blogging frustration

I have been trying for TWO days to put a picture in my profile. I have admired many blogs that have that added detail. I am by NO means computer savvy, but this is ridiculous! The problem seems to be that the few pictures I have of me (that I am not wearing pajamas, Hair askew and opening Christmas gifts), are Too Big. I have tried cropping them, constraining them, counterclockwising them! Blogger says they must be under 50K- Hey Blogger, I went to school back when we had NO K's! What the fuck is a K? kilogram,Keg of beer, kilowatt, WHAT? All I know Is I like this picture of me with Waxy Elton feeling my ass.
We had SO much fun at Madame Tussauds that day. My husband and I were feeling very silly and we posed like big hams with all the shiny celebrities. So here it is! My "wish it was my profile" picture.

still crazy after all these years

We took our middle son back to college the other day. Usually this event always makes me weepy, worried and anxious. ( typical me, no?) Well, I am so happy to share that This time around I handled it beautifully. I always knew that my son was friendly and well liked at school. However, seeing the overwhelming welcome he received was astonishing! The hugs, the kisses, the laughs, the kids running down the hall, yelling his name, wanting to see him. He must have hugged 100 kids. He is so funny. I don't know where he gets this gift. He is loaded with Charisma. When he was younger we called it "shit" as in - he is full of it! He knows how to schmoose. He also knows how to gather a crowd. I knew he was magnetic, but this was ridiculous! I wish they had a degree for it. Like an MSF - master of schmoozing & fun. To see him in his element. To see his joy in being back to this 2nd home. How could I get anxious? Sure I will miss him like crazy. Which by the way is his nickname at school- crazy nick, It's actually written on his dorm door. ( maybe i should be worried! haha)
I love how he can make me laugh, no matter what my mood is. I love the vast amount of music he plays for me and insists I should love. I love everything about him. It will be difficult not having him around for a while, but It feels so great to know he is so happy. I pray he has an academically successful year, I'm confident he will have a fun year.

And the winner is.....

Okay It's August 17th. Deadline for the funniest childhood memory contest!
( also my 47th Birthday!) I have read the great stories over and over. They are all so cute. They have all made me smile. But unfortunately there has to be only one winner. And the winner is Jenifleur! Here is her funny memory again-

When I was around 11 years old, I was having an early morning fist fight with my 9 year old brother and our 3 year old brother was repeatedly saying "Stop that! Stop it, you're going to wake up Grammy! Stop fighting you're going to get in trouble!"

My grandmother came downstairs, smacked the 3 yo and told him to be quiet, then went back to bed without so much as a word to us older kids.

He's still mad at us and we still think it's funny.

I must admit I needed help choosing and got my kids involved. It was unanimous. Congratulations Jenifleur!! send me an email with your address to loupee5@hotmail.com To everyone who entered - Thanks!!! this was the most fun I have had blogging. xo

Panic at the Beach

Okay, I have been accused too many times, especially from my boys, of being too uptight. So, Today when I lost sight of my youngest son at the beach, I tried to remain calm. This was my first trip to the beach this summer. I was looking forward to total relaxation, total detoxification. As soon as we arrived he said " I'm going in" and before I could gather my thoughts to tell him all the usual Mom warnings ( Make sure you remember this umbrella/ Remember we are on this side of the concession stand/ Don't go out too far / check back with me soon - He was gone.
I stood by the water trying to find him with no luck, so I started walking- trying to figure out which way the tide was drifting. Some people drifted east some west. So I walked both ways. No luck. I returned to our chairs and fellow moms, (all so kind) said he didn't return. Now tell me, how long would it take you to panic? Am I a total NUT like my 3 boys think I am? After an hour and fifteen minutes of walking and searching, I spoke to the life guard. He called the others on his walkie talkie to keep an eye out for my sons description. after another 30 minutes, I was beginning to seriously panic. I went to the main lifeguard stand, where they called the police. I have No idea what they would have done, besides, maybe give me an oxygen mask. No sooner, did they call them, that their radio informed them that my surfer boy had returned to our chairs! So they give me a ride back, in their little beach jeep. The few moms I had spoke to earlier kept running up to the jeep to tell me- "they've found him!" (God bless all Moms, we really feel for each other) Well, of course my little guy didn't walk down to the nude beach as the lifeguards suggested. He wasn't wandering totally lost as i feared. He was just jumping waves, swimming and having a 13 year old Ball! He drifted pretty far away, but he said "of course I knew the way back, I'm not like 8, Mom"
He was so shocked by what had happened and of course he looked at me like I was,- as my son nick likes to exaggerate-crrrrraaaazzzzyy!! No, I didn't break his legs, I didn't kill him. I just had a long talk with him and then we actually stayed and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon constantly waving to each other across the sand.

Cry Baby

Oh No! The Evil Vertigo has returned!
All I can do is cry.
This Has to stop, I am going insane!

LOOK AT THE CUTE PRIZE

All these childhood memories have been so cute and so much fun to read. Tracy's reminded me of a memory I had long forgotten. (thanks so much Tracy!) When I was about 6 I had a terrible toothache. My mother ( I guess of the very, very old school) gave me a shot glass of scotch and told me to dip my finger and keep rubbing my gums. She left my sister ( 12 years old) in charge. It didn't take long for me to refill and refill again and who knows maybe AGAIN- till I was hysterically laughing, STRIPPING, and running around my house naked like a looney. My sister was very nervous and couldn't gain control of me. I am so happy to remember that again! I don't recall what happened after that, I will have to call my sister and see if she remembers. I still like the smell and taste of scotch, but I never choose to drink it.

Anyway, I am excited to announce that I shopped for a beautiful prize today! It's hard to see in the picture, but this pewter 4x6 frame has a cute charm that says memories on it. Hopefully the winner will have a picture that can coincide with their story. I'm looking forward to reading more of them. They are all so great, choosing will be tough.