tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34052377054064289482012-01-31T23:08:45.375-05:00The Next Chapter in that book I was going to write - but now it's about the Captain and me, not ....what was his name?!The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.comBlogger3521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-69810969168829083002011-10-11T23:44:00.001-04:002011-10-12T00:14:13.720-04:00

In 1988 I was a new college grad.  And a Newly Wed.  I dreamed of "being someone."  Maybe being Mrs. Someone.  And being Mrs. Career Someone.  They were big dreams. I remember going to see a movie.  Working Girl.  C'Mon you remember.  Meg Ryan Melanie Griffin (I have been corrected) (a little chubby?) Harrison Ford (a little skinny)  Signourney Weaver (awesomely bitchy). And I remember thinking

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-15528721552505286922011-09-15T23:50:00.000-04:002011-09-15T23:50:46.657-04:00

Tonight I came home to something awesomely Wonderful - the Captain.** Oh right, I forgot.  I live with him. And then, after he fed me an awesome dinner of greek olives and hummus and cheese and fish and salad and stuff, we sat down to watch a horrible football game.... I love football, this one was horrible.  Nuf Said. And then he said, 'OH I forgot.  I have something for you!" And he gave

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-54993457481142096862011-09-14T00:32:00.000-04:002011-09-14T00:32:58.422-04:00

Sometimes life doesn't always go as you planned.  Sometimes life throws you curves. Queen bee, she only cared about whether you were throwing a ball or a treat.  Curves?  Bah.  No such thing. Queen Bee was my mother's day present in May of 1999.  She came at the end of my first year of law school. We spent the summer together, me loving my newest baby, her learning to be a part of a family. She

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-73363344224016692982011-09-02T16:51:00.000-04:002011-09-02T16:51:27.941-04:00

Some of you have commented or asked if I am living with the Captain. Well yes, yes I am.  And No, no I'm not.  What? The Captain has kept a place of his own, but really, we are living together.  We didn't plan it that way, but it just sort of happened when plans started changing and lives started changing and houses sold but then they didn't and buying became renting.  His "place" is his boat

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-61383751707852301282011-08-24T08:13:00.001-04:002011-08-24T08:13:00.364-04:00

As part of my "chuck my life in the air like a deck of cards" idea, I changed jobs. I know I know - I am lucky to have a job, and a decent one at that. Now I started this job in June but "worked from home" for 2 months.  I finally landed at my new job at my new desk on August 8. On August 10 I was told to fly to NYC to meet with the big Cheese.  Actually they told me on August 5 when I was on the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-29388176918551867522011-08-23T00:33:00.000-04:002011-08-23T00:33:15.354-04:00

The rooms were all empty...it should have been satisfying after 8 weeks of packing.  After 2 years of planning.  After Eons of dreaming.  But instead, it was just sadly devastating. The kids and I spent the last night on air mattresses, telling stories, crying, laughing, being together.  Early the next day, Daughter headed out early for work.  I gathered the last of my belongings, said goodbye

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-35230033540844635452011-07-05T10:57:00.000-04:002011-07-05T10:57:18.329-04:00

I know I have been talking about renaming the blog.  The problem is my life is currently like a deck of cards that someone has tossed into the air. Oh right that "someone" would be me. I am currently living in one state and "working" in another state that is 1000 miles away. My house has been on the market over 2 months and NO OFFERS.  So I am not going to sell it.  I have called a rental

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-39362106593781313662011-06-15T23:27:00.000-04:002011-06-15T23:27:51.967-04:00

OK OK I know this is way overdue.  Probably somewhere I said something about "June 1."  HA  That was funny. What have I been doing?  OHHHH changed jobs, gave the house a 2nd overhaul, picked my daughter up from Italy, went down to Ft. Lauderdale twice in a month, packing, organizing, LEFT MY JOB AT MY FIRM where I had been for 9 years.  That was my first true career job.  And it was soooo hard

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-12793186279799799802011-05-27T12:22:00.001-04:002011-05-27T12:22:00.082-04:00

Word is out.  I'm moving. What's that you say, you know my house is for sale? No, I'm seriously moving on. To Florida!  YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT! I am so excited.  Scared.  Happy.  Eager.  A bit anxious. I have a new job in Florida working "in-house" which means no more billable hours, no more marketing,  no more cool shoes because I can't afford them  - oh well. Yes, I am moving closer to

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-65753241443206243832011-05-26T10:55:00.005-04:002011-05-26T10:55:00.208-04:00

Way before I came along, Mom and Dad and the first 3 kids lived in Germany.  Dad was a paid killer. What?? He always tells people he was a Paid Killer!  Ok OK He was in the Army.  (I told you he's Hilarious!).   He was in "field artillery" whatever that means besides now he's deaf as a stone. Dad was making BIG BUCKS back then - just like those horribly overpaid military people do now -

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-23388968737342444742011-05-25T12:53:00.000-04:002011-05-25T12:54:39.466-04:00

Last night I stayed up way too late playing Angry Birds, playing Shark Attack, drafting a brief.  Which means less than 3 hours sleep.  Which means I am totally exhausted by 2pm. I finished Facebooking, surfing the net, blogging, drafting the brief at work around 2 and was waiting for comments so I  decided to walk around the block to the local drug store and get some comfort food some health

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-70361018746766994652011-05-23T10:35:00.009-04:002011-05-23T10:35:00.070-04:00

When my oldest brother married his sweetheart 34 years ago my Aunt J & cousin LF came up with a brilliant idea.  (OK I'm not sure who thought of it and I think cousin LF did the first few?!)  A few months before the wedding, each family member on the Groom's side received some cloth squares in the mail with instructions to 1) sign your name in cursive on the square - legibly please - and return

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-59056719188064385842011-05-20T08:43:00.020-04:002011-05-20T12:03:56.804-04:00

It seems like just yesterday we were saying goodbye. Somehow I find myself back home with two kids and Chaos (not complaining!) and wondering where the year has gone. Some striking changes:  Son's maturity.  Suddenly he is putting others first.  On his first full day home, he mowed both lawns (without being asked) and completed numerous other tasks.  His attention to detail and initiative is

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-42312366661582474912011-05-18T08:14:00.003-04:002011-05-18T08:14:00.333-04:00

I think it's been a while since I actually posted about the Ex.  Pretty much I just think it's funny that he lives next door and tries to ignore me.  I can be hard to ignore.  Especially when I don't want to be ignored. But the latest one really got me. I am moving.  Or trying to move.  House cleaned up, For Sale sign out front.  C'mon offer!!! Part of the moving process is ditching a lot of

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-54168109081332180622011-05-16T18:29:00.000-04:002011-05-16T18:29:16.754-04:00

Are you sick of hearing about my kids yet? too bad The other night I was surrounded by total chaos.  It started when my cousin DF, who travels for his job, said he'd be in my area.  I love it when he can stop by, so of course I said YES.  Then it turned out Daughter would be home.  YEAH Then it turned out Daughter invited a couple friends to sleep over because they were going to get up

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-58971296186206529172011-05-11T23:57:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:28:22.214-04:00

I don't know about the rest of the country, but the east coast has some weird towns.  OK maybe the towns aren't weird, but the names are.  And it makes you wonder about the people who decide to live there. Here are but a few examples of real towns I have been to ... Belchertown.  Is their town motto "Got Gas?" Hohokus.  It's like someone sneezed when they were saying hocus pokus.  Mineral. 

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-36894206627337320632011-05-04T09:02:00.011-04:002011-05-04T09:02:01.135-04:00

Some of you may recall my previous post from My Hilarious Father.  Let me tell you, humor like his isn't a "just once" experience.  He has authorized me to share a few of his best stories with you. Today's installment of MHF (My Hilarious Father) shares one of his many real estate experiences. Dad was a realtor in a big small town in New England for oh...50 years?  He was well-known for the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-47804661368202950952011-05-02T09:00:00.001-04:002011-05-02T09:00:14.787-04:00

I'm planning on moving. I say "planning" because I don't have a buyer for my house yet.  Technically it's not officially on the market (although a family did look at it). And many of my faithful readers (at last count...2?  3?) have suggested I need to rename the blog. Awesome! I am officially having a "Rename the Blog" contest.  Suggestions are open until June 1.  At that time I'll post a

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-51089325269815204842011-04-29T06:30:00.002-04:002011-04-29T06:30:00.707-04:00

On my blog sidebar, do you see a photo of Son and Daughter together - first day of college? Monday I am bringing Daughter home.  She is a sophomore now. How the hell did that happen? Where did the year go? I'm just hoping it hurts a little bit less when they leave me again in the fall. Because last fall?  Sucked. I still miss them every single day.  I still can't get used to the quiet in

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-67206649509670427882011-04-27T09:00:00.004-04:002011-04-27T09:00:14.986-04:00

When they were 2 weeks old and the doctor gave them their first shots, my heart broke to hear them scream, but I knew it was ultimately "good" for them.  I gave them Tylenol, held them close, and soothed them until the tears stopped. When they first started toddling and fell down and skinned a knee or bumped their head, my heart hurt a little at their pain, but I knew they were learning and

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-90711272834536401792011-04-25T09:16:00.000-04:002011-04-25T09:16:08.266-04:00

My Dad is the most awesome man in my life.  He always has been, always will be.  (Sorry Captain). My Dad is brilliant in a way that so many people lack.  Aside from being intellectually intelligent, my Dad sees things in a way few others do. I don't know if any of you remember the comedian George Carlin.  He pointed out things like, "Jumbo Shrimp" and "non-stop flight" [I'd kind of like it to

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-27515382562078564992011-04-20T09:02:00.000-04:002011-04-20T09:02:47.017-04:00

Changes are coming in my life.  It's time to tighten the financial belt and stop the incessant spending that has taken over. Ever since Independence Day (September 1, 2007) I have enjoyed my financial freedom along with the freedom to wear what I want, cook what I want, listen to music when I want...the list is endless. Now, however, I find myself facing some big changes.  I am selling the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-32316910143118916302011-04-13T09:09:00.000-04:002011-04-13T09:09:00.470-04:00

When I talk about the Captain, people often ask me, "Is Ex dating?" Why? Why do they ask? And why do they think I know the answer? And why do they think I care? Usually I say, "I don't know - but I hope so. I hope he can find someone who can tolerate his curmudgeony ass find someone to enjoy life with him. " Last Saturday Son had a college rugby game nearby. Of course I went - so did Ex and

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-91401629726773148272011-04-11T09:09:00.003-04:002011-04-11T09:09:00.449-04:00

Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to sell her house (and yes the blog title might need to change...). She had a realtor come by and he suggested she redo/paint the bathroom, the foyer, the downstairs bathroom, and fix the seams and paint the office. He said he would give her the number of a good painting crew. Before she got that number, however, she talked to her friend Rob who is

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-82457593130787829252011-04-07T00:17:00.000-04:002011-04-07T16:36:31.249-04:00

When I was 18 I met a man I thought I loved. I thought he loved me. We spent time together. We wrote to each other because we lived apart and cell phones weren't yet invented.Obviously that little thing didn't work out. (although I did get 2 perfect children out of the deal).Then I met another man. Patient. Thoughtful. Attentive. Communicative. Funny. Creative. Scary....Too far away, other

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-76912380425711356032011-03-14T12:27:00.003-04:002011-03-14T12:36:12.332-04:00

Spoke too soon. Jinxed myself.I've just now emerged from the mountain of self-pity on which I have been hiding.My wife disappeared. No forwarding address. No good-bye.Thursday 2 weeks ago I texted her - as was our routine (if you could call 2 visits a routine?). "You coming by tonight?"ANSWER: "Yes"ME: "GREAT!"That night, I got home and sent her the text, "I'm home." As was our "routine."She

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-4048531309986742862011-02-15T21:09:00.003-05:002011-02-15T21:15:00.884-05:00

Some think I am a bit bizarre. But I have found at least one who shares my love.Yes, new love, new discoveries.I haven't come up with a name for it yet. "Cottage Salsa"? ""Hot cottage"? "Mexican Cottage"?Whatever you call it, I call it bliss.Take fat free cottage cheese. Mix in medium spicey store brand (Giant) salsa (it has corn and beans in it, delectable). And eat.Most scoff at me. One

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-76436362911436165042011-02-13T19:26:00.002-05:002011-02-13T19:31:53.180-05:00

I am truly, deeply and profoundly happy.Today I found a wife.For years I have been lamenting that I do not have a wife.The men I work with don't vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms, do laundry, mail packages, take dogs to vets, pick up drycleaning, go grocery shopping or do any of the mundane tasks I do in ADDITION to being a lawyer. They are just lawyers. For years I have had to explain why I need to

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-29973481240535446322011-02-06T09:40:00.000-05:002011-02-06T09:40:00.271-05:00

Last week was litigation craziness at work, which I love (when it's not all the time, which it hasn't been.) I am in a sweet spot at work where I am senior enough to run my cases and teach the "kids" but junior enough that I don't "own" the firm or have that crap to deal with. I love where I am right now.Wednesday night I "owned" the brief however. I committed to getting a draft to the partner

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-22562254095316927972011-02-05T00:06:00.002-05:002011-02-05T00:16:09.220-05:00

What happened to sitting down and watching a movie?It's Friday night. I finally arrived home from work at 11pm. Yes, 11. Not that I didn't go in at 8am. When we have a filing deadline, life gets like this. And I love it.I live for craziness. For juggling. For multitasking.Lately I have been melancholy because with the kids gone and the job slow, well, there is no multitasking. No insanity

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-42453148031213402632011-02-03T22:20:00.002-05:002011-02-03T22:32:32.531-05:00

She's baaaaack. Well a little anyway.Where did she go? Well it's kind of like I went to find myself. And I couldn't blog about it because I didn't want to hurt some of the people who read my blog and I didn't want to share with others who read my blog (strange, because this started as the place I could say Whatever to Whomever. But then PEOPLE find out and, well, you have to THINK about your

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-8728048875166625692010-11-30T16:37:00.004-05:002010-12-01T09:07:22.147-05:00

Does anyone remember the 80's when "Total Phone" came out?Does anyone remember when you would call someone and, God forbid, they were on the phone and you got a busy signal?At first we thought Total Phone was awesome - you had this thing called "call waiting" so we didn't have to worry about talking for hours on the phone and Dad getting angry because he couldn't get through. (Actually, it was Mr

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-19145800181303539122010-11-24T22:40:00.002-05:002010-11-24T23:07:37.470-05:00

This fall has brought bigger changes in my life than the fall 3 years ago when Ex moved out. This fall, my identity left. And I didn't know who I was. I'm still figuring that out, but finally realizing why I was feeling this was has gone a long way to healing me.Thanks Captain.Yes, you're right, the Captain and I have officially taken a break, but of course I still talk to him and he sends me

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-3495482555823797822010-11-19T11:52:00.005-05:002010-11-24T22:40:01.562-05:00

I have teenagers - twins in college - and therefore it should come as no surprise there is a communication gap.My difficulty lies in the fact that because I do NOT have a communication gap with Daughter, I feel slighted by Son. Instead of looking at the glass 1/2 full, I seem to be feeling the glass is 1/2 empty.My head tells me my relationship with my Son is probably the "normal" one, and my

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-19868786171106840022010-11-16T21:39:00.000-05:002010-11-16T21:39:00.950-05:00

Ex still hates me, will always hate me, has a twisted version of the past and sent me a long letter a couple years ago about why he hates me. Actually, I understand his misperception and his feelings. I didn't say I agree with them, but I understand them. So what's the problem?Daughter is royally PO'd at her father for his hatred. She is hurt. She wanted me to go to Thanksgiving with them -

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-72707763589946165552010-11-15T09:31:00.002-05:002010-11-15T09:42:40.659-05:00

Thanksgiving Issue: Not an issue.One of my friends who had previously invited me to Thanksgiving called me this weekend and said, "No Really I meant it - please come. You'd probably be the only one to help me anyway! No one else cooks!" This friend is a good friend, her daughter is my daughter's best friend. Honestly I had two major hesitations on accepting: 1) would Daughter feel weird

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-32652739309732082082010-11-12T17:06:00.004-05:002010-11-12T17:19:22.598-05:00

Sometimes I get all good at the almost daily blogging thing, other times I get distracted. Obviously I have been distracted of late. Life is changing, throwing challenges and I'm just not sure how it all fits in. So I work hardly and on the weekends I play very hard to avoid decisions that must be made.And then sometimes someone very close to you (niece) gets very sick and you are beside yourself

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-84602021965935469452010-10-31T23:32:00.001-04:002010-10-31T23:42:17.223-04:00

Today I finally made it back to church. Yet another step in Taking Back My Life. My church does studies in a series. Ironically, they've been doing "relationships" this month. And yet I've missed most of this month.Today it was about "giving the gift of Presence." In other words - really being there with a friend when you're talking to that friend. It was a powerful message. The speaker (

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-21171694069304575972010-10-27T08:54:00.001-04:002010-10-27T08:54:00.559-04:00

Women report all kinds of relationships with their moms: good, bad, ugly, pretty, manipulative, condemning, happy, sad.I am blessed. I have the best mom in the whole world. I've said this before. But on Sunday, driving home from a great weekend with friends, this song came on the radio, and there I was,crying again, thinking about how blessed I am to have the best mom in the universe.This song

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-25184782182302384532010-10-26T00:16:00.005-04:002010-10-26T00:25:47.823-04:00

Sigh today I am officially the parent of adults. But they will always be my babies.....Happy Birthday to the Best Kids in the Universe! Love, Mom

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-4325181774562474562010-10-25T09:05:00.000-04:002010-10-25T09:05:00.656-04:00

Lately everyone seems to want to be my boss. And it's not going over so well.The other day I was in the grocery store, zooming around trying to fit in shopping while running late for a game and preparing for a party later. You know, the regular "being a woman" stuff. I am careful when I'm in zoom mode not to cut people off, run them over or be rude. So I was zooming around people in the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-1324840470922574732010-10-23T20:44:00.002-04:002010-10-23T20:44:00.624-04:00

Do you ever do really stupid things that you know are going to make you cry, but you do them anyway?It's no secret (I hope) that I love my kids. I'm caught in this weird place where I am so happy for them that they are off at college, learning, experiencing things, loving life, but yet I miss them every single day so much it hurts. Of course I can't tell them that - when they call or text or

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-31739459123945768672010-10-21T07:45:00.002-04:002010-10-21T07:45:00.341-04:00

Once upon a time I married a man who turned out not to be such a great choice for me. He didn't speak to me, didn't treat me with respect, didn't love me, didn't like me. So 20 years later I finally got up the nerve to give him the divorce he asked for ...11 years earlier.About that same time, I met a man who clearly was not real but had to be from a Fairy Tale. He was easy going, non-judgmental,

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-49741851205541939282010-10-19T08:39:00.001-04:002010-10-19T08:39:00.091-04:00

Well well well, didn't I go and get all ahead of myself with taking back my life?!Dr said: Fractured ribs. No exercise for a month. WTH?! How am I supposed to lose 15 pounds?So that made me just want a glass of wine and a large plate of cheese fries.Instead I had sauted shrimp & garlic and a mug or 3 of peppermint tea. And a handful of vitamins (glucosamine, B, calcium, E....one of those is

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-22637223723323877912010-10-18T10:26:00.003-04:002010-10-18T10:40:32.960-04:00

For the past few years I have given the impression of being Large and In Charge. In reality I feel like I have been riding a wild roller coaster with no one at the controls.On Sunday I enjoyed a glorious 3 hour ride through the hills of Virginia on my way to see Son play in a college Rugby Match. (insert gratuitous photo here....)I had a lot of time to think, to watch the foliage, to count my

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-51472810829196188642010-10-14T08:33:00.000-04:002010-10-14T08:33:00.547-04:00

Two Mismatched Earrings in the Bathroom.Wet Towels on the Bed.One Piece of Pumpkin bread and 1/2 a serving of Chicken Marsala.The oily plate with crumbs from Tortilla Espanola.Shoes in the Kitchen.flip flops everywhere.The playing cards out on the counter.Trundle Bed pulled out.Wires where the XBOX was.Dirty Clothes you don't need before Thanksgiving.Ooops what's that - a cell phone?Going from

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-33940843662115162772010-10-13T17:28:00.002-04:002010-10-13T17:31:32.533-04:00

At least it's filmed in Beautiful Charleston

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-10616443747966091252010-10-04T23:38:00.002-04:002010-10-05T08:45:14.873-04:00

The kids are in college - they are adults and yet, they are my babies.Still trying to find that middle ground where it all balances out. I am working on it, yet I can't seem to find it. Have you found it?For example, I went to see Daughter at school for Parents' Weekend. We had so much fun. It was great to see her in her environment - walking down the street calling out to pals, shopping and

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-39916928998487765712010-09-23T11:44:00.003-04:002010-09-23T11:56:00.362-04:00

So have you ever gone to a conference and gone out dancing at a party thrown by a company in your industry where there's an open bar and lots of drinking and dancing? And you are hanging with a woman/potential client who, incredibly, doesn't like dancing so when she calls for SHOTS you do some with her anyway even though you never do them because you are a lightweight? And then you start dancing

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-49576166205638978552010-09-20T13:51:00.001-04:002010-09-21T10:12:44.139-04:00

Trying this again - it posted without my list! Ooops....Even though I am a pathetic blogger lately, Lovely Katy still thinks I'm Versatile! Not sure what that means....my writing has no rhyme or reason? Yep that's true.... I'm totally A.D.D.? absolutely. I can juggle and hulahoop simultaneously? Yes Indeed I can....Here are the rules:Acknowledge and thank and link back to the award -

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-409825652479337772010-09-18T13:25:00.003-04:002010-09-18T13:35:42.352-04:00

Friday in the mail I received perhaps one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, most important gifts of my life: a letter from my daughter.She wrote me a poem about the things I mean to her and have done for her. She included an envelope decorated with her poem. The last line of the poem said, "Thank you for....." with instructions that if I ever doubted that I am "the best," I am to reach inside

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-15186984009037007612010-09-14T11:04:00.002-04:002010-09-14T11:06:31.600-04:00

This Blogger has officially been Buried.....under an avalanche of work commonly known as the "back to school = back to court" lifestyle of the litigator. No I do not know why litigation is cyclical. Judges are back in the courtrooms, people are ready to sue. Stranger than fiction.So Buffett pictures are coming, school updates are coming, life updates are coming.As soon as I unbury myself......

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-82996240417180382172010-09-04T09:29:00.000-04:002010-09-04T09:29:00.106-04:00

Lest you think I am all crafty-talented and such crap, let me assure you I AM NOT. My college roommate brought me a Law School Grad gift where she took one of those GIANT martini glasses and decked it out for Buffett. I have stolen her idea, violated her copyright privileges (heh, I know a good lawyer who can defend me) and made a few for my friends. The Captain graciously agreed to help me so

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-23927859134543381212010-09-03T07:27:00.002-04:002010-09-03T07:41:17.027-04:00

Remember when we were kids - if you did something really well you got a "refrigerator paper" and it got hung up for all to see. With 5 kids in the house, that was quite the reward winning some real estate on the precious Fridge.My parents still post Refrigerator Papers - these days it's a good medical report. No I'm not kidding.I still have some of my kids' best work on my Refrigerator - a

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-88677434493567843102010-08-30T11:03:00.004-04:002010-08-30T11:30:52.541-04:00

I've mentioned this once before, but Men are keeping a big secret from us. And I'm hear to blow their cover.For years I stayed in the house, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, while Ex handled the "outside work," under the guise of "you stay inside where it's cool while I slave outside in the heat." Now I admit, I have a great vacuum, and love it almost as much as Suzy loves hers. (OK I

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-52414276617124962402010-08-27T22:09:00.004-04:002010-08-27T22:42:17.188-04:00

She packed her bags last night pre flight...zero hour nine am...(that's elton john for you who are lost) Last first day of school photo or something like that...hugging the doggies goodbye....Many hours later, arriving at school number 1.. in the rain Au takes charge and starts unpackingGetting the loft in place and all the pieces put together....saying goodbye and trying not to cryAnd now

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-1723575285334139882010-08-22T07:44:00.001-04:002010-08-22T07:46:34.561-04:00

When we were kids we played tons of games. we had neighborhood baseball teams (no coach just kids), played soccer, bike races, you name it. When something was too close to call, we simply called for a "do-over." Or sometimes someone wasn't quite ready and called a do over. You couldn't abuse it or you were ignored. But most of us chose wisely and saved it for a really important moment.I'd like

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-14999578734914820612010-08-12T09:21:00.000-04:002010-08-12T09:21:00.559-04:00

No words needed. Get the tissues before you hit play.

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-77396671250801239072010-08-10T18:05:00.002-04:002010-08-10T18:15:53.097-04:00

I hate cheap toilet paper. I hate going potty at work or anywhere that has cheap toilet paper. I thought companies bought cheap toilet paper because they were, well, CHEAP.I never understood why grocery stores sold cheap toilet paper. Who bought that stuff? And Why? My butt hurt just thinking about buying cheap toilet paper.Until The Other Day. Now I am ENLIGHTENED.The Other Day my basement

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-77657801717891981462010-08-02T09:27:00.003-04:002010-08-02T09:40:37.282-04:00

They walk like kings and queens, relishing their soon-to-be freedom. They soak up the compliments on their achievements, seemingly ready to conquer their new school, make new friends, climb to the top of the hill again. They make friends quickly at orientation, figure out how to switch classes before I have even figured out how to read their schedule, confidently take you across the maze of

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-16404751089739793092010-07-30T17:44:00.004-04:002010-07-30T17:47:25.817-04:00

It has been a hot summer. No silly not hawt. Just H-O-T.I love H-O-T. OK I love hawt, too, but that's another post.After a few days of 100+ degrees, I got used to it.After a few weeks of 100+ degrees and 99% humidity, I awoke to temps in the 70's. I got in my convertible...and turned on the heated seats.Oh yes I did. Really. It was 76 degrees and I was freezing. I put the "Just In Case"

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-48605791872564760782010-07-24T19:40:00.002-04:002010-07-24T20:18:49.250-04:00

I just spent 48 hours with the Ex. We went to dinner and out drinking together. We spent the night together alone in a hotel room. Yes you read that right.No you didn't miss any posts. Our "relationship" remains pretty much as it was.So what could possess him to spend so much time with me?Son is going to college and it was freshman orientation. Son's college is 5 or so hours away. We both agreed

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-90175662523186180292010-07-19T13:12:00.003-04:002010-07-19T13:27:09.799-04:00

I thought the Angry Blogger was gone. After 3 years of separation/divorce, I figured it would just be...well, just Be.How long can one person be a jerk to another?Wait that was rhetorical. Obviously.So that whole thing about not needing a blog because not needing to bitch about the big D? OK I lied.Last Monday calling Daughter's health insurance to check coverage:Me: her number is blah blah,

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-67923792126144819862010-07-14T14:08:00.002-04:002010-07-14T14:19:09.659-04:00

For the past two years my blogging has helped me to look at life, to vent, to examine, to get feedback, to achieve vindication. When I started blogging, my divorce was raw, fresh, and constantly on my mind. I blogged to give family and friends a break from the constant complaining and sent my venting on the world, where bloggers could read or skip.Right now, though, something else is all

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-54704245707264770862010-06-11T09:20:00.003-04:002010-06-11T11:40:21.229-04:00

I'm a walker - a fast walker.Sometimes I smash into people accidently bump people in my hurry to get from place A to B.I am an avid Metro (i.e. Subway) rider and there are rules about the escalators - "Stand Right, Walk or if you're TGND, run Left" yes, that's me running up the escalator - in heels.But some lucky mornings there is one thing that makes me Stand Right and Ride.At the top of the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-21037145146266469002010-06-10T18:18:00.004-04:002010-06-10T18:31:28.858-04:00

Twice in 2 days I've been called a PIP. Something like this:OR maybe This:Images are not mine - found through Google images at denver dog. and Fondos.images.Yes, My new nickname is PITBULL IN PINK. one client (a friend) called me that and one partner (female and friend) called me that. I don't think I'm offended. I'm pretty sure I think it's hilarious.Today I'm all in black and professional in my

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-35902751615124806302010-06-03T08:43:00.001-04:002010-06-03T08:43:00.079-04:00

The Captain came up the morning after the Prom and was promptly put to work. Yet another step into our relationship and another endearing quality. He scrubbed my Patio for 2 hours. Then he helped me paint the lawn furniture. This was a white table that I bought with Ex, oh, 18 years ago? Ex and I also bought about 10 pieces of Wrought Iron furniture - used - about 5 years ago. We painted it

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-45510858401365660342010-06-02T08:34:00.001-04:002010-06-02T08:34:00.433-04:00

It all started just a few short years ago, or so it seems. Although perhaps their 4th year of life seemed like an eternity. But alas what started in 1995 when they were three years old in Spain....their First First Day of School.....has now progressed.Those wild twins (ok one was wild and the other just had wild hair) have turned into THESE - and here is their Last "Last Day of School" photo.

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-61175954945009780622010-06-01T02:14:00.006-04:002010-06-01T02:32:49.633-04:00

Yes it's Senior Time at the House Next Door and we've been busy. Prom was last Friday. Dinner for 17 turned into dinner for 17 and a party for the parents when the dinner got delayed because kids were late and the hairdresser was slow. OH well, it was fun! That's Daughter on the right in the top photo, in the blue. Yep three tables (and if you counted ok there were only 16 or something because

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-90666726831180622932010-05-27T16:02:00.003-04:002010-05-27T16:09:23.775-04:00

What? Yes I really am going to rant about too much credit card fraud protection.Hormonally imbalanced much? Or Stressing about Graduation? Yeah so what....Here's the thing - at the grocery store last night - the same grocery store I shop at perhaps 20 times in a month (no joke) for the last 11 years. And my credit card is flagged "call in." It was a large order - prom dinner for 17 tomorrow

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-77996100829658434142010-05-21T14:50:00.003-04:002010-05-21T14:59:49.155-04:00

Quick Question for you all about expectations:I hired a nationally known professional company to paint my kitchen, hallway and a bedroom.I was told prior to the job and on the day of the job, by the owner of the franchise, that the Foreman would be here "90%" of the time. He might have to leave for paint, but he was in charge. The Owner showed up this morning as promised, hung out with the

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-23398478358266953752010-05-17T19:17:00.003-04:002010-05-17T19:34:23.698-04:00

Just when you think things can get no more hectic and that teens can be no more shockingly negligent - WHAM - they run you over. Or they run over your laptop.It started with a lovely dinner - just me and the Captain, a bottle of wine, some awesome fillets cooked on the grill on Saturday night.Over comes Son from Next Door, takes away our empty plates and our steak knives and says, "I need to

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-86972742866786367542010-05-08T21:46:00.005-04:002010-05-08T22:15:07.096-04:00

Today I tackled another Spring Cleaning job - this one a bit different from the usual ones. It involved the following tools (among others)...Which yielded a whole hellofalot of this: Which in truth looked a whole lot more like this:And then, poor Queen Bee got put in the tub. Which she stepped into willingly because she IS the best dog in the whole world....And after shampoo and conditioner and

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-72717432841740106192010-05-07T10:05:00.003-04:002010-05-07T10:15:46.529-04:00

My few faithful blogging buddies have cajoled me into changing my banner to spring. I admit I am relying on an old banner as - SURPRISE - I have not had time to garden, clean, do any of the things I would like to do! Yes I am working full time now, travelling too much for work, and picking up stomach flu's on the way home from travelling too much for work. Which means I am behind on my work.

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-73506363634446213242010-04-30T19:33:00.000-04:002010-04-30T19:33:00.246-04:00

I like to get to the office "early." Early for lawyers is before 9am. Most of my group gets in around 8. But no one is working. Or at least I finally noticed that today. As I walked down the hall to get my 8am Diet Coke, I noticed everyone sitting at their desk...eating. Is it just Americans who eat at their desks? Why don't we stay home and have breakfast with our families? Do we rush out

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-40921159250889310392010-04-29T19:24:00.001-04:002010-04-29T19:24:00.545-04:00

I'm a crier. I cry when things are good. I cry when things are not good. I cry when things are sappy and sentimental. So naturally I cry when my kids' band plays so well .... well, it makes me cry!Last week I chaperoned their "Performing Arts" trip to Toronto Canada. What would posses me to get on a bus with 90 High school kids, 6 teachers (4 of whom have no kids of their own, 2 of whom are

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-81399215186833808352010-04-28T18:36:00.002-04:002010-04-28T19:10:15.193-04:00

Well, I knew it but hoped I'd get lucky. I didn't pass the Florida Bar Exam. But it's ok because somehow I managed to pass 1/2 of it, which is more than I thought. Yes I managed to garble enough blah blah blah to pass the essay/multi-choice part for the Florida piece. The Multi-State, which I didn't even open a book for, I failed. Good news is Florida lets you take just the 1/2 you failed.

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-76932979109698001992010-04-09T01:02:00.002-04:002010-04-09T01:06:51.401-04:00

Sometimes teenagers can surprise you. They can be funny, loving daring all at the same time. And with their momma.This week we are in Jamaica. I have cajoled my kids into loving Dominoes. They have ridden horses with me over sugarcane plantations and into the sea; they have tried scuba diving and tonight they entertained they club with their karaoke. I love my kids. I love hanging out with

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-73631946275561254572010-04-01T16:45:00.004-04:002010-04-01T17:20:39.370-04:00

I have had this Friend. We've known each other for years, starting about 10 years ago in Sunday School. Friend always seemed to be in the midst of a calamity - financially oriented. She's sweet and nice and well educated, but something about her, something about her life, invites financial disaster.About 4 years ago she came to me in despair, asking for a "loan" if I could just spare it. She laid

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-5939074545065589112010-03-26T10:10:00.000-04:002010-03-26T10:10:00.077-04:00

I was helping a sister out at work, badging her back onto her floor on the elevator and then letting her into her floor because she forgot her badge on her desk (not an uncommon error as we often hear people banging on the stairwell doors when they've locked themselves out. Can be embarrassing yes).As I commonly do with peeps on the elevator, I introduced myself. Why yes, I do try to meet new

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-10574668199793093112010-03-24T14:16:00.002-04:002010-03-24T14:39:10.620-04:00

I have noticed a pattern recently in my life - I am constantly misquoted, misunderstood, misconstrued, misrepresented or simply blown off by the men in my life. And I'm done. It seems the harder I try, whether it's being more precise (and using shorter sentences) in emails, or speaking slowly and clearly, what I am saying or trying to achieve is so clouded as to be incomprehensible.Yes I

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-69072357637509968962010-03-19T19:06:00.004-04:002010-03-19T23:15:57.876-04:00

Some things transcend colds, fever, ear aches, deep hacking coughing.What, you ask, could transcend such evil, vile feelings? Being in a lovely Inn in Charleston, in 75 degrees, walking through the gorgeous campus with my Daughter, as she plans for her future.This morning we awoke early, shared a breakfast, then made our way to campus. She set off with her future "Honors College" classmates to a

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-53084025676166042372010-03-12T13:18:00.003-05:002010-03-12T13:18:00.204-05:00

I didn't know about it. I swear. I'm not normally this naive. But somehow I missed it - even after all these years. It's embarrassing. And not just a little bit disgusting. My discovery horrified me.But at least now it's clean.And I'm here to save all of you who might not know.That bottom shelf in the fridge - the one that holds the big drawers for the fruits and veggies -it comes out of

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-23687783118957016252010-03-10T20:18:00.000-05:002010-03-10T20:18:00.525-05:00

Sitting in my snotty bed, strewn with tissues, spare papers from the Complaint I was drafting for a client today, purse overflowing with pens and checkbook and things Son wanted, wallowing in my sickness, head still hurting, breathing worse not better, lamenting missing my indoor game, back hurting from sitting improperly all day, tired of being sick. [NOTE: Girl Next Door is a wimpy-assed sick

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-44132994517269773422010-03-09T18:02:00.003-05:002010-03-09T18:25:35.727-05:00

Some random happenings lately that have made me smile.1. Talking to opposing counsel in Court, apologizing for my coughing, feverish sickness transmitted by kids. She says, "OH I bet you're in those daycare years, huh?" And I say, "No they are twin 17 YO's." And her look of shock.2. Sitting in the car in the parking lot awaiting the start of Son's Rugby game b/c it's freaking freezing outside so

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-37732884582909771582010-03-02T21:58:00.004-05:002010-03-04T10:01:06.707-05:00

Aw thanks BigCityDad! Yes Props to me because "You've got to be kidding!' [living next door to ex]. Yes at first I thought it was a great idea. Now I can't wait to move. Not for any specific reason - more just a space issue in general. So thanks for coming by and noticing!Of course in the bloggy world, getting means giving. But First, I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about me you don't know.

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-2035180222324328092010-02-26T16:04:00.000-05:002010-02-26T16:04:00.593-05:00

Thanks to the well wishers and positive peeps out there who give me more credit than I deserve. The whole "not passing the bar" thing has nothing to do with my intelligence or lack thereof - I know I can pass a bar (unless it's having a GREAT happy hour), but I also know you really have to study. A Lot. I met lots of practicing attorneys who were there taking it the second time because,

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-21454170937230570692010-02-25T16:16:00.001-05:002010-02-25T16:16:00.135-05:00

For the dreaded Bar Exam I stayed at a dive. I pretty much figured it would be a dive. I am spoiled, used to staying in 5 star hotels for work (when someone else is paying the bill) but I? Am cheap. So I moved myself out of the beautiful $300/nite Westin, figuring "I'm just going to sleep there." and booked a room at less than 1/2 price at the Howard Johnson.Now I did check the reviews at

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-34667826472444059142010-02-23T20:00:00.003-05:002010-02-23T20:00:00.235-05:00

Day one of the two day test - I was excited for the support from my previous post below and from my facebook friends. I foolishly thought I stood a chance.The morning session was essays - and really the one thing I studied. I got three easy topics which I had predicted and hit pretty much a home run.Then I found out the afternoon was all multiple choice, ALL Florida Law. Oops.Doomed.I think of

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-14077006884142816602010-02-22T21:26:00.001-05:002010-02-22T21:26:00.691-05:00

The day (two actually) is finally here - the Florida Bar Exam. What the hell was I thinking when I started the paperwork for this last Fall? Oh right - that someday I want to live in Florida!Well someday is going to have to be very very far in the distant future, because I have studied about 10 hours for this test. It requires about 100 hours of study. I have been working my butt off, fooling

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-61639126010576019062010-02-19T23:10:00.000-05:002010-02-19T23:33:01.367-05:00

The chills are not because I'm watching frigid winter games. The chills come from stories like Noelle Pikus Pace, a very young mom who has overcome double-shin breaks to try to medal in the skeleton race. The Chills come from watching hottie Evan Lysacek win the gold (again - I love reruns) and ignoring the pouty face of Evgeni Plushenko who was clearly "disappointed" with silver. Disappointed

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-6701769679894219992010-02-14T14:58:00.002-05:002010-02-14T15:42:06.464-05:00

In my Rebuilding class, we write a goodbye letter. I wrote mine but I need to feel it. It may be TMI for some of you. I have thought hard about this. And I think part of my Rebuilding is letting go and Believing I CAN let go. So here is my Goodbye Letter.I started to tell you goodbye. After two pages of solid, single spaced, tiny handwriting, I hadn’t even gotten close to the goodbye part – I was

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-20211893790847037162010-02-12T19:17:00.002-05:002010-02-12T19:25:37.037-05:00

Looking out my back door, across my yard to the little playhouse that the kids' Great Grandfather built in 1967.Out my back slider to the trampoline in the distance. It's still snowing in this photo by the way...Looking down my street - after the first big snow fall and just as the second one is starting. Notice my streets haven't really been plowed... Looking up my driveway after the first

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-79355702464053477132010-02-09T13:29:00.002-05:002010-02-09T14:16:00.310-05:00

These past few days have given me a glimpse into survival, into human nature, into the fragility of life and my own pathetic nature. Mostly I am impressed by what I see around me, but I am sorely disappointed in "government."Friday night we started the Snowpocalpyse - my neighborhood got between 25 and 30 inches of snow. I live in a VERY old neighborhood with lots of old, tall trees and pine

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-73276271989610574722010-02-05T22:01:00.006-05:002010-02-05T22:29:09.782-05:00

Sometimes I find it curious that the more there is to say, the less I Blog. Part of that is because certain people read this that I don't want to, and so the things I used to write about, I don't. Part of it is, well, I find myself too busy to blog. The outlet I craved, needed during those early days of being divorced seem to have faded. And yet, when something funny or endearing or enraging

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-30553887655331629492010-01-21T15:07:00.004-05:002010-01-21T15:20:35.424-05:00

Everyone knows Teenagers can be Tough. They can be self-centered. They can be ego-centric. They can be combative.But sometimes, they can just knock your sox all to hell and back. Last night (and the night before) were AWESOME Teenage nights.I started working full-time on January 1. Full time as an attorney means 2200 hours a year. You do the math....So making dinner, grocery shopping,

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-78546551373628164672010-01-15T08:28:00.002-05:002010-01-15T08:28:00.449-05:00

Remember how my LLBean card sent me a present - a really nice present? Kohl's has jumped on the bandwagon.It looked like a delayed Christmas Card - a gold, thick envelope, nicely printed. I didn't recognize the return address or the individual named on the return address. So I opened it:Dear Ms. Shops-Way-Too-Much:Thank you for your recent purchases at Kohls. We want you to know that we value you

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-89364251869293105682010-01-14T08:21:00.002-05:002010-01-23T08:24:39.112-05:00

It started with murmurs around the office about the tragedy in Haiti. Stories of the bodies in the streets, the vast homelessness, the destruction beyond possible comprehension.Then there were phone calls to the Managing Partner who has family there inquiring as to their safety and "how can we help?"An email followed from Managing Partner to all The Firm, thanking them for the expressions of

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-88553492809153479122010-01-13T15:23:00.003-05:002010-01-13T15:28:01.415-05:00

Dear Patent Agent/Scientist on the elevator yesterday:As I bundled up in my Puffy Long Winter coat, donned my gloves and made preparations to step out into the frozen tundra as you stepped on the elevator, and I turned to you and said, "HOW many more days til Spring?!" That was a rhetorical question. I didn't really want to know how many. Because the answer is, "Too Many."Yours truly,The Frozen

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3405237705406428948.post-47624940166859784442010-01-11T09:06:00.002-05:002010-01-11T09:06:00.403-05:00

It started as an idea two years ago as Daughter, Son and I spent spring break skiing in Vermont. Daughter said, "Whose Idea Was it to go SKIING for SPRING BREAK??!! BRRRRRR What were we THINKING?!" And I said, "OK Senior Year I have you again for Spring Break. We'll go to the Caribbean."It was a nice dream.Then finances and college bills and the market crashed.And layoffs at work, and salary cuts

The Girl Next Doorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08106281074589247494noreply@blogger.com11