Pushing on a Rope
Terri S. Vanech
They’re looking into it … Christmas is coming, the check’s the mail. Oh hell, insert your cliche here
Got a letter from Albany this week. Yes, you could have knocked me over with a feather. Oh, not because I think Gov. Cuomo himself actually read my letter and its enclosed copy of my April 6 blog post urging passage of the adoptees’ rights legislation. I suspect some poorly paid intern plugged my name, … Continue reading
Can you hear me now?
A lot is made of mother’s guilt, especially working mother’s guilt. Been there, done that. I’ve sobbed in the car after dropping a reluctant toddler at day care — and watching her little face pressed up against the classroom window begging me to stay. (And I’ve returned to said day care and had to convince … Continue reading
Bunny stuff
(Jelly) bean there, done that. Today is the first of two Easters we’ll celebrate this year: Basil and Catherine are Greek Orthodox and the Orthodox church follows a different calendar. I cling to my Lutheran roots whenever I can. Since she was little, Catherine has loved having two visits from the Easter Bunny, even if … Continue reading
A plea to NY’s lawmakers: Support the adoptee rights bill
The year-old twins who live behind us caught my eye out the kitchen window last week. Already, they are walking, their chubby legs wobbling under the task, each cock-eyed step a victory. Dressed alike in pink dresses and polka-dot sweaters, they offered a delightful distraction to my washing up. I smiled the whole time I … Continue reading
16 Candles in My Heart Will Glow
Oh, there’s just no way to skip the cliches, so I’ll just have at them: How time flies! Where do the years go and how do I now find myself here, the mother of a 16 (16!!!)-year-old daughter? For I know I haven’t aged THAT much. It was just yesterday that I was waking Basil … Continue reading
Girls just want to have fun — Part 2
As we’d hoped, Catherine’s Sweet 16 party last night was an affair to remember. The combination of 10 close girlfriends, a trip to New York and lots of sugar fit the bill rather nicely. Catherine wanted a celebration unlike what many other girls are doing for their milestone day, and she got it. I love … Continue reading
Anatomy of some naughty bits
Friends know I’m always on the lookout for a good laugh, and if it’s naughty humor, all the better. But even I was a little taken aback by the new post in my inbox this afternoon from a blogger I began following this week. It is called The Penis Poem. Yup. It is an ode … Continue reading
It’s a thankless job … but someone has to do it
I used to laugh with abandon at Bill Cosby’s parenting routines. These days? Not so much. I’m living them. Remember the bit Cosby would do about his wife being sick in bed and the kids needing breakfast? He took the lazy route, fed them slabs of chocolate cake, and they sung his praises — “Dad … Continue reading
Girls just want to have fun
There is high excitement in our house. It is P minus six days and counting. Yes, you read that right. P. As in Party. Of. The. Century. Catherine’s Sweet 16 party is Saturday — a small, low-key affair that is consuming a tremendous amount of our attention. Just 10 girls, plus the party princess, getting … Continue reading
More naked truths
All at once, body image issues are dogging me, mocking me, making me face the stark reality about my own hangups. And like that first-morning look in the mirror, it ain’t pretty. Turning 46 was like walking through an invisible curtain: Suddenly, there’s more gray and more wrinkles, more difficulty reading small type, more unexpected … Continue reading
Pushing on a Rope 