A girl can never have too many Aunts...

Aunts. Auntie. If you live in the South.. Aunt sounds like Ant. Aunts are cool. They're like Mom, but way more fun.

Sissy and I.. lawsy.. we have a TON of Aunts.

We have Aunt Mary and Aunt Sharon. Those are Mom's sisters.  We have Aunt Marcia and Aunt Sandra -- who is now our most special beloved Guardian Aunt Sandra- those are Dad's sisters. 

We have Aunt Carol, who is one of Mom's best friends - and so by default - our Aunt. We have Aunt Molly, there was Aunt Madeline, Auntie Marie, Auntie Molly, Auntie Betty and Aunt Flo.  They are/were all Great Aunts.. Aunts of Dad and Mom.  There's Aunt Debbie, she goes to Beanie.  

So a few weeks ago, Sissy, Eileen & I went over to NC. Aunt Sharon had come down from Boston to visit Mom.  It had been five years since I'd seen Aunt Sharon, six since Shannon had seen her. Eileen had met her once- but since she'd been 11 mos old at the time.. well she didn't exactly remember her. 

Growing up, as far as Aunt Sharon and Aunt Mary.. Aunt Mary was the silly fun one who'd take us to jump on trampolines and get ice cream and listen to the Rolling Stones and play mini golf. Who doesn't love that?!  Aunt Sharon was the Fancy Aunt.  She lived in downtown Boston (still does) in a super awesome high rise.  You can see the Harbor, the new and old John Hancock buildings.  Walk to the T, to Rowe's Wharf, to South Station, to Fanuiel Hall and Quincy Market. And I kid you not - you could see every bit of The Big Dig from their living room. She always smelled so good and had the best makeup and would be chomping at the bit to take us to Filene's Basement for all SORTS of goodies.

There's Aunt Marcia and Aunt Sandra on Dad's side.  Aunt Marcia - also known as SAINT Marcia - has five boys. FIVE. They're old and crotchety now (HAHAHAHAHAHA - yeah, they're reading this and cursing me).  The woman raised five boys. She's crazy smart. She listens like no other. She gives THE LOOK like no other. She can play a game of cards and CRUSH you, she loves The Sox (and Tek!!! ) just like me, and she has so many fun stories.  Aunt Sandra... she was the other fancy one.  She also had all boys - so you can see where Sissy and I coming along as the only girls were super cool (hehehe) - and there was no jewelry collection like that of Aunt Sandra. Real and costume, she could put royalty to shame. I have some of her costume pieces now, and 6days out of 7.. I have on at least one of her pieces. 

And so now that I have a daughter, to watch her with her Aunts, it's hard to describe. There is, of course, Aunt Sissy.  It wasn't until recently that Eileen realized Aunt Sissy's name is actually NOT Sissy.  Growing up, Shannon and I moved away from our Aunts when we were very little. When we did get to see them, it was fun and fascinating and so very special.  Eileen doesn't know any different - and takes Aunt Sissy for granted. Of course one can't blame her - but someday I think she'll realize how lucky she is.  There's Aunt Jaime, who she doesn't get to see very often  - but you've never seen two souls connect like Eileen and Aunt Jaime.  They just click, and they have a blast. When they do get to see each other it is special to watch.  There's also Aunt Cindy in Eileen's world, and Aunt Heather - who Eileen didn't get to meet - but who is present in Eileen's world and as vivid as possible. 

I look back at growing up. And while we didn't get to grow up in the same city as any of our Aunts.. their influence on our lives is impossible to measure. And it was always a little crazy to see how much - physically and in personality - I resembled Aunt Marcia, and the same with Sissy and Aunt Sandra. It was crazy to see how Sissy seemed to have inherited Aunt Sharon's innate sense to find a crazy good bargain, and how I seemed to have inherited Aunt Mary's athletic ability. I look at Eileen, and there are days when I think if I hadn't been there in the delivery getting that girl out of my belly - NINE DAYS LATE - that Eileen might just have been the daughter of Sissy. She is built like her (skinny and tall), acts like her (no comment), and has a taste for purses and little things just like Sissy did/does. 

So a couple of weeks ago, when Eileen got to meet Aunt Sharon (again), I couldn't wait. I might have been more excited than Eileen. I wanted Aunt Sharon to get to see my crazy little girl. I wanted Eileen to get to meet one of the awesome Aunts in our life.  

So, on a Tuesday night after a long drive.. Nana and Aunt Sharon walked into our room. And Eileen ran to Nana and hugged her. Then she sort of hugged Aunt Sharon, turned shy, and came to sit in my lap and just observe.  Of course me, Sissy, Nana and Aunt Sharon couldn't get a word in edgewise - talking and laughing.   

Eileen poked me on the shoulder, and indicated she had a secret to tell me. 

"Mommy,"  she said... "Aunt Sharon is SO FANCY."

I looked at Eileen, and then at Aunt Sharon - in her black tank, black shorts, Burberry Scarf as a belt, tan legs and blond hair - smelling the perfume I will forever associate with her - and I grinned ear to ear. 

c h a n g e

Change. 
If someone asked me to give one word to cover August 14 to today, August 26.. that is the word I'd use.
Ok wait, that and sheer exhaustion.  Because if you weren't already aware, "change"  - even when it is good change.. can KICK A GIRL'S BOOTAY.

 In short, Eileen started school. As in Kindergarten. And Mommy  (that's me) started a new job.  

So- Kindergarten. Eileen loves it. She's two weeks in and is making friends and being a big girl in the cafeteria and carrying her tray around.  She told me one of the girls fell off the Monkey Bars and broke her arm.  Now, don't be shocked here - I didn't believe her. Not for a second. And of course two days later what do I see, but a little girl heading to class... cast and all.. 

And yes, I started a new job. Still working for Uncle Scripps.. but in a new department and with a new role. The job is a fantastic fit for me and I am able to work with several folks with whom I'd worked in years past.  That comfort level can't be beat. But still - my brain was fried after week one.  I haven't really had to 'think' about my job in years- when you've done something for so long, the answers/problem solving, etc just comes almost naturally.  Now it's like I have to study again to get my head wrapped around what I am doing. Tired as I am, I love it. 

<---  will.you.please.look.at.this.face?!?!?
OK. full disclosure.  Eileen wasn't actually making that little turd face at me.  I took roughly 8 shots in a row, and captured that as she raised her eyes. But STILL.  Hilarious. And I know it is just a hint of what's to come. So i posted it anyway!

The photo was taken a couple of weeks ago at Syd's 6th bday party. And the coolest part about it (besides the bowling...) was that most of the kids there were all kids from Mstar.  A load of girls who have all pretty much known each other since they were about 4months old. And yeah, I know they're only six.  But you can just SEE it - see how they know each other so well and play and argue and just have that 'lifelong friend' thing going on.  

To watch them together is fun and yet a little bittersweet. They should't be old enough yet to already have friends of this caliber.  But then again I'm so glad Eileen has roots/bonds/hard core friends. 

<---  Speaking of those friends.. this is me and Holly. Taken last night.  She and her husband had come to town for a show and she'd texted to see if we were available to meet for dinner. We were all set to have a low key night in (due to the very opposite sort of evening we'd had on Friday night...) .. but, I mean, it's Holly.  We've known each other since we were 14. Friends through all of high school. Suitemates our freshman year. Friends through all of college. And in the many (many) years since.  She's in that group of friends that you may not see for months - even years - and you get together.. not a moment has passed.   I have a good deal of those friends. And I know how very lucky I am.  So we talked. and talked. and talked.  I'm somewhat surprised Bill and Travis didn't just go off and have boys night out. I don't think Holly and I would have noticed.  So it was a super fun treat to get to see her.  

OK. So. Edie came to play today. 
At some point in my life, Eileen was 8mos old, right? I mean at some point in my life, I had my very own 8 month old,right?

So, why do a) i have NO memory of it, and b) how the HELL did I ever get anything done?  Because between me either just drooling over the insane cuteness of Edie, or me holding her bc she refused to not be cuddled (she's teething, i cut the kiddo some slack)... well my accomplishments for the day were pretty much that I kept Edie from eating Gracie's nylabone. Oh, and she DID try.  Oh but she's so fun. And I have to brag on Eileen. That girl is one amazing Big Sister.  She's almost six.  I gave the kids a bath.. and Eileen helped make sure Edie didn't face plant. She would make Edie laugh when we were eating dinner,.. with the sole purpose of me SHOVING the food into her mouth when she was heehawing. (K. y'all don't call DCS on me, I didn't actually shove food in her mouth. More like sneaking it in mid-giggle..)

There's more to share. And tell. More school stuff and Eileen funnies and birthday plans for Mini. 

But it's late and I want to read my book but first I have to fold the laundry. 

So now that school is settling in and I have lived through Week One of New Job.. 

... fingers crossed I get back to this place sooner than in two weeks!

Stay Tuned...

Really. 
I promise.
There will be a blog post soon...

Subjects like the start of school and birthday parties and new jobs and OMG who knew Knoxvegas had so.much.morning.traffic.

OK friends.. that is all for now. :)

Testing 1-2-3

Playing with apps while Bill gets breakfast...

how do you spell "random" ???

i don't love reebok.

i mean, i loved them in 1986 or so. but not now. 

<---  these. i loved these. in roughly 1986? maybe 87? they were such a status shoe back in 5th grade at st. ann bartlett. and no doubt they looked smashing with our blue plaid uniforms. my Aunt Mary hunted down a pair for me at the Reebok Outlet somewhere in MA. I am pretty sure I wore these until they fell off my feet. 

but anyway. Reebok now? I don't know. I don't pay attention really. when I hear "Reebok" I still think of that shoe you see up there. i wear my newtons and sauconys and C9 stuff. shoes i'll fork out cash for. not tanks and shorts.  but reebok shoes? nah. 

but. 

but. 

i do love this spot. every time it comes on i stop and watch. if it happens to come on while i am at the gym i suddenly run at a 4minute mile pace.(which is right before i fall down..)

it doesn't make me want to go get reebok clothes. or shoes.

it does, however, make me really want to work out. 

and it makes me miss my trainer! 

someone give me a winning lottery ticket so that i can have extra cash and train again. please? anyone? anyone?

if you're annoyed by this completely pointless post, feel free to contact Reebok. It is their fault. 

that is all. :)

Chapter Two ...

If for some reason you aren't able to tell.. 

that  (<----) is Eileen... at roughly 24 hours old. 

probably bc I am her mom, I think the now almost 6 year old Eileen looks just like this picture. 

but for those of you NOT her mom.. which, well, i guess that's all of you...

how many one day old babies do YOU see smiling like that kid??

Anyone that knows Eileen - whether in person or via blog/email/social media - knows the girl smiles non-stop.  I remember like yesterday when we took this photo. All 8.5 lbs of new-born-baby-girl.. just happy as a pig in poo (which I still swear was her version of STICKING IT TO MOMMY AFTER BEING NINE DAYS LATE). 

This kid. This smiling new-born. And This Mom. This anal-ever-planning mom. That day I already was planning Kindergarten. It seemed a lifetime away. But even then, on 9/22/06.. I was already aware of the 9/30 cut-off date for starting school. And already in my head, the decision had been made to hold her back. She could start at at age 4-almost-5  in 2011.. but I knew, hell no- it would be at age-five-almost-six in 2012 before she graced those Kindergarten Doors. 

Besides. 2012 was EONS away.

Wait. WTF? what the hell? you mean its 2012? shut UP. it is NOT. 

There are no words to explain where the last not quite six years have gone.  I play with Edie, who will be 8mos this week.. and I have a very very hard time remembering Eileen ever being that age. Thank GOD my mom taught us to take endless pictures. There are never enough. Without the pics, I would not be entirely sure Eileen had ever actually been 8mos old...

And now, here we are. August 12, 2012. Normally, this day is in my head as the day after Daddy's birthday and the day of Mom and John's wedding anniversary. but this year.. well, it's the last Sunday night of life as we know it.

Tomorrow, we'll go to registration. We'll meet teachers, sign up for lunch and afterschool care. we'll but school spirit gear. 

And in about 36 hours.... we'll have a real-life Kindergartner. 

Eileen can't wait. She seriously is so very excited to start school. She reads and writes all on her own. She's ready to go. For that, we have our amazing friends and teachers at Morningstar to thank. There is no better school. 

I will never ever ever regret the fact that we held her back.Best thing we ever did. 

Eileen is confident. She's hilarious. She's sweet. She's strong. She's a runner (HUGE GRIN). She's smart. She's sassy. She's tall. She's skinny. She's a runner (wait. did you already know that?). She's better at Math than mommy. She loves art (thank you Sarah), she loves Batman (thank you Bill and Daddy) and she loves clothes and running (thank you mommy -oh wait.. thats me). She's shy sometimes. She has FINALLY almost perfected her manners (which she REFUSES to display at home, but when we are out and about.. she is ON.. and I guess that's what counts, right?).

Our little girl has had quite a bit of stuff in her life in her not quite six years. And our little girl is one helluva kid. 

It feels like yesterday she was born. 
And yet it feels like a lifetime ago.

Eileen is my life. She is my saving grace. She is my strength and my weakness. She makes me laugh until I can't breathe and she makes me cry until I can't breathe. Without her, I am not complete.

She starts Kindergarten in about 36 hours. I'm not sad. I don't think I will cry on her first day. I think I will continue to be amazed by her, to be fascinated to watch her, to thank God every day for her, and to be just as simply thrilled as she is to start this new journey. 

We wouldn't be this far without the amazing support of our family - our parents and siblings- and those not related by blood, but who might as well be family anyway. We wouldn't be this far without the Fab Four that is me, Bill,Josh and Sarah. We wouldn't be this far without the ridiculously amazing family at Morningstar. I can't begin to name all of you, but you know who you are. We wouldn't be this far if it weren't for the amazing support provided by the company for which Bill and I work, and the one for which Sarah & Josh work. 

It does take a Village. Like it or not. We can't do it on our own. 

Eileen is just as amazing as every other parent thinks their kid is. 

But she's ours. And she's growing up in a major way. 
We love her. We can't wait to see what the year holds. 

Cheers to one amazing kid. Cheers to My Mini. 

caught in the act

<-----  here we have a shot of Mini Me.. intently watching The Princess and the Frog  - a movie released a couple of years ago by Big Brother - wait, I mean Disney. She's not yet realized I've got the camera pointed at her...

<---  a split second later... her senses kick in... she looks up....

<---boo-YEAH! rapid shutter speed has nothing on this girl. Instant Smile. She's been well-trained.  She owes it all to Uncle Loren. Never let them catch you not smiling...





(editor's note: the photos you see here were taken in a 5second period.. boomboomboom smiled the Princess...)

(<-- see: this would be Uncle Loren. He taught all of us how to smile.. )

Aisle Rage

<--  this is me. playing trivia. at a bar. wearing a crown. and apparently thinking very hard. 

where is my invite to mensa?

ok. at the risk of sounding whiny: what happened to summer?   I'm not referring to the fact that every summer seems to fly by faster than the last. In this case, I am referring to the weather. 

We had a crazy heat wave in early July (which of course I loved). And since then, it has been rainy and sort of sunny but not really and sort of warm but not fun warm, just like nasty muggy sort of warm thick air. The most annoying part? I can't fix it! I just want to see the sun, bright and warm, for more than 2 hours. I don't want to look out the window and have it look like it's about 53degrees.  COME BACK SUMMER!  (you know what will happen, right? we'll all be trick or treating in tank tops and flip-flops..)

In other news, a new to Knoxville grocery store opened over the weekend. In some cities this is not a big deal. Here. Well hell. Here if a gas station adds an extra PUMP it's a big deal. So Publix came to town. They've been the first to open in a wave of soon-to-be here-your-city-is growing-up stores: 

• Trader Joe's (sans wine)
• Whole Foods
• Costco

I've been to Publix before. They are the store of choice in Florida. Have always loved Publix.  Still not entirely sure why Bill & I opted to go to the one HERE on its opening weekend. I blame the weather.  So yes, it is sparkly and new and I am in love with their produce section. The people IN the store, not so much. I don't mean the staff. I mean just the general population. 

You know how we have to take tests to get our driver's licenses? I vote we require the same for the right to SHOP.  Who's with me? I will even write the handbook: 

• when getting one's cart, those with kids/large bags/a lot of crap - it is understood you may need a moment to get everything situated. but for the love of pete, get your cart and scoot to the side. standing in everyone's way will only cause a massive backup of humans into the parking lot, and then if someone gets hit by a car you will be to blame. (and i AM allowed to give this rule as I USED to have a little kid and always moved out of the way).
• when looking at apples/potatoes/berries, etc - can you not block the whole display? at least two patrons at any given time should be able to retrieve the product
• free food. if you have arrived at the store with the intention of the Sample People providing your lunch, well we can't stop you.  but seriously, try to not run over the Innocent everytime you catch a whiff of a fresh treat.
• deli/bakery counter. often these areas require a line, a wait. first off, many stores these days offer online ordering, ordering at customer service, etc - just so you don't have to stand there and block up the whole area with your cart and kid who you can't control. but if you opted NOT to make use of such modern conveniences, then it is not our problem. you are not allowed to cause traffic jams. look around and position yourself in a spot out of the way while you wait for your salami. 
• general aisle behavior: this is america. we drive on the right side. we walk on the right side. the fast people get to go in the left lane, pass on the left, and then move back over to the right. you are not allowed to take up the whole aisle. if there are more than two in your party, it is expected you will walk in single file lines. if you are chatting on your phone, quit blocking the Cape Cod chips. if you need to stop to search, do so slowly. otherwise expect a cart in your ankles. if you are about to stop, and see that someone has already stopped just next to you, then MOVE ON. do not stop directly next to this person, thus creating a large backup in both directions. Simply push your cart forward 5-6 feet. You can then take a few steps back to get your desired product. fascinating concept no?
• beepy carts: if you have injured yourself and walking is challenging, or if you are elderly and riding in one of the motorized carts is a better option, certainly this is understood. you do not have the right to run the rest of us over. you do not get to cut in line on the cereal aisle. and God Help Me if you can't get where you are going without constantly reversing - thus causing the ear-splitting beeping alert - then hire a personal shopper! packed stores are challenging enough, adding the high frequency of ALF is not helping.
• parents: i know, there are times when kids are just brats. there are times when they pitch a fit or haven't napped. there are whiny times. so, should your child be having one of those times .. if there are more than one adult in your party, someone take that kid out of the store. if you don't really need to get your supplies for your party two weeks from now, then please come back later. if your kid is whining just because he didn't get a cupcake, then act like the parent you are, give The Look and move along. If you haven't mastered The Look, or heaven forbid, your child ignores it or doesn't fear it- then you are in for some seriously crappy days ahead. 
• parking lots: see 'general aisle behavior.'

So. My take on Publix - it's a grocery store. It has food and stuff. There is another one opening soon closer to my house. At that point I can choose between Kroger, Target, Fresh Market and Publix.  I only know that I won't be going to Publix on opening weekend. For fear of being run over by a badbuggyperson. 

An Op-Ed.. of sorts..

As most of you know, this blog is almost always silly and goofy and a smidge self-deprecating.  It is rare that I mention politics or religion or beliefs. But today I am going to touch on it.  

Anyone who knows me knows that I was raised Catholic, which is to say Christian. They know that I was raised to treat others as I would want to be treated. Certainly the Catholic Church maintains a certain stance, which much of the time I don't agree with. I then married a man with Jewish & Southern Baptist roots, and we have a kick-ass kid. Our marriage didn't work out, but we are very lucky in that our new family unit has four parents and two kids, and all of us working to raise the girls to treat others well, and accept that there are all sorts of lifestyles and religions. Those lifestyles and religions may differ greatly from one another, but it doesn't mean any particular one is more right or wrong than another. 


I have thoughts on gun control, "Obama-care," illegal immigration, abortion, taxing the rich, and so on. I rarely discuss those issues, in part because I know I could stand a bit more education on all of them, and in part because most days I simply do not have the energy.


Gay Rights, however, is an entirely different story. Most of you who know me know that I have been passionate about it for a very long time. Honestly, for as long as I can remember.  I have gay family members on both sides of my own family, as well as in Josh's family. So from day one, I never thought twice about it. Why would it matter who anyone loved, as long as they were happy?! It just wasn't a big deal (which is not to make light of the struggles my cousins had to face - I simply mean that in the way my mom and dad raised us- it wasn't a big deal). 


And now as an adult, I have quite a gaggle of pretty close friends who happen to be gay. Most of whom have been in relationships for years and years. And you know what? They argue about money and who's going to do the dishes and who is going to make dinner. They get annoyed with their in-laws and they share in the misery of realizing we're getting older and suddenly have beer guts. Some go to church. Some have kids and some don't. They have stood by each other through loved one's dementia and moving to a home and ultimately passing away. They have lost mothers very very suddenly to illness at a  young age. They work their butts off and they play hard. They go back to school. They are doctors and artists and business people. They laugh and cry and love. Any of this sound familiar? Sounds just like a heterosexual life/realtionship life doesn't it? 


I am not here to convince you to have an opinion one way or the other. You are allowed your own just as I am mine.  In recent weeks I have been more vocal than usual with regards to Gay Rights/Same Sex Marriage/Equality. Some posts on social media from me have started some fairly passionate discussions. And that is perfectly fine. That is the point, isn't it? 

However, I have also received texts and emails and messages that are not so pleasant. 


Some have taken my posts to mean I am attacking Christians. To be clear, certainly that is not my intent.  I do not agree with someone who calls themselves a Christian and acts unkindly to ANYONE, gay straight or crooked.  But if you happen to be a Christian who does not agree with samesex marriage, certainly that is OK. You may not agree with it, but you also are letting people live their lives. You are not the people with whom I get frustrated. 


I have received messages asking me to not be so vocal and just let people have their own opinions and leave it alone. To put it simply, that is just not how I am wired. I watch friends and family fight the fight every day, and I can't be OK to just stand by and not fight with them.  If someone has a different opinion, certainly it can be expressed by them with just as much passion.  We live in country where free speech is encouraged.  Speech and opinion are one thing-  using those to incite hateful actions, take away human rights, support hate groups-  that is quite another. 


I have received messages from people who feel I am personally attacking them. Or personally attacking a family. What those people seem to be forgetting, or perhaps are not aware of, is that I have been passionate about this issue for years. And years. Longer than I may have known some of the people who are upset with me. For anyone to take it personally simply doesn't know me. And as much as I have going on in my world/head/job/family and so on- and you all know the limited amount of space in my brain anyway - there flat out isn't the energy or brain power for it occur to me to single someone out. 


I have no doubt there are those out there who have blocked me or hidden me or un-friended me. While that saddens me, I can't change it.  I daresay most that disagree with my view of Gay Rights at the same time recognize it is important to me, and respect that.  It is not my intent to alienate, to incite anger, to say I am right and everyone else is wrong. 


Some of the messages/emails/texts that have come to me have been upsetting. I have cried, I have had knots in my stomach, I have lost sleep. I have been angry, sad, depressed, deflated, scared, overwhelmed. It occurred to me though, this little bit I have had to face pales in comparison to what my homosexual friends and family have faced over the years. 


I have no intention of quieting down. I have no intention of turning this into a political fighting arena. I have no intention of ever purposely attacking anyone. I firmly believe those who happen to have a different sexual orientation than the perceived "norm" should be afforded the same rights as the rest of us- marriage, medical benefits, children, and so on. 


You may disagree, you may block me, or ignore me. Just try your best to live by the Golden Rule.