I wrote about the things that made me happiest in 2009 and 2010. Now it's time to share what I am (or was) happy about in 2011. This is in no particular order.
1. The birth of my daughter and watching her grow a little more every day and discover things in the world around her. Her smile brightens my day and I can get lost in her eyes. She's so incredibly sweet and I'm so proud to be her mom!
2. Chick Lit Central has really taken off this year and I've had lots of wonderful help along the way. I've also gotten to read some more amazing novels and met some really sweet authors too!
3. Even though we had to deal with lots of dust and noise, the house looks nicer as a result. I'm really happy about our basement playroom. It looks like a real playroom instead of a warehouse for toys.
4. "How I Met Your Mother." Le. Gen. Dary! I can't believe I waited so long to get sucked in to this show. It's hilarious and heartwarming.
5. My younger son's upsherin. It's the last upsherin for any of my kids and was really special. We had it on Purim and all the guests dressed up in costume.
6. Hearing how well my older son is doing in Kindergarten. He was mainstreamed into a regular ed class and he's scoring really high in reading and language skills. I am super proud!
7. A wonderful friend who has been helping me out with my older son's after school care after our one sitter bailed on us and another one changed her schedule a bit.
8. Going to the Maccabeats concert and having a fun date in the city with my husband as a result. (Also my younger son learning "Candlelight" and pointing out a friend's doppelganger while watching the video.)
9. The Band Perry and their fabulous debut CD. I love their songs and can listen to it over and over. I even taught "You Lie" to my sons. :)
10. Visits with/from family members and friends throughout the year. This includes a special 4th of July visit from a close friend, hanging out at National Harbor with a cousin we haven't seen since our wedding, and of course...spending holidays (religious or secular) with various family members. Most recently, it was Hanukkah with my family.
10.5 (My blog, my rules...) How well "Blog Project 2.0" is doing. I enjoy all the topics we've been writing on so far and it's really kept me motivated to write in this blog with everything else going on this year.
Looking forward to lots of good things in 2012, including my 10 year dating anniversary. (I still celebrate that on some level, as it's the day I met my besherte in person for hot cocoa, which ended up being tea in my case.) I'm also excited to see my daughter hear for the first time, B"H. I just want her to get through the surgery safely first!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
To Tebow or not to Tebow...
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Froggie picked the topic:
In 2010, the Denver Broncos drafted Tim Tebow, a quarterback from the University of Florida. Tebow, a devout Christian, would wear biblical references such as "John 3:16" on his eye paint during college games. Recently, there has been a lot of talk in the news about Tebow and how he kneels and prays after a game success. "Tebowing" has become a widespread phenomenon to the point that it has been accepted as a word in the English language.
WIth all this in mind, should professional athletes be able to publicly display their religious beliefs during games? What other thoughts do you have on this phenomenon?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I hadn't really heard of Tim Tebow and this phenomenon before now. I'm not always up to date with news stories. (Even though I was one of the few around my office who knew about the recent Beit Shemesh controversy, but that's another story in itself.) I don't go to sporting events all that often, but I have to wonder if Tebow is doing this for his actual beliefs or if it's just for show...to create an image for himself in the name of religion. It makes me think of when Madonna adopted Kabbalah as her religious beliefs and suddenly had to show off how "Jewish" she was. It now comes off as being a phase, as I haven't heard anyone call her "Esther" in a long time.
Having said this, if an Orthodox Jewish baseball player started davening mincha in the middle of the playing field, complete with phylacteries and tallit, would he get such support? I have to wonder if it's about the religion and the way it looks to the secular public vs. actually having such spiritual beliefs and customs. Had Tebow been an Orthodox Jew and started quoting Rashi on his face and wearing a black hat and payos, would he still receive the support of the public for his religious beliefs? I bring this up because I feel that we are angling more toward a Christian society, based on the beliefs of celebrities that are supported by the general public. Since I'm not into sports, I'd like to transition this to the music realm.
I've heard a bunch of pop and country songs mention Jesus in their lyrics. There's a song by Jann Arden called "Could I Be Your Girl?" It has a great sound and beat, but in the chorus, Jesus is mentioned. She also says "Oh, my Lord." I don't know if the song is about Jesus or about love. It's very confusing. Then there's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which was played on every station when it first came out, even though it was by a country singer. There's also The Band Perry. I love them, but in two of their hit songs, they have some mention of the Lord in some way or another. They don't straight out say "Jesus," thankfully. However, it is there. My husband and I used to joke about "De-Jesusing" songs. We'd sing them and say "Hashem" instead. Oddly enough, I don't know of any popular music on the radio that uses the word "Hashem." And even though my sons think Uncle Moishy is a rock star, that doesn't count! Maybe it's not as commonplace for Jews to flaunt their beliefs in everyone's face (or ears, in this case), but I wish singers of other religions could show the same restraint. If I wanted to hear about Jesus on the radio, I'd listen to the gospel station. I appreciate that they have faith in a deity, but it still bothers me anyway. I feel like I have to censor the word in those songs for my kids and there's not even a swear word to be found.
So there you have it...I don't feel that religion and public entertainment of any kind (sports, movies, music) should mix unless there's going to be equal support for other religions to do the same to any extent. As I don't see that happening anytime soon, I feel we can exist happily without the use of religious symbolism in a secular society. There are reasons we have houses of worship, after all.
This week, Froggie picked the topic:
In 2010, the Denver Broncos drafted Tim Tebow, a quarterback from the University of Florida. Tebow, a devout Christian, would wear biblical references such as "John 3:16" on his eye paint during college games. Recently, there has been a lot of talk in the news about Tebow and how he kneels and prays after a game success. "Tebowing" has become a widespread phenomenon to the point that it has been accepted as a word in the English language.
WIth all this in mind, should professional athletes be able to publicly display their religious beliefs during games? What other thoughts do you have on this phenomenon?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I hadn't really heard of Tim Tebow and this phenomenon before now. I'm not always up to date with news stories. (Even though I was one of the few around my office who knew about the recent Beit Shemesh controversy, but that's another story in itself.) I don't go to sporting events all that often, but I have to wonder if Tebow is doing this for his actual beliefs or if it's just for show...to create an image for himself in the name of religion. It makes me think of when Madonna adopted Kabbalah as her religious beliefs and suddenly had to show off how "Jewish" she was. It now comes off as being a phase, as I haven't heard anyone call her "Esther" in a long time.
Having said this, if an Orthodox Jewish baseball player started davening mincha in the middle of the playing field, complete with phylacteries and tallit, would he get such support? I have to wonder if it's about the religion and the way it looks to the secular public vs. actually having such spiritual beliefs and customs. Had Tebow been an Orthodox Jew and started quoting Rashi on his face and wearing a black hat and payos, would he still receive the support of the public for his religious beliefs? I bring this up because I feel that we are angling more toward a Christian society, based on the beliefs of celebrities that are supported by the general public. Since I'm not into sports, I'd like to transition this to the music realm.
I've heard a bunch of pop and country songs mention Jesus in their lyrics. There's a song by Jann Arden called "Could I Be Your Girl?" It has a great sound and beat, but in the chorus, Jesus is mentioned. She also says "Oh, my Lord." I don't know if the song is about Jesus or about love. It's very confusing. Then there's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," which was played on every station when it first came out, even though it was by a country singer. There's also The Band Perry. I love them, but in two of their hit songs, they have some mention of the Lord in some way or another. They don't straight out say "Jesus," thankfully. However, it is there. My husband and I used to joke about "De-Jesusing" songs. We'd sing them and say "Hashem" instead. Oddly enough, I don't know of any popular music on the radio that uses the word "Hashem." And even though my sons think Uncle Moishy is a rock star, that doesn't count! Maybe it's not as commonplace for Jews to flaunt their beliefs in everyone's face (or ears, in this case), but I wish singers of other religions could show the same restraint. If I wanted to hear about Jesus on the radio, I'd listen to the gospel station. I appreciate that they have faith in a deity, but it still bothers me anyway. I feel like I have to censor the word in those songs for my kids and there's not even a swear word to be found.
So there you have it...I don't feel that religion and public entertainment of any kind (sports, movies, music) should mix unless there's going to be equal support for other religions to do the same to any extent. As I don't see that happening anytime soon, I feel we can exist happily without the use of religious symbolism in a secular society. There are reasons we have houses of worship, after all.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Two YEARS!
I've been blogging here for two years. So happy blogoversary to me! This blog has seen so much, including a big change in my life. :) I hope to get up the motivation to blog even more in 2012, so thanks for joining me on this ride and sticking around! :)
You can now like my blog on Facebook! I'm trying to get a link in for the sidebar but Blogger hasn't been cooperating.
In other news, my daughter is also 10 months old today. :) Her cochlear implant surgery is in one week, so please keep her in your prayers.
You can now like my blog on Facebook! I'm trying to get a link in for the sidebar but Blogger hasn't been cooperating.
In other news, my daughter is also 10 months old today. :) Her cochlear implant surgery is in one week, so please keep her in your prayers.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
My new celebrity crush
I tend to talk about celebrity crushes a lot. I make them pretty well known on Facebook. For a long time, it has been Adam Lambert. However, as much as I love him and his beautiful face and voice, I have moved on to "bigger" (and possibly better).
Meet my latest celebrity crush....
It started the way it did with Adam Lambert. I didn't like Jason Segel at first. I watched "Freaks and Geeks" and just found his character all annoying, which transitioned to him as an actor somehow. Then I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and got a new perspective. He just looked really good and took on this strong personality. He was hilarious too! I didn't give it much more thought and saw him in other movies from time to time. Then I became addicted to "How I Met Your Mother" this past year and he just grew on me to the point of crushability. I know he's playing a role, but he's ever so adorable as Marshall. He was also the only thing I liked about "Bad Teacher." I looked forward to his on screen time. Then there's "The Muppets." Anyone who can bring the classics from my youth back to the big screen with such style and humor earns mega-crush points in my book! There's also the fact that he seems so down-to-earth in general. I can see him being really nice to his fans outside of his role as Marshall. That's something admirable. Plus, he can sing!!! (Bonus points there!) I think he reminds me of my husband in looks and personality, which adds to the crush. I think it's a different kind of crush than I had on Adam Lambert, but it's still a crush nonetheless! And he's definitely on my list of celebrities to meet!
He recently channeled Andre the Giant on SNL and did it so well that I was laughing to the point of tears. Check it out here.
Meet my latest celebrity crush....
It started the way it did with Adam Lambert. I didn't like Jason Segel at first. I watched "Freaks and Geeks" and just found his character all annoying, which transitioned to him as an actor somehow. Then I saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and got a new perspective. He just looked really good and took on this strong personality. He was hilarious too! I didn't give it much more thought and saw him in other movies from time to time. Then I became addicted to "How I Met Your Mother" this past year and he just grew on me to the point of crushability. I know he's playing a role, but he's ever so adorable as Marshall. He was also the only thing I liked about "Bad Teacher." I looked forward to his on screen time. Then there's "The Muppets." Anyone who can bring the classics from my youth back to the big screen with such style and humor earns mega-crush points in my book! There's also the fact that he seems so down-to-earth in general. I can see him being really nice to his fans outside of his role as Marshall. That's something admirable. Plus, he can sing!!! (Bonus points there!) I think he reminds me of my husband in looks and personality, which adds to the crush. I think it's a different kind of crush than I had on Adam Lambert, but it's still a crush nonetheless! And he's definitely on my list of celebrities to meet!
He recently channeled Andre the Giant on SNL and did it so well that I was laughing to the point of tears. Check it out here.
Friday, December 23, 2011
'Tis the season
While we're constantly having Christmas thrown at us from every angle, between the TV, radio, stores, houses with lights, etc., I still can't muster up a "feel" for the winter holidays this year. I know I celebrate Hanukkah and that it is going on now, but even that feels misplaced to me, like we're doing it at the wrong time of the year. I thought it was the weather being more balmy than usual, but we spent many a winter holiday season in Florida when I was a kid and it still had a "feel" to me.
To understand what I'm getting at, allow me to backtrack a bit. My mom's first cousin is not Jewish. (There was some intermarriage in our family.) Therefore, she and her family celebrate Christmas. We would celebrate the day with them when I was growing up and even as I was becoming an adult. As a result, there was a time in my life when I actually enjoyed Christmas and all it had to offer. I love celebrating Hanukkah, but there was something warm and wonderful about Christmas at the time. It gave the whole month of December a certain "feel." We would go to our cousins' house and the whole place would be decked out in Christmas gear. They had a really nice (huge) tree taking up part of their living room. (Their house represented Christmas so well that it was weird to go there any other time of the year, when all the decorations were gone.) They had relaxing Christmas tunes playing in the background the entire time. And then there was the food. There would be snacks when we first came in. Amongst the snacks was a bowl of dill weed dip (my favorite). I'd use it for cucumbers and potato chips. Dinner was turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, etc. I don't think the items ever varied from year to year. The best part was dessert. Our cousin had my late maternal grandma's cheesecake recipe and would make it with cherries on top. There were Frango mint cookies and brownies, as well. Three other things that made the experience memorable....eating dinner on the giant ping pong table in the basement, getting free Disney CDs (our cousin's husband worked for Disney records at the time) and most important of all, having my grandma and great-uncle there. (They were brother and sister and passed away about 4 1/2 years apart from one another.) Another treat was my cousin's husband's sister coming in every other year or so. She was just really nice. On the way home, we'd be all bundled up in the car on a snowy night, passing by all the houses with twinkling lights. There was something so peaceful about the drive back to our house.
After my great-uncle passed away in 2000, the feeling of the day changed a bit. My grandma was also not doing so well and getting confused more often. The enthusiasm the two of them brought to the day had diminished. As our group got smaller, we stopped eating in the basement and ate at a dining room table in the kitchen instead. It was still a nice day, but it just felt different.
When my older son was born, we stopped doing the annual Christmas dinners at my cousins' house. We didn't want to expose him to Christmas, even as a baby. We would travel to visit my mother-in-law instead and spend a traditional Hanukkah with her. After we moved, we didn't come back to visit on Christmas. One year, we came in the day after and just focused on Hanukkah and New Year's Eve. That was back in 2007. In 2008, we spent Christmas day in Baltimore with my in-laws and stayed for a Shabbos weekend. It didn't even feel like Christmas at that point. It was just another day. The following years, Christmas was combined with Shabbat, so it was easy not to notice it and we didn't have to listen to the music either. :) By this point, Christmas music had started to annoy me overall.
Back to the present. Christmas is on a Sunday this year. For us observant Jews, it's considered to be just another day. It's equivalent to non-Jews getting the day off for Rosh Hashanah (at least those who work in schools and Jewish organizations do). However, there's not as much to do on Christmas, aside from going to movies and eating Chinese food. We have yet to do that on Christmas anyway. This year, my family is coming in for a visit, so I'm looking forward to that. I hope we'll be able to find some entertaining things to do though. Maybe this is the year we'll get Chinese. Who knows? I'm just thrilled to have them here to spend time with us and the kids. In any case, we're celebrating Hanukkah and it just happens to coincide with Christmas again this year. It will be nice to have a holiday at the same time as everyone else, but I also hope the kids don't get cabin fever. If it's nice enough out, we could go outside.
I'm not sure what the lack of a "feel" is about this year. Maybe I'm burnt out from being so busy lately? Perhaps it's nerves over my daughter's upcoming cochlear implant surgery? Is it because I've become so disassociated from Christmas that it really has become just another day for me too, thus overtaking the way the holiday season feels in general? I would hope to get a "feel" from Hanukkah though, since that's my whole focus these days (even though I'm having trouble focusing on it). And it's one of my favorite holidays. At work, everyone has been gathering for menorah lighting on a daily basis. Someone shares a reflection about Hanukkah each day. It's really nice, but I still can't say that it gets me into the mood of the holiday. I'm hoping that having my family here will bring in a "feel" for this time of year. (And I hope to see "The Muppets" too. :) ) Finally, I'd eventually like that cheesecake recipe so I can make it for Shavuot and maybe start a new tradition in that way.
To understand what I'm getting at, allow me to backtrack a bit. My mom's first cousin is not Jewish. (There was some intermarriage in our family.) Therefore, she and her family celebrate Christmas. We would celebrate the day with them when I was growing up and even as I was becoming an adult. As a result, there was a time in my life when I actually enjoyed Christmas and all it had to offer. I love celebrating Hanukkah, but there was something warm and wonderful about Christmas at the time. It gave the whole month of December a certain "feel." We would go to our cousins' house and the whole place would be decked out in Christmas gear. They had a really nice (huge) tree taking up part of their living room. (Their house represented Christmas so well that it was weird to go there any other time of the year, when all the decorations were gone.) They had relaxing Christmas tunes playing in the background the entire time. And then there was the food. There would be snacks when we first came in. Amongst the snacks was a bowl of dill weed dip (my favorite). I'd use it for cucumbers and potato chips. Dinner was turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, etc. I don't think the items ever varied from year to year. The best part was dessert. Our cousin had my late maternal grandma's cheesecake recipe and would make it with cherries on top. There were Frango mint cookies and brownies, as well. Three other things that made the experience memorable....eating dinner on the giant ping pong table in the basement, getting free Disney CDs (our cousin's husband worked for Disney records at the time) and most important of all, having my grandma and great-uncle there. (They were brother and sister and passed away about 4 1/2 years apart from one another.) Another treat was my cousin's husband's sister coming in every other year or so. She was just really nice. On the way home, we'd be all bundled up in the car on a snowy night, passing by all the houses with twinkling lights. There was something so peaceful about the drive back to our house.
After my great-uncle passed away in 2000, the feeling of the day changed a bit. My grandma was also not doing so well and getting confused more often. The enthusiasm the two of them brought to the day had diminished. As our group got smaller, we stopped eating in the basement and ate at a dining room table in the kitchen instead. It was still a nice day, but it just felt different.
When my older son was born, we stopped doing the annual Christmas dinners at my cousins' house. We didn't want to expose him to Christmas, even as a baby. We would travel to visit my mother-in-law instead and spend a traditional Hanukkah with her. After we moved, we didn't come back to visit on Christmas. One year, we came in the day after and just focused on Hanukkah and New Year's Eve. That was back in 2007. In 2008, we spent Christmas day in Baltimore with my in-laws and stayed for a Shabbos weekend. It didn't even feel like Christmas at that point. It was just another day. The following years, Christmas was combined with Shabbat, so it was easy not to notice it and we didn't have to listen to the music either. :) By this point, Christmas music had started to annoy me overall.
Back to the present. Christmas is on a Sunday this year. For us observant Jews, it's considered to be just another day. It's equivalent to non-Jews getting the day off for Rosh Hashanah (at least those who work in schools and Jewish organizations do). However, there's not as much to do on Christmas, aside from going to movies and eating Chinese food. We have yet to do that on Christmas anyway. This year, my family is coming in for a visit, so I'm looking forward to that. I hope we'll be able to find some entertaining things to do though. Maybe this is the year we'll get Chinese. Who knows? I'm just thrilled to have them here to spend time with us and the kids. In any case, we're celebrating Hanukkah and it just happens to coincide with Christmas again this year. It will be nice to have a holiday at the same time as everyone else, but I also hope the kids don't get cabin fever. If it's nice enough out, we could go outside.
I'm not sure what the lack of a "feel" is about this year. Maybe I'm burnt out from being so busy lately? Perhaps it's nerves over my daughter's upcoming cochlear implant surgery? Is it because I've become so disassociated from Christmas that it really has become just another day for me too, thus overtaking the way the holiday season feels in general? I would hope to get a "feel" from Hanukkah though, since that's my whole focus these days (even though I'm having trouble focusing on it). And it's one of my favorite holidays. At work, everyone has been gathering for menorah lighting on a daily basis. Someone shares a reflection about Hanukkah each day. It's really nice, but I still can't say that it gets me into the mood of the holiday. I'm hoping that having my family here will bring in a "feel" for this time of year. (And I hope to see "The Muppets" too. :) ) Finally, I'd eventually like that cheesecake recipe so I can make it for Shavuot and maybe start a new tradition in that way.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Is it worth the risk?
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: NTSA says that talking on your cell phone even with a blue tooth, is as dangerous or more dangerous than driving drunk. The recommendation is to ban use of cell phones in cars. What do you think about that?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I first want to say that I disagree with the first part of that statement. It's basically implying that you shouldn't be talking in your car at all. What's the difference if you're talking on your phone or to someone sitting right next to you if the act of conversation is somehow impairing your ability to drive. Drunk driving impairs your vision, reaction time and ability to think. Talking to someone may be distracting, but no more than if they were in the car.
How about driving while your children are screaming in the back seat and your baby is wailing because they're hungry? Try the situation I was in the other day, when my daughter started eating her hearing aid while I was driving. I was freaked out by that more than any old phone conversation. (I pulled over and got it out, but still....) It was WAY more distracting than talking to a mature adult who can listen to reason! So maybe NTSA should ban children in the car.
Then there's the weather to consider. Poor road conditions are way more unsafe than having a conversation in the car. I was alone in my car and didn't even have a cell phone with me on the day I nearly skidded into a pole in my first car (there was no anti-lock brake system back in the day that car was made). I was alert and driving fine but the road didn't seem to agree with my car. There's also heavy rain, snow or fog that can impair vision. So should life stop because of bad weather? Maybe NTSA should take it up with Mother Nature for a change!
There are also other idiot drivers to keep in mind. I could have a perfect driving record but someone making an illegal U-turn, when it's obvious that I have the right of the way, should be banned from being behind the wheel at all.
All joking (somewhat) aside, I do keep a cell phone with me and sometimes I answer it in my car. I still have a handheld (*gasp!*) and am able to talk into it and drive at the same time. Usually there is so much traffic that I'm not going very far anyway. I use it to call my husband or the sitter to tell them if I'm running late. I have it there for safety reasons, which is ironic given what NTSA has to say. I don't text (not that I would anyway) and when I do have conversations, I keep them brief and to the point and try to only call when it's clear that I'll be stuck at a Maryland traffic light (they take about FIVE minutes to change from red to green) and I need to reach someone. If I'm being called by someone who has no effect on my schedule for the ride home from work, I let it go to voice mail and call back later.
Back to texting...I totally agree that texting while driving is incredibly unsafe and that is more comparable to drunk driving than having a conversation. My husband uses his cell as a GPS and I tell him to enter the destination before he starts driving. I get so upset when he tries to play with it while driving. I don't care how good a driver he is. It's just not safe!
To sum things up, I equate talking on a cell phone while driving with having a conversation with someone sitting in the car. I think it's safer than a lot of the other dangerous elements and behaviors out there. I have used a phone in my car and one that is handheld, no less. (It's usually easier at night when no one can see into my car). It's only for calls of immediate importance though. I will not text and will not let anyone else text while I have any say in the matter. I think the NTSA should look at the other dangers awaiting drivers every day before trying to ban all kinds of cell phone use.
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: NTSA says that talking on your cell phone even with a blue tooth, is as dangerous or more dangerous than driving drunk. The recommendation is to ban use of cell phones in cars. What do you think about that?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I first want to say that I disagree with the first part of that statement. It's basically implying that you shouldn't be talking in your car at all. What's the difference if you're talking on your phone or to someone sitting right next to you if the act of conversation is somehow impairing your ability to drive. Drunk driving impairs your vision, reaction time and ability to think. Talking to someone may be distracting, but no more than if they were in the car.
How about driving while your children are screaming in the back seat and your baby is wailing because they're hungry? Try the situation I was in the other day, when my daughter started eating her hearing aid while I was driving. I was freaked out by that more than any old phone conversation. (I pulled over and got it out, but still....) It was WAY more distracting than talking to a mature adult who can listen to reason! So maybe NTSA should ban children in the car.
Then there's the weather to consider. Poor road conditions are way more unsafe than having a conversation in the car. I was alone in my car and didn't even have a cell phone with me on the day I nearly skidded into a pole in my first car (there was no anti-lock brake system back in the day that car was made). I was alert and driving fine but the road didn't seem to agree with my car. There's also heavy rain, snow or fog that can impair vision. So should life stop because of bad weather? Maybe NTSA should take it up with Mother Nature for a change!
There are also other idiot drivers to keep in mind. I could have a perfect driving record but someone making an illegal U-turn, when it's obvious that I have the right of the way, should be banned from being behind the wheel at all.
All joking (somewhat) aside, I do keep a cell phone with me and sometimes I answer it in my car. I still have a handheld (*gasp!*) and am able to talk into it and drive at the same time. Usually there is so much traffic that I'm not going very far anyway. I use it to call my husband or the sitter to tell them if I'm running late. I have it there for safety reasons, which is ironic given what NTSA has to say. I don't text (not that I would anyway) and when I do have conversations, I keep them brief and to the point and try to only call when it's clear that I'll be stuck at a Maryland traffic light (they take about FIVE minutes to change from red to green) and I need to reach someone. If I'm being called by someone who has no effect on my schedule for the ride home from work, I let it go to voice mail and call back later.
Back to texting...I totally agree that texting while driving is incredibly unsafe and that is more comparable to drunk driving than having a conversation. My husband uses his cell as a GPS and I tell him to enter the destination before he starts driving. I get so upset when he tries to play with it while driving. I don't care how good a driver he is. It's just not safe!
To sum things up, I equate talking on a cell phone while driving with having a conversation with someone sitting in the car. I think it's safer than a lot of the other dangerous elements and behaviors out there. I have used a phone in my car and one that is handheld, no less. (It's usually easier at night when no one can see into my car). It's only for calls of immediate importance though. I will not text and will not let anyone else text while I have any say in the matter. I think the NTSA should look at the other dangers awaiting drivers every day before trying to ban all kinds of cell phone use.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Know Me Better...holiday version
I am a Reader, Not a Writer is a blog I've been following. The blogger's new initiative is to pick five questions off of her author interview list to answer. She invited her readers to share their answers to these questions, as well. One of the ways to do this is through our own blogs. So I'm going to do it right here.
This Week's Questions:
This Week's Questions are Holiday Related. If you don't celebrate Christmas feel free to modify the questions to apply to the holiday you do celebrate
*Red or Green?
*Favorite Christmas Carol? (changed below)
*What do you want for Christmas? (changed below)
*Favorite Holiday Treat?
*Favorite Holiday Tradition?
Red or Green?
Blue. :)
Favorite Hanukkah song?
"Candlelight" by The Maccabeats. I can't get enough of it and I love how my kids know the words. The video is cute too.
What do you want for Hanukkah?
Honestly, I am getting what I want this year, and that is to spend it with my parents and sister. I'm looking forward to their visit. I'm more excited about my kids getting gifts these days. I have enough stuff as it is. :) I went shopping like crazy for them though.
Favorite Holiday Treat?
Latkes are always good. I love them! My dad has a great recipe that has made him really popular over the years. However, I also love when my husband makes them a different way.
As far as winter in general, I can't resist Candy Cane Joe-Joe's from Trader Joe's. They only come out this time of year. Hot cocoa with whipped cream on top is another great treat!
Favorite Holiday Tradition?
Lighting the menorah with my husband and kids. There's this nice, peaceful moment involved and the candles look so pretty.
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section (or link it up to the host site). I'd love to read your answers too!
Nobody puts Baby in a corner!
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Write about the celebrity people say you look like.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I definitely don't mind this comparison. Especially since she got to dance with the gorgeous (late) Patrick Swayze. Maybe the resemblance gave me hope at the time, that I'd meet someone who would find me attractive too. Oh, and she also got to kick Mr. Rooney in the face. Several times, I might add!
The funniest thing is that there was a time on Facebook where everyone was posting their celebrity doppelgangers as their profile pictures and I posted the above picture. I suddenly got comments asking if the picture was of me. That definitely confirmed what other people had told me.
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Write about the celebrity people say you look like.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
It's funny that this topic came up, as I had been watching various episodes of "How I Met Your Mother" which focus on the characters having doppelgangers. However, theirs are not celebrities...well, maybe local celebrities (such as Mustache Marshall and Mexican Wrestler Ted).
In my case, I've had people tell me I resemble a certain actress famous for her roles in some of my favorite 80's movies. However, while she only carried one watermelon, I've carried three of what felt like watermelons over a five year span of time.
Yes, I look like Jennifer Grey, before the nose job that changed her whole face. (And you wonder why I wouldn't want to get a nose job!)
I definitely don't mind this comparison. Especially since she got to dance with the gorgeous (late) Patrick Swayze. Maybe the resemblance gave me hope at the time, that I'd meet someone who would find me attractive too. Oh, and she also got to kick Mr. Rooney in the face. Several times, I might add!
The funniest thing is that there was a time on Facebook where everyone was posting their celebrity doppelgangers as their profile pictures and I posted the above picture. I suddenly got comments asking if the picture was of me. That definitely confirmed what other people had told me.
Even though she's not as recognizable now, I'm glad I can help immortalize her "before" face.
Aside from this comparison, I was motivated to play Magenta at "Rocky Horror" performances because one girl told me I looked like her with my wild, frizzy hair. Then there were people who told me I looked like Little Orphan Annie, but mainly because I had lots of curls.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wish I Was Here
To promote her latest novel, "Reaching for the Stars," Janice Horton challenged readers to post a picture of a place I wish I could escape to.I was thinking it would be nice to go on another cruise. My parents and sister are going on one next year and I can't help being the teensiest bit jealous. I posted a picture of the top view because just looking at a boat right in front of you doesn't tell you of the cool things and beauty contained within. I hope to someday go with my husband and kids on a cruise. That would be fun!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Know Me Better
I am a Reader, Not a Writer is a blog I've been following. The blogger's new initiative is to pick five questions off of her author interview list to answer. She invited her readers to share their answers to these questions, as well. One of the ways to do this is through our own blogs. So I'm going to do it right here.
This Week's Questions:
*Pet Peeves?
*Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your life starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
*Pizza or Pasta?
*Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
*Favorite sport?
Pet Peeves?
Lately, I can’t stand when people use grammar improperly, and they’re not even a young child. The worst is inserting “you know” in the middle of a sentence. If I knew, then you wouldn’t have to...you know...tell me! Then there’s the changing of the way a word sounds or is spelled to sound cute. What is a “kitteh?” Last I checked, it was a kitten or kitty.
I also can’t stand people who honk their horns at someone for no reason. I’ll turn when it’s safe, not on your freaking watch!
Finally, how everything is about Christmas during the holiday season. As much as I love “Glee,” there are quite a few Jewish characters on the show and not one Hanukkah song in two years of having the Christmas episodes. I also have yet to see any Hanukkah commercials.
Oh, there are more, but I’m being nice!
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your life starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
I get up at 5:50 am to exercise. Then I get the boys up so they can at least start thinking about being awake. I take my shower and get ready. Then I get the baby up and ready if she isn’t up by that time. My husband takes her to day care and I make sure the boys have breakfast while I’m preparing their lunches. The bus comes for my older son and then I take my younger son to school. I get to work by 9:00, which is when I start anyway.
I work, eat lunch while reading, work more, and then go home. On the way, I pick up my younger son from school and then my older son from wherever he is being watched that day. My husband picks up the baby and meets us at home. We have dinner and then the kids get ready for bed. Sometimes this involves a bath or shower first. We read to them and they go to bed (if they’re cooperating that night). Then we watch whichever of our shows is on and get some other stuff done, whether it is housework, blogging, etc. We go to bed pretty late after that.
Pizza or Pasta?
This is like asking me to choose a favorite out of all three of my children. There’s no way that is happening. I exist on both pizza and pasta equally!
Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....“She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb. This is why.
Favorite sport?
Bowling, of course! What else?!? I wrote this post about bowling exactly one year ago. :)
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
This Week's Questions:
*Pet Peeves?
*Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your life starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
*Pizza or Pasta?
*Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....
*Favorite sport?
Pet Peeves?
Lately, I can’t stand when people use grammar improperly, and they’re not even a young child. The worst is inserting “you know” in the middle of a sentence. If I knew, then you wouldn’t have to...you know...tell me! Then there’s the changing of the way a word sounds or is spelled to sound cute. What is a “kitteh?” Last I checked, it was a kitten or kitty.
I also can’t stand people who honk their horns at someone for no reason. I’ll turn when it’s safe, not on your freaking watch!
Finally, how everything is about Christmas during the holiday season. As much as I love “Glee,” there are quite a few Jewish characters on the show and not one Hanukkah song in two years of having the Christmas episodes. I also have yet to see any Hanukkah commercials.
Oh, there are more, but I’m being nice!
Give us a glimpse into a typical day in your life starting when you wake up till you lie down again.
I get up at 5:50 am to exercise. Then I get the boys up so they can at least start thinking about being awake. I take my shower and get ready. Then I get the baby up and ready if she isn’t up by that time. My husband takes her to day care and I make sure the boys have breakfast while I’m preparing their lunches. The bus comes for my older son and then I take my younger son to school. I get to work by 9:00, which is when I start anyway.
I work, eat lunch while reading, work more, and then go home. On the way, I pick up my younger son from school and then my older son from wherever he is being watched that day. My husband picks up the baby and meets us at home. We have dinner and then the kids get ready for bed. Sometimes this involves a bath or shower first. We read to them and they go to bed (if they’re cooperating that night). Then we watch whichever of our shows is on and get some other stuff done, whether it is housework, blogging, etc. We go to bed pretty late after that.
Pizza or Pasta?
This is like asking me to choose a favorite out of all three of my children. There’s no way that is happening. I exist on both pizza and pasta equally!
Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....“She’s Come Undone” by Wally Lamb. This is why.
Favorite sport?
Bowling, of course! What else?!? I wrote this post about bowling exactly one year ago. :)
You're welcome to do this question challenge in your blog and then post the link in the comments section. I'd love to read your answers too!
Interview with a Virgo
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, I picked the topic: Interview your partner from last week's post. Ask 10 questions, including the one you're dying to know the answer to.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie-Interviewed Moma Rock
Mom of Many--She interviewed me! :)
Moma Rock-Interviewed Froggie
Last week, I wrote what I knew about Susanna, a.k.a. Mom of Many. This week, I asked her some fun and thought-provoking questions to get to know her even better. I enjoyed reading her answers and hope you will too!
Which of your kids is most similar to you in personality?
I would say Hannah. When she was a baby she would make faces at me that were exactly like faces I make. She is easily annoyed when things do not go her way. She is also motivated and determined, maybe a bit stubborn. But, she also has a good heart. My Sammy is the one I am least like. He is just so sweet and charming. The way he can schmooze people into doing amazing things, these are skills I just don't have.
How are you most and least like your Zodiac sign?
I am not really sure what they say about my Zodiac sign other than Virgos are organized and detail oriented. I am organized, but not very detail oriented.
What is the craziest thing that's ever happened while you were traveling?
I was on a business trip and the airline called me to tell me that my plane was going to be delayed and that they would rebook me on a different flight, but it was leaving 30 minutes earlier. I decided that I could make it. So I booked it to the airport. I got there and the agent had not done something right and because I didn't have a paper ticket (it was a while ago), I had no plane reservation for that day. I ended up buying a ticket on the plane so I could go on the trip. But, because there were no coach tickets left I had to buy a first class seat. (The airline ended up refunding me the entire amount because it was their error.) As I was flying with a lot of coworkers, many heads were turned.
When we arrived at our hotel, I let everyone else check in first, since there was some anomosity about the whole first class situation. I got my room key and went up to my room. I opened the door to my room, just as a naked man was walking out of the bathroom after completing a shower. It was horrifing for everyone. I immediately went back to the front desk and told them my story. There were no more rooms available. We were there for a trade show and all the rooms in the are had been booked. The only room still available was the Presidential Suite. Guess who slept in the Presidential Suite? I didn't mention it to my co-workers, but I sure enjoyed the whirlpool tub and other amenities while I was there that week.
The few people that I did tell about my misfortunes were upset that they checked in before me. I guess things work out sometimes!
How do you pay it forward?
I try and always be helpful to parents who look frazzled. It really is more paying it back than paying it forward. While many people have been unbelievably rude to me, there have been ones that have shown me such amazing grace that I try and remember them and follow their lead. My favorite thing to do is buy candy for kids when there mothers a loosing it. I walk up to the mom and say, "Your kids are so cute and nice, I just wanted to get them a small treat, would it be ok if I give them some M&M's?" It always changes the mood. The moms stop being crabby and snapping at the kids and a boost in blood sugar can sometimes make everyone happier.
If a movie were made about your life, who would play you, your husband and your kids?
A movie about my life? That is sort of hard to contemplate. I am not really sure who would play us? Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt? Aren't they the celeb parents dejour? That is right, my look, my life, they are just like Angelina's. My husband sure looks like Brad Pitt. I am really not sure who would play the kids. You would think I could, I watch enough Disney channel. The actor who plays Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, while not the right age, would be great for Mac. Jessie from the new Disney channel show would be a good Hannah. Sam... I can't think of an actor that is charming and adorable, but that would be who would play Sam.
If you could learn a new language, what would you pick and why?
Spanish. We watch a lot of soccer on Spanish television and it would be nice to understand it better.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
Blues Brothers. I am not sure why, but I really loved that movie. Now that we live in Chicago, it would be fun to watch it with the kids.
Where is your favorite place to shop?
I don't really shop much, but many of my clothes come from Eddie Bauer. I also like to shop at Target and Kohl's. I wish I could afford fancier stuff, but since it is likely someone will puke or pee on me, well, I guess utilitarian is the way to go.
What is your #1 tip for saving money?
Do not buy things you don't need. We buy a lot of things that we don't really need, but want. At the end of the day the easiest way to save money is to not spend it in the first place. This applies to everything, including the grocery store. When was the last time you bought food you didn't use and tossed because it was yucky? Or you bought food that wasn't really healthy? I always ask myself, do I need this? If do need it, then I try and get it at the best possible price.
As someone who was raised non-Jewish, what do you find most compelling about Judaism?
I hope my answer does not offend you. I don't really find anything compelling about Judaism. I believe that there are many paths to G-d. Within that there is "organized" religion. Organized religion offers a structured path to G-d. As humans we like structure. If you look at the basic fundamentals of most religions, they center around living an ethical life. There are different paths and beliefs about what is defined as an ethical life. I can not believe that G-d really chooses people of one faith over another. Is an ethical Christian really better or worse than an ethical Buddhist? I don't think so. Because I don't really believe in organized religion, it was an obvious choice to raise our kids as Jews. My husband had a very strong belief that was the right way to do it. I want my kids to have a religious foundation. I recognize that my unorthodox set of beliefs is not really practical for most people. If my kids get older and make other spiritual decisions, then I will support that. As long as they have a connection to G-d, I don't really care what path the follow. Of course, this begs the question, if I don't find anything compelling about Judaism, why do I fight so hard to make sure that my kid's rights are protected? It is more of a philosphical point of view, I believe that discrimination of any type is wrong. Especially in the US, a country founded by people escaping religious persecution. It is a slap in the face of the people that created our country to allow religious persecution. Also, who wants their kids to be outsiders?
If you like what you read today, you can learn more about Susanna and her views on life by visiting her blog.
This week, I picked the topic: Interview your partner from last week's post. Ask 10 questions, including the one you're dying to know the answer to.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie-Interviewed Moma Rock
Mom of Many--She interviewed me! :)
Moma Rock-Interviewed Froggie
Last week, I wrote what I knew about Susanna, a.k.a. Mom of Many. This week, I asked her some fun and thought-provoking questions to get to know her even better. I enjoyed reading her answers and hope you will too!
Which of your kids is most similar to you in personality?
I would say Hannah. When she was a baby she would make faces at me that were exactly like faces I make. She is easily annoyed when things do not go her way. She is also motivated and determined, maybe a bit stubborn. But, she also has a good heart. My Sammy is the one I am least like. He is just so sweet and charming. The way he can schmooze people into doing amazing things, these are skills I just don't have.
How are you most and least like your Zodiac sign?
I am not really sure what they say about my Zodiac sign other than Virgos are organized and detail oriented. I am organized, but not very detail oriented.
What is the craziest thing that's ever happened while you were traveling?
I was on a business trip and the airline called me to tell me that my plane was going to be delayed and that they would rebook me on a different flight, but it was leaving 30 minutes earlier. I decided that I could make it. So I booked it to the airport. I got there and the agent had not done something right and because I didn't have a paper ticket (it was a while ago), I had no plane reservation for that day. I ended up buying a ticket on the plane so I could go on the trip. But, because there were no coach tickets left I had to buy a first class seat. (The airline ended up refunding me the entire amount because it was their error.) As I was flying with a lot of coworkers, many heads were turned.
When we arrived at our hotel, I let everyone else check in first, since there was some anomosity about the whole first class situation. I got my room key and went up to my room. I opened the door to my room, just as a naked man was walking out of the bathroom after completing a shower. It was horrifing for everyone. I immediately went back to the front desk and told them my story. There were no more rooms available. We were there for a trade show and all the rooms in the are had been booked. The only room still available was the Presidential Suite. Guess who slept in the Presidential Suite? I didn't mention it to my co-workers, but I sure enjoyed the whirlpool tub and other amenities while I was there that week.
The few people that I did tell about my misfortunes were upset that they checked in before me. I guess things work out sometimes!
How do you pay it forward?
I try and always be helpful to parents who look frazzled. It really is more paying it back than paying it forward. While many people have been unbelievably rude to me, there have been ones that have shown me such amazing grace that I try and remember them and follow their lead. My favorite thing to do is buy candy for kids when there mothers a loosing it. I walk up to the mom and say, "Your kids are so cute and nice, I just wanted to get them a small treat, would it be ok if I give them some M&M's?" It always changes the mood. The moms stop being crabby and snapping at the kids and a boost in blood sugar can sometimes make everyone happier.
If a movie were made about your life, who would play you, your husband and your kids?
A movie about my life? That is sort of hard to contemplate. I am not really sure who would play us? Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt? Aren't they the celeb parents dejour? That is right, my look, my life, they are just like Angelina's. My husband sure looks like Brad Pitt. I am really not sure who would play the kids. You would think I could, I watch enough Disney channel. The actor who plays Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory, while not the right age, would be great for Mac. Jessie from the new Disney channel show would be a good Hannah. Sam... I can't think of an actor that is charming and adorable, but that would be who would play Sam.
If you could learn a new language, what would you pick and why?
Spanish. We watch a lot of soccer on Spanish television and it would be nice to understand it better.
What is your favorite movie of all time?
Blues Brothers. I am not sure why, but I really loved that movie. Now that we live in Chicago, it would be fun to watch it with the kids.
Where is your favorite place to shop?
I don't really shop much, but many of my clothes come from Eddie Bauer. I also like to shop at Target and Kohl's. I wish I could afford fancier stuff, but since it is likely someone will puke or pee on me, well, I guess utilitarian is the way to go.
What is your #1 tip for saving money?
Do not buy things you don't need. We buy a lot of things that we don't really need, but want. At the end of the day the easiest way to save money is to not spend it in the first place. This applies to everything, including the grocery store. When was the last time you bought food you didn't use and tossed because it was yucky? Or you bought food that wasn't really healthy? I always ask myself, do I need this? If do need it, then I try and get it at the best possible price.
As someone who was raised non-Jewish, what do you find most compelling about Judaism?
I hope my answer does not offend you. I don't really find anything compelling about Judaism. I believe that there are many paths to G-d. Within that there is "organized" religion. Organized religion offers a structured path to G-d. As humans we like structure. If you look at the basic fundamentals of most religions, they center around living an ethical life. There are different paths and beliefs about what is defined as an ethical life. I can not believe that G-d really chooses people of one faith over another. Is an ethical Christian really better or worse than an ethical Buddhist? I don't think so. Because I don't really believe in organized religion, it was an obvious choice to raise our kids as Jews. My husband had a very strong belief that was the right way to do it. I want my kids to have a religious foundation. I recognize that my unorthodox set of beliefs is not really practical for most people. If my kids get older and make other spiritual decisions, then I will support that. As long as they have a connection to G-d, I don't really care what path the follow. Of course, this begs the question, if I don't find anything compelling about Judaism, why do I fight so hard to make sure that my kid's rights are protected? It is more of a philosphical point of view, I believe that discrimination of any type is wrong. Especially in the US, a country founded by people escaping religious persecution. It is a slap in the face of the people that created our country to allow religious persecution. Also, who wants their kids to be outsiders?
If you like what you read today, you can learn more about Susanna and her views on life by visiting her blog.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Not so funny Friday
I think I'm going to retire "Funny Friday" for now. I have been insanely busy and can't focus on finding funny things to post each week. I hope, in 2012, to post more about life in general and include some funny things here and there.
Thanks and I hope I made you laugh this year!
Thanks and I hope I made you laugh this year!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Oh, Susanna!
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Froggie picked the topic: I'd like to know what you have learned about each other by reading these entries. What has surprised you the most? The least? What is one thing you've always wanted to ask your "partner," but just haven't. (She partnered us with someone and I got Mom of Many, a.k.a. Susanna.)
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many--This one is about me. :)
Moma Rock
From reading Susanna's blog and also getting to know her through various e-mails, I can tell that we have some things in common.
For starters, we both have three kids...two boys and a girl. In both cases, the girl is the youngest of the three. Our kids overlap in age only once, at 6 years old. Her other two are older and my other two are younger.
Also, we're both Jewish and are on different paths than where we started from. She was not raised Jewish, but is Jewish now for all intents and purposes. I became Ba'al Tshuva, which is a transition from my Reform roots.
We both moved halfway across the country, but in opposite directions. She moved from the east to the midwest and I moved from the midwest to the east.
What I also know about Susanna to be true:
She loves to knit.
She's a stay-at-home soccer mom.
She is great to go to for advice (given she's more like Lucy from "Peanuts" than any Disney character).
She's a strong advocate for her kids. If someone hurts any of her kids, she will go all mama bear on them.
She's been through some hard times and came out on top. Her theme song is "If You're Going through Hell" by Rodney Atkins.
She's at a place where she's comfortable with her self image and not afraid to show it. She is also very direct and doesn't care what others think.
She's philosophical without even trying. She'll take a situation and turn it into a life lesson that can benefit both her and whomever is reading her blog.
I actually met Susanna a while before we started this blog project. Froggie (a.k.a. Tracey) introduced us a while back through Facebook and we started talking. We learned new things about each other. She helped me through a rough period of time when my husband lost his horrible job. She had been through similar situations with her husband and even offered to introduce the two of them to each other so they could talk further.
When I was back in Chicago for a visit in the summer of 2010, I got to meet her and her adorable daughter in person. That was really nice. I think the in-person connection strengthened our virtual friendship.
When my daughter was born, she not only got her a cute little dress, but also knit her a stuffed elephant! How sweet is that?!?
Our lives tend to get ahead of us at times, but we still find ways to check in with one another, even if it's just for a quick hello. Doing this blog project has definitely helped!
As for the question I'm dying to ask...Until now, I was under the impression that Susanna converted to Judaism, as she is very strong in her Jewish beliefs. She considers herself an honorary Jew and will fight tooth and nail to keep Christmas songs out of her kids' schools. In lieu of this, I will be asking her next week: "As someone who was raised non-Jewish, what do you find most compelling about Judaism?" I know a few people who have converted to Judaism and seem stronger in their faith than people who were born and raised Jewish. While Susanna has not actually converted, she's so believably Jewish that most people (including myself) don't realize this fact. So it interests me to know where her strength in conviction comes from.
Tune in next week for the answer to this and some other questions I asked her in hopes of getting to know her even better!
From left to right: Susanna (Mom of Many), her lovely little girl, Tracey (Froggie), my sweet (and sometimes silly) son, me. (July, 2010)
This week, Froggie picked the topic: I'd like to know what you have learned about each other by reading these entries. What has surprised you the most? The least? What is one thing you've always wanted to ask your "partner," but just haven't. (She partnered us with someone and I got Mom of Many, a.k.a. Susanna.)
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many--This one is about me. :)
Moma Rock
From reading Susanna's blog and also getting to know her through various e-mails, I can tell that we have some things in common.
For starters, we both have three kids...two boys and a girl. In both cases, the girl is the youngest of the three. Our kids overlap in age only once, at 6 years old. Her other two are older and my other two are younger.
Also, we're both Jewish and are on different paths than where we started from. She was not raised Jewish, but is Jewish now for all intents and purposes. I became Ba'al Tshuva, which is a transition from my Reform roots.
We both moved halfway across the country, but in opposite directions. She moved from the east to the midwest and I moved from the midwest to the east.
What I also know about Susanna to be true:
She loves to knit.
She's a stay-at-home soccer mom.
She is great to go to for advice (given she's more like Lucy from "Peanuts" than any Disney character).
She's a strong advocate for her kids. If someone hurts any of her kids, she will go all mama bear on them.
She's been through some hard times and came out on top. Her theme song is "If You're Going through Hell" by Rodney Atkins.
She's at a place where she's comfortable with her self image and not afraid to show it. She is also very direct and doesn't care what others think.
She's philosophical without even trying. She'll take a situation and turn it into a life lesson that can benefit both her and whomever is reading her blog.
I actually met Susanna a while before we started this blog project. Froggie (a.k.a. Tracey) introduced us a while back through Facebook and we started talking. We learned new things about each other. She helped me through a rough period of time when my husband lost his horrible job. She had been through similar situations with her husband and even offered to introduce the two of them to each other so they could talk further.
When I was back in Chicago for a visit in the summer of 2010, I got to meet her and her adorable daughter in person. That was really nice. I think the in-person connection strengthened our virtual friendship.
When my daughter was born, she not only got her a cute little dress, but also knit her a stuffed elephant! How sweet is that?!?
Our lives tend to get ahead of us at times, but we still find ways to check in with one another, even if it's just for a quick hello. Doing this blog project has definitely helped!
As for the question I'm dying to ask...Until now, I was under the impression that Susanna converted to Judaism, as she is very strong in her Jewish beliefs. She considers herself an honorary Jew and will fight tooth and nail to keep Christmas songs out of her kids' schools. In lieu of this, I will be asking her next week: "As someone who was raised non-Jewish, what do you find most compelling about Judaism?" I know a few people who have converted to Judaism and seem stronger in their faith than people who were born and raised Jewish. While Susanna has not actually converted, she's so believably Jewish that most people (including myself) don't realize this fact. So it interests me to know where her strength in conviction comes from.
Tune in next week for the answer to this and some other questions I asked her in hopes of getting to know her even better!
From left to right: Susanna (Mom of Many), her lovely little girl, Tracey (Froggie), my sweet (and sometimes silly) son, me. (July, 2010)Friday, November 25, 2011
No Funny Friday today
I'm taking off to relax during the holiday weekend. Check back in December. :)
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Thankful in 2011
I like to post what I'm thankful for every year, so I will just cut to the chase and share my list.
1. My amazing husband whom I’ve known for almost 10 years.
2. My sons who make me smile every day, even when they drive me crazy sometimes.
3. My daughter who was a surprise for me because I was expecting another boy. She has the best smile and laugh and I melt when I look into her sweet little eyes.
4. My family, both immediate and extended.
5. My friends. They’re all wonderful whether they live near or far.
6. Chick Lit Central. It has taken off to new heights since I started it almost a year and a half ago. We have a good team now and lots of fabulous authors who give us their time and share their books. Our readers are all enthusiastic and participate a lot, which keeps us going strong. We have 600 blog followers now!
7. My house, especially now that it looks a little better in some parts. :)
8. My job. Especially now that we have a new CEO who brings a lot of great ideas and enthusiasm to the organization. He’s also very inspiring to me on a more personal level.
9. “How I Met Your Mother” because it makes me laugh all the time and I just love it to pieces! All the characters bring their own unique style to the show and make for a hard to beat ensemble!
10. That the hurricane and earthquake this past summer didn’t hit us too hard or cause any damages or injuries to anyone nearby (or to those I care about).
And most of all....Hashem for making all this possible in the first place!
Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US!
1. My amazing husband whom I’ve known for almost 10 years.
2. My sons who make me smile every day, even when they drive me crazy sometimes.
3. My daughter who was a surprise for me because I was expecting another boy. She has the best smile and laugh and I melt when I look into her sweet little eyes.
4. My family, both immediate and extended.
5. My friends. They’re all wonderful whether they live near or far.
6. Chick Lit Central. It has taken off to new heights since I started it almost a year and a half ago. We have a good team now and lots of fabulous authors who give us their time and share their books. Our readers are all enthusiastic and participate a lot, which keeps us going strong. We have 600 blog followers now!
7. My house, especially now that it looks a little better in some parts. :)
8. My job. Especially now that we have a new CEO who brings a lot of great ideas and enthusiasm to the organization. He’s also very inspiring to me on a more personal level.
9. “How I Met Your Mother” because it makes me laugh all the time and I just love it to pieces! All the characters bring their own unique style to the show and make for a hard to beat ensemble!
10. That the hurricane and earthquake this past summer didn’t hit us too hard or cause any damages or injuries to anyone nearby (or to those I care about).
And most of all....Hashem for making all this possible in the first place!
Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the US!
Talking to myself
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: If you could have lunch with your 10 year older self, what would you talk about?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
A few months ago, I took a look at who I am now in comparison with 10 years ago. So much has happened in that span of time. I can only imagine what the next 10 years has in store!
I can only imagine what the 45 (yes, I said 45) year-old version of me would say about how I currently live my life. She would probably make the following observations:
* I am delusional. I only say this because I think younger versions of myself were totally delusional. Like I can't believe I thought I was somehow cool at those previous ages. Maybe it's due to me living a different lifestyle than I did when I was younger, but nonetheless....
*I am a control freak. Well, I AM! I don't like giving up control of things and have a hard time delegating as a result.
*I have a great sense of humor. If I liked my sense of humor from 10 years ago, I still will like my sense of humor 10 years later. I love to laugh and get annoyed when I'm expecting something to be funny and it isn't. I only hope there is more to laugh about in the world of entertainment 10 years from now, but if my 45 year-old self can still laugh, then I'm not worried.
*I'm disorganized. Like that's such a shock to anyone. I'm also a pack rat/hoarder and will one day become like my late maternal grandmother if I'm not careful.
*I tend to get all fired up when I don't need to. If I don't watch it, I'll turn into Susie from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," minus the swearing.
*I compare myself to TV characters all the time. If it's not the women from "Desperate Housewives," it's Betty from "Ugly Betty," or Claire from "Modern Family," or Lily from "How I Met Your Mother." I even have a bit of Rachel from "Glee" in me.
I have to wonder if I'm still this way, but "future me" has kept a tight lid on all future information thus far. She also has the following advice for me:
*Let them be little. I try to push my kids to grow up too quickly and I need to just sit back and let them be kids. They're only little once.
*Stay in touch with my friends. Make some time every day to write a few e-mails or make a call, even if it's by Skype.
*Put my photos in albums. I have so many blank albums and boxes of photos. The two need to merge. I also shouldn't rely on Facebook as my go-to photo album. Tangible is always better!
*Stop trying to do it all. Take some more real "me time" before I burn out.
*Stop apologizing for what I have accomplished in life. Just enjoy it.
*It's okay to pay retail price every once in a while. No harm in looking nice!
*Try some new foods. You may surprise yourself by liking them.
"Future me" would not tell me anything I really wanted to know. She knows how much I love being surprised and HATE spoilers of any kind. (Why else would I refuse to find out the gender of all three of my kids prior to their births?) She told me that it might also effect what I choose to do for the future and she doesn't want me changing the course of things to come. She wants me to let things happen as they happen.
I suppose I have to be satisfied with the advice she gave me for now and do what she said. It will be interesting to see if things turn out the same way as a result. Although it was suggested that we have lunch together, we talked by phone instead, which is kind of amusing if you know how much I don't like talking on the phone. Therefore, I don't know how I will look in ten years (as again, I won't give myself any "spoilers"). Considering someone younger than me told me I looked 25 (can you believe it?!?), I can only hope that I look like I'm 35 when I'm 45! That may be difficult with all these gray hairs coming in!
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: If you could have lunch with your 10 year older self, what would you talk about?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
A few months ago, I took a look at who I am now in comparison with 10 years ago. So much has happened in that span of time. I can only imagine what the next 10 years has in store!
I can only imagine what the 45 (yes, I said 45) year-old version of me would say about how I currently live my life. She would probably make the following observations:
* I am delusional. I only say this because I think younger versions of myself were totally delusional. Like I can't believe I thought I was somehow cool at those previous ages. Maybe it's due to me living a different lifestyle than I did when I was younger, but nonetheless....
*I am a control freak. Well, I AM! I don't like giving up control of things and have a hard time delegating as a result.
*I have a great sense of humor. If I liked my sense of humor from 10 years ago, I still will like my sense of humor 10 years later. I love to laugh and get annoyed when I'm expecting something to be funny and it isn't. I only hope there is more to laugh about in the world of entertainment 10 years from now, but if my 45 year-old self can still laugh, then I'm not worried.
*I'm disorganized. Like that's such a shock to anyone. I'm also a pack rat/hoarder and will one day become like my late maternal grandmother if I'm not careful.
*I tend to get all fired up when I don't need to. If I don't watch it, I'll turn into Susie from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," minus the swearing.
*I compare myself to TV characters all the time. If it's not the women from "Desperate Housewives," it's Betty from "Ugly Betty," or Claire from "Modern Family," or Lily from "How I Met Your Mother." I even have a bit of Rachel from "Glee" in me.
I have to wonder if I'm still this way, but "future me" has kept a tight lid on all future information thus far. She also has the following advice for me:
*Let them be little. I try to push my kids to grow up too quickly and I need to just sit back and let them be kids. They're only little once.
*Stay in touch with my friends. Make some time every day to write a few e-mails or make a call, even if it's by Skype.
*Put my photos in albums. I have so many blank albums and boxes of photos. The two need to merge. I also shouldn't rely on Facebook as my go-to photo album. Tangible is always better!
*Stop trying to do it all. Take some more real "me time" before I burn out.
*Stop apologizing for what I have accomplished in life. Just enjoy it.
*It's okay to pay retail price every once in a while. No harm in looking nice!
*Try some new foods. You may surprise yourself by liking them.
"Future me" would not tell me anything I really wanted to know. She knows how much I love being surprised and HATE spoilers of any kind. (Why else would I refuse to find out the gender of all three of my kids prior to their births?) She told me that it might also effect what I choose to do for the future and she doesn't want me changing the course of things to come. She wants me to let things happen as they happen.
I suppose I have to be satisfied with the advice she gave me for now and do what she said. It will be interesting to see if things turn out the same way as a result. Although it was suggested that we have lunch together, we talked by phone instead, which is kind of amusing if you know how much I don't like talking on the phone. Therefore, I don't know how I will look in ten years (as again, I won't give myself any "spoilers"). Considering someone younger than me told me I looked 25 (can you believe it?!?), I can only hope that I look like I'm 35 when I'm 45! That may be difficult with all these gray hairs coming in!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Funny Friday-11/18/11-Be our "Guest"
Back in 1997, I was hanging out with a close friend one afternoon, when we saw that "Waiting for Guffman" was playing at a nearby theater. We had heard that it was going to be funny and decided to check it out. It turned out to be a total riot!
I recently found a DVD of "Waiting..." at my favorite thrift store and snatched it up right away, as I only had it on VHS. It is such a hilarious movie that has inspired several inside jokes, including one where my friends would get me a cake that said "Everybody dance!"
"Waiting for Guffman" is a mockumentary about a small town putting on a play and finding out that a famous producer was going to be there to see it. It stars Christopher Guest as Corky St. Clair, this obviously gay man who claims to have a wife. It also stars Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy and Parker Posey, who all star in the mockumentaries made after "Waiting..." ("Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind," "For Your Consideration").
What works about "Waiting for Guffman" is the dialogue and witty humor throughout. The buildup to the night of the big show is so entertaining and the show is cheesy in such a funny way that it is worth the wait. It's not to be missed!
I enjoyed the other movies from this mockumentary team, but not as much as "Waiting..." However, "A Mighty Wind" comes close, as it is also really funny (Jane Lynch is in it too). And "For Your Consideration" would have been better if it didn't have such a disappointing ending. (I liked the concept of "Home for Purim" but didn't like what they did with it....that's all I'll say though.) "Best in Show" was cute, but I've only seen it once. Maybe I need to see it again to appreciate it more. And since Jane Lynch is also in that one, I wouldn't mind. I know "This is Spinal Tap" also features members of this comedy team, but I haven't seen it yet. I never knew it was a mockumentary until years later.
Anyway, I highly recommend "Waiting for Guffman" and think you might also enjoy one of the other films from this fabulous comedy team. If you don't believe me, I'm going to go home and bite my pillow. Until then I'll leave you with this final thought..."Everybody dance!"
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Almost paradise
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, I picked the topic: What is one thing you have never done but really want to do?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
What do the Brady Bunch, the Full House crew and the Bayside High gang have in common? Well, aside from being a group of three girls and three boys (or men), they have all gone on a trip to Hawaii. The closest I've gotten to Hawaii (aside from watching "50 First Dates" more times than I can count) is a luau party and drinks at Hala Kahiki for my 30th birthday. For those of you who don't know, Hala Kahiki is in CHICAGO. It's a little Hawaiian themed bar with some amazing mixed drinks. But that's not important right now. What's important here is that I've never traveled to Hawaii. And I really want to go there!
I had recently had some sort of epiphany that there is the possibility that I could die one day (when I'm way older, of course) and never have been to Hawaii. The thought freaked me out. I'm sure there will be a lot of places that I never get to visit in my lifetime, but I hate the thought of missing out on such a beautiful place. All I know of Hawaii is really from movies, TV shows, books and pictures my friends took on their trips there. One of my friends grew up in Hawaii, so he's had plenty of time to see it all. It seems like such a tropical paradise. Don't get me wrong, I've been to islands before. I've been on Caribbean cruises and went to St. Lucia for my honeymoon. Still, Hawaii beckons to me like some unknown force. I could see myself spending my days touring the islands and relaxing on the beach with a tropical drink. I think it would be fun to experience a real luau, as long as there is no pig eating involved!
I know I talk a lot about wanting to go to Disney World, a tour of Europe and another cruise or two. So my desire to go to Hawaii may come as quite a surprise. I just know that I would LOVE to experience all of Hawaii hands on. I wouldn't even mind taking the kids on such a trip, if we could all survive a long flight to get there in the first place. Times like these are when I really wish I could teleport!
A hui hou, mahalo for reading this!
This week, I picked the topic: What is one thing you have never done but really want to do?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
What do the Brady Bunch, the Full House crew and the Bayside High gang have in common? Well, aside from being a group of three girls and three boys (or men), they have all gone on a trip to Hawaii. The closest I've gotten to Hawaii (aside from watching "50 First Dates" more times than I can count) is a luau party and drinks at Hala Kahiki for my 30th birthday. For those of you who don't know, Hala Kahiki is in CHICAGO. It's a little Hawaiian themed bar with some amazing mixed drinks. But that's not important right now. What's important here is that I've never traveled to Hawaii. And I really want to go there!
I had recently had some sort of epiphany that there is the possibility that I could die one day (when I'm way older, of course) and never have been to Hawaii. The thought freaked me out. I'm sure there will be a lot of places that I never get to visit in my lifetime, but I hate the thought of missing out on such a beautiful place. All I know of Hawaii is really from movies, TV shows, books and pictures my friends took on their trips there. One of my friends grew up in Hawaii, so he's had plenty of time to see it all. It seems like such a tropical paradise. Don't get me wrong, I've been to islands before. I've been on Caribbean cruises and went to St. Lucia for my honeymoon. Still, Hawaii beckons to me like some unknown force. I could see myself spending my days touring the islands and relaxing on the beach with a tropical drink. I think it would be fun to experience a real luau, as long as there is no pig eating involved!
I know I talk a lot about wanting to go to Disney World, a tour of Europe and another cruise or two. So my desire to go to Hawaii may come as quite a surprise. I just know that I would LOVE to experience all of Hawaii hands on. I wouldn't even mind taking the kids on such a trip, if we could all survive a long flight to get there in the first place. Times like these are when I really wish I could teleport!
A hui hou, mahalo for reading this!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Funny Friday-11/11/11--Movie Mayhem
I don't have a lot of time to work on Funny Friday posts like I did in the past, but I wanted to share a list of movies that I always find hilarious.
"Moving Violations"
"Airplane!"
"Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore"
"There's Something About Mary"
"Grandma's Boy" (You'll only get why if you see for yourself)
"History of the World, Part I"
"Clerks 2" (It's just funnier than "Clerks" for some reason)
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
"Home Alone" (There's something funny about grown men being outsmarted by a kid.)
"UHF" (I can't listen to "Money for Nothing" without thinking of "Beverly Hillbillies." And don't forget about a very young KRAMER!)
"National Lampoon's Vacation"
"The Ugly Truth" (The restaurant scene just takes the cake!)
"Office Space"
"American Pie 2" (This was just the funniest out of the three.)
"Naked Gun 2 1/2" (Same thing from above applies here.)
"Waiting for Guffman"
I'm sure I'll think of others after this is posted, but these are the ones that stick out.
"Moving Violations"
"Airplane!"
"Billy Madison" and "Happy Gilmore"
"There's Something About Mary"
"Grandma's Boy" (You'll only get why if you see for yourself)
"History of the World, Part I"
"Clerks 2" (It's just funnier than "Clerks" for some reason)
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"
"Home Alone" (There's something funny about grown men being outsmarted by a kid.)
"UHF" (I can't listen to "Money for Nothing" without thinking of "Beverly Hillbillies." And don't forget about a very young KRAMER!)
"National Lampoon's Vacation"
"The Ugly Truth" (The restaurant scene just takes the cake!)
"Office Space"
"American Pie 2" (This was just the funniest out of the three.)
"Naked Gun 2 1/2" (Same thing from above applies here.)
"Waiting for Guffman"
I'm sure I'll think of others after this is posted, but these are the ones that stick out.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Who wears short shorts? (Not me!)
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Moma Rock (inspired by a pair of "jeggings") picked the topic: What is something (or a bunch of things if you are so inclined) you wouldn't be caught dead wearing?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I used to wear shorts all the time. In high school, I'd wear them over tights in the winter. A majority of my wardrobe involved shorts in some way or another. When I moved to a more observant Jewish community in 2007, I was still wearing shorts during the summer. It was really hot out and they were the only things that felt comfortable in our house with very little air conditioning.
That all changed in 2008. I felt out of place wearing shorts in an observant community and decided to get rid of my collection. I would only wear skirts or pants during the summer. I figured that women who are even more observant than I am could wear long sleeves and long skirts during the hot summer months, I could deal with not wearing shorts anymore. I was also working at a job where it would have been inappropriate to show up in shorts. I soon fell into a comfortable routine with my new clothing decision. Not wearing shorts didn't bother me at all.
It has been three years since I made that decision and I don't even miss wearing shorts now. I sometimes wear them to work out in the privacy of my home, but I usually prefer sweatpants, even in the summer. I don't really have a need for shorts though. I wear skirts, dresses or pants to work. I wear skirts or dresses on Shabbat and holidays. I wear jeans or denim skirts on days off and Sundays. Shorts are a thing of the past to me. I'd almost feel foolish wearing them now, like I wasn't meant to wear them. They're not a part of my personality anymore, if that makes any sense.
I don't know that I could go the full distance when it comes to modest dressing. I'm glad my community is Modern Orthodox and most of the women wear short sleeves in the summer. I don't think I could give up my short sleeved shirts and dresses. I would get too hot in long sleeves all the time. Every season has a dress code and I'm sticking with what is comfortable within reason. In any case, while I do cover my hair on Shabbat and holidays, I would never be caught dead in a sheitel (wig). I understand the reasons behind a sheitel, but I tried one on for fun once and it looked horrible on me. Another reason I'm glad about the flexibility in my community!
Oh yeah, and I would never wear a snuggie, but that's because they look ridiculous to me. Just give me a good old-fashioned blanket anyday!
This week, Moma Rock (inspired by a pair of "jeggings") picked the topic: What is something (or a bunch of things if you are so inclined) you wouldn't be caught dead wearing?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I used to wear shorts all the time. In high school, I'd wear them over tights in the winter. A majority of my wardrobe involved shorts in some way or another. When I moved to a more observant Jewish community in 2007, I was still wearing shorts during the summer. It was really hot out and they were the only things that felt comfortable in our house with very little air conditioning.
That all changed in 2008. I felt out of place wearing shorts in an observant community and decided to get rid of my collection. I would only wear skirts or pants during the summer. I figured that women who are even more observant than I am could wear long sleeves and long skirts during the hot summer months, I could deal with not wearing shorts anymore. I was also working at a job where it would have been inappropriate to show up in shorts. I soon fell into a comfortable routine with my new clothing decision. Not wearing shorts didn't bother me at all.
It has been three years since I made that decision and I don't even miss wearing shorts now. I sometimes wear them to work out in the privacy of my home, but I usually prefer sweatpants, even in the summer. I don't really have a need for shorts though. I wear skirts, dresses or pants to work. I wear skirts or dresses on Shabbat and holidays. I wear jeans or denim skirts on days off and Sundays. Shorts are a thing of the past to me. I'd almost feel foolish wearing them now, like I wasn't meant to wear them. They're not a part of my personality anymore, if that makes any sense.
I don't know that I could go the full distance when it comes to modest dressing. I'm glad my community is Modern Orthodox and most of the women wear short sleeves in the summer. I don't think I could give up my short sleeved shirts and dresses. I would get too hot in long sleeves all the time. Every season has a dress code and I'm sticking with what is comfortable within reason. In any case, while I do cover my hair on Shabbat and holidays, I would never be caught dead in a sheitel (wig). I understand the reasons behind a sheitel, but I tried one on for fun once and it looked horrible on me. Another reason I'm glad about the flexibility in my community!
Oh yeah, and I would never wear a snuggie, but that's because they look ridiculous to me. Just give me a good old-fashioned blanket anyday!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Funny Friday-11/4/11-Don't call me Shirley
One of the funniest movies, aside from "Moving Violations," is "Airplane!" It's such a classic with so many great scenes and lines. I love quoting it whenever possible.
I wanted to talk about some of the reasons this movie is just a timeless display of humor and creativity. Why people still quote it over 30 years after its release. Why some actors put themselves on the map because of it. You get my drift.
First, there’s Johnny! Stephen Stucker owns that role and plays it so well that you think he really is Johnny instead of just an actor. He delivers some of the funniest lines in the movie, such as the classic “Leon’s getting larger!” He’s absolutely adorable and hilarious and I’m sad that the actor is no longer alive to see how many people think he’s funny and quote his lines.
Next there are just the lines and comic timing. They use a lot of play on words, such as “Hamm on five, hold the Mayo.” (Hamm is someone’s last name and Mayo is a clinic.) And a classic set of lines is “Surely, you can’t be serious.” “I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.” I also love when they ask “what is it” and someone describes the object in question instead of the actual issue and then says “but that’s not important right now.”
There are also the bizarre things that happen throughout the movie, from a horse sleeping in someone’s bed, to a jumping heart, to Red Zone and White Zone voices arguing with each other. I love Ted’s drinking problem, which entails him pouring his drink on his face instead of actually drinking it. And we can’t forget the “autopilot” and what happens to him (which I won’t say on this blog in case children are reading it). The jive speaking lady is classic too. Too bad the actress playing her (Barbara Billingsley) is also dead now. We can’t forget about Air Israel wearing the kipah and tallis either. Too funny!Finally, I just love certain classic scenes, like everyone lining up to slap the hysterical lady, the stewardess knocking out the sick girl’s IV but no one noticing, the news reporters talking about the plane potentially crashing (“They bought the tickets. They knew what they were getting into. I say, let them crash.”), Ted’s flashback which causes people to kill themselves, etc.
“Airplane!” is just such a funny movie and it never gets old, no matter how many times I’ve seen it. I also must mention that two other actors from the movie have passed away in recent years: Leslie Nielsen (Dr. Rumack) and Peter Graves (Captain Clarence Oveur). I also learned that Robert Stack (Rex Kramer) died in 2003. All the actors in this movie will live on through its fans though.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Accentuate the positive
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Keep track for five days things that went well. Then talk about your experience doing this little exercise. Was it hard for you to come up with what went well? Did it change how you looked at things? Is this something you think you'll keep doing?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I started this project on Saturday night, when I got the e-mail with the topic from Froggie. It was pretty much a low key day and not very social aside from going to shul. The weather was lousy and my older son was in rare form for most of the day. My younger son even had a few tantrums. The best part came at the end of the day when my "How I Met Your Mother" addiction was once again satisfied with a five episode marathon, including the episode with "Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit." That and hot cocoa just totally made my night and took the edge off a totally stressful week. (And since I've compared HIMYM to hot cocoa...with marshmallows...it's fitting!)
Sunday was pretty hectic and somewhat annoying at times. I think all the clutter in our house from this remodeling project is getting to me. However, my friends were very nice to let me have access to their dryer all day (as ours won't be hooked up till tomorrow thanks to our 1960's electrical sockets) and I got a lot of laundry done, as well as folded. I don't like folding laundry but I have no room for it to just sit around. My laundry "staging area" has been taken over by toys! Aside from that, it was pleasant outside today and we went to a nearby park with the kids. I met two other moms with babies close in age to my daughter. I also put my daughter in the baby swing and she loved it. She was dazed at first and then she smiled a lot!
I was back at work on Monday and the whole day was hectic. Having a meeting in the middle of the day that took longer than usual didn't help matters. I had a huge headache coming out of it. Things were pretty busy at home too, trying to coordinate dinner and bedtime, along with cleaning up the giant poop volcano from a certain baby we all know and love. However, our dryer was hooked up today and I was able to get two loads of laundry done. No more schlepping heavy bags of wet laundry to my neighbors, although I appreciate their generosity! I also was productive for my book blog tonight. I got positive feedback at work today for my help with the annoying project that I had to work on AGAIN because of a very minor error found after the first time we almost had it out the door. There's also a new manager at work who seems nice and I look forward to working with her. Oh, and my younger son gave me a picture he drew at school and said it was just for me. I'm also proud of a decision that my older son made on his own regarding Halloween, strangely enough.
Tuesday was hectic, as well. It started with my older son's bus being really late. Somehow I still made it to work at the time I usually do. I was able to get a lot done at work, even with it being a busy day. I also was able to get the kids fed and in bed before "Glee" started, allowing me to watch it at its regular time. And it was such a treat to see Damian (from "The Glee Project") again. He's adorable and has a great singing voice. It was a good episode overall and it was nice to see more of Idina Menzel too. I hope she'll sing again soon!
Wednesday was fairly productive and the morning felt a little easier, even with the bus showing up late and then being blocked by a super long freight train on the way to work. (A lot of the cars said "Do Not Hump." When do people hump trains?!?) One of the managers I support took me out for lunch in appreciation for doing a lot of work for him recently. It's nice to feel appreciated and we had a good conversation. The evening was decent too. Just trying to mentally prepare myself for the long drive to the hospital for my daughter's CT scan in the morning. I got to watch "90210" tonight, as well. It's still such a guilty pleasure for me and I love it that much more as a result.
So...I've found the good things from the past five days. I enjoyed doing this project, as it forced me out of my stress zone and got me looking for positive things about my days. I got to the last day and couldn't even find anything really bad to say. Maybe going into the day looking for positive things to happen just sets the tone for that day. Instead of being mega-stressed out on Wednesday, even with a zillion things to do at work and home, I felt more relaxed than usual. Things didn't seem to irritate me as much. It was a nice feeling! I hope I can keep doing this going forward, even if I don't always write it down. Maybe it will just be something to go to bed with....some good thoughts at the end of the day.
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Keep track for five days things that went well. Then talk about your experience doing this little exercise. Was it hard for you to come up with what went well? Did it change how you looked at things? Is this something you think you'll keep doing?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
I started this project on Saturday night, when I got the e-mail with the topic from Froggie. It was pretty much a low key day and not very social aside from going to shul. The weather was lousy and my older son was in rare form for most of the day. My younger son even had a few tantrums. The best part came at the end of the day when my "How I Met Your Mother" addiction was once again satisfied with a five episode marathon, including the episode with "Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit." That and hot cocoa just totally made my night and took the edge off a totally stressful week. (And since I've compared HIMYM to hot cocoa...with marshmallows...it's fitting!)
Sunday was pretty hectic and somewhat annoying at times. I think all the clutter in our house from this remodeling project is getting to me. However, my friends were very nice to let me have access to their dryer all day (as ours won't be hooked up till tomorrow thanks to our 1960's electrical sockets) and I got a lot of laundry done, as well as folded. I don't like folding laundry but I have no room for it to just sit around. My laundry "staging area" has been taken over by toys! Aside from that, it was pleasant outside today and we went to a nearby park with the kids. I met two other moms with babies close in age to my daughter. I also put my daughter in the baby swing and she loved it. She was dazed at first and then she smiled a lot!
I was back at work on Monday and the whole day was hectic. Having a meeting in the middle of the day that took longer than usual didn't help matters. I had a huge headache coming out of it. Things were pretty busy at home too, trying to coordinate dinner and bedtime, along with cleaning up the giant poop volcano from a certain baby we all know and love. However, our dryer was hooked up today and I was able to get two loads of laundry done. No more schlepping heavy bags of wet laundry to my neighbors, although I appreciate their generosity! I also was productive for my book blog tonight. I got positive feedback at work today for my help with the annoying project that I had to work on AGAIN because of a very minor error found after the first time we almost had it out the door. There's also a new manager at work who seems nice and I look forward to working with her. Oh, and my younger son gave me a picture he drew at school and said it was just for me. I'm also proud of a decision that my older son made on his own regarding Halloween, strangely enough.
Tuesday was hectic, as well. It started with my older son's bus being really late. Somehow I still made it to work at the time I usually do. I was able to get a lot done at work, even with it being a busy day. I also was able to get the kids fed and in bed before "Glee" started, allowing me to watch it at its regular time. And it was such a treat to see Damian (from "The Glee Project") again. He's adorable and has a great singing voice. It was a good episode overall and it was nice to see more of Idina Menzel too. I hope she'll sing again soon!
Wednesday was fairly productive and the morning felt a little easier, even with the bus showing up late and then being blocked by a super long freight train on the way to work. (A lot of the cars said "Do Not Hump." When do people hump trains?!?) One of the managers I support took me out for lunch in appreciation for doing a lot of work for him recently. It's nice to feel appreciated and we had a good conversation. The evening was decent too. Just trying to mentally prepare myself for the long drive to the hospital for my daughter's CT scan in the morning. I got to watch "90210" tonight, as well. It's still such a guilty pleasure for me and I love it that much more as a result.
So...I've found the good things from the past five days. I enjoyed doing this project, as it forced me out of my stress zone and got me looking for positive things about my days. I got to the last day and couldn't even find anything really bad to say. Maybe going into the day looking for positive things to happen just sets the tone for that day. Instead of being mega-stressed out on Wednesday, even with a zillion things to do at work and home, I felt more relaxed than usual. Things didn't seem to irritate me as much. It was a nice feeling! I hope I can keep doing this going forward, even if I don't always write it down. Maybe it will just be something to go to bed with....some good thoughts at the end of the day.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Funny Friday-10/28/11-Out of the mouths of babes
I've been insanely busy between holidays and the stuff we have going for our house, so I haven't had much time to focus on Funny Friday. However, I wanted to share something funny my younger son said last night.
He was eating a piece of chicken and didn't like the sauce. So he said "I don't like the sauce on the chicken, so I'm going to lick it off."
Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? ;)
Also, we were talking about food and I said "we like meat." My older son said "Well, I like dairy!" So my younger son chimed in with "I like parve!"
Happy Friday and Shabbat Shalom!
He was eating a piece of chicken and didn't like the sauce. So he said "I don't like the sauce on the chicken, so I'm going to lick it off."
Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? ;)
Also, we were talking about food and I said "we like meat." My older son said "Well, I like dairy!" So my younger son chimed in with "I like parve!"
Happy Friday and Shabbat Shalom!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
#Fail
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: Talk about a failure that you have experienced and how that has impacted your life.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Earlier this year, our power failed during a storm and we lost a lot of food. It taught me to get a generator, which we have yet to do. The end.
Just kidding! You didn't think I was going to get off that easily...
After a contract job of mine had ended back in late 2006, I decided to go into business for myself. I was a mom of a toddler at the time and thought it would allow me to spend more quality time with him and also be my own boss for once, after dealing with some pretty lousy bosses in the past.
I started a virtual assistant business where I would hire assistants and match them with companies looking for virtual work. I thought it would be a useful commodity and that companies would be chomping at the bit. My husband even helped me create a website and supported me in every way possible. However, he also turned into my boss in a way. He was the one calling the shots and coming up with all the ideas. I was still doing a lot of work, but I wouldn't have had as much to go on without him. Was I grateful for his help? YES! Although I felt like this was all his brainchild and I was the one doing the frustrating tasks that were involved.
To start, I had to make lists of companies that might want a virtual assistant. I looked for small businesses instead of large corporations that probably had lots of on-site assistants. I then had to call these companies and offer my services. I already had a lot of interested (and qualified) assistants, but no one with whom to pair them. Anyway, I didn’t have much luck from calling the companies. No one was interested in virtual help!
I also tried networking by putting the name of my company out there whenever and wherever possible. The networking sites I found were full of people with pyramid schemes though. My business was in no way, shape or form a pyramid scheme. I thought that virtual assistants could branch out anywhere, so I tried to reach a huge market. I even managed to get my business in the newspaper, but it didn’t bring in any interest either.
Overall, it turned out that I was putting in more money than I was getting back (which was nothing anyway). When we moved to New Jersey, my husband closed down the business and I went back to job searching. That was a long and arduous process, since I didn’t have any “real” work to my name from December 2006 through April 2007. That span of time between my contract job and the time I moved did not help me find much employment. Then I got a semi-virtual assistant job. When I did the medical billing, I could work from home and since it was local, I only had to come by a couple of times a week to drop off and pick up papers. There was a lot of flexibility and I was still able to enjoy being a mom too. It was what I had wanted when I started the virtual staffing business, but it came in a different form. And I actually was getting paid for it this time!
I learned from the experience that I am NOT entrepreneurial! I don’t do well with selling or cold calling. I also learned that I have to do work of my choosing, not what other people would want me to do. I realized that again when my husband was trying to get me to do database management in order to find a job. While medical billing wasn’t all that glamorous, I enjoyed working for my bosses and the flexibility and confidence that the job offered me.
I’m now working where I want to be. This was not a job that anyone else helped me get or told me I should be doing. (In the past, I had gotten jobs through family connections but they weren’t really right for me…especially the contracting one!) It’s not a bad job at all, but I know my husband wasn’t fond of me being locked into an assistant role when I was out there looking. However, the type of organization and the fact that it goes along with our values was (and still is) helpful and he was supportive of me working here as a result.
Back to the entrepreneurial thing though; I love reading books about women who start their own business because I can live vicariously through them. While my book blog is not a business, I still feel like I take on a managerial role. However, I’m not worried about making money from this blog, which makes it less stressful and also easier to take risks when I feel they are needed.
Honestly, I am glad I had the chance to fail, as embarrassing as it felt at the time. It allowed me to figure out what I wanted for myself in terms of a job and showed me that failure isn’t always that scary. It just happens and people find a way to pick up and move on.
This week, Mom of Many picked the topic: Talk about a failure that you have experienced and how that has impacted your life.
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
Earlier this year, our power failed during a storm and we lost a lot of food. It taught me to get a generator, which we have yet to do. The end.
Just kidding! You didn't think I was going to get off that easily...
After a contract job of mine had ended back in late 2006, I decided to go into business for myself. I was a mom of a toddler at the time and thought it would allow me to spend more quality time with him and also be my own boss for once, after dealing with some pretty lousy bosses in the past.
I started a virtual assistant business where I would hire assistants and match them with companies looking for virtual work. I thought it would be a useful commodity and that companies would be chomping at the bit. My husband even helped me create a website and supported me in every way possible. However, he also turned into my boss in a way. He was the one calling the shots and coming up with all the ideas. I was still doing a lot of work, but I wouldn't have had as much to go on without him. Was I grateful for his help? YES! Although I felt like this was all his brainchild and I was the one doing the frustrating tasks that were involved.
To start, I had to make lists of companies that might want a virtual assistant. I looked for small businesses instead of large corporations that probably had lots of on-site assistants. I then had to call these companies and offer my services. I already had a lot of interested (and qualified) assistants, but no one with whom to pair them. Anyway, I didn’t have much luck from calling the companies. No one was interested in virtual help!
I also tried networking by putting the name of my company out there whenever and wherever possible. The networking sites I found were full of people with pyramid schemes though. My business was in no way, shape or form a pyramid scheme. I thought that virtual assistants could branch out anywhere, so I tried to reach a huge market. I even managed to get my business in the newspaper, but it didn’t bring in any interest either.
Overall, it turned out that I was putting in more money than I was getting back (which was nothing anyway). When we moved to New Jersey, my husband closed down the business and I went back to job searching. That was a long and arduous process, since I didn’t have any “real” work to my name from December 2006 through April 2007. That span of time between my contract job and the time I moved did not help me find much employment. Then I got a semi-virtual assistant job. When I did the medical billing, I could work from home and since it was local, I only had to come by a couple of times a week to drop off and pick up papers. There was a lot of flexibility and I was still able to enjoy being a mom too. It was what I had wanted when I started the virtual staffing business, but it came in a different form. And I actually was getting paid for it this time!
I learned from the experience that I am NOT entrepreneurial! I don’t do well with selling or cold calling. I also learned that I have to do work of my choosing, not what other people would want me to do. I realized that again when my husband was trying to get me to do database management in order to find a job. While medical billing wasn’t all that glamorous, I enjoyed working for my bosses and the flexibility and confidence that the job offered me.
I’m now working where I want to be. This was not a job that anyone else helped me get or told me I should be doing. (In the past, I had gotten jobs through family connections but they weren’t really right for me…especially the contracting one!) It’s not a bad job at all, but I know my husband wasn’t fond of me being locked into an assistant role when I was out there looking. However, the type of organization and the fact that it goes along with our values was (and still is) helpful and he was supportive of me working here as a result.
Back to the entrepreneurial thing though; I love reading books about women who start their own business because I can live vicariously through them. While my book blog is not a business, I still feel like I take on a managerial role. However, I’m not worried about making money from this blog, which makes it less stressful and also easier to take risks when I feel they are needed.
Honestly, I am glad I had the chance to fail, as embarrassing as it felt at the time. It allowed me to figure out what I wanted for myself in terms of a job and showed me that failure isn’t always that scary. It just happens and people find a way to pick up and move on.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
"Eleven days before Halloween.. all the good costumes are gone?"
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, I picked the topic: Halloween
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
My subject line is from "Friends" and so fitting for today's date and topic. :)
Instead of just writing random things about Halloween, I thought I'd make some "Top 5" lists.
Favorite Costumes (that I've worn):
1. 80's Rock Star (2001)
2. French Maid (1993)
3. Greek Goddess (1997)
4. Dairy Queen--to go along with husband's Burger King costume in an ironic way (2003)
5. 50's girl (1988)
Favorite Costumes my kids have worn:
1. Peter Pan (2006--older son)
2. Pirate (2008--older son)
3. Fancy Spider (2009--younger son)
4. Woody from "Toy Story" (2009--older son)
5. Mariachi Singer (2007--older son)
Favorite Memories:
1. The Halloween party I threw in a hotel room (2002)
2. The Halloween party that turned into a "Sex and the City" marathon (2001)
3. Scaring off a scary clown...by flirting (2001)
4. Trick-or-Treating (anytime....if candy is involved, I am always happy)
5. My friend Denise's Halloween parties (the ones I've attended, at least)
Favorite Candy:
1. M&M's
2. Candy corn
3. Reese's peanut butter cups
4. Milky Way bars
5. Hershey's Krackel miniatures
Favorite TV show episodes about Halloween:
1. "Modern Family" season 2 ("Welcome to your nightmare!")
2. "The Office" season 7 (where Pam is dressed as Olive Oyl)
3. "Ugly Betty" season 1
4. "Freaks and Geeks" (only had one season in 1999-2000)
5. "How I Met Your Mother" season 1 ("Penguin suit up!")
Favorite things associated with Halloween:
1. Jack O'Lanterns (and carving them too...and baking the pumpkin seeds)
2. Candy corn (it's really only around at this time of year)
3. Party City costume catalogs
4. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
5. Trick-or-treating
This week, I picked the topic: Halloween
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
My subject line is from "Friends" and so fitting for today's date and topic. :)
Instead of just writing random things about Halloween, I thought I'd make some "Top 5" lists.
Favorite Costumes (that I've worn):
1. 80's Rock Star (2001)
2. French Maid (1993)
3. Greek Goddess (1997)
4. Dairy Queen--to go along with husband's Burger King costume in an ironic way (2003)
5. 50's girl (1988)
Favorite Costumes my kids have worn:
1. Peter Pan (2006--older son)
2. Pirate (2008--older son)
3. Fancy Spider (2009--younger son)
4. Woody from "Toy Story" (2009--older son)
5. Mariachi Singer (2007--older son)
Favorite Memories:
1. The Halloween party I threw in a hotel room (2002)
2. The Halloween party that turned into a "Sex and the City" marathon (2001)
3. Scaring off a scary clown...by flirting (2001)
4. Trick-or-Treating (anytime....if candy is involved, I am always happy)
5. My friend Denise's Halloween parties (the ones I've attended, at least)
Favorite Candy:
1. M&M's
2. Candy corn
3. Reese's peanut butter cups
4. Milky Way bars
5. Hershey's Krackel miniatures
Favorite TV show episodes about Halloween:
1. "Modern Family" season 2 ("Welcome to your nightmare!")
2. "The Office" season 7 (where Pam is dressed as Olive Oyl)
3. "Ugly Betty" season 1
4. "Freaks and Geeks" (only had one season in 1999-2000)
5. "How I Met Your Mother" season 1 ("Penguin suit up!")
Favorite things associated with Halloween:
1. Jack O'Lanterns (and carving them too...and baking the pumpkin seeds)
2. Candy corn (it's really only around at this time of year)
3. Party City costume catalogs
4. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"
5. Trick-or-treating
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Safety first
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Is our world more unsafe now, than it was 50 years ago? Or, are we just more aware of it now, than we were back then?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
This week, Moma Rock picked the topic: Is our world more unsafe now, than it was 50 years ago? Or, are we just more aware of it now, than we were back then?
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
To write this post, I did some personal research first. I asked my parents what safety issues existed when they were kids.
From my dad:
When I was growing up our parents still had the same fears as you do today, Kidnapping, drunk drivers and bullies but not to the extent it is today. When I was starting kindergarten my mother always had me walked to school and back by an older neighbor's kid. It was more about crossing big intersections then anything else. When I got older I always walked home alone or in a group from school. We had no buses that would take us to school in those days in the city. When I was 10 years old and in Hebrew school 4 days a week I walked in the dark back and forth. We had no fears of being kidnapped, only rich people's kids got kidnapped for ransom. If someone took me, papa would have said “you took him, you keep him.” They were always bullies and that has not changed in 50 years. But I never walked out of the house afraid of being mugged, stabbed or shot as it is today in some neighborhoods.
From my mom:
Our world was more sheltered than it is today. We were not exposed to violence on TV or in the newspapers. We lived about 8 or 9 blocks from the school so Mama Mollie or my Grandpa walked me to school. Back then we went home for lunch so one of them would meet me at lunchtime walk me back and then come back at the end of the day to walk home. As I got into higher grades we would walk down the street to school and meet up with kids who lived on other blocks and all walk together. We never worried about anything happening although Mama always warned me not to get into cars with strangers. One day our neighbor was driving down the street on my way to school and even though I knew him I refused to get into his car. As we got older my friends and I would go out on summer nights and walk all over the neighborhood past dark. We lived across the street from a park and weren't even afraid of going in there. I never heard of any gangs at my school. The greasers were tough but I wouldn't call them a gang like today. I don't think anyone owned a gun. The only drugs we heard of were reefers (marajuana).
This topic allowed me to look back at certain points in my life where safety could have been an issue and how it was handled. When I was in high school, I didn't have much of a social life. However, when I first started driving my car to school, my parents equipped it with a car phone (one that only works when plugged into the car). One time I forgot to call when I arrived at school and they had the school office page me. I do know how they feel now, as I panic when I don't hear from my husband every morning when he arrives at work.
After I graduated high school (in 1994), I started going to midnight showings of "Rocky Horror" a lot and my parents weren't thrilled with me going by myself. One night we got in a huge fight about it and they ended up driving me there and picking me up. They wanted me to go with friends and didn't realize that I had already made a nice group of friends at the show. The only other time they drove me after that was for New Year's Eve because it was snowing out. I didn't mind it as much that time as I hated driving in snow. There was only one time I could not have felt safe and the cast still managed to make me feel safe anyway. It was regarding a cast member who had murdered someone and was already arrested for it. After they show, they made sure no one walked alone to their cars.
When I was in college (mid-late 90's), I was meeting people online a lot, including guys. I met my first boyfriend that way and our first date was truly a blind one. I hadn't so much as seen a picture of him but I knew I could trust him for some reason. He didn't want to go through the process of meeting my family, but they wouldn't let me leave the house with him if they didn't. Then we just ended up driving all over the Chicago suburbs looking for a late night diner. After we had broken up over a year later, I was still meeting people online and my parents even let me go to another state to meet one of them in person. They tell me how they don't know how they let me do that, but I guess they trusted me a lot!
The other aspect of safety during my college years was just general on-campus safety. During freshman year, my mom had equipped me with an alarm system and pepper spray. Needless to say, I held on to the latter, but never used the former. I thankfully never had to use the pepper spray and it ended up exploding in my pocket one day during junior year, stinking up the room and practically burning my leg. I never carried it again after that. There was a safety service during my school years where someone would be able to drive students from one building to another. I used it a lot during freshman year and then just felt fine walking around campus after that. I stayed alert and tried not to be so paranoid about campus safety. When I had to park my car further from campus, I'd have friends or the guy I was dating at the time walk back with me, as it was late most of the time. I remember some safety concerns I had sophomore year, thanks to a situation my roommate got into and how she still managed to leave the door unlocked anyway. There was a time when my neighbor's boyfriend came in my room and sat on my bed in the middle of the night. He almost kissed me! He realized he had the wrong room and ran out, but he could have been a rapist! I got so lucky that time. I was so upset about her lack of concern for our safety.
A few years after I graduated college, I wanted to go to Israel on a Birthright trip. That was another topic of consternation between me and my parents, but they finally let me go after hearing about one of my best friends who was living there at the time and said he felt totally safe. They also got a lot of reassurance from the people running the program. My paternal grandma wasn't so thrilled about it and when I told her it was free, she said "You can get shot for free." I didn't tell them when I actually went and when I got back and they found out, my late paternal grandpa was the one who had a fit over it while my grandma just asked if I had a nice time. Ironically, even with all the terror threats going on, I felt safer there than I ever had on the "L" train in Chicago.
As a parent, safety takes on a whole new meaning. I am constantly worrying about the safety of all three of my children. Hearing about the kid in Brooklyn who was found chopped up or the baby that was stolen from their room doesn't give me much comfort either. Last week I mentioned my older son "disappearing" at FAO Schwarz when he was almost three. I remember getting lost in a store as a kid and how, as a result, I hate to become unintentionally separated from any adult in any store, even during my adult years. (I freaked out when a friend of mine wandered off in a big mall and didn't have a cell phone on her.) It's even worse when the person who gets lost is so little and hard to spot amongst a crowd! I have been diligently teaching my children about stranger danger and safety rules. Our neighborhood doesn't have a lot of sidewalks and I am constantly yelling to my kids to not run ahead of me and to stay on the side closest to the grass. There have been some close calls and then the kids wonder why I get mad at them. The other thing I do is constantly make sure my house is locked to a Fort Knox level. I've been doing this even before I ever had kids. When I had a home with a garage, I'd circle around the neighborhood to make sure that I did actually remember to close it. I wasn't taking any chances.
In general, I think safety is more of an issue these days because of the Internet. In my day, I had pen pals and wasn't worried that they were predators or perverts. These days, I won't let my kids on social networking sites at all. I also get edgy about people posting pictures of my kids on their Facebook pages, let alone tagging them in these pictures, no matter how close a friend they are. I also think we're more aware of safety issues due to online Amber alerts and so many articles about bad things that happen to people. There's definitely more information out there. People can even learn how to make destructive devices, thanks to the wonders of the Internet. I don't know if I'd prefer to live in an age of ignorance and innocence or an age of information where I can become more cautious as a result of being more paranoid. I just know that I am sorry for ever giving my parents a reason to worry about anything and hope my kids don't triple those reasons for me in the future!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Isn't that special?!?
Remember the blog project I did last year with three other women? Well, Froggie decided to resurrect it with me and we each got to invite another friend to join us. She invited a mutual friend (someone I met through her) and I invited a friend whose blog I really enjoy reading. So now it's Froggie, Mom of Many, Moma Rock and Merrylandgirl. Hope you enjoy the topics that we'll be exploring!
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Walking a mile in someone else's shoes: Talk about a time you experienced circumstances you never had before, which helped you understand what someone else was going through. (What effect did that experience have - Were you more sympathetic towards that person? More humbled? Or, did it not change your opinion at all?)
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
This week, Froggie picked the topic: Walking a mile in someone else's shoes: Talk about a time you experienced circumstances you never had before, which helped you understand what someone else was going through. (What effect did that experience have - Were you more sympathetic towards that person? More humbled? Or, did it not change your opinion at all?)
Before reading ahead, first see what everyone else had to say on this topic:
Froggie
Mom of Many
Moma Rock
When you have a new baby, the biggest concerns are when they'll crawl, walk, talk, grow teeth, eat solids and sleep through the night. However, those concerns become sidelined when the main focus is about how to keep them from eating their hearing aid.
That is just one point of concern in a sea of many others when it comes to raising a child with special needs. When I was asked if I had walked in someone else's shoes, this was the first thing I could think of. I majored in special education in college before switching to psychology. During that time, I learned how to write IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and even had hands on experience working with both kids and adults who have special needs. At the time, I didn't think much of what was going through the minds of their parents. When my first child was born with hearing loss, I instantly became a parent of a child with special needs. Although the needs are different from the needs of the children I worked with in the past (and for my sake, thankfully a lot easier), there were (and still are) a lot of things that go along with those needs.
I've written in the past about how the Italy vs. Holland concept figures into my life. I heard the passage again at an inservice program from my work this past summer and teared up from it. While going to Holland does have a lot of unexpected treats and rewards, as a parent, I have to admit that I was expecting to land in Italy. The first time around was more of a shock. The second time around (present day) was more of an expectation and I was prepared (even as much as having my first child's hearing aids still available). However, there are the little things that throw me off track, like my baby's hearing aid shutting down completely while we were out of town. And this new development of having to watch her like a hawk so that she doesn't accidentally swallow her hearing aid or dislodge the battery into her mouth. I don't know many other parents who have this kind of worry. Along with landing in Holland, there are the aforementioned treats...the people I get to meet that I may not have met otherwise. I absolutely love my older son's pre-K teachers. I never would have met them if he had been at my younger son's school. I also met a woman who wrote a book about her cochlear implant experiences. I wouldn't have thought to read the book or even contact her if I hadn't needed the implants for my kids. It's besherte in a way.
There are also a lot of decisions to be made and sometimes I get judged on what route I choose to take. Getting a cochlear implant for my children is a huge decision. In the hearing community, it's accepted in the same way that Lasik is accepted for correcting vision. In the deaf culture, I'm seen as a pariah...at least by those who are not open to the idea of cochlear implants. Anyway, along with that decision is a surgery. Doing this surgery on a four year-old was not that tough, other than going into the operating room with him and seeing him be sedated. However, it seems scarier for me to do it on a baby, even though this will help her in the long run. She can't tell me when something's bothering her, other than by crying.
Then there's the decision about schooling. While it's obvious that my daughter will go where my son has been going, being in a community where almost all the children go to a Jewish day school makes it more stressful for us. We have to find other ways to fulfill their Jewish education. And since our middle child is hearing but we don't want to play favorites, we're planning to give him a public school education as well, and are working on sending him to the same school as his siblings when he starts kindergarten. I'm sure that won't be questioned at all. (Pardon the sarcasm.)
Another factor is the extra stuff. Therapy, for instance. Also, lots of hearing tests (or mappings in the case of children with CIs). We go to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for a lot of this, which is an hour's drive in both directions. However, it's worth it in order to get our children the best services possible. The cochlear implant surgeon there is one of the best in the nation. People come from the other side of the country to have him do their childrens' surgery. The audiology department is also amazing. We're still trying to work out speech therapy services for our baby though. We have someone coming from Early Intervention, but that's only twice a month and only a half hour each time, which is spent partially by tinkering with her hearing aids. There are no speech therapy centers in the nearby area. We'd have to go to Hopkins every week or to some place in Virginia. With both of us working, it's hard to manage that kind of schedule. When we lived in the previous two states, I was able to go somewhere nearby to get our older son to speech therapy services. Again, the drive was sometimes longer than the therapy.
Finally, there are the questions. Questions we have for ourselves and for other people, as well as the questions people have for us. The biggest one is about genetics. Where did our kids get their hearing loss from? How come we haven't been genetically tested? Do our older son and the baby have the same condition? (We hope to have that answer soon.) Why does one of our children hear just fine? Does he have the same condition and we don't know it yet? Why did we wait till our older son was 4 before getting the implant but we're not waiting as long for the baby? We've answered these kinds of questions many times and even asked them of ourselves at times.
For all parents who have been down this road already, I know how they feel. For all parents who are new to this situation, I can tell them I've walked a million miles already and they'll be following me on that path. I can only hope to make it easier for them. I am always offering myself as a contact for parents who are just finding out that their kids have hearing loss. I know it's specific, but it's the only special need with which I really have any personal experience. If I can make someone else's journey easier, it will have been worth walking all these miles. Then again, my kids make the journey worth it every day!
Side note on the theme: I found out yesterday about a baby that has gone missing. I can't say that I've experienced the same thing, but I also know how her mother feels because I can relate as a mother, thinking about how scared she must be feeling and the despair she must be going through. My older son disappeared in a toy store for two minutes and those were the worst two minutes of my life, so thinking about a possible lifetime of being unable to find your own child is dreadful and heart wrenching. I hope she is able to find her and that the baby is alive and safe.
Having said that, I don't always have to walk a mile in someone's shoes to feel sympathy for them. I read stories or even hear firsthand about bad things that happen to people and I cry for them anyway. I don't want to ever be in their shoes, but it doesn't mean that I don't care about what they're going through.
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