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Gratitude is the attitude!

    Thank you for the white hairs shproinging in my part. I love them so much I have to set them free. Usually out of my car window. Thank you for my slowing metabolism, for she’s exhausted and requiring of even more calories for her diminished gait. Thank you for challenging me with names. It’s fun to forget names you’ve known for years! If it weren’t for the growing plaque on my brain, my friends and family would not enjoy my new cheek-pinch and “Oh…you!” greeting. Thank you for mixing up my family of origin. Again.… Read More »Gratitude is the attitude!

    Playlist for our 50th wedding anniversary video montage

      Unforgettable…is what those Crocs are I’ll stop the world and melt with you if you don’t turn on the air for the love of God, woman You make me feel like dance-ing I said my darling you are wonderful tonight.  I SAID MY DARLING YOU ARE WONDERFUL TONIGHT—NO. YOUR BUNS AREN’T FULL OF MIGHT. I SAID–never mind I love you a bushel and a peck and a Savignon Blanc, and a Diet Coke, and please get some 1% milk I had the time of my life and you tweeted it I love you just the… Read More »Playlist for our 50th wedding anniversary video montage

      One Wine Glass

        On parent night at summer camp both my kids won raffle prizes. Five won a Frisbee and a family day pass for the swimming pool. Eight heard his name called, and could barely hoist his spoils–a gift basket including a gift certificate for a steak dinner, a bottle of red wine, and a Caribbean Escape scented candle. Dammit if they didn’t forget the size 8-10 boys smoking jacket. They did throw in several books of matches, a handful of mints and one enormous wine glass for good measure. I wonder what the giver of this… Read More »One Wine Glass

        Conversations

          Here’s a conversation I overheard at a swimming pool: Small child: What’s your favorite color, Grandma? Grandma: Blue. What’s yours? Small child: Green. What was the scariest thing that’s ever happened to you, Grandma? Grandma: Probably when Grandpa and I were asphyxiated and Grandpa died and I almost did. Here’s a conversation starter I overheard at my house last month: Five: Want to play head vs. butt? I’ll be the head… Here’s more from that conversation I had with ideamensch: Wherein I discuss how I brought LTYM to life, what you should read and who… Read More »Conversations

          Own your creativity. Or at least, flying-cross-body-press it.

              photo I have a creative soul. Creative talent can usher immeasurable blessings while simultaneously giving you the flying head-scissors. I started my blog as a writing practice. It led to what professionals might call “creative self-discovery” and feels much like el tornillo; a flying cross-body press with a full twist around the axis. Instead of giving out wardrobe advice, or re-posting my networking tips, I’d like to wish you Feliz Dia del BlogHer ‘12 by sharing my Lucha Libre moves for owning your creativity. Become a luchador (fighter), not a referee. You can’t fight… Read More »Own your creativity. Or at least, flying-cross-body-press it.

            Sprung

              Tuesday I watched Five climb the day camp bus stairs for the first time, half a step behind Eight, and pile into the same seat. They maneuvered bodies and backpacks like two tortoises sharing the backseat of a cab. As the yellow tube pulled away, so too my neon jumpsuit and shackles. I’m out on good behavior for the next five weeks. I began doing hard time on the stay-at-home circuit in 2004, and haven’t had a quiet day in an office entirely devoted to work outside of motherhood since. Suddenly, from 9 to 4:30… Read More »Sprung

              July is National Children Learn to Lift a Finger Month!

                  July, 2, 2012, Ann Imig officially proclaimed July Learn to lift A (*&%$#@) Finger Month. No, Not that finger.We know you can lift that finger, Dear Five, because you showed it to your Nana and then sheepishly covered it because “God sees everything.” [Note: Check Highlights and Johnny Test for fire and brimstone subliminal messaging]. WHO: You. Children. Future functioning members of society if society is still semi-functioning. WHAT: A Litany of Fun. A month-long plus the rest of your youth celebration of phalange-exertion! .5K Toys-Be-Gone walk/run/right now I mean it. All-you-can eat Appropriate-choices… Read More »July is National Children Learn to Lift a Finger Month!

                Our Time

                  Something is stirring, Shifting ground … It’s just begun. Edges are blurring All around, And yesterday is done. – Stephen Sondheim’s “Our Time” from Merrily We Roll Along I’m driving our once-hip, now beater 1999 black Jetta down Larkin Street—the very hill I once sprinted up at age 5, hysterical because a red ant chased me home from Hoyt School. The Beastie Boys’ Fight For Your Right to Party blares from the 80’s station as I approach the maize and blue balloon bouquet, featuring a numeral 2 Mylar as well as a numeral 9. I… Read More »Our Time

                  Stranger Danger

                    The TV advertising business revolves around multi-million dollar negotiations referred to as “The Upfront,” in which bulk ad inventory for the entire new season-year gets purchased upfront. Similarly, Stranger Danger is The Upfront of all conversations a parent must have with their children during the season-year, requiring a 100% upfront buy-in from your child. My Five-year-old doesn’t accept the platitudes often thrown at kids as cautionary rules. He needs details, and he needs to weigh them carefully on a case-by-case basis. For instance, last weekend during Eight’s soccer game, Five decided to go for a… Read More »Stranger Danger