That's the prompt for this week's writing. Simple. Not so simple. Nothing is ever as simple as you think it will be. What should be simple is simply not; there are unforeseen twists everywhere. What could be simple is often complicated by what, in hindsight, turns out to be something equally simple.
Watching the girls grow could be simple but there are parental responsiblities that obscure the simplicity of life. Mundane tasks that hinder the sheer joy of merely watching the girls at play. I can postpone only so much dailiness before life starts piling up like a laundry list of to-do's. And all my plans for simple fly out the window. And then the day is over. Start all over again the next. Where did my simple go? Oh yeah, out the window.
Remember when life was simple. When the most pressing issue one faced was "What outfit should I wear today?" or "Does that boy like me?" "I don't know; ask him." "No, you ask him." "No, you want to know, you ask." Or even more simply, remember a time when one didn't have any "issues", when one's choices & decisions were made by a mom or a dad. Things like "Mom, I saw a bee moving & it is in a house" were a big deal. Simple like a four year old preschool girl. Simple like only 10 channels on t.v. to choose from. Simple like the same t.v. channels go off-air @ midnight with a recording of "The Star Spangled Banner" playing behind a picture or video capture of a waving flag, on screen snow until 6 a.m. Simple like when? 1983? 1975? 1964? 1950? "Those were the 'good old days'". Right. Everything, everything is complicated somehow.
My life is not simple. It is convoluted. Makes for interesting discussion -heated even. Drama in every shadow. Not simple. Simple might be boring. But ya know what? Drama gets old too. I yearn for simple. Easy & simple. Heck, I'll even forego easy. Give me a "SIMPLE" button.
28 May 2007
a theme song for friends
she's got cojones
Our neighbors directly to the back of us have taken to trimming shrubbery & trees in their yard and, instead of putting bundled branches to the curb to picked up on a Friday, have created this huge mound of woody waste in the corner nearest our fence. I have stated on many an occasion that as this non-composting pile grows, it will become inhabited by our neighborhood fox. So tonight the girls & I were out back potting some flowers. Cody was lazing nearby. The cat was on the prowl. Suddenly we hear a commotion in the neighbor's yard & see the fox! running out of the psuedo woodland. And our cat! right on it's heels. No kidding! She chased the thing all the way around the tree -like a Tom & Jerry cartoon. There was a very brief standoff, the cat started on the offensive again and then the fox! ran away. It was a sight to see. Cody could barely contain herself; first the thunder to freak her out, then the fox! to send her into a frenzy. I wish I'd had my camera, except it was dusk, so too dark for a good pic. But if I could record images instantly with my eyes to be downloaded here for you, reader, ah that would be keen. As Maddie used to say when she wanted to remember something visual: "I'm taking a picture with my camera eyes." Seems the practice battles Cat puts Cody through are useful afterall. And here I was always concerned that the fox! would eat our cat!
27 May 2007
flashback of the week
or, what is my strange fascination w/ Henry.
saw Metallica's "One" vid last night & wanted to post that. What a great vid. I was reminiscing about watching the movie from which they borrowed clips -Johnny Got His Gun- at our apt in Sharpsburg w/ Chris & Denise. (& maybe others, like Sam or Johnny). And how we saw Metallica 4 times on that tour. Driving in a blinding snowstorm out of Syracuse. Stopping at a truck stop in Wilkes-Barre & all the strange locals, like out of "Deliverence", who all stopped talking & cranked their heads around to watch us when we walked in. My brother going to one show & standing on a seat but falling down. hard. Being approached by some kids in the Richfield Coliseum parking lot who were clearly wasted out of their minds on who knows what drugs. Meeting the band. etc etc. Those were good times.
But instead I found this. Which also brings back good memories. Here's a guy I'd like to sit down with over coffee & pick pick pick his brain.
saw Metallica's "One" vid last night & wanted to post that. What a great vid. I was reminiscing about watching the movie from which they borrowed clips -Johnny Got His Gun- at our apt in Sharpsburg w/ Chris & Denise. (& maybe others, like Sam or Johnny). And how we saw Metallica 4 times on that tour. Driving in a blinding snowstorm out of Syracuse. Stopping at a truck stop in Wilkes-Barre & all the strange locals, like out of "Deliverence", who all stopped talking & cranked their heads around to watch us when we walked in. My brother going to one show & standing on a seat but falling down. hard. Being approached by some kids in the Richfield Coliseum parking lot who were clearly wasted out of their minds on who knows what drugs. Meeting the band. etc etc. Those were good times.
But instead I found this. Which also brings back good memories. Here's a guy I'd like to sit down with over coffee & pick pick pick his brain.
25 May 2007
think you've got what it takes?
Look who's in the lead...& it's no wonder. I should have made harder questions for people who've known me for 26+ years!
QuizYourFriends - Scoreboard
QuizYourFriends - Scoreboard
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more bubble fun in the sun
daredevil trying to get better bubble catching leverage
waiting for the bubbles to flow right into their mouths, no work involved
not for the squeamish
look what I found, mom
a "snake"
for all the bitching I do about the smog, today is purdy nice
can you tell these girls have never had soap in the mouth as a punishment?
23 May 2007
my twisted sense of humor
Okay, maybe you've listened to the podcasts, maybe you've restrained yourself from checking out the podcasts I like to promote. If it's the latter, what is the problem here? I mean, I like to think that my taste in aural entertainment is slightly above average. That being said, you really should listen to Smodcast #10. Albeit I may have been a bit on the sleep deprived side b/c it was onwards of 2am when I turned it on. But OMG! It was so fcuking funny!!! Literally, I had tears running down my face b/c I couldn't stop laughing. And no, I wasn't high. (duh! That doesn't happen in my household.) You don't have to be to appreciate the freaking low-brow, intellectually stimulating (is that an oxymoron or what?) humor that these two hit on in this episode. I end up laughing at some point during every episode but this one in particular was the best so far. 9 was good too. But 10 was the one that made me worry that G or one of the girls would come downstairs to check if I was alright &/or to yell at me that I was being too loud & could I shut up with the guffaws coming from the t.v. room. Yeah, I was having fun. Alone. With my ipod for company. Go figure. And go listen :P
22 May 2007
saving the day
I told Fi that she saved the day & Lib overheard me: "pie-ter-man saves the day too 'cuz he's a super hero. I'm pie-ter-man." (& it's 3 separate syllables each individually accented: pie. ter. man. Um, 'man' being pronounced in true CO fashion: me-yan). When she was getting dressed: "pie-ter-man wears a dress. I'm pie-ter-man." and then "Pie-ter-man lives wif he's mommy." In the car: "Pie-ter-man let's he's mommy put on he's seatbelt."
She's also started saying "me free" when I ask "who wants to...." & the other girls say "me" & "me too". I said "me three" today & Lib defiantly tells me "you aren't free. I am free".
She's also started saying "me free" when I ask "who wants to...." & the other girls say "me" & "me too". I said "me three" today & Lib defiantly tells me "you aren't free. I am free".
21 May 2007
Fi Fi saves the day
This morning I was making my bed & I hit my elbow really really hard on my dresser. I'm talking, doubled over in pain hard. I bent over & laid my head on the bed to gather my composure & get on with the morning, drive Mad to school, etc. Next thing I know, I hear Fi saying "Mommy, are you alright? Do you need someone to help you?" I had totally fainted & fallen onto the floor. Lucky to not have hit my head or anything else as I found myself in the small 18in space b/t the foot of the bed & the dresser. And feeling very fortunate that the comforter was on the floor at the time to break my fall. Fi went downstairs & yelled out the front door for Uncle V whose car was parked out front overnight. Not finding him she continued downstairs to find Maddie. By this time I was fully conscious & walking downstairs myself. Fi told Mad that I had a bad dream about monsters & fell out of bed. She must have heard me fall & then come in to check on me. I couldn't have been out for more than a minute or so but the bizarre thing was that I was sent straight off into a dream state & -not that I remember them- was cognizant of the fact that I was dreaming & I could hear myself breathing heavily. Whew. What a way to start the day! And my elbow hurts like a bugger.
20 May 2007
etc
protesting most of the way "I hate hiking; I don't want to be here" until she remembers I have a camera & "quick, take my picture" lightens the mood.
Fi discovered that waitstaff carry trays on one hand; she had to give it a try
sibs having a laugh over happy hour sushi
check out the mecca to NCAA football. When Fi & Lib first saw it up close (Snick's dorm was across the street) they exclaimed "wow! look at that castle!" hahaha
Fi discovered that waitstaff carry trays on one hand; she had to give it a try
sibs having a laugh over happy hour sushi
check out the mecca to NCAA football. When Fi & Lib first saw it up close (Snick's dorm was across the street) they exclaimed "wow! look at that castle!" hahaha
more to 19 May
one smiles pretty for the camera even though she doesn't care for hiking; the other whispers "geez, do I have to be here?"
my favorite part of the hike up to the 1st Flatiron. Doesn't it look like a giant just put some rocks down for his landscaping?
Yesterday we went to Boulder to take Snick her bed, see her new apt., and go for a hike @ Chautauqua. Also it was our good friend V's bday. Don't forget I had that Lisa Gerrard show in the evening. Snick's apartment is just fine for a first time away from home/dorm room abode. They're right off the bus line and right on the bike path. Campus is just across the street. They have a pool too, the lucky dogs!
The hike was mahvelous despite the late start & despite Madster's usual drama & newfound "dislike" of hiking. I have to say, the last time I went to Chautauqua was probably 5 years ago. We didn't get to the top, but we did get fairly high up. Fi hiked the whole way up w/ no complaints. I'd say she had a great time. Lib rode up in the pack on my back & enjoyed the view with a "ooooh" or "wow" or "mom be careful" quietly spoken in my ear every once in a while.
I have to say, it was one of the most enjoyable days I've experienced in a long time. Like, one of the best in 5 years. Right up there with the trip to London or Paris or back home for Denise's wedding.
And what's wrong with that, you ask? Nothing except it was a reminder to me of how much I really miss living in Boulder. I never wanted to live in Denver. I say that all the time, but I've never really been able to explain it. Tonight I remembered a time -10 years ago- when I had some friends who moved from Clarion to Denver. We had all made a Spring Break trip to Boulder the year before. I could not for the life of me understand why they would want to move to Denver & not Boulder. I mean, why move to Denver when you could move to PGH & have the same type of life. The two cities aren't that much different really. In fact, one could move to anycity USA & have pretty much the same experience. But Boulder. Now that's a different song altogether. Hmmm, not only a different song, an entirely different genre.
Until now I've pretty much lived wherever I've wanted. Actually, I've never lived somewhere I DIDN'T want to be. Until now. So tonight I remembered this curiousity from 10 years ago & consider what my life was like 5 years ago b4 I moved to Denver. UGH! I hate living in the city! And I don't know if moving to a smaller city/town would be the answer. I just really really really miss living in Boulder. You know those quizzes that ask "if you could change one thing in your past, what would it be?" and you know so many people say "nothing; I wouldn't change a thing b/c to change one thing would be to change everything" or some such b.s. I'm here to tell ya that I WOULD indeed change just one thing & that would be to never have moved from Boulder (or at the least, Boulder County). It would change a few things presently, sure, but only for the better.
I miss living minutes from the mountains. I miss being able to walk or bike to the mountains. I miss the schools. I miss being around like-minded folks. I miss being able to walk or bike anywhere or everywhere I need to be. I miss the Creek. I miss the bike path along the creek (Cherry Creek just doesn't compare). I miss Pearl St. mall. I miss trail running up Chautauqua. I miss the hippie atmosphere -albeit there is far too little of it left. I miss drum circles. I miss hearing the hourly bells @ Mackey. I miss recycling everything -not just ones & twos & newspaper. I miss the culture, the arts, the academia, the food, the sound of Boulder Creek in the evenings, the politics. They say you can never go home again. But why? Why can't I go back? I don't want to go "back" so to speak b/c I wouldn't want to go back in time. But I don't enjoy living in Denver. It's merely an existence, see, and one that is not what I want for my life or for my kids. Life is too short to be miserable. But how do I exchange what I have now for what I really want? Get over it? Deal with it? Enjoy the life I have now? Be grateful for what I've got? I suppose. And I am grateful. But how do I get used to a life that is less than what I know life could be? I mean, once you've eaten brie on a daily basis, how do you go back to eating cheesefood? Don't like that analogy? How 'bout this one: After driving a porche for 5 years, how do you go back to driving a ford?
ethereal
is the word that went through my mind over & over last night as I sat front row center @ the Boulder Theatre listening to this unique & beautiful voice. Angelic Lisa Gerrard literally can use her voice as an instrument unlike any other performer I have ever heard. I went with my bro & two friends b/c, really, who else would I go with to this show? Indeed when I first moved to Boulder ELEVEN years ago, this was the first show I saw. Well, it was Dead Can Dance, but Lisa was the female vocalist. She has this incredible stage presence -a very little bit of diva, yet very sweet & soft spoken. She's so incredibly blessed. The beauty that emmanates from her throat is indescribable. Do yourself a favor & get to this woman's show, if & when you can. She doesn't do big tours but you'll be glad you did the research to find her anywhere within (at least) 100 mile radius. I'm talking this is as high as one can possibly get without drugs or alcohol kind of near religious experience. Incredible. I wanted to bring her home with me & have her serenade me in the car, to sing lullabies to my kids at night. I wondered if I might have been levitating above my seat. I had chills up my spine & down my arms & my scalp was tingling. When I walked out of the theatre I wasn't sure my feet were even touching the ground. Yeah, she's that good.
flashback of the week
my quintessential official beginning of summer song for your viewing pleasure.
Remember when...this CD first came out & all the big deal controversy over "Van Hagar"...the David Lee Roth loyalists talkin' smack about how Van Halen was finished, etc etc. I remember the first time I heard the CD. It was morning b4 school -must have been afternoon classes. I was in my apt @ Allegheny Ctr & B & maybe Sean Carroll had run out to buy it immediately & brought it up to 720 to let me listen with them. New & exciting & something we talked about b4 & after the actual CD release.
I can't remember the last time I got excited about a new CD; you know, like so excited I couldn't wait for the CD to come out & had to buy it as soon as it hit the shelves. Is that an age thing? A parent thing -like I have other (mundane) things to occupy my time instead of new music. I almost got excited about the new Bjork. Then again, I haven't run out to buy it yet. Maybe it's a frugal thing 'cuz now I can wait to get it used. I guess I can live vicariously through Snick, who now has that anticipatory excitement over new CDs.
And did you notice all the cigarette smoke in the video? As I watched the video it occurred to me that this was b4 all the big anti-smoking campaigns & b4 all the anti-smoking legislation & lawsuits against tobacco companies. And smoking was still "cool". And before Eddie had cancer. What a loss.
Remember when...this CD first came out & all the big deal controversy over "Van Hagar"...the David Lee Roth loyalists talkin' smack about how Van Halen was finished, etc etc. I remember the first time I heard the CD. It was morning b4 school -must have been afternoon classes. I was in my apt @ Allegheny Ctr & B & maybe Sean Carroll had run out to buy it immediately & brought it up to 720 to let me listen with them. New & exciting & something we talked about b4 & after the actual CD release.
I can't remember the last time I got excited about a new CD; you know, like so excited I couldn't wait for the CD to come out & had to buy it as soon as it hit the shelves. Is that an age thing? A parent thing -like I have other (mundane) things to occupy my time instead of new music. I almost got excited about the new Bjork. Then again, I haven't run out to buy it yet. Maybe it's a frugal thing 'cuz now I can wait to get it used. I guess I can live vicariously through Snick, who now has that anticipatory excitement over new CDs.
And did you notice all the cigarette smoke in the video? As I watched the video it occurred to me that this was b4 all the big anti-smoking campaigns & b4 all the anti-smoking legislation & lawsuits against tobacco companies. And smoking was still "cool". And before Eddie had cancer. What a loss.
19 May 2007
People I admire
This is my friend Jenna (pic from last summer) We met at the Boulder County Safehouse volunteer training. Then we had some classes @ CU together -some women's studies class about women in history & a gender in global economy class (one of my favorites). We hung out frequently between classes; we worked out together @ the rec ctr; we watched vids w/ Nikki in the evenings; roller bladed together; she had her fake i.d. confiscated when we tried to get into Soma together one week b4 her 21st birthday! She was with me when I took Maddie for her 1st haircut (@ 3 years of age!). Stuff like that. I miss her terribly.
We saw Jenna last summer when we drove to PA & stopped in Chicago for a few hours. It was too short a visit.
Last fall Jenna went to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa to start her master's degree in social work (?) (or was that psychology?). I read many emails about the trials & tribulations of living in Africa. She described people in incredibly dismal living conditions & using 10 year old texts for her classes. She emailed wonderful pictures & talked about some amazing things she'd seen & done.
AND she did an incredible thing while she was there. She got some $$ for xmas -not alot by US standards but a small fortune in Africa. She used her own money to start a micro-lending program for some women & a couple men who borrowed a small allotment & started their own businesses. This enabled them to raise their standard of living and pay the $$ back to be used for someone else. One woman started a firewood business & made enough money that she planned to buy her own piece of land & get out of Kibera (one of the largest ghettos in Africa) where she was currently living.
Jenna moved back home a short while ago b/c the master's program sucked. But she started a micro-lending program that is being carried on by another student and will positively affect countless lives long after she's been gone. (It's right out of the gender in global economy class, actually!) A fine example of someone who took a great idea & instead of stewing about "what can I possibly do to make a difference?", actually did something. And she didn't have to be rich or famous or have her face plastered all over "People" magazine to do it.
If you would like to contribute to the micro-lending program Jenna started, I can put you in touch with her.
Jenna, I miss you & think you are amazing!
We saw Jenna last summer when we drove to PA & stopped in Chicago for a few hours. It was too short a visit.
Last fall Jenna went to Nairobi, Kenya, Africa to start her master's degree in social work (?) (or was that psychology?). I read many emails about the trials & tribulations of living in Africa. She described people in incredibly dismal living conditions & using 10 year old texts for her classes. She emailed wonderful pictures & talked about some amazing things she'd seen & done.
AND she did an incredible thing while she was there. She got some $$ for xmas -not alot by US standards but a small fortune in Africa. She used her own money to start a micro-lending program for some women & a couple men who borrowed a small allotment & started their own businesses. This enabled them to raise their standard of living and pay the $$ back to be used for someone else. One woman started a firewood business & made enough money that she planned to buy her own piece of land & get out of Kibera (one of the largest ghettos in Africa) where she was currently living.
Jenna moved back home a short while ago b/c the master's program sucked. But she started a micro-lending program that is being carried on by another student and will positively affect countless lives long after she's been gone. (It's right out of the gender in global economy class, actually!) A fine example of someone who took a great idea & instead of stewing about "what can I possibly do to make a difference?", actually did something. And she didn't have to be rich or famous or have her face plastered all over "People" magazine to do it.
If you would like to contribute to the micro-lending program Jenna started, I can put you in touch with her.
Jenna, I miss you & think you are amazing!
17 May 2007
this is why juice boxes are only allowed outside
I was killing time waiting to pick Fi up from dance class & happened to peek outside to see what Lib was up to. She had just woken from a nap & then had come into the kitchen to request a juice box.
no straw needed
I can hold this much in my mouth at once
this is the coolest (click for the close-up spouting angel fountain effect)
every last drop
now try with the straw (I didn't get the actual stream out of the straw, but trust me she was having fun)
no straw needed
I can hold this much in my mouth at once
this is the coolest (click for the close-up spouting angel fountain effect)
every last drop
now try with the straw (I didn't get the actual stream out of the straw, but trust me she was having fun)
she was totally oblivious that I was snapping away
So most of the juice ended up on the ground. So what. How can I be upset at such a cutie?
busted
busted
14 May 2007
Tot falls off balcony
By Rocky Mountain News
May 14, 2007
A toddler who fell 12 feet from a second-floor apartment balcony Saturday was treated for minor injuries and released.
The 2-year-old boy fell about 7:50 p.m. from the apartment near 92nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard, the Westminster Fire Department said.
Westminster police investigated the incident and determined it was accidental.
Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! This is like the 4th child in Denver to fall from a window or balcony in as many months. People, really, are you that unaware? Do the mass warnings not mean anything to you who live in upstairs apartments, I mean, since common sense obviously hasn't kicked in. Is it a case of "those who do not know history are bound to repeat it" kind of thing? WTF. Is gravity that much stronger here than anywhere else in the world? I just don't get it. Little kids who think they can fly?
I have a memory of my brother sitting in the second floor window, feet dangling over the edge. He was about 3. I suppose we're lucky he didn't fall. He could have been like one of these kids. A neighbor across the way saw him & told my mom who promptly snagged him & I'm sure beat his little hiney.
Then there's Libster who is currently going by the name of "spiderman". Previously she was "peter pan" & thought she could fly. It was pretty darn cute. She actually attempted to fly one day. She jumped off the beanbag from about 18 in. off the ground. With her feet up. Yeah, she landed pretty hard on her tush. The look on her face was absolute shock...and a little pain...and maybe a little recognition that this was a lesson to be learned -only in movies can gravity be defied.
May 14, 2007
A toddler who fell 12 feet from a second-floor apartment balcony Saturday was treated for minor injuries and released.
The 2-year-old boy fell about 7:50 p.m. from the apartment near 92nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard, the Westminster Fire Department said.
Westminster police investigated the incident and determined it was accidental.
Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?! This is like the 4th child in Denver to fall from a window or balcony in as many months. People, really, are you that unaware? Do the mass warnings not mean anything to you who live in upstairs apartments, I mean, since common sense obviously hasn't kicked in. Is it a case of "those who do not know history are bound to repeat it" kind of thing? WTF. Is gravity that much stronger here than anywhere else in the world? I just don't get it. Little kids who think they can fly?
I have a memory of my brother sitting in the second floor window, feet dangling over the edge. He was about 3. I suppose we're lucky he didn't fall. He could have been like one of these kids. A neighbor across the way saw him & told my mom who promptly snagged him & I'm sure beat his little hiney.
Then there's Libster who is currently going by the name of "spiderman". Previously she was "peter pan" & thought she could fly. It was pretty darn cute. She actually attempted to fly one day. She jumped off the beanbag from about 18 in. off the ground. With her feet up. Yeah, she landed pretty hard on her tush. The look on her face was absolute shock...and a little pain...and maybe a little recognition that this was a lesson to be learned -only in movies can gravity be defied.
13 May 2007
Happy Mother's Day
I don't have any real plans for today; I have to go to work @ 2pm. What I really want to do is go for a hike. Next week, for sure.
Happy Mother's Day to my mom! And to all my friends who are moms: Grace, Debb, Barb, Carol, Jen, Sandy, Amber, Laurie, Chrystal, Deonne, Geri, Pauline, Tracy, Kim, Amanda, Jenifer, (forgive me if I've left anyone off of the list; you know you're included too!) Happy Mother's Day to all my friends' moms! Happy Mother's Day to G's mom Lori! Of course Happy Mother's Day to Nikki's grandma (B's mom) Sally!
I wanted to post about a particularly fond memory I have of my childhood with my mom. Quite a few come to mind just now so I'll have to think on it & narrow it down for ya. I mean, there are so many snippets of my life I could post.
Like, the kindergarten (?) birthday party my mom threw for me. Invited all of my classmates. These were b4 birthday parties were held "somewhere else" like Chucky Cheese's or the bowling alley. Naturally, the party was at our house. We lived in a side-by-side duplex, three bedrooms and bathroom up. a living room, dining room, kitchen down. a cellar & an attic. patio on the front & porch on the back. Hmm, was there a front door too, 'cause the patio door was on the side, like. This may be two different events, come to think of it, and my mind has melded it into one over time. The party I'm thinking of, though, had a (then) "Indian" theme (now it would be "native american" and it probably wouldn't be p.c. to have that theme at all, being as I'm about as white bread as can be typically possible). My mom had decorated with construction paper decorations. Construction paper head bands & feathers for all the guests. She had constructed this life size character out of, I don't know, construction paper or butcher paper or something & he was placed on the outside of the window in the back of the house beside the porch. My mom had recorded on a reel-to-reel some lines from Disney's Peter Pan -specifically the lines "How! Me Big Chief...." I don't remember all the words. She played this as each guest walked by. Then my mom answered the door as the "squaw" referred to in the recording. And you know, I don't remember a whole lot else about that party. But the effort that my mom put into that birthday still remains with me. It must have been b4 my sister was born.
This party was pretty typical of birthdays at our house. As an adult, I've always felt that my mom had raised the bar for children's birthday parties & I've always thought that I would like to live up to that standard. Like if I have a party somewhere else w/ someone else doing the entertaining then I'm falling short. I really like the idea of having birthday parties w/ traditional party games, etc. Thanks mom!
The other memories are not so big. Things like, fresh-out-of-the-oven homemade baked bread served with "real" hot chocolate (the kind made w/ hershey's baking chocolate instead of a packet). Or grilled swiss cheese sandwiches for lunch. (Thanks, mom, for instilling in me a fondness for "exotic" cheeses). Or a tea party I had with my friend Vickie. Doing crafty things like felt art & "embroidery". Or teaching me to sew by hand & some on the machine in 2nd grade. Or teaching me to crochet potholders. There are also the memories of my mom & her friends (my friends' moms) being our brownie troop leaders. Or my mom & her friends playing "Skat" for pennies. I remember my mom knitted me this orange & white stripey long-sleeve sweater. I think it was mostly garter stitch. I wish I still had it. Or the bell bottom pants I so badly wanted with the plaid cuffs ala Bay City Rollers & my mom made me a pair! And I can't forget the tradition my mom has @ xmas time of baking 30 or so stollen to give away (a few to keep). Or the stories about her childhood in Germany. Or the summer my mom took me & my sibs (11, 8, & 4) to Germany & Switzerland. Or my mom took me to my first concert "in the city" -John Mellancamp -with my friend Chrissy & Chrissy's mom. These are just the things that come to mind right now. I could go on & on as the memories string along out of the creases in my brain.
There are alot of good memories in my life. Thanks mom!
Happy Mother's Day to my mom! And to all my friends who are moms: Grace, Debb, Barb, Carol, Jen, Sandy, Amber, Laurie, Chrystal, Deonne, Geri, Pauline, Tracy, Kim, Amanda, Jenifer, (forgive me if I've left anyone off of the list; you know you're included too!) Happy Mother's Day to all my friends' moms! Happy Mother's Day to G's mom Lori! Of course Happy Mother's Day to Nikki's grandma (B's mom) Sally!
I wanted to post about a particularly fond memory I have of my childhood with my mom. Quite a few come to mind just now so I'll have to think on it & narrow it down for ya. I mean, there are so many snippets of my life I could post.
Like, the kindergarten (?) birthday party my mom threw for me. Invited all of my classmates. These were b4 birthday parties were held "somewhere else" like Chucky Cheese's or the bowling alley. Naturally, the party was at our house. We lived in a side-by-side duplex, three bedrooms and bathroom up. a living room, dining room, kitchen down. a cellar & an attic. patio on the front & porch on the back. Hmm, was there a front door too, 'cause the patio door was on the side, like. This may be two different events, come to think of it, and my mind has melded it into one over time. The party I'm thinking of, though, had a (then) "Indian" theme (now it would be "native american" and it probably wouldn't be p.c. to have that theme at all, being as I'm about as white bread as can be typically possible). My mom had decorated with construction paper decorations. Construction paper head bands & feathers for all the guests. She had constructed this life size character out of, I don't know, construction paper or butcher paper or something & he was placed on the outside of the window in the back of the house beside the porch. My mom had recorded on a reel-to-reel some lines from Disney's Peter Pan -specifically the lines "How! Me Big Chief...." I don't remember all the words. She played this as each guest walked by. Then my mom answered the door as the "squaw" referred to in the recording. And you know, I don't remember a whole lot else about that party. But the effort that my mom put into that birthday still remains with me. It must have been b4 my sister was born.
This party was pretty typical of birthdays at our house. As an adult, I've always felt that my mom had raised the bar for children's birthday parties & I've always thought that I would like to live up to that standard. Like if I have a party somewhere else w/ someone else doing the entertaining then I'm falling short. I really like the idea of having birthday parties w/ traditional party games, etc. Thanks mom!
The other memories are not so big. Things like, fresh-out-of-the-oven homemade baked bread served with "real" hot chocolate (the kind made w/ hershey's baking chocolate instead of a packet). Or grilled swiss cheese sandwiches for lunch. (Thanks, mom, for instilling in me a fondness for "exotic" cheeses). Or a tea party I had with my friend Vickie. Doing crafty things like felt art & "embroidery". Or teaching me to sew by hand & some on the machine in 2nd grade. Or teaching me to crochet potholders. There are also the memories of my mom & her friends (my friends' moms) being our brownie troop leaders. Or my mom & her friends playing "Skat" for pennies. I remember my mom knitted me this orange & white stripey long-sleeve sweater. I think it was mostly garter stitch. I wish I still had it. Or the bell bottom pants I so badly wanted with the plaid cuffs ala Bay City Rollers & my mom made me a pair! And I can't forget the tradition my mom has @ xmas time of baking 30 or so stollen to give away (a few to keep). Or the stories about her childhood in Germany. Or the summer my mom took me & my sibs (11, 8, & 4) to Germany & Switzerland. Or my mom took me to my first concert "in the city" -John Mellancamp -with my friend Chrissy & Chrissy's mom. These are just the things that come to mind right now. I could go on & on as the memories string along out of the creases in my brain.
There are alot of good memories in my life. Thanks mom!
12 May 2007
it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood
well, it's not exactly our neighborhood. We had the SAHM knitting & crochet playdate yesterday. We've started taking it outside w/ the good weather. Yesterday was Sloan's Lake Park. I actually didn't even get my knitting out; the weather was so nice & I haven't mastered the knitting/walking/taking pictures thing.
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