I've had it all along

I started a book club. We've read one book and met just a few nights ago at my house. We read The Secret Life of Bees. A real good book to start with; It has great writing, symbolism, things to think about for discussion and it's basically a girl book. It just so happens that only females are in the book club as well. Anyway, as we were talking about the story and the interaction of its characters, we focused in on the Daughters of Mary and the celebrations these women had - how they would dress up, sing, dance, eat, laugh, and love together. I remember as I read about these women, how I admired their closeness and how I wished to have that kind of passion in my life as well. I sometimes feel like Lily, an outsider looking in at established groups of women hoping to be invited so that I can fit in, belonging somewhere, belonging to someone. When we were talking in book club I said something to the fact that I wished to have the same kind of relationship with a group of women. Not really much else was said about that topic and we went on to other parts of the book.

Last night I had a few of my friends over for a few drinks and then we went to see Mamma Mia! (the movie - the stage show will be coming to Milwaukee this fall). First I need to say how much I love Abba songs. I did not know what the story was about ahead of time. Again, I was given many images on the big screen of groups of women who have an immense closeness that they just break into song and dance at the drop of a hat (actually, I really loved that about the movie). As we were leaving the movie, one of my friends (who was also at book club the night before) brought up what I had said about my desire in being a part of a close knit group and related it to the movie.

And then this morning, as I was riding my bike with Kim (oh, we hit the 20 mile mark...we biked from Kohler to Plymouth and back) we were singing Abba songs and just talking and then we were just riding without talking. When it was quiet, I was doing quite a bit of thinking and this is what I came up with.

I have that. I have what I was wishing for. It's just that we don't wear frilly and decorative hats. We don't do the conga while dancing around a statue of Mary. We don't dress in crazy clothes and put on shows singing Abba songs (however, I might try to convince Jenny, Sarah, Tina or Cat to do something like that for the annual food drive assembly that our school does every year...I think it is just crazy enough to be a blast). I have a lot of "daughters of Mary" groups in my life. I have my biking buddy, Kim. I have my friends at work who will try being a part of a book club. I have my friends at work who like doing a girls' nite out. I have my friends in Kohler who will also try being a part of a book club. I have my friends who will come and celebrate my birthday or my husband's campaign when we have a party. I have friends that feel free to ask favors of me and know that I love to help. I have friends where I can be the one asking for help and they are there for me. I have Sarah, who will get happy about our schedules matching so we can have lunch together for the next school year. I have my friends that get together and we scrapbook on a Friday night or a weekend event. I have my sister, my mom, my grandmother and my wonderful, amazing daughter.

I don't know what I was wanting...I think I just needed to open my eyes.

Ohhh sooo GROSS (and funny)!

My son was playing in the kitchen with his sister - fell on his butt and was very upset because his booty was in pain. He came to me for a kiss - yes - on his butt, but I said NO!

We started giggling about how I wasn't going to kiss anyone's butt. He sat down near me, then got onto his hands and knees (sticking his butt at me) forcing me to push him away (since I will not kiss a butt). This is when my daughter entered the room and now the two of them are questioning whether a kiss on the lips will be transferred to the butt. My son says he poops my love out all the time. I said that my love was not poopable. My daughter then questioned if my love was tootable.
I replied that my love was neither poopable nor tootable. Then the rest of the questions came from them. We have now determined that my love is not poopable, tootable, peeable, pukable, pickable, burpable or bleedable.

Now, the thing that got us all laughing was to try to say this..."I do not have poopable, tootable, peeable, pukable, pickable, burpable or bleedable love!" Really - try to say this without screwing up the words...it's really fun!

Mother-Daughter Time

This week my son is at camp - a really great camp as well. It is called Wet-n-wild. He has his two best friends with him as well. They swim (in a pool and in a lake); they go down a water slide; they have water gun fights; today they are at the Blue Harbor Resort at the indoor water park. My son comes home exhausted saying "do I have to go outside? I'd like to relax now". He goes to bed right away, sleeps soundly through the night and is difficult to wake for the next day.

My daughter is not at camp this week. I offered to call some of her friend's parents and arrange play dates for her. She said "No, Mom, I want to spend my time with you!"

Monday we mostly hung around the house and then went fishing.

Tuesday we rode our bikes to Sheboygan Falls, did some shopping and then met my father for lunch at a great little eatery in downtown Falls, the Bread and Bean. We sat there for just over an hour - three generations just talking about what is going on. That was real nice.

Wednesday we saw a movie. The local theater shows movies for a really small cost and that includes popcorn! We saw Nim's Island. After that we ran some minor errands, then out to lunch at another little place in Sheboygan called Field to Fork. They had excellent food from local markets (and they make their own cheeses!). Then we went over to the Entourage Salon and Spa for pedicures. We had the full treatment done and my daughter loved her first experience at having a professional pedicure. The day ended with some mighty big scares - about the time we were heading home (and to then pick up my son from the bus stop) a huge storm came and there was a tornado spotted a few miles north of our home. We headed straight home for the basement, hoping the camp was doing the right thing and had the kids in a shelter spot until the weather was clear (and they did).

Today we spent the morning cleaning up the yard from all the debris. When we walked the dog earlier, we saw numerous uprooted trees and huge branches along the roads for the village crews to pick up/mulch. Our house was lucky and we did not have any damage, but some of our neighbors have trees/branches on parts of their homes. (Yesterdays weather was the top of the news in Milwaukee AND was highlighted in the weather section of Good Morning America.) We shared a late breakfast together and played some Rock Band. I love to watch my girl jam on the guitar! After lunch we will be going over to my parent's house for an afternoon in the pool.

All in all, I'd say that my girl and I have had a terrific week of mother-daughter bonding. She has told me that she is quite happy with the time we've spent together. 9 years old is a wonderful age. She loves spending time with me, wants to do activities with me and looks to my opinion about choices she makes. She'll grow up too fast and soon my little girl will be off doing her own thing. These are the best times of my life.

Thank you my sweet girl - I love you so much!

Whazzup

1. My Hubby has all his proper documentation in by the deadlines...he should be on the ballot come Nov 4th!

2. OK - so what I found was a terrific little article - I really liked what it had to say about Americans because I found truth in it. I thought I quoted the correct individual, but I have had someone comment on its origin. I haven't had time to argue the point of who the author is, and really, I do not want to. My only point was how disgusted I am with the media and more and their complaints about our current state of affairs. I admire my husband because he wants to make change by getting involved in government - not as a lifetime politician, but as a citizen taking his turn.

3. I've started the summer reading book club as I had wanted! We have our first book chosen and I am hosting the first gathering in a few weeks.

4. The kids are enjoying camp. Our daughter has even gone away to sleep-away camp with the girl scouts. Except for coming home with 40+ mosquito bites, she had a great time.

5. We saw the Spiderwick Chronicles a week ago. $2.50 a kid and popcorn included is such a deal - so much that each of my kids brought a friend with them and I didn't mind paying.

6. We were able to spend 3 days with Don and Julie - they came up bright and early on the 4th and participated in the parade with us - SOOO COOL! They came up for the 4th of July party we hosted and stayed just to hang out with us. I love that!

7. The upstairs is painted now. I found an awesome color that just pops with the white wood trim and the newly finished floor my husband worked so hard on.

8. Kim and I rode our bikes from our homes all the way to Wolf's Chrysler (it is one mile away from Hwy 57), so when you consider the round trip route, it was 18.5 miles or so. We plan to make it all the way to Hwy 57 to reach our 20 mile goal!!!

9. The kids have been able to spend some quality time with my parents. I love that. My father took my son fishing and actually watched him for an entire day while I had to fill in for my husband because he was in Madison for the day.

10. I started a Facebook page to chat with my local friends. Even found a long lost college roommate. I am attempting to find other friends, but things are going slow (I do not get to sit at the computer for long periods of time).

Jay Leno said...we should listen

No matter what your political convictions are this is eye opener.
What a thankless people we are!!!

Subject: Jay Leno on President Bush (Surprising)

Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....

As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark

'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks. Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'