What Did You Do All Day?

The Dark Knight and a Boston music camp

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:10:03 -0400

I took Phillip and J to see the new Batman movie on opening day. First a little Wal-Mart shopping, some Applebee's for lunch and then a 2 1/2 hour, intense, awesome Bruce Wayne flick. Anybody have any comments on the movie? We really enjoyed it and thought Heath Ledger (who played the Joker) was amazing. Christian Bale (Bruce) wasn't too shabby himself ;)

Phil and Joe head off for their Boston music camp next weekend for a week. Joe bringing his drum set and Phil his electric guitar. They've been working hard the past few weeks writing songs and practicing. We're looking forward to spending some time in one of our favorite cities, and then at the end of the camp, watching the performances. Should be fun!

I had a very nice visit with one of my good friends, Robin, yesterday. She called me a couple weeks ago to chat but it is always great to get together in person. Her son, Sam, is good friends with J so they got to "hang" together and do boy stuff for a few hours...Thanks Robin ;)

Dinner time - Roasted chicken, apple cornbread stuffing and a cold, crisp salad - Yum, I'm starving!

Have a great week :)
~ Paula

I need a vacation

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:31:49 -0400

like, now.

Can you tell I am frazzled, tired and stressed? It's summer and I just want to relax, bury my toes in the soft sand, read a book (in one day) and do NOTHING else. My summer classes go for another 5 weeks! Oiy! It will be such a good feeling come August 19th!!!

The summer issue of MWLM is out and doing great! Thanks to everyone for your kind words and support!

Not that I've had any time for casual reading...but I couldn't help myself...I bought Jenifer Weiner's novel Certain Girls Here's what I've heard about Certain Girls - "Filled with family tumult (lesbian mother, rebellious teenage daughter, nutjob sister), career uncertainty, heart wrenching plot twists, and plenty of Weiner's classic sass, Certain Girls is like literary cotton candy -- it's light, fun and sweet, yet sticks with you long after it's gone. Label it a beach season must."-- Gotham

I love Jen and can't wait to dive in come August 19th :)

OH, look at the time...I need to go dig through my freezer and figure out what to make for dinner ;)

Enjoy your week!
Paula

Pics from Korea

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:40:13 -0400

Me again. Haven't been around for a couple weeks due to extreme busyness...

I did receive an email from Sarah (Phil's girlfriend who will be celebrating her 17th b-day tomorrow the 29th - today in Korea as they are 13 hours ahead of us). She sent pics from the past couple weeks and they are so cool! Some are from when she went hiking with her family in Korea - isn't it beautiful there?! And then there is her calendar where she is counting down the days back to Phil :) And then the pics from when she was just a wee lass - so cute :) And some from a musical show she attended...

Happy Birthday Sae Rok (Sarah) - we miss you!

~ Paula

Happy Father's Day and more pics

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:36:50 -0400

So today was Father's Day - I called my Daddy in Florida and he was cooking steaks (mom is still recovering from knee surgery). We got him a new fishing reel that he wanted (he's a fisherman :)) My hubby got a new camera for Father's Day and we went out to a relaxing dinner :) Happy Father's Day to all you great Daddy's out there!

Congrats to my cousin Danielle and her hubby - they had baby Berrong #2 - a boy, MAX, to join his little sister, Sofia. Hope everyone is well in Florida!!

The summer issue of MWLM will soon be here! June 30th with our feature cover story on country singer, songwriter and mama of 5, Lori McKenna!

Here's the gang tonight

Have a super week!
~Paula

Pictures and a great summer read

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:26:56 -0400

It's summer! - well almost, it sure as hell feels like summer it's been so freakin' hot and humid. I have a great summer book I just started reading by Whitney Gaskell entitled Mommy Tracked - fab mom book, it's mom lit at its best - hey, sometimes mommies need playdates too!

As promised from my last post, I have pics! Enjoy the rest of your week everyone :)

~Paula

Phil and Sarah

Sarah and Phil

It's never easy to say goodbye...

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 14:57:30 -0400

Our son Phillip's girlfriend, Sarah, will be leaving tomorrow to go back to her family in Korea for the summer. She will be attending school while in Korea as they have school year round. Last night we took Sarah out to dinner with our family and took lots of pictures (with Sarah's digital camera as we couldn't find ours). Gifts and cards were exchanged between Phillip and Sarah and tears were shed. She is anxious to see her family, but she also doesn't want to leave her friends that are here - and Phillip. As young love goes, they are counting down the days until she returns - 81. I am sad as well. Sarah is the sweetest girl. So sincere and kind, beautiful, inside and out. I will miss having her at our home, miss having her with us for dinner, I will miss her voice and smile. Saying goodbye is never easy....81 days...

I am reading a terrific memoir by Patricia Harman called The Blue Cotton Gown. Patricia is a nurse-midwife and her memoir has many amazing stories that she has written about as a nurse-midwife that have kept me up and reading much too late at night. Thanks Patsy. I am enjoying your book :)

Time to go. I will post some of the pics we took when I get them. For now, here is another pic of Phillip and Sarah...

Have a great week,
Paula

The good life

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:21:40 -0400

I know. It's been a while. What have I been doing the past few weeks since my mama's birthday and surgery? Oh, mom's doing better, getting the strength back in her knee and really working hard at it - a bit too hard at times.

Well, Phillip is Confirmed. A couple weeks ago his oldest brother, and sponsor, Tony, and his girlfriend, Meghan, came for the event. It was a very nice night and Phillip is glad it is over now.

And five days after he was Confirmed, he got his braces off (hey, life is good).

Then the next day was Mother's Day (that would be my day).

So we bought our second oldest son his first car - and then drove it to him in Connecticut. He has a summer job in the plant sciences biology department with a UCONN post doctorate student along with a handful of other UCONN students. He likes his new job, and car. I'm happy.

I'm reading Alice Hoffman's latest novel The Third Angel One of my all-time favorite writers - check her out.

Oh, check out the time, yikes, time for this mom to get some shut eye.

Have a great week!

Adios,
Paula

My mama's birthday and surgery

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:14:21 -0400

That's right. My mother, in Florida, had knee surgery a few days ago. A total knee replacement of her right knee. She should have had this done 10 years ago. I am happy she had it done. Her birthday is today - 65. She came home from the hospital yesterday afternoon - nice b-day gift - home again and a new right knee. Dad will help take care of you - Happy Birthday mama :)

I'm reading Mermaids in the Basement now - it's southern chick lit by Michael Lee West and so far, I think I'm going to like this writer. Love the cover.

So my guys are into the Beatles right now. Have been for the past month or so. It's nice. I dig the Beatles, always have. J had his friend Benny over again for the weekend and come midnight from our family room I had Paul McCartney and John Lennon in my home singing and playing a mean guitar and keyboard ;)

It's late and my eyes are tired. Lots of baseball coming up this week - oh, and Confirmation for my 16 year old...

Goodnight all,
Paula

Baseball and a sunny day

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:02:25 -0400

and I forgot my damn camera! Yesterday officially kicked off my son Phillip's high school baseball season (well, sort of), it was a scrimmage game, but a game non the less and it was a beautiful, sunny day. We hauled the family an hour and a half north and after arriving at the field I noticed I didn't have my camera. Oh well, it felt good to plop my butt in a chair on a gorgeous day and relax and watch a ball game for two and a half hours - and do NOTHING else. Phillip was happy, he started at first base and then also played some left field. I felt so lazy the rest of the day that I decided to do NOTHING the rest of the day. Baseball season kinda does that to me. Hey, NOTHING wrong with that once in awhile, right?

Well another busy week of work and school for me coming up... Has anyone seen a good movie lately?

Got to run - today's a busy day, unlike yesterday :(

Have a wonderful week,
Paula

Boys and friendship

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:30:41 -0400

Where did this week go? Oiy! The hubby turned 47 this past week. He's into tools, always has been. He asked for this huge tool, it's called a Miter Saw. Fun. He also got two books - John Grisham's The Appeal and Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. Interesting title for a book, huh?

So yesterday my youngest son, J, had his best friend Benny, from where we used to live, over for the day and one of his brother Phillip's friends, Gage, was here too. They wanted to skateboard. So J uncovers his new quarter pipe that his Dad made him for Christmas for the first time this spring so they can do some cool stunts. I was in the house and after a while I hear screaming. Not good. I knew the voice, it was Joseph. I run outside to find him face down on the pavement (without his helmet on!) screaming and crying and the other kids were all leaning over around him. I took one look at him and he was a mess. There was some blood, cuts and a lot of swelling already taking place around his right eye, nose and forehead. I got him inside and we did ice and tylenol and found out what happened. After coming down from the quarter pipe back onto the pavement, his skateboard popped up hard and fast and hit him in the face. Ouch. So, of course, after 20 minutes of ice he was ready to go again. He had plans to go stay for a few days with his friend Benny and nothing was going to wreck that. Of course I called him twice that night to see how he was doing even if he thought I was being annoying - what are moms for other than being annoying and a nag? I haven't grounded him yet for not having his helmet on but even the helmet wouldn't have protected him from that freak accident. Anyway, here's a couple of pics that were taken before the injury...

Joseph and Benny

Joseph in action

Have a great week - my kids are on spring break this week - Oiy!
Paula