Ah,Michigan

Jay,being a true Michigander at heart, sees his beloved home state everywhere he looks…even in his dinner.Behold,the Michigan T-bone…

Roller blading, Bop magazine, and Sidewalk chalk

Two of my dearest friends are coming to see me on Friday,Madeleine and Suzanne.We have been friends now for almost 20(!) years,having met sometime in the first week or so of 7th grade.

I vividly remember meeting Madeleine,my first day at Serrano Intermediate,and standing-terrified,looking out at the vast landscape of lunch tables,realizing that I knew NO ONE.And Madeleine waving me over,saying she recognized me from church.I think she had to tell me her name about 20 times,since I had never heard it before.And Suzanne and I met while riding the bus and walking the short distance home from the bus stop. Sue had a knee brace,and had to hobble home. Imagine our delight when the 3 of us learned that we all lived on the same street!And so was born a life long friendship,and many summers filled with roller blading,Bop magazines,and sidewalk chalk drawings.

I am so excited for them to come see me,not only do I feel like I live in the middle of nowhere and hardly see anyone,but it has been 6 years or so since the 3 of us have been together.Madeleine moved from our street right before Junior year of High School,and the 3 of us have been together only once since.So,its major reunion time.And in my excitement for the coming weekend,I was flipping through old photo albums,and came across this…

That’s right. We went to Sears and had our portrait taken. My thoughts though ran to the fact that while Madeleine and Suzanne are wearing matching pink shirts,I am wearing white.Why is this? And as I pondered this,my mind wandered to something else…

…when I was 12 or so my Dad took me to a Laker’s game. I remember the squeak of shoes on the court,the big framed jerseys on the wall,but what I REALLY remember-are the Laker Girls. A dream was born. I wanted to be a Laker Girl when I grew up. I had much more coordination in my mind that I did in real life (hence the reason I dropped out of Drill Team in HS-I realized in the first week of Drill Team camp that I actually sucked,and chose to quit,other than be the” crappy girl” in Drill Team.But we’re getting off the topic.) So,I was going to be a Laker Girl when I grew up. Imagine my delight when the made for TV movie “Laker Girls” came out!

Starring none other than Tina Yothers,who desperately wanted to be a Laker Girl,but was constantly thwarted by the bitchy evil brunette.In one scene,the girls are posing for a calendar,and said bitchy girl shows up to the shoot “accidentaly” wearing red,when everyone else is wearing white. the photographer has a fantastic idea to go ahead and put her in the middle,making her the center of attention in the picture. In the end,Tina Yothers dances with the team,defeats the brunette,and all is well in the land of Basketball cheerleaders.

My point being though….in my mind,back in 1992,was I being the evil brunette during our portrait sitting,trying to make myself stand out?I hope not,but if it was some weird subconcious thing-blame it on my Mom,she was always telling me how pretty I was growing up. It has only been the last few years or so that I have realized,I am NOT the prettiest girl in the room.

So,anyway…this weekend,I plan on totally making Madeleine and Suzanne recreated the Sears portrait. Only this time,I won’t be wearing the”bitchy brunette from ‘Laker Girls’ outfit”.But I just might pull out the roller blades and sidewalk chalk.

PS bonus #42 of being a Mom=being able to live out your fantasies through your children.

Cassi, Jaren, and MaryJane as Laker Girls,and little white boy Shaq – Halloween 2004

And so it begins…

The time has come for me to start blogging.I know your excited,I mean,who wouldn’t be?Now you get to hear all about my children,life in Utah,our dog Maggie and who knows what else.What could be more fun?

As some of you know,I blog a little on MySpace,but not all my family and friends are on there(My Dad would be proud of you) so I decided to start one for everyone.You can thank Madeleine and Carrie,who have blogs I read on a regular basis,and they bring me great joy

Just to keep you in the know,we are Jay,Stephanie,Cassiopea,Jaren,MaryJane and Jack.Also included in the family package are Maggie the dog,and Ashley Kittyface…the kitty.We currently live in Southern Utah…

My parents live here too,and I admit it,my Mommy is my best friend.(name that movie) My sister Kim is here too(also a BFF) as well as Steve and Tina and MANY other miscellaneous family members.The joy!

I hated it here after moving from Orange County,but it struck me a few months ago-its become home,I am happy here,I do not want to move back to OC.Although a real mall,a Toys-R-Us ,El Pollo Loco and a few other little things HERE would be awesome (like Disneyland) But for now…I’m happy.

Spring is here and I love opening my doors in the morning,letting in fresh air.I’m trying not to stress too much over the fact that spring being here means summer is just around the corner.And while I am happy here in So.Utah,I HATE the summers.

So-there you go,the start of something new,this blog.I’ll write often (enough) to keep you all in the know.

Cheers!