Someone Else Inserts Foot

I was feeling a little overwhelmed today so Bill suggested I throw everything to the wind and go shopping. I took his advice and went over to Kohls to pick up a few accessories to wear with my black dress to my friend Linda's wedding this Friday night. (yes, a Friday the 13th wedding at the Black Lake Room)

When I got to the cashier, she asked me if a was a senior citizen because today was senior citizen discount day. (I was purchasing a black bra and black lace panties)

I busted out laughing and suggested that when she has a customer she should really look up from the register before asking that question. She fell over herself with apologies. Then I told her I knew I was having a bad day but hell I did not think I looked like a senior citizen. A middle age woman, yes, but a senior citizen, no.

According to my calculations, I have another nineteen years before I retire. The next time Bill makes a suggestion to "make me feel better" I better just stay home.........

PA, DE, MD, DC, VA And Back Again

We began our trip to Washington DC last Friday afternoon as the wind blew and the rain fell. This trip usually takes a total of three hours but not that afternoon. It took us five and a half hours through rotten weather, backed-up traffic and our inability to find the hotel located just South of Washington DC's Key Bridge in Arlington. VA.

And it was during this "drive from hell" that I decided the worst state to drive through is the smallest state of all, Delaware.

But after a good night sleep in feathered beds with down comforters, we awoke early to a buffet breakfast and began our day exploring this place called DC. I have not been to DC since before the events of 9/11 and I was amazed how drastic things in the Capitol city changed since my last visit there.

The Hotel Workers, Parking Attendants and Museum Employees were mostly Non-English speaking folks of Indian, Arab or Spanish descent. This made it especially difficult to ask even the simplest question such as where the restaurant was located in the hotel.

Another noticeable change was the Museum security. Entering the museum meant having your bags searched and walking through metal detectors. Then there was the general security of the entire city itself. Many streets were blocked off and barriers placed outside of every Federal building making parking extremely impossible and many tourist areas inaccessible. We spent more time driving in circles then touring the famous monuments we planned to see. When we finally did find a parking garage, we walked miles to reach our destination.

Sadly the city that my own sons explored with wonder and abandonment years ago will never be experienced in the same way with my grandsons. But all in all we made the best of a very frustrating situation and having the ability to watch my grandson Shaun learn and explore was truly a joy in itself.

Though the drive down to Washington DC was long and tiring, Shaun was exceptionally well- behaved. He loves going on vacation with us and loves the traveling experience whether it is by air-plane or car. And I do not know any other kid who loves staying in a hotel more especially one with a buffet breakfast and an indoor pool.

Having a buffet breakfast meant he could choose whatever he wanted. He especially enjoyed having his chocolate milk served to him in a wine glass. Lunch and dinner was another story. On Friday and Saturday, he ordered chicken tenders and onion rings for both lunch and dinner. When Sunday's dinner came around, I asked him to order something different. He ordered pasta with sauce and ate the left-overs for breakfast on Monday. (he stayed with me an extra day because Monday was a school holiday)

Shaun is a very extroverted five year old. Everywhere he goes he makes friends and the hotel pool was no exception. He made a friend named Sean whose father was a Navy Seal. Shaun was not impressed. He told the man that he was going to be a Marine just like his Dad. The guy replied by telling Shaun he was once a Marine but became a Navy Seal because being a Navy Seal meant he could get more girls. Again, Shaun was not very impressed. This Navy Seal would have had better luck using that line on Nikolas. (we all know he loves the girls)

The last day of our Weekend we spent walking the grounds of Arlington Cemetery. We could have taken the Tour bus but we decided to walk the grounds instead so that we could appreciate its serenity even more. We went to the tomb of the unknown soldier and then off to President Kennedy's grave where the eternal flame stood flickering in all its glory. Hard to believe it has been forty three years since his death.

The drive back home was uneventful with the exception of driving through that "nightmare traffic state of Delaware". Shaun was not ready to go home so I called his father and asked if he could stay the night at my house since he was off school the following day. That evening we watched cartoons in the back bedroom where Shaun laughed out loud at every antic made on television. In between laughs, he felt it necessary to point out then count every mole on my face and neck. When Bill rubbed some of that "old lady smelling" Ben Gay on my sore shoulder, Shaun was shocked that I called myself an "old smelling granny". He corrected my mistake by telling me I was not a granny but a Mom Mom because granny's were OLD. (I think I will keep this kid)

Next post will be the photo tour...............................

Exploring The Mountain Side

Last weekend, Bill surprised me with a a trip to the mountains.
We made a lot of stops to explore the beauty around us.
Some of the villages and towns we stopped in were very quaint.
Along the way, we saw many types of bridges.
And we stopped at one of those road-side diners that made the most delicious waffles with strawberry sauce.
The views were breath-taking.
Even the human ones.
Everywhere around us you could see the evidence of Fall with the changing of the colors of the leaves.
The place we stopped at for the night had a pool but we forgot our swim-suits.
After we checked into the hotel, we found this Irish Pub in town and had ourselves some vodka & cranberry, (me) and Captain Morgan & coke (Bill).
I tortured Bill with a stop at the outlets and after making my way through a dozen stores, the only thing I ended up buying was believe it or not "An Apple Corer".
One of the prettiest scenic views in the mountains is what is known as The Water Gap.
Bill says this is a lime kiln. Whatever that is.
I cannot tell you the number of bridges we saw.
One of the last views we saw before going back home on Sunday was this bridge.
Last but not least, we had brunch at this Inn in a town called Frenchtown before we drove home. I have to admit, I have not tasted a better crab-cake anywhere than I tasted here.

A Month In Review

September has not been the best month and I am not sad to see it end. If I was to name this past month, I would call it STRESS because my emotions have been so up and down I may as well be on a roller coaster. Yes, the month has been that BAD.

It started out with the diagnosis and not-so-great prognosis of Molly's Cancer. The Oncologist gave her three months to one year to live WITH treatment. So, it has been a month of radiation and chemotherapy for her. It also has been a month of worry.

As horrible as her prognosis is, she has been feeling better with the treatments so we are all keeping our fingers crossed.

A friend of ours "Patrick" was also diagnosed with Cancer. Throat Cancer to be exact. His prognosis is very favorable but he still needs surgery and the usual tests that go along with this sort of diagnosis.

Then there is the on-going saga of my shoulder. I am still in Physical Therapy and still on those anti-inflammatory drugs. I have a lot of ups and downs and it just so happens this past week is a major downer. The constant pain and limitations this shoulder creates is depressing. I really miss my work at the hospital and even the simplest daily tasks are difficult. I was told this could take a year to fully heal. However, I have never been known for my patience.

Last but not least of the bad news is my son Josh. He relapsed and after missing for weeks he was picked up by the police and now sits in a corrections facility because he has not been bailed out by his father or I.

I spent weeks without even the courtesy of a telephone call but now that he needs my help, not one day goes by without at least two telephone calls from him. I am not sure if I am making the right decision by allowing him to sit in jail. What I do know is this entire situation is very painful and I would not wish this on any parent.

Now that I depressed everyone maybe I should tell you the Happy part of the month of September.

Shaun started kindergarten and I have to say that all of a sudden the "I can not sit still for a moment" kid has become a boy that can sit still long enough to have a "very grown up" conversation with me. Just last week, he told me in "complete detail" everything he is doing in school. He told me the names of every friend that returned to his school but what amazed me even more is he listed the names of every kid who did not return to his school this year. When he told me the president lived in the White House, I jumped on that opportunity to enforce a little History of my own in him. (Oh how I love History) So this weekend, Bill and I will take him on a trip down to Washington DC so he can see a little History for himself. (I subjected my own kids to this every summer. Just ask them how many OLD CEMETERIES they walked through) I made reservations to stay at the Marriott in Arlington, VA. just over the bridge from Washington DC. I plan to take him to the Air & Space Museum (because he thinks he is a soldier which was evident last weekend when he told his friend Oliver he how to salute him) then over to the Vietnam and Korean Memorials, Arlington Cemetery to see the changing of the guards, on to the White House and Capitol and the other Memorials Jefferson, Lincoln and Washington.

Nikolas is really verbally expressing himself now. Just the other week when I was putting toothpaste on his toothbrush, he extended his hand out to me and said as clear as a bright sunny day, "I can do it myself". Who was I to argue with a 22 month old. Other famous Nikolas sayings are of course "No, I know, I don't want too, give me, sorry Shaun, I want to go outside" and many more as I would not have room here to list them.

I met Joseph's girlfriend. She conveniently lives in the apartment below Joseph's and attends the same school as he. I had them both over for dinner and she is very nice. Her name is Jackie.

Shaun and Trish are considering selling their house and moving into a house outside the city where their boys will have more room to play. Trish is studying for a degree in Finance and Management. She works in a bank processing loans among other things.

We had a Baby Shower for my niece Chrissy who is having her first baby due exactly Nine Months after her wedding. Yes, Chris we are counting. (kidding) She knows the baby's sex and even told her mother but both are not telling which is OK because I KNOW ITS A BOY.

Last Saturday, Bill took me for a long ride to the mountains. (because I have been stressed out) It was a spur of the moment thing that turned out to be a glorious weekend trip. More to follow in future posts.....

And my final piece of happy news that occurred this month. After months of Bill asking and waiting for that answer. I have decided to Yes, marry him. We will get married on November 25th.

Yapping Attack Dog

Is what one writer called a fellow writer.

Being that the "Yapping Attack Dog" is my cousin, I thought those of you out there can read this January Drama yourselves.

If you have an opinion, please leave me a comment.

I do not think "name-calling" and/or "insult-throwing" is an alluring feature in any writer.

Because

I did not include my niece Chrissy in my "Tag it" game and because my sister thinks I could have chosen a better picture then the one I tagged her with. Here's to you. "Spill it Chris" and I hope this photo of you is more acceptable "Marianne"

Tag It

Wasn't it great of Karin to tag me? Now I have to expose the inside of my purse to the entire Blogging World. Yeah, she knows I faithfully read her blog everyday and yeah, she happens to be married to my Extremely Good Looking California Cousin John. So here it goes Karin just for you and of course everyone else..........

Because I am lovingly called the "Boring Sister" who is basically a prude when it comes to anything called "Fun" because I fail miserably in the "Be Hip" world of fashion, tattoos or Brazilian Bikini Waxes, I decided last May to trade in my classic black leather hand-bag for something a little less "classic" and a little more "not me". So I went to Kohls and bought myself a metallic gold hand-bag which I have faithfully used each and every day since then.

Did I mention I also bought the sandals to match?

Yes, I decided to throw caution in the wind and live a little. So what exactly did I find in this hand-bag four months later?

Well, let's take a look inside.

I have some sort of "white and green" zippered case that once was used to store shower/bath miniature shampoo and conditioner sets that you buy someone as a gift. This case contains the following; a checkbook, two expired bank cards, one bank card that is not expired, an optical receipt for glasses I just ordered, Kohls receipt, one postage stamp and one Triaminic thin strip. In the actual purse itself, I have one 2006-2007 planner, a receipt for car repairs, one pair of sunglasses, Back-pack Buddies Antibacterial Wipes, one hair brush, one comb, Dramamine container with a half of pill, hair tie, hair clip, bronzer, ATM receipt, old tube of mascara, pen, spare car key, my watch, Blistex Sunscreen Balm, four tubes of lipstick in the following colors; topaz, sugar, spicy and one that looks like a dark pink but is so old the label has faded, a few coupons , two advil and a ton of change.

Now it is my turn to do the tagging. Are you reading this Pam, Wife of Dingus and Kristi? Oh, and you too Marianne and Trish.................................

Spill It Ladies!!!!!

Take It To The Complaint Department

I call it the "Battle of the Fuzz" and I do not mean that it any nice and/or sexual term. (Marianne)

It is the daily fight I have with the bathroom sink each and every morning AFTER Bill shaves that stuff called HAIR off his face.

The FUZZ finds it way into every nook and cranny in and around the sink, faucet, vanity, tile on the wall and every toiletry item in its reach.

And each time I try to clean it up with my handy Clorox wipes, it manages to dodge me.

When I wipe the sink, it gets on the faucet. When I wipe the faucet, it gets on the wall behind the faucet. When I wipe the wall, it gets on the tile. When I wipe the tile, it gets on the vanity. When I wipe the vanity, it somehow manages to get on every lotion, brush, blush, ect. on that vanity.

If I did not know better I would swear it had a life of its own and purposely jumps out of the way while laughing the entire time as to make a complete and utter fool of me. I know you are playing games FUZZ.

The joys of living with a male and to think I actually lived with four of them at one time.

Did I mention how much fun it was to clean the toilet? That's an entire story in itself.

Summer's Last Hoorah

Replay TV

Is what I call Shaun each time he and his little brother watch Star Wars. Not only do they watch it often, (at least once every weekend) Shaun finds it necessary to give everyone in the room a play by play of the action we all just saw for ourselves.
If you are wondering, the hairy monster sitting next to them is Bill.

Did I Tell You........................

I fine people amazing. Sometimes it is just fun to watch and listen to what goes on around you. Like when I went to the salon to have my hair done. Not only did I discover that Roxborough was a predominately Catholic neighborhood but I found out every other female is named Mary. Just in the salon itself, there was Mary Jane, Mary Beth and Mary Frances. So either every other female was named after the Blessed Mother or every other mother in Roxborough likes the name Mary.

And in case you have forgotten, my mother was born here and she is Mary.

Oh and so was her grandmother named Mary.

Then there is Aunt Nana's daughter who is Mary.

Did I mention my great-grandfather had a sister Mary?

And yes they were all born here in Manayunk/Roxborough.

Not very creative here when the time came to name their daughters.


But probably the funniest part of my hair experience was when a woman walked into the salon and announced "If anyone is interested, I put my mother up for sale on e-bay. She called me so much today, she is on my last nerve."

I wonder if her mother was named Mary?

Then Joe (the guy who does my hair) and I got into a conversation about going to Catholic school at a time when nuns taught in the schools. He admitted to getting in trouble in school and that his eighth grade nun was called "Pig" The mature person that I am, I almost fell out of the chair in laughter. Not really a good idea when the guy standing behind you is holding a pair of scissors over your head. I also remember the days when nuns were the majority in Catholic school and I recalled a nun I had in eighth grade who was especially tough on the boys. She was called Tank.

And they say the nuns were cruel.

When the song "Let's get this party started" by the singer "Pink" played, we began to dispute what words she sang in the song. I insisted she was singing "I am coming out" while he insisted she was singing "I am coming up". He called his wife to have her look up the words. Can you believe this guy actually called his wife to prove me wrong. And regretfully I was wrong and he was right and this just enforced his "already" swollen head to grow even larger as to nearly explode on his shoulders.

This guy is as interesting as the Billy Idol hair on his head.

I wonder if his wife is named Mary.

Un-Natural Selection

"Mom Mom, come here. Come here."

"What is it Shaun?" (as he drags me by the hand to the side of the house)

"Kill it. It's a spider and he is right there." ( he points to a cable wire attached to the side of the house)

"Kill it, Mom Mom before he bites a hole in the wire."

"No Shaun, his teeth are not big enough to bite a hole in the wire besides he is a nice spider. He is tan and has long legs and he will eat all the bad mosquitoes."

"A nice spider, Mom Mom?" (he looks at me just a little bit bewildered)

"Yes he is nice but if you ever see a black spider do not touch it because they bite."



ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER WHILE SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH



"Look Shaun, it is a black spider. He shot a web from the railing to the hanging flower pot."

(Shaun stands on a chair to seek a closer look at the spider crawling over the flower pot onto the stem of a flower)

"Now that's a bad spider" ( I take aim and squirt the spider and his web as he falls victim to my garden hose)

Insert Foot Into Mouth

Sometimes I just do not say the best things in a time of stress. Take for instance a suggestion I made the the other day to Bill because he was totally sick with worry over his mother.

"Bill, why don't you turn on that show you like to watch about those people digging up skulls?"

I realize what I said and try to cover it up quickly.

"I mean, you know that show called Ancestors."

Not exactly the thing you suggest to a man whose mother is sick with cancer.

But then he does not always say the right things either. He told me the other day that he suggested to his father that he (his father) should ask Kenny (his brother) to get his mother some pot to help with the side-effects of chemo. Now, did he just tell his father that his brother not only knew where to buy pot but that he (his brother) probably smoked a joint on occasion?

And do you know what came across my mind as he told me all this? I envisioned his seventy-two year old mother sitting on her favorite recliner in her living room smoking a joint as the parish priest or visiting nurse comes by.

Then it occurred to me that we could be flying down to Florida to post bail for all three. His brother for dealing. His father for buying. His mother for using.

Let's stick to prescription drugs.

Change In Direction

I was going to write something to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary but with all the sadness lately I thought it more appropriate to commemorate our future and what living life is all about as seen here when Shaun placed his towel around his shivering little brother Nikolas to keep him warm after they got out of the pool.

Precious Moments

One of the enjoyments of being a MOM MOM is having the opportunity to sit back and watch as your little five year old grandson follows then closely examines a bug as he does seen here in the garden.

There are two things I tell him when he is bug hunting. First, it is not nice to crush the bug between the fingers. Second, never ever ever ever bring the bug you are examining into the house.

300 Million Assholes Strong

The end of that sentence read "White House Gift Shop."

This is actually a website. "Seriously". I happen to come across it when I was checking to see if our scheduled flight down to Florida was still on time because of "Ernesto". Of course, when I saw the title, I was compelled to view the website and I must say I do not shock easy but this shocked me.

So whatever your political views, the website sells some fascinating stuff if you are "not in favor of this administration". But, I warn you, it is the most American-bashing website that I have seen in a long time and I am surprised it has not been shut down by the CIA, FBI, Homeland Security or all of the above. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if my "ever-loving patriotic" grandparents did decide to come down from their heavenly perch and close them down themselves. It is that bad. You can purchase any variety of items such as "strong fitting thongs for men". (I am not kidding) Though, I have to wonder why they need to label them "strong fitting". I guess that is to carry that heavy package some may struggle to tote around on a daily basis. Other selling Asshole items are T-shirts, BBQ aprons, Tote bags, buttons and bumper stickers all in that Bush Hater motif.

I know what you are thinking. (Marianne) Who cares? Maybe someone. Maybe no one. But, I am always amazed on what you can find on the internet. I mean where else can you read the "unthinkable" but in the comfort of your home in front of a computer screen with your morning java. It is like you never have to leave the room to see what the outside world is doing.

Taking A Short Break

Earlier picture of Bill & I
Bill's parents (Jerry & Molly)
Molly & I in an earlier picture. (I call her the perfect mother-in-law)


Bill and I will be taking a short five day trip down to Florida this weekend to visit his parents. His mother was just diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, the cancer is in three areas; brain, lung and rib.

Four years ago, she had breast cancer and it appears it has returned. She is still undergoing a series of tests that should be completed by the time we get there.

Just this past month, Bill's parents spent two weeks up here in the area. First they stayed with Bill's brother Jerry in King of Prussia then they stayed with us before they spent the remainer of their vacation with my parents in (Washington's Crossing) whom they have been friends with for many years. Actually, my mom and Bill's mom have been friends since childhood so you can imagine how hard this is on her too.

And to make things even stranger, my mother is Bill's godmother.

Talk about keeping it all in the family.

The Finished Product

We kept with the military theme by adding pillows that are made into an airplane and a tank but since Nikolas is totally "Elmo" crazy, we added a few stuff animals for him.
The walls went from a very "pink" to "sandstone", a color more fitting for a boy's room.
In addition to the various toys and games scattered around the room, we added a variety of hats that the boys love to wear when they play their favorite game of "make pretend".

When Pink Does Not Cut It

We converted the middle bedroom from a very "pink" room decorated for girls into a very "sandstone" room decorated for boys. Pictured here with paint brush in hand is my youngest son Joe whom I had no problem conning him into this painting project.
He brought along some assistance in the form of "Ben".
I did not notice it at first but they managed to paint this entire room without even removing the curtains from the windows and even more amazing is they did not even get one spot of paint on them.
The project took only two days to complete.
I was nice enough to provide the coffee and whatever food they found to eat in the kitchen.
They did a great job. I decided having sons "with" friends may have been worth the labor pain after all.

Last Spring's Project Has Finally Found A Home

Last March, Shaun worked tirelessly on his birdhouse.
Today, it proudly adorns the front yard of our new home.