For just eight days (Sat. and Sun. July 10-August 1) but WAHOOO!!!!! Click this article for details http://www.woio.com/Global/story.asp?S=12723886. It’s open just from 12-4 each of those days. I think whoever made this possible will be VERY surprised at the turnout. If at all possible our family WILL be there!!!!! (P.S. I first heard about this from my NPR-listening husband. I haven’t seen it publicized anywhere in Akron yet — do Clevelanders know?)
Archive for June, 2010
Cleveland’s Terminal Tower observation deck to REOPEN!!!!!
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010RIP Made in Akron the store
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010So Made in Akron, which for a while WAS my favorite store, is no more. The Web site says the building is going to be used for other things. Whatever. It was a great concept — a hip store in a hip location selling stuff identifiable with Akron (inflatable Goodyear blimps) as well as art made by local artists. It’s a shame.
Kids eat free at Applebee’s on July 4
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010Two kids’ meals per adult meal! Yum! (kids 12 and under)
Your hair might be colored …
Monday, June 28th, 2010and you might wear trendy clothes … but did you ever think that it’s your name that gives away your age? For example, if your name is Karen, Lisa, Laura, Lynn, Patty, Joann, Marcia, Sue, or Cynthia, you’re probably in your 40s or 50s. Want to pretend you’re in your early 30s? Just change your name to Tiffany, Nicole or Heather.
Power’s out, what to do??
Monday, June 28th, 2010Our power went out last night, and we had my BFF’s daughter staying the night with us. We still had light, so I was able to do crafts with the kids. My husband, however, was a bit lost. He ended up laying in our bed watching the movie “Gran Torino” on his Zen MP3 player. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it strange to see someone watching a movie on a screen that’s 2-1/8” across by 1-5/8”down (my husband tells me that you measure screens diagonally, so it’s really a 2.5” screen. TOmato, toMAto. I know it’s watchable, but I still find it very, very odd.
“Drive all night” or just text ‘em?
Monday, June 28th, 2010I just found Bruce Springsteen’s 1980 song “Drive all night” on YouTube (from an ’08 performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0fbp9uM6Q&feature=PlayList&p=6F507FE6577B7B94&playnext_from=PL&index=1&shuffle=110&playnext=2). I always loved this song and its sentiments. That’s why I found the comment from someone about the video so interesting. He (I’m guessing it’s a he) writes: “We used to love like this in 1980, for better or worse. Do people drive all night for anybody these days? Or just text em and go clubbing?”
I was just talking with my BFF about that — how “these kids today” have most of their relationships via text messages. What a shame. Not only does that not really give them an opportunity to have a deep discussion, but they’re also missing all that makes face-to-face communication so powerful — the inflections, the body language, the softness of someone’s voice. Now they call people their ”boyfriends” or “girlfriends” but they don’t know the simplest thing about them. “When we were young” (yes, I know I sound like an old-timer) we used to talk on the phone, or in our cars, or at restaurants, for 2, 3, 4, 5 hours at a time. That was usually the best part of a relationship, the “getting to know you” stage. And really, what a life lesson it was to learn how to break up with someone in person well. But hey, the divorce rate of our generation is what, 50%, so maybe our way wasn’t so good after all. But I still can’t help but think kids of today are really missing out on something special …
P.S. The Swell Season has an EXCELLENT cover of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MZMIYIVLtA
Mama Santa’s — another reason to eat in Little Italy
Monday, June 28th, 2010Friday afternoon we took the kids to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for a couple hours. We actually never got farther than the children’s garden. The kids played in the water sprays and ran around the rest of the garden like it was their own personal playground while my husband and I sat on a bench and chilled out as much as we could (not so easy with three kids). We left early so we could beat the dinner crowds and went to nearby Mama Santa’s, where I had been once several years ago with my BFF. It was SO delicious and SO affordable and the waitress was SO kind (not every server likes to wait on a family with young children) and I wish oh I wish Little Italy wasn’t so far from us!! As we were leaving I saw one plaque listing they were voted “Best Place for a First Date.” I can totally see that! But I’ll tell you what, it is a great place for families, too!
One-on-one
Sunday, June 27th, 2010When my nieces and nephews were young, before I had children, I loved to have them over for the weekend, together or alone. Even now my nieces, 17 and 19, will still come over to hang out. I treasure that one-on-one (or one-on-two) time, and I’ve been sad that my own kids don’t have that relationship with anyone. I think it’s a really special gift someone can give. But this summer, I found someone to be that one-on-one person for my kids — an old friend with grown children. This will be our third week (my son gets his first turn tomorrow), and so far, it’s been working out great. The activities are simple — taking her dog for a walk at the park, going to a free program at the library, sewing a skirt. The kids love it, my friend loves it, and by breaking the three kids up I gain a bit more sanity in my day. It’s definitely been win-win-win so far!!
I don’t want to see a video …
Thursday, June 24th, 2010I want to read the article!! When I am on the Web and see a headline of interest, I really get ticked when my only option is to watch a video. I don’t want to see a video, I want to read the article! I’d rather not find out what the story’s about than watch one of those annoying videos with those annoying commercials that precede it. I think whenever there is a video option, there should automatically be a written one too.