Dine at Rios Brazilian Steakhouse with the Mudworks crew

     I got to sit with a real live caveman or two this fine evening.  They couldn't decide on which meat to eat so they ate all of them.  You name the cut of beef it was there and then add some turkey, chicken, lamb and pork to the mix.  I think I ate more meat tonight than I have the past few months combined. 
     The funniest part was when the young waiter (think Brazilian John Mayer) came over and offered his spicy sausage to Leigh Ann.  He threw in a few eyebrow lifts for flirty measure and when it came time to take the picture with his tasty meat she seemed just a tad flustered. 
     The  company was wonderful, the food was yummy and the laughs were plentiful.  We needed a night like this... just prior to leaving for our fun little dinner we BOTH discovered that our basements were flooded.  Nothing we could do at that moment so we headed down to Rios to  drown ourselves in meat instead of nasty basement water.  

Say "good morning" to a packet of soy sauce

     Yesterday we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant.  My five year old (the hoarder in the making) decided he needed to keep a packet of soy sauce.  He held it in his hand for most of the remainder of the day.  I found it cute that he wanted to tuck it into bed.  It found its nesting place in the ear of headgear and its blanket was a sock.  We said goodnight to soy sauce.  I assumed that was the end of it.
     This morning I was greeted by my adorable son and his cheery smile AND the packet of soy sauce to which I was instructed to say good morning.  "Good morning, Soy Sauce!".  He said that he slept well.  I also went on to find out that he is ten years old, used to wrestle and enjoys playing chess.  Who knew a packet could lead such a full life.  We were very careful to keep him safe in his pocket when we ate the leftovers for lunch because the table is a dangerous place for a packet of soy sauce. 

Watch my child perform in her first piano competition

     The theater was full of little girls in plaid, buns, bows and pearls.  They had done this before...many were seasoned performers.  They had a bow complete with hand flourish.   We were the new kids and boy did we feel like it.  Or at least this Mom did. 
     I sat there wondering if I should have dressed her differently or made her hair fancy.  I was hoping  that 45 minutes a day of practice and an hour lesson a week was enough.  Should she have started before the age of 7?  Many kids were home schooled.  Was I doing enough??? I then realized these doubts were my own.  Not hers.  These doubts were about me.  She was just fine.  We picked a perfect outfit with appropriate hair to play a piece of music flawlessly.  I sat there with tears in my eyes as she played.  My heart pounding so hard it could have been in the percussion section.  She was perfect. 
     The category had 2 winners which is one less than it usually has.  Budget cuts had bothered even this. They played beautiful pieces as well and we were happy for them.  I was very proud of how she handled everything....the playing, the performing, the "losing".  Her immediate reaction was to begin to contemplate next year's performance piece.   That said so much.
      It's hard being a mother.  If we were already doubting ourselves as women...nothing like a baby to make you wonder even more.  But today I was reminded of the strength they help us to remember.  They are mirrors.   As she hit the keys to the perfectly timed tempo I relaxed.  I sat still and took a deep breath and let the notes wash over me as she played in the theater.  I watched a little girl sit at a grand piano on a stage in our sweet little town.  We BOTH worked hard to get her there.  I told her that someday she might even be up on that stage again playing to a sold out crowd and to please remember her biggest fan and maybe hook her up with some free tickets. 

Join a CSA

     One would think that a little girl in the Bronx would know nothing from fresh vegetables and gardens.  This wasn't the case with this particular little girl.  Spring meant turning over the dirt in our garden.  My parents would grab the shovels and work their butts off for a weekend or two prepping it for the new seedlings.  This was followed by the trip to the nursery to buy plants and herbs.  All summer long we could run to the little plot of delicious heaven for any number of veggies.  I snacked on cherry tomatoes and peppers often.  My Mom had her beloved array of hot peppers and tomatoes.  I was in charge of watering which was fine because as a small child I loved any excuse to shoot the hose around the yard.  It was part of a summer tradition.
     As a grown woman the idea of a garden seemed nice but I was well aware of the amount of work that would go into one.  I have magazines and books to inspire me.  I have threatened to start an herb garden, cutting garden for gorgeous flowers and a raised bed garden for veggies.  Of course there would be a composting heap nearby and it would be all organic and natural.  The reality is I barely have time to water my houseplants.  When I heard that the CSA in this area was mere minutes down the road I grew even more interested than before.
     I romanticize I know...I picture sunny days when we drive down to the farm with the pooch to pick up our baskets of produce.  Birds are chirping and the sweet smell of herbs and flowers fills the air.  Ethan is in his special farmer overalls and gloves (he mentioned wearing them today) and is excited to help pick some of the veggies.  I will try out lots of new recipes, maybe learn to bake a pie and even can some fresh produce for the winter.  I will make things I've never made before and devour oodles of the crispy things I love.  Good timing with my new healthy approach and all.   Even my Dad seems excited.  I am hoping to load my counters with vibrant flowers and maybe enjoy the occasional brown egg or fresh chicken as well.    I hope to teach my children of the hard work that goes into gardening and farming.  Maybe it will excite them to pick a vegetable, wash it and help make something with it.  Eating habits could perhaps change a bit.  I told my little man that this is a test drive to see if it is indeed something we want to dive into for next summer...a trial run of sorts.  I will share I promise...Jenne, I know you are drooling at the thoughts of all of that cauliflower!  If we get a crop of a thousand tomatoes be prepared for a delivery.   Maybe I will add a fourth meal to the day called "salad".  Now if you'll excuse me I have recipes to research...

By the way...CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  The people pay the farmer and volunteer their services and then pick up the shares of the crops weekly for the season.  I think my Dad was a little thrown at first that it was a crime scene something or other...but he was quite excited when I explained the real deal.

Freiki

     It started out as a need for some coffee.  I met with my buddies, Ryan and Frank, at the local coffee shop that has recently dropped the letters from its logo.  I even ordered some nasty light, skim, weird mocha coffee something or other to keep up with my new attitude of March.  We talked and laughed and discussed many things...tv shows, fitness, philosophy...you name it.  I made mention of my still sore ankle.  You remember the one I hurt after flying off of the step?  Frank went on to tell me more about his recent study of Reiki and offered up a quick session of healing.  I did not hesitate.  First of all I have respected a few masters of this practice through the years.  Then there was the fact that I watched my Mom's numbers change on the monitor while she was in the hospital during a Reiki treatment. 
     Though the sounds of seagulls and the ocean playing in the background kind of made me feel like giggling I have to say it was a wonderful feeling.  I was open to the experience and waited to see what would happen next.  Not only did I feel a warmth and a tingling but I was extremely relaxed at the same time.  The crazy part is while both of his hands were on either side of my head but not touching anything there was actually a few small shocks...you know the type you get when you run around on a carpet to zap someone?  Nobody was moving and yet the energy was that strong.  He concentrated on my knee for a bit even though I did not mention it being sore.  As he moved down to my ankle I could feel the warmth move as well.  It was a very unique and comforting feeling.  The ankle felt better at first.  I was prepped that sometimes it takes a bit for the energy to move through.  On the way home while just driving my car it felt very different...almost painful for a quick burst and then quickly changed to feeling the best it has felt since the tumble.  
     I left today open for a new thing to present itself to me.  I'm so glad things went the way they did.  After a very productive morning it was nice to spend some time with good friends and some healing...emotional and physical.  I am grateful for the time he spent with me...oh and Frankie,  if you should go on to practice Reiki ...you realize you HAVE to call it Freiki!

Celebrate Seussday!

Tonight we had green eggs and ham
I cooked them in a pan with Pam
I put the dye on all the meat
I dripped some green upon my feet
The egg was tricky but dyed as well
My daughter found it oh so swell
Unlike her Pop who made a face
It did not slow the eating pace
I read the story as they chewed
On a meal made of green food
I'm glad we had  the chance to play
Dear Dr. Suess - Oh happy day!!!

Open a packet and cry tears of pure pride and joy!

     On the way home from school today my daughter informed me of a packet to her parents in her backpack.  It was a typical manila envelope only they had taken several security precautions and sealed it, opened the little metal clasp and taped it as well.   I was well aware of the special testing that they had been doing so I had my inklings. 
    The packet of papers would go on to tell me that my daughter was well...to put it simply...brilliant.  Her IQ was a lovely number and her scores and ranks and percentages exceeded the average.  Line after line just got better and better for pages.  What made me even more proud were the comments left by the teacher, counselor and psychologist.  She was a kind and creative girl with an ability to solve problems and see things in a new way.  The accolades went on and on.  I will spare you all of the quotes but do know that if you should come by my house I will be more than happy to show you. 
     I looked at this adorable little face...the one that is catching up to my own height all too quickly and the tears just started streaming.  I stood there explaining how proud I was and then why I was crying.  It overwhelmed me.  It was as if someone showed me the past 10 years in 10 seconds...the thoughts and images zipped through my mind.
      I ate right to prep for a baby.  I did everything right through the pregnancy.  I slept on the proper side and drank the right amounts of water, etc.  I went through 34 hours of labor knowing she would be worth it.  I breastfed for 14 months because I read somewhere that the longer you could go the smarter and stronger the baby would be.  I read to her when she was too little to hold a book and marveled at how she suddenly knew when to turn the page as a tiny kid.  She heard all types of music, ate food from all over the world and traveled as much as we could afford.  She was talked to and listened to and adored by many.  She took art and played sports and played music.  I wasted no time with this child.  Even summers were spent very carefully.  She was my masterpiece, my masters degree, my symphony, my Nobel prize, my novel.  As I stood in the kitchen watching this beautiful child smile at me I realized it was all worth it.  I question almost every aspect of my life and this was the chance to remind myself that the thing I valued the most turned out just perfectly.  All of the devotion and energy that I put into her little body will all come pouring back out for the world to feel.  I realize that nature vs nurture is at play.  Sure, she has two really bright parents (heh) and music and art and athleticism are in there as well...but I will not overlook the nurture part.  Nurtured....she WAS!  I held her and new thoughts poured over me as well.  I can't move fast enough to show her all that I want her to see.  Thank goodness I still have plenty of time. 
     Just when I doubted so much about my life a little manila packet brought me full circle.   She doesn't need to know just yet that her IQ already surpasses mine...but she will know the pride, joy and love of a mother who is her biggest fan.  My numbers for those things are off the charts as well!