although i would like to think i'm not, i am very judgemental. i am not racist or bigoted or intolerant. well, i am intolerant when it comes to people making decisions or taking actions that i deem stupid, retarded or not very well thought out.
through the years i've talked about my sister, how we aren't close, how she's done some incredibly stupid things and has made, in my opinion, horrendous life choices. when she got married two years ago (one or two? i can't remember) i was not excited, i didn't think it was a good decision. she barely knew the guy. he didn't (and still does not) speak much english. i was not excited earlier this year when, knowing that she was unemployed and already supporting two kids, they tried and succeeded in getting pregnant and had a baby. don't get me wrong, of course i love my nephew, but i don't think it was a good decision to have a third child given their cramped living quarters and financial condition.
with all of that said, i can see that my sister is trying. she is trying to be a better parent, trying to sever the noose-like ties she's had to our mom...she's trying. she has handled her life much differently than i would have liked for her to, but, it's HER life and not mine.
this week we have just found out that one of my cousins is pregnant. she is my sister's age and her life choices have not been stellar either. about 4-5 years ago she met a guy online and in less than a year they married. it is not the online part that gets me because i know there are people who meet online and live happily ever after and i also know that it is more common now, etc. and i'm not even necessarily knocking the short engagement--ok, well, i guess i just don't understand it and cannot comprehend doing that myself. i also know people who have had a short courtship and are still happily together. but, the guy she married was...awful. jobless, controlling, lived w/ his parents, who also were controlling. it was just ugly. a couple years into the marriage she got pregnant and shortly there after filed for divorce. it was/is an incredibly ugly divorce/custody battle that has dragged on forever.
about 2-3 weeks ago this cousin, who, bless her heart, really is not the smartest of my relatives, announces on fb that she's married again. it is ironic because my mom/aunts pride themselves on being this "close knit" matriarch family system and my aunts found out on fb the same way we did. what is even more bizarre is that she met this guy online before she met her ex online and i guess they have been friends for awhile? i don't know. but she's only met him in person 2-3 times before they went to the justice of the peace and got married. she told her parents AFTER THE FACT. yep--close knit family. now? 2-3 weeks later? she's pregnant, though i have not heard this "officially" and by officially i mean my mom has not told me. we only found out because my cousin emailed the hubs and told him. so, since i haven't heard the official word i emailed my mom this morning and asked if she's heard this cousin was pregnant. we'll see what happens.
i know this is a long rambling story but i guess i'm trying to work through being judgemental. i find it hard to get excited for people who make choices i think are poor. i should be happy for my cousin, but all i can do is shake my head and say holy crap why did she have another baby?
i don't want to look down my nose at my cousin and my sister. it is not their fault that they got the short end of the family brain stick and therefore have made craptastic life decisions. i think that is the crux of it....i am prejudiced against stupid people.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
decking the halls
yes, despite the fact that i am against penguins at christmas, i have many a penguin decoration. oh, and that other ornament? yeah, me and the hubs--our first christmas ornament : ) the santa below is one the kids made this year.
our den christmas tree and the outside frosty.
this is little jasper, curled up in the girl's blanket.
<---here's jasper checking out the christmas decorations.
<---here's a before picture, w/ the girl searching for jasper.
our nativity scene. a friend brought this back from israel for us several years ago.
our stockings, hung by the chimney w/ care. we have about a million stockings. we got these last year during the holiday sales. we each got our initials, however, i just realized this year that for the hubs and i we got d and m for dad and mom. except, the hubs' name starts w/ m so it looks like everyone has their name letter and then me, w/ a d.
our stockings, hung by the chimney w/ care. we have about a million stockings. we got these last year during the holiday sales. we each got our initials, however, i just realized this year that for the hubs and i we got d and m for dad and mom. except, the hubs' name starts w/ m so it looks like everyone has their name letter and then me, w/ a d.
<----the outside lights. this is the first time in about five years we've had the icicle lights up.
this is little jasper, curled up in the girl's blanket.
<---here's a before picture, w/ the girl searching for jasper.
saving tatas
can we talk about boobs for a minute? breasts? ta tas? i am fond of mine, though admittedly they are no longer located as high on my chest as i'd like nor are they as firm as i envision they should be. however, they are a sensitive duo and often serve as my on switch for certain recreational activities.
recently a bloggy friend had a bit of a scare w/ her's. thankfully she is ok, there is no cancer, but she will have to continue w/ checkups and this does run in her family.
i have personally known three people who've had breast cancer and i think i probably have a lot of misconceptions about it, mostly because of what i've heard in the media.
although i do self-exams randomly, i am not really worried that i'll get it because no women in my family have had it. i think that's a stupid assumption on my part. i wonder when i should talk to the girl about doing self-exams?
i also am under the assumption that if caught early it's ok. if they find a lump (any cancerous lump for that matter) that that is good, early detection leads to early treatment and that's good. i think that also is probably not always the case.
one of my friends found a lump and did nothing for a long time. by the time she did go to the doctor it has started spreading. and then it got into her lymph nodes and spread faster and about two years after she found that lump she died of brain cancer.
my other two friends who've had it are actually a couple. one woman ended up getting a double mastectomy and has been in remission for years. the other one had a partial mastectomy and reconstructive surgery and also has been in remission for years.
obviously if push came to shove i'd rather lose a boob than my life. but i think it would be incredibly difficult to deal with losing a boob or both boobs.
for those of you w/ daughters (older daughters) when did you start talking to them about self-exams?
recently a bloggy friend had a bit of a scare w/ her's. thankfully she is ok, there is no cancer, but she will have to continue w/ checkups and this does run in her family.
i have personally known three people who've had breast cancer and i think i probably have a lot of misconceptions about it, mostly because of what i've heard in the media.
although i do self-exams randomly, i am not really worried that i'll get it because no women in my family have had it. i think that's a stupid assumption on my part. i wonder when i should talk to the girl about doing self-exams?
i also am under the assumption that if caught early it's ok. if they find a lump (any cancerous lump for that matter) that that is good, early detection leads to early treatment and that's good. i think that also is probably not always the case.
one of my friends found a lump and did nothing for a long time. by the time she did go to the doctor it has started spreading. and then it got into her lymph nodes and spread faster and about two years after she found that lump she died of brain cancer.
my other two friends who've had it are actually a couple. one woman ended up getting a double mastectomy and has been in remission for years. the other one had a partial mastectomy and reconstructive surgery and also has been in remission for years.
obviously if push came to shove i'd rather lose a boob than my life. but i think it would be incredibly difficult to deal with losing a boob or both boobs.
for those of you w/ daughters (older daughters) when did you start talking to them about self-exams?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
do the humpty dance
the powers that be say it is hump day. hmm. ok.
it is pouring rain here this morning, which means i will drive the girl to school because seriously, who wants to stand out in the cold pouring rain waiting on the school bus? not me.
i am being incredibly presumptuous w/ this post because i'm sharing a recipe. omfg. me!? sharing a recipe. to be fair i don't think anyone came right out and asked me for it, but a few of you said it sounded interesting : ) ha.
pineapple casserole
2 15 oz cans pineapple chunks
1 cup sugar
6 tbls flour
2 cups shredded cheese
4 oz ritz crackers (smooshed. and i don't know what 4 oz is so i think i put a sleeve in)
1/2 cup melted butter
Drain pineapple reserving 1/2 cup of the juice. Place pineapple in baking dish. Sprinkle w/ mixture of flour and sugar. Pour the juice on top. Sprinkle w/ cheese/cracker crumbs. Drizzle w/ the butter. Bake for 30 mins at 350degrees.
i may or may not use more cheese.
if anyone perfects this, let me know.
it is a rainy, chilly, wednesday morning and i got up at 6am and i don't like it. you'd think by now i would get used to getting up this early, but, i haven't.
**********************
did i tell you we saw blindside? it was an incredible story. sandra bullock did a great, believable job. i had my doubts at first, w/ the southern accent and all. but she pulled it off. time mcgraw didn't do too shabby either. i will not give the story away, though it is based on a true story, a recent true story no less, but it is not the tear jerker i anticipated. seeing the previews i thought i'd be bawling about 5 minutes in and not be able to stop. but, it isn't like that. the story captivates you, the characters draw you in and help you feel like part of their family. it's like you are sitting around their family dinner table and they're telling you a story. there are some moments that pull on your heart strings and there are some that will make you laugh out loud. if you haven't seen it--go. it's worth it. i walked out of there filled w/ hope. even if only momentarily.
*********************
the girl just informed me that retardo dog (aka keely, the wiley escaped artist australian shepherd) ate the rest of a can of mixed nuts that were sitting on the end table out of retribution for me (under vet orders) telling everyone to cut out the table scrap and chip feeding of the dogs. the black lab is about 20 lbs overweight so i've directed the no snack rule. even though keely is not overweight, she is missing out on the snacks too. i think she just got bored.
*********************
my aunt and uncle (the ones moving to arizona after the first of the year) are having a christmas party this weekend. they've had these before and we've always gone. they are pretty sedate for the most part---except for the fact that my uncle and dad make the cussing i do here on the blog look like child's play. anywho---apparently this will be their last hoorah or is it hurrah? before moving so it may get wild. out of hand. drunken. my sil joked that she'd keep all the kids and i should be the designated driver for my bro and the hubs. i think throwing those two in the mix, drinking, w/ my dad in the mix, drinking would be like lighting a short fuse on a bomb. i'm not sure i want to do that.
...ok, mom's chauffeur service is needed. i think i am starting to see why parents get excited when their kids can drive themselves.
it is pouring rain here this morning, which means i will drive the girl to school because seriously, who wants to stand out in the cold pouring rain waiting on the school bus? not me.
i am being incredibly presumptuous w/ this post because i'm sharing a recipe. omfg. me!? sharing a recipe. to be fair i don't think anyone came right out and asked me for it, but a few of you said it sounded interesting : ) ha.
pineapple casserole
2 15 oz cans pineapple chunks
1 cup sugar
6 tbls flour
2 cups shredded cheese
4 oz ritz crackers (smooshed. and i don't know what 4 oz is so i think i put a sleeve in)
1/2 cup melted butter
Drain pineapple reserving 1/2 cup of the juice. Place pineapple in baking dish. Sprinkle w/ mixture of flour and sugar. Pour the juice on top. Sprinkle w/ cheese/cracker crumbs. Drizzle w/ the butter. Bake for 30 mins at 350degrees.
i may or may not use more cheese.
if anyone perfects this, let me know.
it is a rainy, chilly, wednesday morning and i got up at 6am and i don't like it. you'd think by now i would get used to getting up this early, but, i haven't.
**********************
did i tell you we saw blindside? it was an incredible story. sandra bullock did a great, believable job. i had my doubts at first, w/ the southern accent and all. but she pulled it off. time mcgraw didn't do too shabby either. i will not give the story away, though it is based on a true story, a recent true story no less, but it is not the tear jerker i anticipated. seeing the previews i thought i'd be bawling about 5 minutes in and not be able to stop. but, it isn't like that. the story captivates you, the characters draw you in and help you feel like part of their family. it's like you are sitting around their family dinner table and they're telling you a story. there are some moments that pull on your heart strings and there are some that will make you laugh out loud. if you haven't seen it--go. it's worth it. i walked out of there filled w/ hope. even if only momentarily.
*********************
the girl just informed me that retardo dog (aka keely, the wiley escaped artist australian shepherd) ate the rest of a can of mixed nuts that were sitting on the end table out of retribution for me (under vet orders) telling everyone to cut out the table scrap and chip feeding of the dogs. the black lab is about 20 lbs overweight so i've directed the no snack rule. even though keely is not overweight, she is missing out on the snacks too. i think she just got bored.
*********************
my aunt and uncle (the ones moving to arizona after the first of the year) are having a christmas party this weekend. they've had these before and we've always gone. they are pretty sedate for the most part---except for the fact that my uncle and dad make the cussing i do here on the blog look like child's play. anywho---apparently this will be their last hoorah or is it hurrah? before moving so it may get wild. out of hand. drunken. my sil joked that she'd keep all the kids and i should be the designated driver for my bro and the hubs. i think throwing those two in the mix, drinking, w/ my dad in the mix, drinking would be like lighting a short fuse on a bomb. i'm not sure i want to do that.
...ok, mom's chauffeur service is needed. i think i am starting to see why parents get excited when their kids can drive themselves.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
dear so and so
dear son,
i think perhaps you have confused us w/ millionaires. i realize this is the first year you've admitted that you no longer believe in that big fat guy in the red and white suit, but dude, do you really think we're going to buy you a $299 karate body dummy to spar with? i applaud your commitment to your new found interest, really, i do, you are serious and hard working, but, i am not buying an ass load of karate stuff for christmas. you should also know you are not getting a $250 replica wwe championship belt. i hope you will be happy with a nerf gun and crayons.
love,
your unemployed (that means i don't have a job in case you've forgotten) mom
dear daughter,
please stop growing now. i liked it better when i bought you clothes and shoes at the beginning of the school year (4 months ago) and they fit pretty much all year. i estimate if we have to buy bras and shoes every four months you will end up a very well endowed young woman who can never find a decent pair of shoes. especially since you are drawn to heels.
love,
your short mom who has jeans older than you
dear santa,
i know my children no longer believe in you, but i still do. this year for christmas i want some new fuzzy slippers, a giant box of crayons and a cool coloring book, like some of these, a gift certificate for a mani and pedi (and maybe some waxing), a starbucks gift card and this new train cd.
love,
a constant believer
dear potential employers,
i realize you must be incredibly busy since you have jobs. i realize that i am but one of a plethora of people who have applied for that job you just posted on the internet. you misspelled proof reading by the way. i understand that because so many people are jobless right now you probably have the best pool of talent to draw from and you are sitting on your hands to keep from clapping with glee. i just have one small request--if indeed you are not going to bother to even call me in for an interview will you just shoot me a quick email saying thanks but no thanks? hell, you can send me a form letter for that matter. just let me know not to hold out hope that i'll be hearing from you. thanks.
sincerely,
desperately seeking a job
i think perhaps you have confused us w/ millionaires. i realize this is the first year you've admitted that you no longer believe in that big fat guy in the red and white suit, but dude, do you really think we're going to buy you a $299 karate body dummy to spar with? i applaud your commitment to your new found interest, really, i do, you are serious and hard working, but, i am not buying an ass load of karate stuff for christmas. you should also know you are not getting a $250 replica wwe championship belt. i hope you will be happy with a nerf gun and crayons.
love,
your unemployed (that means i don't have a job in case you've forgotten) mom
dear daughter,
please stop growing now. i liked it better when i bought you clothes and shoes at the beginning of the school year (4 months ago) and they fit pretty much all year. i estimate if we have to buy bras and shoes every four months you will end up a very well endowed young woman who can never find a decent pair of shoes. especially since you are drawn to heels.
love,
your short mom who has jeans older than you
dear santa,
i know my children no longer believe in you, but i still do. this year for christmas i want some new fuzzy slippers, a giant box of crayons and a cool coloring book, like some of these, a gift certificate for a mani and pedi (and maybe some waxing), a starbucks gift card and this new train cd.
love,
a constant believer
dear potential employers,
i realize you must be incredibly busy since you have jobs. i realize that i am but one of a plethora of people who have applied for that job you just posted on the internet. you misspelled proof reading by the way. i understand that because so many people are jobless right now you probably have the best pool of talent to draw from and you are sitting on your hands to keep from clapping with glee. i just have one small request--if indeed you are not going to bother to even call me in for an interview will you just shoot me a quick email saying thanks but no thanks? hell, you can send me a form letter for that matter. just let me know not to hold out hope that i'll be hearing from you. thanks.
sincerely,
desperately seeking a job
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