I will remember: 9/11

I was working at Pfizer on 9/11. When the first plane hit, people were buzzing about it, but we didn't know many details. But when the second plane hit, we were all rendered silent. I'll never forget rushing back to my desk from the cafeteria to check on my family members in New York (one of whom worked at WTC building 3). I immediately prayed for those involved and hoped for the best. It was a relief when our bosses streamlined the news on our computers so we could stay in the loop. Eventually, they let us go home. I drove home as fast as I could and held my family close. Then we settled in and watched the coverage for the rest of the day. My family members were okay, but so many people were not. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. And I will always remember.

Are you getting old?

So, my birthday was Tuesday.  Yay!  I feel blessed to see another year and I had a good time with friends and family on Saturday, but I can't help but feel....old.  Don't get me wrong, I'm blessed to see another birthday, let alone another day, but I find myself wishing for days of old.  Here are some reasons why:

1. When I turned 7, I couldn't wait to get to the corner store to stock up on Lemonheads, Boston Baked Beans, and Big 'Ole Freeze Pops.  My son will never know about going to the corner store because we don't have one.  And if we did, there is no way I would let him walk to the store by himself to get anything.  Not to mention, those old favs had so many carbs and were so bad for our teeth, I would probably get spanked by the 'Mommy Police' for letting my son indulge in too many treats.  But I had so much fun back then.  I long for the simple times. 
2. When I turned 11, my favorite movie of all-time was released:  The Color Purple.  I was engrossed in the Original USA for Africa version of "We are the World".  I would also love to watch Saturday morning programs on Channel 4 like The Smurfs.  My 11 year old daughter only knows what a Smurf is because of the movie released in theaters this summer (which I still haven't seen yet, but want to).  Cartoons were simple.  Tom and Jerry or He-Man were the norm.  Now, I can't even pronounce some of the shows being watched by the children of today.  And what's with all these teen shows about dance teams and music groups? 
3. When I turned 13, I was listening to Michael Jackson's "Bad" and watching Dirty Dancing.  Michael Jackson was my all-time favorite.  I loved him and "Bad" was actually a song that had a deeper meaning.  My son, who is thirteen, gets to listen to some questionable songs with no meaning whatsoever. 

There are times like these where I long for those times:  Break Dancing on cardboard boxes, songs with meaning, sugary treats for $.01 a piece, movies with a heart, and the innocence of youth.  I only pray that my children can look back on their childhood with the same fond memories that I have from mine. 

What are you favorite memories from childhood?

We fall down, but we get up!

Okay, so I took a tumble yesterday and I'm in horrible, excrutiating pain.  But I'm still here.  The doctor says bruised rib, so no laser tag for my birthday like I planned.  BUT, I'm still here.  I'm still counting down to my 37th birthday.  I'm still working.  I still have a book coming out in the fall.  Oh, and I finished my edits.  YAY!

That song is so true:  we fall down, but we GET UP! 

On another note, I got a brilliant idea for a new romance.  I hope to start working on it once I finish The Affair.  It's my first venture into paranormal, so wish me luck.