tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51659096885496017722012-01-29T15:35:47.267-05:00The life of a mother (wife, sister, daughter, aunt, friend) retold in the hopes of gaining perspective and imparting wisdom. Or something like that.MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.comBlogger821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-53428562202342851772010-04-18T00:04:00.007-04:002010-04-18T00:41:46.155-04:00

I'm going to do a little experiment. I'm going to try and let go. I mean, stop trying to micromanage everything and see what happens. Also, be kinder. Let compassion guide me. It's embarrassing to admit, but I think I can be very unkind. Unyielding too. Hold people to too high expectations. A little like Katherine Hepburn's character in The Philadelphia Story. (Only without the willowy stature

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-79748256126358248772010-01-28T22:39:00.005-05:002010-01-28T22:48:57.725-05:00

OK. So here's the thing. The real, true "adventures" of this mama, are really no good for sharing. They are just too... well, let's say, controversial. And I've felt this before about blogging. I'm either being to candid and sharing too many intimate details of my life. Or, I'm retelling them in too casual a way, with not enough respect to the actual event. What the hell am I talking about,

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-73427313221152126062010-01-13T23:47:00.007-05:002010-01-14T14:12:14.774-05:00

To: Christmas 2010From: Christmas 2009A few notes for the incoming candidate.1. Make sure you plan the date to buy the tree and set it up. Make it a special day, with plenty of time both to buy the tree and decorate it. Serve hot chocolate and snacks and take your time about decorating. Also, and this is important - It's Sophia's turn to pick out the right tree. Let her pick exactly the one she

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-43919232784401427862010-01-12T22:33:00.003-05:002010-01-12T22:46:10.435-05:00

It's been a while. Since I've tried something new. Being middle aged. Having a regular job. Being married with children. And all the responsibilities that go with it. Non of these things are conducive to trying new things. But all the more reason for me to do it. I gotta get outta the grind, man. Even in a teeny tiny way.So I'm gonna try blogging again. I know that's not exactly new,

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-79087525126949828542009-11-14T17:21:00.006-05:002009-11-15T07:56:33.646-05:00

Lately I've been blessed with a few small gifts.The simplest was time. Time to do nothing. Time with my oldest friend on a beautiful fall weekend getaway. Time to slow down and relax with my family. Time alone. This is the commodity I miss most as a working mom. Without enough time, I find myself late for appointments, late to pick up the children, rushing from one thing to the next, often

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-66517505408998190622009-06-16T21:43:00.002-04:002009-06-16T21:49:13.861-04:00

I've been away for so long, I hardly know how to come back. I have an idea for a post, and I'm developing it in my head and in the margins of my Sudoku book, which is the only thing I seem to be able to focus on for more than 30 seconds at a time. My mind is so distracted and my thoughts so jumbled and my time so short, I can't seem to put the words together on paper - or on screen, I should

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-39766868808864957562009-03-31T23:19:00.010-04:002009-03-31T23:38:57.767-04:00

Sorry I've been unavailable to update the blog in the past couple of months. Seems I haven't yet adjusted to the 20 hours of work (plus the almost 8 more I spend commuting). I love my job. I really do. I love the group of scientists and researchers I administer to. And my boss has to be the best boss on earth. Really. No exaggeration. Kids are good, though also trying to adjust. Husband's good -

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-59493394933664213672009-02-06T23:18:00.008-05:002009-02-07T18:54:24.464-05:00

I've been thinking about the way I "push" my kids. I am a "pushy" sort of mom. I push them to do their work and do well in school. I push them into activities they don't really want to do. I push them to help around the house. All reasonable requests, I feel. The problem is this sensation of pushing.I want my kids to be more independent. More adventurous. More willing to do things for themselves.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-56485135772680288502009-01-20T21:36:00.002-05:002009-01-20T21:49:11.005-05:00

The 44th president of the United States was sworn in today. Some Americans are skeptical - will it be the "same show, different channel?" I don't think so.It is we, the people, who have changed this time, not just the Commander in Chief. We are more involved and more compassionate. We won't let another administration lead us along and let us down. We will do our part, because we are called to.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-18420575767124349712009-01-13T22:29:00.011-05:002009-01-15T07:17:17.044-05:00

Well, the newest chapter in my life has begun: I officially started work at SUNY Stony Brook today. No more SAHM here. (That's "stay at home mom" for those of you who don't know Urban Baby discussion board language). (Oh, and SUNY is the State University of New York). I've joined the ranks of mothers who bring their kids to school in decent shoes and wearing make-up, and then march off to the

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-15275979233149105452009-01-03T00:51:00.007-05:002009-01-03T01:16:20.518-05:00

I am so lame for not posting for an entire MONTH! You all are lame to still be reading, if you ask me. But nobody asked me, so...I've been so distracted lately. So much is going on. We got a new computer. AND printer. And the new microsoft office 2007, for which the learning curve is longer than any of the other stuff I've installed. (Did I use "learning curve" correctly? I hate that expression.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-36130758343974761842008-12-03T22:55:00.004-05:002008-12-03T23:31:38.487-05:00

Life in the Mamacole household has calmed down a little since the headaches seem to be gone. Thanksgiving has come and gone.The election is long over. I have very little to complain about and I believe I have a bit of writer's block.I wish I could say that it's just recently that I haven't been able to put thoughts together and sound interesting and funny. But I'm afraid it's been a really long

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-35705058837789701552008-11-26T10:09:00.006-05:002008-11-26T10:21:59.040-05:00

I woke this morning with a feeling of "free floating anxiety," a term coined by one of my best friends, who is now no longer with us. I was both tense and tired, as I realized how much there is left to do before the big holiday feast. But I quickly thought of two things that I must repeat to myself all day. 1. The more tense I am, the more I seem to procrastinate and that in turn makes me more

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-14038976232982802062008-11-22T23:32:00.010-05:002008-11-22T23:56:53.557-05:00

The boy seems to be getting better, though not through medications. We see a chiropractor, whom I love and trust, but I don't think it's her either. What I do think is helping is this: I've been gradually removing pressure and stress from my son's life. Over the past week, with almost nothing to "worry" about, he has had zero headaches. Wait - there was one - a very short one that went away after

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-36932086801579797112008-11-09T00:09:00.010-05:002008-11-13T22:55:06.243-05:00

My son's headaches were back again this week.And now, on top of worrying about his health, worrying about how much it hurts, concern for how much school he's missed and what his grades look like, being persistent with doctors, insurance companies, and school administrators - on top of all that - I have to be worried about showing too much worry.Several times this week, it was indicated to me,

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-34300316809882777902008-11-04T23:59:00.003-05:002008-11-05T00:09:39.405-05:00

Looks like Americans have chosen hope over fear. I couldn't be more grateful and satisfied. I have been waiting 8 years for this night.This is an historic night for so many reasons.Please read Arianna Huffington's words, which are so well constructed.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/obama-wins-why-all-americ_b_141159.htmlCongratulations, Barack.Congratulations America.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-75816027654425920902008-11-01T20:47:00.017-04:002008-11-01T22:07:29.288-04:00

I don't want to give another direction. Or hold another hand. Or break up another fight. Or teach another thing. Or take candy away from anyone. Or read to anyone. I'm tired of listening to each child's dreams from last night or last week, or "one time, when I was really little." And I don't feel like looking at another picture, or lego guy, or bionicle. I'm sick of hearing "Scooby Doo" and "

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-14823275865352760162008-10-25T22:20:00.006-04:002008-10-26T23:06:48.418-04:00

One of my favorite local websites, NorthforkParents.com, is hosting a contest. In exchange for a "food memory", you get a chance to win 4 tickets to Baystreet Theater Kidstreet Production. A food memory simply retells some of your best and worst food experiences.I thought I might share mine here. And if my story conjures up memories of your own, and you're a North Fork local, please hop over to

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-22050794415536672722008-10-21T23:28:00.005-04:002008-10-22T00:18:42.050-04:00

I've had some trying times these last weeks.I'm tired, worn out, not sure how to go on. I knew I needed something to get me going again. I went to yoga. It was nice, and hard work, but that wasn't it. I went to a Jazzercise class. It was even harder. Still not enough.I've been eating everything I can find. I've talked with friends. Went for walks. Listened to my iPod. Nothing was really helping.I

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-40730568065653773112008-10-07T22:26:00.015-04:002008-10-08T09:54:38.166-04:00

As I sit here and watch what they are calling a "debate", I am frustrated to no end about how much finger pointing is going on. No one actually answers a question, nor can anyone actually tell us how they themselves feel about a thing, because the focus is on what the other guy has done or has said or what they are responsible for. I'm so frustrated that I keep talking over the answers and making

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-88667011050733354982008-09-29T11:58:00.013-04:002008-09-29T21:19:38.461-04:00

"When I first got off the bus I felt shybut I knew I had the nicest teacher in the school. "-Isabella Burkeon the first day of 2nd GradeSeptember, 2007Jen Mager, Jen Ogden, Mrs. Mager, Ms. OgdenHow can she be gone when she was so present?She warmed our schoolour churchour communitywith her smileand her light.Everyone she touched feltspecialfortunateloved.And now we arelonely, sad and equally at a

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-80743266632915759002008-09-15T23:07:00.010-04:002008-09-15T23:36:16.433-04:00

Look, the truth is that I am a very political person and I am having such a hard time keeping my opinions to myself. I know that lots of people think that religion and politics are off limits in conversation, and I try to respect that as much as possible. These are personal feelings, especially in the case of religion. On the other hand, I think the conversations need to be had. We need to be

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-90822739769943606552008-09-08T20:27:00.008-04:002008-09-08T22:43:18.816-04:00

I have so much to clean up. So much to organize. I am actually, as I type, knee deep in papers that I've been going through. Well, actually they're in the other room, the piles of crap, and I came in here to escape. And procrastinate. The computer is such a distraction for me. It's like a Siren, calling me into the virtual abyss, keeping me from being productive and completing projects. It calls

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-56975630093316098802008-09-04T22:53:00.005-04:002008-09-04T23:35:47.494-04:00

I am so sick over this fiasco of a Republican National Convention, I can hardly talk about it. Ever since last Friday's announcement about Sarah Palin, my stomach has been in knots. I started writing about how great it was that the Republicans have finally had to admit how everyone makes mistakes. What with Sarah Palin's expectant daughter, Cindy McCain's former addiction to pain killers and

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-49360875786927607832008-08-27T22:24:00.009-04:002008-08-27T23:03:13.404-04:00

Did you catch Hillary's speech last night?Such dignity, such grace and such passion. She really is a leader. We haven't seen the last of her, I am sure of it. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268ncnoitEc

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-55161271926492205462008-08-22T22:12:00.006-04:002008-08-24T23:24:34.885-04:00

Things That Suck right nowMy challenging daughter is ... challenging me (again).I was left out of a family gathering, rather obviously. And my husband was not.I still have sand, salt and sunscreen all over me from the beach. I'm the only one who actually wants to shower, but I haven't been able to get into a bathroom yet.We only have two bathrooms.I spent the entire day with an additional child

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-40344123591329757142008-08-16T13:03:00.010-04:002008-08-16T16:08:40.529-04:00

The summer is cruising and we've been living it to the fullest. I wanted to post a couple of pictures, since that is the one thing I have been organized enough to do: Photograph like crazy!This one is of the girls at the Jamesport Fireman's Fair. They were brave enough to try almost everything, they got along with each other (their brother was staying at the grandfolks' house), AND no one threw

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-49041543403289418462008-07-26T09:27:00.005-04:002008-12-09T03:13:25.670-05:00

I had a tough time yesterday with my middle child. Sometimes I call her my "high maintenance" child. Or my emotional child. Or intense. Or, as my sister calls it, my Challenge. Two nights ago there was trouble. This child was told it was lights out and she didn't agree. She didn't feel tired, she told me, and wanted to play Barbies. I told her no. And Miss Challenge decided to pitch a fit (an

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-19543290274258521072008-07-23T07:23:00.009-04:002008-09-23T23:22:22.741-04:00

I don't know about you, but all this life is good/ I'm so lucky crap is getting a little annoying. As hard as I try to look on the bright side and count my blessings, some days I just feel like dog doo-doo. A great psychologist friend of mine would tell me that it can be both: You can be grateful for life's gifts and feel like shit all at once. And I suppose that's just where I am.Take this

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-42741754095225783472008-07-18T23:01:00.015-04:002008-12-09T03:13:27.681-05:00

The summer is going fast. Days are flying and the weeks are passing with somewhat out of control speed! But I've already had three wonderful and memorable weeks, the memories from which will never be forgotton. Our very first week of summer vacation was spent in Maine. We have traveled to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park every summer for the past eight years. And every year we are fortunate

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-14247301271354324072008-07-07T15:08:00.010-04:002008-12-09T03:13:28.868-05:00

My son, my husband and I took a trip into the city in June to meet one of his teachers at the Asia Society. It was actually his principal, who has a very deep love and interest in all things Japanese and she spent her lunch hours on Wednesdays with about 5 6th graders teaching them how to speak the language. One of the other boys and his father met us there too.We had a nice time looking at the

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-68414363756271855242008-07-03T19:59:00.004-04:002008-07-03T20:07:08.078-04:00

I'm on the fence about blogging these days. Wondering if it's for me any more. Doubting its value and importance.It doesn't feel right, lately, to talk about, write about, stuff that's happening in my life. Maybe I'm concerned about how I'm portraying my loved ones in my posts. Maybe I'm taking it all too seriously. Maybe it is too serious.I keep thinking the same thing, though: It doesn't

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-24532494236804290612008-06-25T23:57:00.001-04:002008-06-26T00:01:17.654-04:00

Everything I did today was depleting. Energy and emotions pouring from me. No time to think. No time to regenerate. Even my walk, which I snuck in furtively, was attached to an emotional conversation.I had been feeling so “in control.” Of my eating, exercising, spending. In control of my time. My sister and I would plan out “purposeful days”. We talked about making choices and picking priorities

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-27745798471256073722008-06-22T23:24:00.003-04:002008-06-22T23:55:26.390-04:00

How do I even start again?It's been so long.And so much has happened. I don't know why I took such a long break. I could list the reasons, but I'm afraid it will sound like a list of excuses. And now. Now. So much has happened.It's all so personal. And I'm feeling kind of shy and protective right now. Maybe because I've been away so long, I don't know. My confidence is shaken. Confidence in

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-85723284034049467572008-05-15T22:48:00.006-04:002008-12-09T03:13:29.069-05:00

Not much to say and yet so much to say. Life has been so busy that I haven't had the chance to comment on it. Sometimes I fill my plate just a little too high. OK, way too high. And I always feel obligated, committed to finishing the entire thing. Lots on the plate these days. Family parties to attend, school budgets to pass, fund raising to plan, religion to teach, gardens to plant, a house to

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-17117473242822067342008-05-04T23:48:00.003-04:002008-12-09T03:13:29.273-05:00

Net Nanny! Net Nanny! Goooo Net Nanny!!!I found a program to block all mature/adult material. It really works! So far. I'm still on the 14 day free trial. But if things continue to go this way, I'm going to subscribe.It's so good, sometimes I can't open my email on google because of some ads that show up along the sides of the email.It's so thorough, it wouldn't even let me onto The Six Fingered

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-87932405666334364552008-04-28T23:30:00.001-04:002008-04-28T23:31:59.031-04:00

I'm feeling a little down tonight. A little melancholy. A little sad. A little sorry for myself.*sigh*

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-27801990875920034552008-04-28T09:03:00.005-04:002008-04-28T11:21:36.827-04:00

Oh my goodness. This past week has been the longest week I've had all year. All kids, all the time. Kids. Kids. Kids. Kids. All I can say is, sheesh.Oh, and Whoo-Hoo!! (I can't believe Wamu was the first to think of using this as an ad slogan. It's perfect, if you ask me). It's 9 AM and they have all gone off to school and mommy is finally alone. Now I know I could never homeschool. I need my

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-88623707897063182008-04-25T00:17:00.002-04:002008-04-25T00:42:42.846-04:00

Ok, maybe some of you have no experience with this yet, because your children are too young. But mine, well, they've ventured out into the Internet, and the results are not pretty.How do we (you) block your kids from viewing whatever garbage they want to? This evening I discovered a very unpleasant surprise. Someone was viewing "youngertube.com". Maybe it was originally a typo - my 11 year old

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-13327987773897028252008-04-22T23:55:00.008-04:002008-12-09T03:13:29.613-05:00

Well it's Spring Break, and we're definitely "breaking". No school, no karate, no dance, no meetings, no commitments. Today we went to Indian Island Park with some friends and had some real spring fun. The trees are blooming (the buds really look like flowers at this point) the sky was blue and the water was actually warm!At the beach there was this great big tree whose roots had eroded down the

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-57644711375556221712008-04-15T22:04:00.007-04:002008-12-09T03:13:30.087-05:00

This is a picture of the most cherished Screen Turn-off activity at Wading River Elementary School: The TV-off-the-roof ceremony. I didn't take the picture, but a teacher did and she printed it for me and I took a picture of the picture. I hope you can see what it is.Monday morning started with the kick-off assembly and then the entire school - about 44o kids - stepped outside to watch as our

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-4464200053219216502008-04-13T22:51:00.007-04:002008-12-09T03:13:30.582-05:00

National Screen Turn-Off week starts tomorrow, April 14, 2008.This is a worldwide event sponsored by the Center for Screen-Time Awareness (http://www.screentime.org/) and celebrated by schools and families each year. Although the national Turnoff Week is officially scheduled for the following week, the elementary schools in the Shoreham -Wading River school district are celebrating the week of

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-20495266818180614632008-04-12T01:08:00.004-04:002008-04-12T02:30:29.637-04:00

"I may not be able to see you, but I can hear what you are saying." I LOVE this quote from Governor David Paterson, as he announced his final decision about Broadwater, the LNG facility proposed to be built in the middle of the Long Island Sound. This incredibly brave person turns out to be an incredibly brave Governor and I, for one, am ecstatic! He agrees with all of Broadwater's opponents

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-19069794777810132532008-03-31T22:39:00.004-04:002008-12-09T03:13:30.688-05:00

I just got home from a long school district meeting and although I'm thoroughly exhausted from my day, and from this budget discussion meeting, I'm not quite ready to go to sleep.Everyone in the house is sleeping right now. And I feel so at peace. I love my house when everyone is sleeping. I love everyone when they are sleeping. I love them fully and unconditionally and I can't imagine that any

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-17611954317424198322008-03-19T23:12:00.005-04:002008-03-19T23:49:46.662-04:00

Check out this article from the Science Times in The New York Times from March 18. Very interesting scientific observations.Funny, too.And the comments, if you have time to read them, are even more interesting. It seems, as a society, we are pretty divided over the issue of monogamy and infidelity.http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/science/18angi.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-5902367168082745612008-03-15T00:25:00.004-04:002008-03-15T00:46:34.987-04:00

Some serious and rather personal thoughts are going through my head tonight. And I just read somewhere that a real blogger should not hesitate to write things off the top of her head (or some form of that thought). So here I go.I just found out that someone else has cancer. Well, a brain tumor, actually. I don't know any details, but I'm assuming it's cancer. This woman is the mother of my

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-52615858711873940062008-03-12T09:21:00.004-04:002008-03-12T09:31:58.285-04:00

Is he kidding, or what? Does Eliot Spitzer really think he can continue to govern our state with this enormous embarrassing stain on the front of his shirt?Did anyone see that ad for a laundry detergent that was first aired during the Super Bowl? It had a guy obviously at a job interview and every time he tried to answer a question, this stain on his shirt opened up like a mouth and started "

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-20988530074527189962008-03-06T23:02:00.005-05:002008-12-09T03:13:31.269-05:00

March is here and I can’t say I’m sad to see winter on the run. I’ve always had ambivalent feelings about the month that comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. I’m glad when it arrives, feeling the excitement of spring around the corner. Sometimes even prematurely taking out the summer clothes. Only too often I’m disappointed with a big fat snowstorm smack in the middle of the END of the

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-3018639583991241192008-02-26T22:30:00.002-05:002008-02-26T23:41:16.166-05:00

Well now that I've mentioned having epiphanies, I feel so much pressure!But, as I try to put my feelings into words, I realize how deeply personal these feelings are. I haven't shared my new "dreams" about what I want to do and accomplish with anyone. I've just been formulating them in my own mind and I think I'm a little shy about sharing.I wonder if there is some secret fear that if I voice

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-73116317631981597882008-02-25T12:20:00.006-05:002008-12-09T03:13:31.591-05:00

Just got back from a very enjoyable family vacation. We drove to St. Augustine, Florida where there was just enough sun, lots of palm trees and Spanish moss and a big, wide fine-sand beach. We had 8 full days of family togetherness. Nothing like a little sun and greenery to cheer you right up!The drive was actually OK. I'd expected that I might feel inclined to want to turn around and smack

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-30788925486630440002008-02-14T00:14:00.006-05:002008-12-09T03:13:31.723-05:00

Ice Cream Your loveis better than ice cream.Better than anything else that I've triedand your loveis better than ice creameveryone here knows how to cryand it's a long way downit's a long way downit's a long way down to the place where we started from.Your loveis better than chocolatebetter than anything else that I've triedand oh love is better than chocolate.Everyone here knows how to fightand

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-6845184450203388752008-02-07T23:38:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:31.832-05:00

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. My 11-year-old son read and studied this Robert Frost poem in school a couple of months ago. And once I re-read it, I really felt connected to it in a new way.The last time I read or thought

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-40371862314539981532008-02-06T12:28:00.000-05:002008-02-06T13:02:28.311-05:00

No one else wanted to comment on my last post? I have information that you are reading, but you're not commenting.Are you all trying to be uncontroversial? Or is everyone just not that interested?I've been thinking about something. I was looking at the Times this morning and, aside from all the Super Tuesday primary stuff, there is other news going on in the world. Al Qaeda is still training

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-68256644300076427772008-02-04T23:07:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:32.051-05:00

I do like the way that sounds. I can't help myself. I am a huge fan and I believe Senator Clinton is the best candidate for President of the United States.I agree with her opinions and feelings about education, (children should be inspired to learn as individuals, not taught through tests), healthcare, (everyone would have the opportunity to join the congressional healthcare plan, if he or she

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-67036872959676999792008-01-30T21:47:00.000-05:002008-01-31T10:26:38.386-05:00

PMS JewelryMy husband, being unhappy with my mood swings,bought me a mood ring the other day so he would beable to monitor my moods.We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, itturns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves abig frickin red mark on his forehead.Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-5457526020911999222008-01-29T21:40:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:32.236-05:00

Is anyone else annoyed that the winter is long and cold and dreary, but there is no snow?Who can we complain to? Which of the candidates has a plan to bring back snow in winter? I want to know what the plan is specifically. Is it global warming? Is it our collective imagination? Or did there USED to be more snow? This snowman was made about 3 years ago. I think that was the last winter that

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-73386264663519760322008-01-22T12:25:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:32.499-05:00

I just arrived home from a marathon PTA meeting at the elementary school. During the meeting I was approached by a current school board member as to whether I might be interested in running for the school board for next year. Now I consider myself to be very involved in my community and my children’s schools. So being asked wasn’t a complete surprise, nor did it feel like such a bad thing. I’

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-17859779581336578322008-01-17T22:26:00.000-05:002008-01-17T22:35:35.469-05:00

Just wanted to post a little something new for all my faithful readers (lol!) No really, I feel like everyone (the nfp crew) is being so prolific and here I am letting my blog languish again.I was formulating all kinds of posts during the relaxation time of my yoga class tonight (I'm not supposed to do that, btw. Supposed to be "quieting my mind". Haven' t really gotten good at that yet). But

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-13938414800816996612008-01-15T10:26:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:32.652-05:00

Well, there were so many things I was going to post about during this first month of January. But I never got around to it and now my blog finds itself without a home base.You see, I began blogging, (I learned about what blogging is, in fact), from a neat little website called North Fork Parents.com and the site's editor. And very recently this site closed down its Blogger's page. The Adventures

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-84635192286256933602007-12-11T13:54:00.000-05:002007-12-11T18:11:27.212-05:00

The following is a list of things I need to write down so that I can remember them. Whether I've just realized something very recently and I don't want to forget it, or it's something that I've known and told myself over and over, these are things I need to be reminded of. A wise friend recommended that I "write them down" and I think this is as good a place as any. I can't help everybody. In

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-66586129596469367942007-12-01T19:13:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:33.066-05:00

Two weeks ago I made a commitment to getting back into shape. I think it took me this long to write about it because I didn’t want to “jinx” myself. I signed up for yoga and Jazzercise. My plan is to attend at least 2 jazzercise classes and 1 or 2 yoga classes each week. Then I will walk on the days I don’t have a class. This is my commitment.This fall I spent 5 weeks with a bad cold, and

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-63114112062384073722007-11-26T10:06:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:33.274-05:00

The weather is wet and cold and I've decided to take a page from Nan's book and build a fire. We have a fireplace in our kitchen and it is one of my home's most beloved attributes. After reading a sweet Henry and Mudge story about sitting by a fire at the end of a winter day, I was convinced. Of course, as with everything in this household, building a fire is not a simple endeavor. I've often

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-36497527017484453492007-11-25T22:37:00.000-05:002007-11-25T22:41:28.262-05:00

Oh man. It's been two weeks since I've posted here. I am so sorry about that. I have had so many things to write about too. Lots and lots of ideas and thoughts. The amazing foliage. My new-found commitment to exercise. A beautiful re-connecting experience with my husband at a gorgeous north fork Inn.So MUCH to write about. So little time. But now it's too late and I'm too tired and I need to get

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-65865946351069639922007-11-11T22:43:00.000-05:002008-12-09T03:13:33.422-05:00

Something has just occurred to me, just now while reading Is There Really a Human Race? by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell to my youngest daughter. I am afraid I haven't been teaching my children the really important lessons of life.So much of my time and energy is spent on pushing the kids to be more independent and help out around the house, as well as learning their lessons, doing their

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-47879274653692649682007-11-05T12:32:00.000-05:002007-11-05T12:43:45.572-05:00

Just thought I'd give an update to the entry I posted a couple of months ago about a woman named Connie Vaccaro who emailed me from time to time. As I'd put it then, I thought I was supposed to know who she was, but I really couldn't place her, and I was too embarrassed to ask her straight up: "Do I Know You??"Last week, though, I couldn't wait any more. My embarrassment was outweighed by my

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-62773564033530695632007-11-04T00:13:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:33.558-05:00

I'm feeling sentimental tonight...Phone's off the hookNo one knows where we areIt's a long time since IDrank champagneThe ocean is blueAs blue as your eyesI'm gonna take it with meWhen I goOld long since goneNow way back whenWe lived in Coney IslandAin't no good thingEver diesI'm gonna take it with meWhen I goFar far away a trainWhistle blowsWherever you're goinWherever you've beenWaving good bye

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-61821696803894671992007-10-29T11:44:00.000-04:002007-10-29T23:35:42.230-04:00

Well, I'm not crazy. There was indeed a "creaking noise" coming from the front driver's side wheel base of my brand new Grand Caravan. I've never owned a new vehicle before and I was pretty sure it shouldn't be creaking and moaning with only 24 miles on the odometer.I was sure I'd heard it, almost from the first time I'd made the 7-point turn I need to make at the top of my driveway in order to

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-19288346306413468312007-10-25T11:08:00.000-04:002007-10-29T23:28:20.516-04:00

It’s occurred to me that the reason I have so much trouble blogging – I mean getting the stuff posted – is not that I have no ideas, or no time (although this does play into it). The reason is that I’m so unsure of myself. I read other people’s stuff and it always sounds so smart to me: Interesting, well thought out and clever. I put my own ideas together while I’m in the shower or out

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-81721869342498376162007-10-05T22:41:00.000-04:002007-10-05T22:48:14.100-04:00

I want so badly to post to my blog. Aside from the garlic festival post, I haven’t written anything new and fresh in weeks. I want to – really I do. It knew it would be a good outlet for me and I realize now that I like when people read my stuff.Sometimes I write and no one comments and I wonder if anyone has read what I’ve written. If you write a post to your blog, but no one reads it, is it

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-4370964216878025172007-09-30T13:00:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:33.874-05:00

Yesterday, my children, my parents and I spent the day at the 4th Annual Long Island Garlic Festival at The Garden of Eve Organic Farm. What a great way to spend the day and what a wonderful event.There are myriad fall festivals around the east end at this time of year. Hallockville, Wildwood State Park, and just about every restaurant and farm stand along both the main and north roads have them

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-73652619311093521822007-09-10T22:45:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:34.008-05:00

This is a story that had to begin with the picture. I had to make sure I was looking at this picture as I wrote, because this is Felix the Cat. And this story is about pets. And about the truth.It was only the 3rd day of school, and the morning routines were fresh and adhered too. I was up pretty early, and I was waiting for my coffee to brew. The kids were all upstairs, the oldest getting ready

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-66514891308700077642007-09-07T09:08:00.000-04:002007-09-07T19:10:33.711-04:00

Man, my words were misconstrued again! (Can words be construed, btw?) I'm wondering what kind of writer I really am - people don't seem to "get me" sometimes. Isn't that the core of writing - communicating well enough to be understood? Have I failed??I wrote a post that was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, funny even. But it read quite differently and now I feel kind of weird trying to write again.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-89432064760813102992007-08-25T01:02:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:37.264-05:00

So we had a family reunion of another sort last week. My husband's family (five siblings, with spouses and children) spent some time at a beautiful house in Virginia - right on the Chesapeake Bay. I'd expected it to be nice, but not THIS nice! The Chesapeake is expansive down where we were - so the view was ocean-like. But the water was calm and warm and the kids were able to walk

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-67134459389726931252007-08-09T22:40:00.000-04:002007-08-25T11:56:36.782-04:00

I, like the lunachick, had so many things to write about today. I was alone a lot (yay) and without my cellphone (very rare) and I was having all these epiphanies. But now I'm a little too sleepy to write about any of those.Then there's the fact that my oldest child will turn 11 tomorrow. I'm feelin' all kinds of sentimental about that. Naah. Too sappy.How about this though. Does anyone out there

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-88709489637630213852007-08-08T07:45:00.002-04:002008-12-09T03:13:37.466-05:00

Can we talk about mammograms?If you've had one, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, like my husband, then you really need to know what it's like.Think of two plates of plexi-glass, situated at about chest level, which are controlled by an electronic vice. The vice pushes the plates together slowly, but persistently, so that the tissue between them is spread out as thinly as possible.

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-66418411463773458092007-08-04T00:16:00.000-04:002007-08-04T00:23:35.374-04:00

August is here. I have to admit, it’s hot. VERY hot. The kids are fighting, the van’s air conditioner is just marginally working, my hair is frizzy and the bugs are starting to get annoying. Did I mention how hot it is? It’s hot in a sultry way – how when you look out over the farm fields the air looks like it’s rippling. Late summer hot. And humid too.My mood has been similar.But enough

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-19708826444746867002007-07-31T10:07:00.000-04:002007-07-31T21:17:20.962-04:00

I haven’t written in such long time. I’d like to blame a whole lot of other people for this. For certainly there have been distractions. Camping trips and play dates and classes at the library and general running around. But I just never seem to have the time to do anything I really want to do. Almost every night I go to sleep vowing to get certain things done the next day: clear the clutter from

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-42114435076310637412007-07-23T11:40:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:37.951-05:00

“Family love is this dynastic awareness of time, this shared belonging to a chain of generations… We collaborate together to root each other in a dimension of time longer than our own lives.”- Michael IgnatieffI am blessed to be a part of a very large, very close family. It is full of loudness and ethnicity and food and craziness. Our gatherings are full of the same. Saturday was the most recent

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-81674580920881579312007-07-21T02:05:00.000-04:002007-07-21T02:11:19.187-04:00

Oh well. I'd just written, edited and re-written and nice long post about the Harry Potter book release tonight. I wasn't sure how I felt about it and I'd been reading it as a preview and then I tried to get back to the post to edit something and then it disappeared. To tell the truth, I wasn't sure it was that great, but I did spend about 25 minutes working on it. Now it's gone. I'm too tired to

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-77462343692935152962007-07-19T21:28:00.000-04:002008-12-09T03:13:38.102-05:00

Today I cleaned the kitchen floor. I don't mean that I vacuumed or used the swiffer, or even that I damp-mopped it, which is usually the ultimate in cleaning for me. I mean I cleaned it the way our fore-mothers did it: with a bucket of hot soapy water, a scrub brush, and elbow grease. I haven't cleaned the floor this way in ... well... um... not since the floor was laid in 2004.I decided to scrub

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-2013743013396245712007-07-19T09:47:00.000-04:002007-07-19T10:17:24.536-04:00

I woke up this morning full of ideas for my new blog. I can't say that I woke up exactly "fresh" or "early," though. This was due to several factors.First, after last night's weekly session with my favorite psychologist (and I'm not being sarcastic), I decided I needed some alone time so I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It was late, but I have been dying to see it - I'm

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5165909688549601772.post-37715359108350055612007-07-19T02:28:00.002-04:002007-07-19T02:30:45.468-04:00

OK. Here I go. I'm startin' a blog. I'm bloggin'.How'm I doing?

MamaColehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876053127361785592noreply@blogger.com4