So, like, at the reunion he, like, sat down next to me and said I did a great job on the video and I said, like, thanks.

It has been an interesting weekend. 20 years since high school graduation and most people are still the same. The same people gravitated together... the guys were "Hey man, how ya doin?"... the girls were "Ohhhh, I can't believe it". Everyone was saying "We will have to keep in touch... call me... I'll call you". Yea right. Those of us who weren't part of any "group" were either talking to eachother or standing on the sidelines while the jocks and the cheerleaders were in the center... just like at a football game.
The video went very well and, I have to admit, it was a high when people who did not say 2 words to me in four years were telling me how great it was and thanking me for all the time and effort I put into it.
The men looked heavier and balding... except for a select few. (want that link again?... sorry, but he is HOT). Most of the women looked great. One of the bitchy cheerleaders looked horrible... hee hee. There were a couple of sad cases of "I think I am still in high school""Gimme another beer, dude". Some people changed a lot and others looked the same. Everyone was pointing across the room saying, "Is that?? No, it can't be... Yes, I think it is".
There were the few I wanted to see, but didn't show... Where are they now? It was nice to connect with some and maybe... just maybe... we will keep in contact.

20th reunion is this weekend and my sister is getting married at the end of the month... both of these events means something evil to me- getting dressed up. If I could go everywhere in jeans and a big t-shirt or pajama pants and a tank the world would be heaven to me. I have been to just about every store looking for something I like, that fits, that covers my belly rolls and does not make me look like a grandma. Part of the frustration is that a mere 2 years ago I worked my ass off to get into a comfortable size 10 and I blew it. And everytime I have to get dressed up... even casual dress up... I beat myself up, knock myself down and then go to Starbucks for a Caramel Frap. See the cycle.

Lance did it again...

there are people in this world who
continue to prove
that if you set your mind to something
and work really, really hard
you can achieve your dreams.

Wishing Toni and I can meet for coffee soon and catch up.

Hoping Getupgrrl's baby comes soon... push Sarah, push!

Praying Elle's son is OK and home soon, very soon.

I know I can be colorful
I know I can be gray
But I know this losers living fortunate
Cause I know you will love me either way

Colorful by Verve Pipe
From the movie Rock Star

We have been having many "teen" issues this past week. The main one being we caught my son (14) at an attempt to leave the house at 2am. Caught meaning I found the basement window open a crack, a footprint in the well and the well cover slightly off... I never said he was a brilliant child. Anyway, we have been dealing with him. So Sunday night my other son slept at a friends house and left his bike outside overnight and it got stolen. Next day I call the police to fill out a report and the cop comes to my house. (Bear with me) While I was outside talking to the officer, two of my neighbors were outside. After he left, I called one to let her know why there the police were over and let her know it was not a neighborhood thing and all was OK. She said as her and my other neighbor were outside... OK wait, this is getting complicated. Here is how the rest of the conversation went:
D: I need to tell you something... when we saw the police talking to you "S" said she wondered if it was about Justin. I asked her why and she said someone told her he was out one morning at 2am and another at 5:30.
Me: I appreciate you telling me this, we know about it and have been dealing with it.
D: I thought as a parent and friend you should know and "S" wasn't going to tell you. I told her she should. Please don't say anything to her... she asked me not to tell you even though I said you should know.

We chatted for a few more minutes, I hung with her and called "S" to tell her the same thing about why the police were at my house. Did she say anything? NO... Not a word.
I was pissed, hurt and confused. If I had that kind of information about a friends child, I would tell her. Immediately. For the safety of the child. For the support of a parent. For friendship... I cannot figure out how she can hold onto that kind of information. If, god forbid, I knew something like that and the child did it again and got hurt... I would never forgive myself. And to tell someone else like it is random gossip and tell them not to say anything. As a parent. As a friend. As a neighbor. I am sickened. She had no idea we knew and had been dealing with this topic... so its not like she knew we were dealing with it.
I don't know... I can't confront her... I am still upset (obviously)... I just think it sucks.

I could never be a stalker... mostly because I tell people I am stalking them. Not very sneaky.

I have found a new blog... check it out- just don't hit me while I am looking through my binoculars, it may leave a bruise. And bring a snack please...
Jen Gray is the blog. Jen and I actually knew eachother way back when and I still talk to her cousin. Jen's photos are awesome and her writing is... well, WOW.

As I mentioned in the last post, I went to the healthclub today. Part of the anxiety of going again is the , "Where have you been?", "I haven't seen you in a long time", "Oh.My.God. You're here" and seeing people I used to hang out with on a social level that I haven't talked to, pretty much since I stopped going. So I walk in and Steph is there... we hung out a lot... went to dinner, drinks, she came to my house, I went to hers... and I was glad to see her. We hugged and said we missed eachother and then I said, "I'm sorry I haven't called". Immediately after that came out of my mouth I regretted it. What am I sorry for? The phone works both ways. What if I had been in a terrible accident and was dying instead of just being a lazy ass and sitting on my bed eating crap? Ok, I am getting a bit dramatic, but you get my point. I'm sure she would have heard if I was dying, but I still shouldn't be sorry for not calling her. Right? Jewish guilt... bad, bad guilt.

Ok, summer vacation can be over now... kids can go back to school. Too many in and out, who is where and doing what, can I have a snack, I'm bored, friends over, need money for this and that... holy crap. August will go by quick- we have a lot of weekend stuff... if I can just make it until then without loosing what little is left of my mind, I should be OK.
It is time to start thinking about buying school supplies and getting PTO stuff rolling. Keeps me focused on the prize... days alone, freedom again. Peace and quiet for a few hours.

I went to the Danskin Race this past weekend to "support" my friend. "Support" because I was too chicken to do it. She did awesome... kicked ass on the bike. Swim, bike, run. More than 4000 women registered for this race... it was very cool. I still have no desire to do one but it did get me motivated to get my ass moving again. I actually went to the healthclub this morning.
I only got pictures of the swim because "L" forgot her helmet and I had to run to get it just as she was getting in the water... and it was about 10 miles (OK, maybe 2)(uphill... with bad shoes and uh, 50 lbs in a backpack. yea, that's it). I actually did have a small cooler and my camera bag, which I dumped at a booth on the way so I could go faster. See, "support" isn't that easy sometimes!

I went to the allergist this morning... first they scratch my back with 100 allergins, then they inject (just a tiny bit under the skin) 12 allergins and what did I come up positive for... go ahead take a guess... nope, try again...
NOTHING. NOT A THING. CAT? NOPE. TREES? NOPE. GRASS? NOPE.
I should be very happy about this, but I'm not. I am frustrated that I feel like shit and nothing is showing on the test. I have been taking allergy meds for years and for what?!? Maybe there were still antihistamines in my system from last week, maybe I just don't react to the skin tests... whatever. I just wanted an answer.
I am going for a sinus CT on Monday... just to make sure there is nothing going on "up there". We shall see.

We went to the beach yesterday. I took Dillon and Ben because the older 2 were too cool to be seen at the beach. The kids got to canoe and kayak (I had to spell check that one). My legs got burned. I took tons of pictures, so beware! Outside shots are my favorite.

Allergist appointment today.

My friend of 14 years called yesterday. Her dad passed away. He was diagnosed with cancer about 2 months ago. She had visited him about 3 weeks ago and got to spend some time with her parents and this past week had plans for a family vacation to visit. The arrived in Tennessee and 2 hours later had to call the ambulance. He died at 1 the next morning. She is grateful that they were with him and he got to see the kids... maybe he knew, maybe he waited. My love goes out to her, I know she is hurting right now.

Dillon taking the chicks for a ride... 

Sandy beach and a sticky sucker... not a great combination 

The one time my Nikon is out of the car... had to pull out the camera phone.

When you are at the checkout in a store... is it your responsibility to put the divider between your order and the person behind you? I usually do if I can reach it, but today I didn't and the lady behind me slammed it down and gave a snotty "Thanks".
What a BIATCH!

Anyone remember hairstyle names of the 80's? I am putting together the video for my 20 year high school reunion and trying to come up with catagories...
How about popular dances?

How many African children/families do you think would be fed if each of the Live 8 performers gave up, lets say, one weeks salary?

There is a lot of bashing going on about parenting choices and beliefs in the blog world. Started (this round) by a mom just trying to get some sleep. Why do people think what they do is best for everyone? What works for their child works for every child. Plain and simple. Right vs. Wrong. Shame on you for trying something else. How can one walk around with such an attitude? I don't get it.
I have 4 kids... 4 very different kids. All boys, all from the same genes- but what worked for one did not always work for the other. Sometimes I had to try, and continue to try, many different things to find a solution to whatever problem may have come up. I take in advice and choose whether I want to try it or go it on my own. And when other moms ask what I have tried or what worked for me, I tell them.
Everytime I meet with pregnant moms I tell them that this will be her birth, not mine. I will not make decisions based on what I believe is right or wrong or what I want or wish my experiences were. Because each birth is different. Because it is not my life, my choices and my baby. My goal is for a healthy outcome. Parenting is the same... we can't all pretend to be experts because we been through something or we have read a million books or have gotten a degree. Each situation is different, each person is different and each reaction is different. We all make mistakes... hopefully we all learn something and try again.
Those who sit in judgment are missing out on experiences. There are so many different ways of learning and teaching.
Climbing off my soapbox...

I figured out that the only time I am in a picture is when I take it... so, here are a few pictures of me with them... taken by me.

Are we in the picture? 

Half of K's face and Me 

Me and D (AKA "Skinny Bitch") 

Me and Maddy 

L's daughter J 

L and L