BailOut?

So Banks are failing, and Wall Streets a mess... and insurance companies, well, I guess "we the people" now own one. And I, the staunch Democrat, have an opinion on that, as I do on everything else in this universe.

So, I don't really want to bail these guys out.

(Because they sound alot like the Ken Lays, Jeff Skillings and John Rigases of the world, among other things.)

When you have an idea like Universal Healthcare for the citizens- SOCIALISM!

But Wall Streets failing, you want the taxpayers to save you, SOCIALISM!- but that kind is ok? I don't really want my money to go for that sort of thing. I'd rather put it to use for something else.

I have to say, I kind of, GASP! agree with the House Republicans on this one.

We live in a starter home, within our means, our mortgage is secured by a local bank that will not sell our note. We dont use credit cards. One car is paid for, the other isn't...but it will be. Were cheap, i guess. But we have three wee ones. We used to live a whole lot better on a whole lot less eight years ago. We felt the sqeeze on the middle class first hand, and that may have something to do with why I don't feel like helping out people who could care less about my family. President Douche first and foremost.

Yet.....

My Man works at a dealership, so we need for open lines of credit to keep the dealership secure. My friend who's kids are in my charge works at a bank.....so we need for things to go well. I just disagree with bailing them out.

Funny how shit flows downhill .

I am not better off now, than I was eight years ago. Are you?
Oh, and our income has almost doubled.

Have I forgotten anything?

So this week my very good friend went back to work.
Her husband is a corrections officer stationed back in my old stomping grounds of Orange County Ny. Even though he is making more money than they ever did when they were both working, the cost of fuel with his commute home every other week coupled with rising heat costs has forced her back into the work force.

She is the mother of four. Three of whom are aged four and under...well three and under, soon to be four. She was so glad to finally be able to stay at home with her kids, in her new home they recently purchased. But her old job called her and asked her to come back, and I was available to care for the kids, as I had her oldest son and the younger ones throughout the years and so it goes.


It has been hectic. Last weekend was a non stop whirlwind for me, and then on Monday morning, there were seven. Children that is. They are so good. And it is a very rewarding job. But Im feeling a bit tired, not to mention that my little Princess, as well as my friends little Princess, both had puking spells this week. Hers was on Weds. My daughters was this morning. I now feel like my stomach is doing flip flops.

It is naptime, so I am doing a quick blog to connect my thoughts and clear my head.
I am half packed, the favors and manicure tools are packed with the directions, my dress and shoes are ready. I need hose and some sort of bra...although honestly, I do not.....My Princess is packed and ready, the Princes' clothing is ready to go. I need to sew a button on my Darling's suit jacket because I prefer the navy one and he wore the other to Bridget's wedding last month. I have her card. I should've dyed my hair and I really need to double check my eyebrows again. I have made the arrangements for the doggies. My very sweet husband cleaned out the fridge for me last night. So really, everything needs to go into suitcases, and I need to polish the few words I will be called upon to say. And I know what I want to say.

Now if I havent forgotten anything. And as long as I don't get sick tommorrow.
My sister, my oldest friend in all the world gets married! I am so excited. It is also the first time that me and my husband head back to Niagra Falls since our honeymoon. So I'm also a bit nostalgic.

SO I am off and running. Quite eager to leave my little one horse town for a few days and celebrate a new beginning with the folks I love.

Love is a Mix Tape

I recently read the very awesome Love is a Mix Tape by Rolling Stone's ( among many others...) Rob Sheffield. If you are in your thirties, or even late twenties or early forties....take a gander at this gem. Please. This music loving, reformed wild child Momma former Librarian begs you.....

It is a memoir of his time spent with his late wife. Yes, it has some very hairy parts that are tough on your heart. But, it a wonderfully crafted homage to music and love. Especially the music of the nineties. After I read this book I wrote the blog " Waitress in the Sky".
It may just stir up a little something in you. Or at the very least, remind you of that person you swore you would be, back when it mattered so very much.


So here's the question I pose of you, inspired by this wonderful book as well as the killer blog clever girl goes blog.blogspot.com.

What would you put on your ultimate mix tape?

Here's mine:

Born to Run-Springsteen - Its been my favorite song as long back as I can remember. This love of all things Bruce was passed to me from my Mom and Aunt Jo ( my namesake) as was her original Lp on vinyl. This may be where the "proud working class American how dare you question my patriotism" thing comes from.
Evangeline-The Band -I like the version from the Last Waltz with Emmylou Harris. I love this song, it stays with you for a bit after it ends.
Jackson-Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash -Shining example of why I don't have to defend loving country music as much as every other genre I love.
Ready or Not-Jackson Browne- I was once young, single and pregnant. I swear to god Jackson Browne helped get me through it. This song used to make me HAPPY, so happy I would dance around my room singing this to the little baby boy in my belly, named Jackson.
Paradise by The Dashboard Light-Meatloaf - Cheesy you say, Ha! If you are alone in your car, and you are not cranking this at full volume and singing your heart out, you missed out. I used to do a killer Kareoke version of this with my friend Scott, back when I was a drinker.
Franklins Tower- The Grateful Dead -It makes me want to dance, and Roll Away.
Last Day of Our Aquaintance-Sinead O'Connor -If you've ever been there, you know. You just know by the pain in her voice.
Barracuda-Heart -I love the Wilson girls. And thanks to Guitar Hero, I love it more.
My Sister-Julianna Hatfield -Long Story, very cool and influential chick in my life. And great story involving my sister and the ride to see JH just trying to get her to "her first all ages show"
Frankie and Johnnie-Sam Cooke - I'm a jealous woman on occasion. And I really dig Sam Cooke.
Fascinating Rythm-Ella Fitzgerald -I love Ella. And I can really show off my stuff on this tune.
Harvest Moon-Neil Young - Reminds me of me and Tommy. And makes me teary eyed everytime I hear it. How odd is it that a song Ive been hearing my whole life suddenly takes on new meaning and has that effect?
Sugar in My Bowl-Nina Simone - Horniest song ever written, sung as only Ms Simone can do.
Tenth Avenue Freeze oUt- Springsteen - Listen to it without moving. I dare you.
I shall Be Released-Bob Dylan -Not much for spirituals or hymns. For me, that is what this song totally is. At this moment in time, in 2008 in America, I find this song very comforting and somehow uplifting.
Levon-Elton John -Just love it. Always have. Its really kind of a weird song.
Going to California-Led Zeppelin- My favorite Zeppelin song. It reminds me of Tom. Thats reason enough to love it.


Write one. It does your soul good. And listen to it darn it.

I chose mine this way:

I HAVE to listen to these song blasting. I just can't do them at normal volume.

Enjoy. Have a nice day. Be good to one another!

and down will come baby...

Sometimes I think that i am living in a Bob Seeger song. Seriously. I am Running against the Wind, so to speak. I do not mean this in a good way.
This will be an especially dreary post, and I'm sure it won't be long lived. But for the time being, I am melancholy. I don't know what or who I should be, only that I am no longer cutting it. It seems that I constantly do and say the wrong things. Those I look to for guidance in these matters are the ones who seem completely opposed to me at my core.

Normally, I don't care what anyone thinks. But this is different. This is my heart. Where did I go wrong that I have become such an incompetent moron? And why did a strong, self confident woman become one who lives inside her head questioning her every move, crippled with anxiety?

I am so tired of always ending up being wrong, after trying my damndest to always do the right thing and appease everyone. I am just so tired. I am very disapointed in myself. I am disapointed in alot of things. Mostly I hate that I have gotten so good at being a gracious loser, and appologizing for things I shouldnt. But that is the way of my world. And now I have to get back to my life, full of people who depend on me for more than they even realize, and yet think I am very unimportant. But hey, this pity party is over and my big girl pants are on.

Ode to My Dad

My Dad loves Baseball. But he loves the Mets, as does my sister Jen. We will forgive that. My friend Sara, who has known me longer than any of my friends, other than my sister; will appreciate this post. She too, is one of his daughters, the unofficial one.



My Dad worked for many years as an executive for a Fortune 500 company. We moved every Four years or so growing up. He worked long hours, but he didnt miss the important stuff. Case in point, softball games. My Mom was our Coach, so was Dad. Dad usually got there in the 3rd inning or so. We would see him walking down from the road to the dug-oug losing articles of clothing. Jacket, tie...rolling up his sleeves and coaching in a dress shirt and dress pants, always sweating profusely.



(He gets that from my late Grandfather Anthony Trimboli. He was a big sweater. Happy Fathers Day Pop Pop. We miss you. He was the only other person in my family who liked Barbra Striesand besides me. He's been gone a long time now. I miss my Grandparents alot. I wish my children knew them.)



The girls on the softball teams loved my parents. They were fair, everyone played. Everyone learned. And everyone had fun and felt like a winner. My Dad used to get excited. Sometimes he argued. But he was always there. Sara thought it was cool that he was there coaching in business attire. I think probably because her Dad wore the same kind of clothes and she hardly saw him. But she saw my Dad. He was there for her too.

We grew up on baseball fields. The kids even got to play in the adult ball games. Most likely because we were so good...but thats besides the point. Im very lucky. My Father is there in all my childhood memories, and all my adult memories, and in all my childrens memories too. And if he stops smoking, he may be there into their adulthood too!



We went camping and skiing every year. My Dad can cook eggs over a campfire that melt in your mouth. He tells storys about his childhood that we still dont know if theyre true or not. All we do know is that he had bike parts, not bikes. He was the youngest boy of seven and he was called "Worm" His brother Steve sent him mail adressed to Worm Trimboli. We should all ahve a brother like that.



When I was a teenager, I had a hard time passing my road test, despite being a good driver. Laugh, but it's true. Ive always been a nervous person. It's diagnosed. So when I flunked the second time around, with the same instructor....my Dad lost it a little. He called her the c word. Now before, you get all high and mighty, consider this: You've driven hundreds of hours with your sixteen year old daughter. She's failed for the second time and is looking at you with tears in her big blue eyes. He tried to talk to the woman and got stonewalled. Then he went off. I always say how embarassed I was. But not really. He then went to the DMV to complain about her. I had to retake my pewrmit test and resign up for my road test. Which my Mom took me to and I passed. ( new instructor) My Dad was trying to be his daughters hero that day. If the instructor had been a man, no doubt my Dad would have been arrested. ( But, Im sure I would have passed!)



My Dad's always been there for me. Through the good, the bad and the ugly. And the man knows how to jerk a few tears too....As I walked down the aisle to marry Tom, He said to me:



You go be his Queen, but you'll always be MY Princess.



Happy Fathers Day Daddy. I love you.

(NO) Good Mornin Ma!

I can admit I am not always sunny and happy. But I do try. God knows I have four other people in my home to keep smiling. This being said, I will freely admit, I was never a morning person when I was a kid. Sorry Ma. But I got that from my Momma. But now, at the ripe and tender age of 33, Im good in the mornings. Mostly to counteract the sourpusses.

This morning it was just me and the guys. Sophie and her cousin Kyra spent the night with my Mom.
And everyone with a penis was scowling. I got two or three words from my husband and no kiss good bye. I got eye rolling, " Gawd!", "Jeez" and foot stomping from Jack. From Mason, sheer attitude because I said , " You don't have gym, its hot, Wear your Flip Flops." They're so lovely to me in the morning as I make their breakfast, lay out their clothes, clear their dishes, pack their lunch, and then drove them the 1/5 mile to school because it was 8:25 and they whined all morning about this or that, and Jack doesn't like to be late. Even if HE can't find HIS library book! Oh, and its HOT. I think we need to go to Georgia. Then we'll see how hot it is.

What I wouldnt give for one morning of smiles. What would it take to get one morning where everyone gets up out of bed on the first Holler of their name, and comes down smiling and happy. Oh, I forgot, Its called Christmas. And I can only handle THAT stress once a year, barely.

Better Yet, How about if I give what I get? I guess not huh? Thats probably considered child abuse. I'll just blog good naturedly about it and hope like heck that when they make their way home at 3:07 they are feelin a bit kinder towards ol Ma. Or Else.

Paul Begala's Jackie and Hillary from HuffPo

Here's a piece by Paul Begala I lifted from HuffPo. Im posting it today because, this dream dies today. But if everyone Rallies behind Obama, we can take back the White House in November yet....Please remember what the past eight have been like for you and yours. Can you afford four more? What good did it do to earn the right to vote if you don't use it, or if you use it to vote for more of this evil? Im reposting this for Hillary. And her supporters like my Mother. I love you.


Ask my ten-year-old Little Leaguer, Charlie, who his all-time favorite baseball player is and you won't hear Jeter or Berkman or Big Papi. Nor even Mickey Mantle, whose autographed picture hangs in Charlie's room -- a gift from The Mick to Charlie's dad.
Without hesitation Charlie will say, "Jackie." As in Jackie Robinson. Not only was Jackie one of the greatest to ever play the game, his very presence in the game changed it forever and for the good.
So it is with Hillary. Her presence in the presidential campaign has not only been impressive on the merits, it's been historic for what she has had to overcome just to do her job. The sexist signs: "HEY, HILLARY: IRON MY SHIRT!" "QUIT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND MAKE ME A SANDWICH!" The Hillary Clinton nutcracker (get it?), and all the rest.
I expected that. What I did not expect was for the so-called mainstream media to behave little better than the bigots on the streets outside her events.
The radio clown Glenn Beck called Hillary a "stereotypical bitch" and yet is treated as if he had something serious to contribute to CNN Headline News and ABC.
MSNBC gave a platform to the magician-cum-comic-cum-crank Penn Gillette, who said Hillary did well in March because it was "White Bitch Month."
Alex Castellanos, on a night when Hillary was winning a primary by 35 percent, told CNN's audience that Hillary is called "a bitch" because, well, some people deserve to be called by that epithet.
MSNBC's Chris Matthews said Hillary owed her entire career to her husband's marital mistakes (and then, manfully, apologized).
The Washington Post broke the news flash that Hillary, in fact, has cleavage.
Her figure, her clothes, her hair, her voice - all of it mocked and savaged in a way unimaginable if she were a man. She has not only endured the jeers and the sneers and the smears, she has triumphed over them. She never answered their hate with rage. She just went on winning.
Just like Jackie.
Women have been running for President since 1872, when Victoria Woodhull ran on the Equal Rights Party platform. And yet no woman -- from the estimable Shirley Chisoholm to the remarkable Pat Schroeder to the impressive Elizabeth Dole -- has ever won even a single primary. Until Hillary. She not only won 20 primaries, she earned 17 million votes in the primaries -- more than any woman before her. And more than any man before her as well.
To be sure, she's made her share of mistakes. As a strategist I have long seen her effort as an example of a candidate outperforming her campaign strategy at every critical juncture. Still, Jackie Robinson struck out hundreds of times.
The Democratic Party has decided, wonderfully, bravely, remarkably, to double-down on history this election. And so Hillary's struggle against sexism has played out parallel to Barack Obama's graceful and courageous rise above racism. He, too, has endured taunts and threats and bigotry. He, too, has answered hatred with dignity. He, too, knows how Jackie must have felt.
So when Barack praises Hillary's tenacity, her trailblazing spirit, it is not patronizing, as some Hillary supporters have suggested. It is, I think, an empathetic expression of a powerful truth. Nobody -- not even her husband -- can fully appreciate what Hillary has overcome. Except Barack.
For me this primary season ends where it began: with the firm conviction that there is no need to vote against anyone, but rather to vote for someone. I am so proud of the person I voted for. I do not know if a gal who grew up following the Cubs in the National League and the Yankees in the American League has ever stopped to think of the trailblazing Dodger. But I know this: if you ask Charlie who his favorite politician is, he unhesitatingly replies, "Hillary."

My Soul Mate

This August Tom and I will celebrate our 7th year of marriage. I think we need an award for that milestone personally, but I know other people do it everyday. Our parents have been married for 32 years respectively. I am of the opinion, that for me, personally, marriage is a sacred thing to be done once in a lifetime. That being said, I understand divorce. I also often wonder if marriage is a natural thing for everyone, or if for some it is an unnatural arrangement?

Having been married now for the better part of a decade, I can't imagine living alone again. I wouldn't want to. I hate it when I have to go to sleep alone. But I sometimes wonder if I was cut out to live with others, if maybe I am one of those people that wasnt cut out for the living arrangement. It has very little to do with how I feel, but more to do with the series of things I put others through in order to live with me. I am not a person for whom domestication has ever really held any kind of great interest. Household operations are things I loathe, I only do them to please people I love. I DO like to cook. I LOVE my kids and nurturing them, and spending time and being with them and my husband. But the other stuff, eh. I have put my husband to the test more than he has deserved. And sometimes he did deserve it. But I am hard to live with. I am unpredictable, and my mental state often deteriorates quickly, and without warning. Its hard for me, and harder for him. But he stays, and he loves. While I am usually a brave person, when I am terrified, he is my hero. Everybody needs a hero. When I was at my very, very lowest Tom was out there, fighting for me. Kicking ass and taking names. Trust me, you don't want to meet "that Tom".
He made me strong again. He took the reigns, reeled me in and brought me home again. I spend about half of my time doubting myself and thinking Im bat shit crazy, and then Tom and I finish each others sentences....and I know I'm gonna be ok.


Seven years. I still love him. Very intensly. " He is the cheese to my macaroni." And with the goings on of daily life we are often pulled in a million different directions, and our heads left filled with the days worries and calculations stealing our peace, but I love him. Always have.

This about sums it up. I wish I could say anything half as pretty as Neil Young.....

Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin'
We could dream this night away.

But there's a full moon risin'
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.

Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.
But now it's gettin' late
And the moon is climbin' high

I want to celebrate
See it shinin' in your eye.
Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

Changes

So I am enjoying my retirement! lol Well, Im not Really retired, but I am for the summer. I am thinking about maybe starting a small business, but havent found any inspiration yet. My hubby would like some tax write-offs! So I am actively brainstorming and planning, and I'll elaborate when Ive decided on a concrete plan. I'm honestly much more interested in working on remodeling the house right now.

I am anxiously awaiting the end of the school year. I love summer vacation. We have lots of fun things planned for the kids this summer. I cant wait to get started. I am keeping my fingers crossed that traveling will be one of those activities. There are lots of places to see, and folks we are missing!

Theres not much else to write other than that, but I hadnt posted in awhile so I felt the need. I am so glad to be free of the stress of the Village of Arkport. I hope when the time comes more good, decent people like Jerry and John will run to fill the vacant posts and get these horrible new people out of office. Its hard to quit a job you love, but loving life and living well is always the best response to a hostile situation. I am better off, and so is my family.

Enjoy the Sunshine and Love each other!

Kellys Awesome Blogging Adventures

Okay, Basically I copied this directly from one of my myspace blogs, but I wanted to repost it here as well. This is a terrific blog and I'd love to see it get as much traffic as possible. Im sure if you give it a try you'll find something you like!

http://waitingfortips.blogspot.com/

Hi Everyone.

The link above is to my very dear friend Kelly Cottons terrific blog. Some of you may know Kelly, others may not. Kelly has been a server in Ga for some time now....I worked with her at Johnnys before I headed back to NY. She is the best waitress in America with a heart the size of Texas. She also happens to be one of the funniest, hard working, loving people I have ever met. Please take a minute and check out her blog. Especially if you've ever made your living in the very honorable, very tiring, often aggravating service industry.....First there was waiting, now theres Cotton.
* Just a side note- Have you ever seen me Smile big and very sweetly and quickly say"Fuck you very much." So that you didnt even know I said the F word? Well, my girl Kelly is the originator of that lil gem. *
* And another thing- way , way before 9/11, in 1998, Kelly and I had a boss who was somewhat of a PizzaNazi. He made folks cry from time to time. Kelly once cut out Bin Ladens photo and perfectly placed it over his picture on his liquor license. It was there for days before he noticed. He was mad, but she told him how rich Bin Laden was and he seemed ok. (Like I said years before 9/11.) Kelly, way ahead of the curve!*