Happy Birthday/Halloween to You!

This blog goes out to my friend Dar, who was born on Halloween. Happy Birthday Dar! Ever since we met so many years ago, I have seen her on her birthday. when the kids were young, we would meet up for hours and hours of trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. We loved it; we would push strollers and just talk and talk while the kids ran from door to door collecting their precious candy loot. We would later laugh at which one of our kids would hoard the candy under their beds in a shoebox, and which ones would eat it, or at least try, in one sitting. We both had a mixture of each type in our families. We luckily had the foresight to take pictures, and they are just so precious - I never get tired of looking at them.

So I just finished baking some cupcakes with cute Halloween decorations on them. Tomorrow I will see what Dar is doing, and bring her some. We may not still be trick-or-treating, but we can still have some fun.

Happy Halloween

Yesterday afternoon, two days before Halloween, I joined the rest of the loonies and went to not one, not two, but three Halloween stores with Jamey. The parking lots alone were an accident waiting to happen; the stores themselves, jam packed with everyone and their mother looking for last minute costumes. As I found myself staring at the famed 'costume wall', I couldn't help but notice the, shall we say, 'skimpy' costumes for girls/women. Every year they seem to get shorter, tighter and more revealing. The worst part is that mostly teenage girls are buying them. Not that I'm preaching, or even a prude for that matter, but please, is it really okay to show SO MUCH of everything for Halloween?

I dress up every year for school, we all do. I wanted to be a sailor this year, but the dress was just a little to fitted. While helping Kristin pack, I found her Pocohontas costume; really cute with beads and feathers and lots of fringe. My precious daughter looked at me and said, "Mom, that costume wouldn't be appropriate for you to wear in fron of the kids at school. It's too short." (God love her!) "Oh yes it will, Kris," I answered with a sly smile, "Because I'm wearing a sweater and khakis under it!"
So here I am today, Pocohontas. My hair braided, headband with feathers and all. I even found some old mocassins iin my closet (big problem throwing anything out). A great costume, comfortable and appropriate. Hmmm, I wonder how Kristin wore it last year? I'm sure it wasn't with khakis and a sweater, but hopefully tights and at least a camisole???

They Come and They Go

All week long I dreaded it. Kristin moved back out today in to the City. Before I even left for school today, the movers were at our door. With a pit in my stomach, I left for work. I couldn't even say goodbye to her cause I knew I'd just loose it. So what do you think I did? I called her on my way, and yes, I lost it anyway, tears streaming down my face like a big baby. You'd think I'd be used to this by now, but no, every single time one of my kids leaves again, I feel devastated.

It was so great having her home this past month. It just went too fast. I knew it was just a temporary stop along the way, but I kind of secretly hoped it would be a little longer than originally planned. The house was just a little livlier, a little noisier, a little more fun. Call me crazy, but the momaholic in me is happiest when all four of my kids are home. Late at night I'll get up and peak in their rooms and see them all snuggled in their beds just like when they were little. There is no more peaceful feeling to me. So now I will wait . . .

The day before Thanksgiving, Rachele, Kristin, Charles and Jamey will all be home; all will sleep in their own beds here. And you just know that I'll be peaking into their rooms feeling so thankful and so blessed and so happy that they do all still come home. I miss you already Krissy.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is my Dad's birthday; a big birthday. I won't discuss the number because my Dad is a little sensitive about it. Truth be told, He looks amazing for his age, a good ten years younger than he actually is.
Thoughts of my Dad fill my head as I write. I am just so lucky to have him. When you think about it, we don't have a choice as to whom we are born to. Some of us may be not so lucky - but not me, I hit the jackpot. All his life, my Dad has been strong and athletic, a lover of all sports. He has four daughters, zero sons. When my youngest sister Melissa was born, I remember tears in his eyes as he told his three girls that they had another sister. I suspected my Dad was tearing up because he didn't get a son. Now I know better, he just adores his four daughters and wouldn't have it any other way.
My Father worked really hard to give us all that he could. He built houses during the day and would work at my Grandpa's nightclub at night during the week. We were little then, my sister Pam and I. Lori and Melissa were not born yet. We missed him terribly and couldn't wait 'til Daddy came home'. As exhausted as he was, he always had time for us. Pam and I would ride our stick horses and park them outside the bathroom door waiting for our Dad to come out of the shower, every couple of seconds asking if he was almost done. He didn't have a moment's peace.
Memories like this flood my head, too many to write about; like how my Dad took me to the toy store THE DAY the Barbie wedding dress came out and bought it for me. It was almost $5.00!! And that was an awful lot of money in those days. Then there was the time my Dad took me to his local pool hall where he was meeting his friends to play pool. I must have been all of four years old, and I could play pool 'cause he taught me. He made sure all his friends watched me play that day. I don't remember, but I'm sure they were impressed.
These are the things I remember, the good old days; the days that live on only in our heads now. The precious sweet memories of youth. Today we will celebrate my Dad's birthday; my Mom, my Sisters and I, our husbands and Kids, all of us together, the small dynasty, 23 in all, started by my Mom and Dad. I wish I could freeze time and wrap these people that I love up in a cocoon and keep them with me always.
I Love You, Daddy - Happy Happy Birthday

A Fleeting Moment

Today after school, I had a haircut appointment. This may be routine to some, to me it is a great outing. My hair is long, and I really don't have the time to cut it more than once every three months or so. Anyway, I look forward to this little bit of a beauty splurge, but today I got a little more for my money. Since my hair is wavy, I air dry it (less frizz). I have been going to the same person, Karen, for the past 20 years. She knows exactly how to cut my hair, and at this point could probably do it with her eyes closed. I leave her salon with my hair dripping wet (which she hates) and come right home. Today I had to stop at the bank to cash a check and make a deposit. After the bank teller got my transactions at the drive-thru, he asked me who "Deborah" was. I, of course, replied "me". He said impossible, after checking my account history I couldn't possibly be the Deborah with the birthdate on the account because I didn't look old enough! After pulling out some ID, he apologized. Apology? I assured him, NOT NECESSARY. Pulling out of the bank, I quickly looked at myself in the rearview mirror. Maybe it was the dripping wet hair? I'm not sure. All I know is, I'll take that fleeting moment . . .my very own Christie Brinkley moment. You just never know when some random stranger can make your day.

Beauty Blitz-October Awareness

This beauty blitz just may be good for you! As most of us know, October is breast cancer awareness month. and many of us out there have been touched by this horrific disease either personally or through friends and/or relatives we love. A couple of years ago, a study was done with the finding that the aluminum in women's deodorant can be a contributor to the risk of developing breast cancer. With that in mind, I decided to explore my options. Unfortunately, there weren't many! What I found and have been using all this time is Tom's of Maine aluminum free deodorant. I chose the non-scented version after smelling the other couple of varieties offered at the time. Loving my daughters like I do, and wanting to keep them healthy, I purchased one for each of them. Needless to say, I think they're still on their dressers gathering dust. My girls just didn't take me seriously. Well ladies, I'm not gonna lie; it doens't quite 'hold-up' like regular deodorant with aluminum. At the end of a particularly stressful (or extremely hot) day I may be a little, shall we say, ripe? But you know what? I feel really good about using it. Anyway, the other day while picking up some toiletries, my daughter Kristin came home with, guess what? The new Tom's of Maine 24 hour long lasting aluminum-free deodorant in the fresh scent of mountain spring. I was so happy and surprised that this daughter, who usually wears the heavy duty 'clinical strength' deodorant would give it a try. It's been a few days, and admittedly doesn't hold up like her old deodorant, but she's going to stick with it for now. Maybe her sister will do the same. Anyway, my point being - for $4.29 isn't it worth a try ladies? We owe it to ourselves to do any little thing we can. It's just one small step in this giant uphill battle that we can take together.

The Girls of Summer (and Fall, Winter & Spring)

Recently my friends and I met for dinner. We try to do this once a month, but in the summer we get off track, due to vacations, etc. Although picking a date is a challenge, we always seem to make it work. We want to stay present and current in each other's lives. What an eclectic group it is! By way of introduction, here they are, alphabetically.
Christine is my personal beauty consultant. We met when our now senior college boys were only three years old. She is my easy fun friend - even if I don't see her for a month, it seems like only days when we're together. I would do anything for her, and I know she feels the same. She is hilariously funny, and since I love to laugh, we are a match made in Heaven. We call each other 'sugarplum' (don't know why), and it never matters who is 'sugar' and who is 'plum'. For birthdays and Christmas we rack our brains trying to find gifts for each other bearing a name with the word 'sugarplum' in it. Actually, we've been most successful.
I have known Darlene the longest. We met in church when our kids were babies and toddlers. We immediately clicked and a strong bond formed which still exists today. She was my first real friend in town, and we have shared and relished the complexities of our lives all these years. When our kids were young and in nursery school, we would play beat the clock and try to make it back from shopping in time to pick them up (1/2 day). We use to have afternoon teas, and Halloween parties, and birthday parties seemingly for the kids, but we always had a blast as well. She is fabulous, but in a quiet way - I wish I could be half as organized as her! If I could I would buy this loving caring friend a beach house.
Everyone and anyone that knows Louanne would agree, she is one of the kindest woman you will ever meet.. It is an honor to be her friend. There is so much to talk about whenever I see Lou; we are practically talking over one another trying to catch up. I really miss her when I don't see her for a while. She is the consumate 'home' guru - so talented around the house, but especially in the kitchen, which she loves. Some of the best baked goods I have ever had have come from Lou's kitchen. She is also my 'go to' dog expert. And since I have the puppy now, boy do I need her! Everyone is crazy about Lou, enough said.
Next on the list is Nancy. Our kids are close in age, and were only a year apart in school. We would sit and chat at many sporting events; our girl's softball games, our boy's soccer and baseball games, etc., cheering on the team. Nancy is most definitely 'the hostess with the mostest' when it comes to entertaining. She can throw together a menu like no other, and it is always fabulous. She is also an accessory style maven; whether it is wrapping a scarf a particularly cool way, or throwing on some great jewelry. We never run out of things to talk about when I see her, and I always look forward to it.
Pegs and I met when our babies became friends in kindergarten. There are friends and there are friends - Pegs is my savior friend. Whenever I am in some frantic state of "I can't find it", or "What time is that meeting?", or "When was that due?!" Pegs is there to bail me out. She is so so busy running around, much of it because she is such an outstanding mom; yet she always has time for her friends. When our boys have a game, she always offers to pick me up so we can catch-up along the way. No matter how far the drive is, the time just flys when I'm with Pegs. Words cannot describe how much I look forward to this time with her. When is that first game Pegs???
Susan is the first of our friends to become a grandma! We all relish in her stories, and her grandaughter is beautiful. Susan is smart and funny - but not everyday funny. More like dry, unexpectedly funny. Susan is an enigma - she takes crap from no one; yet she is soft and warm and has been known to tear up at the sight of a newborn in a stroller; or upon hearing about anyone's pain or sorrow. I had the pleasure of working with Susan for many years, and whether we were having a good day or a bad one, it was always okay because we were together. I miss those days now - she is a true gem as a friend.
I liken this group of girls to a string of pearls. Each one imperfect yet beautiful. Each one with a quiet classic luster. Each getting even more meaningful with age. Each seperated by a knot representing our own lives; yet held together by a common thread, or string. Hopefully, for many years to come they will remain my girlfriends. My pearlfriends.