Kodak Moments

As much news as there is in the world, every news site and every morning news show reported on the breakup of Jon and Kate of Jon & Kate Plus Eight fame. Until earlier this year, I'd never heard of them. For the past 93 weeks (or maybe the last 7 or so), they've been on the cover of Us Magazine. Their claim to fame? Their giving birth to one set of twins and one set of sextuplets (hence the "eight") and their willingness to allow TV cameras into their lives. EdTV for real. Now they're divorcing.

What may have been a good idea at first--a professional album ofthe children's early lives--the fun, the chaos, the challenges, and the triumphs-- far more complete than what most kids will ever have, will now be the proof of what used to be and how it all ended on the junk heap of the divorce court.

Blast from the Past

Every now and then, there are those reminders of the past, and why living in the present is a good thing. I heard on the radio the 80s classic The Rain, by Oran Juice Jones. The sound ofthe 70s, updated to the 80s, with a cheating girlfriend, who is "cold busted." What lyrics: "I saw you (and him!) walking in the rain. You were holding hands and I'll never be the same."

Living in the new millenium means YouTube and iTunes. I can buy the song for 99 cents if I want, or better yet, I can watch the music video! Wow! Eighties hair; 80s attire; 80s dance moves. It looks funny now, but it was the jam back then, in an era BBB.* Fond memories.

*Before BoilerBabies.

Reality or Reality TV?

Yesterday, MSBNC ran a story about Pres. Obama's outing with his daughters to get frozen custard. Sweet story, yet there were some snarky comments questioning the newsworthiness of this article. Hm-m-m. There is a lot going in Iran. Plus, the economy is still in the tank and people are losing their jobs and their homes. Maybe the critics have a point.

But wait! This is Father's Weekend. And it beats the heck out of yet one more story about Jon and Kate and their big break.

There is a lot going on in the world. A fluff piece on the normalcy of the Obama family is a welcome diversion.

Kissing Cousins

BB4: Mommy, I have something to whisper in your ear!
Me: It's not polite to whisper when other people are around. You can tell me later if you want.
[BB4 wiggles, and is clearly about to burst with his "secret."]

BB4: Mommy, please can I whisper a secret in your ear?
Me: You can tell me later.
[BB4 becomes more anxious. He's just gotta tell!]

BB4: (stage whisper): Mommy, I kissed Boiler Cousin TD! [pause for effect] On the lips!
Me: Oh?
BB4: Yeah! Two times!
Me: Wow!
BB4: Tell Daddy!

They say you never forget your first kiss. I don't know if that will hold true for BoilerBaby4, but we'll never forget it. The details? The date: June 6, 2009 (so I'm a little late in memorializing it). The place: our sunroom. The kissing buddy: First Cousin TD.

With all of the fam, including the cousins, in for BoilerBaby 2's HS graduation, there was much activity in the house. It struck no one as particularly odd that the 5 year old cousins were playing well together in the sun room--they were born only weeks apart and get along quite well, notwithstanding that they see each other only a few times a year at best.

Oh what a night. BoilerBaby 4 went from wanting to whisper his secret to encouraging me to share his news with his father and everyone else, for that matter. He was quite thrilled and dare I say, proud, of his feat. It was all very sweet, and of course, leaves me with a story to trot out for BoilerBaby 4's graudation!

Life Goes On

A new year, a new president, a new attitude? Probably not on the last one, but who knows? Maybe I'll surprise myself! Maybe I'll get back to posting. Actually, maybe it's just the same old attitude: it's all about me!