Red

Mimi and Annabel have been pals for many years(8 1/2) or so.

Each year they decide to spend their birthdays together. In the beginning, Annabel's mom and I had group parties only to discover that they really just wanted to be together and forget the whole thing(rude).

So we have devised different experiences for the two of them to have together. I must admit, Annabel really usually comes up with some great stuff.

This year Annabel's father got us  second row seats to Taylor Swift at Ford Field. I have never been to Ford Field, the show is sold out and I really don't know what is about to happen but its all about the kids right?

I don't know how Annabel's father is going to follow up at age ten, but for now I will fasten my seat belt and enjoy the bumpy ride. Oh yes, and post it on Instagram.

First day of preschool

Carnavale

At the risk of repeating myself season after season, I love Spring.
The Easter holiday and Mimi's birthday mash up together, flowers peak, robins take over the lawn.
We have certain traditions(more about that later).
There was a point in my blog where I thought I was just posting an obituary of famous people  and it distressed me.
The best writers say, write what you know. Also, some guy on some network disproved the death in threes theory and I am here to once again dispel.
1.Margaret Thatcher: I lived in England during her "reign" wasn't happy with her, but she did set a path for women in power.I think most of the music of Paul Weller and the Clash ... and the Smiths were because of her , ok , she wasn't my favorite lady.
2.Roger Ebert: To be honest, my friend David and I used to call Siskel and Ebert"the fatty and the skinny " and being mad movie watchers  listened to what they had to say, and then watched whatever we wanted to. I remember that Ebert once called "American Gigolo" an incredible film.... it just goes to show how subjective criticism is.
3.Annette Funicello: I don't even know where to start.
When my sisters and I got home from school, Our local network used to show old reruns of the Mickey Mouse club,we all knew the anthem, we watched the serials, especially "Spin and Marty" .
Rita Bell and the 4:30 movie would have "Beach Party " week. I own all of the "Beach Party" films. Annette would devise the plan to win over Frankie,with Buster Keaton, Linda Evans,Paul Lynde, Don Rickles and oh yes Little Stevie Wonder.
Crazy? maybe  I really thought that I was part of the surf culture at one point( I actually bought surf wax), my friend Lisa and I tried to buy a used Woodie in Waterford.Thus the power of film.

I am also enclosing a true Spring song(1995)

The Cardigans - Carnival from myzw on Vimeo.

Body and Soul

Mimi and I went to see "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater" this afternoon at the Detroit Opera House.
Mimi and I have been attending the dance season this year due to the fact that a great guy named Evan gave me the deal of the century.  I hoped that Mimi would be inspired.
We saw the Met doing "The Nutcracker" ... I think that was when Mimi told me that she liked ballet  only when it has stories.

I forced Terry to "Red Hot and Blue" by the Eisenhower group , which was wonderful, but also without a story(Terry not impressed).

I gave away my tickets to  Dance Theater Of Harlem.


  Today, I saw dance
http://youtu.be/LZuBFz6WYfs
I don't have words.http://youtu.be/LZuBFz6WYfs

I cried

The Stars Are Out Tonight

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Rocket to the moon

It has been a while since I have last posted and I thought of catching up by announcing that Mimi has a rocket to the moon.

Mind you, I found this moon rocket online and Terry thought it was absolutley ridiculous. It reminded me of the rocket ship they used in that famous silent movie where the rocket ship goes up to the moon and the moon is made of cheese and is a man.... and ithe rocket jets right into his face???? anyway, I love that movie and when I saw this rocket I was hooked.

After about a half an hour, Terry(who loves space ships and astronauts)was hooked as well. Mimi goes into the space ship and Terry begins to sing" Ground control to Major Tom "Blah blah blah and then he asks if she has Tang and then blast off!!! Mimi and her blankie and her assorted stuffed animals ascend into the stratosphere.

As ridiculous as it is, Terry has come around and the pictures are proof in the pudding.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Mimi and sledding

As all of you know, Mimi has a rather untraditional reaction to the outdoors and all of its elements. Several weeks ago,Terry bought a sled for Mimi and we took her out in the little bit of snow that we have had. She doesn't look thrilled in these photos but sledding did grow on her.

Take Me Somewhere

 I'm done.I'm truly done.
My mother always told me cakes are done, people are finished. I'm done with snow, winter ... and being cold.
Any one who knows me would make a testament  that  I am never finished  with making fires in my fireplace, I'm done.
We have planted our seeds,began cleaning the yard, preparing for Mimi's birthday. We've ordered a ham... for the love of God, .
Truth be told, it is as it should be, this year we will have a great peach and apple crop because of a normal winter. I'm just getting old and rickety.

Bring on the Sun, or Terry gonna hit ya with a sled

Welcome To The Terrordome

I am thrilled to say that my old blog"The Life and Times of Mary Margaret Sipes" is still up and running!
I thought that blogger had deleted it, but I found it today and took a very long walk down memory lane.

I honestly can't believe that Mimi has been home for eight years.

Mimi's latest terror is timed multiplication tests. I am trying to remember.... why do we do these?

I did them in grade school because the calculator and smart phone were just stars in the sky.
I sat in very neat rows in the classroom. We would recite our facts and if we got them wrong, well , there are a lot of books, plays and films written about what happens when you get the facts wrong.

I also have the idea that it helps your brain... blah blah blah.
Mimi goes into an absolute panic. No matter how many ipad apps, drills, practice tests, schoolhouse rocks, she freezes in test mode with a timer. Meanwhile, she can find the Detroit Opera House from memory, build a Lego Police Station in three hours and start a fire with sticks.
Her entire self image unfortunately, is wrapped in this timed test (and the promise of a Leprechaun with every passing grade). 
I ask you is this all necessary? in the third grade?
Back to my crusty old blog. I found my first entry, before we even knew Mimi was our baby.

I love this photo, one because Andrew my nephew never misses a photo op, two because Paulina and I are truly scared, three, because the dad on the far right is so non phased by the whole thing, walk in the park. He doesn't have to do his times tables in four minutes.

Love Is The Drug

During the Fall and Winter Terry ventured into his own pharmacy in the city.
Smack dab across the street from his old digs, he took on the mighty lion of CVS. So far everything has run according to plan, the neighbors love him, he gets catered fried chicken and collards a few times a week.(I cant compete with that cooking).

With all that has gone down with Kwame, and his compatriots bringing down the city.
Terry is a semblance of unity and neighborhood.

Meanwhile, the Pope was assigned as well as the City manager for Detroit.  The City of Detroit will thrive soon, I think.
I hope that Pope Francis brings a new vision to the Catholics.
Hail to New Life.

Terry and Leona are Detroit... Lovely