Two Dollars and Dream...

I've never watched "It Could Happen to You" from beginning to end. All I know is that a cop from New York splits a lottery ticket with a broke diner waitress as a tip. Of course, in true fairy tale fashion, they hit the jackpot, fall in love and live happily ever. The movie was based on a true story, which I vaguely recall reading about in the New York Daily News when I was younger.

The odds of winning the lottery are extremely long, but it's not impossible. One person in Nebraska won last night's $365 million dollar Powerball jackpot--so, there's proof that it does happen to someone.

Unfortunately, that someone isn't me.

Does that make me a sore loser? I doubt it, because if it does, then there are millions just like me around the country this morning. Misery loves company. That should help all of us feel a better.

Yeah, not exactly.

I don't consider myself greedy. I've told Jon that I didn't have to win the big one. I would be quite content with winning a few thousand dollars by matching only a couple of numbers. So far, the closest I've come is matching one and the Powerball. Not exactly a play that would make me a wealthy woman, but I did get $15 out of the deal.
$15 dollars compared to a couple of thousand or hundreds of millions. Sort of pales by comparison. At least I can say I've won the lottery, though.

I don't play the lottery often. Usually, common sense and reason tell me that dropping a couple of bucks on a slip of paper isn't a sound investment. Yet, every time the money gets big, I head down to the Irving station and pick up my two tickets (and yes, I know that two tickets make not even the slightest statistical difference when it comes to hitting the big one).

I understand that I am fortunate to have what I do: I'm not broke, I have a nice home, a great family and a job that I enjoy. Winning the lottery wouldn't change most of that. I wouldn't ditch Jon and the kids, I'd still write and as for my home...ok, I might change that. Everyone has a dream home. Mine wouldn't be one of these places that could fit two houses in--I'm not greedy. All I want is my washer and dryer out of the basement.

Is that a lot to ask? I don't think so.

But, for now, my dream home will remain that. Dreams are good. They give us something to strive for, a goal to reach. I'm sure this loss will be me a better, more productive member of society.

And, just to prove that I'm not a sore loser, I offer the following good wishes to the Nebraskan who now has more money than can be spent in a lifetime:

Congratulations! Enjoy your money!

Oh, and if you need someone to write your life story, I'm available...

For a small fee, of course.

Sick....and tired

In his classic performance "Himself", Bill Cosby makes the following statement:

You know, one day mother started into it. She said, "You make me sick." "And tired," I finished. [long pause while the audience laughs] I don't remember anything that happened that day

Word to that...well, all except for the thing about saying that to my mom (I valued my life). Sick and Tired just seem to go together like PB&J, Spaghetti and Meatballs--you get the idea. I'm pretty sure that most people get sick because they are tired (read: exhausted) and that's when the germs get ya, as soon as the body says, "Yeah, I could use a little rest." How about a rest without feeling like my head is in a vice, my breathing whistling an off key tune and my voice sounding like Rocky after he's gone one too many rounds with Apollo, Mr. T or that Russian guy in Rocky IV (right? I stopped caring after Rocky II, really) Today in our lovely home, Mommy and Daddy are sick and tired. We both have colds miserable little things. A cold is great if you want the sensation of being underwater or trapped in some sort of transparent box with minimal air. Not exactly a great combination. The worst thing about them is that there's nothing you can do but wait the damn thing out. And, since I'm tired, it will probably take me a few days to shake this thing. If I wanted a vacation, I'd go to Bermuda or Jamaica or somewhere tropical. I don't need by body shutting down on me to impose a mandatory break time. It sort of takes away from the whole relaxation concept. I don't know about you, but when I try to relax when I'm sick, it just isn't very...well...relaxing. I ache, I cough, my head aches. It doesn't do much for me, but I'm funny that way. Of course, I always get sick when something big happens. Right now, its crunch time for me with work and I stil have't managed to find the the girls' off switch, so I keep plugging on. That's what moms (and most dads) do. So, after a day of hell at work, I'm realy to turn in by 8:30. I know, I know!! My life is so exciing. Hopefully all the juice, extra rest and yes, even yucky medicine, wil help alleviate some of these sucky symptoms. Have a good night. M.

My Hometown

Recently, I had an assignment for a new client about the construction boom in the Lewiston/Auburn area. For those that don't live around here, I have to say that the LA area (yes, we call it that---oh, aren't we so cheeky?) is growing by leaps and bounds. When we moved here in 1998, Auburn was a nice little community and Lewiston, well...not so much. A local comedian joked once that people in Lewiston used to go to the Longley bridge, which is the "border" between the cities, look across the water and go, "Someday....someday we'll make it there." Heh.
However, over the past few years, Lewiston has picked itself up, dusted itself off and is really starting to get its shit together. Oh, there will always been that two block stretch on Lisbon Street that houses about 1/2 dozen sleazy bars and a number of "adult" shops (Maine's lame attempt at a red light district), but new businesses are popping up all over, new restaurants, stores, etc.
The same goes for Auburn. We're getting a LongHorn SteakHouse and Ruby Tuesdays! Although, personally, I'd much rather have the Olive Garden that was rumored to be coming in. Homes that make my humble dwelling look like a garage have made an appearance just up the road from here. Jon and I both wonder where the hell these people work, since Jon works at one of the more established and well paying companies in the area and there ain't no way we're ever affording a house like the ones being built around us. See, we have this habit of wanting to put food on the table--silly us.
Anyway, I digress...this assignment required some pictures, so I thought I'd post a few.
From the top of Goff Hill, which on a snowy day, people rarely need a car...just a good nudge and one slide could probably make it into Lewiston. This is right up the road from my house. You're looking at part of downtown Auburn and, in the distance, Lewiston. The big church in the background is St. Peter and St. Paul's Basilica--yes, we're moving up in the world--at least according to the Catholic Church!

The newly renovated Lewiston Public Library is less than two blocks from the aforementioned "redlight district". However, this facility is gorgeous now...it was a decent library to begin with, but now, it's truly high tech and a great place to spend some time.
Great Falls, which flows under the Longley bridge between Lewiston and Auburn. I took a few shots of these early in my photography experience. I shot this one with one of my new lenses. I really like the shot, even though there is some blur around the edges. The new lenses are wonderful, but I need a lot more practice with them. Still, I thought this one was worth posting.
I'll be taking more shots of the area and posting them as I keep working with the camera.
I joke around a lot about the L/A area. Honestly, though, I'm thrilled with where we live--most of the time. ;)
Oh, I just noticed that my one year blogiversary passed without my recognizing it. So, Happy 1st to me!!!! And, thanks Heidi, for getting me started!
And, oh yes...Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Almost forgot....lol

Family planning and the olympics

Now that you've read the touching tributes to my darling daughters, I can now vent a little about the fact that their birthdays are separated by one day.

"Wow! How neat!," I hear often when the girls' birthdays come up and people realize how close they are. "Did you plan it that way?"

Sure, I waited all year long until the appointed day on the calendar that I carefully figured out would produce a baby on February 7th and February 8th, turned to my husband, grabbed him and said, "Come on hot stuff, we have to make a baby NOW, so our kids can have almost the same birthday!!" Not that he would mind me grabbing him at any time for any reason, but there was no plan to have two girls back to back like that (granted, they are separated by 4 years). That matters little when the first full week of February rolls around, though.

The closest thing I had to any kind of plan about child birth was that there was no way I was going to be in the last trimester of pregnancy in the dog days of summer. Being that preggo sucks no matter what time of year it is, but there was no way in hell that I was going to have a bun in the oven while it was 90+ degrees outside. So, when it came to the time where we tossed caution to the wind and said, "Sure, let's have some kids", the caution was only thrown as far as April to August. Naturally, that didn't mean that we couldn't practice during our "down time", but the plan was to hang the "NO WOMB FOR RENT" for 1/2 the year...

Turns out, we didn't need any kind of planning. Apparently, we practiced so much before trying to conceive that we got it right almost the first shot out of the gate (pardon the bad pun, there). All Jon needed to do was look at me, it seemed, and I got pregnant. We did endure the loss of two children, and that's a subject for another post--not because it's too hard to talk about, but I don't like focusing on what I don't have, especially around the girls' birthdays...So, we were incredbily skilled/lucky when it came to getting pregnant. It just seemed that one time of year was better for us than the rest.

I think something my "nephew", Kyle, said when we announced the joyous news of our second pregnancy sums it all up pretty well. When we told his family, who was having dinner with us that evening, that the 2nd baby Rossiter was due at the end of February, Kyle's mom, Sue, was incredulous. "Wow! You guys must really like February! First Cailyn's birthday, and now another one the same month!" As I raised my fork to put the next mouthful of food to my lips, then 14-year-old Kyle says, without missing a beat, "Seems to me that they like May even more..."

Ah, out of the mouths of babes....That was the funniest thing I heard in ages, and although his mom was slightly embarrassed, I think, I could do nothing but agree with the young man. He's always been a smart one.

Must have been something in the May spring air for Jon and me...
Either way, there are times that I think that having the girls' birthdays so close was piss poor planning. The week of their birthdays is hell, and now that both are having parties, well, it isn't going to get any easier as time goes on. But, for now, we lump the girls parties as close together as we can, just so we can get through the insanity a little faster.

This week has been filled with last minute calls from parents (who had two weeks to RSVP, btw), exploding ice cream cone cupcakes and a small fire in my kitchen (the anti-Martha rides again), trips to two classrooms in two days and getting ready for two parties this weekend. Work? Forget it. Sleep? Not much. There's still lots to do before we get through the weekend, but somehow it will happen.

And, in the end, the kids will love it, no matter how it turns out--because, remarkably, it turns out that, for them, it is the thought that counts, even though they can't wait to open presents and stuff their faces with cake. Their excitement is contagious...I just wish I had their energy to maintain that excitement for 7 days, as they have. LOL

Oh, another odd coincidence about Cailyn and Erin's birthdays? They are both winter olympic babies--on the night each of them was born, the winter olympics held their opening ceremonies--Nagano, Japan in 1998 and Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002. While all these people stood out in the freezing cold, getting ready to have their greatest moment...twice I held the product of my physical endurance and labors...Skiing?? HA! I just delivered a baby! And, I'll be damned if I didn't get a medal....what a jip! ;)

But, after two babies, I think we've finally got the family planning thing down now. In two days, as the winter olympics in Torino opens, there will be no deja vu this time...We made our family plan long ago: we officially removed ourselves from the gene pool after Erin was born and that's a plan that we can count on (I HOPE!!). After all, keeping up with two girls should qualify as an olympic sport.

Hell, if curling still counts, shouldn't raising two daughters???

Happy 4th Birthday Erin!

This shows you how much Mommy loves you, Erin. I'm posting this picture of us because it's so clear to see how happy I was that you came into our lives. You entered the world the way you live life today--hard and fast. Always following in your big sis' footsteps, you made your debut the day after Cailyn's birthday, proving that Big Sis is "always right". Oh, you waited around for a while--20+ hours to be exact from when we entered the hospital. But, when you decided it was time, less than 5 minutes and two pushes later, you came screaming into the world (with a little bruiser eye to prove it). You've been a fighter since Day One, Miss E. You proved to be more of a challenge than Sissy your first year: horrible gas, ear infections, not settling as well into day care...There were days that I was unsure I was doing all I could to take care of you. But, again, you were a fighter and by the time your first birthday rolled around, you were into everything: always ready to explore. All of us thought that you were the fastest crawler ever. Who needs walking when you can zip around the house safely on all fours?! Still, chasing after Cailyn got you up and running soon enough! I know that parents aren't supposed to label their children, but raising kids isn't always about "shoulds and shouldn't" according to some expert. You, dear Erin, are ruled by emotion (yes, you are truly Mommy's girl." You feel things to the core. You have an incredible capacity for empathy, an appreciation for beauty and a low tolerance for injustice (especially when it comes to when I say 'No!' lol). If eyes are windows to the soul, yours are wide open. That's the first thing most people notice about you: your gorgeous blue eyes. They sparkle when you're happy, flash when you're mad and twinkle when you're up to no good. What I love most about you is your flexibility and the fact that you are sometimes a paradox: you love dressing up like a girly princess, but have no problem growling like a dragon at the same time. You fully embrace your entire personality, on both sides of the spectrum. This can be challenging to us, because it's hard to keep up with who you are or what you're feeling at any given time, but there's no doubt that things are never boring... No one could ever have convinced me four years ago that one tiny (ok, not so tiny) baby could complete me. From the moment I first held you to today, when I have to run in order to keep up with you, you have been one of God's greatest gifts to me. You are still my baby, even though you're growing up right before my eyes. And, fortunately, you still don't mind so much having that role in my life. One day soon, that will change, I know. But, for now, I'm just so happy that we have such a special connection. Thank you for bringing humor, love and joy to our lives. And, just as I said to your sister, thanks for choosing me to be your Mommy!

Happy 8th Birthday Cailyn!

Eight years ago, you came to us on an unusually bright, warm February afternoon...You certainly took your time getting here, but after 3 1/2 hours of struggle, you came into the world pink and round and perfect--all 9 pounds, 4 ounces of you! Even then, we had trouble finding clothes that fit you right! LOL Your first year was full of changes--moving from Ohio to Maine, learning to crawl, walk and talk, all before you hit 12 months! You've always kept me on my toes and amazed me with the things you could do, even when people didn't think it was possible. Even as a toddler, you had personality--plus! There were times that it seemed we had a little person as opposed to a child. You had this way of relating to people that went beyond your years. Yet, in spite of your early maturity, there's always been that touch of mischief within you... Four years and one day after we were blessed with you, we gave you the baby sister you wanted so much. You knew, before anyone, that Erin would come into our lives and that she would arrive just in time to be "the best birthday present ever!" I'm not sure who was more proud: Mommy and Daddy or you. I did discover that in spite of my fears of not having enough love to go around for two children, I somehow loved you even more after Erin came along--and had plenty to give to little sis, too! While you are mostly a "Daddy's girl", you and I share so much in common, too. You have a flair for the dramatic--both on and off the stage. Entertaining people brings you joy, and you also have a gift of the written word, too. Whether it's on the stage or in everyday life, you simply love to announce your presence to the world. Sometimes, I come down a little too hard on you about this: thinking that you're being a show off. But, in all honesty, I'm amazed at how comfortable you are in your own skin. You just keep teaching me about what it means to be real. You always have a smile for everyone. So many people say what a happy child you are. Your smile reminds me that even though I don't always act like the greatest mom, I must be doing something ok for you to be so self-assured and happy. I notice that I smile more when I'm around you, too. Although there are many times that I wish I could stop time in its tracks and keep you young and away from so many of the things that you will face as you grow up, I know that I can't. And, deep down, I guess I don't want to. Yes, I get scared at what challenges lie ahead, the fights we'll go through about clothes, boys, cars, etc. But, in the end, I'm just too fascinated by the young lady you're becoming to hold you back. There are still too many lessons for both of us to learn, and for that reason, I can't wait to see you grow up! Happy Birthday Cailyn! I love you so much and couldn't be more proud to be your Mommy. And, I thank you for choosing me to bring you into the world.