At least they're both red white and blue

Almost as soon as our company left on Saturday another co-worker of my hubs phoned to see if we wanted to meet them at a nearby Irish pub to watch the World Cup. Now a few years ago I would have turned to my husband and said, "What is World Cup?" but I've lived in England and I know better now. Because in England life stands still for World Cup. Well in an insane flag covered, jersey wearing, song singing kind of standing still way. On the other side of the pond World Cup fever makes people slightly crazy.

Here's a little story-the first year we lived in the UK we went to a local Italian restaurant for dinner during World Cup. This particular restaurant was always loud and packed and very lively and so we were slightly surprised to walk in and discover we were the only people in the place. We saw all of the staff in a back corner huddled around a tiny little TV set they had rigged up so they could watch Italy play. We sat down and my daughter ordered some sort of pasta dish. The owner came over with her food and without removing his eyes from the TV screen for even a split second he asked if she'd like Parmesan cheese on her dish. She clearly replied, "No thank you" and again, without ever taking his eyes off of the TV he proceeded to grate out a literal mountain of cheese on top of her food. We all kind of sat there with our jaws dropped until hubs finally came to and said, 'Uh, that's plenty.' Note to selves-eat at home during World Cup. Or head to a pub that is showing the game but if you do be prepared for some singing and some beer splashing and a little trash talking. Or maybe a lot of trash talking. Oh it is fun! Think about it...practically the entire country is cheering for a single team. That's a lot of spirit.

So anyway, we met friends in the Irish Pub Saturday afternoon and the friend's wife is from England and hubs wore his England shirt. I declared it too hot and humid to wear mine so went like Switzerland and was neutral in navy and white. The pub was packed and about three quarters of the crowd was American and maybe one quarter hailed from the UK. The atmosphere was a lot like the pubs at home in that there were men in jerseys with their England flags wrapped around their shoulders, there was singing and there was beer splashing and there was more than a little trash talking. In fact, we hadn't been there five minutes when a charming American man came over to the table and mooned the Brits. Believe me, there is not enough beer in all of Great Britain to remove that image from my head. Not pretty. At all.

We were snatched up by the British tables when they saw hubs shirt and we were sorta rooting for England anyway because its so huge over there you kind of get caught up in it all. Plus I love how smooth the coach of the England team looks in his suit and ultra cool eye ware.

No sweatsuit and beer belly for Fabio Capello. With a name like that he was born to be a footballer. You may in fact be surprised to learn that I know who almost all the England players are and I might also know more than a little bit about their personal lives too. They are huge celebs in the UK and you read about them on a regular basis in every magazine and newspaper published. I've read details of Wayne Rooney's wedding, Ashely Cole's infidelities, Steven Gerrards arrest after a brawl in Liverpool, and Frank Lampards super high IQ test results. I couldn't tell you a single player on the US team.

Until Saturday.

That's when my daughter texted me (yes indeed my girls were watching World Cup play) to say that two of the US mid field players were from her teeny tiny university and that was kind of exiting so I wavered. I mean I never root for the US to lose...I just didn't want England to lose either. Sigh. I think I'm far too emotional for professional sports. What do you think?

Anyway, the match ended in a tie which just does not feel right. Imagine an NFL playoff game ending in a tie prior to the Superbowl. In World Cup play teams get 0 points for losing, 1 point for a tie, and 3 points for a win so the top team at the end of the whole tournament is the one with the most points. Once they get past this first group round of play ties will be settled with penalty shoot outs. And I'm sure FIFA officials are choking on their ale as they read my scoring summary but I'm breaking it down here for the masses who just want to understand how a huge match can end in a tie. At least I didn't call it a game. Match is the correct lingo. You're welcome. And also, I'm pretty sure FIFA officials aren't reading my blog.

While a tie does seem odd I was kind of thrilled because that cutie who scored the goal for USA is in fact one of the two players who attended my daughter's university so Go USA. Except Yay Eng-a-land too.

And in case you aren't confused enough, Clint Dempsey, the player who scored the goal for the US and plays on the US National Team? Yeah, well his regular club is Fulham. That's in England. A lot of the US team play for clubs in England. Or Germany. Or Spain. Or places other than the US. Like I said, it's complicated. But its exciting too. And sitting in an Irish Pub on a sunny Saturday afternoon surrounded by the England flag and the sounds of grown men singing Eng-a-land...well, we may just have felt right at home.

A Peaceful Easy Feeling Never Gets Old

Our weekend kicked off early with friends arriving from Maryland Thursday afternoon. The two hubs work together and we've known each other for manymanymany years. Our friends also have two daughters and our four girls have been pals since they were tiny tots, our youngest girls since birth. We've shared countless meals and numerous beach houses and we even lived thru our oldest girls 7th grade year together. This was our first real visit since we moved back to the states last summer and those 7th grade girls are now both university graduates. Oh my. How did that happen??? Sigh.

Anyway, it was fun to catch up again this weekend and since we also share a mutual love of music we were all excited about seeing The Eagles. The concert was held in the brand new Meadowlands Stadium (home to the Giants and Jets) and the hubs was meeting us there. Thankfully another friend drove because NJ traffic is NJ traffic at rush hour heading into or out of NYC or points nearby. We had a little tailgate in the parking lot before the concert and then the rains came followed by a beautiful double rainbow over the ugly highway and we figured we should get inside the stadium while the getting was good. The stadium is super nice and will host the 2014 Superbowl. If you're a football fan best start saying your weather prayers now because NJ in February can be a teensy bit snowy.

Just sayin'

The concert was absolutely fabulous. Here's my brief recap...yes, I can so be brief. And my pictures aren't great because I was too busy singing along so words are all I've got.

First up-Keith Urban. He is adorable and we were all happy we remembered the binoculars so we could get a closer look. Well, maybe the guys didn't care but we girls did. At one point he went out into the audience and sang while playing his guitar all the way round the entire perimeter of the stadium. Did I mention he is adorable? Even when he's all sweaty from singing and entertaining the crowd. Maybe especially when he's all sweaty from singing and entertaining the crowd. Anyway, he talked briefly, just enough to introduce his band. Raise your hand if you love the Aussie accent like me. He sang all his hits and sounded great. And he's adorable. Did I say that already?

Next up-The Dixie Chicks. It's kind of a shame the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Dixie Chicks is Natalie's rant back in 2003 because these girls are so talented and can really sing. And they are amazing musicians and changed out their big guitars for little guitars for fiddles, for banjos etc etc etc. all throughout their performance. I absolutely love Natalie Maines voice. They sang almost all our favorites...we wanted them to sing There's Your Trouble because we love that one but even without it they did not disappoint. Speaking of trouble....Natalie did not look like she did when last we saw her...Thursday night she had her hair cut EXTREMELY SHORT and dark. Remember Demi Moore in GI Jane? Well, we all kinda thought Natalie had the identical look going on. Whatever... the girl can sing and they didn't say anything controversial so, yay!

Finally-The Eagles. Wow. They are still so awesome. I saw them way back when and they sound exactly the same. Just like they did in 1979. And 1994. Seriously, they have the best harmonies and they can all step in as lead singer and flip flop who plays what instrument. So happy to have seen them again. Their music is beautiful. They had a nice camaraderie on the stage too and they seemed to enjoy singing the songs I'm sure they've sung a bazillion and ten times before. When I hear music like theirs I wonder what bands if any are out there now that will be as timeless as The Eagles...can't think of many.

And of course since it isn't 1979 or even 1994 anymore we all agreed that a corporate box with big comfy seats, away from the elements, with easy access to food and drinks and a restroom with no line is now our preferred way to see a concert. Remember when you wanted to be on the front row and you didn't mind standing for five hours and you didn't have to worry about your ears ringing the next day? Yeah. Corporate box is the way to go people.

Our friends who were visiting used to live in this area back when we were here years ago so Friday morning we did a little drive around tour of the town followed by a nice lunch overlooking the lake. Later that evening still more friends joined us for a bbq at our house. We had all been at the concert together the night before and I suspect its unusual to be so chummy with so many co workers for so many years but we are and I love that about hubs company. The weather was nice and we sat out on the deck before dinner and because The Eagles never get old we might have looped their music ten or a thousand times during the night.

As per usual I'm long winded and I haven't said a word about World Cup...I think I will save that for my next post. In the meantime World Cup is 'soccer' for anyone who doesn't know. Except soccer is football everywhere but here. It comes around once every four years and its kind of a big deal. Particularly on a small island affectionately known as Great Britain.

You want random on Wednesdays? I got Random on Wednesdays...

Normally on Wednesdays I participate in the Weekly Random Dozen but our hostess Linda is taking the month of June off so I'm on my own with random stuff today. Fortunately random is more or less the theme of my blog so I'm not too worried.

Here's my own 'random dozen' thoughts this morning-

1. In a funny coincidence it turns out the restaurant where we had dinner last night is the very same restaurant where Danielle and Dina held their tete-a-tete on Monday night's episode of Real Housewives of NJ. I learned this piece of trivia from a guy my hubs works with which just goes to show you that you never know who is watching Real Housewives.

2. Our dog is a bird dog. We've never hunted with her but the instinct is there and every once in a while we're reminded of that fact. Like Monday night. She was out in the yard when hubs arrived home and he could tell she had something in her mouth so he called her over but naturally she ran the other way. He finally managed to get a look only to discover it was a baby bird. Ewww! We're pretty sure it fell from a nest and was already dead when she got hold of it because she is much more of a super model than a successful hunter. She loves to stalk birds, squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, and chipmunks but the only animals she has ever actually caught were injured, thus unable to escape.

3. I had a birthday cake delivered to daughter1 on Monday and I had to smile a little. When I placed the order the lady asked what I wanted on the cake and I said 'Happy Birthday Daughter1' (except I inserted her name). She then asked me if I wanted an enclosure card delivered with the cake and if so what should it say. I told her the card should say, " Happy Birthday Daughter1 (insert name of course). Love, Mom and Dad". So daughter1 sent me a pic of the cake and right there on the top it says 'Happy Birthday Daughter1's name, Love Mom and Dad'.

Ha-have you been to the website Cake Wrecks?

4. One year ago this month we moved back to the US from across the pond. I have a few thoughts about this (shocking I know!) which I think I'll save for another post.

5. Twenty six years ago this month I married my honey. Go us!

6. Tomorrow night we're going to a concert and I'm super excited. We'll see Keith Urban, The Dixie Chicks and my favorite band ever, The Eagles. Kind of an interesting combo of musicians but whatever. It will be at the brand new Giants stadium and yay! for corporate boxes.

7. I'm rooting for the Flyers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I know they're the underdog but don't count them out yet. There's a reason their nickname is The Broad Street Bullies. And in keeping with my random theme, here's a piece of useless information for you...I spent four years of high school sitting beside the son of the Flyer's then coach, Fred Shero. The Flyers won two Stanley Cups when he was boss. It ain't over til its over!

8. I had a pedicure yesterday. I heart pedicures. To the nth degree. One of my favorite ways to spend an hour. When I eventually get to China with my hubs I will be having a foot massage for sure. They come highly recommended.

9. Speaking of China...here is a picture of a squirrel fish prepared for my hubs on his recent trip to Shanghai-

It looks a little bit like a blooming onion but tastes nothing like a blooming onion. Because its a fish. According to my hubs, it is also delicious. The part sticking up is actually pieces of the fish that have been breaded and deep fried. And hey, this post may be random but you can't say it isn't educational too.

10. I am in love with a plant called trailing verbena...

It is beautiful in a pot or basket and comes in many gorgeous colors. My mom had some purple and white trailing verbena in pots at her house and they were just jammed with blossoms. Of course my mom can look at a plant and it will grow. I have two hanging baskets filled with shades of pink and so far so good.

11. I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow and that makes me happy. As long as my hairdresser doesn't do anything crazy I mean.

12. We also have house guests arriving tomorrow and then more arriving on Friday and as a result I have a zillion things to do today errand -wise. Which means I best get off the computer and on to my to do list. Ciao!

A Real Housewife from NJ

Yesterday I was cleaning out my refrigerator because that is what real housewives from NJ do and as I was cleaning I saw a couple of episodes of the show by the same name and it got me to thinking about something. Do people who read my blog watch that program? Do people who read my blog think all NJ housewives are like the women on that show? Does anybody think I sit around with my friends every day and every night and talk about other 'friends' who aren't there? Excessively. To the point that you want to cover your ears and sing lalalalala when they start talking? Does anybody think I would spend over $1900 in one fell swoop in a children's boutique? Does anybody think my hubs would be okay with it if I did? Uh...he wouldn't, just so we're clear.

Speaking of reality programming (and I think 'reality' is now a misnomer because seriously, editing is not part of 'reality'), are you watching The Bachelorette this season? Last night was something. Not sure what word to use but let's just say the new bachelorette is definitely the touchy feely type. Can we say awkward? I can't help myself...I always think of their mamas watching and cringe. Alot.

And my poor hubs.

I saw the first two episodes when he was out of town but when we were channel surfing over the weekend (yeah, the life of a NJ housewife really is pretty exciting) I told him that they were replaying last week's episode if he wanted to catch up and he said, "I am NOT watching that!" Last night he had a business dinner and I was secretly happy because it meant I could watch the new episode and text my daughter back and forth with commentary throughout the show because that's what we like to do.

Except hub's dinner ended early and he came in while the show was still on.

Oh dear.

So he sat down on the couch and began telling me about some stuff at work and before you know it he is commenting on the wrestler's hair and all the tears and whoa, she's friendly isn't she? Again, it's like a train wreck... you just can't help but get sucked into the drama that is reality television. And fyi, boy drama on The Bachelorette is different than girl drama on The Bachelor. And I know it sounds sexist but it feels different watching a Bachelorette audition potential husbands than it does watching a Bachelor audition potential wives. Different in a sleazy icky sort of way.

Okay, back to the real housewife from NJ...today I'm headed to the gym and then will finish up some cleaning in preparation for house guests arriving Thursday, plan menus, indulge in a pedicure, vote in the primary (yes, real housewives from NJ vote), and meet hubs and some friends for dinner later. There will be no swearing, no table turning, and no excessive bling in case you are wondering. Just another glamorous day in paradise NJ.

I really don't understand why I don't have my own show?

She's 2-2-Sweet

22 years ago today I fell in love with an itty bitty, blue eyed, blonde- headed baby girl. Sigh.

Just before daughter1 graduated from uni I made a DVD for a senior night her sorority was hosting in which parents can send scrapbooks, letters, DVDs, etc. to be shown as part of the program. I know you're still trying to get your head around the idea that moi, Miss un-tech, actually created and burned a DVD but I did and I'm still pretty pleased with myself a whole month later. I'm posting it on my blog today in honor of daughter1's birthday. You can watch it or not...it is about 7 minutes long and those are 7 minutes of your life you won't get back. Or in my case 175 minutes because I've watched it no less than 25 times. I'm her mother, what can I say?

Because I still like to have a little privacy on the ole blog here I have edited out a few of the captions. And two slides are black screens for the same reason. oooh...sounds mysterious doesn't it? It's not...just personal stuff that I figured I wouldn't put out there on the world wide web.

Anyway, grab your coffee and enjoy or not....and go visit daughter1's blog and say Happy Birthday today. I feel I must add here that this is the first birthday in 22 years that I am not with her on her special day. Whaaaa!!!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Make your own free picture slideshow

"Sisters, Sisters..."

This post is part of Flashback Friday hosted by Linda...you're invited to link your own post on today's prompt-siblings. Visit Linda for details and to read more Flashback Friday posts.

'To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.'

~Clara Ortega

When I was expecting my second child I was pretty sure I was having a boy. I never had a single ultrasound in that pregnancy so I wasn't basing that thought on anything other than a feeling, but everything about my second pregnancy was different than my first so I just thought 'boy'. And I remember one of my first thoughts when I heard the doctor exclaim, "It's a girl!" was, 'I'm so happy daughter1 will have a sister'.

'Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way.' ~Pamela Dugdale

Sisters are special people. Even when they annoy you. Borrow your stuff without asking. Touch you when you are jam packed in a seat in the back of a station wagon on a multi hour car trip in the days before portable DVD players and hand held games. When they want to play with your friends all the time even though they know that because they are younger they will always be assigned the role of boy or dog or bad guy in every game you play. Even when they blab to your parents at dinner one night about a road trip you took to the beach when your parents thought you were at uni studying for exams in order to take some of the attention off of her own moment of misbehaving that was being called into question. Even then sisters are special.

I have two sisters, one older and one younger. I also have an older brother so I'm #3 in the sibling food chain. I'll talk about my brother another day but suffice it to say he's easy to get along with, everybody likes him and his sisters all love him. I'm sure having three sisters isn't wasn't always a picnic but he's a good sport.

Back to my sisters.... We are three very different people but the ties that bind sisters are tightly woven. My older sister is seven years older than me. I have loved her since the day I was born according to my mother.

I think she probably saw me as 'her baby' and in family photos we're always sweetly sitting together. My mother made me a scrapbook a few years back and one of the things she included was a letter I wrote to my parents when I was 'running away from home'. I can't imagine why or where I thought I was going but I am guessing maybe I just liked the idea of running away. Anyway, in the letter I let everyone know I was running away but I did include a p.s. that states, "Tell #1 sister I love her." Even mid temper tantrum I knew.

She has a heart of gold and I can tell her anything and she responds with the appropriate sympathy, empathy, or advice. She lives near my girls and I can always count on her to be there if I need her to be there. When I graduated from uni she and I shared an apartment for one brief year and we had such fun. Oh it was fun. Really really fun. Did I mention we had fun?

Now, you know how I said in all the family photos sister #1 and I are sitting sweetly together? Well, sister#2 and I not so much.

Okay we do look pretty sweet in this one. But in many family photos I am crying and/or pouting in the background and her face is front and center with a great big proud toothless smile. She was an imp as my dad used to say. We're only fourteen months apart (I'm older) and we shared a bedroom growing up. Do people still have their kids share bedrooms? Sometimes we absolutely hated sharing that room. Other times we were glad for the company of a sister, for our mirror opposite just across the room. People always thought we were twins but we didn't think we looked anything alike. And there was plenty of sweetness but some saltiness too. We could get into some pretty good arguments over the most ridiculous and trivial things when we were kids. I guess that is the essence of most kid disputes-trivial. My mom worked part time when we were in jr. high/high school and we'd sometimes call her at work to settle an argument. You can imagine how much she loved that.

'She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.' ~Barbara Alpert

Time does funny things to our memories... I have to work hard to remember the bickering now but I do remember lots of other bits...giant games of paperdolls spread out the entire length of our living room, barbies and kiddles underneath the big tree in the back yard, making up skits, the dress up box, sharing clothes, toys, books, and secrets. Sitting on either side of our mother while she read us the novels of our childhood. Sitting in the tree fort on our grandparents farm. Riding bikes. Coloring pictures. Hanging out at the pool. Having inside jokes. The comfort of having another person always there, to talk to, confide in, and even to argue with. Home.

'Sisters share the scent and smells - the feel of a common childhood.' ~Pam Brown

We're all grown up girls these days with children of our own and I'm more thankful than ever to have sisters in my life. And I love having daughters who are close in heart to one another. My own girls are each other's best friends and that is how I see my sisters.

Linda asked how we felt about our birth order and having or not having siblings. I only know what I know. I imagine I'd be someone different if I were the firstborn or the last, if I were an only child or had only brothers or only sisters.

'A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self.' ~Marian Sandmaier

Each person's childhood is unique and if we're honest most of us would say we lived a range of emotions and experiences... happiness and sorrow, elation and disappointment, boredom and wonder, in our growing up years.

I think my childhood was rich. Not in material possessions but in the sense that I was allowed the time and space and love I needed to grow into the person I am. Third child, second daughter, a sister. That's me. And I wouldn't trade that for anything.

The Upside

There is an upside to having a husband who travels.

And that upside is presents.

I like presents.

And I like jewelry.

And I especially like presents that are jewelry.

When my hubs got home last night he said he bought me something in Shanghai. He pulled out the gift bag and I asked if this was an anniversary present because we have an anniversary coming up in a couple of weeks. Or maybe a birthday present although my BIG birthday is still a few months away. No, just a present. Or three.

Cultured pearls are a bargain in China and you have to negotiate with the vendors. He loves that sort of thing...he is all about the negotiating. It usually pays off too.

I love these pearls. The set on the left looks white in the photo but they are more of a pewter color. The set on the right is a combination of white, pewter and a gray blue and they are my favorite. He also bought me a bracelet and it's all white. And he may have bought a little something for daughters 1 and 2 but I'm not showing that here since they read my blog.

Now, who thinks I need a nice dinner out to go with the jewelry?

Oh, and I think I've told you once or a hundred times that I also love pottery. And since hubs will be in Istanbul on our anniversary there is a certain set of beautiful brightly colored dishware made in Turkey that would make an excellent anniversary gift.

Just sayin'...

Even though we don't really exchange gifts on our anniversary.