Pedicure

I sat in the massage chair while the gal worked on my feet. I knew I’d been upsold. I wanted plain hot pink toes, but she wouldn’t have it. Amidst her cleansing and buffing, she curled her nose, waved her arms in disgust and suggested a “frag” – which I later took to mean “Flag.” I hope I don’t sound mean. I just find myself feeling very awkward trying to decipher the very thick accents, over the drone of the massage chair and bustle of the salon.

So hot pink was out and frags were in. My younger sis was in on it too. In fact, the whole reason I brought Laura along was so she could give me support in the face of the sometimes-militant nail techs. You see, they like you to get fancy designs because they can charge more – who can blame them? Makes good business sense. And heck, if some of us are stupid enough to fall for it….


Anyway, she happily scurried around in her super-high heel opened-toed shoes, found the necessary red, white and blue and began her artwork – happy that I’d seen the light.

Now I’m left wondering – are these toes festive? Or gaudy? Should a grown woman be walking around with frags on her toes? Are toes an area where we can all let our hair down a little and have a touch of fun?

Grass Fire

I’m married to a news photographer. They’re the guys who run around with the big cameras on the their shoulder and shoot everything from Olympics to City-council meetings; TRAX accidents to the American Idol finale; and home invasions, robberies, high speed chases to the NBA finals. Needless to say, there are certainly some assignments that are more glamorous than others.

At any rate, when married to a camera news guy, they tend to always be on the lookout for…. Well, news. Any time there are flashing lights, Mark will pay extra close attention sometimes taking a detour or two. Any time we see something odd like a herd of cattle roaming around an exit ramp, Mark pulls over and gets his camera. And any time there is a plume of black smoke stretching into the sky, we find it. (Starting to sound like Super Heroes, huh?)

That’s what happened on Saturday afternoon. Mark, Ginger (the dog) and I were running errands and doing regular Saturday-type things when we saw a big cloud of smoke. At first we panicked cause it looked like it was our house. Then we panicked because it looked like it could be Ginger’s daycare. So we, of course, drove to it.

It was a grass fire next to TRAX at 4500 S. The smoke was thick and black – billowing out over traffic and causing quite a back up. Mark pulled up onto the median and went to work, disappearing into the smoky blanket. Ginger and I just sat there. The windows were down a bit and the AC was on but I almost thought I could feel the heat. Perhaps I was being dramatic, after all, it was 100 degrees that day. People driving by the news vehicle all strained to look in and see if I was somebody… (sorry folks). Ginger ranged from curious to nervous about the whole event and I just felt a little odd sitting on this island in the middle of 4500 s.

Killing time, I decided to pull out my little digital camera and shoot some video of my own. Trying to do what I’ve seen Mark do, I was very proud of one artistic shot through the side mirror. If you look closely, you can see Mark at work along with the firefighters. Perhaps a career change is in order for myself?… Ms. Photog!

Breakfast in bed

Who ever decided Breakfast In Bed was a good thing? A luxurious treat? A marvelous token to gift to someone you care about? Really… Sitting amongst your fuzzy blankets, wayward hair strands and dead skin cells, you’re supposed to sit up and try to crunch toast without needing to change the sheets immediately. Who decided that was a good thing? Is getting up and walking to the breakfast table REALLY that much of a chore?

We’ve just had Mother’s and Father’s Day and I bet if you ask around, one of the Moms or Dads you know will have endured this time-honored tradition. Those I’ve asked smile at the thought of their little ones proudly entering with the meal, but when asked if they like it – they universally say, "Not really."
To clarify: They love watching their kids, they love how much the kids love it but on the pure merits of eating breakfast where you sleep… the answer is no. So who decided it was a good thing?

I burdened my own Mom with this great gift once maybe twice. My siblings and I all decided that was a great gift idea. We got up early, went to the kitchen. I don’t remember what we cooked, but since none of us really knew how to cook, I’ll bet it was cereal (probably soggy because we got the milk poured first thing) and toast. How luxurious! We served it on one of Mom’s big cookie sheets. I can picture her lying in bed now hearing us in the kitchen. Surely she thought, "No, not breakfast in bed… not again…" Hearing the mess in its creation – a mess I’m certain she had to clean.

One Dad even quipped that Sunday is his only day to eat breakfast with his kids and he was listening to them out at the kitchen table while he sat in bed with his breakfast (he eventually joined them).

So, to this time-honored tradition, I respectfully say "No Thank you!" Though as the Karma train goes, I’ve got at least 2 of them to endure in the coming years!

Tonys '07

Whew!

That’s all I can say after a whirlwind weekend in the Big Apple. What a trip, what a city! You’ve heard me rave about NYC before but I can’t go there and not feel like I have to share things we did and saw.

I went there for the TONY Awards… and to see shows, of course. Mark, my hub, is very skilled with a video camera and he was willing to shoot behind-the-scenes with the TONYs and what it’s like to go there as a press person. Very fun. You can check it out below.

Friday on the island of Manhattan, we ate breakfast, put on our walking shoes and walked all over the island. From Central Park down to Greenwich Village – which is quite a hike. We saw everything from sunbathers, the requisite yellow cabs, a Hari Krishna parade and a cat taking a nap in a store window. OH! We stumbled across a great maternity store and found quite a few – affordable – shirts and jeans and what not. Even Mark hung in there and was super patient and helpful – what a guy!

We saw Legally Blonde – loved it!
Curtains – Really loved it!
LoveMusik – Liked it… interesting
Grey Gardens – Not so much.

In between, we ate great meals, people watched and – my ultimate goal – tried not to look like tourists…. Though we always do. Alas…

I love it any time I can make a trip to The Big Apple. It’s an incredible city! Stay tuned for more updates, and more on the TONY Awards. Including: Mispronouncing a few names (not a good idea), and Conan O’ Brien’s Triumph The Insult Comic Dog. UGH!

Parking Lot Pennies

I felt like a poor girl.

I felt like a bag lady.

How could I be stooping to this low?

Is anyone looking at me?

I need to hurry!
But geez… what would you do?

I pulled into the parking lot yesterday to meet a friend for lunch. As I get out of my car, I see this:


So I ask you: What would you do? Was I really that ridiculous to decide to pick up the pennies?

I worried first that the pennies would be stuck to the ground and that someone was hiding nearby to laugh at the poor girl who needs money so badly she’ll pick up pennies. Then as they lifted easily off the parking lot, I worried that I might still be in view of the window or something and was providing someone with ample lunchtime amusement.

But today, I’m 62 cents richer! I picked up 62 pennies yesterday. Now I know all of you would bend over to pick up two quarters, a dime and perhaps the remaining two pennies… or perhaps not.

What’s the stigma with pennies? They still spend, right? Perhaps it’s because they’re not as convenient. I’ve realized that now that I’ve picked up an extra 62 cents, I don’t know where to spend it. No one seems to want pennies. I’m sure you’ve felt the look of “COME ON ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!” from cashiers when you’ve reached in your pocket and pulled out pennies.

But I like them. I’ve decided they ARE worth my time. And in 30 seconds, I earned 62 cents and the knowledge that tires look a little bald (something that’ll require more that 62 cents.)

Today this bag lady will find something to spend her new fortune on. (Though I still hope nobody saw me ;)

Star Wars

I found myself transported to a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away. We had a friend over on Saturday night and the two boys decided Star Wars Trivial Pursuit was the best way to spend our time. Soundtrack playing, Darth Vader noises being made by the men, we began…

Imagine, if you will: Mark – My Star Wars Nerd of a husband. Scot – Our Star Wars Nerd of a friend and me…. Not a Star Wars nerd at all. We were going head-to-head; every man for himself; dog eat dog, Jedis vs. the dark side. But I surely didn’t imagine that they would hold me to the same stringent rules that they had to follow… I mean COME ON!!! Should Mark REALLY get to roll EVERY time he answered correctly?! And shouldn’t I get a bonus of some sort for knowing Tatooine is desolate?

It started with my buddy R2D2 giving me a little help by ‘letting’ me roll 7s while others could only roll 6s. This seemed to cause a stir, but hey… R2 beeped it so.

Scot read me a question about Elephants feet being used as the feet for what creature? Well I had no idea, but Scot helped me ‘ It starts with a B,’ which didn’t seem to bother anyone until I said “Banthas!” Well, that got Mark riled up and Scot vowing no more help to those less fortunate. Heartless.

Bear in mind I suffered through many agonizing minutes while the boys took their turns – discussing Echo Station 3T8, the good and bad of planets Alderaan, Yavin, and Dagobah and dialogue. Something like “Han Ma-bookie.” Yes… that was actually said and Mark seemed to know what it meant (frightening!)

When it was finally my turn, Leia landed on a pink-pie square, though she looked more intent on taking her own life. The question: Who nodded to a disguised Leia at Jabba’s Palace. I pause, think of the scene, Mark and Scot smirk. Imagine their surprise when I say, “Boba Fett.” Then everyone was riled up that R2 helped me land on that square to begin with. Seriously boys? Do you really expect me to play with the same expertise as you? Are we not interested in a LITTLE bit of equality?

I finessed a few more pies by knowing CP30 was in the trash compactor, the name of the Sarlacc Pit, and that Ewoks appear in Return of the Jedi (much to the chagrin of Star Wars purists). But who knew Mos Eisley was a spaceport? Or Mace Windu a person… sound like planets and weapons to me.

Nevertheless, Mark won the game with a question so egregiously simple I can hardly type it here:
Who did the voice of Darth Vader? WHAT?!?!?!?! Can that REALLY even be a question? How annoying that Mark walked away with the game by knowing the great James Earl Jones uttered those famous words “Luke, I am your father.” Come on!!

Here are my proposed new rules for Star Wars Trivial Pursuit when playing with Non-Star Wars Geeks:
Star Wars Geeks (hereby known as SWG) are only allowed to roll (or push R2’s head) 3 times. Period. Then it’s someone else’s turn.
Non-SWGs get to continue to push R2’s head as long as they continue to know answers (trust me, this is still very fair – we don’t know that many answers!)
Someone should be deemed the SW judge and decide if certain questions are too easy for a true die-hard SWG.
Non-SWGs get R2’s help to roll 7 spaces.
Lastly, when a non SWG gets a correct answer – without any help – there needs to be significant rejoicing!!

May the force be with you! (Perhaps that’ll be Mark’s next game-winning question!)

**This was the longest spell-check I have ever sat through. All these silly Star Wars names**

Grandma

I lost my sweet Grandma today

She had a hip surgery. I don’t think there were any complications…. I just think she didn’t have the will to go on. My Grandpa passed away a few years ago and she’s wanted to be with him ever since. There is some comfort in that.

I’ve been so fortunate in my life that I’ve known all of my grandparents well. We’ve lived nearby and I was able to spend a lot of time with them. In the past 5 years I’ve lost 3 of them. Again, I’m lucky that they’ve lived such long, healthy lives. I’ve not had to watch them suffer through disease, Alzheimer’s or anything. They’ve all been clear, lucid and capable up until the end.

It leaves me to think….

As I stood at my Grandma’s side, holding her hand, hoping she would wake long enough to see I was there, I looked at the family pictures that surrounded her bed. Her newest great granddaughter (my niece), her grandson’s wedding announcement, notes written in the hand of a 6 year old, and the picture of her with grandpa…. What a legacy. She leaves behind a big, wonderful, loving, supportive, loyal family that I’m so happy and blessed to be part of.

I wonder, what will my legacy be? Will so many smiling faces surround me? Will Mark and I have logged 60 ¾ years together? Will I see any great grandkids?

Then of course, I’m left to reflect… Did I visit often enough? No. Not at all. I did try and we’d have nice visits. I liked getting her to talk about how she met Grandpa. How they’d only know each other so briefly and she moved off to Texas to marry the serviceman who asked her to move and “keep house” for him.

It’s strange to me that when I’m my parents’ age, I’ll have gone 30 years without seeing my wonderful grandparents. Do you start to forget what they look like? Do you forget that Grandma always had cookies in the cookie jar? Do you forget how Grandpa would cut up watermelon for everyone? Do you forget that Grandma loved to crochet and we’d all run around in slippers she made for us that looked like tennis shoes?

How can I make sure I don’t? How do I make sure I remember my Grandma the way she was and not the way I last saw her, so thin, weak and asleep?

My Grandma was the happiest person I’ve known. Always a cheery disposition, never a cross word and always a glint in her eye… always smiling. She had a tremendous love for her family and could readily recite how many kids, grandkids and great grandkids she had and also tell you their birthdays. We always got a card from grandma on our birthday (usually with $5) and a phone call – a phone call that would begin with her singing “Happy Birthday to you!” Grandma loved celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries any reason for a gathering.

Grandpa was the “most wonderful man anyone could ever ask for” her sons were the “most wonderful sons anyone could ever ask for” and her home was “the most wonderful home anyone could ever ask for – why would you want to go anywhere else?”

Many wonderful memories of grandma’s house fill my head. I wonder if I’ll ever go in the house again. Her famous picture-wall, the sheer closet (we dressed up in her left –over sheer fabric when we were little), the cookie jar, the plants, haunted houses we grandkids made as kids, a few sleepovers on the sofa pull-out which I thought was the fanciest thing I’d ever seen, desserts on Sunday nights, fresh plums, the “C” nursery and most of all, a gathering place for my family. A place to see my aunts, uncles and my cousins every Sunday night – what a treat!

I love and will miss Grandma. But knowing she is with Grandpa makes it easier – I’m sure she’s scolding him for leaving her. And I know they are sitting on the love seat, watching Matlock and holding hands.