Amazing Reads: The 1/24 Edition

I'm really enjoying this "series" I've started.

I'm also enjoying making the time to read blogs. It's important. It's a huge part of who I am, ya know?

And so, here we have a few posts that struck me as important to share with you all this week.

My friend Amy is amazingly talented and absolutely beautiful. She always looks so completely put together to me. I bet she didn't know that I think that, and I kick myself for waiting til now to tell her. But you know what? She's human, too. She wrote a bit of a letter to the person in line before her at Starbucks who taught her to pay it forward and brightened her day some. And she shared real and raw words with us. Check it out over at Somebody's Parents. You'll be thankful for the reminder that you're not alone. I know I was.

And speaking of raw and real, Erin has opened up and shared an experience that led to her flashing back, recognizing memories hurt and pain from her youth. Having her eyes opened to the reminder that she isn't responsible for all the bad things, all the "stuff," as she puts it is a reminder to us all that we didn't cause all the pains of our youth. So many things happened TO us. But didn't happen because of things we did. We were kids. How could we place that blame on an innocent child? We'd never do it now. We'd never let it happen to our children. It's time we shift that blame and place it where it belongs. Join Erin as she does that in The Blame Game.

More honesty this week comes from Fadra over at All Things Fadra. As soon as I saw the title of her post I had to go read it. As I Get Older is an open, honest account of things that she's started noticing about herself in her, ehem, not quite younger years. I'm right there with her and I totally feel it. I mean, I know I am not exactly twelve anymore, though I often say I "look" it. I mean, I do - don't I? No? Yeah. Maybe not. But I'm still all about the selfie. * Have you checked out my 2013 selfie summary yet? No? You totally should. Go on, I'll wait. Anyway, selfies aside, Fadra is another tell it like it is mama. And I like that. A lot.

I've decided that during my weekly Amazing Reads segments I'll be sharing a little bit of old school me from previous posts. I've got one this week that sort of sums me up in 400 words. Check it out. Challenge yourself to write something similar. It's kind of cool. I promise.

See you next week! And if you have an Amazing Read to share, let me know.

Maybe I'll feature you next!

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Trip Down Memory Lane

I was sorting through some boxes in the garage the other day, and came across a few small baskets. I pulled one out and immediately took a trip down memory lane.

What was in there - you ask?

Was it old letters? Journals? Diaries? Photographs?

Nope, nope, nope and nope.

Matchbooks.

Matchbooks?

Yes. Matchbooks.

I used to collect them. Every now and then I still do, but they're a rare find these days, with all the no-smoking laws and whatnot. Or maybe it's just that I don't get out quite as much as I used to? [Oh, hush! I know that's probably it!] Either way, it was a stroll down memory lane like you'd never imagine.

And now, today, I got an email from a friend of mine with the saddest news. One of our favorite old bars is closing its doors. If you've ever been to NYC you've surely seen a bar like The Stoned Crow. But if you haven't been TO The Stoned Crow, well - you can't imagine what you're missing.

I'm so sad. I told my husband and he said that he would seriously consider driving up to New York just to raise one last glass there. They're closing after New Year's Eve, so if you're going to be in NYC over the coming week or two, check it out here. I can't even believe they have a website! Geez, times sure have changed, huh?

Anyway, I took a look through my stash of matchbooks, and don't see one from there, but I can picture it clearly. Yellow with the bar's name on front. I'm sure I have one stashed away somewhere. I'd surely grabbed enough of them over the years. Funny thing is, I don't even smoke. And I've never have been a smoker. But I've definitely taken a drag or two from a friend around the pool table, grabbed a few tootsie roll pops from Betty while she sat and watched us play, and lifted many a glass of cider at the old place.

I had breakups end there - running out onto the street and into a rehash of the past, hid from the ex-boyfriend as he dared walk in with the new girlfriend, talked the future with my not yet boyfriend (who ultimately became my husband), cried many a drunken tear, watched a friend meet his future wife, ate way too much popcorn at the bar, done a few too many shots and put back way too many beverages to count.

It's the end of an era, and I'm not even within 500 miles of the joint, haven't been for years. My husband and I spent one of our last nights out with the same old friend who told me about the closing before relocating to NC. Many a farewell party was held there, along with many a reunion. These are the moments life is made of.

Makes me peek at my matchbook collection and rethink using them up. They're just small ways for to remember stopping in at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, many trips to Serendipty 3 for frozen hot chocolates in Manhattan, Baluchi's for Indian food (lawd, how I miss Indian food!) and some random New York City bars like Telephone Bar and Grill, Mustangs or another old favorite, Polly Esther's. Ever been to the one on the Upper East Side? I used to live like two steps away from there. The convenience of Manhattan living when you've had one too many.

Anyway, that's where my mind is today. I was thinking about a matchbook post, and when I heard the news about the old bar closing its doors, I figured, what better way to pay tribute. So, to Betty and the crew at The Stoned Crow, I raise a glass to all of you. I'll remember those nights forever -- even the ones I forgot long ago!

**Those bartenders were generous. And some were kind of hot. Whew.**

Cheers!
I'm linking up today with Shell's Pour Your Heart Out over at Things I Can't Say. I'm just too lazy to grab the button right now.

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A Letter to My Daughter ... I wish

My dear, sweet, little one,

I woke up this morning to the sound of your voice calling me. Mommy! So different from years before. I celebrated many a birthday before you, and hope to celebrate many more with you in my world. And yet, how things have changed. On my own special day I find myself wishing for so much for you in your own future.

I wish that you should never suffer from loneliness, but that you should learn to enjoy being alone.

I wish that you should never suffer from heartache, heartbreak, but that you should always risk being loved and loving others just the same.

I wish you strength that never ends, but an ability to tear down any of the walls you, yourself, set up.

I wish for you an open heart and mind, so you'll learn, respect and grow through the changes in your life, but an intensity that sticks to your own beliefs and succumbs to no one.

I wish for you the insight and understanding that will get you through the rough days, and I have hopes that you don't have too many.

I wish for you the mindset to always remember that even when you feel left out, alone or sad that there are people out there who love and cherish you, and that you can walk away when you're standing beside someone who does not.

I wish for you so much more than these words can express, and I hope that when I hold you tightly that you can feel them coming from within.

I love you. I love you with my whole heart. I wish for you to know that now and always.

Love, Mommy


p.s. I will promise to forgive you for just saying to me: 'When you get a little older I'll get you a cake and sing you a birthday song. When you're bigger.' And for not letting me sing along with Moose A. Moose, who happened to be singing directly to ME. I love you. **Mom

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How much sleep do you ...

Get? Need? Want? Has it changed over time? Are you ancient like me and just want to stay in bed? Although when I was younger I wanted to stay in bed, too. I like my bed. It's cozy, comfy, and safe (except from kitties and claws!) for me.

I always seem to want more than I get (who doesn't?), and yet I need less, most likely. But I also don't get enough, so if you can make sense of that then more power to you!

Just lazy, tired and need to get to bed. These past few nights have been way too late and so I figured I'd toss a question out there and let you respond! Now if I started a community we could talk amongst ourselves, but I'm lazy, remember? So I'll tweet it and send you here.

And then you can talk sleep to me. Or sleep talk. Or whatever works!

Sweet dreams, y'all!

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My Parenting FAIL

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Black Friday and Sweet Potatoes for Breakfast!

Anyone out there at 3AM last night? Was that an oxymoron? Not me. No way, no how. Even when I did go out shopping on Black Friday, I never left the house before 10. Seriously.

I used to love this day. Mostly because my mom and I got up somewhat early, but not nearly as early as these crazy shoppers nowadays. We would get ourselves ready and head to the mall. Any Brooklynites out there? Kings Plaza was our shopping haven. As a side-note, I used to work there when I was in High School. Maybe you saw me? But I digress.
So my mom and I used to do the majority of our holiday shopping on this day. We'd hit as many stores as we could, buy as much as we could carry, and sometimes had to go store the first stash in the trunk of her car in order to pick up more stuff.

The only thing I miss about the out and about Black Friday experience is that time with my mom. For the last few years of my living in NY I actually worked on BF. And so I would talk to my mom when I got to work. One year, without me, she was crazy enough to get out of the house at like 5AM. What? Who was this woman and what had they done with my mother?

Anyway, I wonder if she dragged my dad out anywhere this morning. This is actually his first year EVER home on BF. My dad lost his job before the summer, and unfortunately hasn't found a new one, and yet, fortunately, is "retired" now. But the whole point of that ramble is this was his first Thanksgiving not working, EVER. In my entire life, anyway, and then some, I'm sure. So it's certainly his first BF off. Pretty cool, isn't it? Actually, I'm kind of jealous. I think they're headed to my brother's today for a secondary T-day. We held this one year, and it was really nice. Wish I was there.

But, alas, here I am. I just ate the remainder of my Boston Market sweet potatoes for breakfast (with a few handfuls of stale Cinnamon Toast Crunch) and a few sips of sweet tea. Am I a Southern gal or what? (I kid! I kid!)

And my daughter, who woke up at 6 (AGAIN!) and wanted to come on down and 'eat something,' had a handful of popcorn for her first course, and is working on some mixed varieties of dry cereal for her second course. Although it appears that she's dropping some into her cup of water, but I'm so tired I'm actually okay with that. For now.

I have been doing some BF window shopping. Old Navy has some great deals online. $15 jeans (even for +size mamas like me!) and $5 fleece tops. And lots more, so that looks like it could work for holiday shopping for my nieces and nephew. Heck, maybe we'll even find stuff on there for the ILs? Now that would be a nice and easy shopping experience.

So, to those of you who head out into the real world, good luck. Although by now you're probably back in bed ... and for the rest of you, who are like me, pull that blanket up a little tighter and you'll be all set!

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KitKat for breakfast, anyone?

Guess who woke up in the middle of the night last night?

Guess who is cranky this morning?

I'm so tired, even though I did get her back to sleep in her own bed. But this whole *being able to get out of bed business* is a bit rough, especially when I wake up and she's right there beside me, in MY room! She is doing pretty well, and aside from a few early wake ups, she's been sleeping through the night in there. But she has continued to roll out of bed onto the floor nearly every night since we got the thing. I need to remember to bring my camera upstairs so I can document it for the record. She's so out of it when we pick her up and move her back into the bed, and hubby suggested a bed-like swaddle, where we use the blankets to at least "hold her in" somehow. And yet, in her sleep, she manages to break out of them and roll on down.

We've got padding on both sides, blankets and pillows, stuffed animals and random soft things, so she's been bruise-free. But man, the poor thing. We can't tell if she wakes up in the mornings on the floor, or in her bed, because she's not that clear when she's explaining it to us and waffles between both.

Mmmn, waffles, I would love a waffle right now. Have you heard about the EGGO shortage? I'm not kidding. Something about floods or bad weather in the area they're made, and therefore distribution is limited. I haven't figured out if this affects Aunt Jemima or generic, store-brands, though, and I hope not, as we're big on frozen waffles in this house. And yes, we have a waffle maker, but who really wants to deal with that mess? I mean, if you saw my sink right now you'd pity me. Seriously. I should say sinks, as we have the double, and my dishwasher is pretty full and needs to be run, although I JUST RAN IT.

And so, with my allergy angst kicking up again now that I'm healthier (horrific cough at night and horrible fits now and then, when eating, drinking, breathing, you know, the basics) than before and there's room for them, I sit here with itchy eyes, a cranky self and the wish that I had another KitKat in the pantry closet. In the meantime I may just settle for a CapriSun (fruit punch, blech!) and some dry Fruit Loops. Hey, don't knock it til you've tried it!

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