BlaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhG!

2006-12-25T09:52:00.000-05:00

James Brown is Dead!

When I read the news of James Brown's demise this morning, this song immediately popped into my head. I have it on a mix tape that I bought in the summer of '91 in Jerusalem, but I haven't gotten around to converting my tapes to digital files (one of the projects I hope to accomplish in the next few weeks), so I am using this grainy youtube version. The point is really the lyrics.

Apparently you will have to click on the video screen to view it on youtube.

RIP James Brown!

Jenn

2006-11-28T22:05:00.000-05:00

ipod Nation

I have to admit that for many months the green monster has been eating away at me. As I watched everyone walking around in their blissful ipod worlds, oblivious to everything and everyone else, lost in their playlists, I couldn't help but wish to be part of the cult.

I obsessed at the gym about how much better my workout would be if I had 1000's of my favorite songs in the palm of my hand (or strapped to my upper arm - which would be shirinking that much faster if only I had an ipod). As I walked the mile from the parking garage to class, I envied the numbness to the surroundings and the weather that the ipod users seemed to posess. I dreamed of my shadow dancing to Pearl Jam while little white earbuds swung from it's head. The ipods were multiplying by the day, and I was soon going to become the last person on earth without one.

Well - I wasn't about to let that happen, so I added the Apple store to my pre-dawn, post Thanksgiving, zombie-like shopping trance routine. How cold I resist when they were offering discounts that amounted to a little less than 10% of the purchase price? I was one of the first people in line and I got the first ipod Nano of the day.

How wonderful it is to spend my hours avoiding chores and school work, while trying download my entire CD collection? It's so liberating to ignore every study I've read about earbuds and hearing damage, while I dance around my house playing "Jeremy" full blast. It doesn't matter, because I know that my shadow is having the time of it's life. Oh sure- I will have to mortgage my house to buy all of accessories that my little ipod dictates I need, yet, somehow, I am really enjoying this little contraption.

I believe that the ipods have already taken over!!!

Jenn

Updates Coming Soon (I hope)

2006-11-14T14:02:00.000-05:00

I admit - I haven't been doing too many exciting things with this blog lately. And, from the respose I am getting at least, only about 4-5 people are still actually reading it. So I have decided to clean it up and otherwise revamp it in the near future. I would like to change the look, add more pictures, delete old posts, etc... If anyone has any suggestions, please IM, call, or e-mail me (or post on the blog), and let me know what you would like to see.

On the homefront - things are good but busy. I really have to start studying for the GREs. I haven't taken a math course in at least 10 years, so that's the area I will probably focus on the most. I think I have a better than average grasp of the English language and Psychology, so I am not terribly worried about those sections.

The kids are being kids, and doing all sorts of cute things(although mostly M is doing cute things). The other night she woke up at 4:00am (yawn), and was very upset that I wouldn't run around the house getting the items she was requesting. Finally, after about 40 min of crying, I gave in and brought her into my room. I put on a Dora video thinking it would buy us another 45 min of sleep. She watches TV so loudly! When the video was over (about 5:30) I put her back in the crib. She cried some more but then, all of the sudden, got really happy. Yes the thought occured to me that I should go check what she's up to, but I was TOO tired, so I rolled over and went to sleep. When I woke up at about 6:45, I found her asleep in an empty crib, containing nothing but a naked two year old and a wet sheet! Ugggh!

Yesterday Y had a tummy bug, so he spent the day with me. Last night the phone was ringing with 2nd graders calling all night. 2nd graders aren't know for stating their name when they call (or other phone ettiquite for that matter), so it was a rather comical night. A typical conversation with Y went like this.

Y answers the phone (We are not allowed to answer the phone anymore), mumbles a few words, and hangs up.
Us: Y, who just called
Y: I don't know
Us: Did you ask their name?
Y: No
Us: Well, what did they say?
Y: Something about spelling words.
Us: So it was one of your friends from school?
Y: I don't know. He didn't say his name.
Then I checked the caller ID and told him who it was, and then he got excited.

Today everyone is in well and the boys have Karate after school, so I don't have to pick then up until 4:45! I just hope they don't use it on eachother.

Jenn

A night out

2006-11-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

E and I don't get out much, and when we do, it is usually to a wedding (where half the time the man and women are sitting in seperate rooms) or a charity function. Tonight we had our first date in a long time (unless you count an afternoon of test-driving cars without the kids a date).

We went to see Movin Out, and it was - uh - interesting. First of all there was no dialogue, only music and dancing. There was a plot but, even having read the synopsis in the program before the show started, I had a hard time following it. It was strange to see men in muscle shirts, blue jeans and toe shoes, dancing to rock music, and I felt that some songs were choreographed better than others. Still, I would say that I had a good time. My attention deficit disorder didn't kick in, and the play felt as long as it actually was, not longer.

The kids are off of school tomorrow and Tues., and I have a ton of school work to do - YAY!

Have a fun week everyone.
Jenn

We lost!

2006-11-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

Not only did St. Louis beat us in the World Series, they also beat us in crime rates this year - is anything sacred?

Update

2006-10-26T22:07:00.000-04:00

For those who aren't keeping track, but still care, here's how things stand...

The Cards won one, then the Tigers won one, then the Cards won one, then the weather won one. Game four is still hard to call in the fourth inning, and they are playing some real baseball there, but I think the Tigers will win it.

Now that we got that out of the way, I must say that this is indeed the semester from hell! Bye-bye perfect GPA! Bye-bye social life. Of course, as I get closer to applying to grad school, the grad students are coming out of the woodwork to tell me how miserable they are, and I am starting to realize that it isn't just in jest that people say most psych PhD's are crazy themselves. I mean one of my professors is a basket case who publicly bemoans his messy divorce and such. I mean there are people in the faculty who could seriously end up watching the basket weavers sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs! When people say, "Oh - Jenn - She's crazy," they don't actually mean that I belong in a straight jacket. I don't know if I fit into all of this. Not that I have any other options in mind right now. I will do my research assisting next semester, and then decide for sure.

I am hearing a lot of boo'ing from the TV in the other room. A good sign. I am off to check the score.

Jenn

Yay!

2006-10-23T00:32:00.000-04:00

Only Detroit can play good baseball in 38 degree, rainy weather!

I hope they throw one in St. Louis, so that they can win it here in Detroit. I am so selling a major organ to get tickets to the 6th game!

B-day party season has begun. M had a party this morning for 2 of her friends. It's so funny to watch a room full of 2-year-olds getting all territorial about every toy in the place! Then, this evening, Y had an ice skating party. He fought me tooth and nail about going on the ice, and cried that whole way around. Of course the second we got off the ice, he said, "I think I want to skate more often."

Now my legs and ankles are killing me and I need sleep. Goodnight.

Jenn

2006-10-18T22:47:00.000-04:00

The What the ..... File Part 2

Here's another one for the What the .... File!

Since the picture is a little grainy, I will give you a running commentary.

It's Motzai Simchas Toira, The stadium is packed and the Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe steps up to the plate. He grabs the first apple and pitches it.

Right to the stands! It's a home run! The crowd cheers! Some Greek intruder yells "oopa." No one seems to notice. The mood in the room is giddy.

The Rebbe pitches a second apple, a third... All caught by adoring fans. "What a fine apple kugel to display on my shabbos table this will make," thinks one of the lucky apple catchers.

As the innings wear on, the apple supply wains. The fans are getting more agressive, diving onto the table, streimels flying.

Finally - it's the bottom of the 9th, the Chasidm are loaded, and the final pitch is thrown. An outfielder dives to catch it, and the crowd erupts in song.

Of course at any good sporting event, there is a guy who smuggled in a video camera, but could only afford nose-bleed seats.
IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO, CLICK ON "YOUTUBE" IN THE VIDEO BOX ABOVE AND YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO IT. OR CLICK HERE.
Jenn

Who's Your Tiger?

2006-10-18T07:31:00.000-04:00

Gosh I don't know THEY ARE ALL SO FREAKIN' GOOD THIS YEAR!!!!!

WHHHHHOOOOOOOO!

Go Tigers!

If anyone has a couple of tickets to game two of the World Series that they don't know what to do with - You know where to send them!!! Uggh what I would give to go to one of those games with B. (Y doesn't like the noise and crowds at staduims).

Today I am going to my volunteer job at the hospital, and then I may join the PTA at the Detroit Institue of Art. I'll try to post more later.

Jenn

Go Tigers!!!

2006-10-13T15:11:00.000-04:00

Who isn't excited about the post season momentum of the Detroit Tigers this year. Even some New York fans who have finished licking their wounds, have come clean that they think Detroit deserve this series. This is the baseball version of a rags to riches story, and everyone is eating it up.

Likewise, we in the G-man household are thoroughly enjoying this run of high quality, knock your socks off, amazing baseball. Even E (who had been know to call me at a Pistons game to ask what inning we are in) has been glued to the TV every night watching the games.

I believe that we will sweep Oakland. If they couldn't beat us in their own staduim for the first two games, there's not a chance they will do so in ours. Then of course there's the weather. It's Detroit weather - windy, snowy, cold - not for any warm blooded Californian.

Don't be fooled by the hype though! MLB rescheduled todays game for the afternoon saying that they were worried that the projected Detroit temps would be a hinderance. It's freezing cold now, and it will still be that way this evening. The decision to move a game back by several hours and send the 10's of thousands of ticket holders into a rescheduling frenzy, had to look nobel, but in reality in comes down to networks and ratings and the real conflict of interest (A Mets/St. Louis game at the same time). That's OK though, it just gives Detroit fans more time to party this evening!

Jenn

2006-10-06T12:42:00.000-04:00

The Sukkot Shake

I can't stop watching this video! Chag somayach everyone!

Jenn

Raid

2006-10-04T16:27:00.000-04:00

Lest anyone think that my inactivity here is indicative of a dull moment falling upon the house of G-man, let me assure you that simply isn't the case!

Bright and early this morning, I approached the boys' school to find a few dozen SWAT officers, wearing black masks and carrying battering rams and machine guns, raiding a house only feet away.

I pulled into the parking lot and while the boys were threatening to not go today, and called the school to find out if they knew this was going on. They didn't, but they did put the place on lockdown, so they delt with this really well. Eventually the local police called them back to tell them that they had raided a house, but that no one was in it. So it wasn't all that bad in the end, but still no mother wants to see a SWAT team across the street from their kids school first thing in the morning.

Jenn

Pavlov's Fish

2006-09-28T15:53:00.000-04:00

For Y's 4th b-day, my sister-in-law bought him a fish. We had fully expected this pet store Beta to last no more than 6 months, but it hung out for 3 years, and kind of grew on us. He passed away a few weeks ago.

This morning I walked into the Psych lab to find a bunch of Beta's in small tanks on the instructor's desk, with a sign saying that they were free to a good home. I inquired as to what kind of experimentation had been done on them (ie-these aren't going to turn into Frankenstein fish - right?) Apparently the learning lab students were using them for some kind of behavioral/conditioning experiment.

How does one condition a fish should have been my next question, but I just took one and said, "wow - my kids will be so excited."

So I shlepped my new pet around campus. I brought him to my next class, and told the teacher he was a good luck charm for today's test. I took him to the library (the one with the scientific journals, and all the serious students), and talked to him ("I'm going to leave you right here. Be back in a minute.") You get the picture. At one point some guy chased me down to tell me that his girlfriend brought one of these home yesterday, and to ask if I knew how to take care of it. It was all definitely comical.

Then I got to my car -- and I had a fish -- and I had NO idea how I was going to get him home without spilling fish water all over. I put the tank on my passenger seat, put some things under the tank to even it out, and put my purse on one side of it, and my bookbag on the other, and hoped for the best. Keep in mind that Detroit is not known for its smooth roads.

It was a bumpy ride home, and my car smells like fish, but Pavlov survived and now he is happily swimming around in his tank on my kitchen window sill!

The What the ...? File

2006-09-12T21:50:00.000-04:00

This definitely goes in the, What the ....? File!!!

Teacher Won't Shave Until Bin Laden Caught

I admire a person with strong convictions, but what exactly is this Lubav look alike accomplishing here? Is the president running to send more troops looking for Bin Laden because some guy in Washington (state no less) refuses to shave? Is the world a better place because he has more facial hair? I just don't get the connection. Personally, I think he would have done better to plant a tree.

Jenn

9-11

2006-09-11T11:49:00.000-04:00

On the first anniversary of the September eleventh terrorist attacks, my grandmother was visiting us. The boys were in school, and we were trying to decide what to do that day. Though not spoken between us, I think the levity of the day weighed heavily on our suggestions. Ultimately, we decided to pack a picnic lunch, and spend some one-on-one time next to my favorite lake.

This spot by the lake is my sanctuary. It is so serene, as to block out the weight of the world. While there, it feels as if nothing exists but the rustling of the leaves, the chirping of the birds and the splashing of the fish. This is where I go one morning a year to spend time by myself, reflecting back, before saying tashlich and feeding my sins to those splashing fish in the water.

Obviously this spot was perfect for a day like September 11, 2002, and the conversation naturally flowed toward our thoughts on the events a year earlier and our feelings about it.

My grandmother tied 9-11 to Pearl Harbor in her conversation. A comparison I had heard before, but one that hadn't really meant anything to me up to that point. I grew up knowing that there was some day in early December when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, and drew us into a war. There was an occasional grainy image of that far away place in a far past time, but the gravity of how it affected the average American back then never really sunk in, and I never thought about how it would have weighed on a child at that time. Until that day when I sat by the lake listening to my grandmother talk of her childhood.

Today I will return to the lake with my sons, now seven and eight years old, as the weight of the world is now on their shoulders. I can no longer sheild them from those images that are so prevelant in our society. They've been asking me a lot of really heavy questions about the attacks lately, and now I will sit and tell them my story, of a day they don't remember. I will address their concerns, listen to their feelings and fears. Then I will return to that spot in a few weeks and pray that the year ahead will bring lighter thoughts and better stories to share by the lake.

sorry

2006-09-02T21:46:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't been posting. Last week was the first week of school for the boys, and this week will be my first week, so things have been a little crazy here.

the remnants of Ernesto are brushing by us today. E thinks I am crazy, but I can tell the difference in the air. This is Atlantic Ocean air, the kind I grew up on, I can smell it and feel it. I love it when a tropical storm finds it's way here.

A funny anecdote -- Today B was asking how old my sister-in-law is. I told him and he said, "and she only got one baby so far." So I explained that she only got married five years ago, and that he should remember because he was in the wedding. He said, "I don't remember that, but I do remember when they cut off cousin J's pee pee." (We actually use the scientific term for the male anatomy in our house, but I am afraid of the people who will find my blog by googleing the word). I had to explain that a bris is only the removal of a small piece of skin, that they don't actually cut off a large part of it. He wanted to know more, so I told him to ask E.

Tomorrow night is Y's sleepover party. Yay! Last year I discovered that the term "sleepover" can be very deceptive, and that actually not much sleeping gets done. Should be a fun night for me.

Jenn

PS The spell checker in Blogger sucks! It doesn't even recognizethe word "blog"!

Bob Again?

2006-08-23T21:00:00.000-04:00

The day after I published the last post, I opened up AOL, and immediately saw Bob Dylan's name on the welcome screen. I fully expected to see an article telling of his demise, or his incapacitation...etc. Instead he proved just how old and crazy he is, by ranting to Rolling Stone Magazine about the "atrocious" quality of today's recordings. He claims that no one has made a decent sounding recording in 20 years.

Let me get this straight. Those fuzzy, skipping, scratchy albums that we used to listen to sound better than the high def. CD's of today. I wonder if his wax figure double agrees? Alright, I say move this guy up at least 2 steps on you death pool list!

Jenn

Dylan, Floyd and Cordobas, Oh My!

2006-08-20T20:12:00.001-04:00

Anyone who lives in the Detroit area, (or who has ever visited the 3rd weekend of August), knows what I am referring to when I say that this was Dream Cruise weekend.

For those who are less auto-savy, I will fill you in. The Woodward Dream Cruise is an event where tens of thousands of classic car afficiandos, drive (or "cruise") up and down Woodward Ave., while about a million and a half people sit on lawn chairs watching, hollaring at, and rating the vehicles on the road. Officially, the Dream Cruise takes place on the third Saturday of August, but people are out on woodward in strong numbers for the entire week before and a couple of days after the cruise.

Certainly we enjoy he whole thing. The boys love to see the cars, and E and I get a kick out of some of the characters driving them (think 50 and 60 year olds trying to dress, act and otherwise re-live how things were when they were teens - uggh!). This event presents a horrible inconvenience to us though. E's office is on Woodward, and he has to leave hours earlier on Cruise Friday to get home in time. I tried to go shopping at the grocery store behind the hospital after work on Thursday evening and got stuck in what felt like a game of RushHour. I never did find a parking spot and had to drive 4 miles away to another Kroger once I untangled myself from that parking lot (where a couple hundered classics were parked.)

On a similar (nostalgic) note, the Savta lady took in a Bob Dylan concert with some frends last night. It's an experience that I don't think she'll repeat, but she made an interesting observation. She said that Dylan didn't address the crowd or anything. Just sung. She said that when the lights came on he was sitting at a piano, with his side to the audience, and that's how he stayed the entire time. His face was waxy looking from the pancake makeup (I mean come on - the guys old and everyone knows it - What's with all the makeup), and she felt that he looked like a wax figure. Let me just say that there were a lot of stoned people at this concert, but my mom wasn't one of them (and yes she would tell me if she did something like that). It's her opinion that perhaps something was amiss. Perhaps there is a conspiracy theory in the making here. Maybe he's dead and this is some gross "Weekend at Bernies," type thing. Or maybe it was a double and Dylan is in a retirement home somewhere. Definately put him on your death pool though.

Keeping with the theme of the weekend, B and I were shopping at the posh local mall today, and we happened into the Sony store. We had been walking around a lot, so we plopped ourselves onto some wierd, ergonomic chairs, and watched a Pink Floyd concert on large, screed, HD, surround sound TV. How cool! we watched only the last couple of songs, and at the end they turned on the stage lights, and sure enough these guys are really old!

B thought the lights were cool, but was totally not into the music. He kept jabbering about Taylor HIcks while I was trying to listen. Soon he will be blogging about my favorite artists, saying "yikes these guys look dead!" Such is the circle of life.

PS: To see more pics of the dream cruise click here.
PPS: I didn't take any of these pictures for obvious reasons!

Retraction of the Post You'll Never Read

2006-08-18T10:48:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I wrote a long rant about an issue that was at the top of my mind. I then saved it as a draft because it was largely aimed at specific people who, at least according to the documents they signed when they put their children in school, have no internet.

The post was regarding my neighbors' yearly questioning about where my children are "going to school this year" and the apologetic looks they give when I answer. In a nut shell, it's clear that I am being judged unfairly by people who have never bothered to ask why? Why did I make this decision over the decision they made? I have cogent answers, and if anyone is squirrling a computer away in the basement and reading this, feel free to call and ask me straight out, but stop asking me stupid questions, and stop sending your kids on a mission to tout your schools!

On a similar note, I can't tell you how many people in this city have commented on my OS page about our Purim Seuda. Ha - I guess they really do all have the internet in the end!

A funny/pathetic story has been floating around the internet about a j-date nightmare. Check it out - How Not to Act on J-Date. There is even audio of the alledged phone messages.

I attempted to confirm this story through a little on-line investigating. Several media outlets have covered it, and one site posted threatening e-mails that it claims are from Darren S., the j-dater in question. They are worded similar to his alledged threats against Joanne. Also, The New York Daily News covered this, and attempted to call Mr. Sherman. He would only say that it is a "hoax." So there's a small chance that it could be an urban legend (and yes a similar story was floating around a few years ago), but it's likely true.

Have a great weekend

Jenn

Trip

2006-08-15T12:21:00.000-04:00

We returned last night from what will probably be our last trip of the summer. It was a quicky. We left Sunday morning, and drove to Toledo to go to the COSI museum. Then we continued on to Sandusky, OH. The hotel we stayed in was just OK, but, from the reviews I've read, it's one of the better ones in the area. We went swimming, had some ice cream at Friendly's (B's camp discovery), and cruised the local scene Sunday evening.

Yesterday we went to Cedar Point. The boys are finally at an age where they love all an amusement park has to offer, and M is much more into the kiddy rides than the boys ever were. I took Y on his first rollercoaster, The Wildcat. No upsidedown stuff, just some big hills and a couple of corkscrews. Once the ride started, Y told me, "I'm scared," a few times, and I felt so horrible for bringing him on it. But when I got off, E said that Y had a big smile on his face the whole time, and that I was the one who looked scared and was screaming. Still, Y said that he doesn't want to do it again.

It started to get cloudy and rainy in the afternoon, so we took refuge at the ice skating show. M especially enjoyed that, and was dancing along with the skaters the whole time.

We broke up the ride home with a brief stop at the outlet mall in Monroe. I was frustrated when I hit the Gap outlet and found the same uniform pants that I had recently spent more than one hour ordering for $19.50 each were only $12.50. Uggh! I bought another pair for each of the boys anyway.

Tomorrow is Y's b-bay, Thursday is my 9 year anniversary, and then summer is over really. The boys go back to school in 2 weeks and I got back in 3 weeks. It's been a fun summer. I am sorry to see it end.

Jenn

Move That Bus!

2006-08-10T21:30:00.000-04:00

The G family now belongs to the exclusive club of people who have watch two Extreme Makeover Home Edition homes being built!!!

The first time was two years ago, when they remade the home of our very deserving neighbors, the Vardons. That was literally down the street from us, and the boys were big into Bob the Builder those days, so they wanted to ride their bikes there to watch the progress every day.

Today, we traveled to Armada, MI (about 50 minutes away) to watch the rebuilding of the Gilliam family home. The original house was so toxic with mold that not only did they have to tear it down, but I was told they built the new house on the other side of the property. The old house was torn down yesterday. We got there at about 3:00pm today and the new (very large) house was already standing, and workers were inside already. How is it that if I want a decent sized addition, it will take at least a year and a half from the original blueprints, but these guys can get all of this done in 1 day???

I didn't tell the boys where we were going, only gave them clues (It's something you haven't seen in 2 years, and most people never see it once, and you might be EXTREMEly T(Y)ired after this trip). They were jumping out of their pants trying to get it out of me. The truth was revealed once we reached the area and everyone was walking around in Extreme Makeover t-shirts. B was excited, Y not so much (he would have rather watched Spongebob or something).

They had us park at a local school, and provided school busses to shuttle the spectators to the site. M especially enjoyed the ride, and sang "The Wheels on the Bus," with a giant smile on her face the whole time. 5/3 bank was a sponsor or something, and was giving out free Good Humor ice cream and bottled water. The building site was buzzing and cool, as usual. I think in the end even Y had a good time (the free spongebob ice cream probably sealed that one.)

Jenn

Laguna Beach

2006-08-08T23:32:00.000-04:00

We don't have cable, but there's been enough hype about Laguna Beach, for me to, 1) have heard about, and 2) be inspired to rent the first season tonight.

All I can say is, I am probably 15 years too old to be watching this. I am also probably 15 years old to be eating this piece of shnitzel at 11:30pm. Yet oddly, I am enjoying them both. Go figure.

Jenn

He's back!

2006-08-08T14:39:00.000-04:00

So after a day of waiting and being given an ETA 1/2 hour later, then another 1/2 hour later, B is home!!! He was totally cool about being hugged and kissed and all of that.

He's in typical post camp mode. He's hoarse, talking 100 miles an hour about every person, place and thing, he encountered, and singing all of the camp songs. He even stayed up late to alleviate the TV withdrawal that he claims to have suffered (although they watched like a dozen movies on the flat screen TV in the director's house.) He discovered Friendly's ice cream (unfortunately we don't have that in MI), learned a lot about the Amish, went camping, took hikes, played sports, learned, and made a lot of friends. All-in-all it was a really positive experience, and he wants to go back next year!

Jenn

The Yid Lid

2006-08-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

I have a friend whose son recently turned three. She promptly plopped a kippah on his head, but he's still at the age where it only stays on for a few minutes. She expressed some concern to me over the weekend. She really isn't sure that she wants to have his Judaism so prominently displayed in the current world climate.

I think every Jewish mother with a son grapples with this at some time. (The girls dress is not as blatant and they can blend in pretty well.) We notice when someone reacts to our sons' dress. We all contemplate whether to tell our sons to wear a baseball hat in certain places and situations. Here in Michigan we have the Michigan M-litia, and the largest concentration of Arabs in the country, so my friend's concern is probably justified.

However, I had an experience in Chicago which changed my whole way of thinking about this. Y and I were crossing a busy intersection, when one of the pedestrians coming toward us stopped. He looked at Y's head, and said "is that thing on your head a Yarmulke?" He then went on to give Y a whole pep talk, telling him how cool he is to wear it and how amazing he is for being so proud of his Judaism. I mean - WOW! This busy, successful looking man in a very nice suit, stopped to say that to Y! He had the biggest smile on his face.

This is a lesson that will stay with Y for the rest of his life. My $7500 a year payment to the school yields a lot of reward, but this invaluable, major life lesson was given to him for free in the middle of Michigan Ave. For the rest of his life, Y will know that there are people who, even though they don't look or dress like him, are admiring his Jewish pride. Whenever there is a doubt about whether or not to wear a kippah or a baseball hat, or his tzitzit out or in, he will have this memory to guide him.

The irony is that it was a REALLY hot day in Chicago, and I brought along a baseball cap (because of the weather). Only a few minutes earlier I was contemplating putting the hat on him, but I decided to wait until we got to our next stop, and I could more easily dig through our bag. That's Hashgacha pratis (divine intervention) for you.

Jenn

Shopping on-line

2006-08-07T10:25:00.000-04:00

After 1 hour and 20 minutes of searching for "school uniforms," reading the product and size discriptions, finding out that I apparently do have an on-line account with the gap, waiting for them to e-mail me the password, waiting for the free shipping promo code to load, getting stuck in some kind of server jam, and then finializing my purchase, I have successfully purchased 4 school uniforms for the boys. It would have been quicker to just get everyone dressed and go to the store!

On another topic -- B comes home today!!! I am so excited. I am certain that he is going to freak out when I hug and kiss him striaght off the bus, but tough nuggies! I paid a ton for him to have this experience, he's gong to have to endure some public affection (AKA humiliation to an 8 year old)! I am so evil!

Jenn

On Israeli Bank Reform, Global Warming and Spongebob

2006-08-01T20:33:00.000-04:00

It's amazing that my brain can churn out any thoughts on this 100+ degree day, but there are a few things on my mind. Obviously the first of which is the weather. We are having a heat wave, in case someone hasn't noticed, and the commentators are all abuzz with talk of accelerated global warming. (not to be confused with regular old global warming, which I will get to in a moment.) I am not closing the door to this theory but a couple of heat waves just doesn't justify this verdict to me.

First and foremost there has been a heat wave just about every summer of my life. That's 34 years now for those who are counting. Heat waves are a fact of summer. Second, we had one of the coldest summers on record here in Michigan a few years ago. I remember how bummed we all were when we were wearing our jackets in July. Yet the next time the mercury hit 95, they were again talking global warming.

While the evidence does show a very slight climate change across the globe, (this is regular old global warming, not the accelerated theory which is being touted this week), I am not sure that we have actually caused it. We only have records dating back 100 years or so. Geology has shown that there were several severe climate changes throughout history. So we are to believe we are causing this one. What caused the ice ages and former tropical climates? Dinosaur farts? We may just have to deal with the fact that not everything is in our control. We religious people will refer to it as an act of G-d that the weather is changing, and at some point the followers of science might just have to call it random climate change - a natural process.

The second issue on my mind is this month's reform of Israeli banking laws. This came to my attention when a friend who lives like most Israelis, by overdrafting her account until she gets paid at the end of the month, had her ATM card eaten by a machine. She was later informed that the new reforms that went into place have done away with the whole culture of overdraft.

Anyone who knows anything about life in Israel knows that this will cause much of society to collapse. I understand that this was a move to strengthen the economy, but with studies showing that %50 of the population are "working poor," this could devastate the economy. Sure it will lead to people watching what they buy, but it will lead to many people not being able to buy the essentials. How will that impact the economy?

Apparently 2 American style credit card companies have entered the fray (traditionally Israeli credit cards were tied to bank accounts and had to be paid at the end of the month, similar to overdraft), but in a society of people living month-to-month, this just might not be enough.

Last but not least on my mind today is Spongebob. Specifically Spongebob carrots. I have heard about them for a while. Apparently the anti-sugar, anti-fun, lobby was inflamed that Nickelodeon was using its characters to promote only sugar filled products (AKA: junk food). So Nick relented and bags of mini baby carrots were printed with Spongebob on them.

Since Y s a giant Spongebob fan, and has been know to eat an occasional (very occasional) carrot, I was happy to hear this news. Today I finally bought a package. When I was unpacking the groceries, I showed them to Y with great anticipation of his excited reaction. His reply when I told him that Spongebob was on the bag of carrots? "Cool - can I win anything?" Alas, it is not the characters on the box of fruit loop flavored waffles, or sugar-filled chocolate chip cookies that entices the kids. It's the promise of a contest. Sorry anti-sugar lobby, but strike one for you.

Jenn

The Adventure Ends

2006-07-27T12:03:00.000-04:00

We are home safely after visiting western Michigan and Battle Creek yesterday. After checking out of the hotel yesterday, we visited downtown New Buffalo, and Y and I fell in love. We immediately called E and told him that we would like a house on the beach here one day. I know - keep dreaming. It was really beautiful and peaceful.

Next we headed to St. Joseph. I had heard that there was good shopping there, and I thought we might find a good beach to walk along. There was a stunning view of lake Michigan from a deck at the entrance of the city. Down below was a rocky cliff. From what we could tell driving around, that's the extent of lake Michigan in St. Joseph - nice views from rocky cliffs. We went into town and found a post office from which to mail the new "Judy Moody" book that we found for B in Chicago, and the lady in the gas station gave us really bad directions back to the highway, so we ended up going 1/2 hour out of our way along the lake. At least it was beautiful.

During this detour it started pouring rain, and that became the norm for the rest of our trip home.

We finally did find our way back on to the highway, and headed to Battle Creek. Y loved Cereal City. I was not as impressed, but the point was for him to have a good time, so it was worth it. I felt that the whole place was built as an attempt to prostylize the SDA faith and discredit the legitimacy of the original post legacy, but a kid doesn't get that out of it. They just see free cereal, Fruit Loop necklaces and Lego figures of Tony the Tiger and Snap, Crackle and Pop.

The rest of our trip was spent making our way back to Detroit, in the rain and rush hour (yuck!)

When we finally got home, we were greeted by M, who was jumping up and down and Squealing "mommy!" I guess she missed me. That's a great feeling.

Today we are relaxing and unpacking and otherwise readjusting.

Jenn

J & Y's Adventure -- More Great Stuff

2006-07-26T09:49:00.000-04:00

We got a great night sleep last night. The beds and linens in this place were extremely comfortable. I don't get such a great sleep at home. The continental breakfast was really good too. The waitress didn't look like someone who would know what kashrut is, but when I asked her to see the package from the bagels, she brought out the packages from various things on the buffet and started pointing out the symbols to me. How cool was that? We could eat a lot of the stuff there. It's strange that the hotel guy in Skokie, Illinois (where there are a ton of Jews) didn't know about kashrut, but the hotel lady in New Buffalo, Michigan did!

I am thinking of moving in here. There's comfy beds, cable, a large, clean bathroom, Kosher food that's served and cleaned up by someone other than me or E.... Yeah - I would get sick of it fast.

Today we are doing Western and central Michigan.

I'll post again when we get back to Detroit.

Jenn

How to help Israel

2006-07-26T09:46:00.000-04:00

My friend Jere in Israel sent me this great link this morning, and I thought I would share it with you. It lists various ways we can help those who are really suffering in Israel right now, and it looks like they are updating it regularly.

Jenn

J & Y's Excellent Adventure -- Part II

2006-07-25T23:10:00.000-04:00

The post I tried to publish this morning mysteriously disappeared, so I am going to have to recap the entire day here...

Y got a great night sleep last night. Me -- not so great. I had trouble adjusting the air conditioning, and the beds were not terribly comfortable. As karma would have it, a truck of new mattresses pulled up as I was pulling out of the hotel. Oh well. I guess the fact that I showed up 45 minutes after a blackout yesterday evens that score a little.

We ate whatever we could at the hotel's continental breakfast, and then went across the street to the kosher bagel place to get food for the day and tonight's trip. The breakfast in the bagel place smelled SO good, but we were stuffed to the gills with all the Corn Flakes and bananas that we could eat, so we didn't eat there.

Then we headed downtown on the subway, and saw some really diverse architecture along the route.

Our first stop was Navy Pier and The Chicago children's' Museum. The museum was really great, but Y is almost too old for it (That didn't stop him from having a grate time though). Also, when we were in the gift shop the clerk came over to us with one of those loud snappy, boomy thingies and did it behind Y. He was SO frightened, and the lady knew it because she even chuckled and said "oh did that scare him." She then continued to laugh and snapped it again, so we went running out of the store, and she lost a sale. Tough luck. (I also left a complaint letter in the suggestion box). I mean how can a children's museum have employees who think it's funny to scare children?

After some directions from the homeless guy selling post cards, we took the free trolley over to state street, and did a little shopping. Then we hopped back on the trolley and went over to the Sear's tower. (Along the way we were seeing a lot of the city's sights from the trolley window). I was a little apprehensive about the sky deck since, if you believe what you hear on the news at least, every terrorist in the world has his eyes on that building, but we went up anyway. I felt a little gyped when, after they took my money, they told me that we had to sit through a "short" movie about the building before going up. Uggh - what a waste of our time.

I had worried that the view from the top would scare Y, but he loved it. He couldn't believe how small the baseball stadium and all of the other skyscrapers looked from up there.

Then we took the trolley back to Michigan Ave. for more shopping and a wild goose chase looking for Disney Quest. The hotel had given us a map of Chicago with an advertisement for this place, and the first trolley driver of the day had told us where to find it. We walked essentially in circles (and the heat index in the city was near 100 today), for an hour. Finally we stopped at Starbucks for chocolate milks, and a customer who overheard our conversation with the barista told us that they closed down 3 years ago. Man, were we mad!

We were both tiring out at that point, so we went back to the subway, and headed up to Skokie again. We went to a really great mall there, and Y got his first big boy watch (a Swatch). I shlepped him all the way down to Bloomingdales to get M a "bloomies" shirt, only to find out they don't have them in her size. Then we ate a delicious dinner at DiNali's and picked up some nosh at Hungarian, and hit the road.

Tonight we are staying at a very comfortable Holiday Inn in New Buffalo Michigan.

I will post more tomorrow.

Jenn

J & Y's Excellent Adventure

2006-07-24T22:15:00.000-04:00

Just checking in from the road (gotta' love hotels with wireless internet access!)

I saw B off to camp on the bus this morning. He's SO big now. WOW! For me it was the first day of preschool all over again. I dropped him off, thinking that he was going to chicken out, or have separation anxiety, breakdown bawling crying "don't leave me mommy", something. Instead he happily got on the bus, picked his seat, and waved to us as the bus drove away with a big smile on his face (very much like the first day of preschool). This always leaves me crying inside. I know that it means that he's well adjusted and independant, but a mommy wants to feel missed. We need that crying to help us break loose. Oh well. Hopfully he's still happy now that he's there.

A couple hours later, Y and I left on our road trip to Chicago. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to get to Skokie, but the last 45 minutes were really the detour we took to avoid the construction an the Dan Ryan. (I've been told by at least two people already that it would have taken me longer to go straight).

We got to the hotel at 5:30 Chicago time (Y thinks it's very cool that he gets an extra hour of Cartoon Network here). We had dinner at Ken's (YUM!) with my great aunt, which was so fun. Now we are - you guessed it - watching the Cartoon Network.

Tomorrow we will do Chicago, go out to eat again, and then head to western Michigan for the next leg of our trip. I will try to post again tomorrow.

Jenn

Rally

2006-07-21T15:48:00.000-04:00

I took the kiddies to the "Detroit Stands With Israel" rally the other night. Here the news focuses mainly on the Lebanese (we have a giant Lebanese community here), and it really made me feel great to see so many come out to support Israel.

As we were walking to the building a woman came up and gave me a giant hug. She said that she was a Christian and wanted to come show her support for Israel. She told me that she stands behind us, "G-d's chosen people." She then handed me a sheet that she said had scriptures from the old testament proving our right to Israel. I strongly suspect that there was more to that sheet, but I tucked it away in my stroller pocket and said "thank you," and never looked at it. Even if she was a crazy missionary or something, at least she showed up to support Israel - Right???

OK -- Maybe not, but she was really the exception. Of course there were a lot of speakers, some better than others, and a lot of blue and white in the crowd. One speaker really took me by surprise though. He was an African American reverend, and man can those guys bring a crowd to their feet. He spoke about how during the civil rights movement (which he was a part of), participants broke off into two groups. In one group were the followers of MLK Jr., and in the other group the followers of Malcom X and the nation of Islam. He basically said that the MLK group was the peaceful one and the ones who professed to follow Islam tried to use violence to accomplish their goals. He read some passage from MLK which praises Israel, then talked about how in the ME, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran are violent reactors, and Israel is truly seeking peace. WOW! This guy got up in front of an audience in Detroit and essentially equated the word Islam with violence. Yikes! He said lots of other great things and the crowd was cheering him like crazy. Then he told us that he is going next Monday to Israel to show his support. Then the crowd roared!

I left after his speech, because that was all my kids could handle, but I have been told that the state Attorney General gave another rousing speech later on.

While we were leaving the parking lot, there was a small protest group across the street holding signs of injured people in Lebanon, that read things like "who are the terrorists now?" This led me to a lot of contemplation and deep thought about the nature of terrorism v. the nature of war, word roots and etymologies, etc.... Essentially I settled on a profound and very complicated thesis about power and lack of appropriate definitions for various states, and stuff like that. I'll spare you the boring details -- for now.

As an English professor once told me, I have closingitis. So I will just say have a good shabbos or a happy weekend or what every ending you prefer.

Jenn

Crazy World

2006-07-18T20:25:00.000-04:00

It's interesting how fast the world changes. A few weeks ago, our minds were filled with summer revelry. We worried about which fireworks display to go to, whether to have a barbecue, if there was going to be time to go to the beach this summer, etc.... Now, first and foremost on many a mind is the situation in the Middle East.

Since this blog attempts to reach into my shallow mind, I will share some of my feelings on all of this...

1) Way to go Bush, for cursing the Syrians! Perhaps you should use some more colorful language in your State of the Union addresses, and such. Oh, that's right, the FCC may fine you for that. Oh well. Definitely go with the "(wink) mike off thing (wink, wink) more often.

2) Way to go mom, for sticking up for the promised land!!! You're awesome.

3) I was watching Nightline for a while last night, and the new guy was trying to follow the Haifa mayor around all day. Every time he'd start to get his interview, a siren would go off and they would be running to a bomb scene. This brought three thoughts to mind.

- It was realistic, and scary, yet just seeing pictures of Israel (even it's bombed buildings) made my heart ache to go there. It's amazing how profound an impact a place can have on a person, as well as the world.

- I am not saying the whole piece was pro Israel, but Nightline has come a long way since Ted Koppel.

- The Haifa mayor was the most professional, articulate Israeli politician I have ever seen. When will he run for Prime Minister?

4) The Leader of Hizbullah has said that he will give Tel Aviv a one hour warning before raining 500 missiles on them. Hizbullah claims to be planning this attack carefully, and has divided the city into grided squares in order to reach every area.
Yeah right! Since when do any of these groups give warning to an attack and; weren't those his missiles I saw landing in the Mediterranean off the coast of Haifa on TV last night? Also, if he was in possession of these missiles, wouldn't it have made sense to use them when already. I guess it's possible that he's waiting for a big shipment to arrive from Iran.

5) Not all the news from Israel is bad, apparently the Seret Visnitz chasidim, decided to move their Yeshiva to Rechovot on Monday. At the same time, their Rebbe, went to attend to some business in another area. Not long after the relocation, a Katusha hit their original yeshiva, and a few more fell in the surrounding streets.

Jenn

Grocery shopping

2006-07-12T09:31:00.000-04:00

Prior to our departure from Baltimore, I went into Seven Mile Market to get some nosh for our return trip. Last night I went to our local kosher grocery store. How depressing!!! The contrast is stark.

Seven Mile was well lit and crowded with people (clearly of varying hashkafos), saying, "hi" to each other. Ours is dimly lit, and all ten of the people there were either looking down trying to avoid eye contact, or blatantly looking everyone else up and down with out so much as a "hello."

I couldn't buy the cheese that I wanted because every single package was moldy (and you don't have to have a sharp eye to find the mold), even though the expiration dates were several months in the future. Once I pointed that out to B, he was looking for expired products. He found a dozen throughout the store. In the freezer section there is NO variety to speak of, and once you get your products home you ALWAYS find ice crystals, implying that these products defrosted and were refrozen at least once (this is thankfully no an issue in the winter).

Yesterday was no exception to the norm, and I had to keep revising my menu throughout the trip to the store because many of the ingredients I needed were not in stock (and probably wont be for months).

The worst part is the prices. The Jewish community of Motown is a VERY frum community, and the people here have very large families. Money is an issue, even for many of the professionals in the community. I really marvel at how some of these families manage (and yes I know many of them get public assistance, but many don't. Besides, that's an entirely different issue I have with Chelm, to be addressed in a future post perhaps.)

Whenever anyone tries to get to the bottom of all of these issues, they are always blamed on the poor financial management of the former owner, the size of the community, or the fact that our food is shipped all the way from NY (another big why??? Where is Chicago getting their food from???)

So if you live in a community with easily accessible, edible, somewhat affordable kosher food, consider yourself lucky. In the meantime I will consider my self tested by Hashem (G-d), because it's a real nisyona (test) to keep kosher in a town like this.

Family Vacation (AKA When Tractor Trailers Collide, AKA Cleveland Does Not Rock!)

2006-07-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

Well we are home from our trip to Baltimore.

First, I would like to thank the weather for cooperating so nicely the last several days. Unlike our previous road trips east, we encoutered no severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, snow squalls, or 100 degree weather. It was apparent from the water on the ground that we just missed at least 2 rain storms, but in the end all we encountered on the road was a brief drizzle. The weather in Baltimore was also quite nice for this time of the year while we were there.

We had a great time, went to a fantastic wedding, saw some sights, did some shopping, and caught up with a few friends. Unfortunately we did not get to see everyone we intended to see - sorry. There's always next trip - right?

Yesterday we went to Hershey Park. E hemmed and hawed the whole way there, saying that it's out of the way and the kiddies won't appreciate it, etc... I am happy to report that that was not the case. Not only did he kids love it, we adults also had a blast! I really felt like a youngster again. I took the kids on some of my old favorite rides and (of course) everyone enjoyed the factory tour. I even took Y on the ski lift-like sky ride, and taught him that you have to call down every generic American names to see who looks up (ex - Bob, Mike, Dan, Stacy...) We found a Dan and Jeff. We ate dinner at the kosher stand on our way out, and E bumped into an old Yeshiva friend there. It was a really fun day.

Last night I drove the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Harrisburg to the Ohio line. I am always amazed at how those trucks handle the downhill, high speed, narrow, turns in the mountains. They come so close to each other, yet rarely collide. The whole night I was watchng them, saying, "These two are going to smash right into each other," yet it never happened. The only accident we saw he whole trip (Thank g-d) was in the opposite direction while we were on our way there. I do believe that was a truck collision, so I guess they do hit eachother sometimes.

We were originally going to spend the night in Pittsburgh and do something there today, but the All Star game ruined those plans (no local hotel rooms) Instead, we spent the night last night at the Country Inn in Youngstown, Ohio. Definitely a place to keep in mind for future trips. The rooms are suites, and are were more than ample. The room cost roughly $100, and there were 2 double beds in one room and a sofa bed in the other. Each room had a TV (so we could watch what we wanted and the kids could watch cartoons), it was clean, and there was a ton of closet space. The staff was really nice, and we were able to scrounge up enough kosher food at the free breakfast. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a shluff off of the Turnpike.

Today we drove the rest of Ohio, and after spending at least 1-1/2 hours listening to Cleveland radio stations, all I can say is "Cleveland does not rock!"

Now I am back home, in Chelm, probably should be getting back to my laundry and unpacking. It can't always be vacation right?

Jenn

Not Much Bang At the Fireworks

2006-07-03T16:17:00.000-04:00

Sorry I haven't been posting as frequently as I would like to but, trust me, I'm saving you from having to hear a lot of the nonsense that goes on in my head.

Happy Fourth to everyone!!!

Last Thursday, I took the boys to the Southfield fireworks. It was quite an experience. Let's just say that my gangstas and thugs didn't let me down.

In previous years, we've just driven down the street a couple of miles and watched from our car, but this was billed as some sort of family fun event, so I figured, "why not take the boys and check it out?" I totally expected the crowded parking and long walk, as well as the expensive glow-in-the-dark knickknacks and snacks. I was even prepared to deal with the mosquitoes, and slathered everyone in non-deet bug spray (have you ever smelled like a citronella candle before - uggh!).

We were an hour early, and hoped to find some family fun, instead we found 3 moonbounces filled to capacity with rowdy teens, while a local radio station blared music with the MOST offensive lyrics nearby (and you all know that it is really hard to offend me). So we just staked our claim to a small piece of land and laid out our towels.

I broke down and bought the boys $2 glow necklaces, one of which was promptly stolen by a kid sitting nearby who had no noticeable adult with him (although I suspect the woman sleeping in a chair a few feet away from this group of kids belonged to them.)

It grew darker and the crowd of young people started to thicken, as they wandered around in gaggles, oblivious to the 1000's of people sitting on the ground. We were tripped over or stepped on enough that I finally stood up hoping to serve as a beacon. That really didn't work. All of the time I was thinking - "where are the Southfield police to keep this crowd in better order?" I finally found them, many of them in fact, escorting one of the only other white people I had seen the whole night out, in handcuffs.

As soon as they were out of sight and just in time for the scheduled start of the fireworks, a boy about B's age came running through, shouting, "Fight, Fight, there's a Fight." I never did find the fight, but the police sure tried to, because soon there was a police helicopter flying above our heads searching the crowd with a spotlight. They eventually stopped several hundred feet to our right, so I guess they found who they were looking for (probably the other white guy in the place).

And then we sat and waited, and sat, and waited... You get the picture. Finally 20 min. after the scheduled start of the fireworks, the boys decided it wasn't worth waiting for. We packed up the towels, and headed back to the car (which still smells like a citronella candle). We caught a few fireworks near he car and the boys watched most of the rest from various angles on the ride home.

I am now cured of my desire to watch fireworks this year as well as my desire to move to Southfield.

My Gangsters and All My Thugs...

2006-06-25T00:17:00.000-04:00

"Where's my gangstas and all my thugs?
Throw them hands up and show some love
And I Welcome you to Detroit City
I said welcome to Detroit City"

WARNING: Explicit Lyrics. Don't listen if you are easily offended. Do not play in front of your kids or your grandmom!
Click above to play song.

I have been hearing this song on the radio for months and thinking, "I wish I could think of a way to incorporate it into my blog." I mean I don't encounter many blatant gangsters and thugs in my daily travels and, while many would categorize some of the rabbis and community leaders as such in Detroit, I didn't really think that dictating where people are allowed to shop for groceries, bread, pizza, etc .. really qualified using it.

So on Thursday I got into my car to head to school. And the song was on again. And I thought, "how can I put this in my blog," again. The song ended and I crossed over 8 Mile to get onto the Lodge when, all of the sudden, a bloddied, dazed guy ran right out in front of my car. I mean, bloddied is an understatement. Half of his face was torn off and he was COVERED in blood. I don't know if he was shot, beaten or hit by a car, but something really bad happened to this guy, and all of the bystanders were pointing in the other direction, telling some story of where the perpetrator fled no doubt.

All of these burly African American men were chasing him (to help him - not to shoot him - not everyone in Detroit is trigger happy - thank you). They caught him on the side of the road and started to calm him down, when a nurse pulled up and ran out of her car (again to help him, not to shoot him). I decided that there was no reason for me to get out of the car, so I proceeded on my way, shaken, but content that I finally had the material to use my favorite Detroit themed Hip Hop song!

2006-06-14T21:53:00.000-04:00

Duckie dancing (pretty in pink)

Ok - I am really getting old. I came across this famous scene from "Pretty in Pink" on youtube, and I was watching it, when B came into the room and started asking about it.

Now, this scene takes place in a record store. He has NEVER SEEN a record! I had to explain to him that when I was a little girl and dinosaurs were still roaming the earth, we had these thingies called record players. And a record was a giant disc, and you put it on a machine with a flat spinning top, and then you put the needle on the record... you get the picture.

He totally zoned out somewhere around RPMs, but watched this scene a few times and said, "cool - can I download this to my Juice Box?"

If that's not a sign of the times, I don't know what is.

Jenn

Some pictures from the siddur party

2006-05-25T23:17:00.000-04:00

Here's a couple of pics from Y's Siddur party. One of me MC'ing and one of the cutest kid in 1st grade.

Jenn

Yay Taylor

2006-05-25T22:50:00.000-04:00

The boys and I had a great American Idol party last night (That's binyamin holding his "go Talor" sign.) I bought inflatable microphones and guitars, record decorations and bowls, and cool sunglasses for everyone. We had lots of junk food, and made signs supporting our favorite idol which was Taylor for all of us, except M. Her sign read "I voted for the Wiggles! Go Anthony!" Which is all the more ironic because Taylor Hicks is a Wiggles fan himself!

The chagigah siddur went so well, that I could actually sit through the whole thing this year. Y did a great job, and really nailed his lines. He's a natural actor! My job - the food prep, and display, went off without a hitch, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

M had another ear infection this week. Poor baby. I got a call from the babysitter in the middle of class on Tuesday and freaked because I thought she was having a peanut allergy attack. In the end she had a fever, which is a less panicky situation.

Did anyone else see Oprah's show from Auschwitz with Elie Weisel? Wow! I decided after watching it that I must go there. Despite all of my Holocaust studies and my work with the survivors, I feel that I actually have to see it in person to fully grasp it. Of course the tickets from Detriot to Karkow are $2000 this summer, and I would have to find someone to watch the kiddies while I am away. Not looking so likely in the near future.

That's about all that's new here.

Jenn

Do I have to stay all the way through Tav???

2006-05-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

Today is Y's siddur party. If I recall from last year, the play is LONG!!!!! They have a song and a play for every letter of the Aleph Bet (Hebrew Alphabet). Ugggh. Y has yud, and a part in a play for some other letter.

I volunteered to help, and ended up with the job of buying, cutting and presenting all of the fruits and veggies. We are expecting 150 people, and I am hoping I bought enough (3 watermelons, 6 cantelopes, 3 honeydews, 6 lb. grapes, 10 lb. baby carrots (the kiddies like those the most!), 8 cucumbers, a lot of peppers, and a lot of celery). I have my helpers coming at 11:00 (the party starts at 1:00) so if that isn't enough, I will run out and get more.

I will try to post a pic or two later.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Jenn

That Must Have Been One Boring Lecture

2006-05-17T11:29:00.000-04:00

This morning they found a dead body in the Life Sciences building at Wayne State. So far all there saying is that it was a 23 year old student. That gives new meaning to being "bored to death" in class.

I, on the other hand, am not bored to death in my summer course. It's a grad. level Applied Statistics course (not in the Life Sciences Building) and, believe it or not, I am very much enjoying it. The teacher is amazing. Who would have thought that there was a statistician out there with a personality and who doesn't think that everyone's life revolves around his course?

I've been pretty miserable with a sinus and ear infection for the last few days. I started on an antibiotic on Monday evening, and I am finally starting to feel some relief.

I haven't been following American Idol for a few seasons, but B got really into it this season and dragged me in with him. I'm thinking Elliot (who is Jewish), is getting kicked off tonight. I am rooting for Taylor for the finale next week.

Today I plan on enjoying the brief reprieve from the rain with M and getting some house work done.

Jenn

Long Night

2006-05-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

We have all had horrible allergies the last few days. So it was no surprise when M woke up at 2:00am coughing and sneezing. It soon became apparent that this was no ordinary cough, so I threw a skirt over my yummy PJ pants and took her to the hospital.

Of course, by the time we got there the wheezing had stopped, but her breathing was still hampered enough that they didn't look at me like I was some Munchausen by Proxy case. They gave her steroids and a breathing treatment, and sent us on our way. Honestly, while we were there it seemed to be doing some good, but once we returned to the Goldman Home for Pollen Bearing Trees, she started coughing again. At least the wheezing is gone.

All I can say is that a certain friend of mine who has experience in these matters is very lucky that I didn't have my cell phone on me at 3:30am! (As is any cardiac patient in the ER I guess).

Jenn

Like the OLD days

2006-05-04T07:34:00.000-04:00

The Yom Haatzmaut party and concert was amazing last night, but now I feel REALLY old. It was like I was 15, and at an NCSY shabbaton, but yet not.

There was that large community meal, where you had to stand still for 15 minutes surveying the room to find where your friends were sitting, only to find that there wasn't a seat there, and you were going to have to sit with the strange parents. (The strange family got up as soon as we got there (they were probably saying, I don't want to sit with these strange people), then our friends came and sat next to us (yes!).)

Then there was the first rush of kids dancing around the room to the first song at the concert. Only these were B's friends, and I am too old to get up and dance with them. Even if I would have been inclined to, all of my old lady aches and pains would have stopped me.

There were a lot of the old songs (flashback city), and also all of these new songs, and probably couldn't even tell you the name of the group that sang the originals.

I spent the whole time trying to compel my boys to join the mob of rowdy dancers rushing the stage and being reprimanded by Lenny, but somehow they are just too civilized for such things (definitely a Goldman gene - right mom?). They did have a good time though and danced in their seats.

Finally, toward the end, a group of PTA moms started dancing off to the side. I tried to contain myself, and stay in my seat with the boys, but finally decided to get up and dance. The boys watched me, laughed at me, and stayed in their seats. (If there not genetically predisposed to such behavior, perhaps I can condition it.)

After two songs, having gotten that out of my system, I went back to my seat, held out my hands and the boys came to dance with me. We danced (mostly jumped up and down while spinning in a circle), just the three of us. They could have gone 10 more minutes at least. Luckily the concert was over, because I couldn't have done that any longer.

Then we partook in the Israeli flag cake, and went home to listen to our new Kosher Police CD (which I deem appropriate for sfira because it's mostly talking).

BTW - for those who picked up on it, Ezra left with M after the meal, because neither of them can sit still long enough for a concert.

All-in-all it was a good time.

Since the reality is that I am not 15 anymore, I have to go drive carpool.

Jenn

Happy Birthday Israel!!!

2006-05-03T15:54:00.000-04:00

I took my last final for the winter semester last night. YAY!!! The best part was that I finshed in 25 minutes, so I made it to B's performance at the Yom Hazicaron/Yom Haatzmaut event last night, proving once again that I am SUPER MOM!!!

This afternoon there is a big to-do at the kids' school, including a Shlock Rock concert, and then tomorrow I have -- Uh oh -- nothing on my schedule. Again -- YAY!!!

Chag Somayach!

Jenn

LIfe in Detriot

2006-04-24T23:04:00.000-04:00

I know I am really down on Detroit, but most of my public gripes are trivial. The reality of living here is much more bleak than I let on to. I don't think that people in other cities can fathom the economic impact that the current state of the American auto industry has on everyone here.

When an auto worker gets laid off, he stops going out to eat, he cut's back on groceries, he loses his health coverage, he doesn't buy clothing, he doesn't go to movies, he ignores his legal problems because he can't afford a lawyer, he fires his landscaper... you get the picture. Now multiply that by tens of thousands of blue and white collar workers from the auto companies and the parts suppliers, and you have a crisis situation.

Worst of all, when an auto worker gets laid off, chances are he won't be buying another American car in the next year or two. In the fat 90's Big Three employees buying new cars with their generous discounts accounted for a large number of American auto sales. Ultimately that ended up being a flaw in the system, but that's really not what this post is about.

I have heard so many stories of businesses having to close, doctors with empty spaces on their schedule for the first time in their careers, private schools closing down, you name it. Detroit has crashed, and crashed hard.

Today E forwarded me an article from the April 11th issue of the WSJ entitled "Down and Out in Bloomfield Hills." Bloomfield Hills is one of the wealthiest zip codes in the the country, and also happens to be the location of E's office. The article tells of the general troubles we are facing here in Oakland County, but also of the troubles of the "once-rich" and "less-rich."

While I don't feel bad for the lady who had to give up her $450 a week spa treatments for $200, less-frequent treatments, or for the people on the waiting list to get out of their country club obligations, I definately can relate to the buisness people who have had to close down, and I know too many people who could face the same fate in the near future.

What's the answer? Buy American would be the easy answer, but our auto companies will continue to have a hard time competing with the cheap labor and lack of government regulations in other countries. In my opinion there are two options,
1) Abandon Detroit all together (while tempting - it'll never happen); or
2) Bring other industries to the area (that's entirely up to the State Government).
Time shall tell what the fate of Detroit will be.

Goodnight

Jenn

Back

2006-04-24T22:05:00.000-04:00

OK - so that wasn't such a brief intermission. Sorry about that.

Pesach was really nice. We spent the first days at a hotel in Niagara Falls (the Canadian side - ehy). The hotel was beautiful and the dinners were fantastic. The lunches were decent and the breakfasts were just eh. I guess that stands to reason since the caterer is a fleishig (meat) caterer from Toronto with fleishig resturant that serves no breakfast. Regardless we didn't starve.

We took several walks down to the falls on Yom Tov and Shabbos, and on Sunday we went to Clifton Hill. I found it extremely touristy (is that a word?) and kitschy, but the children loved it, of course. We couldn't do everything there, but we did go to the Ripley's Believe it Or Not Museum. While the clothing made out of human hair and the world's largest man's shoes were interesting, the best part for me was the two-way mirror/window. Early in the museum there is a mirror, and your are lured by a sign to make faces at it. Near the end of the museum you end up on the other side of the mirror, and get to see everyone else looking into it. Me and the boys stood there cracking up over that for the longest time!

We were also compelled by the boys to stop off at Block City (three days of, "On Sunday can we go to Block City? Please? Please? Please?") What a gyp!!!!! We had to pay $35 (at least it was Canadian $) just to get in. Once inside you go upstairs to this giant room and it's essentially a big train garden made out of Legos. Trust me the 10 foot replica of the falls - not so impressive. We were done looking at it after - oh I'd say - 2 minutes, but we made the kids hang around there for another 15 minutes just so we wouldn't feel like big fools for paying the entrance fee. Of course on the way out, there is a Lego store where they charge you three times the regular price for Lego sets. When we told B he couldn't buy any Legos there he got REALLY upset, and was cranky the whole way back to the hotel (hence the look on his face in the picture.)

Our hotel was connected to the Fallsviwew Casino by an enclosed walkway. We didn't get to do any gambling, but the casino has a viewing area for the horseshoe falls and an amazing mall. One of my favorite costume Jewelry stores, Vivah, from Toronto has a branch there. I was in heaven. If you are ever in the falls or in Toronto check them out. (the web site really doesn't do them justice.)

Unfortunately, I couldn't coax anyone to take the Maid of the Mist or a helecopter ride with me. Maybe next time.

We were in Detroit for the second days of Pesach, which wasn't terrible. I cooked really easy meals, and never ended up unpacking half of my pesach stuff. So all-in-all, it was an easy Yom Tov.

Now I am preparing for finals (it's studying procrastination which led to this post tonight), and then I am a free bird for the summer!!!

Goodnight all.

Jenn

Brief Intermission

2006-03-27T22:51:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I will probably not be posting at all this week (other than this post). I have a crazy week ahead (2 tests, Pesach shopping and cleaning, the school dinner, and my B-day on Thurs.) I should be posting again by Monday the 3rd, if not sooner. So check back in then.

Thanks for your patience.

The Management

Trouble with the law

2006-03-22T21:06:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I was on my way to my volunteer job at the hospital. I was sitting in the left turn lane and, just before my light turned green, an ambulance came through. The light turned green and I inched into the intersection. Just then, I heard another siren. The people coming toward me also heard the siren because they stopped momentarily. I started to proceed through the intersection, but the traffic started moving again, so I corrected myself as best I could and waited for the oncoming traffic to proceed before making my turn. Everyone was able to get past me, so I wasn't really blocking traffic.

Well lucky me. Just to the left of me sat a cop car. My awkward position in the intersection made him suspicious, so he did a turn around and followed me a half a block. Of course I saw him and was watching my speed. He pulls me over anyway.

He says, "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

Of course I answer, "no," eventhough I had a feeling it had something to do with my behavior at the intersection.

He asks me why I was in the intersection that way and I told him, and he bought it. He then tells me that I was also speeding. He clocked me at 5 MPH over the speed limit. Uggggh! I saw him and was watching my speed! So I apologize.

He then proceeds to tell me that the real reason he decided to pull me over is that my registration is expired by almost a year.

I tell him, "If I was driving my car, I would believe you, but this is my husband's car, and he is the most responsible (translated anal) person about getting bill's paid on time." There was no way that E would have forgotten to renew his registration (especially by a whole year).

So he asks to see my license, registration, and insurance card. I dig into E's glove compartment, and produce a registration (sure enough it expired 3-30-05), and an insurance card (which expired 1-11-06). Now I am in deep you know what - thank you E!

There were actually 3 insurance cards in the car. One expired last year and one 1-11-06 and a recent one that said in bold letters across the top Home Owners Insurance.

He wouldn't take the home owner's one from me, and it turns out that was actually the right one (in E's defense).

The cop goes to write me a ticket (or five), and I call E to ask if there is any other place in his car that I might find the missing information. He also doesn't believe that he would have forgotten such things, and, since he was in the neighborhood and in the car, he's going to come help me.

Silly me - I though he meant that he was going to come find the missing information in his car for me.

The cop comes back and tells me that since I have a spotless record, he is going to let me off on the obstructing traffic and speeding tickets, but that he is going to write me up for the other two violations. He was being really nice about everything and explaining how to take care of all of it to me, when E pulls up.

He parks right BEHIND the cop car (now no one can see the cops lights), leaves the kids in the car, and comes to read the sticker on the license plate while the cop is talking to me. The cop was probably about to draw his gun, but he thought to ask me "is this your husband?"

He tells E that he has to go back to the car because it is dangerous and E starts arguing with him about whether or not his registration is expired. Again - thank you E!

Then the cop comes back agitated. So more apologies pour out of my mouth. He let me off with just the two no point items, but that was close.

I pull away, and my cell phone starts ringing. It was E. I didn't answer because the cop was following me, and I didn't need him to see me on the phone.

So that was my exciting event for the day. See - being a housewife in Detroit isn't so boring after all.

My hospital visits went great tonight. They gave me 10 patients, so it took me a couple of hours. I saw my first set of triplets, all healthy and in the mom's room. All around 5 pounds. That's 15 pounds of babies. Poor woman. I also saw my first - uh - non traditional family (ie two mommies.)

We decided to go to Niagara falls for Pesach. Were are still deciding whether or not the will include the first days and most of chol Hamoed, or the entire week. I have to figure out if it is feasible for me to come back for the morning on Tuesday to do my lab and go to my class, then return in time for the second days. So for now - it looks like I still have a ton of pesach cleaning ahead.

Jenn

Happy Spring

2006-03-20T10:35:00.001-05:00

Sorry I have been remiss about posting. Purim was a blast! The seuda went smoothly and a good time was had by all (at least I hope so.) You can see pictures online.

I spent Wednesday recovering, and Thursday helping my friend distribute the Bartons chocolate orders at school (you'll get yours this week Grandmom if you are reading this). Y ended up helping us also, when his toothache (which he had had for a couple of days) got so bad that he couldn't participate in class. I took him to his 3:00 dentist appointment after, and discovered that he had an absess. He's now on antibiotics and eating normally again. Although he will have to have the tooth pulled April 10th, which I am not looking forward to.

Friday afternoon, M started to feel warm, so I gave her medicine and decided to watch her over the weekend. She woke up at 5:00am on Shabbos warm enough that I decided it was enough of an emergeny to take her temp. The thermometer got to 104.2 and I stopped and woke Ez. I was just going to take her to the hospital, but he suggested that I first call the Dr, who said that she could stay home, but gave some suggestions on how to lower the fever.

Sunday morning M still had 103. Luckily her Dr. has Sunday morning hours, so I took her there. I haven't had to go there on a Sunday morning in years, and the last time I did so it cost me an additional $10. It's now up to $22 (plus my deductable of course). She has an ear infection, so now I have 2 kids on antibiotics.

Spring arrives today, but it's only in the 30's here. I am hoping it will warm up next week for my b-day. That would be a great b-day present. My professors have decided to mark my b-day with tests in Geology and Statistics, so I could use the nice weather as a pick-me-up.

Now I am on to planning for Pesach. This year I will not go overboard (yeah right).

Jenn

Happy Spring

2006-03-20T10:35:00.000-05:00

TIRED!!!

2006-03-12T18:50:00.000-05:00

In the last 24 hours I...

Cleaned 3 rooms,
did 2 loads of laundry,
ran to 9 stores,
made 88 Mishloach Manot for the PTA to give to the teachers at the school,
printed up 86 scrolls to go with the mishloach Manot, then rolled and tied each scroll,
baked 3 batches of hamantashen,
played with my kids,
returned many, many phone calls,
and baked 2 kugels.

YAWN!!!!!

Only 3 more hours of work, and then I can get some sleep before tomorrow when I have to...

take the baby for a check-up (why did I schedule it the day before Purim???)
go back to the school to hand out all of the Mishloach Manot,
cook and clean a ton for the seuda,
get the boys from school,
cook and clean some more,
make my Mishloach Manot,
and go to Megillah reading.

DOUBLE YAWN!!!!

Lucky for me I am off of school this week, I am so sleeping in on Wednesday!!!

Jenn

Spring is Teasing us

2006-03-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the princess was all girled up. I dressed her in a skirt and a cute shirt. She insisted on her shiny black shoes, and her black coat (I mean literally insisted). On the way out of the car she started pointing to her black purse on the floor, saying "want that." I took her into the school, and let her walk down to the gym, where she ran around and played ball with the gym teacher, Mr. K., all the while holding her purse. Yup - that's my daughter!

The last few days have been great! (BA"H) The weather has been fantastic, The birds are getting frisky, and I even caught Vivaldi's, "Spring" on the radio this morning. Weather reports are saying that it might even get up to 60 on Shabbos. Woohooo!!! Of course I am realistic about the fact that it is a little early for spring in Michigan (even if it's been a mild winter), and this is probably just a tease from mother nature. Regardless, I'll take it!

Yesterday I had parent-teacher conferences. I love those. Really - I do! I love to hear other people talk about how great my kids are. Don't get me wrong. I know that they aren't perfect, but they are pretty darn close, and I don't get too much negative feed back about them. Yesterday, I was in prime form (maybe it was the weather or something). In one of the meetings me and the teacher were laughing so hard that we had tears coming out of our eyes. What the people waiting in the hall must have thought?!? The verdict was that one of my angels has some trouble remembering to do his homework (even though he insists that he did it when I ask him) and then tries to do it in school before the bell rings. The other angel is trying really hard, but is struggling with his shorashim in Chumash. So if anyone has some ideas that might help those sink in better, let me know. Other then that, they got glowing reports. Yay!!

That's about it right now. I am going to hit the hay early tonight. I'll try to post more before Purim if I get a free second.

Jenn

What a day!

2006-03-03T00:26:00.000-05:00

I don't mean to gripe (yes I do), but this was the LONGEST day!!! It went something like this...

7:00 am - the phone rings. It is E telling me that he slipped on the sheet of ice outside this morning, and that me and the kids should be careful when we go out. He assures me that the roads were pretty good though.

7:45am - I step out the door to warm up my car, I get two steps away from my porch when it starts sleeting like crazy. Sleet storms don't usually last very long, so I go back in to wait it out.

8:15am - Still sleeting, and the roads and sidewalks are covered in at least a 1/4 inch of ice balls (that's on top of the sheet of freezing rain that fell in the night.) I hear several rumbles of thunder. I tell the kids that they can play Game Cube and we will go to school late. WHY DON'T THEY EVER CLOSE SCHOOLS HERE?????

8:25am - The sleet has stopped. I finally go out to salt the walkways and warm up the car.

8:45am - I round up the kids again, and get everyone out the door. We almost make it to the car when it starts sleeting and freezing-raining again. I contemplate letting them stay home, but I have a test at 11:45am this morning, and my school also never closes, so I drive them (very slowly) to school.

9:15am - We arrive at school about 45 minutes late. Apparently we weren't the only ones. There are several cars parked in the fire lane, so I just park in the middle of the parking lot, and run to sign B&Y in. (well actually running in wasn't really an option on all of that ice). While in the building, I discover that it is picture day. Apparently the school sent home some sort of slip this week telling me, but I didn't get it. B hasn't had a hair cut in a LONG time, and he was wearing his uniform, so he will look interesting in these pictures.

9:45 - I arrive back home. I have just enough time to do some last minute studying and eat some lunch before leaving for M's babysitter and school. I am possessed by my computer and log on to check e-mail and IM with a friend in Israel.

10:45 - OOPS. I spent too much time on the computer. Now it is time to leave. (Can you tell I have ADD?)

11:45 - Sitting in class taking the sadistic statistics test.

12:12 - I am stuck on a couple of problems, and think to myself, "I would know this if I would have studied more instead of checking my e-mail" (of course I know that's probably not true.

12:40 - I finish my test, hand it in, and grab my backpack. I have another test this evening, so I am in a hurry to get back home and study while M is still at the babysitter.

1:00 - 2:45pm - I actually study. I get ready to go get M. WHERE IS MY PURSE????? Ugggh - I left it downtown!!!!!

3:00 - I am frantically calling the lost and found at school. They don't have it. I arrange for E to pick up the boys and decide to run downtown and look for my purse with the baby. I leave a message on professor Crazy Genius' voice mail, asking if anyone found a purse after class.

3:05pm - Professor Crazy Genius calls back. Yes - he found it, and handed it in to campus police.

3:10om - I head downtown with 12 DTE's on my car's display, and no money to buy gas.

4:00pm - I arrive downtown and park illegally in front the the campus police station. (Probably not the smartest thing I've done all day, but not the dumbest either. Besides, when I called they told me to park there, and it was snowing and sleeting again.) I get my purse (Phew!), and everything seems to be there.

4:10pm - I get gas at a station in a REALLY scary neighborhood. I only pump 3.5 gallons, because I see a crack addict crossing the street and coming toward me. Besides that's all I needed for the rest of the day.

4:45pm - I get home say Hi to the boys, grab my books and leave for my next test.

6:00pm - I find out that the teacher has decided to postpone the in class essay test until next week. Phew again. Instead I am made to watch 3 hours of "long Day's Journey Into Night." YAWN! I am too tired for this.

9:00 - I get out of class and rush to the grocery store to shop for shabbos.

9:30pm - I get home and start cooking for shabbos. Then I go online to do some PTA work that I have been putting off all week.

It is now 1:00am, and I am running on fumes. So I will put the cooled Shabbos food in the fridge, bid you good night, and be thankful that this day is over!

Jenn

Latest read

2006-02-20T11:57:00.000-05:00

For those who are always asking what I read last, just a brief update.

I finished The Birth Of Venus this shabbos, and it is now on my favorites list. The story takes place in Renaissance Italy, around the time of Savonarola, and is infused with references to Renaissance and pre-Renaissance art and thought. It is also a good story, so it has a little of something for everyone. The characters are so wonderfully portrayed that even when you feel you should be disgusted with them, you feel like you know them and their failings too well to hold a grudge. A warning though, some of the sex and violence is dealt with pretty graphically.

Next I was debating whether to move on to Crossing California or The Wonder Spot, but I hate to move on to unknown territory after finishing a really great book. (anyone who's read those two, let me know which I should read first). I decided to put those on hold for a couple of days and savor the story a little longer. I did revisit my all-time favorite , Heartburn, by Nora Ephron though. I know, it's like the hundredth time I've read it, but, like I said, I didn't want to move on to the unknown right away.

One thing I did note while reading this book is that it is not the first book I've read in recent years that deals with this period in history. I am curious as to why we have taken to this period specifically, but historical fiction in general recently? Of course, there is the stand by, that these are scary, tough times, and we are escaping into other periods of history by reading about them. But this period was the birth of the Dark Ages. Why are so many of us escaping there. One thought I've had is that, in the 90's Technology was advancing at the speed of light. We were making money faster than we could spend it, and up-grading something in our lives on a monthly basis. Our sworn enemies for so many decades before became our allies, and we experienced a period of unusually freedom as Americans. This is much like Italy in the 1400's. But then came 9-11 and a recession. Technology had slowed, and we are not free to go wherever we want without fear anymore. Perhaps these changes are why we relate so well to the times of Savonarola right now. Also, his tyranny was short lived in Florence, and maybe we feel that this gives us hope for the future too. Just a thought thought.

Jenn

Yummy recipe for Hamantashen

2006-02-18T23:16:00.000-05:00

Delicious Hamantashen

Dough:
1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 cup flour
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. water

Filling:
Crushed candy bars (my favorites are snickers, peanut butter cups and Twix, but any candy bars will probably work.)

Mix together dough ingredients. Divide dough into workable portions. Place a ball of dough on a flat surface and roll out to about 1/8" thickness. Use a medium to large, round cookie cutter or glass rim, dipped in flour, to cut rolled out dough into circles. Place about a Tbsp. of filling (more if you have larger circles) in the center of each circle, and fold up 3 sides to form a triangle. Pinch the corners to help hold the shape.

Bake at 375 for 5-8 minutes (Approx.)

Last year I got a little creative and made the same recipe, replacing the yellow cake mix with devil's food cake mix. In the center of the black hamantashen, I put either marshmallow fluff or a thick yellow custard pie filling. YUM!!!

I hope these help make your Purim a little more fun.

Jenn

And how are we today?

2006-02-17T09:32:00.000-05:00

Ok - I know I post a lot of my ramblings and miscellaneous thoughts here. Which has probably led some of you to realize just what a true nut I really am. I should also keep you posted on the family too.

We are all (thank G-d) doing great!

The princess is already becoming a terrible two, and I am certain that she is the most difficult of all of my children! Her latest tricks include stealthily climbing the stairs at the speed of light whenever there is a breech in the gate system, coloring all over with my lipstick, and screaming "NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" at the top of her lungs whenever someone does something she doesn't like.

B has finally discovered the joy of reading. Up until now he was so resistant to the whole reading for fun thing, but this week he bought the book Stink, and read the entire book in one evening. It was 122 pages, and he hasn't stopped bragging about it since. I think we are beyond the whole "I hate reading" thing now.

Y is a joiner, so I keep busy shuttling him around. He has after school learning, Boy Scouts, and for a while he was into the school chess club (although he has since dropped out of that.)

I am busy with school of course, plus the PTA purim fundraiser. As if that weren't enough, I have decided to host the Purim seuda at my house this year. We are up to 10 adults and several children on the guest list. It should be a lot of fun, so if you are in Detroit for Purim and need a seuda, come join us here!

I have to make Mishloach Manot for all of the teachers and faculty at the school (if anyone has any ideas, let me know)for the PTA thing, plus my own (I will probably do the usual bottle of wine and the Jenn Hamantashen filled with candy bars, see recipe in next post.) Although this year I will have to exclude the two best flavors (peanut butter cup and snickers) from my repertoire due to M's peanut allergy. Since all of the candy bar manufacturers have peanuts in the factories, I will have to even make some non candy bar hamatashen for her. I also told the boys that they have to make Mishloach Manot for all of their classmates, since they have school for a couple of hours on Purim morning (they hear megillah reading and have a party with their teachers). We all know that translates into 28 more Mishloach manot for me to make!

Detroit has turned cold again (big surprise), so it will be another weekend of hibernation.

That's our life in a nutshell (not peanuts of course).

Jenn

More fun from the world of Secret codes.

2006-02-17T08:46:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I volunteer at a local hospital a few times a month. Well, my recent experience at Target as well as the last two (how good were they?) episodes of Grey's Anatomy ("the girl with the bomb is Meridith Dr. McDreamy"), have inspired me to actually look at the code card attached to my badge. It's pretty run of the mill. There are codes for disasters with incoming casualties, dagerous weather, and chemical spills. Some of the codes have coordinating pager numbers, so they are probably not always announced, some don't.

I thought it interesting though, that instead of a code, for fire they announce "Dr. Firestone," over the intercom. Why? My best guess is that there are so many codes that the powers that be feared some staff would not respond quickly enough to a color code for fire. Which leads me to question the whole code system. I mean, is it better that half the staff should be fumbling with their code cards when they announce a "Code Orange" (hazardous chemical spill)? Instead, maybe they should dispose of the whole "code color/number" system, and replace it with code names or euphemisms. For instance..
- Mr. Yuck - A hazardous material incident has occurred.
- Dr. Mc Cloud - Severe weather is in the area.
- Dr. Mc Cloud is needed downstairs - severe weather is in the immediate area. Draw draperies.
- Dr. Kablewy, please retrieve your package - A bomb threat has been received.
You get the idea.

For the record - we have no code black, but if a patient should come in with an unexploded shell in his abdomen, I do believe that would be a Code 33.

Jenn

We have a code red in Target!!!!

2006-02-12T17:03:00.000-05:00

This Friday me and the princess were shopping at Target (shopping is one of her favorite things!), when we heard a panicked voice come over the loud speaker. It said "Code Red! We have a cod red in food. (and then more panicked) CODE RED!" All sorts of possibilities went through my mind. Like perhaps someone was hurt or stealing, maybe there was a chemical spill, or even a high terrorist alert (because that's what a code red would mean outside of Targetland).

A few minutes later the smell of smoke gave it away. Code red at Target means fire. They didn't evacuate the store, but the firemen came and after a few minutes, the smell was too much for me, so I purchased what was in my cart and left.

Out of curiosity I googled "Code red and Target," and I came across a site that would have excited me to no end back in the day. Here they tell you how to reek havoc on Target using their customer service phones. Apparently all one needs to do to use the intercom throughout the whole store is dial 41 on any phone. Then, they suggest (of course I would never suggest such things), you can announce a blue light special, or use their list of department codes to send employees running around the store.

One particularly interesting fact I learned pertains to their black phones. If pick up one of those, and dial 9 you can get an outside line. That would come in handy for exceptionally cheap people who don't want to use their cell minutes, but have an important business call to make. I guess it would also be useful if you were trapped in the store due to a code red.

Just imagine what fun I could have had with this in the past. But, alas, I am a mommy now and I have to set a good example. Speaking of which I better go find another way to blow off my homework now.

Jenn

The Morning After

2006-02-06T21:04:00.000-05:00

Well -- the Super Bowl has come and gone, and now Detroit must return to normal.

This weekend in Motown was filled with hot parties (Maxim, Playboy, Spin, Shady Records, P Diddy's Cashmere party, SI, etc....), celeb sightings, fanfests, tailgaters and, of course, football!

What did I do all weekend? I stayed at home avoiding the weather and the crowds. I know that doesn't sound too exciting, but it's winter in Michigan for crying out loud! I just don't understand the crazy people who stood outside in freezing cold temps, and icy, rainy, snowy weather all weekend, in hopes of being chosen to pay hundreds of dollars, to get into a party, where they might see someone famous. I barely understand the fans who stood for up to an hour in arctic windchills to get into Ford Field on Sunday.

I did watch the game however. From my warm, comfortable chair in my warm, comfortable house. It was an OK game as far as football games go. I could barely hear part of the half-time show because of the fighter jets flying over my house, but, from what I did hear, Mick was sounding a little weak. The commercials were pretty good, but not as good as previous years. My fave was the Sprint locker room commercial.

I know a lot of people were complaining that it was almost sacrelige that the half-time show wasn't all Motown. Apparently those people missed the pre-game show. In all, this Super Bowl will go down in history as the only one in which every single entertainer was a card carrying member of the AARP.

All good things must come to an end, however, and now life is returning to normal here. The weather this week is supposed to be chilly (surprise, surprise), and I have way to much to do (unfortunately much of it involves going out in the cold). So I will continue my partial hibernation while looking forward to the arrival of spring (which is usually sometime in May).

Jenn

Are you ready for some Motown football???

2006-01-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

Well it's finally here - the one week in the history of time in which it is cool to be from Detroit (OK -- Maybe there were a few years back in the Motown era).

Unless you are living in a cave, you know that I am referring to Super Bowl XL!

So how does this effect Detroit?

Well -- we got our streets cleaned, and believe me, that is unusual. According to an MDOT spokesman, "MDOT doesn't usually clean up the freeway during the winter because, well, it's winter." I don't recall ever being subjected to the traffic jams we had last week, while they cleaned the roads. Not even in the summer. Of course, they've shined up the whole downtown business district also. What will it all look like 2 weeks after the Super Bowl? We shall see.

Then there's the fact that the Super Bowl will bring in a ton of revenue for the city. That's true, but what will city officials do with that money? Given the Kilpatrick administration and city council's track record, I predict that there will be Lincoln Navigators and strippers for everyone.

There is mixed opinion about how the press will portray Detroit. Will they notice our polished image and speak favorably, or will the "traditional bashing of Detroit" continue? Our saving grace, according to many analysts, will be our casinos. Liquor 'em up, take their money, and of course they will speak kindly of us is the theory. Jacksonville set the bar so low last year, that I think we will come out looking better than ever in the end.

Past Detroit basher Jimmy Kimmel has brought his show to the Motor City this week, and apparently showed off many of the positive sides of our city last night. Maybe tonight I'll stay up late enough to see it.

All the celebs are in town, and I've yet to see one. Of course I run from one class to the next, to my car, to pick up the children, home to make dinner, and back to school. With a schedule like that, I am lucky that I run into my own family some days.

At the end of the day though, I only have 2 gripes about Detroit's Super Bowl...
1) I don't have tickets.
2) I have no idea where in the heck I am going to park tomorrow, when the Wayne State parking garages become Super Bowl festivities parking lots, shuttle stops and all.

Jenn

Fire

2006-01-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

I came across this fire on my way home the other day.

Actually I was seeing it for miles on the highway and, when I got off, it looked as if it was coming from the direction of my house. Turned out to be one of the businesses near my house. The picture really doesn't do it justice. People claim to have seen the smoke from many, many miles away. At one point I was at the right spot to take the most awesome picture, but as I was getting my camera set up, the officer directing traffic made a threatening gesture, so I thought better of it. I tried to come back around, but they had closed the road by then.

For the record, nobody was injured in this fire, and only one business was destroyed, although my CVS, next door, smelled terribly of smoke on Friday.

I'm back - again - I think!

2006-01-22T09:26:00.000-05:00

OK - I seem to be back in business here. So a brief rundown for those who are certain that I have fallen off of the face of the earth. Yes I have been horrible about keeping in touch with everyone - Sorry! Life got really busy in our house this year (it's all good though).

The kiddies are doing great. (I will refer to them by their initials here to preserve their privacy). B and Y are in 2nd and 1st grade respectively, and they are all around great boys. M is SUCH A GIRL!!! Man - I had no clue how different the sexes could be at such a young age until she came along! She is trying to dress herself already. (I think if I hadn't forced them into the dressing themselves thing a few years ago, the boys would have expected me to dress them for the rest of their lives.) She is also showing an interest in the potty, (something the boys didn't even care about until after they were three.)

E is crazy busy this year. He is teaching a high school Halacha class in the morning (7:30am - YAWN), and running his firm, as well as going on trips for his father.

Of course, I am not one to sit around the house. I went back to school this year. Last semester I took only two classes to get used to it, but this semester I am full time. I love it. I mean - I loved staying at home with my children, but it's great to be out of the house, and busy, and using my mind a little. When I am not in school I have to cook and clean at home, do my homework, help the kids with their homework, study for the GRE's and drive my kids to all of their extra curricular activities and B-day parties. I am totally loving all of it though.

So that's my life in a nutshell. Now that I have a laptop (thanks GM), I am able to publish this thing on the run, so well see how that goes. (If anyone has any security recommendations for wireless internet connections I would greatly appreciate it.) If you are still coming here looking for my posts - thanks and tell your friends that I am posting again.

Jenn

2006-01-22T09:24:00.000-05:00

Somehow the draft of this old post finally reappeared, though half of it is gone. So below you will find a small sampling of the books I read this summer. More recently though I finally read "The Rule of Four." It was worth the wait, and I thoroughly apologize to those who were trying to check it out of the WBF library last week. I know how frustrating it is to try and get this book. If you haven't read it yet, and plan to, my only advice is practice saying "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" for a few weeks before you do so.

At this point in time, I am not reading as many novels as in the past. My reading selections have been veering toward the non-fiction section, as I prepare to take the GRE's. No I do not consider this studying on Shabbos! I chose my major because I find it interesting, and I choose my Shabbos reading because I find it interesting, so no conflict there. Now if you want to talk about whether one should be reading secular works on Shabbos at all, well that's an issue to discuss with your local orthodox rabbi.

So without further ado - here is my take (originally written several months ago) on a few of my simmer reading projects...

Anyone who knows me, knows that my weekend afternoons in the summer are generally spent reading. This summer was no exception. For those who also enjoy a good book, here's a brief rundown of what I have been reading...

The Coffee Trader By: David Liss I loved reading Liss's The Conspiracy of Paper and he didn't disappoint me with the Coffee trader. While set in the 17th Century Amsterdam, I found many of the daily dealings and issues every bit as applicable today. This book was hard to put down, and I will never look at my morning cup of coffee the same again.

White Coat: becoming a Doctor at Harvard Medical School By: Ellen Lerner Rothman, MD All I can say is Ugggh!!! How a woman who writes like this got through Harvard I will never know.

The Outside World By: Tova Mervis
This book is about a very "Modern Orthodox" family who's son becomes more religious and marries the "Yeshivish" daughter of a childhood friend. I found the characters a little too stereotypical, however I enjoyed this book. Especially given my diverse background, I felt that I could relate to all of the characters a little. This was definitely a good read.

Sorry - but that's all that survived. Perhaps I will find the time to write about all of the other wonderful (and not so wonderful) books I read last summer, but don't hold your breath.

Jenn

I am anti-Cindy

2005-08-28T08:04:00.000-04:00

Lately the evening news have been predominated by one Ms. Cindy Sheehan. I have had enough of that ant-Semite freak. Here's my take on the situation.

When one signs on with the US military, whether in a time of war or peace, it is made perfectly clear that they will be called on to fight in a war if necessary. Therefore Sheehan's son chose to fight bravely and defend our country.

We have not instituted a draft to date. Therefore Sheehan's son chose to risk his life in the brave defense of our country's interests, needs, and security. For her to turn against the president in a time of war and cause such a furor among the grossly mislead is, in my eyes, and act of treason.

While I feel for her loss and understand her grieving, perhaps a support group would serve her better.

In today's world climate, when just about every other nation in the world would like to see us fail, we have to present a unified front among ourselves, or at least a civil one. Our enemies are looking for our weaknesses, and they have found them on the cover of every newspaper the last few weeks in the form of Cindy Sheehan.

Then, to top that off, she has made several anti-Semitic comments (the Jews instigated the war type comments), such that she has garnered the support of David Duke. Isn't that the icing on the cake?

One last point - I am not sure why the Bush administration doesn't shake her up a little. If I would demand a meeting with the president (which I have absolutely no intention of doing), and then hang out around his ranch stalking him, the secret service would, at the least, threaten arrest. Cindy Sheehan has created a public spectacle outside the president's ranch and logged threats of stalking until he meets with her. Alas, liberal press attention saves another hippie.

Jenn

Long time -- No post

2005-07-25T20:56:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone!!! I'm back, and at this point probably talking to myself. It looks like my April posts finally reappeared, and I believe that I now have a clearer understanding of how to run this thing. So I am back to blogging.

Unfortunately -- It's a REALLY uninteresting week here.

I did find something funny to share with you though. It's a news item out of Santiago. Where a new restaurant called "Car Crash"(not kosher) recently opened. It's temporarily closed now. Can you guess why?

Tonight was my son's last Little League T-ball game for the summer. They played more then 1/2 of their games (including tonight's) at a park that was, without question, built over a sewage dump. Certain area's smelled SO bad. It's not about maintaining your sense of smell though; it's about playing the game. So what if you grow another ear because of it.

I will send out a bulk e-mail to let everyone know I am back, but if you are reading this still, drop me an e-mail or post a comment, and say "Hi."

Jenn

death pools

2005-04-06T13:22:00.000-04:00

Well if my post from Friday wouldn't have mysteriously disappeared, you would know that last week was a whammy for death pools. Terri Shivo, Frank Perdue, Johnny Cochern, that Delorian guy...

You would also know that I was putting my $$ (not literally) on the Pope dying at 6:00pm. Rome time Saturday. He went at 9:30pm, so I was pretty close.

Of course I neglected to factor in the ailing Prince Rainier.

Also throwing me for a loop, was the death of my next door neighbor at 3:00 am today. Let's just say it was a sleepless night for anyone living within a 200 ft. raidus of that house. He was actually Ezra's neighbor when he was a young child, and then again as an adult, so we're a little sad.

On a more somber note, Pesach is coming in a couple of weeks, so if you haven't started cleaning, START!!!

Please daven (pray - for a speedy recovery) for Tova Alta Bat Devora. Thanks.

I'll try to update more often this week. Stay cool.

Jenn

PS If anyone is in touch with Robin Kravetz, please tell her to call or write or something. Thnaks.

Where have I been????

2005-04-01T12:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry that I haven't written in a while. Just been VERY busy lately! Life in the Midwest is great now that winter seems to have burried its head! What a rough one that was. The baby is getting big and the boys are becoming social butterflies.

Just a few notes today. I hope someone is still reading.

Death pools: How easy have those been the last couple of weeks, though I doubt that even Sylvia Browne saw the Johnny Cochren thing coming.

Teri Schivo left the world this week. Personally (and I thnk the Torah opion agrees), I think that once someone is being sustained artifically that's how they should stay. Who are we to judge the value of one's life?

Also this week, Frank perdue left us for poultry heaven :-( I thought he was long gone, but I was probably thinking of Colonel Sanders.

The Pope is probably a good bet to have on your death pool list for this weekend. I am going to say 6:00pm (Rome time) tomorrow.

One that note, have a good shabbos all. Please pardon any spelling errors today. I am typing with sleeping baby in hand.

Jenn

Tel Aviv Pillow fight

2005-03-08T13:43:00.000-05:00

We're used to getting news of a different kind of fighting from Israel. This evening there was a HUGE pillow fight in Rabin square in Tel Aviv. I saw footage on TV and it looked like a ton of fun.

Mass pillow fights are the latest flash mob rage in Great Brittan, and I suspect that this was a similar event.

Where will they strike next? I'm guessing we can rule out the White House, the Vatican, the Mir yeshiva.... You never know though.

Jenn

Bomb the heck out of Syria

2005-03-06T09:29:00.000-05:00

There have been (rather loud) whispers over the last few years that perhaps Syria is next on the list of countries to attack. Syria's actions over the last several days show that maybe they are taking all of the rumors seriously.

After reading this article in the Daily Telegraph, I say, bomb the heck out of them.

What is Syria saying? "We know the terrorists, we talk to the terrorists, and we basically control them. We've told them it's time to get out of Lebanon."

This is made worse by the fact that they can verify the whereabouts of the mastermind of the most recent mass suicide bombing in Israel.

Of course, I fully suspect that the world community will do no more than pat them on the back for taking care of things in Lebanon. I just hope that when (or if) we do get around to cleaning up things in Syria, we used some of our bigger and more powerful bombs!

Jenn

Evil Republicans

2005-03-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

In a speech on Friday the new DNC chairman, Howard Dean (of failed presidential hopes) said of his battle against the Republicans "This is a struggle of good and evil. And we're the good."

Ahhhhhhh! It's great to be evil!

Jenn

Iraqi's protest Saturdays off

2005-03-01T20:15:00.000-05:00

Iraqis are protesting in the streets about their new day off -- Saturday. Just too Jewish for many there, who will have no part of it. They don't mind having the extra day off and will be happy to take it on Thursday. Saturday however is for the Jews they say, and therefore insulting to them.

While it's true that Shabbat falls out on Saturday, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a Jew who, if offered the option, would refuse an extra day off on Friday every week because it's a Muslim holiday. Ah - most of us barely work on Friday anyway.

Jenn

Pass this on

2005-02-21T08:22:00.000-05:00

Perhaps (as one person comments)only 5 people are reading my blog (I have no idea how many actually are), but if they tell 5 and they tell 5...

Anyhow check out the site for Jewish Unity Live, and if you know anyone who might be interested and who is in one of those cities, pass it on to them. Looks like a lot of fun. Unfortunately there won't be one in Detroit.

Jenn

Paris Hilton's Side Kick

2005-02-21T07:47:00.000-05:00

Apparently the country's favorite ditzy blonde has struck again. Roumor has it that Paris Hilton's Side Kick has been hacked.

This story is of interest to me why? Well I have T-mobile, along with T-zones. One of the main reasons I purchased the phone I have is becuase of its Bluetooth compatibility. A week after I bought my phone (not a sidekick), I started reading and hearing that if you have Bluetooth, and another phone near you also has it, you could pick-up their pictures and address book on your phone. I just assumed that was what happened with Paris.

After seeing this story on the Drudge, I googled "Paris Hilton and sideick" My investigation led me to several sites who were "asked" by the Secret Service to remove the information. (I didn't get such treatment when my phone number reached the hands of pranksters.) Finally, one linked me to a site that confirms the drudge story (or at least appears to).

I won't post a link 1- because I am not in the mood to have a conversation with the FBI today, and 2- the site that posted it is, well, "not appropritate" in other ways.

In the end it doesen't appear that she was "Bluetoothed" at all. It looks like someone hacked into her t-mobile account (hence the FBI). Luckily I am of so little interest that I don't have to worry about this possibility!

Anyhow - I couldn't resist taking a peek, and among those on her list were Victoria Gotti (I wouldn't reccommend prank calling a Gotti), Nichole (of course), Twiggy, Bijou, "Party Guy," Lindsay Lohan, Avril Levin, Spanish Kitchen, Stephn King, Betty Davis Eyes, Christina Aguilera, Eggplant d*ke a**, and Fred Durst. Interesting I guess, but nothing very surprising there.

Also linked were her e-mails and her pictures. I know that she doesn't care about her privacy that much, but I'll let her have it anyway. She's just not that interestng to me.

Bottom line - don't keep anything on your t-mobile that you wouldn't want other people seeing.

Jenn

Ghost

2005-02-09T20:37:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was listening to some DJ's on the radio talking about a list of the coorniest movie lines ever. Well tonight I was watching "Ghost" at the gym, and I found one that I thought was for sure on the list. Right after Patrick Swazie's character realizes his best friend had him killed, he follows him outside and says "I had a life...I had a life!" So I tracked down the list. Apparently there was a cheezier line in that movie.

I got a package from my grandmom this week with her yearly family calendar. This year each page has pictures from her African safari. It looks so beautiful there. Now I really want to go, so if anyone who reads this is adventurous enough to join me, we'll have to do it one day when the kiddies are older.

I'll check back in later. Keep it real.

Jenn

Oy

2005-02-06T08:16:00.001-05:00

Some Jews just make us say OY!

For instance publicist Lizzie Grubman who, in 2001, backed a Mercedes SUV into a crowd of people waiting to get into a Hamptons night club because she was angry at the bouncer for telling her that she couldn't park in the fire lane. After injuring 16 people, she was said to have sopken some choice words before fleeing the scene. She later turned herself in and served part of a 60 day sentence (getting out early for good behavior). Well, now that "justice" has been served, her PR firm is still thriving, and, strting in March, she will appear on her own reality show on MTV. Who says there is no such thing as celebrity justice?

While most of you will be getting ready for Supper Bowl festivities, I will be spending the day getting ready for the First Grade Siddur party (don't all be jealous at once). So have a great day all.

jenn

First Post

2005-02-03T13:16:00.000-05:00

Well I started a blog today. What, you may ask, will it contain. Anyone who knows me well, knows that it will contain a little bit of everything (Judaism, politics, Israel, entertainment, etc...). Anyone who knows me well also knows that, at the least, it will be good for a laugh or two on occasion. So check in regularly!!!

Lets get started with last night's State of the Union Address. I have to admit that I wasn't feeling great (and who can listen to that with a splitting headache), so I only watched the first 2 minutes. As such I went to bed extremely confused as to why the Bush's had invited Monica Lewinsky to sit next to the first lady. I mean this was really bothering me all night. Like were they trying to get back at the Clintons for something?

Today I went to the White House web site (yes I am a bored loser with NO life right now)and watched some of the speech there. Turns out the Monica look-a-like was Safia Taleb al-Suhail (say that 10 times fast!), leader of the Iraqi Womens Political Council. Well good for her, but still, she could play some wicked practical jokes on Hillary.

Also, boiling my blood lately is the rabinical cell phone ban in Israel. Rabinical bans in general tend to rouse my ire. We have got to stop blaming our communities' problems on innanimate objects. Cell phones, TV's, radios, internet... These don't cause people to stray. Something within the person causes them to do so. We are living in a time where the Torah concepts of human decency are ignored. We are judging others, speaking lushon hara (gossip), and ignoring all sorts of other problems that are rampant. Instead of addressing these issues, many would rather shift focus over to a hanful who are using technology for bad things. I have a camera phone with internet capabilities. I use it to take pictures of my kids and send them immediately to my mother several hundred miles away. It is improving my life and not ruining it in anyway.

Well - now that we've established that I am a loser, a ditz and and appikorus, I think I will get back to my cooking. I will try to post again this weekend. To all 2 or 3 of you who will probably read this - Keep it real.

Jenn