Thoughtful Thursday

I don't do random thoughts - because I tend to ramble and one thought can lead to a page and many thoughts to a novel....But today I thought I would give it a shot.

~ Went to mow the grass yesterday, usually Teen's job - but after camping it was pretty tall and she wasn't home. Of course the mower wouldn't start. Why is it that whenever the grass really needs cutting because I've been slacking there is some problem?

~ Brought Boy + friend and youngest hiking for a bit yesterday. As they were exploring the shore trying to catch a crab, youngest put her hands on her hips and said "boys" in her most exasperated-I-don't-understand-them-voice. Get used to it honey!

~ Teen liked the new Harry Potter movie (went to the midnight show Tues.) But she was very unhappy with the end. The rest of us (minus youngest) will go see it soon - not at midnight.

~ After cutting the lawn with neighbor's not self-propelled lawn mower I agreed with hubby we should get ours fixed ASAP.

~ Contrary to many people, I like cutting the grass. I am outside. I can sweat. When it is done I can admire my work for at least a couple of days (total opposite of housework - well except the sweating part)

~ After cutting the grass I went to the fridge. Teen tried to hand me water. I reached around her to get a beer. Receiving a lecture about the hydrating power of water versus beer. Later when I said I was still thirsty, she said "told ya so." I knew she was right, but sometimes you just want a beer - right?

~ Youngest was granted her first library card this week. You would think she was given a kingdom. It was a very big moment in her 5 years and she displayed the card (complete in its own little wallet) to anyone who would look.

A week of odds and ends. Today we are going to leave for a day outing with Grandma complete with stingray petting and sharks.

Random Rants (and Raves)

I do not usually do this - ok sometimes I do this - but today I am going to rant. Today's topic is Hollywood. After reading this article (go on look, I'll still be here), I nearly coughed my diet coke all over the place. The mayor of LA, despite its 530 million dollar DEFICIT says the city will pay for the memorial.

REALLY? It cost 1.4 million - how many more teachers, police, firemen, and city workers will lose their jobs or take a cut in pay so that an alleged child molester could have a roaring send off into whatever afterlife he deserved? The mayor says they don't charge families for police etc at funerals. Does this really count as a typical funeral? It seems that even folk like me, who avoid sensational news couldn't avoid this. This wasn't a funeral - it was an EVENT. Ughhhh!

While I'm ranting about Hollywood, let me say something else. Fairy Tales and stories of the "dark" serve a purpose in society - they always have. Good triumphs over evil, strong virtues lead to accomplishment etc. So, one director or writer comes along and says - no I want a crappy pitiful ending - it's artistic. Now, every flippin movie has to be "artsy" and pull a "surprise" ending. Hollywood, it is no longer artistic, it is trite! Get over yourselves, while I acknowledge that not every ending needs to be happy - the ending should serve a purpose! (and not just to leave room for a sequel)

Ok, enough ranting. Some raves:


1) Weaselmomma is having a give-away promotion. You should go to her site and check it out. Not only is she giving stuff away, she is really funny and practical. If you are strapped for time read her "posts actually worth reading". You'll have fun!


2) I recently bought Hugs for our camping trip. If you haven't seen them, they are little kool-aid type drinks in these mini-barrel containers. Now, usually I avoid them like the plague. Always believing they were full of sugar and very bad for the kids. However, while at the store, I took time to compare and they only have 3g of sugar and 10 calories. Of course water is better - but sometimes the kids want flavor, and who can blame them?


3) If you have kid readers at home, I highly recommend the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series. I read them for work (one of the perks is reading YA fiction all the time), then handed them to Boy. They are modern-day, but incorporate Roman Mythology in high-action adventures that even include a few girl characters that are smart and tough. He ate them up. Reading the entire series in just over a week.


Guess that's it, I am kinda all over the place today! Feel free to leave a rave or rant comment of your own! What have you recently discovered that you love or is driving you crazy?

Highlights of a Trip

It wasn't the trip I had planned. It wasn't the outing that my children had built-up in their minds, but with the tenacity of a pit bull locked on a steak, we were determined to have fun.

With not one, but two minivans packed with all the necessities for 4 days in the woods, my family of 5, my niece, and teen's friend, we were ready to head out. Our plan: to head north to a wonderfully refreshing fresh water spring and river for 3 nights of camping, to meet a dear friend who was traveling 9 hours south to meet us, and to keep our trip open-ended; heading further north if energy and weather permitted to camp in another set of woods that I have always wanted to visit.

The weather did not permit.

As we set up tents and kitchen area, the weather was muggy to say the least. Upon exiting the tent Teen informed me that I looked as if I had just taken a shower. The salty liquid dripping from my body was definitely not water. It was time for a dip in the clear fresh water of 72 degree springs - and a beer, but alas Nonna had not arrived with those provisions yet. I made due with the swim. We splashed and gasped as the COLD water chilled and refreshed. It was a perfect beginning, followed by roasting hot dogs and beans (beer for me, I don't do beans) around the campfire. We were content.



After breakfast the next day, we went to the headsprings for a hike. And the rain began. Determined to have fun, at a break in the flow, we decided to go tubing. A brief word about tubing in a spring fed river: it is cold at the best of times it is refreshingly cold, in the rain - it can induce hypothermia. Just ask Youngest, as she was blue for at least 1 hour of the trip. Not to say that we were complaining - ok Boy was laying stock still trying to keep all body parts out of the river, but was getting wet from above, but he wasn't whining!



The cool dip induced a need for warmth and dryness. Seeing that no end was in sight on the rain front and unable to cook (I'm not that good) in the relentless downpour, I proposed a sensible option. We loaded a van with wet things, put on dry things and headed to the town's Laundromat and Pizza Hut. Of course, our buts were all wet from riding in the van with wet seats, so we tried to dry them as our blankets and towels dried.

When we returned to camp, we commandeered a pavilion and spent the night playing board games. Ok, it wasn't a fire and their were no marshmallows, but everyone was laughing, joking, and demonstrating a surprising amount of competitive nature. We prayed that we had outlasted the rain and that the next 2 days would be at least partly-sunny and hot.

We awoke at 6 to thunder that rattles your toes accompanied by strobing flashes of lightning. It is a wonderful feeling to be be warm in your bed with nature's fury around you. But when the zippers on your tent are leaking, it is worrisome as well. I did manage to cook bacon and eggs during 2 separate reprieves. Separate because after the bacon the skies opened again and a rain delay was called. By all reports the weather would continue for at least the next 2 days. So, we packed up and spent the day swimming and playing. Leaving the woods just as the first sprinkles began to fall yet again, I knew we had made the right decision. We had kept spirits up and fun foremost, but I wasn't sure I could face another night and day of rain.




Nonna came back with us and we spent Friday by the pool drinking daiquiris and visiting. All in all a good trip, but next time I'd appreciate sun.

Hopes Dashed

The location is ideal. A curve in the land that juts into the bay, a grassy area that is bordered by both the bay and a canal. An unobstructed view of the bay and the island, specifically the jetty where Sunnyville stages an array of dazzling explosives to the delight of its citizens. The location offers further enticement in that it is a private yard, and the friends who live here hold a barbecue for the event yearly. They even fog the viewing area to cut back on pests.

And, for those with small children (me), a car can be parked to offer a muffled version of the display. Young children can sit in the protective shell of the van, and whimper or cry as the need takes them while older siblings, and sometimes parents, can enjoy the dazzling display. It is in this way that youngest has spent every 4th of her short life until this year.

Upon arrival she announced that she would be sitting outside to watch. She went as far as to declare this to the host and some guests. She was pumped-up and ready to go. She had her spot on the blanket and was dictating the terms of entering her area; no shoes, no food, etc. When the display began, she was firmly wedged on my lap. As the display continued, she had a comment for many, largely that they were much prettier outside of the car. "Brighter," I believe, was another word she used often. Eventually she was comfortable enough to sit beside me, and finally she was able to be on her own. Awe was apparent in her comments as the display continued. In glimpses to Boy, I could see that he was happily content, waiting for the personal show to begin, viewing this as an extravagant opening act. What is it exactly that boys of all ages love about blowing things up? I am not sure, but I could see that Boy was hopeful that this year we would be able to stay long enough to view our host's personal show in its entirety. A feat that is seldom accomplished, as Youngest is so shell-shocked from the public show that we often leave early.

It was a phenomenal show, lasting about 40 minutes. At the conclusion it was time for Youngest to have a potty break. We trekked up to the house and arrived back in time for the personal show. Now, the house being on the bay, many people offer personal shows. There is plenty of waterfront land, and little to no danger that you will catch a neighbor's house afire. Just as we were settling ourselves on the blanket, a whistling explosion of stars occurred above us. At this point, my brave little trouper, previously so proud that she could watch the show with no fear, began screaming at the top of her lungs. A high-pitched screeching filled with tears and terror. Quickly, I scooped her into my arms and brought her to the van. Where she insisted every window and door be closed through wrenching sobs of fear.

Between collecting Boy, blankets, misc. items and thanking our hosts, I sighed for Boy's disappointment. He was good-natured about the turn of events, even checking on Youngest while I gathered our things. But, I know he yearns for the day that he can put punk to fuse and be responsible for lighting the sky with a rainbow of light. Maybe next year.

Imperatives and Blessing

I am fairly middle-of-the-road. My lifestyle, my income, my beliefs are all largely inoffensive and moderate. But, there are a few things that are at the core of my being, beliefs that I will argue, debate and defend. One such belief is how fortunate I am to be an American citizen.

Even through the college days, while engaged in the Environmental Club, I knew beyond a doubt that there was no other country I would want to call home. In the times of the Gulf War, when even by closest friends were saying that we were killing people for oil, I kept my steadfast to my belief that this was the country in which I would stay and flourish. Why? Because, all through these events my young mind was able to recognize and appreciate that even these people who were alternating between blaming and moaning about their country were able to do it because they LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY! An imperative and a blessing.

Being an American comes with imperatives that include decisions, work, and exertion. In this country we have to work hard for what we value. And in doing so, the sky is the limit. While achieving our goals, we have many options available. There is no big brother telling us which path we must follow. And for this I am grateful. Taking responsibility for my own life means that while I may fumble and fail at times, the rewards will be all the greater because they are mine.

Blessings are abundant. But one particularly caught my attention yesterday. It is the freedom of religion. In reading about the plans of France to outlaw burkas, it dawned on me that this is part of their religious beliefs and the government is planning to make wearing them illegal. While I may not want to wear one personally, I can't imagine anyone telling me that it would be illegal to do so. I was outraged at the idea of a government making this type of decision. A basic right to practice religion, in a way that harms no one is possibly going to be outlawed there. Now, while the founding fathers may have had no intention of granting me freedom to wear ripped-up jean shorts and tank tops while doing yard work, it is part of the vast array of freedoms that I hold dear. I am thankful for being born into this country of responsibility and rewards and I wish everyone a Happy 4th!

Sleeping Alone - Unheard Of

Sharing a room builds a special bond...a certain love-hate relationship that can stand the test of time. In my home this is the relationship between Boy and Youngest.

On the surface of many days, they appear to tolerate each other with varying degrees of animosity. There is bickering and rivalry buzzing in my head like an annoying insect. It is during these moments that I remind myself of the positives of their siblinghood, largely exhibited at bedtime.

Last night the story had been read, the water given, hugs, kisses and goodnights to both & mom exited the room. Just as I was sitting down, here comes Boy in an exaggerated tip-toe walk. Turning a corner he was directly in my sightline and announced that he was just getting himself a drink. He and I talked about animation (how animated I was going to be if he doesn't get to bed), while he was in the fridge. Low and behold, Youngest entered from bed, announced that she was waiting for Boy - because she was scared. I made the exasperated sigh, announced that all need to get to bed. Boy hustled along and said he had to go to the bathroom.

Youngest grabbed at Boy's PJ shirt as he passed and asked, "Are you going poop?"

Boy responded, "Ewww - you are so gross. Let go of me!" (love, it overflows at my house)

He shook her off and marched away (apparently his sense of dignity was upset). Youngest looked to me and explained, "When he goes poop he takes....like....20 minutes and I'm tired."

As I was retucking Youngest into her bed, Boy came to climb into his bed. The relief on Youngest's face was visible. While I was walking out the door, I could hear Boy, "Fine, I'm here. Now go to sleep and no playing with your animals or I'm leaving." Ahhh, siblinghood is filled with love.

It's a Deal!

As a child I attended the drive-in with surprising regularity. There was a drive-in near my home and even one near the cottage - where there is really not much of anything else. I can remember seeing episodes of Star Wars, Rocky (who knows what #), even Clue. It was in a drive-in that I caught my first glimpses of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, in stolen glances at the screen behind us.

The car would be loaded with pillows, blankets, popcorn, and people. We would park and the speaker would be propped in an open window. After the bitterly cold winters of the Midwest, the drive-in was a summer adventure.

So, when I arrived as a teen in Sunnyville, it was with shock that I discovered there were no drive-ins near my home. In this land of sun and fun where a drive-in could be used to greatest profit there were NONE. Oh, I heard tales of their existance, but the distance made it improbable that this would ever serve as an evening's entertainment.

It was with all of this knowledge that I decided to find the nearest drive-in. Using the convenience of the web, I began a search. I had heard tales this type of movie theater might exist an hour south of me. Nope, it was closed. But there are some north. I searched, mapped, and looked at the movie offerings. The more I searched, the more I felt driven to share this experience with my children. "Ok, it is a bit far," I acknowldege that. But, once determination sets-in it is difficult to derail me.

Hubby balked a bit at the distance, but through use of practiced cajoling, he relented. I popped the corn, packed the snacks, loaded the kids and we hit the road. A short hour-and-a-half (80 miles) later we had arrived! It was a double feature - Night at the Smithsonian & X-Men Origins. The last movie ended after midnight and the drive home was long... but I still contend it was worth it! Tell me, where else can a family of 5 see 2 new movies for a total of $14?