Random Acts

Yesterday I stopped at Starbucks for my favorite Venti green iced tea -- unsweetened. I love to get one on my way to work but I can't afford to get one everyday. I treated myself because someone had given me a Starbucks giftcard. I went through the drive-thru, placed my order and waited. I watched the woman ahead of me in a big grey Chrysler. Her excessively tanned arm had about 6 inches of gold bangle bracelets. I thought she looked kind of cheap and I smirked a little at her bad taste. Finally my turn at the window and I happily handed my giftcard to the server. She smiled and said "the woman ahead of you bought your iced tea." I said "did she know me?" "No, she just wanted to buy your drink and she gave us a big tip."

I felt really guilty about judging her bracelets so harshly.

At Last

My dear friend Berta became Mrs. Peter Jennings last night (no, not that one, this one is alive and well and the luckiest guy on Earth.)

Berta is the most balanced, pragmatic, energetic and happy person I know. You've heard of WWJD (what would Jesus do?) Well, I always say WWBD (what would Berta do.) She is who I talk to when I need advice. She is a great listener and she can get to the heart of any issue and clear it up in a simple, positive and successful way.

Berta waited a long time to get married and in true Berta fashion she waited until she found her perfect guy. I don't know him at all (only through Berta) but I can tell he is kind, honorable, focused and as I mentioned before -- lucky.

So, here's to my friend Berta and her new husband, Pete. I wish you decades of happiness and (with a nod to Vy -- mother of the bride) a house full of Jennings.

Scenes From the Airport

Last Thursday I flew US Air out of Sky Harbor for St. Louis for a business trip. I waited at gate A12 for my zone to be called when I noticed a woman crying. Close to my age, she was blond, medium build in denim capris and a red hoodie that matched the rims of her eyes. It’s unusual to see people crying at the gate since only ticketholders are allowed. Now good byes take place before the security line and most folks are composed and collected by the time they reach the gate. I was curious about her tears. Was she crying over someone she left behind at the escalator? Was she on her way to a funeral? To see a dying relative? I followed her eyes to a young man perhaps 19 with short cropped light hair, camouflage jacket and duffle bag. The look of a new recruit.


They took his boarding pass and he started toward the jetway. And then I saw his dad. A short man, stocky, probably a wrestler in high school. He refused to surrender the tears brimming his eyes. Their son turned and waved. In contrast to his parents, he wore a lopsided grin and was oblivious to the anguish swimming in the waiting area. Mom and dad were already holding each other in a tight cocoon and missed his wave. They silently began their walk back through the terminal and the dad reached over and put his arm around the mom.

I have a theory that it’s inevitable your children will break your heart. I knew I had just witnessed my theory in practice. Their sweet little boy had made a decision that will break his mother’s heart beyond anything I can imagine.

Right before Mothers Day it seems appropriate to pay tribute to all the mom's out there who have left their kids at the airport. I hope they hear from their kids on Sunday.

(BTW, if you'd like to help any of the soliders, visit this web site to see what you can do to help them be a little more comfortable http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm.)

Venus Mars

I came home to this contraption. Lynn rigged an extension ladder to the swing set resting it on a step ladder, creating white trash monkey bars. At its highest point, the monkey bars were about 6 feet off the ground. The other end was relatively low but Leah climbed the step ladder making her eye to eye with the edge of the roof... which she clutched. Fabulous. Neither one of them understood why I didn't share their glee.
I'm no engineer but what's preventing the extension ladder from "extending" as she swung from rung to rung either catching her hand and shaving her skin leaving a bloody appendage or simply severing her entire hand?
I'm going to St. Louis for a week. Will someone check on them for me?

Like a Knife

Once a month I get to help out in Leah's first grade class. It's very fulfilling. I get to experience all the joys of being a teacher and none of the headaches. Last year when I helped out the kids would ask if I was Leah's grandma. That hasn't happened so far this year -- must be the vitamins.

There's a little boy, Julian, who epitomizes "snips and snails and puppy dog tails". He's very often already in trouble in the morning when I get there. You can't help but be charmed by him and his eyes that dance with mischief.

This morning I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up and he said "A basketball player and a policeman." I said "like Shaq?" He nodded in agreement and grinned with pride. I asked him if he'd please get tickets for me because I'd like to see him play when he is famous. Before he could answer, his friend Colt looked at me and said "you'll be dead by then."

Mother's Little Helper

Does anyone else take this many vitamins? I guess they aren't all vitamins. Some are herbal supplements.

So far I take a multiple vitamin, red yeast rice for cholesterol, glucosamine for my wobbly knees, black currant seed oil for my hair and nails, omega 3 for my heart, B complex for energy and some kind of herbal supplement for my eyes. Oh and a baby aspirin for heart health.

I wonder if they really do anything. I seem to feel better when I take them consistently and I swear my hair grows faster and my joints are stronger. What would I have to eat in order to get the same nutritional benefits? Pounds of vegetables? Plates of legumes and fruit? I don't suppose the M&Ms I ate this afternoon were laced with nutrients.

My Hiatus Is Over

I'm back. I hope you've missed me. I've missed blogging. Too much going on but I think things are back to normal. My parents went back home (I miss them terribly), I still haven't done our taxes and our house is still on the market.

You know, before Leah was born, I was the loniest girl in the world. Lynn was always hanging out with his friends going here and there and I spent most weekends alone. My friends were knee deep in child rearing with little time to just hang out. I saw lots of movies, read lots of books and worked many hours. Oh how things have changed.

Today started out as a great day. Puttered around the house all morning, de-cluttered, cleaned and did laundry. I was in my pajamas until 11:00!!!

Leah was invited to a birthday party this afternoon. I have been looking forward to it for 2 weeks. It was my chance to have nearly 3 hours to myself at home. I was so anxious in fact that I RSVP'd twice. The party was at 2:00. At 1:00 a realtor called to say she was bringing by a client to look at our house -- between 2:00 and 3:30. My disappointment manifested itself by yelling at my husband. Don't get me wrong, I want to sell our house but I NEVER get to be alone.

I rearranged my day. Went to Trader Joes (and for once remembered my shopping bag.) Then went to Safeway to buy the bulk of things. Finished at 3:00 so I went to Starbucks, ordered a refreshing iced tea and sat on the patio pretending to be a carefree middle-aged woman with nothing but time on her hands. Headed home which left 40 minutes of "ME" time. The best laid plans. After I put away groceries I had 20 minutes to peruse my new Oprah magazine.



My family is in bed and I have some time to myself but it's 10:30 and I really don't have anything solitary to do. It's too late to start a movie and I'm not working on a book right now. I did finish a project but I can't talk about it because it's a gift and the recipient might be tuning in --- more on that in early May.

As you may have guessed -- I haven't been lonely in 7 years.