Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Farewell to Miss California
It all started over one of those silly Facebook apps. This one asked you to name 5 people you'd like to "punch in the face". Smart-assed liberal that I am, I picked Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Reilly. Just because I don't like her and think she's SO over-rated, I added Madonna. And my last pick was someone who'd been pissing me off -- Carrie Prejean, Miss California and almost-Miss America.
Now, I could give a rat's patootie about Miss CA's now-famous opinion about gay marriage. I disagree with her, but hey, I realize it's a hot-button issue, and I don't expect everyone in the world to share my opinions. (only the smart people. he he) And I don't care that she posed half naked even though it's against the rules. What's pissed me off about her is that she couldn't shut the F up about how the only reason she wasn't Miss America was because of her opinion about gay marriage. (hello, you lost. get over it. your answer was inarticulate) Every time I turned on the freaking TV for weeks, there she was, all smug and conservative. (all the ultra conservative people I know like to pose half naked. How 'bout you?)
Well, anyway. I posted my silly little "5 people" list, then went to bed. Next day, I spent the whole day defending myself against the railings of some clearly homophobic right wing chick who I was friends with in the 3rd grade. We haven't seen each other since about 1970, but she felt a need to attack the fact that I don't care for this beauty-queen chick. She accused me of everything from being a close-minded liberal to having anger management issues because I made a list of people I'd like to punch. I defriended her ass. But it really kind of bothered me. I mean, it was just a silly little time-wasting Facebook application! Why was this wingnut: a) so offended by it, and b) so determined to spend her entire day harassing me about it?
So every time that Prejean bitch comes on TV, it reminds me of that unpleasant experience. And makes me want to punch her in the face for real. And I don't like having such violent thoughts. So when I heard she was finally geting the boot, I was relieved. And crazy girl from 3rd grade, if you're out there, take THAT.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Happy Talk
I am not accustomed to this place. I dwell in the land of cynicism and self-recrimination. But I think I am, literally, as fat and happy and I've ever been in my life. (The fat part will have to be another post. Fat-talk and happy-talk don't work well together.)
It's been a tough year for a lot of people. I have several friends and family members who are having a pretty crappy year, and I hate that. Boy, have I been there. I am not accustomed to having things fall into place easily. Fortune does NOT often feel very smiley toward me. So I sort of feel guilty, and shocked, that that I am having such an amazing and wonderful year -- my first grandchild on the way, my son's impending marriage, our new home, a job that seems relatively secure (by today's standards, anyway). And yesterday, my hubby and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.
It's kind of a big deal, I think, to be married that long. I have no magic answer for how I managed to do that, but when asked the secret to a long marriage, I can only offer this: Stay married, even when you think you might want out. It might pass. (It did, every time) Now, that's not to say I think people should stay together no matter what, but I do think that it's easy to forget what all those commitments we made at the alter really mean. The "worse" part of "for better or worse" implies that some really shitty stuff will go down, but we tend to have trouble seeing that on the wedding day, what with the standard-issue rose colored wedding-day glasses we're wearing.
But here I am, 25 years later, still married. Who'd have thunk it? Yep, there's been some "worse". But a heck of a lot of "better". We created, out of nothing, a family; a life. Fully textured, fully lived, with tears and laughter and memories. The past 25 years have not always been easy. We've faced really scary health crises, and we've buried cherished family members. We've dealt with financial challenges, disappointments, and job losses. Sometimes, we didn't like each other very much.
But we also built traditions and created memories. We raised a wonderful son who has grown into an amazing young man, and is now starting his own family. We've made rich friendships that feel like family. We've found that hard times really DO make us stronger, and that life is just easier when shared. Along the way, we both realized that we were married to our best friend.
I'm happy that my husband stuck with me all these years. He damn well better be happy I stuck with him! It hasn't always been easy, but it HAS always been worth it. I feel very, very fortunate, and yes, blessed.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mea Culpa
However. The process of moving turned me into a raving lunatic bitch and I am sure I owe a few apologies.
To our mortgage guy: You kept telling me everything was going to happen on schedule, and I kept waiting for all hell to break loose. It didn't. I know I drove you crazy calling you to 'check on things' every other day.
To the lady at JC Penneys: I know it wasn't your fault that every single window panel I liked was out of stock. But you were there so who else was I going to get snippy with?
To the customer service guy at the Blinds place: I am sure that you don't get paid enough for me to yell at you because I thought there was no hardware with the blinds. After I hung up on you, I found the hardware. I felt like I should call back and apologize but I was pretty sure you'd see my number on caller ID and not pick up.
To first cable guy: I'm sorry you were at my house for something like 9 hours, but in hindsight, you didn't seem to know what the f*(k you were doing. I know I should apologize over that screaming match about where to put the cable jack in the master bedroom, but I was right and you were wrong, so I don't feel bad about that. Besides, you screwed stuff up which led to me having to spend another day with Cable Guy #2.
To Cable Guy #2: You scratched my new wall with your damn tool belt. Never mind, I don't think I owe you an apology for bitching at you about that.
To the cat: You are 15 and have never been out of our old house except for your once a year vet visit. I know this move literally rocked your world. I'm sorry. But did you really have to piss all over my car?!?
To the dog: It breaks my heart that you try to follow me to the car every time I leave. I know you think I'm going to take you back home! Really, you'll come to love the tiny back yard we have now! I promise!
To my friends: I'm sorry for being missing in action for the past 2 months. This house buying opportunity happened much quicker than expected, so it was all-consuming. And to my friends who I did see, I'm sorry for talking so much about my house hunt. I am sure you are sick of hearing about my travails.
To my family: I know, I was stressed and crazy. I'm sorry. I love you.
There, I think I covered everyone. It has been 18 years since our last move, and I don't plan on doing this again unless and until I can afford to hire someone to take care of everything for me. Which is to say, I won't be moving again!
Oh. I love my new house!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Gave Up Posting for Lent
We returned the computer to Best Buy's "Geek Squad" for repairs. Turns out, the Geek Squad doesn't really fix anything. They ship everything to their "repair center", which, I now presume, is in another solar system on the planet Romulus. They tell us it will take 3 weeks or so. "Three weeks!" we exclaim. They give us this look that says, "and you think we don't hear this 9,273 times a day?" So we were excited when they called TWO weeks later and said our computer was back. (See, I think they tell you three weeks so that you think they're wonderful when it's "only" 2 weeks).
We became less excited very quickly. Thank goodness we thought to ask them to test it out in store, because when they did, what happened was.....nothing. Still dead. As dead as they day we dropped it off. So, the friendly-ish "geek" promised to send it back and have it "expedited".
Two more weeks passed. No computer. I called and was told that the "repair que" showed that parts had been ordered. I informed the clerk that two weeks seemed like an awful long time for a returned repair that had supposedly been "expedited". He ever so helpfully offered to have the matter "escalated". Not sure what THAT means, but I was pretty sure it meant I still had no computer, no access to Microsoft Money OR my addictive solitaire games.
A few more days went by, and since our computer had already been "expedited" and "escalated", I wasn't sure what to expect next. Excommunicated? Ex calibrated? Exonerated? Anyway, happily, the "que" showed that it had been shipped.
One month later, the computer is back, all data intact. The checkbook is balanced. Taxes aren't paid, but my excuse is gone. And I can get back to the really important business of working on my Pathwords score on Facebook.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
An Embarassment of Blessings -
So far this year, I am:
- becoming a grandmother
- marrying off my one and only child
- having a 25th wedding anniversary
- selling my home of 20 years to the son and fiancee'
- buying a new home (yeah, in this crazy real estate market!)
- turning the big 5 - 0.
The grandmother thing, well, that caught me off guard. It was a surprise, my son is only 22, and although he does well financially for his age, it will be a bit of a struggle for them. But I love his fiancee, and I know they will be happy together. They will be amazing parents. I'm thrilled at the prospect of being a grandmother -- I just need to think of a cool grandmother name! And I can't wait to meet my grandson, Carson, this June. I am certain he will be the most outstanding, brilliant, adorable grandchild EVER.
Which brings me to the wedding. I'm having a little trouble finding my place, as the mother of the groom. I'm a "barge in a take charge" kind of gal, and this just isn't my show to take charge of. However, I'm so genuinely excited about it and I'm having a hard time not blurting out my ideas. Sigh. It's the first time I've really thought about what it means to not have a daughter. But it's going to be a wonderful day, and other than frantically trying to lose weight for the photographically memorialized event, I'm very very happy and can't wait for the big day!
Speaking of weddings, I really can't believe my husband has stuck with me for 25 years this April. I am not the easiest person to live with. (Shocked, aren't you?) He has had his moments. Good ones mostly, but a few real stinkers. When people ask me the secret to a long marriage, the only thing I have to offer is this: Stay together even when you really, really don't want to. Not to say that I think people should stay together no matter what, but I do know that, in my case, these are the best of years and I'm so glad we're still together.
The house thing may sound crazy in this economic nightmare of a time we are living in. I realize this. Here's the thing: we live in the first house we ever bought. It's small, and affordable. We're giving them a good deal, but since there's no realtor to pay, and since our house might have never sold at full market value, I don't really think we're losing much. We're giving up a little equity, but I look at it as the same as helping with a down payment. And they will own a home with a mortgage payment less than their current rent, with a little bit of automatic equity to boot.
And finally, after years of yearning for a new home, but the time never being right for one reason or another, we find that we are both fairly secure in our jobs (and very thankful for that), and able to take advantage of an awesome buyers' market out there. We've found the perfect house, and sellers who have pretty much offered to provide free housekeeping services if we buy! We should be putting in a contract soon.
Now I know there are people out there among my tens of readers that wonder why I put "turning 50" on a list of good things. Well, I don't know why. I guess I've decided to embrace it rather than rant about it. It's coming either way, might as well embrace it. I've always planned to be a really irreverent old lady (I know, not much of a leap for me, is it?) so I'm just getting closer to being able to do that!
I just want to really enjoy all of these wonderful events and not let the stress of so much change get in the way. Fifty years on this earth have taught me a couple things, and one is -- "This too shall pass". I like to think of that about bad times, but lets face it, it applies to the good times, too. So if you hear me stressing about my abundance of joyful events, just smack me. This is about as good as it gets.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Inlaw Overload
I'm getting ready to have a whole new batch of in-laws as my son is getting married this fall. I like them too --quite a lot, actually. I love my future daughter-in-law to pieces. We had the future family-in-law over for dinner last night, and it was a nice evening. Good food, (my husband cooked) great company, and of course, I always enjoy spending time with my son and his fiancee. They're expecting a baby soon, so the 2 first time "grandmas to be" have lots to talk about.
I like to entertain but let's face it, I'm no Martha Stewart -- I am not the world's most gracious hostess. It's like I wasn't born with the entertaining gene. See, I pretty much really mean it when I tell my guests to make themselves at home. In my house, that means: Get your own damn drink. If you're cold, turn up the heat. I have no idea if the hall bath is about to run out of TP but feel free to rummage around for another roll. That sort of thing. So when you come to my house for dinner, please don't think I'm being rude -- I just think of you as family!
Also, as you may know about me, I prefer to spend my weekends wearing sloppy clothes, eating badly and watching all the stuff I recorded on the DVR the previous week. So much as I enjoy company, well, I have to at least put on a bra when people come over.
But now it's Sunday, and I have the day to recover, right? Oh no. Suddenly I have to figure out what to feed 2 of my husband's brothers and their families in less than an hour! All have come to town due to their Uncle Jim's recent stroke. (Prayers appreciated. Jim is 85 and prognosis isn't good) Like I said, I love them all, and am glad to see them, but two in-law encounters are a little much for one weekend!
Thank goodness for the 3 day weekend. I'll be spending Monday on the couch. Don't call me. And don't even think of dropping by to visit because I don't want to have to put the bra back on.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Where Does My Time Go??
I get up most days between 6 and 7:30, depending on how many times I hit "snooze". If I get up before 7:30, I have a standing appointment with my couch, a warm blankie, a cup of coffee, and "Morning Joe". (I hate Joe Scarborough. I watch the show because it gets me fired up for the day). A funny thing about me and mornings .... I always, always, always THINK I am going to get up at 6 and exercise. Something happens to me while I sleep -- I loose all resolve, all will-power. I seldom -- if ever -- get up at first alarm, and I almost always wake up with a paralyzing lack of motivation to do anything more physically strenuous than lift the coffee cup.
But no matter when the morning starts, at 7:30 here's what happens without fail: I say "Oh Shit! It's 7:30" and get in the shower. From there, I spend 50 minutes scrambling around to get dressed, and I rush out the door, frazzled and late, at 8:20 to be at work at 8:30. And then my job begins it's function of totally interfering with my real life.
But what of the evening hours? I'm home by 5:30. My nest is empty, except for my dog and cat. I have few outside commitments. Sometimes I try to walk the dog after work. (My dog has developed an aversion to walking. I love that dog) My husband, often as not, cooks dinner, and he willingly and ably does his share of the housework. (did I say that I love that man??) So my responsibilities after work are few. Most nights, I sit and feed my bizarre addiction to reality TV.
Weekends seem to evaporate. Most of the time, my only accomplishment is a trip to the grocery store. Other than occasional church attendance, paying bills, farting around on Facebook and watching all the stuff I recorded on the DVR while I was watching something else, little else of substance fills the weekend, yet those 2 free days seem to just disappear. What the hell do I do with my time?
It is especially perplexing because I recall when my life was so much busier and yet I accomplished so much more. When my son was young, he had baseball, and soccer, and karate, and myriad after school activities. I worked full time, and worked out 3 days a week after work. My commute was much longer and so was my workday. My husband worked unpredictable hours so had less time to help with meals or housework. I even remember taking a class at the local community college. What the heck happened??
Sadly, I know the answer, I just don't like it. I got old, fat, lazy, and I watch too damn much television. And I can't seem to stop! (getting old, fat, lazy OR watching too much TV) I am not sure when it got so out of control, but I blame the DVR. Technology is suppose to give us more control of our time, but I think it controls US instead.
So I'm gonna try to do better. Watch less TV. Blog more. Walk that crazy dog. Get out and do stuff on the weekends. Just as soon as I watch everything on the recorded list ....