A Mother's Day Letter to my Children on Memorial Day.

Well, it's mother's day and I'm thinking of my children and why I like them. It's so much easier to remember what they've done wrong and when they tick me off, but I am grateful that I got the ones I did and here's why (see disclaimer below)

1. Jess - for riding to the airport for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Europe with a trash bag full of hay balanced on her head because it wouldn't fit otherwise with all the luggage. In my defense, I was trying to fit three Watlingtons, Jess, all their luggage into the Trailblazer, and dropping them to the airport on my way to show my goats at the fair. I didn't have time to double back; and really does anyone need to take both a travel guitar AND a banjo to Europe (Tom!)
2. Both - for coming over and riding the Becker's backyard zip line with me last summer. It just proves we're never too old.
3. Larry - for leaving on his birthday several years ago to fly to NJ to take care of Grandma when Grandpa was suddenly hospitalized. (and to Matt for staying with Mom and Dad til Larry got there)
4. For the following conversation:  "Jess!  Come here.  I need help shoving the bookcase out the window!"  "Wh-what?"  "I said, Come here.  I need help pushing the bookcase out the window." -- moment of silence --  "Let me get my shoes on."
5. Larry - for sitting with me after I had my mastectomy while I slept most of the day. I may not have acted like it (I was asleep), but I knew you were there and I appreciated it.
6. Larry - for still letting me use power tools around him even after I nearly went through his knuckle with the drill.
7. Jess - for being a make-it-happen type of girl. From finding jobs to parking at the airport and catching a flight to Tucson for a horseshow -- she never breaks a sweat -- or fakes it really well.
8. Larry - for having a rabbit.  I mean, c'mon.  How many young single guys do you know who rescue a pet (much less a rabbit) and still have it 5 years later?

And the Number One reason I like my kids:

For going hotair ballooning with me when Jess gets home in a couple of weeks!  Yeah!  (I may have failed to tell them I have already bought the tickets) 

But Happy Mother's Day to Me!

disclaimer: the above list was fashioned in no particular order, showing neither favoritism nor preference for either one or both children.  love you guys!  Mom

The Zip Line Personality Test.

I have two lovely children.

 Larry is my firstborn -- isn't he gorgeous?

and here's Jess -- isn't she a stunner?

(That's Manny, who's been Jess's best buddy since 3rd grade, on the right.  He was not her date that night...hmm why not, Manny?)

So aren't my children lovely?  Do you think if I described them you could figure out which one I was talking about by their pictures alone?

 We'll give it a try.  I'm going to give the following clues regarding Child "A" and Child "B".  Both of my kids were perfect babies, but ----

"A" was never able to entertain his/herself (unfortunately), and usually found some way of getting into trouble if left alone.

"B" was able to spend hours playing with toys and puzzles quietly.

"A" never cared what he/she looked like before going out to school.

"B" was meticulous in his/her grooming, and spent time each morning from 3rd grade on doing his/her hair.

"A" struggled through school, never turning in assignments or studying for tests.

"B" was an honor student. 

"A" once drove to school barefoot, only to find there were no shoes in the car and had to drive home.

"B" doesn't go outside without shoes.

"A" can't find his/her toothbrush.

"B" has never had a cavity and actually likes the floss Santa put in the Xmas stocking.

"A" is a bit of a dare devil who does wildly impetuous things.

"B" would go skydiving, but only after consideration and planning.

Okay, so look at those pictures again.  Who is child A and who is Child B?  What if I were to tell you that I have devised a personality test that is guaranteed to show a child's real personality.  It's the new ZIPLINE TEST.  Look at the following photos and see by the way my two kids tackle the Becker's zipline you can determine their personalities.....

Happy Anniversary, Generalissimo!

In our typical fashion, we Frasers don't like to jump the gun.  We -- at least, me -- tend to leave things to the last minute. We have, in fact, been accused of procrastinating. (Check out my previous post for clarification, if necessary.)

So without further ado...five years after the fact...even though I meant to...but just never got around to it,
Congratulations, Larry!

The Usual Suspects -- The Family

Cast of Characters... and there are some real characters, trust me.
Family:
IN A STARRING ROLE:
Me
SUPPORTING ACTORS:
Allan - husband of 11 yrs, been together much longer, he's a health freak, obsessive-compulsive work-aholic, who has put up with my BS and has worked to have a good relationship with Jessica. Allan is a member of the Genetic Police.
Larry - son, OMG nearly 33. Still trying to figure out his path in life -- I don't think he realizes that some of us can't see the path until we've traveled down it already. He also probably doesn't know that I am incredibly proud of him and what he has accomplished. He's the first Fraser to actually get a college degree and went on to get his Masters. He certainly didn't have the best guidance with all of that when he was growing up -- but, I'd never been to college. What did I know?
Jessica - daughter, 19, freshman at Rutgers -- a rocky senior year of high school and one year at community college. Incredible rider and a take-no-prisoners kind of girl, Jess, too, had a rocky upbringing as the product of a nasty divorce, but of all the people I know, Jess is a survivor.
Diane - my sister -- 3 yrs older. She's got custody of Dad. I had Mom. Diane's still ahead of the game.
Dad - 86, a little wifty -- a lot wifty. Still wants to drive despite his forgetfulness, bad knees, etc.
Tab -- Allan's Mom. She and her husband, Robert, lived next door to my parents in Atlantic City for years. They now live on the next block over in an incredible house facing the Boardwalk and the ocean. I never get tired of going there. Tab is probably the best cook I've ever known and makes one hell of a bed.
Robert See above. Allan's stepfather, an atty, a power player in DC, and now retired.