Wit is a little more serious in his stage combat.

War...What is it Good For ?

Absolutely. Nothing, say it again....I get the fact that Obama needs to keep what ever.  We are just getting out of Iraq and Afhganisthn, can we cool out? Give this up to the powers that be, The UN, not Congress.  Can we take a time out?  Like I do with my kiddos?  "Hey, Syria, You're messing up.  You gotta stop that", and You over there...You have to stop egg'n them on."  Now go sit and think about how you're mess'n with the rest of the world.  GO, NOW....sit and think about it.  The rest of the world will be waiting, peacefully.

 

Close but no cigar...

Just asked one of my kids to spell "curriculum".  We were talking about what is expected of them this year.  Yep, I think it was spelled correctly, ding ding ding, you have won a prize.  Your child is weird.  He can write better than his Mommy.

Squirrel on a Window
Look'n for a Rainbow

Gotta get Downtown
To Chicago
The Only Color Brown
He knows
-CF

Chuck is writing these poems, I swear.  He's like Bulkouski meets Vanilla Ice.

Then, I'm like, "How 'bout..,"

"I'm all pink..think'n-"

He goes, "Momma, I'm tired, we'll write in the morning".

Damn, shut out from 2 seven year olds?  They both already have an agent. All they need me for is transportation. Is this how it's gonna be? "Cause I'll cut off your Mac and Cheese."

How's that for poetry?

Awe. They're sweet, and snuggley.  Can't I just keep this age forever?  I've been working all week at school for the kindergartners, they seem so young, and my boys were just there 2 years ago.  My big second graders now give me attitude, really...really?  ACasa Forke, I guess so, as long as they "rap" it up with some poetry.

Hallmark Channel

"Frasier", one of my favorite shows, is on The Hallmark Channel.  I know this because I dvr it everyday.  It puts me to sleep.  Not because it's boring, but because, it makes me smile.  I know people that worked very hard on that show, that made it Emmy Award worthy ( I think 13 times )  One of whom is the father of my children.  I just paused it to write this...The Kiwis watch it with me.  They don't get the humor, but they know that that's where their Dad spent his day, that day.  I wish I had a DeLoreon.

file://localhost/Users/farrahforke/Desktop/IMG_8969-8x10.jpgfile://localhost/Users/farrahforke/Desktop/IMG_8935-8_0x10_0

Join the hand
As we love together
As a family
We hold hands
We help each other through
Our struggles
And we are
Family

Chuck wrote this a few days ago.  7 years old.  No help from me, really.  He's a poet, and he know's it. Little sh.....

Oy Vay

Ping Pong

Yep, I have kiddos on a sleep over playing ping pong.  I'm watching them, and wanting to write about how life is like a freak'n ping pong game...but, I got noth'n.  I got a lot of dishes, and want get them to calm down and watch a movie and go to sleep.

Cute kiddos, and I love the Mommies.  We spent the day at the pool, and I'm super tired, but, I'm like 20 years older than them.  I wonder what kind of Mom I would be if I were 25, instead of 45.

Ha!  I got it,  Pretty--er.  More energy--er.  More patience--er.  More stupid-er--er -....

I think about the fact that my children will loose me when they are too young to loose a parent, but, we talk about it.  They have already lost their Dad.  Too young to die.  Man, I hate Cancer.

So, Ah Ha, ping pong comes into play......You serve, and I'll hit it back.  Twice.

Sunday.  I woke at 6 am with a passion to go to church.  Made the bed, showered, put on makeup, picked out clothes for The Kiwis, fed the fish, and put a load of laundry in.

All ready to wake the boys and get out of here, go to church.  Because I need a little "God" right now, this very minute.

Ah, they are tired, don't want to go.  What to do?  Scream, "Let's GO".  Or not.  I decide in my "Only Parenting" way that we will stay home and watch Joel Osteen on tv.  Now, I am not a religious person.  A bit of an existentialist, agnostic.  But, I do want my kids to grow up in the way that I did.  Yikes, Catholic, then Episcopalian.  Yikes.

We believe in God.  Yep, I just wrote that. Sometimes, I want to go a little more Old Testament.  More of a Jew, I am, OY......OY VAY.....A little bit of Yiddish.

My boys are at the age where they question.  Who, and What, and How did it.  I told them, just the other day..."I don't know".  I'm all of 45 and I don't know.  The cool thing is, you continue to question.  Never believe what some person says.  Look in your heart, and you will find your way.  Grow and Do, and Be, and Ask.

Knowledge is the best.  Decide for YOU'R self.  And when you're 45, you will probably be asking for more.

A long time ago, when I was, I don't know, about ten.  I made a deal.  I was old enough to know how to talk to God, on my own.  No Church, no parents, or youth group, just me and Him.  The deal is this..."Please be patient.  Let's talk.  I'm not sure what I believe, what I'm supposed to believe, but, you and I have a deal, right?  If You continue to believe in me, I'll do the same.  Don't give up on me.  I'll worship you."

And that is how I live my life with prayer.

A frown, or smirk, or smile

  

Don't matter much to The Kiwis.  They see beyond.  They told me that I have an angry smile.  I can only guess that it's not that pretty.  We had a family conference.  "Momma, you need to laugh", "Momma, what's hurting you?"  So simple, kids words.  When did I stop laughing.  Wasn't there a smile on my face just a few weeks ago?  Knock knock.  Who's there?  Banana.  Knock knock.  Who's there.  Banana.  Knock knock. who's there?  Orange.  Orange you glad I didn't say banana?  That puts a smirk on my face.

Speaking of Damn It

My Grandmother passed away just an hour ago.  Damn it, people and dogs and plants are dropping like flies around me.  Don't come to visit.

Here's the sad thing...I'm putting the boys down and I get the email, so I tell them and say, "Let's have a prayer.."  And Chuck goes, "It's not fair."  I say, "Sweetie, I know, it's not, but she was 93 and lived a long beautiful life, and had so many people that loved her, and....."  I go on and on, and he interrupts me and says, "No, it's not fair that our Dad died and we never even got to meet him."

Now, what the Hell do you say to that?

Writing A Book

Super crazy, who would read what I write?

See Spot Run

I have an audience for that.  This amazing woman is writing her 4th book and thinks that I could maybe style myself down with one.  Did I just write that?  It's not about writing a book.  I have this stuff in my head, and most of it I would prefer to not share, but the idea...Well, it would give me an excuse to be grumpy.  I could say things like, "Chuck, Damn It, I'm work'n here"....or "I don't know who or what is to blame, but I have a deadline...leave me alone, and be quiet, damn it"  I kinda like the damn it factor.  If I'm I writer, I can use those words, right?

Damn straight.

So...Once Upon A Time...

Dennis Hopper and Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul

The three of us were just hanging out one night watching The Lakers at his place in Taos.  I made snacks and he and The Re Re played.  He took pictures of the two of us, which, I fear, I will never see. He liked her.  Here's the cool thing....Dennis Hopper thought she was cool, that's COOL.  She was.

Peanut Butter and Jelly and Regret

We all have those three things, but at the same time, almost everyday?  Let me explain.  Years ago, my sister and I were talking about how we make PB&J's like our old step mom used to make them, where the peanut butter was thick and the jelly was spread all the way to all the ends of the bread, cut in corners, crust off.  I had just started making these sandwiches for my, then, 2 year olds.  But I swore that I made them just like Jane, our ex Step Mom.  We agreed, she was the best.  Our Mother was in earshot. She didn't say anything.  Paige, my sister, and I have never even talked about this, but, I feel like, "Why did I say that?  In front of my Mom?"  She clearly heard it, it must have hurt in some small way.  I just finished making those darn sandwiches for my kid's lunches tomorrow, and every time I spread the peanut butter and cut the crust off, I think of how horrible it must have felt.  I mean every time, and I make them a lot.

  My kids will never have a step mom.  I don't know if that's good or bad.  I know that I will never have to hear that conversation, and that's good for me.  I would never want to be compared to some other woman when it comes to my children.

There's a difference between a single parent and an only parent.  I choose the latter and that is making all the difference in the world.  A little Frost

So, what to do about PB&J's?  My Mom would say, "What, I don't even remember that, what are you talking about?"..or.."Farrah, let it go, make a sandwich."

She is a wise woman.

My Ex Boss face booked me today.  He wrote something nice. "How are you doing?  Hopefully the answer is "Very Well" Take care, Farrah"

Now, I love this man.  I have loved him since we worked together so many years ago. We worked with my kid's Dad.  I respect the Hell out of him, he's one of the best writers in the business, and it kinda pisses me off that more people don't know his name.  He has more class than to put it on his projects in bold letters.  "Tyler Perry's" Meet The Browns".  When did the writer get top billing?  They mostly don't want it.  I would shout his name out, but I don't even feel like I should write it on my silly blog.

But, here goes....Dave Hackel

DAVE HACKEL!!!!!!

This man called my new boss when he found out I was going to do another show, and told him that he would enjoy working with me.  Who does that?  Dave Hackel.  So, I'm having the "lunch" with my new boss, ( very nervous, by the way ),  and he tells me about the phone call.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to go back to work with Mr. Hackel.  I didn't want to be sitting there pretending to enjoy my new boss's company.  I didn't like him.  We ate our prosciutto and risotto.  Then spent the next 3 years together.  Great years, ( 2 shows ), and loved him too!  All because of Dave Hackel.

Do you ever wish you could have a day?  One where you listened?  One where you saw the smallest of gifts, a phone call, or risotto.  How about a song.  One that you hear in your head when your trying to sleep, and the lyrics go over and over in your mind...Do you wish you could spend just a moment with somebody that changed your life, with out knowing it.  Just to look into his eyes and say, "Thank you".

When I got that smally small, that insignificant face book today, it was like I got that moment.  But here's the funny thing....He wrote what I had to say.  He is still writing for me.

"Very Well" -Dave Hackel

I wanted to end with that, but just had this picture in my head of Mr. Hackel.  Tommy Church, one of my co-stars used to blow his lines on purpose, to make the live audience laugh.  Man, would that piss Dave off.  The crowd would be laughing, and the actors, and crew would kinda be going, "Come, on, Tom, let's get it right so we can go home".  All the writers had scripts in their hands, constantly changing the lines, even with a live audience, so I would look to Dave, and he would WRING his script, like a wet towel.  Ooh, not so good.  He got mad, as he should.  No one knows about how much money it cost to go over time on a tv show.  Tommy Church didn't care, but Dave Hackel was producing and had to keep us in our budget.

Did I mention that I love and respect this man?

Closing Down the House.  ( It's the parental version of that song by The Talking Heads, "Burning Down The House")   That's what I call it.  Closing this down....  I gather shoes and socks and toys, look for anything that might be a hazard to step on, Legos... I then, make sure that we have iced water next to our beds.  All of us, including my dog, and kibble for her.  I give the fountain fish some food, just in case Wit didn't do his chore.  He's only 7.  Next, all the lights and computers are off.  It's peaceful.  I go into The Kiwis' room one more time. Kiss them on the forehead and whisper, "Mommy loves you".  It's my way of subliminal advertising.  If I whisper it enough, maybe they will believe it.  My Dad did it to me and my sister, and we are believers.  We know he loves us so.

Then, I do this, I go to what I have DVR'rd.  I like to fall asleep to "30 Rock".  It puts a smile on my face.

"You're a has been"- H

One of my best friends said this to me a few days ago.   He meant it as a compliment.  His ex wife, he refereed to..."She's a Never Been".  Ouch.  So, I would rather be a has been, than a never been.  We all give up things.  He gave up so much to be a Dad.  I can't remember NOT being a Mom.  I think of that Ole Life...what fun it was.  The nice clothes, clean home, out to dinner, red carpet, limos.  It reminds me of a quote that my sister and I used to laugh about...

The Days Are Tough
The Nights Are Long
And The Work Is Emotionally Demanding....
But, It's All Worth It
Because The Rewards....
Are Transparent, Shallow, and Meaningless
-Unknown

Anytime I miss Hollywood, I think of that.

I may be a "has been", but my kids have these amazing artistic genes from me and their father. And will go further with them.  I was on the cover of magazines.  Now, I'm recycling them to plant trees at our school.  I guess, what I'm saying is, my days are tougher, and I don't get the dresses and shoes, but  I get the snuggles of the coolest boys in the world, and that, my friend, you cannot buy, you cannot plan, there's no picture of you doing the best thing you've ever done on the cover of "People".  You do it for all the reasons that are in your heart, and it's not transparent, or shallow.

So much more meaningful.

So, The PTO. It's weird, when I was a kid it was called The PTA. Whatever you call it, I'm VP and I have a meeting today. I KNOW, it's summer, but our work is never done. I love my president, her name is Cara. I KNOW we are so cute together. "Cara and Farrah" I call her and leave her messages like, "Hey, Cara, It's Farrah..." then I just laugh. I swear I crack myself up. I turn into a little school girl. Ugh, maybe I am spending too much time at Lamar Elementary. I bitch and moan about it, then I remind myself that I love it. My kids are proud of me. They like seeing me there, walking the halls. The other kids come up and hug me, and that's kinda weird too. They're so short, it hits me in an awkward area, ya know what I mean? Sometimes kids will meet me in the hall and say. "Are you Chuck and Wit's Mom?" and I'm like, "Yea, what did they do?" No, I don't say that. I just "Smile and Wave, boys, Smile and Wave" ( one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies, "Madagasgar", from one of my favorite writers, Billy Frolick ). Off on a rant, must go feed my kids and get ready for my PTO meeting today, lots of serious buisness to take care of. I laugh, but, no REALLY, we do have some serious biz to talk about today. It's fun, and I know in my heart that we, The PTO, make a difference in that school.

Yea...I forgot one picture, or a thousand.

Mr. Jim Lynch, head of the whole shubang, nicest guy you ever want to meet.  Wears this hat that you wonder about.  Man, where oh, where has that hat been? ( Not Pictured )

Chuck looks like he's faced with the enemy, or needs an ice cream.

The Apache Helicoptor is an amazing machine.  "I flew an Apache in Desert Storm".  I love that line.  I got to say that on TV.  It's like that old commercial...."I'm not a doctor, but, I play one on TV".  I recently usued that line.  Didn't mean to, it just came out.  We were at a "Go See It" for Cub Scouts at The Army Reserve.  I finally got to see it.  What my characher on that show would have dealt with.  I wish Paramount Stiudios would have put me in the simulator.  I could have played her better.  My boys will have fun with this.....

Have you ever said these words, "I love my mechanic?"  I did today and a couple years ago.  I swear if I was a better or worse person, I would throw myself at him.  He has a sweet smile, a lovely demeanor, and he is very fair.  He called me today to ask if I had an extra key that he would have to re-program to the new computer he was putting in.  I'm like, Duh, yep, he was at my home in 7 minutes.  Do mechanics do that?  I don't think?  My "Rocky McSilver" is in safe hands.

JPG

This is a real place.  It's a historic building.  Rare to see the Forke name on things, hope that will change!

When it rains, it pours...Yesterday we get in to my Jeep Commander, Rocky McSilver, to head over to Pump It Up, ( it's one of those inflatable jumpy places for kids ) to meet a few of our best buddies for an afternoon of fun.  Well, Rocky doesn't want to start.  Now, I've had so many problems with this car.  I have had to walk my boys to school 2 times in 2 years, and NO, we still were not late, never, not even once in 2 years!, But, that's beside the point, and me bragging a bit.  Anyway, I give my mechanic a call, he comes over, lickity split, calls a tow truck.  Meanwhile I invite the twins from down the street to play, feeling guilty about not going to Pump It Up.  My good friend, Kim, calls and says she's heading over with her refrigerator that she's giving me.  So, I'm off to the races, emptying out mine, throwing stuff in the fridge that I have in the garage.  Tow truck guy gets here, sadles up Rocky, and rips the back bumper off.  Kim shows up with her 4 kids and husband and 2 movers.  The fridge won't fit in my front door, we take the handles off, nope, then try in to get it in the back gate, nope, 8 kids, 2 movers, 2 Moms, grumpy husband, and a tow truck guy that needs to call in another tow truck person.  Yikes.

I now have 2 refrigerators in my garage.
The part, alone, for my car is $900.
Ah, but, my sweet neighbor is loaning me her extra car.

Life is grand!

Just another day at John Harwood's Ranch.  "Where the Deer and the Antelope Play"....

Mother's Day 2013  Chuck Forke and Chuck Forke II replace my sink

New Year's Eve The Kiwis BDay !!!!!!! 7 years old

June 12th, 6th? June something.. don't know...Summer time.  You may ask why after all these years that I'm writing my crazy thoughts.  Gotta get them out, I guess.  Got some bad news, and thought I should give my kids, my family, and friends, even my fans some comedy.

Here's one....

I got noth'n...

Sorry.

My dog, Aretha Franklin, Queen Of Soul, is going on 14 yeas of age.  That's OLD for an Old English Sheepdog.  Her brother, Nigel in LA, passed away 2 years ago.  Another brother was put down just a month ago, Lewis.  I think "Re Re" may be the last in the litter.  I don't think it's a testiment to my mothering.  I think she's just a strong bitch!  She gives me Hell all the time.  She usued to sing, but her body is starting to give out.  She wakes me up every 2 or 3 hours to go potty.  It's like having a newborn.  I swear it's been harder on me than twin babies.  She pees in the house.  Oh, my, it's not so fun here, at Casa Forke.  The boys are handling it well. They're like, "Hey, little girl, let's go outside.."  My kids are super cool.  I'm talking with them about the whole "putting her down" thing.  Did I mention my kids are super cool?

They want a cat.

file://localhost/Users/farrahforke/Desktop/Chuck&Wit%20Forek.jpg

I don't know if this will come through, but it's The Kiwis headshots.  They're kinda cute!

So many thoughts, so little time...My New Year's resolution was to organize my house and my mind.  I'm just now getting to it.  Time does creep up on me.  I find myself saying things like, "Oh, my sister will be here in a month, that's plenty of time to clean my house".  And, yet, it's tomorrow, and the toilet is a mess.  "Oh, It's just the first week of summer, we have so much time to work on our reading.",  "I'll get to that as soon as I finish this"  "I'm on my way"  "It's on my list"  "Mom, can we go to the park?" "In a minute"  "Just a second"

Then, what happens to me...I have to sit.  I'll say, "Hang on, my cutie patooties, I need a time out"  So, off to the cupard to grab some chips, watch some "Ellen", laugh, dance, and again I go...Did the phone ring?

Wit looks so cool, doesn't he?  New guitar, Christmas Day.  2013

Have you ever eaten so many Pringles that they start to taste like Chinese food?  Me neither, until tonight, watching "The Voice".  Not a fan of chips or reality shows, but, The Kiwis are, so...We have fun together.  It's one week into summer and I'm missing school.  Yep, I miss The PTO.  I miss the alarm clock, that's a lie, I miss going to the grocery, sans kiddos.  How will we survive this summer?  It's a matter of adjustment, I think.  My cuties crawl into bed with me and say, "Mommy can we sleep with you?  It's not a school night?  Can we??"  Man, who am I to turn that love down.  Of course Chuck is very active in the night, it's like sleeping with an octopus, and he always sleeps in the middle. I'll wake up with a foot, or elbow in my face.  Ugh.  Then I remind myself that they are growing so fast, so big, that , next year, we will not be able to sleep together.  Sad.

I want to write more of this down.  I hope my kiddos will want to know me when I'm gone.

Farrah Forke: So, I thought that starting kindergarten would mak...

Farrah Forke: So, I thought that starting kindergarten would mak...: So, I thought that starting kindergarten would make my life easier.  I find myself at their school everyday, sometimes 4 times a day.  I&#39...