My Thankful List by My Guest Sister Whitney

My Thankful List - Whitney, Age 23

A Apples. Especially Honeycrisp.
B Beer, Beatles, the Beach.
C Cooking, Caffeine, Chocolate, Cappuccino, mmm.
D DC, my current home! My perfect city for now.
E Egg Whites.
F Friends, friends, friends. I can't say this one enough. Mine are pretty freaking awesome.
G Girlfriends, an especially wonderful kind of friend.
H Huckins, my summer home & Hamilton, my college home. And I do love a good hug.
I iPods… keeping the soundtrack of my life on at all times!
J Jeans -- specifically 7's, Citizens of Humanity and Paige. I will spend entirely too much money on just one pair of jeans.
K Kashi, Kisses.
L Lattes, Laughing a lot, LOST.
M Maine, Music.
N NO homework on Sundays for the rest of my life. I honestly feel a wave of relief about this every Sunday evening.
O Older siblings… they are full of wisdom & support.
P Puppies.
Q Quentin (age 3) & Sophie (age 1), my Tuesday night dates.
R Running. My afternoon run everyday keeps me happy & healthy.
S Sunshine, Spain, Sarcasm, Salsa, Soft Serve.
T Trashy tabloids. Nothing better!
U UGGS! I don't care if the trend is over, they are pretty damn comfy!
V Vitamin water -- it works wonders.
W Wine, Wit, Woody Allen, WW.
X Xanax. No, I'm kidding. I don't know!
Y Youth -- taking advantage of it while I still can!
Z Zeppelin (Led) -- everyone needs to rock out from time to time.

Five Days And Counting......

Five days and counting.... another holiday program, a trip to Target, some shopping at my favorite local haunts "The Wee Loft" and some surf shops, a few hours working as a "travel agent" (thanks to my friend giving me some home office work) and one more day of school for my second grader and my sixth grader (my five year old finished today as of 2:30 p.m.) Now I'm mentally preparing myself to finish my two stories, creating some kind of family holiday card and finding time to bake cookies for a cookie swap, that I may or may not be able to attend due to church obligations and a football game starring my fantasy man Tom Brady. The game is at 1 p.m. and the cookie swap is at 4 p.m., so I may be able to do both, but if I can't find time to bake cookies, then I am out!

Time is what I need! Is it too late to ask Santa for a little extra time? I figure my Christmas wish list is used up on my big request. I really have been a good mother and wife this year and feel I deserve that special something or someone in my case, the very best, best quarterback that is.... "All I want for Christmas is a quarterback, a quarterback, a quarterback! All I want for Christmas is a quarterback, a quarterback, a quarterback! Tom Brady!" Okay, if he can't come for Christmas, then tickets to a playoff game or the Superbowl would be acceptable. Fifty yard line, Patriots side! Thank you! One dedicated mom! NO MORE PROCRASTINATING! 5,4,3,2,1!

Nothing To Do But Start What I Haven't Finished

What am I doing? Six days until Christmas and I am spending time in kitchen making Chicken Parmigiana from scratch, squeezing tomatoes into a pot and making a big mess, and baking Mississippi Mud Cake for the fifth time, when I should be writing my Spectacular Christmas Story and running and SHOPPING! A week ago I started writing my Christmas story and was pleased with my beginning, but a middle and an end, I can't seem to come up with..... Oh, and I have not written any Christmas cards either, something I usually pride myself on finishing by the first week of December. At this point, I will be lucky to have New Year's Cards and if I don't do those, then I may as well consider myself off many people's Christmas card list next year. What am I doing, I ask you? As a good friend put it yesterday, "My friend, you are procrastinating! Anyone that would spend their morning blanching tomatoes and squeezing them into a pot is avoiding starting something else!" Or in my case, finishing my Christmas story and finishing my Christmas shopping! HELP!

My Holiday Spectacular

Okay, this is just a quick blog to let my readers know that I am not on some kind of early Christmas vacation from the Mother Lode. I am actually focusing my energy on my "Holiday Spectacular," spectacular story that is, and running four miles a day to avoid looking like I should be sporting a Santa suit for Christmas. I hope everyone is well (avoiding the pre-Christmas flu) and not too stressed by the pre-Christmas shopping frenzy and to-do lists. A Mother Lode of warm holiday wishes!!!!!

The One Leg Lamp

All I want for Christmas is a leg lamp (and Tom Brady)! Only the coolest leg lamp from one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, "A Christmas Story." It was a few years ago around Christmas when I saw my first authentic leg lamp. My three older kids and I were in the car and we drove past a store with a leg lamp in the window and my oldest daughter started yelling as we drove past, "The leg lamp, the leg lamp! Mom, its the leg lamp!" Since I was driving, I missed it. We were on a one way stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, so I had to turn around and drive around the block to see if she was right about seeing the lamp, and lo and behold, there was one in the window of one of my favorite local surf shops, Girl in the Curl! I was in shock, I couldn't believe these leg lamps actually existed. Oh, what fun it would be to own one, but I have four children and leg lamps are "FRAH-GEE-LAY!" Oh, dare to dream!

My Review for "Mothering Heights" and BVHE

LOST: The Complete Third Season/ The Unexplored Experience

Created by Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof
Starring Naveen Andrews (Sayid), Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond), Emilie de Ravin (Claire), Michael Emerson (Ben), Matthew Fox (Jack), Jorge Garcia (Hurley), Josh Holloway (Sawyer), Daniel Dae Kim (Jin), Yunjin Kim (Sun), Evangeline Lilly (Kate), Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet), Dominic Monaghan (Charlie) and Terry O’Quinn (Locke)
ABC DVD
Amazon $59.99
Reviewed by Liza Marchant

LOST is probably one of the most, if not the most, cerebral series on television today. LOST is more than just a series about a group of people being stranded on an island, but a show about a group of people who are metaphorically and philosophically “LOST.” The show challenges the most well-read viewers with parallels to literature as well as questions the bounds of good vs. evil, fate vs. freewill, black and white, life and death, rebirth, redemption and salvation. My advice: Get LOST on your couch with this seven-disc DVD box set and discover or rediscover the secrets of the island, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, the “others” and the bonus features.

LOST: The Complete Third Season is the LOST fan must-have! As any true LOST fanatic knows, each episode contains subtle clues that can easily be missed the first time around. I was more than thrilled to receive my pre-release DVD box set (as was my husband if only to free up the 23 hours of memory I had used for LOST episodes on our DVR) and continue my Post-Thanksgiving malaise “crashed” on the couch watching all 991 minutes of the seven-disc set.

For me, it was a great recap of what may have been the most pivotal season of the series in answering questions about the island and who the so-called “others” are, as well as shedding more light on the “Dharma Initiative.” I would have to say my favorite episode is “The Man Behind the Curtain” (a reference to one of the my favorite stories "The Wizard of Oz") where we see how Ben the leader of the “others” arrived on the Island and how he became the leader of the “others” with a shocking ending (I don‘t want to be a spoiler for those who haven‘t seen it.) I know fans were disappointed by the slow start of the series last fall, but all twenty-three episodes are worth a second watch.

What makes owning this collection priceless is the viewer’s access to the bonus features that aren’t shown on television. As a writer and avid reader, I really enjoyed the bonus feature “The Lost Book Club” where the creators and actors discuss the show’s special relationship with literature and the connection with books like "Of Mice and Men", "The Turn of the Screw","A Wrinkle in Time," and "Watership Down". To the observant fan and viewer, this only enhances one’s view of the plot and subtleties of the show. The other bonus features or should I say “juicy tidbits” include deleted scenes and behind the scenes discussions about the plot and clues from various episodes that make this DVD set a key companion to the true “Lostie.” I really enjoyed the glimpses behind the scenes. Of course all would be "LOST" without having all twenty-three episodes at one’s fingertips.

I recommend that all LOST fans add this collection to their holiday wish list! If you have never seen the show, I recommend purchasing season one and two which are also available on DVD (a key note mentioned several times on the season three DVD!)

10 out of 10 Binkies

The Mother Lode on the Baltimore Ravens

Apparently the Baltimore Ravens have stopped trying to win football games since they failed to beat the New England Patriots last week. After watching Peyton Manning score the first touchdown in last night's game against the Ravens, my husband and I decided to watch a movie together. When I checked the score later and saw that it was 44-7, the Indianapolis Colts lead, that pretty much confirmed my initial feelings that the game was a no-brainer. The Ravens really saw no reason to win knowing they have no shot at playoffs and beating the Colts, what would that mean anyway? If they had beaten the Patriots last week, that would have meant something. That would have proved the Patriots were "beatable", but trying to beat the 10-2 (now 11-2) Colts, what would that mean? Nada!

Lucky Lawrence Scores

I am not sure what to say other than I am completely jealous of Lawrence. To be so close to Tom Brady at one of the most exciting games of the season leaves me with one question: How did you get the ticket? Okay maybe more than one question. Will you be going to anymore Patriot games and can I go with you?

The Mother Lode on the NFL: Patriot Games

What's going on in the NFL? Have the commentators lost it? I know the New England Patriots haven't. They are 12-0. Yet, lately all I hear about is how the Patriots are being "broken down" and the other teams have finally found "the way" to beat the Patriots. But has that happened? No. So what's the deal? The Patriots have won all of their games. Maybe the reality is that the Patriots are finally playing teams that want to win. Frankly, all of this talk about the Patriots being "broken down" leads me to question, did people actually believe other teams were not capable of beating the Patriots?

Okay, I know the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens have had less than mediocre seasons, but they are the only two teams in the NFL (that have played the Patriots) that have stayed within a field goal when losing to the Patriots (remember the Indianaplois Colts lost by 4.) The question I have, is did they come so close because they figured out the "secret to stopping the Patriots" or because they are capable of playing good football?

I believe all of the teams in the NFL, minus one or two, are capable of winning at any given time. As fans and viewers, we witness this week after week. The spreads are out there. There are teams that "should win" and don't. In fact, sometimes its the underdogs that have the blowout victory of the week. Reviewing last week's games, the Miami Dolphins were favored by a slight margin over the New York Jets. But who won? The Jets won 40-13. A twenty-seven point margin. Was that inconceivable? Were people shocked? Miami stinks. How about the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos? Denver was favored, but Oakland won 34-20. This happens. Teams that aren't favored to win, do, making the spreads seem insignificant.

Sure, the Patriots came out strong early in the season. They had some huge wins, but realistically do teams often win by twenty to thirty points week after week? I suppose only if they are playing teams like the 2007 Miami Dolphins. (Oops, I didn't say that!) The twenty point spreads in favor of the Patriots have become insurmountable. Case in point, they were favored by 20-22 points over the Eagles and the Ravens and only managed to win by three. Is this because New England fell apart? No. They played against two teams who played like they wanted to win. In fact, if I were an Eagle or a Raven, I would have been pissed that my team was the underdog by twenty points. If those spreads weren't a slap in the face and motivation to play tough football, I don't know what would be?

Its a given, the Baltimore Ravens are notoriously known for their crappy offense, but they are also known to have one of the best defenses in the NFL. That is how they ended last season with a record of 13-3. So, why is it suddenly so inconceivable that a team with their great defense would not be able to contain the New England Patriots? And can't people remember, especially the commentators, that teams play harder near the end of the season. Even the teams with losing records like to take away playoff hopes for the teams that have a shot at making it. Here's how I see it, the Ravens and the Eagles didn't somehow unlock the "secret to stopping the Patriots" they just went out in did what they were capable of all along, playing good football.

The Reviews are In and My Husband is a Star!

From "BACKSTAGE WEST"

Almost, Maine December 05, 2007
By Eric Marchese

John Cariani's 2002 play, a set of vignettes about the nature of romance, is fresh, funny, and insightful. The scenes are slices of love that look at those who feel said emotion's ecstasy, endure its folly, and undergo everything in between. Cariani's wonderfully constructed, well-written schema delivers seven successive scenes that unfold concurrently, at 9 p.m. on a Friday night in the middle of winter in the small Northern Maine town of Almost. Director Steph N. Davis' cast of four -- Albert Bohorquez, Sean Marchant, Bettina Saam, and Sherryl Wynne -- portrays all 17 characters, and although some of the scenes may have played better using additional actors, these four give finely nuanced performances that suit the textures of the material, presented strongly and with great self-assurance.

Maine native Marchant adds authenticity through his accent, creating several memorable portrayals, none as indelible as that of a man whose girlfriend of 11 years decides to end the relationship when he seems to shy away from marriage. Reminiscent of a heavyset Alec Baldwin, Bohorquez is fine as a repairman who helps a literally brokenhearted woman move on in life and funny as a lummox incapable of feeling physical pain but wary of the emotional distress romance can inflict. Wynne shines as a tomboy whose longtime best friend (Bohorquez) wants to move things to the next level. She and Bohorquez are also well-matched as a long-married couple desperate to regain the magic in their marriage but unsure how. The biggest revelation of this cast is Saam, who essays five distinct roles, giving each a reading worthy of a starring role. She's much like Holly Hunter: a tiny but mighty emotional powerhouse. She's paired twice with Marchant, twice with Bohorquez, and guided by Cariani's words and Davis' hand, they work something close to magic.

Presented by and at the Orange Curtain Theatre, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano.

The Icing on the Cake: Finding the Recipe!

I tell myself I am only going to eat vegetables at the birthday party and the soccer party. Its bad enough its that time of year where I have obligatory holiday parties that I have to attend, but my kids parties? Now I have to factor those in too?

In the car I prepare myself for what could be a potential food nightmare. Two parties in a row and then a pre-theater dinner with my girlfriend. Pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, dip, cookies, birthday cake, soccer cake and maybe even alcohol (very common at Southern California parties.) In the car, I repeat to myself as if in some ritualistic silent prayer, "I will only stick to the vegetables. I will only eat vegetables. I will only eat vegetables. Think carrots. Think tomatoes. Think sugar snap peas. Avoid chips, no matter how much you think you want them, you don't. Do not eat chips. I will not eat chips, dip, pizza, hot dogs or hamburgers and under no circumstances will I touch any cakes! Absolutely NO CAKES!"

Good intentions and self-made pacts and reality are two different stories. At party number one when the hot dogs and hamburgers came out, I felt pangs of hunger and I failed to stick to my vegetables only plan. I blew it! Although, I managed to save myself from the cake, because I don't like ice cream cakes. But then, just I was patting myself on the back for staying away from the cake at party number one, I found myself at party number two with another cake in my face.

What I wasn't counting on was my dear friend tempting me with her homemade cake (a rare commodity in Southern California.) How was I to turn my friend down when she took the time to bake? I have to admit at first glance I was tempted to play the full card. The cake did not look appealing. In fact, the cake (which my friend would be the first to admit) looked ugly, if you can call a cake ugly. Could she not decide what kind of frosting to use and then use both vanilla and chocolate? The cake looked like a chocolate and vanilla swirly mess with the names of the girls on the soccer team written over it.

I figured I would try a bite. Then I would smile and say "great cake" and when she was not looking I would toss the rest. Who knew that I would later refer to this cake as "a drug in the form of a cake?" A cake I would obsess about for the rest of the weekend and probably the rest of my life. I was really blindsided by how the marshmallow and chocolate butter crème frosting complimented each other. The cake was dense, moist and fudgy and when combined with the frosting could only be described in words as "sinful." Sinful in that it tastes great and comes with the taste great price tag: all the fat and calories to boot!

I vowed as I was eating the cake I would never ask for the recipe, but as soon as I made the vow, I found myself telling my friend she could make me this cake for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, my birthday, my children's birthdays and on and on and on. Any holiday or occasion that requires a cake! She laughed as I warned her, "Under no circumstances, no matter how desperate I seem, are you to give me the recipe for this cake!" Like any good friend she promised. She would never allow me to have her recipe. Or the recipe she obtained from her friend Carline (its a good thing I don't know Carline), who obtained the recipe from a neighbor.

And just as those promises were made, I found myself going home with the cake leftovers.
Okay, I admit I have no willpower and when the cake was offered, I “so” needed more (can you tell I have an eleven-year-old by my language?) I really felt I needed to have some samples, so my husband could taste the cake I claimed I was never going to know how to make, but wanted him to know existed. I had enough to share and have one last indulgence and then I made another pact I would forget the cake. I would block the cake out of my mind. How? I was not sure, but I figured I would find away, even if I needed a hypnotist. Well, I would not go that far....

As I left the party with the last three pieces of cake, I did what any responsible adult in Southern California would do after overindulging. I made a date to exercise. "We will walk about a hundred miles on Monday? Right?" I asked my friend. "After all you are the one who tempted me with your cake creation." She agreed to help me with my post excess caloric intake exercise.
I left feeling confident that if I didn't share the three pieces of cake with my husband, there would be redemption on Monday in the form of a long walk. Although, in an attempt to avoid temptation, I phoned my husband to let him know I was bringing him treats. Or
“one piece of cake” is what I said. In the end, my husband ate two pieces and I only had one. I somehow, by the grace of God, managed to have some willpower.

I survived Sunday without calling my friend for the recipe (even though I thought about calling) and on our Monday morning walk I reminded her of her promise to never give me the recipe. We joked with another friend about how the cake was "sinfully good." Then my friend slipped and called the cake by name. "Mississippi Mud Cake," she called it. I thought to myself, I had heard of "Mississippi Mud Pie" but I was convinced there was no way that "Mississippi Mud Cake" could be the name of her cake. I knew it was only a matter of time before I had my answer. The internet. If she was right, I would have the recipe. I had made her promise to never give me the recipe, but I never promised myself I wouldn't find it.

I couldn't walk fast enough without making our morning walk a run. I was on a mission. If her name was right, I would have the recipe of the "sinful cake." If she was wrong, I would be saved from a lifetime of temptation to bake it. As soon as I got home, I found the answer! TO BE CONTINUED........

LOST on the couch....

No one needs to question what I will be doing for 991 minutes this weekend. I will be working on my latest writing assignment. I will be LOST on the couch!

A Mother Lode of Excitment: LOST, found on my doorstep!

I just left my house for fifteen minutes to pick up my five year old from Montessori school. When we arrived back at home, the UPS package was on my doorstep. My seven year old picked it up and read aloud, "Liza Marchant, motheringheights.net..." And she did not need to say anymore, because I knew the contents of the package. Like a child I ripped the oversized-envelope out of her hands and said, "Mine." Okay, maybe I said, "That's mine, thank you," as I ripped it from her hands, but I certainly grabbed it with the force of "Mine!"

I couldn't open the door quickly enough to tear open the package. I dropped my purse and my keys as I ripped at the envelope. It was not opening so I had to go for the kitchen scissors. Man, those UPS bubble wrap envelopes are tightly sealed. As soon as I was done cutting into my package, I gently removed the box from inside. My sad, true reality: This was the most exciting moment of motherhood as of late, aside from my recent e-mail from singer/song writer Ben Taylor telling me he was interested in assisting me with a story.

But today, here was this package on my doorstep, in my hands, my first official assignment as a movie reviewer for Mothering Heights. The only thing that could make this assignment better, would be knowing that I would be able to keep the package's contents: The third season of LOST. Then this day would be like Christmas and my birthday all in one day! Not only did I have a present, I had an official writing assignment.

After I pulled the seven disc set out the package, I immediately checked the envelope for some return label, but the package was empty. Did this mean what I thought it meant? Did this mean this set, this pre-release copy of Season Three of LOST would be mine? I held the box close to my face, sniffing its newness. Oh, the smell of fresh compact discs and plastic. I carefully tore off the plastic wrapping around the box. I carefully looked at the contents. 991 minutes of LOST episodes and LOST extras. All mine! Mine! Mine! Or does it belong to Mothering Heights?

Good question? I will hope, hope, hope! As I review, review, review!

The Opening of "Almost Maine" at The Orange Curtain Theater

If you are looking for an evening out and a night at the theater, my husband, Sean, is in "Almost Maine" opening at the Orange Curtain Theater Company in San Juan Capistano this weekend which is located at the El Camino Real Theater!

Fridays, Nov 30, Dec 7 and 14 – 8:00 p.m.

Saturdays, Dec 1, 8 and 15 – 8:00 p.m.

Sundays, Dec 2, 9, and 16 – 3:00 p.m.

Ticket Price: $18 ($15 for seniors and students with ID)

Located at 31776 El Camino Real, in the heart of historic San Juan Capistrano, THE ORANGE CURTAIN THEATRE is an intimate, 49-seat black box theatre.

PHONE: 949-412-3252
FAX: 949-487-0106

Conversations in the Car: Even Santa's Not Buying This One!

I am amazed by how awake my middle school daughter is at 7:15 a.m. without the assistance of caffeine. Okay, maybe I can understand somewhat, because I am generally a morning person, but lately I have been tired. So the fact that my middle schooler is getting in what sounds like about 500 wpm (words per minute) as she is going on and on about how her magazine Cosmo, Girl! (Wait, didn't I ban that magazine from our house?) was making her a better person. Most of what she was saying was being lost between too tired and haven't had my coffee yet.

What I did manage to hear was that she was the "Queen of Green!" "Mom, Cosmo, Girl! is making sure I am environmentally conscious. I took the quiz on "How Green Are You Really?" and I answered all of the questions correctly. Can you answer all of these questions, mom? Do you know if it is better to use paper or plastic bags? Or whether "Mother Earth" prefers aluminum or plastic bottles? I mean really you should be glad I am reading this stuff. I am becoming more aware of the world. And soon, I will be getting two full years of Cosmo, Girl! and a complimentary gift bag."

I am still considering what kind of latte I want this morning. A holiday latte or just a plain latte. My brain is telling me that I should go with the non-sugary option and then I process what sounded like a two year subscription to Cosmo, Girl! "Wait!" I quickly glance over at my daughter as she is flipping through her magazine. "Did you say something about a two year subscription to Cosmo, Girl!?"

"Relax, mom. I am asking Santa. I have the subscription card and all! Now he...." and my daughter gives me that knowing wink, "Santa, just needs to mail it in. I am sure that Santa will be thrilled to learn that I am trying to be environmentally conscious. That Cosmo, Girl! is more than just a teen fashion magazine, but a magazine that cares about the world. I mean, this magazine even shows me how to make recycled Christmas gifts. Santa should be thrilled by that. I can take an old t-shirt and add a bow to it and now I have a trendy gift to give a friend or how about taking old shoes and tie-dying them."

All I can ask is, "Is tie-dye back in fashion?"

"Mom, that's not the point. This magazine has all kinds of lessons for me. As well as to be practical when asking for Christmas gifts. You know how I get carried away with asking for expensive gifts. This magazine has lists of great gifts for under twenty dollars. Isn't that great mom? Perfect for asking all of our relatives. Like look at this cool clock or there is this recycled watch and this personal massager..."

She keeps listing items and I am still trying to keep up as I am thinking clock, and I can't look at the magazine so I say it out loud, "I am driving Emily! I can't look at your gifts now .... the clock, the watch..." and then it registers. Did you say personal massager?"

"Yeah, I really need one of those. Everyone uses them mom."

Everyone uses them. If only she knew. Alarmed I ask, "Why do you need a personal massager?"

I felt a "Duh, mom" coming on, as my question did sound stupid. "Obviously to massage myself. I mean, I can use it on my neck when I am doing homework. You don't know how stressful homework can be in middle school? I am all tense in my neck." And all I can think is thank you Cosmo, Girl! for your under twenty dollar gift suggestions and my eleven year old wanting her own personal massager. And just as my head is spinning from these thoughts, we arrive at her school. Finally, I say a quick, "Thank God!" Because frankly, this is way too much to process B.C. (before caffeine.)

As she gets out of the car and shuts the door, I notice the magazine on her seat. The page is open to "Things You Can Do Now: You've changed your light bulbs and now you want to do more. But what? Read on!" and "How Green are you Really? Take your eco-aptitude test here!" And just as I am thinking how this magazine might not be so bad, I turn the page to "Are you too hard to Get? Are you too guarded with guys?" and I shake my head, because I know Santa is not buying this one!

In the Hands of a Toddler: The Tragic Ending of a Pop-Up Book

I really like to take advantage of the time when my toddler is content playing with his toys. Today I was amazed by how entertained he seemed in "his" corner of the living room while I was in the kitchen preparing dinner, Crock Pot meatloaf and potatoes and cranberry white chocolate blondies for dessert. I could hear him laughing and having what sounded like a grand old time. He was having so much fun, I even took the time to load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen. Just as I was finishing up I heard him exclaim with surprise, "Oh, no. Oh, no." Since he wasn't crying I finished wiping the counter. Then I heard what sounded like paper being ripped, and another "Oh, no." At this point I decided to see what he was doing. As I came out of the kitchen, there was my toddler holding what used to be a pop-up book. He looked up at me and said, "Oh, no." And all I could do was repeat his words, "Oh, no." What a tragic ending for a pop-up book, to be in the hands of a toddler. The sacrifice of a pop-up book that allowed me the time to get ahead.

A Blog Happy Birthday to My Mom!

I love you mom! Thanks for being a great mom and I hope all of your birthday wishes come true!

Mother Turned Monday Morning Sports Writer

I just need to say "Phew!" Last night was a close call for the New England Patriots, but they have managed to improve their record to 11-0 with a well-fought 31-28 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. I will have to admit, I enjoyed watching a competitive game after the previous week's blowout of 56-10 against the Buffalo Bills. As a football fan, I love to see my favorite team win, but sometimes when the game is so lopsided it takes the fun out of being a fan. Isn't part of the fun watching a team come from behind to win a game?

In fact, last night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles reminded me of the "underdog" New England Patriots team of years past. The team that beat all the odds to win without having the superstar receivers like Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth. Don't get me wrong, I love that Patriots finally have some top receivers to make Tom Brady's job as quarterback easier. Now that he has those receivers, he is finally able to prove that he is a "Pro-Bowl Caliber Quarterback" and (what I have been saying all these years) that he is one of the best quarterbacks to have ever played the game.

At this point, I would like to say "thank you" and "game well played" to the Philadelphia Eagles for challenging the New England Patriots. There were definitely moments during the game, as the score flip-flopped between the Patriots and the Eagles, where I questioned if this was going to be the surprise upset of the season. Up until last night, the Eagles had been having a marginal season (partially due to injury) at best, but last night the Eagles played like a "playoff contender team" against the unbeaten Patriots, who aside from the game against the Indianapolis Colts (24-20) had won by 17 points or more including the 48-27 victory over the 10-1 Dallas Cowboys. This tells me that when the Eagles want to play ball they can play!

So, for now, I will take a deep breath and focus on my week's projects, while the Patriots focus on their strategy to beat the Baltimore Ravens next Monday in Baltimore, because at this point, I know even the teams with marginal records don't always play marginal ball when facing the best team in the NFL, the New England Patriots!

Seeking Adventure Beyond Motherhood Boundaries

I am having some serious motivational issues. My printer is out of ink, so I am not writing. My treadmill is having belt issues, so I am not running. My life has come to what seems like a screeching halt. Nothing is happening. I am being completely unproductive as if I am waiting for something to happen. Obviously the ink won't restore itself and the belt can't readjust itself, so what am I to do?

Its Saturday, soccer season is over, my husband is at his play rehearsal kissing other women and I am sitting at home with four children, three of whom are complaining about having nothing to do and I am doing nothing. I need an adventure beyond motherhood, but my problem is adventure is not going to come knocking on my door or will it? What am I waiting for? Other than the turkey soup to finish cooking.

I need to think for awhile. Adventure. Adventure. Adventure. Hmmm......

An Esteem Boost from a True Friend and Fellow Writer

Here's my feel good note of the year!


Dear Liza,

I wanted to wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things this year and one of them is You. I know it sounds corny, but your support has helped me become more confident in my writing and the creation of Mothering Heights and The Daily Slog. In turn, I have been able to work with a core group of wonderful women writers who have contributed to the site.My new column, Taking the Bonnet Call, is listed below in my new email format. (If it doesn't work right, please let me know.) May your day be as delicious as a slice of homemade pie with whipped cream!

Christine

Many Hands Make Light Work

Many hands make light work. In my home its more like two hands doing it all. Changes need to be made. I'm tired. I feel like a workhorse. I need a refresher course on how to have fun. Somehow endless loads of laundry, dishes and cooking meals have gotten in the way of my ability to have fun. Am I finally losing my sense of humor? Have I lost sight of my mission in life: Maintaining my sense of humor while raising four children, a husband and a tortoise (who by the way, is definitely neglected) while writing my New York Times Bestseller? I am not sure what has happened? Lately, I'm just feeling exhaustion.

After dinner as I was washing dishes, I found myself complaining to my husband about how serving leftovers wasn't much of a break from having to cook dinner, because even with no cooking, I still have the after dinner mess. Dishes still need to be washed. The table needs to be cleaned. And the carpet, that dang carpet, curse the person responsible for installing carpet in my dining room. Oh, how I despise picking food out of carpet. Now remind me why I should have a sense of humor? Is it possible to have a sense of humor about having carpet in my dining room and having to pick my toddler's food out of it after every meal?

Oh, this is awful. I must stop complaining now. This is a terrible way to live. I am supposed to be living my life with an attitude of gratitude. How can I turn this all around into gratitude? I live in a home with five other people, six total. Twelve hands. Two hands doing all the work is wrong. I need to focus on being grateful to many hands. My attitude of gratitude will need to come from being grateful for many hands. But in order to make this happen, I must take matters into my own hands. Starting tomorrow. Everyone will have jobs. Everyone will have jobs. Everyone will have jobs. I won't be so exhausted. I won't be so exhausted. I won't be so exhausted. I will have time for fun. I will have time for fun. I will have time for fun. I will have an attitude of gratitude because many hands make light work!

Post-Thanksgiving Math Question

Post Thanksgiving Math Question: How many miles will I have to run to burn off the 10,000 Thanksgiving calories I consumed?

Well, it was probably not that many calories, but I feel like I ate that many. Forget the pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, I am going to have to run a post-Thanksgiving Marathon. I need to take a moment to reassess what I ate today. Please note: My husband, as a child, was forced to fast prior to his Thanksgiving dinner at his grandparents house, so my husband insists that we, meaning myself and him, not our children, live by the practice of fasting prior to Thanksgiving dinner.

So, here's the lowdown on what I ate after a pre-Thanksgiving Fast. Turkey. Stuffing. Gravy. Carrots. Green Beans. Sweet Potato. Mashed Potato. Mushrooms. Cranberry Sauce. Pumpkin Bread. Cheese. Crackers. Olives. Ice Cream. Blueberry Pie. My day's exercise consisted of hand, with the help of a fork, to mouth movements. I suppose I was on my feet most of the day cooking and washing dishes, but nothing to promote burning some serious calories. If I run 6/7 miles an hour and burn about 600 calories then I am going to have to run a long, long, long time!

Post Thanksgiving Math: 10,000/600= 16.67 hours of running

16.67*6mph= 100.02 miles. The answer= 100.02 miles to burn off Thanksgiving dinner! I am just going to hope that I was off on my calorie count by 8,000 calories, which still leaves me a Post-Thanksgiving Marathon (which was my initial estimation.)

Being Thankful for Thanksgiving

The other day I overheard my seven year old daughter telling a friend that Thanksgiving is the worst holiday. I figured aside from her not liking poultry, maybe the reason was because Thanksgiving is not about receiving presents. Let's face it, most holidays starting with Valentine's Day and ending with Christmas have become so commercialized. Halloween is a day over and stores are out with Halloween costumes and Halloween candy and up with the Christmas decorations and Christmas lights. My five year old has been asking me since the first week of November how many days until Christmas? When I told him over fifty days and that we need to celebrate Thanksgiving first, he questioned why the stores had Christmas decorations up if Christmas was fifty days away and we still had to celebrate Thanksgiving?

Now I am asking myself the same question. When I was a kid, didn't the stores wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the Christmas decorations? I distinctly remember getting excited about Christmas when the advent calendar came out and I could count down the twenty-four days until Christmas. Now is the advent the whole month of November too? No, that can't be. That's just a part of America commercializing every holiday. Well this leaves me shocked, that to date, Thanksgiving has not become a gift giving holiday.

Now here's my goal: To make Thanksgiving a holiday my seven year old likes even if she won't eat the Turkey!

Interrupting Mom

Focus on My New York Times Bestseller. Focus. If I just write the book, I will make the list. Right? Write! I wish it were as simple as just writing, because now writing is my biggest obstacle, not being able to write that is. Every time I think I have a free moment, no, I have a "Mom" interruption. I love my children, but how can I write this bestseller if I am constantly on call?

My five year old stands right beside me as I try to work. I look at him and make him promise that he will not speak. He looks me in the eyes and says, "I promise. I just want to be near you mommy."

"Okay, you can lie on my bed."

My son lies down on my bed and I start typing... "Mommy, I won't talk I promise."

"But Sam, you are talking. No more talking."

"Okay mommy."

Once again, I start typing for no more than a minute "Mommy you love me, right."

"Shhhhhh..."

"Does that mean yes."

"Yes Sam, I love you. Now quiet."

"Type mommy, its okay."

I hold my breath as I start typing, because I am convinced that is how long I have before my son says something else. After about thirty seconds I exhale anticipating another interruption, but still nothing. So I continue typing, typing, typing, typing and as I look over at my son he is sleeping and I am typing, typing, typing, typing and just as I pick up speed my eleven year old is standing in my doorway asking if I can take her to get some ice cream.

I give up for today!

Honorable Mention to My Husband (second string to my man Tom Brady)

This can't go without Blog acknowledgement, I returned from a late afternoon meeting to find dinner on the table prepared by my husband! Way to go, hubby Sean! Maybe it is due to his new doctor who has his blood pressure down to 118/70 and his cholesterol down 50 points to 170? Way to go Doctor Greg Brown!

Multitasking Conundrum

I have been really preoccupied with writing my New York Times Bestseller lately. My story is complete and my thoughts are ready to be expressed from my brain into my computer. The negative is as a generally proficient multitasker, I am finding that writing and multitasking do not go hand and hand. How does one type at a computer while doing laundry and fixing dinner? It is the one setback I have found to pursuing my life as a writer while managing a family of six. Multitasking is absolutely necessary in maintaining the status quo within my home. I need to find a solution to my inability to multitask while typing. How am I going to get the story from my memory to my computer's memory without the fall of the Marchant Empire? I have a feeling some sleep sheep will be the "sacrificial lamb" to my conundrum.

Reserved for PASTER?????

Sometimes my children's reactions to something they think they understand can be quite humorous. Today when I was taking my seven year old to her first communion class, as we pulled into our church parking lot she pointed out Reverend Canon Diane Jardine Bruce's car (when writing about Diane, I always feel like I should address her properly.) Then as my daughter hopped out of the car she noticed the sign in front of Diane's car and read it out loud. She read, "Reserved for Paster." Then she questioned it as if horrified, "She's a PASTER? How strange is that?" I laughed and told her the sign said, "Pastor, not paster." And then my daughter breathed a sigh of relief before saying, "Oh, a Pastor."

A Mother Lode of Touchdowns from Tom Brady!

Way to go Tom Brady. The score New England 56, Buffalo 10. Five more passing touchdowns for my man Tom Brady. Thirty-Eight touchdowns in ten games. Twelve more and the record is yours. Keep the average up at 3.8 and you are in the record books with a total of sixty plus touchdowns. Eleven more than Peyton Manning's record. Tom Brady, I believe you are on your way!

Life's Tough Moments: The End of a Great Team

Life's tough moments at age eleven. Losing that critical soccer game. Tough moments as a parent. Watching my daughter walk off the soccer field with tears in her eyes after she gave her all. She played her heart out, but the conditions were tough. Up until today her team was undefeated in the playoffs. They had won with ease, 5-0 and 4-1, but today they were up against another undefeated team.

The two teams had met earlier in the season and tied 1-1, but today circumstances were different. One of the goalies on my daughter's team was away for Thanksgiving break. Two of the top forwards on her team were recovering from the flu and one had an injured foot, yet even with those strikes against them, the team went out and played hard.

Both teams were evenly matched. It was a defensive game. It seemed as if there was more time spent on throw-ins, than time on the field. And then, there was just one moment in the sixty minutes of play the other team had a five second break that ended with a goal. The goal that ended the Icenators season.

At the end of the game, I felt sadness for each of the girls as they walked off the field knowing the season ended here. This soccer season was about more than just a soccer team playing games on Saturday. New friendships were forged with the girls as well as the parents. The team really bonded. There weren't any little cliques like some of the past teams my daughter has played on. The girls really played well with each other on and off the field.

Today's tough lesson, all seasons eventually come to an end. This was that day for my daughter and her team, the Icenators. I saw her sadness as she came off the field. Even with the biggest hug from mom, her sadness did not dissipate. I know time heals sadness. Soon she will move on to her next sport, her next team, but today my eleven year old is not really dealing with the loss of a game as much as the end of a great team! My sincere thanks goes out to the coaches, parents and most importantly the Icenators for a great 2007 soccer season!

Two Weeks,14 Days, 336 Hours, 20160 Minutes

Some days I wish I had the house to myself to sit at my computer and type. As a writer with four children and a husband, I find it hard to escape long enough to write. Just when I find myself at my computer typing and my thoughts are flowing- INTERRUPTION! Mom, I need... Breakfast... A diaper change... A referee... A snack... A ride... I would say that is my greatest frustration as a writer. Space.

The other day I was telling a friend two weeks would be great. If I could just send my husband and kids away for two weeks, I would have my New York Times Bestseller. The entire story is in my head. Now its about having the time to transfer what is in my head to my computer. I am not saying two weeks would be enough to get it to print, but two weeks would be enough time to write the rough draft.

When I think of how productive I am during the hour or two my toddler naps and my children are at school, I know what I could do with two weeks, 14 Days, 336 Hours,20,160 Minutes. Compose my New York Times Bestseller!

The Clock is Ticking

I can hear the clock ticking on my motherhood freedom. Tick. One hour and thirty minutes. Tick. One hour. Tick. One half of an hour. Tick. My final minutes are winding down before my two daughters are home from school and off for Thanksgiving Break. Luckily for me, my five year old son has school until November 21. I am going to remain positive and remind myself that at least with the girls off I won't have to be up and out of the house by 7:15 a.m. for the next ten days! There is nothing pleasant about herding four non-morning children out of the house at that hour. I will hopefully be able to use that extra hour to my advantage to work on more of my N.Y.T. Bestseller. I am really in a groove right now. I am working with a great group of characters that seem to stimulate that part of my brain that allows me to write without too much pause. I can honestly say I have never felt writing to be as easy as it is now. Tick.Tick.Tick. My final seconds are winding down and I have to get into the "mom taxicab" for afternoon pick ups. Later!

My New York Times Bestseller Soundtrack

My New York Times Bestseller Soundtrack
Oh The Glorious- Brett Dennen
We Are Man and Wife-Michelle Featherstone
Breathe (2am)- Anna Nalick
World Spins Madly On-The Weepies
These Are The Days-Van Morrison
Sympathize -Amos Lee
Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love-Pink Martini
Cherry, Cherry-Neil Diamond
All I Need-Mat Kearney
Shelter from the Storm- Bob Dylan
Black and White-Three Dog Night
Everything’ll Be Alright (Will’s Lullaby)-Joshua Radin
Breakable-Ingrid Michaelson
If She Wants Me-Belle and Sebastian
One-U2
Digest-Ben Taylor


*If anyone is interested in acquiring one of the first three copies of this New York Times Bestseller Soundtrack, please send me an e-mail with your favorite song/songs on the list. If you don't know any, pretend! The first three responders will win!

Exercising Writer's Style

Just as I run to exercise my body, I have exercises for writing. I try to find new ways of understanding who my characters are. In the past I have written letters to and from my characters to understand their personalities, but today I found myself writing a eulogy for the main character in “My New York Times Bestseller.” I guess I was working from the angle of what type of life this person lived and I felt the best way to do this was to write a eulogy from the perspective of another character in the story. As I began this exercise, I found myself getting closer to the character emotionally and as I felt like I was getting closer, I felt myself wanting even more. In the end, not only did I write one Eulogy, I wrote three. Two from family members and one from a friend. This really gave me pause as to the depth of this character and her relationship to those around her.

*Note: I am actually considering posting the final copy of one of the eulogies. What do you think?

The Transition from Mother to Writer

Now that I am done driving my kids to school, folding laundry, putting away dishes, cleaning the house, playing with my toddler, its transition time. I need to go from mother to writer. I find I have my own rituals for this transition time. Every thing has to be "just right" in order for me to write. I have to set the mood in order to work on "My New York Times Bestseller."

First, I change into the most comfortable pants I own, which happen to be the "Fat Pants" that I wore all last year when I was in the process of losing the weight from baby number four. The pants are way too big now, and I actually have to roll the waist in order for them to stay on, but the pants are really comfortable and help me get into true writing form, relaxed and focused.

Then I throw on a jogging bra and a t-shirt, because often times I need to run on my treadmill for twenty to thirty minutes or even for short intervals to clear my brain of motherly thoughts I may be having. Its time to go from mommy Liza to writer Liza, which means I need to become the characters in "My New York Times Bestseller."

Finally before I can become the characters in my story, I must turn on some music. I already have the soundtrack put together for when my book becomes a movie. The songs are important for me to visualize my story, because each song was carefully picked by "moi" with thought and consideration to the storyline. When I hear the words of each song, I can see the big picture. Its really great.

Now I am running and writing into my imaginary world. I have made my transition from mother to writer!

A Morning Miracle: My Five Year Old Made My Bed

After one of my readers, Amy J., suggested creating a behavior/chore chart for my second grader, a miracle happened. This morning when I got out of the shower, my five year of was standing beside my bed and he proudly stated, "I made your bed mommy. I want a chore chart like Tessa's. Since I slept on your floor last night, I needed a bed to make, so I made yours. Do I get my own chart and a sticker for making a bed?" What a wonderful moment as a mother! I was so pleased, I took my son's picture and promised I would post it on my blog so everyone can see how well he made my bed! I complimented him, "Daddy can't even make the bed this neat!" He was so happy, he gave me a big hug and said, "I will make your bed everyday mommy!"

Inspiration for the Day "Do it Anyway"

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-This version is credited to Mother Teresa. They seem to be based on a composition originally by Kent Keith, but much of the second half has been re-written in a more spiritual way.

Moments of Temporary Insanity or what I call "Mad Menstrual Moments"

I am so relieved I have girlfriends who can call me on my moments of "temporary insanity" when my hormones have gotten the best of me. This past long weekend was incredibly crazy. In an attempt to get ahead of schedule, with a family of six that should have been the first sign of my mental ineptness. On Sunday I managed to burn crab chowder, Monday night's dinner. How had this happened? I somehow, in a dyslexic stove moment, managed to turn the burner to high instead of low. I then went off to get ready for church, only to hear my husband yelling at me about twenty to thirty minutes later that something was seriously burning in the kitchen.

Suddenly two hours of labor and Monday's dinner were in the garbage disposal and I was looking at a pan wondering how on earth the ingredients managed to look as if they were now a part of the blackened metal soup pot. I was pretty sure this pot was on its way to retirement in the landfill somewhere off the Ortega Highway. I am just glad that my children were not witness to my lack of discretion with the profanity that just seemed slip out my mouth as my husband was trying to tell me "Let it go."

Luckily my Sunday trip to church brought me back to sanity as I listened to a retired Marine talk about his role in World War II. There was a man who risked his life for our country, much more important, than losing a pot in what my friend has now termed "The Crab Chowder Kitchen Mishap." I left church feeling mentally stable, but somehow after reading too many articles on the fate of television due to the writer's strike, my menstrual hormones reeled me back into another bout of "temporary insanity."

My hormones got the best of me. What was I going to do? I had waited so long and patiently for the premiere of season four of "Lost." Now, I was only going to get eight episodes in 2008. How could this be? I suddenly found myself blogging about "writing for free." Another clear indication that I was yet again "Temporarily Insane." I had completely "Lost" it, pun intended! Who writes for free????

Then in an even crazier move, I posted the blog and sent it to people. Oh, God! Someone help me now! And she did. My mentor and fellow writer sent me e-mails, pointing out my insanity. (Just a quick note: When I finally finish my "New York Times Bestseller" I am going to call on this friend to be my manager, so I do not make any "faux pas" during interviews etc. I may even ask her to stand in for me) Was I looking to be permanently banned from the WGA?

In the first of three e-mails my friend wrote, "You could only send this out in the OC! I just had lunch with a writer who is on strike. They take the whole scab thing very seriously..." Then before I could respond I received another e-mail from her. "I did not realize how sensitive it is. They are raw and rightly so. The studios are making a tremendous amount of money and not paying the writers anything. Not really worth the laugh on your part (or even controversy) if fellow writers come across it, they will not think it is funny. We have to stand by our bros and sistas of the word!"

I, at that point, snapped out of my temporary insanity. My friend and fellow writer was right! What had I done? All I wanted was my show and in my madness I offered to be a scab and write for free. I was going against the very group of people I wanted to be in with... well, sort of, I want to write novels, but that is besides the point, I needed to support my fellow writers, not work against them.

I responded to her and my error. "It is lost, deleted..." Then in another e-mail, I confessed my "Mad Menstrual Moments" and that apparently I "LOST" it!

Her response, "LOL!"

And that's what I have to do... Laugh out loud, like the crazy person I was!

The Ants came Marching in and took away the Halloween Candy!

This morning as I was taking my five year old to school he asked if he had any Halloween candy left? Keep in mind, he hasn't seen the candy or asked about the candy since the day after Halloween, and for whatever reason he is now remembering that it existed.

I answered, "No, its gone."

And before I could say anything else, he exclaimed, "The ants must have come and taken it away. Ants like candy, right mom?"

Its amazing. I really must have drilled into his head that candy means a good old fashioned "California Ant Attack!" Growing up on the east coast, I remember an occasional black ant here or there, but never the masses of tiny brown ants that I have had the pleasure of greeting in Southern California. I was appalled the first time I saw an "ant attack." I was really freaked out at the lines of them marching through the outlets, across the floor and up the counter in my kitchen. I even found them in my laundry basket in the laundry room. I swear, they were ten thousand strong.

I then vowed I would make sure these attacks did not happen in my house anymore. I warned my kids to toss any birthday candy or Halloween candy. As my kids have been witness to some serious ant attacks and were not pleased, they have tried to live by the "no candy in the house rule or else, ant attack!"

Just recently a friend set me straight on that belief, "Its not really sugar or candy they want. Sure, when they arrive, they will find your sugar first, but its water they are after or in some cases they are not after anything. They just come in, but if your kids believe its sugar, more power to you!" And that's how I kept it as I responded to my son's question, "Ants love candy! Those darned ants! Marching in and taking your Halloween candy, what a shame!"

Headline: My toddler speaks for himself. "NO!"

As a mother of four, I have learned that it is inevitable all children learn to think and speak for themselves. I remember being anxious to hear my first child's words, but with my fourth, I was hoping he would wait to start talking when he was capable of making rational decisions. Unfortunately, that wish will not come true. He has mastered "No" and now uses it every chance he gets.

Once Again "The apple does not fall too far from the tree..."

On Sunday I was picking up a bottle of wine to bring to Sunday dinner at my friend's house and my oldest daughter was with me. She was standing in line behind me listening to her I-Pod. How typical of her, tuning the world out, or so I thought. The cashier looked at me and asked me if I was twenty-one?

My answer, "I have four kids, what do you think?"

And then before he could say anything, my daughter took her earphones out of her ears and looked at the cashier and said in a quite sarcastic tone, "Are you kidding me? If my mother wasn't twenty-one, she would have had me when she was nine."

The cashier looked thoroughly confused. By what I wasn't sure? Was he trying to do the math to figure out how old I was or how old my daughter was? I knew he couldn't figure out the latter by the information given to him, so he must have been confused by my eleven year old who looks like she is about fifteen.

As we left the store, I told my daughter, I was glad I still looked young enough to be asked if I was twenty-one or not. My daughter responded, "Don't let it go to your head mom. You look like you are forty." I am sure that was some payback for the time I told my mother she looked like she was "way over the hill" after someone commented how she looked young enough to be my sister when I was a senior in high school.

Once again I could hear my mother's words. "The apple does not fall too far from the tree. Payback." As we left the store not another word was spoken.

A Blog Thank You to the San Diego Chargers!

I'd like to give a shout out to the San Diego Chargers!!!!! I would like to personally thank you for playing your best on Sunday Night( I know it has been an off year with a new coach and all.) Thank you for beating the Indianapolis Colts! Any advantage to my team, The New England Patriots, is great! Now that Indy is 7-2, the Patriots have a little breathing room heading into the playoff rankings. I am not a San Diego Charger fan, coming from New England and all, but now that I live in Southern California, the Chargers definitely trump the Colts and any team that is a threat to the Patriots. Once again, my personal thanks goes out to the entire San Diego Charger team! Way to go!

A Writer's Perspective: A Company by Design

I am beginning to feel like I am managing my own company by design! From a writer's perspective, I managing the lives of my characters. I find myself having daily meetings with the characters as I try to get inside "their heads" as I develop their persona's. Whether I am driving in my car or sitting at my computer, I find myself having these conversations with characters. On occasion, I have these conversations out loud. If someone was watching me, I might be called "crazy." Schizophrenic. Who's that woman talking to at her computer? The answer: My company. My characters. Its all a part of the process of my "creation" otherwise known as "My New York Times Bestseller."

A Blog Happy Birthday to My Sister!

Happy Birthday! I love you Whitney! (Note: Whitney is the one in the middle)

Catch Up Day

Today seems like a good day to catch up. The kids have a day off from school. All of our regularly scheduled Monday activities are off with the exception of soccer practice at 7:00 p.m. I have an entire day at home (with my four children) to write, run, shower and if I feel so inclined cook and clean. I have already taken a firm stand with my kids. I have said "no" to playdates that require me to leave the house. I am going to be selfish. This is my day. Think positive. Stay positive. That's what my therapist would tell me if I had a therapist.

I know my children are listening to me when....

I know my children are listening to me when I overhear them repeating something I have said. Today my husband was lying on the couch and one of my older children forgot to shut the baby gate at the top of the stairs. My husband yelled out to them to "shut the gate."

"Sam, can get the gate," my seven year old yelled.

My oldest yelled, "Tessa was the last one to go down the stairs."

Then I heard Tessa yelling, "Sam, you shut the gate, its your turn!"

Then Sam replied, "Tessa, you worry about Tessa and I'll worry about Sam."

My husband laughed, "Kids are so funny. They come up with the funniest phrases." If only that were true. As I was standing in the kitchen, I thought to myself, hmmmm, I wonder where he heard that phrase?

It Would Be My Pleasure

My seven year old was beaming when I picked her up from school today. She was holding what looked like a white board and a book in plastic wrap. I was confused because she spent all of her money at the book fair the other day, so where did this book package come from? As she got in the car she explained that the book was her prize from the treasure box. She had a perfect day at school. She made it to "red" on her classroom behavior chart, which means "Really Remarkable Day."

I told her how pleased I was, because great classroom behavior is of the utmost importance in our family. I always feel like if I see the worst of my seven year old at home, that's better than her being that way at school. Of course it would be nice if her "Really Remarkable School Day" could continue into our home life, but again I would much rather have her be on the "red" away from home.

In order to have some insight into what behavior earns "a red mark," I decided to ask what she did. "Well," she explained, "I was helpful to other children on the playground and I said, it would be my pleasure to my teacher when she asked me to do something to help her."

Then I found myself repeating those words out loud, "It would be my pleasure." Funny how I never seem to hear those words when I ask my children to do something for me. Then I ask her "Why don't I ever hear you say it would be my pleasure to me?"

She answers as a matter of fact, "Because you don't have a behavior chart."

And my response, "So, you are saying if we had a behavior chart at home, you would be more inclined to say, it would be my pleasure, if I asked you to clean up your room?"

"Maybe. Maybe if you had a treasure box."

I knew it! There has to be some kind of reward! Some kind of pay off in the end. Funny how I don't seem to remember too many bonus and incentive programs from my childhood. I know my mother had an allowance chart for awhile, but that fizzled out over time and chores became "you have to do them because you are a part of this family and live in this house." Why can't my daughter just say to me "It would be my pleasure" because she wants to help me, her own mom! That would be my pleasure, just to hear her say those words once!

Silent Inspiration

This morning while I was driving my children to school my husband called me to tell me an "uplifting story." He asked me if I remembered the woman from Ladera Ranch who lost her three children in a tragic car accident. "Of course," I responded. "Who forgets such a tragic story close to home?" That story has weighed on my mind over the past six months. In fact, Lori Coble has been a source of "Silent Inspiration" for me. On the days where I feel like motherhood has gotten the best of me and I am at the end of my motherhood rope, I stop myself and think about Lori Coble. I stop and think that motherhood even on the hardest days is a blessing. There are people who lose motherhood in a instant. Lori Coble did. She lost her children because of a tractor truck driver. I think she would surely take all of the worst motherhood days back if it meant having her three precious children. She is my "Silent Inspiration" to never take motherhood for granted. She is a reminder that I need to love my children especially on the hardest days. Here's the good news. She is pregnant with triplets. Two girls and a boy. Obviously, you can never replace children, but she will have motherhood back. My prayers and blessings go out to her!

A Bunch of Imperfections

"Perfection itself is imperfection." Vladimir Horowitz

I have just had a little breakdown on my treadmill. I was starting to feel the endorphins from running (oh, how I’ve missed those during my hiatus from running) in conjunction with all these feelings of stress from this past year. In the recovery process of circumstances beyond my control, I have fought hard to stay sane and balanced. Then I was hit by all this emotion running. These feelings that no matter what I do , I feel like I am standing still, not going anywhere. Why can’t I feel like I am moving forward? I am doing so many positive things in my life. I am trying so hard. Then as I am running, I am thinking about the words of the Belle and Sebastian song “If She Wants Me,” “If I could do just one near perfect thing I’d be happy They’d write it on my grave, or when they scattered my ashes…” Is that what I am trying to do? One near perfect thing to write on my grave? And what is that one thing? Being a mother, being a wife, being a friend, being a runner, being a writer? Or do I want it all? Maybe that’s my problem? Focusing too much on perfection. Maybe I should focus on imperfection and see where that gets me? Anyway, that’s what I seem to be achieving, a bunch of imperfection. I’ll rewrite the song, “If I could do a bunch of imperfect things I’d be happy They’d write it on my grave, or when they scattered my ashes…”

Waiting for the Tooth fairy: A Seven Year Old's Sad Story

I know my daughter has spent too much time waiting for the Tooth fairy when she stops checking to see if the Tooth fairy even bothered to come. What is sad is the Tooth fairy finally came, thanks to the late night laundry fairy who saw the Tooth fairy box sticking out from underneath her pillow, and now she doesn't even know.

When I woke my daughter up for school this morning, she got out of bed and instead of checking under her pillow, she got dressed and went up stairs to eat breakfast. I didn't want to take away the thrill of discovery by reminding her to look under her pillow, but at this point, I am beginning to wonder if she will? I should have had a clue that she had given up from our recent conversation about where the Tooth Fairy was and why she hadn't bothered to show up?

"Mom, does the Tooth fairy take vacations?"

Distracted by an article I was reading in the paper, I looked up. "What?"

"Does the Tooth fairy take vacations?"

I looked at her a little confused, but then she smiled at me and I saw the big gap where her two front teeth used to be and I started to say, "Shhh.. ooot!" Oops! That giant gap in her smile reminded me of the tooth that fell out how many days ago? She has been waiting for the Tooth fairy for how many days? I tried to go back in my mind. It was after Halloween. Halloween was Wednesday. It was the day of my conference with her teacher. That was the first. November first. Its now November fourth. Three nights. I came up with my best viable excuse, "Halloween. Halloween is the Tooth Fairy's busiest time of year. All of that candy. Caramel, Skittles, gum.... teeth are popping out all over the world. The Tooth fairy is just backed up."

She's wasn't buying it. She shook her head, "Mom, everyone knows the Tooth fairy is magical. She can make it around the world in a night, just like Santa Claus."

"Then she must be on vacation?"

My daughter bowed her head, there may have been a tear or two, and then even I felt her pain. How had I let this happen? Why couldn't I remember something as simple as a lost tooth? And just when I thought I couldn't feel any worse, the words came out of her mouth, "Mommy, could you just pretend to be the Tooth fairy and leave me some money under my pillow. I was really hoping to go to the book fair at my school this week?"

How pathetic! My seven year old is asking me to "pretend" to be the Tooth fairy. How bad is that? If only she knew. Actually, I am surprised that with an older sister in middle school, she doesn't question more. In fact, now that I think of it, my middle school daughter has never even asked the question of whether the Tooth fairy is "real or not." I am going to believe that it is because she knows better.

Since I had failed miserably at making sure the Tooth fairy came in a timely fashion, I did what any good mother or should I say, guilty mother would have done. I told my daughter I would make sure she would have money for the book fair at her school. She was so relieved. Her face regained color. She perked up and went off to look at the book catalog with a marker in hand to circle books she wanted to buy and I felt some of my guilt dissipate.

Now, here we are on Tuesday, November 6. The Tooth fairy has finally made it after five nights, but my daughter doesn't seem to care to check. Now my question is: Does she care as much about the Tooth fairy coming now that she has money for the book fair? Who knows? I am however curious when she will discover her tooth is gone and money in its place? Now I am the one, waiting to see!