Where to begin...?

So, clearly I haven't posted much lately. It's been a bit hectic over this way.
My daughter's birthday party was wonderful - and I'll probably post a few pictures tomorrow.

My son has been sick since two days after the party....high fevers, lethargy and a variety of other symptoms that has had me back and forth to the Pediatricians and Children's a few times over the past week. He was almost admitted last night, but they want to give this "virus" a few more days before they officially give it a name. They're leaning towards Kawasaki, but because he has some of the symptoms, but not all - they're hesitant. We're taking him back tomorrow unless by some chance he appears much better in the morning.

The good news is that all of his blood labs came back negative for all the other syndromes they tested for, including Leukemia and other types of the "C" word.

I'm hoping that this is just some nasty virus they've never seen before, but whatever it is - we'll deal with it.

It's been a tough couple of days, that's for sure.

I'll take it....

You Are A Lime Tree

You are intelligent, hard working, and innately successful. You try to change what you can in life - and you accept what you can't change. Tough on the outside, you are actually soft and relenting. Jealous at times, you are extremely loyal and giving to those you love. You have many talents, but you don't have enough time to use them.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

The Princess Petunia....

Two years ago today, my Princess Petunia was born at 9:03 a.m.

She was 5 weeks early; an exceptionally active baby inutero, making for a not so comfortable pregnancy - as well as a complicated one - as I was on restricted activity/bedrest from 15 weeks on. She came out screaming, which was a wonderful thing to hear the morning of her birth...and indicitive of her fighting nature and exuberant personality. Today at two years of age, she has a smile that will melt your heart....a spirit that can accomplish and overcome anything....and a personality that is many times larger than her tiny frame. My Princess Petunia as I've called her since the day she was born, has blossomed into a little girl who like the flower is beautiful and delicate; yet hearty and strong - flourishing with color.

Speaking of petunias....

I had to replace all of my hanging petunia plants today. They were gorgeous a few weeks back, but it seems that some sort of mite got into them, and so all the greens were growning but the blooms were dying and having holes in them. Today I figured out what it was, got some treatment for them (insect chemical warfare - gotta love it!) and I moved them to my back deck in the hopes of bringing them back to life. In doing this, I realized that there are hooks on the deck from the previous owner, I suppose for sheperds hooks to hang such type baskets. Who knew???

RSVP, a.k.a. répondez, s'il vous plaît

(Followup from last post: I forgot my digital camera - unfortunately no shots from the night out seeing the band. We had a great time though, and it was wonderful to see my old friend!)

So, my daughter's 2d birthday party is Saturday. Her actual birthday is Wednesday, but we're having a party for her this weekend. The theme is fun - it's a Garden party! She loves flowers and butterflies, so that is the decor. I'm pretty excited about it, because that's a pretty fun way to decorate. I mailed out all the invitations to the usual invitees - all 70 of them. Only 10 have RSVPd. So either I'm going to have a house full - or hardly anyone.

This for me, is a predicament. If you've ever been to a party at my house, then you know that I cook enough for an army no matter how many people are there. But I'd hate to prepare for 70 people to only have 20 show up. Yet since I don't know how many people I'm expecting, I have to assume that I'll have 80 - because you never know! And I clearly wrote on the invitation "Please RSVP and let us know if you'll be joining the celebration". I don't understand why people don't respond. Am I supposed to assume they're coming? Assume they're not coming?

My parents are actually going to be attending this party. They haven't ever been to either of my children's birthday parties, so this is a relatively big deal. Visit them on my blog roll and razz them about it, would you?

The menu for this shin dig is up in the air....clearly a bbq, we'll be sure to have the usual suspects of burgers, dogs and sausage. I've found some really delicious chicken burgers that I'll add in, some linguica, and of course marinated steak, pork and chicken. My mother's home made cole slaw recipe, potato salad, regular salad, corn on the cob- and I think - I'll make a batch of chili too! I know it's going to be 100 degrees this weekend, but hey - doesn't it just sound like I need to have some chili too?

In the area? Come on by on Sunday for leftovers!

I'm not trying to cause a b-big s-s-sensation ....

There are few things worse than taking that first sip of coffee in the morning, expecting to taste one thing - and tasting another. I was pretty darn clear on what I ordered, and yet I got the entire opposite. Regular coffee, no flavoring, no milk and probably about 1 Splenda. Clearly, it's a sign of how the rest of my day is going to go....

Of course, it is a rainy and sort of dreary day - so if I'm going to be a little blah or off - I'd rather it be today, as opposed to a gloriously sunny day that is just beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to have a down day. I guess maybe I needed to be thrown a little off kilter to "shake things up" a bit.

We hosted a wine tasting for the Business Association last night. It was a nice time, and it was sort of fun because I didn't have to actually give a presentation. Although we were asked questions and talked wine all night - there wasn't that pressure to perform. And there was a very nice woman there who is exceptionally fluent in French and she was very helpful on my pronounciation of French wines. I think I have "St. Emillion" down pat now. I keep saying it over and over in my head - and I sound pretty darn good in there! I think I'll take a chance today and start using it in my vocabulary to make sure it's not something I have to practice in my head before saying it aloud. It needs to flow naturally.....

Tomorrow night I'm going to see one of my best friends' band perform at a local bar. I'm really excited because while I have his CD, I haven't seen him live in forever. They're a bunch of already established musicians who are doing a WHO cover band. They're called SlipKid - and because of their famous lead singer - they have a pretty strong following. I'm just really psyched to see my friend. He's the closest thing to a brother I've ever had....and while we're not nearly involved in each other's lives as we used to be due to life sort of "getting in the way" - we're still really close and make it a point to stay in touch pretty regularly. I haven't seen him in person in years - yet we talk on the phone constantly. And we only live a town away from each other!!! So this will be a great night for me. I'm hoping to bring my camera, so stay tuned for pictures!

Common Sense Challenged... ?

I work with some exceptionally smart people. I mean, nuclear-physicist /rocket scientist genius types - not a joke. However, they're usually pretty normal. In touch with reality, and very nice people.

There is one guy I work with, that is so smart - he gets in his own way. He completely lacks common sense. And he's so condescending....thinks that he's right about everything, and will argue with you, almost in a little kid fashion when he's in need of technical assistance. Imagine a grown man saying in a little kid voice "No it's not...un-huh, no it's not".

I just came back from assisting this person with something that he could've resolved rather quickly - but he just was not listening to me as I spoke. He was so busy saying "no sir, uh-huh, you're wrong", that I had to take a deep breath - put on my "Mommy talking to a two year old" voice, and s-l-o-w-l-y show him just how right I was. Without of course, telling him I was right. And then, as I was leaving and complimented and thanked him on working together with me on the issue - I gave him a brief reminder to use his digital authentication card before signing on to the application (because that was the crux of the problem), he started to argue with me about how he didn't need it.

I just smiled, thanked him - and said I was glad to be able to help.

And as frustrated as I am with him....because well, it's hard not to be frustrated with him. This poor guy - I don't think he has anything else. This job is his life I think! He's not married (or at least he doesn't wear a ring), and he's got such a "unique" personality, I don't know how one could tolerate him in longer than 1/2 hour intervals. I know I'd be pushing 15 minutes, top. Maybe he's just angry and bitter because he's lonely. I don't know - and clearly it's not my responsibility to analyze his persona.

I guess it's just my conscience bothering me because I dread interacting with him so much. I mean, I smile and say hello when I see him - but when an email comes, I cringe.
Maybe I'll give him a Christmas card this year.

For the love of God...

I had an interesting conversation with a coworker of mine today.

He is a Born Again Christian - and I am not. I'm Agnostic - I don't necessarily believe in any organized religion; there's too much hypocrisy and judgement in them all for my liking. I try to read and understand other religions as best as I can. And I've found that there's something beautiful in all of them, and so I try to take a little of each religion and apply it to my life. Basically, I practice being a good person. I've had all of my "ceremonies" in life at a Unitarian Church - because it's a "house of God" - all ideaologies are welcome - and I like that.

I don't necessarily believe that one's God is better than another's. Or that one's love of God is stronger....I also don't necessarily believe that God will forsake me if I don't follow all the rules set by one religion. I think that I was born as a free thinking creature, which gives me the ability to question certain things - including religion. This doesn't mean that I don't believe in God.

I think that while I'm not necessarily a "religious" person per se, I'm a spiritual person. I do believe in love and miracles....I do believe that there is a power bigger and greater than us all and that maybe I'm not supposed to know all the answers. I do believe that God is everywhere, and that everything around us is proof if we want to see it. I also believe that God will help those who help themselves - nothing comes for free.

I also believe in science. I believe in evolution, in genetics.... and while I do believe that children are a miracle of God, I know scientifically how we we make them. Interestingly enough, I think it's a miracle that God has created some people on this Earth smarter than me to develop methods of allowing people who can not have children the natural way - still have children with a little help from Science. So clearly, I think that God and Science go hand in hand. This is only one example, but there are many more.

Does this mean that I only want God on "my terms", as my coworker suggested? I don't think so. I think it just means that I have an open mind - I don't reject any possibilities, be it religions different from mine - or science. That's one of my disdains for organized religions - the lack of being able to think that something else is possible. Or right for someone else. I believe in "Live and Let Live"....my way may not be right for you, and that's okay. Just as I don't turn away other religions and say they're wrong. For an example, when Jehovahs Witnesses' come to my door -- I'm always open to discussion, and dialogue - I'll even take some reading materials, because you know what - it can't hurt to hear someone else's perspective. And while I may not subscribe to it - I can respect it.

I guess bascially my thoughts are that I don't know what's wrong or right with regards to religion. However, I do believe that God will not forsake me for not proclaiming to know all the answers - nor will I be forsaken because I haven't dedicated myself to one belief. I tend to think that if we were all meant to believe in one thing, then we'd have been made very differently. And we'd not be capable of free thinking. I think God is probably pretty proud of us in general, despite what we believe. And I don't think that on my judgement day, I'll be turned away from Heaven because I didn't subscribe to one thought process over the other.

Besides - I believe in spirits and angels.
And I can't see how God wouldn't want ME to be somebody's Guardian Angel! :)

Coffee Tip for the Day...

I'm very particular about how I drink my coffee... as I've mentioned in previous posts, my hot coffee is in a large cup - a medium hazelnut and coconut - milk and 4 Splenda. I'm a Dunkin' Donuts kind of girl, generally speaking. I tend to prefer hot coffee over iced- no matter how hot it is outside.

However, I have varied and experimented in the last couple of weeks and I've found an iced coffee that I rather enjoy. A medium chocolate and coconut, with milk and 4 Splenda. It's delicious. Ready for something really fun?

Order that iced coffee, but before taking a sip - put a piece of Orbit peppermint gum in your mouth and chew to get that minty fresh feeling going. Then...sip your iced coffee.

Tell me that it doesn't taste like a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie!?!?!?
Try it!

You'll thank me for it later.............

Red, White and Blue...

I know that the flag has significant meaning behind it's design, and I don't even know what that is truly. I'm sure I was taught it at one point, but I can't quite think of what it is at the moment. To some, it's merely a symbol of our country, our brand mark. But as I was showering tonight after spending a lovely day enjoying my friends and family, and reflecting upon today's meaning - a much more personal representation came to mind that I thought I would share. Red is for the blood that flows through me, you - and all of us who call this great country home. White is for the lack of divide between us - the void of color, race, religion and creed. White is purity and hope - and if we don't see differences between us - then there is nothing but bright light, which is what the white represents to me. Blue is for fierce loyalty, always rising to defend what is precious to us - as well as protecting those who aren't able to defend themselves. The stars are for hope of a better tomorrow...and the stripes are for strength, to be able to stay strong even when times are difficult.

When September 11th occured, it was so devastating. It was surreal, and I wish my children wouldn't have to see it on television or learn about it from school. I wish I could shelter them from it. But I can't - it happened, and it's very real - and they need to know that an anger and rage like that exists.

I am so proud and so thankful to have been born in the United States. I am not ashamed of who we are, what our politics are - nor what we stand for. While I don't always agree with my government, I would never not stand as a unified front to the rest of the world. I will never cower, nor waver - nor disrespect my soldiers. Whether I believe in conflicts that we may be involved with or not, to not support my government publicly only serves to tarnish the lives that have been lost over the years. We are so fortunate to live in a country where there is a free military, a voluntary military. And I thank each and every one of them for doing a job so selflessly - so that I do not have to.

"If tomorrow all the things were gone,I’d worked for all my life.And I had to start again,with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,to be livin here today.‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,where at least I know I’m free.And I wont forget the men who died,who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,to the hills of Tennessee.Across the plains of Texas,From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,and New York to L.A.Well there's pride in every American heart,and its time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,where at least I know I’m free.And I wont forget the men who died,who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be an American,where at least I know I’m free.And I wont forget the men who died,who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,next to you and defend her still today.‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,God bless the USA."

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July...

Reinventing the Wheel....?

Why do music artists feel the need to reinvent themselves? Especially when they haven't spent a long time in the industry to begin with? Jessica Simpson for an example. Her new single sounds like a bad remake of "Holiday" by Madonna - which makes me think - what would ever possess Jessica Simpson to think she needs to put out a Madonna style pop dance tune? Did someone say to her "You know what? You need to revitalize your image - let's reinvent your style!" I mean really.

The funny thing is, she is a very talented singer. But for some reason, they've got her all Pop Tart'd out so that she could almost be in the running with Lindsay Lohan as the new Britney Spears. If you ask me, if I had all that talent and looks behind me - I'd want to be in a league all of my own. I'd want people to aspire to be me, rather than being "just another pop star". That light burns out far too quickly. I don't understand why she doesn't go back to singing the big ballads, or even gospel which is where she began. Although given her current path, I suppose that would be rather hypocritical.

Here's an idea. Where she's clearly not the brightest bulb in the box - why not reinvent her image by educating her? This poor girl had Pam Anderson rolling her eyes at her when she asked how they ran so slowly in the Baywatch opener. I've got to think if you've got Pam Anderson thinking you're an idiot - well, then it's not looking that good for you. And incase no one's informed her, looks don't last forever either. If that's what she's banking on, well - given some of the photos I've seen of her lately - that clock has already started ticking. Does she want to end up looking like Pam Anderson? The most naturally beautiful girl I've ever seen looks so hard and washed up now, it's hard to believe that she was once the Tool Time girl. Jessica seems to be heading down that same path; again, another naturally beautiful girl who's potentially destroying her appearance.

So that's my rant for today. I can only listen to "Public Affair" and the Paris Hilton song on the radio so many times before I feel nauseauted and think that there's got to be more out there musically than this.... !

By the way - I still dont have a new PC - so if you dont' see me commenting, don't take it personally!