It Is What It Is

The post I started three times- so lets hope I can finish it

Yes- three times- I've started this post and then walked away, did about a dozen other things and then forgot about the post, didn't save it and then had to start all over again.

I know- you're thinking what the heck, Deb, what's the problem?  Well, aside from playing nursemaid to my Beloved, Eldest had surgery last week, (she's fine- she had cysts on her vocal chords removed, as well as her tonsils.)  Needless to say, I'm on a first name basis with all the drive-thru folks at Sonic...Eldest was living on their slushes. 

On top of working, nursing, trying to finish decorating for Christmas, starting about 3 other mini-projects, cooking, cleaning, Christmas shopping, and getting ready for Beloved's side of the family Holiday Christmas celebration- I was in a car accident.  (I'm doing okay- just a raging case of whiplash.) I was rear-ended by some fool with no car insurance.  

Whew- I feel better getting that off my chest....back to post I was trying to write.

 

~~~~~~~~~Doing the Pick Up

 

Don't you just love your "pick-up" friends?  These are the friends- who you may or may not have know for life- but no matter the time or the distance, when you do see or speak to one another, you just "pick up" from the last time you saw or spoke to that person? 

A couple of months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting up with one of my "pick-ups."  I accompanied Eldest to our State Capital to take her state boards.  I needed something to occupy my time- and instead of shopping or hanging at a coffee shop alone, I gave my buddy, V a call. 

I have known V since "before."  That is before husband and kids!  She was one of my very best  work friends, we were cubicle mates.  Our friendship transcended the workplace and now twenty three years later....we are still doing the "pick up."

V was kind enough to play along- go for a ride so to speak, do what we needed to do while we waited for Eldest to complete the morning activities, pick her up for her lunch break and then take her back for the afternoon. 

We started the day at place I had never gone to before.  Supposedly, this joint had been featured on one of those Food Network shows, not sure which one...but primarily to feature it's signature sandwich.

Neither one of us was in the mood for the Dagwood, so we opted for breakfast items.  We had a wonderful time catching up on all kinds of things- mostly about the kids and such.  I swear, nothing makes time go faster than having kids and living through their milestones to mark that time.  V has two boys.  When I met her, one was a baby and the other maybe four years old.  Now, they are grown, gorgeous men, college graduates and starting their adult lives- away from mom. 

We had a great time chatting and driving through some of our old haunts and checking out some new cool places.  As always, the time just flew by and before we knew it - Eldest had called to say-

"I've passed!"

We said our goodbyes- but not to worry, the next time we "pick up" will be on New Year's Eve day.  That's her birthday and the day we both make cabbage rolls.  In fact, it's her recipe that I use!

Thanks, V- it was great catching up and spending time with you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This holiday has been a balancing act with work, home and my husband convalescing from knee replacement surgery.  I feel like a juggler  with too many balls in the air.  My good friend B and her family were supposed to come for a visit but due to their own work balance juggling act, (not to mention the weather God's not cooperating again)....they elected to stay put in New England. 

I wish I could just roll up in a ball and blink everything done...but alas that's not how it works.  I'm off to bake pies and start my side dishes.  I wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I have much to be grateful for this year...I just wish I wasn't so tired. 

 

The Theatre....(please pronounce in an English accent for better effect)

This weekend was a weekend of "theatre going."  Friends of Youngest and I were in local community production of "The Sound of Music."  We attended with another friend and her daughter and had such a delightful time.  I love going to musicals!  They just make me happy.  Our little friend played one of the Von Trapp children and did such a fabulous job.  It was her first time being in a "musicale" and she loved it!  I get chills each time I hear the "nuns from the Abbey" sing "Climb Every Mountain."  I've been having the soundtrack playing in my head all weekend.

Last night, Youngest and I had another double date with a mom and her daughter and attended one of the area high school's production of "The Drowsy Chaperone."  I had never heard of this show before and was intrigued.  Interestingly enough, when this show was announced last Spring, I then noticed twice over the summer, two area universities were putting on this very show during their summer season.

If you ever get the chance to see this show- GO!  It's not very often that you get the opportunity to see a show that you have NO IDEA what it is about.  Not a remake of a movie or a tried and true Broadway production...This show was so creative and the talented young performers made it even better.   It's a musical within a comedy-  a  show within a show- current day to past times.  Very, very fun...still smiling about it.

In a few weeks, Youngest will be performing in her school's Junior production of Seussical.  We are looking forward to this with much anticipation.  Again, another very fun show.

On a completely random note, I know I mentioned a few months ago that I was starting the "30th anniversary of my Senior Year of High School."  Well, it's official- I received via Facebook- the date of my 30th High School reunion.  I'm excited and depressed all at the same time.  Excited because I have never attended any of my reunions- and I will not miss this one!  Depressed because- well I can't believe it's been thirty years! 

 

I love the lilt

Life is one big mystery, isn't it?  Circumstances can change on a dime.  Within the last three days, two close friends who had been going through (let's just call it "Some Stuff that was making them extremely unhappy.")  had a change in those said circumstances.  In the process of speaking with both friends (individually of course) as they were explaining said changes- their whole demeanor had changed.  The body language, the sound of their voice. 

I said to them both- "You're lilt is back."  And it was.  That sound in your voice that lets others know you're doing okay.  You're happy.  You're back on track.  Sometimes you may not even know the lilt went away - until it comes back. 

It's a good thing.  The lilt- it's contagious.

 
 

30 Years in the Making

Beloved recently celebrated his 30th Class Reunion.  He comes from a small town and he had about 120 or so in his graduation class.  This was probably the smallest group gathering of all the reunions we've attended, but if you judge by the fun factor- it was the best to date.

This was the third reunion we've attended.  We've been to the five, twenty and now thirty.  They have had a reunion every five years.  (Side note- I have never been to one of my reunions.  Not for any particular reason other than it has never worked out.  Although after reconnecting with classmates through Facebook, I am very much looking forward to my 30th next year.)

You know what would be great- if at 16 we could all be like we are at 46.  Seriously.  Wouldn't it be nice to just be.  No worries about what the future holds- just know that it probably will work out just fine so lets all be friends now-instead of waiting years.  Now I say that because it's just an obversation in general, not anything that we really experienced due to the reunion.  For the most part, Beloved hooked up with a couple of buddies from back in the day and they basically hit the "pause" button and continued on from where they last left off.  Which from an observers point of view, so much fun to watch.  I've heard most of the stories before, but they still brought us to tears of laughter.

 
(The one in the middle- used to be the tallest....go figure....)

 
These fun gals go with the guys above...we had the best time making fun of those boys.  I might also add, we got the dance party started...What is about being the first person on the dance floor?  You know you want to move, but something about being the first one out there makes people's feet act like they have been cemented to the spot they're standing. 

 
 
 

Something so contagious about others laughter.  I swear, my face and stomach hurt from smiling and laughing by the end of the night.

Special thanks to the gals who helped plan this shindig.

And although it was a small group for this reunion gathering- it was a mighty group.  Many friendships were renewed and common interests were discovered.  Who knows where these friendships will go in the next thirty years? 
 
 

Because it bears worth repeating

Friday, June 17 is National Flip Flop Day sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  If you want to know all about this great event click on the link. 

 
(Doesn't this image just scream SUMMER TIME and the BEACH!!)

All that being said, I do have a couple of funny little tidbits to share with you.

Remember a few weeks ago I chose the "Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars as one of my Saturday Soundtracks?  I mentioned that the song did have a one lyric that was a bit cheeky and in my opinion kind of ruined the song for me.  Last night I was driving in the car with Youngest and a couple of her friends.  The radio was on and that song came on and the girls all started singing it.  (Really- the song is quite catchy and you can't help but want to sing along...)  Well, I temporarily forgot about that one part and remembered just as it was coming up and reacted by singing over the lyrics...."lalalalalalalal."  However, the girls surprised me and said, "Don't worry we have are own lyrics for that part." 

"Oh, and what that might be?"

"We say...."(instead of "have some really nice sex")   "Send a really nice text."

It reminded me of the times when in college and we would be in bars and the Billy Idol version of the song, "Mony, Mony" would come on and we would change the lyrics.  Remember the part where folks would shout out "Get L#%$   Get F%^&*#!"  ?  Well- my nerdy friends and I would chant at that part- "Get a job, Go to Church!" 

Next up, a friend and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance who  is probably the most unique thinking individual we both know.  This person is very single minded in her quest to create a world solely dedicated to her wants and desires.  Her way is always the right way and she is unabashedly not afraid to exhibit hypocritical opinions. 

Case in point, this person is hyper-critical of other folks parenting styles.  She's extremely over protective of her kids and I've witnessed her over the top behavior on more than one occasion.  Which is why this particular bit is so hysterical and such a dichotomy.  This is how it went down...Her son was planning a sleepover with  my other friend's son.  At the last minute plans had to be changed and she asked if her son could just come over to their house to  have a play date instead.  "Sure come on over," my friend invited.  When they arrived, this gal hands a bag to my friend's husband and says- "Here, I brought this for the kids to play with." 

He looks inside and sees an assortment of fireworks.  (I might mention at this point that the sale of fireworks is illegal in our state.  However, you can drive right over the border  and buy them.  We live on the state border.)  Friend's husband says, "Oh- thanks, but I don't think this is such a good idea."

Gal says- "Why?  I only bought fireworks that were age appropriate."

Is that like saying, "Here, go play with these matches kids, they are more age appropriate than this lighter."  Or, "hey, go play with daddy's guns, but don't touch the ones that aren't age appropriate."  Or maybe, "Go ahead and play in the street kids as long as you wear that reflective vest." 

I know I'm being a bit on the sarcastic side, but I can't help it.  The idea that there is such an idea of 'age appropriate fireworks struck our funny bone.  We couldn't stop laughing. 

 

Do you have any funny song lyrics stories?  Or any age appropriate stories to share?  Would love to hear them all!   

 

Saturday Soundtrack-Birthday Edition

This post and song is dedicated to my partner in crime.  She's fondly known as my Buddy B on this blog but for all of you who don't know her, she can also be found here or here.  Now the song I've chosen doesn't really have anything to do with birthdays or with my friend for that matter, other than it's a happy song and happy things always remind me of her.

This week she celebrated her birthday.  She also contracted a RAGING case of poison ivy like no one I've ever known and kept a pretty good attitude about it.  Personally, if it were me, I would be complaining and wining til the cows came home.  She kept her sense of humor throughout.  (Case in point, a barista at Starbucks was so struck by her condition that she dropped her Chai Latte order when gazing on the pustules.  Did B get embarrassed or outraged by the gal's behavior?  No- she laughed and actually apologized to the girl for not warning her of her condition.)  All that being said, I wanted to tell you a few things about B and why I feel so lucky to call her my friend.

1.  She gets me.  (Always the halmark of any good friendship.)  I don't have to explain everything to her- she just gets it.  She gets the good, the bad and the ugly of me and likes me for it.  It's authentic.  And in this day and age, it's difficult to say that about most things. 

2.  Her sense of humor.  This girl can find the funny in just about anything.  Perhaps we are just both sick and twisted, but when you can laugh just about (well actually about ...) JUST ANYTHING no matter how gross and perverted or prim and proper...that's friendship gold, right there. 

3.  Speaking of gold- she's got a heart made of one.  I know that if I needed her to,she would be on the next plane headed to Northwest Ohio if I just asked.  NO explanation needed.  She is supportive not only of me, but of my family and offers sage advice to all.  She is my go to person for cleaning up the blood and helping to hide the evidence.

4.  She's wise beyond her years.  The older I get, the age of my friends is really quite irrelevant.  But truth be told, she's younger than me.  Thank goodness, she never rubs it in (she knows how sensitive I am about these things...) But seriously, I'd go to her just as well as go to the Dali Lama for advice on just about anything.  She's my younger Role Model. 

5.  She's dedicated.  Dedicated to her family, her friends, her beliefs, her goals, her decorating.    If asked and accepted, consider it done. 

6.  She's a fellow mascara slut, book loving tramp and sugar whore.  All qualities I admire in a woman.  I'f I'm Ousier Boudreaux, she's my Clarice.  "And I love ya' more than my luggage!"

  

 
Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! 

 
 

Enjoy this week's selection, "Come Fly Away" by Jeremy Fisher.  The video is a bit kooky and creative, a lot like my friend.  Probably why I like it so much.

 

 

 

HOLY First Communion

This past weekend, my nephew and godson made his First Holy Communion.  

It was especially poignant for me since this celebration was held in the church of  my childhood.  The church where I have shared many family celebrations.

 
 
It is the church of my youth and young adulthood.  It's the church where I was married and the church that has celebrated the funeral Masses of two of my grandparents.

And although it is the same church, it is much different.  A few years ago, they underwent a major expansion and remodel.  The church went from a traditional altar in the front of with the pews lined up on either side with a long aisle to a church in-the-round configuration with pews surrounding the altar on three sides. 

I love that they maintained the original design integrity.  This church had some of the most beautiful stained glass windows.  Even though they bumped out one side of the church completely, they kept the original windows and reinstalled them with the new design.  

 
 

I'd forgotten just how beautiful they were.  This is the old Altar area (and the background for all of my wedding photos in the church.)  It is now considered the back of the church and this area is reserved for the  handicapped accessible area. 

The wall behind the altar used to be completely tiled.  A part of the design of the wall was a prayer that I would recite every time I attended Mass and I still say that very prayer every day of my life.  The wall looks a little bare to me now, though.

This is the current Altar.  That is the same Crucifix that hung above the old Altar (in front of my tiled prayer.) 

The priests of course where new to me as well.  I have to say, I've attended a great many First Communion services in my day, and this really was one of the best homilies I've ever had the pleasure of hearing.  This Pastor really made the significance of the event for these children come alive and he made it accessible to them.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Proud family.  That's my baby sister and her boys (all of them!) 

Proud grandparents, too.

 

The other great part of a First Communion Celebration- is the party afterwards!

Lots of good food and drink.  Time spent with friends and family.

All in all- it was a great weekend.  I hope all of the "Mother's" out there- had a beautiful day! 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

When you know you've finally hit it....

                                                                  - OR -

                                  Everybody Wang Chung Tonight!

 

This past weekend Youngest was invited to a 'Totally Awesome 80's Party."  Come in Costume!

Please enjoy the following conversation-

Me-    Well, that sounds like fun.

Youngest-    I know!  Mom- you were alive in the 80"s right?  How old were you?  Do you know what someone younger would wear from the 80's? 

Me-   No- I have no idea....OF COURSE I DO!!  I was a lady of the 80's!  Man- that was my decade!I totally have you covered on this one....

Youngest-    Well- let's Google some images just to be sure....

                               ________________________________________________

Cut to Saturday night.  Our house became Beauty Central for a few of the party goers.   Eldest did hair- I was in charge of make-up!  Can I just say- that it was TOTALLY fun coming up with a costume and creating their looks...but there is something humbling about your kid needing to dress up- in an outfit from your younger era.  I remember 50's costume parties being the rage when I was younger and my mom kind of getting excited coming up with the 'right look."

See for yourselves.....

Eldest started with makup and hair on Youngest- and then once everyone started arriving, I needed to step in help.  Eldest was determined to give everyone their own separate hair look! 

Youngest is sporting the "Madonna."

This creation is the "Faux-Hawk.'  It actually turned out really well. 
 

This sweet gal wanted the "Farrah Fawcett."  When I told her that Farrah was more late 70's she really didn't care.  She just wanted her long lockes curled  and we tied a scarf as a headband and called it a day!

We had a couple of "Jane Fonda's" and "Flashdances" going on...and a few Madonna/Cyndi Lauper looks too.  The girls really had a lot of fun putting it altogether!

Cause....Girls Just Wanna Have Fuuuunnnnn!  Girls just wanna have fun!!! 

 

The Apron

I love me a good apron.  I have a handful that I wear and depending on the situation, I use a certain apron.  I have a holiday apron, I have my "chicken" apron that I wear whenever working the Chicken BBQ at church, I have my "funeral volunteer" apron and I have aprons to share should anyone require an apron while at my home or away (I always bring extra.)  And to be perfectly honest, I don't always wear an apron when cooking.  I should, because I can make a mess like no ones business but nonetheless, I have aprons available should the need arise. 

 

A close family friend gave me this apron for Christmas.  A neighbor friend of hers makes these aprons and they are just about adorable.  The apron came with this clever little sheet giving the history of the apron and it reminded me of my great grandmothers who always wore an apron over their clothes.  I'm going to share it with you.  I wish I could give the appropriate credit for this information, but suffice if to say, we probably could all picture a loved one in our head using their apron for one of these purposes.  (Unless, of course you're really young and don't have any apron memories as they fell out of style for a few decades.)  I for one, am glad they're back.

 

The History of Aprons

Remember making an apron in Home Ec?  I don't think our kids know what an apron is....

The  principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears and on occasion was even used for cleaning dirty ears...

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks and sometimes half hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal for hiding shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those giant  old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow bent over the hot wooden stove...

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden it carried all sorts of vegetables.  After the peas had been shelled it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron and the menfolk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes. 

They would go crazy now trying to figure how many germs were on that apron.  I never caught anything but love from that apron!

Do you have any apron memories, photos or uses?   Share them with us!