One of my younger daughter Maddie's favorite bedtime activities is to take our family through "Color My Dog Yellow," written and illustrated by Jersey artist Tine Kirkland Graham. Maddie will read a little poem about each dog and tell us where he lives... Bay Head, Cape Cod, or Morristown, to name a few. Tine has been one of our favorite local artists for a long time... Rex and I have one of her paintings in our dining room and she painted our Bay Head beach house (image on the left) years and years ago, maybe even before London and Maddie were born.
This weekend, Maddie and London and all of their beach friends will have the opportunity to paint the day with Tine in a FREE event at the Anchor & Palette Gallery on Mount Street in Bay Head, New Jersey. Trader is spending the week here with Rex's grandkids, so we'll have a house full of creativity at the beach.
"You see us as you want to see us, in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions. But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain... and an athlete... and a basket case... a princess..."
I read with great sadness that writer-director-producer John Hughes had died this past week at age 59 of a heart attack while walking in Manhattan. With his 1980s "Brat Pack" movies -- "The Breakfast Club," "Sixteen Candles," "Pretty in Pink," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "She's Having a Baby" as we grew into our twenties -- he captured a piece of my heart, a piece of my childhood, a piece of my teenage years.
Born in Michigan, Hughes used his high school town of suburban Northbrook, Illinois, as a location for many of his films. He got his start as an advertising copywriter in Chicago and started selling jokes to performers such as Rodney Dangerfield and Joan Rivers. Hired by National Lampoon magazine after submitting his short story "Vacation '58," he wrote his first screenplay, "Class Reunion," while on staff at the magazine, and it became his first produced script in 1982. His next, "National Lampoon's Vacation," based on his short story, became his first big hit and spawned several sequels.
Hughes' first film as a director was 1984's "Sixteen Candles," starring Anthony Michael Hall, John Cusack and Molly Ringwald. The teen romance introduced several of the actors who would come to be known as the Brat Pack. In 1985, "The Breakfast Club" became the era's iconic and influential high school film. It starred Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Hall and Judd Nelson as teens who must learn to get along when thrown together during Saturday detention.
Hughes wrote and exec produced "Pretty in Pink" featuring Molly Ringwald and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," starring Matthew Broderick. He also wrote "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "She's Having a Baby," heartfelt adolescent/young adult stories that both bore his stamp.
He branched out with 1987's more grown-up "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," starring Steve Martin and John Candy, then directed just two more films, "Uncle Buck" and "Curly Sue," his eighth and final film as director. Hughes turned primarily to writing and producing, seeing his greatest success with 1990's "Home Alone," which he wrote and produced. It spawned three sequels.
"He understood young people in a way few filmmakers ever have. He tapped into the feelings of teenagers and literally changed the face of the '80s. The film industry has lost a giant -- a gentle, wonderful giant," said "Home Alone" actor Devin Ratray in a statement.
While no longer active in Hollywood, he more recently provided the stories for films including "Maid in Manhattan" and "Drillbit Taylor" using the pseudonym Edmond Dantes.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Nancy; two sons, John, a musician, and James, a writer; and four grandchildren.
Won't you come see about me? I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby
Tell me your troubles and doubts Giving me everything inside and out and Love's strange so real in the dark Think of the tender things that we were working on
Slow change may pull us apart When the light gets into your heart, baby
Don't You Forget About Me Don't Don't Don't Don't Don't You Forget About Me
Will you stand above me? Look my way, never love me Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling Down, down, down
Will you recognise me? Call my name or walk on by Rain keeps falling, rain keeps falling Down, down, down, down
Hey, hey, hey, hey Ohhhh.....
Don't you try to pretend It's my feeling we'll win in the end I won't harm you or touch your defenses Vanity and security
Don't you forget about me I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby Going to take you apart I'll put us back together at heart, baby
Don't You Forget About Me Don't Don't Don't Don't Don't You Forget About Me
As you walk on by Will you call my name? As you walk on by Will you call my name? When you walk away
Or will you walk away? Will you walk on by? Come on - call my name Will you all my name?
Rest in peace, John Hughes.
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This post was sponsored by Sears. All the opinions are mine. With that out of the way, I'm here to tell you that although London will only be entering the third grade at Mendham Township Elementary School in the Fall, she's been flirting with her twenty something camp counselors all summer and appears to be CampusReady. Lucky for mom, I've got another ten years before London will be heading off to college in the Fall, spending her back to school days at Sears.com to shop by dorm room (with virtual suites of coordinating dorm room products and design ideas to make that first home away from home her own), making a shopping checklist of things she'd like mom and dad to buy, and of course checking out the latest apparel must-haves, with links to all the categories of clothing she'll need for every aspect of campus life, including the ones her mom is better off not knowing about. Sears has even created a Facebook application to ensure my future college freshman will have an easy transition from high school into the college arena...check it out at CampusReady on Facebook.
While many of us have watched our net worth vanish before our very eyes on the past year's stock market rollercoaster, college tuition costs continue to rise, but Sears and Upromise are here to help... they're giving away a total of $25,000 in college tuition prizes. Since we started using Upromise to save for college when I was pregnant with London, we've collected almost ten thousand dollars... sometimes hundreds or even thousands of dollars (refinancing two mortgages), sometimes ten bucks a pop from online purchases, sometimes pennies at a time at the grocery store, but it is not hard to earn and every bit counts. Upromise members are automatically entered in the contest with a sears.com purchase through Upromise.com, or you can enter free at sears.com/campusready. See sears.com/campusready for all the rules and complete details.
We've been renting out our beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey, for the past two weeks while having good fun up north in the Roxiticus Valley, including Roxy's 25th high school reunion, Grandmom's 84th birthday, a visit from Aunt Veg and Uncle Quiet, and a day of boating on Lake Hopatcong. On Friday night, after four weeks of singing, dancing and acting at Annie's Playhouse Summer Stars camp in Far Hills, New Jersey, London and Maddie will take the stage to sing Broadway faves like "Let's Go Fly A Kite" from Mary Poppins, "Under the Sea" from the Little Mermaid, "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast, and "We Rock" from Disney's Camp Rock. Then, after a big 90th birthday celebration for my Uncle Joe at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Lyons, NJ, we make our triumphant return to the beach on Saturday afternoon. Since the weather is supposed to be nice and Trader and Rex's grandkids are coming down for the week, we'll stay over on Sunday night, play a little hooky from work on Monday, catch a few waves, build a village of sand castles, and paint and sell seashells down by the seashore... can't wait!!
I've posted over on Roxy's Best Of... Far Hills, NJ and my Roxiticus Desperate Housewives blog about my latest health and fitness plan, including an energy drink that resembles pond scum. What I left out is that, as a result of my commitment to diet and exercise and not eating junk food snacks, I'm hungry and there's nothing good in the fridge. Meanwhile Stouffer's is tempting with the opportunity to win $10,000 cash and take the trip of my dreams, Sony Digital Camcorders valued at $500, and Stouffers-panini products instantly (how quick can they get the panini here?? is what I want to know) by trying their globally-inspired new tastes. Stouffers just launched four new varieties: Bistro Meatballs & Peppers, Bistro Chicken Souvlaki, Lean Cuisine Grilled Vegetables & Goat Cheese, and Lean Cuisine Mango Chicken Tikka. Just register here for a chance to win one of three (3) grand prizes - a $10,000 gift card to spend on your choice of India, Greece, Italy and France travel destinations, one of twelve (12) second prizes - a $500 Sony Digital Camcorder, or daily instant prizes -- coupons for free Stouffer’s panini products. The registration process allows you one free entry, or you get one unique UPC code entry per day. This offer is available to Canadian residents only, so it looks like my fridge is still empty here in the States.
As I mentioned over on my Roxiticus Desperate Housewives blog, Blondie is coming to the Community Theatre up north in Morristown, NJ, next Monday, August 10th. I remember the song "Call Me" from American Gigolo as if it were yesterday, though I believe I was in the 6th or 7th grade, begging my mother to take me to see hot hot Richard Gere in my first rated R movie (she said "No" and I didn't see a Rated R film until Stripes came out a few years later and I picked up an older guy outside the Cort Theatre in Somerville who claimed to be my dad, as well as the father of all five of my BFFs...but that's another Music Monday)
Colour me your colour, baby Colour me your car Colour me your colour, darling I know who you are Come up off your colour chart I know where you're coming from Call me on the line Call me call me any anytime Call me my love you can call me any day or night Call me Cover me with kisses, baby Cover me with love Roll me in designer sheets I'll never get enough Emotions come I don't know why Cover up love's alibi Call me on the line Call me call me any anytime Call me oh my love When you're ready we can share the wine Call me Ooh, he speaks the languages of love Ooh, amore, chiamami chiamami. Oo, appelle-moi mon cherie, appelle-moi Anytime anyplace anywhere anyway Anytime anyplace anywhere any day, anyway Call me my life Call me call me any anytime Call me for a ride Call me call me for some overtime Take me out and show me off Put me on the scene Dress Me in the fashions of the nineteen nighties You're the man no in between I know what you words can mean Call me call me any anytime Call me for a ride Call me call me for some overtime Call me in my life Call me call me in a sweet design Call me call me for your lover's lover's alibi Call me on the line Call me call me any anytime Call me Oh, call me, ooh ooh ah. Call me my love. Call me, call me any anytime.
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
When are you gonna come down? When are you going to land? I should have stayed on the farm I should have listened to my old man You know you can't hold me forever I didn't sign up with you I'm not a present for your friends to open This boy's too young to be singing the blues Chorus So goodbye yellow brick road Where the dogs of society howl You can't plant me in your penthouse I'm going back to my plough
Back to the howling old owl in the woods Hunting the horny back toad Oh I've finally decided my future lies Beyond the yellow brick road
What do you think you'll do then? I bet that'll shoot down your plane It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics To set you on your feet again Maybe you'll get a replacement There's plenty like me to be found Mongrels who ain't got a penny Sniffing for tidbits like you on the ground
Chorus
So goodbye yellow brick road Where the dogs of society howl You can't plant me in your penthouse I'm going back to my plough
Back to the howling old owl in the woods Hunting the horny back toad Oh I've finally decided my future lies Beyond the yellow brick road
Speaking of howling old owls, I've been howling along with Elton John when he comes on XM Satellite Eighties on 8 on my way home from the Bernardsville train station after work this week, so I thought I'd share with all of you. The video is a real classic... Enjoy!
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
An animal control officer has encountered two rabid raccoons in the Borough of Bay Head, NJ, within the past two weeks, said Sgt. Geoffrey Barger of the Bay Head Police Department.
One of the raccoons was found in the area of Evergreen Drive and the other was found rummaging through a trash bin on the 500 block of Lake Avenue. Both were tested by animal control and have been confirmed to be infected with rabies, according to a release from the Police Department. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid attracting raccoons and other wildlife by keeping all trash in covered containers, Barger said.
Unattended small children and pets should not be allowed to play near wooded areas where there could be a potential to come in contact with rabid animals. Anyone who comes in contact with an animal that appears to show abnormal or aggressive behavior should contact authorities immediately. The Bay Head Police Department can be reached at 732-892-0632.
We had trouble with raccoons last summer and again in the beginning of this season in Bay Head. They were getting in through our chimney and leaving their paw prints all over the house. I'm sure glad we had our beach house "raccoon-proofed" by Muskrat Jack. If you have raccoon trouble, I'd recommend giving him a call at (732) 295-1618.
I'm writing to you from up north in the Roxiticus Valley tonight, getting ready to spend the next two weeks away from the beach in Bay Head, New Jersey while we rent our beautiful beach house to another lucky family.
If you've been enjoying the beach adventures of London and Maddie, Rex and Roxy from afar and would like to see for yourself, I wanted to let you know that we're open to renting our beach house for one more week from Sunday, August 16th through Sunday, August 23rd. We're in a quiet but convenient location between the ocean and the bay, two short blocks from the beach, with a traffic light to help you and your kids to cross the highway with a wagon full of beach toys. The price is $4,000 per week, and you can add on a few more days beyond the 23rd at $500 each. We're keeping the week before Labor Day for ourselves. I'll try to post some photos over the weekend. In the meantime, if you're interested in renting Roxy's beach house in Bay Head, NJ this summer, please call or visit Diane Cornell at Van Sciver Realtors, 431 Main Avenue, Bay Head, NJ, phone (732) 898-0038 and be sure to tell her Roxy sent you.
My high school BFF, Melissa, just missed our 25th reunion for the Somerville High School Class of 1984, but she probably had the best excuse of anyone in the class... and plenty of others didn't make it to the Green Knoll Grille tonight, either! So what was Melissa's great excuse? She just had a baby girl three months ago. Back at Christmas time, Rex, London, Maddie, and I were all thrilled to learn that after years of "working at it," Melissa, her husband, and their three year old son were expecting their second child... and it's a girl!
As soon as I knew she was pregnant again, I reminded Melissa, and I'll tell all of you now, about the miraculous benefits of collecting and "banking" your child's umbilical cord blood. Unless you read a lot of baby and parenting magazines, you may not know that U-Cord blood stem cells are known to treat over 75 diseases, and have been used in over 12,000 transplants worldwide.
Cryo-Cell, the industry's family cord bank leader with more quality accreditations than any private cord blood bank, has an exclusive premium family service called "Protect Baby, Protect Mom" where expectant parents can get the a $725 discount by using the promotional code 995PS to enroll online with Cryo-Cell by midnight this Sunday, July 26th. You'll receive special UCORD pricing of $995 for processing, testing and your first year of storage, and the cancellation fee will be waived. You may also choose to enroll in the Signature UCORD Service and Exclusive C’elle Service for one low price of $1299 by using promotional code P2PS. So why not take advantage of this special discounted offer from Cryo-Cell and enroll now.
I think I've mentioned that we're renting out our beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey, for a couple of weeks at the end of July into early August. Since we're away in the Roxiticus Valley, it made sense for our Mermaid Swim Team to take a vacation as well. Coinciding with artist Wendy McCarthy's updated Mermoments show at the Anchor and Palette gallery on Mount Street in Bay Head, our beautiful mermaid painting will be on display there through August 8th. Rex, London, Maddie and I were over at the Anchor & Palette for the opening on Saturday night, when Wendy debuted a new painting, Mer-Mom. I snapped a few photos but left my camera and disc at home this morning, so I'll have to give you an update on this great new Mermaid piece when I get home from work tonight.
If you missed the opening the other night, Wendy will also be participating in the Anchor & Palette's Sunday afternoon "Meet the Artist" series. On August 30th, meet artist Wendy McCarthy, who will be on hand to unveil her latest painting and talk about her new ideas for her fantastic mermaid series.
I've mentioned that, for the first time ever, Rex and I have decided to rent our beach house at the Jersey Shore for a few weeks during the summer. We've listed it with the local realtors in our little town of Bay Head, New Jersey, and I've also blogged about it in the hope that a nice family who loves the beach as much as we do will make contact through our realtor.
If you're searching for an apartment or rental home for the longer term, there's a new, free application available for your iPhone that enables you to search more than six million apartments and rental homes nationwide... whether you're searching for a beach rental in Bay Head or anywhere else all the way across the United States. You can use it to find apartments nearby using GPS while you're walking around the town you'd like to live in, or search for your dream home by city, state, and zip code. Filter your search results by what's important to you: number of bedrooms, bathrooms, price range, pet policies, or amenities. The Notes and Photos section keeps you organized by letting you store your thoughts about and photos of each possibility right on the listing.
www.mynewplace.com is one of the biggest apartment rental sites on the internet, a three time Business Week "Best of the Web" winner, and an innovator in the field.
So for access to more than 6 million apartments and rental homes nationwide on your iPhone while you're out in the street and on the hunt for a new place to live, check out and download MyNewPlace in the iPhone app store
My loyal Bay Head Blog and Roxiticus Desperate Housewives readers know all about my embarrassing weakness for the Disney Channel, and this week's Music Monday is no less sappy than you might have come to expect. With no apologies to those who waste their time complaining about Miley's teen "scandals," I just enjoy watching the girl grow up. I can't help thinking about London and Maddie, my two singing Butter Bites, and hope that their young romance might be captured this way...
Miley: I know this isn't what I wanted I never thought it'd come this far Just thinking back to where we started And how we lost all that we are
Nick: We were young and times were easy But I could see it's not the same I'm standing here but you don't see me I'd give it all for that to change
And I don't want to lose her Don't wanna let her go
Miley: I'm standing out in the rain I need to know if it's over Cause I will leave you alone Nick: Flooded with all this pain Knowing that I'll never hold her Both: Like I did before the storm (yeah) Before the storm
Nick: With every strike of lightning Miley: Comes a memory that lasts Both: And not a word is left unspoken As the thunder starts to crash Miley: Maybe I should give up
Miley: I'm standing out in the rain I need to know if it's over Cause I will leave you alone Nick: Flooded with all this pain Knowing that I'll never hold her Like I did before the storm
Miley: Trying to keep the lights from going out Both: And the clouds from ripping out my broken heart We always say A heart is not a whole Without the one who gets you through the storm
Standing out in the rain Knowing that's it really over Please don't leave me alone I'm flooded with all this pain, knowing that I'll never hold you Like I did before the storm
This weekend, Rex, London, Maddie and I will head down to our beach house in Bay Head, New Jersey to participate in the Rubber Duck Derby to benefit the Bay Head School Foundation. We're hoping for another weekend of terrific beach weather, since it will be our last one for a few weeks. We're renting our beautiful beach house for others to enjoy while we indulge in activities up north in the Roxiticus Valley. We'll spend one weekend at my 25th high school reunion, and the other with Aunt Veg and Uncle Quiet celebrating Grandmom's 84th birthday, and we'll also try to fit in London and Maddie's very first "Double Trouble" slumber party -- one friend for each of them, a double feature movie night, and a double stack of Rex's famous pancakes in the morning.
If we run out of things to do, we can always go to Branson...after all, if we can't be at the beach in Bay Head, what better way to have a great time this summer than taking a trip to Branson, Missouri, and what better place to stay than in the midst of all the action at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel and the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing?
Situated within the electrifying entertainment capital of the Midwest, these two hotels offer guests access to shops, boutiques, restaurants, a relaxing river walk and other local attractions. For those about to golf, the new Payne Stewart Golf Club, managed by Hilton, is nearby and features hole after hole of gorgeous scenery. This summer, there's something for everyone in Branson, including the 10th Annual Clown Jam, National Kid’s Fest at Silver Dollar City, live entertainment and plenty of theaters. Take an easy drive out to Branson’s museums, theme parks, lakes and other outdoor attractions.
When we're not at the beach, we just may see you in Branson!
I mentioned last week that Bay Head, New Jersey is having its second annual rubber duck derby to benefit the Bay Head School Foundation, and now I know for sure that Rex, London, Maddie and I will be there with our best trained rubber ducky. Scheduled for Saturday, July 18th, at 11:00am, the Great Bay Head Duck Derby includes a $10 Duck Race, gift auctions and silent auctions. The day's events will begin at 11:00am, with the races taking place, rain or shine, on Scow Ditch in Centennial Park. It looks like the weatherman will deliver plenty of "shine," so we're looking forward to the event...
Charter Communications is asking bloggers like me the question:
I'm here to tell my tale of the Bay Head Blog and my stolen moments on the Internet at our beach house. Maybe my story will be the one that wins!
Everyone knows that digital tools are constantly changing the way we live our lives, interact with our friends and families, and how we learn and play. Our neighbors at the beach who have cable TV and high speed Internet are able to order movies on demand instead of driving to the video store or watching the same old DVDs and videotapes (yes, we have VHS!). While we still pick up the Sunday New York Times at Curtis' Central Market, our digitized neighbors get their news from online sources. We keep an old-fashioned scrapbook of our favorite beach photos while our neighbors share photos and videos online with their friends and family. We see our friends at the beach and remark how all the kids have grown over the winter, while the neighbors with cable catch up with old friends and Charter on Facebook. While others' lives have changed dramatically due to the digital tools they can use, our beach house has been left behind in 1985 because of stubborn Roxy's refusal to do business with a certain Comcastic cable TV and Internet provider.
If only I could be a Charter Communications customer – phone, high speed Internet or cable. The company wants to know how you live your digital life, and I'd like to get one. Simply “Tell Us How You Do It,” and you can win some great prizes. Each week Charter is giving away either a 15” laptop or a 52” HDTV to one lucky customer who submits their story. At the end of the promotion, Charter will also give away a grand prize package of one 52” HFTV, one 15” Laptop, and a free year of the Charter Bundle with includes Digital Cable with HD and a DVR, Charter High-Speed Internet and Charter Telephone. There it is -- Roxy's very own digital life all rolled up in a big bundle! All I have to do is visit Charter and submit my story with photos or video that shows how I use my digital tools. Wish me luck...
Bay Head, New Jersey is having its second annual rubber duck derby to benefit the Bay Head School Foundation. Scheduled for Saturday, July 18th, at 11:00am, the Great Bay Head Duck Derby includes a $10 Duck Race, gift auctions and silent auctions. The day's events will begin at 11:00am, with the races taking place, rain or shine, on Scow Ditch in Centennial Park.
Callie just stopped by my Bay Head Blog post from last year about the terrific summer camp for Bay Head residents, and reminded me that camp is back and better than ever this summer (see her comment below). Last night, Rex and the girls and I came back up north to the Roxiticus Valley after nine days of sun and fun at the beach. We never seem to be down at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ, for enough of July to really take advantage of the terrific Bay Head Summer Recreation program, but whenever London and Maddie have the chance to participate they have a blast.
When: Monday, July 6th through Friday, August 14th (I think) When, Part II: A half day program, Mondays through Thursdays, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Bay Head Elementary School
Who: Children of Bay Head Residents and Renters Who, Part II: Children Ages 5 through 12. Birth Certificate required at sign-up.
How (much): $50.00. For the whole summer. Not per day, not per week. For the whole summer.
Now, for that price, the nice teenagers who supervise your children at the Bay Head Elementary School are NOT going to teach them to swim, sail, or scuba dive. But your kids will come home with lots of cool arts and crafts and play outside when the weather is nice.
Callie said, "Love the write up! We are having camp again this year at the Bay Head Elementary School Monday through Thursday, 9Am-12PM. Our fee has increased to $50 for the summer, but in my opinion that's still a steal for 6 weeks! We are including more sports and other activities as well.
Thanks for calling us teenagers, so flattering!!,but most of us (there are 4 counselors now) are either teachers or finishing up education degrees. We incorporate a lot of our teaching experience into the development and running of the camp. :-)
I know I've let my diet and fitness program get away from me since the Fall, but with summer here and spending more time at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ, I'm back to thinking about exercise and getting into better shape... consider the photo on the right to be an "after" shot of Roxy in my new blue jeans from Armani Exchange... the youthful label created by Italian designer and entrepreneur Giorgio Armani, AX is accessible Armani, inspired by street-chic culture, fashionable dance music and everything that signifies freedom and a sensual and unique personal style. Just wait and see how young, urban and sexy I will look in my new blue jeans.
Customers who purchase a full price pair of denim from Armani Exchange, either in store or online, between today (July 7, 2009) and July 19th, 2009 will receive a gift card of $20 off your next purchase of $100 or more, July 30th through August 15th, 2009. So I've picked out my three favorite pairs of new blue jeans from the denim section on the Armani Exchange web site, where they have New Premium Denim starting at only $98. No low rise for Roxy, I'm going straight for the regular rise, classic fit boot cut in three different colors: light wash, dark wash, and destruction wash denim! I should order all of them one size too small (say an 8 instead of a 10) in order to create a little motivation to slim down this summer. Right now, Armani Exchange is also running a Text AX contest SMS campaign with a chance to win a pair of jeans every day for the month of July by texting the keyword "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264).
So what are we waiting for? Let's all get to work on those hot summer bods and into some hot new blue jeans from Armani Exchange.
While London, Maddie and I usually slather ourselves in Banana Boat SPF 50 sunscreen, Rex is the tannest guy on the beach with his favorite SPF4 Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee. I can't seem to find it in grocery or drug stores nearby, but I did find it on Amazon a couple of years ago and ordered up a six-pack. Our nine day beach vacation in celebration of Rex's birthday was so perfect and sunny that we've used up our "lifetime supply" and it is time to reorder.
Here's a catchy tune you may not have heard unless you're the mother of a Radio Disney fan... but I find myself comparing the Ting Tings to some of my 80s favorites... they've got the beat that gets you headed to the beach on a sunny summer day like the GoGos or Katrina and the Waves... check it out and let me know what you think.
Four letter word just to get me along It's a difficulty and I'm biting on my tongue and I I keep stalling, keeping me together People around gotta find something to say now
Holding back, everyday the same Don't wanna be a loner Listen to me, oh no I never say anything at all But with nothing to consider They forget my name ame, ame, ame
They call me hell They call me Stacey They call me her They call me Jane That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name
They call me quiet girl But I'm a riot Mary Joleisa Always the same That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name
I miss the catch if they through me the ball I'm the last kid standing up against the wall Keep up, falling, these heels they keep me boring Getting glammed up and sitting on the fence now
So alone all the time at night Lock myself away Listen to me, I'm not Although I'm dressed up, out and all with Everything considered They forget my name (ame, ame, ame)
They call me hell They call me Stacey They call me her They call me Jane That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name
They call me quiet girl But I'm a riot Mary Joleisa Always the same That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name That's not my name
Are you calling me darling? Are you calling me bird? Are you calling me darling? Are you calling me bird?
Awww, you know it doesn't take much to put Roxy into one of those weepy, motherly moods and (Your Body Is A) Wonderland just came on the radio here at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ and put me into flashback mode. Where to start? A few years back, a good friend and her family came to visit us here at the beach, and her then high school age son and I were trading MP3s for our iPods. The thing is, I was practically there at her son's birth in the late '80s. We learned to ski together in the Berkshires, when he was 3 and I was 25. And here he was, 16 or 17 years old, telling me the reason he likes "Wonderland" is the lyric, "I'll never let your head hit the bed, without my hand behind it." Now, another mother might say, eew, too much information, but I just thought it was sweet the way he was growing up (sooo fast!).
We got the afternoon, You got this room for two, One thing I've left to do, Discover me, Discovering you.
One mile to every inch of, Your skin like porcelain, One pair of candy lips and, Your bubblegum tongue.
Cause if you want love, We'll make it, Swim in a deep sea, Of blankets, Take all your big plans, And break 'em, This is bound to be a while.
Your body is a wonderland, Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands), Your body is a wonderland.
Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face, I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase, You tell me where to go and, Though I might leave to find it, I'll never let your head hit the bed, Without my hand behind it.
You want love, We'll make it, Swim in a deep sea, Of blankets, Take all your big plans, And break 'em, This is bound to be a while.
Your body is a wonderland, Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands), Your body is a wonderland.
Damn baby, You frustrate me, I know you're mine, all mine, all mine But you look so good it hurts sometimes.
Your body is a wonderland, Your body is a wonder (I'll use my hands), Your body is a wonderland, Your body is a wonderland.
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
Every year, Rex, London, Maddie and I like to stroll through Centennial Park, on Bridge Avenue in Bay Head, New Jersey, enjoying the Jersey Shore artists on display at Art in the Park.
As a chaperone for London's second grade fossil hunting class trip to Poricy Park Conservancy in Middletown, NJ, last week I had the chance to discuss kids and dirty words with London's teacher and another mom. We decided that by second grade they all know all of them, and some of the boys even rank them in order of offensiveness. London and Maddie have learned not to repeat them, even when singing one of their favorite Katy Perry songs ("unless you grow up to be a dog breeder, you can find another word to use"):
You change your mind like a girl changes clothes Yeah, you PMS like a bitch, I would know And you always think, always speak cryptically I should know that you're no good for me
'Cause you're hot and you're cold You're yes and you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right You're black and it's white We fight, we break up We hug, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no But you, you don't really wanna go, oh
'Cause you're hot and you're cold You're yes then you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
We used to be just like twins, so in sync The same energy now's a dead battery Used to laugh 'bout nothing, now you're plain boring I should know that you're not gonna change
'Cause you're hot and you're cold You're yes and you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right You're black and it's white We fight, we break up We hug, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no But you, you don't really wanna go, oh
You're hot and you're cold You're yes and you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
Someone call the doctor Got a case of a love disorder Stuck on a roller coaster Can't get off this ride
You change your mind like a girl changes clothes
'Cause you're hot and you're cold You're yes and you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
You're wrong when it's right You're black and it's white We fight, we break up We hug, we make up
You, you don't really wanna stay, no But you, you don't really wanna go, oh
You're hot and you're cold You're yes and you're no You're in and you're out You're up and you're down
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Welcome Music Monday visitors... Rex, London, Maddie and I are enjoying another perfect weekend at our beach house in Bay Head, NJ, and the theme of this week's Music Monday is "Stay-cation"... renting Roxy's beach house at the Jersey Shore instead of traveling far away for your summer fun. I've taken some liberties with the lyrics of my favorite tune by the Go-Gos:
It's June and the kids are out of school Back here at home there's nothin' to do Don't go far away You'll wish you'd stayed Head down to Bay Head for a beach house to stay in
A week at the beach and in the sun Nights at the boardwalk lots of fun I know I'm not wrong And it won't be long Before you're on the porch painting a sea shell
A week in Bay Head You won't forget Two weeks in Bay Head and you'll Make plans to do it all over again
CHORUS Stay-cation All I ever wanted Vacation Had to get away Stay-cation Bring the family along
A week in Bay Head You won't forget Two weeks in Bay Head and you'll Make plans to do it all over again
CHORUS
For all the wonderfu times our family shares at the Jersey Shore, we feel like our beach house is going to waste when we don't get the chance to use it due to our work schedule or London and Maddie's activities in the Roxiticus Valley. We were glad to be able to rent it for two weeks in late July and early August when we'll be busy up north (and west) with Roxy's 25th high school reunion (that will certainly inspire a Music Monday post all its own!) and a visit from Aunt Veg and Uncle Quiet. If you're interested in renting Roxy's beach house in Bay Head, NJ this summer, please call or visit Diane Cornell at Van Sciver Realtors, 431 Main Avenue, Bay Head, NJ, phone (732) 898-0038 and be sure to tell her Roxy sent you.
Can't seem to get my mind off of you Back here at home there's nothin' to do Now that I'm away I wish I'd stayed Tomorrow's a day of mine that you won't be in
When you looked at me I should've run But I thought it was just for fun I see I was wrong And I'm not so strong I should've known all along that time would tell
A week without you Thought I'd forget Two weeks without you and I Still haven't gotten over you yet
CHORUS Vacation All I ever wanted Vacation Had to get away Vacation Meant to be spent alone
A week without you Thought I'd forget Two weeks without you and I Still haven't gotten over you yet
CHORUS
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
One of my younger daughter Maddie's favorite bedtime activities is to take our family through "Color My Dog Yellow," written and illustrated by Jersey artist Tine Kirkland Graham. Maddie will read a little poem about each dog and tell us where he lives... Bay Head, Cape Cod, or Morristown, to name a few. Tine has been one of our favorite local artists for a long time... Rex and I have one of her paintings in our dining room and she painted our Bay Head beach house (image on the left) years and years ago, maybe even before London and Maddie were born.
. I can't seem to find it in grocery or drug stores nearby, but I did find it on Amazon a couple of years ago and ordered up a six-pack. Our nine day beach vacation in celebration of Rex's birthday was so perfect and sunny that we've used up our "lifetime supply" and it is time to reorder.
