SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT...

I get into bed Thursday nite & Barry snuggles me...it's been an emotional week for me...so I breathe in deep & sigh...with that I say, "You smell beautiful, you smell like... forever." & he looked at me like I had just told him the most incredible secret in the world...he hugged me tight & kissed my forehead & his response was..."I love you!" I don't know what it was about my statement...I was just thinking out loud, but I knew letting him know that something about that smell I smelled at that moment made him feel loved.

This got me thinking (& staying up for hours) about smells...the ones that mean the most to me...& here some of them are...& who they relate to.

The earliest smell I can remember is that of Old Spice & Heineken...mixed in the most incredibly scrumptious way~ that is my Pop Dugan.

Then, there's sea salt, the smell of the bay & a slight hint of a great bottle of Italian wine~ that's my Granddad Smith.

My mom's smell is Fall, pumpkin spice, The Cookies That Got Bob Fired, & a menthol cigarette (it's not a bad thing).

Funnel Cake, posterboard paint, the smell of crepe paper streamers fresh out of their package, street vendor popcorn & crisp fall air accented with the sound ofcrunching leaves will always be my sister Heather to me. She is Sun Ripened Raspberry & the smell of burnt toast. :)

Kelly is the smell of glittery hairspray, wine coolers, the stink that comes off of pom poms that are flat & need to be scrunched...it's a really good plastic smell that a very few of us love. The smell of a midget football field stand (they all smell the same) it's completely Kelly to me.

My Meggie comes to mind whenever I smell a bakery, Bath & Body products, and really yummy hair products. Meg is the smell of a sweet cocktail, Ralph perfume, the smell of lip gloss, Dunkin' Donuts coffee, & Arbor Mist.

Always the newest, expensive, and most beautiful perfumes I smell when walking thru Macy's perfume section take me to my Red instantly...that along with the smell of a great pair of new shoes, the smell of a new car, the smell of clean baby, the smell of champagne (which she never liked but I always get to celebrate a milestone between us...engagements, babies, whatever) they are all her...the things we've experienced together & love equally. Lasagna, birthday cake, Miller Light, cigarettes, Colonial Diner coffee & because of her intense dislike...french toast. A dirty bar, broccoli, rain on a summer nite, sunscreen, they're all smells that make me think of her!

Margaret Alice...she's the winner for the weirdest ones...I can't smell a Dorito & not think of her...she's my Boone's Farm babe, the smell that happens when you light your hair on fire...or your acrylic nail, she is Colonial Pizza Fries...she always has the same smell about her...I can't for the life of me name the perfume & no one smells like her when they're wearing it...but, I love it on her. Pizza Hut, Mad Dog, bug spray, baby oil, burning bed...it's got the most insane smell...LOL!

The smell of kerosene in the parts washer, gasoline on the floor & kitty litter being used to soak it up...things you're probably wrinkling your noses at the thought of...they give me butterflies...they are my early smells from Barry (late nights spent watching him work his magic in his parent's garage) & they're the same smells I equate with his Dad...my Daddy-in-law...the best father-in-law in the world.

The smell of AC Performance...dust & motorcycle exhaust, gasoline, grease & the smell that comes off the pavement in 90 degree heat...it's Barry too...it's also Tom!

Barry is in a world of his own when it comes to smells...he is the smell of a mechanic...the smell of Ivory soap, clean laundry, my babies, grilled cheese, microwave popcorn, car cleaning products, freshly cut grass, the smell of the dirt after working in the yard, the smell of paint, polyurethane, propane, Aqua Net, MGD, food on the grill, they all remind me of him.

Brandon is Baby Magic (forever, it will remind me of his first bath), Crayola crayons, the smell of that awful blanket which I could sleep with nightly just to be close to him, baby breath, the smell of the soil being turned over by an enormous tractor...an amazing smell! The smell of chocolate makes me think of him, the smell of vanilla ice cream, and hot dogs, cotton candy, mud...they're all pure BRANDON to me!

Katie is Chanel No. 5...she LOVES it, nail polish, nail polish remover, fruit snacks, pretzels, cheese, & Lavender baby shampoo, baby lotion, ketchup, baby powder, strawberry, green beans, Kraft macaroni & cheese, fruit snacks, bananas & MILK.

My mommy-in-law is the smell of a great big juicy turkey, a nice bottle of wine, Windex, the smell of blush...it does have a smell, Suave hairspray, the smell of a BURNT hot dog, sweet things make me think of her...not only because she's sweet...but because she & Brandon share a sweet tooth...& are equally skinny so they can indulge.

The smell of Citizens Bank Park, Apricot Ale, the subway, Acqua, 2 eggs over medium with a side of bacon & potatoes, a Colonial burger, a new beer, a slice from Sal's, Dove pit stick, hair gel, minty chewing gum, the smell of a just opened cd, of a really great hoagie, or a soft pretzel...they're all smells that bring me back to superb moments in time with my very best friends!

I can still smell Sammy, Joanne will forever be Beautiful by Estee, the smell of mums is Trish, Barb is Red Door without a second thought...it astounds me how something in your nose can affect your heart so deeply...but it does.

My heart pounds when I smell these things...they make me think of all of you...they make me laugh & smile...& sometimes look back with a heavy heart, wanting to be the little girl who can snuggle the scratchy wool sweater of the man that smells like beer & Old Spice. I want to have one more walk on the beach with my Granddad, I want him to see Brandon & Kate again. I want the people to know their smells...to know that for as long as I live, these silly things will be them to me & it means the world to walk by some stranger & be back in that moment because of a smell. You're all there...living in my heart...thru my weirdly shaped nose & I wouldn't have it any other way.

SMELL YOU LATER!!

so it's been a while...

i keep meaning to write...to tell you all about how perfect & beautiful the last days of summer truly were...but then something else comes along that requires Mommy's immediate attention. Today...this was it all day...my MAN...my sweet boy! He's officially a first grader & a beautiful, sweet, sensitive one at that! Today...I had multiple epiphany's...this boy...makes me a better human being, this I know!
This was Bran & Kate on one of the last days of summer 2007...just these happy, giggly little creatures that see the amazement in laying in soft grass that tickles your toes through your flip flops...I swear to you all...we just laid there on that blanket (thanks ABC) for hours that day...laughing & coloring & being the 3 of us!! One of my favorite things about a Saturday...is I get ME time with the 2 of them...just the 3 of us! Then I get rescued just in time...LOL! Seriously though...this was one of those perfect days...one I know for the rest of my life I'll be able to hear in the back of my mind...the sounds of the 2 of them...& the smells of them...the love they give me when it's just us...those are the things I LIVE for!!!
Then, somehow, I blinked & today was here...& he kept repeating over his Pop Tart this morning...through the tears he was trying to choke back...I'M NERVOUS...that was all he said...repeatedly...I wanted to scoop him up & run away with him...to tell him Mommy would never make him do anything that scares him...but I can't...this is one of those things...these are those life lessons...sometimes you're scared & nervous about things & you STILL have to do them...they're things you'll love with all of you! I wanted to tell him...those butterflies...they're the things that let you know you're alive...they're not scary...love them...they're the things that let you know good things are ahead...that I hope one day...he'll be saying...I'M NERVOUS to me over a Pop Tart & there will be a beautiful girl getting into a white dress talking to her Mommy...who has those same butterflies! These are all the insane things I think in those moments! I know how much he loves school...how much I loved it...it's just the not knowing what you're about to face that makes him nervous...but that is the good stuff!
So...yeah, I'm sitting here crying now...thinking about how much has changed since this time last year...since just last week...it's an incredible gift Barry has given me...these 2 tiny little people...these 2 little souls that carry my heart in their hands...I can see it beat faster with every new day...with every single step that takes them closer to their beautiful & inevitably brilliant futures (c'mon...it's still me...these kids are gonna be god damn rock stars or something!!!...if i'm too serious for too long i become hysterical...gimme a damn break!!!) But, I do...I feel my heart race...it's a good race, a long hard race...it's the same race Brandon's butterflies are doing...& I can't wait to see what's waiting at the finish line...
run fast little one...just don't squeeze your hand shut too hard...my heart is a very, very sensitive thing...& take your time every so often to stop...& just enjoy the grass tickling your toes through your flip flops...no matter how old you are!


I will love you for my lifetime & far, far beyond, Brandon Alexander Thompson...you, my love...are my reason for being alive!!!

some of Barry's 32nd birthday pics...

Monday, August 20

Happy Birthday Trish!!! We hope it was perfect! love you to pieces!!!

goodness...

well...my honey is now 32! thank you all for your birthday wishes!! he had a sweet & quiet birthday...i made the perfect chocolate cake & we had his mom & dad over for cake!

today mooshie & i got up early, took the babies to the diner for breakfast & then we worked Cowtown like it was our DAMN JOB! it was Kate's first trip there to shop...it's clearly a genetic gift i've given my sweet princess...she LOVES to shop...almost as much as mommy...or Aunt Red...ok, maybe not that much! LOL!

tomorrow i'm getting new tires & my car aligned...who knew i was driving a DAMN DEATH TRAP!? ok, barry says he knew i needed new tires...but didn't think they were that bad...i think he knows how much life insurance he's gonna get when i drive off the road in a damn fire ball...that's just my opinion though! not to mention that my steering is so off...that if i take my hand off for a split second, the car makes a HARD right turn...it doesn't "slightly veer" as is usually the case when the alignment needs an adjustment...the car would do DONUTS if i took my hand off the wheel...so...it's being fixed! LOL!!

katie kate got a new giants cheerleading uniform today...she wore it all afternoon...she's so stinking excited...I ADORE THIS LITTLE LADY!!! :) my mini-me!!

brandon lost his second tooth today...i had to yank it out...it was just hanging there by a tiny thread & his permanent tooth has been bursting through behind it for a few weeks now...so i just ripped it out...he's in there now...trying to wait up for the Tooth Fairy...he doesn't know that chick can stay up all nite if she has to...she's done it a million times! ;)

Monday is Trish's 42nd birthday...make sure you all send happy wishes to the birthday fairy for her...i know it's going to be a great birthday...she made barry's day when she called him with deanna singing happy birthday to him...he giggled about it all nite...about how "gay" they were...that's when i know he absolutely LOVES things!!!

catching up...

so...my date with my hubby...perfect as always! We ended up at the Swedes, had a great dinner, lots of great drinks & even got to listen to a cover band that wasn't half bad...it wasn't entirely good either! The lead singer was this guy in his early-mid 40's who did the white man dance as he screamed the lyrics to some EXCELLENT songs! The song choices were incredible & his band really kicked some ass...but you can't really rock in your "band polo shirt"...right!!??

Sunday, I took my mommy to run some errands & relaxed for the rest of the day...& the rest of the week has been a week...2 more days until Red & I take the kids to the beach...I can NOT WAIT!!! I need a day to unwind in the worst way! It's just been a really weird week!

On a more pleasant note...got a text message from Brent tonite...him & Zach are in Memphis...texted me from GRACELAND!!!! I get goosebumps thinking about it...I want to go back soon...I love it there!!!

And...today is Barb's birthday...she's 33 today! Happy Birthday Barb!! xoxoxoxo

So...aside from the overall creepiness of the week...I'm hanging in there...i love you...i miss you...i'm thinking about you!!!

YOU know who you are! :) ;)

Happy Tuesday my lovelies!!!

how about me...

my hubby asked me out on a date for Saturday...I'm all excited! I love a nice date!! :)

it's over...

my birthday is technically over today...where on EARTH did July go?? Coming up next is Barry's (Kurt's is first but he doesn't live in my house...so it's a minor technicality!) His birthday is this Friday...how old will the mighty Captain be?

Heatho is hosting a lovely family BBQ at Casa de DuBrink on the 12th for the boys...my little honey is going to be 32...can you even believe it? I can't...but before ALL of that...I'm having beach time with my girl Red & the kids on 8/10 I'm looking forward to that like a fat kid loves cake! I can't even wait...I'm at my very best with sand between my toes...well...if margaritas were involved & I wasn't called Mommy all day, I'd truly be at my best...but a day at the beach with my girl & our babies...that's good stuff right there!

Tuesday was great, got my Dragon Nest on for lunch (I wish Chinese people would put an "S" in their business names...I always call it the Dragon's Nest...it works better for me!)...that means I'm one day closer to the weekend...one in which I can just relax & just take it easy...at least for now I can...I know of nothing on the schedule & I'm LOVING that fact! This is going to be the first weekend in ages I've got nothing to do...except play on my laptop & make some changes to my FaFa rosters! Loving that business too...you should check it out...I wanna start playing for money...LOL, LOL!

Hoping you're all having a beautiful week...the kids are giggling in Katie's room...they're either starting trouble or having a blast...either way, I better go check it out! Love you all to pieces...thanks again for stopping by...leave some comments...I love knowing you're all still out there!

8/31...date nite at the Swedes...don't forget!

The Best Couple...

that's the award we won at the DHY Canoe Trip! :) Yep, that's us...the best couple...& 70 other people agree with me! :)

I admit it...I was wrong...yeah, we were soked to the bone & I was terrified that we were in an aluminum boat in a thunder & lightning storm...but I took a second to see the Barry they all see...& I know why I am completely in love with this man! I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard...my face hurt at the end of the day! There really isn't one thing he can't do...his first time canoeing & he rowed that boat like he canoes for a damn living! He was in & out...weaving us among the people who couldn't figure which end of the paddle to use...& laughing hysterically at them the entire time! He was steering & rowing & never once got mad that I was pretty much just there to laugh my ass off!

Of course, today is another story completely...my entire body hurts today...LOL! We never tipped over once, our food stayed dry..which was a miracle...nothing else in a million feet of us was dry at the end of the day! Which made the day even funnier...we looked like a bus full of drowned rats! His co-workers...just phenomenal people...they're so funny & relaxing & just really want it to be one BIG happy family & that's just what it feels like to be with them! I completely adore them all...& can't wait for our next excuse to get together and hang out!

I'm also definitely looking forward to next year's Canoe Trip...& I've got my Paddle Pirates DHY 2007 Canoe Trip t-shirt to wear next year! Just the cutest shirt ever...I can't wait to wear it to work on Friday!

I'm going to bed early again tonite...while I was in bed by 8 last nite...I had the glorious pleasure of listening to my beloved PUKE all nite...he just can't handle the vodka...he wasn't drunk at all...but the jello shots definitely got the best of him...they just waited about 10 hours before they did! My poor baby...he's feeling much better today...just his back is sore- not a bad gig for a man who rowed a boat for about 4 hours!

another one down...

one day closer to the Canoe Trip...not sure yet if that's a good thing or a bad one! While I'm very excited about spending an entire day with Barry just the 2 of us...no Mommy & Daddy...just us! I'm superbly nervous about being the girliest girl anyone has ever met & trying to remain calm...I don't do canoes, I don't do sports, I don't DO HELMETS, I certainly don't do pissing in the woods...or worse yet...Port 'o Potties!

I'm already contemplating how I'll react to a broken nail...or TAN LINES! I'm sure some sort of life jacket comes along with this territory...in case I become knocked unconscious before I hit the rapids...let me just say...if that happens & I kick the bucket (we already signed the waivers saying we wouldn't sue if loss of life happens...sounds like a good time to me)...don't let them recover my body! Who the hell wants to be laid out with tan lines, a broken nail & what's left of the helmet hair I'm sure to incur! Seriously...how much fun is a day with your love when waivers releasing the company you're "relaxing" with have to be signed in case you croak or...become a capper!

Do wheelchairs come in pink??? What will become of the other half of the Solid Gold Dancers if one of us gets wheels due to an unfortunate Canoe accident...how do you say...don't mind my chair...I was living on the edge...in a damn canoe?? I'm clearly not canoe material!!

What happened to him romancing me with a fun trip to New Orleans...now that's a good time! How about Vegas...CANOEING!?! I'm not going to be the bitchy whiny me you all know & mostly hate...I've been very brave to him...sure, honey...sounds like fun in my best "work phone" voice...the one people always say is just too sweet...at one point, Winters asked me if honey were dripping from my throat I was so sickening...but I've been sweet!

Encouraging him to embrace his new work friends...this is a new side of Barry...wanting to be out in public...with virtual strangers...wanting to make new friends...enjoying it even...so...I'll trudge on...I guess strappy heels...or flip flops are out of the question...what does one wear to die in a canoe? I want to look good for the rescue team! :)

It will be fun...once I get done busting balls...the last time I met them all...Barry's boss SWORE the following Tuesday that he introduced me to someone at the party as his girlfriend...& she grilled him, FIERCELY...& said she had every intention of telling his wife if she'd found out he was cheating...I love her for that! & Red says I should take it as a compliment...that I'm hot enough to be the other woman...so I'm going...& I plan on telling them all how much I hate his wife...& I really am his girlfriend...the wife is home with his kids...LOL! I gotta say...they were awfully sweet for a bunch of people who thought I was the dirty whore he drags around behind his old lady's back...LOL!

So...they're sweet people even if they think you're a skank who's the side piece...I love them for that...I hope I'm just being a big chicken...& I get to tell you all on Monday that you should polish up your canoe helmets & get ready to dig a hole in the ground to piss in because I'm booking us a canoe trip!

Hope you've got fun plans this weekend...Dawn is having Girl's Weekend...some much needed time with her peeps from PA...they invited me like the lovey girls they are...I probably wouldn't need a helmet for anything other than the initiation...but I could have handled that! ha ha ha...

Red & I are gonna plan our day at the beach with the babies for one day within the next 2 weeks...I hear the sea calling my name as I write...I love the ocean so much...& it's a great excuse to eat funnel cake...so is the rodeo...LOL!

Happy Tuesday, lovers...hope you are thinking of all the nice things you want to say at my funeral...don't forget to throw in some rock n roll...& some profanity...I'll love you immensely for it!!!

THANK GOD FOR LINDSAY LOHAN GETTING BUSTED TODAY...i'm now in second place in my celebrity gossip pool!!! ATTA GIRL LiLo!!!!

Happy Saturday...

well, aside from my massive cramps (I'm waiting until after NOON to have a glass of wine with my Motrin) it's a perfect weekend day...the weather is absolutley perfect!!

The kids are playing together & being nice about it...for now! Aunt Heatho is here...to drop off reinforcements & get her chairs for the DuBrink party today...& to peruse my newest People magazine!

Today...I want to be a boy...the fabulous manicure might make people look at me twice...but I hate this time of the month!!! Boys should have this pleasure...we have to give birth! Damn men!

Hoping Dawn has luck car shopping today...& anxiously awaiting our visit either today or tomorrow with Aunt Red!!

Happy Saturday...hope you have a cramp free weekend!

33

What a perfect few days we had at Club Thompson this past weekend! I have the most amazing & generous friends and family a girl could ask for! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for an incredible birthday!

Saturday, Barry, Margie, Brandon & myself had a killer time at our very first Crab Out...I'm already looking forward to next year! The food was superb...so were the people. Zach, Dezi & Brent have the funniest friends...the stories I could tell about when Barry & I went back at 11 would have you in hysterics! Brandon, Ethan & I swam in the pool until I couldn't feel my toes anymore...it was just a little bit chilly out!!! It was so cold that when Barry & I went back, I was wearing jeans & a sweatshirt!!!

Then came Sunday...my 33rd birthday! It was a day I will never forget. I felt so special, loved & appreciated all day! I haven't had a birthday party since J.W. threw me my Sweet 16...yeah, it's been a while! To me...birthdays are this magical thing...it's the day you came & blessed me with your presence...so I always go way overboard...& Margie did that for me this year! I can't thank her enough for the perfect pink day...I also can't thank Red enough(not only for the bangin' pasta salad & her gracious gift...loves you...) but for just being you! You're both more important to me than you'll ever realize, I'm certain. I love you both for the rest of my life!

Meggie...the cake was gorgeous...& I love that you let Brandon & Katie help! Heatho...as always... making your list & checking it twice...u rock! Kelly & AJ...we miss you both so much...it was great having you there to laugh & play with! My incredible in-laws...where to start...Pop mowed the lawn, delivered chairs & tables...Mom made my absolute favorite potato salad ever & baked beans for Barry...no easy task...& was there being her beautiful loving self all day! Mom came to preach to us all about whatever she could...& we loved her being there...being Mom again!

Dawn & Kevin made it out to the first of many shindigs at Club Thompson & brought Savanna & Josh (Slip N Slide King of the Universe!)...which made Brandon, Katie & Tyler so happy!! I love hearing them play & laugh so much...it's one of my very favorite sounds! I love that Dawn is comfortable with my girls...that she's just one of us!

The usual suspects were there...Captain Kurt- Heathos' better half, Stevie, JoAnn & Myles...Gary & Tara with Jake & McKenzie (she's just so tiny), Uncle Teeve of course, Brucie, Celie, Zach & Dezi, Brent & Noel...I was just surrounded by love all day...I laughed so hard...had a quiet moment with my girls...talking about beautiful memories from our long past...of course I ended up crying!!!

I just think about that day & I'm so grateful...to all of you, for everything...I'm looking forward to at least 33 more great years of parties!!

Let me not forget to mention...Evel Kenievel Thompson & his crazy bike tricks...he's got some great scabs & the 4 of us laid in my bed last night having "story time" where the kids like to make up stories...they always start with "Once Upon A Time" or as Kate says..."Once upon A Story" & are usually something that happened with the details completely wrong...Kate nailed every moment of Bran's stunt about 5 times...that kept being her story...I think it's one of those things that's going to mentally scar her...LOL!

Thank YOU all...for a perfect way to welcome my 33rd year! I love you more than words will ever express!!

Happy Wednesday...sweets!!!

pics from Sunday...

so pretty...

Do you see the shock that I'm actually documenting this event??

I couldn't yell at her...I was the idiot that left the nail polish on the coffee table...& once I got it up off of the hardwood floors (& stopped crying out of fear that it wouldn't come up & I was actually going to be the one in trouble with Daddy instead of Katie) I found the humor & beauty in the situation!

I did learn that red nail polish doesn't come off of skin very well...which I assume is why my manicurist always takes it off immediately...she's still got a couple of pink spots this morning...her right foot looks like she's got some type of skin affliction!

She was so afraid by the mess she'd made that I was going to yell at her...OR EXPLODE right before her eyes...that she just kept apologizing. Once I hugged her & told her it was all Mommy's fault (but that she should NEVER touch nail polish again) her response was..."Isn't it so pretty, Mommy?!" ...& you know what...it totally was...she was gorgeous & perfect & 2!

I learned that Katie loves I'm Not Really A Waitress as much as I do...I just have to get a new bottle now...LOL!

Happy Friday the 13th my sweeties!!!!

oops...

so Kate didn't want the side bars on her big girl bed...at 4:40 a.m. I realized that was a mistake...the poor little sweetie was rudely awakened by what I'm sure was the shock of her little life (not that you'd know it by how her brother reacts in the same situation...) she fell out of bed! Now...her floor is the only one upstairs that is carpeted & Barry did fold up our old comforter & lay it on the floor next to her bed..."just in case"...but you knew how soundly she was sleeping by the great wails that were coming down the hall. I swear to God, I thought someone was in the house trying to take her...or something equally terrifying!

I don't know what came over me...Barry said the first entire cry didn't even make it out of her before I was up, running down the hall in the pitch black of nite & hollering, yet whispering at the same time..."Mommy's coming, baby!" She was just so shocked by the entire thing...she just looked at me like...who the HELL is screwing with me & how did they make me fall!

I scooped her up, snuggled her, got her some water & she was asleep in my arms in seconds. I swear to you...that cry...I can still hear it...I couldn't even imagine what was happening to my little angel...& where was the man I love you're all quietly wondering...her favorite man, Daddy of the UNIVERSE in this little girl's eyes??? In bed...just rolled over & went back to sleep...I couldn't sleep for about half an hour...just laying there...like the over-protective Mommy I am...thinking about my Kate & how I was certain some sort of tragedy had been averted by my running like a total idiot in the darkness! (well...that & the fact that i was so damn out of breath from panicking...& the smoking i'm sure...LOL...that it probably took that long for my heart to stop throbbing in my chest like a 13 year old in 1988 who had just gotten her New Kids On The Block "Hangin' Tough" album autographed by the entire band! & yes, I googled that to make sure my dates were accurate...1988...WTF...wasn't that YESTERDAY???)

On the other hand...my big man, Brandon- he falls out of bed at least once a week...on to the hardwood floor & doesn't even flinch...we hear the thud of what I'm sure is either a boney knee, elbow...or his noggin hitting the floor & just know it's someone's turn to go put the man back in bed. The child doesn't even wake up...or remember it in the morning...some woman is going to have the shit scared out of her weekly...the lucky thing! :)

That's it...the latest adventure at Club Thompson...Happy Wednesday!