Saturday, June 26, 2010

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

Chachi, Nooze and I returned late Thursday from a relatively whirlwind trip to the Green Mountain State.  We left our house around 1 am last Saturday, and arrived at Big Chach's house around 4 pm.  That's right, folks.  We spent our vacation with my...in laws.

While most people would be shuddering, shrieking or even gnashing their teeth, let me explain.  We haven't seen my father in law since Nooze was 2 weeks old.  That's right, folks.  It's been almost ten years.  We had NEVER MET his wife, who was unable to take time off from work when Nooze was born.  Talk about pressure for all of us!

In spite of nerves, anxiety and overall misunderstanding, the visit turned out far better than any of us could imagine.  Big Chach has grown up a lot, as has MY Chachi.  BC's wife (whom I shall call...uh...TBD), is an utter joy.  She reveled in being a Mimi to Nooze, and gladly turned the camera over to her for 'another point of view'.  She also introduced us to her parents, who decided straight away that Nooze was their great grandchild.  "Grammie" made sure to hug her, kiss her, and go on adventures with her in a strange hotel, simply because Nooze wanted to 'look around'.  How many septuagenarians do YOU know who would do that?

There were visits to Ben and Jerry's, the Cabot Cheese Factory, The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE (squee!), and a few other places that slip my mind.  We likely ate our own weight in coffee, chocolate, cheese and random oddities while there.  It was a lot of fun.  I have been home since early yesterday morning, and my stomach is STILL trying to recover.

The most important part, however, was the healing.  There was much talking, explaining, re-explaining, clarifying...and forgiving.  On both sides.  You never know how much a little time together can do for a person.  Or people.  Or an entire family.  My father in law is a pretty good egg...

...even if he DOES look like a Native American Ron White.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Random Confessions 12, 25, 37, 923 and Pi

12.  I plan to petition the local Powers that Be to rename this town Satan's Anus.  Yes, really.  It is THAT HOT.

25.  We shall be escaping said Nether Region in less than 48 hours, bound for Ye Olde North, in the general vicinity of the Green Mountains.  We hope to visit various and sundry creative operations, including the Famous Ice Cream Place.  Nooze hopes to meet the creators, as she considers them ROCK STARS.   I tend to agree with her.

37.  Thanks to a random interview on late night NPR, I have fallen in love with The Gaslight Anthem.  I plan to purchase their latest CD when I return from the North.  On Amazon, of course...

923.  The screen play is actually making progress.  I am revisiting a few steps, but am encouraged.  I never realized that writing could be so darn difficult...or so darn worth it.

3.14159265  That noise you hear in the background?  That'd be Nooze, out in the living room, screaming.  She's watching the Lakers/Celtics game with her daddy.  She's been a die-hard fan since she was barely walking.  And no, I'm not kidding. 

I don't know that I'll write when I'm on vacation (I barely write when I'm NOT!), but I shall take plenty of blurry photos from the Zombie Hippie Van.  I may even post some of them.  Be good, and be sure to post a Random Confession for ME in the comments.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

...A Rose, by any other name...

...Would be called an email sent earlier to a few of you. Those not included in that email, however, should not miss out on what can only be described as utterly awesome.

As Tracy can attest (from the panicked texts earlier this evening), tonight was the annual Academic All-Star Awards Ceremony at Nooze's school.

In spite of the fact that I am beyond proud that my kid is a budding Einstein, I am not posting this to brag her up.

Instead, I hereby present you with a random smattering of excellent kids names yelled out at the ceremony tonight. [I should note that, while the kids were all straight A students, the parents likely were not...]

Asia      Kyler*      Maegen*       Lawson*        Breasia (breeze-yuh)

XIMENA (that'd be pronounced Zha-MEE NA, thankyewverymuch)        Anahi (uh NAH hee)

Ralyn* (Ray lin)        Lizabeth*        Jaelyn (Jay lin)*

Yasmin      Terilyn      Willow*      Heber      KyTiana

Harris*       AndiMae*      Dallane*    Kora*

Ryon*      Jaxon* AND Jaxson* (1st and 3rd grades, respectively)

Parker*      Bayley*      Mikaylee      Dejanire (pronounced Deja Nah ray)

Filliberto      Dulce       Byrcen* (rhymes with Person. He's in Nooze's class)

Maliah (Muh lye uh)      JoDasya (Joe Day Shuh)*      Kody*

Skylar*    Mirian      Keionna*       Omar       Sonny*

Jessup*       Ciana*       Guinevere*       Procorro


Lest this seem like I am picking on Latinos and African Americans, let me be completely honest: All of the names with *s above? THOSE are the WHITE KIDS.

Omar, for the record, is Latino.

You're welcome.