Scratch and Lent Sale

I don't own a religion, and I try to stay as far away from it as possible. I must confess, however, that I have always felt a little jealous of Lent. For years, I have stood by and watched friends deprive themselves of things like chocolate, soda, coffee, etc. While I was always elated that I didn't have to give anything up, I also saw some good in these sacrifices. One year, when I worked at Janet Wattles Center, my friend gave up soda. It seemed to me that it was a little like a diet, without calling it a diet. Rather, it was for GOD! So, some points are earned, you are respected as a religious person, and you'll probably drop a few pounds and your health will improve. I kinda wanted to do Lent.
Two days ago, I decided in order to lose a few pounds, I need to decrease my sugar intake. So, I'm on a no refined sugar diet. Then, a friend mentioned to me yesterday that she gave up Facebook for Lent. A-ha! Here's my chance. I may be starting a little late, but I'm giving up refined sugar for Lent. And, if anyone asks, I'll say, "I can't have that. I gave up sugar for Lent."

Now, I just need to find out when Lent ends.  

Parenting 401

Being a parent makes life very confusing. For me, it makes me question the person I am, the person I want to be, and, in turn, the people I want my girls to be. I'm responsible for creating these people and making sure they are the best they can be, or that I want them to be. So it makes me look at myself and while I like who I am, I don't necessarily think it's all great. Meaning, I don't know that I'm setting a great example.

Exhibit 1:  I taught Olivia to point and laugh at Emma. It was funny. Emma was being whiney about something so it only seemed fitting. It made Emma laugh and all was good. So we do it a lot. And now Olivia points and laughs at everyone. Including me. It's funny, cute, but not a great example. I'm aware.

Last month, we donated to St Jude's Children's Hospital. I got Emma involved thinking it would be good for her to get in on some giving. There was a picture of a little girl without hair and Emma had questions, and I answered. She asked how our money was going to help. I think the explanation ended with the understanding that we are trying to help save the children who are sick. A couple of weeks ago, we got a thank you letter from St Jude's. On it was another picture of a child without any hair. It looked a lot like the child from a month ago. Emma immediately started shooting off questions and accusations that I didn't "save" the little girl. I appreciated that she was genuinely concerned, and explained that it's a different child. In a sick and twisted way, I liked that she was mad at me, too.

So there's good. And then there's bad. Which is really what it comes down to for me. I like good and bad. I guess I'm hoping that my girls will be mostly good with some good bad in them. Not the really bad bad.
The key to life is balance, right?

Parenting is hard.

New Year, Same Me

First of all, I need to apologize for my last post. I had too many thoughts going through my head and couldn't get it all out. Sometimes when I'm driving I make up a whole post in my head, and then when I'm home and have time to write, it doesn't come out the same. If only I could blog, drive, and text all at the same time. Oh, we would all be in quite a bit of trouble.

So, last week we were driving home the short 15 hours from Rockford. Scott asked me if I have any new year resolutions. I immediately answered no. He looked at me with a bit of disgust.

Me: "Fine. My new year resolution is to have sex less."
Him: "Well mine is to have sex more often."
Me: "Good luck finding someone for that."

January is a terrible time to start doing things differently. It's cold outside. People are less motivated than usual. And most people want to work out more. Which sucks for me because that increases my Zumba class from 150 people to 250 people. However, that dies off by mid February so my point is proven.

The other, more reasonable resolution Scott had was to be nicer to each other. I think this was a cheap ploy to get me to fulfill his first resolution. I agreed to this resolution, but truthfully, being nice is boring. Being honest is much more fun. Especially when it's not appropriate to be. I'll stick with my first answer.

2010 in a big ole nutshell

Well, everyone sends those "Year In Review" letters with their Christmas cards, so here's mine...with a little spice. 

Who am I kidding. I can't remember what has happened this year. It's Olivia's 2nd Christmas and Emma's 6th or 7th. I thought we made our move to Alabama this year, but that was so 2009.

To be completely, partially honest, I'm not feeling that Christmasy this year. It's 60 degrees here and I'm still yelling at Emma to put shoes on when she goes outside. We all know that I shouldn't be having that argument in December. As much as I hate the cold winters and snow, Christmas isn't Christmas without it. I don't even think Emma is into it. She doesn't want anything for Christmas because she has too much stuff. Seriously. She does not get that from me.

Speaking of Emma, I'm currently driving around in my little Honda with, "Emma's mom rocks" and a peace sign written on my window with a window crayon. It's a little embarrassing, and I feel quite soccer-mom-ish, but it's from Emma, and compliments to me don't come easy with her. So I'll take it.

Christmas is all about giving, and I love giving gifts. But this year, I can't stop buying for myself. Yesterday I bought myself a new purse and 2 pairs of sunglasses. I wore my sunglasses and as soon as I got home, Scott asked me about them. That F*&%er doesn't miss anything. The rest will be wrapped and awaiting my fake surprise Christmas morning. Look who's been a good girl! Scott will most definitely be surprised. Last week I bought myself some boots. I came home yesterday, smuggling in my newest gifts to myself and they were wrapped under the tree. A month ago I bought myself a lip gloss at Sephora. The one I wanted only came in a gift pack that cost $50. I bought it. Scott wrapped it. (Without the lip gloss)


Tis the season to think of our loved ones, family and friends. I miss my friends at home terribly. I love the relationships my girls have with my family here. And I have made some wonderful, wonderful friendships here. Really, I never thought I could even come close to my friends at home, but these chicks south of the Mason Dixon Line are quite a lot of fun. I also realize, however, that home is a feeling, not a location. It doesn't matter how nice it is.

You know the golden rule. If mama ain't happy, no one's happy.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011.

Open Letter to Republicans and Democrats

This recent election has me seeing red. I want to swear a lot (you've been warned). Not because the Republicans killed in the election, but because America is SO misinformed, and even more than that...they're ignorant.

Listen. Obama didn't create this economy. He inherited it. He didn't start this war. He inherited it. Everyone is misplacing the blame. The economy cannot be turned around in such a short amount of time. It took years of fucking it up. It is going to take at least that long to turn it around. Going downhill is a lot easier than going up.

Democrats have no loyalties. Change can't happen overnight. Because Obama hasn't created a miracle, they jump ship and vote for the other side or, worse, don't vote at all. Democrats can't get anything done because they don't have the passion the Republicans have. The Republican policies may not be the same as my own interests, but at least they're dedicated and devoted to their beliefs. Most of them are STILL defending the Bush administration. I am sure I can think of another word besides loyalty for that, however. I can't say the same for the Democrats. They turn their backs on their own party quicker than change can even be thought about. I'm giving a big F-U to Democrats right now. You fucked your own President!!

Republicans, I hope you stop blaming Obama for everything and start working on solutions with him. I, for one, am tired of hearing the anti-Obama bullshit. Hoping and planning that he fails is anti-American. That's not what's best for this country. If you want this country to regain the power it once held, and has been losing for the last 6 or so years, then come together with him and find a common ground. Stop the "we're taking back our country" bullshit. Get over your egos and your own political agendas and political parties, and do what's best for the country. And stop trying to take credit for everything good in this world. You're not without flaws.

I really hope the Republicans see how hurtful the Tea Party is going to be for America. This group creates anger, hostility, and a bad feeling overall with Americans. They are a bunch of crazy extremists, which isn't good for anyone. Republicans, that Tea Party is giving you a bum rap. Get rid of them. 

My own feelings about this election isn't that I'm angry because Republicans won. I'm angry about the stand that many have taken that is anti-American. To want to make sure the President only serves one term is not patriotic. It's not wanting what's best for our country and it's WANTING THE PRESIDENT TO FAIL, which means AMERICA FAILS.

FIND A BALANCE.

Blame Facebook, Not Obama

Recently, I was out to dinner with my friend while I was in Chicago.

Our conversation went a little like this:

Him: My friends, *Dick and *Jane, they have this...

Me: Oh, I totally know them! I saw them on your FB page. She is REALLY pretty! Is that weird?

Him: No, I totally stalk your FB page, too. It's fine.

Me: Okay, good.

So it made me think... Facebook has seriously taken over the world. As awkward as this particular situation was not, it seems so bizarre to me to know so much about other people who I have very little personal contact with and care so little about. Not you, Clint...you know you're the best thing that ever came out of Facebook to me and you're now on my Top 5 Favorite Men In My Life list. And if you ever quit Facebook, I will never be the same. 

It made me wonder what if I ran into someone who I am really not friends with, never was, but have been acquainted somehow in the past, and now I know from their status updates that they just had their 15th child, beat cancer, just redesigned their kitchen, and is contemplating getting a new family pet.

"Hi, I know everything about you, more than I have ever known even when and if we ever were real friends so hey, good luck with everything, way to go, and congratulations!"

I mean, it's kind of weird.

Is conversation going to become extinct? Between texting, emailing, and Facebooking, who needs to talk? How many times, in conversation, do you hear or say, "Oh I know, I saw it on Facebook." Well, what in the hell is there to talk about now???

I realize that due to everyone being so busy that this has become the best way to keep updated with your friends and family, and also, living so far away from my friends and family, it's a great tool for me. I get it. I will also say that there are several people who I haven't been great friends with in the past, but I thoroughly enjoy now.


I am not being a Facebook hater, I appreciate it for so many reasons. I mean, I really don't know what I would do without all of those quotes people put in their statuses. I often wonder if they have one of those "rip off the day" calendars they are reading from. Listen, I expect this from some people because that's who they are, but hey, Confucius, if you don't have anything to say, then just be quiet. It's okay. No one will forget about you.

*Names have been changed due to lack of remembering their real names. Okay, not really, I'm just pretending I forgot. I know their names and their kid's name.

Thanks, but that's not really necessary.

I just had the best and worst grocery shopping experience.

I went grocery shopping this morning since I thought it safe to assume most people around here would be in church.

I was right. By the time I was leaving, families were arriving in herds in their church garb.

Anyway, I shop at this grocery store quite often. I really kind of love it. It's very nice and I enjoy the people it attracts, mostly. The best parts of the grocery store are the beginning and the end. The beginning is the produce and bakery, which is where I do most of my shopping. The end is all of the frozen food, which I also enjoy because I get a lot of my vegetarian items there. The other stuff is all just stuff in the middle that has very little excitement value to me. Just in case you were wondering my preferences.

The employees are always very friendly and welcoming. Today, however, by the end of my shopping experience I began to feel like the friendliness was getting quite annoying. Every employee greeted me, asked me how I was doing today, and if I was finding everything okay. As I walked along the frozen foods, I thought to myself, "I should get a t-shirt that says, 'Hi. Good. Yes. Thanks.' and wear it when I shop here." It kind of became a game and I tried to hurry past the employees before they had a chance to say anything to me. I got by one lady without the schpeel. And then I thought that she probably wasn't a very good employee.

So then I am walking by the check out lines, scanning for the shortest line. Another employee, but manager looking type, started walking with me and told me that it looked like the lady in Line 9 was just about finished.

Great...thanks! (unnecessary, but nice)

He then helped me pull my basket into the line and offers to put my groceries on the conveyor belt and before I can answer he is pulling everything out of my basket.  By the way, people down here call them "buggies". I think it's cute, but it's not natural for me so I can't do it. Kinda like how Europeans call vacation "holiday". I like that, too, but let's face it. Americans don't talk like that. We totally got ripped off in the language and accent department.

Now what happens next is typical here. The bagger always asks to take your groceries out to your car for you. I ALWAYS decline, except one time when the kid insisted. It was very uncomfortable.

Can you believe it? Can you believe how willing and eager people are to be nice and helpful? I don't even really think it has anything to do with the South (for the record there are plenty of rude people down here so don't even think about giving them credit for this). I think it has everything to do with the store policies.

Oh, the reason why it was the also the worst experience is because I'm a bit uncomfortable with people being really nice to me. I don't want any rudeness coming my way, but the over the top niceties make me really awkward.

I feel like I should give a little shout out to the store, for what it's worth. Here ya go, Publix. (I know! I thought it was just a storage place, too!)