Happy Mother's Day!

Roses are Red.

Violets are Blue.

My Mother is the Best

Out of all the Rest.

I’m sure I must have written that in a Mother’s Day card for my mom when I was a kid. We all think our mother is the best. All Mom’s are special to their children ... but my mom ... while she sometimes drives me coo coo (like all mom’s do to their children at some point) ... is truly one of the most selfless people I know. 

She’s never once told me not to do something and has always had faith in me. She’s passed down her love of reading, her passion for quirky things, her card sending, her strength, her love of shopping and her ability to love. Growing up, she (and my dad) repeatedly told me how hard you try and work is what really counts. My mom was always at my school assemblies during the day ... helping set up for school dances ...  or driving me places. She has always left me “welcome home” messages on my answering machine. We've even road tripped from city to city as I moved about the country from Kansas to Albuquerque, to Green Bay and Palm Springs.

When I think of my mom and favorite memories of her during my childhood ... I think of the following.

1. Her baking banana nut bread for the crossing guard and mailman
2. Going to Crown Books to pick up Cliff Notes, Sweet Valley High and Satin Slippers books
3. My first manicure
4. Hebrew School
5. Smurfs and Cabbage Patch Kids
6. Quick Beef Buns
7. Going to Market Days
8. Doing homework as she graded papers
9. Listening to “Hooked On Classics” and “The Oldies” in the car
10. Going to Taco Bell for tacos and Pinto’s in Cheese

All the above are just some of the memories that stick out of me and my mother when I was growing up in Skokie.

So mom, thank you for everything you do. I’ll always be your best girl ... your “baby.” No matter what you think, you are always in my thoughts and in my heart ...  no matter where I am.  

Thank you, Mom’s everywhere, for all you do. While dad may be a super hero .. you are Wonder Woman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17dP0QvjsOU

Bedrooms and Bugs in The Big Apple

“Hurt no living thing: Ladybird, nor butterfly, Nor moth with dusty wing”

- Christina Georgina Rossetti

Sorry, Christina ... but I am ignoring that quote. It’s 3am on Saturday morning. I thought I’d be asleep, dreaming about martini’s ... beaches... or who knows what. Instead, I’m sitting up in bed after murdering a centipede.  Those of you who know me know I am not a bug girl. I don’t like camping. I don’t like bees, roaches, ants and have a horrifying fear of spiders. I know they have just as much right to be here as you and I. However, can they please stay outside! 

When I moved to New York I realized that I would have to make some adjustments to my lifestyle. I knew bugs, like cockroaches, are a fact of life living in New York. I haven’t run into them yet (knock on wood). However, over the past few weeks ants and centipedes have decided to make my home their home. I didn’t invite them so I think it’s just rude! I think I’ve handled the uninvited pests pretty well. So what if I call my mom and have her listen to me scream as I drown a nasty centipede or kill a spider! So what if I use three tissues to pick up a dead roly-poly! I think I’ve been pretty good! I’ve even named the light-colored spider in the basement “Charlotte” (though I think I may have sprayed her to death last week as a preventative measure).  I can handle the tiny bugs ... the tiny centipedes. I can’t handle the big ones. I  mean they freak me out! I mean the one in the basement I drowned last week was just blechy!

I digress. To make a very long story short: I couldn’t sleep. I woke up  around 2am to go watch some tv. I flip on the lights and nearly step on a scurrying, BIG, centipede. As the quick moving critter scurried over my freshly cleaned wood floor ... I grabbed my weapon (drum roll) ... my ant/roach spray. I randomly spray under the dresser as that’s where I saw it run. I don’t see anything though and think, “Okay. Jess. You won’t sleep if you don’t kill it.” At that moment I see something under my neatly rolled up pilates mat and take action and spray the crap out of it. The critter jumps onto my weights and under the dresser as I continually spray it (and half my stuff with it). Right now I can hear my dad worrying about my furniture and asking ‘is the spray ruining it?’ To answer your question, “Dad, I cleaned the furniture.” 

In the end the centipede is dead. So I’m sorry Christina Georgina Rossetti. I have hurt a living thing ... but it wasn’t a Ladybird, nor butterfly, Nor moth with dusty wing.”  I hope now I can get some sleep. Please centipede... don’t haunt in my dream. And I am sorry I had to kill you, but I didn’t invite you into my home. 

PS One of my favorite children's books is "A Cricket In Times Square." I highly recommend it and have a copy of it in my apartment.

Homeless, But Not Hopeless

More than 300 million people live in the United States. New York City is home to more than 8 million of those people. Some of those people are homeless. I found an article from 2010 that said 3,111 people were homeless in New York. That was in addition to the nearly 38,000 people who live in shelters. Let me say that again ... 38,000. Does that number bother you? It should. Because everyone should have someone or some place to call home.

I’ve lived in cities and in more suburban areas and the homeless are people I always notice and try to acknowledge ... be it with some food or some money ... or a McDonald’s gift card. But there are people down on their luck for some reason or another. Maybe they lost their job. Maybe they’re back from the war and are just lost. Maybe they were sick and had a lot of medical bills to pay and got evicted. Every homeless person has a story. I always wonder what those stories are. I never really inquire because it’s really none of my business. I smile and ask how they are and move on. 

The one homeless man I saw today didn’t seem “in the right place.” I kinda slithered pass him ... as he cursed and threw punches in the air. But he is a person.. and it bothered me as a guy in front of me pushing a double stroller muttered something under his breath at the homeless man and shook his head. I mean who are we to judge other people’s circumstances. Our lives aren’t perfect. Nobody is perfect. The fact that this man just walked away in such a matter bothered me. It’s like he didn’t care about another human being.

A friend of mine saw a homeless person the other day and it affected her as well. I think the fact that she acknowledged this person’s existence was a good thing ... because it’s when people start not acknowledging those down on their luck that one become de-sensitized. 

A homeless guy I gave a health bar to the other day told me “Homelessness is a state of mind. Homeless is a state of being.” Interesting, I thought.  Then ... as I walked further down the block I passed the same woman I had passed a month ago near work. She had been sitting in front of Starbucks with a sign saying “Homeless, But Not Hopeless.”  This time her sign said, “Homeless But Not Hopeless. I’m waiting to hear back from a job interview.” I hope she got that job. :)

Kiss Me I'm Irish... well for the day at least!

St Patrick’s Day. It’ll begin here in NYC in a few hours. It’ll be my first St. Patty’s Day in New York. No, I won’t see the Chicago River run green ... or throw down some Reuben Rolls at the County Clare ... have the beer sampler at Titletown Brewery ... or have a side of green chili salsa with my Jameson Whiskey (Nora I’ll have a shot for you). What I will do is try to come up with a new tradition for New York. However, I’m a bit overwhelmed with my choices since New York is as big as the Pot O’ Gold at the end of the rainbow Leprechaun Larry is standing guard by. I do know I plan on making my gluten free Shepards Pie and plan on going for a run. It’s what to do after that that baffles me. Should I hit a parade, hit a pub, see some Irish dancing (cue the Lord of The Dance music for my mom here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGRkU6ipZ8Q&feature=related) .. have a Shamrock Shack... or do nothing Irish at all? My blog followers ... it’s up to you to choose my New York St Patty's Day tradition.

So as you think about that ... put on your “Kiss Me I’m Irish” shirt  ... and do a jig because it’s Saturday AND St. Patrick’s Day ... here’s a little toast from me to you.

May the Luck of the Irish always be with you .... and

Here’s to cheating, stealing, fighting, and drinking.

If you cheat, may you cheat death.

If you steal, may you steal a heart.

If you fight, may you fight for a brother.

And if you drink, drink with me.

Glasses up!

*click the link below for a song from my favorite Irish group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0TBwFLW4GY&feature=related

Happy Valentine's Day!

It’s Valentine’s Day everyone! Happy Cupid’s Day! I don’t know how I feel about this holiday. As a child I LOVED going to school and handing out cut-out Valentine’s and sticking them in the handmade paper envelopes we pasted to the front of our desks and decorated. As an adult, I’ve never experienced a true Valentine’s Day with the candlelight dinner, roses, etc... or whatever society says couples are meant to do. I’ve had fantastic Valentine’s Days with friends and sorority sisters. Oh... that Valentine’s Day at The Sandbar was a blast! I wonder where that paper went where we wrote down what was happening all around us went? Let’s just say it was a good time.

However, Valentine’s Day often has some people sad and thinking about the love that they don’t have. So I don’t have a special person to send me roses. Who cares! I have a handful of close friends that are like family to me ... a loving family ... and lots of love to give. I sent out my Valentine’s (yes I do send out actual cards still with stickers and everything) and have had a piece of chocolate today and got dressed. Now, I was going to wear a red dress to work. I have two fantastic red dresses, but then thought, “Ummm... overkill.” So I’m wearing black pants and brown sweater with a black big heart in the middle. LOL. I literally just laughed-out-loud at that. I went from red to black. But hey ... I like it and I think it’s the second time I’m wearing pants to work on a work day! 

So if you’re all alone on this Valentine’s Day try not to drown your sorrows in a bottle of wine (a glass or two is fine) ... treat yourself... eat whatever chocolate you want ... and think of all the love in your life you do have. It’s a day to celebrate whatever kind of love that is in your life ... because if you are loved and do love ... well... that’s probably one of the best gifts anyone can give you this Valentine’s Day!

And PS.. Best quote ever by an unknown person. "I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon."

xxxoo

Jess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840NbiFF1zM

MTA: Many Trains Around

So it’s been a bit since I blogged. I’m sorry for that. Adjusting to a new city and new job can eat up your time. All is good though in The Big Apple! I’m still adjusting but still enjoying the new challenges of my job (usually LOL) and am lucky to work with some amazing people and for a great company. New York City is still great .. as it always is to me. Something about this city still gets to me every day. I feel very lucky to be able to work and live here. Anyway, it’s supposed to snow today. I think it has snowed once since I moved here! While I’m enjoying this Spring-like Winter, I do miss the snow and cold. I mean a girl likes to dress up in her cute and cozy winter clothing! 

Speaking of cold ... I turned another year older last month and went home for a couple of days to Chicago to celebrate with my parents. It was nice to see them and my grandma, but oh my ... when I stepped out of the airport back into the bitter cold Chicago air ... Yikers! I had forgotten how miserably teeth-chattering cold it is in The Windy City. BRRR! 

After some yummy meals and family time I came back to New York and to the Spring-like weather and got back to work. I take the subway pretty much everywhere. I get asked a lot of questions from non-New Yorker’s about the safety of the Subway, etc.

There are certain things that are starting to drive me coo-coo for cocoa puffs about the subway though. Yes, I still enjoy taking the subway to work. There are many aspects of it I enjoy. BUT ... here are some things that get on my nerves about subway riders.

1. Seriously. Wait for the people to get off the train before you get on. If you’re already waiting for the train and not running to it you’ll get on it. Slamming into people getting off just so you can get on is just rude and dangerous. Seriously.
2. When you get on. Please don’t congregate by the door. You can take a few steps into the aisle so as to let more people onto the train. I mean standing crunched together like sardines while you can just take two steps into the aisle will make everyone’s ride a bit more enjoyable.
3. I’m all for listening to music on your ride to wherever you may be going. HOWEVER, please use your earbuds or headphones. I do not want to hear your punk rock, or whatever music you are listening to ... and I’m sure the stranger sitting next to you doesn’t either. It’s just plain annoying! 
4. When the train is packed (I mean you can’t move another inch packed) and not one more person can get on it ... PLEASE don’t use your hands to pry open the door and then shove people to get on. I for one don’t want to get crushed to death on the train. Neither does the little baby in the stroller. There is probably another train right behind the one you’re shoving your way on. FYI, I love when the conductors yell at people who do that. 
5. Okay. Eating. I get eating a granola bar or something of that nature but don’t bring your Taco Bell on the train and eat it. Yes someone did that at 1am the other day. No, he wasn’t drunk. A) The whole train smelled like a Chalupa and B)It’s just gross. Plus why would you want to eat a meal on a dirty train??!?! GROSS! That’s just my opinion. I watched someone eat a salad on the train too. Gag.

Anyway, I am off to catch the train. So travel safely as you go about your day. I hope wherever your day takes you it’s good!

A Bloody Good Time

Okay, so I'm not in England (though that would be amazing). I'm talking about Bloody Mary's ... the lovely tomato/vodka concoction that make your taste buds tingle and warms you from the inside.


I've been feeling a little under the weather but took myself out this morning for brunch and a Bloody Mary. Let me say that this bloody was one of the best I've had! I mean ... I like mine with all kinds of goodies in it. Everything from celery, pickles, to cheese, to olives, to beef sticks. This drink had none of that, but it had a lot of spicy goodness and was served in a mason jar! I mean how can you beat that!?


As I sipped my drink and watched all these friendly faces walk into the restaurant I remembered something.  Every time I've had a Bloody Mary it's been associated with a good time. I had the infamous drink often in Green Bay with my friends Laura and Kristin. I saddled up to the bar for a Bloody Mary ... or two... or three... at 10am after a loooong night of work with the world's best morning crew in Milwaukee. I've sipped the drink on the Lido Deck of cruise ships as I watched the waves of the ocean ripple in the sunlight. I've had the drink so many times with so many good friends and family I could probably fill up a page with memories. I've even converted a close friend of mine into a Bloody Mary lover!


This time I sat alone drinking my Bloody Mary. I was tired ... not feeling well ... but happy to be where I was at that moment. I was surrounded by families and a Birthday party for a little girl in a neighborhood I truly love. I opened my magazine and drank up the peppery, spicy drink, and smiled as people left or came into the restaurant. One woman with a child looked at me and said, "I envy your leisurely breakfast." So take the time for some leisure before your week of work, or school ... or whatever you have planned for the next 5 days begins. You deserve a little leisure.