the Journey

I really wasn't that into the boy bands when I was in middle school.  Sure, I religiously watched TRL every afternoon like any self-respecting teenager, but I didn't chose sides, or have a favorite band member, or go to the concerts. However, I can admit, without shame, that at the very first glimpse of the member of N*Sync rising to the platform during last night's VMAs, I was bouncing up and down on the end of my bed like I was front row at one of their concerts circa 1997.  I don't know why, I guess is was all the anticipation built up from the will they/won't they rumors over the past week or so.  It was pretty awesome.  And, thankfully, afterwards I was free to turn off the VMAs without fear of having nothing to talk about with people on Monday morning. Seriously?  I really don't listen to or watch that much main-stream music.  Is this what's out there right now?  C may never leave the house once he turns seven.  Miley, really honey?  I know your Dad

Was it hard? Was it runny? Was it normal? Did it smell really bad? Was there a huge mess? What it discolored? No one tells you when you're in the beginning stages of falling in love.  Nobody wants to shatter the fairytale/"The Notebook" illusion you've created in your mind.  They just don't have the gumption to confess to you that one day when your beloved calls you at work, the above may be the extent of your entire conversation.  They don't tell you that you'll feel completely normal discussing "it".  They wouldn't dream to explain how interested you could be in "it".  Nope.  These people, these ones who've paved the way before you, who've told you your whole life that "it" is not an acceptable topic of civilized conversation, they never let you in on the secret.  One day, you'll have complete dialogs about poop.  Ah, how romantic. C has had some stomach issues off and on this week. I got called to c

Seriously, where has the time gone?  Wasn't it just Memorial Day?  I have to start thinking about Halloween costumes?  Why didn't I learn to sew!!??  I seriously have to start buying candy every week from now until then.  Apparently Halloween in our new neighborhood is to little kids what Black Friday is to adults.  I've heard of numbers exceeding 700.  SEVEN HUNDRED KIDS.  I don't even understand that.  Then, you gotta turn around and cook turkey.  Then, it's Christmas.  If you've waited until after Thanksgiving to start shopping, well you might as well go ahead and get your name on the waiting list for the Betty Ford Clinic.  Making the list, shopping the sales, fighting the crowds, perfectly wrapping the presents in matching paper, it WILL drive you insane.  But hey, it's only the 3rd week of August, we've got time. Your home remodel update (and I promise it'll be brief), the floors are coming along, and we're working steadily on all project

Is it sad to be glad to come back to work on Monday just so you can sit down in a comfortable chair while the air conditioning keeps you at a reasonable temperature?  Yes, that is sad?  Well then, I'm sad. I'll back up a little first. You didn't hear from me on Thursday - you're welcome.  I promise it was better that way.  I would either have cried or killed you with one look, it was too hard to tell. However, Thursday night was wonderful.  M and I went to parent orientation at C's new preschool and left knowing he was going to have a great year.  This will be the first time my baby has to  have a backpack, with his own snacks, and learning objectives, and, and, just pass me the tissues.  My baby is too big. Friday I was in Hville for a CPE class which was about as exciting as you're imagining it was.  We had a wonderful evening at home eating a gourmet meal and watching a family movie.  No.  That's what normal people do.  I walked in the door from C

You have to say that like the camel in the commercial. Yesterday on my way into work the weather person on the radio announced that the high would be 88, but it would feel like 97.  You know what that is?  A lot of humidity, a lot of wasted time on fixing hair that would look flat and lifeless at the end of the day.  Thankfully, I had my much needed hair appointment yesterday afternoon.  I got a fresh new color and cut, and I feel much better.  I know you guys don't understand how that happens.  It's ok, we don't really want you to understand because it's our party and you're not invited. C is at the age where he can have me rolling in the floor with his humor.  The other night to encourage him to eat the main part of his meal, I would give him one chip for every bite he took of the good stuff.  Stop your judgment immediately; you do whatever works at this age.  At one point he had three chips on his plate, one large, one medium, one small.  He pointed to the

My brother is on my list.  You know, my "it" list.  We all have these lists, and it's not through positive actions that you land on the "it" list.  I'll explain later why JT has been banished (pronounced bani-shed for dramatic Shakespearian effect), but first a couple of items of background. Early on in my relationship with M, I aggravated him purposefully.  A lot.  He couldn't figure it out.  I wasn't mean to him, I just liked to pick at him.  The car ride home after he met my brother for the first time, he confessed that now he understood perfectly. My brother has a PhD in aggravation.  (Let me stop and say that I know the correct grammatical term is "irritate" not "aggravate".  You can only aggravate in a medical context, but since that's the common turn-of-phrase, we're going with it.)  I don't think I did that much aggravating on my own while I lived at home.  Apparently though, if JT wasn't around I was per

Thanks to a friend who has a double black belt in interior design AND finding a good deal, bedding for Cohen's room as been found.  Also, a paint color.  I know, someone stop me before I overdo it.  It's going to be super gorgeous.  I'm stoked. Also, since I'm in the business of putting your minds at ease, I've made a hair appointment.  My roots will no longer be a problem effective Tuesday afternoon. Someone in my household is a big fan of "The Devil Wears Prada".  It's not me.  I like it fine, but not to the same extent.  However, I think of the movie almost daily.  Remember that scene where they go look at the up-and-coming designers new line and Meryl Streep's facial expressions are the indicator of approval and disapproval?  The kiss of death is pursed lips.  If you get that look, back to the drawing board.  When I scroll through some of the apparel and clothing designs on Zulily, I often think to myself, "Someone should have pursed