I'm still here.

I just haven't had a lot to blog about this week. Just busy being an adult with adult responsibilities. So this post is very long in order to make up for lost time.

Is anyone else a little down because of all the depressing news in the world today? I'm trying not to worry (until I get my 401K statement in the mail), but it really is disheartening to hear all of the bad "stuff" in the news.

That's why I want to share something good. We live in a great neighborhood. We found it during our two day house hunt and it felt "right" from the beginning. I have made some very good friends here. That's saying a lot because usually I'm more of a keep to yourself kind of person, mainly because I was a working mom for so many years. These friends/moms help each other out through last minute babysitting, meals when surgeries occur, babies are born, a mother-in-law is going through chemo (they did this for me). We genuinely care for one another. Despite the fact that so many of us have our own "stuff" we're struggling with daily. They range from a child with learning disabilities and the mom's heartache at having to comfort her child as well as fight for her in the school system. One has a best friend that has stage 4 breast cancer in the hospital because she has become septic and she has a two year old son that clings to her. Another had a coworker that killed himself last week, on his birthday no less, a day after seeming fine at work. Sorry to plant more bad "stuff" in your minds! Life is scary. The older we get the more we have to deal with and it is overwhelming at times. It's comforting to have your "people", a label I borrow from Grey's Anatomy, when you need them. Your people, and a lot of prayer.

This brings me back to the good I was going to mention. One of my mom friends is from Massachusetts and has a very good friend there whose husband was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis only two months ago. He literally cannot speak now and is paralyzed on one side. They have two young sons, like me, and the mom is a stay at home mom. Can you imagine the last two months for this family? The future months for this family? My friend in NC is devastated and wanted to ask us for items for a yard sale the friend's neighborhood in MA was arranging so proceeds could help this family. Or for any ideas on how to help this family. This email just happened to come to us a couple days before our monthly Bunco night. Another friend suggested we donate our Bunco money to this family instead of playing that night. Usually we have about 10-12 people come and I've even missed a few lately, but I was pleasantly surprised to count at least 20 people there on Thursday night! My friend tried to thank us all, but couldn't get the words out. She cried, we cried and it's just one of those moments you bond with other women. I don't even think it was the money. It was the sense of feeling for this family and feeling for our friend who is hurting as a result of this diagnosis. I got to speak to the other friend who has the friend with breast cancer. I think it helped her to talk to me about it and then I shared something with her that I've been struggling with over the last month. I can't blog about it. Just some surprising news I received recently. Don't worry. I'm fine now. Family is fine. Point is, sometimes a spouse or parent can't help in some situations when a friend can. Don't take friends for granted. A good friend is one that, when time passes, and you speak to them, things begin right back again effortlessly. I have several friends like that. And don't forget that there is still a lot of good in the world despite the portrait often painted in the news.

My kids drive me crazy (often), but I look in their faces and I see innocence, hope, joy, a future yet to be determined and it makes me happy that they have a while longer before they get entangled in their own adult lives. Until then, it's up to me as a parent to teach them right from wrong, to be KIND and to have good, loving hearts. God entrusted me with their lives. It's an awesome responsibility. Are you teaching your child to be kind? Are you being a good friend? Just something to think about this week.

I should have given assumed names to all the friends I mentioned. I hope this wasn't too confusing to read!!

Is this day over yet?

It's 10:18 p.m. and:

1- Mr. Pink is still at work!
2- The kids drove me crazy today.I'm counting the days until school starts again Monday for#1.
3- I almost forgot to take advantage of free shipping (through today!) with Land's End, but just successfully ordered the minis matching down vests in spice brown.
4- SHOCKER....Kidding.... I just learned that Clay Aiken is gay. That's about as non-newsworthy as when Star Jones FINALLY admitted to gastric bypass a year or two after the fact. Clay, I still like you because you're from NC.
5- I'm losing my tan.
6- I'm losing my mind.
7- I need a glass of wine, but it's already 10:24.
8- People are coming out of the wood works to "friend" me on Facebook.
9- I made a new recipe for dinner and the minis were underwhelmed...as usual.
10- I think I'll go have that glass of wine anyway!

Cheers!

Miscellaneous on Monday

Did you watch the Emmys last night? If not, you didn't miss a lot. I was reading a book while watching. I am glad Tina Fey won for "30 Rock". I mainly enjoy the award shows for the fashion or lack of fashion in a lot of cases. My fav was Mariska Hargitay's autumnal yellow. I was not a big fan of the spray on tans this year `a la Jennifer Love Hewitt and Lauren Conrad. I almost didn't recognize either!

We're back into school week for mini #2 and in our final week of track out for mini #1. Poor #1 got to go with me to try on dresses today. I have an upcoming reunion and I found a dress in NY, but do not know if it's the "one" or not. Of course the attire is "dressy casual". WTH? I hate that. What exactly is "dressy casual" for a girl? Anyway, I found plenty of other items I wanted for fall- boots, swing coats, jewelry, jeans, just not dressy casual attire for my reunion. It's kind of difficult to speed shop when you're on the preschool timer anyway. Not enough time. I will have to try again. We swung into mini#2 preschool parking lot at exactly 12:15- pick up time!

Speaking of mini#2 (well now I'm going to speak about #2 anyway), he has been a little love bug lately. He will, out of the blue, come up to me and kiss my hands. This weekend he'd sneak up on me and kiss the tops of my feet (while I read in inclined position) while professing his love for me. WTH? He kisses my cheeks and lips....on and on! This morning was the best though. I woke him up and his first words were "Good morning pretty lady." I laughed so hard. Where is he getting this? Watch out little girls. In about 12 years we're all in trouble!

Ok, back to looking for coats online for the minis. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Five on Friday

Here are five things this Friday that I'm liking...

1- These cute red patent flats I found in SOHO last weekend....in PAYLESS! The window display full of surprisingly cute shoes drew us inside and I had to have these. I don't know why I was surprised though. Clemsongirl showed us her Payless green patent flats in the spring so I bought those last April. Same brand and extremely comfortable!

2- Bare Minerals makeup. My mom got this makeup for me for Christmas (ULTA) and I have gotten so many compliments on my makeup over the past months. You have a glow about you when wearing it.

3- Kozy Shack Creme Caramel Flan. I have a sweet tooth. I love creme brulees and flans. This is so yummy. Try it if you haven't. So good. I promise.

4- That song, "Closer" by Ne-Yo. Not only the song, but his dancing. Did you guys see him on Ellen the other day? He tried to teach her his moves after he sang this song and she almost had it. I love watching hip hop dancing. Watching being the key word!

5- The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond. Such a good book. Eloquent writer. Her writing reminds me of Jodi Piccoult. This is such a touching story. Read it. You won't be able to put it down. I love a book that makes me ponder its meanings a long time after I've put it down.

Have a nice weekend!

Shopping, Six-pack, and sky high bars.

I'm back from the weekend in New York. Just now caught up on sleep and household chores. So what do you do when you're strolling down 5th Avenue after a late lunch at Sardi's (with wine) and you see a commotion in a store? You're nosy and you peak inside. People were posing for pictures with this nice young man. So, not wanting to be rude, we posed, too. We look happy don't we? That was a 6-pack or 8-pack for sure! Sorry the quality of pic is not the clearest.

Saturday night we dressed up and met my NY friend here , a French restaurant. I had sea scallops "with a braised red cabbage black currant marmalade with bacon sauce and hazelnut crumble". Yum-O! Next we headed further north on the west side to the Mandarin Oriental hotel's 36th floor for drinks with a view AND a price! $19 cocktails! Beautiful view of Central Park West. Beautiful people in the lounge area. Lastly, we walked back to our hotel. On the way we passed NBC in Rockefeller Plaza at about 11:45. Too bad we weren't inside. Michael Phelps was hosting. Can't imagine he was a very good host though. Anyway, we stayed here near Grand Central Station and they had an outdoor rooftop bar, MAD 46 (because it's at Madison and E46th) where we concluded our night.

Sunday, we met my NY friend for brunch, saw her renovated apartment and baby, shopped all afternoon in SOHO and then out to dinner in the East Village followed by a live entertainment bar. Not the best, but we had a great time anyway. Somehow we didn't get our invite to Jennifer Lopez's soiree for her hubby's 40th b-day (after she completed a triathlon in LA!!). Monday we sight-seed a little and headed to the airport to come home. Worn out and in need of sleep! Fun time, but never a relaxing weekend away from home! There's always too much to do and too little time to do it in!

Can I leave today?

Actually, I was supposed to leave today, but my Atlanta friend had a conflict so we're meeting in New York tomorrow morning. I have a 6:30 a.m. flight. Pray I don't miss it! I might as well stay up all night. Wait that's for when I get to New York! That city never sleeps for sure. I used to go about twice a year when I was working, my NY friend was single and I could stay at her place for free! For some reason I have not been in two years. Two years entirely too long. I love this city. Almost as much as Paris! My NY friend (from high school) is now married and I will meet her 9 month old son this weekend. Can't wait. Can't believe she's a mommy! She'll meet us for dinner Saturday night. I'm also excited to spend time with my Atlanta friend. I miss her so much so we have much shopping, talking, laughing, wine drinking to catch up on while there! Today's the last day of Fashion Week in NYC. Hopefully, we'll have a few star sightings as well! Have a great weekend. I need to go weed through my pile of clothes and start subtracting shirts and shoes. Once again I feel as if I need at least three options for every day and evening!

I return late Monday....if I choose to return at all that is.

"Man Cold"

Mr. Pink is finally at the doctor's office as I type. This morning, about 6 days after this illness started, he proclaimed to me "I feel even worse today" in that pathetic tone of voice he has perfected over the years. Ok, people it's been six days. My response? "Well GO TO THE DOCTOR!" I think my abruptness also stems from the fact that I'm still holed up in the guest room. Don't get me wrong. I was sympathetic for at least the first day and a half. Wink. Wink.

This brings me to my point of this post. Mini#2 and I went to play group today and a mom asked me where #1 was since she knew he is "tracked out" of school. I told her that he was home with Mr. Pink who is sick, but working from home. She brought up that when her husband was last sick after catching something from their kids, his illness was definitely "worse" than all of the others. Another mom jumped in and said "At our house we call it the MAN COLD" because, amazingly, her husband always seems to be sicker than the rest of her family. I then shared my own opinions and agreed that my husband can join their husbands in the "I will always be sicker than the rest of my family" club. I mean opening a bottle of Tylenol seems to take epic proportions of strength for Mr. Pink when he is sick. When I think about it, I remember my dad being the same way when I was growing up. What is this all about? Do men need to be babied like their mothers did when they were younger? Are they trying to prove some kind of point? Where does all the macho "king of the castle" persona go once the sniffles start? I'd sure like to know. Until I figure it out, please let the doctor prescribe some good drugs so we can get back to normal around here!

**Friday Update: Mr. Pink threw up last night "violently" he said. Now I feel bad about this post. It only happened the one time. It may be the medicine. Today he feels better though and the cough is much better, too.

I'm still here, but not for long!

No time to blog last few days. It is a sick house around here. Mr. Pink worked from home today because his aggravating cough was annoying coworkers yesterday at the office! His words not mine! He's got this sinus drainage junk going on. Mini #1 is "tracked out" as we say in year round school for three weeks. He developed an ear infection yesterday from his lingering cold and mini#2 is finally finished with a cold. Me, I've been sequestering myself in our guest room at night, the last four nights to be exact. There is no way I want to catch any of the germiness floating around this house. You see, I'm off to New York city this weekend where I'm meeting my good friend from Atlanta. Since becoming a stay at home mom I live for any type of temporary escape, I mean mini-break and I don't want any kind of sickness to slow me down. I have shopping, museums, restaurants and fun in the very near future. So pass me some more Clorox wipes and say a prayer that Mrs. Pink stays well a while longer!

Out of the mouth of babes.

All four of us were in the kids' bathroom last night while they were brushing teeth. I made a comment about how different the minis hair color was as I pushed their heads closer together for emphasis. One is blond, naturally highlighted and one has beautiful dark brown hair with his own russet highlights. Mini#1 commented that I have a combination of both of their hair colors. Uh...duh... I pay for it to do that. What mini#1 then chose to remark upon still has me flabbergasted this morning. Just as serious as he could be he said, "Mom. When will I get lines on my forehead?" while gazing directly at yours truly. I got the deer in headlights look and Mr. Pink just ran out of the room so he could laugh without them or me hearing. I seriously believe it's time to start looking into Botox! Why do kids have to be so brutally honest?

We made it!

Mini#2 is officially a little duck in preschool! He had the best time today. He happily put on his new shoes and was ready to go before I was this morning. He wanted to carry the requested "tote" bag all by himself into his classroom. No tears for either of us, but I felt myself headed that way until I saw a friend so I was able to get it under control.

What did I do for three glorious hours? I got my highlights touched up at a normal appointment time (usually Mr. Pink watches them and I go in the evening) and then I had just enough time to squeeze in a Target visit before picking up the little monster, I mean "duck". I carried him back to the car because I needed to feel my "baby" in my arms. He was bursting with pride about his first day. He was especially thrilled that "they had nilla wafers and nanas just like we do!" What I couldn't pry out of him, in the form of information, was graciously supplied by his teacher. Everyday I will receive a "Note from the duck pond" email detailing that day's activities. Everything is so organized at this preschool. Just what this family needs for sure! I hope everyone else is settling into the freedom that back-to-school brings! We deserve this break!