Adventurous!

Yes, being unemployed can be adventurous at times - most times. Not having a job offers me the opportunity to say, "hey, lets go see at movie on a Monday night" because God knows I don't have to get up in the morning for work or anything...unless mother has a Dr. appointment.

So - off to the movie theater we go to take in what we hope will be a hilarious romp, "Zack and Mirie Make a Porno" - or something like that. Mostly, I was looking forward to the big bag 'o popcorn, butter in the middle please. Which leads me to another topic - why is it so difficult to do your job as popcorn girl or boy and put the butter in the middle and then more on the top? Am I asking you to melt the butter for me? No - that is provided for you. Am I asking you to do anything that is so taxing that your arms may fall off at any moment? NO - I'm asking you to put the stinkin butter that I request on my damn popcorn! That's all. Your job - for which they pay you - is to put the popcorn in the bag and enjoy doing it AND put the butter on my popcorn - as much as I want - because you know what? I'M THE CUSTOMER!!! This is coming from someone who has never done this job, but I have made and sold taco's. Seriously, how hard is it to do this AND to look at me when I'm telling you what I want? Even going to the movie theater is an adventure anymore isn't it?

Anyway - I digress, enough old lady rants for now. So into the movie we go with our reluctantly given popcorn - a box of raisinettes and the much needed soda's. I'm trying to drink more water - but soda is needed with popcorn. Luckily on a Monday there is nary a person in the theater so we park our butts in a row where we won't be behind or in front of everyone. However, we have this problem in theaters that no matter where we sit - everyone comes and sits around us. There could be seats EVERYWHERE ELSE in the theater, but no - they have to sit right in front of us - next to us - right behind us kicking my seat (always my seat - I'm cursed). Maybe there is some weird energy we're giving off - kind of like the same energy that attracts all of the crazy's in the city of Chicago.

We enjoy the coming attractions trailers - which are sometimes much more entertaining than the movie themselves. Our high hopes for a "40 Year old Virgin" type comedy are quickly dashed within the first hour. It did have some moments that made me chortle - but for the most part I just thought - "eh". 

As we depart the theater we discuss our likes and dislikes and reminisce that the last movie we all saw together was "Tropic Thunder" - of which we had problems with as well. Although Robert Downey Jr. was amazing. Nice career comeback. We proceed through the lobby and take note of the posters announcing all the upcoming holiday films. Some interesting stuff - Australia - Curious Case of Benjamin Button - and then a film I can't recall but the big cardboard cutout was AWESOME! Of course we had to take a picture - cuz the iPhone takes great pictures and allows you to become an photo artist! Nah - my daughter is the pro in that area. 

I've posted the picture of Johnny with the cardboard cut-out. Exciting and real looking isn't it? I love it! Maybe this will be a new artist outlet for me. Taking pictures of friends with movie cardboard cut-outs. Hmmmm. There is a new gallery I was just in recently that might hang my genius type work. 

See - yet another new potential adventure for me. All because I'm unemployed. (insert evil laugh here)

Refreshing

There have been a few moments these past few weeks when I am actually okay with being unemployed. For instance, if I was "working" right now, I probably wouldn't have been able to take the weekend to go to New York City to experience my daughter Megan run and finish the New York City Marathon. I'd probably be getting ready to open the Holiday show at American Girl. 

What a wonderful day it was for us. To be able to see your child achieve such a huge goal is exciting and wonderful and I could not be prouder of her. Sure, she has run the Chicago Marathon twice - I was equally as proud, but this was New York! She got in the first time she tried - a big accomplishment.

We all stayed at Erin and Hunter's apartment in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. What a great neighborhood to live in. They have a wonderful place that they have worked hard on decorating and they were excited to show us what they had done. We were all quite impressed. 

Megan and Chris had stayed in mid-town the night before so that she would be able to catch the bus to the starting point so we didn't see them in the morning before the race. Erin made coffee and we all started to get ready to walk up the street and stand at the curb so we could see her run by. We stood at Bedford and 3rd on the corner - watching and waiting for her to come by so we could cheer her on. Suddenly, the actor Ryan Reynolds and his entourage ran by - "RYAN!", yelled Erin, "WHOO - GO RYAN!" He waved at Erin. 

"Ryan Reynolds waved at me - we're having drinks next week." says Erin. 

My cell phone rings - it's MEGAN, calling as she runs! She wants to know where we are standing - I tell her and as I try to continue talking to her (what was I thinking - she didn't want to carry on a conversation at that time.) she hangs up.

The phone rings again - "I'm just turning onto Bedford" 

"OK", I yell into the phone, how are you?...she's gone again.

We are standing at around mile 10 - email updates are coming up on my cell phone to tell me how her pace is, we think she should be here anytime. Our eyes are scanning the sea of runners for a girl in a kelly green long sleeve shirt. Way to0 many girls wearing kelly green.

In the meantime, a friend of Erin and Hunters comes by with his dog - Riley - who Doug proceeds to try and hump...it's a puppy Doug! Have you no shame! They pull Riley away and Doug continues to air hump - a proud moment for this grandma.

We keep scanning and looking - big waves of people come and go - suddenly - THERE SHE IS! YEA - HOORAY! YEAH MEGAN! 

She stops by us and takes off her vest and hands it to me - puts away her phone and readjusts everything she's wearing and then she is gone! Back out into the sea of people she goes - my little girl. My little one that took her time deciding to walk and talk is running in one of the worlds most prestigious races in the world! I get all teary eyed as I watch her go. Is it possibly to be so proud that you feel you are going to just break down and have the biggest cry you've ever had? I was overwhelmed with pride for my girl. What an amazing young woman she has become - and not just for running a race. She is amazing for so many reasons. She is smart and beautiful - she loves her mom and her momma knows it - she loves her family - she has a smart and good man in her life - she is successful - she is driven - she can be crabby and funny at the same time - she is hilarious and I'm pretty sure she has a killer belt voice that we'll probably never hear - she's accomplished in so many things - she's a great photographer - and a wonderful, caring human being. How is this amazing person my child? I don't know, but I am so happy she is. 

Off we went back to Erin and Hunters where Erin prepared for us a scrumptious brunch. THAT is another thing - Erin is a great cook and a wonderful host! The meal was amazing! The cauliflower frittata - delicious. The onion, rosemary and leek flatbread - shut up about it! Everything was wonderful. Erin created such a wonderful atmosphere for us to celebrate Megan and for her to come back to after her triumphant finish. My girls - my world - my life. Two incredible women that each bring something completely different to me and to our family. I wouldn't wish anything better for either of them. They are happy and loved and what more could a mother ask for? 

So, while being unemployed can be refreshing - it can also be rewarding. I am rewarded daily by the reminder that I have two of the most brilliantly talented daughters in the world. They're the reason I go on - the reason I make the choices I do - my reason for everything. I love and adore them more and more each day. 

Congratulations Megan - you did it! You never have to do it again if you don't want to. 

Congratulations Erin - you made a wonderful weekend for your family - we are grateful and proud of you and we are so looking forward to your wedding to Hunter. 

Congratulations Mr. Hayes and Hunter for choosing my girls - you have two of the finest women at your side. You are lucky men indeed and we are lucky to have the two of you.

One big event down - next, the wedding of the year! Gotta go to the gym to get ready for a different type of marathon!