#MPOTUS

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"How many best friends do you have?"

"'Best friend' is a tier."

- Mindy on the Mindy Project

SO TRUE.

"Mommy, do I know your Mommy?"

That was Audrey's last question before bed tonight. I was so happy when she asked me. I told her that she doesn't know my mommy, which is her grandma. "I have two grandmas?" I said yes, but my mommy died so you don't see her. Here's the rest of the conversation:

A: Did she have black or blond hair?

ME: She had black hair. You get your blonde hair from Gran-E (Dan's mom).

A: What was her name?

ME: Jill. I have a picture of her.

A: Can I see?

ME: Yes. (Then I went got a picture of me and mom right before she died when I was 19; Audrey was able to recognize me. I also showed her a picture of mom and Grandpa.)

A: Grandpa!

ME: Yes, Grandpa is my daddy. And she (pointing to picture) was my mommy. GranE is Daddy's mommy.

A: Tell me more about her.

ME: She as very funny and silly, like us. She was a teacher just like Dawn and Michiru (Audrey's teachers). She was very smart and loved to read before bed every night. She loved to play cards. In fact, she taught me "Slap Jack" (which I incidentally taught Audrey about an hour before).

A: Tell me more.

ME: We liked to sit in her room and watch a funny show called "Love Connection" together. It was about a man and woman going on a date and then telling everyone about it. Sometime they fell in love and other times they couldn't stand each other. Mom and I laughed at it so much. Also, the host would also say, "We'll be back in 2-and-2" right before a commercial. (I showed her how he held up two fingers and flip flopped them.) My mom and I used to say "I'll be back in 2-and-2" all the time to each other. Sometimes she'd ask me to get her some ice tea and I'd say, "Sure, I'll be back in 2-and-2."

A. Tell me more.

ME: You know how you sometimes call for me at night? Well, I did the same thing, but when I was older (teens) and I needed her I'd go into her room and try to wake her up by whispering, "mom." I'd get slightly louder each time, but without fail, she always screamed when she woke up. I startled her. It was so funny, but also kind of scary.

A: Tell me more.

ME: She had four siblings- three sisters and one brother. All of their names start with a "J." Jill, Jane, Judy, Jaki, and Jerry.

A: All Js! That's funny!

The lights were out during the whole conversation and I was tearing up the entire time. What a moment.

Solange - I Wish I Was There

Could this be any cooler? No. It really could not.

Love FLOTUS

How did I NOT know about this?

I just watched the first two episodes of season 2 of the web series, Burning Love. Hilarious. Amazing cast. Must see.

Season 1 Trailer

Season 2 Trailer

Hell to the Yes!

My Bloody Valentine has a new album out!!!!

TV Junkie

Has anyone else noticed that TV is really good right now? In a way it hasn't been good in a long time? Like, for many years, TV (network especially) sucked...except for HBO and Showtime. But now, I can't even keep up with all the shows I want to watch.

My current recommendations:

1. Dork comedies- Happy Endings, New Girl, and The Mindy Project are all great. Hilarious characters and lots of heart. I finally gave in New Girl, despite my weird dislike of Zooey D. I mean, I'm over her "I am so dorky, I'm cute" persona. I've reconsidered though...it's the least I can do for the star of one of my fav movies of all time, "All the Real Girls."

Happy Endings nails the making-fun-of-hipsters genre: 

2. Scandalous shows- Just finished season 1 of Revenge. Pretty good. Also, Scandal is amazing. I adore the entire cast, especially Kerry Washington. 

Impossible love:

3. Shows with the word "diaries" in their title. I am still a total sucker for the ridiculous love triangle of Elena, Damon, and Stefan on the Vampire Diaries. Also, finally watched the pilot for The Carrie Diaries. I've only seen one episode, but I was very impressed. One thing I really appreciate is that they total nail the experience of losing your mother when you're young. My only beef is that young Carrie seems so much more likable that old Carrie. 

Grieving moments lost:

4. GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS! Love it, Love Lena Dunham.

You smoked crack!...

Solange and Lena Dunham

Two people who are making me very happy these days.

I need a cute boy...

...to dance with to this song! Audrey is a pretty good dance partner, but...

Thank you, Sesame Street

Audrey will be watching this first thing tonight! Hee hee. Seriously though.

9-year-old girl dominates her boy teammates in football

Not moving to NOLA, but definitely moving on

So, I have successfully survived my October breakdown. In hindsight, it wasn't really that bad. It never is. Just a few bad days. But during...it was horrible. There are times when the demands of single motherhood (without close family around) just push me from the positive to the negative side of my bi-polar disorder. It's generally a 98%/2% situation, but that 2% can be pretty heavy. I can't help but wonder what life would be like with my mother around. I mean, she was a early childhood education EXPERT. For reals.

I saw my therapist last week. I only see her about twice a year. I tend to call her when things get rough, but her schedule is so tight that I usually don't get in for two weeks. By then, I am pretty well through the rough patch and back on track. She said something interesting to me though...she said these twice-a-year bouts (is that spelled right?) of depression usually lead to a fairly transformative life experience for me. Interesting.

Holla to my friends and family once again. Man, I seriously don't know how I got so lucky. My dad, sis, and group of girlfriends immediately rally and help me get back on track. They offer to babysit, bring food, etc. Thank you, my amazing friends. I love you more than I could ever say.

One last thing...I ALMOST survived this election cycle without talking politics with anyone. I avoided regular TV and social media during this election cycle because it just gets me upset. I did end of having a rather civilized exchange with my conservative BFF. I think it's safe to say we're never going to think the same way politically, but we do on so many other levels. I love you, girl. You're wrong, but I love you. Haha.

YAY for Obama!

Much love!

Props to Louis Vuitton

This is so amazing. Louis Vuitton is using Larissa Latynina in their new print advertisement. She was a gymnast for the Soviet Union in the 1950s-60s, and she won 18 Olympic medals. Michael Phelps beat her "most Olympic medals won" record last week. Latynina wanted to present Phelps with his 19th medal (the one that made him surpass her), but the International Olympic Committee wouldn't have it...which is beyond lame. Glad to see she's being honored regardless. 

Also featured last in this lovely video tribute of the top ten most successful Soviet gymnasts of all time.

Audrey - Year 4 - The Movie

Not my best effort, but fun nonetheless!

Click here to see Years 1, 2, and 3

GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't Stop Listening: The Jezabels

Two photos guaranteed to make you smile..

My friend Sarah and her two sisters....as kids and then again as adults.

Audrey sillies

Blogged, so I remember them.

Today:

She announced she needed to use the restroom during dinner and asked to be excused. When I said yes, she asked me to "save her place." I did. (There are only two of us).

Audrey just put her toy phone (the old school one that you can drag- pictured below) in timeout for being too loud. They are very loud.

My Girls

Had such a lovely time with these girls last weekend (we missed you, Jen!). I am going to scan some of the girls' weekends photos from when we first started getting together. We look like babies. Chubby cheeks and all :).