What We're Up to These Days

Here's the latest, ladies and gents...we're in the process of meeting informally to plan future events. We're thinking one event per month, on a Friday night. We're just trying to figure out the best locations to keep costs down. If you have any suggestions, let me know. Thank you.

UPCOMING EVENTS

We have two events coming up. One is a Ladies Night Out on Monday, August 25, 2008, 7:00 p.m. at the Melting Pot in Bedford. Come and enjoy good company and a unique fondue dining experience, while having the opportunity to visit vendors of items such as handbags, jewelery. You can also make an appointment with psychic or palm reader (for extra $20). The meal which includes a drink and dessert is $35/pp plus tax and gratuity. We deserve it!

And on Saturday, September 6, 2008, we'll be going for a walk - this could become a weekly event if there is enough interest. We'll meet at 9:00 a.m. at Horn Pond in Woburn - exact spot to be announced.

We're also getting a team together to participate in the walk to benefit Autism Speaks on October 19, 2008 at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

Please e-mail jtzouvelis@comcast.net if you are interested in any of these exciting events.

Imperfect Family Barbecue

The weather performance at today's Pot Luck Family Barbecue is similar to our lives: It was sunny, then drip, drip, drip, rainy, then sunny again, then cloudy and drip, drip, drip, rainy again. Everyone in attendance had a really fun time, the rain actually made it more interesting and fun - and definitely imperfect. A lot of new friendships were made and we would like this to be an annual tradition. Our "leaders" Gina Gallager and Patty Konjoian were in attendance which made it even more fun. Our next event will be in August.

HELP, I'M DROWNING!

We visited my sister's swim club the other day. My 6 year old loves the pool. However, she tends to be very loud and scream a lot when she plays in the water. People who don't know her would think she was in distress. It also doesn't help that she likes to play the "drowning" game where she yells, "Help, I'm drowning". The lifeguards really don't appreciate this. I had to kick her out of the pool. She left willingly - luckily, I didn't have to drag her away and make more of a scene. She understands, now, when she does something wrong and has to suffer the consequence. It's going to be a very LONG summer!

OUR NEXT OFFICIAL EVENT

Mark your calendars for:

Pot Luck Family Barbecue
Sunday, July 20, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
At the home of one of our members in Burlington

For more information, e-mail jtzouvelis@comcast.net

Entertainment will be provided for the children. The Shut Up Sisters are sponsoring the "meat" and plan to make a guest appearance.

Don't miss out!

We're famous

Now, we're all local celebrities...everyone who attended the first official Kick-off Meeting at Flatbread on Fri. 6/13, congratulations! We made the front page of today's Burlington Union. This really is something to be proud of...and it's just the beginning friends!

INTEREST GROWING

The interest in our group is definitely out there and growing. Planning for a family barbecue this Summer is in the works and we'll definitely have another adult night out again soon. If you know anyone who would like to be added to our e-mail list, please forward the addresses to jtzouvelis@comcast.net. Looking forward to the year ahead and parents meeting other parents, kids meeting other kids, connections being made.

I'll share a funny story with you and hope that you will share one with me! Yesterday was my son's 10th birthday. We decided to have a more "low key" celebration this year, so we invited 7 of his friends to dinner at Flatbread in Bedford (the same private room where we had our first meeting!). Well, let me tell you, those kids had such a blast - luckily the restaurant wasn't busy. But, I learned my lesson - 10-year old boys need to run around - Bonkers may be a better option next year, so I don't go "bonkers".

SHUT UP SUCCESS

Tonight's kick-off event had a good crowd. We filled the private room at Flatbread. Everyone enjoyed drinks and conversation. Then, Gina and Patty spoke about their mission and how they hope someday that there will be Shut Up Clubs nationwide. We took a group photo for the newspaper and Shut Up website. Thank you to everyone who made the effort to come. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions. Our next event will be a family bbq in July.

LOOSEN UP AND SHUT UP

The word is out...there's a new Club in town - "The Shut Up Club" - hearing its name makes people laugh which is exactly what the purpose of the Club is - a social support group that gives parents the opportunity to get together and laugh, laugh, laugh about our everyday lives. I am so pleased that the Superintendent of Burlington Public Schools approved the flyer for our first official kick-off event on 6/13. We stood at the High School copier for 3 hours yesterday, making copies for all the students' backpacks. Over 2000 copies are being distributed. It will be interesting to see what kind of response we get. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

First Official Kick-off Meeting

We will have our first official kick-off meeting at Flatbread Pizza in Bedford on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. A private room has been reserved for us. Food and drink will be available to order for individuals to purchase. New members will receive a free bumper sticker. We will have surprise guests. All parents are welcome. For more information and to R.S.V.P. (by June 10th), e-mail jtzouvelis@comcast.net.

IMPERFECT HEARING

I went for a hearing test today for the first time because I've suspected mild hearing loss in my left ear. The results show that I do have mild hearing loss just as I suspected. I was seen at an office in Woburn and don't plan to return. My next test will be at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston. I really can laugh about this even though it is not exactly a laughing matter - but, it was the bedside manner of the doctor - "Hopefully it's just wax that is causing the hearing loss," he says - gee, that put my mind at ease. Then, he looks in my ears and says, "I'm sorry to say, it's not wax...that's too bad...that's too bad." So my response, after some silence, as he wrote in his notes was, "Why is it too bad?" And he said, "because that would be the easiest thing to get rid of..." "O.k., so do I have a brain tumor?" I wanted to say...but I didn't ...he said it could be any of the following "4" things...wow, he can add...so he lists them - then the final thing he mentions is that I should get an MRI to rule out the possibility of an anorism - even though he's almost 100% sure that's not what it is, I should get the test - I wonder if he ever had an MRI - so simple, just stuff the person into a machine and expose them to maximum radiation to find out that they most likely have nothing wrong with them. Money well spent, too, don't you think?

LET THE PLANNING BEGIN

We'll be having another planning meeting next week to create a calendar of events for our group. We welcome any suggestions, but whatever we do will always be fun. I have a funny story to share with our members. This will surely make you laugh. Dunkin Donuts was giving away free small iced coffees this past Thursday. I was sure to get mine and enjoyed every last sip. The next day, I went through the drive up to make one of my usual purchases. The woman on the intercom taking my order kept asking me to repeat what I was saying because she was having trouble hearing me. When I pulled up to the window and she handed me my order, I asked, "what kind of coffee is this?" (because I thought it was flavored and I ordered regular). She responded - what did you order? I couldn't hear you and I still can't hear you? I could not believe how rude the two women behind the window were. I "shut up", even though I really wanted to say something. I just kept my mouth shut. I was going to immediately complain to the manager about how rude they were. It's so obvious they hate their jobs. But, it turns out my coffee was just what I ordered. Now, I can safely return to the drive-up and hope they hear me next time. This is the kind of funny story members can share - something that happens in our daily life that we can laugh about after. Sharing laughs is the best medicine.

What Next?

We had a nice audience today who all seem interested in the idea of the Shut Up Club. It will be separate from the Parent Advisory Council (PAC), but the two organizations will support each other. Patty Konjoian attended our first "planning" meeting today at the Burlington Public Library. I introduced her and hopefully will get more used to speaking in public. The only opposition was that our mission statement says that members will not need to feel alone anymore and one of the PAC leaders was hurt by this because that is PAC's mission, too, and she's absolutely right, but the two organizations are there to help people who need them in different ways. Our group's purpose is to give members an opportunity to have fun and release - no crying allowed! Laughter mandatory. What next? We want to get a "Shut Up" team together to walk on May 31st at the NAMI Walk which starts at Artesani Park in Brighton. 9:00 registration, 11:00 start of walk. If you're interested, e-mail jtzouvelis@comcast.net. You'll get a free t-shirt - families welcome.

BIG DAY

Today is the big day - History in the making as we meet at the Burlington Public Library to discuss the launch of this unique support group, "The Shut Up Club". I hope we get a good turn-out and welcome feedback. We can make this happen!

Welcome New Members

It's the eve before our first official Shut Up Club planning meeting. I am so excited to be part of this Movement of Imperfection started by sisters, Gina Gallagher and Patty Konjoian, authors of "Shut Up About...Your Perfect Kid!". From the day I first met them at the Billerica Public Library - my life has changed. I am laughing so much more and no longer feel alone. This is how I want all members of the Shut Up Club to feel - we are in this together. We are comrades. It's time to have fun!