Update!

I've updated the blog entry of the Times Square 24 Season 7 trailer event. (See below, or click here.) I'm not sure why the embedded version isn't working.

Happy Hallowe'en!

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• Charlie Brown’s Great Pumpkin

• blazing wood crackling

• hot, gooey brownies

• a big orange sun setting

• candles making pumpkins glow

Ghosts of Halloweens Past

I will post some photos from this year's Halloween tomorrow...until then enjoy some from the "Ghosts of Halloweens Past."

1998

1999

2001

2001

2001

2002

2003

(Shhh...don't tell him that we used the same costume two years in a row...)

2004

2004

2005

2006

Frost(ed) Leaves

* * *

Gathering Leaves

Spades take up leaves
No better than spoons,
And bags full of leaves
Are light as balloons.
I make a great noise
of rustling all day
Like rabbit and deer
Running away.
But the mountains I raise
Elude my embrace,
Flowing over my arms
And into my face.
I may load and unload
Again and again
Till I fill the whole shed,
And what have I then?
Next to nothing for weight,
And since they grew duller
From contact with earth,
Next to nothing for color.
Next to nothing for use.
But a crop is a crop,
And who's to say where
The harvest shall stop?

~Robert Frost

Moseying Monday Musings

Happy Monday to you!

"New week, new fun!" is what I wrote in my children's assignment books this morning.

I hope it will be a week full of fun!

Well, our early weekend rain gave way to cooler weather yesterday for Edward's last soccer game. *Sniff* We really, really enjoyed his soccer season, despite how busy it made our lives. It's hard to believe it's all done now. Still, he's looking forward to signing up again for the spring season.

We had our first frost of the season last night. Stuart went out to the car this morning and realized that it wasn't condensation on the windows but ice. *brrrr* Seemed a bit surprising after last week's humid weather. But then I guess it is Autumn.

I changed the sidebar video to Bond's "Explosive" in honor of the 24 Season 7 trailer we went to see in New York City last week. I thought it was fitting, given the nature of the show.

Speaking of the show...the cast and crew are filming in Washington, D.C., the first time they've filmed outside of L.A. apparently. They're only doing a few shots near the Capitol. Hmm... Only 2 1/2 months until it premieres! *BIG grin*

We've been watching Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother. We're looking forward to watching Season 2 of The Closer, too. Prison Break is off this week since the World Series was scheduled to show on FOX -- but the Red Sox won the Series in 4 games so PB could have played. *sigh* Oh, well. Who knew? Next week will have to do...

Let's see...

Emily had a friend over on Saturday for a "birthday party." She opted for just one friend to come and watch the Princess Diaries movies with her. They had a "sleepover" in the afternoon, lounging on sleeping bags with a big bowl of popcorn and my mini DVD player in front of them. We didn't hear a thing from them all afternoon. Digital shutterbug that I usually am, I forgot to get a photo of them during their viewing.

We finally got a pumpkin last night....*sigh* (I also purchased two plastic ones with lightbulbs inside. They're reusuable and so cute!) Edward is excited about roasting the seeds. We'll be carving it soon, I guess, since Halloween is nearly here.

Ugh.

I don't like this holiday for some reason. I guess I should dress up as the "Grinch." I always struggle to help the kids figure out what they should "be." Emily wants to be a bat this year. That won't be too hard to do...a black sweatsuit, some chiffon gauze, pointy ears.... But Edward wants to be the Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi. I'm not into the prepackaged costumes, but I'm ready to go on a search...

The kids in our PreK/K Sunday School class wanted to know if 6'7" Mr. Foote is going to be "Tinker Bell." *grin*

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• taking that risk

• making applesauce

• finding a good deal

• a new record player for old albums

• the dark expanse of a countryside night

* * *

I've always been the cautious one in my family.

"Better safe than sorry" seemed to be my motto.

My parents didn't really worry about me getting into trouble because I never took any risks. Then again, they did worry about me not doing anything at all because of the same-said safemindedness.

I guess it comes from being the third in three girls.

My sisters were in no way "naughtier" than any other kids, but they got themselves into their fair share of trouble for which they caught "trouble" from our parents. I observed that and decided it wasn't worth it. I usually got caught right away anyway...

My mom recounts a tale about my next-oldest sister and me during our childhood.

It was Spring, when the mornings are cold but the days warm up by afternoon. She put us on the morning schoolbus with our jackets zipped up, hoods tied on. The weather was still quite chilly.

When we got off the bus in the sunny afternoon, my sister (who was probably 10 or 11) climbed down, coat off and swinging in her hand. I got off...my jacket zipped up, hood tied on.

"Safe Susie," I was always called.

While one sister climbed trees; I kissed the ground.

Never one to take risks...until I grew up...

Somehow I learned in recent years, that sometimes you have to take a risk -- a chance on something -- or you might just miss out on something exciting and fun.

I did that when I married my Englishman...and then when we chose to have kids...and then when I temporarily changed my career path from journalist to Mommy...and then when we decided to homeschool our little people...

It changed my life, for sure. But it enhanced it as well.

Life is all about learning... And learning brings adventures untold to us.

Pretty exciting, huh?

Season Finale

Well, we made it.

To the final game.

Tied 1-1 against the only "undefeated" team in the league. (One of the coaches asked the kids last Thursday night what another name for an undefeated team was. When they said they didn't know, he told them it was a team that hadn't played the Blasters yet.)

We learned a lot -- like dress warmly for soccer practices later in the season; always bring a water bottle, but don't use it to water the grass; bring sunglasses and sunscreen to the games when the sun in shining; kick the ball in the proper direction and pass it to other players even if they don't like us; and ask Mommy to tone down her big mouth *grin* during games -- and we had fun along the way.

I can't believe how quickly the season passed.

The Blasters' record? Won: 4 -- Lost: 2 -- Tied: 1

Not bad. Not bad at all.

Edward began the season with some fear and trepidation. He cried for the first five minutes at the first practice. But Stuart trotted onto the field with him and helped him learn the idea, and within 10 minutes he was on his own.

And there was no looking back. He seemed to love every minute of it -- even when he didn't seem to "be" there.

For those who know Edward, you know this was a huge step for Edward, our "shy guy."

A year ago he wouldn't have even considered playing a sport, let alone a team sport. Even after we signed up last Spring, he asked if he had to play on a team.

We explained that: Soccer - Team = Golf

Anyway, the season over, the trophies given, the pizza eaten, the photos taken, we look forward to Spring and another great season of fun and excitement.

Way to go, Blasters!

Way to go, Edward!

Good Game!

Live...in Times Square...

The "extended" version of the 24 Season 7 Trailer:

The quality isn't super at all -- my little camera couldn't compete with HDTV, I guess -- but you can hear it, and you can feel the excitement of the crowd.

If the video player doesn't work, click here to view it in Google Video.

In Time for Fun!

...in Times Square before the trailer

Live! From New York....

....it's the "24 Season 7 Trailer" in Times Square!

Guest starring: Chloe...er, um...Mary Lynn Rajskub.

---------------------

Okay, backing way up to the beginning...

The following takes place between 6 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. on a cold and misty Autumn day in New York.

Our journey began...at 6 a.m. It tooks us 3 1/2 hours (instead of the usual 2 1/2) to get to Hoboken, N.J., and our car was nearly rear-ended three times on our way there.

The traffic getting to Hoboken was awful. But we made it.

Finally!

We boarded the PATH train and travelled the 15 minutes under the Hudson River to Manhattan -- 23rd St. to be exact -- to meet up with our friend Lana and her girls at a nearby Starbuck's. (I'd wanted to go to Starbuck's on our last visit to NYC, but we got there too late...so this was a fun treat...not that we can't go to Starbuck's here...)

After our visit, we headed to Macy's where we participated in the "we came, we saw, we couldn't afford a thing" ditty. I had wanted to invest in some new, more-up-to-date-styled blouses, but when I looked at the pricetags on the ones I really liked, I decided that $88 to $91 a shirt is NOT worth it...another one I liked was retailing for a mere $180...hmmm...can anyone say Target?

Then it was off to lunch. Since we'd eaten breakfast relatively early...5:30 a.m....and had a mid-morning snack only...we hit a pizzeria for some authentic New York pizza earlier than the lunch rush. We all agreed it was VERY good!

Finally, it was time to head to Times Square to figure out which TV screen was playing the trailer (there were at least 20). Of course, the throng of 24 fans gathered in front of right one gave it away. We were given a 24 radio to listen to the soundtrack of the preview and then the countdown began.

It was awesome! The atmosphere alone made the trip all the more worth it. There was an excitement and awe in the air that couldn't have been matched watching it on my slow computer at home. I'd heard that Kiefer was in town...and wondered if he might make an appearance...okay, okay...

The closest I came to kissing Jack Bauer yesterday

But then...Mary Lynn showed up. We pinched ourselves, wondering if it really was her. And there as no doubt when she turned around... It was definitely Chloe!

The trailer was "phenomenal" -- to borrow a "Kieferism." We held our breath through it and felt speechless afterwards. Without giving any spoilers...I'll just say: "WHAT??? Wowzers!" Another pulse-pumping season awaits us!

We waited around to see if we could get a photo with Mary Lynn. She was so friendly and down-to-earth. And when she greeted me, I felt like I'd known her all my life. (While we waited Don Kaplan from the New York Post interviewed Emily and me for a webzine. Even though our interview didn't make the video, you can still see us as a family hanging out behind Mary Lynn and the reporter, and watch the end to see Stuart and Edward walking away.) The photo taken, an autograph given, and four hats received, we headed to the subway to travel back to Hoboken.

(The kids had just watched the video version of A Cricket in Times Square and so wanted to ride the subway from that station. Turns out the journey to the PATH train was all of 8 blocks = 1 stop = $2 each. Still, they were thrilled.)

Weary, hungry, and slightly cranky, we drove back to our home so that Edward could go to his last soccer practice.

*Sigh*

What a day!

* * *

And when his soccer practice finished, I got to go to meet another Kiefer fan (read: friend) who was in town to watch "Skate America."

How cool is that?

I'm still buzzing...

Season 7 Times Square Teaser

"Bug" Bite

Okay, so I'm sitting here listening to the 24 - Seasons 4 & 5 soundtrack, and I feel a nip.

A nip...a pinch...a bite...to go...on a roadtrip.

Those who know me well may think of me as more of a "homebody." And I guess I always was before... As a child, I never wanted to go to summer camp (the beds stank and the food was awful so who could blame me?) or to anybody's house for a sleepover (I preferred my own bed, I guess).

But back to my "bug" bite...

This Thursday, the 24 - Season 7 trailer is showing on the iconic News Astrovision by Panasonic in Times Square. I'm a huge fan of that show. We live about 2 1/2 hours from the Big Apple.

Hmmm...

I'm thinking: Wouldn't it be fun to participate in an exciting event like that? What if this is the last season of my beloved show? (This is NOT a spoiler, and I know Kiefer is contracted for another season and a movie yet, but still...) And wouldn't it be cool to be there in person to see it on a huge screen, to read about it showing in NYC and say, "I was there!"?

The idea wheels begin turning in my brain, and before I know it, I'm itching to go.

Hmmm...

Now to get it to "bite" my hubby.

Stay tuned...

Monday Be"muse"ments

Happy Monday to you!

It's been a week since my birthday, and I am typing this with my new spectacles on my face.

Wow! I never knew how much better I'd see with glasses -- though they'll take some getting used to. I can still see without them, but I liken it to the HDTV display I saw in a store recently. HDTV versus analogue...what a difference.

I think the craziness of recent weeks is finally coming to an end. We finish soccer this week and have only two appointments. Phew! My head is still spinning from all the busyness.

Edward's soccer team won their game yesterday against the "best" team in the Wyomissing U8 league. They came alive in the last quarter. It was certainly something to behold! Their record now stands at 4-2. Not bad, not bad at all. He was psyched, though a bit tired from the Benedryl we'd given him earlier in the day.

My kids gave me Season 2 of The Closer for my birthday. And while we're looking forward to watching it, we've been too tired at night to make it through an episode. I used some birthday money to buy Season 2 of How I Met Your Mother so we've been enjoying that instead. (Somehow it's easier to stay awake with comedy.) We're looking forward to another new episode of Prison Break tonight.

My favorite-most show in the world is showing its annual season preview this coming Thursday. You can catch it online or on the big screen in Times Square. Less than 3 months until the new season begins!!

*Warning: Soapbox Monologue to Follow*

As a former card-carrying member of the news media and someone who has studied and observed it, I find it increasingly frustrating that reporters/writers cannot refrain from speculation. When a magazine has to use "unnamed sources" or "family friends" to give proof of something, we should all be a bit skeptical...

Okay, okay. I tried to resist, but my curiosity got the best of me... I broke down and read the People magazine article about Kiefer's "alcoholism." *sigh* My hubby warned me...

My question after reading it is this: If a person is pulled over for four DUIs in 18 years, why is it assumed that he is "struggling with alcohol?" Why isn't it more likely that he's struggling with poor judgment? That he needs to learn a bit of common sense? (You don't see rehabs for that sort of thing, do you?)

I'm not saying Kiefer doesn't have a problem with alcohol. I'm just saying that we don't know, and it isn't fair to automatically link DUI convictions with alcoholism and a "bad childhood" and "competition with his father's career" and on and on and on. Maybe all of that is true, but give the guy a break. People never prints anything nice about him. They don't even include him in the "Sexy Man" issue.

And in this same-said issue -- on the pages immediately following the Kiefer article -- they printed an article about how "fab" Julia Roberts is at 40...right after the article about "poor ol' Kiefer." Talk about kicking a guy when he's down.

I'm guessing Kiefer's having some regrets about his honesty and openness in a few recent articles, as well as the I Trust You to Kill Me rockumentary.

A-hem...stepping down now...

Moving right along...

And in other news, one of our county commissioners said this "gem" at a news conference about farmland preservation: "Without farmland, we couldn't farm." And future events such as these will happen in the future.... Thank you, Ed Wood!

* * *

5 THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT

• a gospel choir singing its heart out

• tiny sugar pumpkins, Indian corn, and gourds

• donating books to the library

• a CLOSED sign flipped to OPEN

• words of encouragement

* * *

I don't have any real comments or stories to add to the above list. Each one made me smile because each one is definitely something to be happy about.

But in a day and age when there's so much negativity going around, words of encouragement are especially welcome.

Practice acts of random kindness. In fact, why not practice kindness in general?

That may well be an answer to "world peace."

Friday Funnies

Some Friday funnies in honor of Edward's intense love of all things "football."

Enjoy some silliness!

Latest Addition...

Ugh! Here is the newest addition...to my face...for all of blogdom to see... (Pardon the lighting. The flash didn't go off, and it was the best of the self-timed bunch.)

Still...I can see much better now. (Who knew I couldn't see well before now?) But how many months until I can get contacts??

10,000 and Counting...

10,000 visitors!

Wow! I can't believe it!

I know. I know...for some blogs that would be "all in a day's work." But I've been doing this since May 2006 so that's a feat for me. And I know, I know...probably 5,893 are me checking the blog before and after I post something...but still... *smile*

10,000 visitors!

Here's to them and many more!

Thanks for visiting!

Reprinted with permission of the author Zoe Bishop.

************************************

My name is Zoe Bishop, and I am a journalist with a major bee in her bonnet.

Yesterday, while cruising the web, I came across an article that really torqued my tushie, and I'm hoping that you can help me set it right:

In this article, the writer did not research his facts and the sources he cited were taken completely out of context. It is a common practice, but this irritated me more than usual because the writer -- and I use the term loosely here -- disguised his article as a car review, when really, it was no more than tabloid trash.

My take is that if you're going to be a gossip columnist, then be one -- don't disguise yourself as a journalist.

I wrote a response and sent it to the website that printed the original article, as well as to Ford Canada, but it occurred to me to reach out to fans of Kiefer Sutherland -- the celebrity that this writer trashed -- and ask them to post my response (found below) as a bulletin with a request to forward, and as a blog on their Myspace page.

In this way, if someone does a search for this hack journalist's work, and more specifically this article, your Myspace blog will pop up and he'll be exposed for the fraud of a writer he is.

I appreciate your time and beg your forgiveness in being so forward in my request.

Thank you for your consideration.
Zoe Bishop

**********

Seeing Red Over Yellow Journalism
By Zoe Bishop

As a journalist, I fully understand the inestimable power of the written word; I know that nothing approaches faster than a five o'clock deadline; and I understand that a well-written article can keep our children out of the free lunch line -- but I also understand that my need to pay the mortgage does not negate my obligation to write with integrity.

That is not to say that journalists are super-human or that we do not make mistakes. We are as human as those we entertain and educate, and because we are human, we are inherently imperfect. We make mistakes, just like everyone else, and there is no shame in that.

But when we quote our sources out of context, or we twist our source material into bendy little shapes to reflect our personal opinions, we cross the line between journalism and gossip mongering. Perhaps I'm an idealist, and you can strip me of my rose-tinted glasses if you like, but the practice of spinning facts to sell an article is still yellow journalism.

Such was the case with an article spewed across the Internet via automobile.com, by one Trevor Hofman, editor-in-chief of CanadianAutoPress.com. The article in question was titled "DUI Bad-Boy Kiefer Sutherland Probably Not The Best Spokesperson For Ford."

Forgetting, if we can, that Mr. Hofman cannot seem to craft a concise, concrete headline for love or money; his article asserts that Mr. Sutherland, who recently pled no contest to a DUI charge, makes for a questionable choice of voice-over talent for Ford Motor Company.

He argues that Sutherland's recent brush with the law could result in decreased profits for the automobile manufacturer, and surmises that the company is "no doubt doing some serious soul searching," as to whether or not to release Mr. Sutherland from their employ.

He cites a quote from Gina Gehlert, the Public Affairs Manager for Ford of Canada: "Public safety is a top priority at Ford of Canada and we are glad it appears that Kiefer Sutherland will seek treatment."

How this translates to Mr. Hofman's claims that Ford of Canada is embarking on a collective spiritual journey is beyond me, for it sounds more like a show of support for the actor's apparent remorse and willingness to make a positive change.

But to hear Mr. Hofman phrase it, we are expected to believe that Ford of Canada's High Muckity-Mucks are all but experiencing performance anxiety over the stress of potential lost revenue. His reasoning? Ford's broadest customer base, which he asserts are women of child-bearing years, might think twice before buying another product sold by a "DUI felon."

With all due respect -- an amount dwindling at an alarming rate -- Sutherland is not a felon. A felon is defined as someone who has been convicted of a felony. Mr. Sutherland has been charged with a misdemeanor. Mr. Hofman might want to invest in a dictionary. They are a lot less expensive than a libel lawsuit.

But beyond Mr. Hofman's unfortunate choice of words, what really torques my tushie is the following statement, "And now that Sutherland's criminal behavior has proven to be repetitive, his chances of offending again are high."

He cites an article by Dr. Thomas Brown, titled Groundbreaking Research on DUI offenders, quoting it completely out of context. The point of this article is that those who do not seek remedial counseling are more likely to be repeat offenders.

And while this is hardly "groundbreaking" news; and while Sutherland is, in fact, a repeat offender; it has nothing to do with a lack of remedial counseling. According to court documents, he did seek and complete his counseling for his previous conviction.

In Dr. Brown's study, "information was gathered about health, psychosocial adjustment, family background, memory and mental functioning. Moreover, blood, urine and salivary samples were collected to test for signs of alcohol and drug use, as well as distinct measures of biologically and genetically determined brain activity."

Now, unless Mr. Hofman has been swabbing Kiefer Sutherland's toothbrush for salivary samples, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that he has no scientific data, no expert opinions, nothing on which to base his claims against the celebrity.

And to what end, these claims? Does Mr. Hofman's poorly researched piece of tabloid drivel even make a valid point? Am I, as a consumer, so pathologically stupid that I would base my decision of a major purchase not on the quality of the product, but rather, on the personal choices made by the voice that sells it?

If so, then I must also believe that should Mr. Sutherland park too close to the curb, it will wear the tread off my tires; if he spills coffee on his console, my stereo will stop working, and if he drives barefoot, my foot might slip off the brake.

His article has done nothing to sway me from purchasing a Ford product in the future, nor has it convinced me that others might. It has, however, ensured that I will never utilize the services of the web site that Mr. Hofman represents.

Never the less, if he is truly concerned about Ford Canada's profit margin, he would do better to hope they do not pull the plug on Sutherland, for if they do, fifteen million hormone-happy, gravelly-voice-loving women of child-bearing years will start shopping Chevy.

Why? Because women are, by and large, willing to cut some slack to those who show true remorse for their actions. They realize celebrities are not super-human, and that they make mistakes; that though they entertain and educate us, they are only human; and because they are human, they are inherently imperfect. They make mistakes, just like everyone else, and there is no shame in that.

Yes, driving under the influence is insanely dangerous. I am well versed in both the cold statistics as well as the personal loss of DUI. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, drunk drivers will kill almost 17,000 people this year alone.

That is seventeen thousand good night kisses that will not be shared; seventeen thousand birthday cakes that will not be baked; seventeen thousand dreams that will never come to fruition. It is a very serious issue, and therefore one that should be taken very seriously.

But from what I understand, Mr. Sutherland has taken his actions very seriously, and has not shirked from the consequences. Rather than try to wheedle, whine, and dine the public in a pitiful attempt to extricate himself from trouble, he has willingly agreed to serve more time in jail if it means that others will not have to pay for his mistake.

Had Sutherland seen the charade through, he would likely have cut his time served in half, but he chose instead to accept the plea bargain, and not because he needs the job -- the man has more money than God, he's hardly sweating the mortgage. It seems more likely that this is a man who recognizes his problems, is seeking help to overcome them, and is taking sole responsibility for the consequences.

The irony here is that while Mr. Hofman sits in his cushy little chair, spinning facts into yellow yarns, Mr. Sutherland will do the right thing and cool his heels in county lock up, leading this reader to conclude that Sutherland makes a far better spokesperson for the automobile industry than Hofman and his gossip-mongering ilk will ever make for journalism.

Happiness and Horticulture

One of the things I like best about birthdays or Christmas or Mother's Day or any gift giving occasion whereupon I'm the recipient is the number of homemade goodies my kids make for me.

They put their entire beings into creating the treasures they present to me. It's a fantastic feeling to be loved so much.

Another thing is the presents they purchase -- with their own hard-earned cash -- from the dollar store.

This birthday was no exception.

Stuart dutifully took them to the store where they each purchased a few gifts for me.

Then they came home and spent the rest of the afternoon making homemade wrapping paper and little giftcards for each gift (they needed more tape about halfway through the session...)

They presented them to me with great pomp and ceremony, each gift getting a small explanation. The anticipation of my reaction to each was priceless. At one point, Edward giggled and did a little excited dance.

My favorite ones this year -- and I am loathe to choose a "best-est" from amongst my goodies -- were the fake flowers.

Many years ago, when Emily was about 3, I received a "virtual violet" (it said as much on the product tag) from her for Mother's Day. It still looks as "fresh" as the day she gave it to me...pardon the dust.

A few days ago, I received two more beauties to adorn my bookshelf with colorful glory. Both kids were so pleased by their choices that I nearly cried watching them.

The best part came when Edward clapped eagerly and explained what his was. "It's a fake flower, Mommy! You don't ever need to water it. And it won't even die!"

Two fake flowers: $2.12; a roll of tape and homemade wrapping paper/gift tags: $1.58; watching the joy on your children's faces as you open their gifts: PRICELESS.

Tuesday Tidings

Happy Tuesday to you...just past the ides of October!

My musings come to you today instead of Monday, due to the fact that my daughter and I had our birthday yesterday, and we headed up to the Big Apple to see some friends and do a bit of shopping. *grin*

And, wow, are we ever tired now!

Still in all, it was a great day, and it was wonderful to see Lana and her adorable girls! (We missed you, Jesse!)

We may have been a bit ambitious to go shopping at Macy's afterwards...

But one cute outfit, several yummy snacks/drinks, a "quick" trip to the 9th floor to see the Christmas display, and two adorable teddy bears later, we left that store and headed up Sixth Ave. to see the......Sketcher's store.

There aren't many earthly things that Emily desires more than sparkly pink shoes...well, actually, sparkly pink anything will do (a trend we first noticed in the jewelry district of Los Angeles when she was just 8 months old...but that's another story).

She'd been wanting a pair of Cali Gear shoes since she first saw a TV commercial for them this past summer. We don't usually go for stuff we see advertised on television, but in a search this summer for some kind of enclosed-toe sandals, we found some for Edward in a local shoe store. But, alas, as usual they didn't come in Emily's size, a hazard of growing bigger faster than most girls her age. She was a really "good egg" about it all and didn't complain, saying that she had nice pink Lands' End sandals that still fit just fine. Pretty impressive for a 9-year-old, huh? But I knew in her heart she'd been hoping...just a little bit.

And there they were! (Insert angelic choir singing here.)

Pink Cali Gear shoes in her size and the next size up and the next...

Complete with Cali bits!

Well, that birthday money nearly leaped from her new birthday purse.

By the time we got to the PATH train, her birthday shoes had been replaced by her new hot pink Cali gear shoes. Hmmm...I might need to get me a pair. They're kinda cute...

The kids bought me Season 2 of The Closer, so you know what Stuart and I will be doing for several upcoming evenings. (And, no, not that, dear. *blush*)

Anyways...

We had an incredibly busy week followed by an incredibly busy weekend, and I'm still feeling dizzy. (You know it's bad when you look at your calendar and every day has at least two jottings on it...)

My annual "wellness" visit to my family doctor on Thursday sent me to the eye doctor on Saturday -- a first visit for me. Made it nearly 37 years without a formal, personal visit...two days before my birthday. Not bad, except that I need glasses...and have needed glasses for a long while now. Ugh. So nearly $300 later, in 7 to 10 business days I'll be sporting some trendy oval frames that make me look and feel school-marmish -- despite the reassurances of everyone around me. I just gotta get used to the prescription and then I can have contacts...

So let's see...in the last two weeks I've been to the dentist, the doctor, the eye doctor... All that's left is the gyn. *smile* He's next. I've never been to a male gyn doctor before -- I usually see a midwife. But my hormones have been wacky again and affecting my waistline -- not in the familial way either -- so I'm off to see him soon, too. I think that will cover me for the year.

Edward had another soccer game this Sunday. They won again! YAY!! Edward nearly got a goal. He was so psyched afterwards, especially because it was our family's turn to bring a post-game snack, and I had bought his requested choices of Cheetos and lemonade...not the healthy choices I would have picked, but he felt "cool" because of it...so I guess 5 minutes of coolness is worth it and won't affect the other kids' health too much.

*breathe*

I think life can finally slow down a bit. We can only hope....

I won't do my usual calendar page musings today. I'll save that until next week, or another day when my writing brain is slow.

But I'll leave you with my favorite Bud-boy quote from yesterday:

As we were making our way out of a store in New York, Edward said quite loudly and emphatically, "We came, we saw, and we didn't see a thing we liked!" A bit embarrassed by his comment, I chuckled and cautioned him to keep his voice down, to which he replied, "Of course I didn't see anything I liked...it was all girl stuff!"

* * *

Completely unrelated except by marriage... If you haven't recently checked out my fantastically wonderful hubby's blog, take a gander over to Squid on the Grill. He's added a few new entries.

Have I said how much I love my hubby?

*grin*

Birthday Wishes...

Be sure to turn off the sidebar video player to enjoy this video.

Happy 10th Birthday, Emmypie!

You are the love of my life! My best-ever birthday gift!

"I love lilacs and avocados
Ukuleles and fireworks
And Woody Wllen and walking in the snow
But you've got to know that

You're the love of my life
You are the love of my life
You are the love of my life
You are the love of my life

From the moment I first saw you
The second that you were born
I knew that you were the love of my life
Quite simply the love of my life

I love Lucy and pumpernickel bread
The Statue of Liberty and standing ovations
And falling into bed
But get it through your head that

You're the love of my life
You are the love of my life
You are the love of my life
You are the love of my life

From the moment I first saw you
The second that you were born
I knew that you were the love of my life
Quite simply the love of my life

You can drive me crazy
You can drive me anywhere
Here are the keys
Just do as you please
It may not always be easy

But you're the love of my life
My heart is riding on a runaway train
You are the love of my life
Through all the pleasure and pain

From the moment I first saw you
I knew it right away
I knew that you were the love of my life
Simply the love of my life

You are the love
The great love of my life."

~Carly Simon

Contemplating a Decade

Emily on her 4th birthday

Tonight I kissed my 9-year-old goodnight for the last time.

No, I'm not leaving her...or trading her in...and she's not moving out on her own (yet)...

Tomorrow is her birthday, and she'll be 10.

10.

*sigh*

Ten fingers. A whole decade. Two whole hands. Double digits.

It's an odd feeling really, knowing that 10 years ago today she was still inside me, waiting to make her appearance the next day -- which happened to be my birthday as well -- at 12:59 p.m.

An odd realization that she's about to enter a new age zone...one that will not change for another 90 years. She's going to be two numbers. A "1" and a "0."

I remember when she was turning "1."

She had eight teeth. She was just starting to wobble-walk. She was already "talking" (okay, more "baby-babbling"...but the girl has never been short on words). She loved to giggle and laugh and make faces and be tickled (hmm...not much has changed there, huh, Daddy?). And she was already deeply in love with books.

It seemed a long time until we'd be able to share tea and conversations about our "memories" and our favorite actors and our hopes and dreams. A long time until I'd be reading stories she'd written from her own imagination and sharing some from mine. A long time before watching her on stage, dancing in her beloved Nutcracker Suite.

Wow, it really does seem so long ago now.

Ten fingers.

A whole decade.

Two whole hands...