Andrea,

I’m 53 and wouldn’t want to have to care for small children either. I think, however, that if it fell to Diana Ross she would take the job seriously. And guardian doesn’t necessarily mean day-to-day caretaker.  If Grace the nanny, who from all reports, appears to be a lovely, stable, mother-figure, came with the kids, it might work out well.  And for all we know, it might be exactly what Diana needs now that her career is on the wane and her children are grown — purpose.  Her girls are, I believe, in long-term stable marriages, so they might be active participants too.

I can see what impressed MJ about Diana Ross (nobody in his family, for example, has gone on to pursue any type of higher education), but, I suspect MJ’s mother will end up with the kids — and Grace will probably stay on.

Andrea,

I’m 53 and wouldn’t want to have to care for small children either. I think, however, that if it fell to Diana Ross she would take the job seriously. And guardian doesn’t necessarily mean day-to-day caretaker.  If Grace the nanny, who from all reports, appears to be a lovely, stable, mother-figure, came with the kids, it might work out well.  And for all we know, it might be exactly what Diana needs now that her career is on the wane and her children are grown — purpose.  Her girls are, I believe, in long-term stable marriages, so they might be active participants too.

I can see what impressed MJ about Diana Ross (nobody in his family, for example, has gone on to pursue any type of higher education), but, I suspect MJ’s mother will end up with the kids — and Grace will probably stay on.

Andrea,

Diana Ross’ 3 daughters attended excellent high schools and 2 went on to graduate from Brown University and the youngest from Georgetown.  One of her sons has a learning disability and attended another first class school that gave him the tools to succeed and he is scheduled to graduate from college next year.  Her other son is making his way in the entertainment business.

While I don’t personally know Diana Ross, I thought I’d share a story about her that I think sheds even a bit more light on the type of mother she is.  One winter, when my son was about a year old, I spent a sleepless Saturday night because he had the flu and was running high fevers.  When I phoned my pediatrician early Sunday morning, I was told to bring him in. A minivan was the only other car parked in the parking lot that grey day and when I walked into the dark waiting room (most of the lights were off because it wasn’t a regular day) there was a tiny exhausted looking woman in a beige pair of pants and sweatshirt with 2 little boys — and yes, she was accompanied by a nanny, who didn’t look nearly as tired. The doctor walked out and asked me to fill out a form and beckoned the other mother to come in with her kids. One of little boys rushed ahead and stepped in front of me, and his mother grabbed his hand and very calmly said, "Let the lady go ahead of you."  Once I had completed the form and left it on the desk for the doctor’s staff to process on Monday, my son and I were moved into a room alongside the other family.  The mother smiled at me and said, "You look like you had a long night too."  That mother was Diana Ross.  And what impressed me was that she was truly a mother, who, like me, had had a bad night caring for a sick child. There were no "airs" or diva-like behavior and her little boys were as sweet and cute as could be. 

Very funny and so pathetic. 

I actually thought the Sanford marriage might survive until this last round of confessions. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jenny despises him now — and how does he really intend to repair his marriage and fall in love with his wife again after announcing that his Argentine paramour is his soulmate!?!?! This guy has lost his mind!  When it comes to character, at least the Sanford boys have their mother, who continues to maintain her dignity.

I believe it is most important now that candidates are completely vetted before getting anywhere near our White House.

I think that would be great deber, but I think there are always going to be surprises along the way.  Some thought the extended primary season did some of that for us, but I think I am not the only one who began to suffer from primary fatigue.

Let’s not kid ourselves … the sons were in on it too.  They, after all, were grown men and there is no doubt they were in on the entire scheme. They have been staying away from their mother hoping to save themselves. Hopefully, the Feds will soon go after them too.

You must read this clever zinger from The Wild Bull of the Pampa’s wife’s point of view by Tina Brown

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-06-25/what-the-sanfords-didnt-say/?cid=bs:archive6

deber,

I disagree with you.  First, the opposition has not asked for our help.  Yesterday, there was some inflammatory rhetoric about the US — principally to provoke us — and I think Obama is correct to not respond and make the US the distraction.  The United States should avoid giving the current regime any ammunition to use against the United States, including blaming us for the protests and unrest. The US can’t afford to be a paper tiger — if we are going to get out there and encourage the opposition we have to be prepared to support them with our military — well beyond words of encouragement.  We don’t want to take the wind out of the sails of the opposition. 

Julie,

The difference here is that this girl is dealing with European parents.  There is a HUGE cultural difference here.  I know my parents were always concerned with their personal comfort, but my European friends have parents who are far concerned with that sort of thing. It is not unusual for them to all squeeze into a relative’s home. I think she needs to get some air mattresses and just accept that this is the way it’s going to be when they visit.

And when it comes to the smart woman who can’t seem to find a date — she may well be just too intense — and that has nothing to do with being a woman because men who are just too intense can also be exhausting.  One can be smart and still know how to be social — she may need to just lighten up.

C.,

I think I remember reading that you work outside the home — what do you do with your puppy when you’re away all day?  My family is pressing for a second pup, but I am reluctant to give up the freedom I have to come and go now that I have a mature dog and self-sufficient children.  Khaki was a baby when I still had, what was for all intents and purposes, a baby at home.