tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24929650564931078932024-02-18T23:59:49.753-05:00from Prada to PaylessThe life and times of a once glamorous NYC fashion industry insider, to a mother of three girls, living paycheck to paycheck , facing foreclosure, and trying to find humor, and sanity in it all, while looking (trying!) deliciously chic in her Payless shoes.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.comBlogger431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-29505396907503267772014-04-14T11:27:00.002-04:002014-04-14T11:27:42.306-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have forgotten how to write, and I miss this space. </div>
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Daily writing became such an amazing habit, and I walked away from it. </div>
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The blank "page" scares me some days. </div>
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These are my parents hands. </div>
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Married 50 years. </div>
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Love.</div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-45810328905268739992013-10-16T07:40:00.001-04:002013-10-16T07:40:13.141-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">$55.00. That is all we have, and payday isn't until next Friday. Not this Friday. Next. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am not sure how we are going to do this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am so scared. Beyond stressed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Frightened.</span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-20795832228092325192013-10-03T10:00:00.001-04:002013-10-03T10:00:16.355-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Painted this because I love Bielen's work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This bear was my lunch date. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The view from Olivia's school library.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This face. I just adore her. 4 is amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I feel so much love for this little guy.</span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-43188599671578305602013-09-21T10:35:00.001-04:002013-09-21T10:35:16.241-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Can't keep on top of the clutter. I realized yesterday that I have to start buying the giant jar of peanut butter. We go through the small one in four days. Soap bars disappear quickly, and I must change the roll of toilet paper once a day. </span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-82859476626419540592013-09-09T09:04:00.003-04:002013-09-09T09:06:11.054-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">photos by molly, age 4</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">and then she went to preschool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">=(</span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-67563857950911929582013-09-06T14:17:00.001-04:002013-09-06T14:18:40.492-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> NOT sure how THIS happened. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">=(</span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-38903595672482767632013-09-01T23:00:00.005-04:002013-09-01T23:04:12.095-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What do I say?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
I am a fraud?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
I am not what I expect others to be to me?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am a bad friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
This I know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
I want so much to be accepted.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I accept no one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Briefly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And it is always fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I cut it off.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am unsure why I do this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I miss these relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Even mourn for them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">But I let them go.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Each and every one.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then I am sad when they move on.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No Christmas card.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">No calls.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I deserve it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I disappoint.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">And yet, I think I am a great friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">All evidence to the contrary.</span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-8854054402703321062013-08-29T09:40:00.001-04:002013-08-29T09:42:35.831-04:00Molly is fine, and Summer is almost over. It's been a really great one.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-551524257865169542013-07-30T10:40:00.001-04:002013-07-30T10:40:34.477-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let's see. How can I exactly explain my worry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's keeping me up all night. It's making me unable to sit still. I feel like I should empty my cabinets, and rearrange and purge. Maybe if things around me were less cluttered, and in order, I would feel a sense of control, at a time I feel utterly out of control. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But I suspect, that if everything were as neat as a pin, however neat that implies, I would still look for something else to do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am afraid to drive on highways. The kind like Route 80. But I feel like heading West on it. Maybe if I could distance myself from the confusion, and worry, I could escape it. But that isn't possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sleep brings no relief. It is creeping into my dream. Making me wake up at night, and feel the bed shake with each fast beat of my heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Molly, my sweet beautiful Molly, has something growing in her. Something that needs to be biopsied. I had to call a surgeon for her yesterday. We have to wait two long weeks to see him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I felt it the other night, and envisioned myself cutting it our of her with my exacto knife. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two weeks seems like a long time to let something simmer away. </span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-43662828289400072472013-06-21T10:48:00.002-04:002013-06-21T10:49:08.078-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been painting watercolor portraits lately. And trying to perfect using my Polaroid Land Camera. Next will be teaching myself emulsions. But for now, the watercolors are soothing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you would like one, let me know. My prices are between $25.00 and $50.00, depending on the size, per portrait. Here are some examples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Summer is here. My girls and I all slept in this morning. And I had leftover heavy cream in the fridge which is making my coffee decadent! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Morning morning!</span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-582253355958140512013-06-10T09:10:00.002-04:002013-06-10T09:11:10.013-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">I feel like my grip on staying positive, and waiting for things to finally pay off for us, is slipping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Its all starting to look pretty glum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some days, I am convinced that something amazing is about to happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, at least I had been. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not so much anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am tired. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It hasn't gotten any easier for us, no matter how hard we try.</span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-17909455086106039192013-05-20T09:39:00.004-04:002013-05-20T09:40:24.035-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Pictures<i> not</i> taken by me. </span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-59924822549709349272013-05-10T10:46:00.001-04:002013-05-10T10:48:03.296-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spring finally arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> It is amazingly beautiful this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One girl turned 8, and my little bee turned 4.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sleepover party. They were actually really cute to watch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The days are moving so fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take time to smell the blossoms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know I am.</span></div>
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-83575291873033167872013-04-15T09:05:00.000-04:002013-04-15T09:05:05.257-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So many things to photograph this time of year. I find myself leaving the house and being halfway to my destination, only wanting to turn around, and go home for my camera.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been asked to write the text of an already illustrated children's book. I am nervous about it. It is a little outside of my comfort zone. But, and it's a big but, I think I am up to the task. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">David left this morning, for a week long work related trip. I feel kind of sad. I will be alone with the girls for a week. Hopefully, I will be graceful, and patient this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hopefully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-49874395875878904972013-04-06T08:46:00.001-04:002013-04-06T08:48:06.061-04:00Same-sex marriage has a home | PoconoRecord.com<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20130405%2FNEWS%2F304050343">Same-sex marriage has a home | PoconoRecord.com</a></span></span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-38315219159922362422013-04-03T09:48:00.002-04:002013-04-03T09:48:57.852-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-65484215299388714612013-03-23T11:32:00.003-04:002013-03-23T11:32:35.905-04:00Alone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Davids great uncle died the other day. His Uncle Al. He was 98. He was such a sweet man. Always dressed with a pressed shirt, and tie. A cute little sweater over that. Perfectly shined shoes. He had long eyelashes and sparkly blue eyes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> His wife died a few years ago, and he has been so terribly sad since. Up until recently, he still signed her name along with his on birthday cards, and Christmas cards. Her name was Charlotte, just like my Charlotte, and he had a special place in his heart for my girl because of that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have been working at the restaurant every night. We really need the money. David gets paid this Friday, so between all the bills we have, and the cars that are just barely getting us to and from our jobs, my tip money will help buy groceries. I couldn't go with David and the girls to Long Island, because I had to be at work, so they left yesterday without me, to go to the wake and funeral.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I always want time alone. I never get it. I constantly have a child with me. And if I don't, I am at work. I thought it would be fun to have some time alone. But watching them pull out of the driveway yesterday, in a car that I just prayed would get them there and back without overheating, or breaking down, I felt really stressed watching them go.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I thought I would relish in being alone. And actually, for about an hour, I did. But then it got really lonely. And the house was so quiet. And the girls rooms seemed so dark each time I passed by them. I read some of my book. I watched garbage on TV. I even took a nap. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I finally went to bed, and at least I had the dogs to keep me company. All in all, it was lonely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">BUT....I slept until 10:30!!! And the neat condition I left the living room and kitchen in, remained the same. I feel rested like I haven't in years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Amazing what a little sleep can do for you. Not so cloudy, up there, in my head,today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't wait for the car to pull in the driveway, though.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I miss and love those beings so very much.</span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-3391302480711396402013-03-21T09:25:00.001-04:002013-03-21T09:26:09.836-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Received both a 72 hour shut off notice for our water, and a 10 day shut off for our electric.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Davids' car is in desperate need of repair, and so is mine. Not much cash until next week. I some days can't take the stress. I really can't. I have been working every night at the restaurant, yet we are barely scraping by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can't take much more of this. </span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-71787924796805694252013-03-15T09:46:00.000-04:002013-03-15T09:47:43.991-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yeah...did I mention the new dog? Pablo. He was headed to the pound. What could I say?</span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-11813477219793482802013-03-06T10:16:00.003-05:002013-03-06T10:17:34.784-05:00Separation of blog and column<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So...what has had me struggling in this space for quite some time is that the posts I write here are published as my weekly column, in my local paper. This has crippled me. Literally, I have been unable to write. While I enjoy the column, and being published weekly, I do not enjoy the "notoriety". By this, I am speaking of everything I write about, be it good, or bad, being openly discussed every where I go. This includes the grocery store, Girl Scouts, Library, drug store, doctors office...you get where I am going with this. It is discussed with everyone, and to be honest, as I always try to be, it has left me feeling, dishonest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Not lying, mind you. Just withholding information. I get that I have a blog, to be read by one and all. I really do. But when people start to read it, local people, in particular, it makes the relief of writing, and getting it out of my head, and throwing it into cyberspace (just aged myself!) not so anonymous anymore. I would like to vent about what is really paining me, or making me filled with joy, but some days, I just don't want one and all to discuss it with me. I just sort of hoped that by allowing you to peek into my diary, it would just sort of remain there, and not be up for a chat in the meat department. Silly, I know, but some days, I don't even want to go out in my own town, as I just don't want to talk about it. You know?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Really, it is the harsh words that hurt the most. When you put out your first world problems, expect to get it back. And I have, tenfold. Mostly wonderful reader comments. But some really nasty people out there make it a habit of talking down to me, and you know, I am made of flesh, and blood. It hurts. Especially when people criticize my parenting. That folks, is off limits, unless I have committed a crime. And I have not, so it borders on a little too close for comfort.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But, I got the go ahead from my editor to begin writing my columns in Word form, for word count purposes. This may seem like not much, but it is HUGE for me. I can separate the two. I can keep my space here, and most likely will have to endure some criticism, but I can take that. I loved this space, and it was beginning to feel like a place that I no longer wanted to deal with, as opposed to what it started out as.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, I can write my column. And it won't appear here, unless you click on the link above to specifically view it. I can just spew here, which I really could use to do. I no longer feel like I have to make a post here, because I have a deadline. I can post just because I want to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And that makes me feel so free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Thanks for sticking with me through this. </span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-76795851563125721392013-02-28T10:01:00.002-05:002013-02-28T10:06:32.090-05:0011:59<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fancy names confuse me. Au jus always sounded silly to me. Just say some meat juice on the side. Bucolic is another word that makes me laugh. Just call it a pretty countryside. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sequester is another word that has entered into my vocabulary and mind lately. Originally a legal term, it refers to the act of valuable property being taken into custody by an agent of the court and locked away for safekeeping. What it refers to as of late, are automatic spending cuts. Sequester sounds better than stating what it actually is. Cuts. And here, in my house, this will be a big deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My husband will be furloughed from his job. Another fancy word. Furlough. It sounds like your going somewhere. And really, you are. Just not to your job. He will lose a day of work once a week. That's four days a month he wont be paid for, which equals a lot. Food, gas. I would say that will surely take a hit. I like the actual definition for the word. "Leave of absence, esp. that granted to a member of the armed service" Granted??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What do these spending cuts mean outside of my house? Well, fellow Pennsylvanians, hold onto your seats. Here is the Cliff note version of what very well may go down for all of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If, and that's a tricky word, because let's face it, Congress will probably not get it together for the good of it's citizens,<i> if</i> the sequestrian were to take effect, here are just a few examples of who and what will feel the impact, this year alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Teachers and schools. (Always the first to go, I mean why not, right?) PA will lose around $21.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education. That translates into teachers, and aides jobs being at risk, and 29,000 fewer students being served and about 90 fewer schools being funded. Children with disabilities...eeks. They will feel it too. Funding will be cut for them, resulting in less teachers and aids who help them. Head start would be eliminated. Eliminated for about 2,300 children. Yeah, sorry kids. No more school for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Protection for clean air and clean water. How 'bout that! I mean, who needs clean air and water, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Military readiness is the doozy that will effect my family, aside from the teacher, school thingy, and water and air risk. 26,000 civilian Department of Defense employees will be granted that furlough. I am sure they are all excited about this. I know we can just sacrifice some pay. (that would have been written in sarcastic font if there was such a thing)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Oh yeah...law enforcement and public safety...they are going to lose some funds. That shouldn't be a big deal, right? Job training, Child care, Vaccines for kids, STOP violence against women program, Nutrition Assistant for Seniors, I mean cutting food assistance for older people seems logical to put on the chopping block, as well as Food safety. Yes! Food safety! 2,100 fewer food inspections could occur. I guess I'll skip the au jus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cuts to mental health in the form of leaving 373,000 seriously mentally ill adults and emotionally disturbed children could go untreated, but who's counting? FBI and customs, border patrol, aviation safety, Emergency responders, FEMA,medical research programs, small business assistance, Veteran services, Special Education, WIC, Homeless programs...the list goes on and on. All on the chopping block. Be it cuts, or reduction in funding. Who needs WIC? It stands to reason that women, infants, and children should be expected to do without. All 600,000 of them. And lets not even mention the job loss. All of these programs have grease in the wheels. They will go if the wheel stops turning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">BUT! Here's the but. It's a big one! You ready? Loopholes will not be closed. Loopholes for the well off and the well connected. For hedge fund managers. Oil companies. Corporate jet owners. They are all going to be OK. I know you probably were getting concerned after seeing all that is on the chopping block as of 11:59 tonight. But rest assured. The well off, the top earners in this country, are going to be just fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It won't even be a bump on the bucolic road for 'em.</span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-87415560857248808072013-02-27T14:14:00.000-05:002013-02-27T14:26:56.009-05:00Apron strings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I attempted to work in a restaurant when I was in my 20's. OK, my late 20's. I had reached the point of a sort of crossroad in my life. One too many nights eating Captain Crunch in my bed alone for dinner, in my NYC apartment made me fearful of a future alone. The city is a hard place to live some days, and I was getting to the age of not being able to recover as quickly from late night partying, and carrying on. I actually went to bed at decent times, in anticipation of my work day. I was in a rut, and decided to cast it all aside, and head out to the beach for the summer, and sublet my apartment. I felt that if things were going to change in my life, I had to shake it up a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My friend was managing a restaurant in Southampton, and gave me a job. I had no experience. Just a tremendous amount of retail management, which I assumed would translate seamlessly into being a great waitress. One of my first brunches, as I took a tables order, the man at the table behind me pulled on my apron string, and said, "Doll...get us the maple syrup". When I didn't respond quick enough for him, he did it again...this time..harder, and dropped the "Doll".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I knew at that moment, I wasn't cut out for waiting tables, and so did my friend, the manager. I was quickly put upstairs, into an office, where I sat over piles of bills from liquor distributors, and stared at Excel spreadsheets, until my eyes blurred. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My stint in the restaurant world was short lived, as I was quickly recruited to manage another high end store, and did so for a few more years to come, until I married, and had my first baby. I literally worked up until my first labor pains, and looking back, I could really kick myself in the shin. Why the heck didn't I take a week or two off before delivering? Did I not know I would never have a peaceful moment to myself EVER again??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, fast forward a decade. My late twenties are a distant memory. Here I am at 41 (gulp) three kids later, and struggling, like lots of us are. My husband and I both work hard, and yet have nothing to show for it. When my friend suggested waiting tables, the man tugging on my apron string quickly flashed in my mind. Could I? Would I be able to? Would people laugh at me? I was never insecure in my twenties. But here I am, a whole lot smarter, yet feeling not so adequate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I read something a few years back. It was an essay and I wish I could recall the author, but it was suggestions for a good life. One of them was to learn how to waitress. You will always work, it said, wherever you go. So I put my fears aside, and have given it a try.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> And you know, I learned something about myself. You can teach an old dog new tricks. Here I am, working with all these perky twenty somethings, and trying not to screw up too badly, which, trust me, I have...that computer system...ugh!...but I actually look forward to the nights I work at the Glen Brook Golf Club.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I like talking to people, other than my kids. I like when it is busy, and I leave tired, and so very ready for bed, but knowing I have money in my pocket. I like not panicking when Charlotte lost a tooth last week, and I actually had singles for the tooth fairy. I liked saying yes to signing up my girl for softball, because the fee was a little more in reach this year, than it was last year. I like bills being paid, and not being afraid we will go without, because I have a couple of extra bucks to cover gas, and groceries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes, life takes some funny turns. It doesn't always go as you had planned, but that can be a good thing, and really keeps things interesting. Sometimes, you have to shake it up a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Just don't tug on my apron strings. </span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-55937537541581373572013-02-23T09:46:00.001-05:002013-02-23T09:47:04.709-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">That voice inside of you that tells you it isn't right. It knows. It isn't right.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The feeling in your gut that something isn't as it seems. It isn't.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The doubt you feel, the questions you have, the sheer feeling of knowing...you are correct.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Never silence that small voice. It is right.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
Every time. </span></div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-6709858618930194242013-02-20T09:40:00.001-05:002013-02-20T09:44:14.122-05:00Hurry up Spring<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In a fit of frustration over snowfall, last week, I marched out of the house in my snow boots, and hacked off some forsythia branches that line my property. The girls were all home from school, yet again, because of the weather. I am longing for warmer weather. Literally yearning. When I came back in the house with my arms filled with branches, Olivia smiled and said how she loves that I force the buds to open every winter. She adores a little bit of Spring in the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Grape hyacinth bulbs in a mason jar on the kitchen table have also added a bit of desperately needed color. So have the daffodils that David brought home for me, for Valentines Day. I dislike roses. They are pretty, but not my thing. Bring me daffodils, or daisies, and you have my heart. David knows this, after many years together, and always gets it right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even Molly is sick of the snow. Sick of the cold. Sick of bundling up. She gets herself dressed, proudly, every day, and as of late, she keeps putting on bathing suits. Yesterday, she came out in her cherry one piece. The other day, it was her monkey bikini. She keeps asking if today is summer. Ugh..I wish it was baby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The dry air in the house is killing my nose. And the sound of the heat, running, makes me stressed. I just want it off for the season, and the windows open. I know it won't be much longer, and last winter, we really were spoiled around here, but some days, the winter seems to drag on and on. Heavy sweaters, and one too many dinners including gravy makes me dream of days outside, grilling, and sitting in the warm sun. Sleeping with the windows open. Listening to my windchimes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, we wait patiently for the first signs of Spring. Molly asked me if the trees were going to get their leaves back. She was worried about them. I assured her that they always do. Every year. And the birds come back, and all of the bugs, and our sweet little chipmunks too. Our pretty daffodil bulbs that I planted so long ago, have begun pushing out of the soil, beneath the snow, as we speak. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We can't see them yet, but soon enough they will be here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Soon enough. </span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2492965056493107893.post-32079079295059712542013-02-19T10:18:00.000-05:002013-02-19T10:19:06.785-05:00First shots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ33ytBVtd_it04t2wADmEi0nc1X_ZTQGrSYxWXHwm31wwhC50uJZH1-ZpBAizIE_YUpKy4pDpPMbwM6i2eqUZ4WlOzaJBl3Wc-z-YPES3qMqkW6JnVakxCjKLVz-XSHn-8doq7T5B8y0/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ33ytBVtd_it04t2wADmEi0nc1X_ZTQGrSYxWXHwm31wwhC50uJZH1-ZpBAizIE_YUpKy4pDpPMbwM6i2eqUZ4WlOzaJBl3Wc-z-YPES3qMqkW6JnVakxCjKLVz-XSHn-8doq7T5B8y0/s400/101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am determined to teach myself to master my new Digital SLR camera. It was given to me. Someone GAVE it to me. Never would I have been able to afford such a camera.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I am so very grateful.</span><br />
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Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13499511269909283084noreply@blogger.com1