January 2012
5 posts
Fuck Yeah
My son’s play…so proud.
Gonna See a Movie Called Gunga Din…MOVES THE BUSHWICK STARR TO THE FRONT LINES !!!
http://www.villagevoice.com/2012-01-25/theater/gonna-see-a-movie-called-gunga-din-moves-the-bushwick-starr-to-the-front-lines/
Didn't Seem Right at the Time
I’m graduating from high school in ‘64, anxious to get my first job. My Dad said no - you’re not working this summer,
it will be the last free summer of your life. What…but I want to work.
Looking back, he was right - the last “free” summer of my life.
It's Nice to Be Someone's Sugar Dumpling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Lf_1y7rYE
My Kids...What Can I Say
Came home from the doctor’s yesterday and had a flower delivery… Fuck Bursitis - We love you, Mark and Amanda They always make me laugh.
Happy New Year's Eve
It’s New Years Eve, I’m sitting with my brother and his new wife – they were married in July.
All I can think about is Stan – how it will happen, when it will happen – if it will happen. We are at our friend Sophie’s sister’s house, all dressed to kill (I actually think I have a picture of this night somewhere).
And just a few days later – it did happen – 39 years ago…I think I made the right...
December 2011
6 posts
November 2011
5 posts
Your First Teacher
You’re so small, so vulnerable, so open…and there she is, you’re first teacher…looking down at you and smiling… I’m here to help. She takes you under her wing, holds you in her arms – in her heart. She teaches you not only your ABC’s, but right from wrong, look forward – never look back, except to remember the good times, the fond memories. She teaches you to be strong, be brave, be good and be...
In and Out Boxes
Just like with paperwork, there’s an in & out box for life. Only those boxes don’t hold paper, they hold values - things we keep, things we toss.
Keep what is important, not the frivolous nonsense that we often tend to focus on.
In Box
Family…although they can at times be trying, family is our base.
Friends…it takes work and a strong resolve to hold a friendship, but well worth...
Amen
A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: ‘Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together. So th e doctor said: ‘Ok and what do you want me to do?’ She said: ‘I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.’...
October 2011
10 posts
Why I Am Important
I am important to my family because I act like a glue. If I were not here, I can’t imagine who my Mom would kill first, my brother or my father. I am a friend to my Mom, I fetch tea when she’s mad. I get my Dad water and talk to my brother. I am a usual kid. I yell, pout, whine, cry, laugh and listen. It all comes with the package. I don’t ask for much; cars, clothes,...
You Are Number One
When I woke, found this in my email…a note from my former boss in Dallas, Texas. He’s now 81…this made my day.
Carol, When I read facebook, you are always the best. Love your material and deep thinking and good humor. I get up early and things you write on facebook make my day.
Changed My Life
When I look back and reflect on who changed my life the most…parents, kids, family or friends…the one that jumps out is Stan.
He opened up so many experiences, exposed me to so many opportunities for travel and gave me the chance to move out of my comfort zone – away from home, family & friends. But above all else, he gave me love and 2 wonderful children – immeasurable gifts, lifelong...
Bright Kids
Hi…So cleaning out my office closet - huge box of stuff from school/plays for you both. Going thru it briefly, found 2 binders of awards…holy shit, you guys have more awards then I remember…guess kicking your asses to keep you on track & do your best worked! No need to thank me. Love, Mom
September 2011
6 posts
Almost
Amanda was scheduled to start work at 10, she arrived at 9:55 and her boss said…Amanda, you were almost late. I told her she should have smiled and said…almost, like close, only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Dating
Dating today is far different than when I was dating. Although the 60’s were so suppose radical, not in the Curtin home. Boyfriends stayed in the living room, certainly never upstairs and definitely never in my bedroom. But we had other places…drive-ins. They were hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and people kept walking past your car….but, you make do with what you...
Relationships
Mark once asked me how you knew when someone was the “right one” for you. I answered that it’s the one that makes you the craziest. By that I mean the one who you can’t wait to see, to be with and the one who not only pushes your buttons but challenges you and makes you feel alive. That’s what will carry you thru the ups and downs in a relationship.
And what will keep that relationship alive is...
5 tags
Tooth Fairy
Justin (6…Stan’s great nephew visiting from NJ) lost his first tooth - so the Tooth Fairy came and left him $10 (wow, a lot more than I used to give my kids). Anyway, Justin asked where the Tooth Fairy lives and Stan said in San Francisco with all the other fairies.
August 2011
13 posts
3 tags
Your First Teacher
You’re so small, so vulnerable, so open…and there she is, you’re first teacher…looking down at you and smiling… I’m here to help. She takes you under her wing, holds you in her arms – in her heart. She teaches you not only your ABC’s, but right from wrong, look forward – never look back, except to remember the good times, the fond memories. She teaches you to be strong, be brave, be good and be...
Punt
When I was getting my divorce, my lawyer (who I never met in person) said “it’s fourth down & we have to punt”…what the hell did that mean. Apparently it’s a football term meaning basically – you’re screwed, you’re giving up the ball. Or in my case, you’re giving up the silver set your Aunt Kaye gave you.
Guess when the divorce was final I should have shouted “Touchdown”.
Wedding Advice
I was at a wedding shower and everyone was asked to give the future bride a piece of advice. These two seemed like a good choice; don’t lose who you are and keep true to yourself. That was some time ago and I still think they’re pretty good.
But this was my advice – whatever you think he is, he isn’t…he’s more.
The Gift
For my birthday, I was given a gift certificate at a nail salon. I had a pedicure and she nicked my toe, I didn’t think much about it. BUT, in a few days the entire toe swelled – after about 2 weeks the swelling was gone and I thought all was ok…NOT. The entire nail became infected – and now, after over 2 years and seeing a doctor, I’m still dealing with this. Next step, having the nail...
Bond
Mark’s graduating from high school and gets a $50 savings bond…great, how do I cash this in? We’ll take it to the bank, but it’s only worth $37.50 right now, it’s not worth $50 until it matures in about 10 years. WTF…are you kidding me, what kind of gift is that? It says they’re giving me $50 but they’re really only giving me $37.50 - that...
Immaculate Conception
Hi…Recently was friend Ann went to a prayer meeting and while talking with a Nun she said she’d didn’t know a lot about the Catholic Church and the Nun said, most Catholics don’t. Here’s an example - most Catholics don’t know what the Immaculate Conception is…I looked at Ann and said I do - so Ann said what is it - I said it’s the conception of...
Furry Friends
Stan had a business breakfast meeting at a restaurant in Morgan Hill several years back. When he returned to work, he called to say he saw my picture today ~ it was on a donation can at the cash register when he paid the bill. I had joined Furry Friends (a program that brought animals to rest homes so the patients could pet and hold an animal, since so many had to leave their pets behind) and...
Carmel Mission
It’s 2009, my cousin Joan’s visiting and we drove to Monterey and Carmel. While there, decided to go to the Carmel Mission to say a prayer for her sister Jean because she’s going thru some health issues, and our friend Walter, and of course to pray for Stan for a full recovery.
We were in the gift shop and we each bought several items. We left and took some pictures outside and then I said wait,...
Gone with the Wind
Our friend Mike’s Dad passed away and Mike’s Mom said he wanted his ashes scattered over the Sierra’s. He arranged to have his Dad’s wishes honored but when it came time to empty the urn, lo and behold he couldn’t get the container open so he had to pry it apart with a key. Then he opened the plane window and of course all the ashes blew back into the plane when he tried to empty the urn. He...
Half Body
Watched a special about a man who only had half a body. He was in a horrible accident and lost the bottom half of his body. Months and months in the hospital – but the amazing thing is that he eventually had a bottom torso built that allowed him to walk. Amazing as it was, all I could think was “kill me”. What does that say about me?
Freeze Frame
Whenever something triggers an old memory, for some reason I see it as almost a still photo…like a freeze frame. And for some reason I have a few memories that I can’t understand why I’d remember them at all. They’re not really significant or threatening or exciting…just this little frozen moment buried in my thoughts.
You’d think I see the past more like a motion picture rather than a...
July 2011
11 posts
Think About It
Teaching is … the profession that makes all other professions possible!
Stretch Pants
My cousin, Joanie, bought me my first pair of stretch pants…with stirrups (it’s the 60’s). They were the rage and I wanted a pair so badly…unfortunately, I was so damn skinny I couldn’t get a pair to fit. She bought me the smallest pair she could find and I was determined to wear them….soooo, I wrapped a towel around my skinny ass and I was out for a night on the town with my...
