Happy Birthday Chatty's Little Sis!!

Congratulations to me -- I've been a big sister for 40 years now!! (You'd think I'd be good at it by now)

**Happy Bday, Jen**

Seems like decades ago
She looked in the mirror
And an 8 year old girl
Smiled back at her

Seems like yesterday
She looked at me
A wide eyed princess
Touching my pearls

It was only last year
We looked at each other
And I can remember
Her being older

Being daughter to Mom
Missing Dad for so long
Mature discussions
Having wise emotions

We stand now together
Becoming stronger
Not much younger now
My grown up sister

"I love you Miss Hannigan!"

Today I watched the 1999 Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Kristin Chenoweth version of "Annie." Besides the fact that Kathy Bates will do ANYTHING for the camera (which scares me a little bit) I loved it! I wish life was an Annie movie.

• Every couple of years someone new gets a chance to be the lead.
• Everyone gets lots of Christmas presents.
• Big bald single guys adopt little girls and AREN'T creepy.
• Guys named "Rooster" ARE creepy.
• Red headed freckle-y girls are't called step-children
  
• The sun always comes out tomorrow.
• The bad guys get what's comin' to them.
  
• Maids and butlers aplenty!
• Of course, life would be a musical.
  
• Little girls get their happy ending.

What a lovely life!

My Franken-teeter

Yesterday I got the call that moms the world around dread. "Mom, I cracked my head open." OMG!!!! My baby was in Denver. I was not. My heart flew there quite rapidly.

When Stephen explained, after first saying "Mom, breathe! Breathe, Mom!" He said that he walked out into the warehouse at his job and apparently ran into a steel . . . uh, thingy that crashed into his noggin. He fell down, bumped the back of his head and passed out. He woke to much blood on his face and hands. He said, "It's ok, Mom. I went to Walgreen's and bought band aids and superglue." SUPERGLUE????? I knew my child wanted to prove what a big boy he is and how very capable he is handling these things that cause me great stress. I gently (it could happen!), ok, who am I kidding. I told him to RUN DON'T WALK to the nearest emergency room and get checked out immediately!! Not even a firmly worded lecture on clean underwear! (I know when I'm wasting my words.)

Seven stitches later, he's good as new (he says anyway.) I am rather proud of him. Maybe he'll be inspired to become a doctor and write me good prescriptions.











There does seem to be a pattern. He cracked the BACK of his head open a couple years ago and didn't tell me about it until several days later. I gotta admit, though, he did a good job. He went to the emergency room, even used all the proper insurance info and 12 staples later he stopped doing karate with people who kicked him into corner walls. (Personally, I think he enjoyed this one because he didn't have to wash his hair for 9 or 10 months!)

Stephen also broke an arm once. Is he out to destroy himself or ME???!!! This child loves to see his momma all worked up. I just wanna cuddle and bubble wrap him. I told him I would return him to where he came from for all the damage he's incurred. He assured me that his warranty has expired. Oh, and he thinks the scar might be cool cuz it's kinda lightening bolt-y. What can I say? He's a glass half full kinda guy!! I love you, Teeter!

College Road Trip

I just watched College Road Trip, which the Chatty-Husband talked me OUT of buying for our collection. (He said "your sister will probably put it in your stocking anyway!" This is one of the reasons I love my sister and if she's reading this, I hope she knows that there is a spot on the shelf right next to Mulan all ready.) I don't recommend this movie to anyone who has lost their dad recently. And by recently, I mean ever.

Donny Osmond is the best part of this movie. He's not a good actor. But there is a dusty corner of my heart that belongs to him, which means I accept his attempt at guest starring roles and his ability to mock himself. Ahhh.

The SECOND best part of the movie was a surprise to me - Lucas Grabeel, or to HSM fans, Ryan Evans! He plays Scooter and ends up underneath my first unrequited love at the end of the movie. (He gets all the good roles!)

Overall, the movie was sweet. Raven-Symone was adorable, as always. I tried to imagine Martin Lawrence NOT telling Donny Osmond to F*** off between takes and all was good.