A Meme for Meemo

I'm going to do a Meme in honor of my upcoming birthday.  I haven't been tagged for a meme: I think you have to be popular or something in order for that to happen.  But, whatever, I found this meme and I liked it, so here it goes.  Oh and my nickname is Meemo, which would explain the title.  That's what all the kids call me.

This meme idea was taken from a fellow AZ blogger.

Instructions:
1. Go to Wikipedia.
2. In the Search box, type your birth month and day (but not year).
3. List three events that happened on your birthday.
4. List two important birthdays and one interesting death.
5. One holiday or observance (if any

Events:

1960 - Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Act).

1976 - The citizens of the United States celebrate their country's bicentennial

2004 - The cornerstone of the Freedom Tower is laid on the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. (This was largely a symbolic event; actual construction would not start for several weeks)

Births:

1918 - Ann Landers, American advice columnist (d. 2002)

1943 - Geraldo Rivera, American reporter and talk show host

Death:

2003 - Barry White, American singer and record producer (b. 1944) I don't know how interesting this is, but his voice is in our memories forever.

Holiday:

United States and Denmark - Independence Day (1776).  AND my birthday.  When I was a kid my dad always said that I was sooo special that everyone was shooting off fireworks to celebrate my birth.  Boy did my bubble burst when I found out that it wasn't all for moi.

So, there you go, my first ever meme.  I hope it's not too boring, but I'm feeling rather bored right now.  1 hour to go and I'm off work for a whole week.  I have to prepare for Birthapalooza 2006.  Beginning with Shawn's birthday on July2, then the husbands on July3, me July 4, and Aaron the ex brother-in-law July 5.  It's going to be a busy weekend to say the least. 

The freedom is so close, I can hardly contain myself.

The End of an Era

December 008, originally uploaded by Meemo.

Progress is all around us. Everywhere you look there are new buildings going up, roads are being newly paved, and we have a new light rail coming to town. None of these changes have affected our lives...until now.

Travis just found out that his one and only hang out, McDuffy's is closing. He can't believe it. Now where will he go to escape? Now where will I send him when I want him out of the house?

McDuffy's had a lot to offer you see. They have, or should I say had big screen TV's all over, playing every sport imaginable, never ending supply of alcohol, and the best part for Travis: off track betting. I don't completely agree with the use of animals for our entertainment, but I choose my battles.  McDuffy's was located in downtown Tempe off of Mill Ave.

It seems that Mill Ave which was once upon a time, a unique shopping experience, is now just like any other outdoor mall in America.

On any given night you can drive down Mill Ave. and see all types of people. From transients selling their wares, such as hemp jewelry, to teenagers out for a night of action. Oh and you have your requisite drunk college co-eds.

I worked on Mill Ave. 10 years ago at an environmental store called Everything Earthly. We sold all organic cotton clothing, stuff made out of hemp , shoes made out or recycled material, natural soaps, etc. The transition of Mill started back then when they opened up a McDonald's across the street, with a Hooters upstairs. We were up in arms, and protested. We knew this was the demise of the mom and pop shops that lined the street, and sure enough, none of the mom and pop shops remain, except for a few. It's funny that a few of the remaining mom and pop shops are "head" shops. I guess people can make a good living hawking bongs and incense.

The greatest loss was when my favorite book store Changing Hands moved. I guess they raised they're rent, so a lot of the businesses couldn't afford it anymore.

And now, McDuffy's will cease to exist, and my husband might have to go back to hanging out at the Horse and Hound. I'm sure he doesn't want to do that since he's been protesting that place ever since he was treated badly for placing such small bets. What's a guy to do?

Don't get me wrong, Mill Ave. is still a great place to go, especially if you're a tourist. I mean they have Abercrombie and Fitch and a Borders. I know, that's impressive. I guess the shopping now sucks on Mill, but there are many great eating experiences to be had. RA Sushi bar, My Big Fat Greek Restaurant, and In Season Deli, to name a few.

I do still love Mill Ave, and have to come here often since I work here, once again. It just sucks when your favorite places have to close down to make room for the next great money maker. In the case of McDuffy's, it's closing down to make room for a 36 story apartment building. Yay for progress: NOT!

The above picture was taken at McDuffy's in January when Aunt Linda and Junior came to visit.  See how happy travis looks?  Sorry it's so bit, I blogged off of Flikr since I was at work.

Randomness

• They say that time flies when you're having fun.  So why does time fly when you're not.  That's not fair.  Remember the good ole days when you'd be looking forward to something and it seemed like it took forever to get here.  The older I get, the faster the days zip by.  Which brings me to this question.  How do so many moms, women find time to blog, read blogs, comment blogs.  It might be that I spend 36 hours in front of a computer at work, and when I'm home I have a hard time making myself sit behind a desk.  Plus the piles of laundry and dishes staring me in the face make it hard to do anything for myself.  I just can't sit and blog when my house is a mess, but by the time it's all spiffied up, I'm too tired.  How. Do. You. Do. It.  I can't seem to find a balance.  It doesn't help that by working nights I loose days.  I call myself Zombie Mommie on these days.  The lights are on, but no ones home.  I believe the solution would be a lap top.   We'll see how I work that one out.
• Was anyone a fan of Nelly Furtado before her latest album?  I was, and they're saying that she's making a comeback.  I say come back from what.  I loved her last album Folklore.  A lot of the songs were in Portuguese which is understandable, since she had just had a baby and probably wanted to get back to her roots.  The new one Loose is so much fun.  I had it playing in my mini van the other day on the way to swimming lessons, and for a second there I thought I was a totally hip, carefree chica on my way to the beach, instead of being in a car full of kids in the middle of the freakin desert where the closest thing to the beach is the mirage on the street in front of me.
• Summer TV watching is getting good.  Well, at least for me it is.  Project Runway is starting a new season next month, and so is Big Brother.  Yay, something new to watch.  Don't think I'm pathetic just cause I like reality TV.  I can't help myself.  Oh and my guilty pleasure is The Hills on MTV.  When I was 15 and watching Madonna videos, I certainly didn't think I'd be watching MTV at 34.  Hey, at least I don't watch shows on Noggin (aka the N) like my 27 year old sister does.  Now that's embarrassing.  Huh, Mal?
• One more things.  I realized that I have some pretty strong Mexican genes.  Not to stereotype, but I will.  I went out with some co-workers last week after a meeting, and in the spirit of World Cup Soccer (I'm not a fan, but I was drowning my sorrows), I had 3 Coronas and a Tequila shot.  I was fine.  2 nights ago, I had 3 glases of wine.  I puked the next morning.  Why is that when I drink fruity, frou frou drinks I puke.  But gimme some tequila and I'm okay.  That's just so wrong, and so unfair.  I want to be like the other cool moms with their Martinis and Pinot Grigio.  But no, my Mexican genes will not allow it.

Time to Shrug off this Shroud of Sadness

I'm baaack!  Just exactly where I've been, I don't know.  I've been hiding.  Sometimes you see things or experience things that just totally suck.  Uncle Efrain passed away on Thursday night.  He left here on Wednesday, and spent 1 day at his house before passing on.  Was he just waiting to get home, to go home?  Boy, that's deep.  That's life I guess, and while you try to not let it get you down, it gets down and dirty and just plain ole sucky.  So, now we're waiting for the memorial service which is to take place on Friday.  My mom is anxiously waiting as she needs closure.  She's taken this the hardest, and I feel for her.  My grandmother, who we were all worried about  doesn't remember.  Once when we brought it up, and she realized what we were talking about, she became angry that we hadn't told her.  Alzheimer's is a blessing in some ways, and hell in others.  We're glad that she's happy for the most part because she's forgotten, but then to be reminded and to feel sad and mournful all over again...I can't even imagine.   Exercise your brains people.  They say that will keep Alzheimer's at bay.

Oh, and just to add to the shroud of sadness, my Dad's eldest sister passed away on Friday.  Is it just urban myth that deaths in a family happen in 3's?  I hope so, because 2 in one week is more than enough.  I don't want to feel sad and depressed anymore.  I've never been depressed, as far as I know and feeling like this is no fun.  I know it will pass as all things do.

*****

Is it okay to talk about fun stuff in the same post that I talk about death?  Are there etiquette rules about this.  If there are, screw the rules.  I need some goodness, and as always that comes in the form of two little boys named Tristan and Ethan.

Tristan is totally enjoying his summer vacation.  He's skipping showers and staying up late.  Every boys dream, every mother's nightmare.  He smells like body order and getting him to wear deodorant is not fun.  It tickles him to no end, which on second thought, that is fun.  As for Ethan, he started basketball practice on Thursday and had his first game on Saturday.  He had a blast and did quite well.  I think his dad is having more fun with this than he is.  Travis has made him go out and practice a few times, and I'm sure Ethan is now thinking "what did I get myself into?" 

And now for some more goodness.   Aunt Linda is in town.  Or as she would say, "Linda's in da house".  Aunt Linda is my mom's youngest sister, her only sister, and she's the best Aunt ever.  We picked her up from the airport on Saturday and when we went out for dinner, we laughed our asses off.  Between my mom, sister, aunt, forgetful grandma, and me, with everyone talking at the same time, it's a confusing, loud time.  Good times!  My mom really needed her, we all really needed her.  She a military mom and wife, so she's a tough cookie.

I leave you with a picture of me and Aunt Linda.  It's not the best picture, but it's us having fun on Saturday. 

I'm sooo Tired, I haven't slept a wink (the Beatles song that's stuck in my head right now. I wonder why)

Cancer Sucks!!  Both figuratively and literally.  It has sucked the life out of Uncle Efren and I don't remember who he was before, and I hate that.  I can't remember what he looked like with meat on his bones, with soft cheeks and a full belly.  It's hard for me to talk about him right now because tomorrow he's going home, back to Indio, CA.  He's going to be in the home he's lived in for the past 30 plus years, back to his papaya trees, and while I'm happy for him and his kids, when I say good-bye tomorrow, I'm afraid that will be the last time.  I wasn't ready for this yet.  Of course, we'll be there if anything happens, but with a 5 hour drive, who knows.

So, I'm going to change the subject since I'm discreetly wiping tears from my eyes.  It's so not cool to cry at work.  I could also be crying because I had very little sleep today and  when I get off work in the morning, I have to help my mom move for the umpteenth time this year.  Ever since her divorce, she's been a gypsy.  I think she's finally settled which is great because having to be in a U-Haul truck loading up crap when it's 110 degrees outside is just...hell.  Pure hell.  Although, it's nothing an ice cold Corona couldn't fix.

Why didn't I sleep much you ask.  It's all the kids fault, as usual.  E-dog is in a summer reading program which is from 8-11.  So, I have to kinda stay awake that whole time so that I can pick him up.  I'm always afraid I'll over sleep and forget him.  Then, when we get home they have to be fed.  When all needs are met, I can finally escape with the hope in my heart that I will actually reach REM sleep.  I only work 3 days a week, but the older I get, those night just knock me on my ass and then I'm on Zombie Momie mode.  And to add to the fun, E-dog starts basketball this week.  He's so excited and tells everyone that he's going to be a Jr. Suns player.  Both boys begin swim lessons next week.  The fun never ends.

I'm off to read Yoga Beans.  Laughter is the best medicine after all.  Although I don't really think that will help with the bags under my eyes.

The Myth of Friendships

"Friendship is always about intense shared experiences, but as you get older, it gets more specific.  What you need to share gets more specific, what you need from people changes"  As quoted by Leah Stewart, whose book The Myth of You and Me, I just finished reading.

The book struck a cord with me and it made me think back to the friendships I had while growing up, and the friendships I have now.  Or shall I say, lack of friendships I have now.  Pretty much anyone can resonate with the message in this book.  We've all had that friend.  The one that you think you can't live without.  The friend that you would call first thing in the morning, or last thing at night to see what you're going to wear the next day.  Or, the friend that you could spend hours belly laughing with about...pretty much nothing.  Everything made you giggle when you were together.  But only you two knew what was so funny.  The way you knew each other so well. 

My best friend was Allie.  Allie and I spent so much time sitting on the floor of her bedroom just talking and laughing our heads off, while listening to Morrisey, or U2, or her favorite, Bon Jovi.  We knew each other when we were kids at the Y summer camp.  She didn't like me then, and I was utterly devastated because she had the Annie dolls, yes from the Annie Movie, and she wouldn't share with me.   She let everyone else hold and touch them, but not me.  We really became best friends in Junior High.  We spent every spare second together. 

I don't have any definitive memories of our time together, I only remember how much I loved her.  Then high school politics ruined it all.  Suddenly there was competition to be liked by the popular girls.  Typical girl drama I suppose.  Allie and I still speak to eachother on the rare occasion that we're in the same town at the same time. 

Then something happens, and it's over.  You're broken up.  And you find yourself alone on a Friday night without your best buddy to sit and reflect on what dateless losers you are.  The problem is that you don't usually remember anything definitive that caused the "break up". 

You grow up, and in the process many friends come and go.  As I have learned the hard way, mostly, friends will go.  Usually they just move far away, like Massachusettes (Theresa).

While at the public pool on Thursday, I saw a group of Mommies and their kids, and I was reminded of my own failed friendship with a mommy group. 

I had been friends with Brooke and Cecilia for a while.  We were more of acquaintances, but when we had our kids, it was an instant bond.  All the kids were about the same age.  We had great times together.  Play dates, lunch out, shopping, parties, girls night out, not to mention several phone conversations a day.  It was like those all consuming girlhood friendships, except that we had baggage, such as kids and husbands. 

A threesome does not work in most instances, and it didn't work for us.  It got to the point where If I was planning something, it had to include everyone, and our group was growing and sometimes I was in the mood for a quiet day at the park, with only 1 friend.  When you got us all together, collectively, we had about 8 kids.  Try going to California Pizza Kitchen with 8 kids.  It's insanity, which was why I craved smaller play dates.

Our falling out was over New Years Eve 2003.  My Mom had offered to take care of a couple of the girls kids so that they could go out.  Although I was staying home, I didn't volunteer because I had a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge, and had every intention of drinking the whole bottle once I got my kids, niece and nephew to bed. 

I had called Cecilia a few times throughout the day but received no response, no call back.  My Mom wanted to speak with them so that she would know if she had to feed them dinner, what to feed, etc.  She needed to cover her basis since she didn't know these kids too well.  About 6pm she called me and said that she was tired of waiting around and hadn't heard from anyone, so she was going to the movies.  Not 30 minutes later I got the call.  They were on their way to drop of the kids.  GULP!  I had to tell them that my mom went to the movies, and when I didn't volunteer to babysit, I could tell by their tone that they were pissed.  That's the last I heard of them. 

Apparently, they thought I didn't babysit in order to ruin their evening because they didn't invite me to a birthday dinner they'd had with another friend.  WTF!  Just because I was staying home didn't mean I didn't have plans to let loose, and extra kids would have put a damper on my plans.  I had 4 kids in my 1400 sq ft home.  That was enough, I thought.  To be honest, I figured they had made other plans for the kids since they hadn't called, and I was under the impression that they had dinner reservations at 6pm.  My mom waited until after 6pm to leave for the movies.  Besides that, who leaves their kid with a babysitter and not touch base with her at all before bringing kids over.  As if!

When all this went down, I wasn't sad and I didn't miss them too much.  I was a little relieved to be out of the gossipy, trendy circle.   I'm lucky to have a strong relationship with my mom and sister, so I get plenty of female bonding, oh and I do have 1 very busy friend Suzy. 

But now... I find myself nostalgic for a good old fashioned friendship.  I'll never get involved in a threesome again (get your mind out of the gutter), but seeing those moms at the pool made me feel left out.  Just like the skinny, awkward little girl who thought that pe0ple didn't like her because "I'm of the color brown", or the dorky kid who used to make her mom sit on the street corner with her to see if she could make friends.  Do we ever stop feeling this way?

The Rain Gods are Still Crazy

The evening paper said "Despite appearances, tonight's storm is not the apocalypse, just a low pressure system".  How fitting to have such weather today of all days. 

This is what I saw on my drive to work this evening.   A huge wall of dust.  You can see the huge tan cloud of dust coming my way.  When you see this, you don't leave whatever building you might be in.  Once, I was caught in a bad dust storm, and I couldn't see anything at all.  It was scary, and when you're in the middle of it, everything has a strange orange haze.

Fortunately, I made it to work before the dust really hit my area.  The office I work in is on the 6th floor so we had a bird's eye view.  We were all pretty excited about watching the storm, which led me to think two things.  We're the biggest dorks ever, and Arizonans are weather drama deprived.   A little storm, and we're all up in arms.  Can you blame us though.  We can't even get a decent rain fall.  No sir, the clouds around here just spit at us.  That's what it feels like...spittle.  Never enough to make a difference, but somehow, just enough to dirty your car.

I Ramble because I'm in Shambles (sorry, I felt like rhyming)

It's been so long since I've been able to post, so I probably won't make much sense, not that I ever do.  Plus, I'm at work and I ate fish from the hospital crapeteria.  I hope I survive.

Remember when I fell  and couldn't get up?  Well, that was only the beginning of my not so lucky streak.  Ever since then, I've been knocking everything over, I got a flat tire,  and my ribs are finally not sore.  My ribs were sore for days.  DAYS.  I couldn't laugh or cough, or do other things I will not mention.    The worst part of my luck was that my blog was down, and I was not able to post.   I'm back, and I realized how much I like this little blog.  I've been experiencing post withdraw.  There was so much I wanted to say, but couldn't, and now that I can, there's nothing there. 

We survived our first week of summer vacation.  Yay!  We haven't had too much drama and fortunately my kids are rarely bored at home.  Their problem is that they NEVER want to leave home.  My freedom is truly over.  I can make them go with me, but the only one who suffers,  is me. 

Friday morning we ventured out for breakfast and a trip to Target.  They were dying to go home within 30 minutes.  Their feet hurt, they're sooo tired... any and every excuse just to get back to the soothing mechanical drone of the TV, computer, or Game Cube. 

**********************************************************

Something else happened on Friday that I just cant get out of my mind.  Then I go and read this, and it made me so sad, I cried.  I don't think I've ever read a blog that made me cry.  It hit close to home for some reason. 

So, what happened on Friday was that my Mom came over, she sat on my couch and cried her little eyes out for the imminent loss of her brother.  She cried like I've never seen her cry before, and I didn't know what to do.  I just sat there, across from her.  Thank God for the kids, because they were there for her.  I wasn't.  They rubbed her arms, her head, held her hands, they hugged her and patted her, but the tears would not stop.  They knew just what to do, and I just sat there. 

My kids have never been exposed to this type emotional outpouring so I was a bit worried at first, but when I saw the compassion and love they showed their Nana, I knew that this is life, and I can't protect them from it, nor should I try. 

Then Mal came over, and my little (7 years younger than me), foul mouthed, too  tough for hugs sister came over and folded my mom into her arms.  She knew what to do, and I, my mom's "rock" didn't.  I was frozen, I was scared, and I was rendered helpless. 

We have a bumpy road ahead of us, and I hope our little family will remain strong.  I hope I can be what my Mom needs during this difficult time, but I'm also so grateful to know that If I can't do it, Mal is there for her too.  I think my little sister is finally growing up.