Ten Years Ago Today...

...Little Z and I celebrated our bdays! I remember stupidly asking a nine year old boy what he wanted to do to celebrate our birthdays (his being May 17th and mine being ten days later). As soon as the question escaped my lips I felt regret. "He's gonna wanna go to Six Flags or someplace I don't like. Why did I ask this!?!?" His answer? "Hmm...how about dinner and a movie?" PERFECT! So we got dressed up and went to a fancy restaurant in Cherry Hill called Blue2o, where my friend Melissa worked. We had a great time because Melissa catered to our exact wishes. Salad for me, noodles for Zach, fries to share, and crème brûlée for dessert. Then it was water ice at Lena's and back to my place to watch Adventures in Babysitting. It was a fantastic evening.

Harry Wild Season Three

I don’t like that the whole season didn't drop all at once this year, but so far the first three eps have been really good!! Thank goodness for Acorn. (Also, I'm kinda rooting for the two Harrys to hook up...)

(photo kidnapped from rottentomatoes)

[post script - May 2025: Season three turned out to be so-so. I really loved the first season but looking back, the scripts went downhill a bit each year. I just finished the first three episodes of season four and I don't think I'll watch the rest of the series. Fergus is mega annoying and I feel like they are making him way too vaudevillian and just silly. The Harry fella is irritating and Glenn spun from comic relief to a complete moron. And then in season four they replaced Orla who previously was played to perfection by Amy Huberman, of Striking Out. Yeah, I think I'll stop now and only re-watch the first season.]

Ideal Bday Cake

This Vegan Treats cake is a total stunner!

3 - The Tree

The Tree

There's an old tree in the center of town with a trunk as thick as a building and leaves that disappear into the clouds. When we're feeling blue, we try to remember that this giant oak was once a tiny seed that lived beneath the dirt and muck, struggling to reach the sun. We can imagine it beneath our feet, nudging its way through the dark and seeking the path of least resistance, winding past a stubborn rock in favor of someplace with rain and light. Growth is often painful, and sometimes it can be messy and strange. When we move into new terrain, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. But progress must be a steady and patient undertaking, much like the untying of a knot. With a little help, even the tiniest seed can break through the earth to reach the heavens. And so whenever we're feeling low, we look at our tree and remember its roots.

Plan carefully before you take that first step. Accept the help of others, knowing that growth is always difficult at the beginning.

Still On Season Three...

March 10th I texted Bella about, what else, Mr. Inbetween! 

Follow up on April 29th:

(Note: I am well aware that posting text messages between myself and my niece are of interest to absolutely no one but me. I just don't care. Cuz this blog? Yeah, it's all for me.)

The Reluctant Traveler Returns!

I gotta say, season two of watching Eugene Levy jet set around Europe was as wonderful, if not more so, than the first season. He's just a genuinely lovely man and I can't wait for the next time that I can tag along with him on his journey to discovering new and wonderful places in this world. The standout moment for me was in the final episode, out in the sea off the coast of Spain when he said You're never too old to get acquainted with the world that you're living in. So simple but so true.

(photo kidnapped from rottentomatoes)

Famous Pals - Who do we see us as?

Me and...

Terri - My Melody & Hello Kitty

Amy - Snoopy & Woodstock *OR* Jake & Elwood

Emma - Elle & Dakota Fanning

Rob - Tina Fey & Oprah Winfrey *OR* Wonder Woman & Bishop

Lauryn - Bedtime Bear & Funshine Bear

Kat - Little Miss Star & Little Miss Fun

Kristin - Belle & Cinderella

Melanie - Cogsworth & Belle

Michael - St. Lucy & St. Augustine

Nicole - Mac & Veronica Mars

Ashlee - Summer Roberts & Marissa Cooper

Mum - Maggie Smith & Judi Dench

Melissa - Ellen & Portia

Bella - Patrick Star & Spongebob Squarepants

They said...

Melissa - Kate & Allie

Mum - Carolyn & Half-Pint

Rob - Daffy Duck & Bugs Bunny

Bella - Spongebob & Patrick

Michael - St. Francis & St. Clare

Amy - Thelma & Louise

Ashlee - Elmo & Big Bird

Nicole - Carrie & Miranda

Mel - Beavis & Butthead

Kat - Thelma & Louise

Lauryn - The Monkees! (Davy & Micky)