Life Lessons From Sam

My Dad shared this story about a conversation that they had at a recent Pie Day that I found amusing. The boys and my parents had some visitors this past Pie Day, some coworkers of my Dad's, one from Texas and one from Minnesota. Sam is our family meteorologist, so he was really looking forward to the tales of Hurricane Ike, and he was not disappointed. The man from Minnesota told them all about ice fishing and driving on frozen lakes, which Ryan found fascinating as a big fan of "The Deadliest Catch" and "Ice Road Truckers". As they were leaving, one of the men said that he was on his way to meet his new granddaughter for the first time, and asked the boys if that had any words of wisdom that they would offer a new baby about growing up as a kid today. Sam threw his hands up in frustration, and said "3rd grade testing, just watch out for 3rd grade testing." So if these worsening economic times or just the stress of day-to-day life ever gets you down, think of Sam and remind yourself that things could be worse....you could be back in 3rd grade.

Life Lessons for Sam

Any of you that have had to wait on Scott to have something accomplished will be able to relate to Sam's plight. My husband is a wonderful man, but we all know that being dependent on him is not a situation that you want to find yourself in. Recently the chain on Sam's bike broke and he has to have his Dad fix it. As he was walking (oh the horror of having to actually WALK) to school in the morning I overhead him explaining his dilemma to a friend, and this is what he said. I am quoting "My bike chain broke and I have to have my Dad fix it...It could take two days, it could take two weeks, it could take two years, you just never know with him." I felt his pain, but I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

TV - Part 2

While watching the Emmy's last night and realizing that we hardly knew any of the nominees, Scott and I began to wonder one of two things: 1)we maybe didn't watch nearly as much TV as we thought or 2)we just watch really bad TV. The answer became apparent when we realized that the show and actor we were most familiar with was Two and a Half Men and Charlie Sheen...enough said?

Ryan watched the first part of the show with us and kept saying that he really liked John Stewart and wanted him to win. For a brief second I fantasized that he had this hidden humorous and politically intelligent side to him. Then he filled us in that John Stewart was the name of The Green Lantern's alter ego. Oh well!!

Uptown Girls

The "Mommy World" stopped turning last night and four of us stepped off. Today is my friend Darnell's birthday (sorry if that apostrophe is used incorrectly Carole!), and so myself, Jodi, and Carole, took her uptown for a fun "girl's night out". Darnell's wonderful husband, Dave, got us a hotel room, so we made the night a fun, adult sleepover. And to all of my family that makes fun of my strange sleep issues, I have found a soul-sister in Carole. She has just as many, shall we say "quirks" as me. We ate a really good meal at BlackFinn, sang our hearts out at Howl At The Moon (FYI to anyone going...$3 does not get your song played right away, but will get it played 30 seconds after you enter the bathroom), and danced the night away at The Breakfast Club. Yes, I know, Steph, totally uncool, but what can I say..it's our era.
Some of us even danced in a cage, but I won't name names. There is photographic evidence, but I don't have any because I never remember a camera. It was a very fun, well deserved, night on the town. Ladies, next time we take it on the road!!!

Happy Birthday Darnell!!! Not old, just older (you know what I mean)!!

My Favorite Season

Monday marks the start of my favorite season, and no boys and girls, I don't mean Autumn. It is the official start of the Fall Television Season!!! This summer seemed especially bad as far as TV, although I will admit that I did start watching Big Brother again. I season passed John and Kate + 8 and Little People, Big World, so that shows how desperate I was. And if I have to watch one more house being flipped I may scream. Pathetic, I know. But I started this new fitness thing where I am trying to get 20,000 steps a day, and any steps that I can't get in during the day have to be made up at night on the treadmill in front of the TV, so I must have stuff to watch. I have already been sucked into a couple of new shows...Raising The Bar, America's Toughest Jobs, and yes, I will admit it, the new 90210 (once again, very pathetic, but I could not help myself). Some returning shows debuted early, and I am right back on board with The Biggest Loser and Gossip Girl (yes, I am the one person that actually watches that show). But the real life blood of my TiVo starts this week. Most of you know that I am a reality TV addict, and the two biggies, The Amazing Race and Survivor, are finally starting. YEAH!!I think that my TiVo about blew a circuit when it tried to schedule my Thursday nights, what with Survivor, Greys, Ugly Betty, and ER. When Lost and Rescue Me (the best show that no one but me watches!) return later in the season, I really do expect an overload. I know this sounds really bad, and like I have no life of my own, but TiVo has revolutionized ones ability to maximize their TV watching. Watching when you want and no commercials cuts viewing time drastically. If you don't have a DVR, run, don't walk and get one today. It will change your life. I'm not usually a conspiracy person, but I do have this fear that there is some government agency somewhere keeping tabs on my viewing habits. I imagine that my file is not very impressive. I have even kept the show "Damages" on my Season Pass list because it is a very smart show. I stopped watching it after 3 episodes because it was too hard for me to understand, but I think it will up my intelligence rating in that file. Once during the last election, Scott and I were watching the Presidential Debates, and TiVo popped up and asked if we wanted to switch to Entertainment Tonight. It was as if it was suggesting that we were too stupid to watch the debates or vote. So, on that note, I will sign off...my show is on!

Sewing Badge

I didn't really realize the humor in this story until I was relaying it to my Dad and Brother tonight, and saw the laugh that they got out of it. It is probably one of those stories that Ryan will hate me for when he is a teenager. Yesterday I was sewing badges on Ryan's new Cub Scout shirt and he mentioned that he would like to try sewing. I got him a needle and thread and gave him an old sock that had a hole in it. He got the hang of it and was enjoying himself. Later when they were getting ready to go Scouts, Ryan announced that he was going to show the Den leader his sewn up sock and ask that his first badge be a SEWING BADGE. The "Oh, HELLLL NOOOO" look on Scott's face was priceless. I wish I had a picture. Thin Mints anyone....

A Message From Ryan

The following is a message from Ryan:

I would like to thank everyone who voted "Yes" in support of my pursuit of a canine companion. And to those of you who voted "No" I say this "BE AFRAID...BE VERY AFRAID!"


The preceding message was approved by The Committee to Get Ryan a Dog

Remember

Since September 11, 2001, my father has taken to flying flags in his front yard. Sometimes it is an American Flag, some make political statements, but mostly the flags honor Veterans and those that died on 9/11. Two years ago, during the 5th anniversary, I would kid him that if a reporter ever came by inquiring about the story behind the flags, he had better come up with something good or he would just be known as "the crazy flag man." My parents were born and raised in the NJ/NY Metropolitan area, and most of our family still lives there. We were fortunate that we didn't lose anyone that day, however, I think most people driving by and seeing the flags would assume differently. Lately I have come to realize that his story is simply that he remembers, and the flags are a reminder that we should also. I had to explain to my boys why Grandpa flies those flags and the meaning behind them, and they fully understand and know the importance of this day. The people that have stopped by and shared their stories, left flowers and mementos at the base of the flag, or just honked and waved as they passed by, let us know that they remember. Everyone that died that day in those Towers in New York, at the Pentagon in Washington, and that field in Pennsylvania was a spouse, child, parent, sibling or friend. Those they left behind can only remember. So if that reporter ever comes by they can quote me as saying "I'm proud that the crazy flag man is my Dad!" Please take some time today to REMEMBER.

To Dog or Not to Dog...

Those of you that are actively involved in our lives know that Ryan has been on a campaign to get a dog for about four months now. Borrowing my sister's dog, Sandy, for a few days over the summer bought us some time, but the memory of that long week is now fading. Spending time at Uncle Jeff's house with his THREE golden retrievers has once again stirred up his desire, and thus the campaigning has started in earnest once again. So I have started a poll, and it is up to you, my friends and loved ones, to help us with this decision. Please vote wisely.

Blue Belts

On Wednesday night, Sam and Ryan received their blue belts in Karate. They have been training for about two years now, and this is their fourth color rank. Each of them had to perform the green belt kata by themselves in front of the teacher, and they had to receive a certain number of point in order to pass. Sam was the only one to perform perfectly, and when the teacher announced this, he was very proud. When they started their training, they had around 40 kids in their class, and only 4 remained to test for their blue belts, so I'm pretty proud of them. This moves them to an entirely different level, and their training becomes much more serious, so only time will tell if they continue or it looses its appeal when they actually have to put forth a lot of effort.

Gone Fishin

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port,
Aboard this tiny Ship.

The mate was a mighty sailin' man,
The Skipper brave and sure,
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed.
If not for the courage of the fearless crew,
The Minnow would be lost.

This familiar theme song is quite an accurate account of the boy's fishing adventure (or should I say misadventure) this past weekend down in Charleston aboard their Uncle Jeff's boat. The men, of course, describe a perfectly pleasant sail on the ocean, with perhaps just one or two minor blips in the day. The boys, however, tell a tale that would be the second coming of the Titanic. Swirling seas, hurricanes looming, sharks everywhere, and almost capsizing multiple times, makes their version much more exciting. I think if Ryan could have found a way to shout out "ICEBURG, RIGHT AHEAD", that would have made his whole summer. I'm guessing that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, as the only element of the stories that were the same was that the day ended with having to be towed back to shore. Thanks, Uncle Jeff, for a great day to end the summer!

I'm Still Cool

I have loved the song "All Summer Long" by Kid Rock since I first heard it in the spring. When I told my sister, Stephanie, about how much I liked it, she commented (in that oh-so-snotty way of hers) "you would". And every time it would come on in the car both of the boys would roll their eyes and moan and groan to please change the station. This may have had more to do with my singing along quite loudly, but whatever. Well, Time Magazine has named "All Summer Long" as the "Song of the Summer of 2008", an honor which I don't think they have done before. So it's official, I am the coolest! SO THERE!!!!