Watching Parenthood

The TV show Parenthood is killing me right now.

Like bawling my eyes out just about every time Adam and Kristina are in a scene, killing me.

If you don't watch this show, it is about the Braverman family, consisting of the parents/grandparents, their four kids and their spouses, and the four kids' children. The oldest of the four, Adam, is married to Kristina and they have three children.

This season, Kristina is going through breast cancer. They are portraying Adam and Kristina's experience in just about the most REAL way I have ever seen on television. Because it's so true to life, it's hitting me hard.

Mark points out that he doesn't have cancer. I point right back that it doesn't flippin' matter. Major health problems are major health problems. I just KNOW how it FEELS.

This couple reminds me so much of me and Mark. The feelings that are coming up for them are the same feelings we often have or have had. The episode that aired last week hit so close to home.

In one scene Kristina calls Adam and complains about having his mother there helping her. But it's not really about how her MIL is helping so much as she needs the help in the first place. She's just angry that she can't do everything herself right now. You see Adam on the other end of the phone just listening to her. All he says is I'm sorry and I love you. Because that's all he can say.

In another scene Adam's brother Crosby takes him out for a beer. Adam tells Crosby about how a neighbor came up to him the other day and said something like "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". Adam then says to Crosby, "Like that helps me watch my wife suffer!"

Cut to me, sitting on my couch, doing the ugly cry.

Even now, I'm getting teary writing about it.

People mean well. They want to help. They want to do or say SOMETHING that will somehow lift the burden from you even just for a moment. I get that and it's so nice. Believe me, those dealing with health problems do appreciate the effort.

But sometimes there just isn't anything people going through things like this need to hear besides, "I'm sorry" and "I love you". A lot of times, that's enough.

The person going through it doesn't want to be treated differently, and the person who loves them just needs to know you're there.

Being the spouse of someone with health problems brings this show so much closer to my heart. Having lost a friend to breast cancer does too. Watching it hurts right now. But I have to keep watching. Somehow it's....cathartic or something. It's identifiable. And it's being very well done.

So I guess every Tuesday night for the foreseeable future I will clutch a pillow and a tissue, nodding knowingly, and crying along with Adam and Kristina.


This is one of the best scenes so far.

TGIF: August 2012

Welcome to the very first MONTHLY....

Ah, August! The driest month of the year where I live. Besides one tiny little heat wave, the weather has been very nice indeed.

Things that have been making me happy this month include:

What became my "summer project", watching all 7 seasons of Bones so that I could pick up with the rest of the world when season 8 begins on September 17. It is really a very good show.

The monotony of summer days broken up by Camryn's week at summer camp and both kids' week-long trip to their grandparents' house in Oregon.

Related to the above is #kidvaction! Mark and I got our very first parenting vacation in 12 long years this month. We both enjoyed it, and missed them. I am now convinced that absence really does make the heart grow fonder, because after several kid-free days, we began wanting to do and buy things for them. No reason, just cuz we love 'em. Sheesh.

Not waiting til the last minute to buy school supplies.

Conquering a fear by going shooting. It was actually kind of empowering.

Photos, photos, photos!

Cool old church

Just me

Sunset

Cotton candy clouds

Seattle

And starting tomorrow, I will be participating in Adopt A Pantry which is being organized by the mastermind behind Run Blog Give, Jamie at Chosen Chaos. We are encouraging ourselves and YOU to keep track of the days we exercise and donate to local food banks from September 1 - Novermber 17, just in time for Thanksgiving donations. You know how I feel about feeding the hungry, so I am HAPPILY all over this!

Your turn! What's your August HAPPY?

(Come back on Tuesday the 4th for September's Did You Know? link-up!)

TGIF: Randomly Happy Edition

Welcome to....

Today I shall present a list of random things that made me happy this week. Because, well, just because!

1. First, last Sunday I watched the Anderson Cooper interview with Adele on 60 Minutes and was so relieved to learn her vocal chord surgery was a success, her voice is fine, better than before if that's even possible, and she would be performing at the Grammys! She was so stinking cute in the interview too.

Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

2.Six wins! Adele won all six of the categories she was nominated in - the TOP six! Her wins showed that God-given, natural talent and simple, pure performances can shine through all the glitz and over-the-top antics of other "artists" {cough} Nicki Minaj {cough}. Adele's Grammy performance of "Rolling in the Deep" was perfection; she even let out a little giggle or squeal right at the very end because she had been so nervous. I just cannot say enough about that girl. Love, love, LOVE her!

3. We got our tax return. Yay, woohoo money, right? Yeah, not so much. Because of that little problem with Mark's secondary insurance I told you guys about last month, we had to use our return to pay off the car, which will free up that money to pay the premiums. Not only that, but the car decided it needed work RIGHT NOW, which takes another chunk. BUT, I'm happy about the timing of it all and the relief of working out a way to pay that bill.

4. I got to do some shopping All.By.Myself, and add a little to my stay-at-home momdrobe. New yoga pants and plain t-shirts!

5. I love the picture of my big fat kitty-witty, Julius, that I posted on Wednesday. He is SO going on a diet, though!

6. That you guys don't seem to mind when I write a post like I did yesterday. Honestly, if you did mind, I'd have to tell you to get over it (MY blog - you think you can do it better, just go on ahead with your bad self!). But I truly appreciate that you get it, and are even happy that I said what I did.

7. February sweeps! This week's Castle ended in a very exciting way, and Revenge had an interesting twist I did not see coming. And then we had a Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice crossover event last night....ah the drama! Oh, and I watched some of American Idol's Hollywood Week and heard a couple of stellar performances.

8. A new bloggy award! My bacon-loving friend The Sarcasm Goddess has passed on the Kreativ Blogger Award to me....

Isn't it pretty? So now there are these things I'm supposed to do as an award recipient:

1. Thank & link back to the person who gave you the award. (Isn't it funny that we have to remind adults to use their manners?)
2. Answer the form questions below.
3. Share ten random facts / thoughts about yourself.
4. Nominate (at least) 7 other blogs for the Kreativ Blogger Award.

Favorite song:
My all time faves are The Rose and Over the Rainbow, but currently, anything by Adele. Obviously. OMG, what if she sang The Rose or Over the Rainbow? I'd die!

Favorite dessert:
Ice cream

What ticks me off:
Where do I start? Right now this very minute, my kids fighting. I really hate lying liars who lie. The fake and the flakes both irritate me as well. When people on reality shows don't do what I think they should. Oh, and when news reporters try to report the news before they even have any facts. Because then they say things like "alleged" and "unconfirmed" and "what we think happened" and this in NO WAY helps me.

When I’m upset, I:
Depends on what I'm upset about. I might cry. I might get irritable. I might sit and stew. I might need to call someone. I might blog. I'll probably need a glass of wine. Or all of the above.

Favorite pet(s):
Kitties!

Black or white:
Black.

Biggest fear:
Um. I have a lot of fears. My very biggest fear? Losing a child.

Everyday attitude:
The Sarcasm Goddess said, "Oh you know, being awesome", and I'm gonna go with that too.

What is perfection?
SG also said, "Well according to Pink, I am F*cking Perfect and she seems like a really wise gal, so I'm going to trust her." I agree with this too.

My guilty pleasure:
I'm gonna go with watching The Bachelor/Bachelorette. My husband cannot stand these shows and has to bite his tongue hard when they're on. He thinks it's actually immoral how these people are going about dating a bunch of people at once. I see it as intensive speed dating. I'm a hopeful romantic and I can't help it! So sue me.

Alright, I've accepted the award and answered the prompts. I think it's a little redundant to also list 10 random things about myself. And in the light of the recent chain letter blogger tagging fiasco that recently ensued, I really feel like I've done enough of this for now. However, I will list 7 bloggers whom I would like to pass the Kreativ Blogger Award on to.

1. Anything But, and Then Some
2. MyBelovedAdoria
3. Mom Rocks Mealtime
4. Craftarrific
5. Life Ever Since
6. Bees With Honey
7. My Suitcase Full of Tricks

Phew! That's a whole lot of happy, isn't it? Please tell me you've got some happy to share too!

Grab the button and link-up the HAPPY below!

Oh, the Guilt!

A certain little pink birdy got to choose the topic for Monday Listicles this week and she chose 10 guilty pleasures.

I hate guilt.  Guilt sucks.  Mom guilt.  Survivor's guilt.  Religious Guilt.  Childhood Omnipotent Guilt.

And why, may I ask, is it necessary to feel guilty about things that make us happy?

Pfft.  Whatever.

1.  So there are my favorite food items, such as coffee, caramel and wine, which I already named in another Listicle.  It just so happens that that post is one of my most popular simply because it includes burritos!

2.  Then there are my favorite TV shows, which I just recently told you all about.  I think my most favorite is Grey's Anatomy.

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3.  I suppose I should probably count Blogging as a guilty pleasure, because it's not something I have to do, it's something I want to do and love to do.  I also suppose social media in general is a guilty pleasure.  Again, what-ever.

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4.  Having a huge stash of yarn!

This is an old picture. I have more.

5.  Caramel Apple Spices and Mochas from Starbucks.  Peppermint mochas in December.

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6.  Coloring my hair probably falls under this heading.

7.  Cinnabon Caramel Pecanbon, which I hardly ever get.

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8.  Just because they're so expensive, pecans, walnuts and cashews.

9.  I love going out to eat!  Not only do you not have to do the cooking or cleaning, but it also tastes great.

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10.  Being a stay-at-home mom.  Yeah, I feel guilty about this sometimes.  And yes, it is a pleasure.  I have the utmost respect for working mothers, whether they have to work or just want to.  All mothers have a lot on their plates, but moms who also hold down paying jobs?  Lots more.  I feel blessed to be my kids' primary caregiver (yes, even when they're driving me nuts; it's very confusing) and to never miss a thing.  Being my kids' full-time mom is a gift I guess I owe to my bad eyes.  Ironic, hu?

My beautiful babies.

OK, so there's a list of guilty pleasures for you.  BUT, I think we should all try to feel a lot LESS guilt over the things that bring us pleasure.  Instead of guilt, feel humility and gratitude.  Give thanks, share and enjoy.    I challenge myself, and you, to do so!

"Americans know entertainment, but they don't know pleasure."

~ Luca Spaghetti, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

TV Shows I Miss

This is my very first attempt at a writing prompt. I’m choosing the one that is the easiest for me to complete.

What? I’m a writing prompt virgin!

 

* * * * *

I dig pop culture. I really dig TV.  Always have. Probably always will.

My husband says he can remember the events of his life with the music that he liked at the time, like his own personal soundtrack.

These things influence us. And I embrace it.

Television has changed (and grown) a lot over the years.  Some shows have bombed while others changed how we saw ourselves and the world around us.  It is a powerful medium.  Oprah knows it.

(Hey, can I include her show in this list?)

I've laughed, cried, sat on the edge of my seat and bit my nails while watching great shows.  I've yelled my fool head off when they made me angry.  Great TV shows let us slide into their pretend world, leaving ours behind for 30 or 60 minutes.  They can teach and enlighten, or simply entertain.  And I always feel a sense of loss when a show I really enjoy comes to an end.

(On the other hand, I really enjoyed LOST, but I was just frustrated when it ended!)


And now, 10 long-gone TV shows I’d love to have back are (in no particular order):

1. Family Ties

Michael J. Fox. ‘Nuff said.

Actually, I should also add that I MISSED the series finale and it haunts me. I can’t remember what the hell I was doing but I can remember that I didn’t see it. L

2. Growing Pains

I had a big crush on Kirk Cameron and I thought Alan Thicke was a pretty cool dad.

3. The Cosby Show

Bill Cosby is EVERYBODY’S DAD! Love that man.

4. The Wonder Years

This was a super special show. It was a great showcase of childhood from a child’s perspective. It was sweet and innocent and honest.

5. Star Trek: The Next Generation

I admit it. I’m a Trekkie. However, I specifically enjoy TNG the most.

EXCEPT. For. The. New. Star Trek. Movie. It was so freaking awesome! But we’re not talking about movies here…

 

6. Little House on the Prairie

From the future to the past. Yes indeed, I love Pa and Half Pint. My dad and I bonded watching this show. It’s one of our best mutual memories from my childhood.

Also, I didn’t know it at the time, but I really like historical stuff.

 

7. Friends

I’m willing to bet that Friends makes it onto just about everyone’s list. It was simply one of the very best sitcoms ever produced. Someday I would love to own the entire series. Yes, I would totally continue to watch it and laugh!

 

8. 21 Jumpstreet

Young, good looking cops. Young, cute Johnny Depp. Waiting months between new movie releases to watch Johnny Depp is sad. Bringing him back into my living room on a weekly basis? Yes, please.

9. Mad About You

I loved this show so much! I loved this couple. I was really sad when it ended.

 

10. Boston Legal

This show morphed out of The Practice, which I didn’t really watch (although I stole the spelling of my daughter‘s name from Camryn Manheim). Great cast and very well written. My husband and I both looked forward to this show every week and that’s rare (we don’t really like the same kinds of TV shows). It was current and witty, even making fun of themselves as a TV show on occasion (talked about changing time slots as part of the show). Miss it.

 

Now I hope you won't mind if I include an 11th show which was just cancelled but I know if I were to do this list in another 10 years it would be on it.

 

11. Brothers and Sisters

This was one of my favorite shows as of late and I can't believe it's been cancelled.  Some crap about having to pay too many big name actors.  Why does everything have to be about the bottom line? Besides, they killed off Rob Lowe's character and Tommy only guest starred.  Why wasn't that enough? Hu? Why? Whatever.

If you will indulge a little self-psychoanalysis..... I seem to be drawn to shows with many characters, big families, crazy drama and wit.  I'm thinking this must be because I am an only child and my parents divorced.  Makes sense, right?

*This post was written in response to the prompt: A list of 10 old TV shows you’d like to make a comeback.

What shows would be on your list?