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.

Just call her Fiahanna....

Friday started off innocently enough.

I said to Princess Petunia on the phone as I was driving home... "I'm going to go get my nails done tonight, want to come with me - and you need a trim, we'll get your bangs done at the hair salon next door.".  She was excited for her "Girls Night" - because we go out, do fun things and typically get dinner before coming home.  It's fun, quality time for us.

When we're driving to the salon she says to me "I'm going to do more than trim my bangs.  I'm going to cut my hair short."  Me:  "Really?!?!"  Her:  Yup.  I want it like Rihanna's.  Really short."

I'm thinking she wants something like a long but severe bob.  Okay, I'm good with that.
But she starts looking at the magazines while we're waiting, and each of the pictures she picks are severe pixie cuts. 
Seriously?!!?
Seriously.

She's as serious as a heart attack.
I've got to be honest -- I tried really hard to talk her into less drastic styles.
She got really pissed off at me.  No two ways about it.

The stylist senses my concern, and takes it upon herself to not quite give her what she wants.  She gives her a much softer and adorable bob; and while it's shorter than I'd like - it's beyond adorable.  Princess Petunia is not happy.  Not even a little.  She basically tells the stylist that it's no where what she wants or asked for and practically storms out.

Am I embarrassed?  HELL yes I am.
But.....I can relate.
(How often have I been upset because I didn't get the cut I wanted...and maybe I didn't say so.
Good on her for speaking her mind, though rather uncouthly.)

So, I suggest she sleep on it.  See how she feels in the morning.  Try this on for size and if she still doesn't love it we'll go and get it cut tomorrow.  Sure enough, this morning, first thing she's like "this is cute and all, but nothing like I wanted.  I really wanted a fun, almost boyish cut.  Like Rihanna...".

What's a Mom to do????

Off we go, to yet another salon where we explain what she wants.  The stylist is hesitant - and that's an overstatement.  How many girls, or even women break down when a mere inch more than they realized is taken off???  And yet here is this soon to be 8 year old girl demanding a pixie cut.    The stylist takes a deep breath and announces the beginning of the cut. 

He's more than  half way done when Princess Petunia really sees herelf in the mirror and she announces "I love it!! It's exactly what I was looking for."  Boy, did he breathe a sigh of relief.  And I'm not going to lie - throughout the whole cut, I had incredible pangs of anxiety.  It's her hair - she wears it how she wants, but oh my....is it short. 

And yet it fits her personality; it's sassy and fun.  It's spunky.  It's perfect for her impish personality.  And she LOVES it.  I think my big anxiety is that I worry that the girls in school might tease her for the big change; but her attitude has been "don't blame me for the cut, blame Rhianna - it was her idea!".  I love that she's comfortable in her own skin, it's one of the most important things that we as parents hope for our children; and I love her to the moon and back that she has it.

It is an absolutely adorable cut on her.  And this is exactly what it looks like!

Bibbity Bobbity Boo....

Nature vs. Nurture?

What would you do for a Klondike bar...?

Eenie Meenie Miney Mo...
Catch a tiger by it's toe.
If it hollers let it go.
Out goes Y O U.

To be or not to be...that is the question.
What is the answer?

Stifle, Suppress or Curb?

Georgie Porgie Puddin' and Pie
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
(Who names their kid "pudding and pie"?)

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

Whereever you go....there you are.

Who let the dogs out.....??

I just don't get it.

Everywhere we've lived, we've always had a neighbor who just refuses to bring their dogs in.  And I wouldn't mind, but the dogs bark...and bark...and bark....and bark.

And it's night time.

Sometimes, upwards of midnight this happens.  In our old neighborhood, it was our neighbor across the street -- we also had a neighbor behind us that would do it occasionally as well.  Once we actually had to call the police because it was 2am and the poor dog was crying so loudly and woefully - and we had fisher cat in the area so we were also genuinely concerned for it's safety.  Of course, getting a good night sleep was truly the catalyst of the call.

Now in this neighborhood, it's our neighbor two houses down.  I wouldn't mind - but they have two large dogs, with large barks.  And they bark incessantly...... why don't they just bring them in?

Might I add, that we live with the town forest behind us, which means we have predators in our backyard.  Hello, don't they care that coyote might prey upon their pups??

It's only 8:10 but it's been going on for an hour now, dear God - bring the dogs in!!

School's out for summer... (almost)

It's funny; when I was little, summer vacation was just that.  Summer.  And vacation from school.
There was no summer camp, family trips, or anything unusual.
It meant all day long bike riding. playing with my friends and if it was really warm - trips to the MDC pool.

My kids have no idea how fortunate they are.
Baseball camps, theatre camp, and cheerleading are on the agenda along with endless swimming in the pool (which is going to be open in just one week, might I add!).  I'd have killed to have had a sleepover at a friend's house, let alone spending the day someplace learning something fun, or practicing something exciting.

It's amazing how much we try to give to our kids, based upon what we didn't get to do.
It makes me wonder what they'll be wanting to do for their own kids someday.

“It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal the neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.”

I love reading the Sunday paper.  It's my once a week indulgence, when the house is quiet and the kids are still sleeping; I make a cup of coffee and sit at my kitchen table with the birds chirping and read.

I love the paper for the same reason that I love the book store.  I love the touch and feel of the paper...the smell of the print.  When you have the newspaper in front of you, you may will read stories that you may tend to skip or just scan online. 

The same goes for reading a book...you more often than not scan online pages than read them.  We're not programmed to read online, the internet is more often a tool for scanning information, rather than getting lost in it.

The beauty of the print paper too is the mere journalism that goes into it.  And journalism should not be a dying art -- blogging and new media should not be the casual way of receiving news of an authorative or even interesting manner.  There is a time and place for everything and yes, I love blogs and bloggers and casual sites - but English is an art, and for those who don't appreciate it - for you I am sorry.  While some may argue that newspapers going online does not kill journalism, unfortunately I think it does.  Good, even possibly brilliant writing may go unseen - lost amongs the skimming of casual interest.  Not to even point out that as a result, organizations don't feel that they have to necessarily hire skilled writers, and that impacts the workforce nationally, and on a more personal scale - locally.

So I do my part, and I read my paper every Sunday.  And I hope you do the same!
And if you choose to surf the Wall Street Journal, NY Post or other publication elsewhere from where you live, that's okay too!  But just be sure to occasionally indulge in a good ol' fashioned sensory experience of flipping pages, and folding papers.

It's a bird, it's a plane...it's the Novovirus - aka, the Supermodel Diet

So Monday I was hit with the stomach bug, or otherwise known as NovoVirus.
And it wasn't fun kids.  It wasn't fun.
The only time I pretty much cry for my mother, is when I'm embracing the porcelain goddess.

The truth of the matter is, the yukky stuff didn't last all that long....it was the achiness, the fever and the lethargy.  I have never, ever spent the day in bed sleeping.  I could not keep my eyes open and truly, from my nose to my toes - I ached.

The good news is -- it lasted approximately 24 hours and then I was done.

Dehydration can be a girls best friend.  It makes you feel lighter, brighter, and ready to get back into gear.

I got my first pedicure of the season when G and I went to Foxwoods this past weekend for the Fray concert (pictures to follow in the next blog post!) so that means it's time to hit the mat.  (Truly, you can't go to yoga with ugly toes.  That is just disgusting....).  And mixing it into the routine is going to be Barre Yoga.  A pretty interesting concept of ballet meets pilates meets weights meets yoga.  I go to my first class tomorrow and I can't wait.

Yesterday was the most perfect day of the week.  Yes, I know that Monday was amazing but listen it was hell for me and I don't mean the temperature.  But yesterday.....we took the kiddies to our favorite beach where they got to swim and play, and then we went to our favorite beach side bistro for a light dinner.  It was a gorgeous day to be in the sun and watch it set and just relax.

Who could ask for anything more?

I feel pretty, oh so pretty...oh so pretty and witty and wise....

Or, not so much.
Lately I feel like I'm very....blah. 

Since cutting my hair, it's so inbetween - I don't feel like I look like me.

I have been watching the "Housewives" and I see how they're always so dolled up to the nines - always.  Sometimes I wish I was that "pretty girl".  I mean, I'm all about the "fou fou" and pretty things, but when it comes to my appearance, I've always been more of a minimalist.

I prefer less makeup, and maintenance free hair.  While it sometimes would look like I spent time on it, truly my hair has always been a style that takes minutes.  And as far as cosmetics, as much as I love going into Sephora, I'm truly all about lip gloss, mascara and a good blush.  That's it.

Style?  My style is workout gear.  And when I'm not working, it's simple and classic.  I like timeless and clean lines though sometimes I wish I could shake it up a bit.   Good pants or jeans, a simple shirt and a fun scarf -- that's my style. 

I see these girls who clearly spend lots of time applying make up, doing their hair, dressed to the nines and I sometimes feel as if I just fall short.

I wish that I was the the girl who was dolled up all the time....but it just wouldn't feel right.
But lately, I don't feel right being me either.

Rock, paper, scissors - shoot!

I haven't had a set of good steak knives in years.
Literally, probably 10 years.

When we moved, my MIL gave us dishes that unfortunately - weren't complete sets when she bought them, unbeknownst to her; so we returned them, and instead bought really good cutlery knives.

What was I thinking all these years???
They're amazing!

And, I even have an electric carving knife, which truly makes life so much easier.  I used to manually carve my turkeys with my horribly bad dull knife that probably was a bread knife.  I mean it tasted good but ugh, what a mess.

I feel like a flipping rock star when I carve my meats and turkey now.

It's funny how the little things can sometimes make the most difference!