10 minutes ago my mother’s plane took off. She’s heading to the UK for 3 weeks of adventures all by her merry self. She’s traveled alone before and her confidence and comfort in doing so always amazes me. I feel out of place just going out to eat by myself, never mind crossing the ocean and canvasing countries. If you are wondering why she is such a loner, my mother is a widow. Her old traveling companion was my Great Aunt who is also deceased. Her remaining friends and family have obligations that don’t allow for the near month vacations she’s come to enjoy. Instead of letting one of her life’s pleasures die with others, she has found the courage to trust in her ability to go it alone. I’m proud of her. It’s not something I could do. At least, I don’t think so. I wouldn’t have blamed her one bit if she had chosen to stay at home and experience the world through television and magazines. Many in her shoes would do just that. So, I’m giving her a shout out to wish her safe travels and lots of fun filled memories.
Archive for September, 2008
Leaving On A Jetplane…
Thursday, September 18th, 2008Monsters
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008My daughter knocked my socks off tonight. My heart about burst. I took her to a story hour at the local library that was geared for 2-4 year old kids. My daughter is 2 1/2. Olivia loves to sit and listen to books so she was hanging on every word the librarian read. One book was about a monster. It started with a blank page. When you turned the page eyes appeared. The next page added a nose. Then a mouth. This went on until a full face of a scary monster had formed. The remainder of the book was about telling the monster to go away. With each page of doing just that, a different facial feature would disappear until you were eventually left with the blank page you started with. The librarian got the kids involved by having them yell “Go Away Monster!” with each page. The premise was to get kids to learn how to tell the things that scare them to go away. My daughter took it an entirely different way. The first time everyone yelled “Go Away Monster” she was noticeably aggitated. By the third time she was crying. She stood up and started crying and screaming for everyone to stop yelling at the monster. She said he was sad and scared. Isn’t that just something. In my 2 1/2 year old’s mind those who appear to be monsters have feelings and should be treated kindly. How did I get so lucky for her to see the world this way? I wish more people understood monsters should be determined by actions and not by appearances.
Punching The Wall
Monday, September 15th, 2008I’m disgusted this morning. Waking up every day to more bad news about our economy is tough. Doing so and seeing the presidential campaign is still focused on lipstick, churches, pregnant children, Muslim names and the like makes me want to punch the wall. What magic pill is everyone else taking that allows them to shrug their shoulders at the big issues and absorb all this nonsense? Are the real issues just too big and scary to give attention? Perhaps ignoring the elephant in the room is some form of defense mechanism. Does denial help our mental state? It must. I’m not in denial and I definitely feel my sanity slipping.
Cherish
Sunday, September 14th, 2008Last night, while reading a book with my daughter on the couch, I fully realized the meaning of cherishing someone. It hit me right in the gut and almost made me cry. I love those types of discoveries kids can provoke. After I tucked her away for the evening I thought a bit more about my discovery and what it meant for my life and family. Sounds like it’s gonna get deep, right? Yep.
On July 22, 2004 I took a vow to love, honor and cherish my husband. I said the words. I remember distinctly. I’m pretty sure I haven’t really lived up to that vow though. That’s not to say I don’t love my husband. I do. But is often feels like “I love you and that’s why I’m not going to kill you for leaving your clothes all over the floor again” type of thing. It’s no where near the same tug cherish gives you. I’m a bit thrown by this revelation. Is there some cherish switch that helps you turn that type of emotion on for your spouse? I can see how it would be great for a marriage.
In The Bag
Saturday, September 13th, 2008I don’t get all of the love and praise for bagless vacuums. Every one I try leaves me covered in filth when I empty the chamber. Although I don’t mind the cheap tan, it is a bit gross. I suppose if I were vacuuming confetti, like in the commercials, it would be less of a problem. Cat fur and litter dust is a different story, however. Not to mention all of the extra stuff they pick up looks to be carpet threads. It’s hard to marvel over how much better they work when my rugs seem to be nearing the appearance of Howie Mandel’s head. At the end of the day, I’m pretty sure the winner of the vacuums is in the bag.
Isn’t It A Given?
Friday, September 12th, 2008With all the garbage politicians have to go through to win an election, doesn’t it stand to reason one would have to be nuts, egotistical or power hungry to even consider running? Why pick them apart and act surprised to find any of these qualities? I can’t imagine a fully sane and rational person with nothing more than a love of country and a will to serve going through the tabloid style nonsense. Not to mention the expense of all the balm necessary to prevent chapped lips from excessive arse kissing. Americans have created an environment where the type of individual we want sitting in the Oval Office likely has no interest in the dance involved. We need to accept that fact and deal with the consequences appropriately. We aren’t going to find a solution to all of our problems on a November ballot. We are going to have to get more involved in the daily actions of our elected officials. We’re going to have to do a better job of monitoring those who are supposed to be representing our interests to make sure that is what is indeed happening.
Today We Remember
Thursday, September 11th, 2008Today we remember our nation’s darkest day. Like most Americans, my heart is heavy. In honor of those lost on 9/11 I am leaving the television off. The endless parade of the events that claimed their lives 7 years ago doesn’t leave me mentally in the right place to truly want their loss to make a difference in this world. Pictures and video from that terrible day stir feelings of anger and a thirst for revenge. I don’t want that in my heart because I know it serves no purpose. What I want for those lost is a desire to make a more positive, accepting and harmonious world for their surviving children. They were taken from us by hatred. Protecting those they left behind from the same fate is essential. Tanks and fighter planes may help destroy those who seek to destroy us, but words, open ears, extended hands, open minds, compassionate hearts and an understanding we are all human with a desire to protect our own from what we view as harmful are much more powerful weapons in this important fight.
Yes & No
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008My husband is solely responsible for the bread machine in our house. He is the one who wanted it so badly. It is up to him to populate our pantry with loaves of goodness. Well, he often mixes up the measuring spoons when tossing in ingredients. Doing so throws an entire batch off. His solution? My plastic teaspoon is now marked with a giant ‘YES’ and my 1/2 tablespoon is now marked with a giant ‘NO’. Brilliant. He has found a way to end the cycle of repeat mistakes. Anyone who knows him and is reading this is likely shaking their heads knowing this is totally a ‘Steve’ thing to do.
I wish more people were like my husband and could recognize when cue cards might be necessary to quit doing the wrong thing over and over. Think how much more pleasant life would be if more folks got on board with ‘YES’ and ‘NO’ reminders. Britney could embroider her panties with YES in glitter. Pam Anderson could hang a picture on her refrigerator of a wedding chapel with a giant NO sign placed at the doorway. Politicians could tape signs to their bathroom mirrors “Truth – Yes” & “Lies – No” to review while brushing their teeth every morning. I doubt it will ever happen. Nice to dream though.
Politically Correct
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008We have a nation focused on being politically correct. Thing is, politically correct is something applied to the spoken or written word. It doesn’t touch the mind. Just because people aren’t saying things doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking them. I’m beginning to question if the push to be politically correct is hampering our nation from seeing where our challenges still exist. We can’t repair what is under the surface if we aren’t encouraging it to be expressed. Many feel we are fine as a nation in terms of race, gender and age because you just don’t hear some of the garbage of yore. That doesn’t mean it isn’t still there. That doesn’t mean those who don’t believe what our society pressures them to say out loud aren’t using their beliefs to undermine progress.
The presidential election has created an interesting situation. We have a woman, a senior citizen and a black man front and center. Comments are seeping out that could be viewed as sexist, ageist or racist. Those commenting are subject to public scoldings and censorship. I wish this weren’t the case. Even if it is rude or tacky, people need to hear and understand the reality of others’ beliefs. We can’t keep living in la-la land for the sake of our delicate sensibilities. Protecting feelings at the expense of masking hateful views gets us no where. We can’t attempt to change an opinion we aren’t aware exists. Denial generally serves no purpose. What good is a nation that sounds civilized and fair if it is just a show of carefully placed words?
Wearing The Panties
Sunday, September 7th, 2008My 2 1/2 year old daughter is potty trained. With the exception of naps and nighttime, she is a panty wearing girl. It’s amazing how old she looks to me now. Seeing her in panties has aged her over night. Makes me wonder if my panties are making me look older too. The bummer part is she can put a diaper on and look like a baby again. If I put a diaper on, I add even more years. Maybe I should go commando.