And in other news...

While in the car in Saranac Lake, I heard the song "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" by Phil Collins. I hadn't heard it since it was released, oh...eons ago.

I looked at Joe, eyes wide.

"Wait...what is this song about?"
"You know what it's about."
"IT IS? Holy shit. I never really listened."

I swear, I thought it was a tragic love song. I mean, it is Phil Collins after all. And he's gonna make it right, tonight, tonight, tonight, OHHHH ohhhhhhh. And it was used in an ad campaign for beer, for God's sake.

This, from the woman who thought that ELO's "Evil Woman" was actually "He's a Woman."

Home

Total hours spent in car: 35

















We hit the road last Tuesday after my shift, around 11PM. It took us fourteen hours to get to Brooklyn. When we hit the city, I was stuck to the window like a tree frog. Then I heard Joe say, "There she is. The city." I'm all, "Then what am I looking at now?"

It was Jersey.















Holland Tunnel. Ten minutes of claustrophobic yumminess.


Brooklyn. So great. I could have sat on the stoop all day, talking to people, scarfing down pizza, and waiting for the ice cream truck. Seth jumped rope with the girls next door. A dude named Speedy lives two doors down, and plays the trumpet. Badly. But he'll regale you with stories of being in the drum and bugle corps. Joe ran into some of the neighbors, who had not a clue who he was. Then recognition washed over their faces, and hugs and smiles ensued. The shopkeepers were a trip. They engulfed Joe in Spanish chit chat, thinking him Puerto Rican. Joe just nodded and grinned. And OHMYGOD the pizza. Jimmy's Pizza has spoiled me rotten. Rotten.
















Totally got scolded for taking this one. No photos allowed in the subway since 9/11.



We took the subway to Manhattan (LOVE THE SUBWAY), and hit the Museum of Natural History. Seth and I walked around dragging our jaws on the ground. I won't even try to explain it. It is indescribable. Being a lover of all things shiny and beaded, the Hall of Gems and Minerals held me captive. Seth identified most of the fish in the Marine Life room. It was grand. Then we hit the road again, bound for Saranac Lake and Joe's 20 year reunion.




















We left Brooklyn around 6PM. At nine, Joe decided to call some hotels in Saranac, to see what's available.

Answer? NOTHING.

The Ironman triathalon was storming through Lake Placid that weekend. All rooms were either booked or $400 a night.

I called my sisters in a panic. Thank you, Amber and Nadine, for helping to save my ass. Amber booked us rooms in Plattsburgh (or Puddinville, as I dubbed it), which is about 45 minutes outside of Saranac. Arrive at 1AM. Man behind desk? Complete and total jackass. Dear Mr. Scott Whateveryourlastnameis, may you grow hair in unsightly places, and may your breath always smell of cheese. Kisses! Heather Turner.













It was Twilight Zone-like being at the reunion. I saw a part of Joe that I never knew. A chapter of time that defined him and shaped him, and I have no clue about it. It's really wild. Joe summed it up this morning:

"Being at my reunion, seeing all those people from school, really slapped me in the face with mortality."

Amen, my husband.

We arrived home on Sunday morning, after a seventeen hour drive. The sunset on the ride home was crazy gorgeous. The boys were troopers. They slept most of the way. I'm still in a mild sense of shock over that.
















And if any of ya'll know someone who needs a chef in the Adirondacks, let us know. Because that place? Is heaven on earth.

To: Jenny From: Heather

Complements of the Museum of Natural History.

I do this in love.

NYC

So. Joe's 20 year reunion is next weekend in Saranac Lake, NY.

We are all going. The whole family. Driving to Brooklyn for a few days, to see Joe's grandma, then up to the mountains.

I'm either a brave, fierce mama who is taking life by storm! Adventure! Excitement!

Or.....

I'm incredibly clueless and delusional and facing a road trip from hell.

Please, keep hope alive that number one is the correct answer.

So, the plan. The Museum of Natural History, Coney Island, Katz' Deli, a Mister Softee ice cream, Central Park. It's gonna be spectacular.

In other news:

The Squeeblis is crawling. And standing oh-so-tall in his crib. Height=Loudest Screams Yet.

The speed at which I lowered that mattress was astounding.

Jello. So sweet, yet so frustrating...

Student of the Month

Betcha can't tell who the boisterous parents are.

Update

All is well. Things are busy. Nonstop, actually.

Joe is working 65+ hours a week. I miss him like crazy. But he is doing what he loves. He is cooking. Finally in the position of head chef. And I couldn't be prouder. Joe is so good at what he does, and so good at managing people. He keeps his head about him, stays cool, gets the job done. And is respected. It is amazing to watch.

Seth is in West Virginia with his dad for two weeks. He is fishing, hiking, cooking. Rick taught him to ride a bike yesterday, and thank God. Honestly, I was dreading that. Seth fell twice, then took off and rode six miles on a mountain trail. I miss him and worry incessantly while he's gone. I also enjoy the little bits of time I've had to myself. But I want him home.

Jackson! Still not sleeping through the night. To make myself feel better about that, I've just resigned myself to the fact that I'll NEVER. SLEEP. AGAIN. Then, if it happens, I'll be pleasantly surprised. He enjoys the hours of 3AM to 5AM. Party time! WOOHOO! I sit on the sofa, waiting for him to calm down. BET happens to have jazz on at this ungodly hour, so that is nice. He is also sitting up, crawling a bit, and has two new teeth. And will eat anything you put in front of him.

He is, without a doubt, Joe's clone.