What must she see?

Going through closets, a task that is always fun and proving to be entertaining as well. Over the weekend I thought I'd move some things around and more importantly, out of my house. I was making great progress and was just pulling out a 3/4 length, dark colored coat that was still in the dry cleaning bag when Mina appears....

Mina: "Hey Mommy, whatcha doin'?"

Me: "Oh, just going through some things."

Mina: "WOW! Look at that."

Me: "Look at what?"

Mina: "That!!" (pointing at the coat)

Me: "What about it?"

Mina: "Well, nothing. Is that what you wore back in the olden days when you were a nun?"

Me: (Naturally, trying to contain my hysteria) "No Honey, it's just a long coat."

Mina: "Oh, I thought you were a nun, a long, long, long time ago."

Me: "No, sorry Baby that wasn't me. Now go play!"

OK. There are many things wrong with that short little conversation. Because, no matter how many years you go back and apparently there are many, there is no way I could have ever been a nun, ever! (Not then and not now!)

I'm not sure which I find more disturbing...the fact that my 35 years on this earth prior to her birth she finds ancient or that I could have ever possibly been pure enough to be a nun. Hm?

Photo Friday

After all, nothing is perfect.

"Imperfect"

Questions that are just dumb!

After 16 years I'm not any closer to understanding why my husband asks such, well.....stupid questions. Such as.....

- Are we out of milk?
No, I thought I'd start keeping it in the kids closet for a change. You might want to check in there.

- Is this mine?
I've prepared a meal, fixed a plate and placed it on the table were you sit. It's really for the man I've been seeing but he can't make it tonight so help yourself.

- Did you buy this?
No, I've spent the last three days planning my big salad dressing in a spray bottle heist at the supermarket.

- Did you pick up the kids?
-Nah, I thought I'd let them hitch hike home from school today. It will be a good experience for them.

- Where are you?
OK, think way back....15 seconds ago of what number you dialed. Where am I? I'm HOME!

- Have you seen my blah, blah, blah?
Baby, I've seen everything you've got. It doesn't mean I have any idea where it is.

- What time is it in there?
OK, our living room and kitchen are not in different time zones. It's exactly the same time if you would just turn your head a fraction to the RIGHT!!

- Where are the kids?
Well, it's 9:15 on a Wednesday. That's right! David called, his parents are out of town, so they're over there partying.

- Are you watching this?
Hm! I'm sitting on the sofa, staring at the square box that has moving people on it and dialogue, telling a story. Nooooo, I'm not watching THAT!!

- Do you have your keys with you?
Lets see. I've just pulled into the driveway, got out of the vehicle and am heading for the house. No. I left them inside, my finger also works well in the ignition.

OK, now don't mistake this as a lack of love for my weirdo. I love him very much but what is that? UGH!!

A new day.....

....I don't want to waste it.

I'm not really this insensitive

The death of Anna Nicole Smith is everywhere. Splashed across every news stand, in the news, and taking up air time on special programming, 20/20 etc. And WHY?! Just because she was Anna Nicole Smith? Not a good enough reason.

She was a person and a young person at that, so death is sad, very sad. However, there are more things in this life that touch me, move me to the point of taking action, or just plain sadden me. And I have to say the death of a fast living, drug addicted, self-centered playmate of the year in not one of them. She totally mapped out her own road to destruction by the life she chose to live. Her fame brought about by her blond hair, body and her public display of stupidity! Her popularity, a product of society's emptiness.

The true tragedy is the baby girl she left behind with the men claiming to be her father. My gosh, with 400+ million dollars waiting, who wouldn't make such a claim? I wouldn't be a bit surprise to see a woman step forward, claiming she was her lesbian lover, they were artificially inseminated and she is the rightful guardian. It's all such garbage. Sure I feel badly for the rightful father but I'd love to know if this child came with health issues, ridiculous debt instead of wealth or some other crutch would everyone be so eager to claim this little one? I wonder.

There are so many things in the world that are unjust, that it's hard to feel sorry for someone who has spent their life playing Russian Roulette and finally found the chamber with the bullet.

It could be a long wait

Not to long ago I was in the company of a young man that I know, but not very well. We were in a social setting and began talking. He is a very nice guy, attractive, in his early thirties and a partner in a local business.

The conversation was easy and comfortable, the weather, business, sports.....blah, blah blah! Then some how we got on the subject of relationships. He asked and I told, yes I'm married and have been with my husband for 16 years, we have two children our son Michael and our daughter Mina and again......blah, blah blah. Now it's my turn. Are you married? He answers no. Do you have a girlfriend? Again, the answer is no. Do you ever hope to be married? His answer, "Oh yes!! I'm just waiting." So now I have to ask, "for what?" His answer, "A virgin!" I know I was looking at him blankly when I said, "oooooooooh, I see."

I wasn't quite sure what to do next. Giggle and wish him the very best of luck on his search, throw my arms around him in pity and inform him he could be in for a life of loneliness or just remind him he was over thirty, in the year 2007 and was living in the United States. Actually, I did none of the above, I think I went back to the weather, that's always safe.

I'm not at all suggesting there aren't any girls or guys for that matter out there that are saving themselves for marriage. Or that some of you that are already married didn't do exactly that. And I do think it's sad that it's such a rarity these days. I feel it's something that should be guarded and preserved unfortunately it's not.

I'm just thankful that wasn't a prerequisite for me to get down the aisle. (whew)

The good, the bad and the heartbreaking

Having the ability to be in any elementary school in the county, has allowed me to see many things in a very short period of time. Some things are amazing, some are distressing and some are just heartbreaking.

I have been flooded with so many overwhelming emotions, that I've lost sleep. I can't seem to separate myself from them, however, I'm certain I don't want to. The detachment, lack of emotion and compassion is what has caused these circumstances that I find so tragic. Parents who refuse placement of their child in a special needs class for fear of having that child labeled or parents that just don't care. Administration that provides only lip service so all will look good on paper regardless of how it will effect a child. Teachers who have lost their softness and ability to teach and talk to the students, and not at them. However, the worst is having a caring parent, who wants the very best for the child and can't give it to them. They can't because they may be an immigrant family that hasn't mastered the English language and needs help, or they are not connected enough or don't have enough money. There is so much red tape involved that they drown before anything can be done. It's just not right!

This week I was in a Pre-K class with 15, four year olds. I know it sounds insane but it was one of the best days I've had. They were all little balls of sunshine, all wanting to do everything, all at once. There was a special little boy in that class, Patrick. He is autistic, diagnosed severe. He speaks only three words at the age of six and has all the actions of a child with autism. Patrick is a busy boy, it could make you wonder just what exactly he understands or what it is he is thinking. During one of his quiet moments he was sitting against me like a chair. I was talking to him like I would any other child, when he looked up at me with his huge chocolate brown eyes, a wrinkle on his brow and in that split second, if he could speakI believe would have said, "I'm in here, I just can't get out!" Yet he is in a regular education class, UGH!! Heartbreaking.

There is so much need but what do we do, where do we start? For me, it might just start with a little letter!