My sister called me yesterday morning and I missed her call.
When I rang her back she said she had called to tell me her power and cable were out, due to an early snowstorm.
Snowstorm?
I didn’t believe her. I had been out at a party the previous day and thought she must be kidding me- so I turned on the TV…
It had snowed in New York City- the whole Eastern coastline had been slammed hard… Her kids have a snow day on Halloween. A snow day. In October. The whole thing is just so wrong on so many levels.
In my lifetime it has NEVER snowed in October in New York City. NEVER. And I have been around for quite some time.
How in the world?
I checked the web: “The last time that Central Park recorded measurable snow was on Oct. 21, 1952 when 0.5 of an inch fell. Prior to that, 0.8 of an inch fell on Oct. 30, 1925.” (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/57059/snow-piling-up-across-the-nort.asp)
Seriously the largest snowfall in recorded history- they started tracking after the Civil War- that ever fell in New York… over two inches in Central Park…
It is October… Granted it is the last day of October, but seriously? Snow? For Halloween? I don’t even like snow for Thanksgiving. It really doesn’t need to snow till Christmas and even then a light dusting will do.
I would like to say how freaking delighted I am not to be shoveling snow today, but I am afraid to jinx myself. I am also afraid I will get hate mail if I say what a beautiful day we had here in Ohio yesterday.
I know our turn is coming. I am just hoping we get a couple of months before that cold wet stuff starts falling out of the sky.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
New lawn today
I am getting my front yard landscaped today. Oh the joys of homeownership... where your home owns you. AKA why I never go anywhere...
Landscaping doesn’t sound like a big deal unless you understand how bad/sad my front yard is. This green stuff that grows on the ground here...what a pain in the butt. And all my neighbors have beautiful yards- lawns right out of a magazine. I am clearly bringing down home values…
I have not done any real labor intensive yard work since losing my original lawn guy, Brian. And when he was here, he did all the things that made my yard pretty. He used to take such pride in making my yard nice. The sight of it these days would probably reduce him to tears.
Not all my fault... just mostly. I am a city girl. So knowing invasive weeds from lovely ground cover… not really in my skill set. And honestly, watering the grass- isn’t that what rain is for?
After the sewer line was repaired, I had a big mound of dirt with deep gullies on either side, so really, why try so hard- the mound needed to settle...Unfortunately, 6 months later, it is more or less flat and barren except for the weeds. I really grow weeds quite well. My tomatoes all died, but I have thistles and dandelions to spare.
Clearly I need help. So I hired Bruce.
He is going to weed and plant and sandblast and seed and then I am calling it done. It will cost me a bit, but let’s face it- I am not going to do it myself. It is bad enough I will need to rake leaves. The only good part about winter is the reduction of yard work.
If all goes well, I will have lovely front and side yard beds. Beautiful curb appeal. I am actually excited that my yard won't be the worst on the block for a while.
The backyard will still look like crap, but with any luck, that will be a job for spring when I have some money. Hopefully in time to have a real veggie garden. It could happen.
Landscaping doesn’t sound like a big deal unless you understand how bad/sad my front yard is. This green stuff that grows on the ground here...what a pain in the butt. And all my neighbors have beautiful yards- lawns right out of a magazine. I am clearly bringing down home values…
I have not done any real labor intensive yard work since losing my original lawn guy, Brian. And when he was here, he did all the things that made my yard pretty. He used to take such pride in making my yard nice. The sight of it these days would probably reduce him to tears.
Not all my fault... just mostly. I am a city girl. So knowing invasive weeds from lovely ground cover… not really in my skill set. And honestly, watering the grass- isn’t that what rain is for?
After the sewer line was repaired, I had a big mound of dirt with deep gullies on either side, so really, why try so hard- the mound needed to settle...Unfortunately, 6 months later, it is more or less flat and barren except for the weeds. I really grow weeds quite well. My tomatoes all died, but I have thistles and dandelions to spare.
Clearly I need help. So I hired Bruce.
He is going to weed and plant and sandblast and seed and then I am calling it done. It will cost me a bit, but let’s face it- I am not going to do it myself. It is bad enough I will need to rake leaves. The only good part about winter is the reduction of yard work.
If all goes well, I will have lovely front and side yard beds. Beautiful curb appeal. I am actually excited that my yard won't be the worst on the block for a while.
The backyard will still look like crap, but with any luck, that will be a job for spring when I have some money. Hopefully in time to have a real veggie garden. It could happen.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Peace
Twenty-five years ago, Pope John Paul II declared a day of global peace. At the time it was considered a radical concept- nevertheless, John Paul rallied the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, Japanese Shinto priests, fire-worshipping Zoroastrians, peace-pipe-smoking Native Americans and the chief rabbi of Rome to come to Assisi. He made clear they were together to pray.
Today this effort at world peace is being remembered as world religious leaders again gather in Assisi.
I pray with them today.
Today this effort at world peace is being remembered as world religious leaders again gather in Assisi.
I pray with them today.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Gonna be a long week!
John had stomach pain this morning. I am not certain it isn’t stress related. School has been hard for him this year…
But even as he gets ready to go to school, he is guarding his belly… Maybe he is constipated… Or is starting something… I am not sure.
No fever, but my baby hurts.
So I left my maybe- sick child with his sound asleep sister at home and rushed to the office. Sat down to start my day’s work only to discover I forgot my computer bag.
By my front door.
An hour away.
Really?
Did I mention it was Monday morning? The first day of what already promises to be a long, hectic week.
The long week has nothing to do with the fender bender my daughter got into over the weekend… yeah, she hit a parked car. Minor damage and irritation (and a premium increase that I am sure is coming). Nobody hurt. The best kind of accident to have. These things happen…
It has nothing to do with my weed infested no-grass front yard that needs help in a big way.
Or my back yard that is overgrowing and filled with stuff the puppy has chewed
I have so much yard work to do before winter...
But I digress…
No laptop means I can’t work on a number of projects…
Soooo I drive home, get my laptop and return to work, trying not to think about the amount of gas and time I just wasted. These things happen…
I log in, already an hour behind schedule… And it is time for me to move over to Microsoft 2010… Did I mention I was still using 2003? Hated 2007? And had no choice?
I need coffee. Which I have time to make while I am awaiting my computer upgrade.
But even as he gets ready to go to school, he is guarding his belly… Maybe he is constipated… Or is starting something… I am not sure.
No fever, but my baby hurts.
So I left my maybe- sick child with his sound asleep sister at home and rushed to the office. Sat down to start my day’s work only to discover I forgot my computer bag.
By my front door.
An hour away.
Really?
Did I mention it was Monday morning? The first day of what already promises to be a long, hectic week.
The long week has nothing to do with the fender bender my daughter got into over the weekend… yeah, she hit a parked car. Minor damage and irritation (and a premium increase that I am sure is coming). Nobody hurt. The best kind of accident to have. These things happen…
It has nothing to do with my weed infested no-grass front yard that needs help in a big way.
Or my back yard that is overgrowing and filled with stuff the puppy has chewed
I have so much yard work to do before winter...
But I digress…
No laptop means I can’t work on a number of projects…
Soooo I drive home, get my laptop and return to work, trying not to think about the amount of gas and time I just wasted. These things happen…
I log in, already an hour behind schedule… And it is time for me to move over to Microsoft 2010… Did I mention I was still using 2003? Hated 2007? And had no choice?
I need coffee. Which I have time to make while I am awaiting my computer upgrade.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
6574 is the magic number
I have been a mom for 6574 days. My firstborn arrived this morning, 18 years ago, and I stopped being who I used to be and became a mom... It has been an amazing journey. I am so much smarter, no, wiser than I was all those years ago. And she is the longest love affair I have ever had- she has been the love of my life- even when she is the root cause of my craziest day.
I love you Elizabeth.
I probably don't say that enough. Between harping about personal responsibility- AKA Clean up your room! When will you do you wash? and pushing her to do all the things that need doing- doing homework, getting to work, etc... I just don't know if the love is always visable.
It is always there. And has been. For 6574 days and counting.
I guess she may not really see it until she is in the middle of it with her own child.
Happy Birthday my love.
I love you Elizabeth.
I probably don't say that enough. Between harping about personal responsibility- AKA Clean up your room! When will you do you wash? and pushing her to do all the things that need doing- doing homework, getting to work, etc... I just don't know if the love is always visable.
It is always there. And has been. For 6574 days and counting.
I guess she may not really see it until she is in the middle of it with her own child.
Happy Birthday my love.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Burying children
Last night, Adrian's life was celebrated. Crowds filled every corner of the funeral home. the parking lot was filled beyond capacity. The pain was palpable.
You should never have to attend the funeral of a 17y/o you know. This was my third.
The service was full of love. And when Aaron spoke of his sweet brother, all of us cried together... His pain shared with all of us, his loss was our loss.
One of the men who spoke shared a profound thought: Why do we worry that Jesus won't forgive us our past- He died on the cross before we had one...
I hugged Liz as she cried. What a hard thing for a child to endure!
Tomorrow night they are holding a fundraiser to help the family deal with all the expenses involved.
I will continue to pray for Adrian's family
You should never have to attend the funeral of a 17y/o you know. This was my third.
The service was full of love. And when Aaron spoke of his sweet brother, all of us cried together... His pain shared with all of us, his loss was our loss.
One of the men who spoke shared a profound thought: Why do we worry that Jesus won't forgive us our past- He died on the cross before we had one...
I hugged Liz as she cried. What a hard thing for a child to endure!
Tomorrow night they are holding a fundraiser to help the family deal with all the expenses involved.
I will continue to pray for Adrian's family
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Tragedy of Underage Drinking
Okay- I am not a “cool” mom. I don’t let anyone under 21 drink in my house. I have a ZERO- TOLERANCE drug policy- you want to do drugs, I want no part of you.
I am just not okay with any of it. And can be a real bitch about it.
Maybe it has to do with being a small child in a car with an impaired driver… often. Nothing ever happened, but it was not for want of trying…
Maybe it is because I remember a fatal wreck in High School, where all but the driver died. They were boys Marie (from my homeroom) grew up with. Her heart was broken.
I don’t drink and drive.
Because it is not safe.
Because it can be fatal.
On Thursday morning last week, my daughter received a call from her friend, Aaron. His brother, Adrian, along with John and Chris, had been drinking at the home of a man old enough to know better. A man who had previously been cited for serving minors… Who had dated Adrian’s mom…
Four of them in a Prelude, this man at the wheel, tragedy only moments away. At twice the speed limit plus, this man lost control and hit a tree.
Adrian was dead. At 17 years old, he will be buried. I pray for his poor mother. And his twin, his whole family…
John was uninjured physically, but emotionally, he will have scars.
Chris is in the hospital with fractures that can be seen.
The driver has been charged with a number of crimes, and awaits his trial behind bars.
And the thought that runs through my mind-
“Would they have gotten into the car with this impaired individual if they were sober?”
Liz flew home within hours of the crash and is doing what she can to soothe her friends. And I am doing what I can to ease her pain. And I am praying.
I am just not okay with any of it. And can be a real bitch about it.
Maybe it has to do with being a small child in a car with an impaired driver… often. Nothing ever happened, but it was not for want of trying…
Maybe it is because I remember a fatal wreck in High School, where all but the driver died. They were boys Marie (from my homeroom) grew up with. Her heart was broken.
I don’t drink and drive.
Because it is not safe.
Because it can be fatal.
On Thursday morning last week, my daughter received a call from her friend, Aaron. His brother, Adrian, along with John and Chris, had been drinking at the home of a man old enough to know better. A man who had previously been cited for serving minors… Who had dated Adrian’s mom…
Four of them in a Prelude, this man at the wheel, tragedy only moments away. At twice the speed limit plus, this man lost control and hit a tree.
Adrian was dead. At 17 years old, he will be buried. I pray for his poor mother. And his twin, his whole family…
John was uninjured physically, but emotionally, he will have scars.
Chris is in the hospital with fractures that can be seen.
The driver has been charged with a number of crimes, and awaits his trial behind bars.
And the thought that runs through my mind-
“Would they have gotten into the car with this impaired individual if they were sober?”
Liz flew home within hours of the crash and is doing what she can to soothe her friends. And I am doing what I can to ease her pain. And I am praying.
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