Wednesday, July 27, 2005

December 1992

Everyone I know has had self defining moments. I believe that those moments are not far and few between. We continuously redefine who we are or more to the point redefine ourselves within the context of our relationships.

Writing the little meme the other day triggered a memory of a defining moment. A moment in which I knew I wanted to marry my then boyfriend. We had been together for two years and only had talked of the future in passing knowing that we had plenty of time for planning. We were, afterall, just in our mid 20s.

My boyfriend and I were out on a cold December evening on a typical Friday night date. We went to dinner, a movie and then were headed back to my apartment for the night. I loved my apartment and neighborhood. Victorian Village and the campus of OSU merge together and are crowded with beautiful historical homes. We liked staying at my place on Fridays because Saturday morning walks in the park were a must. The downfall to living in this building was the parking. It was horrendous to find a spot near my building or under good lighting. This Friday night was no exception.

We were later than normal going back to my apartment and had to park a block from my building in an unlighted area. I, being the music lover that I am, insisted we sit in the car to finish listening to a favorite song, something from the 80's, more than likely a song by U2. As we sat there enjoying the moment someone knocked on the driver's window of the car. It took my boyfriend a brief moment to assess what was really happening. Instead of rolling down the window my boyfriend opened the door and stood up to his full height. Later he told me he thought is was a homeless person that needed cash.

As my boyfriend is standing there I am totally bewildered but am the first to realize what is about to happen. I cannot hear the conversation that my boyfriend is having with the unknown person, but I can see the gun that is pointed at his side. I believe it took me 30 seconds to process what I was seeing and knew that my boyfriend did not have a clue about the gun.

My boyfriend was just talking with this intruder as if it were a causal how are you. I finally pulled on my boyfriends jacket and said he has a gun. At that point my boyfriend calmly sits back in the car and asks the man what he wants. I was watching this with a mild detached feeling as though everything was going in slow motion even though my mind was running 60 mph. The man said he just wanted my boyfriend's wallet and he would be on his way. So my boyfriend pulls his wallet from his back pocket, opens it, pulls out $100.00, hands it to the man and then puts his wallet back in his pocket. I was a bit shocked and in awe that my boyfriend would think to do this.

In the next moment the man asks my boyfriend for the keys to the car. My 60 mph mind just came to a skretching halt. I can still remember screaming in my head NOOOOO you are not taking me, in this car, anywhere! My boyfriend and the man are civilly discussing why the man wants the keys and in my hysteria I decide that I am getting the hell out of the car, he can take it. The man reaches in takes the keys and says to my boyfriend "I am just putting them on top of the car so you won't follow me." Those words were not registering in my mind. All I could think of was to get out of the car and away from the gun. Huge mistake on my part. You see, the intruder had an accomplice as a lookout and when he saw me open the door the accomplice was at my side, with a gun pointed at my chest. My shaking increased ten fold but my boyfriend was calm and said "Jen just sit down and don't cry, just look at me." I did what my boyfriend said. While, unbelievable, the man who was robbing my boyfriend was cordial and to the point, his accomplice was not. He continued to poke me with the gun and demanded my jewerly. Shaking uncontrollably I was attempting to unclasp the bracelets from my arm. Dear boyfriend finally said don't give them the satisfaction and ripped the bracelets from my arm, kissed me on the cheek and handed them to the accomplice. In turn I did the same with my necklaces knowing that the broken jewerly would not get much in a pawn shop.

And then, it was over. Just like that, they ran, but not without taking my car keys off the roof. My boyfriend was furious but was amazingly calm. So calm and focused that he watched them by sitting in the car using all the rearview mirrors. He saw what car they got into and which direction they were heading. My sobbing did not detour him from his destiny to make the punks pay or at least go to jail. My boyfriend still had his keys in his pocket which held one of my extra car keys. We tailed those men until boyfriend could see the license plate number. We then headed straight for the police station in downtown. We did our duty, filled out all the paperwork, looked at mugshots and drank lots of coffee.

In the 30 minutes that all this occurred I realized that I could have lost him. I could have lost a future that was just sitting there waiting to happen. The gun that was pointed at me did not matter as much as that gun that was pointed at my boyfriend. My boyfriend was strong and calm. My boyfriend told me how much he loved me and said he would have died for me. Died for me....THAT was a redefining moment. Not many women can say they found their hero. I did and I married him.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Meme

shamelessly taken from my friend Alice! 35 Not-So-Questions

1) My uncle once: climbed a water tower in his hometown and painted his name across it. Luckliy his dad was the Police Chief.

2) Never in my life: have I kissed a girl.

3) When I was five: I still sucked my thumb.

4)High school was: lots of fun!

5) Fire is: scarey and hot.

6) I once saw: my husband held up at gunpoint.

7) There’s this woman I know who: jumped out of car to get away from her boyfriend

8) Once, at a bar: there is never anything good that can come from me starting a sentace with this!

9) By noon I’m usually: tired of requesting checks.

10) Last night: I read "My Secret Garden" to my children, ate corn on the cobb and watched "The Pacifer".

11) If I only had: traveled to Europe after H.S. *sigh* a missed opportunity

12) Next time I go to church: my son will go to pre-school bible study, oi he turns into the devil while at mass.

13) The best thing about my last relationship was: I don't really remember...been married a while now! lol

14) What worries me most: harm coming to my children in any form.

15) When I turn my head left: I see a blank wall in my office...I will be moving to another soon!

16) When I turn my head right: I see the door to my office and the hallway

17) You know I’m lying when: my voice cracks and my eyebrows stay raised.

18) What I miss most about the eighties: it certainly is not the hair! I am going to say MTV as well, this will keep in tune with my previous post.

19) If I were a character written by Shakespeare, I’d be: the beautiful heroine who saves everyone! What....

20) By this time next year: I will be on another vacation, hopefully without family!!

21) I have a hard time understanding: why people cannot accept others religious beliefs or faith.

22) You know I like you if: I acknowledge your presence, although I am pretty nice to everyone.

23) If I won an award, the first person I’d thank would be: My husband.

24) Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferraro: are sitting around a campfire: I am not witty enough to answer this.

25) Take my advice, never: sit in your car, after dark, in a not so great neighborhood just to finish listening to a song you love on the radio.

26) My ideal breakfast is: bagel, butter and cafe mocha

27) If you visit my hometown, I suggest you go to: an OSU football game, they are a blast!

28) Why doesn’t everyone: learn to be more tolerant of things they did not always understand.

29) If you spend the night at my house: You will never worry about birth control again.

30) I’d stop my wedding: I wouldn't...we would keep going even with all the foils happening around us.

31) The world could do without: starvation

32) My favorite blonde is: My son!

33) If I do anything well, it’s: laugh at myself

34) And by the way: I don't think I am talking to myself any longer, thanks everyone for stopping by, leaving comments, and making me smile.

35) The last time I was drunk, I: played volleyball, closed down the bar, and woke up hubby when I got home at 3:00 a.m.!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Music Videos

I grew up with music videos. I was there, glued to the TV, at my friend Kevann's house, when MTV aired for the first time. It was (insert valley girl voice) "omg, the best thing ever!" I love to watch videos and can see what the musician looks like. I always liked the videos that had dance routines, but also enjoyed the ones that showed guys belting one out.

So now that MTV does not play videos, at least while I am awake, I have taken to watching VH1 in the a.m. Well I watch when my kids don't have the Disney channel and Kim Possible on (*waves to kimmah*).

So this morning I am watching VH1 and finishing up the touches on my makeup. Then BAM Jessica Simpson pops onto the screen. When I say pop I mean POP! Whoa....I am no prude but I was a bit in shock at this new video, "These Boots Are Made For Walking". The girl is hotter than hot and I thought for a moment there I was in a nudie/exotic dancer bar. Mind you, I have not been to that type of bar so I am just making a wild guess here and my mind wondered for just a bit. I will let you think what you want about where I wondered to.

Well after I came out of that little daze I turn to see my two children in the room with me. I am in a bit of horror struck moment as my daughter asks "who is that" and I say "Jessica Simpson." My daughter replies "THAT is not Jessica Simpson!" I say "ok, maybe not, lets get going, click." For some reason my four year old son was just staring at the screen and did not say a word.

I think I filled my bad mom quota for the day. Not sure we can watch VH1 in the a.m. any longer and will most certainly have to clue hubby in on the new diversion that has become music videos.

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Family Night

Last night was a pretty good night for our family. Everything just fell together in an unplanned way and we were able to enjoy a hot summer night.

I made fetteccini alfredo. The sauce and noodles were yummy and we ate the whole pot. Everyone helped with the dishes and the clean up, which was a shock to my system. We discussed going to play tennis and hubby and I decided that it was a good evening to do that.

We went to a local high school which has an elementary school next to it. It was balmy, hot and sticky but we all four played. I had bought the kids new rackets a few weeks ago upon my cousin telling me my kids were naturals. Hubby played with them last week and said they both did very well. I am not surprised as my mom (the extraordinary athlete) was semi-pro in college. I have not played in over five years and got the workout of my life. I am surprised I can type this entry today! The kids really played hard and my son, my son is the natural. It amazes me that any sport this young boy tries he excels, talk about a wicked back hand. Once we all were sweating buckets my son exclaimed "my hair is wet, how did my hair get wet!" I knew it was time for a break.

Ah the swings! I love to swing and this playground had the best swings. You know the ones, they have the big triangle shaped metal poles. They have the chain link "ropes" and nice wide seats that sit high up off the ground. Hubby, daughter and I were swinging high into the sky. It was the absolute best feeling in the world to be swinging like that and watching my daughter giggle at her mommy and daddy. While we were enjoying the swings my son was mastering the monkey bars. That child is a monkey and will give me at least 10 heartattacks during my lifetime. Last night felt so good and so right, it fit the word FAMILY.

So how could this family of four end their wonderful family night? We went home and I made banana splits! The kids took theirs with no nuts, but hubby and I, we are nuts. Once in awhile you get it right.

Friday, July 15, 2005

Hello my name is Jen and....

I am a Harry Potter geek. Yes thats right I freely admit this. I belong to a book club and help moderate a forum devoted to these books.

So today is Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince day...woo hoo...fandom and geeks around the world are screaming Go Go Gryffindor! I had pre-ordered my book two (2) months ago and I have been assured by Barnes & Noble that it will be delievered tomorrow. I will have it read by 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

I have been invited to Borders this evening to witness the feastivities, however, I have not been able to hire a babysitter. Quite frankly I am not sure I am ready to witness 20 and 30 somethings dressed up as Harry and Hermione. But then again that could provide for some pretty good fodder for me to write about! Oh who am I kidding, I would not betray my fellow HP geeks, I secretly own a T-shirt that says "Mishchief Managed"!

Thursday, July 14, 2005

My Sisters have lead me astray!

They told me how great it was. They told me that I would be happy that I did it. They said I would be most pleased with the results. They told me after 3 or 4 times it will feel natural and you will look great. Many could not believe that I had not ever done it before and asked "what are you waiting for?"

So I made the appointment and took the plunge yesterday. That appointment required 3 advil and two beers while being subjected to the toture treatment.

Yes, my sisters lead me astray. All I have to say today is "OUCH!"

Friday, July 08, 2005

This and That

First and foremost, my heart and prayers go out to all of England for the cowardly attacks yesterday. I am glad to see our friends across the ocean holding up well and have not let this set them back.

Second, thanks to all who replied to my 4th of July post! I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday. I have read some reports and it appears that many of us like to partake in the American past time (the Canadian one too) of celebrating with beers...here is to you my friends!!!!

The D.C. trip was ok, very hectic and with family. Need I say more really. My dad's family, always full of drama, reminded me why I only want to see them once a year. My children had a great time and hubby drank, a lot. I can't blame hubby, I wanted to drink a lot too and finally did on Sunday night, after chaos had reigned supreme at my cousin's home. I was reminded why I love my husband and why we are good together. He kept me grounded and helped me to not lose my cool. *smooches* to him!

We did visit Mt. Vernon like the good tourists we are. I had a great time with my kids. I had not been through the house since the 8th grade and really enjoyed seeing it. My children are troopers and were well behaved despite the heat. We took a lovely ride on the cruise boat and enjoyed the view of Mt. Vernon. It is truly spectacular. At some point I will try my hand at posting some of the pics I have taken, but I am notoriously bad at following through with those.

It is the weekend, thank goodness, but again we will be spending time with family. I can't seem to escape these people. I am not that witty and fun. Why does everyone insist on spending time with us? Oh thats right, because I tend to try and make everyone happy and do the right thing. I plan parties well, always having the right amount of food, drink and games. I usually always smile and have something nice to say. I don't quite feel that way at the moment. I suppose I will need an attitude adjust before tomorrow or maybe I will just drink a lot.