...continued from The House Next Door: Under Contract "Sooooo, are you guys going to allow the buyer make an offer on your house?" 1993: The real estate lawyer, who seemed very well-versed in the matter, insisted that investing in a "starter home" was the way to go and -- considering I was pregnant with our first child, at the time -- our timing could NOT have been better. "As long as you move before the kid starts kindergarten!" 2012: 19 years, 4 kids, 3 cats, 3 refinances and 1 doofus-dawg later (give or take a couple of goldfish) my husband and I have FINALLY accepted the fact that...you know...we are in it...up to our collective chin hairs...and, frankly, with a lot of people losing their jobs AND homes (stupid economy) we are, pretty much, here to stay. Unless, Ty Pennington showed up (shows ending, enough said) or we hit the... Read more →

If houses could talk, ours would be complaining about that weird neighbor, too ;) My son had one of his buddies over for a playdate...ummmm, I mean...the guys were just sort of hanging out...you know...not doing nothing, together (got to be REAL careful how you blog about a 13-year-old, just sayin') which, of course, allowed me a chance to catch up with one of my momfriends. "Did the lady next door pass?" [eyes go wide] "Which lady?" Because, you know, there happens to be a house, with a lady living next door, on either side of us, and, well, you have to be REAL specific when asking me questions. "Your 103-year-old neighbor." I've blogged about Miss Grace many, many times over the past 9 years. In fact, I got my first ever publishing gig outside this blog by submitting one of my favorite stories about her. The last time I... Read more →

Just another Gleek rocking out to Whitney! Yes, yes, I know. Then again, I am a total dork from waaaaaay back. Who knew being dorky/geeky/nerdy/whatever-y would be so cool and would you believe that I have NEVER blogged about Glee? Truth be told, I sometimes forget it's on. Me: Why aren't you in the shower? 10 year-old: Glee is on! Or our resident Gleek forgets to...you know...tell me...for fear of being subjected to my singing along and no, I do NOT blame her. Last night's episode, however, was a tribute to Whitney Houston and, well, the two of us? We have a history. In fact, we spent many nights on the dance floor together, singing our hearts out and insisting that...you know...it would be really, really, really nice to dance with somebody...DAMMIT! "Is the show going to end, you know, now that the kids are graduating?" My 13 year-old son?... Read more →

Hope's Elementary Honors Band Concert 4-21-12 We have lots of stuff scheduled on the calendar for this month (what, you too?!?) however, my being stranded at the airport in San Diego on Friday night was NOT one of them. Truth be told, it's not a really bad place to be stranded, really. Also, Jamba Juice? Strawberry Whirl? Yeah, I get it now. Aaaaand, I was able to get on a direct flight to Jersey (thank you, United!!!) a red eye that would get me home in time to catch Hopey's concert. I had a really nice driver waiting for me (thank you, LeAndria!) who insisted that these sort of things happen all the time. The baggage claim handler, however, was not as understanding. "Wait, I...just...don't...get it...why is your bag in Denver?!?" EXACTLY!!! "Well, didn't they give you a baggage claim?" 20 minutes later (I kid you NOT!) I'm STILL trying... Read more →

I've been on the road for the last 3 days, spending about half that time either in the air, probably flying right over your head or waiting here on the ground, hoping to get back into the air, like, REAL SOON! In fact I'm supposed to be in the air, RIGHT NOW! Headed to Denver, CO. Instead, I'm sitting here, in San Diego, in front of a large bank of windows, next to 2 old-ish gentlemen comparing their medical alert bracelets (where are you, when SaveHer needs you, BusyMom?) and some lazy schlub's empty Jamba Juice cup (dude, really, this is NOT your living room!) while I watch other people take off and head onto their next destination. My luggage, on the other hand, is headed to Denver. Long story, short (you're welcome) the outbound flight was delayed and I would have missed my connection in Denver, anyway. You know,... Read more →

My son's voice is changing. A lot. It's okay, he knows he sounds funny. So, I shot this quick video while hunting for apple cider donuts during spring break, last week. Aaaaand, now I'm sorta mad at myself for not thinking of doing something like this back when I first started blogging...9 years ago...when he was 4 years-old (I think) because it would have made for some really awesome "Break curfew and I'll show this video to your girlfriend!" blog fodder. So, I video-taped my youngest for good measure. You know, seeing as the kid is 10...going on 29...and most likely eloping, getting married jumping out of an airplane, or something involving the use of some sort of underwater breathing apparatus, anyway. Then, she can send me THAT video and we'll go ahead and just call it even. [sound of crickets, chirping] Want a donut? I skinned it and everything!... Read more →

Mommy's little bumper sticker: seriously, it's on my car right now. What, I'm from Jersey, you got a problem wit-dat? My 16yo daughter texted me, my husband AND my oldest at 7:05 on her way to school this morning. "A car just spun out on the parkway and nearly crashed into my bus. Definitely awake now." I didn't see the text. I did hear my cell phone croak in the middle of the night (note to self: lower volume after 10 p.m.) but, my husband didn't tell me about her text, right away, either. "I wanted to check in with her first, because I figured you would flip out." He was right. Aaaaand, my Jersey may or may not have exposed itself on Facebook. SLOW THE FRIG DOWN, OR LEAVE A FEW FRIGGIN' MINUTES EARLIER, THAT'S MY KID'S LIFE YOU'RE MESSING WITH, ASSWIPE! Same kid, different day, was crossing the... Read more →