The kitty cat...

Bentley thinks squirrels are kitty cats.  This guy showed up on the back stairs yesterday.  I wanted to keep him and call him NUTZ...

 

 

 

Can't you see him living with us and calling me Mama? ;)

~E

Rated R...

Here is an R-Rated posted that I just cannot help.  I LOVE the movie Ted...and I love thunder and a good storm.  My friend reminded me of thunder buddies the other day and with this humid, thundery weather I just can't help watching this over and over.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY R-RATED VIDEO FROM THE MOVIE TED.

Sincerely,
Your Thunder Buddy ~ I never waver in the face of thunder, for any of you wussies.
~E

Some Serenity...

So those of you who know me the best know I am not a religious person.  I was raised Catholic but other than weddings or funerals I have not set foot in a church probably since my Confirmation.  But now I have actually been going to Sunday morning masses at a local church (New England Chapel) with my friend.  It is about the least, most non-churchy church there is, and is non-denominational.  It has a live band so the one hour service basically consists of a prayer, a LOT of music, and then a fairly short "lesson" from the pastor. My friend invited me after Hope passed and I took her up on the offer; and have been going together for the last few weeks.

Anyways, I wanted to share the Serenity prayer and hope it sticks with me and gives me some strength for Hurley...

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

~E

Healing Our City

Haven't been feeling well so I've been watching most of the Boston Marathon coverage, hoping at every moment they will announce an arrest.  As I sit with the kids watching the "Healing Our City" Interfaith Ceremony, I wanted to share some of the images that have been shared across the internet/Facebook as a result of Monday's events...
 

 

 

 

 

This is the video of the National Anthem at the Bruin's Game on Wednesday night.  It was followed throughout the game by "We are Boston" chants.  Bentley watched the video with me.  He may only be 2 but his Mama will make sure that no matter what they choose to teach or not teach when he goes to school, as well as Grace, they WILL know the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance word for word. And they WILL take off their hats, and they WILL put their hands over their hearts. 

This is the heart-breaking image of the young boy Martin who lost his life, with a simple, powerful message...

***The source of these photos is Facebook, a lot of whom I do not know the original owners for copywright purposes.  I do not claim any of these photos as mine and if you know the source please share and I will add, but for now I can only credit Facebook.***

I saw this on Facebook this morning - it is a disturbing photo and although I do not know the original source it was posted by a person or group called "Keep America American."  I don't know how I ended up as a "follower" of this group or person but actually a lot of the posts have been legitimate and things I have respected or agreed with.  But this morning, this crossed the line for me:

The blurb said, "To whomever made this, its Actually 3 dead I believe. But still... We lost Marines That day as well. May God be with you. Oorah!"  Now I am NOT one to ever get involved in political or religious debates on Facebook or anywhere else....I use FB to share pics of the kids and stay in contact with friends/family.  But this was appalling to me.  There were over 200+ comments with a range of emotions and reactions.  Normally, I just scroll on by but this morning, the "Bostonian" in me came out and I replied..."I have followed and shared many of your posts. But how inappropriate to say "no fucks were given" at ANY life lost? I am a Bostonian and whether it is Boston, Sandy Hook, or anywhere else on US soil OR overseas - those lives and tragic endings should be mourned. I am a Bostonian mourning with my city today, this week, and for however long to come. But I under no circumstance take for granted our service men and women and the amazing work they do and the fact that they put their lives on the line for my freedom every day. I actually make it a point every time I see someone in uniform to loudly and proudly say THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. Hoping that others will hear and echo the appreciation. You cannot fault citizens who equally respect those lives lost in my city or overseas when the fact is that the media coverage is different. Whenever I hear the National Anthem, like last night at the B's game, I think of the direct impact now on my city as well as those brave heros overseas - but unfortunately the media isn't as 'in our face' with those military deaths as maybe they should be. But to say "no fucks were given" at ANY life lost - whether at what was supposed to be an innocent family day or a legit battle zone is unfair when there are people who give a significant fuck about both - even though it is not publicized the same way."

Thanks for listening to me rant today...and excuse the "f" bombs, he started it... ;)
~E

LOVE that DIRTY WATER...

BOSTON YOU'RE MY HOME!

I am born and raised in Hopkinton, spent my younger years at my Uncle's house along Rte. 135/Waverly Street in Framingham where we showered the runners on hot days with sprays of the hose.  We looked through crowds of people for my friend's Dad who at the time was a regular runner.  We sat in the big gym in our elementary school as the worlds TOP runners came in to speak to us as they arrived in town, standing proudly by their Kenyan flags, for example.  It was just "Marathon Monday."  As a member of the Booster's Club in town, Dad helped at the Start every year and made friends with the Marathon Committee; he even drove a pace car for the 100th running.  I will never forget that year ~ the 100th Marathon was the first time ever where there was some darkness and uncertainty hanging over the day.  Due to the significant anniversary of the event, there had been bomb threats made against the pipeline that ran through town; security was heightened - police, guys in fatigues; I recall more than the "usual" helicopters being flown above the town common. As I got older, I stayed in Hopkinton with my friends and we spent the day in town, at the START.  (Usually getting into trouble the night before...)  Yes, it was "Patriot's Day" and a day off from school but to us it was always "Marathon Monday" ~ it's still what I call it today at almost 32.  It is a celebratory day, a day of pride for my hometown and our state capital, Boston.

The last few Marathon Monday's haven't been too exciting for me, either working for EMC in previous years or "working" at home with the kids more recently.  But still, it was always "Marathon Monday" ~ where I remembered my roots and flicked on the TV at least a few times to see what was going on.  Checked the pictures online of my friends who were hitting the bars at the finish line in the city.  And now 17 years later...

Yesterday seemed like a normal, nice Marathon - perfect weather.  I dozed off and when I woke up the tune had changed to "BREAKING NEWS: EXPLOSION AT BOSTON MARATHON FINISH LINE."  What?  Panic set in immediately.  I have so many friends that now instead of spending time at the Start in Hopkinton have moved onto the end of the route and spent more recent years in Boston towards the finish line.  PANIC.  PANIC.  PANIC.  We both have family living there - who have their own friends in the area; my friend was with her sister and mother-in-law in/around the grandstands the news kept speaking of yesterday, waiting for their sister-in-law to cross.....as the first bomb, then the second bomb went off.  At the time, I didn't know where she was as all cell reception went down; but I finally got ahold of her hubby to confirm they were all OK.  When I talked to her she confirmed they were right near those grandstands constantly being shown/talked about on TV and she saw/heard the bombs DIRECTLY across from them and RAN.  An old childhood friend was in town from Chicago and I knew via Facebook she was trying to get out of the city with her friends, but I had no way of getting ahold of her or trying to get to her and her friends. I tried my cousins, both "Bostonites" now.  Anyone and everyone I could think of I frantically went through my phone for about 2 hours trying to make sure everyone was accounted for.  As as of now, all is OK....For those immediate to me that is, but NOT for my city, my home, the City of Champions.

Being a Bostonian, I feel confident in saying that whoever these people are, they picked the wrong city to mess with.  Boston is tough, Boston fights, Boston wins.  I hope they live in terror at every breathing moment that "we" as a city are on their tails, and "we" will find them, and "we" will take them down. 

A day characterized by community, worldliness, friendliness; a day that needs no words to describe it for those of us that have lived it; that day has been compromised.  But tragedy and terror breeds strength, togetherness, an outpouring of love, and the desire to help.  We saw coverage of police and Marathon volunteers tearing down guard rails, fences, any and all barriers that were in the way of reaching those injured on the sidewalk before the second bomb went off.  That is heroism.  In the midst of tragedy, goodness does and will always prevail. 

Despite this tragedy, try to focus on the good - the heroic people who dove right in to help without hesitation; the doctors and nurses who have been working diligently to save lives; be thankful for all the lives that were spared and that things weren't, god forbid, worse; be thankful for our police & firemen, the National Guard, and every single person who has been in Boston or in the hospitals helping those in need.  Try to think of all that goodness at such a dark moment.  It is dark, wrong, it is dispicable and disgusting, and I hope with all of my heart "we" (as the City of Boston) find this person and he or they are brought to true justice - Boston style. 

Although this wonderful Marathon Monday tradition will be stained with blood for years to come, we will fight, we will find this person/people, and we as a city will prevail.  And next year, the year after, the year after...we will remember and pray, and grow stronger.  That's just what Boston does, baby.  We are fighters!

~E

A MUST SEE...

On Facebook this morning, this is one of the first things I saw. It's pretty incredible 1) that there are assholes like this guy out there - ADULT assholes, and 2) that this woman took the time to stand up to him and make such a strong point about bullying. It's scary to me that if something like this can happen to a grown woman in the public eye - what is going on for the kids in our schools and society today?? Weight, race, sexual preference...IT NEEDS TO STOP. How many child/teen suicides do there need to be before guys like THIS get the message? WATCH THIS VIDEO!

I, for one, want better for my kids so if by sharing this video it brings awareness to even one person, that's fine with me. Sometimes I just need to get on my 'blog' soapbox!

~E

Never Forget.

September 11, 2001

 

 

*Photos courtesy of Yahoo Images*

 

NEVER FORGET

 

 

Never forget the victims and rescue workers of 9/11 and all of our brave armed forces serving our country, past & present...

 

~E

 



The Story of Bobby.

Saturday morning the Upton VFW was having a flea market, so I was up and out early on the search for treasures.  On my way home, I found a different kind of treasure...also with fleas...

As I am driving home up 122/main road in Northbridge, I see this little brown pup scurrying along the side of the road.  There was NO ONE in sight that may have been walking him.  By the time I turned around and got to a place I could pull over he had made his way all the way down to McDonald's and was in the parking lot entrance.  Fortunately another car had stopped and between the two of us we caught him, not wanting him to get hit.  I say "him" because he was CLEARLY an un-neutered male.  He had a HUGE set for such a little guy...he was a small dark brown Chiuaua.  I scooped him up and into my car we went.

 

 
He was a sweet boy and immediately took a liking to me, sitting on my lap.  I had to close the window because I was afraid he was going to jump out while we were driving!

 

 

I drove up and down that main road where I found him, stopping at yard sales, houses, and asking anyone I saw outside.  The little guy obviously had no tags or there wouldn't have been an issue.  One guy I stopped on a bike happened to be a vet at Tufts and felt around his neck for a chip but didn't think he had one.  After several stops and no luck we pulled into a vet called Paw Steps right along that main road where I found him.  They scanned him for a chip and as the other vet suspected, no chip.  I noticed some skin irritation towards his lower back so we got him weighed and put some flea medicine on him.  He had some dermatitis from fleas...so who knows how long the lil guy had been out.  A few dogs came in and out of the vet while we were there and the lil guy was very good, so I could tell he was OK with other dogs.  The vet did a search in their system for any dogs who might fit his description but no luck.  They called the Northbridge Animal Control Officer and took my information and I was on my way.  (Since it was a Saturday there was no one staying on at the vet's office that could care for him so he was OBV coming home with me...)

I got him home, we put him in Hurley's old crate in the mudroom with a towel and some water, and tried to give him some food but he wouldn't eat.  He WHINED AND WHIMPERED unless I was with him.  Bentley loved him, and he & Hurley met with no growls or anything...

After an inital "Hello" Hurley actually couldn't have cared less!

In addition to Paw Steps in Northbridge & Northbridge Animal Control, once I got home I called the Northbridge Police Station, Grafton Police, Grafton Dog Officer, Gibson Kennels, Tufts Animal Hospital - which is in our town, Agape Vet - which is another vet near where I found him, and my own vet in Uxbridge.  I figured any local animal-related place I was going to call in case they heard anything, and I left my cell with everyone.  Northbridge Police dispatcher said that she would put another call into their dog officer and he could pick the dog up and they would kennel him in the local town pound until we found the owner - to which I immediately started crying when I hung up the phone.  There was NO WAY I was putting this lil guy in some teeny town kennel.  He was a sweet pup, fine with Bentley & Hurley, and I decided he was staying with us for the time being until we figured out what to do next.

 

A short time later Dan, the Northbridge Animal Control Officer called and offered to come get him.  I said NO, I would like to keep him for the time being and see if we can find the owner.  Dan's thought was that he did have a family who just hadn't realized he was gone yet ~ typically little dogs like that aren't "dump offs" because they are very easy to adopt in the event that someone needs to get rid of one.

Since I scooped him up at McDonald's, Auntie Candy suggested we call him "Big Mac" so "Biggie" he became!  I played with him in the mudroom and sat with him...he was very snuggly...and we walked around the yard a lot.  A few hours later I wanted to hit an antique store near where I found him because they were having a yard sale, so I brought "Biggie" along with me.  OH - and as an aside - I ran through names like Taco, Felipe, Jose, Juan...to see if he answered to any stereotypical Chiuaua name, but no luck.  Anyways - off to the antique yard sale we go.  The people there loved "Biggie" and I explained his situation after they started commenting on how cute "my" dog was.  While I was there...this place was directly across the vet I took him to, and on the road I found the lil guy wandering on...the Northbridge Police called and a girl had called in looking for her missing dog...(here he is on the ride to our antiquing adventure...)

 

THE SOMEWHAT HAPPY ENDING:

I told them I was right up the street and I had the lil guy with me, so come meet me.  A short while later a woman and her 20-something daughter pulled up.  As I was ready to give them a piece of my mind for not having tags on the dog as well as not treating his skin from the fleas, they proceed to tell me he was already a lost dog that they had found in Worcester! So they didn't know his name either.  The Mom lives in Worcester and found the little guy wandering the streets and for the same reason I picked him up, thinking he was going to get hit, she grabbed him.  She already had a yappy Chiuaua so her daughter agreed to keep the dog while they tried to find the owner ~ she put an ad on Craiglist hoping the owner would come forward (UM, in my opinion I would have done a lot more but whatever...........).  Her daughter lives near where I found him and when she got home from work was wondering where he was ~ well her idiot boyfriend said "he got out" and that was it.  So she freaked and first instinct was to call the police station, which fortunately I had notified and left my name/number.  I explained to them that he had skin irritation and I paid for flea meds for him, but that his ears were red and he had been flapping his head around so I think they should take him to the vet.  Then he puked!  So we walked across the street to that same vet that helped me earlier but they were closed - and even though the lady opened the door for us she refused to have anyone look at the dog, thanks.  We agreed that he was probably stressed.  So I very hesitantly handed over my new friend and gave the woman my name/number.  I told her that if they didn't find the owner and could not keep the dog to please call me and I would help find a good rescue for him...and I was off....

I couldn't stop thinking about him all day yesterday and early evening my cell rang...

THE ULTIMATELY HAPPY ENDING (I HOPE):
This woman who found him in Worcester, Sherri, was calling to tell me that she found his home!!!!  She took him on Sunday back up to where she found him and stopped at houses asking around until she was directed to his owner's house.  It turns out "Biggie's" name is really BOBBY (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - really, for a Chiuaua?!) and his owner was happy to see him.  Although I don't understand why Bobby had no collar, flea mange, and his owner didn't seem to be looking too hard for him...

I'm hoping this is a happy ending for little Bobby because he was such a sweet boy!

~E

10 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Recently on my most FAV TV network, BRAVO, they ran a show called "10 Things That Make Me Happy" featuring one of my favorite Housewives ~ Kyle Richards, and the AMAZING AMAZING AMAZINGGGGG Jonathan Adler.  So I thought...what are my 10 favorite things...

IN RANDOM ORDER:
- The Internet!!! (The hubby HATES my computer!) Pinterest, Blogs, Facebook...
- BRAVO TV!! Pretty much every show they run is genious.  Real Housewives of ANYWHERE!!!!, Interior Therapy by Jeff Lewis, Flipping Out!!!!!, Bethenny Ever After, Don't Be Tardy for the Wedding...
- Maxi dresses!  Obsessed.  I live in them...
- Family photos!!  Old & new.  The hub makes fun of me for the amount of frames in my house...
- Interior design!!!!  Drool.  Contemporary-cottage/Modern-vintage...Eclectic.  Another excuse to use the internet all of the time...
- D.I.Y. projects!!  Crafts, painting furniture...
- My diamonds!!  I don't care if I sound like a snob either.  Get over it.  I love my rocks ~ my wedding rings, my earrings, my diamond/sapphire ring.  Mmmmm, sparkly...
- My family jewelry!!  My Papa's wedding ring, my Gram's necklaces.  What good are they sitting in a box somewhere...
- The beach!!  The Cape or Bora Bora, I don't care.  Or frankly, any body of water.  I'm a lake girl, too.  I grew up at Lake Quinsig almost every Sunday...
- Make up & fake lashes!!  I like doing my own make up but even better, having a pro do it for you...with a big set of falsies...dreamyyyyyy...

OK since I don't like to follow the rules let's add a couple more...

- Flowers!!!  In a garden or in my house.  LOVE LOVE.  And I LOVE doing my own arrangments.
- Animals!  Hurley is at the top of the list, of course.  But I don't discriminate.  Case in point... 

I hope it goes without saying that my TRUE favorite "things" are not actually "things" so they are not on this list ~ they are the people in my life...my hubby, my beautiful babes, and my weirdo pup.

~E