MONDAYS WITH MOLLY

July 31

Dr Horribles Sing Along Blog

A good friend introduced me to this sing a long blog and I have fallen in love with it! It does not hurt that Neil Patrick Harris is one of the stars (yes, I do know he is gay but that doesn't mean I still can't admire his acting, his singing, his body LOL)... There is a story behind why Josh Wheden put together this video and it has to do with the writers strike or the actors strike or the garbagemen's strike .. but that really doesn't matter in the long run - what matters is that this is a great video ... the actors are wonderful in it - they will have you laughing, crying, singing along and wanting more! When you have a few moments just take a look at it.. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. I find myself singing some of the songs during the day - they are quite catchy.. come on then, whatcha waiting for ..hit that "play" button or click on the link below it and hop on over to the actual Dr. Horrible blog and see it there.. I can promise you - you won't regret it!

Dr. Horrible's sing-along blog

Let me know what you think ....

hugs,

Molly

May 25

a sweet request that led to an unexpected gift ...

Three weeks ago I received a very pleasant surprise. One of the families I worked with asked me if I would join Facebook so that I could keep in touch with her and see how her son was doing through the pictures she was planning on posting on her Facebook page. I did so reluctantly as I really didn't need one more thing to keep up with. I did so after a couple weeks of this mom sending me quick emails sharing with me that new photos had been posted and please won't I join so I can view them and stay in touch. I did so and then, much to my surprise, received a wonderful gift.

Three weeks after I joined Facebook I received a message from an old friend I went to college with. He also has a facebook page and every so often does a search for friends he went to college with - and this time my name came up and he sent a "hi, how are?" message. I responded back and we got to chatting and catching up and one thing led to another thing and we started a group page for anyone who was in our college group to join and share memories with each other.

We were a very tight group back then. We worked on the college paper and ended up spending most of our free time together. We had parties, we had dinners, we went swimming in the hudson river together, we all joined the drama club and ended up in the play together ... I know that college can bring people together but what is so surprising is that this was a 2 year community college and we all commuted to/from each day - one of the guys was a very talented piano player and we could often be found in the student lounge with him on the piano and a number of us around him singing Bruce Springstein songs ... Born to Run being one of our favorites.. We stood up for each other, encouraged each other, a few of us dated each other .. and yet no matter what happened .. disagreements, break ups.. we all remained close.. that is until an awful accident took our piano player from us ... totally out of the blue.. and for most of us this was the first time we had lost someone we were close to. If that wasn't hard enough it wasn't more then three months later when a car accident took another one of us .. and that was more than some of us could take - we were young, we didn't know how to handle so much grief so close together.. we drifted apart... almost as if we couldn't be together without feeling the hurt and emptiness caused by those who had died... we felt guilty perhaps for still being here together .. doing things we use to all do .. we tried at first to comfort one another but .....

and now it is approximately 27 years later and we are finding one another again ... reaching out to each other.. remembering.. talking.. catching up on what each other has been doing. We laugh because when we would bump into one of the "gang" we would ask "oh, have you heard from anyone else ..do you know how so and so is doing? ..." but we didn't reach out .. not until now - and even better we are talking about all getting together .. one of us is in the army in Iraq (the marvels of the computer age has allowed us to even talk to him!) and will be out in 18 months so we are looking towards that as the 'get together' date... what is so amazing is that we all want to know how each other is doing .. we spend hours chatting with each other on line (again the marvels of the computer age) .. it's like we never left. A couple of us have even managed to talk a little about "that time" that caused us to seperate. We each thought we were going through it alone .. and we find we weren't - we just were too young to know how to help one another .. but we are older and a little wiser and we find we are still those silly college kids at heart.

These last couple of weeks have left me with this strange feeling .. I feel like a piece of me that was missing has been found. A piece that was lost when we all seperated is no longer lost. I can't explain it very well. I just know that when I log on and I see their names I feel a smile starting from my heart and warming my entire being. It warms me even more to be able to share my memories and to hear that they are also their memories - that it wasn't just me who felt we had something very special and unique back then - that we all felt that... and we are all happy to reach out now to each other and share, again, in each other's lives. We are still missing a few friends but we are searching for them and sending out inquires and hopefully we'll all be together very soon... sharing stories over a beer... wouldn't that be nice.

and I owe it all to that mom who just wanted me to be able to share in her son's achievements and be able to view her photos of him and their family. If it wasn't for her ... one small request has led me to find lost friends and to start healing a hole that had gone unnoticed for far too long. How do you thank someone for that gift?

April 30

I'll toast to that ...

I just read an article on the dangers of heavy drinking....
Scared the crap out of me.
So that's it!
After today,

no more reading.

April 05

less stress = peaceful

In my previous blog I received a comment from Jill saying I sounded "peaceful". (thanks Jill!). It made me stop and think for a moment and I rezlied I was peaceful. I think it is because I have cut back a little on my hours and, this is the BIG reason, the hubby has hired someone in his office to do all the paperwork I have been doing for the past 10 years. (10 years?!! Has it really been that long?!! yikes) .. What this means is that I can come home, help the kiddos with their homework (or at least convince them they need to start working on it! before it's bedtime), start dinner, have a glass of wine (some days - not all) and do this without running around like a chicken with it's head cut off! At night when they are in bed I can now sit back and work on some of my own things... do some jigsaw puzzles (I've really been into doing the spherical puzzles - very challenging), knit, read, watch my fav tv show (sob.. which has again been canceled.. oh Jericho! sob). I don't have to spend my evenings getting the hubby's paperwork for his business all caught up - invoices run - new clients added - checks inputed - reports run ... *phew* (wipes forhead) - that is now and for the future will be someone else's responsability - not mine!! WAHOOO..

I think it is because of these two things that I am now much less stressed and able to finally feel a little something that has been missing for some time - and Jill hit what that was right on the head .. peaceful. No worrying about what I have to do when I'm sitting down not doing anything for a few moments .. it is a nice feeling and one I think I am going to enjoy feeling a bit more often from now on.

I hope everyone can find a way to find some "peace" in their lives and be able to sit back and enjoy it for a few moments for we all know how quickly those moments are here and then gone.

hugs,

Molly

March 29

skateboards & background pictures

Sorry it's been such a long time since my last entry. Life has been busy. Some ups and some downs but then isn't that the way it usually is? Open-mouthed

Believe it or not I am sitting in the "parent's lounge" of an indoor skate park in Rye, NH - !! - I had promised my oldest son for his birthday I would take him and a couple friends to Rye for a day of skateboarding. Let's see - the "couple of friends" turned into 4 friends and the "day" turned into an over night. lol Who says he has me tied around his finger? Not really - he has been a bit neglected lately with all the running around and worrying we've been doing with his little brother and he has been fairly to pretty good about it (not complaining, playing with his brother without asking, helping out as much as a 14yr old can without being nagged to do so Sarcastic

) - so he does deserve this get away. AND to be honest - so do I. It's been nice to sit here for the past 7 hours (yes.. that is not a typo - but we did go out for a 30 minute lunch) and get a bunch of work done without worrying about who needs my attention and what isn't getting done around the house. I am actually almost caught up on my work to do list. I think by the time we head home tomorrow afternoon I will be all caught up! wahhooooo ...

I was concerned about how many boys would be going - knowing that some time when they are all together it can be worse then when I was younger and got together with my girlfriends! Wink

.. it was fun listening to them chat in the car on the ride up here (2.5 hours) .. but I did put in my ear phones and turn up my ipod for the last hour! lol They've all been good with each other. There are 4 who go to the same school and one of his friends from the town we use to live in before moving here. Considering this is the first time they've all been together for this long they are doing pretty well. They were a bit cranky with one another before lunch but once they got some food & drink into themselves they were back to being happy and silly 14 yr olds. lol

Of course I have had 5 phone calls so far from my youngest - the first 3 were asking how to get the background picture on "his" computer log in to change and after not being able to get it to work the last one was a frustrated hang up BUT he did call back couple hours later and apologize for hanging up on me .. which made me feel good. He does have a good heart - that I've never doubted. Thinking

lol

He finally allowed me to promise that I would help him with it the minute I walked in the door tomorrow.

The boys were staying to the safer ramps and stuff but now it's getting late and the place is getting empty so they are trying a few more of the daring ramps. It's cute to watch how these boys .. all of 14yrs old ... changing from the "kid" to the "teen" but still worried about what complete strangers might think if they mess up skating .. lol They get on each other's cases to try but don't push to the point of making any one of them do something they are not comfortable with.

So, that is my weekend in a nut shell - skate boards & background pictures ... who could ask for anything else?

I hope whomever comes across my little blog will take a moment to reflect on what they have in their lives - and to cherish the small things - the every day things - the things we some times over look or take for granted.

hugs - Molly

February 25

sigh another day .. another brick wall ...

As I sit here .. looking at all that is still left on my "to do" list ... I can't help but wonder where the day went ... how can there still be so many things left on my list but not enough hours to do them.. what DID I do today? Well, this is how my day went ..

woke up at 6:15am - spent next 45 minutes getting the teen son into and then out of the shower (consisted of gentle encouragement, light knocking on door, loud knocking on door, threatening cold water dump on his head if he took any more time & hot water), praying I had some hot water left for my shower - ended up with cool shower .. *sigh*

After getting teen off to the bus, breakfast for youngest, checking over schedule for day of visits, getting young one to bus stop -waiting for 10 minutes past bus "due" time ... seems she was running late this morning - off I go to my 1st appointment .. now 15 minutes late.

Got to visit to find out the little kiddo was having a tough morning - just got back from a week off in florida and was having trouble adjusting to being home and having to get up .. spent next 30 minutes trying to calm and work with screaming 2 year old. *sigh*

Drove to 2nd visit (45 minutes away) and spent that time trying to get hold of 3 different doctors who I have to make appointments with for my youngest son who is STILL having trouble with overheating & migraine headaches in school. Left messages with each dr's office explaining who referred us (as none of them are currently taking new patients unless referred by the children's hospital - which we were).

2nd visit went much better .. off the 3rd visit - back 45 minutes in the direction I had started in.. spent that 45 minutes calling the dr's again to see if they had what they needed (referral forms from the neurologist we saw on Friday - driving during the snow storm to make the appointment on time only to find she could do nothing for us at this time until we ..a) had eyes checked to see if headaches were vision related .. b)met with psychiatrist to see if afternoon headaches are real OR a learned behavor so he can come home OR if they are due to his learning disability challenges causing him to have a stress headache because he just can't keep up with the work by that time in the day and c) get a 2nd opinion and a skin biopsy to see if he truly can't sweat which is causing the over heating ..or if there is another possible cause for the overheating...)

3rd visit went well.. as long as you don't mind being in a house where there are 4 kids under the age of 4 who all want to "help" during the therapy session and a mom & dad who yell at each other the entire time in spanish (thank goodness I don't understand what they are saying) .. and a dog that has complete run of the house that is almost as huge as the house and also wants to "help" and the tv blaring (or you can try and turn it off and suddenly have 4 kids screaming and blaring) .. *sigh*

back to the phone to return calls ... eye dr appointment all set for Wednesday morning (now gotta make calls to change work visits I had scheduled) .. find out that the psych we were referred to only sees kids who have "ticks" and "obsessive compulsive disorders" and can't really help us as the little guy does not fall into that category - back to phone to call Neurologist and request another psych referral who CAN help.. find out Dermatologist department has no recorred of referal - call Nuerologist back who swears they did send the referral and can't understand why the other department doesn't have it. I nicely ask if they could please refax or hand deliever or some how, some way get the referral to them so an appointment can be made sooner rather then later .. am assured they will "do their best" .. call Dermatologist dept. back and ask them to be on the look out for the referral and to call me once they have received it.

2 messages on phone while I was making those other calls - 1) find out last appointment has been canceled due to sick child - 2) school calls - my young'n is in the nurses office with a headache. I call them back request that they give him motrin and 6 ounces of soda with caffine (per the neurologist) to try and help the headache go away, tell the little guy he has to lay down there for 20 minutes and then call me if he doesn't feel any; better. - drive off to school knowing that he will call saying he still doesn't feel good because it is 45 degrees outside and about 95 degrees in the school (slight - and only slight- exsageration there) and his headaches are brought on by being too hot and his classroom is very stuffy .. as soon as I pull into the parking lot the school calls telling me he still doesn't feel good.. go in and pick him up.

Take him with me to the store to get certificates for his basketball team - our last practice is on Tuesday and I have to get the certificates done for everyone ... *sigh*

get home, make dinner, do laundry, feed everyone, help with/check over homework... give medication ... tuck kids into bed (1 hour apart) ... finish up paperwork for hubby (almost at the end here - we interviewed people to take over the office work and came down to 2 people who will come in for a 2nd interview on Saturday -yeah!!)... work on a report for my job for meeting on Thursday ... search the web for anything new on pediatric over heating /migraines.. try and see if there are any good psychiatrists for kids in the area .. (there aren't) .. wonder if it is worth it to see if there is any help available through Boston children's hospital but decide to try and wait it out the week and see if Yale children's hospital comes through for us or not .... go onto Yale's web site and find there is another psychiatrist who works with learning disabilities - send her an email to see if she can help us at all ... beg my case a little ... *sigh*

and that brings us to right now .. only 1 appointment out of 3 confirmed. waiting on the other 2 to call me back. kids in bed. hubby in bed (must be nice to come home, eat, lay on sofa and fall asleep until bed time ... ) -

Can you sense a little of the frustration I'm feeling with trying to find help for my son? The school thinks I should be tougher on him and make him stay in the afternoons. They don't think the pale complexion and flushed cheeks mean anything .. *sigh* They also don't help with the plans we have layed out for him/them .. and they aren't that hard - encourage him to drink his water ... encourage him to use his desk fan... encourage him to wear the special "cooling" hat we purchased for him ... We even asked to have the special ed teacher come in and talk to the class about why Nick needs these things to help cool him down so that they don't keep asking him because he is really shy about having to answer those questions and feels self-conscious... so far that hasn't been done. We have his annual PPT next Thursday so we'll see where we go from there... it's all so frustrating .. you get that "tsk tsk" from the nurse whenever we pick him up because she feels he is playing us so he can go home.. I would love for her to spend one day in his body and have to sit in a hot classroom and look at books that don't make any sense to you and have to try and do math problems that make no sense to you and have all your classmates wonder why you can't spell or multiple like they can ... someone even said "come on we learned this in 1st grade" and he was so embarrassed...

*sigh* .. (did you know that "sighing" is the bodys way of praying?) .. so that's my day.. I'm sharing it with my friends in blog land because I know you are a captive audience (smile) and that you care and understand. I just don't get why it has to be so hard to get this little boy who has done no harm to anyone - any help. It shouldn't be this difficult to get some one to care enough to figure out why he is having such trouble - or at least to get someon to referr me to someone who will care enough to help us .....

well .. I best get started on cutting out some of those certificates. I have to try and get to bed a bit earlier then the 1:00am I got to bed last night .. hugs to all .. thanks for listening (like you had a choice!! lol)... wish me luck... keep the little guy in your prayers if you are so inclined...

Thanks!

hugs,

Molly

February 22

Dirty Screen? Have i got help for you!

So... do you have smudges on your screen? Fingerprints? Pencil or eraser marks? for those less techi maybe even some white-out smudges? (lol) Well do I have help for you!

This is a great link to a wonderful screen cleaner. Please try it out. I did and love it!! I KNOW you will love it too!

Screen Cleaner - use it as often as needed .....

http://theglobalbible.com/temp/screenclean.swf

Cheers!

Molly

January 26

Life Explained

On the first day, God created the dog and said:
'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'
The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'
So God agreed.

On the second day, God created the monkey and said:
'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'
The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'
And God agreed.

On the third day, God created the cow and said:
'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'
The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty, and I'll give back the other forty?'
And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created man and said:
'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'
But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'
'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.'

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.

For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family.

For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.

And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you. There is no need to thank me for this valuable information. I'm doing it as a public service.

~Molly~

January 24

sigh

Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole? That's how I've been feeling lately. The town I live in is very small. Most of the people have lived here all their lives or know one another because of children the same age who have gone through the school together. We moved here 2.5 years ago. Most of the families have been going to school functions together since kindergarten. We've only been doing it for the past couple of years. I am not a great conversationalist when it comes to small talk. I guess, truth be told, I hate small talk. I don't know what to say when it comes to making small talk. Most of the time these moms are talking about their older sons/daughters who have gone to school with the other sons/daughters ... or talking about what private high school they are trying to send their son/daughter to. We moved to this town so we can have our sons go to a very good high school and be able to save up for college instead of spending it on a private high school. Personally I think that if the majority of the kids in the past who have attended the high school have gone on to good colleges, received honors, college credits, and scolarships then it should be a good enough school to spring board my sons into a good college. I think the emphasis should be on studying hard in High school and finding the path you want to take in college. That is not a favoured view with many of the moms in this town. *sigh* square peg/round hole.

I'm not good at making friends. I don't know why that is. No, that's a lie. I am this way because I dont' want to get really close to someone and have them leave and feel that hurt of being alone ... yes, I know I should get over this. but that is who I've been since I was 16 yrs old. It's not an easy thing to make 30 years of behavior change. I'm also a home body. I love being home with my kids. I'm not into going out to bars or to the casinos. If I had a choice I would pick staying home and playing Wii or a board game with the boys. I would prefer to work on home made cards with my youngest or play basketball in the driveway with my oldest. Most of the time I am quite happy and content to do this .. but then when I'm sitting on the stands watching the boys play one of the many sports they participate in and the other moms are sitting in a little group laughing and joking and chatting .. well I kinda feel left out and yearn to be a part of the group .. sharing secrets .. laughing and cheering "our" kids on. They are not rude. I will get a remark sent my way if my son does something good ... and they may comment on the antics of my youngest son who is usually with me watching .. but it's not the same as being a part of the "group". *sigh* square peg, round hole.

I know this is just a temporary "whoa is me" feeling that will pass in time. It just seems that there are times like this that I wish that I was better at making friends. I think I've said this before but I never know how much of "being a friend" is good .. when do you call to chat .. when do you back off ... when do you invite them over to the house.. how often do you stop by their house ... things I am not good at. And at times they are things I'm not even sure I want to be good at .. but at times .. like tonight when they were sitting there going over whose child pased the entrance exam for the local private high school, whose kids were going home from college for spring break, whose kids were doing what this summer .. and just hearing them whispering and laughing... well. then I really feel like that square peg ...

so.. that's my little sob story for this eveing .. I guess one of the reasons I started this blog was to be able to share things like this .. cause I know there are others out there who also feel this way ... and in that then we are not alone but together .. .. square pegS in round holes .. together.

hugs,

Molly

ps... Yellow, oh Yellow - wherefore art thou Yellow?

January 23

They're back ....!!!

Jericho is back!

February 12, 2008

CBS

9:00pm

I am so excited. I know it's silly but I really enjoyed this show. I am not a huge tv watcher - there are a few shows I enjoy watching (NCIS, Bones, How I Met Your Mother, 2 1/2 Men) but this was the one show I really wanted to be sure to watch each week. I would watch it with my oldest son and we'd have some really nice talks about "what if" for days afterwards. He even bought me Season 1 for Christmas! It is a great show that keeps you guessing, actually delves into the characters so you get to know them .... I could go on and on and on but I think it would be best if you just took a moment (okay, okay, an hour) and tuned in for yourself ... it really is a great show! (oh, did I say that already? guess I just get carried away when it comes to Jericho! lol)

So anyone else have a favourite show they just hate to miss?

hugs,

Molly

January 06

Meredith, Abbey and God

Every now and again you need to read something that touches your heart. This is one of those stories. It was emailed to me by my sister who knows I'm such a sap for these types of stories. I have no idea if it is real or not but as far as I'm concerned - it is. I need to believe that there are caring hearts out there who reach out to others .. angels not just in heaven but here on earth as well ... even in such unlikely places as a post offices' dead letter office...

The "story" goes like this ...

... "Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog.

I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies." Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God"

Anyone need to borrow a tissue or two? I think I might still have a couple left. *smile* Lovely story, wasn't it? What a darling person that was to realize the need of a young girl to know that her beloved dog had arrived safely into Heaven. I know in my heart that there are more angels, like this dear one, out there in the "real" world - it's just that we don't always hear about them. May you feel the touch of an angel and may you be able to see and reach out with an angel's heart to someone in need.

Hugs,

Molly

December 31

Happy, Happy New Year!!

Any one who knows me well knows that I am horrible at keeping my new year resolutions. Oh, I try. honest I do but I am just not good at them. Perhaps it is because I set them too high and then when I slip a little I get discouraged and just give up. I can't say that in my whole life time I have not kept any of them because that would be untrue. I have been able to keep a few and I guess they have been important ones - I have returned to college and began a career I love. I have switched jobs to be able to have a more flexible schedule for my family. I have been actively volunteering and giving blood for numerous years now. I have not lost weight. I have not finished any of the cross stitch patterns I have started. I have not finished the baby sweaters, hats, booties I have been trying to finish to send off to Stitches for the heart ... I have not learned to play the guitar ... I have not had anything puplished yet ... guess I might be averaging about a 50/50 when it comes to keeping/breaking resolutions ... so this year I have decided to do things a little differently. I hate feeling guilty when I can't keep my resolutions so I am going to make resolutions that I won't feel so bad about if I can't keep them ...

My 2008 new year resolutions are as follows:

1) I will gain 50 extra pounds

2) I will not balance my check book one single month this year

3) I will spend every penny (and then some) before my next paycheck is deposited.

4) I will use my excercise machine and/or go for a walk only once every other week.

hmm, I think that is enough to work on this year. I'll be sure to blog and let you all know how long it takes me to break these ... I'm usually good for at least a month before they start falling apart.... (ok, let's hope that I don't make #1 in the first month or I will be in trouble!) ...

seriously though ... if you choose to make new year resolutions and are not good at keeping them - don't be too hard on yourself. Do the best you can. If you stumble, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, take a short break and then get back at it. It doesn't hurt to take a break from resolutions also if you are doing great - so what if you have a day of splurging or a day of no excercise ?? It's OK - truly it is... as long as it is just that - a break - and then you go back to it again feeling refreshed and not guilty .. because we all need a little reward when we are working hard .. a little sweet treat after a month of salads and soups....

any way... to one and all I wish you a

Happy, Happy New Year!

and I will look forward to "seeing" you in 2008!

Hugs,

Molly

UPDATE - 9:43pm - 1/1/08

... dang - went and balanced my check book today ... there goes resolution #2.. didn't even make it 1 day! sheezzzzzshhhhh (lol)

December 23

Holiday Dining Rules ....

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Happiest of Holiday wishes and Merry, Merry Christmas to one and all!

Hugs, Molly

PS -- no fears, I am still around but have been busy with year end and holiday going-on's. Here's to a less hectic and more relaxing new year! Do drop me a note and let me know how you are doing! I promise to try and stop by and say "hi" to everyone very soon.

November 28

Small town - smaller people

I am soOOOOOOoooo frustrated. Why? you politely inquire. Well, let me share ..

1) My son is in the 8th grade. He is a fairly decent basketball player. He is unique in that he is right handed when he writes but when he plays sports he is left handed .. he plays tennis, he plays golf, he plays basketball all left handed. It doesn't interfer with his game - he is fairly decent, not great, but decent at most of the sports.

2) We live in a small town. Everyone knows everyone. Some get along, some don't. Those who don't - tolerate.

3) We have one person in particular who feels he runs the sports here. His son is decent but not terrific... kinda the same as my son except my son has more personality (but I am biased here). The father coaches soccer, baseball, and basketball. He plays to win. He makes sure his favorites get on his team. He plays mainly his favorites. Those who aren't as good but who are on his team do not usually get any creative encouragement or help - they get critisized for not being as good as his favorites. He once told a young (5th grade) player that he couldn't play any where but the out field because he su*ked. ... in front of the rest of the team.

4) This person managed to talk and scheme his way into being the middle school basketball coach. He managed to do this even though several letters from concerned parents in the town were written expressing their concerns about this person getting a coaching position within the school and the way he treated the kids he coached. Two other possible options for coaches were given to the superintendent. He chose to ignore the concerns and hired this guy as the basketball coach. Special exceptions were made to get him in without really notifying the town until it was already done. The superintendent said he would make sure that a committee was formed to pick the team due to the concerns of the parents. The team consisted of a board of ed member, past coach, and the present athletic director. Try-outs were held for 2 days.

5) 6, 7, 8th graders tried out for the school basketball team that would consist of 17 students. Out of that 9 were in the 8th grade - my son included. This coach has always had a problem with Ryan. They clash. This coach prefers a student who sits there and listens and does everything the coach says without questioning if it is right or wrong or if there is a better way to do it. Ryan questions. This annoys the coach. This coach is never questioned by anyone else in the town. Most of the town is scared of him. He is a mean and spiteful person - and if he doesn't like you he takes it out on your child - which is why there are people in town who either hang with him to get their kids "in" or who stay out of his way and don't rock the boat. Ryan's parent's are in neither group. *sigh* This annoys the coach even more.

6) The list of who made the team was posted today. Out of the 9 eighth graders - 7 made the team. The 8th person who is a sweet kid but doesn't really have the skills was offered the "team manager" position by the coach. The 9th person who didn't make it and the ONLY 8th grader "cut" from the team is my son. (wow - now who saw THAT coming?!).

7) I called this coach and calmly and maturely asked why my son was the ONLY 8th grader not to make it. I was told that it was a "tough" decision but one that had to be made. He agonized over it. When I asked for specific reasons I was told that there were two times my son fooled around while waiting his turn. I asked if that meant he was cut for petty reasons and not for his skill. I was then told that my son didn't have the fundimentals down - that he used his left side for shooting and throwing and should be using his right. It didn't matter that he made all the baskets he shot during one lay up and he is tall enough to be a great defender and rebounder. I kept asking questions - he kept hmming and hawwing and trying to come up with answers. At one point he actually came out and said "well if you don't like the way I coach why don't you coach and do it your way?". To which I relpied that although that was a very immature comment I am sure he realizes that he has the coaching skills not me and that I feel my son would benefit from his coaching if he would just put aside his feelings and give my son a fair chance. - silence- Well - he says - everyone who made it in 8th grade was on the team in 7th grade. I added - yep, AND on the travel team and my son is now on the travel team BUT couldn't be on the team last year because we were out of town during the try-outs and no exceptions were made to allow anyone who missed them to try out at a later date. (should I mention that one of the 8th graders who made the team this year didn't even try out because he was injured/ill and when I brought that up I was told that it was the general concensus that this kid would have made the team any way). double *sigh*

8) My son, to his credit, is taking this very maturely and although he was quite upset when he first found out he has realized that it is best because even if he was on the team he would probably get no playing time and no matter what he did during practice it would be wrong and he would be made an example of.

9) I HATE THIS GUY - THIS "COACH" - NOT BECAUSE OF WHO HE IS BECAUSE YOU CAN ONLY REALLY FEEL SORRY FOR HIM FOR THAT BUT FOR WHAT HE DOES TO THESE KIDS THAT DON'T FIT INTO HIS WORLD OR "HIS TOWN".

*sigh*

I did write the superintendent and express my concerns that this coach found out I was one of the people who wrote and complained about him and that it would have been more professional to let this "coach" know there were complaints but share who had the concerns -after- the try-outs so as not to jeopardize anyone's chances of being on the team - as it seems to have done for my son. I also told him that I was sure if it was anyone else being cut and it was the only 8th grader to be cut I was SURE that this "coach" or one of the committee members would have found some way to get him on the team as it was his last year at that school before going to the high school but that because it was Ryan this "coach" wasn't about to make any waves at all to get him on the team - on the contrary - he made sure, by offering the other 8th grade who was cut the team manager position - that Ryan was the ONLY 8th grader and only Travel Team member who WAS CUT! (hate this guy)

We moved to a small town because we thought it would be the best thing for our kids - smaller classes and better teachers and the chance to be a part of a team ... We mistakenly thought that a small town meant everyone worked together for the benefit of the children - but I guess this is the only place this "coach" would be able to be who he thinks he is .. in a small town because a larger town would not put up with his bs.

ok.. I had to get this off my chest .. I'm so upset and feel so bad for Ryan. He is a great kid and I'm not just saying that becuase he is my kid. He is a friend to everyone. He hangs out with kids who are popular and kids who aren't. He doesn't put anyone down and doesn't bully or on-up anyone. He doesn' steal or lie or torture his brother .. he is a typical teenager in many ways and attitudes .. he loves basketball and deserved the chance to play on the school team.

*sigh* as much as I know in my heart life isn't always fair - I just feel it should be for our kids ... they shouldn't have to deal with this type of stuff until they are adults... they should be able to be kids and not have to deal with adults with agendas and big heads and little hearts until they are much, much older.

well, thanks for listening .. this seemed like the only thing I could do to feel a bit better .... ~hugs, Molly~

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