I Scream!

Thinking back to the days of my childhood, I remember the thrill that came when I heard the ice cream truck's music.  It seemed like a dream.  How could life be any better than riding my bike with friends?  Ice cream is how. The truck wheeled right up to us and delivered the best treat in the world.  It quenched every thirst and hunger I had on hot summer days.  It was surreal.  The van was pristine and clean, the music was soft and sweet, the ice cream was the best I had ever had.  Really, this was the stuff dreams were made of.  In my mind, it was beautiful.  So yesterday when I heard the ice cream truck making its way to our cul-de-sac, I got a little tingly inside and nostalgia hugged me like a waffle cone.

My youngins were outside playing and I excitedly screamed "Hurry, get some money.  The ice cream truck is coming!"  They scurried like little mice to their piggy banks.  The truck started to circle around to our house; I waved my arms as if I had called 911 and an ambulance was nearing an accident.  The truck came to a stop and then it hit me.  I was the worst mom ever.  I did not have my camera in hand to capture this memory for my children - the first time they got to see, hear and get close to - THE ICE CREAM TRUCK.  Well apparently, my childhood memory did not serve correctly, or this was the same truck that came to my hood in 1979. 

My rug rats and I inched our way to the door to experience this magical moment.  They were placing their orders when I realized that this was the most dilapidated, beat up, horrendous looking vehicle I had seen in the burbs.  Did it time travel all the way from my childhood (losing all of it's charm on the way) to sell us some ice cream?  Where had they been hiding this dinosaur of a van?  My senses then peaked.  The music, while appropriate, sounded as if it was from vinyl and skipping.  Again, maybe from 1979?  How could this awful sight of an ice cream truck hold great future memories for my little angels?  Then it occurred to me!  What children see and what adults see are COMPLETELY different pictures.  What I saw as a P.O.S. van with low quality ice cream and crappy music, my children may have seen as a dreamy carriage with great acoustics and the best ice cream they could imagine.

After all was said and eaten, I smiled just knowing that my children had gained another magical memory.  The best part? - the picture of their first ice cream truck visit was in their own mind.  My camera could have never taken a photo as memorable as that.

Midlife? Poor Wife

Why do some men go through metamorphosis after their 40th birthday?  Why do some lose their mind and/or moral compass?  Why do so many get a girlfriend when they already have a wife?  Why can't they just go buy an expensive car?  These are questions that all wives want to know the answers to.  Given the option, I would definitely opt for the new Porsche.

It bewilders me every time I hear a friend tell me about another infedelity in a marriage.  More and more often it is happening with couples that seem to have had a solid foundation.  Why do so many choose to cheat?  Is it the attention?  Is it the sex?  Is it male instinct?  Inquiring wives want to know.  More importantly, how can these men live with the guilt of what they are doing?  The lies, the lies, the lies.  It takes a lot of planning and preparation to have a girlfriend on the side - getting stories straighty, alibis, planning, receiving/deleting texts, avoiding getting caught, calling out the correct name, etc......  The planning seems horendous.  Let's face it ladies.  How many of our husbands can manage planning a dinner party?  So, how do they manage planning a secret life?  Hmmm...

Is it worth it?  I think not.  My hubby is 41 and I hope that he drives home in a new Porsche some day.  That is a thrill I can deal with even if our bank account cannot.  Why would any man choose a girlfriend instead of a car?  We all know that cars are much easier to deal with!  Cars are not moody or crazy, and in the end - they will cost a lot less than a girlfriend will.  You get to keep your self respect and your family.

Check Under the Hood!

It is officially spring at my house and the clean out has begun!  It is so liberating to get a closet cleaned out.  Don't you agree? 

Spring break is not a break at all around here, for me anyway.  Yesterday I followed the Fly Lady's instructions, http://www.flylady.net/index.asp , and cleaned the venthood in the kitchen.  I NEVER thought to do that before.  Let me just tell you that it was disgusting.  I removed the vent cover and sprayed it and the surrounding area with Oven Off.  The grease and grime I collected could have kept the Friday fish fry going all through Lent!  What a great feeling to get it all spiffy for spring.

What to do today?  Hmmm.... the options are endless!  Maybe I need to buy a new pair of shoes to celebrate spring first =)

Spring 'Break'

"A break for who?", I ask myself as I sit here typing and trying to get away from the noise and mess for a few seconds.  A break for the washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, vacuum, minivan or Mommy?  Um, no.  For you sappy types, I love my children more than life itself, yadda yadda yadda.  What I do not love is the way they can make me work in circles and repeat the same old crap, ad nauseum.

Okay, I am back now. I had to take a brief break to ask my son not to slam my bedroom door (over and over again).  What happened to the days when kids woke up, got dressed, ate and headed outside to play?  Kids were quite happy being outside until Mom drug them in for dinner.  I remember Mom bringing lunch outside because I had no intention of going in until dark.  What I do not remember is how I went to the restroom, hmmmm....

It is more fun for kids (and Mom) when kids act like kids and play outside!  How can you build a proper fort in the woods if you are inside?  How can you get road rash from a bike crash if you are inside?  And, what about mud pies!!!?  Let's start a revolution - Moms, kick the kids out and make them have fun!  They are all becoming co-dependent on 'stuff'.  If you see any dirty, barefoot and smiling kids outside - please buy some lemonade from them. All that kids really need is fresh air, dirt, sticks, friends and an imagination.  Get rid of the acronyms (DS, TV, MP3, etc....)  Have a great 'Break'!!!!