Long time no blog. But as it is the last day of the decade, I thought I'd have a rundown of my accomplishments throughout these last 10 years.
1. Had my lovely son and got married. - Yes it was backwards, but I've never been one to follow the rules too muuch.
2. Graduated from a community college with an assoc. degree in liberal arts and a university with a bach. degree in Art. Both of which have served me minimally.
3. I have grown up. A Lot. I started out painfully shy, socially awkward and a bit naive. Now I'm just socially awkward. I do not like crowds. Really.
4. I have learned to appreciate everyone and everything that I have because I have seen others whose situations are so much worse. Sympathy and empathy are powerful.
5. Quirky/eccentric, caring, and family oriented -- all thrown together - that's me. That it's taken me 10 years to grow into that speaks volumes, I think.
I have a multitude of other things that I have accomplished, but i think these are among the most important. I'm curious to see how I fare over the next ten years dealing with my son's pubery, girlfriends, a high school graduation, a 20 year anniversary, the beginning of the age hill, maybe even another child....
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Turtles
I so do not want to be one of numerous bloggers who expound on medical issues, but what the hell, everyone else is doing it, right? And, no, I would not jump off a brigde just cause everyone else is, maybe if there were a bungee tethered to my whole body, but otherwise, no.
My issue is anemia, not anorexia where people are stick thin and think they are fat, but anemia in which the body does not have enough iron. Short version of the story is that apparently I am severely anemic - to the point that at my last dr. visit, they were thinking of a transfusion. So now I'm on ferrous sulfate, a fancy schmancy word for iron. I used to dream of being lucky enough to look for and eat iron rich foods, i.e. liver, spinach, some grains, etc. Well, I have finally found something that I love that has 16% of the recommended daily dose. It's in the form of chocolate and not just any chocolate, but Turtles! Yes, T-U-R-T-L-E-S WOOHOO!
Okay, now you can tune back to your regularly scheduled blogs.
My issue is anemia, not anorexia where people are stick thin and think they are fat, but anemia in which the body does not have enough iron. Short version of the story is that apparently I am severely anemic - to the point that at my last dr. visit, they were thinking of a transfusion. So now I'm on ferrous sulfate, a fancy schmancy word for iron. I used to dream of being lucky enough to look for and eat iron rich foods, i.e. liver, spinach, some grains, etc. Well, I have finally found something that I love that has 16% of the recommended daily dose. It's in the form of chocolate and not just any chocolate, but Turtles! Yes, T-U-R-T-L-E-S WOOHOO!
Okay, now you can tune back to your regularly scheduled blogs.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
And Away We Go!
So October has come and gone in a whirlwind of costumes, parties, haunted houses and lots of fun. Let me just say that October is easily my favorite month with December a close second.
I have officially started my Christmas shopping. I know, I have become that person. The one who starts with Christmas the day after Halloween, barely even pausing to acknowledge Thanksgiving. But really, can you blame me? I hate being the shopper that is out braving the crowds at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. I have been that shopper. In fact that was me last year.
And off I go onto my next tangent. Ready...Set......GO!
Last year, December 23, I start coming down with chills, fever, headache, and body aches. I figure it's just a cold. But that night I stupidly decide I'm okay to do some shopping with my baby sis for some unexpected guests. I was out of my mind quite literally. By the time we got back, I was delirious, or so they tell me. It was pretty much a haze after I passed the Barbie isle.
And if that's not bad enough, Hubby decides the next day that Santa has not been kind enough to our boy. I tell him, go without me, you'll be fine. He was convinced he would choose the wrong things. So up I get, feverish, barely coherent, but on a mission. That lady you saw at the store, the one who was weaving back and forth with the cart, who looked like crazy Aunt Ethel? Yup - that was me. (While hubby trailed slightly behind to catch me should I fall) My apologies to those of you who may have been permanently scarred by me.
And the wrapping party, there was a real pick-me upper. I swear all three of my hubby were helpful in cutting straight wrapping paper. At least that's what he tells me.
P.S. turns out I had the flu and spent the entire holiday season sick as a dog. SO. NOT. FUN.
I have officially started my Christmas shopping. I know, I have become that person. The one who starts with Christmas the day after Halloween, barely even pausing to acknowledge Thanksgiving. But really, can you blame me? I hate being the shopper that is out braving the crowds at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. I have been that shopper. In fact that was me last year.
And off I go onto my next tangent. Ready...Set......GO!
Last year, December 23, I start coming down with chills, fever, headache, and body aches. I figure it's just a cold. But that night I stupidly decide I'm okay to do some shopping with my baby sis for some unexpected guests. I was out of my mind quite literally. By the time we got back, I was delirious, or so they tell me. It was pretty much a haze after I passed the Barbie isle.
And if that's not bad enough, Hubby decides the next day that Santa has not been kind enough to our boy. I tell him, go without me, you'll be fine. He was convinced he would choose the wrong things. So up I get, feverish, barely coherent, but on a mission. That lady you saw at the store, the one who was weaving back and forth with the cart, who looked like crazy Aunt Ethel? Yup - that was me. (While hubby trailed slightly behind to catch me should I fall) My apologies to those of you who may have been permanently scarred by me.
And the wrapping party, there was a real pick-me upper. I swear all three of my hubby were helpful in cutting straight wrapping paper. At least that's what he tells me.
P.S. turns out I had the flu and spent the entire holiday season sick as a dog. SO. NOT. FUN.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
October?!?
October Rundown:
*My birthday month - and I do celebrate the whole month.
*Birthday parties - lil sis and nephew
*Costume shopping - this year for my son, niece and nephew - note to self: start in september next year
*Pumpkin shopping - needs to be the perfect size and need one non-carvable one for the classroom
*Get around to helping make the yoda costume for the classroom pumpkin.
*Start looking for x-mas deco - don't want it to be another costume shopping fiasco.
*Countless other things that I do on a daily basis - gist of my list is chapperone for my mother, grandmother, and sometimes nieces and nephew.
Am so looking forward to the day after x-mas!
*My birthday month - and I do celebrate the whole month.
*Birthday parties - lil sis and nephew
*Costume shopping - this year for my son, niece and nephew - note to self: start in september next year
*Pumpkin shopping - needs to be the perfect size and need one non-carvable one for the classroom
*Get around to helping make the yoda costume for the classroom pumpkin.
*Start looking for x-mas deco - don't want it to be another costume shopping fiasco.
*Countless other things that I do on a daily basis - gist of my list is chapperone for my mother, grandmother, and sometimes nieces and nephew.
Am so looking forward to the day after x-mas!
Finished Product: Yoda the Pumpkin
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Movies Anyone?
Hello World,
I hope that you've been nice to your people. I know I have. So nice, in fact that I took my son, mother and my nieces and nephew to see a movie on my birthday. It was actually a very nice outing; I forget sometimes all the little nuances that make the kids so enjoyable to be around. We went to see "Where the wild things are" on opening day. Can you imagine the chaos that went on, especially as I had to save a total of 6 seats on 2 rows (think 3 and3) while they got their goodies? Oh, and the looks, the dirty-if-looks-could-kill looks. Many a movie-goer would exclaim in delight when they spied upon those unoccupied seats only to sigh in discontent when they saw various jackets and purses in those seats. But my guests were well worth it.
Here's why:
The Boys:
Ron, my baby, likes to say things like, "Cool, did you hear what he said/see what just happened?" just to make sure everyone's on the same page, while B.E., who is 2 years younger, will emulate him - you know the whole older cousin envy thing, and will paraphrase it so it comes out, " I know, that was funny what he said/did, right?"
The Girls:
L.A., who is 2 yrs older than Ron, is very grown up about everything, unless she's around her cousins. It's then that she lets her hair down and lets herself enjoy being a kid. Niece J.E. who 6 years younger than L.A, tries to behave older like her big cousin L.A. J.E. and L.A. are very fashionable w/their hannah montana's and happy bunny outfits, complete w/cool nailpolish that I would've never had the guts to wear at those ages. Very girly and talkative.
Imagine all of that going on in the truck on the way to the movies, during the trailers and on the ride back. I heard snippets of conversation ranging from bionicles to popcorn to bff's and awesome teachers.
Believe it or not, it was fun taking the kids out, watching and listening to them being kids. It's easy to forget how to be carefree and happy when life is happening, but I'm grateful for the chance to experience life through our children.
I hope that you've been nice to your people. I know I have. So nice, in fact that I took my son, mother and my nieces and nephew to see a movie on my birthday. It was actually a very nice outing; I forget sometimes all the little nuances that make the kids so enjoyable to be around. We went to see "Where the wild things are" on opening day. Can you imagine the chaos that went on, especially as I had to save a total of 6 seats on 2 rows (think 3 and3) while they got their goodies? Oh, and the looks, the dirty-if-looks-could-kill looks. Many a movie-goer would exclaim in delight when they spied upon those unoccupied seats only to sigh in discontent when they saw various jackets and purses in those seats. But my guests were well worth it.
Here's why:
The Boys:
Ron, my baby, likes to say things like, "Cool, did you hear what he said/see what just happened?" just to make sure everyone's on the same page, while B.E., who is 2 years younger, will emulate him - you know the whole older cousin envy thing, and will paraphrase it so it comes out, " I know, that was funny what he said/did, right?"
The Girls:
L.A., who is 2 yrs older than Ron, is very grown up about everything, unless she's around her cousins. It's then that she lets her hair down and lets herself enjoy being a kid. Niece J.E. who 6 years younger than L.A, tries to behave older like her big cousin L.A. J.E. and L.A. are very fashionable w/their hannah montana's and happy bunny outfits, complete w/cool nailpolish that I would've never had the guts to wear at those ages. Very girly and talkative.
Imagine all of that going on in the truck on the way to the movies, during the trailers and on the ride back. I heard snippets of conversation ranging from bionicles to popcorn to bff's and awesome teachers.
Believe it or not, it was fun taking the kids out, watching and listening to them being kids. It's easy to forget how to be carefree and happy when life is happening, but I'm grateful for the chance to experience life through our children.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Birthday Girl
Yup, that's me - Birthday Girl on Bosses Day! YAY!
I've been celebrating since Wednesday. Hubby and Ron took me out to the movies and gave me a luxurious robe with matching slippers. Believe it or not, I really love them. I haven't had a good robe in God knows how long. The slippers, though, I seem to have lost to my son. Which is okay, as I have several slippers. I'm one of those people that buy the flourescent green fuzzy slippers, the bear slippers, the fuzzy multicolored slippers, and on the list goes. Plans for tonight include another movie date with son, mom, baby sis, nephew and niece. Yay me!
Hubby treated me to breakfast this morning where I had the best crepes! Of course, I'm feeling it now. I think I need mylanta.
So anyway, Happy Birthday to me and Happy Bosses Day to all you parents out there! May you be the boss for many years to come.
I've been celebrating since Wednesday. Hubby and Ron took me out to the movies and gave me a luxurious robe with matching slippers. Believe it or not, I really love them. I haven't had a good robe in God knows how long. The slippers, though, I seem to have lost to my son. Which is okay, as I have several slippers. I'm one of those people that buy the flourescent green fuzzy slippers, the bear slippers, the fuzzy multicolored slippers, and on the list goes. Plans for tonight include another movie date with son, mom, baby sis, nephew and niece. Yay me!
Hubby treated me to breakfast this morning where I had the best crepes! Of course, I'm feeling it now. I think I need mylanta.
So anyway, Happy Birthday to me and Happy Bosses Day to all you parents out there! May you be the boss for many years to come.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Costume? Wouldn't you like a funny shirt instead?
Costume hunting at the closest costume store. Easy, right? - So very wrong on so many levels.
I enter the store with my mom, son, niece and nephew. Take a look around at all the people, the masses upon masses, all looking for the perfect costume, ourselves included. It takes all of my willpower not to run straight back out the store to the truck and curl up in a fetal position in the back seat. It's not that it was crowded. It was beyond crowded. Imagine almost every square foot of that store having either a person or halloween paraphernalia or worse: a person with halloween goods and a screaming, frightened child. Indeed a scary sight.
Gone are the days when costumes were homemade, or even hanging on the racks. Now they have pictures posted on the wall with numbers on them. NUMBERS! You get in this thing resembling a conga line, except nobody's having any fun, and there are children crying and when you get to the front of the line and give your number, you are then herded- yes herded - into another area to await your costume number. When your number is called you better raise your hand and yell out and snatch the costume before the other vultures do.
I think I scared small children, some other parents, and even a store clerk or two. I assume I had some kinda scary gleam in my eye, some scary posture that said to the world, "HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN ON A COSTUME HUNT!" Not to worry, though, as soon as I had paid for the 3 costumes in hand, I transformed back into my mild-mannered, favorite mom/auntie mode. Then I noticed this kinda funny shirt that says "This is my too lazy to get a costume costume." Too bad they didn't have it in children's sizes.
I enter the store with my mom, son, niece and nephew. Take a look around at all the people, the masses upon masses, all looking for the perfect costume, ourselves included. It takes all of my willpower not to run straight back out the store to the truck and curl up in a fetal position in the back seat. It's not that it was crowded. It was beyond crowded. Imagine almost every square foot of that store having either a person or halloween paraphernalia or worse: a person with halloween goods and a screaming, frightened child. Indeed a scary sight.
Gone are the days when costumes were homemade, or even hanging on the racks. Now they have pictures posted on the wall with numbers on them. NUMBERS! You get in this thing resembling a conga line, except nobody's having any fun, and there are children crying and when you get to the front of the line and give your number, you are then herded- yes herded - into another area to await your costume number. When your number is called you better raise your hand and yell out and snatch the costume before the other vultures do.
I think I scared small children, some other parents, and even a store clerk or two. I assume I had some kinda scary gleam in my eye, some scary posture that said to the world, "HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN ON A COSTUME HUNT!" Not to worry, though, as soon as I had paid for the 3 costumes in hand, I transformed back into my mild-mannered, favorite mom/auntie mode. Then I noticed this kinda funny shirt that says "This is my too lazy to get a costume costume." Too bad they didn't have it in children's sizes.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Everything in Moderation
Hello World,
How are you? Me, you ask? Oh, I'm just peachy!
I mean, who doesn't like coming to the rescue - again.
Today's mission, 2 tomatoes, by 11:45. I'll see what I can do. Oh and the forecast calls for HEAVY rain at about the same time. Fun times. Good times.
Yup, I'm talking family. I had my baby sis and her kids over last night w/the stipulation that they leave before 8 cause I've gotta go pick up Mom and G-ma from Church by 8. 8 o'clock came and went and still they had not gone. 8:02 comes, and here I am snapping, clapping, ushering them out the door with me and Ron right at their heels - so as not to leave the G-ma's alone too long, in front of the church, where it is veeeerrrry creepy at that hour. Very little lighting and even fewer people, not counting them.
So I pick them up, and pick up on their conversation. Seems Grandma is indignant about some of the newer ladies there. (BTW Grandma is in her 80's, and does not like change.) Seems these ladies claim to know all there is to know about church etiquette. How dare they! Don't they know that she is the knowledgable one? What were they thinking wearing pants, crossing their legs, and talking? And on it went for the next 5 minutes, till I got to their house. I know, it was only 5 minutes, but this was 5 minutes of outside church, church speak. I think she was trying to drop hints my way, but I was oblivious. Hopefully this rant will make do for her for a while. Everybody needs a time and place to vent. In her case, it was in our presence.
Maybe I'll go with them next time. I do go to church, just not often. And definitely not on holidays.
How are you? Me, you ask? Oh, I'm just peachy!
I mean, who doesn't like coming to the rescue - again.
Today's mission, 2 tomatoes, by 11:45. I'll see what I can do. Oh and the forecast calls for HEAVY rain at about the same time. Fun times. Good times.
Yup, I'm talking family. I had my baby sis and her kids over last night w/the stipulation that they leave before 8 cause I've gotta go pick up Mom and G-ma from Church by 8. 8 o'clock came and went and still they had not gone. 8:02 comes, and here I am snapping, clapping, ushering them out the door with me and Ron right at their heels - so as not to leave the G-ma's alone too long, in front of the church, where it is veeeerrrry creepy at that hour. Very little lighting and even fewer people, not counting them.
So I pick them up, and pick up on their conversation. Seems Grandma is indignant about some of the newer ladies there. (BTW Grandma is in her 80's, and does not like change.) Seems these ladies claim to know all there is to know about church etiquette. How dare they! Don't they know that she is the knowledgable one? What were they thinking wearing pants, crossing their legs, and talking? And on it went for the next 5 minutes, till I got to their house. I know, it was only 5 minutes, but this was 5 minutes of outside church, church speak. I think she was trying to drop hints my way, but I was oblivious. Hopefully this rant will make do for her for a while. Everybody needs a time and place to vent. In her case, it was in our presence.
Maybe I'll go with them next time. I do go to church, just not often. And definitely not on holidays.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Hello World, Welcome To Mine
And so yet another blog is born, though this one is different in that it is mine.
It was borne of my threat to quit my hubby. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death - he and my (not so) baby boy are my world. But this morning, I woke up like usual at 6:45ish, did my morning routine (which is not really my routine but is rather their routine) looked around at the unhung clothes, the unwashed dishes, the unfed pets and threatened to quit.
I know, I'm The Mom, but come on, I deserve a break, too. Really.
My time is not my own, but devoted to my hubby, son, work, parents, and siblings, and believe me they are all mixed together. I work for the family business, which means the parental units are the boss. This, in itself, is great! It gives me the flexibility to devote my time to everyone else.
I am the one called upon should my family, immediate and extended, need anything. I am what you would call the dependable one. The one who, if your kid needs a ride home, you will call. The one who, if you need a shoulder to lean on, you will call. The one you call when your dog's giving birth for the first time and you are wondering what all that stuff is and is it normal? (Yes, that did happen).
Now that I've introduced you to some of my world, let me formally introduce myself:
Hello World, my name is Rita, also known as Mom, Ma, Babe, Sweetheart, Mi Hija (sounds like meehah), and Big Sistah. I am the married mother of a son, now 9 years old. I am the oldest of 3 girls and caretaker of various animals that include a fish, turtle, dove, 2 work cats, and a work puppy, oh yes and of course, my family.
Back to the original subject, quitting my hubby. We each have tasks that we all agree to in order to have a smoothly running household. I cook, he does dishes, I wash and dry clothes, he and baby boy hang them up. They feed the animals in the morning, I feed them at night. I wake them up in the morning and make sure Ron (my son) has school lunch and gets ready in a timely manner, and hubby drops him off at school. See, not so grueling for any of us, but these past couple of weeks the clothes have piled up, the stack of dishes is exactly that - a stack, the animals would have died had I not fed them and my frustration level just went past supernova and I threatened to quit. Of course, this all took place after Ron had been dropped off. So, right now, hubby is working on those tasks that he's been putting off, hoping that he'll make his way into my good graces by days end.
As of now, I think I'll stay on as Household Manager, i.e. wife and mom.
It was borne of my threat to quit my hubby. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death - he and my (not so) baby boy are my world. But this morning, I woke up like usual at 6:45ish, did my morning routine (which is not really my routine but is rather their routine) looked around at the unhung clothes, the unwashed dishes, the unfed pets and threatened to quit.
I know, I'm The Mom, but come on, I deserve a break, too. Really.
My time is not my own, but devoted to my hubby, son, work, parents, and siblings, and believe me they are all mixed together. I work for the family business, which means the parental units are the boss. This, in itself, is great! It gives me the flexibility to devote my time to everyone else.
I am the one called upon should my family, immediate and extended, need anything. I am what you would call the dependable one. The one who, if your kid needs a ride home, you will call. The one who, if you need a shoulder to lean on, you will call. The one you call when your dog's giving birth for the first time and you are wondering what all that stuff is and is it normal? (Yes, that did happen).
Now that I've introduced you to some of my world, let me formally introduce myself:
Hello World, my name is Rita, also known as Mom, Ma, Babe, Sweetheart, Mi Hija (sounds like meehah), and Big Sistah. I am the married mother of a son, now 9 years old. I am the oldest of 3 girls and caretaker of various animals that include a fish, turtle, dove, 2 work cats, and a work puppy, oh yes and of course, my family.
Back to the original subject, quitting my hubby. We each have tasks that we all agree to in order to have a smoothly running household. I cook, he does dishes, I wash and dry clothes, he and baby boy hang them up. They feed the animals in the morning, I feed them at night. I wake them up in the morning and make sure Ron (my son) has school lunch and gets ready in a timely manner, and hubby drops him off at school. See, not so grueling for any of us, but these past couple of weeks the clothes have piled up, the stack of dishes is exactly that - a stack, the animals would have died had I not fed them and my frustration level just went past supernova and I threatened to quit. Of course, this all took place after Ron had been dropped off. So, right now, hubby is working on those tasks that he's been putting off, hoping that he'll make his way into my good graces by days end.
As of now, I think I'll stay on as Household Manager, i.e. wife and mom.
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