Yep - here's what we did...

... instead of gymnastics and morning out today.... Play area at the mall, complete with Cokes and buttery pretzels. While there, I kept hearing parents of children who were similar in age to mine say, "Why don't you go and play with Mario and Rihanna?" And... I kept thinking - "WHO are Mario and Rihanna?" Turns out... they were my kids (Milo and Lilliana) - Milo introducing himself as "Mario the Superhero" (like in the Mario Bros. Wii game) and, of course, introducing his little sister to all his new playmates, whose name he says as "Wee-anna", so...... Oh well :-). Happy day, all.

Oh - and, btw, I hear tell that the iPhone going to Verizon rumors are a'swirlin' again. You guys can thank me. I am the fate-tempter. Every time I hold out for something so that my life can stay even-keel (and, let's face it, us OCD types do like routine - regular - the "that's what we did 13 years ago, so... that's what we'll do today" type stuff), the opposite happens / holds true. So.... Verizon Wireless was my "regular", despite a rocky roller coaster of a relationship for all those years; it would only follow suit, then, that after I dump and go A T & T, they (Apple) go VW. It's like people are watching me.... Anyway... as the article says.... "we'll see" ;-).

Enough from me.... Time to go clean the van (I think one of the carseats may be moldy - my kids are "spillers" - always something wet or sticky in there - wee ones will help me - I mean, how much damage can two kids with some Green Works All Purpose Cleaner do? Hmmm... maybe we'll just go recycle all our paper - sounds safer ;-), pick up the kindergartner and text the high schooler to see if I need to take her home from field hockey tonight (varsity only - slim chance she'll play in tonight's game).

Good Morning

I'm trying the new iPhone for a 30 day trial period. So far - LOVE it. Have a couple of apps on it now - Epicurious, Style.com, Whole Foods, Facebook - hubby loaded stuff on that he thought I would like - along with the latest Arcade Fire, Interpol and The National from iTunes. Soon - I will need to begin doing all of this myself - soon I will need to let go of Verizon Wireless - soon I will need to embrace that space inside me, which I know exists - that persona just waiting to get out that wants me to know everything and to be everywhere all the time. I think I may need to reign that in a bit....

Prayers for this boy's family on this day. He's a high school football player who collapsed and died on the field - similar to something that happened here locally a year or so ago (a Central football player collapsed as well).

Photo: Yeah - I'm already going crazy with the camera. This is my coffee (and my new coffeemaker) like 2 min ago :-).

A day off.

8th grade class picnic today at Wheeling Park. So.... taking a break from rambling and pontificating, but... have a few tidbits to share...

Interesting story on Facebook and privacy or the lack thereof, that is.

Mindless but fun fashion story / spotlight.

And... that's it today!

Just a day....

Enjoy your Saturday, all. I have two of my kids and a sleepover friend sleeping in today (my little Milo is sick - the other two are lazy 8th graders :-) - first of many grad parties last night) - and, truthfully, the other night, I scrambled to make spaghetti and meatballs then ran off to lacrosse game at our home field, Winchester Thurston, and ... the kids found playmates, team played well, but.... we were there sooo late - literally after dark! Though the girls did win, and... if they win today in Upper St. Clair, they are UNDEFEATED!! - So.... my point? Everyone is way tired! Milo even told me he got too tired at "the cross" the other night. Everyone liked my spag and meatballs, though - think I hit on a good meatball recipe - if I can duplicate it, I'll post it :-) - OR, by all means, if any of you have one to share, please do! I'm always looking for the elusive "best meatball recipe ever" :-).

Hubby took Lil to one of our neighborhood haunts, Square Cafe, for breakfast with his brother, who is in town briefly (yesterday, when hubby put car seats back in his car, Lil said she was going on a trip with Daddy, so he had to ride her around the block. She was so happy :-). I'm back in that space today where I've got more project wrap-up, too much laundry, messy bedrooms and dirty dishes (plus, Milo is going through a stage where he'll reject the first 4 or 5 shirts I present to him in the morning - and now, he's begun doing the same with pants. I pick my battles, so he has been leaving the house in odd combinations like thermal snowboarder shirts and micro mini shorts one size too small. Awesome). Anyway .....

In closing, here is a helpful blog article on what to do if your gmail account is hacked (which has happened to me recently - and others I know).

AND ... here is a story on Enterprise Rent a Car that is very similar to something that recently happened to us (car inspected when turned in - company rep drives it away - THEN we get a call saying there are scratches on it that we have to pay for a couple of hours later - hmmm....).

Lastly.... As you know, I am a chef and food show fan, so.... next season of The Next Food Network Star starts 6 June! Fun. Can't wait.

Photo: Lil "jiggin' it" (dancing :-) on the dining room table (and if you thinks that's bad, you should see the "tatoo" that Enzo drew on the wall in the same room - cute, hieroglyph-y - a couple of little egg men with legs. I photographed him with it and will the photo share later. Daddy is going to freak :-) - although... maybe he'll be off the hook; he did, after all, get highly coveted "ignoring a classmate trying to disturb you in math" award / "well done certificate" yesterday at school, so....;-).

a haiku

So... while this morning went smoothly, last night definitely did not. Here's a little something I composed - remember doing these little poems in school? :-) (And, btw, I've opted to keep the two little ones with me all day to share in the daily cooking, laughing, snuggling - sometimes just works out better that way - we'll see what words and feelings I come up with today - Yin and Yang - ebb and flow - everyday different :-):

wrist-deep in meatloaf
the kids run and scream, so wild
baby runs naked

I should ask for haikus that describe all of our days - serene, balanced words, belying so much chaos....... Anyone up to the challenge ;-) ???

And - I should start a new section of ..."I'm interested but don't know why" - seems to describe a lot of what catches my eye these days.... Anyway - this is Gwyneth Paltrow's site (retail tips - travel info. - more... a lot, really).... apparently - GOOP... (and I do like Gwyneth - I do - find her smart, fit, funny, laid back - have defended her to my misguided "wear all black - never put on a heel - prefer Converse to ALL shoes - don't exercise but like to spout crap on organic and natural mothering - I'm a foodie but I don't cook - I'm a part of the Indie craft scene but don't like fashion" friends and acquaintances - blah blah blah (and I'm not saying that I'm NEVER like that myself - I mean, we all slip ;-) - she DOES all that you TALK - know what I mean? ;-) ?? - heavy wink, wink here.... You all know who you are.