And the Award goes to. . .

April 21, 2009


Yesterday was ROUGH. I haven’t been that sick in a long time—you know, the kind of “I can’t get out of bed without being all hunched over and shuffling like a Granny” sick.

This morning I feel blessedly better—not 100%, but about 85%. But, I didn’t get here alone, so I am going to hand out some awards to those who got me through the past 24+ hours:

* a “I’ll pay you back later, wink-wink” award to my husband, who was as sick as I, but still let me take TWO naps during the day;

* a “yes, you can have some candy” award to my kids who only whined a little bit when they realized their sick parents had forgotten to feed them lunch;

* a “you can’t buy friends like this” award to the friend who picked up soup, saltines and popsicles for us so that we’d have dinner—opening a can was about all I was good for yesterday;

* a “you’ll get a good tip” award to the 15-year-old babysitter who decided to come outside and play with my cooped-up kids without being asked. I attribute them all being asleep by 8pm to her;

* a “mother knows best” award to my mom and sister who insisted I eat some toast at 6pm when I complained that I still had the chills. I hadn’t eaten anything but saltines all day and, lo and behold, they were right—I just needed a little something in mah belly to feel even better;

* a “thank god for electricity and cable” award to my television—yes, TV Turnoff Week started yesterday but we’ve decided that there are times that endless hours of television are preferable to three children standing over a sick mother asking, “what should we do now“, or, even worse, letting them loose in the house for 10 hours without supervision (shudder).

* a “you’ll be with me to the end of time” award to my coffee which I was too sick to drink yesterday, but am enjoying with gusto this morning;

* and, a “nicest blog readers” award to all of you who posted a note or simply sent your good thoughts my way and didn’t make me feel guilty about my failed attempt to shut off the tube for the week.

I do feel the need to squelch one tiny little rumor, though: there is no way I am pregnant. No way, no how. Besides, if I had felt this bad when I was pregnant, I am pretty sure I’d just have one kid right now.

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I had meant to point you to this post I wrote for the lovely Issa while she was on a “break” (ha! she was still everywhere). But then two beautiful babies lost their lives and my post became insignificant. It still is, but Issa’s intro is sweet and, as you read my post, you’ll see that we are practically twins.

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Filed Under: Fairly Odd Husband, Fairly Odd Kids, Fairly Odd Me, Family n Friends 24 Comments

My (not very) big, fat Greek Wannabees

March 2, 2009


I used to want to be Italian.

I was so envious of the big family gatherings with its noisy conversations, the joking, the copious amounts of food, the little children running over the old peoples’ feet. The dozens of cousins.

On Sunday, my kids wanted to be Greek.

We were at the baptism for the third child of close friends. Walking into the stunning Greek Orthodox church for the ceremony, I was reminded of when their other two children were baptized and of their wedding. We have been part of several of this family’s big events, and I recognized quite a few people.

After the traditional and lovely Greek ceremony, we went to a function hall for dinner. It took a little while, but pretty soon, my kids were off and running through the building with the other kids, acting as if they too had dark hair, dark eyes—in other words, acting just like they too were cousins.

On the dance floor, the girls joined the circle to dance to the Greek music.

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I later told them that one of the things I love most about this type of gathering is knowing that the same music and dancing, these customs, have been done by people for thousands of years. Being a part of it is like being a part of the link between the past and the future.

The girls really enjoyed the traditional Greek music and tried to figure out the dance steps the grownups were doing. Jilly almost made me spit my drink out when she excitedly said, “MOMMY! We HAVE to get this CD!”

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Even D enjoyed the dancing, albeit for different reasons. Seems he already knows how to pick ’em.

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Filed Under: Fairly Odd Kids, Family n Friends, My-Not-So-Sordid Past 8 Comments

Ending on a high note

December 31, 2008


Thirteen hundred miles may separate us, but my Sister-in-Law has been in my thoughts for most of the year. She has taught me so much about how to face adversity with grace and love and courage.

In 2008, she faced a cancer diagnosis, surgery, a canceled honeymoon and chemotherapy.

But, there was a beautiful, intimate wedding, a surprise pregnancy with one determined little baby, and, on Monday, there was a birth.

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May the new year bring more and more happiness to her and her family. And, to my newest niece, your aunt cannot wait to get her hands on you.

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Filed Under: Fairly Odd Me, Family n Friends 9 Comments
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