• Do I Really Want My Readers To Know This?,  I'm Apparently Old.,  My Kid Has Mad Skillz,  Reflections on Parenting,  Something That Could Change Your Life

    When Simple File Folders Can Cause A Parent To Freak Out A Little

    April 30, 2009

    Before the boys came along*, Jim and I had big plans for how our family was going to “be”. We would have a couple of kids, thoroughly enjoy the heck out of them until the day they turned eighteen, and then they were out. OUT. When they were little, they would ask for things that we were not going to give them. Just to name a few? *a television in their room*a cat*another dog*a Christmas tree We used to tell them, “When you grow up and get your own place, you can have *insert denied item here*. “When’s that?” “When you’re eighteen. Then you’re outta here!” “Okay.” On their birthdays…

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  • Best Thing Ever,  Something That Could Change Your Life

    London Bridge is Slowing Down

    April 29, 2009

    Yet another reason for me to want to go to London… Did you know that there is an event going on right now in London until May 4 called “Slow Down London”? It sounds heavenly to me. Here’s a summary of what it is from the official website: “Slow Down London is a new project to inspire Londoners to improve their lives by slowing down to do things well. Slow Down London will hold a campaign and festival (24 April – 4 May 09), offering ideas and opportunities to help us challenge the cult of speed and appreciate the world around us.” The “Cult of Speed”? Wow! I love that!…

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  • Jew Stuff,  My Kid Has Mad Skillz,  Proud Moments

    Flying High

    April 27, 2009

    It’s done. I have to be totally honest: there were a few moments during which Jim and I doubted we’d be able to say that. But here we are. I’m talking about the Older Boy’s Boy Scout Eagle Project. It has been a little less than a year in the making; it’s been a year of pushing, pulling, nagging, complaining–some by us, some by him. It’s been a year of learning when to stop pushing and let him take the reins. It’s been the year of gentle reminders. It’s been the year of juggling and prioritizing. It’s been a year of a wee bit o’ negativity, but mostly positivity. It’s…

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  • My Sister Has Mad Skillz

    Help My Seestor Help Another Seestor

    April 24, 2009

    Please, please, please. Do me a favor. My sister is trying to help raise money for two sisters (and great friends!) of one of her BFFs (her college roommate Emily). They both have MS. I could type up a big post about it but frankly, my sister’s post explains it beautifully and I would just really appreciate it if you would go to her blog and check it out. Long story short: **Go to my sister’s blog. **Read about Nancy and Amy. **Donate to “SeestorAmy”‘s MS Walk Team by clicking on the handy dandy link (or this one). **Donate $10: my own Seestor will send you one of her scrumptiously…

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  • Reflections on Parenting

    When It’s Like You’re Raising A Different Version of Yourself

    April 23, 2009

    As a parent, it’s always interesting when you discover that your kids have inherited certain personality traits. It’s interesting and FUN when the traits are “good”: the younger boy is outgoing like I am. He’s very social, and he’s very loyal to his friends. The older boy is very responsible and carries himself very well; I think he gets that from both Jim and me! It’s interesting and sometimes slightly disturbing when the traits are things that you yourself have struggled with for a lifetime. The older boy is like me in many other ways too; it’s not necessary (Julesie: “That’s not necessary!!!!”) (sorry, had to throw a private joke…

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  • Family Fun,  My Sister Has Mad Skillz

    Go Big or Go Home

    April 22, 2009

    I don’t do anything small. It’s a personality trait, I guess. My sister’s got it bad, too. Our mom started it, I guess. And, I would imagine, our grandmother was just as “bad”. Individually we are pretty creative, but add one or two more of us and the combination is lethal. Give us a simple task and our brains start to spin with ideas on how to make it better, stronger, faster, more impressive, and shortly after that, we RUN with it. Remember our “Amazing Race” premiere party? That’s just one example. I have been called “Martha” more than once (way more) in my life. I don’t know how to…

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  • Family Fun,  Jim Has Mad Skillz,  Travels

    Boy Scouts Should Really Be a Dad-Son Thing. Unless Mom Wants In.

    April 17, 2009

    Note: This post is part of Fatherhood Friday at Dad Blogs, where all the cool kids are hanging out. (Moms are welcome over there!) Welcome to my visitors from DB; thanks for stopping in! I always looked at Boy Scouts as something Dads should do with their sons. Still do, really. I think it’s important for sons to spend time with their father, quality time in which there is learning, male bonding, role-modeling, and other various benefits that come from the mom not being around. The fact is, because of our mostly traditional family situation (Jim has always worked full time and I have always–except for a two-year period during…

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  • Contest

    Finally…Contest Results! Woo hoo!

    April 16, 2009

    I have finally, with the help of the younger boy, done the drawing for my big NYC Contest. As it turns out, we ended up having two honorable mention prizes, courtesy of the younger boy. Watch before reading on*! Isn’t my son hilarious? He’s one of the funniest people I know and believe it or not, he did each of those videos in one take, totally off the cuff. I thought they turned out excellently. He just may have a future someday in pitching amazing products. I want to thank each and every one of you for reading my blog and your high level of participation with this; I even…

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  • Family Fun,  Travels

    Want To Go To NYC With Suburban Scrawl?

    April 16, 2009

    Here’s a handy-dandy listing of all of the New York City posts I did from April 2-April 12! Enjoy! Getting There Is Half The Fun, Sort of. But Not Really. Being There Is Really Most of The Fun. Though She’s a Bit Stiff, She’s NYC’s Greatest Hostess When NYC = New York Candy Where They’ll Know You’re a Visitor if You Say It Like The City in Texas Just a Little Sex in the City If You Can Eat It There, You May Not Be Able To Eat It Anywhere… The Donald Was Only There In Spirit (and on books, ties, ice cream…) Music Man(ny’s) Imagine…Being in a QUIET Little…

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  • Contest,  Tough Questions,  Travels

    You Had Questions, I’ve Got Answers (part TWO!)

    April 14, 2009

    Yes, yes, I’m still filling out little strips of paper for my drawing tomorrow (twelve days of posts and comments??? what was I thinking???); here’s part two of the answers to your NYC post questions! From “The Donald Was Only There In Spirit (and on books, ties, ice cream…)”: Weaselmomma said, “So to recap, You bought luxurious little carefully wrapped soaps. Complete with gift packaging. From a high end department store that should have been a restaurant, with fantastic ‘make you feel like a celeb’ service and we get a squished penny if and only if we cat fight through 10 days of comments and win a mini lottery. Just…

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