http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTDME_21B_U&feature=related

Five minutes of fun

Our littlest one naps, curled up in his bat cave, silently grinding his incoming molars while he dreams of once again clamping down on my neck and "accidentally" biting me on the neck ("sorry mama")-- so sweet the little vamp. He likes to bite and does it often. I have teeth marks on my shoulders to prove it. He's like a cute fuzzy haired koala bear with shark teeth, waiting for the next chew.

In the meantime, what is going on with you all out there in real world? How is your job, your family, your friends and your general bad self doing?

Have we noticed the insanely bad candidates running for president? do we care? When I say bad, I don't mean bad as in evil, but just bad- not good. Not good pickins' at all this year. I say- let's have a do over and get some more candidates to jump in. but why would anyone run for president after 2008's ugliness...why indeed? Who cares about who is leading our country anyway. I would talk about you and I.

how do you feel as another year begins? Are we healthier than last, are we contemplating big changes for the better?

My husband and I have decided, instead of hitting the road in an RV while the kids are still in school, that we are going to live in a boat. So, like most things we plan on doing- it will happen. We don't waste too much time dreaming about things, but rather planning how to make things happen. Don't be surprised if in a few years you hear that we live on a boat. You may like to join us- we could create a flotilla. I know people who live on boats and I have lots of questions. How do you keep drunken yuppies who live next door in the marina from entering your cabin at night and eating all your leftovers. How do you keep the pot smoking hipsters from entering your cabin at night and eating your marshmallows. These things I need to know.

In the meantime, you guys have a wonderful day and keep the negative people far away in your orbit.

And - do not, do not feed the bears.

My birthday is your birthday.

Every single day we are here is "your birthday". Appreciate each day as it comes and remember to let those moody days run their course and turn into something light. We make choices every day about what to buy, when to pick up our children, where to go, what to do, who to text...how about choosing to be positive.

this a lesson I repeat to myself over all my 38 years. It comes easily to some, some who move on lightly through life. Others of us, perhaps think too much, worry too much and forget to turn that coin over. The past few years, as you have read, I have been sharing some personal insights into my own shifting moods and how I react. I have also shown how positive it is to Act..instead of ReAct. Volunteering and remaining involved with positive people who share a similar sense of humor and motivations helps a ton. Surrounding oneself with people who appreciate cynism and wit but yet don't thrive on constant criticism of others helps to. I have reminded myself that turning in on oneself is the key, rather than being self-righteous so much about others.

I have learned in these adult years that no matter what, some people like to remain unhappy- it their vice and it is their crutch. They do not want to change- so I let them be. A few phone calls or family or friend events but still I cannot worry about those who are consistently complaining.

It is life that we may all have a our very dark sides and those I welcome on those nights of wind, rain or times that my heart needs to release those "juju" moods. But here comes the sun- through this window on this Florida morning- breezes blowing through our house and the sound of Mumford and Sons coming from the monolithic 1990's stereo. It is a damn good day. It's been a crazy year but what's the alternative?

Happy Birthday to you! When people start to get on your nerves, or life gets a little buggy- turn in on yourself, look for that sun and thank God you are alive.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames- please read this book now.

If these cold winters months make you want to dig into a good read- then please please run to your nearest library or bookstore (or Kindle) and enjoy the terribly funny, dry and human essays of David Sedaris. I read half his book "When You Are Engulfed by Flames" last night and could not stop giggling. It is everything I love about really good essayists like EB White. Like White, Sedaris tells stories, so let the word "essay" go out your window. "Essay" reminds one too much of English class circa 1990. Good storytellers are hard to find. It is way too easy for us to watch stories (ala movies) than to find really good stories in print.

I had heard people talking about Sedaris for years now, and finally added him to my library. He's my new friend. His stories are so easy to read, because they offer succinct tight little nuggets of his childhood and young adult memories...most of which any of us could relate to in some manner. Most of his tales are those that you think "yes yes I know that living room he's describing" (his parents old home in the 70's), the weird babysitters that left pale mental marks on his own and sibling's memories forever, the somewhat bittersweet tales of getting into adulthood, and what that means- to him, quitting smoking takes about 3 chapters, but it's very very funny and relatable to anyone- smoker or not.
Sedaris doesn't over use words. I like that his essays are clear with no extra flowery gadgetry to show off his now famous skills. His essays are lean, mean and full of images we all know. He is someone I would like to meet. And yes, Amy Sedaris is his sister.
So there. Have a nice day. Hug a tree and your mother too if possible today.

Ricky G is coming to town. Please enjoy.

Keep in mind that Ricky Gervais is once again hosting the Golden Globes this weekend (Sunday night). I have major dinner plans earlier that evening from which I return late from in case we are having too much fun, but hope to be able to see all the wackiness and unreality of the Hollywood crowd. Honestly, I love film, and enjoyed my cinema classes from college and the entire history of film, studios and directors. It is my not so secret guilty pleasure. However the "actors" of the past few decades are fun because the spectrum of "crazy" is so wide. You have your great ones, then your character actors, and then there are the ones who cannot act, but are so "celebrity" that everyone gives them a pass. Brad & Angelina with her guilt babies. It's nice to see real talent get awarded, and also entertaining to see some of them struggle to seem normal.
It's ok, Gwyneth, NORMAL has enough homes already. You stay there in your pink palace and type away on your Goop, spreading your worldly knowledge of food and nutrition to those who are less fortunate than you. They need you.
Really.

Humor Me

Good morning friends! I am excited about another weekend of social events, and a few new things going on in my life right now. (no babies, don't worry my sanity will remain intact until around 50 then I'll go find a big "red tent" to live in until my golden years). Do yourself a big huge loving favor and please check out the great funny show "Portlandia" as soon as possible. Season 1 is currently on Netflix Instant and is a great satire of the ever competitive, neurotic and slightly sinister and anxsty world of hip Portland. Now, I have a few old friends who after leaving PC, left for colleges elsewhere and immediately set up shop in Portland, Oregon. They come home often, travel like all of us do, but they love love love their Portland- and why not? I have also fallen in love with places just as much if not more than with people. Geography is everything to me. I have enjoyed it alot how much we have moved around even in a smaller circle, putting your toes in new places makes you grow, and you can inhale the fresh air of something totally different than "where you came from".
If you enjoy satire, and can appreciate the ability to recognize that the ability to laugh at subcultures only means that you should laugh at your own,then please watch "Portlandia" asap. and if you're in a crafty mood "put a bird on it".

Happy New Years to you !!

I don't have alot of time to write at this moment as I am in the middle of a very busy day. One thing I will never do is be like those half spiteful people who say that stay at home parents don't "work." Let me tell you something, we do. When you see pics or posts of me down the beach, doing a nature trail, museum or volunteering, those are all things I did when I worked full time also- I have always fit those things I love into the rest of the day's work, whatever it is. Some people work all day, come home and watch tv for five hours before sleeping. That is never my m.o. or my household's. I am leaving you with one question to ponder:

"What will you do different this year from the last?"

Leave you friends with much love..and cannot wait to write some special things this month. We are doing alphabet soup tomorrow with our oldest child (hospital stuff) and so tonight I will be sleeping with an anxious but hopeful mind. Perhaps being buried under blankets will help, as it is going to hit around 26 tonight here. Brr. But i love- the contrast of weather, the darker days that make us appreciate the hot long summer ones.

Again, Happy New Year to you, wherever you are.