A Big Point and a Little Point


Here is the big point:

I love my state. Thank you for doing the right thing.


Here is the little point:

A big head slap to the parents who named their daughter Caragh, instead of the more obvious “Kara” or even “Cara”. The way it is spelled now makes me want to close with a gutturalaaaaggggghhhhh“.

Gym Shorts

Recent email conversation between Fairly Odd Father & I. We were discussing a giant bookcase from Ikea we need to hold all our homeschool stuff. It also helps to know that John belongs, not to a fancy Boston gym, but to our broken-down local Y.

Me: “This would definitely fit in the dining room (I measured). And it says it is in stock.”

Him: “Damn thing comes in a box that weighs 206 lbs. Nice.”

Me: “Oh come on. . .you do all that weight lifting! ; )”

Him: “Yes. I go to the gym, but just to check out some hot octogenarian ass.”

Feels Like the First Time

It seems sort of ironic that I started this blog as a place to talk about our new adventures in homeschooling, but instead, I talk about ME, me, me! So, with that said, it is time for me to complete yet another fascinating meme about moi. This one comes from the ever-hilarious and amazing mothergoosemouse.

The assignment? Reveal 18 “Firsts” about myself. Some of these go way back because there aren’t too many “firsts” happening anymore.


1. My first concert was The Kinks in Springfield, MA. I was in 9th grade and drank peppermint schnapps. I was wicked wasted and thought the guitarist was the lead singer until the encore.

2. My first pet was Fluffy, the short-haired tabby cat. She was the best cat ever (sorryzackandcally;iloveyoutoo) and could jump from the ground to my shoulders. She also killed the Easter Bunny (on Easter morning!) which scarred my sister for life.

3. My first celebrity crush was (swallow before you read this) Barry Manilow. I wrote to his fan club and had his photo on my wall. Now, I can’t even hear “Oh Mandy” in the elevator without feeling embarrassed.

4. My first devirginification occurred at the ripe old age of 18, three weeks into my college career.

5. My first love was the devirginificationer, although the act happened before the love.

6. My first (and thankfully only) girl fight happened at Axis on Lansdowne Street in Boston, when I was about 27. A big-haired girl pushed my sister as she walked by (she may have stumbled into her, but whateva!). I pushed the girl back and we had words. I then flicked her on her forehead with my finger (I know, can you believe I’m so tough?) and she tried to throw her beer at me, but she was holding a bottle of beer, so it just sort of came up the neck. . .and sunk back down. By now, my friends were pulling me away and shaking their heads at me, while I laughed over the beer fight that never was.

7. My first blog post was written on October 9, 2006.

8. My first car was an orange-y Chevrolet Chevette. I sang “Little Red Chevette” all the time (my high school days were during the Purple Rain heyday).

9. My first broken bone came when Fairly Odd Father and I were still dating and decided to go snowboarding together. Let’s just say I won’t be doing THAT again.

10. My first surgery was the c-section I had for my first child, Belly. After a few hours of intense, no-drug labor, the nurses realized that it wasn’t a head they were feeling, but a butt. Much scurrying commenced and I was soon having a cesarean birth.

11. My first cousin does not exist. My father was an only child. My mother has one half-sister, 16 years her senior who has always lived in Austria. While her sister has a few children, I have only met them once and they technically are not ‘first’ cousins. I always wished to have a big extended family, so I’m so happy that my sister has been kind enough to give my kids two cousins.

12. My first experiment with pot came the summer after high school graduation. I was with my ‘wild’ friend in her brown Camaro and we went to see Cocoon after that.

13. My first massage was not until I was in my later 20’s and it was done by a guy who had gone to Asia, found enlightenment, changed his name and gave me the best kick-ass massage ever. I went to him a few more times but was a little creeped out that he massaged me bare-chested (not exactly ON my breasts, but pretty close—I liken it to the way you are supposed to ski moguls). At the time, this seemed pretty normal, but now that I’ve had many more massages and NO ONE has ever asked me to pull down my towel, I am thinking he was a little bit fishy. But, so good, I’d go back in a heartbeat, if only I could find him.

14. My first job (besides babysitting) was at a laundromat. I was about 14 or 15 years old and made $2.10 an hour to sit behind a little counter and make change so that people could use the washers and dryers. I worked after school until closing time, often alone and completely clueless as to what I would have done if someone would have robbed me (or worse!). I still can’t believe my parents let me work there.

15. My first cigarette was with my friend Michele, in the woods behind her house. We stole a Marlboro Menthol from her older sister and shared it, coughing and laughing the entire time.

16. My first, and only, 4.0 semester came in my junior year in college.

17. My first job out of college was as an Account Coordinator for two Advertising Copywriters. I made $16,000 and had to take on a second job working at BJ’s.

18. Oh good God, I can’t think of one more thing. Let’s see: My First time turning 40 will occur this summer on July 23rd. I. . .just. . .can’t. . .believe. . . it. . .

I can’t bring myself to tag someone after such an exhausting post, so please feel free to play along if you’d like.