Letters from a Nut....

(And this time, I'm not referencing the book. Hang tight kids, there's a rant and roll coming on...)

1. Dear Jose Baez: How can you live with yourself? How do you sleep at night? I'm almost physically nauseous watching the daily play by play soap opera of this trial. I get that you're supposed to plant "reasonable doubt" in the minds of the jury - but I just don't know how you can in good conscience do all that you can to let that horror of a human being get away with murder of her own child. Who does that?!? I mean, try insanity or some semblence of compassion plea -- but innocence?? No matter who you try to point the finger on -- George Anthony, Roy Kronk, the Mailman - the bottom line is we all know that she did it. You can't disguise the fact that for 31 days that girl partied like it was 1999 and never once expressed concern for her daughter. You can't hide that she lied, stole & betrayed every person she's ever known. There's no denying that even ocne she admitted that her daughter was "missing" - she never once asked for help in finding her, in fact it was the exact opposite. She's knowingly and willingly destroying her family by accusing her father & brother of sexual assualt - yet never once was that ever mentioned previously. Her poor parents are being dragged through the mud and yet you capitalize on what her parents have for their child - that she herself didn't have for her own - and that's unconditional love. These poor people are placing themselves in contempt by lying on the stand about Google searches; and we can relate to that because we can understand that undying passion and protection a parent feels for their child. A love so strong that they would lie under oath - or die to protect them. And yet you expect us to feel compassion for a girl who's displayed the very opposite of that. No, I'm afraid not Mr. Baez. You must not have children, because I find it hard to believe that you could ever, ever, ever defend and plead innocence with a client such as yours.

Dear Little People I share a House With: Please, please, please can't we just get along? You guys are supposed to love each other - not tear each other apart! I get that your siblings, but seriously. I'm about ready to tear you apart myself! I don't know what I was thinking when I thought "Oh, a boy and girl - that will be so much easier than two boys or two girls". Seriously, I had no idea. I'm begging you... please, love & respect each other. Respect yourselves.... or you are going to be grounded for life. LIFE.

Everything's coming up Roses....

Or otherwise known as "when life hands you lemons you make lemonade...."

So on the house front....we haven't found anything yet. But, that just means the right house is waiting to be found, right? The good news is that we've changed our price point a little bit....so while inventory is fewer between at the new price, the houses themselves are more what we're looking for. It's unfortunate that the house we loved didn't work out, but you know - everything happens for a reason. And we were fighting too hard for it....it just didn't feel right.

On the family front - life is good, everyone is happy - and there's a fun family vacation coming up in the near future to a fabulous beach in Maine. Really, really really looking forward to it.

I feel so incredibly blah and fat. There I said it - fat. Now, am I really overweight - nah. Am I really out of shape and eating whatever I want and whenever I want it? Oh yes... I'm in a rut right now - I can't seem to find the time for ME. I'm either working or with the kids. And if I do take off during the day - it's hard because there aren't classes that I can take during the day. They're either morning or night. Unless I run...then I can do that in the morning. I just need to find time for ME. Even if it's just an hour. I think I need to get back to when I first started taking yoga and going to night classes. If that's what it takes for me to get an hour of time to myself without feeling like I'm rushing, then that's what I'll do. I havcn't run since May, and haven't been to yoga since March and this girl is sorely in need of some center and balance.

And there you have it. Life is pretty status quo right now. I've got lots of potential rants regarding Whitey & Casey Anthony but I'm just not up for them at the moment....

Just sayin'....

My curfew was the street lights. My parents didn't call my cell, they yelled my name. I played outside with friends, not online. If I didn't eat what mom cooked, then I didn't eat. Sanitizer didn't exist, but you COULD get your mouth washed out with soap. I road a bike without a helmet. Getting dirty was ok, and neighbors cared as much as your parents did. I drank from a garden hose and survived.

What is this world coming to?

Interjections show excitement, and emotion....

AAAAAAAAAAAAgh.
or rather, AAAAAAAAAAAAgh!

And the house saga goes on.

So last night we look at a house that is a complete construction buildout; the owners started but never completed so there's a huge house just waiting to be made. And it already has an inground pool - and it's in our town, the right district of school, and last night G had to have it. Had to.

Tonight we looked at it again with my MIL who is a General Contractor & Construction Project Manager to give us a realistic cost estimate and perspective on the house. Two thumbs up - which is great. But a challenge we face is that G doesn't have much vision to imagine what it will look like done - so I can't get a straight answer out fo him as to whether or not this is what he wants - or would he prefer to wait and find a finished house that either has a pool or we can put one into.

I know it's overwhelming but my concern is that he'll pass and then regret it - which can happen from time to time. But my other concern is that we also passed on the house we loved at one point because the owner was playing games, and while we hated that - we could potentially have wrapped this up already.

I'm thinking tomorrow's a new day and he'll have digested it and we can chat further; I think this house is a real possibility for us and that's pretty exciting.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.....

A day in the life of.....

Weekend wrapup...

1. Dear Martinelli '06 Bella Vigna Pinot Noir: Help me feel better about the very real possibility of having to move my kids to another town. Okay, so truthfully - while the wine is rocking delicious (and a bit sweeter than I'd normally prefer when it comes to a Pinot Noir, but I digress...) - it's actually making me ponder what my hang up really is. I mean, so long as I'm moving my kids to an equally good or better school system (in this case, it would be better and I love, love, love my school current school system), what is my issue? I mean, the kids are all friends online with XBOX Live, so staying in touch is certainly not a big deal. And it's not so far away that friends can't come and visit on weekends....it's not like when I was a kid. When you moved - it was the end of the world. And fortunately, it's not as if my children lack in social skills so as that they can't easily make friends. So really, why am I feeling as if my nails are being torn from my fingers when I think of moving out my current zip code? There is a house two towns over that looks spectacular on line - everything we're looking for in a house, plus it's a great school system - and so I think I really need to just get a grip. The kids aren't overly averse to the idea, so why the heck am I having such difficulty?

2. It's Father's Day weekend! And I have yet to send a gift to my Father. Oops.... Must get on that promptly.

3. It's Father's Day weekend....and the kids and I went and did our traditional gift of a photographic Tshirt. This will be G's 11th Tshirt, and it's amazing to see how the kids change each year. I swear, my kids will do this when they're in their 20s if I have my way! And it will be even more fun when they get older because when they have children, it will be "Grandfather" shrits (though truly, we won't be old enough to be grandparents, just sayin'...) with the kids on them. I love having traditions, they're so important to me - and so I hope that someday my kids appreciate the traditions that we have and continue them on in their own family. Even if it's something as small as a picture on a Tshirt....

4. And finally.... no matter what is going on in life, no matter whether the sun is shining outside or it's raining -- enjoy the ones you surround yourself with. Life is too short to be grumpy or angry. Let it go, and just love the life you have. Nothing lasts forever, and even if you're in a bad spot right now - it's only going to be temporary. Good times, bad times -- nothing stays static forever. So accept the here and now - and look toward the future. Embrace your health, and your wealth of personal value. And live life as loudly as you can! Hug and kiss the ones who mean the most to you....and have fun with whatever you do.

Easy come, easy go....this won't break my heart dontcha know...

And once again, the rollercoaster ride goes on...
And the house that we at one point loved - and had the home inspection this week - has fallen through. Again.

And interestingly enough....lots of interest in my house, with a potential offer maybe on the table. The only good thing to that is they are open to waiting until December so we can find a house since ours fell through. Seriously - will any of this ever synch??

I do believe it will....everything happens for a reason. I remember how frustrated I was with all of our "almost" opportunities with building a second store -and then suddenly, it all fell into place almost immediately after another opportunity had passed. And you know what - it was the perfect fit.

So, while we can't see it now...there is a house that we are perfect for - and is perfect for us, and it will show it's little head soon.

I'm sure of it.

Dare I say it aloud....

....but as I write this, I'm watching history potentially be made.
The Boston Bruins are up 3-0 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
STANLEY CUP.

Let me paint this picture for you. It's been since 1972 since the Bruins brought Lord Stanley home. And it's been painful ever since.

But let's keep this in perspective, shall we?
This isn't Red Sox Painful....that was excruciating.
Bruins lack of winning anything is more.... annoying.

My initial career goal was to be a sportscaster, specifically hockey play by play. I even used to be a seasons ticket holder (I wish I could remember the section in the Gahhden, but I forget. Balcony seats anyway...), and I gave up buying into my share of the tickets in 1996. Not only could I not afford them any longer -but my interest in the sport had waned. Too many changes in the league, overexpansion, lack of proper direction with the team from management....yada yada yada. So when I tell you it's been years since I've held any interest in hockey, I'm not exaggerating.

And tonight as I sit here watching potentially history - and something that as a kid I would've absolutely gone out of my mind over - I feel, well.... lukewarm about it all.

I'm happy for the organization, happy for Boston, and if they win - it will be fantastic.
But honestly, I'm more excited at the prospect of October baseball - and dear God let there be football.

Scary Mom Moment #453231

Well, really the number isn't that high.
But I'm sure it will be at some point!

Today, we came home to hear that my son was hit in the head with a basketball that was kicked, and hit him so hard that it knocked him down and he cried. Which, is rather unusual because he's 10 and doesn't often cry when he gets hurt. And you know he was hurt because he had a friend over - and he cried in front of him. Actually, it was his much bigger friend who kicked the ball and felt horrible that it happened....

So, this took place about 45 minutes before we got home. And my son just didn't look right; I asked how he was feeling and he said he felt nauseous. Then he told me that he thought he was going to throw up right after it happened, but fortunately he didn't. He also said that his eyes were a little blurry and he was still queasy. That was all I had to hear....

I took him to the clinic around the corner from our house (it's actually an ER extension from the local hospital, which is nice that it's so close for times like this. They have everything from PeTScans to CaTscans - to labs, etc...) I got really nervous when the triage nurse asked him questions and he was slow to answer them -and got a few wrong.

Then I felt like I was the one that was going to throw up.

But fortunately - there was no waiting on this, they saw him immediately and truth be told after about 15 minutes of us being there, before the doctor even walked in the room - he looked much better, and was talking much better, and I felt rather relieved. The doctor confirming that there didn't seem to be a concussion - though to still watch him, incase he starts vomiting - was so good to hear - and like I told him, I'd much rather be safe than sorry.

So instead of a few years being taken off my life, today it was only a few months.

Wow, feeling pretty darn stupid right about now....

Or blonde.

So, I always thought central vaccum was a system that you flipped a switch and somehow, all the dust in the house would be gone. And the funny thing is, anytime I said a house we looked at would have central vac, the response I'd get would be along the lines of "oh, that would be great - so much less dust!". That's what I thought too!

Clearly, I thought central vaccum was this magical thing that kept my house sterile.
Well....

I decided to look up on Google for some information on how it works - and saw a video that showed me that yes Rebecca, you still have to vacuum your house. I just don't have to carry the whole damn Kirby from room to room anymore....I can just carry the hose attachment.

Which is really very sweet.
But not quite so magical.....

Eight days a week...

Saturday:

Wake up. Start some laundry. (Note that it's "some" laundry. I avoid the dastardly deed. Only have two loads to do, but still....) Make coffee. Make the kids breakfast. Call the store to make sure it's open and staff is ready to go. Clean the house. Steam the floors. Argue with the kids to get ready. Oversee brushing teeth. Break up multiple fights. Call the store to check in. Go shopping for birthday party gifts. Break up more fighting. (Who knew that siblings argued so much?!?!) Make it out of the store without a meltdown over not buying anything for my little people. (They're not usually too bad, but every day is a different experience with Princess Petunia!). Attend a birthday party. Call the store to check in. Maybe go food shopping if it's not too late. Go home, put groceries away. Fold laundry. (UGH, most dreaded...) Make dinner. Keep the kids occupied and happy. Send them to bed.

Sunday:
Repeat most of Saturday, but skip laundry. Make sauce & meatballs for dinner later. Skip shopping for gift, it's already bought. Attend a second birthday party. Give kiddies baths/showers. Layout clothes for school. Re-review homework papers. Have dinner with family. Put kids to bed. Wonder if I'm ready for bed myself.

This is all a typical weekend for me. Although, it's actually less busy than usual, since there's no basketball or gymnastics this weekend. Usually we have something squeezed inbetween.

Note that there's no time for me. There is no shopping, running, yoga, hair appointments, nail appointments or spending time with friends -- or even grownup date night with G.

That's just the way it is...and truthfully, I don't mind. I'm going to have the rest of my life to have time for those things -- because the kids are small for such a short period of time. Someday they're going to be too busy with their friends and other activities that they won't need me hovering over them. So, I run and do yoga - and any other activity during the day when they're in school - or I'm at work. When I'm not at work -- I'm Mom. And that's just the way it is.

And you know what - I wouldn't want it any other way.

If you don't know me by now....

...you will never, ever, ever, ever know me.

So much to say -- so little time!

Or rather, no patience to take the time to say it all. That might be a more accurate statement.

1. We have a home inspection on Monday. So very exciting for the new house to be moving forward. I think the only real obstacle - and truly, not an obstacle, I don't think - is the appraisal. It's just that houses in this particular price range are a bit fewer and further between so it may be a challenge for pulling comps; but the house is definitely worth the price, comps aside - so I'm pretty hopeful that it won't be too much of an issue. And we will cross that road when we get to it....

2. I almost feel badly for Casey Anthony. Almost...but not quite. The defense is laughable, and truly - the evidence is mounting against her rather strongly. I don't see how she's going to get anything but murder in the 1st. I sort of get irritated when I see talk host types (such as Dr. Drew -- who, by the way is a sex/drug addict therapist -- does that mean we want to see him on late night CNN/Fox? This girl thinks not..,but I digress.) say that our fascination with this case is the "soap opera drama' that goes with it.

Listen up my friend - that's not the attraction or fascination with this case. It's the sheer disbelief and horror that a beautiful young girl could be killed and thrown away like trash by her mother, who -- as she is attractive, makes it that much more difficult for society to believe she would do that because, of course - attractive people do no wrong, right? It's complete horror and we don't want to believe it -and we're disgusted by the details but we can't stop watching because our hearts are broken by it. The atrocity of the crime and the callousness of the mother is just something that seems inhuman. We don't really want to watch it - but yet we are riveted at the same time. And thank God for that - otherwise little Caylee would be a nameless, faceless victim of child abuse. It's not soap opera, or drama - it's the humanity in us that makes us watch and continue to watch - and hope and pray that Casey Anthony gets the punishment that she deserves.

3. Feeling chunky. Okay, so maybe that's a bit exaggerated. It's only 7lbs but wow - I am feeling them. I'm probably the least in shape I've been in 6 years and I just can't get myself motivated to take the time to get back to running. I've had no opportunity to practice yoga - which I sorely miss, but I should be able to at least squeeze a run in! I am getting back into the groove on Monday, so this is my last week of indulgence. Starting Monday, it's back to running and shedding some of this extra blah....

4. And finally - a little something to make you laugh.
Because haven't we all known a Cooper, at some point? Or maybe - a dumbass??

Cautious optomism....

So, while I'm too tired at this moment to go into details -- it appears that the house we love, love, love is going to work out after all.

I have in my hot little hands -- a Purchase & Sale agreement.

No transplanting the kids to a new school system and new friends! We move literally around the corner from where we are now....a great neighborhood, (other kids in the area -- priceless!!!)fenced backyard, an inground pool -- and G is beyond excited about the big ol' pond in the backyard to go paddleboating or kayaking in. Plus, he can't wait to stake out a spot to put a koi pond in. Fun, right?

It's been a long road. And not exactly a smooth one.
But if all goes well, by the end of July it will be all over.

Momma's got a brand new bag....

Or pair of shoes....

So, it's been some time since I bought myself shoes. I really haven't been to DSW -- and we all know that it's been some time since the Angels have sung to me at the Wrentham city limit, so....today, on my way home I had a few extra minutes to spare and I ran into Marshalls where I scored two fun pairs of shoes.

Of course, I went in there to buy things that the kiddies needed....bathing suits, summer shorts, etc. And I bought them all that they needed, but...I was going to put these fun shoes back. I asked the woman at the register to give me the the subtotal of my order, and the Mother's guilt kicked in. I told her I was putting them back.

But the cashier, an older woman - gave me my total and said "honey, I've been there. Can you afford the shoes?" and I said "yes....I just feel silly buying such dressy shoes for myself, I don't go anywhere....". And she said, "buy them. Wear them out for dinner with your family. Wear them cleaning the house if you want. You shouldn't hesitate on something for yourself - even if it's a fancy pair of shoes if it won't make you miss a bill. Life is too short."

I took her advice.

So these fabulous shoes which go for far more than what I spent - are incredibly comfy and I am so wearing them this weekend to a graduation party we're attending. They are sexxxxxxy. Period.

Now these, while high - are much more practical as they are black, and strawlike wedges which makes them suitable for poolside, or with jeans -- or even a dress.

My heartfelt thanks go out to the lovely lady working the register.
She was right.

LOVE this fun little song....

Keep drinkin' coffee
Stare me down across the table
While I look outside

So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by

You've got opinions, man
We're all entitled to 'em
But I never asked

So let me thank you for time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Get out of here fast

I hate to break it to you babe
But I'm not drowning
There's no one here to save

Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best

But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
Ride off into your delusional sunset

I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction oh
But you won't ever see

You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You got the talkin' down just not the listening

And who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

All my life
I've tried
To make everybody happy while I
Just hurt
And hide
Waitin' for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide

Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

Who cares if you disagree
You are not me
Who made you king of anything
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died
And made you king of anything

Let me hold your crown, babe

Oh what a night....

So, I guess my post from yesterday was oddly timed.

Today, the western part of the state was ravaged with tornados.

Probably some of the worst tornados we've ever seen -- one of the stations estimated that one of the two that touched down, was on the ground for 30 minutes. Craziness....

We've got thunderstorms my way - though they aren't nearly as severe as storms we've had previously; at least not yet. But here are a few shots of the sky from my front yard before they started.

The calm before the storm, so to speak....