My mama's birthday and surgery
That's right. My mother, in Florida, had knee surgery a few days ago. A total knee replacement of her right knee. She should have had this done 10 years ago. I am happy she had it done. Her birthday is today - 65. She came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon - nice b-day gift - home again and a new right knee. Dad will help take care of you - Happy Birthday mama :)
I'm reading Mermaids in the Basement now - it's southern chick lit by Michael Lee West and so far, I think I'm going to like this writer. Love the cover.
So my guys are into the Beatles right now. Have been for the past month or so. It's nice. I dig the Beatles, always have. J had his friend Benny over again for the weekend and come midnight from our family room I had Paul McCartney and John Lennon in my home singing and playing a mean guitar and keyboard ;)
It's late and my eyes are tired. Lots of baseball coming up this week - oh, and Confirmation for my 16 year old...
Goodnight all,
Paula
Boys and friendship
Where did this week go? Oiy! The hubby turned 47 this past week. He's into tools, always has been. He asked for this huge tool, it's called a Miter Saw. Fun. He also got two books - John Grisham's The Appeal and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. Interesting title for a book, huh?
So yesterday my youngest son, J, had his best friend Benny, from where we used to live, over for the day and one of his brother Phillip's friends, Gage, was here too. They wanted to skateboard. So J uncovers his new quarter pipe that his Dad made him for Christmas for the first time this spring so they can do some cool stunts. I was in the house and after a while I hear screaming. Not good. I knew the voice, it was Joseph. I run outside to find him face down on the pavement (without his helmet on!) screaming and crying and the other kids were all leaning over around him. I took one look at him and he was a mess. There was some blood, cuts and a lot of swelling already taking place around his right eye, nose and forehead. I got him inside and we did ice and tylenol and found out what happened. After coming down from the quarter pipe back onto the pavement, his skateboard popped up hard and fast and hit him in the face. Ouch. So, of course, after 20 minutes of ice he was ready to go again. He had plans to go stay for a few days with his friend Benny and nothing was going to wreck that. Of course I called him twice that night to see how he was doing even if he thought I was being annoying - what are moms for other than being annoying and a nag? I haven't grounded him yet for not having his helmet on but even the helmet wouldn't have protected him from that freak accident. Anyway, here's a couple of pics that were taken before the injury...
Joseph and Benny
Joseph in action
Have a great week - my kids are on spring break this week - Oiy!
Paula
The flu bug and a happy 16th
Remember that cold flu I mentioned last week with my son Phillip? It got us all - except my Anna banana! She is one healthy kid. Aches and chills, fever, fatigue, pounding headache and all the fun cold symptoms which are still lingering. I think this bug has been through the entire school this month. I really need to open all the windows and get some fresh (cold) air in the house. Why not, it's a beautiful day today - 30 degrees and freezing rain...
At least Phillip got sick before his sweet 16 birthday and was healthy enough to celebrate this past weekend. Saturday he and Sarah went out and she gave him some great smelling cologne BVLGARI (good job Sarah) and a sweet card (he was all smiles). On Sunday he slept in, his older brothers called him and he had basketball practice and then he picked one of his favorite homemade dinners - Chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes and cauliflower with Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream to end his special day. Happy 16th Phildog :)
~Paula
Welcome 2008
Wow, I have already screwed up two checks with 2007 (and I knew I would) but it's too hard to write 2008! 2008?! Seems like we were just celebrating 2000. Oh well, Happy New Year everybody!
It is so friggin cold here SHEESH. Tony and Nick (my two older guys) left last night and headed to Amherst, MA. Tony is back to working at the UMASS University Health Services and he is studying for his MCAT exam (Medical College Admission Test) that he is taking at the end of this month before he starts his spring semester January 28th. Congrats Tony on your five straight A's for fall semester :) Nick is heading to NYC for the weekend with a group of his college buddies (I'm SO jealous). I LOVE visiting NYC! Have fun Nicholas :)
Has anyone read Jodi Picoult's book entitled Plain Truth? I love Jodi's novels (such an incredible writer) and have read most of them and I just started reading this one...It's about the Amish...so far, so good Jodi :)
I'm off to basketball all day tomorrow - YAY. Seriously, the St J BB teams are doing great and it is a lot of fun so Colchester Vermont, here we come...then, on Sunday, it is time to take all the holiday decorations - and the tree - down. UGH. I think I'll sleep in on Sunday...
OK, time for this mama to think about dinner. Keep warm (snuggle by the fire) and Happy New Year!!!
Cheers,
Paula
Happy, Happy, Happy
Happy Birthday to my Anna Gracie (6), Happy Anniversary to me and my hubby (23), and Happy New Year to all (Welcome 2008)!
Here are some snaps of my Anna Banana girl from the 27th and we're celebrating 23 years tonight out for a nice dinner and The Water Horse flick. Hard to believe 2008 is knockin' on our doors, but it is, and I'm ready. Enjoy the rest of 2007 everyone and bring on the New Year :)
~ Paula
Anna gets the Grinch
Anna with Little Mommy
Yum Yum, Anna loves cake!
Frigid days and Fridays...
always get me down. Has this ever happened to you? Picture this. Yesterday morning (Friday) I woke up...sick again. Only healthy for a few days from one cough and cold that lingered for weeks and I wake up with a burning throat, swollen, sore lymph glands in my neck, a pounding headache and a totally stuffed nose. SHIT. I was so pissed. Right in time for the damn holidays, my daughter's 6th birthday, my anniversary and New Years! I get out of bed and into a hot shower and head out the door as I have a totally packed day of errands that need to be done after I drop the kids off at school at 7:45am. Rushing out the door (kids already waiting in the cold car) I realize I forgot my glasses (but we are running late) so I jump in the car, make sure everyone is seat-belted and back out the driveway. After dropping off the kiddos I head to my first stop - the bank. It is too early yet and only the drive through window is open so I pull up and wait in a line for my turn. I put on the radio and find some great Christmas tunes (to relax me as I feel like crap) and sit and wait. Finally it is my turn. I slowly pull up to the window, turn and smile at the teller and push the button to put down my window. NOTHING. Hmmm, I try again. NOTHING. I peek up at the teller who is just staring at me blankly. Crap. It is so cold outside the window is frozen and stuck. I mouth to the teller that the window is stuck. She still looks at me blankly and I notice that the other tellers are turning and looking at me. I need to make this transaction now and I feel the anger rising as I lift my fist and proceed to bang furiously on the window to get it unstuck. After doing this for a good minute or so I look at the teller who is staring at me like I just escaped the loony bin and I push my finger on the button... NOTHING. I take a deep breath (in between coughs), look at the teller (and the other tellers in the bank who are looking at me) and mouth, windows stuck, I'll pull forward and get out of the way (as I have a line of cars behind me now). SHIT. So, I pull forward, drive all around the bank and through the parking area, park it, get out with a glove on my left hand and like a crazy lady beat on the window for 5 minutes. Push the button and the window slowly goes down. I get in the car, pull back up to the drive through and wait in another line. When it is finally my turn the teller says, "Oh, I see you got your window down." Great. I continue by telling her what I need, she takes all the information, and then looks at me and says, "I'm sorry, you can't do that. You don't have the funds in that account." HUH?! I tell her to check again as they should have been there as of this morning. Nope. NOTHING. I left, drove straight home skipping my other errands and got back into bed. I hate days like this.
On a brighter note - Mom Writer's Literary Mag is doing great this winter issue. Thanks so much for all your subscriptions :)
It's so good to have all my guys together again. Nevermind that they sleep until noon (or later) but it is good to see them spending time together. Today they spent time in the gym playing basketball together, jammed together on their guitars, keyboard and drums, and now they are heading out tonight for a couple games of bowling. I'm sure they will then invade the kitchen together (again) after they return and long after I am asleep. It is nice. They get along so well and I am one proud mama :)
Here's a couple of pictures of my gang Christmas Eve 2004 (3 years ago)...what can I say, we get crazy around food ;)
OK. I need some sleep. Happy Holidays everyone. May all your dreams come true... ;)
~Paula
Oh where oh where has December gone...
Date: December 15, 2007
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Food and Drink
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Happy Days
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Life...
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Sportsmom
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Oh where oh where can it be...? Seriously.
We have had sickness in our house since the end of November and by the time we are just getting over one thing, another sickness hits and spreads right through the house again. It's enough to drive a mom batty. Will the coughing ever end? My damn hands are RAW from washing them so much and the lady at Rite Aid must think I own stock in Lysol, Dimetapp and Tylenol.
So through all the illness I managed to get through my three finals for my college classes this past week - YIPPEEEE, I am done until January 22nd!!!! Such a GOOD feeling. My son Nicky Nacky finished up his finals at UCONN this week as well and Tony (at UMASS) will wrap his up by next Thursday (good luck Tone). We are looking forward to having you guys home for the holidays :)
Everyone around me seems to be having a baby. Really. Suddenly, so many women I know are pregnant or having a baby, which is great, don't get me wrong, but I am starting to feel...OLD. And I noticed that most of the bambinos have been - girls. Two of my colleagues recently had little girls (Kate and Annie) and just today we got the news that our neice had her baby 4 weeks early-and wouldn't you know-a baby girl, Carly Jane. Don't you just love these names - Kate, Annie and Carly - so adorable. We need some boys!
Basketball season for my guys is going well. Even through all the illness my butt's been planted in the gym three nights a week. Phillip's JV team is 4-0 and J's team is 3-1. Keep up the good work guys, you're doing great.
I've been listening to my Christmas music for the past couple weeks. I just love Christmas tunes. I think my favorites are Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells and Joy to the World. I know the kids get sick of hearing Sleigh bells ring...are you listening....but it's only one month out of the year, come on. Give up your Rage Against the Machine and Slightly Stoopid for just the month of December will ya. The music helps get me in the holiday spirit, what can I say. My Christmas shopping is done, cards are done, wrapping is almost done, we bought and trimmed our tree today (2 weeks late this year but oh well), and now all that is left is - the BAKING. Next week I hope to spend hours in the kitchen with some of my most treasured holiday recipes - and of course eating the stuff is THE best part (scale, what scale?)
Enjoy the holidays everyone - they pass so quickly. Oh, here is a dark and blurry picture of our Christmas tree that J took tonight - I think we need a new camera Santa.
MWLM winter mags have shipped out with our cover feature on Rock Star Momma Skye Hoppus so watch for those in your mailbox - and online starting Monday, the 17th! Have a super week!
Toodles, Paula
Thanksgiving memories
Happy Blitz Day (or Black Friday)! Has everyone done their shopping today with the Day After Thanksgiving sales? Not I. I don't get anywhere near the mall on this day. I simply don't like crowds and standing in long lines. I find it much easier, and cozier, to sit at my desk and click away at online sales ;) Well, I am almost finished with my holiday shopping so I'm not doing too bad this year...
How was everyone's Thanksgiving? Filling I hope :) We had a terrific turkey day at Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. The food was divine and the day was perfect - 60 degrees - who would have thought we would have 60's in mid November?
Here are some pics of my gang from Thanksgiving 2007
Food was yummy!
Phil, Nick, Anna, Tony & Joseph
Guess Dad was the only one ready for this shot
Phil, Tony, Joseph, Anna & Nick
Phil, Nick, Anna, Joseph & Tony
Me and the kids hanging at the village bank
Hope you had a wonderful day with your friends and family! I'm off now - back to a busy day of taxiing. Joseph found out he made the middle school A (Red) team and he has a practice, Phillip has bb practice, Tony has a doctor appointment and I've got to get some groceries so we have food in this house again.
Have a super weekend!
Paula
Happy Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving
So I got my cholesterol results back last Friday. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be :) but still a little high. Actually, it's my Triglycerides that need to come down and of course the doc is reminding me to exercise more and stick to my low fat diet - easier said than done. So I have that to work on for the next six months before seeing the doc again for my next check. No more bacon and eggs...and cheese, shellfish, burgers, fries.......
Basketball tryouts are finally over this week for my 1oth grader, thank god. Poor kid has broken out from the stress, sheesh. That's really tough on a young kid when there are so many kids wanting to play a sport at their school and the coaches watch their every move like a hawk -and then cut by weeks end to get to the number they need. Oiy! So his games begin December 1st and from there on out this mom will be in a basketball gym for 2 1/2 months straight. My 7th grader who is in middle school has tryouts as well for basketball and that starts tomorrow - wonder if he's going to break out too?
Happy Birthday Nicholas! My second oldest son's 19 today! He'll be home tonight from college for the week and it'll be so good to see him since he hasn't been home since he left for college this year at the end of August. God where is the time going?! See you soon Nacky!
Here's a couple pics of Nick...
Nicholas, 11, snuggles up with our new pup, Charlie. 
MusicMan Nick, 17, performing on his guitar.
I'd like to wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving! We'll be in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for a couple days and I am so looking forward to no cooking, cleaning, work or college classes. Yes!
Enjoy!
~Paula
WHY?
This past Saturday morning I received the news from my visibly shaken 15 year old son of the death of a 16 yr old friend whose life was taken in a car accident. I was in shock. We were in shock. I couldn't breath. I went to my son and held him, comforted him and my heart broke for him.
Why do these things happen? Why? This was a 16 year old boy who was everyone's best friend. He loved his family and friends, he loved hugs, he loved basketball, he loved life. And everyone loved him.
This boy and his family lived right down our country road and we exchanged friendly chit chat on the side of that country road or at basketball games. This boy played AAU basketball with my son. It's so unfair. But then I am reminded of the saying, Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans...and that can be a scary thought.
We attended this boy's funeral yesterday in the cold rain along with hundreds of others to say goodbye. Afterwards, my 15 year old son said to me with teary eyes, "I feel so sad for his mom and dad, and his brother. God, I can't even imagine that happening to one of my brothers or sister. I'd be a wreck." And then he asked me, "I've been thinking. What happens when you die, you know, what happens to you?"
I didn't know what to say. What exactly does happen? No one really knows. And then my 12 year old son Joseph quietly answered. "Chris knows now."
I told my boys that Chris was Chris - he was smiling down on everyone - all his family and friends with his shorts hiked up, bouncing a basketball (he loved to make people laugh) - and that he knows he is loved.
This is one of my son's favorite AAU basketball pics from a couple years ago. My son, Phillip, is kneeling with a huge smile in the front, second from the right. Chris is standing directly behind Phillip (third from the right) with his big, contagious smile. This is one of my favorite pictures too.
My son has fond memories of Chris. He will always be in our hearts.
~ Paula
