because while others think "look how funny it is to see Rebecca shriek" - I don't find it all that funny. Okay, maybe a little funny! But I work with so many pranksters, I'm just not taking the risk!

So I'm all packed up short of my PC and keyboard - and will be moving in on Monday morning. Complete with rubber gloves and favorite cleaning products in hand; it's a dirty, dirty place they've left me.

Have you ever noticed how dirty the people are that you work with? I cringe to think of how some people must keep their houses!!!!

Don't Tread on Me.....

I believe in the death penalty. I do not believe that it should be a blanket penalty however; I feel that it should be handled on a case by case basis. It should be reserved for the most heinest of crimes, and the most despicable of people who truly can not be rehabilitated. I do believe there is a difference between an addict, strung out on drugs who kills someone - and the Jeffrey Dahmers of the world. The crime is no less violent - the victim no less important. I just do have the hopes that people can change given certain circumstances. People like Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy, and many others - do not. There are a number of cases that I can site where I believe the death penalty should've been exercised here in Massachusetts alone, let alone nationwide.

But what infuriates me, is that a jury of Americans - people supposedly representative of being my peers - could have the opportunity to exercise the death penalty on Zacarias Moussaoui and opt not to.
I understand the "forgiveness" aspect in opposition to the death penalty. I understand that while he's considered the "20th hijacker" - he didn't actually get on a plane and go - so he's truly only an "accessory to" the crimes. However, he has a fundamental and flagrant disrespect and disgust for our country and all that we stand for....all that we are. I don't care if he was abused by his father as a child and manipulated by Al'Queda. I have no sympathy, no compassion for him. There are far better people in this world than he, who have been treated far worse - and they do not revel in the grisly demise of innocent people. And I'm sorry - is he not an "illegal alien" - therefore he shouldn't be allowed the benefits of protection by our laws? I can understand trying him here, as he committed a crime here - and I can understand not deporting him; why send him back out to do more harm.

But why should we allow him to stay here, alive?
Why give him life in prison? So we can control him? We can't control him or his communications any more on the inside than we can on the "outside". There are always communications between gangs, mobsters and other walks of life from within the confines of a prison. So tell me, what would be the point.

Let's say for arguements sake, he's kept in solitary confinement, which I would be very surprised to see happen - there's still communication with the outside world. They're still allowed letters. And people like him are patient. They lie in wait....the letters may seem benign but I assure you they would regurgitate the disdain and contempt for the very country and the likes of who kept him alive. He is not protected by my first amendment right.

Why should my tax money pay to support the likes of him in a federal prison? Why should he be afforded the comforts of "three hots and a cot" on my back? Why should he be allowed to be in a prison to live out his days protected by the very Constitution on which he spits upon....

Upon leaving the courtroom yesterday, Moussaoui said, "America, you lose. I win."

And you know what? I think he may very well be right.

Winter Olympics 2010

Remember this name: Eden Marrano.

It's hard to believe that she was the flower girl in my wedding seven years ago. Or that she was 2 1/2 when I first met her. It's amazing how quickly they grow up! Last Sunday, before I got sick - we went to watch her skate at a show that the rink she practices at coordinated. We try to go to as many of her competitions as we can, but they live on the South Shore, and we're on the North - so we don't get to go to as many as we'd like. But we made it down for this show and we all went out for dinner at a local family restaurant afterwards. She's training to go to the 2010 Olympics - and I wouldn't be surprised if she makes it. Not only does she excel at figure skating, but she just started tennis a year and a half ago - and is ranked 32d in New England. She's athletically gifted. And my kids adore her....as you can see from the pictures!