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)
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