Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where I write a witty comment on the boy's Facebook status, and am again reminded of my very low station:
And the one where the girl is texting from her bedroom about the abysmal living conditions here at home:

I say Mama is right on both counts. How about you? I'm right. Right?

Monday, November 29, 2010

Hmmmmm

Because none of the Aquarius horoscopes were interesting:


Your Soul Is Connected to the Fall



You are a somewhat sensitive soul with a tough exterior. You are street smart and wise about the world.

You have the heart of a poet, but you're not too eager to let anyone else see it.



You are very creative and deeply talented. You are still looking for the perfect outlet for your expression.

You embrace change and think the cycles of life are beautiful. You don't shrink away from the darker elements of life.



Wishing you a wonderful Monday. Do I have any fellow Fall souls?


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Advent

St. Paul's on the Green
Norwalk, Connecticut
It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope. ~~Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Seek That Which Is Above,1986

In the Episcopal Church, the color blue is used during the four weeks of Advent. Blue is the color that is often associated with Mary. After the fourth Sunday in Advent, all the blue ribbons are changed to red for the Christmas celebration.

A ribbon miracle, you ask? Well, at St. Paul's, this 'miracle' is performed by my friends on the flower ministry. And we are honored to do so.

Photo credit: Kate

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Small Business Saturday!


Mama's Baby Bird+Mama+Shopping with Mama's American Express Card=Thinking BIG!



Small Business Saturday Today’s the day - the first ever Small Business Saturday! You did a fantastic job spreading the word in support of small businesses everywhere. Now, let’s get out there to support the businesses we love – Think BIG, shop small!

41 minutes ago · ·

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

This-n-That Thursday

Thanksgiving Edition

Some of the things I'm thankful for:
This one That one
May God's Blessings shine on us all.

Take the Pledge...

...because no child should have to go hungry.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

A tale of two teenagers:
So, he's coming home late tonight. I still have no idea when. Where did I go wrong? Clearly I messed up in the communication department here. Clearly.

Then we have this one:
Seriously. She manages to keep her mother up to speed on everything and get her work done. How could they have shared the womb all that time and not be similar? And I wonder if she will make that pasta for me when she gets here? Thank heaven for daughters. And sons, too.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Never Dull Here....

Aquarius: 11/22/10

By now, you should be getting some traction on a big project. Momentum is on your side.

Overview

Dream up some new way to tell people what's going on today -- there's no reason to be boring and direct. Your great social energy means you can get people to see things in a new way if you try.

Get yours here.




You Are a Maverick



You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature.

Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas.

People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life.

You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone.



Your strength: Your thirst for adventure



Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures



Your power color: Hot pink



Your power symbol: Figure eight



Your power month: March



I am to be direct and not boring. And this maverick business kinda makes sense. They'd better watch out in the grocery store today.....

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thursday, November 18, 2010

This-n-That Thursday

Things my Spam Folder tells me:
  • I have millions of dollars waiting for me in Africa.
  • I don't ever have to worry about erectile dysfunction ever again.
  • My hip injury recall is all taken care of. Whatever that is....
  • Single moms make $1,470 per week working from home.
  • The Scooter Store wants me to become a client.
  • I also have millions of euros waiting for me.
  • Alexander McQueen left me all his money!
  • There are lots of dating sites for people over 50.
  • Olive Garden really misses me.
  • Dora is eligible for a Master Card. Platinum.
  • If I buy an iRenew bracelet, I will never have a health issue. Ever.
  • I have a dead relative in Latvia who left me $12 million.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow's blog, GOOP, is alive and well?
  • This one is too good not to share a bit:
"To effect the release of your fund valued at $11million you are advised to contact our correspondent in Africa the delivery officer Mr. Hofmann Smith Meier with the information below,

Email: hofmansmith.meier@gmail.com OR hofmansmith.meier@consultant.com
Telephone:+234-8060-432970

You are advised to contact him with the information's as stated below:

Your full Name........
Your Address:..............
Home/Cell Phone:..............
Preferred Payment Method ( VISA ATM CARD/Cashier Check )

Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 24 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 24hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.

Yours sincerely,

Miss Donna Story
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with Mr. Hofmann Smith Meier of the ATM CARD CENTER who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation. "

Seriously? I get at least one of these money letters a day now. How many people are these scams working on? At least my erectile dysfunction worries are over.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Full Disclosure:



Disliking Gym Says You Are Thoughtful



You are thoughtful, philosophical, and downright cerebral.

For you, gym is too intense and competitive. You aren't always in the mood for playing hard.



You may or may not be into exercise - but any physical movement you do is under your own terms.

You don't get your happiness through thrills or adrenalin rushes. Your bliss comes from quiet reflection.



I really hated gym. Hated it. But I love to exercise. Well, maybe love is a strong word...I value exercise. Go figure. What about you?

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where we take iWhining™ to a whole new level:
The mother must always be a calming force. I take the blame for stirring the Giants pot, but the rest is up to her. Right? How'm I doing?

And what exactly is a cat lady?

Monday, November 15, 2010

Monday: Come to Mama

Today's Aquarius Horoscope from Cafe Astrology

November 15, 2010

Practical matters soar today - you are excellent at finding truly workable solutions to your problems now. It's a good time for being recognized for the job you do or for your position in society, and also for attracting more money and possessions into your life. You believe you deserve more, and that is the key. Strut your stuff now, without coming off as haughty of course, because people in power are listening. A partner might also be feeling grand and generous with you.

Creativity: Good ~ Love: Good ~ Business: Excellent

Except for the bit about more possessions, I am all over this one. But I am good at sharing, so I'll be happy with it all. I guess I'd better get going. I need to prepare to strut...
How is yours?


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Retreat Friday

Nowhere can a man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.

-Aung San Suu Kyi
c. AD 170^180 Meditations

Eleven Eleven Eleven


General Douglas MacArthur:




"It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who gives us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizers,

who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves the flag

and whose coffin is draped by the flag,

Who allows the protester to burn the flag. Amen"

(Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.))

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

It Gets Better


I was drawn into the search for a suicidal 17 year-old boy yesterday. At the time, I didn't know that he had left a note for his parents telling them he was going to step in front of a train. All I had was a father asking me if I had seen a teen aged boy in a dark coat. When I asked if the boy was okay, and his father said he hoped so, I considered myself a recruit. For more than an hour, I wandered the railroad tracks, the riverbank and some hiking trails. I didn't know any details, but I knew that I was looking for someone's baby. Someone's baby who was suffering. Someone's baby who needed to know that It Gets Better. No matter what. It Gets Better.

Luckily, this boy gets a chance to learn that. No trains were running on our local line yesterday due to scheduled maintenance. An alert friend told the boy's parents their son was making ominous threats. Astute railroad workers were able to give police sightings and timelines. He was eventually reunited with his parents and is now getting a chance to receive help for his problems.

I know that It Gets Better started in the wake of the recent suicides as a result of ignorance and bullying of gay, lesbian and transgender teens, but I think it applies to all of us. Gay, straight, bi, white, black, green, purple. All of us. Take the time to look around you. Notice people. Everybody travels this journey with their own set of concerns. Some have problems that they feel are insurmountable. Especially children. Take some time to let them know: It Gets Better.

Life is short and we never have enough time for gladdening
the hearts of those who travel the way with us.
Oh, be swift to love! Make haste to be kind!
Henri Frederic Amiel

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The one where my baby boy comes home for an overnight visit, and I get to see him for an hour. And that was because I made him go out to brunch.

In his defense, college is hard this semester:
He has had many obligations and missions:
And when he and his adorable friends met me for brunch on Sunday, he dropped his phone. Like all other 19 year-olds, this phone is his lifeline. It was not pretty:
The ensuing table banter went something like this:
Augie: I need you to understand that not only is my screen shattered, my life is now shattered.
Mental P: [Could not respond because she was trying not to wet her pants and shoot water out her nose due to guffawing activity.]
I guess there's one holiday list I can stop wondering about. The end.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday!!!

I'm feeling all energized this snowy Monday morning. Yes, I happily said snowy and Monday in the same sentence. Because, look. ☟☟☟☟☟☟☟☟

Daily Overview for November 8, 2010

Aquarius

1/20 – 2/18

Quickie

If you encounter new people today, you'll have a distinct advantage over them.


Yahoo horoscopes here

And to top it all off:



You Are 8% Abnormal



You are at low risk for being a psychopath. It is unlikely that you have no soul.



You are at low risk for having a borderline personality. It is unlikely that you are a chaotic mess.



You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection.



You are at low risk for having a social phobia. It is unlikely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement.



You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.



Seriously. It's going to be a great day. I can just tell. How 'bout you?

Friday, November 5, 2010

Thursday, November 4, 2010

This-n-That Thursday

Utter nonsense:
  • A sick dog can break your heart.
  • On Monday, the foliage was near perfect. On Wednesday? It was gone.
  • When it rains, I feel like I need to organize things on my desk.
  • If you need a tiara, you should go here.
  • It's raining today, so I suppose my office will be sparkling by noon.
  • We apparently have two governors here in Connecticut.
  • Is anybody else getting porn spam in their Facebook message box?
  • My college sophomore daughter received an invitation for an American Express Gold Card in the mail yesterday. I shredded it.
  • Is there anything better than that first turtleneck of the season? Wait. I can answer that. Yes, the first flip flops of Spring.
  • The Housewives of Beverly Hills? Priceless.
  • Regis and Kelly? Done.
  • I suffer from Psychosomatic Itching Syndrome. And, yes, I just made that up.
  • How many books-in-waiting on a nightstand is too many?
  • I wish I could earn money procrastinating. I'd be on the Forbes 100 list.
Do you have any nonsense to add? Please?

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Post-Halloween Still Life

Just shoot me.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

A Halloween tragedy for my Baby Bird. Her Driving Tiara was "borrowed" permanently.

I forgot to follow up on this disaster when I talked to her yesterday. Must remember to do so today....
I don't know how she'll drive now. Oh the worries I have....

Monday, November 1, 2010

Doctor, Therapist or Detective?

Week two without a horoscope post. And, in case you Aquarians are wondering, we are supposed to lay low today. In the meantime, I apparently need to get to work. Doctor? Therapist? Detective? Really?




You Should Be a Doctor



You are practical, sharp, and very intuitive.

Optimistic and energetic, you are a problem solver who doesn't get discouraged easily.

You are also quite compassionate and caring. You make people feel hopeful.

You're highly adaptable and capable. You do well with almost any curve ball life throws at you.



You do best when you:



- Are always learning new subjects

- Use your knowledge to solve problems



You would also be a good therapist or detective.



Happy Monday, my friends. What should you be when you grow up?