School Dais

I'm a product of public school education. Hubby-Honey? He was K-12 private school-educated.

Before our children were born, we would sometimes debate the educational route we'd plan to go with them, from the vantage point of our own positive experiences. Unfortunately, I was hard pressed to make strong arguments for my case because the public school system here I was faced with defending was in a word--crappy.

So since the arrival of our little ones I've been on the verge of acquiescing to the argument that private education would be best, while still in my heart of hearts believing that there had to be something out there that would meet with my public school approval.

Today my reading of the Atlanta Magazine January 2007 issue confirmed that indeed there may be, and I've got some new ammunition for my arsenal that I think will satisfy both our criteria.

Three cheers for the IB program, and the diligent public schools that have proven themselves worthy of offering it.

For all the research that went into your highly informative article, "How to Get a Great Education for Free: Taking advantage of public school opportunities", Mary Jo DiLonardo, Education & Family Editor, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

He's Comcastic!

Derris, for working out my internet connection issues and making me chuckle as you repeatedly referred to me as, "Ms. Lisa", so as to respectfully play it safe and not butcher my last name, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

And it's OK. I've grown used to people taking a machete to it and having a field day.

Down the Hatch, S'il Vous Plait

I just savored the last swig of the key ingredient in my "Virgin Christmas Cocktail" that was a hit at dinner last night.

It's Lorina Sparkling French Berry Lemonade. I purchase my bottles from Cost Plus World Market (one of my favorite stores, as you may recall from my first post). Here's my recipe, made and served individually in chilled red wine glasses:

1 part cranberry juice
1 part apple juice
2 parts Lorina Sparkling French Berry Lemonade
1 squeeze of fresh lime juice
thin slice of lime for inside-the-glass garnish

All six of Lorina's gourmet beverages have positively tickled my taste buds on one occasion or another. They have their own recipes online that you can try, as well as suggested second uses for their attractive bottles.

Oui, Lorina! For being the perfect complement to all my festive celebrations, particularly the spontaneous private parties for one (moi), you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

24

Walgreens. Open 24 hours. Even on Christmas day. Paper towel and aluminum foil fiasco averted. You've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

And So, I'm Offering This Simple Phrase....

to kids under one and over 92:

'Though in song
you've been dissed
many times many ways
The Thanks Ranks says
Merry Christmas
to you

Checking In

As I mentioned early on, I intend to walk the fine line of non-disclosure with this blog when it comes to friends and family encounters. Over the last prelude-to-Christmas 48 hours, that's really all I've been experiencing (it's been a splendid thing), so I haven't had much else to share in this space.

But be sure to come and visit again soon. Even if I don't know your name, as was the case with the friendly drive-through crew I came upon at the North Dekalb Chick-fil-A location around 5:30 this evening, you still, like they, may find yourself being added to The Thanks Ranks.

Ho-Ho-Oh, Forget It

To the overachiever who made winning our neighborhood association's annual holiday mailbox decorating contest one less thing I need to concern myself with this year, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks. ;-)

Lip Service

I came across this site, firstkissproject, last night. I found it ironic because today marks the 21st anniversary of my first kiss.

I toyed with the idea of submitting my story to the project, but decided that 350 words was more detail than I cared to go into on the matter.

Suffice to say that 21 years ago today, after sending a candygram to my homeroom earlier that morning that professed his "like" for me, RH (a senior), walked me (a freshman--scandalous!) to the girls' locker room, where I was headed to change for winter track practice. He planted one on me just before I entered the door, while "Tender Love" by Force MD's played over the afterschool radio PA system. 'Twas an awkward and surreal moment that, obviously, I've never forgotten.

And yes, you read right, it took me getting all the way to high school before I had my first kiss.

Stop laughing.

Fast forward 21 years and I have no idea where RH is now, but today I did receive kisses of varying sorts from 3 out of the top 4 men in my life: Hubby-Honey, my poppy and my little guy, who I have to say, must dole out the best 2 and 3/4 year-old sugar in all the land. My #4 guy gets honorable mention because he sent his affection in another way--having a TMX Elmo delivered to his nephew this evening by the kind UPS man.

Ain't love grand?

Kisses--past, present and future--you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

The Goods That Saved Christmas

Monday, 9:07 a.m.

"We are sorry, but this item is currently out of stock. We typically receive items back in stock within 2-4 weeks of selling out. Click on the 'email me' link below to hear from us when it comes in."

Oh, no!! This just won't do. I need it for Christmas! Nevermind that yes, I've waited 'til the last minute, you, "I started in October and got all my holiday shopping done the day after Thanksgiving," shoppers, you.

What to do? It was the perfect gift for this special person, and now, I can't even begin to think of an alternative that would also arrive in time.

Walk away, just walk away, Lis. You've got other things to tend to today. Maybe something will come to you while you're out, and you can still get it shipped to arrive in time.

Monday, 8:42 p.m.

Nothing. Nothing grabbed me while I was out. What could compare to the perfect gift I'd had in mind? Oh well, I'll just check email while I still ponder what to do.

What? What's this in my inbox?!

"The *perfect gift* you are interested in is either back in stock at the time this email is being sent or is now available to be purchased on backorder. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please click on the link below to see and order this item."

Are you kidding me?! Oh happy day! But I'm physically and mentally exhausted. Here's dinner, loved ones. I'm going to take a nap.

Tuesday, 12:50 a.m.

Hmphh... Ha... Uhh... What time is it...? Where am I...?

Baby... crying... must... feed...

Order... gift...

Tuesday, 1:12 a.m.

Baby... fed...? Check.

Gift... ordered...? zzzZZZ.....

Tuesday, 8:56 a.m.

Click, click, credit card number, send.

Tuesday, 8:58 a.m.

Whew! There it is--a confirmation notice in my inbox stating that the order has been received and that it will arrive in time for Christmas to my desired recipient. Life is uncommonly good.

Big thanks to you, Uncommon Goods. I love your ever-novel stuff. For coming through for me in a special way this Christmas, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Happiness with a 'y'

If you haven't already, please go see "The Pursuit of Happyness". Or make a point to read the book for the all-encompassing true story.

If you read my profile prior to yesterday, you may recall that I already had this movie listed as a favorite. It had been on my radar for some months, and Hubby-Honey and I couldn't wait to make a "Date Nite" out of its release.

I've been so profoundly affected that I haven't been able to speak much since seeing it last night. I want you to have the experience, because I believe there is something in the film for everyone, so please, just go see it.

Feeling a heightened sense of resolve after releasing an olympic-sized pool's worth of waterworks between the two of us, Hubby-Honey and I couldn't get from the theater to my parents' fast enough to hug our children really, really tight.

Mr. Gardner, what does one say? You're causing my family to redefine what "happyness" means for us. You've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Orange You Glad I Asked?

The perfect warm and inviting color for my family room had been eluding me--but I knew I'd know it when I saw it.

And I saw it in a HOMES section feature in The Sunday Paper, November 26-December 2.

The what I'd call burnt orange-ish accent wall in the photo of Kirkwood Station's model living room captured what I wanted spot on. I had to know if the color was a custom blend or something I could purchase.

So given the contact info provided in the article I called, planning to leave a message for but instead directly reaching

Candace, who despite the slight edge of her, "Yes? What are you calling me about? And on a Sunday afternoon?" tone was helpful in having me call

Scott (if it's one 't', Scott, I apologize), who with supreme politeness gave me the number to reach the very talented designing woman

Julie, who kindly and designer-client-protocol-properly referred me to

Julia, at a number where I again encountered

Scott, who was now starting to sound a tad bit like

Candace, but was nonetheless great in giving me an alternate number at which I really could reach the uber-friendly and accommodating

Julia, who called her

"guy" who oversaw the job and then lickety-split called

me back with the name of the color, which is (drum roll, please...):

I'm not tellin'! You'll have to contact me directly if you really want to know, so we can keep the fun going. ;-)

But I will say that I did I find out today from

Tony that the color can be purchased at any Porter Paints store.

So for your collaborative effort in connecting me with a shade that will be the backdrop for happy gatherings and experiences to come, Candace, Scott, Julie, Julia, Plinth Group/Construction Guy and Tony, you've all just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Now about that rug... ;-)

Little Red Riding Good

For graciously granting my request to serve as MC at a spring fundraiser for a non-profit that is near and dear to my heart, Lisa Rayam, Fox5 Atlanta news anchor extraordinaire, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

I'm Sorry 2006

Hypothetically speaking...

If you fell, 4 1/2 months ago, into a parenting-two-children-under-the-age-of-three alternate universe...

And you STILL owed some folks thank you notes for baby gifts that were given to you in celebration of your daughter's birth...

And so much time had passed...

That your shame became unbearable...

To the point where you felt complete paralysis in righting the wrong...

You could check out the unique cards I was turned on to at bumble ink. They're just right for such a predicament.

The inside of the one pictured above says, "I was a bit spaced." Another appropriate selection would be the cute miniature vampire that simply states, "I suck".

Perfect! I mean, I guess they'd be perfect, right? Really, who would get themselves into such a thoughtless mess in the first place?

For your patience, longsuffering and hopeful forgiveness (you know who you are), you, along with bumble ink, have just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Yeah, That Might Help...

KC has been added to The Thanks Ranks for letting me know I had my settings blocked for comments, and for being the first to add one when I fixed it. I told you I was no techie. ;-)

Here's to moving out of one's comfort zone...

Laughing Gas

Growing up in New Jersey they were called "license plates". As I moved further down the east coast they were called "tags". Perhaps similar terms are used in other regions of the country. Whatever you call them, I have always been fascinated by the levels of creativity I've encountered when observing cars with personalized/vanity/prestige plates.

I'm tickled when someone wishes to share some aspect of their identity with me in this manner on the highway. Makes the drive a little more engaging as I share a fleeting, "Hello, nice to meet you," moment with my fellow road warrior.

Today I was driving on a surface street behind 'LUV2LAF'. How cool is that tag? So I started to wonder... Is she a comedienne? Is she just a jolly person? What if I pulled up alongside her at the next light and started laughing hysterically as I recalled the triumphant wresting match climax in Nacho Libre (Hubby-Honey's and my Date Nite silly movie selection this past Friday)--would she laugh with me or look at me like I was nuts?

My better judgment won out this time, but I'm telling you, 'LUV2LAF': if we ever meet again, I'm going to pull up next to you and find out. In the meantime, thanks for the chuckle to myself. You've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

What do you think: 'GVTHANX' or 'BGR8FUL'?

A Round of Thanks to Everyone

Yesterday marked 30 days since I started this Thanks Ranks project. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm heartened by all the tremendously positive feedback.

Through this forum I've heard from and connected with folks from across the country and internationally--in just 30 days! It blows my mind! What an amazing age we live in...

We're just getting started, and I'm excited about things on the horizon (let's just get through the holidays first, shall we?) that will be enhancing and expanding The Thanks Ranks' reach. I'm not a techie by nature, but I'm growing and learning a little something new each day.

So thanks to all of you who have been checking in and e-mailing me, and all of you who have given me reason to express gratitude.

I do wonder who will be the first to post a comment in this space, as that's yet to be done. Will it be you? Would you like to be added to the Thanks Ranks for the being the first person to add a comment? :-) Don't be shy. Thanks, Mom, but let's give someone else the opportunity. ;-)

Cheers!

It's a Wrap!

This past June, about a month before my daughter's birth, I asked for recommendations from my Mocha Moms chapter for a good baby sling.

I received a glowing one from Mocha Mom IT, for Maya Wrap, and purchased one soon after. The sling arrived a week before my daughter was born, but I was so caught up playing my, "Can you feel me now...? Good!" contractions game with her that I didn't watch the instructional DVD on how to tie it.

Then came the post-partum fog, and the brain cell disconnect that made being left-handed a real challenge for following the right-handed visual directions on the DVD. But I HAD managed to wash the wrap in Dreft, so I gave myself points for that.

Fast forward to today, when I'm thinking for the umpteenth time, "It would be really convenient to be using that wrap right about now..." I'm feeling mentally capable of tackling the DVD, and lo and behold, it's not working. I can't prove it, but I think my son, the mixmaster on the DVD player ones and twos, is behind its malfunction.

One 1-888 call later and it's Laura, the Maya Wraps customer service rep, to the rescue. No worries. She'll have another DVD sent out to me tomorrow.

For moving me one step closer to not having to lug around a carseat carrier that's wrecking my spine in three places, IT, Laura and Maya Wrap, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Happy Birthday DC and ET!

Just Say NO to the N-word

I told myself I was going to steer clear of this fray in this forum, but oh well.

Hubby-Honey and I made the decision to give up watching television in our home for 2006. So this year (I don't know if I'd consider it cheating or not, but I've allowed it), he goes to ESPN.com for online video footage of the scores and highlights to get his sports fix.

This evening, as he was checking out who rose and fell today in the land of pigskin, I was looking over his shoulder when my eye was drawn to a photo of Michael Richards. I had to know what he was doing on ESPN's site, so we clicked on the image to find out.

Turns out an ESPN senior writer and radio show host, LZ Granderson, wrote a piece entitled, A word with consequences, that makes one say, "Hmmmm..."

Given the responses received through his surveying a random sample of non-Black folks, and the results of his own soul searching, my personal stance was upheld that EVERYONE should be uncomfortable with hearing, much less using the n-word. It's my hope that the message gets trumpeted and heeded throughout LZ's spheres of influence.

For declaring that, "this holiday season I've decided to give myself the gift of dignity by cutting the n-word out of my vocab," LZ Granderson, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

You Put the Time in the Coconut...

Seven years ago I dropped out of culinary school. I couldn't hack having to cook every day, so I fell back on my 4-year degree for gainful employment.

Had I hung in there for one more semester, perhaps I would have learned in my International and Current Cuisine class that not all coconut milk is created equal. Hence, the brand my mother-in-law uses for her Jamaican rice and peas, nor the kind that Goya produces would do my impromptu Thai creations any justice, despite my numerous tweakings.

Who knew?

For allowing me to finally get it right and stick a perfect '10' a la Mary Lou Retton with my yellow curry dish last night, A Taste of Thai, you've just been added to The Thanks Ranks.

Thanks a Million Little Swimmers

Not much time to spare today, as I'm playing Nurse Betty, but I have ZERO complaints.

Hubby-Honey is the bravest man I know, and he's taken my love and appreciation for him to a new plateau.

Yesterday, he and Dr. Falconer cemented the deal that our nuclear family circle of Mommy, Daddy, Son, and Daughter is complete.

Hubby-Honey, you are THE MAN. Kisses, kisses and more kisses.

For personally and professionally handling my husband with kid gloves and granting me the assurance that I can freely give away my maternity clothes, Dr. Falconer, you and your staff have just been added to The Thanks Ranks.