It’s been a very long, very emotional two weeks. November 7th and 8th marked one year since the mass shooting and wildfires rocked my hometown of Thousand Oaks. The city created a “Healing Garden” as a permanent memorial to 12 lives lost in the Borderline mass shooting. I went there on November 8th, the day after it opened. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot that’s tucked behind a library, next to a pond. There are 12 granite benches to represent each person, and in the water there are 12 small water spouts.
As I sat on a bench watching turtles sun themselves on rocks, my mind went to my Maddie and her birthday. She should have turned 12. Twelve lives, twelve years. Life is so unfair. Three days after Maddie’s birthday, there was YET ANOTHER school shooting, this time at a high school just 27 miles away. These horrifying tragedies are always gut-punches, but having one so close to home just days after the anniversary of my own city’s tragedy…it was really hard for so many of us. I hate when parents enter this horrid club of child loss, especially when it’s something that could be prevented. It truly makes me sick to my stomach. I am so tired of this! Why isn’t EVERYONE?!
Around The ‘Net
~I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike
~Why Didn’t She Get Alzheimer’s? The Answer Could Hold a Key
~Deadly virus spreads among marine mammals as Arctic ice melts
~Microsoft tried a 4-day workweek in Japan. Productivity jumped 40%
~Stop! Don’t Charge Your Phone This Way
~This Tom Hanks Story Will Help You Feel Less Bad
~We bought a $1 house in Italy. Here’s what happened next
~In Lady Gaga’s Haus, All Are Welcome
~Dog Learning to Talk by Using a Custom Soundboard
~I Accidentally Uncovered a Nationwide Scam on Airbnb
~The Streaming Era Has Finally Arrived. Everything Is About to Change.
A Whole Lotta Knock-Knock Jokes
The book Mike and I wrote, A Whole Lotta Knock-Knock Jokes: Squeaky Clean Family Fun comes out on TUESDAY! AHHH! It should be available in all bookstores, and of course there’s always good ol’ Amazon if you want to procure the book without leaving your house. I wouldn’t blame you, leaving the house is extremely overrated.
Fun Finds
~I’ve got so many Christmas presents in different carts on different websites, but I’m waiting until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to purchase just in case anything goes on sale. Amazon has a ton of cute clothes – look how cozy and soft this pullover looks? I would hug anyone wearing it.
~Also, this striped sweater comes in a bunch of colors, several people on my list will be getting different versions of it!
~OMG please look at the “cocoonsie.” LOOK AT IT! I’m cracking up. It’s like giant pants. They are so absurd, so of course I’m getting one for Mike.
Happy Sunday and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
Gert says:
Did you see this article? It made me think of you and Maddie. Wishing you peace. https://parenting.nytimes.com/newborn/prematurity-baby-burden
Toni says:
I too am SICK of these shootings!
Meg FordMeg Ford says:
My kids are going to be so thrilled with the knock knock jokes – my copy just arrived today!
Auntie_M says:
Guns. Take them away. Lock them up. Melt them down. WE DON’T WANT OUR CHILDREN TO DIE because of gun lobbyists!!!
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Oh Maddie Moo, I wish you were here.
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All the kids in our family are getting those throw blankets as part of Xmas. My mom always did bed, bath, book, sweet, & treat. Basically meaning something snuggly for bedtime, something for bathtime (or as we aged toiletries), a new book, candy of some sort, and a gift of some kind. Since Grandma & Auntie M live together, & do gifts together, this year’s “bed” is the plush throw you recommend a while back because I love them! I just wish they had a royal blue for my nephew’s bed.
Have any good kids bath or toiletries recommendations up your magical sleeves? Boys & girls. Ages 2-11.
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Please say Mike’s cocoonsie is in bright fuchsia and not gray!
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Happy Thanksgiving. Love you all.
~ Auntie M
JustAMom says:
We ARE tired of it. So, so tired. I have a friend whose daughter was hiding in the bathroom at Borderlne and was texting her mom while in there, and another friend whose daughter was at Saugus High the morning of the shooting. Thank God both survived but how is it I know TWO mothers whose children were present at mass shooting?
I grew up in Southern California and I think about leaving all the time now. I just don’t know where I would go. The madness is everywhere.
Sending you the biggest hugs as you miss your Maddie. I have a friend who lives up in Camarillo and her neighbor has the prettiest purple flowers in the front yard. I think of your girl every time I visit and see that beautiful garden.