Chookah

Petty Differences

Amongst certain family members there has been talk about our recent trip to Hawaii. While normally I wouldn't even acknowledge any kind of passive-aggressive rumor-mongering or gossip (and I've ignored a lot), I feel the need to address some of these “rumblings”.

Aaron and I took Leslee, Aaron’s sister, with us to Hawaii to act as a Nanny for Sebastian. We had no intention of her acting as Nanny and yes, it was totally a ruse to get her on the first vacation the woman has EVER had. Did you hear that? E-V-E-R.

Leslee is the kindest, gentlest and most generous family member that I have. She truly has a heart of gold and I would do anything for her. She’s been through so much in her young life and has endured great pain (physical and emotional). She gives so much to other people (even to people who don’t deserve it).

Isn’t it time that someone did something nice for her? Isn’t it time that someone showed her the consideration that she so freely doles out to whoever asks for it? Is it fair to inflict her with guilt and hand-wringing over a decision that some people view as arbitrary and uncaring? Don’t her children deserve to be mothered by a woman who is fuller and richer for the experience?

Aaron and I decided that it was time. Not only that it was time, but that she was LONG overdue.  Leslee didn't take this decision lightly, she didn't abandon her family, she didn't take food out of her children's mouths in order to go, she didn't ask anything of anyone that they didn't *agree* to do for her.

You can attack me all you want, I can take it. When you attack, gossip about or ostracize someone like Leslee, you cross the line with me. It’s black and white. There are NO shades of grey in this argument.

Let me pull out some Karmic thinking here: Leslee is happy for whoever achieves happiness, goals or success in their lives (regardless of her own personal situation). Isn’t it time that you do the same for her?

If you feel the need to gossip, bad mouth and chastise someone, you have my phone number and email address. Leave Leslee alone.

Yes, I'm upset.

You know you're a mom when..

1) You walk around all day with dried vomit on your shirt (and you don't realize cause you haven't taken a shower yet).

2) You know, in detail, what the terms "Gastroenteritis", "Rotavirus", and "Respiratory Syncytial Virus" mean and exactly how much laundry comes with each of these terms.

3) You know how to brew a mean-ass cup o' joe and make mac n' cheese.

First Night Away

Tonight I leave for L.A.

It's a work thing.

While I'm excited about learning all the stuff that I'm planning on learning, it will be my first night away from *both* Aaron and Sebastian.

It makes me a little sad.

I know the boys need some bonding time and they'll be fine.  I'm just sad that I'm going to miss out on spending more time with my guys.

*sigh*

See y'all on Thursday.

Thanksgiving - 2004

Normally Aaron and I play host to a wide range of people for Thanksgiving. We referred to it as the "orphans Thanksgiving". Anyone who wanted to come, who didn't have a place to go or who was just too lazy to make the trek to where ever their familes were having dinner, was welcome. This is the 4th year that we've hosted such a dinner.

My sister and her boyfriend went to Hawaii for Thanksgiving this year (sucks to be them, huh?), my Godmother went back East to spend time with her son who's going to Yale Law School and my Mother In-Law managed to boot her youngest daughter out of the house (that's another post) long enough to host a Thanksgiving dinner for her entire family.

So, it kind of really was the Orphans Thanksgiving at our house this year. My mother came and my Sister In-Law and her three kids made round 2 down at our house (growing kids need to eat, right?).

Isabell and Eliana made the now traditional "eewwwww, we don't like that" comment when the food was done and basically snacked on mashed potatoes and egg nog.

I think that this is the last year that I'm going to make Thanksgiving dinner for a while. I'm voting for the commute to whomever is hosting next year or even doing something as bold as going out for sushi.

Aaron was suffering from a migraine earlier in the day and I had to make the stuffing, put it in the bird, fix up the bird (cause I do make a pretty good 23 lb. turkey if I do say so myself), and stuff it in the oven.... by myself. I'm very thankful that Sebastian chose those 20 minutes to be completely absorbed in turning the pages of a book and playing with toys in the living room instead of clinging to my pant leg, begging me to help him walk around.

Sebastian LOVED thanksgiving dinner. He mostly enjoyed the mashed potatoes which he could squish between his fingers and smear all over his face and the turkey (that's my boy!).

Here are some pics of the feasting:





So, for next year - anyone up for some sushi?