The Monkey Who Became a Bee

I had decided early on in the year, being a new mom and all, what my baby was going to be for Halloween. There was no question - a monkey. We had come to this decision based on the obvious fact that we CALLED him monkey, just because he reminded us of one. Later on when he started grasping objects with his feet and then recently when he began climbing things (couch, furniture, his crib), well then the name MONKEY was completely justified.

I spent $25.00 on a costume in early September. For a costume that's probably only going to be worn for a few hours, if that, its a lot for me to spend. Remember - one income. My mom and I quickly pulled it over his clothes in the store, "it fits, let's go."

Had I taken the extra step to make sure the SNAPS actually SNAPPED on this $25.00 costume, I wouldn't have been in the predicament I was in only 3 days ago. Or was it FATE that intervened????

Sunday October 28th came around. I had a great start - I went to 8am Mass all by myself, returned home smiling, Dominic and DJ are giving him breakfast - perfect!! That great start turned to chaos since he decided he didn't want to take a nap. We had plans to go down to the city for Stroll on Southport with Mara, Ella, Joe, and a handful of others.

The anxiety was now setting in. Forget the nap, we HAVE to leave in half an hour. Lizzy needed to shower, and Massimo needed to be dressed. I couldn't wait to put the costume on. Crying and crabby, on top of a short sleeved onesie AND a long sleeved onesie, sweats, and a pair of warm socks, I struggled to get the thin, brown fleece on him. He cried and wailed. All I have to do it snap it shut and he's done. The first snap puzzled me - it wouldn't CLOSE. WAIT! None of these snaps will close??!! What's going on??? Lizzy is out of the shower, attempting to complete her beauty routine and she walks on on my conundrum, "THESE SNAPS DON'T WORK!!!!!"

She tries, "I got 3 closed," she smiled, the girl with the glass half full.

"I AM SO MAD!!!" I shouted. "We're not going!!!"

Baby's 1st Halloween, don't let the disappointment of this costume get the best of you

Okay, we fly out of the house, only I had to run back in twice for his hat, a blanket, oh, and yeah - my cell phone.

We went to Target, I RAN in and booked to the far corner where the costumes had been ravaged and picked over. DUCK?? nah...Pea Pod??...no legs, Bat??...not that GREAT.... and then I spy the costume you see in the post - THE BABY BUMBLE BEE!!! The light had shone down from heaven. NO SNAP!!! IT ZIPPED!! HOORAY!!

As I strolled, the weight of the world off my shoulders, only 15 minutes late by this time, ALL the way back across the store to check out, I began to think about how things usually don't turn out the way I plan and the biggest lesson I have not learned yet in my 32 years on this earth - - is how to actually DEAL with it.

I wanted so bad to have a little monkey for Halloween, but now I was going to have a Bumblebee.

After an AWESOME afternoon in the city with friends, I realized that maybe what you don't plan, the things we do in haste, and the times where things don't go the way you want, are really a blessing.

Last week I had hooked up with my BEST friend from high school after 11 years of not seeing her. Okay, we are so cheesy that we pulled out her yearbook and read what I had written (at 17 years old!!) "I'm nervous about the future," I wrote, "Will things turn out the way I want them too?? I hope so!!"

So, then I thought about how things had turned out, 15 years later. If my mom and Joe would have never started dating, Joe never would have gotten me the job at Lake Shore where I worked all through college, where I met Debbie Bruno, who got me the job working for Josh, where I made great friends who DRAGGED me to a birthday party where I met my gorgeous husband who gave me this BUMBLEBEE - who I can't imagine not ever existing!!

Did things turn out the way I wanted them too? In my experience, I have come to the realization that there IS A PLAN, although we aren't sure what it is and we're not the ones making it. We just watch it unfold.

The Halloween Hustle

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. On Saturday, Marie and I ran the Halloween Hustle in scenic downtown Palatine. The cause was Fathers Supporting Fathers regarding parental custody issues (an often overlooked but important issue). There were about 250 participants, some in costume and even a cute little dog who ran too. Although I couldn't convince my sister-in-law to dress up, we had a great time, finished in record time, and enjoyed breakfast and conversation at Durty Nellie's afterward.

**On a side note, I finished 4th in my age group (30-34). Awards were given out for the TOP 3. I bet if Marie and I wouldn't have stopped at Spunky Donuts before the race, I might have inched out a place in the Top 3. Oh well, there's always next year and the donut holes really hit the spot!

My Favorite Things

Okay I'm copying Oprah and I don't even really like to watch her all that much. Once in a while she talks about things she's really in to. The difference between Oprah and me is obvious.......she is insanely rich and I'm not. Still, we both get excited over things, hers are broadcasted all over the world, mine are nestled in a lonely blog where no one EVER comments.

1. Alice White - Lexia

I thought it was a Pinot or a Chard, its not, its sweeter and tastes like mangos and peaches. You can purchase at Jewel or Trader Joe's for about seven dollars. Chill and sip slowly.

2. Mylar Balloons

My son is fascinated and intrigued by them. He's even squeezing his insides to blurt out the word, "balloon", but he can't. He can only get the "Bah" We have about five of them floating around the house, thanks to Grandma Jane, and when Dom or I ask him, "Where's your BAHLOOOOON?" He smiles and looks up, hoping to find one nearby.

**YES, fellow mothers, I know the safety hazards and he's completely supervised when attempting to mangle one.

3. LUSH Bath Bombs. They won't magically transform you in to a goddess or give you super powers, but they smell lovely and the fizz is cool. Light a candle and sink in.

4. Waffles with Real Maple Syrup

Nothing to explain here, I am just really loving them right now.

5. My NEW coffee grinder

Why the heck didn't anyone tell me how great the difference is? Yes, its an extra step that's worth it. Especially since I picked up BAKED APPLE PIE gourmet coffee in Long Grove last week.


That's it. If you need a little happiness or a pick me up, try one of my suggestions. They might not work for you, but if you never try you'll never know.

Let's hear from YOU? What are 5 THINGS you are in to these days???

****I'm going to TAG my sister-in-law, "DMR", since she has a blog too.

Van Halen Reunion Tour

In 1984, after we got cable, and I was an MTV regular at the ripe age of 9, I patiently waited for JUMP to make its hourly appearance in the video rotation. (MTV actually used to play videos - good ones too). When JUMP came on, I pushed the coffee table back to butt up to the couch and moved the two arm chairs in to the dining room within a matter of 10 seconds - - and then I JUMPED - I JUMPED all over the room -just like Dave.

I am and always will be a very big fan of rock n roll. I might have been not quite a teenager (plus I was a girl who wasn't having tea parties)when the original Van Halen was at their height, but I was no less of a fan than my older brother was in his teenage years. Eddie's mastery of the guitar had an effect on me and the showman that was David Lee Roth was someone I immitated and enjoyed.

I also remember being on the back of the bus in 5th grade when the announcement was made that Dave had been replaced by Sammy. "What are they going to call themseleves now?? Van Hagar?" someone said.

Here I am, some 20 or so years later, still a huge fan of Van Halen and truly convinced that the Dave years were the best years. Obviously I was at the concert last night with my sister-in-law (fan) husband (big fan) and brother-in-law (even bigger fan). The Even Bigger Fan (V) was disappointed, as I was, because Dave forgot the words to songs he sang on a regular occasion for 6 years. I felt a little betrayed by Dave. After all, I counted how many outfits he wore in the Panama video and I even played his first solo, "Crazy From the Heat" to death. C'mon Dave Gimmie a Break! He was slower, and he didn't hit ANY of his high notes (The Even Bigger Fan also noted). I realize he's old, fried, and can't JUMP like he used to. I commented in the car on the ride back, "You can't ever really go back to the past."

Still, I AM the girl who always looks on the brightside. It was great to be there and enjoy a night with my hubby, V, & Marie. I had always been disappointed as a kid, that maybe I would never get to see them in concert. Yes, Michael Anthony was gone, but he was barely missed and his replacement, Wolfgang Van Halen, who is obviously respected and loved by his father, is so very likeable.

Eddie never ever disappoints. I've seen him with Gary Cherone in 98, Sammy in 04, and last night. His is a master, innovator, and a commander of his machine. He twists and contorts his hands and fingers in a way that so masterfully brings to life that wailing, screeching, mesmerizing, and magical sound that is THE GUITAR.

So after a long night and a woken baby upon return, Dom and I were talking about the concert. Well, Dom was talking and I was mumbling responses.

"We should have gotten front row," he whispered, "that would have been awesome."

"Mhhmm," I answered.

"How much do you think they make in one night?"

"I dunno, a lot?"

"I wonder if Thursday night is sold out??"

"You're picking up the kids and I have church," I reminded him.

"Oh, yeah," pause pause and more pause, "That was a really great concert wasn't it?!"

GOODNIGHT DOM!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HELEN

We hope you have a fantastic day! See you this weekend!

P.S. i know for a fact that 4 people read this blog - i know..i know.. i'm huge in the blog circuit. Helen is one of them - thanks :-)!!

My Family IS Perfect

Hi Everyone,

My name is Erin and I just felt like telling the world how perfect and flawless my family is. No, not just my family, but my whole life.

I am at my goal weight of 120 lbs after giving birth a mere 10 months ago, to the most perfect son in the whole entire world. I felt absolutely NO PAIN in the delivery room because I had such a perfect pregnancy. No complications whatsoever. My baby is so perfect, he is already practicing division and can recite all the Presidents of the United States in alphabetical order.

He follows his flawless brother and ideal sister whom will be skipping their next respective grades because they are so smart and gifted. They have so many friends, their social calendar is packed. We can't keep up with Lizzy's cell phone bill because she is so beautiful and PERFECT, everyone calls her. Oh wait -- yes we can, we have tons of untainted, crisp, clean bills to throw at her for whatever her perfect little heart desires. DJ won a LEGO contest for his PERFECT construction of the Sears Tower made with 100,000 LEGOS, which he completed in only 1 HOUR. WHOO!

Don't even get me started on my husband. He is the most supreme being on EARTH. He is handsome, hardworking, supportive, caring, and loving. He is the most unblemished father of the 3 most perfect children you will ever meet (above mentioned). He started his own business which he runs with absolute perfection. No struggles in his profession, no difficult people to deal with. He also has a garage full of crowning antique cars which he restores himself.

We live in a perfect house. The ceiling has no cracks and the floors never squeak. We have top of the line electronics and appliances. We are all whizzes on the computer! We all eat off the floor because it is always to immaculately clean.

Most of our neighbors stand in front of our house during the day and comment on what a perfect bunch on people we are. We couldn't be prouder. I hate to brag, but we were voted FAMILY OF THE YEAR for 2005 AND 2006. I wonder who's going to get it in 2007? hee hee, probably US!

I drive the hottest SUV in town. Its a Denali and its loaded. It has never broken down and my favorite music plays upon command of my most perfect voice. When we drive down the street, we roll down the windows and shout, "Just LOOK at us, we are so perfect!"

As far as family dynamics go, we couldn't be more perfect! Dominic and I have never even had a fight. We don't argue, or curse, or ever get mad at anyone or anything.
We never have disagreements. We don't have problems, we don't get crabby, or anxious, or frustrated with ANYTHING! We never are lacking for sleep because out son, Massimo, is the most perfect sleeper ever.

I love being perfect and having the perfect life.

Gee, I hope I don't make anyone feel bad when I tell you about how perfect my family. If you want to come and live with us ON FANTASY ISLAND - YOU can be PERFECT too! Until then, I would stick to being just a normal family - there is nothing wrong with it - really....

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality."

12 Steps to Aging Younger

Chicago Tribune Magazine published an article on Sunday about tips on how to make a woman's real age younger in as little as 90 days. Michael Roizen, M.D. is the co-founder of RealAge.com and the site is interesting. As women, we are all constantly searching for the fountain of youth. We can't turn back time, but according to Dr. Roizen, we might be able to slow down the clock a bit.

1. An aspirin a day after age 40 (thankfully, I still have 8 years :-)

2. Floss your teeth (my mom - the hygienist - would tell you this anyway)

3. Know your blood pressure (go to Wal-Mart Pharmacy)

4. Reduce Stress (this is a BIG one - make friends and take hot baths)

5. Take your vitamins (Trader Joe's has a nice multi-vitamin for women)

6. Quit smoking and avoid smokers and smoky places (who smokes anyway these days??)

7. Be active (Run or jog, if you can't -- walk. Yoga is wonderful also)

8. Wear your seat belt (Reduce your risk of injury in a car accident)

9. Fill up on fiber (25 Grams in optimum - Oatmeal ROCKS)

10. Monitor your health (Be proactive - schedule those check-ups)

11. LAUGH (movies, tv, your favorite people, books, comics - seek it out!)

12. Become a lifelong learner (take if from a learner-lover - its true!!)

HAPPY AGING!!

Not Over Yet!

A true Cubs fan must still take heart
The play-offs have brought us a very rough start

I believe they can do it
I'll be watching again
I can only hope to hear those words...

CUBS WIN!

Ozzie Who? We got LOU!

I wasn't sure throughout the season if I liked him. He's kind of crass with a bad temper. I didn't think the Cubs would even make it to the play-offs this year. In previous years, the last oh, 22 or so, I have been following the Cubs fairly diligently. I am a life-long Cubs fan. I remember my first game, where I sat, who they played, the smell of Wrigely Field, the ivy, the fans, and the peanuts. Baseball is by far my favorite sport and the Cubs my most beloved team.

So, I haven't really been following them this year probably due to the fact that Massimo takes up, oh, 24 hours of my time. It's time well spent, nontheless. So I know a little bit about Lou Piniella. He's won two world series playing for the Yankees and one as a manager in Cincinnati.

This morning I was multi-tasking at 6:30 am - - baby in the high-chair shoveling cheerios and grapes in his mouth - - emptying the dishwasher, making Dom's lunch, all while listening to Lin Brehmer on XRT. I was waiting to hear the outcome of last night's first game against the D-Backs.

I had fallen asleep last night in the first inning. So, Mary (Dixon - who does the news on XRT) came on and reported the loss. Then, they played a sound byte of Lou talking to the press after the game. He's not really warm and fuzzy, but to the point. I don't remember exactly what he said (I was multi-tasking remember), but it was something along the lines of, "Yeah, we lost, we played well, blah blah, this is not over, its the first game." He don need ta esplain hiself ta nobahdy! He's confident and completely optomistic and he's not going to let anyone, especially the press, get to him or his team. Nobody is going to break their focus. This is definitely NOT OVER.

So I start thinking maybe the Cubs CAN do this. Maybe they CAN go to the World Series. I think Lou Pinella can take them there. I think he might actually know what he's doing. He sure seems to think he does.

The last word in all this is my 90 year old grandmother who has been a Cubs fan for longer that most of you reading this have been alive. She grew up near Wrigely Field and has been a devoted baseball fan for as long as I've known her. She rarely misses a game when broadcasted in Arizona and politely pretends to listen to what you're saying when a game is on while her eyes are glued to the tv. She has become a bit of a D-Backs fan since the franchise was born (they don't get as many Cubs games anymore in Arizona and because of the D-Backs, so she's got to watch someone - she just loves baseball). A frequent exchange this summer has been:

E: Hey Grandma, the Cubs are in 1st Place

G: Yeah, I know. And so are the Diamondbacks. I really like the 1st baseman.

I called her last night around 8:30 and my first question was "So who are you rooting for?"

"I'd like to see the Cubs win," she said, "It's been a long time."

Yes, it has!!

GO CUBS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!