Category Archives: Jana

February 18, 2009 · 8:46 pm

What Movie Was That?

The following is a direct transcription of  a story Jana told me today on Blackberry Messenger. 

Jana: OMG, the funniest thing happened this morning!

Me: What?

Jana: This morning someone said to Hannah ” your presentation is today. Are you nervous?” And Hannah goes, “nervous?”

So I am sitting there for a second thinking and I start laughing and everyone’s like what are you laughing at?

I was trying to think of what movie that was from where the person repeated the last word of the question someone asked them and then I’m like, “Oh wait, that’s not a movie, that’s my parents!” (we need to work on the *like* thing)

Hahahah.

Me: Hahahaha (seriously I could not stop laughing because that is SO us! Guess which one I am?)

Jana: Everyone thought it was so funny.

Me: May need to use this as a blog post.

Jana: I approve.

And there you have it kids. The joys of living in my house.

Oh, and one last shameless plug for her Dance Marathon fundraising. She has reached 95% of her goal, anyone who would be gracious enough to tip her over the top would make her day. Here is her donation page.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 26, 2009 · 11:38 pm

Time to Cry Tuesday – An Icon

Sorry, third time in as many weeks that I am posting about loss. However, this one is quite different.

Sunday I had the pleasure (yes pleasure!) of attending a memorial service for someone who helped shape the woman I am today.  Actually, not just me, but hundreds of women through the 60s and 70s. This woman, Alice Sternin, was the director of the summer camp I attended. I have posted about this idyllic place from my childhood before, as both my children are fortunate enough to share in the legacy.

I have never attended a service where there was as much laughter as tears. The essence of this woman was described by countless speakers. Everyone in the room shared the same memories of this tiny woman who was larger than life.

People traveled from all over the country. Family and friends spoke. One after another, stories were shared that sparked long forgotten memories for each one of us . When her famous lines were quoted, the entire room joined  in unison. Treasured camp songs were sung and tears were shed for the loss, not just of this woman, but the childhood jewel this perfect place had been for all of us.

My daughter has had the good fortune to have had this same experience. The following is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to Jana and her girls at the end of their last summer as campers. This sums up what this woman built. And her legacy will carry on long after she is gone.

You are so very lucky to have this piece of your life. Camp is something that you cannot put a label on. There are no words to describe how you feel when you are with your girls. How the sight of the lake and mountains fill your heart in a way that nothing else in this world truly can. The essence of camp is ingrained in each and every one of you. It is part of what makes you who you are, and believe me, who you will always be. We are all beyond lucky to know these feelings.

Leaving is never easy.  All these years later I still tear up as I walk out of camp and drink in one last moment of the place I love so much.

Never, NEVER, take this place for granted. Hold it close and it will never let you down.  

Today, as I sat with MY girls so many years later, I felt the full weight of those words.

Here’s to you Big Al! The toughest camp director in the East. With the biggest heart! You will be dearly missed, but rest easy, your legacy will never die.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 14, 2009 · 11:32 pm

15 years ago I was really nuts!

jana4thinvitepdf2You think I am crazy now, you should have known me when my kids were little.

For those who did, you might remember this invitation to Jana’s 4th birthday party. For those who didn’t, this invitation was hand-drawn to match the fabric of the dress she wore to the party. But no, I did not stop there, the cake was also decorated with the same art. Nope, not one of those Carvel photo cakes. Yes that was me at 3 in the morning decorating the cake.

What would I have done if she spilled something on that dress before the party?

What a psycho! I suppose this was all part of my working mom, over-compensation, do it all, be everything to everyone, I am as good as any stay at home mom if it kills me sort of thing. Before all these terms existed I was a DIY (Do It Yourself), WAHM (Work At Home Mom), who always felt a little inadequate with the SAHMs (Stay At Home Moms) and had to prove I was worthy. Now I just want to be a MILF (sorry, no translations if you don’t know what that one is. And not really but it was a funny way to end this paragraph).

The day before the party I had lunch with a client who had become a dear friend. When she asked why I was so exhausted I told her of all the party preparations. That is when she reached across the table, put her hand on mine and said, “Hon, it’s time to stop the nonsense, order the damn Carvel cake and call it a day!” Her thought was that this surely meant more to me than the 4-year-old and in the long run this would not be the stuff she would remember.

Fast forward 15 years, Jana and I just talked about this and laughed the other day. Then today she decided to organize one of my many piles of pictures and momentos in my office. And what fell out of the pile onto the desk…

you guessed it, the invite art!

And you know what? We BOTH remembered it. I can laugh at how important this stuff was to me back then, but I am sure I would not change it if I could do it all over.

Once a psycho, always a psycho!

Now where are those magic markers…

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 11, 2009 · 12:46 am

Eat Me? Crude Sells.

eat-me_small

This should have probably landed on Leaving the Zip Code, but I needed to write more than I do over there and that poor blog has been quite neglected of late.

On St. Mark’s Place in NYC resides Crif Dogs, an eatery that specializes in the ever-so-healthy deep fried wiener. Aside from dreaming up ways to clog the arteries of New Yorkers, these guys have a great sene of humor and decided to hang a larger than life hot dog out front with the words ‘Eat Me’ written in an artful mustard script.

I saw this while circling for a parking spot and dragged my daughter and nephew back there to snap a shot.

Ask me how sick of my photog antics this next generation of my family has become. Actually, they bitch and moan about my snap happy behavior, but neither of them could deny that this would make a fabulous blog post.

Let’s face it, the signage is crude, but it did catch my attention. Did I purchase on of these death wieners? Of course not. If I am going to venture down the road of wiener death I am strictly a grilled Hebrew National Girl.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 6, 2009 · 11:00 pm

Business Cards for Babies?!

Now I have heard it all. While surfing around the net the other night I came across social printing site that was seriously selling baby business cards. No joke, they had these nauseating affected cute little sayings like, “it was cool to meet you, have your mom call my mom to make a paydate” with the kid’s name and place to write a phone number.

Give me a break here. Is this not bringing things to a whole new level of ‘hey lady you were not the first uterus to every squeak out a puppy before’!

Don’t get me wrong, I mean my husband is a printer and I love any shot to see ink hit paper, but this one made throw up in my mouth a little.

Which got Jana and I to thinking about another concept: dog business cards. I designed a couple here for Mel to hand out around the neighborhood. We are open for suggestions, any other things you would like to see on a dog business card?

mel-card1or for the more humble pooch

mel-card2Seriously, I am thinking I could make some quick cash with these!

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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January 6, 2009 · 12:01 am

Time to Cry Tuesday – Family Time

‘Yes Mother!’

That is the response I always get from my son when I ask him a sentimental question. I can even hear his tone in a text message. It is half goofing on me half , “yes, I get it and I do know how important it is to you.”

With my daughter home for a few weeks we are all together again for a short while. It is not that we need to be doing anything special. Simply all together is what I crave. Four at the dinner table instead of three. Oops, sorry that would be five, the dog is always under the table.

Last night we ended the long holiday week with a movie night. We all went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Usually I would be less inclined to see a movie of that length on a Sunday night, but the idea of all four of us lined up in those seats together made it very appealing. The film turned out to be engaging and wonderful, but the fact that we all watched it together brought it to another level.

There was a scene at a first birthday party where one of the guests commented that the babies would all be in high school before they turned around. I looked up at Danny with ‘that face’ and he just started laughing. But I know he gets it.

And to tell you the truth, I don’t believe it is just me. I really do believe the kids find the family time special too. Perhaps it is because the moments are so fleeting. Or maybe it is simply because we truly enjoy each other’s company.

And no, I did not pay them to hang out with us!

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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December 22, 2008 · 9:20 pm

Time to Cry Tuesday – Nothing Like Family

Before I start this post check this out! One of my 50-something moms posts was picked up by the Fresno Bee! (ok, so it’s not the NYT but it’s a start)

This Time to Cry Tuesday mixes things up a bit and starts with a laugh. For those who are regular readers, you have heard mention of Gary’s toddler dance more than once.

Now don’t get all excited out there (especially you MizLiz, as I know you are dying to see it), this video does not feature Gary. But it does star our kids who named this dance and hold it close to their hearts. So without any further ado, I bring you The Toddler Dance by Danny and Jana.

Where is the time to cry piece, you ask? No worries. A good friend once told me it is good to both laugh and cry every day, then you know you have lived your day to its fullest.

Family. Some cringe at the word, break out in hives, get indigestion, run for cover. Especially this time of year with all the forced reunions and pressure to celebrate. Me? There is nothing more important. I was raised this way, it is in my blood. And I am fortunate enough to be able to say that when I hear the word family I am happy.

There is no feeling greater for a parent of a college student than the moment before they close their eyes and know that everyone is in their own beds under one roof. These times become more rare and increasingly precious. My kids may roll their eyes when I get this way – certainly Danny does because he has not left yet – but I know that in their hearts they feel the same way.

It is a tough world out there, and we as a society are facing very scary realities. But when you sit at a dinner table with your whole family and can laugh and enjoy simply being together, the world out there seems a little easier to face.

Thanks kids, for humoring me. Oh and being the first video on my great new Hannukah present…

a Flip Video camera.

How did daddy know I wanted this? Oh right, because I only mentioned it 1,000 times.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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December 14, 2008 · 9:14 pm

Play it again, Samster

More hamsters; I could not resist. Once again, something utterly ridiculous made me laugh so hard that I keep watching it over and over, driving my family crazy. (it is not easy to live with me. what, that does not surprise you?)

This particular tidbit of absurdity was sent to me by my dear friend Ellen H. (sorry other Ellen’s you are my dear friends too, don’t worry). For those who are email subscribers, click to the blog to see this video. And those who only read this on their blackberries (Susan, you know who you are) this is worth clicking a hamster mouse to see.

What is it about hamsters this week? It makes me nostalgic for our dear departed hamster, Angelina (of ballerina fame). Two good hamster anecdotes from our household.

1. Angelina was our first mammal pet. (not that we did not love the goldfish that lived for 4 years). My kids were probably 5 and 8 when we got her. We brought her home and they set up there little chairs in front of her cage to watch her run around on that inane wheel in her cage for hours on end. We also bought this ridiculous plastic ball that she would roll around the basement in. They LOVED her.

For about 2 hours. That very same day our close friends went out on a whim and got…

a damn puppy.

Jana: Mom, when Angelina dies can we get a puppy?

2. Angelina did eventually die. I am pretty sure the kids did not poison her as we had already broken down and gotten a puppy. We decided to have a funeral for her and invited the neighborhood kids. Gary, decided to make this more of  New Orleans style funeral and had all the kids doing the hamster dance on her grave (not the toddler dance).

To this day the kid across the street still asks if we can have  another hamster funeral.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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November 22, 2008 · 6:23 pm

Do You Have Barbie Envy?

barbiethatbitch

Why do I find myself insanely jealous of whoever made this bumper sticker? I mean really, is that normal behavior?

I saw this in a parking lot and almost got hit by a car trying to take the picture. (that would be hard to explain: Well you see, officer, there was this bumper sticker that I HAD to get a shot of so I stopped while I was walking through the parking lot and did not realize that a car was coming and the rest is history. “That’s fine, really don’t worry”. And then to his partner, “call for a psych consult”)

For a change, I digress. So let’s talk Barbie for a minute. First, and foremost, we hate her because she is insanely skinny and never seems to be going to action figure Weight Watchers meetings. Nor does she age come to think of it.

Second, she has Ken and even though he does not have a penis (nor does she have nipples for that matter) they do seem to be a lovely couple and their relationship has been going on for… wait, let me Google this. Wow 43 years? But wait again, in my search there were a few references to a split. You can read about it on Bloggingscious (what kind of name is that and how do you pronounce it, is that like blogging delicious, hmmmm not working for me) and Man Behind the Doll (now there is a name to love). Whatever, it seems the breakup is way old news anyway. Give or take a few years these two have been together for a long time.

Third, she has the dream house for G-d sake. And the dream car. And all those tiny little shoes that little kids are forever getting stuck up their noses (Jana, did you do this or was that someone else?)

But, I worry about poor Barbie these days. Did she overextend herself with the mortgage on the Malibu beach house? Click that last link to find out more possible financial disasters for our dear old friend Barbie. Perhaps we should not worry, after all Poor is the New Rich! Once again, the old girl is always in fashion.

Wait, did she have a last name?

Oh yes she does! Dear Barbie has a Wikipedia page and her full name would be Barbara “Barbie” Millicent Roberts born March 9, 1959. OMG we are the same friggin’ age (yes I am that old, I just don’t act all that mature). Just in case you need to see the family tree you can see it here.

I know what you are all thinking right about now, ” what if she parked somewhere else today, what would she have written about?”

Call it fate, or emerging insanity. Me? Just thrilled to have gained all that Barbie knowledge.

Still, she probably is a bitch.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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November 17, 2008 · 10:11 pm

Time to Cry Tuesday – the reasons why Gary had kids

I first saw this questionaire on Yellow Jeep Blonde. Her sons did such a great job with it that I had to force ask my kids to do it too. It is a little long but a fast read. Last week I posted their answers for me. This week I am posting their answers for their dad, Gary. Wait, that sounded like we are divorced. Although he might like the idea of getting rid of me at least once or twice a week, as far as I know we are still happily married.For those who are new here, Jana is our 19-year-old, and Danny is our 16-year-old. Again, I urge anyone with kids to try this out. As the title of this post states, it reminded us why we had these kids in the first place; to grow up to be two of our most favorite people on earth!

Enjoy!

What is something I always say to you?
Jana: Do you want sushi for dinner? (that would be the night he ‘cooks’)
Danny: Schmohawk (a famous word passed down through the generations)
 
 
 
 
 
What makes me happy?
Jana: Winning in tennis 
Danny: Tennis (both answers a no brainer)
 
What makes me sad?
Jana: Losing in tennis
Danny: Work 
How do I make you laugh?
Jana: There are too many ways to write them all down (aw, sweet)
Danny: The toddler dance (this is absolutely so hysterical I must convince him to do a video, perhaps some coaxing in the comments could make this happen)
What was I like as a child?
Jana: Hippieee
Danny: Jew fro (again, with a little comment coaxing, maybe a picture will be in your future)
How old am I?
Jana: 52
Danny: 50 something
What’s my favorite thing to do?
Jana: Lie on the couch and watch TV with me (sweet)
Danny: Feed mel food off the table, so that mel loves you more and to piss mom off (funny and true)
What do I do when you’re not around?
Jana: Yeah, what do you do? 
Danny: sing charaoke (once again, video anyone? give us some comment love)
If I became famous, what would it be for?
Jana: Something involving music. Radio DJ possibly? (he would love nothing better)
Danny: Most amount of cd’s obtained by a human (creative)
What am I really good at doing?
Jana: Making me laugh (true, he is funny)
Danny: PIssing mom off (ouch, ok so maybe I do get annoyed at times…)
What am I not very good at doing?
Jana: Sitting in the car without saying anything while I’m driving
Danny: remembering/hearing things
What is my job?
Jana: Printer (kind of?)
Danny: printer
What’s my favorite food?
Jana: Everything… and to eat too much of it and complain about how full you are at the end of the meal
Danny: You eat everything (consistent)
What makes you proud of me?
Jana: That I have the Dad that everyone loves (true, true, true. i believe they say he is ‘chill’)
Danny: Your sense of humor 
If I were a cartoon character, who would I be?
Jana: Bugs Bunny 
Danny: Daffy Duck (hmmm, double looney tunes. interesting says the woman called kermit the frog and lois from family guy)
What do you and I do together?
Jana: Listen to music… Let’s go to more concerts together, k? (suck up!)
Danny: Watch sports and movies (lots of couch time in this house!)
How are we the same?
Jana: We both have a good sense of humor and love music/tv
Danny: Sociable (for sure!)
How do you know I love you?
Jana: Because you tell me everyday. (yes he does)
Danny:  Because everyday when I am so tired I can barely speak you tell me so when I get out of the car

Yeh, that last one made me cry too.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at Mid-Century Modern Moms and at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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