my favorite things

as my nemesis, oprah, closes out her show (props to her for being successful and all. whatever.) i thought i'd take a page from her book. sadly the page i take won't be running a marathon in 4hrs (credit, where credit is due). she always does this crazy give away show, which i have never seen, but hear plenty about. so if i had a bunch of money, an obscene amount of influence and the entire top floor of a downtown chicago high rise, what would i give you?

• every episode of 30 Rock, so you could laugh with me instead of reminding me that i am a total nerd
• your choice: vibram five-fingers or crocs, because no matter how ugly they, like broccoli, are good for ya'. also, it would be really cool to see a whole bunch of people walking around wearing either of them, without shame or irony
• a prime rib, as made by mr. mooklettes. i don't know how he'd feel about having you all over for dinner, but honestly you have not lived until you have had his prime rib...
• a copy of Food Matters, by Mark Bittman. after that prime rib, you're gonna need to be a "lessmeatatarian" like I am.
• a comfy sweatshirt: nothing screams sexy like the sight of me in my 20 year old Loyola sweatshirt with holes and frayed cuffs. you should be able to rock that look, too. (bonus, add in flannel pj bottoms and my crocs. i KNOW, hot, huh?)
• ivory liquid: it's not just for dishes. guaranteed most dependable bath bubble for all your soaking needs
• steel cut oats in a five pound bag: sure to induce guilt over not giving your body enough whole grains. tasty, too.
• now this one is really personal: a big case of Hefeweizen (and not the crap from costco). just the thought of giving beer away makes me weepy, but it is important to share. spare me the "i can't see through this beer" comments, grab an orange slice and be quiet.
• your choice (again): my nude portrait (thx Louisa), my boxed set of vintage Erma Bombeck paperbacks(thx Cheryl), my Picasso (yes, it is real, don't ask-long story), or my amazing Polaroid (thx Jen). I can't give them to you, because I'd miss them too much, but you can come over and spend time with them.
• a day off work: on a day when every one else is working. just us, hanging out, shooting the breeze. (what can i say, i'm a giver)

what i really would love to give you is time to play, time to be free from worry and stress, time to enjoy the lives you work so hard for. but, i'm not omnipotent, i'm not oprah!

peace!!

Good Bye Old Friends...

After 330 miles it is time to retire my beloved "cute" shoes. Thanks for all miles we logged together!

Starting off '08 with a few of my favorite things...

i am copying this from Jen, who picked it up from another fellow blogger, and I encourage u to go for it- google image the answers, cut and paste and have fun!

How old on my next b'day?

A place I want to visit?

Carmel, Ca- honeymoon destination and my favorite place. Sure other places are warmer, more exotic or fancier, but the beauty of the northern coast puts me at peace...

Favorite Place?

Reading in bed...but, throw in all four kids and it's even better!

Favorite Object?

this one is a toss-up: my ipod or my books???

books it is!

Favorite food?

any chopped salad

Favorite color?

always, always true to BLUE!

Favorite animal?

have to agree with Jen on this one....

stuffed! This is C.'s special buddy- doesn't get cuter!

My first grade teacher's name?

Forge- God love her, my brother talked me into telling her to "cool her jets" and she took it in stride, knowing that I had probably been put up to it by one of the boys!

Middle Name?

my mother's first name

denise

Bad Habit?

too much time on the computer...

College Major?

History: Loyola Marymount University

Favorite Holiday?

my birthday- 'cause it's all about ME! HAHAHAHAHAHA

Whew- took a little longer than I thought! That was fun :)

Peace- J.

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year! No resolutions for me, just try everyday to appreciate my kids, loved ones and buddies!

All of the family has departed and we had a great visit...pics coming as soon as computer woes are ironed out. So, too, will a New Year's card- just got to get one computer up and running 100%. I think that will be under control by later today!

I'm looking forward to having the rest of this week off from school and hanging out at home with the mooklettes. hope your little corner of the world is bright, happy and full of love!

ps- I do have a goal for 2008- to run 1000 miles...we'll see!

Summer's Here

How do I know?
...it's 90 degrees at 6am
...I've read three novels in the first week
...I've put more miles on my car this week then I did all school year (geez- I love the school bus)
...there are wet towels hiding things on the bathroom floor
...9 times out of 10 the phone rings for the kids, not us
...I'm helping J. read Count of Monte Christo- also helping him "think" about it :)
...board games...library...crafts...LOVE IT!

And they're off...

We are off to La Jolla for the 5K/Half-marathon. Most of us will do the 5K and then cheer Kathleen and Sarah at the finish line of the half. Today we pick up our materials and have a girls' night celebration for Karen's birthday!
I'll post pics on our return!

Seeing Spots????

No, I'm not trying to gross anyone out- but what to do?? Is it something she ate? Shampoo? Lack of moisturizer? Grass? Is she just bored and trying a new look??

Dr. says no worries...we will see!

PS- yes the blog looks a bit different, just felt like a new template- I've had enough spots for a bit!

Kathy Griffin-

The ladies and I went to see Kathy Griffin at the McCallum last night. Brilliant and profane- simply awesome.

She is current and quick and cut's right to it...A very funny, smart woman!

It was so great to be out with some of the best women I know and laugh and enjoy each other's company. What a treat- I'm a lucky girl...

Monday, Monday

Here we go... I finished Teacher Man (yeah), so I can add pages to the Read-A-Thon list! Today C. and I are off running errands- university, costco,old navy, and if she can hang in there a couple of stops at the mall. Chris leaves for science camp tomorrow and will be gone for the rest of the week...We will try again this afternoon to get a Christmas card pic- 200 shots and counting! Science fair due this week for K., three family stories for John, who knows what Joe will be needing! Ortho on wed.- pain to follow the rest of the week for the kids- bring on the tylenol.
Something to look forward to: Kathy Griffin with the girls on Sat. and trying to get to Amy's on Sunday- fun, fun, fun :)

This was one of those rare good "forwards" I received! Remember, I am partial to 3rd grade classrooms...Thanks to Tricia...

WET PANTS

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful.

But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers,

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?” Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."
May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.
Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Stranger Than Fiction

Our first time out since C. was born! This was a great movie. Will Ferrel did a fantastic job, delievering a subtle performance. It has a very intriguing storyline and gave us a lot to think about and talk about afterwards. Not giving anything away- the overall premise is a reflection on what kind of life is worth living, why do people sacrifice for others, and does art take priority over living? Two Mooklette thumbs up!

36 years

i'm 36 today! i am so thankful for the life i have :)
my husband is the man of my dreams, my kids are awesome,
my girlfriends rock
and, thankfully, my parents are still out and about and loving life
I am a lucky lady...

loving the "o.c.c."

today's quote from american chopper (my favorite program!)

"go create something, you'll feel better about yourself"

paul sr to mikey

this is why i love this show, unexpected moments of profundity

so here i am just putting a little something out there, for fun, to keep myself engaged and others included in our family's lives

with such a gift as our little family, how can you not share?