The BIG Goal Announcement

As many of you know, I am riding in the Tour de Cure for Diabetes this Saturday. I will be riding 16 miles honoring my best childhood friend’s daughter. At first, I wasn't entirely sure that I could complete the 16 miles, but today, I am certain I can do it.

Funny thing is, “training” for this event has rekindled my love for bike riding. I have dusted that bad boy girl off and given her a real workout. I have the same bike for about 12 years now, nothing fancy, just a typical street riding Schwinn bicycle, but I do love my bike. Unfortunately the ole gal was gathering dust hanging from her jumbo hook in the ceiling of my garage for quite some time. The bike, she and I have officially become one again!

It is my goal to continue riding throughout the summer and as long into the Fall as possible, taking a break over the Winter and begin again early next Spring. I would really like to complete the next level of the Tour next year, the 35 mile ride. Whew, that sure sounds like a long ride, so very, very far, but it’s a goal, a personal goal I am hereby setting for myself.

In order to do the 35 mile ride, I will need to really train hard, which I believe I can do, because of my love for riding. Only time will tell, but if I can do it, hell, there is a whole bouquet of benefits to come. I may end up in the best physical shape of my life, I will definitely be healthier, stronger and feel better, mind, body and soul. Those bene’s cannot be beat!

So I have done it, my hands dripping with sweat on my keyboard, I have set this goal! Wish me luck, and hey, if you would like to sponsor me for the ride this Saturday, I would really appreciate that!

Peace.

I am Riding for a Cure

When my life long friend called me nearly 8 years ago to tell me her 7 year old daughter was admitted to the hospital, I, like anyone else, was devastated to find out more.


"She has been diagnosed with childhood diabetes, aka, Type 1 diabetes", she explained.


"She will be insulin dependent for the rest of her life", she sobbed.


I immediately drove to the hospital. We cried, we hugged, we thought of how this would not only change her daughter's life, but how it would change the entire family. There were two other sisters, one older, one younger.


We continued to talk, and then, I remember saying to her, you know, lets be grateful that it's only diabetes, and nothing worse.

Just then, things changed. My friend realized that she could muster up the strength to take the disease head on and learn how to live with it. It's not life threatening, after all, unless it goes untreated.

So, learn she did. She read and watched everything she could get her hands on. Sugars, carb counting, insulin measurements, oh my. Within no time, she was an expert.


Today, at fifteen (15) my dear friends daughter is a happy, otherwise healthy, gorgeous teen.


Recently, when I learned the Tour de Cure would be in my neighborhood, it was a no brainer. In five minutes (literally, thanks to Facebook) I assembled a team, and was registered to ride 16 miles to help find a cure for this disease on Saturday, June 27th.


As a participant, I need to raise money for the cause, and could really use some help. Would you sponsor me?


Peace

Field Day 09

He awoke with a sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face that you could see for a mile. It was afterall, the most wonderful day of the school year, FIELD DAY!

Decked out in his favorite silky shorts, the official Field Day t-shirt, fastest sneakers he owns, clean socks and his coolest undies, he enters my bathroom and applies deodorant. "Mom, I'm Ready" declares Schmoogie. He is all set for the big day!

The cooler is packed, we are armed with energy enhancing goods, including carrots, cucumber slices, water bottles and juice bags for the class.

The rain gives way and allows the sweet sun to shine through. It will be a great day. Dolce and Gabanna's on, we are off.

I explain to the Schmoog~Master in the car that I, as a child wasn't as enthused about field day. "See Schmoogie, they didn't have fourth and fifth place ribbons, the didn't have "participation" ribbons, so I, very rarely ever got a ribbon."

I go on to tell him "one time I remember receiving the first place blue ribbon for the tug of war." (You know tug of war is a class event, and the win was no thanks to me, that's for sure!)

Quick stop for breakfast sandwiches and we arrive the school.

We eat breakfast at one of the picnic tables.

Set up our sheet under his classes tent.

Carry over the cooler and into the classroom to help Mrs. B apply tattoo's on all of Schmoogie's classmates' arms.

Out to the field for the day to begin...

Second place in the 50 yard dash.

First place in the 400 meter race.

First place for the three legged race he so eloquently won with his pal from his class!

Now it's time for tug of war. I lead the class in chants to encourage their enthusiasm, have them flex their tiny muscles to arouse their adrenalin flow, chicken dance their finger tips to get them ready for an ultra tight grip on that rope. One of the Dads spell out some more strategy. First you dig your feet, then lean back and pull! And they are on. Mrs. B's Bolts are strong, the girls turn up the girl power and the anchors are secure.

PUUUUULLLLLL! The parents, janitors and other school staff cheer them on.

They were psyched. They did really well, blew away the first competitors, and were ready for the next. Only, the next team was big, they had been practicing, they looked ready, I was nervous, but our kids were ready too.

PUUUULLLLLLL!

They got us, but hey, we did well, 2nd place, not too shabby!

At the conclusion of the morning activities, I make my way to my office. Big D will stay and enjoy the afternoon's water events.

The most wonderful day of the school year was exciting, fun and a great time for the kids to let loose, and have some fun. It was great! Congrats Schmoogie, you rock!!

Peace.

A day at the beach....

A rainy day at the beach is still better than a great day at work!

Yesterday, I was one of many chaperone's on the annual third grade field trip to Fire Island. I was so looking forward to this trip since last September, when Schmoogie's teacher told me of the excursion. I was elated to take the day off from work, take the school bus to board the ferry and frolic at the beach with my son. We'll have to drench ourselves in sunscreen, wear a funny hat, tank top, shorts, ooooh the sunshine and warm sand in our toes will be such a treat. We'll have lunch on a blanket, skip rocks into the ocean, gather shells, take in all of the freshly blossomed foliage along the boardwalk trail. What a fantastic day it'll be, Schmoogie!

So, yesterday, the day arrived. Almost ready, I had to remember to packed my positive attitude, as we embark on our field trip. The picture was quite different than Schmoogie and I had imagined. We were fully clothed from head to toe, sans sunscreen, add sweatshirt, umbrella, baseball hats, and a towel not for sitting on the beach, but rather for drying off. Throw in the rain jacket purchased at the beach's gift shop, and we had ourselves a field trip.

The rain was relentless. We still had the best time ever, and heck, who needs sun to have a nice day anyway? It was great, we still collected shells, ate lunch on the blanket (with our hoods up), we raced through the boardwalk trail, opposed to slowly taking it in, and basked in the rain. The kids played rain football on the beach while the Mom's (and Dad's) took shelter utilizing the fenced in garbage corral.

It was still better to spend my day with Schmoogie, the other chaperone's and their children, who are incidentally our friends outside of school, rather than being in my office.

We hoped for fun in the sun, and turned it into fun in the rain!

Peace.

No Adult, No Pool, That's our Rule!

While rounding out the holiday weekend at a friend's house, the kids were all geared up for a fun-filled afternoon of swimming and bbq.

"The rule is no one in the pool without an adult there," the hostess reminds the kids as they run towards the pool area.

Sighs, grunts and groans come from six very anxious children all ready for a sweet dip in the 82 degree heated pool.

"Come on Mom, I am a good swimmer," declares Schmoogie.

"Not my rule, not our pool. Sorry Schmoogie," my clever response.

As I assist our hostess with the final touches, Big D steps up to the plate and steps into lifeguard mode. The splashing begins.

Noodle, who always wears swimmies and holds onto a noodle or kickboard decides to jump in with the kickboard, sans swimmies. Big D is impressed.

Seconds later, Noodle lets go of the kickboard and sinks to the bottom of the pool. The lifeguard, decked out in his party gear, cell phone in one pocket, cash and wallet in the other, jumps in the pool and retrieves the very shaken Noodle.

After the scare, the day progresses without further incident, all is well. Glad I spent all that money on swimming lessons.

A rude awakening to say the least, considering our pool will be open on June 4th. Over dinner last night, I reminded my darling children that the previous day's event could have yielded a very different outcome, had Big D not been there. It was dramatic conversation, it needed to be. I made the announcement that there will be no swimming, no children in the pool area without an adult, no exceptions.

Sure, there was a little grief from Schmoogie, then the reminder that he didn't even notice his baby brother at the bottom of the pool, and even if he had, he couldn't have done anything to help him. Grief ceases.

For the first time, I am nervous about our pool.

Peace.

A Mother's Day to Remember

With excitement in their eyes, their hands filled with handmade treasures, their hearts filled with love, they jump on my bed and shout “Happy Mother’s Day!”

A handmade silhouette of my first born, the tiniest of flower pots with first week sprouting, and a white gift bag filled with pink and brown tissue paper and a gift card to East Wind Spa drown me as I awake from sleeping in, yet another gift for the day.

I gaze into both sets of eyes and admire their gigantic smiles and offer a big Mama hug to both of my adorable children. I squeeze them both, simultaneously and grin with happiness, inside and out. I lovingly look at them again, and thank them for giving me the privilege to be a Mother. I love being a Mommy, I love being their Mommy.

A buttered bagel and hot cup of coffee await my arrival at the kitchen table. As I indulge, my three favorite people and I chat about what the rest of the day has in store.

A late brunch at one of the finest restaurants on the North Fork, with Grandma and Grammy turns out exquisite.

As we finish up brunch, with nothing really planned for the remainder of the day, Big D’s cell phone rings with a lovely invitation.

“We’re heading up to Martha Clara with the kids, hoping you can join us.”

“I will talk to P, I’m sure she’ll be in, sounds like fun.”

We spend the rest of the afternoon sipping wine with friends, as our children run and play in the open fields overlooking breathtaking views of grape filled vines. Kite flying, ball playing and picnic baskets are flowing. Animals are out for viewing and a pirate ship shaped playset occupy more of the time for our children. Fresh air and warm sun nestle us as we enjoyed all that Mother’s Day had to offer.

It truly was a day to remember. I hope yours was too.

Peace.

Football Dad

The weather has been frightful here on the NoFo, until this Saturday, when it really began to warm up.

Schmoogie had a basketball game and a subsequent playdate with one of his bball buddies later that afternoon. Much to my surprise, and as I am about to leave for a haircut appointment, I notice that Big D not only brought home one bball buddy, but two. Big undertaking for Big D, who also will have the well rested, soon to be up from a nap, Noodle to deal with.

I cannot help but smile as I get into the car, say whew to myself and high tail it out of the driveway. He'll be fine.

Approximately one hour and fifteen (all to myself) minutes later, I return home to the same place I high tailed out of to find the same smile on my face. As I look at the wanting to be green, water saturated grass, I see four children, one toddler, and the best Daddy on the block playing a football game. Big D recruited yet a third boy for the playdate, a neighborhood child that I adore, so Big D could become official quarterback and the boys could enjoy a well balanced, fair and even teamed game of football.

The toddler child, Noodle, ran aimlessly after another football that Schmoogie and his friends feverishly threw anywhere on the grass and yelled "run Noodle, run, yeah, touchdown"!

It started getting colder and one of the boys asked for a sweatshirt, then another, another and another, until they were all sweatshirt-ed up and I ran into to turn on the tea kettle. Hot cocoa all around. I quickly made six cups of cocoa and set up a plate of cookies.

They started filing in, hungry, cold and thirsty. After a well needed round of gatorade, I direct them to the dining room.

Big D sat in the dining room with the five boys and I stood in the doorway watching them sip cocoa and snack on cookies, listening to the days best plays, the worst plays, those that were executed perfectly and those not, smiling as they all giggle, sip and chew. I listened to Big D compliment the boys, encourage them to practice in areas of need and answer questions they had about plays.

As I stood there, I couldn't help but think how lucky my children are to have been blessed with one of the best fathers in the world. Then it occurred to me, hey, I'm darn lucky too!

Peace.

Recession is Making me Sick

I never thought my second post would be a sad post.

However, I learned some awful news this morning that brought back a wave of emotions that I cant even begin to describe.

A very close friend lost his job.

For many of us, our jobs, in part, define who we are. A massive amount of your awake time is spent "at work", much of our adult life is spent "at work", when you meet someone new, or rekindle with someone old, one of the first questions is "so what do you do?", which means "what do you do, at work". So, its not difficult to understand why when you lose your job, a part of your identity dies.

When your job is pulled out from under you without notice or hesitation, I can tell you, it is a horrible feeling. It happened to me four and a half years ago, when I was pregnant with Noodle. For a very long time after, I felt as if my world was turned upside down. I felt, sort of, dead inside. Lucky for me, I have Big D, and with some lifestyle adjustments, we did just fine. As for my friend, he too is lucky, as he has a wife with a great job that will carry them through until he secures another position.


His job is (was) one of those that are dependent on this wretched economy. Apparently his abundance of talent and professional skills are not "necessary" right now as we spiral out of control into a recession, depression?

When we were little and were posed that age old question of "what do you want to be when you grow up?". Ya know, no one ever said, "make sure you pick something that is not dependent on the economy." Because, it wasn't a concern. It wasn't a concern even though our grandparents lived through a recession and then a depression. It wasn't a concern because that could never happen again. Well, it did.

In today's world what is happening with the economy, flat out, should not! We are such a rich society, with so many resources, experience and wealth that we should not be in this situation. We should have known better... in my opinion, we have suffered this crisis because of greed.

We need to reflect on who we are, where we have come from and where we wish to be in this country and stop all of the nonsensical BS that politics, greed and sin have allowed this country to marinade in for so long.

Obama says it will get worse before it gets better, only time will tell. How can we, as a nation, have allowed this to get this far in the first place?


For today, I leave you sick to my stomach and sad.
Peace