• to breathe
• to rest
• to exercise
• to eat better
• to pause
• to express
• to read
• to pay attention
• to listen
• to take care
• to write

My grandfather once said he hoped he lived long enough to be the only Jew at the Passover Seder. This is my dad... who is hoping for the same thing. This year: Jews - 5, Not - 5, Half and Half - 6. 

A memory...
As some of you know, I grew up in the record business. My dad and uncle owned a local record store chain and promoted concerts. I have met a lot of people. My first concert was Shawn Cassidy. My first memory of meeting a singer was Leif Garrett. He was at one of our stores signing autographs. It ended badly. Many people were crushed... there were ambulances, police. I can see him being rushed out the back door surrounded by large men in yellow jackets. Right now, at this very moment, my son is blasting AC/DC... I have seen them too. I think about this past life a lot. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I wish it never existed. High School was hard. Not knowing if you had friends because of who you were... inside... or if it was the concert tickets and records. I was cool because of my dad.
There are few stars who I am awestruck over. My favorite part of growing up in that world was bringing friends to see someone they admired. To me, it was routine. To them, it was a moment they would remember forever. It never went to my head, still doesn't. Friends now think it is cool when I they find out... It is cool, it was cool. I wonder what my kids will think is cool about their childhood. What stories they will tell their kids. What memories they will have. I like digging in the past. Not all memories are good, but they are all worth remembering... even the painful ones.

Fun Fair doors open in 10 hours, 19 minutes, 3 seconds.
The day I have been working my ass off for months... getting donations from businesses, organizing, planning, making phone calls, sending flyers... I am surprized my ass hasn't gotten smaller.
And now... It's raining. All Day. Rain.
It will still be OK. So I have to do a little re-planning, re-organizing. I can do that, right? SO the outside has to come inside. No problem.
My neighbor called yesterday to say I would have to cover her shift because her husband is going to be out of town. She has known this for weeks. Two days before she backs out. Thanks.
Did I mention it's raining?
Last night while talking to a friend, I was saying how anxious I was... she said, "why?". She forgot I was planning a party for about 800 people. Thanks.
I am very thankful to the tons of people who have helped me out, but the ones who don't piss me off.
Anyway, time is a-tickin'.

Yellow 

Spring time is Bubble time 

You know your kids are getting older when the swingset comes down. 

Do you read Rosie's blog? I am truly in awe of her. Not her money, not her fame... inside her. Her love of people, her respect of people, her acceptance of people. Her willingness to give her time, her money, her heart. Gay, straight... fat, skinny- who cares. The love she has for her children, the things she has sacrificed for them shows, to me, what a mother should be. She is honest about how she feels, open about what she believes.
Check it out... open YOUR heart, open YOUR mind.

Ben, 7, just came up to me with a newspaper ad and says, "Mom, I found a hot chick"... reminds me of Justin, 14, at that age; my dad taught him "hubba, hubba".

I would say I am a big slacker... but this is the only thing I haven't been keeping up with lately. Hey, something has to give. I have been: "working" (volunteering) on organizing the school Fun Fair, putting the raffle together for the Fun Fair, exercising (yea!), cleaning out closets and cabinets and all the mom stuff like laundry, laundry and more laundry. Oh yea, and trying to get my Childbirth Ed. stuff done. I know... boring for all of you.
Got my laptop back, so at least I don't have to share computer time with my kids. I am trying to get all my programs loaded... one being Hello so I can post some pictures. Spring has sprung, finally more photo opportunities. It is nice to see everyone hanging outside. Saturday night we were outside with neighbors and had an adult vs. kids basketball game. No score was being kept... but us old people kicked the young ones butts!
I will try to update more...

Happy Birthday Ben!
I cannot believe my baby is 7 years old. I was so depressed on his first birthday. Pretty sure I was never going to celebrate another first and before I was able to blink, he is 7. Ben has taken on parts of all of his brothers. It is almost like he has multiple personalities. He can be the most lovable, cuddly kid and the next minute he is being a big goofball. I think he says, "Mom" 500 times a day. Sometimes I start counting and then give up. As much as it irritates me, I try to remember that it won't last long. And then I'll miss it. For his birthday-day, he wanted to get a buzz cut. Very unlike his brothers who all run the other way if anyone comes within 100 feet of them with a scissors. Ben also wanted to go to a Bead Shop and make a necklace. Full well knowing that he would put 5 beads on and quit, I took him anyway. In many ways, he is a daddys boy. Anywhere Dad goes, Ben wants to go. "Mom" is usually followed with, "When is Dad getting home?". He can't wait until it is nice enough to go boating with Dad... Actually, I can't wait either.
So Happy Birthday my baby....

It is finally spring... hopefully it will last. Got outside to clean up all the dead flowers and plants. New buds are peeking through. I have attempted to get a run in, trying to work back up to where I was last summer. I am not even close yet.
The past week with the kids home gave me a quick look at what summer vacation will be like. It wasn't horrible, but towards the end there was lots of arguing. My oldest had pneumonia so he was around the house. His brothers were driving him crazy. I don't feel as cooped up because I can come and go. It is a beautiful thing!
My laptop is in for repair. Sharing computer time with the kids is NOT fun. I want it back.
Nothing exciting, I know...