- You can't wait to have sex---You can wait cause really your tired and need a nap
- You are goo goo gaga over the ring----You realize that damn you want a bigger one than you had before
- So excited when you get your tenth set of Pyrex dishes so you can invite your in-laws over and cook them dinner---Don't give me one set of Pyrex and honestly I've done the whole in-laws thing and honestly that whole "if you marry me you marry my family, yeah not this time"
- You can't wait for people to ask when you will move into your own little house---Crap now one of you have to move and there is no way you are living in, her, old house. And he is not going to sleep in, his, bed.
- You have the line down pat- "We are just going to enjoy being newlyweds and spend every waking minute with each other and go to Hawaii for our anniversary, move into a house then start a family". You nearly can see hearts and unicorns shoot out their butts.---HELL NO we are not having kids I lost count on how many we have together.
- What's mine is his and what's his is mine. Chores, kids, money....---This is mine don't look at it, touch it or I will know, you will take out the garbage, and yes I have a secret bank account that you will not touch until I know you are not the like the D-bag I married before.
- The wedding will include everyone we love, just a time to celebrate our love---We are going to dance and I'm going to have the cake I want to actually eat. And again it's optional if either of our families even come because really we are the ones paying this time around.
Preserve-Pickle-Can
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Marriage for the Middle Ages
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother's Day
- On Mother's Day- as in the day set aside to thank your mother for pushing you out of her body or having it cut open so you could be born, please do not fight with your sibling so your mother has to utter the words "I remember when I wasn't a mother kinda fondly right now". It ruins the whole Mojo of the day
- When you are dirty and people can actually smell you take a shower
- Don't make Mother's Day about you. This is not your day, you will have every other day of your mother's life until you have children then you too are not as important and those perfect little grandchildren.
- A present for your mother on Mother's Day is not letting her snuggle with you while you watch re-runs of Phinas and Phern. That is not a gift
- When you are old enough and have earned a little money as much as we love your little hand made presents it's time for so gifts kids.
- Don't blame not having a decent Mother's Day present on your dad, he had his own list.
- Seriously when your mom tells you the dreaded "I brought you to this earth I can take you out" line she means it I gave her that right.
- Do not feed your mom egg salad made from the left over eggs from Easter, two weeks ago. Even though moms are armed with an immune system that can stand up to most weapons even moms can get food poisoning.
- Do not ask your mom if she wants a boob job for Mother's Day since her boobs sag- they sag because of you. 18 on the beach, nice and high, Breast feeding kids, loowwww.
- Try to love your mom with all you have. Because she loves you more than even I can understand!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Transform
- This is a big one for me and one that I honestly think I might fail at- just being real here. I want to go from being Hannah's wardened to being her leader. Let me explain. I have read the books, I have shed the tears and I have resolved to just be the mom and tell her where the bear craps. It didn't work. I will show her by example what kind of friend, mother, wife, sister, and Christ follower I want her to look up to. This spicy 12 year old shows me new things all the time. But she is the child and I'm the mom. So I can lead her to water tell her to drink but, she may not know how. So I plan to stick my head in the bucket and drink and drink. And I also plan to start giving myself a party the week of her birthday every year. It's a little bit "Look we didn't kill each other" but mostly it's "Look at this amazing young woman who navigated through being a tween like a pro, she's my daughter how cool is that". Simple
- I will transform from thinking I'm Steve's cook, maid, and other very Carol Bradyish things to being in this 50/50. I'd love to say Batman and Robin but who's kidding who here Robin was just eye candy. Steve is so wonderful and I am the most horrible wife ever. If they ever give out awards I'll get it. I know I can be someone that Steve is so proud of, all my faults and flaws. So through prayer, and letting go of all my childhood issues I'm going to be the spouse Steve deserves.
- I will stop feeling bad for myself. Or maybe it's worrying that I need to stop doing. Recently I had a long- very long talk with God. He and I fight, laugh and cry together. I am sure he also thinks it's a good thing I'm on medication. I worry about things to the point that I get physically sick. You name it family, kids, work, money, health, the stray cat- I worry. I finally after a long chat turned it all over to Him. That was a tough one to swallow. I shared things with Steve that I planned on taking to my grave, I uttered words that I never planned on saying and in the end. Someone removed giant weights off of my shoulders. The tightness in my chest has not totally stopped but, at least I'm not worried anymore about it.
- It's no secret to family and friend that I really wanted to have another child. Truly I always figured I would. But, after Jeffrey my priorities changed and went all to taking care of him. Now ten years down the road I'm thinking ok let's do this. MMM several problem with that. No lady parts, no way to have a baby, if I wanted to do adoption it would takes lots of money and many years. So that just does not work. I am bright enough to know that I don't want to have a 16 year old, a 14 year old and a new born. That is not fair to any of them. And after prayer Steve just didn't feel warm and fuzzy about it. So I thought foster care. I can't tell you how many people have told me "Sorry we just don't need families like we use to." Oh ok. So after lots of tears, I finally transformed my heart and gave it away. So if it's meant to be it will happen. We have a steam in the backyard I guess I better keep my eye out for a basket! It will be alright I really believe that now. Either some crazy situation will happen and we won't have time to hash it out we will just jump. Or we will just have to wait to be grandparents- which better not be until both kids are 30 and Doctors.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Frayed Edge
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2011-.
Friday, August 20, 2010
School Hangover
We all walk around the first week of school glazed over, tired, hungry and don't remember what we have been doing. We promised ourselves that we would be ready. The first week of school would be a breeze. All the clothes are hanging in the closet, paired tops and bottoms, clean socks and shiny new shoes. Hair is cut and lunch boxes are on the counter ready to hit the road. By the end of the 1st day we have done it and even had a hot dinner on the table. Signed the papers from the teachers and go to bed saying a little prayer of thanks for the start of the 1st week. BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP
- Alarm sounds- you stretch and yawn. Wow it is a great morning, wait what is that, oh how sweet your hubby has already go up and started the coffee--S.W.A.K xoxo
- Man the kids look angelic this morning. "Hey kiddos how was dream land? You look rested, give me a snuggle and we will go have a extra special breakfast" kiss on the head.
- THAT'S right mommy made Back 2 School pancakes who wants one shaped like an apple or a little boy sitting at his desk- no it was not any trouble at all!
- Teeth are brushed, hair is combed and even the beds are made.
- Oh my goodness we are 10 MINUTES EARLY!! let's all stand by the tree in the front yard and take pictures.
- Off to school and hugs goodbye.
- After school snacks- applesauce and cheese stick
- Hearing about how great the 1st day is.
- Dinner as a family with something that everyone loves and look mom made dessert!! Yeah Mommy
- Bedtime and everything is good...
5th Day of School
- CRAP I totally forgot to set my alarm why didn't you set yours?
- KIDS get out of bed now we are late. Get downstairs now and get breakfast.
- NO I am not making oatmeal do you honestly think I have time to do that right now? NO eat the cereal.
- I told you two to clean out your lunch boxes- they stink
- Don't care if you don't like school lunch, unless you want to wake up earlier and make it yourself
- Yes, I know I am late picking you up I also had to go to another school and pick up your brother, go grocery shopping, make 10,000 copies for the school, buy a back to school present for your teacher, get all that additional supplies you need, and I forgot the milk.
- You seriously want me to make dinner? Are you kidding have a PB&J.
- You all better be on your best behavior and help out because next week we start, soccer, baseball, dance, art, music, church night, running club and cooking class
- AND THAT IS ALL JUST MONDAY!
So no matter how your week started or ended just know that all us mom are in this constant state of "School Hangover" together for the next 9 months...
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Highway To Heaven
But, the big question is what will take me there? Recently I have thought about that long and hard and it brings me joy when I see the reaction on others faces when I say “Don’t waste your time digging a hole just stick me in a pine box, throw me overboard and let me enjoy the waves." The look of terror crosses the faces of those around me and they assume I’m kidding, I’m not. We put so much money and emphasis on what vehicle we take to see the Almighty that if we stepped back and realized that we could pay for the oil spill just by saving money on funerals we all may sing a different hymn in the end.
Recently I went to a funeral and this dear sweet, old woman was lying in the front of this beautiful chapel and all I could think about was the fact that her casket reminded me of a new Buick. Perfect for a sweet little grandma who lived a perfect little grandma life right until the end. As family celebrated the life of this grand lady I thought of my own grandma 2,500 miles away. She was in a crock-pot.
Not only was she preserved in a crock-pot but we didn't even splurge and get her a new one we used her old one. I think even the knob was held on with super glue. When cleaning out her house several years ago after we all had the dreaded “Grandma we just don’t think you should be alone anymore” talk with her we came across her prized possession, her Crock Pot. We also came across a plain brown paper bag with a bunch of pill bottles in it. I made the mistake of opening one of the bottles and then reading the label. Nope, not some old 1950’s cough syrup she had been saving because she knew one day they would not make it anymore. It read “Red” as in Grandma “Red”. So it seems 14 years before when grandpa died grandma scooped a little of his ashes out of the urn to save to add to hers and for us to add to ours one day as a little “family potpourri”.
It seemed so fitting that we save the Crock Pot and use it as her urn one day. It epitomized everything about her. She was a master food preserver, judging competitions and telling hopeless young moms like myself why our jam didn't set up the way it should. She could dehydrate anything, and I do mean anything. Just a word to the wise, dried apricots looks just like dried salmon but they DO NOT taste the same. Preserving, canning, and pickling ran through her veins like crack for an addict. Frenzy’s started when she would smell cucumbers pickling in a jar of fresh brine. It seemed only fitting that she herself in death as in life be preserved. I’m sure if there were a way she would have loved to be pickled or canned also.
Though it is probably very unorthodox by most modern standard of burial, to my very diverse, and that is saying it nicely, family putting grandmas ashes in a Crock Pot was the only way to send her to heaven.
Being a transplant to the south there are several things I have learned about death, and funerals. Every cemetery is decorated fit for a queen. Everyone has flowers, balloons, Christmas trees, and hearts for Valentines Day. Southerners take tending to the grave very serious. Also people have funerals on Sunday’s here. I’m from Utah and that even causes me to let out a small Gasp. And the last thing I’ve learned is once someone has passed their family takes on a very Jewish or Muslin tradition- Get them in the ground-ASAP. Not my family.
My amazing grandma passed late November 2009; we “Preserved” her for six months. Yes, she hung around on a mantle until everyone in the family and friends far and near could get together to celebrate her. This is not something I advise. Even by Utah standards this was wacky. But, once she was poured very gently and away from any flowing air vents into her trusty blue and cream Crock Pot she was laid to rest. Now I don’t think she was sitting in a holding room in heaven waiting around for us to finally do this. Can you see the conversation? I assume it would go something like this.
Grandma-“Oh hello, Angel of death, now you just go on about your business. My family likes to take their time so I’ll just be in the waiting room.”
Angel of Death- “That is not really the norm Carol, and I’ve seen some crazy stuff. You want me to go haunt them?”
Grandma-“No, I have my knitting and a good book I’ll be just fine. Oh but, if you could tell my husband what is going on that would be great.”
Angel of Death-“You know he has been eagerly waiting for your arrival, he really wants to see you.”
Grandma-“Well it serves him right having to wait for me, I really didn't want to have to wear a C-Pap machine for the last ten years but, he thought no big deal of smoking those cigars. So he is just going to have to wait for me Sugar Babe.”
Angel of Death-“Did you just call me Sugar Babe?”
Grandma-“Yes I did.”
Angel of Death-“Yeah, I really don’t know what to say right now, so you just let me know when you are ready.”
She would not have been bothered about waiting. Now maybe we could have fulfilled her dreams of always wanting a red convertible and sent her on the fast tract to eternity. But, I think she was just fine being preserved for a long road home. In the end isn’t that what we want? To be preserved in the memories of all those that we love, to never be forgot and just hang around like the smell of Sunday Pot Roast that has been cooking in the Crock Pot.
No matter how you mourn the lost of someone all that matter is that you do it. Don't tell people you are fine when you want to yell, yell and if they love you they will understand. I don't know when or where or how I will die but, this is what I'm sure about
- Do not put me the ground. that is the fastest way for me to haunt you ass.
- You better cry, and cry a lot I mean weeping at my grave, screaming "WHY, WHY"
- I would like my mother to come if she is still alive. Now this is a tricky on because if my dad goes first she may just real quick stop by his service with a bag and plane tickets in her hand to Greece. So we may never know when she goes. And my mother really does not like that kind of thing- funerals in general-
- Sing Morning Has Broken
- And last but, not least I don't plan on leaving anytime soon so let's just not think about it.
I mourn the lost of my grandma everyday, it's not something that I can just get over. But I can laugh about it, and I can hear her talking to me. When I read I hear her ask about the book. When I cook I hear her say "Oh Kristin that smells so good." When I look at fabric I hear her whisper "Now don't you use the cheap stuff." And this morning when I was picking out cucumbers I heard her say "This just tickles me pink that you want to learn how to pickle and can, that was always my favorite domestic duty."
So you see maybe it was a slow process getting grandma to heaven. I was not able to go to her funeral, Thanks BP you crap heads, so to me she is still knitting booties, drinking Ovaline Milkshakes (Steve-O's) and reading a book with a bowl of popcorn. She is perfectly preserved in my heart and mind. And that folks is something that can't be canned and put on a shelf!