A Few More Truths

~It never hurts to dream.
~Men may have selective hearing......but women have selective listening!
~You can't possibly appreciate your Mother until you become a Mommy.
~Never date a man who wears more make-up then you.
~You have to prepare your child for the path, not the path for the child.
~You can re-heat your morning tea three times before it is deemed undrinkable.
~Life is better if lived with intention.
~Puke never really comes out of shag carpeting. UGH!
~Broken hearts can heal.
~There will never be enough hours in the day. Accept it.
~True girlfriends are a gift.
~Once you have had 3 babies, you will never look at a trampoline the same way again!
~You have to love yourself before you can really love someone else.
~Sometimes nothing makes you feel better then a sexy new pair of shoes! They always fit.
~We are our own worst enemies.
~A newborns smile will melt your heart.
~Worry gets you nowhere. So why the hell do we do it??
~Trust. We all need someone we trust.
~Being a Mommy is the hardest.....and the best job in the world.
~If you are at a crossroads, choose with no regret. There is no other way.

Truths

~ I love my children above all else, they are my joy.
~ I dream of seeing Ireland, Greece, London, Italy and Tokyo.
~ I love to write
~ I love the way the world looks through the lens of a camera.
~ I am a crier.
~ I have a good heart and a generous spirit.
~ I have not reached my fullest potential...I still have dreams unfulfilled.
~ I'm learning to stand up for myself
~ I think women, and now know young girls, are often cruel to each other.
~ I have had my heart broken.
~ I like cinnemon toast and tea for breakfast.
~ I am slow to trust and do not easily let people into my life.
~ I am blessed to have a few good friends.
~ No one really knows me.
~ I love reading good books in abubble bath.
~ I am striving to cherish the moment.

Where are you going, my little one?

Have you ever heard that song? It has been in my head all day today......because my youngest child "graduated" from kindergarten today! (just substitute the word "girl" for "boy") *tear*



My "baby" is growing up. In the past week he's lost his first tooth, used enormous words that weren't in my vocabulary until Jr. High....and he knew what they meant. And now, he's officially going into a "number grade". Time really needs to slow down.



It's funny though....when you are in a situation with a number of other parents, the parents of your childs peers. Why is it that parents feel the need to constantly compare children? There are an awful lot of women playing what I like to call the comparison game. I refuse to play this game! When they were babies it was ridiculous things like:



"oh my little one has ALREADY cut her first tooth."



"My darling can already sleep through the night..you mean yours isn't."



"My sweetie takes baby ballet." Yeah OK. (The kid can't even walk yet so who is doing the dancing anyway!)



As they get older the comparison mommies keep the game alive, they just change the competitions.



No I will not sit down and compare my child's report card with you.



Yes I got your oh so subtle hint that your darling daughter got a 95 on that latest test...and no I do not feel the need to reveal my sons grade.



Yes, your son's project is amazing (but there is no way in hell he drilled all those pieces together himself who do you think your kidding).



Your child got a part in the school play..congratulations. (so did every child in the school)



So what is this need to have the superior child? To compete and win some invisible prize? Is it pride of ones offspring? Is this a new form of passive aggressive bragging? What does this teach the children who hear these conversations? Are the children of these very competitive mommies the ones who end up forming the ultra cool cliques in high school with the strictest rules of entry?



Maybe that's why I don't quite understand. I was never in those cliques. I never quite found my group. I had many friends but not a tight great big group of dress alike. think alike zombie friends that many seemed to thrive and survive with in high school. Maybe I missed out on something? Maybe I should be helping my child compete? Maybe I should get in the game.



Then again.......maybe not. There's no need for competition when you KNOW your child is perfect -- just the way he is.

Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo

That's Twilight Zone music.

Yes it is.

Ok. I've got a problem. It's a small problem. Sort of like a pimple. But not really like a pimple because I can slap 50 layers of makeup on a pimple and voila it's not a problem anymore.

It's more like a boil. You can't cover up a boil. -- No, I don't have a boil. My problem is this:

See, one day, the arm on my office chair just popped off. I felt all powerful and destructive, like a female wrestler hopped up on endorphins and Twizzlers. But it was irreparable. So I went to my local Staples and bought me a fancy new chair.

It took me ages to put it together. But once done, it was a masterpiece of office equipment. My booty was nice and comfy. I made sure I didn't use my super strength on the arms. And try to roll gently.

But.(Ironic, the word "but".)

But, at some point, either my butt has gotten larger and heavier or something in the chair is malfunctioning. Because as I sit typing this, my chin is right above the desk and my arms are practically over my head to reach the keyboard. I've fiddled and adjusted and yelled at and coaxed and pleaded and bribed and nothing I do keeps my chair from sinking about 8 inches. But see, it's tricky, this thing. It's not like, dropping down suddenly like a ride at Disney.

Nay, it's slowly sinking. Just slow enough to make me forget I'm going to be 6 inches shorter in an hour. Just slow enough to make me wonder if that Mini Snickers bar was laced with brick dust and if I should have used the recumbant bicycle this morning instead of hanging my wet towel on it. Just slow enough to make me wonder if my arms being slowly pulled out of their sockets by my lengthening reaches and if I'll resemble a caveman by Friday.

Just slow enough to write this.

This gives whole new meaning to low riding.

Dads

Happy Father's Day!!! To all of the fathers, papas, dads, daddies and misters....if it weren't for you? We'd have a LOT less housework.....er, I mean a LOT more grumpy days.

You are the momma's right hand man. Our wingman...our partners in crime. If nothing else, it's easier to say, "Daddy said no," than have to come up with a reason. It's also a good threat for the kiddies, "You just wait until your daddy gets home...." insert ominous music here. Mwa-ha-haha!!

OK, enough about that. Let's talk about my dad. My dad's pretty awesome. He can do just about anything. He can teach you to whistle, tie your shoes or ride a bike, show you how to make a yard look awesome, cook, clean.....well, you get the picture.

When I was little I was pretty sure that he got up before the rest of us, just to wake the sun up so it would be light out when we got up. As I've gotten older I realize that he didn't wake that sun up. But without him, the sun would be less bright.

So, with this post I just want to thank my dad. Because, Heaven knows he didn't have to be my dad. I love him and appreciate him probably more than he knows.

For Granny

Dear Granny;

Although you've been gone for 11 years, I still think about you every day. I really miss you. Lately I seem to miss you more than usual. Perhaps it's because July 1st is drawing near, and still after all these years, the holidays don't seem the same without you.


I miss the way you closed your eyes and threw your head back when you laughed. I do that too.


I miss how you welcomed the chaos that was a house full of grandchildren. You seemed to thrive in the insanity that was our big, loud family. I miss the taste of your hot cross buns, bbq chicken and potato salad. To this day, no one makes it as good as you did.


I marvel how you cooked huge holiday dinners in that little tiny kitchen, with no counter space, no air conditioning, and for many years, no dishwasher.


I miss all your "grannyisms" like : "Good manners and a good set of clothes will take you a long way". I laughed at them all back then. But, you were truly wise, and now that you're gone, I find the memories of your advice invaluable.


I miss our drives when we would just drive around and go to the store for a Fresca and a Royale chocolate bar.


I loved how you would say, "Everyone needs to be quiet because my show is coming on!" and within five minutes of Matlock or Murder, She Wrote starting you would be sound asleep -- and snoring so loud it raised the roof.


I miss the smell of Oil of Olay and Chantilly Lace. I miss you letting us all crawl up on your big bed to watch TV.


I really hate that you died, before my two youngest children were born. I think you would adore them, although I'm sure that you met them before they came here. I also believe that you are watching over the baby that I lost. But, I really wish that my boys could have known you. I can't think of a better role-model, mentor, relative or human being than you. I am so proud to be your grand-daughter.


I know it was a gift to have you around as long as we did, but that doesn't mean I will ever stop wishing that you were still here.


Love you forever;


Erin

Oy! I've been such a slacker

OK, so I've been mired in sports and moving stress, and now.......I'm sick. Not just, "ugh, I don't feel good sick", but I mean "Holy crap, I just wish I could die rather than endure this pain and suffering, have to stay away from work, don't want to breath on anyone, just want my mommy" kind of sick.

So, I really apologize that this blog has been somewhat neglected over the past couple of weeks. But, just for today, I thought I'd write a few thought provoking "have you ever" questions, and see if you, my fabulous readers, would let me know if I'm the only one in the world who thinks the things I do.

So, here we go:

Have you ever taken a picture for no reason at all?

Have you ever done something that terrified you?

Have you ever laughed so much you peed a little?

Have you ever choked on your own saliva?

Have you ever allowed your children to do something just because you were too tired to argue about it?

Have you ever worn orange?

Or bright green? (Why?)

Have you ever smelled your dog's feet?

Have you ever barbecued a banana...with chocolate chips...brown sugar and marshmallows on top?

Have you ever appreciated another person's kindness?

Written a thank you note for something small?

Told someone they are "swell"?

Have you ever thought that summer would be even better without mosquitoes?

Have you ever thought that Lindsay Lohan might die young?

And thought Bret Michaels might just have 9 lives?

Have you ever wondered why anyone would allow a picture to be viewed by the world (Kate Gosselin)?

Have you ever wished for less freckles?

Wrinkles?

Stretch marks?

Cellulite?

Have you ever wished you looked like this?

Have you ever {really} missed someone?

Have you ever felt alone?

Have you ever wanted to be alone....just for a bit?

Have you ever stopped...looked around and thanked God for your life?

Me too.