Oh Crap! – Musings of an Unperfect Mommy

thirtysomething – episode 9

October 30, 2010

Okay, so I’m a little behind and I’ll catch up on the other episodes this week, but this is such a beautiful show that I want to talk about it while it’s all fresh in my head. Warning – spoilers ahead in case you haven’t watched it yet!

Episode 9 – I’ll Be Home For Christmas This is about how Hope and Michael, a couple of differing faiths, try to find unity for their daughter’s sake as well as their own. It challenges them both to think about what they believe in and how they want to show that in their marriage and family life. Hope wants Janey to have what she had – presents, carols, cookies, the tree – but where does that leave Michael who is a Jew?

Hope is all happy and cheery going about baking cookies, decorating the house and such, and Michael is not on board with it – especially not with a tree. As the show goes on, Michael becomes more and more scrooge-like to his family and friends because he feels very left out during a season that is not about Christmas for him – it’s about Hannukah. Hope doesn’t seem to see how she is leaving him out.

By the end of the show he finally realizes that it can be about both and brings a tree home to surprise Hope, but when he opens the door of his home, he finds Hope standing by a Menorah ready to light the first candle to celebrate Hannukah. Turning around he sees Melissa and he holds her and cries – it’s forgiveness, family, and faith at its finest. I have to say, when I first watched this episode I cried at the end, and when I watched it last year (for the first time in 20 years), I cried again.

Maybe, more than anything, Michael realizes that the holidays are really about giving and he gives meaningful gifts (well, maybe with the exception of the Santa Pez he gave to Gary), to those he cares about. He gives the office employees time off, he gives a tree to Hope, to Melissa an opportunity. To me, the ending in a way mimics the ending of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge changing his ways – Michael changing the way he sees Christmas. He is given a gift in return – the gift of celebrating his faith.

I had a boyfriend many years ago who was Jewish, but had really lost touch with his faith and God. The high holy days meant little to him and his family. I remember going to his house on the first night of Hannukah because I wanted to see the lighting of the menorah and hear the prayers. While it was beautiful, what saddened me was the fact hat his mom was in the kitchen and his brother and sister no where visible. It only meant something to his father. How very, very sad to me that was.

Anyway, I also watched the episode with the commentary because I love to hear what the cast thought about this episode and what memories they had in general. Mel Harris/Hope and Melanie Mayron/Melissa did the commentary and it is really fun and interesting. They make comments about how fashion has changed and also comment on how the show was made then and compared it to other shows of the time and even shows now. So, don’t forget to listen to this!!

One of the scenes in this episode that they comment on is the one in which Michael and Hope are discussing the whole holiday thing and end up in a deadlock after Michael makes the comment, “I don’t see you polishing up a menorah”. Then there is nothing but silence as they finish getting ready for wherever they are going. A lot of silence. Now, folks, this is real life. Have you ever had an argument with your spouse (or friend, or family member) that ended like that? I have. As Melanie Mayron says in the commentary, the show dealt with the minutia of every day life and that is what made it so popular. I would have to agree.

I think I will watch the holiday episodes again at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year, because they are as classic and timeless as A Christmas Carol, or Charlie Brown Christmas. Enjoy!

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Reading Roadblock?

October 28, 2010

I overheard Becky singing her ABC’s this morning with the Sing, Read, and Right cd, and this is how she finished the song:

“Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y and Z. Now I know my DUMB ABC’s, next time won’t you sing with me.”

Hmm, so much for that post I wrote last month gushing about how she was reading ;-).

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Learning Life Skills

October 26, 2010

Here are a couple of pictures I took this week showing skills being learned by my kiddos. The first is a doll’s dress that Maggie made out of a leaf. Yes, she cut the leaf for the design she wanted and to fit the doll. Here’s what she made:

This next one is of Joe, who is 11 now, using a large knife to cut potatoes with. He has been begging for awhile and I felt it was time for him to learn – he is growing up and becoming more responsible. Besides, being able to cook is one of the best life skills one can have in my opinion.

I’m really proud of my kids – or could you tell :-).

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A Busy Day

October 21, 2010

That’s what yesterday was – a busy day. Here’s what I got done (not in order):

1. Picked up the kids’ bathroom and washed all the towels.

2. Went through all the paperwork and filed or trashed as needed.

3. Balanced checking account.

4. Had kids pick up downstairs and I vacuumed.

5. Ran a load of dishes in dishwasher.

6. Fixed Sloppy Joe’s for lunch and Lasagna Rolls for dinner.

7. Picked Chris up from work and picked some stuff up at my mom’s.

8. Cleaned up kitchen

9. Decluttered surfaces in living room.

Yes, I relaxed too. It just feels so good when things get done and the next day you can start fresh without all the other things hanging over your head. It’s also nice to look around and have things neat that makes you feel good too. My house will never be immaculate – it will always have that lived in look and feel, but that’s okay. As long as it is inviting to my family that’s what counts.

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thirtysomething episode 6

October 20, 2010

I actually made my husband watch this episode with me because it was just so funny. Also because we used to watch it together when it was on originally and I just wanted some of that good old time feeling with him and me. He agreed, but then left after it was over. *sigh*

One thing I have not mentioned before are those cool bottles that Janey has. You know, the ones with the hole in the middle that used to be the big thing in baby stuff? It seems like I thought they were either kinda cool or kinda stupid back then – I really can’t remember. However, they look cool now and I may have actually used them with my twins. Ah well.

Another observation is the messy state of Hope and Michael’s house – yay! It makes me feel normal because with babies/toddlers/preschoolers your house is a perpetual mess. There is no time to clean when you are taking care of or running after a little one. So, that made me feel right at home. Okay – on to the show!

Episode 6 – We Gather Together – First off, this was the Thanksgiving show and it is one of my all time favorite episodes. I just laughed and laughed throughout. So did Mike, but then I knew he would :-).

Sometimes I feel like Hope – wanting to have just a quiet something at my house instead of the big dinner, but then my kids would have a fit. Watching Hope and Michael remind me of the early years of my marriage, and I am starting to miss that as I remember how it used to be between us.

My favorite part of this whole episode is when Melissa brings Jeffrey over to meet everyone when they are planning the Thanksgiving feast. Holy crap – what a dork! Some of my favorite lines are in those scenes!

Who can forget the Thanksgiving Day fiasco! The frozen turkey, Janey is sick, Michael and Eliott run Melissa’s boyfriend off. Ah, good stuff people, good stuff.

I like the end when Hope has to think about having a perfect holiday or accepting life the way it is. I have had my share of imperfect holidays and I wouldn’t trade any of them. We have had some really fine moments over the years – memories that will last a long time.

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Music Monday – A Winter’s Solstice

Okay, I know it’s Tuesday and also that I haven’t done a Music Monday in awhile, but I hope this will make up for that. This is a classic album that I think anyone would enjoy for fall or the holiday season.

I bought this album at least 15 years ago (possibly longer) and it is a treasured favorite of mine – and the family’s. I start listening to it when the first cold day of fall arrives. It evokes images of bright fall leaves swirling in an autumn breeze. Crisp white snow gently falling on a cold December day. It sings of Christmas trees and lights on houses and all kinds of yummy things baking in anticipation of the most blessed day of the year. Here’s a listing of the songs and a few thoughts of my own to add.

1. Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – This is a lovely acoustic version of a really beautiful song. Very relaxing and soothing to the soul.

2. Engravings II – It’s a cool, crisp fall evening and the sun is slowly setting. Smoke rises from chimneys of beautiful quaint houses in a small village. All is calm and quiet, folks are warm and cozy in their homes. a mug of warm tea or coffee in their hands.

3. New England Morning- The cello is almost sad, but maybe it just mourns the passing of the seasons. Days are shorter, the air is cooler, leaves fall as trees and crunch beneath your feet on a walk through a wood.

4. High Plains – The beginning of this one sounds like a hymn we sing at church, but I’ve never been able to think of which one. Then, a joyful melody that makes you want to dance. It sounds like an icy river flowing through a forest as snow falls softly. It also starts bringing the joy of the holidays to life.

5. Nollaig – Pumpkin pie, chilly winds, Christmas, friends and family around a glowing fire. The flute and violin dance together so well in this song.

6. Greensleeves – An acoustic piano version of a timeless Christmas song. It has always been one of my favorite songs and this is a beautiful rendition.

7. Bach Bouree – I can honestly say this is the one song I do not like on this album and I always skip it. You however, might enjoy it more than I do. Maybe I’d feel different if I was hearing it in the 16th century on a cold winter’s night.

8. Northumbrian Lullaby – Watching snow fall outside while I hold my baby girl in my arms and rock her to sleep.

9. Petite Aubade – My favorite song on the whole album! It is just guitar and recorders and evokes images of an age long gone but still remembered. A thatched roof house, a woman cooking over an open fireplace, a baby sleeps in the wood cradle while children play games around the room.

10. A Tale of Two Cities – This is a song for Christmas Day – bold, grand, and a true celebration of the Christ Child. Truly, the end of Christmas Day isn’t the end of Christmas – the season has just begun!!

Unfortunately this album is not in print anymore, but you can still buy it used on Amazon. Matt even found the record in a used game store! So, have a listen and see how it speaks to you.

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Hello

October 14, 2010

I realize I haven’t exactly been posting much up here lately so maybe I should catch everyone up on what’s going on. First of all, I had another mini depressive episode so I had to kind of pull back a little and take care of me for a short time. That was after that fall at Starbucks. We also started school last month and that takes up a good chunk of my time during the day. Don’t get me wrong – I love it – it just takes time. Oh, and let’s not forget housework – got caught up on that too. Well, mostly anyway.

Yesterday I decided to go back to my four day homeschool week and take Wednesdays off – I just need that extra time right now. So, with my new found time yesterday, I caught up on some house stuff, made pumpkin bread, and went to the library. I took out a fiction book for a change and I’m already half way through it! I’ll do a book review later.

Today I’m making stew for supper – probably in the crock pot – and going to my mom’s later for a card making class. That should be fun. I also have to dash to the grocery store to pick up a few things we’re almost out of. Hooray for payday :-).

So, I’m here and doing all right. Just getting back on my feet again.

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Backyard Buddy

October 11, 2010

The kids were playing outside today, when one of them ran in yelling about Steve holding a toad and I’d better come out and take a picture. Here is the little guy they found:

He didn’t jump around too much – maybe he had a near miss with another critter and just needed a rest. I’m glad he decided to stop in our yard.

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I love having tech savvy kids!

October 10, 2010

About a month ago, I let Matt and Chris go ahead and upgrade our computer. However, due to unforeseen difficulties, our computer came out slower than it had been. Which was the opposite of what they were trying to achieve. It was okay though – they tried.

This morning we returned from Mass and were greeted by Matt saying, “I fixed your computer!” Wha?? Apparently, while we were gone, he had put in a new heat sink fan (which is what was causing the slowness) and more RAM. Our computer now runs phenomenally well! Everything is speedy!! I can watch You Tube videos again, the pages on the forum I’m on don’t take forever to load, and writing my blog posts takes no time at all now – whoo hoo!! Thank you boys for saving our computer – I really appreciate it!!

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thirtysomething – episodes 4 and 5

October 9, 2010

Before I start with today’s discussion, I do want to point out the Fisher Price high chair that Janey uses. We had that exact high chair when Matt was a baby and I don’t think we got a new one until Steve came along. I loved that high chair and missed it each time we had a new baby – the newer ones just weren’t the same or as easy to use. At the time I think it was the latest and greatest to have but without a horribly steep price tag. I bought mine by saving up points on the Pampers boxes – yes, Pampers use to come in boxes people. I also wanted that mobile – the one that hung over Janey’s changing table. Very simple and so cute. *sigh* Okay, on with the show.

Episode 4 – Couples – I was thinking a lot about this one because it shows an argument from the perspectives of the four people that are involved. I always try to see which one is the “real” one, but I finally realized – there isn’t one. They are all correct because each person sees it filtered through their eyes and feelings and none is wrong. Another thing I can see now is that everyone saw Nancy’s little cheer as fun, flirty, and saw her as a beautiful, capable woman. However, she doesn’t see herself that way. She saw herself as clumsy and maybe a little out of Hope’s circle because she has already been taking care of kids for awhile and being a stay at home for five years. She hasn’t had time for herself, to do the things she’d like to do. So, when she asks Elliot what he thinks of her illustrating books he just blows her off as if it was just some passing fancy instead of the desire that it is. I can relate to so much of that. I have been a stay at home, homeschooling mom for a really long time. All the things I wanted to do went by the wayside and I figured I’d take them up when the time came. I can also relate to how Nancy sees herself – I see myself that way too.

I thought it was funny that Hope was griping at Michael about picking stuff up and couldn’t really define what she wanted from him until the day of Brittany’s birthday party. She said, “I just want you to help out more around here”. Michael couldn’t believe it – that’s all?? Why couldn’t she just say that instead of beating around the bush the way, I think, we woman usually do. Hehehe.

Episode 5 – But Not For Me – This is both a sad and funny episode. Hope realizes that she needs to be romanced by her husband. She goes around with spit up on her shirts, taking care of a baby who she cannot have a meaningful conversation with and wants to rekindle what they had. I think she is wise – once children start coming along marriages often suffer. You need to make time for the other person. You need to keep talking and doing things together in whatever ways you can. But, I digress.

Hope and Michael’s date is a complete disaster starting with the fiasco at the restaurant to the car dying on them after the movie. That was funny but so very real. What we daydream about never happens that way does it? In the end, they find a way to have their Saturday night – at home ;-).

Melissa getting ready for her date for Saturday night was heart wrenching to watch. She always tries so hard and always ends up with her hopes dashed. Maybe if she just let things happen naturally instead of expecting so much all the time she would have been happier. I think in the end, she started learning this. Hmm, maybe this episode has the background of expectations?

Gary – oh yeah, what a jerk. At least he apologizes to Melissa where the other jerk didn’t. Obviously he is scared of committment and hasn’t taken the time to really know what he wants. He still wants to play, yet, underneath, I think he always wanted more. Maybe. Those types are always harder to figure out.

Well, I think that sums it up for this time. Oh, and I changed my mind about my choice of snack – it’s beer and chips instead of chocolate. It somehow seems more appropriate. I’m already looking forward to talkng about the Thanksgiving episode next week – so, so funny. I think it’s one of my favorites. Remember – be sure to comment if you have something to add!

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