They Say Bad News Comes In Threes
Mood:  down

First my friend was diagnosed with breat cancer, then a neighbor boy drowned, and now a major bridge, not six blocks from where I work, has collapsed sending 50+ cars plunging 60-some feet to the river below. It is just unbelievable that that bridge, which services 200,000 cars per day, could have been in such poor shape as to actually collapse. Not just buckle, but completely collapse. It is a miracle as many people survived as did. My heart goes out to the victims and their families.

 

There Are No Words
Mood:  sad
Topic: Family and Friends

There is nothing as heartwrenching as a funeral for a child.

Little Tommy was 3 and a 1/2 years old. He was a beautiful little boy, always ready with a smile and a greeting. He had a very adventurous spirit and, as Lauren reminds us, loved bugs. His mommy, so brave that she spoke during the service, mentioned what a privilege it was to have been blessed to have him in her life for the time that he was here. His father spoke of the Father's Day card Tommy had made for him listing all of the things he loved to do with his daddy. His grandparents spoke of his love of life and outgoingness.

The minister talked about many things, one of them being a man he had met that would always end his conversations with "I'm glad you passed my way". What a nice change from the typical "Nice meeting you." It seems to say so much more. It sounds like there was an exchange that took place, not just words that passed between two people, but an honest to goodness exchange.  That's how it was with Tommy. The minute he saw you, he was exchanging. He was telling you all about his day and asking about yours. He was engaging and engaged.

Tommy will be deeply missed by family and friends.

And Tommy, all of us in the neighborhood are glad you passed our way.

There's Nothing Like The Beach
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Family and Friends

It was the biennial trip to NC and once we were past the last minute glitches,  we were truly excited! It is always fun to see relatives we haven't seen for two years, especially if we do it at the beach! This year my cousin brought his wife's sister's daughter who is about Lauren's age and it turned out to be one of the best moves ever. Lauren and S hit it off right away and became inseparable for most of the rest of the trip. They both especially loved playing in the waves and, boy, were there waves this year!

A little side story on the waves - One day the kids were caught off-guard as a wave came up behind them and swept them off their feet. I got it on video!! I watch that thing over and over and roll on the floor laughing every time. Of course, it wasn't so funny to the kids, but we mananged to make light of it and kept the fear in check. As I helped Lauren dry off she commented with a smile and excitement in her voice, "That was scary. My head went under the water. Good thing I didn't faint!". It was priceless!

Back to the kids - what is it kids have that grown-ups do not? I have the hardest time meeting new people and trying to find some common ground, any common ground, to work from. I never feel comfortable with the process and don't think I ever will. But kids...they can make friends at the drop of a hat and not just any friends, best friends.  At one point, I think on the second day of the trip, S, while pretending to surf the waves, turned to Lauren, put her hand on Lauren's shoulder, and in all sincerity said, "If I die you can have my glow worm." To be inseparable and to offer up your prized possession after only two days? Is that friendship or what?! If I could have that with just one person in my lifetime, I would feel blessed.

Damn. Damn, Damn, Damn
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Family and Friends

One of womankinds worst fears has come to rest with one of my best friends. She found out yesterday that she has breast cancer. ..infiltrating ductal carcinoma. She doesn't have an actual tumor but there are cancer cells present which seems to indicate they have found it very early. Thank God! Her mother had it and her mother's mother had it and they both survived it for 20+ years. We're hoping and praying the same rings true for her.

You Can Call Me...
Mood:  silly
Topic: Family and Friends
Lauren and Tony have developed nicknames for each other, usually animal related. Most of the time he calls her little grasshopper and she calls him little fish. Since I was feeling a bit left out what with all the nicknames flying around, I asked Lauren what names we could use for each other. After just a moment's thought, far too little in my mind, she came up with two from which to pick. I have to say I was hoping for something with more feeling, more connectedness, more, well, special. Instead I could be either...silly nut or crazy cuckoo bird.

A Change Of Heart
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Lauren
Lauren attends dance class with a woman who has an impressive list of clientele. She had taught out in Hollywood and named names on her advertisments (Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, OJ's daughter,and Clint Eastwood to name a few).  Miss E has always said that she is no longer in it to push her students and make them great. She is going for a more relaxed and fun experience for the kids and that was fine with us but this was our third year with Miss E and even though we like her and Lauren likes her, we were seriously considering making a change. After two recitals where the abilities demonstrated by the more advanced levels of classes just did not seem to be much further along than Lauren's class, we found ourselves quite disappointed. Not only that, but for all the money we spent sending Lauren to the place she is going, we were a bit upset that the teacher was not around for most of the year. Granted she was hospitalized for about a week last fall and was under the weather for quite a few weeks after, but she rarely showed up all through the winter and spring as well. The class was left to the assistant and her two assistants. So we were all set to change to another studio even before the year was out. Then, suddenly...the recital was so much better this year. The older students were so much more polished than previous years. And it was as if Miss E had been a fly on the wall and knew we were thinking of changing studios. She had Lauren be one of the leaders in the dance and after the recital when we brought the customary flowers to her, she gave Lauren a big hug, told her what a great job she had done, and over Lauren's head told me "She is definitely a keeper". Flattery won't get you everything, but it will get you one more year of teaching our daughter to dance.

FFG
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Lauren

The badge read FFG - Future First Grader! It's hard to believe Lauren's first school year is over. Besides doing very well, she loved every single minute of it. All in all, a grand success!

Happy kindergarten graduation!

No Sale
Mood:  irritated
Topic: Rants
I like your newpaper, I really do. I read it every day at work and I even look up articles on your online site at times, but if you call me at 8:35 in the morning on a school morning when I'm in the throes of getting breakfast in my kid, making a school snack for her to take to school, getting her backpack ready, making sure she is dressed, has teeth brushed and hair combed all before the 8:44 bus arrival time, then forget it. There is no way I'm going to sign up for the daily newspaper online. Even if it is at no extra charge to my weekend subscription. My answer is and always will be...click.

Worthwhile Pursuits
Mood:  special
Topic: Family and Friends

During dinner the other night Lauren, out of the blue, commented, "I'm hard to take care of, right? But it's worth it!"

You betcha baby! It's priceless! 

Schmoozing 101
Mood:  bright
Topic: Lauren

Back in 2005 Lauren passed Negotiation 101. She is now on to Negotiation 201.

She had been out with Tony at the park , the post office, etc. While they were out Lauern started to have a bout of typical 5yr old girl hysterics. Since she wouldn't calm down and tell Tony what was wrong, Tony brought her home so she could spend some time by herself. When I talked to them on the phone later, the converstion went like this:

Tony : ...I turned the car around and headed for home.

Me: Well, fussy, whiny girls have to go home.

Tony: It's too bad because I was going to set up a playdate with M to go to the amusement park.

Lauren: Dad, hang up. This is the part I don't want you to hear. 

Pause...

Lauren: I'm going to try to "work a little something out" with Dad so I can still go tomorrow. 

Me: (muffled laughter while picturing her giving me a wink and a nudge while she says the words) Oh you are?

Lauren: Yes. Like I do with you - I try to work a little something out.  I don't know if it'll work but I'm going to try.

She passed with flying colors. It worked and amusement park fun was had by all.