Head's Up Everyone...the news on the radar today is so ahocking, astounding and unbelievable that it will leave you breathless.
Michael Jackson is...
sick.
Now how about some real news or at least something that we did not already know for the past few decades...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Thank God I'm a Country (Girl)
Today was a very special day for my eldest daughter Sarah. A day trip into manhattan to meet up with her Favorite Aunt Stephanie to have lunch and see Mary Poppins on Broadway.
Being a white knuckler in the congested streets of manhattan, I was none too pleased with the alternate train schedule for track construction which featured missing routes at exactly the times we needed Midtown Direct to be there for us.
Neither Jeff nor I favor the joy of NYC driving, but after much research into alternate routes, we determined the best and most direct bet was a drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, which links up directly with the Port Authority parking deck.
Now if you know Jeff and I, then you know that the best laid plans are almost always waylaid by some comical force to ensure a grand "adventure" (AKA getting lost or misdirected at the very end). In this case, thankfully, there was no construction, closure, or filled lot awaiting us.
In fact, this may be our new favorite way to get into the city.
So, we arrived at the Port Authority parking deck, unloaded and off we went, and it was all amazingly simple.
Once in Times Square, we encountered the usual suspects, transgendered and proud, rastafarian preachers expounding upon the eternal damnation that awaits us, and all sorts of slippery street vendors (though surely they must realize that most of us already know Canal Street is the place to shop for knockoffs?). I was a little surprised that the Naked Cowboy neglected to show, considering the milder weather. Perhaps he was concerned about "shrinkage" and how it would affect his image. Frankly I am relieved that I did not have to explain that one to the girls today, and that Sarah forgot him from our last trip into New York.
Interestingly, my girls did not take much note of the folks we encountered who were talking, dancing, and singing to themselves, and simply assumed that they had earpieces in and were on their cell phones. The sweet and roasty smell of Halal food and roasted nut stands combined with the waft of toilet odor from the sewers to make NYC, at it's most simple description (the one I used to prepare my daughter) "a city with lots of everything beautiful and ugly at once". This microcosm of the globe, only less spread out, is, in my opinion, a good place to show your children - if for nothing else - a perspective from the larger world that we live in.
The girls were well behaved and made me proud; holding our hands and staying safe, but smiling kindly where appropriate at the mix of characters we encountered.
After we lunched, we waved Sarah off with Steph, and then we enjoyed our share of all that Times Square has to offer with a 4 year old in tow. And M&M World was the overall winner. When Rachel finally lost her steam, we headed back to our trusty parking deck and drove back home to Randolph.
I always feel a sense of comfort driving up the hill towards home on sussex turnpike, and this afternoon was no exception, with the sun still shining and crimson leaves cascading down as we neared our turnoff.
Once back home we three (sans Sarah who would arrive home later) found that we wanted to relax and be quiet together.
Not a surprising end to our day in the big city.
Being a white knuckler in the congested streets of manhattan, I was none too pleased with the alternate train schedule for track construction which featured missing routes at exactly the times we needed Midtown Direct to be there for us.
Neither Jeff nor I favor the joy of NYC driving, but after much research into alternate routes, we determined the best and most direct bet was a drive through the Lincoln Tunnel, which links up directly with the Port Authority parking deck.
Now if you know Jeff and I, then you know that the best laid plans are almost always waylaid by some comical force to ensure a grand "adventure" (AKA getting lost or misdirected at the very end). In this case, thankfully, there was no construction, closure, or filled lot awaiting us.
In fact, this may be our new favorite way to get into the city.
So, we arrived at the Port Authority parking deck, unloaded and off we went, and it was all amazingly simple.
Once in Times Square, we encountered the usual suspects, transgendered and proud, rastafarian preachers expounding upon the eternal damnation that awaits us, and all sorts of slippery street vendors (though surely they must realize that most of us already know Canal Street is the place to shop for knockoffs?). I was a little surprised that the Naked Cowboy neglected to show, considering the milder weather. Perhaps he was concerned about "shrinkage" and how it would affect his image. Frankly I am relieved that I did not have to explain that one to the girls today, and that Sarah forgot him from our last trip into New York.
Interestingly, my girls did not take much note of the folks we encountered who were talking, dancing, and singing to themselves, and simply assumed that they had earpieces in and were on their cell phones. The sweet and roasty smell of Halal food and roasted nut stands combined with the waft of toilet odor from the sewers to make NYC, at it's most simple description (the one I used to prepare my daughter) "a city with lots of everything beautiful and ugly at once". This microcosm of the globe, only less spread out, is, in my opinion, a good place to show your children - if for nothing else - a perspective from the larger world that we live in.
The girls were well behaved and made me proud; holding our hands and staying safe, but smiling kindly where appropriate at the mix of characters we encountered.
After we lunched, we waved Sarah off with Steph, and then we enjoyed our share of all that Times Square has to offer with a 4 year old in tow. And M&M World was the overall winner. When Rachel finally lost her steam, we headed back to our trusty parking deck and drove back home to Randolph.
I always feel a sense of comfort driving up the hill towards home on sussex turnpike, and this afternoon was no exception, with the sun still shining and crimson leaves cascading down as we neared our turnoff.
Once back home we three (sans Sarah who would arrive home later) found that we wanted to relax and be quiet together.
Not a surprising end to our day in the big city.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Trite But True
I have a bit of a moniker, a signature catchphrase that I use when friends ask how I handle difficult situations. "I have a choice, chicken s**t or chicken salad, and chicken salad just tastes better".
Most of the time this approach works for me. I truly believe that while 50% of life is what is thrown at you, the good, bad, and ugly; at least 50%, if not more, is based upon your response.
No one that I know with a positive outlook has ever suffered from it. No one I know who can smell the roses in spite of the rain has ever missed out on a critical piece of their life.
I have a good friend with a unique ability to channel this positivism. Even in times of challenge (like the week her 6 year old started wetting her pants again and whining uncontrollably), she is easily able to remind herself of how lucky she is that her child can whine and effectively communicate with her.
Because, you see, once you enter the world of raising a child who has had some special needs, you are more keenly aware of each success, each daily pleasure, as well as the concern and pain you may feel for your child.
We special-needs mommies don't despair when our child can't kick a soccer ball properly. We are just grateful if he/she is running in the same general direction on the field! We don't continually complain over typical behavioral issues, because we truly understand how mild they are in a way that parents of typical children simply cannot.
What I am amazed at is the stoic approach I see in parents of children who are severely impaired. It seems that they too have bottled this "chicken salad" approach to the extreme in their own circumstances, adding their own layer of "don't pity me" armor - in spite of any private pain.
Given all of this, I am sure that you can understand why I at times lack the ability to fully comprehend parents of typical, delightful, appropriate children who can't understand and embrace the beauty of this amazing gift that they have been given.
There is one woman in my community that I will generously label the "frowner". A Jap-Wanna-Be without the means or the style, every day is an "exhausting" challenge with her beautiful typical children and her handsome doting husband. She even approached me at a recent school event to vent about how she is looking for more ways to "get rid" of her 7 year old during the upcoming school holiday. The constant wails of her 4 year old, strapped mercilessly in a confining stroller (lest she have to keep an eye on her child) did nothing to sway her attention from the more important topic at hand, complaining to me about her difficult life. Clearly she has chosen chicken s**t in spite of the obvious blessings that God has given her. Keep in mind that this is an aquaintance, not a friend, and that this is what she chooses to project to the world around her.
Interestingly, I do not resent this woman. Rather, I pity her. Anyone who cannot take even a grain of pleasure in watching their beautiful, accomplished child grow and flourish must be a terribly depressed and unhappy person.
Which, again, reminds me of my own blessings.
Now the only question that remains is, what is it going to be for you? Chicken s**t or chicken salad? Think about it.
Most of the time this approach works for me. I truly believe that while 50% of life is what is thrown at you, the good, bad, and ugly; at least 50%, if not more, is based upon your response.
No one that I know with a positive outlook has ever suffered from it. No one I know who can smell the roses in spite of the rain has ever missed out on a critical piece of their life.
I have a good friend with a unique ability to channel this positivism. Even in times of challenge (like the week her 6 year old started wetting her pants again and whining uncontrollably), she is easily able to remind herself of how lucky she is that her child can whine and effectively communicate with her.
Because, you see, once you enter the world of raising a child who has had some special needs, you are more keenly aware of each success, each daily pleasure, as well as the concern and pain you may feel for your child.
We special-needs mommies don't despair when our child can't kick a soccer ball properly. We are just grateful if he/she is running in the same general direction on the field! We don't continually complain over typical behavioral issues, because we truly understand how mild they are in a way that parents of typical children simply cannot.
What I am amazed at is the stoic approach I see in parents of children who are severely impaired. It seems that they too have bottled this "chicken salad" approach to the extreme in their own circumstances, adding their own layer of "don't pity me" armor - in spite of any private pain.
Given all of this, I am sure that you can understand why I at times lack the ability to fully comprehend parents of typical, delightful, appropriate children who can't understand and embrace the beauty of this amazing gift that they have been given.
There is one woman in my community that I will generously label the "frowner". A Jap-Wanna-Be without the means or the style, every day is an "exhausting" challenge with her beautiful typical children and her handsome doting husband. She even approached me at a recent school event to vent about how she is looking for more ways to "get rid" of her 7 year old during the upcoming school holiday. The constant wails of her 4 year old, strapped mercilessly in a confining stroller (lest she have to keep an eye on her child) did nothing to sway her attention from the more important topic at hand, complaining to me about her difficult life. Clearly she has chosen chicken s**t in spite of the obvious blessings that God has given her. Keep in mind that this is an aquaintance, not a friend, and that this is what she chooses to project to the world around her.
Interestingly, I do not resent this woman. Rather, I pity her. Anyone who cannot take even a grain of pleasure in watching their beautiful, accomplished child grow and flourish must be a terribly depressed and unhappy person.
Which, again, reminds me of my own blessings.
Now the only question that remains is, what is it going to be for you? Chicken s**t or chicken salad? Think about it.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Top 10 List
When Jeff & I decided to have children we were full of ideas. I would be home with our children, and therefore, be able to prevent all of the usual problems that arise in toddlerhood. We would be active and involved, consistent and caring, and would never experience the challenges that we witnessed, with dismay, in diners and aboard airliners alike. So, since you are probably already laughing at me, without further ado, here is my personal list of the Top Ten Things I Never Thought I'd Hear Myself Say...
10. No Webkinz for you! (to the tune of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi)
9. We only kiss eachother on the face. The face. Not the armpit, the face!
8. If you use your blanket as a weapon again, it is going into time-out!
7. Don't make me pull this car over.
6. Why are you naked? Where are your clothes?
5. Go potty. GO potty. GO POTTY NOW!
4. Nobody touch anyone. The next person to touch anyone is in big trouble.
3. No mooning allowed. Tushy dancing is NOT acceptable in this house!
2. Why is the water running upstairs? Where is that water coming from? Where is it from? Oh My GOD!!!!
And, my favorite...
1. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT eat your sister!
10. No Webkinz for you! (to the tune of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi)
9. We only kiss eachother on the face. The face. Not the armpit, the face!
8. If you use your blanket as a weapon again, it is going into time-out!
7. Don't make me pull this car over.
6. Why are you naked? Where are your clothes?
5. Go potty. GO potty. GO POTTY NOW!
4. Nobody touch anyone. The next person to touch anyone is in big trouble.
3. No mooning allowed. Tushy dancing is NOT acceptable in this house!
2. Why is the water running upstairs? Where is that water coming from? Where is it from? Oh My GOD!!!!
And, my favorite...
1. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT eat your sister!
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