Final 2008 Rambler (Random)

I'm gonna post my random thoughts under the title Rambler from now on. Maybe I will start a new trend....

• I can't stop watching trainwreck shows like Real Housewives of OC (or used to when we had full satellite). Even though they piss me off, I am riveted. Nothing about that show is REAL.
• Made in China...if I see that one more time I will scream!
• If the Chinese keep making all our clothes, I need a new size for Extra Large. I think they think Extra Large is a size 8 or something.
• I need to find a happy pill. My bitch switch seems to be stuck in the On position.
• Why do I feel compelled to ask why all the time?
• Are there people who read this and never comment? Or is it just me, Liz and Looney? Lurkers leave a comment and say hi please!
• I laugh at things other people think aren't that funny. Who has the problem here?
• It's easy to tell everyone else to lighten up but I can't seem to do it myself....
• I'd like to save money by growing my own food but I kill everything I try to plant and I like to eat meat but can't kill animals. Is that wrong? I cried the first time I caught a fish and it swallowed the hook and died in my hand.
• I find fart humor hilarious. And I'm almost 44 years old. I have passed this gift on to my children....
• I swear in front of my kids when I get mad and my parents are horrified, as are most other parents. But my kids know not to use the bad words. Believe me, it's not the end of the world.
• Okay, Katie did use the F word just once when she was like 2....but she didn't know it was bad and I was proud she at least used it in the right context.
• I won't use swear words when I'm a teacher but I'll be thinking them....
• I make myself laugh but someone has to.
• My kids still think McDonald's is actually called Old MacDonald's. They started saying it when they were younger and I never bothered to correct it because I think it is cute.
• My daughter is so independent she drives me nuts but I'm glad to know she will be a strong and independent woman. Could she please just hold that thought until she is out of the house?
• At what age will I finally stop caring how I look? It hasn't arrived yet....
• One of my favorite things about this year is that I made a bunch of online friends that I hope to meet in person one day.....remember if you're ever in CA you better look me up!
• The phrase "don't sweat the small stuff" was coined by a man. You know...men...the ones who don't have to sweat the small stuff because their wives do it for them....
• Not you, honey, you're the best husband ever! :-)
• No wonder women drive men crazy....we can't make up our minds what we want and expect them to know anyway!
• I think I have too much testosterone in my system.... I always take my anger to the next level (like 100) when maybe an 80 would do....
• My favorite saying is "Balls, said the Queen...if I had them I'd be King". That says alot right there.

Happy New Year everybody!

Another Year and I'm Still Here....

This time of year seems to have several strange effects on my emotional state. I am 3000 miles away from my hometown and all those I ever knew and loved (except of course my hubby and kids and my big bro), but being so far away during the holidays always makes me feel an ache to be back in Ohio. I am restless and feel like a fish out of water, even after being here in SoCal for nearly 11 years. I don't think it will ever change!

My point is that the holidays resurrect these thoughts of what friends and family are all about, and I STILL don't feel like I belong here. My kids are missing so much from the family standpoint. I have oodles of aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd and 3rd cousins, etc and my kids would THRIVE on that! On my street, you'd never even know there are children living here. No one lets them outside to play! Hello, it was like 74 degrees today, school is out and it is a friggin ghost-town! My poor kids get so bored. Can't get friends to answer their phones or call back, so it's just me and the 2 little ones staring at each other. Taking them to McD's play area is the most action they have seen all vacation so far.

Since this is the time of year for reflection, it made me start thinking about what life is like here, compared to growing up in Ohio. So I made this list of Things I Miss.....(AKA Life Outside the Country of California):

• My mom, dad and kid bro. Talking on the phone just isn't the same.


• My girlfriends in Ohio who are still in touch after all these years. I love you guys! Now come visit me dammit!


• Having only 1 chin (or belly, for that matter!)


• Christmases with snow.


• Thunderstorms.


• Metroparks (look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about)


• The normalcy of letting your kids play with the neighbor kids without scheduling a "playdate".


• Dropping in on friends without having to call first.


• Chatting with the grocery store cashier while waiting in line. Yes, that's NORMAL, people!


• Smiling at strangers and having them smile back.


• Not locking my front/back door EVERY time I come in or out rather than waiting until it's time to lock up at night.


• Not having to take off my shoes when I come in the house.


• Going to country bars with my friends for a night of dancing. I have kids now, but once a month would be nice....


• Having a house that doesn't have a security/alarm system.


• Being able to use my car horn (or middle finger) without getting shot at.


• Celebrating the holidays with a huge family, food, chaos, love, laughter and plenty of "holiday cheer" booze to keep everyone merry despite the noise levels.


• Having birthday parties that don't have to cost a fortune or have a bouncer!


• Teens who get a job when they turn 16 and EARN car money!


• People who don't worry so much about political correctness and being sued that they have lost their sense of humor and ability to connect with people.


• Asking people you want to become friends with for their phone number without them thinking you're a homicidal maniac or weirdo for asking.


• Real breasts......and wrinkles. (I have both, but I'm in the minority out here)

P.M.S.

P.M.S. is now officially going to stand for Pissed (off) Mommy Syndrome around my house. My husband and kids have learned the early warning signs:

1. Mommy's brow is permanently furrowed
2. Most sentences start with "Goddamn it...." or "How many times have I told you....?"
3. I eat everything in sight that isn't nailed down
4. I wake up with a strange urge to have the house thoroughly cleaned, just not by me.....
5. Another common sentence involves the words "I'm so f***ing tired of this!"
6. Mommy doesn't change out of her pajamas if at all possible
7. Don't even THINK about asking to go outside to play!
8. Phone conversations are kept to the bare minimum
9. Couch surfing is like an Olympic sport that week and human interaction is optional
10. Mac and cheese and hot dogs served daily

My poor family!

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of you and your families joy and peace in the New Year!

Random

Well, since I haven't been very faithful about blogging, thought I would just catch you all up (hello, anyone still reading this damn thing?) with random thoughts/notes about what I've been up to...

• PASSED my CSET exam. Now gotta figure out how to get my flippin prerequisites done so I can get into credential program.
• Friendships can be such a pain in the arse. But I guess since I can't count on my dear mom living forever, I have to keep trying. *Sigh*
• Disney World over Thanksgiving week with family....loved it. Thanks mom and dad!
• I love the F word...but hate to type it since I know mom reads this sometimes.
• I keep having random thoughts about my ex-hubby who passed away last July (in 2007). What is up with that?
• My son is now 7 years old and my "bonus" son is now a teen. I feel old.
• I think that blogging, computers, video games, esp the Wii are substitutes for real life and I resent them. I think that's why I'm not here as much. I can't justify the time typing when I need to be living.
• And why the hell are people now simulating life on the Wii rather than just living it?
• I hate my body but am too lazy to do much about it. I look like a football player in family photos now.
• If I could get my double chins fixed I would.
• I'm sick of worrying about money, but I honestly don't want to go back to work full time. I love teaching (subbing) too much and can't walk away from it.
• People watching at a bar/restaurant in Pasadena is the bomb. Freaks everywhere.
• I don't want my kids to grow up to be like so many typical Californians...shallow, phony, flakey
• If you don't want me to be honest, don't talk to me. I am a very bad liar.
• I don't give a crap anymore whether or not people get me. I have a family that loves me, even the bad stuff.
• I am so in love with my husband and kids. I hope they get that.
• I wish my daughter had a sister so she will be better at girl relationships than I am.
• My ass is now numb.
• I guess that means I should stop now....