Forever Family

I wonder if I even remember how to do this!

Yes, that’s right.  I’m back.

Back from where is a little more difficult to explain.  I haven’t really gone anywhere.  My life has been going on as usual.  No one was sick…no one died.  I didn’t experience a tragedy worthy of excusing my absence.

No, my journey has been more of an excursion of the mind.  Outwardly, things are fine.  Inwardly, however, has been a little bit of a different story.

I’ve closed down for a while and numbed myself to survive the day to day.  I also just needed the time to focus on my family.  But stability is coming my way (for now anyway), and I’m ready to document my experience.

So, be ready…

Yeah, it’s been that kind of week.

I pretty much go through my day, with WTF repeating over and over in my head.  There is nothing else I can think to say.

So I promise I’ll try again tomorrow to be somewhat more upbeat, or at least post something worth reading.

All I can write now is W…T…F.  Not exactly literary stimulation.

The good news is that I wrote several posts for my new site Symphony Rocks last weekend while I was still in a pretty good mood.  One will be posting Friday morning, so you can pop over there for something slightly more meaningful.

I promise I’ll get all caught up on my comments and such.  I know I’m behind.  I’ve been doing more lurking than usual lately, but there’s no excuse.

I’m feeling a little discombobulated today.  Something’s been off all day and I’m just not sure what it is.  Perhaps it’s the fact that it is April 7th, and snow flurries are blowing past my window.  Maybe it’s because this darn chair is hurting my bum so bad that I want to just pick it up and throw it off the balcony and right square onto the freeway below.

Darn it my tooshie hurts.

But that’s not quite right.  There’s something else.  Like the universe is out of sync somehow.  Do you ever get that feeling?  Like you want to launch some kind of rocket into outer space that will start a chain reaction and will magically set things to right?

Could it be because there is so much arbitrary silliness in the world?  Why does it always have to be about the bottom line?  What happened to nurturing thought and promoting quality?

Maybe that’s part of it.  But that’s nothing new, and why it surprises me so much when it proves to be all about the money is beyond me.  I guess I’m a slow learner.

Well, whatever it is that’s throwing of my chi, it’s downright irksome.

Something just tells me that our little community here will never be the same, and that the loss is ours.

Anyhoo…

My friend The Tarot Queen gave me an award.  Huzzah!

Yeah, I know.  You’d think this would help my dilemma, but my chakras still ache.

If you haven’t stopped by and asked a Stephanie a question , well then that’s just your loss.  The questions have ranged from “what shall I wear to prom,” to “how to become a rocket scientist,” with a dash of Tarot reading thrown in to spice it up .  It’s a great read with a new home .  Even if you’ve visited before, you should go back and be sure to bookmark her new home .

“This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.”

I love that word brilliant.  It makes me feel so smart.

Now I’m supposed to tell 10 honest things about myself.

1. My iPod is on shuffle.  A Bach piano concerto just finished playing, and the next song is Living Dead Girl by Rob Zombie.  No.  I’m not schizophrenic.
2. I once played piano for Benjamin Zander, who’s currently director of the Boston Philharmonic.  I played Poulenc.  He thought it was good!
3. I won a piano competition playing that same Poulenc piece.
4. I am not above shamelessly self promoting my new blog Symphony Rocks .
5. I have a new unattainable crush with Seth MacFarlane.  He’s the genius behind shows like Family Guy and American Dad.  Have you seen the new Hulu ads featuring him doing all the voices from his shows?  He’s H-O-T!  He’s witty, and clever, and a writer, and a composer…the man is a complete package.  He’s a sci-fi fan, a skilled pianist, and is not afraid for speaking out for what he believes in.
6. I have not played the piano in over a year.  I’ve made up a bevy of excuses, but I’m ashamed.  I want to set a good example for my son.  I’m so bad, I haven’t even been good about keeping the darn thing in tune, which is now another excuse.  I can’t possibly play an instrument that is out of tune.  Whatever.
7. I’m obsessed with the piano today.  Perhaps it’s because I downloaded some Phillip Glass piano etudes last night.  As I was listening to them, I was thinking “I could totally play these.”  Which then led me to a guilt trip about item 6.
8. I’m currently very annoyed with account executives.
9. I’m going to use a vacation day to see the new Star Trek movie.  I don’t see how else we can do it.  Kiddo is too little for a movie like that, and we don’t have a sitter.  I am über excited!
10. My son’s birthday is still 3 months away.  I’m already planning it.  Yeah.  I’m THAT mom.

And it’s my turn to pass the baton.  Let’s see…here are a few good ones

Kellyology at Mommadosey

jasdye at ChicagoDads

Melissa at Full Circle

Tami at Sunflower Seeds

Texasholly at June Cleaver Nirvana (yes, I’m a lurker)

Jen at Cake Wrecks

That’s a start.  You’re all fabulous!

And many thanks to Stephanie.  

IT’S FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

No, I’m not excited (insert sarcasm here).

We must commemorate this week.  We’ve had a pretty positive week.  After all, it would seem that my son has mastered the potty.

Plus, I have more good news.

I’ve started a second blog.

Yes, I’m crazy.  I’m still sorta figuring out where I’m gonna find the time.  But it’s been nagging me for some time to do this, and as I watched my friends at Rocket Scientist , Caregiving Daughter and Huskies to Husbands take the plunge, I started feeling left out.  Slow down the bandwagon…I’m hopping on.

After all, if I don’t feel challenged I start to get bored.  Boredom is not good.  Not that I haven’t been challenged just keeping up with this site, but I see those great bloggers doing it and I don’t want to get left behind.  If they can find the time to manage it all, then so can I.  I hope.

So, without further ado, I introduce you to…

This blog is completely different from my mission here at Forever Family.  The purpose of this site will be to nurture my personal passion.  I feel pretty good about my musical appreciation skills, and it’s here that I’ll share my gift with the world.

With this site, I’ll get to feed my soul a little.

So if you could hop on over and check it out, I have my intro posted.  I’ll be writing my first real posts this weekend, and be throwing them up next week.  It will be fun, I promise.  Even if you don’t think you like classical music, you will learn to appreciate it after I’m done with you.

Which leads me to my other bloggy milestone this week.

Stephanie the Rocket Scientist aka Tarot Queen aka best advice giver I know has awarded me with Honest Scrap award.  This means a ton to me, cause as I’ve said before, I have a little blogger crush on Stephanie.  She’s a master of the written word, and I’m totally twitterpated that she comes to visit me.  To have gotten an award from her is the coolest thing that’s happened to me in a while…aside from the potty that is.

So I’ll do that award proper homage in my next post.

So where’s you next stop?  That’s right….Symphony Rocks .  And leave a note when you check it out.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled blog for the following public service announcement:

Dear Entrecard,

It’s not me, it’s you.  I’m afraid our affair can no longer continue.  You’ve changed, and I cannot follow you on the path you’re taking.

I’m grateful for the good times, and most especially all the great blogs I’ve discovered since we met.  There are so many, but fortunately I don’t need you to get to them.  I’ll still visit them every day, and will have more time to enjoy them.  You’re so needy, dear Entrecard.  It takes a long time to drop 300 cards a day, and I am forced to spend more time fulfilling you then I spend reading and commenting on quality posts, or even updating my own blog!

You were there for me when I had no traffic, helping me ease into this blogging world and finding some footing.  I’m going to give it a go on my own, and see if I can fly by myself.  I’ll miss you, but we really have no choice but to part ways.

You’re going commercial, and my bloggy host doesn’t approve.  You made my big brother mad, and now he’s telling me to pull you or else.  Well, you’ve made your choice and now I must make mine.

As for my readers and bloggy friends I’ve made through you, I hope they’ll keep coming by to visit me.  I WILL be visiting them, and I think they’ll be happier.  Instead of dropping on your little Entrecard widget, I’ll be leaving them better stuff like subscriptions, comments, and tweeting about them on my Twitter.  In fact, they will probably benefit from our breakup, since my actions will likely drive more quality traffic to their sites than a silly little Entrecard popularity rating.

So I’m leaving your little box prominently displayed on my site a little longer to fulfill my commitments to those friends I just mentioned, but I will no longer accept any new ads, and I will be giving away all my Entrecard credits.

DID YOU HEAR THAT, DROPPERS???  If you want my credits, just comment below.  I’ll give them to whoever impresses me the most.  We’re talking like 1000 credits here.

So, it’s with a heavy heart that I say it’s over between us.  Parting is such sweet sorrow, but I will live to blog another day.  

Lots of good bloggy love and karma to my fellow Today.com bloggers who are in the same boat!

OldWestMom

We will now resume your regularly scheduled programming.

And I promise I’ll be brief.

Did you just snort? 

Yeah, I suppose you’re right.  Brevity is not my forte.  

Side note…are some of you starting to wonder about me a little?  It just occurred to me that I have a lot of conversations with myself.  My whole post yesterday was a documented argument between 2 factions in my head.  Sounds kinda schizo…

I swear I’m not schizophrenic.  At least I don’t think I am.  I just like playing devil’s advocate, and I like to anticipate.  I always try to think of the other side of the coin before they do, so I can have a quick and snappy response.

It’s too bad my high school didn’t have a debate team.  I probably would have been good at it.  Which is weird…why didn’t my high school have a debate team?  I went to a really prestigious college prep academy…you would think debate would have been right up there with Mathletes and the chess team.  Ponderous.

Anywhoo…before you wander off, I just wanted to post a big THANK YOU to Rebecca over at Cat Lover’s Site .  She gave me an award!!!  Woohoo!!!  Thanks Rebecca!!!!

The award is described as thus:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Isn’t that sweet????

So here are 8 blogs I thoroughly enjoy every day.  PLEASE jump over to Rebecca’s site to check out the ones she nominated (cause there are some good ones I have discovered through her list), and then check out the ones I nominated.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  

And to the bloggers I put on this list, please don’t feel obligated to do anything special.  Just keep doin’ what you’re doin’…cause that’s why I love ya!!!!

Not Your Everyday SuperGoddess

The Rocket Scientist’s new site at Ask Me Anything

 Glue 4 Families

 The Quadmama at Got Quads?

 Caregiving Daughter

 Gay Dads in Munchkinland

 Heathen Homeschoolers

 Blackholes and Astrostuff

Thanks guys!

Yeah, it’s late.  I wonder if Hubby notices I’m not in bed.  Doubtful (the snores are the indication that leads me to this conclusion), and even if he did, I’m sure he’s not worried.  Tis the blight of many a spouse, I’m sure. 

It’s midnight.  Do you know where your significant other is?  Oh yeah…they’re blogging.

I have a couple of housekeeping blog chores I need to complete, and it’s starting to make me batty.

First, I want to give a huge shout out to Caregiving Daughter for giving me the Lemonade Award.  As she so eloquently put the description of the award, I can’t help but openly plagiarize her.

This award is to recognize blogs that are about making the best out of difficult situations.  When life gives these bloggers lemons, they just add a little sugar, stir it up, and make some great lemonade.  Has life got you down?  Then stop by these sites for some thirst-quenching lemonade for the soul.

Very sweet, in a tangy and lemony sort of way.  Thanks so much, Caregiving Daughter.  Nothing means more to me than acknowledgment and acceptance from my fellow bloggers, especially from ones as talented as her.  It is great to think that someone out there thinks my site might be a little nourishment for the soul.  That makes me happy.

As thankful as I am that she thought of me when thinking of sites to bestow the award on, I don’t feel I’m worthy.  Life never really dealt me lemons that are stranger than anyone else’s lemons (when it comes to parenthood).  My grandmother had a stroke when I was 8 years old, and we lived with her and my grandfather until she died (when I was 16) helping care for her.  The stroke left her largely immobilized and completely dependent on us for all things, even as simple as using the bathroom.  I know it’s not easy to care for our parents and grandparents, and Caregiving Daughter does a much better job facing life’s challenges than I do.  

Second, I know I need to continue more about my previous post regarding some of the trials of foster parenting.  I’ll get to it…I promise.  No, I’m not trying to avoid the topic.  Yes, I know I said the next post would be a continuation.  Geesh you’re pushy.

Third, I wanted to set the scene a little before I continued our story.  I know I’ve linked to this story I wrote in a past post, but it’s been a while and I like to think my readership has increased a little since then.

It’s a fictional story, but I wrote it based loosely on facts.  I wrote it to submit to a collection of “dark” short stories.

If you’re interested in getting inside the head of a foster parent, and to get a taste of what it might be like to experience that so called worst case scenario, please click this link .  Enjoy.  Any feedback you have to offer would be appreciated.

Where’d she go???

Is she on vacation???

Was she committed to the funny farm???

Did she road rage finally get the best of her and did she finally veer her car into that damned cell phone user not paying any attention???

No, no, no.  None of these things.  I’m not in need of bail, or a straight jacket, or even a valium.  Wait…actually I’d take a valium (if you’ve got one to spare).  

And DON’T I WISH I was on vacation.

Actually, I’m just 2 days away from an involuntary and unpaid week off from work.  You know, bad economy and all, and corporate has mandated we all take one for the team, to save others from permanently losing their jobs.

Because I’m such a team player, I am looking forward to it!  Well, selfishly I’m also anticipating it because legally THEY CANNOT CONTACT ME IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.  No calls…no emails…no on-call nonsense…

Aside from the whole no week’s pay thing, this may be the closest thing I will come to actually relaxing in a long, long, LONG time.

Anyway, I’ve just been really busy getting ready for that and trying to keep up with the influx of business at work.  I haven’t had time to do much writing, except for leaving a few comments and keeping up with my E cards.

I’ll catch up and get back on schedule.  In the meantime, thanks for checking back, and more to come soon.

By the way, in regards to the story in my previous post (in case you were wondering), Baby Jane Doe’s mother came forward and claimed the girl.  Whew!  I’ll touch on that more later.

You can also check the comments on my previous post.  A commentor was kind enough to post part of the story in those comments.

p.s.

I went to add a picture to my post (I love pics), and went to Google images and did a search for peek a boo.  Silly, naive little me.  Let’s just say none of those pics were appropriate for my blog.  Whoa boobies!!!!!

So we’re going pic free in this blog.  I’m a little rattled, and possibly scarred for life. 

As I’ve been going through my daily routine of perusing blogs, I’ve noticed quite a few posts about top Entrecard droppers.  It is cool of these users to acknowledge those who are so dedicated to dropping on their E card each day, and a helpful pointer for those of us shopping for dedicated droppers we can count on to keep our traffic up.

  This has inspired me to write a brief note to spread some blog love, but about some blogs I really enjoy.  I read these everyday, and they are all listed in my blog roll.  I encourage you to check them out.

 By the way, I’m not getting anything for doing this.  This is truly all about the quality of these blogs, and they are better at this then I am.  I certainly learn something from them every day, and my only wish is that you might, too.

 Listed in no particular order:

• Got Quads - A blog written by a mother of quadruplet daughters.  If there’s anyone who knows a thing or two about parenting, it’s her.  She has some good tips, stories, and observations…and she is pretty much Supermom.
• Rocket Scientist - You’ve probably heard of this blog, but have you really read it?  I can’t even tell you how much Rocket Scientist inspires me, and how flattered I am that she takes notice of my blog.  She wins awards…and it’s clear why.  This blog is in a class all by itself.
• Outnumbered Two to One - Perhaps I’m fascinated by parents with 4 kids.  It seems to be a common theme here.  What I love about this blog is her wit, sarcasm, and highly comical observations about everyday life.  Some people attempt humor, but just can’t quite pull it off.  This blog has it nailed.  I’m not lying when I tell you I laugh out loud every time I read her blog.
  
• ChicagoDads - I enjoy reading about family life from a man’s perspective.  This blog is full of intelligent observations, good humor, and plenty of rants about Illinois politics.  A good read all around.
• PunditMom - I only just discovered this blog.  I’m also in awe (and more than a little humbled) by her skills and accomplishments.  Her political views are very much in line with my own, and like reading Rocket Scientist’s blog, I just feel smarter after reading it.   
• Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice - There are a lot of cooking blogs out there, but I really enjoy this one.  I don’t even consider cooking a hobby of mine, but I gotta cook if I gotta eat, right?  I love the way her blog is set up, with wonderful recipes, great pictures, and a really great running commentary.  When reading her blog, I feel kind of like I’m watching a special on Food Network with a friendly hostess who has invited me into her kitchen.  
• Unprofessional Parenting - Written by a mom, and I just really enjoy her style.  She is relaxed and honest in her writing, and is much better are being brief than I am.  She is another mom who uses her blog as a platform to let us get a peak into her life and how she juggles it all.    
• Glue 4 Families - I enjoy this blog because it is smart, makes some interesting observations, points out some things that make me think, and throws in a few smiles.  
• Flitting on Fiction - Yes, I’ll admit it.  I fancy myself a writer.  You laugh and scoff and say, “who doesn’t?”  I know…you’re right.  This blog I enjoy because the writing and flow is fantastic, and a great tool to help me develop my own skills.  The writer reminds me of a friend of mine, so reading this comforts me.
  

If you read my blog even only casually, then I strongly urge you to check these blogs out.  They all do this far better than me.  Each one appeals to different parts of me, and as I evolve, I truly try to learn and absorb a little something from each of these bloggers.  May they change your lives, as well.

And if any of you bloggers listed above read this, just know that you have a fan in me!  Please keep doing whatever it is you do!   

Whew!  I have been so busy lately!!!!  Thank heavens tomorrow is Friday, because a rest is needed.  Oh but wait.  I can’t rest on the weekend.  I have guests coming into town next week and a LONG LONG LONG list of things that need to get done.

I do have good news to share.  Work has been nuts.  If you know me and what I do, you would know that is symbolic, because the industry I work in has been HURTING BAD.  I was preparing one of my monthly reports and doing some analysis, and while things are certainly not as good as they were, there is some improvement.  Let’s just say that for the first time in months, our supply isn’t keeping up with demand.  We haven’t been this busy in a long, long time.

I am using the word long a lot today. It’s been a long day.  I have no other way to describe it but long.

While I am no economist, I wonder if maybe things have bottomed out and we might start our pendulum swing the other direction.  Financially, I certainly hope so.  We’ve been weathering, but I worry all the time about what happens to me or my hubby’s jobs if things get worse.

We’ll see how March plays out.  Q2 projections are still way down, but it’s so hard to predict any more.  People aren’t buying our supply till the last minute, and our historical information is pretty much useless.

That’s enough about work.

I don’t have the energy to change any minds today, so I’m going to combine the relaxation technique I am currently employing with my blog topic for the day.

If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’m a big music nut.  Huge.  I would die without it.  If I had to pick blindness or deafness, blindness would win hands down.  I don’t even need to think about it.  Take my eyes, just leave me my ears.

I previously posted about some of the fun songs Kiddo and I listen to during playtime and in our car ride home.   We’ve added a few to the list, but our favorites are still intact.  Here’s a funny story…Kiddo loves the Superman theme.  You know, the one from the Christopher Reeves movies.  He puts his arms up in the air likes he’s flying and runs around yelling “SUPERMAN!”  It’s very cute.

Anyhoo, Kiddo and I like to dance together.  We have a completely different mix for that.  The type and tempo varies, because sometimes we like to shake-a-booty, and sometimes we like to swing around the room with him in my arms.  

I have an iMix created for this list on iTunes, which I will include in the post if iTunes ever feels like working again.  My patience is nil, so I’ll just post it the old fashioned way.  Hopefully you’ve heard of these songs.

1.)  Africa, by Toto

2.)  Into the Mystic, by Van Morrison (I LOVE this song)

3.)  Big and Chunky, by will.i.am

4.)  If You Want Me to Stay, by Sly and the Family Stone 

5.)  Walk This Way, by Run DMC

6.)  Sweet Pea, by Amos Lee

7.)  Beyond the Sea, recorded by Kevin Spacey  (he has a GREAT voice)

8.)  Express Yourself, by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, remixed by Mocean Worker

9.)  Stop the Rock, by Apollo Four Forty

10.)  Jump In the Line, by Harry Belafonte

11.)  I Like to Move It, by will.i.am

12.)  Thayya Thayya, by Sukhwinder Singh

13.)  Beautiful, by Moby

14.)  Mondo Bongo, by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

15.)  Feeling Good, by Nina Simone

16.)  I’m a Man, by Black Strobe

17.)  J’ai Deux Amours, by Madeleine Peyroux

18.)  Beware of the Boys, by Panjabi MC

19.)  To Be A Lover, by Billy Idol

20.)  New Shoes, by Paolo Nutini

21.)  All Night Long, by Lionel Richie

22.)  The Time Warp, from the Rocky Horror Picture Show

23.)  Cha Cha Slide, by Mr. C

24.)  Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight, by Amos Lee

25.)  Shake Ya Boogie, by Mocean Worker

26.)  Istanbul (Not Constantinople), but They Might Be Giants

27.)  The Traveling Song, by will.i.am

28.)  Trouble, by Ray LaMontagne (one of my current favorite artists)

29.)  Wooly Bully, by Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs

30.)  Battle Without Honor or Humanity, by Electric Samuri

31.)  Panini Puakea, by IZ (Israel with the impossibly long last name)

32.)  Nothing But Flowers, by The Talking Heads

33.)  Hold You In My Arms, by Ray LaMontagne

34.)  Space Oddity, by David Bowie

35.)  Take the Long Way Home, by Supertramp

36.)  Goodbye Stranger, by Supertramp

Good stuff eh?  May it give you a few suggestions for some happy family dancing time in your home!