Jami and the Overshares

For whatever reason, I'm one of those people that friends, family and strangers feel the need to share with. It's good and it's bad, depending on the person and what's being shared. I'm a pretty good secret-keeper, and I am sure (for the friends and family, anyway) that may be a part of it. But regardless, I'm that person. Here's a tip, for everyone about talking to "that person" in your life. Just think a smidge before you share, because you can't unshare. A few years ago, having a discussion about fashion (and/or my lack of it) with a friend, she shared with me that she only wears underwear if she's wearing jeans. Everything else, she goes commando. Interesting, but not helpful in my life. Now, when I see her, I don't think "Doesn't Mary look cute in that?" I think "Well, no undies today." I'm not in touch with that friend at the moment, so the chances are low that she'll see this, but if you are reading it - sorry. I can't help myself. I am sure you had a point following the announcement, but whatever point you made is long gone from my head; what I remember is that you don't always wear panties, and for better or worse, I now know when that is. I've had friends, especially in college, share their boy/girlfriends successes and failures in the bedroom. Occasionally, this is to ask for suggestions on dealing with issues (no kidding, one friend asked how to kindly ask her boyfriend to stop whistling during sex) but often, it's just "girl talk" (side note: Guys, you think you talk. You don't. Girls share everything about everything and if you've ever done or said it, her friends all know it. Just saying) and when it's just idle chatter about something particularly unusual or embarrassing, it's stuck in my head forever. So don't tell me that your girlfriend is a crazy bed farter unless you want me to suspect her every time there's a bad smell. I am actually proud that people entrust me with their private thoughts and worries. I am glad to be trusted and trustworthy and to be able to help folks with problems they might not know who else to ask about. But I am just warning you - once it's out there, I can't go putting it back.

Jami is Almost Out of Bread

Tomorrow I will be stopping by the grocery store at some point in my errands. I do this because we are almost out of bread. It's not just a fluke, we are somehow, perpetually almost out of bread. We have two states of being here at our house Almost Out of Bread and Out of Bread. That's it. I buy bread. I bring it home and put it in the bread cabinet. Then I walk out of the kitchen and the Bread Gnomes tiptoe in and eat all our bread. There can be no other explanation. Okay, sure, Eddie eats an estimated 14 sandwiches a day (either grilled cheese or PBJ and occasionally steak-um) but still. I am convinced that if the Wonder Bread truck backed itself up to the kitchen door and dumped the entire load into my kitchen to the point where you couldn't get past the fridge because of all the bread, the next morning when I came downstairs for breakfast, we would be Almost Out of Bread. There would be a one folded-over plastic bag, twist tie lost, with the 2 end crusts and a single, lonely non-crust piece left. So, I'll see you tomorrow, at Giant Eagle. I'll be in the bread aisle.

Jami's Year 2009

Wow. Quite a year this one. I'm not going to do a month-by-month, but last year I started the year in a basically pointless job I intensely disliked. I had one adopted child and we were discussing having another. This year I have a job that is meaningful and I adore. I would (and have!) done it for free, that's how much I love this work. I have carried a child to term, given birth and so have a second son. The Steelers won the SuperBowl. Then the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. We had a great family vacation. I was part of a huge and ongoing struggle in our dear church family. We lost our beloved dog. We had a new nephew. Several friends got married, other friends got pregnant and/or had new babies. It's been a year of great struggles and great triumphs. I think I have laughed, cried, and been surprised more this year than any single one in memory. I've definitely learned and grown more in the past twelve months than I bargained for. I'm not a huge fan of living in the past. I cherish my memories, but I try not to dwell in them. This year will certainly be one that lives a long time in my mind, and I'm excited to see what is coming next. Based on this past year, my best guess is, nothing I'm expecting. Happy New Year!

Jami's Christmas 2009

Ah, our first Christmas as a family of four! Christmas Eve we had no problem getting Eddie to sleep as he'd been partying all day with family and friends, and of course, he had to get to sleep so the Big Guy in Red could stop by. We put out the special S shaped cookie he'd made, egg nog (the Husband told Eddie that Santa prefers it to milk) and an apple for reindeer. Christmas morning, I woke up at what I thought was just after 6, but was actually 8 am once I located my glasses. Finn wanted fed and Eddie was in the bathroom. Eddie was desperate to get downstairs, but managed to hold it together until Finn finished eating, Mommy brushed her teeth and put contacts in and Daddy got the video camera started. The two things he had repeatedly asked Santa for were a drum set and an orange teddy bear (not as easy to find as you might think). The large blanket covered present in front of the tree was indeed his drum set - as he started to lift it he said "I think I know what this is . I think I know! I think I know what this is!!!" When the drums were revealed, he said "yup. Drums. Now, where's my orange bear?" Confident in his Nice List status, I guess. He emptied his stocking, which contained the traditional gift of my childhood - underwear. I get this now, I mean, he needs it, so I'm gonna have to buy it anyway, right? Might as well buy the more fun colors and fill up that stocking. He actually insisted on trying them out and went up to change into the camo pair before finishing the unwrapping. Finn received far less, mostly because, let's face it - he doesn't care this year. Most importantly, of course, what did I get? The Husband got me pretty much everything I needed - new undies, as usual, but desperately needed this year after the pregnancy destroyed the elastic in almost all of mine. Seriously, it's a miracle I haven't had a pair fall out the bottom of my pants in pubic. Yet. He also got me the neoprene cover for my Wii Fit board and the Wii Fit plus game so that I don't need to stretch out these new undies! My parents are giving us a game room, labor done by my father, and that's the awesomest thing in the world, instead of more stuff - more room to put the stuff we already have! Including the kids! Yay!! Finn received a playgym from Grammy and Pop, which he digs the most. Seriously, this little dude is so into that thing I could go to the store and he wouldn't even notice - a nice change from having to amuse him every moment he's awake! Eddie got a giant pile of toys, of course, including a super fun train that follows any black line you draw on any paper, and a zhu zhu hamster he named Runny, because it runs. We had breakfast and lunch at my parents house, but after is the part I am most pleased with. Our church has a Christmas dinner, totally free to anyone who wants to come, or have it delivered. We deliver around 400 dinners to shut-ins in our area (not bad for a church of about 40 regular attenders) and serve about 100 in our fellowship hall. People who don't have family in the area come, or those who can't afford to make a nice dinner, or some just come to volunteer for awhile and then eat with someone who might not have a friend to eat with. My family traditionally shows up at the end of the meal time to do clean up. I wanted to take Eddie for a little while this year to see our family working and explain what it is and why we do it. I figured in the next few years he'll be old enough to help for a couple of hours, and this way he'll be familiar with it. I told the Husband to drop us off and take the presents home, figuring that by the time he got back, Eddie would be about done with "helping". Boy, was I wrong!! When we got there Eddie was provided with a bucket and sponge and started cleaning out the delivery coolers. He cleaned and stacked all the ones that came in - this took about the first hour. Then he bussed tables, including asking people who were still eating if he could have their plates! After that he helped wipe down tables, fold up the folding chairs to put away, and even got pretty psyched about mopping the kitchen floor. My little man worked from just after 4 until 6:40!! Yes, he took a cookie and juice break, but that's a long effort for a 4-year-old. I couldn't have been prouder, especially when he told me "this isn't fun, you know" and I explained that sometimes we do things that aren't fun because it's for a good reason. He said "Maybe the people who don't have Christmas dinner can go to Giant Eagle and buy one." We talked about the reasons they can't and then he said "Oh. Okay." and got back to work!! That was my best Christmas gift this year - my son carrying on our family's tradition of volunteering. Merry Christmas!

Jami, Spock and the Husband

I remember my first crush, although looking back, I'd have to say that what I felt was more admiration than l-u-v. When the girls in our neighborhood played Barbies, we'd take turns naming our dolls and "calling" boyfriends. There was fierce competition for various soap stars and teen idols, but no one ever took my Barbie's true love - Spock. Doesn't every grade school girl love a science-geek alien? I didn't care about Spock's funny ears or green blood. I did like the eyebrow raise, and practiced it. Like future crushes, intelligence was the first thing I felt drawn toward. Spock outshone all the humans on that ship - he knew everything. He always had the answer. But he wasn't just some space nerd, Spock kept fit and held his own in a fight. Remember when he got all up in Kirk's grill?? Mmmm hmm - no bullies pushed around that computer geek. The other big factor was the whole emotion thing. I understood that Spock had emotions, but somehow he managed to control them, and no one ever knew what was going on in that pointy-eared head. This appealed to me on two levels: first, many more years would pass before I'd learn to do a decent job of keeping my emotions under wraps. A sensitive girl who wore them on my sleeve, I cried too much, in front of too many people, embarrassing myself too many times. Too many of my future crushes rejected me even while I thought I had been hiding my interest. Spock must have some sort of magic to have learned that skill, I thought. I wanted to be that, and he surely could teach me. Second, I imagined that if you could get a man (or, you know, Vulcan) like that to admit feelings for or to you - then you knew he loved you. Spock was no Kirk, pitching woo to every green-skinned hussie in the Universe. He didn't say things he didn't mean, and he didn't share his every passing thought with the entire crew. Yes, to be in his confidence, that made you special. Fast-forward a few decades to find me married to a smart, loyal, hard-working geek who shows almost no emotion, to the world. Did adoring Spock pave the way for me to marry my own Vulcan? I don't know that the Husband taught me to keep my emotions better under control, I still have far less grip on that than either Spock or the Husband, but I do feel special knowing that I am one of a select few who sees what lies beneath the calm exterior. I guess that's my "type". Spock. Live long, and prosper.

Jami Vs the Krakorian Death Virus

So, Jami, drop a bomb on us and disappear? Not my intent, believe me. Know what's worse than being sick? Being sick and pregnant. Can't fight the way I normally would. I had some sort of evil alien Death Flu and my normal weapons (NyQuil, Mike's Hard Lemonade, Extreme-hot showers, even McDonalds Double Cheeseburgers) were all off of the table. The cheeseburgers because my pregnant belly decided that all solid foods were the enemy. So I suffered and moaned and spent lots of quality time in the bathroom and my bed. I'm in recovery, thanks to Gatorade, Tylenol and relatives who kept Captain Chaos busy so I could nap and vomit in peace. I intend to get back to the blogging, once I've had an entire day of eating and not feeling weak and sick. On a much sadder note, my heart and prayers go out to my brother and sister-in-law, who are suffering a loss of a pregnancy. Those of you who are praying folk, please keep them in your prayers as they grieve. They are a model of strength and faith even in this and I know that God will bless them even in this tragedy.

Jami Has Been a Little Preoccupied

And here's why, first this . . . But we didn't want to say anything until we saw this: We're calling him Shrimpy Boy at the moment, because we are hoping for a boy and he's, well, sorta shaped like a prawn, you know? But I'm sure we'll have a better name by September 28th. What's even better? My brother and his wife are ALSO expecting, due October 2! Gonna be some interesting beach pictures this summer at the family vacation.

Jami Survived Christmas

Actually, I have to say that overall it was a great Christmas. We got to spend time with both families. I volunteered at my church's Christmas dinner, with my parents, as we've done for years. I sang at the Christmas Eve service without fainting and even felt like it went well. I got the Wii Fit which I am loving and will probably blog about. Eddie got a basketball hoop (already up in the playroom) which he's been totally into. He also got lots of Thomas stuff (always exciting) and tons of puzzles, so he's been in three-year-old heaven. He went rollerskating for the first time on Saturday when the weather was unseasonably gorgeous. The Steelers won. On the downside, the Husband injured his back, which led to a leg problem, also. He's on the mend, thank goodness. I'm in the midst of a cold that can't seem to decide if it's getting better or worse. And so we reach almost the end of another year. Shall I wax philosophical about what we've done, or not done, or undone? Probably not. But I may yet. Stay tuned.

Jami, Jami, Where are you??

Ah, that is the question I seem to be asking and being asked. Nine days since I posted, not good. EDW wrote in a post something about 'in her last post, Jami wrote . . .' and I thought - it won't be my last, honest . . though it does sometimes seem that way. November was a long, busy month, the kind of month where my calender had something on it almost every single day, plus work, plus the holiday and oh, yeah, I'm a mommy and a wife and occasionally I like to sleep. So I get in front of the computer, all intent on blogging and I answer emails and I do work and I open up the blog when POOF! the brain shuts down. 'Oh,' it says, 'this is optional? I'm outtie.' So let's see. Eddie's now sleeping on his bunkbed like a big boy. He calls it a Monk Bed, which cracks me up. He's almost done with his first semester of school. Thanksgiving was great. Family, friends, food. All good. Doula certification is progressing. Learned today: Cocaine is bad for pregnant women. Actually I've stuffed my poor old, old brain with far too much good knowledge and it's starting to drip out my ears - tiny sentences being pushed out by the new ones . . . sigh. The Husband injured his back and was out of commission for a few days, still recovering a bit. He's old, but I love him, so what are you going to do? And, a brief funny note: today I picked Eddie up at school and his teenage "teacher" said "he had an accident in his pants, so I put them in a plastic bag in his backpack, because I didn't know if you want to wash them or throw them out or whatever." Hmm, if I threw out everything he'd peed in or on, we'd have nothing left but the TV and dog. Peace out!

Jami Meant to Write This Last Week

I had this idea of posting all the things I'm thankful for, and even started writing it, but you could probably guess it. Family, friends, a potential for a great new job, home, etc. Good stuff, no doubt, but same-old-same-old. So here are a few shout outs to people that I should have thanked and probably don't do it enough. I'm going to leave off my immediate family, even though I am immensely grateful to all of them, but it's both too personal and too obvious. In no particular order . . . MOPS Mommies - Thanks for saving my sanity when I think I can't survive another minute. I can't tell you how it changed my outlook when you told me that I am not just fine, I am cool and funny. When you let me cry and everyone had a story about doing the same thing, when you gave me a chance to reach out to other mommies and just because I really needed friends right then. Aerie - Thanks for helping me put together the bunk beds, most recently, but also for being a friend I can do stuff with and forget that I'm old and someone's mom. EDW - Thanks for being the person I called when I had a total moment of losing it this summer, and being the "yeah, you're totally right!" person I needed, even if I wasn't. I love chatting with you, though we don't get to often enough. You're proof that you don't need to be in the same state to be a great friend. Friends Who Stay in Touch - Stephe, Charlie, Lori, Kris, Anne, Monica, and Cheryl, especially. Thanks for keeping it going! We might not get to get together as often as we'd like but at least we email, call and send pics around. It's important to me to have you in my life, even if it's not for tea twice a week. My Church Family - Thanks for being more than the other people in the pews. You're one of the reasons that I know that you don't have to be biologically related to someone to be their family. I strive to give back to you as much as you've given to me. Lauren - Thanks for starting the youth group back up, sticking with it even though the kids are, uh, not what we'd expected and for reminding me how much I love that ministry, especially when I'm not in charge. You, Aerie and Giovanna are my proof to myself that I have done at least something of value with my life. My neighbors - Thanks for being people that I enjoy talking to. Thanks for loving Eddie and for inviting us to fun events. In an increasingly non-personal world, it means a lot to me to have people I like and talk to living around us. Everyone who makes a fuss over Eddie - Thanks for verifying my belief that my son is extra-special, adorable, intelligent, witty and charming. This especially goes to: Kim and Jen, the staff at the Library, Pam at the Bank, the other "teachers" at preschool, and my parents' and grandparents' friends. Not that you could help but adore him, but I do appreciate it.

Jami Finally Gets to Blog

Ah - busy as usual. It's no excuse. I have used my normal blog time this week to play Plantasia on Yahoo. I don't know why, I just couldn't stop playing it. I'd be composing my blogs in my head while killing beetles and watering my cacti and then it would be waaaayyyy too late to blog. Here's what's gone on, in the real world: Eddie had his last Gymboree class. He handled it totally well, even composing and singing the "Last Gymboree class! Last Gymbo class for meee!!!!" song while I sniffled back tears and couldn't even think "this is our last parachute time" without getting all mushy. Eddie had preschool orientation and his first day (today). In typical Eddie fashion, we had the following conversation: Me: Did you have fun? Eddie: No Me: Did you play any games? Eddie: No Me: Did you sing any songs? Eddie: No Me: Did you color? Eddie: No Me: What did you learn? Eddie: Nothing! Me: Was Miss Courtney nice? Eddie: NO! Me: Okay, do you want to go back? Eddie: YES!!!!!! My MOPS group started this week - yay! It reminds me of those few days when you go back to college before classes start; you see all your friends you haven't seen all summer, you catch up, meet a couple new people, get back into the flow, but there's no boring classes or stressful homework. That's MOPS, preclass college days for mommies. My brother, his wife and their adorable son visited (Note: All my nephews, my one niece and my 2 1/2 goddaughters are all adorable, except the half-goddaughter who is almost sixteen and would certainly NOT want me calling her adorable - but she is). Eddie loves hanging with his cousins, although he views this one with some suspicion as Z is younger and therefore likely to steal trains if we aren't vigilant. Eddie and Z played at the park and spent some time at Grammy's house. Good times. That's about all the news for now. I'll try to tear myself away from the virtual garden again soon.

Jami Celebrates September 11

I struggled with the title of this. Certainly the word isn't one we associate with the tragedy of that infamous day. I ended up looking it up on dictionary.com, and the first definition is "to observe (a day) or commemorate (an event) with ceremonies or festivities". And that's sort of what I was going for. This year I took a different tack to planning the day. In the past, I've tried to eliminate all the unnecessary activities, to spend time praying for the survivors, those who lost loved ones and the brave heroes from that day. But when I was thinking about it this year, I decide that a better way to honor those who died is to spend the day celebrating our lives. We slept in, cuddled in bed as a family, went to the zoo, went to "Old McDonalds" as Eddie calls his favorite fast food place. We had ice cream. I went to a play with a friend and out afterward for a few beers with some friends. It was a day to recognize the goodness that we have. We were blessed to not lose anyone, and for that I thank God. But we should all remember how fragile and unplanned life can be. Let's grab every moment together we can. Watch the baby orangutan climb with awe on our faces. Giggle at an old inside joke. Hug our loved ones as tight as we can. Never let a chance to laugh or sing or love go by. That honors the lives lost more than a ceremony, or a bell toll, or a wreath.

Jami the Firefighter

a random memory I was in my bedroom, and very little: 4, maybe 5 years old. I'd found an uninflated balloon and had been filling it up in the bathroom sink and hosing off the wall next to the door in my room. The balloon, red of course, was my firehose and I was a fireman (at the time, they still weren't saying firefighter.) The entry of my room had bare wood, no carpet, so I wasn't soaking the carpet. I happily "put out the fire" on my wall, dresser, door, floor, and probably a few toys. It was great, really. I think I might have found my calling. Little Jami, Girl Fireman! Until my mom walked in. I believe she went with the standard "What are you DOING??" I knew, even at that tender age, that my best bet here would be lying. Telling her I'd been firefighting would lead to bad things, I just knew it. My tiny brain churned and I blurted out: "I'm cleaning my room! I'm washing the walls!" Brilliant, and what's better? She bought it! My mother, apparently believing the best in me, said "Oh, that's so nice, but next time you want to clean, please let me know and I'll get you the right stuff to clean with." Sorry, Mom. I can only now appreciate what a horrible blessing it is to have a child with a great imagination.

Jami and the Confusing Pantry

I mentioned this to EDW recently, so forgive me, friend, if I'm repeating myself. But I've noticed lately that the people who are most into the whole organic foods thing are also the ones all into the diet stuff. At first glance, that might sound copacetic, but I have to think it's just wrong. Let's take this example from the kitchen of a friend of mine, who I hope doesn't read this and/or take offense: Organic Milk, organic free range eggs, organic vegan hummus (is there non-vegan hummus?), organic cookies for the kids and the adults, organic whole grain crackers and the organic yogurt that has the stuff in it for digestion . . . AND, Diet Mt. Dew, Diet Coke, that butter substitute that is fat-and-cholesterol free, a few different meal replacement bars and shakes, and some vitamin/appetite suppressing candies. Now, the first set of foods - all your organic stuff - falls into your "all natural" category. Things from the harvest, you might say. Part of the "don't eat it if you don't know what it is". Then, you have the next set, which is basically all non-food foods. I mean, I love Diet Coke, but after "water" is there anything in the ingredient list that you could grow, raise or find at a farmer's market? Or that you'd even be able to tell me what it is?? No, friends. There is not. So what's the thinking here: I like organic stuff unless it's fattening? All natural stuff is good, but only if supplemented by totally inorganic? Just saying. Off Topic: I'm just going to say a brief "Happy Birthday!!" to my mother-in-law today. Have a great one and many, many, many more!

Jami Wishes Joxer a Happy Decade

I started this post yesterday, on Joxer's birthday, but time constraints and issues with the image sizing frustrated me until I quit. Joxer is our dog. He's half dachshund and half chihuahua, and he turned 10 years old. A decade. I can't believe it. When we bought our house, the first thing I wanted was a dog. A dog means you're home. It means you're responsible grown-ups (ha!). A dog is like a kid that you don't have to get a babysitter for if you want to go to a movie. I wasn't ready for babies, but I wanted a puppy so badly I could smell that sweet baby-doggy scent in my sleep. The first two weekends after we moved, we went to shelters and scoured the local papers. The purebreds were too expensive. The shelters had no puppies, and no small dogs - all larger ones. I cried on the way home that second Sunday; all I wanted was a little furball to love. How could it be so hard? The Husband found an add in the paper the next day. I called and the day after that we went to meet the puppy. He was the second of two, and his sister had already been sold. His mother was a purebred 20 lb dachshund, and his daddy the mischievous 8 lb chihuahua who lived next door and found a way through the fence when love was in the air. The woman selling the puppies guessed he'd be no more than 12 lbs fully grown (he's 18). He was just under three pounds when we brought him home. 8 weeks and a day old. We named him Joxer on the ride home, after Ted Raimi's character in Xena. Basically, either you get the reference already, or you probably won't. Joxer's a great dog. He's been with us through some hard times and all the good ones. Our practice baby, the poor dog has been dressed in Halloween costumes, pajamas and hockey jerseys, taken to "puppy school" and even had his picture done on Santa's lap. Though little, he's got a mean bark and just knowing he's here helps me get to sleep the nights the Husband works past midnight. He endured, with some grace, the arrival of his "little brother" Eddie. When I cry, he'll sit on my lap and nudge my face. He's been in the library, the church and the video store with me. Eddie calls him"my friend, Joxer". I get scared sometimes, when I think how old he is in dog-time. Our time with him is probably more than half over and that breaks my heart. I can't even imagine this house without him, even on the days I scream "If you don't stop barking, you're going to the pound, Mister!" Happy Birthday, Joxer. Good boy! Good doggy!

Jami Presents Eddie and His Youngest Cousin

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Grammy!

Jami's Son's New Haircut

So sad, cutting his beautiful hair, but he was starting to look like Prince Valiant gone wrong, so it had to be done.

Of course he still looks good. You can't make a kid this cute look bad. Thanks to Grammy for the picture.

Jami's Baby Brother Hits the Big 3-0

That's right, my baby brother turns 30 today. It's very strange for me, especially since I'll be turning 29 this September (for the 6th time). Sometimes I am shocked at how time slips by. A few days ago, my brother was a pudgy toddler, a little boy who got his head stuck in a railing. He's the whip-strong teen who is suddenly cool. Yesterday he was a college kid, then engaged, and today married for years, a homeowner with a baby about to turn one, he's - a grown up! My brother is one of the great blessings of my life. I love my friends, but a sibling is a friend like no other. Happy Birthday, Baby Brother.

Jami's Friday Feast

Feast 180 Appetizer Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim? In Girl Scouts we did several. Once on April Fools Day, my dad told about how he had put salt in the sugar bowl when he was a kid and someone put salt in their coffee. I did it the following April Fools and he put the salt on his Cheerios and then yelled at me because he'd had to throw the whole bowl out. He did apologize after I told him he gave me the idea. Soup What do your salt and pepper shakers look like? They are the smaller blue Tupperware ones, which apparently they no longer make. We also have ones that match our china. Salad Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)? We're going to Erie beach in August. Main Course What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry? Whatever we have. I get lotions for gifts fairly regularly (I must look dry), or else I buy whatever decent brand is on sale. Usually Intensive Care or Suave. Dessert Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name. Sliced strawberries coated with molten chocolate and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. I'll call it Berry Tasty.

Jami Borrows a Meme

I love to eat: anything that includes melted cheese. I hate to eat: Peas, alfalfa sprouts, raw tomatoes I love to go: anywhere warm and with the Husband: Vegas, the beach, Caribbean cruise I hate to go: to the dentist. I love it when: Eddie is cuddly, when the Husband and I curl up and watch a movie with some nachos and Schmirnoff Ices. I hate it when: (expletive deleted) like this happens and messes up kids' lives and families, too. I love to see: my family all in one place. I hate to see: anyone suffering. I love to hear: Eddie giggling I hate to hear: idiots talking. Thanks for the meme, PW