The other day Starr turned to me and said “I hate it when divorced moms call themselves ‘single moms’ looking for sympathy.”

I’ve heard the complaint before and I tend to agree. If the other parent is involved, taking the kids several days a week and paying support, you are not a single mom! You are a divorced/separated parent.

We get that not all parents parent equally and that parenting in general isn’t easy, even within a marriage/partnership, but we tire of women playing the “single mom” card. We think it discounts all the awesome fathers out there who do, who are involved, who love and support. They count too.

Single moms (or dads)  do it alone, all alone, all the time.

This is our opinion.

Where the Wild Things Are

This book wasn’t a part of my youth. I remember seeing the cover from time to time, but I don’t think we owned it. I don’t remember reading it. Although I had lots of books and I loved to read. Despite not having those childhood memories this trailer gave me chills. Starr and I are both looking forward to seeing it. We hope it’s as good as the trailer!!

Where the Wild Things Are – Trailer
featuring “Wake Up” by Arcade Fire

Listen to the soundtrack featuring Karen O, of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, here. I’m loving it:

Where the Wild Things Are Soundtrack

Buy the soundtrack here: Where The Wild Things Are Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Original Songs By Karen O And The Kids

I posted one of my favorite pictures of my dad the other day. I also wanted to share one of my favorite pictures of my mom:

I don’t know how old she is there, but look at those sweet freckles. And yes, she’s a redhead! I think this is the only time she ever had any length to her hair, I also think it’s adorable!

A bit of rambling to end the week:

I have still been struggling with this cold/sinus infection/mystery illness. Coughing, sneezing, blowing…running a fairly consistent low grade fever. I started my third round of antibiotics earlier this week and am keeping my fingers crossed. This is becoming ridiculous!! It’s been nearly two months. I don’t think I’ve ever been sick for this long before, I hope I never experience it again.

Starr has been home on and off this week as she has been feeling run down, head-achy and she is running a fever too. Although she hasn’t developed any more symptoms to work with. No cough or sore throat. I think she is feeling better today. I hope so!!

My blog reader tells me that there are 668 posts that are currently unread. I will be skimming. A lot!

A person who was an authority figure in Starr’s high school was arrested this week for inappropriate sexual contact with children. It is a sad sad thing, shaking the community soundly. It’s so disheartening when you learn about an adult taking advantage of children. This is the first time that it involves someone we were connected with. We hope that it’s the last time. Hugs to those involved and their families!

Today is Starr’s little sister, Sissy’s, birthday. Big 15! It is also the birthday of  DJT’s daughter. Two years ago she suffered a life threatening brain injury after a fall. As she celebrates her 20th birthday, I send her warm thoughts for continued healing. It is such a long journey.

Happy birthday girls!! I love you both. Very much!

This is my dad, as kid growing up on a dairy farm in Tennessee.

Look at that sweet face! Oh, and my dad looks kinda cute too! I am guessing that this would be from approximately 1948.

I ran across this link yesterday and just had to share: 80+ Strange and Fantastic Buildings Architecture

Here is a taste:

The Crooked House (Sopot, Poland)

I just love these.

It’s a small ring, it has no real value, except to me. It contains the only diamonds I own, all of my jewelry is hand me downs or sale items from Target or JC Penney. I don’t know the story behind this ring, as she had a story for everything, but I do know that in later years she had her three rings attached so that they were one. After she passed away the rings were detached and one of the segments was given to me. I wear the ring everyday. I can’t leave the house with out it, I can feel it as soon as I walk out the door. If it is missing, I go back and get it. Otherwise I feel off and disconnected for the day.

I have this horrible habit of playing with my rings. It is a nervous introverted habit that I will have to overcome. I am sure that my fidgeting is annoying to those in my presence, but it also endangers the safety of the rings!

When Starr was a synchronized swimmer, I remember dropping Grandmother’s ring in the pool area and it bounced along the concrete  and landed inches from one of the drains. Sadly, that scare didn’t stop me from unconsciously messing with my rings.

Saturday afternoon was a lovely day. I didn’t have plans, but decided not to waste the day and carted my book to the corner bar to spend some time on the deck, have a glass of wine maybe enjoy some dinner and watch the sunset. Just some alone time, enjoying the beauty of the day.

It was lovely and stress free. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, but there was a cool-ish breeze. The local college football game was playing in the background, and they were winning. It was perfect, I was in mini heaven. I took a picture with my cell phone because I was so comfortable in the moment I thought I might or might not share it later…

I was surprised when a two piece band arrived and began to set up. I decided to stay a while longer and see if they were any good. They were.

In the meantime I started playing with my rings. Suddenly I didn’t have control over the ring anymore. I saw it hit the deck and slide in between the slats to the river rock some 12 to 15 feet below me. My heart stopped. Damn.

It took me a moment to breathe and then I quickly found the stairs to the rocks below. The sun had started to set and I couldn’t find it. I was down there for a long time before I decided that it was just too dark. Heartsick, I returned to my seat and worried. How could I have lost the only piece of jewelry I owned that was irreplaceable? Panicked, devastated and broken, I texted Starr and she said that she would help me look in the daylight Sunday afternoon and not to worry. Easier said than done.

The rocks were daunting. We started directly below where the ring dropped, but it could have bounced anywhere. It could easily have been under a rock. It was “OMG!!! How are we ever going to find this ring?!?”. Starr said later that she didn’t see how we were going to find it, it seemed pretty hopeless, but after less than 5 minutes of searching she FOUND it! Mostly hidden underneath a rock, there it was!

I cried.

I hope that I have learned my lesson and can stop this mindless ring play.

Somehow, I doubt it.

mp3: “Finish Line” – Fanfarlo
I still can’t get enough of Fanfarlo…even if I don’t always understand the lyrics! The hand claps don’t hurt.
Reservoir
Fanfarlo-MySpace

mp3: “Swimming” – Shelley Short
Previously posted, but I’m in the mood.
Water for the Day
Shelley Short-MySpace

mp3: “Every Dog Has His Day” – Real Ones
I think they caught me with “I’m whistlin’ and hummin’ all day.”
All for the Neighbourhood
Real Ones-MySpace

mp3: “Small Town Crew” – The Brunettes
It may be the suggestion, but I am reminded of my youth in a small town.
Structure and Cosmetics
The Brunettes-MySpace

mp3: “High Ground” – Orenda Fink
There is something earthy and familiar that I really like here.
Ask the Night
Orenda Fink_MySpace

I won’t elaborate, but Starr amazes me. Her strength and determination in the face of this tragedy. Her ability to see what she needs to do. Her insight.

She had one of those moments last night, but this time she didn’t need to come home and escape. She used her sorority sisters and called me later to talk. It’s good. My job as “safe place” may be fading a bit, but that is the way things should be. Healing, growing, moving forward.

We are lucky, lucky that she survived the accident. Lucky that she has the character to grow from it and honor Sunny at the same time….but it sure isn’t easy.

Always love to Sunny’s family who are never out of our minds. Never.

I’m turning to another video today, but it is just so darn cute!

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.