Talking Turkey

I look back on Thanksgiving weekend. We celebrated in an unorthodox way: we went out to eat. Normally we go to my aunt and uncle in New Jersey, but they spent a few weeks with my cousin and her family in Illinois. My mother didn't want me to "fuss" for just six of us, so I made a reservation at Legal Sea Foods. It was a real treat for the rest of the family; I enjoy Legal during my annual business trip to Boston (where I am right now). None of us is especially partial to turkey, but we all think fish and shellfish are awesome.

One of the comments made at our table was that we were glad both grownups in our house have good jobs so we could afford a nice meal at a restaurant. Grandmother, father, and two older boys enjoyed a couple dozen clams on the half shell. We feasted on lobster bisque, stuffed shrimp, mussels, and ravioli in the shape of fish (can you tell which was from the kids' menu?). I had a carb free dinner so felt entitled to cheesecake. Boys had chocolate mousse parfaits, sans whipped cream (which really means a tall glass of mousse...sorta like ordering a sandwich sans bread).

That morning, we joined friends to participate in an adult/junior bowling tournament. The following day, we had lunch with my sister-in-law and her son, who was home from his first semester at Albany, and got to see my niece for a little while too. Friday evening we had dinner with friends (who are the parents of a boy and girl who grew up with our two younger sons in day care) and shared their Turkey Day leftovers (some of which became chili). Saturday we spent the afternoon with a close friend, C, whose eleven year old son was in town; normally he is with his mother in Massachusetts. C and I watched a DVD of Looney Tunes -- cartoons we grew up with but hadn't watched in years -- while all four boys strategically pursued one another with Nerf dart guns. That evening, we had chicken cutlets and home made steak fries as a yummy last meal together before I left for my business trip.

As I relax in my hotel room, I know that Thanksgiving has left me with a lot to be grateful for this year...not the least of which includes the two dips in the whirlpool since arriving here yesterday. You should know that I'm grateful for you, too, my friends, but I'll say it anyway just so you're sure.

Wind Outta My Sails

Last night I had the chance to do some holiday shopping after dinner...Borders and Target. When I came home I had to tell hubby something important, so I put everything aside in a safe place (so I thought) for a few minutes. Afterwards, I thought things looked a bit disturbed so I asked the kids...they 'fessed up that they'd quickly looked through all the bags and boxes.

I know they're just being kids, but I was upset. I'm the one who does most of the running around, organizing, wrapping, preparing, etc. and it's a real joy to see the surprises when gifts are opened. So now what do I get for all my hard work? Where will my holiday spirit come from this year?

Sorry this is a sad post but I can't help it. Hopefully this feeling will pass.

Batty

The youngest amigo decided to pop out of bed at 6:30. This is half an hour before his alarm clock rings, and usually 40 minutes before he gets up on a typical weekday. So he watched some TV before getting dressed and taking his vitamins. About 15 minutes before he and I were due to leave the house, he asked to play the Wii. I didn't think it was a good idea because it takes a few minutes to start up, and a few minutes to shut down...not much actual playing time.

Son #2 pipes up at this point, and points out that his brother could play the Wii upon arriving home from school. No dice, I say, since he has to work on his report on bats that's due next Wednesday.

"He has to write a report on baseball bats? COOL!"

Not exactly...pallid bats...but we did have a good chuckle.

Everything's Coming Up...Audrey II

Well, both boys were chosen for chorus parts for Little Shop of Horrors. They're happy for a number of reasons. First, it was their maiden voyage with voice auditions. Next, they'll be together. Also, there weren't a lot of sixth graders picked, so Son #3 is puffing his little chest out with pride. Speaking of the selection process, they discovered that all the kids who were on the list for final call backs for the stage parts were eighth graders who all had previous theatrical experience...so no reason to lament the landing of a chorus part. Finally, they don't have to attend all the rehearsals, so it won't be as grueling as a stage part would be. I'm thinking it's all good!

Another update with a smiley face: Mom's posterior bruise from two weeks ago is finally beginning to clear up. I'm not back in my familiar denim jeans yet, but I'm back in pants that aren't so snug. I was beginning to tire of skirts, but I was happy for the support of the panty hose. LOL. How long will it be before the next "card carrying klutz" happening? Stay tuned.

What Have YOU Done Today?

This morning, I was taking our youngest to before school care (our 7:20AM weekly ritual). The CD I had in the player happened to be on Heather Small's "Proud" at the time. Upbeat tune, upbeat lyrics. The refrain is

What have you done today to make you feel proud?
It's never too late to try
What have you done today to make you feel proud?
You could be so many people
If you make that break for freedom
What have you done today to make you feel proud?

So when we get to the school, he says to me, "Were the words to that song 'what have you done today to make you feel round?' " Funny how we sometimes hear something completely different than what the vocalist intends! We had a good laugh over this when I told him what the actual lyrics are. We then had a good case of the sillies as he suggested ways to feel round, f'rinstance eating an entire pizza pie. (One could also LOOK round after that!)

It's the little things...

Breaking into Song

Son #1 and Son #2 decided that they want to audition for the middle school play (Little Shop of Horrors). Not sure why, since neither was interested in their school theatrical production last year; in fact, the choral teacher practically begged me to get my oldest to try out for The Wiz in seventh grade. He recoiled in horror at the idea of being on stage, and seemed visibly uncomfortable even to think about being in the pit chorus.

But they've somehow been bitten by the performance bug. I'd love to know who or what flipped this switch. Middle one is sauntering around the house singing Mean Green Mother from Outer Space and oldest is crooning Suddenly Seymour in the shower. My personal favorite is Somewhere That's Green by the adorable and talented Ellen Greene (although Mandy Patinkin did a very nice cover on one of his collections). They seem to like it when I sing that at tuck in time.

Both kids tied their soccer games 2 to 2 this weekend. No losses, whew!

Yeowch

Serves me right, maybe, for always trying to squeeze in one more thing. I can't MERELY get up, shower, eat, put lunches together, and get the kids motivated for school. I have to also empty the dishwasher, do food prep for tonight, and bring plastic and aluminum to the recycling bucket in the garage.

On the way to the garage, which is down several steps, at 6:20 in the morning, the front piece of the top step cracked. I went down hard, bruising the left side of my derriere as I bounced all the way to the bottom. Bouncing may be natural for tiggers, but my tail doesn't like it. I'm really glad I didn't break my coccyx or crack one of the lower spinal vertebrae, but MAN do I have a nasty swollen part on my backside.

I've got a business meeting today in NYC, so I have to take the Long Island Rail Road in a couple of hours. Lots of walking too. Right now I'm sitting on my couch, with an ice pack wedged behind/under my tush. It still hurts like a $#@%&.

So if your Monday morning began uneventfully, and you're cursing Mondays on principle, be grateful that you didn't have this particular start to your week!