Flashback Friday Cousin Edtn.

For no good reason, in no particular order... I've compiled a collection of cute pics of some of The Cousins, from their adorable past. Just because:

They are too cute.

They make me smile.

And... I love them.

 (The Kid, Quincy and Galway Girl)
 

 (Coco, Joy, Owl and Tink)

 (The Kid and Jumbo Joe)

(Bondi Beach, Galway Girl, Princess Monoco)

 (Galway Girl, Maximus, Tink)

 (Quincy and The Kid)

 (Lots of them!)

 (Tink and Owl)

(One being cute at Tink's bday)

(Tink, Glen Allen, Princess Monaco, Bondi and The Kid)

(Chunky Coco, Joy, Owl and Tink)

How sweet are they together?

'All because 2 people fell in love...'

eh... Gramma and Grandpa??

Side Note:
We are missing tiny Reggie because she is too new for a Flashback... And I have no pics of One snuggling cousins.. only him buddied up next to Coach (because Coach thinks he is technically the biggest cousin.)

The #1 Most Amazing Thing

that happened to me in 2011..
(And probably will always be in my Top Ten Most Amazing Things to happen in my lifetime... truly.)
This, is how it all played out:

Posted January 7th, 2011

Ok, Oprah. Ser- Rious -Ly.
While browsing (stalking) your website I could not help but notice, you are taping 2 shows on my birthday. Your studio seats, maybe 150 people?
(Fact. I Googled your studio.) Which means close to 300 people will bask in your sunshiny gloriousness on my birthday. I only want Four tix.
(I typed 'Tix' like 4 is so insignificant it's not worthy of hitting the keyboard enough to type "Tickets".)
I Heart You. I more than Heart You.
I Triple Dog, Heart inside 3 more Hearts, You.
I am there for You. I WILL be there for You. These 5 words I swear to You. I will Bon Jovi for you. Whatever, it takes.
Hand to my little-boy-chest-swear, to the Universe (see... I'm using The Secret) to The Oprah Gods... getting these Tix could honestly be the best birthday present of my life.
Sincerely- The Author of Tru Stories
aka Coach's wife, a sorta alright stay-at-home-mother (remember, the hardest job on the planet... 'your words!'), kinda pathetic sickly person (YES. I DiD just play the disabled card! I am not ashamed.) .

Then... Posted January 9th

You are So Very Right, Oprah.
January was not the right month for us.
Historically, January shows are dedicated to
"Making a Better You"... "Weight Loss is Your Friend"..
February will be our month.
There are numerous, valid reasons for why my Birthday was not Berry Perfect.
A Epic Day After Tomorrow Blizzard has always swept our state the week of my birthday.
It would have been beyond devastating, if I had dressed in my new outfit, brushed my newly highlighted hair and placed my perfectly manicured nails into gloves.... only to realize the Highway had been declared unsafe for travel.
I have barely recovered from several weather-related childhood Birthday cancellations.
Obviously, Your wisdom would include a Farmer's Almanac-like knowledge of such things.

Then on March 29th I posted:

I submitted the following last minute request to the Oprah Show:
I've never been to the show. I Triple Dog Heart Oprah, I will leave my kids in a Road Runner dust cloud. I had an 'oprahiphany' while watching the Australian Adventure with my son. (we pretend it's the Reading Rainbow of his generation.) He apologized because I was not on the Ultimate Vacation and asked if I was going to cry. Insert 'Oprahany'. Australia, was not my Dream. My Celebrity Dreams would include:
A. Attending The Oprah Show.
B. Hangin with Julia Roberts, while I am on my A-Game Funny, making her laugh that giant awesome laugh, of hers.
The Ultimate Viewers had Their Moment. My Moment is in the Audience. Maybe I hug Oprah. (not like a stalker) Maybe this is her final show, with Julia. Maybe, I crack one of my best jokes. They decide I am Totally Awesome and invite me to Oprah's office for Post Show drinks with the OWN cameras. Maybe, me, Oppie and Jules exchange emails and become Besties spending weekends in New Mexico. I will do my best, not to randomly shout "Oprah, Be my mom, I love you!" Because, if I ran to Chicago, in a frenzy of excited screams and forgot one ticket for the woman who gave me life, she may never forgive me. Except, to ask how pretty Oprah looked in person. Please choose us as audience members. My fingers are crossed. I'm considering, launching an all-out campaign to realize my 'oprahany'. I'm not sure, my husband can stomach the small-town humiliation, when neighbors realize I am Coco for Oprah-Puffs! If my husband, has hand-written Oprah an eye-watering letter and her Cameras will Surprise! arrive at my door to whisk me away. I would appreciate a Head's Up, so I may shower and try to get my 3 children out of their jammies."

So then I posted on April 29th

Today, is the last day to submit a request for Oprah Winfrey Tickets. My very last chance to scratch good ol' #16 off of my Bucket List.
Dear Oprah: (and the lovely women on her team)
Maybe, I had not clearly expressed my sincere desire (near obsession) to be a (first-time) member of your studio audience. So, here goes....
(Men to which I am related: this may be the portion of the post, where you should stop reading, to retain just a wee-bit of respect for me.)
You were my after-school snack. My phone conversation with mom. My reason to beckon my husband, 'just to watch this one part'. I have hushed my children, to better hear your wisdom.
I've repeatedly began sentences "Oprah told me..." to which my Father-in-law has replied "She told YOU, or she said that on the television to millions of people??"
My reply, was a blank and confused stare.
I do not need Favorite Things, just a seat in your audience. I would even squeeze up, with another patron and go half-sies.
I have demeaned myself on this blog, declaring my adoration and I do not regret one word typed in angst. Maybe, I have held back. Not Today. Today... I have reached my Pathetically Desperate Hour.
What's it gonna take?
Should I sell you one of my children? Deal. Take your pick. They are equally as cute and troublesome.
Tattoo your name on my wrist? Cool. Right or left?
Lie and pretend my mother is dying of a rare disease and her last wish is to sit in your audience, therefore committing myself to an eternity burning in hell?? Done. I like warmer temps anyway.
Admit you are a better friend, than my husband?
Humiliate myself via the Internet?
Done, Done and Done.
I am begging, pleading and fingers-crossing... for just a couple, itsy-bitsy tickets. Name your price.
Pretty, pretty please. With cherries, whipped-cream and sprinkles on-top! Can I have tickets to your show? Just a couple. I promise to smile brightly and Never forget a glorious moment of it.
PS- I live nearby. Just a skip. A mini-jump, really. A drive so short, I could bike it, if you'd like. I am available to dash away from my lonely house-wife life, in obscenely short notice.

I still can NOT believe it....
But on May 3, 2011 I posted this:

Dear Mom-
If you are not too busy....
The Oprah Winfrey Show just called me.
They have awarded me TWO tickets for tomorrow's show, after reading my letter.
The Show is starring Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks.
We can leave tonight, to privately view their brand new movie and then we need to be at the Harpo Studio by 7:00am tomorrow morning, for the taping.
Soooo... Wanna go???

Obviously, she accepted the ticket.
Later: I posted this recap:

1:59pm Tuesday, May 3rd:
I'm in sweats, preparing to take a short nap. The phone rings. I'm annoyed. I grab the phone and check Caller ID. It reads 'Harpo Inc.' Immediately, my hands begin to shake and I answer the phone, as calmly as possible.

Me: Hello?

Harpo: Hi, this is 'someone' at The Oprah Winfrey Show. Is this 'insert my name'?

Me (calm): Umm, yeeessss.

Harpo: Hi. How are you this afternoon?

Me: I think, I am about to throw up.

Harpo: No! Don't throw up! I am calling because I read your link, how Julia Roberts would be your Dream Guest for Oprah. It just so happens, we are having Julia on our show tomorrow and would like to offer you a last minute ticket.
Are you available?

Me: Yes. Absolutely!

Harpo: Great! I have sent you an email with the details. We are also holding a private screening this evening, for her new movie with Tom Hanks called 'Larry Crowne' and Tom Hanks will be on the show as well, tomorrow. I know this is last minute but can you make it for the screening this evening?

Me: I can't breathe.

Harpo (laughing at what a ridiculous idiot I am):
You have to breathe!

Me: Yes. I can make that.

Harpo: And.... would you like to bring a guest?

Me: Yes. My mom.....

Then it began. We spoke for another 5 minutes, though I couldn't tell you what was said. When we hung up, I checked the detailed notes I had taken, while she was giving me the life-changing information....

(Seriously. That's all I wrote down.)

I check my email. Re-check my caller ID. Confirm, I had not been dreaming and quickly type up the previous blog entry. I dial mom at work. Tell her to check the blog because 'I had just posted the CUTEST pics of the girls" I wait, until she quietly said "Are you serious?" and at that moment:
I totally lost my $hit.

The next 17 hours, were a blur.
I call people. I walk in confused circles. I need a shower but can't find my bathroom. I think, Gramma stopped by. Flag girl was there. Someone took my kids, I really have no idea. I cry. I curse my closet (WHY didn't I shop, JUST IN CASE!) I yanked a suitcase and randomly throw mismatched clothes inside. I grab phone chargers, earrings, camera, my kids' ultrasound pics, maybe baseballs... I don't KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING!! My limbs feel disconnected from my body. I'm dizzy. Coach called. I cry again.

4:20pm: Grammy and I jump into the car.


We are compulsively talking. I screeched "This is UNBELIEVABLE" a minimum 374 times. I called the Mrs and left the following on her voicemail:
"Hi. I just wanted to let you know, this is what my voice sounds like as I am driving to the Oprah Show." We realized we had nowhere to sleep. I text Chili, he traveling-agents it, like a pro. Grammy almost runs a car off the highway. We get to Chicago. We are lost, as we look for the theatre (you know... for the PRIVATE screening, of a movie NOT yet released nationwide) Grammy may have driven the wrong way, down a MAJOR one way street.
Snotty people waiting in our movie line, are bored with the Regularness of attending Oprah. I am shaking and smiling like a stoned-lunatic. The Oprah Show provides free Soda and Popcorn. The movie is cute.
Oprah, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts?.. "My Australia".
Honestly, one of the VERY best days of my life.
Dear Bucket List-
You are officially, one HUGE spot EMPTY!!

Four Days later, I finished by Posting:



The time, spent within the Studio, was beyond explanation. I tried to calmly absorb everything... mentally locking the moment in my mind, with video-like detail. Except... I was smiling and smiling and more smiling. I tried to behave calmly but imagined my appearance resembling a teenage girl.



Final Assessment, Scale of One to Ten:

* Going to the Oprah Show: A Ten (right out the gate)
* Being invited to the Private Night-Before Screening (which I have ALWAYS been envious of...): A Fourteen
* Having Julia Roberts as the Guest: A Twenty-Four
* ALSO having Tom Hanks: A Thirty-Two
* Having Julia gift her Favorite Things: A Thirty-Nine
* Having the taping, be one of the last six shows, ever taped in the Harpo Studio: A Forty-Three

Conclusion: Attending this show, with all of it's perks and fireworks, was easily a 43 out of 10. An even better experience, than I could have imagined.

"God can dream a bigger dream for you, then you could ever dream for yourself." -An Oprah Quote



Easily, the very best moment of my year.
Seriously! Did that REALLY happen??!!

The Best of 2011 #2-4

2. Married Life:
Admittedly, 2011 presented us with challenges.
Poo in the crawlspace, the death of a family pet, a few days here and there when Coach totally annoyed me, busy schedules, crashing our vehicles together... What?!! Who did that?!!
Still... after review, we've had more Ups than Downs. Two great Cubs games with friends, hangin with celebs, wedding crashing, country road snake wrangling, becoming Warriors, True Blood Marathons, one sweet Mansion anniversary date.
AND our beautiful kids?? Too much goodness.
We are entering a New Year, extra pukey In-Like with each other (please don't let that be a jinx!!) and I am eager to see the smiles next year will bring us.



3. Na'orlens Baby.



Honestly, I will repeatedly write/exclaim
"I Love the Heck out of New Orleans!!"
Traveling to Louisiana for the second trip in two years?? Amazingly lucky! Traveling with a few of my favorite people??? Indescribably lucky.


Seriously guys, when are we going back?
Give me a date.... I'm ready.

4. Coach's Birthday Party:
Words are unnecessary. We have the best friends.



Soooo....
What is my Number One moment??

The Very Best of 2011 #5-10.

This has been a pretty great year.
As I spent yesterday browsing the blog, I was left feeling full and amazed by how much I love my life. (Sure... I could use a new kitchen and a better pair of jeans) Still, I'm just plain Happy. (not the smiling, super friendly cheerleader-kinda 'Happy' ... more the totally content, Heart-Full kinda 'Happy')

Here are Ten of the MANY reasons Why:

5. My Tinkerbell.
This picture captures everything I love about my daughter. Her beautiful eyes, tiny perfect face, curls and mostly.. her touch of attitude. This year, Tink became a big-little girl. Running in her first race, attending school, losing TWO teeth! Talking and learning, loving her friends and cousins. It has been a gift, to love her for 5 whole years.

6. Having my Brother home for Christmas:

After a very difficult plight for my family, Uncle came home. Thus far, he seems much better. And more prepared for the future. Christmas Eve, we shared a very wonderful evening with him.... pink Barbies and all!! I am proud of him.

7. Summer with The Kid:
There is no child alive, who loves Summer more than The Kid. He loves being outside, playing in the dirt, swimming, spending Shelbyville weekend with his cousins. He eagerly anticipated our Summer Family Mondays and even managed a few impressive plays during an otherwise rough baseball season. The Kid, keeps us Summer young.

8. Me and The Warrior Dash:
Honestly, this race scared the heck out of me! But completing this race, gave me a pretty impressive confidence boost. Climbing up and over That One obstacle... felt amazing. Even though it took The General months to sorta forgive me, our story was easily one of my favorite memories of the year. And if he'll have me: I would love to hold his hand again, over a path of beaten down junk cars.

9. Coco and The Galway Girl's Show N Tell:
It's no secret our Coco is just a wee bit, uhhh... interesting, to say the least. She is full of sugar, spice and everything sometimes not so nice. But having her older cousin take her to Show N Tell, just to tell her class her baby cousin eats deodorant??? Priceless.

10. Our Relay Dance Performance:

Even though Coach TOTALLY threw my bouquet crazily in an obvious attempt to make himself look EVEN cooler... I love this video and could watch it a thousand times (and I nearly have). I love this family too much! I can not believe the crazy things they are willing to do. I appreciate their part in making my year, so amazing!

The Countdown continues, tomorrow.

Ariel's Flashback Friday

On this date in history...

On April 2, 1805 Hans Christian Andersen, one of the greatest storytellers, is born near Copenhagen.
Andersen wrote several plays that flopped, but he entertained himself by writing a series of children's stories. The first, (1835) included "The Princess and the Pea." Andersen released new collections every year, as he traveled widely in Europe, Africa, and Asia. His stories include "Thumbelina" "The Little Mermaid," and "The Emperor's New Clothes." He died in 1875.


Which is so oddly fitting, given that this evening, I will venture out to the Disney store. In search of little treasures to fill three Easter baskets. Essentials, such as washcloths that grow in the tub, beach towels, Tinkerbell flip-flops and other unnecessary junk.
All meant, to encourage tiny squeals of joy on Easter morning.
Because,
also, on this day in history...
Something kinda big happened with this guy....


And what better way to celebrate this moment, than with plastic colored eggs, children in bright matching dresses and baskets filled with non-biodegradable purple grass with Little Mermaid Sunglasses.

Happy Easter to you and yours. Mine and ours, will be about the cutest things you have ever seen at 8:00am Mass.
8:00am....dang, I really just put that out to the world....now, we kinda have to wake up on time!

Nothing like a small holiday message, mixed with a mini guilt trip, history lesson and discussion on the commercialization of spiritual events.

You are welcome.

Flashback Friday, 1986

I was recently told, that my blog felt a little like being cast in a funny play.
I consider this, a very high compliment.
My Company is Eighty percent, Coach's family. I very much appreciate, what great sports they are. Without you, I can not imagine how lame this blog would be. I could not have cast a better group, if I had held auditions.

Coach, recently cleaned out several boxes of treasures (old junk) from his parents' home. After diving in (throwing out) much of the goodies, we began to discover several items were his siblings. Reports cards, old newspaper clippings, a few applications for the DQ.... so very much dirty laundry for a blogger to receive.
I considered a post, devoted entirely to his family's old clippings but quickly thought the better of it.
If anyone, were to post old pics of me, without proper veto privileges...
I would just die.
Slowly and painfully.
Then, I found the golden nugget. The most precious and sought after, of all Flashback Fridays.
This post is not meant to humiliate or poke fun.
As a matter of fact, I am now just a bit more taken with the subject.

The eldest of Coach's clan, is Warhol. A graduate and pristine product of the 80's. In this one yearbook photo, I have NEVER and I mean never, seen such a perfect, shining example of the decade of decadence.




Am I the only person flashing, happily back to Christian Slater, in Gleaming the Cube? A younger, cuter Nic Cage of Valley Girl..or Kevin Bacon in Footloose?
How perfect, are those bandannas?
He is beyond rad.
He is totally, tubular.
I love it.

All this time, I thought I had nailed, the cutest brother.
Strictly, my opinion....Jackie, may certainly, disagree.

Dear Commissioner:

On this date in history, you took me man-hunting.

We had a specific list of characteristics.
1.) He must be taller than me.
2.) He must be kind.
3.) He must have a job, with insurance and benefits.
4.) He must be older, established and seasoned in life.

I have since, come to realize, none of the men you know, actually qualify in all Four categories...but you lined up your best bets and we headed out.

Now, like any great hunter, your prey was unsuspecting. We moved stealthily and with a keen, watchful eye. One by one, the Targets fell off my radar. Some, for superficial reasons... a few, for fairly legitimate issues.
We returned from our hunt, exhausted but in good spirits and ready for a post-outing party.
Upon arrival, we encountered my future Tru Love, the man of my dreams, the father of my children...passed out on your couch. Clothes, boots, hat and all....ready to bounce back and start Round Two (or maybe, knowing him, Round Three).

(actual picture, is it any wonder, I chose him?)

I sat down, next to this immediate Winner, engaging him in witty banter. Oblivious, that he was guilty of Not One, of my Four categories. It is not obvious, how Tall a person is, on the couch.
You would think, he could at least qualify for Category Two, but not from the glowing recommendation, his elder brother bellowed from across the party.
"Don't Date my Brother!"
"Stay Away from my Brother!"
"He is NO Good."
And other expletives, not appropriate for blog reading.

I could have registered your advice, except:

A.) The more negative and Bad Boy the review, the more attractive he became.

B.) Also, at this moment, your impeccable judgement seemed blurred.

For this night in history, is also the night, you were dared to eat a piece of dog food.
And. You. Did.
Commish.
Twice.
Making Jackie, a winner, as well.

I would like to commemorate this moment, by thanking you, for your poor advice. For warning me, so fervently against your younger brother, that it pushed me towards him, that much harder.
You were so very convincing in your disdain for him, I knew this must be the man for me.
Maybe, that was your plan, all along? Maybe, you really wanted us together and only pretended that he was a worthless, bad-news heart breaker?

You are a sly one....

One day, when our children are told an edited, sweeter version of this tale...you will be the hero, in our story.
The man, who convinced not One cousin but Two, to marry into your family.
Tricking two 'brown-eyed' girls, that we just had to turn your Family Tree, into our Family Wreath.

Well played, Commissioner, well played.

On this Flashback Friday, I would like to Toast, these two brothers.....

...for becoming cousins.

I love you, both.

Final 50's Flashback Friday!

Today, my brain is full of The Fifties...other women may be pondering their upcoming Valentine's Day.
Wondering about their sweetie and what kind of special gift they may receive.
I am SUPER excited to transport myself back to 1955 tomorrow night. That said, I am grateful that My Valentine and I will not actually be sharing this weekend 50 years in the past.

Reason #1. I am grateful that this is not the current picture of myself......




2.) Or that this is not the current picture of my husband....






3.) And that I will not be expecting the following gifts this weekend.....



(Though, let's be honest...a brand-new, updated Dyson...really is a gift filled with love.)

As I glance back at my final Flashback Friday and consider my (semi) modern marriage, compared to those 55 years ago.
I imagine it wouldn't kill anyone if Coach and I dressed better.
Or if I attempted to pretty myself up, when he stops home for lunch.
I really am a decent cook, but if dinner did happen to burn...Coach's reaction may be pretty similar to the Schlitz Ad ...and I wouldn't cry, while dialing the pizza place.

Mostly, I commend my grandparents and their generation.
Raising three children, is a job.
Raising 3 (or more!) children without a microwave, dishwasher, cell phones, air-conditioning, DVR or Happy Meals...would require way more than "Pep Pills" to keep my sanity.

I do not know how they did it, especially in nylons!

In closing:
I would like to thank our Relay team for all of their hard work and dedication. Please send us many happy thoughts for an extremely successful dance!

Tickets on sale all day...and at the door.
(last plug, I swear...)

Soda pop helps them bones grow.

With winter dragging on, I played a little game, I like to call "How long before I am forced to go to the bleepin grocery store."
Not a very catchy name, but they can't all be winners.
This is really the Russian Roulette of Housewifely Duties.

Goal: how many days you can make meals out of the leftover food in your cabinets.

The Lazy Susan, (though, Coach prefers we don't call her lazy...he thinks she doesn't like it)...therefore, the Relaxed Susan is our deep bench.
She is stacked with hidden plays and if nothing else, contains an array of canned goods in a pinch.
Unfortunately, once you lose one of the Starting Five to fouls/injuries....you will be forced to get to the store.
Milk, Water, Bread, Capri Sun (Tink's recruit) and a brand new player to our Game (thanks to our current weaning of Coco)...Baby Formula.
On day Four, we lost the game.

Now, if I had run across this Advertisement earlier...I could have earned us another day, at least.

Heeelllloooo....Flashback Friday.
Clever open....

8 more days until the 1955 Sock Hop!
Giddy up.