OK -- I'm sure this is neurotic of me... but would SOMEONE respond to this BLOG... I'm starting to feel like there's noone out there... WHERE IS EVERYONE????  THANKS, in advance, for supporting my neuroses and insanity...

So I've started anew with the Diet thing... I am so sick of being FAT and out of shape... I do well for a number of months , and then BOOM... nothing.  Hard to believe I was in shape enough to do the triathlon in JULY.

I need to be motivated, supported, etc...  SO KEEP NUDGING ME,,, OK?????!!!!

I have logged onto ediets.com and will be posting there as a "GUEST" to see if I like it... if it works, I think I'll join... If not, back to Weight Watchers I go...

I'd love to hear from all of you.. and how you make it work!!

I don't know about anyone else... but I think I've decided the hardest thing about parenting.  It's that there are no "DO OVERS".  Here at our house, we are struggling with choices for the kids education.  Ezra is at a Parochial school.  I want him there for the religious education he receives.  It has been my dream since before my kids were born that they would go to parochial (JEWISH DAY) school to get the education I never could. 

However, the truth is, I have nagging doubts about whether academically it is the best choice.  We live in a district with a FABULOUS school system.  They provide wonderful education and things my kid would never get in Day School, from Musical Instrument training to a wide array of field trips and class guests that a Public Education affords would afford him.

I am torn between my desire for him to be where it fosters his love for his faith (and a place he truly loves) but costs us a fortune but will not challenge him academically to being a place where we will always be in the "MINORITY" but he may be better academically. 

It is so hard to be a parent.  And you can't go back and do it over if you decide you don't like the decision you made.  AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!

OK... I know I haven't written in a while... and I have alot to say... but can't right now... but until then, I wanted all of you to see this... It's priceless..

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, none of us would
have done it!


POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging
permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess
excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24
hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments
in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier
duties also required.


RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at
least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite
tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack
mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in
case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just
crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck
zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate
production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and
organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the
next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million
cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for
the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete
accountability! y for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities
also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the
facility.


POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to
remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly
retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can
ultimately surpass you.  


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training
offered on a continually exhausting basis.


WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises
and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the
assumption that college will help them become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about
this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you
could only do more.


BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition
reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this
job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs
for life if you play your cards right.

Crazy day today... drove 375 miles total to a meeting in Larchmont... I am going to be volunteer faculty for two weeks at a jewish overnight camp this summer.  In trade, my kids get to go to their day camp for free for the weeks I'm there... Kinda cool.  The topic is spirituality... it's going to be GREAT!!

I'm sick of the snow... I actually love snow... but I can't stand the stupid drivers..

Good day today, though... I had an evening meeting for work that I thought was going to be awful, but I held my own in the meeting, and even got a compliment from my boss on how I led the meeting. 

We made Ethan go cold Turkey on his paci over the weekend... It may also mean the end of naps, too... but we hope not...

I've begun Mystery Shopping... I've only done one, but I've signed up for a NUMBER of companies... I hope I get some assignments... I think it will be fun.

Best thing going is that I had my first "SHABBAT CLUB" here in Albany.. This is where I invited 3 other families (a total of 14 people plus our 4) for a Friday night dinner.  We say the traditional Jewish Sabbath Blessings, and then have dinner, and the kids play and the adults Chat.... One of the couples, who was invited by our closest friends here... we hit it off with immediately... Made me feel really good. YEA!!!