Day 30 of Thankfulness aka Ode to Rach

L-R: Rach, Marj, Creeper (1998)

I am thankful for one vintage friendship in particular and the forever friend who comes with it. Waaaay back in 2nd grade, when I was the new girl at our elementary school, Rachele was the first person to approach me on the playground and invite me to join her and some other girls on the bars (as opposed to where you could find us circa age 21, IN the bars).

Since it was clearly magic that brought us together all those (almost 24) years ago, I shall put it in terms that loyal fans (us) of the magical Harry Potter, will truly appreciate.

If ever we were forced into the Dark Arts (in desperate times beyond our control, of course), there wouldn't be enough Horcruxes in this world to contain our friendship. Alas, I've started making a list of items we can use (J.I.C.):

A Mariners cap, a Rockies cap (Benny's Dodgers cap and Charlie Sheen's Giants cap would be too obvi), both halves of an old school BFF necklace, Senor Delgado's sombrero, one of our yearbooks (one that Rach is actually in), a Firestone chicken strip, a boy band CD (preferably *NSYNC), the key to Edward's Volvo (or Brando's Mustang or Dylan's Porsche (sorry, Steve)), Grandpa Cleo's fave cowboy hat, the napkin JK started writing HP&TPS on, a VHS tape with "My Son is Innocent", "Mother, May I Sleep With Danger?", and an episode of MMC recorded on it, black and gold pom poms, one of Grandma Jo's crocheted originals, Cher's Jeep, the Lifetime logo, a piece of Nat's famous peach pie, Victor's mustache, my two-line phone, one of Joey Mac's or JRT's former curls, The Plastics' "slambook", my 8th-grade-who-needs-to-wear-a-dress-to-every-dance-palazzo-pants (vest and choker optional), Mason Betha's $ chain, the hatchback to a petite, rust Civic, a cassette single of LLCJ's "Loungin' (Who Do You Love)?" featuring Total, the curling iron used to sculpt "the bangs" in the late 80s/early 90s, the bell from the Albatross, the headset Brit Brit lip syncs into, one of Mama Del's buttery rolls, Dobby's freedom sock, a whole lotta hubcaps, the letterman jacket Freddie Prinz Jr. prob wore in every horrid movie of his that we've paid good money to see, my preeeccccciiiiiooooouuuusssssss, the ciggy Ryan Gosling was puffing on when we DIDN'T talk to him, a CMSF concert ticket (any of the hundreds of artists we've seen together will do), a tube of Jabot lipstick, the blanket that played Devon Sawa's baby brother in NOTT, one mother of a magnet (aka Ohio Tech) . . .

This list is literally neverending (much like Atreyu's story) and the fact that we're adding to it every day is a heartwarming comfort to me.

What I guess I'm getting at is that our bond can never be broken. Not only because no one in their right mind would take the time to decode all of the above but because as long as we have each other (and I'm pretty sure we have no choice in the matter at this point), we can never be destroyed (*insert evil, maniacal laughter here* or simply the RMF version: ha ha ha ha ha hee hee hee hee ha ha). I love you FOR-EVVVV-ERRRR and beyond. XO

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 24-29

Day 24: I am beyond thankful for my son. He has changed our lives for the better and everything is most definitely brighter and shinier since he's been around. Toddler Bonus: Who wouldn't want a personal toilet paper unroller? I don't even have to ask . . . it's unrolled when I get there.

Day 25: I am also beyond thankful for my husband. He has surpassed every expectation I ever had for what an amazing boyfriend turned best friend and hard working husband, father, and all-around great man should be. And, you gotta love those sideburns *swoon*!

Day 26: I am thankful for my family. Not only the [aforementioned] fab lil' family unit that my husband and I have created, but our extended families as well. I always say, where there is a whole lot of dysfunction, there is also a whole lot of love *wink, wink*. In all seriousness, we are blessed in the fam department.

Day 27: I am thankful for open hearts and open minds. This world would be an ugly place without them!

Day 28: I am thankful for my parents. I owe them everything and can never thank them enough for my beautiful life!

Day 29: I am thankful for YOU! If you are reading this blost, you are supporting me and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. THANK YOU!

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 18-23

Day 18: I am thankful for my current gig aka being home with Cade. I always hoped that when we had kids, I would be able to stay home with them and I am so grateful we're making it work. I could not ask for a more fulfilling job, a more challenging "boss", or more amazing payment (kisses all day).

Day 19: I am thankful for my former career in radio (a medium that is alive and kicking, thank you very much!). I am honored to have worked for and alongside some fabulous women in the radio world and with some pretty amazing men as well.

Day 20: I am thankful for friends, old and new. My relationships mean the world to me and even if I don't say it enough, I appreciate my longtime bonds and the friends that I have made in recent years sooooo much.

Day 21: I am thankful for the holiday season. The rest of the year is alright too, but nothing beats the magic (see also: food and drink) of this time of year!

Day 22: I am thankful for my childhood. I grew up in a loving family in San Luis Obispo, CA (aka the happiest place in the U.S. of A.), surrounded by extended family and friends and a supportive community. I feel so fortunate to be able to "come home" again and again to such a great place filled with people I hold so dear.

Day 23: I am thankful for wine and champagne. Relaxing with a bottle of vino or toasting with a bottle of bubbly makes any event (even the end of a crazy weekday) feel like a celebration. Cheers!

What are you thankful for today?

Mama Memo Monday #3

Full disclosure: I intended to blost this edition of Mama Memo Monday a couple of weeks ago. However, between Halloween craziness (a day chock full o' ridiculous celeb buzz) and soothing a sad and sick toddler who is getting like ALL of his teeth in at once, it got put off. But let's face it, I'm a Mom so flexible is my other, other name. And speaking of flexible . . .

Long live stretchy pants!

I cannot sing the praises of loungy clothes enough. I have been a fan of stretchy pants (or the like) since I was a child. I have always been one of those people who comes home from school, work, errands, etc. and immediately changes out of my outside world (translation: presentable) clothes into comfy (translation: can double as pajamas) clothes. I believe it was my Nana who instilled the love of comfort in me and my fam because every Christmas, without fail, there'd be a pair of cozy sweats waiting for each of us under the tree.

Pondering parenthood? Well do yourself a favor and stock up on stretchy pants now. Any kind of exercise pants will do, even if that's the last thing you use them for. After my C-section I could not put "real" (aka non-elastic waist band) pants on for a good couple of months. My yoga pants saved the day then and continue to many months later.

Whether you are the one giving birth or not, you will be up with the baby all night and taking care of it all day for the first couple of months. And, unless you're one of those people who likes to be put together and dressed up ALL the time (man, I respect that effort), there are numerous reasons to sport the stretch. Here are a few:

1. You will be spit up on (and later thrown up on).
2. You will be peed and/or pooped on (sometimes simultaneously).
3. Food will be thrown at/dumped on you.
4. You will often need to dress in a hurry.
5. In the beginning, you will want to nap every chance you get and if you've got your stretchies on you are ready for nap time, any time.

Do you really want to be wearing your favorite "dry clean only" slacks when any of the above happens? I think not. It's imperative that you can wash and wear. Trust me.

And don't think it's just the ladies who like to get comfy . . . the menfolk are fans of stretchy pants as well:

Silly Sunday Snapshots

Since he discovered our DVD cabinet, one of C's favorite things to do is empty it. My husband and I have quite an eclectic collection of movies (Fight Club can be found in the vicinity of Babes in Toyland). On this particular day, for reasons that I can only assume (and hope) are color and not content related, he kept coming back to one DVD -- Reservoir Dogs. Call it a Poor Mothering Moment on my part but I think it's hilarious that out of ALL of the movies we own (the majority of which are family friendly, with warm and inviting covers), he is drawn to one of the most "unsavory". I think it's because the flap on the front cover is bright orange and opens like a book (which I believe is what Cade thinks it is). Don't fret, I only let him look at it long enough to snap a couple of pics so I don't believe I did any long-term damage to my child (*knock on wood*).

"Hmmmm . . . they're both about doggies but what am I in the mood for?
Disney or Tarantino?"

"This is a pretty short book."

"Let's play peek-a-boo, Mama!"

Reservoir Dogs has been relocated to a baby-free zone and I suppose it's time to separate all the grown-up movies from the kid ones.

Did you baby/kid-proof your movie collection? As long as the little ones aren't watching the movies do you need to separate the cases?

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 10-17

Day 10: I am thankful for our dog, Duncan. Although he has a few years on him (and the gray hairs to show for them) he is truly a sweetheart and has been so patient and loving to Cade since he was born (the under-the-highchair scraps probably help).

Day 11: I am thankful for the 19 years I had with my Nana. As much as I miss her and wish she could have known Cade, I see her sweet nature in him and feel her spirit every day.

Day 12: I am thankful that my son is getting to know his great-grandparents. I cherish the time I spent with my Great-Grandma Jo and look forward to my son having those memories as well!

Day 13: I am thankful for my older younger brother, Josh. His sarcasm knows no bounds and for that, and a million other reasons, I love and respect him so much!

Day 14: I am thankful for cold/crisp/sunny days. For native Californians (like me), these days are the closest we get to a holiday season.

Day 15: I am thankful for music. Music is another key to my sanity and has always been a passion of mine. I don't sing (well) or play instruments (aside from my short stint at attempting the flute back in the elementary school band) but I LOVE music.

Day 16: I am thankful for the crock pot. I am, what some might call, "domestically challenged" and the crock pot was my "gateway" appliance to becoming a somewhat decent cook (yes, it counts!). I have a long way to go but my husband (the former solitary chef in our household) is thankful for that ol' crock pot too.

Day 17: I am thankful for our home sweet home. David and I have lived many places together but it was an amazing milestone when we bought our house. Now, seeing Cade run through HIS backyard is pure magic. We've already made so many great memories here and I can't wait to see what's next! Be it ever so humble (we prefer cozy), there's no place like home.

Why are YOU thankful today? Please share in the comment section below.

Dear Joe Paterno,

I understand that you are a college football legend and a huge part of Penn State's history but, first and foremost, you are a human being. And now you are a human being involved in, what I believe to be, the most heinous of scandals (in my opinion, crimes against children are the worst of the worst). I just read that you are retiring at the end of this football season, rather than effective immediately, and I cannot understand why?

I also read the statement that you made earlier today and I find it unacceptable. I don't care how LITTLE you know about a child abuse situation, it is reprehensible when you choose to turn a blind eye to it. You don't need "graphic detail" to know when something, involving someone you have worked closely with for many years, is not right. And if you have the SLIGHTEST inkling or any reason at ALL to suspect that a child is in danger (or someone TELLS you they might be), and you do not take serious action (beyond what you are "required" to do), you are a party to the abuse. Abuse that went on and on. Abuse that, no doubt, ruined many lives.

I believe that there is a special place in Hell (or the like) for those who commit crimes against children. I also believe that there should be consequences for those who stay silent and allow such crimes to go unreported. At the very least, you should leave your coaching post of your own volition. Like, now.

If you are not going to "punish" yourself publicly and resign, I can only hope that you are experiencing some sort of internal struggle for not doing something all those years ago. Which would you rather have had on your conscience -- some lost football games or the lost (nay, stolen) innocence of children?

-Marja, an extremely disappointed fellow human being

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 8 & 9

Day 8: I am thankful for my youngest/baby brother, Trevor. He was the best surprise a 13-year-old aspiring babysitter could ever hope for and I can't imagine my life without his sweet smile and wonderful, booming laugh.

Day 9: I am thankful for chocolate. Whether it's "raw" or in the form of a baked good, to me, chocolate is a basic necessity and a key to my sanity.

So . . . what are you thankful for today?

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 7

I am thankful for great hair days. When the mane has been properly tamed, everything else falls into place.

Your turn. What are you thankful for today?

30 Days of Thankfulness: Days 1-6

'Tis the season to be share why we're grateful! More and more of my friends are posting what they're thankful for every day this month on Facebook. I am inspired to do the same but have some catching up to do.

Day 1: I am thankful for technology (cue Kip Dynamite's love song), or should I say my sister's technology. When she brings her Macbook over, we iChat with my brother, Josh (who lives in Florida and hasn't seen Cade in person since he was 1 month old). It's nice that two of my special guys can see and get to know each other, even when they're not in the same time zone.

Day 2: I am thankful that my sister, Caitlin, lives nearby. And no, it's not only because we like to use her computer (although that is a nice bonus) or because she is the ideal built in babysitter. She is my best friend and an amazing Auntie to Cade.

Day 3: I am thankful for my health and the good health of my family and friends.

Day 4: I am thankful for good food. I love anticipating a great meal and the feeling of a warm, full belly once the meal is finished.

Day 5: I am thankful for my education. I feel so fortunate to look back on my schooling -- all the way from Montessori through college -- and how it has enriched my life.

Day 6: I am thankful for cold and rainy days. They are the coziest days and are especially fabulous when you can stay indoors and enjoy the sound of the rain from the comfort of your couch and/or bed.

Please join me. What are you thankful for today?