Thursday, August 26, 2010

HUH?

You know, there's a lot of sense in the order of most things. For example, I find it pretty obviously logical that "God makes you so sick you don't care how big you get and then so big you don't care how much it hurts to get it out." Pregnancy, right? And we all know that if we were handed teenagers when we were new parents that the human species would die out.

But there are a few things about the order of our society that just leave me scratching my head.

At the time of our lives that we should be slowing down and soaking up time with our children, we're also in this race to build bigger, make more money, collect more things, take care of more stuff, and join in more. Let's face it, in our 20's, 30's, and 40's we're under a lot of pressure to work hard enough to solidify our future in our careers and to make enough money to live off of when we get old. And that's a HUGE job.

And this happens at the same moments that we're supposed to be creating and raising responsible human beings who can make decisions without hurting themselves and others, become good citizens, handle complicated relationships, and manage their own lives later on. Also a HUGE job.

Then throw in that largely during this time of amassing money, building a career, creating a home, and raising human beings..... we're supposed to start caring for our aging parents. It's perhaps too huge.

I don't know, Universe. This one doesn't make sense to me. Why does all of this happen at the same time? Shouldn't it make more sense to either raise kids first and then work on career? Or vice versa? Even if one partner decides to stay home and raise the kids and the other works outside of the home, both of those jobs are so huge that all that ends up happening is isolation in the relationship. That's a tough road for many many families that I know.

I need counseling to understand all of this. And maybe drugs.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Needy

I need some adoration today. Does anyone else?

I love and adore you.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Action!

Yesterday was Quirky's first day of Kindergarten. Now I am all about "back to school." As a teacher type person I will admit that I am downright gooby about new school supplies, cubbies, and having names all over classrooms. Actually, I'm feeling a little giddy just writing about those things now. New pencil boxes marked with your name in sharpie. Yummy.

But the little man was not quite so excited. And the ride to school in the mini-van was like something out of an ABC After School Special. Cash was sitting in his car seat in the way back looking out the window quietly after we dropped Sarah off at preschool... in his old classroom. This was clearly the big time.

Cash: "Mom, can you stay with me the whole time?"

Me: "Nope. But you're going to be fine. You can do it."

Cash: "But what if there are big huge bullies in the "lunch cafeteria" who will beat me up?"

Me: "There won't be. But just in case, Mrs. Overton will be there to help you out. She won't leave you alone today. "

Cash: "OK, but what if I can't do the writing and drawing part and Mrs. Overton will be disappointed?"

Me: "You don't have to worry. All that Mrs. Overton and Mommy and Daddy ever want is for you to try your very hardest, sweetie. Just do the best you can, ok? Everyone will love you for that."

Cash: "OK. I'm going to try to be brave."

Me: (thinking I can distract him by playing the XM Kids Place Live radio station- always good for a kid belly laugh) "Why don't I turn on the radio?"

And guess what played? As we turned on the radio the opening notes of the theme from the Raiders of the Lost Ark came on. I pumped that song up so loud and Cash just grinned and looked out the window and I gripped the steering wheel and we continued on to our next big adventure. And I only cried a little bit about my big brave boy growing up and going to kindergarten.


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Welcome to My Inner Soul Train

I don't usually listen to anything while I run. But I was inspired recently by my friend, Ellie, who made a list of her fave running songs and shared them on her blog. She's very hip- much much cooler in her musical taste than I am.

Recently I have been taking to the treadmill more as The Boss Man has been traveling. It sucks, but it's the only way I can get a run in and have the kids somewhat maintained and tended. There are these little t.v. thingies on each treadmill at the gym but they are down on the keyboard sort of in front of you like a tray. I can't manage that. First off it gives me a headache. But more importantly, I would fall on my ass and make quite the spectacle. So I've pulled hooked up the headphones to the my trusty iPhone. Now I can answer the same question that all of the celebrities are asked in those magazine columns: "What's on your iPod?"

Here's the list. Please note the order in which the songs are played. Variety is key. You have to surprise jolt yourself. Important stuff.

1. Solsbury Hill- Peter Gabriel
2. Mr. Wendel-
3. Whomp! There it is- Tag Team
4. Use Somebody- Kings of Leon
5. P.Y.T.- Michael Jackson
6. Bop- Dan Seals
7. Seasons of Love- Rent
8. Suddenly I See- KT Turnstall
9. Chorus- Erasure
10. Can't Get it Right Today- Joe Purdy
11. Your Wildest Dreams- Moody Blues
12. Hometown Honeymoon- Alabama
13. Baby Give it Up- KC and the Sunshine Band
14. You Spin Me Round- RATT
15. Beautiful Day- U2
16. Would You Go With Me- Josh Turner
17. Never Let You Go- Third Eye Blind
18. Mayor of Simpleton-
19. Keep Your Hands to Yourself- Georgia Satellite
20. Heat of the Moment- Asia
21. Love is The Right Place- Bryan White
22. And We Danced- The Hooters
23. One Less Lonely Girl- Justin Bieber
24. Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond
25. Send me On My Way- Rusted Root
26. Love is Stranger than Fiction- Joe Jackson
27. Don't Let's Start- They Might Be Giants
28. Shambala- Rockapella
29. So What- Pink
30. Fireflies- Owl City
31. Jump- Kriss Kross
32. Jesse's Girl- Rick Springfield
33. The Entertainer- Billy Joel
34. Holding Out for a Hero- Bonnie Tyler
35. I Believe- Cowboy Mouth
36. Eres Tu- Mocedades
37. Hands Open- Snow Patrol
38. Forever- Chris Brown
39. Take a Chance on Me- Erasure
40. Don't Stop Believing- Glee
41. -In Between Days- The Cure
42. Got My Mind Set On You- George Harrison
43. The Real End- Rickie Lee Jones
44. Lovely, Love my Family- The Roots
45. Love will Keep Us Together- Captain and Tennille
46. Come On Eileen- Dexy's Midnight Runners
47. The Sweet Escape- Gwen Stefani
48. Something to Believe In- Shawn Colvin
49. Superman- REM
50. Ordinary Miracle- Sarah McLaughlin

I know, I know. I put the hip back in hip replacement. Don't judge.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Starting Tomorrow


I'll eat better, try to put away the piles of laundry from the trip, organize the calendar, exercise more regularly, clip coupons and actually use them, and feed my children home made organic meals.

I'll also begin shitting diamonds.

And I'll buy Matt organic (and symmetrical) boobs.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Heaven and Hell

Flight from Houston Hobby to Phoenix Sky Harbor: 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Heaven: Sarah fell asleep as soon as the plane started down the runway to take off.

Hell: Cash spent the whole flight singing "Sweet Home Alabama" loudly to himself. Not sure whether it was the Lynyrd Skynyrd Version or the latest Kid Rock. Either one is sure catchy- and annoying.