I obviously am not a good blogger. I am tired by the end of the day and well, I don't do it. I watch tv, do dishes, laundry, read Facebook, read a book on my Nook, etc...
I am beginning a new blog that I will be more dedicated to...at least I hope! I am embarking on a new journey in my own life and will chronicle that. So please join me there. I will update here when I am ready. :)
-TC
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Delicious and Wicked
I was lucky enough last night to have a fantastically delicious dinner and then see the fab musical, "Wicked". I was joined by my friend Alysia who apparently had as busy a day as I did. We were both feeling stressed but all that washed away when we drank fabulous margaritas at Mez, a contemporary Mexican restaurant in Durham. I had the fish tacos and they were simply perfection. Please go to Mez and eat them. You will love me forever. Seriously. They are that good.
After filling our bellies with yummy goodness, we made our way to the DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center). After being redirected by several parking and traffic control peeps, we found ourselves at the entrance to the VIP parking lot. The lot is right in front of the theater. And it was $8 to park. We both laughed. A pointed out that this same lot would be $20 in St. Louis. And we both joked that there is no lot like this in NYC. God only knows what you would pay. I guess in my experience, you pay for good shoes so you can walk you butt back to Grand Central to take the Metro North. LOL.
Thanks to A's hubby's company, we were able to purchase tickets in advance and got awesome seats. We sat left orchestra, row F. It was 6 rows from the stage. Awesome view!! The set was fantastic although I felt a little sad for those that didn't read the novel. You wouldn't know the meaning of the dragon, the clock or the map of Oz. It wasn't made clear. The show itself had a lot of holes but was seriously entertaining none the less.
I guess I should take the time to point out what some of you already know. I was not a huge fan of the novel. I loved the basic premise and enjoyed the story, but not the actual way it was written. I felt confused at times and was pretty annoyed with it overall. But I love "The Wizard of Oz". I mean really, who doesn't? As a kid, the Witch of the West aka Elphaba scared the crap out of me. But I loved to watch her anyway. I thought her flying monkeys were cool and I always felt bad that her sister died. Having two sisters myself, I could relate to her anger and wanting her sister's shoes to remember her. Wouldn't any of us want the same?
Kudos to a wonderful cast and awesome crew. The sets were amazing. And the music was catchy and fun. My sister had burned me a copy of the soundtrack so I could prepare myself for the event. I still say my favorite song is "Defying Gravity".
I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
That scene between Glinda and Elphaba gave me goosebumps.
Go see the show if you can. It was fantastico!!
After filling our bellies with yummy goodness, we made our way to the DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center). After being redirected by several parking and traffic control peeps, we found ourselves at the entrance to the VIP parking lot. The lot is right in front of the theater. And it was $8 to park. We both laughed. A pointed out that this same lot would be $20 in St. Louis. And we both joked that there is no lot like this in NYC. God only knows what you would pay. I guess in my experience, you pay for good shoes so you can walk you butt back to Grand Central to take the Metro North. LOL.
Thanks to A's hubby's company, we were able to purchase tickets in advance and got awesome seats. We sat left orchestra, row F. It was 6 rows from the stage. Awesome view!! The set was fantastic although I felt a little sad for those that didn't read the novel. You wouldn't know the meaning of the dragon, the clock or the map of Oz. It wasn't made clear. The show itself had a lot of holes but was seriously entertaining none the less.
I guess I should take the time to point out what some of you already know. I was not a huge fan of the novel. I loved the basic premise and enjoyed the story, but not the actual way it was written. I felt confused at times and was pretty annoyed with it overall. But I love "The Wizard of Oz". I mean really, who doesn't? As a kid, the Witch of the West aka Elphaba scared the crap out of me. But I loved to watch her anyway. I thought her flying monkeys were cool and I always felt bad that her sister died. Having two sisters myself, I could relate to her anger and wanting her sister's shoes to remember her. Wouldn't any of us want the same?
Kudos to a wonderful cast and awesome crew. The sets were amazing. And the music was catchy and fun. My sister had burned me a copy of the soundtrack so I could prepare myself for the event. I still say my favorite song is "Defying Gravity".
I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try, I'll never know!
That scene between Glinda and Elphaba gave me goosebumps.
Go see the show if you can. It was fantastico!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
My Funny Valentine
I love my husband. Anyone that knows me knows that I am madly in love with this man and I am not ashamed to admit it. It is hard to verbalize all the reasons why. He certainly is a good father, a wonderful friend and companion, selfless and generous. There has always been something so special about him. I was watching "Undercover Boss" after the Superbowl and was very moved by the words of the wife of Larry O'Donnell, the COO of Waste Management. She basically stated that she always knew her husband was someone special, that he was someone and was going to do great things. And she said it very matter of fact. It was her dogma.
It clicked immediately for me. I knew that this guy, this kid who wasn't that much taller than me but then later grew 6 inches over one summer, the kid that was always around but never said much, the one that seemed to always listen with a sympathetic ear- him. He was someone. He was always such a good friend not only to me, but to everyone. He was genuinely kind. I just knew that he was someone I always wanted to have in my life.
Lest you think I have landed the most perfect specimen of a man, well, ha! Sure, he leaves his dirty socks around. I trip over his size 12 boats, I mean, shoes daily. He sometimes forgets to call to tell me he is going to be late. I have to nag to get him to throw out the trash. He tunes me out. Despite my begging, he refuses to sort the utensils before putting them in the dishwasher. He waits for the garbage truck to enter our cul-de-sac before he puts the can on the curb.
But I will take all those annoying quirks. He sorts the socks. When traveling, I never have to lift a suitcase. He lets me sit in the aisle seat at the hockey games. He always coaches M's teams and never makes me go to a practice. Bunco, dinner with the girls, shopping, movies- he always encourages me to go. He takes me out for sushi even though he doesn't eat it. Sometimes be brings me fast food breakfast because he knows how much I love those darn biscuits. And when I need a hug, he throws his arms around me before I even have to ask. He thinks I am beautiful even though I know I am not. And he does it all because he loves me. How did I get so lucky?
So on this Valentine's Day, I want to tell my favorite person in the world how much I love and cherish him. He makes me a better person and makes me incredibly happy. Marriage is certainly a journey and is not always an easy one. But at the end of the day, who can't love a man that sorts the socks. I hate sorting the socks. And the more I think about it, he does too. But he does it because he loves me.
But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day
It clicked immediately for me. I knew that this guy, this kid who wasn't that much taller than me but then later grew 6 inches over one summer, the kid that was always around but never said much, the one that seemed to always listen with a sympathetic ear- him. He was someone. He was always such a good friend not only to me, but to everyone. He was genuinely kind. I just knew that he was someone I always wanted to have in my life.
Lest you think I have landed the most perfect specimen of a man, well, ha! Sure, he leaves his dirty socks around. I trip over his size 12 boats, I mean, shoes daily. He sometimes forgets to call to tell me he is going to be late. I have to nag to get him to throw out the trash. He tunes me out. Despite my begging, he refuses to sort the utensils before putting them in the dishwasher. He waits for the garbage truck to enter our cul-de-sac before he puts the can on the curb.
But I will take all those annoying quirks. He sorts the socks. When traveling, I never have to lift a suitcase. He lets me sit in the aisle seat at the hockey games. He always coaches M's teams and never makes me go to a practice. Bunco, dinner with the girls, shopping, movies- he always encourages me to go. He takes me out for sushi even though he doesn't eat it. Sometimes be brings me fast food breakfast because he knows how much I love those darn biscuits. And when I need a hug, he throws his arms around me before I even have to ask. He thinks I am beautiful even though I know I am not. And he does it all because he loves me. How did I get so lucky?
So on this Valentine's Day, I want to tell my favorite person in the world how much I love and cherish him. He makes me a better person and makes me incredibly happy. Marriage is certainly a journey and is not always an easy one. But at the end of the day, who can't love a man that sorts the socks. I hate sorting the socks. And the more I think about it, he does too. But he does it because he loves me.
But don't change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's day
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Embracing Fear
That damn Oprah. I enjoy watching her show sometimes. But yesterday was interesting. In a freaky, scary, want to pull the blanket over my head kind of way. She had an open conversation with child molesters. This particular episode was with men (women are coming next week!)and she asked them candid questions about what they have done, how they chose their victims, etc... We are talking scary shit. Really.
The first couple of minutes were brutal. A very creepy old man was describing all the things he did to a five year old girl. He was so matter of fact about it and described everything so clinically, like he was talking about a hernia operation or something. It literally made me sick to my stomach and all I wanted to do was leap through the television and beat tbe crap out of him. He was caught by her mother, who walked into the room as the little girl pulled up her sweat pants and he was moving to a chair. He said it was obvious what was going on and the mother asked the child immediately. Can you imagine? I don't know what I would have done. I mean, I think I know but I hope I never have to find out.
It's funny because one of my favorite people (who happens to be my hair stylist) and I were talking about this the other day. Last week, Oprah talked about that sick feeling in your stomach. You know the one I am talking about. It's that sixth sense we all have, that intuition that something or someone is just not right. Other animals run from their predators, they trust their fear. We typically don't, out of wanting to be polite. We make our kids say hello when they don't want to. We force them to be polite. I know I am guilty of it. "M, the lady said hello to you. Please say hi." "Tell the cashier how old you are." I can't be the only one. Why do we do this?
We need to embrace our fear. Thank God (or whoever/whatever you believe or don't believe in) that we were made to feel this way. It really is a gift. In reading Protecting the Gift by Gavin De Becker, it basically dispelled the stranger danger information that I grew up with. I learned that I have been "doing it wrong". I really recommend that book to everyone. It will at least allow you to be smart about what you teach your children. That person may very well be a family friend, a teacher, a coach, a friend's parent. Look for a Mommy for help. Ever notice a kid lost in a store. Every woman within a 50 foot radius is running towards that kid or at the very least, looking around for a parent.
I will add more to this post when I watch next week's O. She will be interviewing the only woman to live at the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island in Washington State. It made my stomach hurt to see that woman. But really, knowledge is power. Embrace the fear. Even if it does keep you up at night.
The first couple of minutes were brutal. A very creepy old man was describing all the things he did to a five year old girl. He was so matter of fact about it and described everything so clinically, like he was talking about a hernia operation or something. It literally made me sick to my stomach and all I wanted to do was leap through the television and beat tbe crap out of him. He was caught by her mother, who walked into the room as the little girl pulled up her sweat pants and he was moving to a chair. He said it was obvious what was going on and the mother asked the child immediately. Can you imagine? I don't know what I would have done. I mean, I think I know but I hope I never have to find out.
It's funny because one of my favorite people (who happens to be my hair stylist) and I were talking about this the other day. Last week, Oprah talked about that sick feeling in your stomach. You know the one I am talking about. It's that sixth sense we all have, that intuition that something or someone is just not right. Other animals run from their predators, they trust their fear. We typically don't, out of wanting to be polite. We make our kids say hello when they don't want to. We force them to be polite. I know I am guilty of it. "M, the lady said hello to you. Please say hi." "Tell the cashier how old you are." I can't be the only one. Why do we do this?
We need to embrace our fear. Thank God (or whoever/whatever you believe or don't believe in) that we were made to feel this way. It really is a gift. In reading Protecting the Gift by Gavin De Becker, it basically dispelled the stranger danger information that I grew up with. I learned that I have been "doing it wrong". I really recommend that book to everyone. It will at least allow you to be smart about what you teach your children. That person may very well be a family friend, a teacher, a coach, a friend's parent. Look for a Mommy for help. Ever notice a kid lost in a store. Every woman within a 50 foot radius is running towards that kid or at the very least, looking around for a parent.
I will add more to this post when I watch next week's O. She will be interviewing the only woman to live at the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island in Washington State. It made my stomach hurt to see that woman. But really, knowledge is power. Embrace the fear. Even if it does keep you up at night.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wow...it's been awhile
Wow...it's been awhile. I think I need to be more spontaneous and just post my random thoughts rather than edit them. If I did that, I would be posting more frequently. Something to really work on.
We are snowed in today and it has been a semi-productive day. I managed to bake a loaf of bread for dinner and then make homemade meatballs, cook up some sausage with peppers and onions and make spaghetti. It was pretty yummy! I am now drinking a glass of cab and watching my beloved Carolina Hurricanes beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Thank goodness for Cam Ward!
We are snowed in today and it has been a semi-productive day. I managed to bake a loaf of bread for dinner and then make homemade meatballs, cook up some sausage with peppers and onions and make spaghetti. It was pretty yummy! I am now drinking a glass of cab and watching my beloved Carolina Hurricanes beat the Chicago Blackhawks. Thank goodness for Cam Ward!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pursuit of Happiness
I saw the movie "Julie and Julia" a few months ago and totally felt inspired by it. My first inkling was not to cook but rather to write. I have always wanted to be a writer and I think the internet really lends itself to amateurs looking to get their ideas out in the open. Funny, I have felt so intimidated to do this but some of my FB buddies have inspired me to get my words out. I thank you ladies for sharing your reflections and wisdom.
Here is my first attempt.
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have lunch with my husband. We went to Panera Bread (his favorite...not). Since it was crowded, I held down a table and and asked him to order for me. Because it was me, it wasn't simple for the Panera-challenged. Pick two, baked potato soup Asiago roast beef sandwich, no onions, chips instead of bread and I wanted a soft drink. Poor guy looked at me like I was from another planet. He walked off and then quickly turned around to confirm my order. When he returned, I asked if he got it right. "I used to wait tables, remember?" he asked. And then he said something which caught me off guard. "If I could retire tomorrow, I would totally wait tables again. I loved waiting tables." Um, really? I joked about how we would explain to our son that he couldn't go to college because Daddy left a lucrative career to wait tables.
Of course, I have been thinking a lot about what he said. Why would someone who has admitted to liking his job in corporate America want to leave it to wait tables? My husband has a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from an Ivy League University. He works for one of the largest corporations in the world. By all accounts, he is pretty successful. But he would leave it tomorrow to be a server. Huh.
What was it about waiting tables made him so happy? It wasn't like he worked in a high end restaurant. He wasn't making a ton in tips. It was the kind of place where people stuck their gum under the table.
I have never quite figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I have a degree in political science because I love politics and enjoy a good debate. I believe in the good of people and have a genuine concern for the welfare of all. But of course, that and a metro pass could get me a ride on the subway.
But I have always known I wanted to be a mother. I value my role as mother and love my son more than I could say. Sometimes I think I suck at this stay at home Mom gig. I am not a cleaner, I don't enjoy discussing Pokemon on end and I certainly am not one to play video games all day long. Ok, well maybe.
Just today, I was watching an Oprah episode I had recorded last week. One of the guests was Stephanie Nielson, a Mommy blogger. For those of you not familiar with Stephanie, she was in a plane crash with her husband and suffered burns on 80% of her body. Her husband also suffered from burns and is credited with saving her life. She pulled through her injuries and was able to return home to her four precious babies. Another mother joined her for a day in the life exercise and she was able to see that there really is something special about all those mundane activities and details.
It got me thinking about the things I take for granted. I have the ability to roll out of bed and shower, etc.. within 30 minutes or so. My skin does not require any special care. I can open all kinds of containers and packaging without assistance. Well, sometimes anyway. If M is in the mood for a pickle or he wants me to make him a grilled cheese sandwich, it isn't a physical hardship. When he wants me to hold him or snuggle with him, I am able to do so. Stephanie struggles with all of these things and can't hold her children. I can't imagine not being able to squeeze M so tight that he complains about not being able to breathe.
Oprah pointed out that there is really something sacred about it all. I am not sure what that means. I do know that I treasure the time I have with M. It has truly been amazing to see him become the boy he is and of course, catching glimpses of the man he is going to become. He certainly has a good role model in my hubby, even if hubby does want to serve burgers.
I am thinking that happiness is really what you make of it. Joy can be found in the most mundane of details, like washing baseball uniforms or sitting at the kitchen table, chaperoning homework time. It is in the hugs, the laughter, tears, and quiet times. Watching Stephanie struggle through her day made me realize that maybe I really am not so bad at this all. Maybe I am where I belong for now. One day this little boy will grow up and won't need me like he does. I hope that he will look back at this all and know that his Mom loved him enough to give her all. I can't make cute looking cupcakes, I don't sew costumes. I still don't understand Pokemon and I suck at following Lego directions. But I can make a mean grilled cheese sandwich. I love to play board games. When we read books together, I rock at the voices. And yes, I always make sure there are clean underwear and socks in the house. I guess that is my happiness.
Here is my first attempt.
A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have lunch with my husband. We went to Panera Bread (his favorite...not). Since it was crowded, I held down a table and and asked him to order for me. Because it was me, it wasn't simple for the Panera-challenged. Pick two, baked potato soup Asiago roast beef sandwich, no onions, chips instead of bread and I wanted a soft drink. Poor guy looked at me like I was from another planet. He walked off and then quickly turned around to confirm my order. When he returned, I asked if he got it right. "I used to wait tables, remember?" he asked. And then he said something which caught me off guard. "If I could retire tomorrow, I would totally wait tables again. I loved waiting tables." Um, really? I joked about how we would explain to our son that he couldn't go to college because Daddy left a lucrative career to wait tables.
Of course, I have been thinking a lot about what he said. Why would someone who has admitted to liking his job in corporate America want to leave it to wait tables? My husband has a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from an Ivy League University. He works for one of the largest corporations in the world. By all accounts, he is pretty successful. But he would leave it tomorrow to be a server. Huh.
What was it about waiting tables made him so happy? It wasn't like he worked in a high end restaurant. He wasn't making a ton in tips. It was the kind of place where people stuck their gum under the table.
I have never quite figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I have a degree in political science because I love politics and enjoy a good debate. I believe in the good of people and have a genuine concern for the welfare of all. But of course, that and a metro pass could get me a ride on the subway.
But I have always known I wanted to be a mother. I value my role as mother and love my son more than I could say. Sometimes I think I suck at this stay at home Mom gig. I am not a cleaner, I don't enjoy discussing Pokemon on end and I certainly am not one to play video games all day long. Ok, well maybe.
Just today, I was watching an Oprah episode I had recorded last week. One of the guests was Stephanie Nielson, a Mommy blogger. For those of you not familiar with Stephanie, she was in a plane crash with her husband and suffered burns on 80% of her body. Her husband also suffered from burns and is credited with saving her life. She pulled through her injuries and was able to return home to her four precious babies. Another mother joined her for a day in the life exercise and she was able to see that there really is something special about all those mundane activities and details.
It got me thinking about the things I take for granted. I have the ability to roll out of bed and shower, etc.. within 30 minutes or so. My skin does not require any special care. I can open all kinds of containers and packaging without assistance. Well, sometimes anyway. If M is in the mood for a pickle or he wants me to make him a grilled cheese sandwich, it isn't a physical hardship. When he wants me to hold him or snuggle with him, I am able to do so. Stephanie struggles with all of these things and can't hold her children. I can't imagine not being able to squeeze M so tight that he complains about not being able to breathe.
Oprah pointed out that there is really something sacred about it all. I am not sure what that means. I do know that I treasure the time I have with M. It has truly been amazing to see him become the boy he is and of course, catching glimpses of the man he is going to become. He certainly has a good role model in my hubby, even if hubby does want to serve burgers.
I am thinking that happiness is really what you make of it. Joy can be found in the most mundane of details, like washing baseball uniforms or sitting at the kitchen table, chaperoning homework time. It is in the hugs, the laughter, tears, and quiet times. Watching Stephanie struggle through her day made me realize that maybe I really am not so bad at this all. Maybe I am where I belong for now. One day this little boy will grow up and won't need me like he does. I hope that he will look back at this all and know that his Mom loved him enough to give her all. I can't make cute looking cupcakes, I don't sew costumes. I still don't understand Pokemon and I suck at following Lego directions. But I can make a mean grilled cheese sandwich. I love to play board games. When we read books together, I rock at the voices. And yes, I always make sure there are clean underwear and socks in the house. I guess that is my happiness.
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