Saturday, March 26, 2011

Separation Anxiety

I am not a dog person.  I have never had a dog.  I have never dated a dog, I mean anyone with a dog.  I don't care for their size or their smell.  They eat everything that is not nailed down.  They bark and growl and scare small children.  And call me crazy, but if someone is going to lick my inner thigh I want them to be human!

But dog people love dogs.  They rearrange their schedules for their dogs.  They take them to the park, for walks, and the occasional hamburger from the drive-thru window.  They clean up after them and pay ridiculously high vet bills.  I respect them immensely; I just don't want to grow up to be them.

Dog people, and the dogs that love them, can't wait to be reunited at the end of the day.  They happily greet each other at the door, share a meal (literally), and then curl up on the sofa to watch their favorite movies.  When they are apart, they can't wait to see each other again.

I never really understood this need because I have always had cats.  Cats are extremely independent creatures.  They just need a clean bathroom, some food twice a day, and a daily scratch between their ears.  Sure they will greet you at the door (when they are hungry), share a meal (if it is tuna fish), and curl up with you (when they feel like it), but they don't seem to suffer the separation anxiety that dogs do.  Cat people certainly love their pets, but often the cats are rather indifferent.

But now that I have a child, I completely understand!  I just dropped my daughter off for a sleep over at Grandma's house.  A place that she is dropped off 4 mornings a week.  A place that means I can shower and get dressed without little hands pulling out my earrings.  A place where someone else will wake with her at the crack of dawn tomorrow.  A place where I know she is in the best of hands.

Then why were the tears streaming down my face as I drove home?

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Now What?

It seems that you can hardly get through a week without reading about a police officer in trouble with the law.  Just in recent memory police officers have been exposed dealing drugs, fixing tickets, abusing their partners, drinking while on duty, abusing overtime, and using excessive force with innocent suspects.  Unfortunately, it has happened again.  Last night the spokesman for the Albany Police Department, Detective James Miller, was arrested for driving under the influence.

So now what?  Does he make a statement to the public confirming that he was arrested last night?  Does he reassure the public that he will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law?  Does he make these statements while he is suspended without pay?  Or does his PBA rep step in and make his statments for him?

Detective Miller has always portrayed himself as the window into his department.  He sits behind his desk in his shirt and tie and assures us that we are protected and that his officers always do their best.  Shouldn't those same officers expect that of him?

I think that after teaching, firefighters and police officers have the hardest and most important jobs.  They are the people that we look to when we are frightened, injured, or in need.  They make it ok to let your child ride their bike down the street; your teenager to walk home alone after practice; your grandmother to live independently and safe.  Police officers are paid to enforce the law.  Shouldn't they also be expected to respect and uphold it?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I almost made a huge mistake this morning!  As I raced home from the gym, fear began to overtake my brain that was already spinning from the new torture that our Boot Camp instructor bestowed upon us:  reverse push-ups!  You have no idea...

Anyway, I was literally running up the street determined to intercept my husband and make sure that our daughter was dressed appropriately for the day.  By appropriately I mean in all green and white (of course): cute little shamrock dress, white tights, green fancy pants, green and white headband.  I was so relieved to find them still snuggling in bed.  That is when I almost made my huge mistake.  I dressed her in all green and white, complete with "My 1st St. Patrick's Day" shamrock bib.  This would have been a huge mistake because, as my all-knowing husband pointed out, "Are you crazy?  She's not going to keep that clean all day!" 

Right!  Off came the cute and on went the sweats.  (Oddly, she did keep it clean all day.) 

Flash forward through the day and we are ready to head out for corned beef and cabbage at "The Hall."  We arrive to meet my parents; my daughter in all of her cuteness and wrapped up in her Irish sweater.  "She is so beautiful!" people said.  "Look at her!" said others.  Smiles, winks, and happiness ensues until of course we are ready to eat and an odd, clearly not Guinness or corned beef smell begins to spread around the table.  Oh, no.  Hadn't I changed her when I got her dressed?  This is not good!

When I pick her up, my hand slides through something the consistency of cake batter.  I had to act quick! Without even turning the poor little angel around, I immediately head for the changing station.  Personally, I have always had issues with public rest rooms.  And even my own bathroom is not a place that I spend much time.  But my daughter seems to be taking after her father and throughly enjoys filling her diaper with any number of colorful things.  In her almost 8 months of life, I thought that I had seen the worst that could come from her little body.  Wrong!  The explosion I found had not only ruined her diaper, tights, fancy pants and onsie but managed to climb up her back and rest just inside her little armpits.  Luckily, I had a large Ziploc bag to contain the hazardous waste.  Unluckily, I had NO WIPES!  Cold, wet paper towels had to do. 

And worst of all?  The only change of clothes in her bag:  more sweats...

In the wise words of my ancestors:

"As you slide down the banister of life,
May the slivers always be facing the right way."
                      (And may you always have a tasty beverage and a full sleeve of wipes for your journey!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Friends
       
                                              

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pass It On Sale

Hi Friends!  I just got back from the best indoor garage sale ever:  The Pass It On Sale at the Albany Academy field house.  They had everything you could possibly need for babies, infants, and young children.  They even had items you didn't know you needed but couldn't possibly leave behind because they were only $5.00.  Like say a basketball hoop that lights up and plays music.  It's ok that my child is only 7 months old and can't walk or stand by herself.  For 5 bucks she needs it!!

I also got clothes, a plastic ring tower, and the best deal of the day:  an umbrella stroller with sunshade and mesh basket for... $7.00!  My mom's friend got a baby swing for only $15.00.  My mom?  A backpack to carry around her granddaughter.  Crazy you say?  Crazy that it cost $8.00!  Yes, most of the merchandise is slightly (and I mean maybe once or twice) used but it's LL Bean, Carter's, and Graco as far as the eye can see.  And not only small and practical things; they have tool benches and kitchen sets, shoes, hats, books, electronics, golf clubs.  It was really sensational!

The sale continues through Saturday, when if they have anything left it becomes half off.  Brilliant!  They also have another sale in August for winter gear.  To get the best deals and selection, you must register so check out their website: http://passitonsale.com/.

Happy Shopping!!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Free at Starbucks

Attention all of you Starbucks junkies!  This Thursday (March 10) through Saturday (March 14) you can get a free petite dessert with any speciality drink purchase.  Stop in between 2 and 5 p.m. to claim your prize!

                                                      

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Really?

I was completely shocked by the breast milk ice cream mentioned in a previous post.  But I chalked it up to those crazy Brits across the way.  They are always trying to push the envelope it seems:  Beatle mania, Boy George, a female head of state, Prince William refusing house servants.  And who can forget poor dental hygiene?  That certainly sends a message.

But those crazy Midwesterners have put our European cousins to shame!  A Northwestern University professor delighted his human sexuality class with a live sex demonstration.  You heard right:  live.  A woman, with the help of her boyfriend, used what appears to me to be a power tool equipped with a phallus to pleasure herself in front of about 100 people.  The professor believed it would spark "thoughtful" discussion.  So that's what all of those people log on to porn sites for!  I just thought they liked to watch other people have sex...

The students were informed that the material would not be on any test and that it wasn't for the faint of heart.  (Good to know.)  Any uncomfortable student was urged to leave.  (Seems many didn't.)  Tuition at Northwestern is about $28,000 per year.  Seems like an awful lot to pay to watch a couple of cheesy voyeurs perform for some adolescent college kids.

But then again, I have never understood porn...

Free Fondue!

Our friends at The Melting Pot are offering free cheese fondue April 11-14.  No purchase is necessary but reservations are required and limited.  So grab your best girls and make a date!

Note:  they also offer chocolate fondue and wine for a nominal fee.  Who doesn't love wine, cheese and chocolate?