I will take a graduation gown over the hospital kind any day of the week

I spent more time than usual cleaning, shopping and organizing than I normally would on a beautiful May Sunday, but that was to hopefully get a jump on the week ahead, because it's a big one.

We've been joking all school year about the hype and ceremony that is 8th grade graduation around here, but as we now arrive here, I'm softening--or wearing down--a bit.

His kindergarten year also was the first year the school opened, so there is an emotional (and financial) investment that has certainly fostered over the last 10 years. And although we've got three others coming up the pike, I would be fooling myself if I didn't admit that this "graduation" is certainly special, and this year certainly has been a challenging one.

It was only 10 weeks ago that he underwent heart surgery for a cardiac condition we didn't know he had 4 months ago. Since then, not only was he able to make-up all of his work, but he nailed all of his finals, participated in every sport, responsibility, and activity, while continuing as Student Council President. He will also make the honor roll.

Obviously, I'm proud. So very proud. But I also am so grateful for this moment, coming so close not to having it.

And so I will celebrate with him and for him this week.

Congratulations, my sweet boy.

Awesomeness for charity

We are fortunate enough to be able to attend a lot of cool events around town, but last night's may have been one of the best.

Braving the heat and a fully-stocked stretch limo, we made the drive down to Sarasota to attend Dick Vitale's V Foundation annual gala to raise money for cancer research.

It was a star-studded event at the Ritz-Carlton (how could that be bad?) and we had a great time. We even got a chance to hang with some of those stars like Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson (well, we were in the same room at least) and Tony Dungy just to name a few of the many that were in attendance.

Some of whom were too slow to dodge our photo requests...


(That's Kenny Chesney in case you didn't recognize him without his cowboy hat.)

And did I mention the food? Delish as well as trademarked...



And then there were the real superstars...

And in happier news...

...Stevie is getting ready to go to his 8th grade graduation dance.

Wait a minute, that means he is old enough to be finishing up his elementary/middle school career and starts High School in 9 weeks.

Well, that's pretty depressing (for me) after all.

I am...

I'm angry. I'm upset. I'm sad. I seriously cannot believe that there are still millions of gallons of oil being gushed into the Gulf of Mexico while a corporation starts talking about liability caps before the well spewing its poison is even capped.

I am astounded that our governor wants to get $35 million for PR campaign on why Florida beaches can still be visited this summer instead of fighting for money to actually clean up this garbage.

I am mad that our president switched his stance on this.

I am saddened when people make environmental issues political, and forget that we are all humans on this planet and have a responsibility to be good stewards of it regardless of party affiliation.

I am disheartened when I realize that not only will untold tax dollars be spent on cleaning this up, but consumers will be paying for it at the pump and endless other costs as well. Our children's children will still be paying for the cleanup while BP from it's own website reported a first-quarter replacement cost profit of "$5,598 million, compared with $2,387 million a year ago, an increase of 135%." That's the first quarter of 2010. To a foreign company.

I am torn because I will now have to focus my charitable efforts toward helping this cause, while unfortunately neglecting other worthy causes.

So to all of those who still wave rally towels to the ridiculous chant, "Drill Baby Drill,"--take those towels down to Key West and start wiping off an oil-covered dolphin.

This is where I work. Where I play. Where I live.

I am seriously frightened that it won't be here after me.

I'll be back when she's 20

I haven't been posting much because I'm in the midst of potty-training.

Send help.

(Or just more laundry soap.)

Needed: sleepers to try out the new beds

I told you a couple of weeks ago that I was going to order some new beds for the girls from AllChildrensFurniture.com.



I don't usually order furniture online, but I was really happy with these results. Besides the very reasonable price of the headboards (I ordered frames, too) I really liked that there was NO SHIPPING charges. There's nothing worse than finding a bargain online and then having to pay a boatload in shipping fees. Anyway, it came within 3 days of my order in perfect condition and besides a few curse words from Sean while assembling, it was a very easy process all of the way around.

All we need now is for two little heads to start sleeping on those new little pillows and we are all set...

Disclosure: I was ordering these beds anyway, and CSN offered a discount for an honest review. They got one, and so do you.

Nothing for Mother's Day

I actually wrote this a couple of years ago before Jesso, but it still holds true today.

Nothing for Mother's Day.

If you need me today, I'll be poolside with steak and cake, Sangria and my little ones all day.

Perfect.

Viva Las Me

So I went to Vegas. For my 40th, because there's nothing like easing into a big birthday with $14 mojitos by the pool and $10 Miller Lites at the Flamingo watching Donny and Marie.

Expensive, but worth every penny.

We managed to talk 12 other people into spending the weekend of the Kentucky Derby in smoky casinos and smoking hotel pools (The Encore has one of those fancy "European Bathing Pools" that require you to be 21 and camera-less. The only topless Europeans I saw were some hairy old Greek men smoking cigars.) We arrived on Friday and walked the strip and had drinks on the Bellagio patio overlooking the fountain. After gambling, we hopped on over to Paris for dinner and then back to gambling along the strip. Heaven.

Saturday was spent by the pool. And speaking of topless men, Sean started his tan tattoo for luck.


Later, the women folk went to Donny and Marie (Fabulous!) Incredibly cheesy, but when you go to see Donny and Marie at the Flamingo, well, you pretty much know what you're in for.

Sunday was more time at the pool, gambling, and then off to my favorite restaurant in the world--a little French hole in the wall that is absolutely divine. The story is that Bobby Darren named it back in 1974 and it is a favorite haunt by anyone who comes to Vegas. I can see why. Tucked in between a barb-wired hair salon and a burned out gas station, you would never find it in a million years.

But we did, and I'm glad.




Afterward, we went to the old Vegas--Freemont Street--and suffered smoke inhalation and second-hand alcoholism, but it was fun.



And now I'll have to continue easing into 40 in Eastern time. It's going to be a long process, so stay tuned.

I just did this, so should you

I'm going to write all about Vegas, and 40 and the stuff of milestone birthdays, but first I wanted to tell you that I just saved $30 from my Mother's Day flower order from 1-800-Flowers by using my Juicy Rewards.

Serious and timely savings people.