Boo is addicted to the movie Grease. It started out innocently enough. We were tired of listening to Disney Christmas Specials.  Then we realized she was fast forwarding to just the music parts.

David had the bright idea of Grease. We liked the music and we would be expanding her tastes. We did not take into account that Abby would be watching the movie or that we would have to explain a hickey from Kinicki.

Earlier this week Boo kept repeating the scene that featured Beauty School Dropout. After she shouted HOOKER I started listening to the lyrics. Yes, mom of the year probably should have done this BEFORE downloading the movie. In my defense, I recalled my mother taking me at age 7 to see the movie in the theater. I even remember that we went while on vacation on Cape Cod. How bad could it be?

For those unfamiliar with the movie, and God bless you, Frenchie wishes for a guardian angel to tell her what to do. Instead of getting the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella she ends up with the least supportive angel ever created: Frankie Avalon.

Here are some of his pearls of wisdom:

Most mixed-up non-delinquent on the block. (Um, I think he means that as a compliment)

Why keep your feeble hopes alive? (Yup, way to motivate)

If you go for your diploma, you can join a steno pool. (Okay, he is giving career advice.)

You think you are such a looker. No customer would go to you unless she was a hooker. (Boo’s favorite line)

(Wait it gets better)

You’re not cut out to hold a job. (Hey wait a second Frankie you said I could join the steno pool!)

His only advice that is still applicable to today’s teens:

Now friends, before I go boring you with the double entendres (and hey not so subtle references to a kitty cat wagon) of Grease Lightening help a mother out! I need a new movie for the girl. Based on Boo’s viewing habits, I believe these are the requirements:

1.  It has to be more music than dialogue.
2. It has to be live-action, not animated.
3. The music should be more upbeat than sad. She will watch Hopelessly Devoted (much to my mother’s dismay–she ruined Grandma’s favorite song) but loves We go Together.

David’s one request: something with a lot of pre-90’s music. He doesn’t believe there has been a true music since Journey, REO Speedwagon or the Who. Don’t get him started on boy bands.

Lastly,
It has to be something that won’t make me teach Abby sex-ed. That’s why she will take health class. Okay, not a Boo requirement but help a mother out.

My request is much more imperative than David’s in case you were wondering.

This morning’s conversation after being late for school:

Allie: Mom, who made up the days of the week?
Me: Um…God

Allie: Well, he made a mistake.

Me: Um….really? I’m not sure God does that.

Allie: Well, obviously he did make a mistake. There are not enough days between Friday afterschool and Monday morning. He put in too many work days!

If you haven’t seen this video take a minute and listen to them ROAR!!!!

David has been working a lot of weekends. A LOT of weekends. In one way it is nice. I am sure I am not the only parent who experiences the household running smoother when the only dissenting voices don’t have an actual vote. On the flip side having another vote means that you are not losing your mind when you get a tad irritated when asked for the 100th time for a cookie before 9 am.

At one point I realized I was the one person in the house being unreasonable. But the girls should hold some responsibility. As I was slowly losing my mind this weekend it occurred to me that while I am probably not alone in wondering if it I ran away would they find me?

Here are just some of the phrases that popped out of my mouth this weekend:

No you cannot have a cookie (7:30 am)

Quit licking me

Yes Allie, you do a terrific jump rope in the living room. WATCH OUT FOR THE TV

You already had three donuts (8 am)

Boo, you cannot feed Bailey stickers. Or blocks or what the hell did you just stick in his mouth?

Is it wine o’clock yet?

Fine have a cookie (8:45am)

The night before last Allie woke me up at 2:41 am. Yes, that is the exact freaking time. I threatened her that when she is in her early twenties I am breaking into her apartment at 2:40 am to wake her up by scaring the crap out of her.

What is it with kids that they SNEAK into your room only to put their face right in front of yours and whisper scream: MOM

Also, how come they never go to Dad’s side of the bed?

Back to my story….Allie had a good excuse this time. Somehow at the dead of night her tooth that has been hanging on for three months finally fell out.

At 2:41 am.

She asked me if she should put it under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy. I explained at 2:41 am that the Tooth Fairy’s list was already scheduled for the night. (I think I get props for thinking that quick on my feet at 2:41 am).

Last night after she brushed her teeth. Including the one that fell out, and I quote: I want the Tooth Fairy to see that I take care of my teeth. I asked her why she didn’t pay that much attention to the ones still in her head and got the eye roll.

The Eye Roll and The Tooth Fairy. She is on the cusp of tweendom but still has her imagination firmly in childhood.

I’ll deal with the 2:41 am wake-up calls for as long as she is anchored in innocence.

Even though it is a little early, Jen has instructed her team of DJ’s to create a Twisted Mix Tape to celebrate Halloween.

First up, of course is Michael Jackson in Thriller.

Slowing it down a bit we visit the Ghost of Patrick Swayze. I fell in love with Patrick when he was in the Outsiders. The only Curtis with a normal name. Yep, I’m old but that has been established. But Ghost? Man that dude could spin a wheel.

Of course what is Halloween without the Monster Mash? Vincent Price he was the man of the Spirits.

Then there is the always reliable Ghost Busters. That was full of spirits.

Last but certainly not least, I recommend a little AC/DC to round out your list of spirits. Because once Jen realizes I completely messed with her touchy-feely Spiritual quest with a bunch of Spirits I will probably be on the Highway to Hell.

Yes, the rule was actually: Songs that are SPIRITUAL in some way. Since my songs contained spirits she cannot be mad. Right? Right, Jen?

PS–Suck-up Bonus points:  The Outsider’s character that Patrick Swayze played was Darrel Curtis big brother to Soda Pop and Pony Boy.  I remember reading the book WAY before the movie. I think I fell in love with all of the boys that were so bad they were good.

This week I am thankful for quite a lot….

10. My nephews and pseudo niece visited last weekend making Allie and Boo’s week.

9. Unlike other children, mine are home and safe.

8. Unlike other friends, the government shutdown hasn’t threatened my mortgage.

7. David attended the field trip.

6. Allie had the BEST RIDE EVER

5. Crafty Aunt K will be recruited to make the Halloween costume and pumpkin carving since I am not worthy (according to Allie). K you have been warned!

4. Boo has only had two accidents this week. I am counting that as an potty success.

3. Zach raised the money needed for his service dog!! Thank you for everyone who contributed to his campaign. Zach will get his forever friend next summer. I will keep you posted.
2. The Patriots came from behind and won on Sunday. It was quite amazing and unexpected. Apologies to the Saints fans.

1. Bailey our crazy puppy turned crazy dog had to have surgery due to his addiction to eating sticks. Thankfully the surgery went well and while Boo was sad not to hug him she seemed to understand that she had to be gentle. Now if the freaking pup would stop eating sticks I would be even more than thankful.

What are you thankful for this week?
 

I have kind of a strange taste in music. Some would call it twisted. I tend to listen to anything, my Pandora includes the Eagles to CCR to John Tesh to Big & Rich. If some one asked I would probably say I gravitate to country and/or pop music. But once in a while I like to really confuse my family. And that’s when my mix-tape includes the RAP:

I just love when Eminem mixes his music with artists we thought would never ever ever be on stage with him. I like most of his songs, but the ones when he brings in other artists are my favorite.

Dating myself here, but I think this was the first rap song I ever knew. There was something so incredibly cool about these three women who not only entered the man-world of rap but freaking dominated it.

Eminem owes his career of radio hits to Run DMC. The first group that I know of who took Rap to the mainstream by taking on the Bad Boys of Boston. Run DMC set the standard of how to get your rap song on the mainstream music stations. Although Rich or Clark will probably tell me I am incorrect! Although Eminem did feature Aerosmith in Sing for the Moment.

Going back to my 80’s roots…

I think the Beastie Boys are probably the most underrated rappers out there. Of course, they probably shot themselves in the foot by being too mainstream making us fight for the right to party. Gratitude, though? I wish I could live by their words: “What’s gonna set you free. Look inside you and you’ll see”.

Well I warned you I like Country. And Jason is hot country who can rap.

I wish some one had warned me that Fourth Grade came with so much homework.

Me too, Allie, me too.

Okay if you got past the title of this post, you have been warned. I rarely get political / controversial on my blog. I have my opinions (too many according to my husband) but this blog is supposed to be about Boo, our family and how we live in a world we were not quite expecting.

But then the Government shut down and I got a tad irked. I’m lucky. I live in a State where the local government is shouldering some of the federal government’s responsibility. But others are not quite so lucky and this unfairness is what has sparked the coming rant.

Again, you’ve been warned.

To Whom Ever Is Listening in Washington (DC that is),

I’m confused. I am not sure what the problem is at the Capital. However it appears to be a temper tantrum between two sides who seem to have forgotten their purpose. You see, it doesn’t matter if you are a Liberal, Conservative, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or have purple hair. You haven’t provided a sound defense for what you are currently putting our nation through.

Quite simply, you are making us look like the dysfunctional family we have become. Which would be okay if you would stop airing dirty laundry and start airing common sense. You shut down National Parks, Monuments and buildings with signs that were at the ready to tell the World that the reason vacations and school trips were canceled were due to a Government shut down.

Exactly how much did those signs cost?

This impasse has affected more than government programs but local businesses. A hotel was shut down in VA for having the nerve to stay open during the shut down. This family-run business located on Federal Land had reservations to uphold and now will lose their hard earned patronage while you squabble.

You left the Supreme Court in session and maintained your staffers yet children will go hungry if their local governments cannot underwrite WIC.

Employees have been furloughed with no promise of retroactive pay. These are not young single people living with their parents but men and women who have served their employer, the US Government, with diligence and now may not be able to pay their mortgage or feed their children.

The NIH has been affected by the shut-down leaving cancer patients without protocols and trials.

Next will it be Social Security? Which, is not an entitlement, but something our seniors have spent their lives paying into and now depend on for little things like food, heat and medications.

Our paychecks continue to be garnished for taxes that are to support Government services and you are not providing them. In truth you are forgetting your purpose to your constituents.

It appears that our own Government is attacking those most likely to be hurt to prove their point. Both sides seem to be so stuck in their position that they are not willing to see the fallout.

In the end the question is why? This is the question that the President, the Senate and Congress has not answered for the American People.

Thank you for your time.