Monday, December 21, 2009

Quote Of The Day #3

Yet another brilliant quote brought to you by my crazy neighbor. 


Crazy Neighbor to her boyfriend:


"God doesn't like ugly people."

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas At The Catery

For the past 4 years, my sister, Angie, has been a nanny to 3 kids whose mother was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Most ALS patients only live 2 to 5 years after being diagnosed. Claire fought it for 5 years. She passed away in May of this year. Claire was a big personality. She made appearances in Congress and on national tv and passionately raised awareness and funds for ALS research. 

Over the last few years I've had the opportunity to get a glimpse into the journey of this family and the friends that are like family to them.

Last night, one of Claire’s best friends held a Christmas party. It was my pleasure to attend. The party was held at this café in downtown Larchmont, NY. Owned by Claire’s friend, he gave a bit of himself when he hosted and cooked and opened his place to those who joined him to honor Claire. A storefront café on the main street, right next to the train station; it had an antique feel dressed in festive trimmings. It glowed with the warmth of Christmas.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served as the guests mingled to the soft sounds of yuletide carols. These were Claire’s friends and Claire’s family that had gathered on this evening. Although I have met many of these folks over the past few years, I was an observer more than an insider.

They shared stories and memories of Claire from childhood, through the years, and even of her funeral. I never knew Claire without her wheelchair and her tracheal tube. They did. They knew her as a young girl, a sister who confided her secrets, a teenager who got in trouble, a college student who was a little crazy, a bride who was in love, a mom who needed a night out, and they all knew her as their cherished friend.

As I listened to each of them reminisce, I was touched to realize that this group of people is connected today because of one person. They are friends now because each of them were, at some point along the course of their lives, impacted by the same person. Claire, the person who brought this group of people together, is no longer living among them but her impression on their lives has kept them together.

I witnessed the tangible influence of one life as she had given and it had multiplied.

It was a beautiful reminder up close and in my face that life matters and what we give to others today will extend beyond our own limitations. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Quote Of The Day #2


Crazy Neighbor is still crazy. 


For a little background info on my crazy neighbor go here and here.

Crazy Neighbor’s latest man is a 50-something black man who, like Crazy N, has an undetermined amount of issues due to the lifestyle he lives; not to mention he’s an alcoholic and drug addict just like my neighbor. They are quite a pair.

Neither one of them know how to use a normal tone of voice. EVER. Everything they say, while they are inside her home, I can hear while I’m inside my home with all doors and windows closed. Sometimes, I can still hear them with my TV or music on. If they are in that house together, they are fighting. 


Here’s today’s installment:

[both screaming at the same time]

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT YOUR MOUTH!”

Crazy Neighbor: “DON’T YELL AT ME F #$@ER!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT UP WOMAN!”

Crazy Neighbor: “YOU SHUT UP!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT UP!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT! UP!”

Crazy Neighbor: “NO! NO! NO! NO!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “BE QUIET WOMAN!”

Crazy Neighbor: “DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT F %#$ER!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT THE F@#K UP!”

Crazy Neighbor: “NO! I DON’T HAVE TO!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “SHUT UP! SHUT UP!”

Whacked Boyfriend: “BE QUIET! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!”


This went on for about 30 minutes. Just the same few words, nothing of any substance, until Crazy Neighbor left to go get more alcohol and cigarettes.

True.Story. 

Saturday, December 12, 2009

All I Want For Christmas


It’s not much, just a few small things.


Santa and I pow-wowed over a gingerbread latte to compile the list so don’t worry, he’s cool with it.

He wanted me to make sure you know that he won’t begrudge you the joy of giving if you want to help him out on fulfilling my few requests. 

I know you will want to get started so here you go:

(in no specific order)

  • Remote starter for my car
  • Plane tickets to anywhere
  • Tints for my car
  • New carpeting throughout my house
  • More plane tickets
  • New countertops and cabinets
  • New baseboard heating units and digital thermostats for each room
  • A handgun
  • More plane tickets
  • An iPhone (with Verizon service)
  • Kindle
  • 64GB iPod touch
  • More plane tickets

That about covers it.