Family Fun Night

This year, the girls and I opted to make a different kind of New Year's resolution. We decided that we would make a collective resolution to take one night a month and make it Family Fun Night. With each year, the girls get more involved in activities, school and homework become harder, and the social activities keep mounting. We try to eat dinner together each night, and usually on the weekends we find some time to hang out and watch tv or a movie. But overall, we are very busy [who isn't] and don't make fun time together as much of a priority as it ought to be.

We decided to take turns planning the Family Fun Night. The only rules are:
1) Whoever plans it gets to pick whatever they want, and the others cannot grumble, make fun, or in any way indicate they aren't super-thrilled with the idea, and
2) The activity has to cost roughly around the same amount as a "nice" (translate: Not Fast Food) dinner out [since I am in the process of attaining some lofty financial goals and have turned into quite the miser lately, but that's another blog!]

I planned the first night - bowling. I didn't tell the girls, just picked them up from Morgan's basketball game after school and didn't drive home. True to form, Jordan never noticed that we were not headed home [for someone who is supposed to be handed the keys in a year, she sure has no sense of direction!]. Morgan, however, did [so obviously she will play Goose to Jordan's Maverick]. I told them that we were headed out for Family Fun Night, and wouldn't tell them where. So they started guessing. It was hilarious! Here's a brief account of some of the guesses they made:

- going to the mall
- roller skating
- ice skating
- going to the movies
- rock climbing (seriously, and it was like 8 at night!)

Anyways when we got close to the bowling alley, I missed the turn. The very next intersection just happened to have a bus rental on the corner, so I thought, "Perfect!" and pulled in there to turn around. I said, "Girls, we are renting a bus." They sat stunned, not quite sure what to make of this, as I turned around and said, "Just kidding!" I'm not sure if they were relived or disappointed. Maybe that's a thought for another Family Fun Night (wait, that definitely costs more than a dinner out!).

We got to the bowling alley only to discover that there was an hour wait to get a lane. It was Friday night, but really, who knew so many people still went bowling! We decided to try our luck at another alley - in a somewhat shady neighborhood that they are trying to renovate. I was a little worried, and told the girls if it was sketchy at all, we would have to change our plans and have a Guitar Hero, Karioke, DDR marathon at home!

To my great relief, the bowling alley was newly renovated, clean, well-lit, and smoke-free. In fact everyone there looked just like us (not that I don't value diversity and all, but...). We were doubly pleased because it also happened to be Cosmic bowling! The music was fun, the neon black-light effects were fun, we were set for a great time.

We played two rounds. I won both (which isn't saying much since my "high" score was maybe 78!). Jordan was the biggest loser only scoring 18 in one of her games! Of course, we spent just as much time trying to get the perfect photos for my scrapbook, picking out the lightest, most colorful balls, and slurping on Icees, so we weren't disappointed in our scores.

Overall, we had a really great time. The girls didn't even text (ok, maybe they did just a little!) or mind that they had "given up" a Friday night for Family Fun Night! A new tradition is born!!

**Morgan gets to plan next month's and I think she is picking ice-skating...I better do some ankle exercises if I hope to stand a chance!

Christmas Wishes (Take 2!)

Ok folks - you should be able to open and view my stupendous scrapblog now!

Scary Skype

This is a quick warning email to all of those who use Skype. BE SURE TO ENABLE ALL YOUR SECURITY SETTINGS!!!!!!!!! So, here's the story:

It was Tuesday night. The girls and I were watching the election and I was trying to download some pictures from my camera. It wasn't working and I was really distracted when I realized that I was getting a call on Skype. For those of you who don't know, Skype is a free application that allows you to video chat with other Skype members. My family started using it about a year ago to talk with each other as we were all in different locations. It's really neat, because you can actually see each other on your computers. And as mom says, it gives her the "fix" she needs to not miss us all so much.

This summer, my mom got a new laptop and I inherited her old one. I have not used Skype since I got the laptop, so all the settings/logins/profile information was still set to my mom's account. When I saw that I had a call, I thought I should answer it as it was probably one of my mom's friends/contacts. Actually, I didn't even know I was signed in to Skype, but apparently my mom had set it to sign her in when she logs on to her computer. Anyways, I didn't recognize the name (Tom Brady's Brother) although I am sure everyone else would have seen that as a red flag. So, I'm telling the girls to turn the tv volume down and Morgan comes to see who is calling. Yes, we lead very boring lives, so this was sort of exciting!

For some instinctive reason, I turned my computer slightly away from me so that when I opened the application my video would not automatically be shown to this "stranger." I mean, come on, I'm aware of internet safety protocol, right?? Anyways, the guy starts talking, asking if we are home, etc... I told him, I think you have the wrong number, to which he responds Why do you think that? At this point, I click to open the video, and there it is. A full screen of his naked penis, which he promptly begins to fondle, telling me he does not have the wrong number! Remember that Morgan is standing over me, watching, right? So she runs away and gives a little yell. I, too, start freaking out and try to close the window and end the call. Well, you know how computers are... it's not like it immediately went away!!!!!!!!!!!! I was absolutely stunned. And I felt totally violated. This wasn't a random pornographic email. This was much more personal. No, he didn't really know me, and thank God he didn't get to see me (and my 12 year old), but Skype is live - and he was talking to me!!

I immediately went to the Skype website to report him and discovered that there are tons of security settings which allow you to only accept calls from your contacts (which, of course, Tom Brady's Brother is not one!). Apparently, my mom had simply downloaded the application and left all the default settings. So she was accepting calls from anyone, all her profile information was hanging out there, etc... I did take care of changing it all to be secure, but I am still reeling from it. My poor child is probably scarred for life - I know I am and I've seen a real penis before!

So, if you use Skype, please be sure you have set all your securities. So much for my naive "everyone's good, nothing bad will really happen" attitude. Those pervs are out there trolling the net looking for innocent victims. I really wanted to send him a message telling him off and how he was such a perverted freak, but decided that would only enhance his experience... Seriously, can't these people get a job?!?!

I have attached a photo of what Morgan and I saw so you can feel like you were there too. Scroll down to see it:





















What? You didn't think I was a sick perv, too, did you?

And a little movie so you can feel like you were there, too!

The original blog actually starts 3 entries down...

A Few More Pics...

New Kids on the Block - I'll be loving you FOREVER!

It finally arrived, the date I have been looking forward to since last May, the New Kids on the Block concert!

I started officially planning on Monday. I sent the girls to school with the note to excuse them from school on Wednesday and Thursday. Overbrook has a policy that all absences must be "excused" or else all zeros will be given for both in-class and homework given on the days missed. Harsh! Although the girls both made the honor roll the first quarter, I did not want them to rack up a bunch of zeros for two days! So, I simply said we were going out of town for a small reunion with some long-time family friends. Not exactly a lie, but certainly not "I am pulling my kids out of school so they can come to a concert while their mom relives her pre-teen obsession with New Kids on the Block!" At any rate, the principal approved - step one complete!

Step two: gather all the old memorabilia from 1989 and 1990. The girls and I had already gotten the t-shirts, buttons, boxers, nightshirt, suglasses, and hairbows out of my mom's attic. (And don't think it ends there. Items left in storage: telephone, cassette player, too many posters to count, backpack, all five NKOTB "barbie" dolls - complete with stage and props - 3' x 5' glued puzzle poster, trading cards, and framed concert tickets with a piece of Donnie Wahlberg's shirt. What, had you forgotten how much these dudes meant to me?) So we started picking out what we were going to wear to the show. Actually, we brought all the shirts, buttons, bows, sunglasses, and even my really cool 1980's NKOTB jacket!

Step three: arrive late at mom's for departure. I guess it is a personal rule that I cannot make it to my mom's on time for anything. I seriously don't have a problem arriving on time most other places, but I guess it gets mom so worked up that I just can't seem to do it!

Step four: Placate mom and insist on stopping at Starbucks even though we are "late." Ok - some perspective here - we were supposed to leave at 8:00 to meet at Amanda's by 8:30. We decided to leave at 7:45 so we could stop at Starbucks first. Actual departure time: 7:55. Actual arrival time at Amanada's: 8:30. So, we weren't even late.

And we're off! The concert was in Atlanta, 4 hours from Nashville. We all stayed with Malinda and Mindy flew in from New Orleans. We got to Malinda's in enough time to tour her house (very, very beautiful with lots of character) and tour her NKOTB memorabilia proudly displayed on her dining room table. We visited for a short time, and then we "got ready" for the concert. Brief synopsis: Mindy bought the gaudiest NKOTB tshirt she could find off ebay. Yes, it did include every neon color ever worn in the 80's. Mom opted not to wear a tshirt, but proudly displayed two VERY LARGE buttons on her shirt. The girls, me, Analise, and Anna all wore our shirts from the old days. Morgan wore the jacket, I had pins,but the winner was definitely Malinda. She had this shirt with a picture of her (at 12 years old) superimposed to look like she was leaning on Joe's shoulder. It was a riot. I don't even remember that shirt, but clearly she got it when I wasn't around. How do I know that? 1) I certainly would have had to have one, also, and 2) I never would have let her pick Joe, as he was "my" boy! Anyways, it was hysterical - and she had these buttons all around it. She said that's how it was when she pulled it out of the box, so that must have been how she wore it! (See the pictures to truly appreciate this!)

So now we're on our way to the show. We had left super-early since Atlanta's traffic is always such a nightmare, plus we wanted to have time to eat dinner before the concert. Malinda, Analise, Mrs. Potter, and I were in the front car with the rest of the gang following behind in Anna's car. We were only about 20 minutes away when Malinda says, "I don't see them behind us anymore. They were just there. Were did they go?" At which point my phone starts ringing and mom informs me that they have a flat tire and have pulled over on the side of the interstate. The 6 lane Atlanta rush-hour interstate! I was steeming mad when I found out that not one person in our whole caravan (me excluded) knew how to change a tire! Of course, after reviewing the situation, we deemed it wouldn't be prudent for me to change the tire, either, since it was on the side of the car closest to all the interstate traffic. So, a call was placed to AAA and to Atlanta's heroes to help us out. We were good sports, but let me assure you, if it had taken too long, I would have hitchiked to the show!

We arrived to the concert in plenty of time. We ate at a quick food place since we were behind schedule and the sit down places were all packed (with other 30-something women decked out in NKOTB gear!). The girls each bought a tshirt and I bought a program. Mindy and Anna bought beers. Malinda bought nothing, but did make several trips to the bathroom. Finally, she confessed that she was just so nervous! As we were finding our seats (ground level, but pretty far back) the security guard told us we were lucky because for 3 songs the "kids" would be performing on a mini stage RIGHT NEXT TO OUR SEATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At this point, I am not ashamed to say, Malinda and I elbow butted Mindy, Anna, and the girls to the inner part of our row so we could have the aisle next to the mini stage. The "old ladies" were directly across the way from us.

Skip the opening acts (Natasha Beddingfield and Lady Gaga, both current pop artists. Good, but we were way anxious for the show to start.). And then it starts. I swear I cried as they entered the stage! Words cannot even express how I felt. I was 13 again. Who knew that I still had the passion and obsession for them almost 20 years later?!?! About halfway through the show, tons of people started moving toward the mini stage. I was pissed! I couldn't see the main stage very well with them standing in front of me. And that also meant that I couldn't get to the front of the throng to the mini stage. So I ordered my row to stand on our seats! And they were there. Seriously, less than 20 feet away. And since the stage actually rose up, we were eye-level with them. All of us made eye contact with at least one of the "kids" (and no, Malinda did not cry this time!). We were taking pictures like crazy. It was surreal - having them that close!!! Later, we found out that mom actually had full hand to hand contact with Donnie since the "kids" entered and exited the stage from their side. Although we have determined now which 3 songs they sang from there, at the time, I couldn't have told you even one! It was the most exciting thing (next to our 2nd row, dead center seats for the Step by Step concert in 1990, of course).

The show was amazing. They looked great - even better than back in the day! They danced unbelievably, and sounded incredible. I was impressed. I mean, Malinda and I couldn't even do the Hangin' Tough arm wave the whole time! When we left, I really did want to cry. It felt the way I felt when I was 13: wanting more than anything in the world to meet (ok and marry) one of the boys and knowing I probably never would! Everyone kept talking aobut how awesome it was. Even the girls were super-excited. Mom kept bragging about touching Donnie. A good time was had by all.

I am totally sad to have to return to 32 and responsibilities. As I told my boss, she was lucky I showed up at work on Friday because if I could, I swear I would leave it all and become a NKOTB groupie right now!

Here are some of the pictures - both of us in our gear, and the boys:

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