Not Dead Yet

True is so very many ways.
It's been almost 2 years since I've blogged, and almost 3 years since ive been here with any regularity and so very much has happened. Some awesome, some mundane, and some bittersweet.
But mostly New Beginnings which is pretty awesome.
I'll be back, but first I need to get a proper keyboard. My Mac died and typing on an iPad is less than ideal.
Stay tuned.

I want my 14 year old to read this. And some grown-up friends of mine.

10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know Before She Turns 10

by Lindsey Mead Russell (from the Huffington Post)

Grace is rounding the curve to ten.  I am not sure how this is possible. I feel ever more aware of her girlhood and looming adolescence, and of all the things I want her to know, as if I could somehow instill values and beliefs into her, like pressing a penny into soft clay.  I know I can't; the best I can do is to keep saying them, keep writing them, keep living them.

Ten things I want my 10-year-old daughter to know:

1. It is not your job to keep the people you love happy.  Not me, not Daddy, not your brother, not your friends.  I promise, it's not.  The hard truth is that you can't, anyway.

2. Your physical fearlessness is a strength. Please continue using your body in the world: run, jump, climb, throw.  I love watching you streaking down the soccer field, or swinging proudly along a row of monkey bars, or climbing into the high branches of a tree.  There is both health and a sense of mastery in physical activity and challenges.

3. You should never be afraid to share your passions. You are sometimes embarrassed that you still like to play with dolls, for example, and you worry that your friends will make fun of you.  Anyone who teases you for what you love to do is not a true friend.  This is hard to realize, but essential.

4. It is okay to disagree with me, and others. You are old enough to have a point of view, and I want to hear it.  So do those who love you.  Don't pick fights for the sake of it, of course, but when you really feel I'm wrong, please say so.  You have heard me say that you are right, and you've heard me apologize for my behavior or point of view when I realize they were wrong.  Your perspective is both valid and valuable.  Don't shy away from expressing it.

5. You are so very beautiful. Your face now holds the baby you were and the young woman you are rapidly becoming.  My eyes and cleft chin and your father's coloring combine into someone unique, someone purely you.  I can see the clouds of society's beauty myth hovering, manifest in your own growing self-consciousness.  I beg of you not to lose sight with your own beauty, so much of which comes from the fact that your spirit runs so close to the surface.

6. Reading is essential.  It is the central leisure-time joy of my life, as you know.  I am immensely proud and pleased to see that you seem to share it.  That identification you feel with characters, that sense of slipping into another world, of getting lost there in the best possible way?  Those never go away.  Welcome.

7. You are not me. We are very alike, but you are your own person, entirely, completely, fully.  I know this, I promise, even when I lose sight of it.  I know that separation from me is one of the fundamental tasks of your adolescence, which I can see glinting over the horizon.  I dread it like ice in my stomach, that space, that distance, that essential cleaving, but I want you to know I know how vital it is.  I'm going to be here, no matter what, Grace.  The red string that ties us together will stretch.  I know it will.  And once the transition is accomplished there will be a new, even better closeness.  I know that too.

8. It is almost never about you. What I mean is that when people act in a way that hurts or makes you feel insecure, it is almost certainly about something happening inside of them, and not about you.  I struggle with this one mightily, and I have tried very, very hard never once to tell you you are being "too sensitive" or to "get over it" when you feel hurt.  Believe me, I know how feelings can slice your heart, even if your head knows otherwise.  But maybe, just maybe, it will help to remember that almost always other people are struggling with their own demons, even if they bump into you by accident.

9. There is no single person who can be your everything. Be very careful about bestowing this power on any one person.  I suspect you are trying to fill a gnawing loneliness, and if you are you inherited it from me.  That feeling, Woolf's "emptiness about the heart of life," is just part of the deal.  Trying to fill that ache with other people (or with anything else, like food, alcohol, numbing behaviors of a zillion sorts you don't even know of yet) is a lost cause, and nobody will be up to the task.  You will feel let down, and, worse, that loneliness will be there no matter what.  I'm learning to embrace it, to accept it as part of who I am.  I hope to help you do the same.

10. I am trying my best.  I know I'm not good enough and not the mother you deserve.  I am impatient and fallible and I raise my voice.  I am sorry.  I love you and your brother more than I love anyone else in the entire world and I always wish I could be better for you.  I'll admit I don't always love your behavior, and I'm quick to tell you that.  But every single day, I love you with every fiber of my being.  No matter what.

This post originally appeared on A Design So Vast.

Treading water... or maybe burying my head in the sand

Nothing's changed legally, and I know I should have made some progress by now; but maybe I'm dragging my feet because I'm too old to have a temper tantrum and scream FUCK out loud for a few hours. Because that's what I'd like to do.
I'm ANGRY that he thought it was easier to walk away, to start up with someone new, no MATTER HOW BAD IT WAS; rather than go to the counseling that I BEGGED him to go to with me.

Foolishly thought I was all done with the crying. Oh was I so, so wrong.
The triggers: first a session with Mickey and the counselor; then a conversation with George about the furnace/ AC/ hot water heater replacement where he reminded me that it's my house now and he's not living there. And then said we might as well do the whole thing and do it right while simultaneously reminding me that it will run down our savings and he has to pay for a place to live now. Oh, he agreed to pay for the whole thing with no argument, it was the reminder that he's getting his own place that set me off.
(That was yesterday...)

And today....

Fuckkkk fuckkk, fuckkk. FUCKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!

A bunch of things happened tonight which have me pissed, bawling, feeling raw and angry; but what kills me is that despite the fact that I have said NOTHING to the kids (or his family) about G having a girlfriend, the kids know. He apparently told them on Saturday, but E knew already because a friend of hers at camp mentioned that she and her parents were on the boat (MY BOAT!) with G and "L".

That makes me even more angry. I feel like screaming from the fucking rooftop that he is a cheating bastard and started this before he left me.

He says I "abandoned" him, I say I left him alone partly because he wanted that and partly out of self-preservation. I mean, how close and intimate would *you feel towards someone who belittles you, bullies you, and casts you aside?

*I was unhappy too, but I loved him.

And I believed in our vows - "til death do us part", "for better or for worse"

Yeah, I'm feeling raw right now.

A Little Bit Stronger Every Day.

I'm still here, folks. Sort of bumbling along.

Need to spring into action soon.

Right now the kids are at camp, they're having a blast, and I'm living a quiet life.

In a WTF way, it's amazing how many acquaintances and friend are going through something equally as shitty.

In each case, it's the husband who has left, not the wife. And without warning or counseling.

wtf? what is it with them? Mid-life crisis'? Unrest? Something in the air? A narcissistic feeling of entitlement? What ever happened to "let's work this out?"

PS. Here are the lyrics:

"A Little Bit Stronger"

Woke up late today, and I still feel the sting of the pain.
But I brushed my teeth anyway, got dressed through the mess and put a smile on my face.
I got a little bit stronger.

Riding in the car to work, and I'm trying to ignore the hurt.
So I turned on the radio, Stupid song made me think of you,
I listened to it for minute, but then I changed it.
I'm getting a little bit stronger, just a little bit stronger.

And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around.
And ohhh
I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same,
but I'm telling myself I'll be okay.
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.

Doesn't happen over night, but you turn around and a months gone by,
And you realize you haven't cried.
I'm not giving you a hour or a second or another minute longer.
I'm busy getting stronger.

And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around.
And ohhh
I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same,
but I'm telling myself I'll be okay.
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.
I get a little bit stronger.

Getting along without you baby,
I'm better off without you baby,
How does it feel with out me baby?
I'm getting stronger without you baby.

And I'm done hoping that we can work it out,
I'm done with how it feels, spinning my wheels
Letting you drag my heart around.
And ohhh
I'm done thinking, that you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same,
but I'm telling myself I'll be okay,
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger.
I get a little bit stronger.

I'm just a little bit stronger.
A little bit, a little bit, a little bit stronger.
I get a little bit stronger.

Love is in the air

No, it's not like that.

You gotta love an ob-gyn who listens to your stressors, hugs you, and goes out to her car to lend you her hot pink boxing gloves because it's good exercise and she knows you really want to punch someone.

I ♥ my doctor.

Fuck. Just Fuck.

I need to get this out there and I don't know how to start, so I'll just lay it out.

I've only shared this with my pastor and to a group of internet friends that I've known for about 15 years - (the semi-anonymity helps, I think)

But without going into all of the details, G and I haven't been on the same page for quite some time. How did it start? disagreement over parenting decisions? a messy house? me only working part-time? different goals? different expectations? different ideas about what's okay in a fight? who knows?

But the bottom line is that we have grown farther and farther apart and our relationship is getting uglier and uglier.

I have my faults and blame in this as well, but from my perspective, he is so miserable and resentful that he has turned into an emotional and verbal bully to me and to M. Not so much E. He is critical and nasty about absolutely everything I do and has completely disengaged from our family life. Some of you have seen glimpses of this over the years. You've also seen my part in this - I'm thinking particularly of dynamics on the boat. I'm not perfect and never have been.

He has refused to go to counseling with me, despite me asking for several years. For my part, I have procrastinated in going myself because I was afraid of going to someone that he wouldn't be comfortable with. That was not a good decision.

I finally went to the LCSW therapist that we went to last spring when I caught M high. He's very insightful and got a chance to see some of our family dynamics.

G has said off and on after every fight for years, that he's "had enough", he's "done", he "works too hard to be this miserable", "works to hard to put up with this mediocrity" and has threatened divorce. He's been more vocal about this recently.

I do NOT want this. I have always been of the mindset that we can work through this if we would only be able to talk about it with a third party who could help us navigate through this.

He finally agreed to talk to B (for those of you who don't know him, he's a Y friend and colleague who is also a chaplain and a counselor).

Please pray for us and I only hope that we haven't gone so far astray that there's still hope for us.

I haven't shared this with many people I'm not sure how to proceed. It may take me a little time to get this out, so please don't share with anyone else. I have always kept most of this private because I didn't want to betray our marital privacy, but I think it's gone too far now and I need some perspective and support.

I can't do this alone and I believe that those of you who stood up with us at our wedding are a part of our support and I need you.
******
Update:

We met with B last night.

Well, the first 3 hours last night were emotional and Bruce said he thought there was hope. He suggested individual and couples counseling and said it would be hard, and a lot of work. He mostly listened and tried to get George to open up.
G has so much pent up anger and resentment.

Then something happened, and during the last hour, G did a 180 and said, no, I can't do this and unleashed a torrent of verbal vomit and emotion and pent up rage at me.

B had to admit that we are toxic and maybe we shouldn't be together. G has absolutely no love for me, and said that several times. B recognized that I still love G but that I need to be in a situation where I can rebuild self-esteem and where we are away from each other - for our health and for the kids.

He suggested a separation. And separate counseling. And maybe divorce.

He's going to go back to Massachusetts next weekend to talk to his parents. I don't know what he's going to say. B has urged him not to trash me, but he has so much anger and resentment that I just don't know. I love G's parents and don't want to lose that relationship.

For those of you who are friends with us both, I don't want to lose you either.

G has agreed to move to the boat this summer.

I am devastated. And panicked. And heartsick.

I keep thinking this is so unfair. All around. Please keep us in your prayers. I really miss the man I fell in love with and married.

I don't think this is going to be public knowledge in Y circles yet, so please keep this to yourself.

For some of you, this is no surprise... either because you have watched us interact over the years, or because G apparently unloaded to some of you, when I was struggling with this in private.

I had to get it out there and it is difficult to talk about.

I love each of you for the part you've played in our lives.

I'm alive

But barely.

Truthfully it's been a sucky year and I find it hard to funny, snarky, observant, or anything else when things are in the toilet.

That, and Bloglines changed it's whole format and screwed up my nice way to keep up with my favorite blogs and comment and be funny and connected, etc. So, I've just about given up the bandwagon.

I have almost given up on Twitter, which means either that I'm not tweeting enough to get noticed, not entertaining or not even mildly witty.

I have, however, been spending a timesuck obscene amount of time on Facebook. Mostly because I like to play Scrabble and Bejeweled Blitz. And because imaginary friends are easier to deal with than the real emotions and time suck of IRL people and friends. Sad, I know.

Miss you all.

Random Rants

It's that time of year again - Random Rants and Raves.

Except I don't think I have any Raves right now.

• If you're going to sell Plus-Size clothes, for God's sake, would you please use plus-size models? Do you have *any idea how stupid a thin model looks like wearing a tent and trying to make it look cute? At least some curves would give the tent some shape.
  
• I have come to realize that I really (really) do. not. like. the season between Halloween and Easter. You can have it all - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's, etc. I'm perfectly happy with Arbor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Really.
• New York's "new" ballots suck. A lot. They're time consuming, wasteful and just stupid.
• Teenagers. You can have'em
• Husbands. You can have him, too.
• Blogging. I suck at it.
• Fat. Mine, not yours.
• Clutter.I'm not a Hoarder. Yet.
  
• Leaves. You know what I'm talking about.
• Growing old. I know I had more, but I forgot already.
  

my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...

READ THIS!

If you're a parent - READ THIS! If you are a young adult - READ THIS! If you are an aunt, uncle, friend of a young adult - READ THIS!


my blog: Letter to my daughter ( in the wake of senseless t...: "Hello my girl, I wanted to say hi and tell you how much I miss you and that I hope your classes are going well and that you are having fun ..."

Too lazy? unmotivatated? untalented? to post!

I really am alive. I'm just too lazy to post more than 140 characters. Here's proof:

It's also proof that I am neither witty or interesting. Hope you're having a great summer!

kwr221

That's you!

---

Your lists:

1. Lawmakers want to outlaw eye-rolling, Yeah, good luck with that. "Top Stories" ( http://bit.ly/9ylpR5 ) 8 minutes ago via twitthat
2. Hives. Or poison ivy. (again!) wth? either way - steroids and ant-itch pills. that don't go well with wine. Bleh. 19 minutes ago via web
3. 
   
4. Hey Coach - Really? A 7:25 AM high school football practice on Labor Day? Why? about 8 hours ago via web
5. feeling overwhelmed. Mon Aug 16 16:36:17 2010 via web
6. Tom Petty and CSN at Darien Lake = awesome concerts! #ROC Sun Aug 15 15:46:33 2010 via web
7. Ready for Tom Petty and CSN! Sat Aug 14 18:47:22 2010 via Twitter for iPhone
8. Why, o why can't I find Born Peony ballet flats anywhere now that I've fallen in love with them? Fri Aug 13 15:32:32 2010 via web
9. In a sea of tacky, embarrassing reality shows, I kind of really like the normalcy of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Who knew? Fri Aug 13 08:51:35 2010 via web
11. @LEprLibby It's already past my bedtime, lol #landsend Thu Aug 12 22:01:19 2010 via web in reply to LEprLibby
    • Delete
12. FADKOG My kid smells like sweat, Old Spice deodorant and roses. I seriously don't think I want to know what he was doing at the neighbor's house. Thu Aug 12 21:55:09 2010 via web Retweeted by you
13. blogdangerously Facebook has suggested the same strangers to me so often that now I feel like I might know them. Thu Aug 12 21:32:43 2010 via TweetDeck Retweeted by you and 2 others
14. 
    
15. okay, Twitter? Could you please slow down a little? K thx. Thu Aug 12 18:57:54 2010 via web
16. @SpanxINC How come BodABing doesn't come in real sizes? An XL = 10-12 equiv is not real. How about sizes to help the ppl that need it? Thu Aug 12 18:45:14 2010 via web in reply to SpanxINC
17. Just had the Best. BLT. evah. With tomatoes from my neighbor! Yum! Wed Aug 11 18:27:31 2010 via web
18. .@Jen_Fletch a blog of your own would be AWESOME, no doubt! Wed Aug 11 11:23:19 2010 via web
19. great night to get a cupcake! @smbscupcakes Got my t-shirt too! #ROC Tue Aug 10 18:20:32 2010 via web
20. At Mamasan's - had a craving for spicy noodles. #roc Tue Aug 10 16:18:00 2010 via txt
21. @Fritolay Why can't I get All Dressed chips in US? Only in Canada. Tue Aug 10 11:44:38 2010 via web in reply to Fritolay
22. CourtlyCheck Drove today from Cayuga Lake to Seneca. IMHO, summer wine country of southern Finger Lakes rivals even Napa & Sonoma Valleys. Sun Jul 25 19:19:52 2010 via UberTwitter Retweeted by you
23. .@3BrosWine ... also loved the Stoney Lonesome Chardonany and the Bone Spirit red. Tue Aug 10 11:30:11 2010 via web
24. @3BrosWine Wish I were in town! Went last weekend on Sun. after dropping off the kids at camp and LOVED it! Had a War Horse IPA last night! Tue Aug 10 11:29:26 2010 via web in reply to 3BrosWine
25. .@BodenUSA I am In Love. http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Clearance/Womens-Shoes/Heels/AR434-RED/Womens-Hibiscus-Bow-Peep-Toes.html Tue Aug 10 11:19:54 2010 via web
26. wish twitter had a "like" button Tue Aug 10 08:40:23 2010 via web
27. 
    
28. This would've been great! Wish I knew about it before my trip! Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park http://shar.es/0m4fc Mon Aug 9 15:36:12 2010 via ShareThis.com
29. Catching up on last week's Mad Men ... "You're never going to get me to do anything Swedish people do. " ROFLMAO Sun Aug 8 22:32:32 2010 via web
30. theglamlife Best. Sign. Ever. From Ny BlogHer. nearby bar? http://twitpic.com/2cvuc1 COMEDY (has some potty mouth words in pick. careful) #HomeHer10 Sun Aug 8 14:38:41 2010 via TweetDeck Retweeted by you and 2 others
31. War horse black and tan #FTW Sun Aug 8 16:53:45 2010 via txt
32. I'm at three brothers winery! Perfect! Sun Aug 8 16:47:52 2010 via txt
33. Why am I getting sucked in to Pretty Little Liars? Sun Aug 8 09:41:31 2010 via web
34. Did so much this weekend - Regatta, Reunion, NYC, cousins, friends, ... only thing I didn't do was crash #BlogHer10 Sun Aug 8 08:20:09 2010 via web
35. Chinatown! Little Italy! Drinks! Nightlife! Great night in NYC! Sat Aug 7 01:11:58 2010 via web
36. @stuffedcannolis got the last cannolis of the night! Yum! Sat Aug 7 00:48:53 2010 via web in reply to stuffedcannolis
37. NYC - here we come! 2 suburban moms on the loose with no kids or spouses! Fri Aug 6 17:53:32 2010 via web
38. 
    
39. ikea. I love you. 12:10 PM Aug 6th via txt

not swallowing sucks

wow.

you know that feeling when you have a sore throat and you try to swallow and you can't?

And you end up gaping like a fish?

And you think your throat doesn't work.

And you sort of panic because you reallyreallyreally want to swallow?

Yeah, it sucks. Especially in the middle of the night.

Also.... when I googled on the web, I found out that
1. it's called dysphagia and
2. it can be a symptom of anxiety and stress.

Ya think?

Geesh, what a month April was.

Mother's Day

Guess what would be THE. MOST. PERFECT! Mother's Day present EVAH!?

A night

(ALONE)

in a hotel with room service, a stack of books and a good movie channel.

(I got the idea from someone else, but it's too good not to share)

:::hint, hint:::

(Extend it to a weekend and it would make a great 50th birthday present, too)

;-D

Hope you have a fabulous day!

don't get excited - this is not a real post

It's just a random dump of things floating around my brain this morning.

• I LOVE the the mornings before work when everyone has left the house
• I hate forgetting what I want to write about
• I know uploading photos is 't hard, but it's time-consuming
• I'm not a professional blogger, I'm not branded, I don't do ads or make any money. But I love the blogging community and the new friends it brings.
• I might love Twitter more.
  
• I also love the contests and give-aways. I've been blessed to win a few. Nothing big, but small things that make me smile. And introduce me to new small businesses and cool stuff.
• The DVR is a wonderful thing.
• Teenagers will be the death of me. Not all of them. Just mine.
• The reason? Exposure to pot and alcohol, bad grades, disrespectful attitude, and school troubles.
• Yeah, it's been like that.
• Yes, working out is a great idea, but damn, I'm sore. And it seriously cramps my couch-potato style
• The YMCA has great exercise schedules for business execs who can work out at 5 AM and then go to work, or for moms and retirees who can work out at 10 AM, but NOTHING for a mom who has to wait until the kids are on the school bus at 7 AM and still get to work by 9.
• My obsession with gourmet, cream-filled cupcakes and has led to new friends and wonderful taste experiences. but has been hell on my waistline.
• This cupcake place is heaven on earth in Rochester and everyone is so friendly there you feel like you've walked in to Cheers.
• My daughter is seriously fun to hang out with.
• I would seriously like my cats' lives. Except I don't like fish and the pooping in a litter box thing isn't so great. And they don't get to eat cupcakes.
• I met Miss Thystle in February! And I haven't posted pics yet.
• Both of my children are in danger of appearing on Hoarders sometime in the future.
  
• I need about 3 more hours in every day.
• MOre sometime soon - Happy St. Patrick's Day! Be safe and have fun!
• Yes, St. Patrick's Day is the Last. Unspoiled. Holiday. Remember this post from last year? On Holidays that are Ruined by Hallmark
  
• Unless, of course, you've gotten caught up in the whole let's-set-a-leprechaun-trap. Then? I'm sorry.
  

I. Can't. Wait.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Miss Thystle over February break and Lorrie this summer! Who else?!

Ummm...

Hello?

This posting every other month thing isn't working out so well.

I'm sorry.

But follow me on Twitter if you want to see what's going on. I'm here.

Since I've been here last, I've:

• had the in-laws visit :-)
• got a black-eye :-(
• gone to some fun holiday parties :-)
• had some trials and tribulations with the RTAS (Rude Teen Age Son) :-(
• Bought myself an itouch :-)
• cleaned out the basement after a leaky pipe :-(
• found some great old photos :-)
  
• Bought myself a Wii Fit :-)
• Gone to Florida after Christmas :-)
• Battled the stomach bug - every. one. of. us. starting in Florida :-(
• written some very entertaining blog posts In. My. Mind. :-X
• been planning a trip to Phoenix in February with the fam. Grand Canyoj here we come! :-) Thystle watch out! I'll be in your neighborhood.

This would be easier if loading pics were easier.


HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!!!

a nonsequitor

Okay, so I know I have 2 months worth of stuff to rant ramble and rave about...
but I'm stopping in to get this off my chest.

You know those check out lines in the take-out section of the grocery store (Wegman's)? The ones where you can avoid the long lines and just pay for your sandwich or salad bar?

Well, I was there yesterday and in utter amazement at the woman (who cut in front of me, otherwise I honestly wouldn't have paid attention) with a little cart (the cute ones you use when you only have a dozen things to pick up, except I like them and use them all. the. time. and then need a second cart when they're all bagged. But this rant isn't about my transgressions, is it?)

Anyway.
This woman had one of those little carts at the takeout register and it was so full that she had to tuck her mega size package of paper towels under her chin.

No kidding. She had a week's worth of groceries (or just a really bountiful Thannksgiving meal) piled into that sucker. At lunchtime, When other people just really wanted to pay for their sandwich or salad and get out of the pre-holiday shopping frenzy.

I'll be back someday.

Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving.

Eat until you have to unbutton your pants (or skip the pants all together), laugh until you (almost) pee on yourself, and savor everything.

GoOd MoRnInG!

Or should I say,

Good Morning, CHICKENS!

This is what I saw when I dropped my son off at school this morning at Friggin' Early O' Clock.

That is all.

Enjoy the day!

It's not much, but

Check it out, that's our boat in the background. No, not the sailboat. the other one.




I should be getting ready for a youth group meeting, so since procrastination is my middle name, and I'm avoiding the sick people in my house, here are just a few pics from the last month.

We bought a little jet boat. It's used and 13 years old, but it's a lot of fun for waterskiiing.
(Umm, not ME - the kids)

We went to the Loggins and Messina concert at Bethel Woods.
(That's WOODSTOCK, in case you didn't know. Look it up if you're younger than 40)
Had a little tailgate party.

Sat in the Wavy Gravy Hog Farm bus
Saw things that no one should see.

We picked up our kids from camp in the Adirondacks. Yes, the deer are *that tame up there.

We had a great time reuniting with cousins.
Yeah, can you see that Emma is not in the photo above? She was in the bathroom. Family Picture FAIL.

We went to Toronto for Labor day and the lake (Great Lake Ontario) was as smooth as glass. For reals.
We went to a Yankees game (they won).
We went the Canadian National Exhibition (the Ex) and had fried fair food,
rode some "Oh, hell NO" rides,
Yeah, you're right...not me, the kids rode them.


saw some magic, watched this amazing guy balance big rocks on top of small ones,
rented rollerblades. (Yes, ME - don't you dare laugh)
First day of middle school
The passenger window won't go back up so I fixed it with contact paper and duct tape. Classy all the way.

Whoa, I should do this more often. But I gotta say, the uploading picture thing is a PITA.