Always Have Ice Cream in the Freezer

I don't think this is learned, but rather stored knowledge in our genes!

Always have ice cream stocked in your freezer! Chocolate syrup, sprinkles, bananas, cones are great to have on hand too, but not necessary! Whipped cream, well, let say if you have cats, it is a must!

Doesn't matter what flavor...whatever is your favorite. I love strawberry, real vanilla, chocolate with brownies, strawberry cheesecake, peppermint candy cane around Christmas, Pina Colada in the summer! Mmmmm!

When I was little, my Uncle owned an ice cream parlor. The old kind with the long luncheonette counters with the stools that spun around, booths in the back and tiled floors! He made the best homemade ice cream you could ever have! My Mom would pile my sister and me into the car & make a special trip into Queens Village just for his ice cream! My favorite was walnut ice cream with real pieces of walnut in it! Hot summer nights and walnut ice cream ... what more could I ask for!

When is ice cream ever a bad idea? When you're happy, it makes you happier; soothes when you are sad; great for snack time; comforts a broken heart; makes little kids happy (big kids too); creates memorable moments between 2 people sharing a pint; a must for every birthday party; and kitty cats like it too!

My cat knows when it is ice cream time at night before I even reach the freezer! Once I actually get the container out...well, you would think I haven't fed her in a week! She knows she gets a little spoonful with some whipped cream (on a separate plate of course)! That is her midnight snack! Help me if I don't give her any... I won't get a moment of peace! I guess cats know what's good too!

So, at 3 o'clock in the morning, what do you think I am doing while I write this?!!!!

look...you can get strawberries stuffed with ice cream...how cool is that!!!

"Time sure moves slowly when you're waiting for something!"

This is what my 12 yr old son announced to me yesterday after checking the mailbox for the 4th time to see if his new school schedule came!

The poor kid has been waiting so patiently. All his friends got their schedules last week, but since we moved (again), we missed the mailing out of schedules & change of address by a couple of hours!

Well, it finally came today! He is starting middle school with new teachers and lots of classes...and the same school his sister just graduated from! I have to say, my daughter was well-known there. Not for anything bad, she just has this presence that people seem to gravitate towards. It is something I in awe over & have always admired about her. I remember having to go to the school on her 2nd day to drop some papers off and people already knew her by name!

My son and I are more quiet. It takes awhile to come out of our shell & make our presence known!

Of course, my daughter has to look over his shoulder as he is reading his schedule!

"Oh, I had her and he was my gym teacher and I know her....."

The only thing my son kept asking was "Are they nice?"

I had to laugh. I told him that anytime a teacher asked if he has an older sister, he should deny it!

He thought about this awhile and the next time my daughter annouced that she knew his teacher, he started to ask

"Is she nice.....wait, did she LIKE YOU?!"

Younger brother playing it safe under older sister's legacy!!!

"I'm not talking to the bushes!:

This is how I greeted my neighbors this morning!

Sandy (our black & white cat) managed to sneak out the door while I was bringing out the garbage this morning & heads straight for the bushes where I can't reach her. Here I am having just rolled out of bed, hair up, no make up, no coffee, standing in front of the bushes calling for her to come out! Perfect time for the neighbors to walk by!

Between the cats and the kids, I'm losing my mind!

Happy Easter

Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter!

This might just be the best quote of the year!

"I know more than you. I just can't remember it right now!"

As said by my (older) daughter to her younger brother after listening to him spew facts for half an hour! Needless to say, we were all doubled over with laughter!

Cinderella is Dead!

"Cinderella is dead" my girlfriend told me. I had to laugh, but she is right.

My generation grew up reading Cinderella where the Prince finds her and carries Cinderella off to his castle. How romantic!

How far from the truth!!! I remember reading this story to my daughter when she was little. As I neared the end, I did a bit of editing. After the Prince rides off with Cinderella, I explained to my daughter, she gets to the castle where she has to clean, make dinner, raise kids & get a job to make her own money! My daughter was very disappointed to find out that happily ever after includes all of this!

I grew up with the Cinderella fairytale ending. After all, my Mom stayed at home and took care of my sister & me, cleaned & cooked dinner (from scratch!). My Dad went to work every day, came home, ate the dinner my Mom cooked & took the role of handyman on the weekends.

End of story.

Well, except that women my age only wanted to stay home if they wanted to, wanted to have a career & wanted someone at their side who thought of them as equal (equal in housework too)! The only problem was we weren't quite sure how to work all of that out and the men in our lives certainly were not used to this equality stuff!

My friend & I talked more about how this affects our self esteem, our expectations & our choices in life. Neither of us expected our lives to turn out the way they have so far. I think if we had known ahead of time all the painful emotions we would face, we wouldn't want to do it.

We both just want someone by our side who is supportive. We would like to be encouraged, believed in. I told her that I have so many things I want to do, but for some reason I can't seem to get past the first few steps to what I really want.

Her answer...."I know why. You want someone by your side."

She is right. I grew up believing that you go to school, get married, have kids. There was no talk of divorce or things not working out.

I guess I still have that belief ingrained into my mind. The only problem was that it didn't turn out that way. Now what do I do?

Now that I still believed this while I was married to my exhusband. My Mom's advice was that someone always has to give in and I guess she believed that it was supposed to be the woman. The only problem was that I should have left that relationship a long time ago, only I believed my (ex)Prince would love & stay with me forever.

Do I still want my "knight in shining armour" to sweep me off my feet? Sure I do. I just know that I have to build my own castle first & then maybe, hopefully, meet a prince who does housework!

p.s. - if anyone has seen my Fairy Godmother, tell her I need her help! NOW!

How to Kill a Bug

How to kill a bug...as experienced by my son!

Any sentence that starts with Ahhhhhhh always catches my attention!

1. Scream AHHHHHHH, a bug, a bug and run for the fly swatter.

2. Swat said fly with swatter making sure there are plenty of sound effects..."Wham, wham, wham! Die bug die!"

(This is the point where my daughter & I were rolling on the floor hysterical laughing!)

3. Scream AHHHHHH again!

4. Make sure you hit "the bug" more while yelling "die, die, die!"

5. After killing bug, make sure you let your mom know just how BIG it was!

6. Do not pick bug up and throw away so as to make Mom ask "where is it now?"

7. Announce quite happily "on my sister's Jonas Brother's poster!"

8. Put one big smile on face before running from upset sister!!!

Dinner conversations with my kids!

Dinner time always seems to bring about the best conversations with my kids including the past few nights!

Last night, I learned how an 11 year old boy's mind works. We were talking about setting the alarm clock for the morning. My daughter is the first up and first to leave for school. My son gets up an hour earlier than he has too which we don't understand!

"Yeah, why do you get up so early? You don't have to go to school as early as I do!" she asked her brother.

"I don't know." he answered (which really means I get up early so that I can stagger into the kitchen first thing and have breakfast, get dressed, have an hour of peace on the computer without my sister trying to kick me off, play with the cat & finally watch my favorite cartoon all before going to school)!

"What time is your alarm set for?" I asked him.

"6:52" was his answer.

Now my daughter & I start to tease him and question how he came about this exact time. "6:52? Why not 6:51 or 6:53?"

I swear this was his answer.....

"If I set my alarm to 6:53, I'm afraid it's "2" late & I'm going to oversleep. If I set it to 6:51, that's "2" early. 6:52 seems "2" be the right time "2" get up!"

-------------------------------

Tonight I was lighting the small candle I keep on our table tonight & noticed my daughter's moon sand right next to the flame (moon sand is the newest kid fad & is basically sand that can be molded into shapes like playdough, but turns back to sand again).

"I wonder if moon sand explodes?!" I teasingly said out loud to my daughter. My way of asking her to put it away!

"What? No!" she answered.

"Let's try!"

"No!"

"Well, someone has to be the first to experiment with it and find out!"

"Experiment to learn! Experiment to learn!" my son chimes in (something seems to have sunk in at school!).

"No, no, no! I waited a whole year to get my own moon sand! I'm not exploding it!" she tells him.

His answer.........

"Sacrifice! Sacrifice! Sacrifice!"

Little brothers!

Coffee Explodes!

By the way, did you know that coffee will explode when placing half a cup of coffee in the microwave and heating it up for the same amount of time as a full cup of coffee?

I do now!

Words to Ponder

I came across this quote last night while watching the movie "The Lake House.

It really made me stop and think. Who would I ask? What kinds of answers would I get? More importantly, I think it's a way to connect with the people you care about.

My answer, if I were asked this question, would probably be to be hugged.

I Know Who The Sock Monster Is!

My cat is obsessed with the washing machine! Need I say more?!!!

Carpet Sliders & Sleepovers

This year I gave each of my kids a pair of "carpet sliders" for Christmas (given their past bumps & broken bones, what was I thinking?!). I also made them promise that they are not allowed to break any bones & no trips to the emergence room! I can already hear you saying "oh no"!

They have become addicted to them...along with their friends! So now, not only do I have my 2 kids sliding up and down the hallway crashing into whatever lies in their way, I have their friends sliding up & down my hallway!

I have to admit, it is fun to watch them sliding after each other, hearing a big "CRASH" & lots of giggles! They have become so imaginative with the games they come up with! There is slide down the hall as fast as you can and crash into the toy bin; take the cat for a ride (cat isn't into sliding as much!); slide into first base...anything that lets them crash at the end! Last night, my daughter's friend slept over & had so much fun with the sliders. Every time there was a commercial or break in between what they were doing, she would yell "let's slide"! I forgot to check if she took them off when they went to bed! This morning I wake up to hear them already sliding & giggling!

I have to admit, it does look fun, but that little voice inside me is warning "you are still recovering from back surgery, do you want to break it again?!"

Oh well, I'll figure out a way to try them. Hmmm, maybe if I sit on them and have the kids pull me around.........CRASH!

I found this blog thingy over on http://vicariousrising.typepad.com/vicarious_rising and my word is probably pretty accurate as to the state of my mind right now.

Your Word is "Why"

You see life as complicated and intriguing. The only thing you know for sure is that you haven't figured it all out yet. You question everything and believe very little. And whatever you believe is likely to change. You are interested in theories, philosophies, and religions... even if you don't buy into any of them. You are also fascinated by how things work. You'd like to understand as much in the world as possible.

What's" Your Word?

I always wonder who comes up with this little quizes and how do they figure out the right answers? Do my answers really reflect who I am or what is going on in my life right now?

I just realized that my "word" is a pretty good indicator of my mindset right now! LOL...see the excerpt "You question everything & believe very little."

Hmmm, maybe if I take enough of these quizes, I will find all the answers to my questions!!!

A Little Boy Doing Some Good

My son & I had the privilege of meeting a little 7 year old boy, Christopher Cusack, who has been collecting gently used coats for people who need them. The full story is here:

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090102/NEWS/901020342/0/CRIME

"Christopher's coat collection initially began in December 2007 when he was walking to the bus stop with his coat open and after his mother asked him to zip it closed. When Christopher questioned his mother, she told him that not every child around the world was as fortunate as him to have a coat. Since then, Christopher has donated his own used coats to charity and collects coats from others at his school."

Not only has Christopher come up with this incredibly compassionate idea, he has also helped sort and give the coats out. I asked he how it felt to give someone a coat & his answer was "it makes me happy." Not only did he reach his goal, but he has surpassed it & plans to continue collecting the coats.

How many of us as adults have said we wanted to do something to help others and then let our idea fall by the wayside. I know I have. Sure, I help here & there, but this child actually did it without wanting anything back. A child. Not only is he helping people who really need it, but he is also providing the opportunity for everyone else help.

A child.

Gives me a lot to think about.

Inquiring Minds

Now for the really inquiring minds ... I got this from Monica (http://monicasmindlessmutterings.blogspot.com/) who got this from Linda (Linda’s World) who got this fromTraci (My Like As A Transplanted Yankee)!

The object is to boldface the items that you HAVE done, and leave the rest normal…. If you end up doing it, leave a link so we can come check out what YOU have done. After all this inquiring mind wants to know! (mine are in purple & bold).

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars (many times)
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (no way, no how!)
12. Visited Paris (a dream of mine)
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (an incredible sight!)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (do kittens count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (on my to do list)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (shhh, don't tell!)
24. Built a snow fort (ah, memories)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (yes & love it!)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (a dream)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (my daughter yes, me...in my dreams!)
32. Been on a cruise (on my to do list)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (Key word ... HAD)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person (on my to do list)
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (how I would love to!)
41. Sung karaoke (maybe I'd have the nerve after a couple of drinks...ok, more than a couple of drinks!)
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant (what a nice thought...put on to do list)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing (on my to do list)
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (another how I would love to)
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (can only dream)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater (does this show how old I am?)
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class (always wanted to)
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (on to do list)
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma (can't due to meds I take)
65. Gone sky diving (never, no way, not me!)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (oops)
68. Flown in a helicopter (& would love to do that again!)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (still have my teddy bear from when I was a child)
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (yuck!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (best memories)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (does a brand new used car count?)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

My Kids Are Crazy!

My daughter, always the artist (I'll have to get back to her history of drawing all over everything another time!), loves to make icons!

She was so excited the other day to show me her newest one...

"Mommy, want to see what I made?!" she asked (any parent will innocently fall for that line, thinking that their child drew a lovely picture forgetting that there are times when this should be seen as a warning!).

"Sure" I answered as I watch her icon flash across the screen.

Heart, Peace Sign, Peace & Love............HOLD IT!

"What was that?!" I exclaimed! "Go back and show me the icon again!"

Heart, Peace Sign, Marijuana leaves in the shape of a peace sign....!!!!!

"Do you know what that peace sign is made of?" I ask my daughter.

"Yeah, leaves." was her answer.

"Those are marijuana leaves! You cannot use them for your icon!" I answered.

"I didn't know! How do you tell the difference?!" she answered.

I'm not sure if I should be glad that she is innocent enough not to know what marijuana looks like or worried that she should be street smarter by now!

Groan.................

Two Wolves

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

Hot Tea & Toast equals Warm Memories

I haven't made toast for myself in a long time and I'm wondering why now. I've always considered it a comfort food...warm bread, melting butter, thin layer of my favorite jam or jelly.

This morning's meal reminded me of breakfasts long ago at my Oma & Opa's house. Such clear memories, warm memories. Their kitchen always smelled of a combination of tea and my Opa's tobacco smoke. The wallpaper had cherries on an off white background, the counters green and the chairs red. The clock above the door was always set ahead (my Opa's doing because my Oma was always running late) and the back window looked out over their small yard and my Oma's rose garden.

Breakfast was always the same: hot tea, toast, sweet butter, current jelly or strawberry jam and a soft boiled egg served in an eggcup for my Opa. Once in awhile, my Opa would walk down the hill to the corner bakery and buy warm, homemade jelly donuts, the kind that were coated with sugar and filled with raspberry jelly! I would squeeze in my seat, butter my toast and watch my grandparents' morning ritual. There was an order to it and never rushed.

My memories of eating breakfast there are sort of a comfort food. A comfort of a time when there was a ritual I could always count on being there, a warm belly, comforting smells and being loved in their own special way.

There is a Lifeboat in My Living Room!!!

It all starts innocently enough!

Mom....Can we go sleighing!

Mrs. M, can I borrow the air pump to put some more air in my snow tube?

Reasonably safe I think until I walk into my living room to find this huge yellow life boat, I mean "sleigh", that can hold about 50 kids!

I find myself laughing as I can only see 6 legs holding it up and wondering how they are going to get it out my front door! As kids only can, they do and march off happily to sleigh down the hill covered only with about 1 inch of snow!