Falling Down

Stop whatever you are doing (including reading this entry) and go download the single 'Falling Down' from Duran Duran's new CD, 'Red Carpet Massacre.'
You won't be sorry.

It is quintessential Duran. A perfect mix of atmospheric and ethereal keyboards, a signature bass line, and lyrics that, after the first listen, brought me to tears.

I, unfortunately, first heard the song teamed up with its video, so I missed so much of the lyrics as I got pulled into the visual. (Feeding a new fantasy of being able to refuse anything from John Taylor... if only.) Don't be tempted to go to YouTube just yet... trust me.

Lyrics sometimes sit backseat to the overall melody and beat... but not in this song if given the chance.

But maybe it's just me.

Somehow Simon LeBon has yet again peered into the window of my life and written a song that describes my past year as if he walked right next to me through it.
I love and hate him for that.

still clutching a straw...

Durantime...

There is a long-standing joke amongst Duranies regarding the time it takes for our favourite band to actually put a record out. And it's all the band's fault! They run on their own calendar, their own timezone, and their own clock. And they act like we all should be running on it as well... like it's absurd to NOT be on the same schedule with them.

They tell us that a record is coming - even give us a date - then SURPRISE! no album... and the same old excuses fly. We are so used to it, that if they ever did put an album out on the first release date I think half of us would pass out from shock.

Two years ago (TWO YEARS!) in Vegas I asked Roger Taylor, the resurrected drummer, how the album was coming along and he told me that it was all but finished!
Pffft... liar. *wink

Unfortunately one of the reasons for Durantime this go around was the departure of Andy Taylor, guitar god. And of the songs I've heard off the soon to be released 'Red Carpet Massacre' (Nov. 13) there isn't a lick of guitar to be heard. *sigh

The four remaining Durans are all perfectionist - each one - so I am sure the wait will be worth it. And it couldn't come at a better time for me... sooooo ready for some Durandistraction.



mmmm...
"Killer melodic sweet groove"
"surrounded in chrome"
nice words

Blessings and breadsticks

I fed a homeless man last night.

I wasn't going to tell anyone, since it was a private decision, but I do wish I had had my kids with me so that they could have seen how easy and painless it can be to help someone in need.

My brother was in town and at home with them when I went out to go pick up the pizza for dinner. Funny that we had had a conversation earlier in the day about the sad state of our country and how as we have grown older we don't feel like we can make a difference anymore. So as I drove past this man sitting on the corner with his sign "homeless and hungry," that conversation with my brother replayed in my head. The thought did cross my mind that he maybe wasn't homeless or hungry, but as I picked up my pizza I also picked up an order of bread and a cold bottle of water for him anyway.

When I drove back past him, another car was already pulled over and handing him two slices of pizza! So with my garlic bread and water, he ended up with a nice meal. He was very appreciative, but I was the one who was ultimately blessed.

So many people have helped me this year. People I know and ones who choose to remain anonymous. It feels good to give back a little.

Imagine if we all did that once a day everyday...

Dear Austin...

Today you turned 10.

And even though you may never realize this because a.) you are male and can't give birth or b.) because you are male, period; but a child's birthday is a celebration of motherhood.

I remember the moment I found out I was pregnant with you. I happened to be baking a wedding cake for our friends Cathy and Rick on Valentine's Day 1997. I had bought the pregnancy test along with some ingredients for the frosting - no, they were not in the same aisle!- and took the test between frosting layers that night. (And, yes I washed my hands.)

The 2 lines appeared almost immediately, and I ran into our bedroom to announce the news to your dad who was already sleeping. He grunted something and rolled back over. Not exactly the reaction I had hoped for, but he was always grumpy if I woke him up for anything other than sex. Umm... anyway...

I remember my pregnancy with you as being the time in my life when I felt most alive. Growing a human inside of you is an amazing experience that, unfortunately, you won't ever get to have. But if you ever do decide to get married and have children (in that order please,) find ways to be involved with your wife and your shared pregnancy.

I could write a book about all the 'firsts' we experienced together. You have taught me more about what I am capable of than a thousand college courses. Being your mom is the best and hardest job I have ever had or will ever have... and I look forward to the next 10 years.

You are one of the coolest people I know and you have the best laugh. When something strikes you as funny, your dimples pucker instantly, your teeth show, and your eyes light up before you tilt your head back, look up and then shut them tight with your mouth wide open. Almost like the humor of whatever is making you laugh is going to explode right through them if you don't. If I can ever get it on tape I will add it here.

We haven't had the easiest year this year, but I am so proud of you and how you've handled yourself and the situation. You aren't afraid to show your feelings, cry or let your mom hug and kiss you in front of all your friends. You tell me all the time that you love me - just out of the blue... and I love that so much.

So Happy Birthday Austin. Thank you for making me a Mom.
Love, Mommy

'The path of rejection'

My coffee tastes like shit today... but I knew it would before I had the first sip.

Since it looks like I may have some free time in the mornings now, I decided to re-vamp my resume for the second time this year and rev up the job search whilst I still have a job. But how do you make this attractive to a potential employer?

40 year old, single mother of 2, former stay-at-home mom whose previous career has changed so much it's unrecognizable. Wishes someone would pay her to edit blogs for typos, grammar, and content. Great at giving advice and solving problems...

Well... everyone's but her own.

One sucky day at a time...

Yesterday I chatted with a friend who I hadn't talked to in a while. She was surprised to see me on line and unfortunately for her, asked me how I was doing.

I've had better days. I haven't had a lot of good days this year... but I recall a day or two back in 2005 that were kick-ass!

Anyway... so I told her I was having a pity-party kind of day. A day when you totally realize how much your life sucks. She tried to convince me that my life didn't suck. Even said that she LIKED my life! (Now that I think back, she may have been medicated... or coming down with something. yeah.) It was a valiant and sweet effort. She's a good friend.

One of the things in my life that sucks and that I can actually talk about is my job. Jobs in this area (like a lot of places) are slim pickins.

Because I am a single mom of 2 kids and I STILL don't want to put my children in day or after school care, I have two part-time jobs that fit my/our schedule and lets me be their mom. The problem is that neither job offers insurance, and both don't pay a whole helluva lot.

Since I can't count on my soon-to-be-ex for ANY money, I know that I am close to finding myself in some serious financial trouble if I don't do something soon.

My friend suggested that I start a blog.

"And write about what? How much my life sucks?"

"Yep," she said.

So I spent some time last night thinking about what she said. That people like reading all kinds of stuff. Which I know is true, because I read lots of blogs about stuff. Just stuff... no real niche... just life. And maybe I read them because I am looking for something to help me, or maybe... just maybe, their life might suck a little more than mine that day.

So I am reviving this blog as I continue to think about her suggestion. I can't sleep... might as well blog. But I may have come up with an idea as a niche blog that could work for me... I'll let you know, so watch this space. heh

Ugh... my alarm just went off. Another sucky day has officially begun.

Three Things...

Three things that scare me:
1:	not being able to provide for my kids
2:	dying alone
3:	clowns
Three people who make me laugh:
1:	my kids
2:	Michelle
3:	Nicci
Three Things I love:
1:	being in love
2:	thunderstorms
3:	coffee
Three Things I hate:
1:	abuse of any kind
2:	dentists
3:	at this moment? my life
Three things I don't understand:
1:	why I can't stop crying
2:	how someone can intentionally hurt a child
3:	fax machines
Three things on my desk:
1:	a drawing by my daughter
2:	unfortunately a non-alcoholic drink
3:	a small sand dollar
Three things I'm doing right now:
1:	um... typing ;o)
2:	wishing I didn't have to work tonight
3:	wishing a lot of things actually
Three things I want to do before I die:
1:	see the northern lights
2:	live in the mountains
3:	feel secure in a relationship
Three things I can do:
1:	make people smile
2:	stay at the Waldorf-Astoria for free
3:	make great waffles
Three ways to describe my personality:
1:	spirited
2:	strong
3:	outgoing
Three things I can't do:
1:	keep my house clean
2:	hulahoop
3:	be on time
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Clearly, my father has lost his mind.

As 2007 continues to be the year my life totally blows... it only figures that I got a flat tire yesterday. So on Monday (my worst and busiest day of the week) I get to add that chore to my to-do list.
I changed the tire yesterday - but with my string of luck and the fact that my spare is now already in use - I am positive I will get another flat before I can get to the tire place.
So I called my dad to tell him about the incident and here's how that went...

Me: Um, I need to know when the tire place opens on Monday.

Him: Why what happened? Don't touch those tires! They have nitrogen in them... just leave them alone!

Me: Yeah, well I have a flat tire... so...

Him: Oh you are kidding! Nobody gets flat tires anymore. The technology of tires these days...

Me: (cutting him off) Hello? You must have forgotten that this is my year of having shitty things happen to me... so I promise you it is flatter than flat. And with my unique brand of luck, I am sure that the tire is not only ruined, but the rim is damaged too. AND I've just spent the past 15 minutes standing, cursing, crying and jumping on the ratchet thingy in my 100 degree garage to loosen the bolts on that #$%@$#!& tire that they tightened SO DAMN TIGHT after rotating and filling them with @$&%#&%$ NITROGEN!

Him: (laughing hysterically)

Me: You think this is funny?

Him: Do you remember when you were in high school and I made you help me change and rotate the tires in the garage?

Me: Vaguely.

Him: You don't remember that? (more laughing) You were so mad at me for making you change "perfectly good tires." But you needed to know how to change a tire before going off to school. You thought it was ridiculous and threw all my tools down the driveway.

Me: I did not.

Him: Oh yes you did! And I let you... it was character-building! Besides, I knew you'd be picking up every one of those tools as soon as you were done throwing your fit.

Me: I don't believe you.

Him: It's true! And see? You know how to change a tire.

Me: Umhm... I'll see you Monday at the tire place.
(hangs up with him still laughing.)


Character-building my ass.

Promotion Picnic on the Redneck Riviera

OK... so I might be a little closer to the country than I'd like to admit, BUT I can walk to a super WalMart if I wanted to too!



Today was the long awaited, and much anticipated Sidekicks TaekwonDo Promotion Picnic at Lithia Springs Park in lovely Lithia, Florida.

Sometimes referred to as 'The Redneck Riviera' (rednecks have to swim somewhere too!), Lithia Springs is a county run park with a camping area, pavilions with grills, walking trails flanked with gorgeous cypress trees, and the main attraction... the spring itself.


Click on the pic above if you want to see some spring facts...

Speaking of facts...


Here's proof that wildlife is pretty abundant Florida... and it's not all alligators! *wink*
This lovely crane was only about 10 feet away from us in the water.


Fact: not everyone in Florida is tan and a ten! ha!


Fact: a spring, a cup, and a five year old = HOURS of playtime (yes, that is a tadpole... no, it didn't come home with us.)


Promoted!


Promoted!


As we watched our children having an absolute blast, I asked my friend Nicole why we don't come out here more often since it's so close. She agreed that it would be a perfect escape... and it's right down the road!

Days like today are what make great childhood memories.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Today a most bizarre thing happened.

My 5 year old daughter came to me with her after-school snack of goldfish crackers and said, "These are cat treats, Momma."
Then she got on her hands and knees at my feet and proceeded to meow repeatedly.

I smiled as I handed her "treats" one by one. She's even more of a 'mini-me' than I realized.
You see in my dance, monkeys, dance post just 2 days ago, I revealed a childhood desire to go feline.

That little dose of nostalgia was just what I needed this afternoon.

May I take your order?

With my son in 3rd grade, science fair projects will now become an annual spring event in our house. After his teacher described the project parameters and ideas to her class, Austin rushed home to get approval on his project idea. (Given the nature of the project, his teacher insisted he get permission. Smart lady!)

So being the sometimes manipulative child (not nearly as much as his sister!!), Austin posed the project idea to me gingerly.

"Mommy, I've always wondered which is faster... the drive through or walking into McDonald's. Don't you wonder that?"

Umhm...

"We aren't going to McDonald's tonight, Austin."

"No... I know, but I was just wondering. Which do you think is faster?"

"Hmm... I don't know. I think maybe the drive through... what do you think?"

"I think walking in would be faster. Wouldn't this make a great experiment?"

He's slick... no question about it.

So after he explained how he would go about doing the experiment, I gave my consent to fund this 8th wonder of the world.
That was a month ago.

We spaced out the 3 visits to McD's over 2 weeks to give our arteries a break. Most of the work and writing was done in class and the completed project is due tomorrow.

The display board was finished last night (read mommy stayed up until 2am), and brought to school this morning.

Maybe not as 'scientific' as it could have been, but fun nonetheless.



OH!
Mommy's are always right! *wink*

Red belts and Little Dragons

Spent most of the day at TaekwonDo today... it was belt testing day.
My ass is sore from sitting in a metal folding chair for 4 hours... 2.5 hours for Austin, and 1.5 for Savannah.

The verbal test... Austin is second from the left. Notice how big the kid next to him is...


They were paired up for grappling...


Austin ended up tickling him to get out from under him!


Hey... whatever works!


Little Dragon Senior Student...


I didn't think when I taped this, so pretend you are doing a sidekick whilst watching it... *wink*


Austin always says that watching a Little Dragon class is better than watching Cartoon Network... he's right!