Coffee Talk Mom

I did NOT expect that!

I went to church by myself yesterday. I wanted to, you know, throw it into the weekend like a fine day at the ballpark. Sometimes, we take for granted those things that seem like a "normal activity" for us. As I entered, the 7 piece band was playing a great song and I shuffled myself past a few folks and sat in the corner. (Remember, most Sundays I am on the stage, so it's nice to go incognito). I sang with the praise team with an occasional clap and was seated. Ahh…now for the offering…WAIT…OH No I thought! They introduced a couple from the church, who both teach Sunday school to 3^rd graders. They have a son who is fighting in Afghanistan. He is 19. My boys are 17 and 22. "Keep it together woman!" I was almost shouting to myself as they shared. The Dad shared what he knew about his son: location, attitude, and danger. His son once said "America is not at war Dad, they're at the mall". Once he began receiving care packages from Cherry Hills Community Church, his attitude began to change. He realized that there were people who cared, who were praying for his safety, who wanted to help. We were educated as a congregation. The shaving cream was not being used for a clean shave, it was actually saving lives. The soldiers chose to mark buildings and rooms with a smiley face or a frown face depending on if the area had been "swept" of IED's. The q-tips, although likely to ensure the cleanest ears of any battalion, were used to dip into glow-in-the-dark paint and provide the soldiers behind them a safe passage. The mom took the microphone and thanked the congregation for their gifts to the soldiers, while most of us started to cry in our seats thinking about her son in harm's way. As she concluded, photos of her sweet son in army gear ran on the big screens. The congregation was silent as she said, "May God bless the United States of America". THAT is when I knew, I was at church for a reason, not as part of my check-list, but because God wanted me to see that it's more than just a holiday…it is someone's child…and it could be YOURS.

Happy Memorial Day

Coffee Talk Mom

Why we burn…

Maybe we're crazy and YES, I'm a book lover, but there is something about the "school's out!" burn at our house. It all started when my oldest was in middle school. We had a bonfire the night of the last day of school, and with one flip of the wrist, the tradition was born. Last night, we had about 12 kids come over for dinner and to brave the stormy weather to burn whatever gave them the most trouble throughout the year. I used to worry what the parents thought of us, but in about 7 years, I have gotten past that! It is hilarious to have what I would deem "smart kids" participate. One girl said before chucking a notebook in the fire, "Wait…these are my AP US history notes…look how neat they are? I could probably sell these…I better not burn them!"…Yes, burning with a conscience at our house. On the other hand, my son had books at the ready. I carefully leaned over and said…"don't burn those books, Buzz"….He continued on with his notes and index cards from AP English instead! If you can believe this, I have even done this event while Dave was travelling. Looking back, I must have been CrAZy! Put a lighter in front of (mostly) boys and it is better than Christmas. Believe it or not, I now officially have a senior! These are the moments I will miss the most when he goes off to college. Dave and I will have to burn college tuition bills we pay off in a couple of years…any of you interested?

As a side-note, as we drifted off into sleepy time last night, I woke coughing (smoke can do that) and although it was raining lightly, the Dave got out of bed to check "the pit"…I knew we were in trouble when he said, "I better go out there before the fire department arrives"… I bolted out of bed to see the fire pit billowing smoke like never before! It took Dave about 15 minutes with the hose to put that baby out! He came in soaked and tired and I gave him the bad news…"You can't get back in bed until you shower the smoke smell out"…Ahh…the things we do for our kids!

Happy first day of SUMMER!!

Coffee Talk Mom

Facebook the inevitable social media…like it or not!

I have a feeling that, like many of you, this whole Facebook thing started out innocently enough. My kids wanted a page, and I wanted to be sure it was kosher. We have all heard how Universities are now checking Facebook pages, creeps can quickly become "friends" with your unsuspecting child, and frankly, kids can be stupid and put things on their page without thinking about how it may sound to others. More recently, I moved from caring about my kid's pages (one isn't even on Facebook anymore) and just reconnected with old (or I like the word historic better) friends, distant cousins, aunts and more. I love knowing that "all is well" without having to wait for the token Christmas card. Speaking of Christmas cards, why bother when all of your friends have seen the best possible photos of you and your family? I guess most of us like to open the envelope and actually see it printed and keep it in our (un-done) photo books.

The questions for me came when I realized that every time I "log on" or open some kind of account, they ask me if I want it "linked" to my Facebook. NO! Most of my friends couldn't care less when I walk through the door of the local pizza place or that I have read something in the Wall Street Journal. Speaking of articles, just a little ditty for you who think they are reading something on the internet and no one knows. Facebook has recently started posting articles that my "friends" have read. For the most part, who cares right? However, when a man from the church is reading about Jessica Simpson's baby bump or a teacher is reading a political article of some sort, it's hard not to judge. A friend recently told me that her friend started a conversation with, "I saw on "little Ricky's" Facebook page that…" which left her thinking…Do my friends police my kid's pages? There are some barriers we all must get over when using the site. Many of my peeps turn off their chat so it never looks like they are "on" when in fact they are. It's always good to remember that character is who you are when you think no one is watching!

Aside from the question of privacy, ads, and the basic "cool" factor (My Space who?), can Facebook last? As the 16 billion dollar IPO looms Friday, you may be asking "Should I go all in"? The fact is, lucky for you, this is not an investment advice blog. Personally I find it pretty amazing that they now have close to 1 billion users. I have a "twitter" account but I NEVER use it…NONE of my friends "tweet" (YES people I have accidentally used the past tense of this word!!) and most of them are on Facebook. Sure, when I blog, I send out an email that goes to a few friends who "don't really use Facebook much" or at all. I feel like my generation is the "sandwich" generation when it comes to technology. Most of our parents are not super stars on the computer, but our kids are incredible. My junior high had a "computer room" with 3 huge computers. We had about 30 minutes per week and we thought we were super cool when we got to use them. Now, there are I-PAD schools! My sons could not get through school without good, working computers. My kids truly don't know life without them.

The bottom line is this…Facebook keeps us feeling connected and it is an inevitable part of my world. It's free to use although the ads may drive you nuts…Mark Zuckerberg and his hoodies make my skin crawl BUT his IPO could save the state of California! (haha…sorry Greece…uh I mean CA) but I say STAY TUNED…Friday could be a fun ride!

Dear Mom…

It feels like yesterday I was laying with my head in your lap during the sermon at church. You always wanted us to be "in" the service and knew we would eventually soak something up…it worked.

I remember being upset when someone at the "ticket counter" at the airport treated me poorly. You straightened them out fast. If you are respectful and dress appropriately, even as a child, you should be treated with respect. If my boys need a belt or are wearing junk, all bets are off!

Sitting in the backseat of the Wagoneer on our way home from the eye doctor, I remember saying, "I can see…I can see real clear!"…Note to self…wear (don't lose) your glasses!

I am a mama's girl and hated it when you travelled…I could leave for camp…you just are not allowed to leave…sorry!

My shoulders are back, I promise.

My underwear are clean just in case!

Working out was walking to school…now we get in line for 2 blocks in our vans so our kids don't have to get up so early.

I'm pretty sure all of my adult issues are from the chemicals my baby bottles were made out of and drop side cribs.

The boys won't sing in the car with me on road trips…I've failed!...BUT I do remember the words to "My Grandfathers Clock" !

6x3=18 (INSIDE JOKE…One of us couldn't remember this so Mom baked a cake and wrote it in frosting)

I still know the last 4 digits to Lisa's phone # 1803…You told us to remember "I ate a tree"…never forgot it!

I wish I still had those green patent leather shoes!

When I can't sleep, I run through my prayer list…I know God got me up for someone!

Don't worry, I'll never host a party without a game!

I've been home (almost ) every day for 21 years "after school" and I remember having you there for me. This thought keeps me going.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, and remember, I have to leave first!

 

Potty Tawk!

Ok…let's face it…WOMEN PEE!...like…all of the time. Women can "pee on demand" I like to say …whereas men and boys are like camels. They can go all day and then suddenly have the urge. DO you remember your mom saying things like "Let's try to go potty"? For girls, it's like "Game on Mom" but for boys I would always get the response "Boys don't try Mom…They either have to go or they don't". This puts us girls in peculiar situations at times. Ya, I have a college degree, and I have been a "stay home working mom" for 21 years. I am proud to say that I know where EVERY bathroom is in the tri-state area. I know where every hidden gem is in the mall, the church, the school and more. This is quite an accomplishment, I know! Rather than writing a book on the subject and making countless millions, I figured I would just share with my readers some of the "gems" and "misses" in the realm of public bathrooms. You know what they say, the sponge in the sink is dirtier than your toilet. In some cases…as you will see…you will beg to differ. I have always felt that quality of the public bathroom in a place of business is a direct reflection on the quality of the business. One thing you must "NEVER" hear from the mouth of any self-respecting employee are the words "We don't have PUBLIC bathrooms"…What the heck does that mean? Our bathroom is too dirty? Our butts are too good for the "public" to use "our" bathroom? Put some fake flowers in a vase and call it a day, people…We need bathrooms!

Chipotle: I would eat off the floor!

Illegal Petes Downtown Denver: Peeing here should be illegal

Same as above, just hold it

Ahwww... watch that ladder! Bonus storage and potty all in one!

Fine art in our Colorado public school bathrooms

Carlas in Southglenn, you can shop and pee at the same time!