I'm Still Here!

I realize it has been over a month since I last posted. With end of the school year "stuff" and with me just plain feeling uninspired, I have ignored this blog. I'm not under the illusion that there have been hundreds of "fans" out there, clamouring for my return. I'm just amazed that I have neglected something I have been enjoying so much! Oh well, let's move on!

So, school's out, Summer is in full swing (yippee!), my tomato plant is growing like crazy (I might even get a few tomatoes off it this year, LOL), as are my strawberry & cucumber plants....things are pretty good. I spent most of last week @ my mother's house in CT--a little getaway by myself, to recharge my batteries a bit! I went swimming in the pool, slept in each morning, read the novel "Maine" by J. Courtney Sullivan (pretty good so far, not done yet), and returned home Sunday, quite refreshed. Thanks Mom for the invite! I had a great time, and I really needed the few days without hearing "Mom!" ten thousand times a day! As great a time as I had, though, I was very happy to see my little man when I got home!! He was outside, waiting for me, and as soon as the van stopped, he opened the door and hugged me before I even had a chance to get out! Yes, I loved the fact that I was missed! The cats were waiting for me inside, and couldn't wait to swirl around my ankles when I walked in!

I do plan to get back to my song of the day picks, but today I'm not sure what to choose. For the past few weeks, I have been listening to Lady Gaga's new CD alot, and loving it more with each listen. It is upbeat and fun, which helps lift my mood. I like many types of music, but in the Summer I really lean more toward the more uptempo, for the summer fun aspect, you know?

If anyone reading this has, like me, been watching "The Killing"on AMC, what was up with that ending??? Talk about a cliffhanger!! I heard that AMC has renewed the show for season 2, so my questions, and yours will be answered then. In the meantime, I can console myself with the knowledge that season 4 of "True Blood" premieres this Sunday night!! That show is my Summertime addiction!

So, that is briefly what I have been up to the past month. Now that the lazy, hazy, crazy days of Summer are upon us, I hope to devote a little more time to my ramblings!

Curse you Squirrels!!!!

Phew, that feels better! Yes, the squirrels are at it again, eating all my birdseed. No matter how much I think I am "squirrel-proofing" the feeders, those sneaky little devils still find a way to get at the food! Today, my family and I went out for the afternoon, and when we returned home, I discovered that a bell-shaped cake of birdseed had disappeared. This birdseed cake was encased in some plastic netting, so the birds could peck at it, and it was hanging from a thin wire hanger on a very thick post. I could just picture the squirrels laughing and giving me "the finger" as they ripped open that netting and made off with the birdseed. We don't live in a heavily wooded area, so I am choosing to believe that no bears were involved in the food-napping!

Had a pretty good day, despite the cloudiness. Ran some errands with my husband and son, went out to lunch (some would say that I am "out to lunch" all the time, but that is another story!) and then went to a locally-owned record store because I had heard that the cast of the local production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" would be appearing there at 2:00 to perform a couple of songs to promote the show. I LOVED that movie, but never got to see the stage show, so I was looking forward to this performance. I was not disappointed at all. The band and singers were great, though I don't think Devin knew what to think of it all. For those that are not familiar with "Hedwig", it is about a transgender singer from Berlin, touring the U.S. with her band, The Angry Inch. You can use your imagination as to what the other meaning of the angry inch is. It is described as "an anatomically incorrect glam rock musical", with fantastic music! So, basically, Hedwig is played by a man, wearing a blond flip wig, a dress and tons of make-up, and she is quite lovely. Devin watched them perform the 2 songs, and I was so proud of his reaction. Even though I could tell he didn't totally "get it" at times, he was very respectful during the performance--no giggling, unlike some adults in the store at the time. We got to talk to the guy who played Hedwig afterward, and he complimented Devin on how great he was during the performance, and told me that he hoped he hadn't traumatized Devin! We then talked briefly about how important it is to let kids know about transgendered and gay and lesbian people, so that they aren't shocked by it, and so they can learn tolerance. Tom and I are hoping to go to the show next weekend, but we won't be taking Devin (although he wants to go) because there is some adult content (that does not mean pornographic!) that he doesn't need to be exposed to quite yet.

Okay, since I haven't posted a song of the day pick in a while, I am going to pick an album of the day to make up for some of the days I missed. I have chosen the new album by the fabulous Stevie Nicks: It is called "In Your Dreams" and it is really lovely. I haven't had the CD long, so I can't tell you what my favorite song is yet, but there are several candidates! So nice to have you back, Stevie!

Good night, everyone!

They call it a "brain fart"

Wow, it is Thursday already. Where did the week go? I don't know where it went, but I am sure glad it is almost OVER! I realize I haven't posted anything since Sunday, but it has been an overwhelmingly stressful week and I just forgot about my blog altogether. Though, if I had posted during this week, it wouldn't have been too enjoyable to read. I am happy to report that the "crisis" of which I speak is over, and I can now relax and get back to normal. I promise I will return to "song of the day" and my usual wacky hi-jinks very soon! I know I don't have alot of readers, but I do know that there are one or two of my friends that worry if I don't post, and I adore them for that! It is almost time to meet my son's bus, but I will sit and tap out a real post as soon as I can!

Happy Mother's Day!

So, it is Mother's Day, and I hope that all my Mom friends are having a great one! I hope your families are lavishing you with attention, affection and whatever else your heart may desire! I am having a really nice day thus far. I mentioned that my son wrote a poem for me at school, and this morning, he gave me a bouquet of flowers. Actually, his Dad picked them out, but Devin handed them to me, so they are from him! My hubby gave me a cool piece of artwork that I love, and now I am trying to find the perfect place to hang it. But wait, folks, there's more! We just returned home from meeting my in-laws for a Chinese lunch, and all I have to say is: thank God for stretch denim!!!! Whew! Instead of "All-You-Can-Eat", they ought to say "All-You-SHOULD-Eat"! Of course, that wouldn't really deter us, now, would it? We had a really nice time with everyone, I am lucky to have really wonderful in-laws that welcomed me into the family from the very start, and always let me know how much they love me. I love you, too, Carol and Jerry!! Devin had a great time as well, but for a different reason. In the lobby of this restaurant, there were several "gum machines" with various toys and sugary confections. Dev zeroed in on one that sold these tiny ninja figures for 25 cents each, and proceeded to clean out all the quarters we had, until he had amassed an army of 9 little ninja guys. He was so happy with his little "treasures"! Then, when the fortune cookies came, he proceeded to gleefully collect everyone's fortunes! Cheap ninja toys and paper fortunes: a great haul for a 9-year old boy! I was glad that those little things could make him so happy!

Now, I am getting the gift of a little peace and quiet. Tom is outside, repairing things on his car for the upcoming state inspection, and my little monkey is outside as well, running around with a Nerf rifle and playing in his treehouse. I can see him out the window of my craft room, and I love to watch him playing so happily! Plus, when he is out there, the damn squirrels stay out of my bird feeders for a change!!!! I think that as soon as I finish this, I will grab one of the novels I have been meaning to read and head outside to read in the sun. Sounds nice and relaxing to me! Devin has been asking me if I will make him some Rice Krispies treats, but I think I will tell him that it is illegal for Moms to cook for anyone or make treats on Mother's Day. Do you think he will buy that one? No, I don't, either, but that doesn't mean I won't try it!

Again, have a wonderful day everyone, whether you're a mom, a mom to pets or not a mom at all, enjoy this beautiful day!

It's 4:12 p.m. and I am so ready for a nap! This morning, we took Devin to Newbury Comics because it is Free Comic Book Day. We made sure to get there by 10:00, when they opened, and there was already a crowd. Still, a happy Devin left there with several free comics, a couple of comic book grab bags (they were only $1 apiece) and two new release comics that were 15% off. And, since we spent $10, they gave us a free "Comic Book Day" pint glass. After lunch, we hung out in our backyard and enjoyed the nice weather, but only for a little while. At about 1:40, Devin and I drove over to our local Border's store for another book release party. They were celebrating the latest Rick Riordan book, the second in his Kane Chronicles, and each kid at the party was given a free Lego Pharoah's Quest set. We were there for over an hour and a half, because some of Devin's friends from school were at the party also, and they played with their Legos on the floor in the kid's section well after the party ended. They had a really great time at the party, and alot of kids showed up. Of course, free Legos were involved! While the event was going on, one of the Border's employees handed out coupons for the parents for 40% off one book, good for today only. So, while Devin and his pals played, I treated myself to the new Jodi Picoult novel. I haven't read any of her books, but this one looked pretty good. I'll let you know what I think of it when I get around to reading it. I still haven't started my new Sookie Stackhouse novel yet, and I am thinking the next book on my list will be "The Help", since a movie version of that novel is coming out in August. I kind of want to read the book first, as I am afraid the movie will spoil it for me. If anyone has any suggestions of some good novels, please let me know, as I am always looking for good books to read!

So, I am back at home now, obviously, waiting for Devin to finish his one hour of video game time so I can crash on the couch with my remote! Okay, I will make dinner first, but at 9:00 tonight, my ass will become well acquainted with the sofa cushions, as HBO is airing a Lady Gaga concert. Since I can't see her live, this is the next best thing.

I think I will go now, as I see it is time to kick Devin off the PS3 (yippee!!)!

Early Mother's Day

This afternoon, I received one of my favorite Mother's Day gifts EVER. When Devin got home from school today, the first thing I did was to check his backpack for any "mail" from the school--corrected school papers, notes from the teacher, etc.--as I do every afternoon. As I was shuffling through the stack of papers, I came across a poorly hidden poem that Devin had written for me in his writing class. All the children in his class were given the same title for Mom poems, and Devin forgot to put it away for Sunday. I asked him if I could read it or if he wanted me to save it for Sunday, and he gave his blessing for me to read it now (as if I could wait, anyway!!!). I would now like to share that poem with you, because I love it so much and am so proud of my clever, creative kid!

If My Mom Were In Charge of The World
--------------------------------------------

If my Mom were in charge of the world,
She'd cancel video games,
Bills,
Housework, and also
Justin Bieber.

If my Mom were in charge of the World
There'd be more money,
More school, and
More cats and dogs.

If my Mom were in charge of the world,
You wouldn't have snow,
You wouldn't have cooking,
You wouldn't have bills,
or "I want videogames",
You wouldn't even have PS3.

If my Mom were in charge of the world,
A Gamestop would be illegal,
All Nerf weapons would be banished,
And a person who sometimes forgot to wash the dishes,
And sometimes forgot to clean my room
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the World.

Happy Mother's Day May 2011
Love, Devin

I have to respectfully disagree with a few of the statements made in this poem, (Nerf weapons would be very legal, and there would be cooking, just not always ME cooking! :) but I love the 9-year old point of view, so I will not tell Devin that I disagree with any of them! The fact that he took the time to write this for me (even if his teacher made him do so) and put his heart into it makes it a mother's day gift I will cherish forever. He also included some hand-drawn illustrations with the poem that make it that much better! I love this kid so much!!!!

I'm Loving Spring!!!!

How great it is to see the return of green grass and fresh leaves forming on the trees! It is the end of a long, depressing Winter, and I am more than happy to see it go!! First thing I saw this morning as I looked out the window to my backyard was a very content squirrel, getting fatter by the minute as he cleaned out one of my birdfeeders! One of his fluffy co-horts was stationed on the ground, directly below the feeder, to catch any seeds that his buddy dropped. Meanwhile, the birds flew around, taking in the scene, and I am sure they'd have been flipping off those squirrels if it were at all possible for them to do so!!

My next "critter sighting" of the morning occured when I was loading up my dishwasher. I looked out the kitchen window, only to see one of the neighbors' cats staring in at me. I was so startled that I jumped, then laughed at how stupid it was of me to jump. My lazy cats remained sprawled out on the living room floor in their sunny spots, not at all concerned with defending their turf from invading cats. Ahhh, I love Spring!!!!! I feel my mood lifting a little more each day, and I am finding I have a little more energy the past few days. I don't know how long the energy thing will last, but I will take advantage of it while I can.

As all you music lovers know, Tuesday is new release day. I'm going to go a little "rogue" here and choose not one song of the day, but 16 of them! You may not know this (and why would you, aside from Kath!) but I love me some Beastie Boys! I have ever since I first heard "Fight For Your Right to Party" in the 80's, and their "Paul's Boutique" album remains one of my all-time favorites. Today, they released "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two", and I ran (okay, I drove, let's not get carried away here!) down to Target to purchase my copy (only $7.99 this week, by the way). Haven't listened to all of it yet, but I am still choosing "Hot Sauce Committee Part Two" as my album of the day! I feel like there should have been fanfare or at least a drumroll there, but just pretend I added some! This album was delayed a few years, as Adam Yauch (aka MCA) was diagnosed with and successfully fought cancer when they first started recording. I don't consider myself a rap fan overall, but I love these guys, the way they mix rock and rap....just hear it for yourself if you can!

The other new release that I am excited about is the new Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris, called "Dead Reckoning" For those that don't know, the Sookie Stackhouse series is the basis for one of my favorite TV shows. "True Blood" on HBO. Once a year, Charlaine Harris releases a new Sookie book, and I can't even tell you how much I look forward to it! I'm almost afraid to start reading the book when I get it, because that means I will be done with the book that much sooner and will have to wait another year for the next. I know it doesn't sound like it, but I really DO have a life! These books are just my once a year guilty pleasure, as is the series!

So, I think I should conclude here and go refill my birdfeeders. Before I do, I would just like to say: rot in Hell, Osama Bin Ladin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do we have the greatest military in the world, or what??? I'm so incredibly proud and grateful for the sacrifices these men and women make for us every single day. If you know any servicepeople or have any family members in the military, I want you to know that I think they (and you) rock!!