Bits and Pieces

As we sit here and watch (what is hopefully the last game of the season), I can't help but think of how funny I find it that Guy refuses to believe that I was a good softball player when I was younger.  I was, in fact, an All-Star second base/shortstop.  I also - ahem - batted fourth.  Anyway, it's sort of a running joke between us.  Most folks likely are surprised by my softball prowess.  (I clearly used up all my sportsmanship before I hit puberty.)

You may also be surprised by this:  (and I'm pretty sure that I've already written a blog like this so pardon.)

I can name an embarrassing number of WWF wrestlers from the 1980's.

I only eat certain foods (like strawberries, grapes and cookies) in multiples of two.

I hate (and actually get nervous) when I have to make coffee.

I also am equally unnerved when I have to drive with other adults in the car.

It would take a lot of will power to leave my house in the morning with my bed unmade or with dirty dishes in the sink.

If I could dress every day like someone in a movie, it'd be Natalie Portman's character in "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium."

I could quite easily eat an entire pound of macaroni or a half gallon of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a sitting.  (And I said "or" not "and" - don't get that grossed out.)  But don't dare me.

The feel of dirty feet nauseates me.

One of my favorite movies is "Mommy Dearest".

I haven't thrown up since I was nine.

New office supplies make me giddy.  (Especially those colored erasers that you put on the ends of pencils.)

The idea of getting dressed up in a Halloween costume and going to a party makes me so stressed out I nearly break out in hives at the mere thought.

I sleep with a bat under the bed when Guy is away.

I still have all the notes my mom put in my lunches since junior high.

If I didn't do what I do, I'd love to be an interior decorator.  Or someone who prepares food for cooking demos and magazine covers.  Or a hostess at Pipinelle's but that ship has sailed.  (And there's only room in my heart for one Pip's hostess anyway...)

Other than during my driving lessons, I've never needed to parallel park (even in my parking test.)
Well, that's not true.  There are times when I need to...I just keep driving until I no longer need to...(I also helped a dear bestie pass her driving test while flirting with her guy in the front seat so he wouldn't notice how bad she was at parallel parking.)

In high school, I really and truly wanted to marry in to the mob.  Thank goodness I had a change of heart. 

Nearly every day, I wish I was in training for another marathon.

I have never, not once, wished we'd had another baby after H and M.

I've never tried relish or fluff.  And I never will.

I was so angry at my (then newly ex-boyfriend at the time) that I kicked my foot through our cellar door.  (I think that, secretly, my dad was so proud.)

I've never gone on a job interview or needed to prepare my own resume.  (Although I'm pretty sure I'd kick ass on both.)  Hopefully, I'll never need to find out.

And on that note, there are going to be a lot of tired Bostonians heading in to work tomorrow.  GO SOX!

Sibs and Sox

My aunt/godmother is visiting for a few days from North Carolina.  She and my uncle/her brother made a bet early this summer that if the Sox made it to the World Series, she would travel up from NC and they'd go to a game together.  Neither one of them wanted to jinx anything so I don't think they talked about it much after the initial conversation.  Needless to say, as I type this, the Sox are trailing 1-0.  Surely, I hope they win.  But either way, that they (especially my uncle) are at a Sox World Series game, brings me such joy.  He has been a HUGE fan of the game (he's a bit freakish - and I mean that in the nicest way possible) for his entire life, surely as long as I can remember.  My aunt is a huge fan as well and I love that they are there together.

This alone, should be making me smile tonight.  But it's really what happened before they left for the game that is really making me smile.

I met up with my uncle and aunt and mom today out for lunch. Three siblings that, in some ways, couldn't be more different from each other.  And yet, three siblings that rock the world when they are together.  Seeing them together makes my heart smile.  Honestly, my stomach hurt from laughing at the three of them today.  It was awesome. 

A few months ago, to say we didn't think the Sox would be in the World Series is an understatement. 
A few months ago, to say we didn't think my mom would be eating lunch out at a restaurant is an even bigger understatement.

H and M's first fear spoken was "will Nonie be able to teach us how to cook ever again?"
My first fear was "will she be able to come to a piano recital again?"  My second thought was "how will we ever 'go out' with ease again?"  Now that I think of it, it's funny.  We don't even "go out" all that often.  We are definitely a stay-in and hang with family and friends crew. However, I just couldn't imagine how we'd do it.

And yet, two months after the worst day of our lives, my mom (TMM, for those of you who have been following her journey) is rocking the world - walking, working, driving, and "going out" again.

Life's not the same as it was.  But it is pretty close.  (Well, I guess she'd beg to differ with regards to that statement.  And she has every right to - and then some.)  But it WILL be.  I honestly believe that, next year at this time, this will be a memory.

A shitty memory. But a memory, nonetheless.

And a memory of a ridiculously brave mom.  And an amazing dad who has not left her side.  Not for a minute.  (Even when they both are driving each other nuts!!)

As I typed this last bit, the Sox went up 2-1.  That's gotta mean something.

A-Ok

I love when our children start a conversation with 

"I have something to ask you and it's okay if you say no."  

Oh, okay.  Thanks for giving me your permission.

Phew.

Best Sister

They do most everything together. They are inseparable. By circumstance and by choice. What one gets, the other one gets. Be it a shirt, a new friend, a night out on the town or a cold. That's the only life they know. They wouldn't want it any other way. Earlier this week, M was given a super cool opportunity in FPAC's upcoming production of "Les Miserables." (On a side note, have you bought your tickets? If not - and you live locally - I can't imagine what you are waiting for. It is going to be amazing.) Anyway, I have to say that as much as watching and hearing M do her little bit in the show makes me want to cry, H's reaction to M's opportunity makes me want to cry more. Sure she's bummed. (She said so.) Sure she's jealous. (She said so.) But she's good with it. (She said so.) And she truly is. We told her that "it is what is is." All H needs to do is keep doin' what she's doin'. All M needs to do is keep doin' what she's doin'. Whatever happens in life - you just do what you do, do your best and know that at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. And as M does her little thing this weekend, there will be NO ONE in the audience rooting for M as much as "the sister" is. I can promise you that. These two. They're good little eggs.

Two and a Half Seconds

I learned a long time ago that taking a minute to chat with someone in passing, sending a quick note, or picking up the phone to tell someone you were thinking of them often makes a big difference - to everyone involved. Lord knows I don't do it enough but I know that I should. And doesn't that count for something? Yesterday, on facebook, a friend and I were going back and forth about how I found out that there was no Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. (I'm still holding out for The Tooth Fairy.) While I don't remember the details, I'm pretty sure that I found out through a casual converation at the bus stop. She flipped when she found out that she was the one that spoiled it for me. I assured her that there was no need to worry - especially considering I was, like, 22 (give or take a few years...) Anyway, her mom commented on the thread as below. This simply made my day to read it this morning. Now, any "normal" person would be tickled pink with the comment and end it at that. My mom, I'm sure, while thrilled at the comment, will immediately start to stress out - "oh God, my house isn't beautiful anymore! I have to do something! I have to make something! SO many people drive by. Do you think they think that it used to be really nice but now it's not? Tell me what needs to be changed!" And on and on and on. My poor dad. Anyway, here's what she said. "Hi Kim, your mom was amazing!! I remember your house on Halloween!!!! As well as all the other major Holidays! I was in awe, as was the rest of Franklin, I'm sure!!! I used to ride by on purpose. How could you not believe in the Easter Bunny or Santa when your house was practically magic!!!" LOVE. It was so nice of her to take the two and a half seconds to write it. It will make me smile for far longer than that.