Letter to the editor.....

LETTER: Thankful for support after Hudson fire

FUCK YOU, Phil!

As I sit down to type, my hands are literally CRACKING due to what can only be described as the worst case of dry skin I've ever had. Knuckles, fingers, everywhere; they resemble a bleeding, albino elephant hide. Add to that the fact that I picked up my old nail biting habbit with a vengeance, and you can trust when I tell you that I am in near agony.
I hate Groundhog Day. Maybe it's because my life is basically the same day in and day out anyway and it reminds me of that stupid movie (although I absolutely love Bill Murray). Maybe it's because it comes at the time of the year where I am basically at my breaking point. I've had it with old man winter, the holidays have come and gone, and it seems like it is just never going to end. Do I really need some disgusting animal telling me that I've got 6 more shitty weeks ahead? And, really, when's the last time he DIDN'T see his shadow. We live in New England. Of course it's going to be wintry for another 6 weeks.
This year, though, Groundhog Day was particularly depressing as it marked the first anniversary of the death of my dear friend's mom. I took some time to reread a lot of my blog (and some of my friend's, too) just to see what and where we were at this time last year. I am baffled that it has been an entire year, and although it has gone by in a flash, a lot has changed for me, my family, and friends. So much of it has been good, and I am so grateful to finally feel secure and settled back in. I was able to be welcomed and to welcome back family to the area, and to celebrate new babies coming into the world. However, 2009 did go out with quite a bang (followed closely by a thud) when Sam needed both stitches in his face and staples in his head in the span of 3 days. Ridiculous.
One thing that did stand out to me while I was going through my blog entries was how quickly it all seems to be going by. My youngest babies, Ben and Sam, will be starting preschool next year. My oldest baby, Will, is heading to kindergarten in September. I have been with the man I love for 13 years now. It seems like we just met. I have so so many days that I squander; praying and or screaming for them to end quickly, but I wish I could slow my whole life down a little. And, while it is hard to maintain perspective in the dead of a cold Massachusetts winter, I am trying. I am so over going to the library, doing senseless errands just to get out of the house, and picking up the same toys over and over again. I can't wait for the days of Davis Farm visits, swimming lessons, sprinklers, and long walks outside. I know my kids have had it, too. Today they made me park on the side of the road for 15 minutes while they watched a tractor move rocks. Awesome.
So I've updated my blog background. I hope it's not too Lilly Pulitzer-douchey. I just needed a taste of Spring. I know it's coming, it does every year.

Dear Person on Christmas Card List,

As 2009 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting upon the highlights of the year. And, since we’re spending the money on postage ANYWAY, we thought we’d take the opportunity to share with you, the people whose addresses we have, some important milestones our family has reached or fallen short of reaching.

As many of you know, Brett was crazy enough to uproot his whole family at the beginning of the year for a 5 month stay in rural Pennsylvania. Boy, was that a good time! It’s not every day that you have to shovel coal to keep the heat going or listen to someone tell you that you’re destined for Hell. Since coming back, Brett has busted his ass, taking any job available to provide for his family (and keep him out of the house away from his crying kids and bitching wife as long as possible). He is still not smoking, and for those of you counting, that’s 7 years now, although, he does currently have a $50 a week Nicorette habit. Maybe 2010 starts the Decade of the Patch??? Goooooo Brett!

Liz has had the pleasure of being a full-time stay at home mommy for a whopping 7 months now! After a brief adjustment period during which she realized any dreams she had should be shelved (perhaps permanently) she has settled in and found a real rhythm to her monotonous, repetitive days. She’s been fortunate enough to get to know nearly every associate at our local grocery store, and is no longer frightened by her feelings of rage. Her crowning achievement from 2009 was quitting biting her nails. Great. In 2010, she hopes to shower at least once every other day and blow dry her hair at least once a week.

Once back in Massachusetts, Will was ready to enjoy Spring and he knew that it sure as shit wasn’t going to happen on training wheels. So, with a big push from his dad, he was off and riding. And, after proclaiming he had “the heart of a warrior”, we decided it was time to get him into some true Kung-Fu shit. He now proudly rocks his ORANGE belt and he will fuck you up. He also completed swimming lessons at disgusting Centennial Beach, and we’re proud to say that he didn’t even get a little sick when they shut the beach down for high levels of bacteria during his sessions. In September, he started his Pre-K class, and has already passed his first head-lice check with flying colors.
Favorite Quotes from this Year: “Want to see how a dog pees?”, “You have hair in your nose. That’s weird.”, and “Is that a boy or a girl?” (During Michael Jackson’s funeral).

Reserved and well mannered for the first year of his life, Sam’s personality has really started to become much more clear since we’ve been back home. Obsessed with blocks and organizing his stuffed animals, he’s a fucking psychopath who will probably kill us all one day. A daredevil by nature, he is typically found hanging from light fixtures, jumping off tables, or, literally climbing the walls.

This summer, Ben underwent surgery to release his tongue tie, a birth defect typically found in babies whose mothers abuse cocaine. Our goal was to prevent any speech development issues. Goal reached; he is now talking up a storm, uttering such precious phrases like, “I do that.”, “One more.”, and “Get out.”. It did not, however, do anything to soften his cry which is best described as a screeching mountain lion. He loves tractors and fire engines.

After being ridiculed by an overweight teen mother in spandex while in a store parking lot, we decided it was time to take away the twins’ pacifiers. It went relatively smooth, although we are still dealing with daily naptime and nightly bedtime disturbances, which we have lovingly named The Teddy Bear Resistance. During these mini-revolts, each and every single stuffed animal, blanket, toy, and book is thrown into a huge pile on the floor, where they lay together in peaceful sleep resistance while Ben and Sam repeatedly jump out of their cribs. After many failed “Do It Yourself” experiments, we broke down and ordered crib tents, which are best described as expensive mesh jail cells for your little ones’ crib.

So, we’ve made it through 2009 the only way we could. By uttering that annoying phrase, “It could always be worse”. Of course. Here’s hoping that 2010 isn’t!

-The Jackson 5
Brett, Liz, Will, Sam, and Ben

This time I really did fall into a reality TV vortex.

I mean, have you seen Jersey Shore? SO, in the interest of getting back into the swing of things, and to help get some of you up to speed on what's been going on in our lives, I'm putting up my version of the Holiday Newsletter. I included this letter in nearly all the Christmas cards we sent out this year. And, I hope to hell the people I sent it to get it. If they don't...whatever.
I guess my main trepidation is that people might not realize how truly grateful I am for all that I do have.
I can count a loving and faithful husband, wonderful and healthy children, and a generous and supportive family as just a few of my many blessings. And, while at times it seems like our lives are pretty difficult at the moment, I know they could be a hell of a lot harder. I cannot take my kids to Disney World right now, but I can feed and clothe them, and buy them Christmas gifts. And, no, Brett and I didn't get to go on a second Honeymoon for our 10th anniversary this summer, but I got to stand beside my sister as she got married.

Show me "Sand The Floor"

Goodbye, white. Hello yellow belt.

On August 27, Will tested for and received his first colored belt from Sensei Dave. Brett and I were there, and then we celebrated with yellow cupcakes and yellow balloons. I am proud of Will for lots of different reasons every day. I am also a sucker for all things ceremonious. Even though it's a yellow belt, and he's 4, I was nearly unable to contain my pride that evening, and I must admit that I got a little teary when he received it.

Kanye West is...

..a total fucking douche bag. I mean, I'm not going to say that I didn't think someone else should've won that award, but, seriously, what a piece of shit. Him and his girlfriend. That kills me to say. Not really. Pains me is perhaps more appropriate. "Through the Wire" was genius", and he helped produce a lot of Jay-Z's best shit, but that was just god awful.
And, to add insult to injury, Beyonce comes out looking like a goddamn saint through all of this. Of course. Is there anything she can't do? Could she just please go and cure some diseases, stop the war, and eradicate mosquitoes now?
I love that Obama called him a jackass, and really, what's the big deal about that anyway? I like a president who watches sports, drinks a few beers, and calls people out every now and then. I like it that our president is an actual person who's in touch with pop culture in addition to politics. I like it that he has opinions and feelings and thoughts that aren't so carefully worded all the time. I LOVE it that his wife wore a dress from Target.

Raise a Glass!

Seriously, how good is Casal Garcia Vinho Verde? At $5.99 a bottle from Central Street market, with an ice cube in it, and served with something that includes at least a little bit of chourico. I love that wine.