Ugh, I've been tagged

Thanks Barb, you've forced me to post due to your "tag" http://www.halfpastkissintime.com/2008/12/theres-one-way-to-feel-warm-again.htm

Non the less, here I go because I'm competitive and don't want to seem like I'm a poor sport.

This picture was taken in the summer of 2007, on the left is my son Nick who was 17 at the time standing next to his "little cousin Taylor age 14.

The picture was taken on our annual NY vacation back to our cottage on Cayuga Lake (one of the Finger lakes).
I took the picture to see just how long before Taylor catches up to Nick's height. As you can see, it won't be long! Now I have to tag someone else in blog land so here I go (my apologies in advance).
Mike at http://unravelingmysteries.com/
Corrine at http://mommahasmonkeytoes.blogspot.com/. Lets see if they take the bait.

Isn't it Ironic?

When cancer decided to join ruin our fun 6 years ago, my son Nick was 13 years old. Like his dad, Nick is a thinker, not a talker. Even though I knew he was afraid of the "what if's", he tried not to show it. He always put on a brave face and told me not to worry. When he would come home from school, he would ask if there was anything he could do for me. I always replied that he needed to "do good in school, be smart and.... someday find a cure for cancer". Nick would always reply "no problem Mom" (such a good son).

Nick is now in his Sophmore year at college and although when he went to school, he applied and was accepted into the Biology program at State, this year he has changed his focus a bit and now he has decided he would like to study Organic Chemistry.

He called the other day and said he met with a Dean at school and she put him in touch with a Professor who runs a research team at the college. Nick will be working with her and her team researching "Cancer drugs". I'm such a proud Momma of my eldest spawn.

Isn't life a beautiful thing?

Friday Fragments

This is my first time posting a Friday Fragment so I know my good friend Ms 4444's will help me out and fix my post. Right???? (hint, insert your site here)

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I hate to shop, I was in a couple stores today for the upcoming December 25th and I thought I would slit my wrists. I hate to shop.....
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My office Christmas party is tomorrow and I so do not want to go... I would rather stay home and sleep.
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I don't blog often because I feel I have nothing to say... the more I read other people's blogs, the more I realize it doesn't matter what you say..
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I secretly wish I could have a tape worm for about 6 weeks and drop 50lbs the easy way..
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I realized today that I am a bad mother, St. Nick has never been to my house on December 6th or after midnight on December 5th. (It's a Mid-Western thing, at least that is what I am told).
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I must have the wrong idea about this Friday Fragment thing, it seems like its a confession.

One of my bitch moments....

When we moved to Cali, we basically just packed up and moved. We slapped a for sale sign in the front yard our NY home, rented a Cali house on the internet packed our vehicles and drove.

The house we rented happened to be in a "gated community" and although that was new for us, it seemed a nice idea. Our kids would be safe and the traffic would be kept mostly to the people who lived here. Also, this appeared to be a kid friendly neighborhood as we are 5/10ths of a mile to the elementary school, 2/10ths of a mile to the middle school and 7/10ths of a mile to the high school.

We bought the following year in the same neighborhood (gated community) and proceeded to enjoy our new house and our Cali lifestyle. This was our first home where there is a “Homeowner Association”. An okay idea, either way it did not make a difference to me. The dues are not much, only $85/month. I personally don’t think they do much other than plant new flower varieties each season but hey, it was our choice to buy here knowing of the Association.

When we put in our request to have a pool installed, they (the Association) said we would hear something back in 30 days at the latest. Well, 30 days came and went with no word so the pool was installed. (You know, no news is good news theory). After another 30 days, we sent in our application for solar panels for our “new pool”. That was approved right away, I guess they are still waiting to let us know if we are approved for a pool (duh).

Other than that, we have very little contact with the Association but we did recently receive a questionnaire for the Ivey Glenn Homeowners to fill out. Here are their questions.

• 1. Should skateboarding be forbidden in our community both on sidewalks and streets?
• 2. Should dogs and other pets be kept out of our community park (aggressive pets, droppings, etc.)?
• 3. Should children be forbidden from playing in the street?
• 4. Should residents be forbidden from parking their personal vehicles on the street; mandate that residents park in their garages or driveways
• 5. Any other items or concerns you have.

Then the Association proceed to state that “Your names and responses will not be shared with anyone other than the Board and Management Company Representative.

Oh, I’m sharing- I’m sharing to everyone that will listen…..

Fuck you ....

P.S. My response will be in your mailbox within in the next 30 days at the latest.