It's a Kid's Life - Part 2

At exactly what point do we lose the ability to spend an entire afternoon doing this?

I, for one, am going to follow his lead.

Life's too short to be too serious.

And just for the record, I did NOT require that he suit up like this to soak in the hot tub. Although it wouldn't be a huge stretch since I am a Sikorsky when it comes to helicopter parenting.

Who Would Have Imagined?

Today marks our anniversary - over 20 years now. We were standing in front of a judge in a small town in Colorado right about now.

That is particularly difficult for me to fathom. Especially given the fact that I would never stay in the same apartment after my one year lease expired.

So here's to the next 20. Let the adventure, and the laughs, continue.

I'm pretty damn lucky. Honey, you rock.

It's a Kid's Life

These somewhat disturbing images from several years ago show what kids do when they are really, really bored (read: you have put the kibosh on all things with screens and helpfully suggest that they play outside) and they have to actually find ways to amuse themselves. Turns out, they usually end up having a good time in spite of not having to use their thumbs.

Lord of the Manor

And I thought I was in charge here.

Happy Pappy's Day

The thing that makes pappy happy. . .

I don't think he's all that interested in lawn beautification. I think it's just because it's the only time that he doesn't have to talk to anyone.

Never Too Old To Rock and Roll

Last night, we watched the documentary, Young at Heart about a singing group of 80 somethings. This group sang everything from the Ramones to Bruce Springsteen to Coldplay.

And they rocked.

If you are not inspired and completely moved by this outstanding group of seniors, something is seriously wrong with you. We should all aspire to be rockin' like this in our golden years.

Check out this documentary and the Young at Heart Website. Prepare to rock out! You will be amazed.

http://www.youngatheartchorus.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3uOOhm8Fj8

Hugs Anyone?

I've been reading Patti Digh's book, Life is a Verb. Today I got to the section called, Give Free Hugs, where she talked about Juan Mann's Free Hug project and video. Figuring it had to be on You Tube, I looked it up.It's a great illustration that one person really can make a difference - yes, I am an idealistic fool at heart. But it made me think, wouldn't this world be so much better if we were all a little more connected instead of strangers to one another?

Watching this video might be about as nice as a hug. So what the heck, pass it on. Go hug somebody. Right now. Go on. I double dog dare you.

XOXOXO

http://freehugscampaign.org/

A Smile On A Dog

A long time ago, my youngest asked me "Why can't dogs laugh?"

I can't answer that one, but looking at these pictures, I'm pretty sure they can smile.

Religion, is a smile on a dog. - from the song What I Am by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians 1988

End of an Era - A Comedy in One Act

Yesterday was my baby's last day of elementary school. Hard to believe that after eight years of walking those halls that smelled of crayons, tablet paper and library books, I never have a reason to go there again. Although I've never been a Dwell in the Past Person, it made me just a little wistful. So what's a mom to do?

Embarrass the hell out of him, of course.

Each year, the school holds a ceremony for the departing fifth graders. Even though I didn't attend the planning meeting, the committee asked me to write a song (hello, I'm a column writer thankyouverymuch). "Just a little something funny, you do funny, right?" Well, I sure try.

After thinking about it, I decided I could write a funny song - a rap. Because, of course, what would be funnier than a bunch of middle-aged moms trying to act like Snoop Dog and friends. Thus begins my career as a Rapper Mom, or Ms. D as one of the moms renamed me. And the kids didn't have a clue.

A go-to group of moms was completely game for this little project. Not only were they game, they were frighteningly into it. In fact, for maximum embarrassment, I recruited all of the fifth grade moms (only had about twelve takers though) to join us on stage.

The teacher set it up for us as a serious "presentation" and then I introduced it, not yet in costume. And as I'm sure always happens with just such stage events, there were glitches. Like the HUGE screen that blocked the stage not going up (we'd practiced bustin our moves like we'd have the whole stage and the other moms behind us). And in a fit of complete anxiety, not only did I manage to turn off the keyboard with my preprogrammed rhythms but turned it back on with the WRONG beat entirely - but close enough where it didn't matter. But thankfully no one experienced a wardrobe malfunction like Janet Jackson in our little production. Talk about scarred for life.

So, yo yo fifth grade moms, this is a shout out to all of you real mothers out there whose kids will go into middle school with the knowledge that their mother can, and will, embarrass them if necessary.

(edited 6-12-09 to add photo of Kris-co)

Enough Already

You never know what's enough until you know what's more than enough - William Blake.

William Blake may have said it first but this story, author unknown, really sums it up for me. Maybe if we'd all slow down, read Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, we'd all have a better appreciation of what life is really all about. In a way, that has been one positive that has come out of this crappy economy- we have had to pull focus and realign our priorities. It's not about "she who has the most toys wins." I was sick of that mentality. That's why sometimes I think the Europeans "get it" better than we do.

Here's the story - as I said author is unknown. I only wish I'd written it.

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The fisherman replied, only a little while.

The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The American then asked, "but what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life."

The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

The fisherman asked, “Then what?”

The American laughed and said that's the best part. "When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions."

"Millions.. Then what?"

The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."

A Late Salute to Mother's Day

I found this video on You Tube, too late for Mother's Day but it felt like looking into the future at my house. Come to think of it, it feels a little like that now.