I used to love Fall. It was always my favorite season. This year though? Not so much! Fall and I are no longer seeing eye-to-eye. The past few weeks have pretty much sucked. I normally don't complain about the weather (HA! I couldn't even type that without cracking up) but this is what's been happening. I'm sure you've heard about it all on your local news..
Hurricane Sandy came and went, taking out power with it. Long Island and the shore in NJ got hit the hardest. They called the storm "Long Island's Katrina". It took 5 days for the power to get turned back on. We lost a section of fence, but it is fixable. It keeps making me think of the people who were affected by Hurricane Irene last year (we lost power 4 days that time) and were still waiting on money from FEMA to be able to rebuild. I am grateful we only had the little damage we did and I pray for those who have to start from nothing and rebuild now.
As for my family, my daughter pretty much spent the week at my parents house. They were more than happy to have her and I was happy that she at least had a warm bed and shower. I toughed it out in the cold because of my dogs. They slept in their jackets each night and ran around to keep warm during the day. The rabbit couldn't have cared less. He was his usual self.
Then the Nor'easter Blizzard hit. Literally, the first day back at school. By the time I got Mini off the bus, it was snowing pretty hard and it was FREEZING! I guess our district was determined not to use any more days because we ended up with a 2-hour delay. We didn't lose power during that storm. I thank all that's holy for that one because LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) had announced that if you lost power during the blizzard, your power wouldn't be turned back on until after the Sandy victims had their power. In case you haven't heard, this is requiring building inspectors and a LIPA rep to go door-to-door, business-to-business to make sure each house or building is sound enough to handle having power back. It's pain-staking and there have been protests across Long Island with residents asking LIPA to work faster. It has been pretty crazy.
This weekend, the weather was in the 60's. I'm not even kidding. Yesterday, my truck said "63" and today it said "65". So we go from a Hurricane to Blizzard to 60's all within two weeks. At this point, I think Mother Nature is just screwing with us!
One of the best things to come out of all the turmoil is the sights and sounds of people reaching out and helping. The outpouring of love and support from all over is truly heart-warming. I'm not talking about celebrities. They have to help so they look like they care. I'm talking about Long Islanders helping out their fellow LI-ers, NY-ers helping out their fellow NY-ers.
It gives me hope for humanity.
It makes me smile.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Love the Fall. Hate the Sick.
Before this school year started, I rarely got sick. I mean it. It never mattered who was sick around me, I never got anything. My family would jokingly cough on me. Nothing. Mini and her father would come home sick. Nothing.
All that changed this school year. I've been sick twice already! It certainly doesn't help that the weather has been insane. It's 45 one day and 70 the next. At night, we have already hit the 30s. I'm freezing when I go to bed, but boiling when I wake up. All this is a perfect storm for getting sick.
The biggest thing that is bothering me at the moment is that I have yet to go pumpkin or apple picking yet. I'm so incredibly disappointed! The first two weeks of school I was dealing with something emotionally that led to my lack of sleep. The next two weeks, I was sick. By the time my cold was gone, I had sprouted a new wisdom tooth. However, this new tooth came in both impacted and infected. Let me tell you how much fun that was! After being in ridiculous pain for a week (the pain spread to the side of my head and was causing migraines and facial swelling), I went to the dentist and begged him to pull it. After that, I was on meds for the pain and the infection plus a soft-food-try-to-have-mostly-liquids diet. When I was done with the meds and my gums had healed, I got sick again.
In short, I have gotten NOTHING accomplished since school started. Still.
I have always loved the Fall. I love the changing leaves, the excuse to bust out my extensive sweatshirt collection, more reasons to drink coffee during the day, pumpkin bread/muffins/cake/cupcakes, football and basketball starts... You get the idea. This Fall, however, has not been my friend. I hope things will start to look up in the coming weeks. I hate being sick!
How is YOUR Fall going?
All that changed this school year. I've been sick twice already! It certainly doesn't help that the weather has been insane. It's 45 one day and 70 the next. At night, we have already hit the 30s. I'm freezing when I go to bed, but boiling when I wake up. All this is a perfect storm for getting sick.
The biggest thing that is bothering me at the moment is that I have yet to go pumpkin or apple picking yet. I'm so incredibly disappointed! The first two weeks of school I was dealing with something emotionally that led to my lack of sleep. The next two weeks, I was sick. By the time my cold was gone, I had sprouted a new wisdom tooth. However, this new tooth came in both impacted and infected. Let me tell you how much fun that was! After being in ridiculous pain for a week (the pain spread to the side of my head and was causing migraines and facial swelling), I went to the dentist and begged him to pull it. After that, I was on meds for the pain and the infection plus a soft-food-try-to-have-mostly-liquids diet. When I was done with the meds and my gums had healed, I got sick again.
In short, I have gotten NOTHING accomplished since school started. Still.
I have always loved the Fall. I love the changing leaves, the excuse to bust out my extensive sweatshirt collection, more reasons to drink coffee during the day, pumpkin bread/muffins/cake/cupcakes, football and basketball starts... You get the idea. This Fall, however, has not been my friend. I hope things will start to look up in the coming weeks. I hate being sick!
How is YOUR Fall going?
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Liebster Blog Award..
Yay! I was nominated for a Liebster Blog Award.
Wait. What's that?
Glad you asked :)
It means someone thinks I'm a noteworthy blogger. Liebsters are given by bloggers to other bloggers with less than 200 followers that they feel could use some recognition. I have always loved to write. It's a passion of mine and I try to keep my writing as real as possible, so it's nice to be recognized for that. Back in high school, I received the Journalism award for being on the school paper for two years. I have the plaque hanging on my office wall. My first blog was started about 7 years ago now, around the time I got engaged. I blogged about wedding planning and what was happening every step of the way. My next blog was about my daughter. I wish I had kept up with that one.
Thanks so much and lots of hugs to Ashly from Epiphanies of Ashly for the nomination! She is one of my favorite bloggers because she is real and funny. Her posts have just the right amount of sarcasm and hilarity to keep a reader entertained.
Here are the rules:
1. You have to list 11 things about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions sent to you be the person who nominated you.
3. Choose UP TO 11 bloggers that have less than 200 followers.
4. Go to your nominees page and inform them of their award.
5. You CAN NOT tag back.
Without further ado, 11 things about me...
1. I have 12 siblings.
2. When I took the 11th grade writing test, my teacher informed me that whoever graded my exam said I was the first student in years to get all the spelling and vocabulary right. It made me both proud and sad.
3. I'm mad you can only find Bailey's chocolates in stores around Christmas.
4. My favorite saying lately is "It is what it is".
5. I shrank 2.5 inches in the past eight years thanks to a car accident that compressed my spine and a pregnancy that did further damage.
6. I have a mini binder that I absolutely love. I've named it Booklyn. (Don't judge me!)
7. Shel Silverstein is my favorite poet.
8. If I hit the lottery, I would call all my family and friends. If you answer, you can have some money. If you don't, you can kick rocks.
9. Whole wheat Ritz crackers were a genius idea!
10. I don't like eating Cheerios without milk and a banana cut up and dumped in.
11. When I was younger, I thought the people on the front of magazines and newspapers could see me. I would hide them if I was using the bathroom. I'm cracking up as I type this.
Now onto Ashly's questions:
1. How long have you been blogging and what made you start?
About 7 years ago, I started a blog when I got engaged. It answered mundane questions about our wedding and stuff.
2. Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi.
3. What is your dream job?
Getting paid for doing nothing.
4. What city do you live in?
I'm an hour west of New York City out on Long Island. I'm also an hour away from the Hamptons.
5. What was your high school mascot?
Musketeer.
6. Would you rather be a bird or a fish and why?
Whichever was endangered so I wouldn't be shot or hunted.
7. What is the greatest award you've ever received?
Probably the Journalism Award I got in high school.
8. IPhone or Droid?
I love my Blackberry, but I have a soft spot for my iPhone as well.
9. Do you have pets? If so, how many and what are they?
I have 3. Two pugs and a rabbit. 4 if you count my husband when he's being a slob.
10. What do you want to be for Halloween this year?
A corpse, so I could sleep and be left alone.
11. Top 3 favorite movies?
Wedding Crashers, the Great Muppet Caper, Mrs Doubtfire
Now that I have answered the questions, it's my turn to tag a few people and ask them some questions. These are blogs that I read as often as I can. I don't always get the chance to comment, but I always make it a point to check them out..
I nominate:
1. The Bad & Ugly of Retro Food
2. Eight Are We: The Pursuit of Blendedly Blissful
3. Nanny to Mommy
4. Hot Shot Blogger
5. Adventures From Beyond the Crib
6. The Pink Momma
7. Stone Soup Tales
8. Wedded Bliss & Blooming Baby
Here are the questions I have for you..
1. Name something you can't go a day without doing.
2. If you were given the keys to a time machine, where would you go and why?
3. Do you prefer blue or black ink?
4. What's the last thing you regretted buying?
5. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
6. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
7. What's #1 on your Bucket List?
8. Name the first song that comes to mind.
9. If you could trade lives with anyone, who would it be?
10. What's your favorite game show?
11. Do you own more books than movies?
Well, there it is. Happy Nominations everyone!
Thanks again, Ashly. You're the best!
Wait. What's that?
Glad you asked :)
It means someone thinks I'm a noteworthy blogger. Liebsters are given by bloggers to other bloggers with less than 200 followers that they feel could use some recognition. I have always loved to write. It's a passion of mine and I try to keep my writing as real as possible, so it's nice to be recognized for that. Back in high school, I received the Journalism award for being on the school paper for two years. I have the plaque hanging on my office wall. My first blog was started about 7 years ago now, around the time I got engaged. I blogged about wedding planning and what was happening every step of the way. My next blog was about my daughter. I wish I had kept up with that one.
Thanks so much and lots of hugs to Ashly from Epiphanies of Ashly for the nomination! She is one of my favorite bloggers because she is real and funny. Her posts have just the right amount of sarcasm and hilarity to keep a reader entertained.
Here are the rules:
1. You have to list 11 things about yourself.
2. Answer the 11 questions sent to you be the person who nominated you.
3. Choose UP TO 11 bloggers that have less than 200 followers.
4. Go to your nominees page and inform them of their award.
5. You CAN NOT tag back.
Without further ado, 11 things about me...
1. I have 12 siblings.
2. When I took the 11th grade writing test, my teacher informed me that whoever graded my exam said I was the first student in years to get all the spelling and vocabulary right. It made me both proud and sad.
3. I'm mad you can only find Bailey's chocolates in stores around Christmas.
4. My favorite saying lately is "It is what it is".
5. I shrank 2.5 inches in the past eight years thanks to a car accident that compressed my spine and a pregnancy that did further damage.
6. I have a mini binder that I absolutely love. I've named it Booklyn. (Don't judge me!)
7. Shel Silverstein is my favorite poet.
8. If I hit the lottery, I would call all my family and friends. If you answer, you can have some money. If you don't, you can kick rocks.
9. Whole wheat Ritz crackers were a genius idea!
10. I don't like eating Cheerios without milk and a banana cut up and dumped in.
11. When I was younger, I thought the people on the front of magazines and newspapers could see me. I would hide them if I was using the bathroom. I'm cracking up as I type this.
Now onto Ashly's questions:
1. How long have you been blogging and what made you start?
About 7 years ago, I started a blog when I got engaged. It answered mundane questions about our wedding and stuff.
2. Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi.
3. What is your dream job?
Getting paid for doing nothing.
4. What city do you live in?
I'm an hour west of New York City out on Long Island. I'm also an hour away from the Hamptons.
5. What was your high school mascot?
Musketeer.
6. Would you rather be a bird or a fish and why?
Whichever was endangered so I wouldn't be shot or hunted.
7. What is the greatest award you've ever received?
Probably the Journalism Award I got in high school.
8. IPhone or Droid?
I love my Blackberry, but I have a soft spot for my iPhone as well.
9. Do you have pets? If so, how many and what are they?
I have 3. Two pugs and a rabbit. 4 if you count my husband when he's being a slob.
10. What do you want to be for Halloween this year?
A corpse, so I could sleep and be left alone.
11. Top 3 favorite movies?
Wedding Crashers, the Great Muppet Caper, Mrs Doubtfire
Now that I have answered the questions, it's my turn to tag a few people and ask them some questions. These are blogs that I read as often as I can. I don't always get the chance to comment, but I always make it a point to check them out..
I nominate:
1. The Bad & Ugly of Retro Food
2. Eight Are We: The Pursuit of Blendedly Blissful
3. Nanny to Mommy
4. Hot Shot Blogger
5. Adventures From Beyond the Crib
6. The Pink Momma
7. Stone Soup Tales
8. Wedded Bliss & Blooming Baby
Here are the questions I have for you..
1. Name something you can't go a day without doing.
2. If you were given the keys to a time machine, where would you go and why?
3. Do you prefer blue or black ink?
4. What's the last thing you regretted buying?
5. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
6. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
7. What's #1 on your Bucket List?
8. Name the first song that comes to mind.
9. If you could trade lives with anyone, who would it be?
10. What's your favorite game show?
11. Do you own more books than movies?
Well, there it is. Happy Nominations everyone!
Thanks again, Ashly. You're the best!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Thirty-Something
My birthday is September 11th. Yes, you read that right. I bet you couldn't read it without reacting a little bit, huh? I'm used to it by now. Everyone has a reaction. Even if they don't say anything, it's written all over their face. Some examples:
-Years ago, I was on a date. He asked when my birthday was. Since he was a police officer, I hesitated then told him. He got up, walked out and I never heard from him again.
-A little over 8 years ago, I was in a car accident. Several people stood around with clipboards asking for my info. When I gave my birthday, all of them stopped and looked up. I just said "No comments, please. Not in the mood."
-A few years ago, a few friends and I went out for my birthday. Someone at the next table actually yelled at us for celebrating. He told me the day wasn't worth celebrating. I told him it was my birthday. He rolled his eyes and said "Don't lie to me." I showed him my driver's license and told him where he could put his own drink.
Yup. I've gotten used to the weird looks and ridiculous comments. I'm sure Ludacris, Harry Connick Jr, Taraji Henson, Moby, Virginia Madsen, Ed Reed, Lola Falana, Mickey Hart & Tommy Shaw (to name a few) all get the same reactions. Google it. They all share my birthday. To answer your question: I was home enjoying a day off when my sister called my brother to tell him to turn on the news. It was my 20th birthday.
ANYWAYS..
For me, my birthday is a time to reflect on the year and make goals for the next one. So, how did my year go? Meh not so good. I set goals for myself last year and got nothing done. This year, I'm more determined than ever...
*My treadmill and I will remain friends. My knee and I? Not so much. My knee pretty much screams every time the treadmill and I are hanging out. I shut my knee up with some meds because my treadmill has helped me lose 15 lbs so far. Sorry, knee, but I'm sticking with the treadmill.
*My desk WILL be organized. It's coming along nicely already. Most of the stuff is in place and I'm unearthing all the piles of stuff my husband has buried and am going through each thing. I leave no paper unturned.
*I will not be put in the middle anymore. My family does it and sometimes my friends do it. I'm tired of being thrown in the middle of some dramatic standoff. I'm Switzerland. Get used to it.
*I will not only trust my gut, I will listen to it. I always get a feeling about a situation, but I always let my heart win out. I feel sorry and help people who don't deserve it, only for them to take advantage. I'm over doing that.
*I'm going to make more time for my hobbies... and actually finish something!
That's what has been on my mind all week. Here's to being 31 and loving it!
Do you reflect and set goals on your birthday?
-Years ago, I was on a date. He asked when my birthday was. Since he was a police officer, I hesitated then told him. He got up, walked out and I never heard from him again.
-A little over 8 years ago, I was in a car accident. Several people stood around with clipboards asking for my info. When I gave my birthday, all of them stopped and looked up. I just said "No comments, please. Not in the mood."
-A few years ago, a few friends and I went out for my birthday. Someone at the next table actually yelled at us for celebrating. He told me the day wasn't worth celebrating. I told him it was my birthday. He rolled his eyes and said "Don't lie to me." I showed him my driver's license and told him where he could put his own drink.
Yup. I've gotten used to the weird looks and ridiculous comments. I'm sure Ludacris, Harry Connick Jr, Taraji Henson, Moby, Virginia Madsen, Ed Reed, Lola Falana, Mickey Hart & Tommy Shaw (to name a few) all get the same reactions. Google it. They all share my birthday. To answer your question: I was home enjoying a day off when my sister called my brother to tell him to turn on the news. It was my 20th birthday.
ANYWAYS..
For me, my birthday is a time to reflect on the year and make goals for the next one. So, how did my year go? Meh not so good. I set goals for myself last year and got nothing done. This year, I'm more determined than ever...
*My treadmill and I will remain friends. My knee and I? Not so much. My knee pretty much screams every time the treadmill and I are hanging out. I shut my knee up with some meds because my treadmill has helped me lose 15 lbs so far. Sorry, knee, but I'm sticking with the treadmill.
*My desk WILL be organized. It's coming along nicely already. Most of the stuff is in place and I'm unearthing all the piles of stuff my husband has buried and am going through each thing. I leave no paper unturned.
*I will not be put in the middle anymore. My family does it and sometimes my friends do it. I'm tired of being thrown in the middle of some dramatic standoff. I'm Switzerland. Get used to it.
*I will not only trust my gut, I will listen to it. I always get a feeling about a situation, but I always let my heart win out. I feel sorry and help people who don't deserve it, only for them to take advantage. I'm over doing that.
*I'm going to make more time for my hobbies... and actually finish something!
That's what has been on my mind all week. Here's to being 31 and loving it!
Do you reflect and set goals on your birthday?
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Nap = Panacea?
Mini started school this week. I had no idea it would be so hard for me. It's not so much that "my baby's growing up *sniff sniff*", it's more "I'm too paranoid to trust these strangers to keep her safe". I knew my paranoia was going to bite me in the tuckus though..
I have done my best to keep busy, but to no avail. It pains me to admit I was so depressed, I ended up napping all afternoon all three days. That's how crappy my coping skills are. Sleep is my remedy for anything. Sleeping helps pass the time. My phone is near me, in case the school calls, but I have chosen to ignore life. The crappy weather hasn't been helping my mood much either. My body and my emotions are in full-on rebellion mode!
Yesterday, as I cleaned and got my house ready for company, I did a lot of thinking. I can't do this to myself anymore. Yes, napping always makes me feel better.. It's my go-to stress reliever.. But the avoidance isn't healthy. Sleeping all afternoon is just not helping at all.
I have made a list of things I need to do this week and I am determined to figure out how to deal with this in a sane way plus my birthday is this week which will help a little with a distraction. I now have time to finish all those projects that I want to, but don't want Mini in my hair while I'm doing them, so I'm doing my best to look on the bright side of things:
*I can finally set up my "office". I got a brand new, obnoxiously big desk (LOVE IT though) and my stuff is just kind of thrown on there. I can finally bring some order to the chaos.
*I can Pinterest my way through my crafting supplies. I found the tutorial on how to turn an old t-shirt into a scarf. My sisters and adopted Mom liked them so much, they requested some for Christmas! I can get them done early..
*I can scrapbook! The second I pull out the scissors and glue sticks, Mini wants in. She loves making projects. I like subway art and found a ton of printables for Fall, my favorite season. I want to collage them all and now I can on my own!
*I want to make the protein powder I just bought my bitch. I can Google and Pinterest til my heart's content for recipes and actually MAKE THEM without someone clamoring for a taste then complaining about it.
*I can rearrange Mini's room. Little by little, we worked all summer to transform Mini's room. There are a few different storage ideas I have for her stuff though. She balks at any idea I have, but when I just do it, she loves it. I now have the time to do that!
*My house will stay 50% cleaner! Mini wakes up, dresses, has breakfast then gets on the bus. When she gets home, she has a snack and this week, will have homework. By the time we are done with dinner, she is one tired kid, yet seems to have an insane amount of energy still. However, with her gone from 8:45 to 4 everyday, there will be no mess made during those hours!
I hope this next week will be a little easier than last week. My brain just always fears the worst and that's just something I need to work on, but at least I can acknowledge that. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?
I have done my best to keep busy, but to no avail. It pains me to admit I was so depressed, I ended up napping all afternoon all three days. That's how crappy my coping skills are. Sleep is my remedy for anything. Sleeping helps pass the time. My phone is near me, in case the school calls, but I have chosen to ignore life. The crappy weather hasn't been helping my mood much either. My body and my emotions are in full-on rebellion mode!
Yesterday, as I cleaned and got my house ready for company, I did a lot of thinking. I can't do this to myself anymore. Yes, napping always makes me feel better.. It's my go-to stress reliever.. But the avoidance isn't healthy. Sleeping all afternoon is just not helping at all.
I have made a list of things I need to do this week and I am determined to figure out how to deal with this in a sane way plus my birthday is this week which will help a little with a distraction. I now have time to finish all those projects that I want to, but don't want Mini in my hair while I'm doing them, so I'm doing my best to look on the bright side of things:
*I can finally set up my "office". I got a brand new, obnoxiously big desk (LOVE IT though) and my stuff is just kind of thrown on there. I can finally bring some order to the chaos.
*I can Pinterest my way through my crafting supplies. I found the tutorial on how to turn an old t-shirt into a scarf. My sisters and adopted Mom liked them so much, they requested some for Christmas! I can get them done early..
*I can scrapbook! The second I pull out the scissors and glue sticks, Mini wants in. She loves making projects. I like subway art and found a ton of printables for Fall, my favorite season. I want to collage them all and now I can on my own!
*I want to make the protein powder I just bought my bitch. I can Google and Pinterest til my heart's content for recipes and actually MAKE THEM without someone clamoring for a taste then complaining about it.
*I can rearrange Mini's room. Little by little, we worked all summer to transform Mini's room. There are a few different storage ideas I have for her stuff though. She balks at any idea I have, but when I just do it, she loves it. I now have the time to do that!
*My house will stay 50% cleaner! Mini wakes up, dresses, has breakfast then gets on the bus. When she gets home, she has a snack and this week, will have homework. By the time we are done with dinner, she is one tired kid, yet seems to have an insane amount of energy still. However, with her gone from 8:45 to 4 everyday, there will be no mess made during those hours!
I hope this next week will be a little easier than last week. My brain just always fears the worst and that's just something I need to work on, but at least I can acknowledge that. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right?
Thursday, August 30, 2012
"Happy" 60th..
If my Mother was still alive, she would have turned 60 today. In my recent reflections, a song kept coming to mind. It haunted me, in fact. Every moment I wasn't occupied with something else, it would pop back in. I heard it in the background of my dreams, no matter what was happening.
It was a song my Mother used to play when I was a child (and still living with her). Usually, when a song consumes me like this, it means/meant something to me. There is no doubt my Mother loved music. She introduced me to Rick Astley (I actually LIKE being "Rick-rolled"), Taylor Dayne ("Honey I'll beeee your shelt-ah...") and the Beach Boys ("Kokomo"!!!) to name a few... but there was obviously a frame in my memory attached to this song that I wasn't connecting the dots on.
I'm the type of person that can do something (whether it be wash dishes, play a game, hear a song, etc) and I can tell you what I was thinking the last time I did that. This has been both good and bad for me, as you can imagine. I had to listen to this song probably a dozen times before it came to me..
When I was about 5 or so, my parents had a typically crazy fight. If I was awake, I sat there just wishing it would stop and praying it would be over soon. My Father left afterwards. He always did. I would venture to the living room to check on my Mother. This particular time, she had switched on the record player (shows how old I am, huh?) and put this song on.
She was just sitting there, staring off into space while I stood there watching her. Finally, her eyes settled on me. I froze. Most times, she would tell me to go back to bed, yelling until my stubborn ass moved. That didn't happen this time. Instead, she took a breath- and burst into tears. It wasn't the first time I had seen her cry and it certainly wasn't the last breakdown I witnessed, but somehow the look in her eyes got me. This woman was so strong in my eyes, but there are times when even the strongest people you know need to cry it out. I sat there next to her, not knowing what to do, until she finally wiped her eyes, hugged me, told me she would be okay and sent me back to bed. This song was on virtual repeat the entire time.
For you, Mother, as you are celebrating your birthday with the angels.
I love you and miss you more every day.
Happy 60th Birthday, Mama.
It was a song my Mother used to play when I was a child (and still living with her). Usually, when a song consumes me like this, it means/meant something to me. There is no doubt my Mother loved music. She introduced me to Rick Astley (I actually LIKE being "Rick-rolled"), Taylor Dayne ("Honey I'll beeee your shelt-ah...") and the Beach Boys ("Kokomo"!!!) to name a few... but there was obviously a frame in my memory attached to this song that I wasn't connecting the dots on.
I'm the type of person that can do something (whether it be wash dishes, play a game, hear a song, etc) and I can tell you what I was thinking the last time I did that. This has been both good and bad for me, as you can imagine. I had to listen to this song probably a dozen times before it came to me..
When I was about 5 or so, my parents had a typically crazy fight. If I was awake, I sat there just wishing it would stop and praying it would be over soon. My Father left afterwards. He always did. I would venture to the living room to check on my Mother. This particular time, she had switched on the record player (shows how old I am, huh?) and put this song on.
She was just sitting there, staring off into space while I stood there watching her. Finally, her eyes settled on me. I froze. Most times, she would tell me to go back to bed, yelling until my stubborn ass moved. That didn't happen this time. Instead, she took a breath- and burst into tears. It wasn't the first time I had seen her cry and it certainly wasn't the last breakdown I witnessed, but somehow the look in her eyes got me. This woman was so strong in my eyes, but there are times when even the strongest people you know need to cry it out. I sat there next to her, not knowing what to do, until she finally wiped her eyes, hugged me, told me she would be okay and sent me back to bed. This song was on virtual repeat the entire time.
For you, Mother, as you are celebrating your birthday with the angels.
I love you and miss you more every day.
Happy 60th Birthday, Mama.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Grow Up Already! -Rant-
I have been friends with C since high school. Well, if you want to call it that.
C is one of those people that will call you incessantly if she needs a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. If she is in crisis, everyone has to rally around her. If you need her? She's nowhere to be found. You text and get no response. You call and no call back. You do whatever you can to help make her life easier but heaven forbid she go out of her way to help you. she won't even call you for your birthday, but she will get upset if you don't want to drive the 4 hours to visit her for hers. Everyone says, "Well that's her." Well then, she is a selfish ass that I don't need to be bothered with anymore.
Now onto my sister. She barely acknowledged my 30th birthday last year. She said it was no big deal because no one got to celebrate their birthdays. Ummm... You made a huge deal when your friends turned 30. Everyone gets a party but me? For the record, she is already planning her 30th, which is another 3 years away. When I complain, what am I told? "She's the baby." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! She is 27 years old! It's time to grow up already.
The most ridiculous part about all this is these two are the ones who are always telling me how to live my life! Both seem to have this idea in their heads that I need 'help' and they are the ones qualified to give it to me. They always give me relationship advice (which, if you knew these two, is a joke!), parenting advice (neither has kids nor is even close to it), the list goes on..
WHAT?!
I don't talk to my sister often anymore because I'm tired of her stupid opinions. It's sad because we used to be close. I have given up on C because I'm weeks away from 31 and it's time to rid myself of excess baggage. It's time to shake off the people who aren't worth having around anymore.
Have you ever had to limit contact with someone? Why?
C is one of those people that will call you incessantly if she needs a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. If she is in crisis, everyone has to rally around her. If you need her? She's nowhere to be found. You text and get no response. You call and no call back. You do whatever you can to help make her life easier but heaven forbid she go out of her way to help you. she won't even call you for your birthday, but she will get upset if you don't want to drive the 4 hours to visit her for hers. Everyone says, "Well that's her." Well then, she is a selfish ass that I don't need to be bothered with anymore.
Now onto my sister. She barely acknowledged my 30th birthday last year. She said it was no big deal because no one got to celebrate their birthdays. Ummm... You made a huge deal when your friends turned 30. Everyone gets a party but me? For the record, she is already planning her 30th, which is another 3 years away. When I complain, what am I told? "She's the baby." ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! She is 27 years old! It's time to grow up already.
The most ridiculous part about all this is these two are the ones who are always telling me how to live my life! Both seem to have this idea in their heads that I need 'help' and they are the ones qualified to give it to me. They always give me relationship advice (which, if you knew these two, is a joke!), parenting advice (neither has kids nor is even close to it), the list goes on..
WHAT?!
I don't talk to my sister often anymore because I'm tired of her stupid opinions. It's sad because we used to be close. I have given up on C because I'm weeks away from 31 and it's time to rid myself of excess baggage. It's time to shake off the people who aren't worth having around anymore.
Have you ever had to limit contact with someone? Why?
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