Fairytales and Margaritas

Recession who?

Just popping in (OMG thank god I double checked that, I had originally said just POOPing in) to say, Happy Thanksgiving!  I'm outta here til next week.  Tomorrow I'm working then going home to make four pies and one cake.  Thursday I'll be elbows deep in turkey innards and making wonderful dressing and mashed potatoes (thanks guys).  And Friday, wonderful Friday I'll be shopping from 3:00 am til I hit the floor.  I can't wait!  The sales aren't even that great this year, BUT my aunt, grandmother and mother in law each gave me money to just buy gifts for the kids for them.  I LOVE spending other people's money.  Plus, I get to get the kids all the stuff I know they really want but that I don't have the money for.  It's really a win-win situation.  Have a great holiday! 

Dear Martha Stewart

Dear Martha Stewart:

I want to start out by thanking you for all of your wonderful ideas.  You have such great food and craft projects.  Your creative juices must be flowing 24/7.  You give us all something to strive for.  You show us all that perfection can be attained.

But, I do have a few suggestions.  It seems to me that your slogan "It's a good thing" is really an incomplete thought.  Every time I hear you say it I wonder how the thought really ends.  Here are some suggestions:

It's a good thing... I don't have children around while I make all this shit.

It's a good thing...I don't have to shop at KMart.  That store blows.

It's a good thing...I don't have a husband that wants to eat REAL food.

It's a good thing...I have 25 personal assistants to help me with these ridiculous crafts.

It's a good thing...I have millions of dollars to buy all these crazy supplies and unheard of ingredients.

It's a good thing...I have endless time to make all this crap.

It's a good thing...I don't have a REAL job.

It's a good thing...I don't have to clean my house AND make all this shit.

It's a good thing...I have someone that can do all the prep work so that recipes only take me 20 minutes to complete.  For most it takes two hours!

It's a good thing...I have a gardener that can grow herbs for me.

It's a good thing...that I only have celebrity friends.  They understand me.

Seriously, Martha, is anything you do for the "every day woman"?  Why do you set this ridiculously high bar for all of us?  Do you know that some people really believe we shoud be able to do it all?  Do you know that some kids see the cool things you make and want their moms to do it to?  Do you know that some husbands think you make it look easy to make your own holiday gifts and decorations and meals and think maybe we should be able to do it to (not my husband, he knows better than to go there)?  Do you know that you actually have some of US thinking (hoping) that we can do it too?

And then we're let down.  When we realize that we just can't do it.  The bar you've set is unattainable.  Unattainable to the real woman.

One day, I'd like to see you make an amazing tart with your fresh grown pears and fresh picked mint while four kids are running around you in the kitchen.  I'd like to see how you'd react when right in the middle of making the graham cracker crust (from real homemade graham crackers!) you have to run to wipe someone's bum.  I'd like to see you make that tart after working all day outside of the home.  Then, I'd like to see you make a beautiful centerpiece for the table that that tart will be served on.  And then, maybe you could wash some of those fine linens from KMart.  Then, you tell me if you really want to iron those bad boys or if you're just gonna grab them out of the dryer and slap them on the bed.  That's the show I want to watch.  That's the show I can relate to.  No more celebrities pouring premeasured ingredients into a bowl.  No more walks in the garden.  No more about your gazillion dollar horse barn with touch screen computers and radiant heat flooring.  For god's sake, your horses live better than I do.

Keep it real Martha.  Real is a good thing.

Sincerely,

Another Woman Who is Still Trying to Reach that Bar

From Youngest to Oldest

It seems my mommy status has changed. 

It's no secret that I had Carissa when I was 19.  In anyone's book, I was a young mom.  Most of the time I like being a young mom.  Now that she's a teenager, I'm one of the youngest moms, meaning I'm a cool, hip (sometimes) mom.  I still dress pretty trendy, I listen to a lot of the same music that she does, I can play the Wii like no other.  Sometimes I regret not living it up before I started having kids, but I think that my retirement years will be all about living it up.  Spring Break 2025, here I come!

But, I also had a child when I was 31.  Which isn't old, but it's "older".  And I'm starting to notice.  When I go to functions at Carissa's school a lot of the parents are quite a bit older than me.  When I go to functions for Xander (Jocelyn isn't quite old enough for "functions") I notice I'M THE OLDER PARENT!  Many of the parents at Xander's functions are just starting their families.  They're young and cute and thin and full of energy.  I am, almost always, the only one with a teenager AND a 3 year old (and also an 8 year old and a 2 year old)!  And THAT I don't like one bit!

I don't want to be the "older" parent.  I don't want to be the uncool one.  The, dare I say, grandmother-like one!  I vow to stay cool and trendy and YOUNG until all my kids are at least through high school!  Heck, maybe I'll be in Cabo in 2025 in a thong, with all my tats and wrinkles hanging out!  Woo hoo!

The good thing about being the "older" parent, though?  The younger parents are so fresh they don't know any better.  THEY want to volunteer for everything.  Sure, I'll coach.  Sure, I'll be team mom.  Sure, I'll bake 30 cupcakes.  They all volunteer and I can just sit back.  Because I was once just like them.  And now that I'm ancient, no one expects me to do any of it!

In a Funk

I'm in one of those moods again.  It seems to work on a cycle and about 4 times a year I get in a funk.  I don't think it's anything that I need meds for, but I just hate this feeling.  I just want to sleep and don't feel productive at all.  And now is not the time for it!  I have too much to do.  Yet, I muddle my way through the work day and then get home and don't get anything done.  I don't even look forward to the weekend.  Blah!  I know I've got a lot on my mind right now and maybe if I get it out, it'll make me feel better.  So, humor me.

• This job!  For God's sake, when will I get a start date!  The background investigation has been going on for almost 2 months.  I was offered the job 4 months ago!  And I have very little information about the job itself.  I know my pay, the job title and the location.  I don't know my hours, my days or even what exactly I'll be doing!  They said they were flexible w/ the schedule, so I'm trying not to worry, but I HATE being in flux.  I like to have plans and lists and dates!  It's making it hard to plan the holidays too.  When am I going to start?  Will I be able to take time off for things we've already planned?  I hate, hate, hate being up in the air!
• And because of this, I've been slacking at my current job.  My heart isn't in it right now.  And I think I'm trying to hate it so that it's easier to leave when I have to.  But, it makes the days stretch for forever.  Plus, having only 60 minutes of Internet (in 10 minute blocks that you forfeit if you have to shut down bc maybe your boss needs something) a day is driving me batty!
• I'm a stress spender and have spent too much money this month.  I know I shouldn't, but I do.  I'm trying so hard to get the credit cards paid off, yet I sabotage myself by spending!
• I have to plan Carissa's birthday party and am not motivated at all!  We're doing an Amazing Race theme.  I have lots of ideas, but need to actually put a plan together and get it all done.
• Stupid me decided to MAKE some Christmas presents this year.  Which is really time consuming.  And I'm depending on others to help (like my brothers to send me pictures of their kids) and they don't follow through.  I'm making Grandparent posters for my mom and FIL, yet no one else has sent me their kids pictures!  It's driving me crazy!
• I bought some magazines online in August for Carissa and we still haven't gotten them.  And now I can't find the damn company I ordered through.  The charge on my credit card is very generic.  I think I might dispute the charge, but that's a whole nother thing to do.
• My dermatologist charged me $100 to have a few moles removed.  I know it's wrong bc that's the inpatient surgery rate, but I don't have the energy to fight them about it.
• On the same note, the dentist (who completely mangled my mouth and now I can't eat any cold fruit or vegetables bc it KILLS me) charged us wrong too.  And they don't keep electronic records (WTF?) so I'm going round and round w/ them.
• AND I'm having some lady problems.  I had an ultrasound and some blood drawn and have to go back for a consult.  But, I'm pretty sure the u/s tech saw something.  She got really weird at one point.  And I keep putting off making the consult appt.
• The kids are driving me CRAZY lately.  All they do is bicker all day long.  They go outside and bicker, they go in the bathroom and bicker, in the car they bicker.  They're seriously driving me crazy.  And I don't know how to solve it.  Any tips?  PLEASE?

Other than that, things are all sunshine and rainbows.  My husband has actually been a huge help lately.  And we seem to be on the same wavelength for right now.

I just need to get out of this funk!

Stuffing? Please help!

Calling all cooks!!!!  I need your best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.  And possibly your recipe for mashed potatoes too. 

We all know that I can be a bit of a food snob.  Thus, I make Thanksgiving dinner every year.  And I've pretty much mastered it (except the year I forgot the sugar in the pumpkin pie and no one even said anything).  But, I make some boring stuffing.  Just some Mrs. Cubbisons that I spice up a bit.  But, I'd love a knock'em dead recipe.  Only requirements:  no mushrooms, no gizzards and no cornbread (while I love it, my hubby doesnt).  So, give it to me!

And if you're so inclined tell me how you make your mashed potatoes?  I've got a great recipe w/ sour cream and cream cheese, but we like the traditional mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.  And every time I make them they come out tasting too potato-y.  (Weird, huh?)

Lists, Lists, Wonderful Lists!

Oh, my lists, I love them.  I will gaze at them and fondle them.  I will make them on pretty paper, with pretty pens.  I will carry them everywhere with me.

Sometimes, I think I love my lists more than I love my husband!  But, at least they keep me sane, whereas he's usually driving me insane!

I swear, if someone was to take away all my lists- the  scrap paper ones, the ones on the Blackberry, the ones in my notebook, the ones on the fridge- I think I'd go insane.  Seriously.

See, my mind works overtime ALL THE TIME.  And I am constantly thinking of what needs to be done, what I need to buy, who I need to call, where I need to go, what crafts I want to make, what movies I want to see, what books I want to read, what recipes I want to try.  If I didn't have my lists, my brain would constantly be filled with all the ideas.  And while one might think that a full brain is a good thing, I beg to differ.  When my brain is full or all these conflicting thoughts I feel like I'm underwater, drowning.  And I will wake up in the middle of the night with my brain on full speed.  BUT, if I just write things down, then I allow myself to purge the thoughts from my brain.  Resulting in a happy place!

But, sometimes it's out of control.  I have papers everywhere.  I make lists of meals for the month, I make grocery lists, I make lists of what needs to be cleaned on the weekend, I make lists of what I'm making for holiday meals (weeks in advance), I make lists of what needs to be packed for trips, I make lists of ideas for gifts, etc.  My family makes fun of me.  They think I spend more time making lists that doing what's on them. 

But, I rarely forget something when we travel.  I always get all the groceries I need.  I always know what's for dinner.  I know exactly what books to check out of the library.  I get my chores done on the weekends!  I usually know what to buy people for holidays and birthdays. 

And the number one reason I have lists is to get some sleep!

Are you a list junkie too?  Please admit it.  Admission is the first step to recovery! 

Of this we can all agree

Ok, one last political post.

No matter who you voted for, can we agree that Obama has done a great thing by getting the youth and the minorities in this country energized and excited?  The youth are our future and lately it’s seemed like many don’t really care about the issues.  But, this year?  They showed up in record numbers to cast their votes.  To have a say.  And it counted, it really counted.  They are now empowered.  They know that they CAN be anything and do anything. 

And minorities.  I’ve got to tell you I grew up in New York.  I lived in the ghetto.  It’s not imaginary this feeling that minorities have.  It’s real.  Very real.  Minorities are still treated badly.  They are still not given good jobs.  They are still not paid the same wages as whites.  To have minorities realize that the country can believe in and elect a Black man is huge!  Huge I tell you!  And I’m a White woman saying this.  But, I know it’s true.  I know that the country overwhelmingly voting for a Black man for President has inspired and excited minorities everywhere.

And, if that’s the only thing that Obama accomplishes, I’d say he’s a hell of a leader.  Sure, I hope the economy gets fixed and education and healthcare and the war and all those other issues get turned around.  But, at this moment, this moment right now, I’m excited and hopeful for what he’s already done. 

I got goosebumps when it was announced.  I shed tears during his speech.  I teared up again today when I heard someone recount what it was like last night in Grant Park.  Admittedly, Obama wasn’t my ideal candidate (although I voted for him), but today I am proud of him and I’m ready to fully and completely support him.  I honestly in my heart believe he is a really great man and that he will do wonderful things for our country.  He lead a clean campaign, he kept his cool under pressure and he touched people.  He convinced young and old, black and white, religious and non-religious, Republicans and Democrats to vote for him.  That is huge.  And it is a sign that we CAN all work together.  I hope everyone takes that to heart.

Today, I just live in the moment.  And realize that I’ve witnessed something that some thought wouldn’t happen in my lifetime.  And the magnitude of that is hard to realize.  Today is a good day for American and this world.  And I am proud to be an American.

******************************************************************************************************************************

Although I have to say I'm a disappointed in California, Arizona and Florida that voted to add amendments defining marriage to their constitutions.  Very disappointed.  But, I have hope that some day Gays will have equal rights just like the rest of us do.  I have hope.

Tomorrow's the Big Day!

Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

I seriously have knots in my stomach thinking of the outcome after tomorrow.   A lot of really important things are going to be decided tomorrow. 

No matter what happens, I’m energized and excited.  Can you believe the lines to vote?  This means that people are actually getting out there.  That people believe their vote counts.  They really, truly believe it.

Unlike in the past, this year people have hope.  And they are willing to wait hours and hours to have their voice heard.  That’s huge! 

For me, this is the first time I’ve actually done my own research on the issues and policies and really thought about who I was going to vote for.  In the past I’ve always just voted the party line.  The party that I registered as when I was 18.  The party that my dad belonged to.  Not this year.  This year I wrote down the issues, wrote down where I stood on each issue and then matched up the candidates. Unfortunately, one candidate didn’t match all of my beliefs.  (Imagine that!)  But, I made my choice based on the majority of my beliefs and what I thought in my heart was the right choice.  I chose who I thought would be the best for the country as a whole- not just my own family.

No matter the outcome, I’m probably going to have a few tears.  Whether it’s because history is made and I feel that the country will be moving in a forward direction or because I’m sad and hoping and praying that McCain manages to live for four more years, we won’t know until we get the results.  But, I’m hoping no matter who wins that the country comes together and backs that person up.  And I’m hoping that radicals (on either side) don’t do crazy and/or dangerous things.  I’m terribly worried that Obama will be assassinated before he even takes office if he wins.  Unfortunately, there are still racist pigs in this world and I wouldn’t put it past them.

I’m keeping a close eye on all the propositions about marriage too.  I’ll be heartbroken if Prop 8 in

California passes.  Truly heartbroken.  And I’d be upset if 102 in Arizonapasses too.

Only time will tell, but I’m excited about the future.  (And I can’t wait for all the dirty campaigning to stop!)

And seriously, if McCain wins he better live to fill out his term.  Seriously!