So much....

Wow, I've been really busy and very neglectful of my blogging. Does anyone even read this anymore??
So, my birthday was Monday. Fun times! Saturday night my dear friends attempted to have a surprise party for me but failed............. at least at the surprise part. But the party worked out well and Jonah even joined us..... oh boy.
Sunday morning we had family brunch at R and V's. Gotta love those brunches!!! What will we do as the Zacks's desert us one by one and move to the Holy Land where they can eat Bonkers Bagels at their brunches?
Sunday afternoon was filled with shopping at Great Lakes with the sisters and Shauli. :) He did well. Hardly (if any) complaints. And he EVEN returned Madden '06 which he pretended to buy me for a birthday present. My real present will take a couple weeks to arrive. Hmm....I really wonder what it is. I don't have a CLUE!!
My mom sent me some money to use for something FUN and not bills. It's good she designated that because knowing me I would deposit it in the checking account thinking I would "use it later" and forget about it and use it for bills. So now I have to choose something fun. I think I am deciding between two things. Or maybe getting both and adding a little of my own money. There is a really cool piece of artwork that I have been looking at in a Judaica catalogue for months. It is Pressed Wildflowers of Israel in a cool blue frame. The picture is above which I am sure you have realized by now.
OR I am thinking of getting a massage which I could REALLY REALLY REALLY use. But does anyone know of a good masseuse around here? Female, please. Let me know because I don't really know how to find one.
Ok, so enough about presents. :)
Sunday evening we had a BBQ again at R and V's so that was fun and we got to hang out with the Bostons Zacks's some more (minus one). And that was that.
Monday was my actual birthday -woohoo - and I worked from 12 to 6 - not so woohoo. But after that Shu and I got a quick BKC dinner (not that ordering from there is ever quick but we like the food so we deal with it). My sis-in-law (G-d bless her) came over to babysit for Jonah and off we went to the Lions/Rams football game. Now first of all, a shout out to Shu's cousin Gabi for hooking us up with tickets!! That was awesome because we tried to get some but weren't able to and he pulled through at the last minute. That was great! I had never been to a football game and this is the only time the Lions are playing the Rams this season (well, preseason) so I pulled out my St. Louis pride (no, I don't even have a Rams T-shirt to wear) and headed off to the game.Parking was ridiculous near the stadium, $30 -$40!! So we drove a little further and found a $10 lot. Woohoo!! Not that we spent anything on the tickets but why pay the extra $20-$30 if you don't need to. The game was great. Well, for me and the 4 other Rams fans. :) For the Lions fans, not so pretty. The stadium was maybe half full at half time and practically empty by the end of the 3rd quarter. It was the game that WOULD NOT end. But I was enjoying because I just love the whole experiance of being at the game. I love people watching and player watching and trying to get on camera (next time I should bring a sign but there is no way Shu would sit with me then!!) Well, it finally ended and we headed out and passed by the Rams bus. So we waited around to see some players and they did come out and come over to us but it was really to see their family and friends and you couldn't even tell who they were. They were the Big Guys but not all were so big. So I guess we saw 2 or 3 superstars but didn't really realize until they were about to get on the bus. I was getting "star struck" but thanks to Shu we finally left. :) Kudos to him for putting up with me!!! I wonder though, if I get so bad with players I don't even know in a game I don't care too much about - what would happen if I met Tayshaun Prince (WOOHOO) of the Pistons. I don't even know!!!!! But it would definitly involved picture taking and perhaps some fainting. JUST KIDDING, I am NOT that bad......I think. Can anyone out there hook me up with a meeting and we'll see????
Well, Shu should be proud of me. Many women would go gaga over Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt but I go for the DETROIT basketball player!!!!! Go figure. Sean Connery might beat out Tayshaun though.
So, we finally made it home to a tired looking Shev who somehow managed to get our kid to bed at a normal hour. She has to come over more often - HINT HINT HINT!!!!
And that was my birthday.
Jonah's is coming up on Thursday so I will keep you posted.........................

Agony

I don't know what to say. I don't want to think about it. I don't like to hear about it. It stresses me out. And it pulls at my heart.

I read on Digital Irony's blog about the disengagement from Gaza being over. But I couldn't even read the whole thing. I just had to skim it. Because if I think too much about it, it makes me too sad. I read about the young people who holed up in the yeshiva and the girls who took over the abandoned house. And how they had to be carried out by soldiers because they were fighting so hard. And about the boys and men who held onto the floor boards, so it would be harder to remove them. These poor people. I am so far removed from the situation and so far away from the country that I hear about these things and they make me sad. But when I take a minute to process it, I get choked up with tears in my eyes. These people are being kicked out of their homes. Their beautiful homes and lives. And being sent to live in caravans and hotels. How do they deal with it? How can this have happened??? What will be next?
My sister-in-law is very involved in what's going on there. From protesting to helping the newly homeless people pack into their temporary teeny homes and trailers. I spoke to my brother-in-law the other day and he gave me a brief run down on what it's like in Israel now. And at a glance on my other brother-in-laws blog, I saw that he went down to Nitzanim to do manuel labor - in whatever was needed. For these people who voluntarily but unhappily left their homes. Because what else were they supposed to do??
And I just feel sick to my stomach about it. For a couple reasons, in no particular order.......

1. I have not really followed what is going on. If somebody were to ask me questions about it, I would hardly be able to answer a thing. I feel guilty about that. Like I should know what's going on in MY country and MY homeland. But on the other hand, I don't want to know. Because it makes me feel worse about my #2 and #3 reasons.

2 - I am not doing anything about it. I know I am thousands of miles away. But I still feel like there are plenty of Americans that probably are doing something. Somehow. Supporting or protesting. Or just educating themselves. And I am just sitting here.

3 - I am not there. The fact that I am not in Israel right now hurts so badly that I don't even want to think about my country. I don't want to hear about it. I don't want to know. Because the more I hear, the harder it is to be so far. I can barely even read my siblings (in law but whatever) blogs because they ARE there. And even with all the turmoil going on, I know they are lucky.
I just know that I belong there and should be there and that dream of mine is so far in the future. I was there during the worst part of the Intifada. I was there and involved. Volunteering for MDA. Ready to rush to the scene of any terrorist attack. Educating people about the situation, about what TO DO. About Israel. There were days I didn't think I would make it. There were days when I was scared to death. But every minute I was there and every day that I made it through. I knew I belonged. And I couldn't leave my country then. I was there then and I should be there now.

Sigh.
But I'm not.

Cystic Fibrosis Wristbands

The CF wristbands have arrived. So if you wanted one, just hand over your donation and you can have it. Haha. Or contact me and we can work it out.
Thanks for your support all!!!

Stop the world, I want to get off!!

Well, I don't really want to get off. But sometimes I do feel like my world is spinning and I am going in all kinds of different directions. So much to do, so little time. And life just keeps going.

I know that doesn't really explain why I haven't blogged in a LONG time. I was in St. Louis from the 12th to the 19th. Shauli was there for the weekend with me and we spent some time in good old Chesterfield where I grew up. We stayed with a family that is basically one of my second families and it was SOOOO great hanging out there. The fast was no fun but we survived so that is always good. My darling husband left to go back to work in Detroit on Monday which was sad. It was also sad that I had to get him to the airport by 6:30 in the morning. But it was nice of me. :)
And midnight Monday night I was back at the airport (with Jonah in tow because he decided to wake up just as I was leaving - no, I wasn't going to leave him by himself! Grandma was there and she is quite the babysitter. Jonah loves her which is SOO cute!!) So 12:30 I picked up Adrian and Kerry (my bro and sis-in-law) who had just flown in from Seattle. Tuesday we all just hung out. My mom came and picked us up and we headed out to her house where we did more hanging out. Jonah is the first grandbaby/nephew on our side of the family - so there was a lot of sitting around and watching him perform. :)
Wednesday was AWESOME!! We went on a canoe trip down the river. Jonah had on a cute little life preserver that was almost as big as him and round like a barrel. He looked ready to go down Niagra Falls. And we got him some little blue swim trunks (to wear over his swim diaper) with red hawaiin flowers. And of course, some water shoes (that were a bit too big but he can wear them next year too). Jonah behaved GREAT on the trip (he was sitting on my lap in the middle of the canoe while Adrian and Kerry paddled). And I only freaked out when we drove through some tree branches and about 15 Daddy-Long Leg spiders ended up in our boat. AHHHHH!!!!
Thursday was fun too. We went to the St.Louis Zoo which has changed a lot from when I was a kid. I loved it then and it's even better now. And they have an AMAZING Childrens zoo where you can hang out with goats, feed canary type birds and do all kinds of other cool things. Jonah LOVED that!! My Mom and I tried out the new dairy kosher restaurant in U. City called Shmeers. How Jewish can you sound???? The salad was good, the pizza was so-so (the sauce was too sweet for my liking), and the French Fries were INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
Friday morning I flew home all by myself with Jonah but he was practically an angel on the flight. WOW!!! Of course, he woke up that morning at quarter to 6 and was up literally until the planes wheels touched the ground at quarter to 10 (or 11 Detroit time).
Shabbas was great. We welcomed back our dear friends the AP's from Israel so that was a good reunion!!! Shabbas lunch was in Shul in honor of Esty and Jose's upcoming wedding. And then Esty's Shabbas kallah that afternoon. And Sunday was their wedding. Wow, was that a great wedding!!!! I danced till I could dance no more and my legs are STILL hurting. And I cheered so much that my throat was sore. There is just something really special about going to a good friends wedding. And when you are friends with both sides that is REALLY awesome. The happiness you feel for the two is soooooooooooo special!!!! Good times, good times.
And here I am. Back at work. The craziness of back to school sales is beginning. It's nice because it keeps me busy while I am there but it can also be exhausting!! Those crazy customers. :)
Next week is a big week. I turn 26 on Monday and Jonah turns 1 on Thursday. WOAH!!!
Party plans are in the works for the joint birthday of Jonah and Noa. We hope to have a location picked out tomorrow. BUSY BUSY.
That's all for now. Hope you all feel caught up.
Well, it's time to get back on the crazy ride we call LIFE.........................................

Phrases

There are some things that you don't imagine you will ever have to say to anyone................
And then you have kids.

This morning I found myself saying, "Jonah, DON'T eat the garbage can!!!"

Interesting, isn't it? Anyone out there have any phrases you didn't think you would ever use?

Yay

Jonah has slept through the night 4 out of the last 5 nights!!!! Hooorah!!! And the one night, he was sick so I think that is what kept him up.
So, when do I get to say, "Yes, my child sleeps through the night."?
What a beautiful thing!!!

Long Time No.....

Post.
Sorry I have not written for a few days but I wanted to make sure that everyone who came to this site saw the CF wristband blog. Anywhoo, now I made my order for 20 bracelets so we can move on. Although if anyone is still interested - let me know!!
I feel like I am on a dry spell in the blog department. Not sure why. Maybe I am so busy getting back into Detroit life that I have no time to be creative. However, at work I am constantly telling myself that I have to blog about this or that. Crazy customers and random thoughts. Maybe I should start writing them down.
Shu and I are flying to St. Louis on Friday so I am REALLY excited about that. Although nervous about flying with Jonah. I hope it won't be too awful. Anyone have suggestions about how to keep an 11 month old quiet and happy on a flight? Aside from drugging them??
My brother and sister-in-law will be coming to St. Louis on Tuesday so I will hang out with them until my return trip (ALONE with Jonah!!!) on Friday, the 19th. Not enough time to spend with them but I guess I will take what I can get.
Then we get reunited with the AP's - YAY!!!!!!! And then Esty and Jose's wedding - woohoo!! My bro-in-law and sis-in-law will be in town from Boston with their cutie patutie kiddos. Fun!
And then my birthday - I feel like I am getting OLD. Then Jonah's birthday - woah, how did my Baby Boy get to be a one year old?????
And then we are already in September.
Ooh, a few things I want to do - go to the Renaissance Festival (anyone want to join me?) and maybe take Jonah to the State Fair.
So, that's all for now.

Cystic Fibrosis Wristband

Show your support for the 30,000 people with Cystic Fibrosis by wearing this bright blue rubber wristband and raising awareness for the need for a cure. Money generated from the distribution of these "Breathe" bracelets will support the vital research and care programs of the CF Foundation. The word "Breathe" and " www.cff.org" appear in block letters on the wristband.

Would anyone like to contribute $2.00 for one of these wristbands? They are available in Adult (8") or Youth (7") sizes. I wanted to order one but minimum order is 10. Anywhoo, if you don't live in Detroit, I will mail it to you.
Let me know!! THANKS!!

"BALL"

A beach? In Detroit? Yup!
Shu and I spent the morning saying that we should really do something outdoors today because it was beautiful weather but neither of us knew what to do or where to go. So I cleaned up the house and Shu was getting ready to do some yard work. Then our neighbors saved the day. :) They called and said they were headed to Metro Beach about half hour away and do we want to come? Beach vs. House and Yard Work? Heck yah, we want to go!
So we packed up a little of this and that and off we went. Now granted, as our California neighbors pointed out, the size of this beach wasn't quite as impressive as in San Diego and the sand wasn't as white or as smooth as in San Diego and the water was full of seaweed and what not but wow, what a great place to go (Digital, you know I am just giving you a hard time - right?). I happen to LOVE hanging out at the beach. Not for the lay out, do nothing aspect of it. But I just love the sight of the water and the sand and the smell of the sunscreen and the BBQ's going. I love the environment.
So we hung out there for awhile, ate our lunches, Jonah had his first playing in the sand experience (and he didn't eat it). We went to the water shooters part of the park which was fun and just spent quality time in the outdoors. It was the perfect day for it. So kudos to our neighbors for the suggestion and we are up for a last minute trip anytime. By the way, when are we going camping?
Ooh, big news - Jonah said his first word today. He said "Ball" (or baw in his pronunciation). As Shauli said, "it's not Mommy or Daddy but Ball. That's my boy!!!" The truth is, he babbles all the time and has probably been talking for awhile but it's hard to say if he really knows what he is referring to. Like he sometimes says "baba or badu" when we give him a bottle. And he definatly says Mama and Dada but we don't know if he is referring to us individually. But with ball, there was no doubt. So that's EXCITING!!!
All in all, a good day.