Notes from the Blue House

 Parental confession: I'd planned to take Owen (and Simon, obviously-we're kind of a package deal) to Marineland last month, but when our plans changed unexpectedly I told Owen a little white lie. I said that the whales at Marineland had a cold and weren't feeling up to visitors that day. Afterall, they spend so much time in the chilly water it makes sense that they may get the sniffles occassionally. He was bummed for a few minutes but quickly forgot all about it and geared up for the fun day we had planned for him. At least I thought he'd forgotten all about it. Every time the little jingle played during a drive or on the T.V, Owen would belt out "Everyone looooooves Marineland!" and then ask me if the whales were feeling any better because he'd really like to visit. Each time he expressed his heartfelt concern for these flipping whales, my guilt was compounded. At the time, I thought that a little fib would be a harmless way for me to avoid dealing w

I vividly remember looking at teen magazines when I was 12, getting on my knees each night and praying for God to do me a large one and wash away my freckles. I wished for straight long blonde hair, a peaches and cream complexion and an older boyfriend (preferably named, 'Zack'). Admit it, you loved "Saved by the Bell" too. Middle school was no walk in the park for a scrawny, freckled, curly-haired gal and my fondness for cowboy boots didn't help matters. Each day, when I was released from my torture chamber public school, I retreated to my driveway and bounced on a pogo ball for awhile. I jumped rope with one of those ankle thingys with a strawberry counter on the end of it. Remember? I told my mom about the 'mean kids' and found comfort with her. Granted, it's been a couple of decades since I persevered through the social landmines of a typical public school but I'm sure it's getting worse! When my school day ended and I shlepped off tha