worth the read

personal opinion(s) aside,
this is worth the read.

All Joy and No Fun

california girls

actual conversations -
more or less.

m: can we download california girls onto the computer?
mm: sure.
m: then put it on my mp3 player?
mm: yep.

me: um, really?
mm: yeah, it's easy and probably just a buck.
me: uh, okay.

later in the car.
kids singing...
with their hands up.
mm too.
okay. and me.

"california girls
we're unforgettable
daisy dukes
bikinis on top
sun-kissed skin
so hot
we'll melt your popsicle
oh-oh-oh

california girls
we're undeniable
fine, fresh, fierce
we got it on lock
westcoast represent
now put your hands up
oh-oh-oh

sexxxx on the beach..."
(which the kids sing as six)

mm: WHAAA?!?!
me: what?
mm: did she just say?
me: yep.
mm: oh, we won't be downloading this song.
me: whew, i thought you went and got all cool on me.
mm: not that cool.
me: thank goodness.

p.s. i realize it might be "gurls" - but i'm not all that cool either.

to the nines

our baby is nine today.
i am in complete denial.

i don't know when it happened,
but suddenly she is different.
a little more self-assured,
a little less shy,
a little more comfortable in her skin.

she doesn't need me as much,
yet she still wants me around.
most of the time.

she listens, usually,
eats anything, mostly.

sometimes she asks questions,
i don't really have answers to.
that scares me a bit.

her feet are the same size as mine,
she likes to wear my high heels.
that scares me a lot.

i can't carry her to bed anymore.
even piggyback.

but she is forever our baby.
the original.

wordless thursday

a nerd never falls far from the tree.

guest blogger - papa

my work car is an 89 s-10 pickup, pretty plain even in 89. it belonged to my father-in-law, the kids' great-grandfather. it is "a beat-up work car" - peeling paint, rust, dents, much worn upholstery, etc. i think the kids like it because 1 it is different and 2 no rules. they play in it, on it, can't hurt anything. if something spills it's on top of 20 other stains. dirt isn't a a problem since it rarely gets cleaned. g'mother will ride only as a last resort. they argue over ride turns.

from m's first ride in it:

m: "what's this?" pointing to handle-knob that rolls the window up/down.

i explain.

m: "how does it work?"

i demonstrate. her face alights.

m: "can i do it?"

duh. has papa ever said "no"? window up/down for the next 15 miles. wind alternately not/blowing in our faces. best car ride ever.

m: "why don't new cars have these?"

good question. simple. reliable. can't be disabled by dad from driver's seat. permissions not required. perfect. it takes me few beats to answer. "why don't new cars have these?" humm.

"i guess they just don't make new cars as good as old ones."

answer accepted. no more questions.

note to current or prospective parents: do not allow one word questions. from "The Last Lecture" i wish i had read that a long time ago.

lucky seven

dear g,
no matter how old you are,
this is how you look inside my heart.
happy 7th birthday my sweet little man.
love,
mom

wordless thursday

prolific painter produces perfect present paper.