Saturday, March 21, 2009
Stop, You Leaf Burners
So it's that time of year again - one of two times of year when smoke can be seen from neighborhoods. I don't have asthma or any other breathing issues, and I'm thankful for that. However, I still have problems when people who live in close proximities of others burn dead leaves or plant or grass clippings. The smoke is really annoying and does not disipate quickly. It's also bad for the environment. I understand the urge to get rid of dead lawn stuff, but I work my ass off to do the right thing by either recycling them with my garbage service, or like I did this year, start a compost. It does take work, but it's worth the effort to make the world last a little bit longer for our kids and their kids. Plus, you don't know who lives by you who does have breathing problems, and that doesn't help.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Curious Tale of Curious J
In the past week or so, I have started noticing a change in behavior in Curious J. Today it became abundantly clear that this behavior will not be going away anytime soon. J has begun talking to - strangers.
This morning, we went to Sonic and he started talking to workers he didn't know saying, "hey, we're going to a car wash."
Later, we went to Old Navy to get summer shorts, and he started talking to other customers in the store. He would tell them what we were doing and what we were buying. He told one lady, "I have an idea about my clothes." He saw a little girl at the store and said "hi" (he is starting to say hi to little people his size) and starting mimicking what she was doing (which was playing with a belt).
Tonight he was telling one of the servers at dinner, "We're telling stories about books."
Who is this kid? And what did he do with my husband's kid? :) It does appear that he tells people factual things - what he did with his day, what he was doing at that moment. I have an idea it has to do with school and the confidence he gets from being away from his mom. I like this new J - just as long as he doesn't make strangers his new family.
This morning, we went to Sonic and he started talking to workers he didn't know saying, "hey, we're going to a car wash."
Later, we went to Old Navy to get summer shorts, and he started talking to other customers in the store. He would tell them what we were doing and what we were buying. He told one lady, "I have an idea about my clothes." He saw a little girl at the store and said "hi" (he is starting to say hi to little people his size) and starting mimicking what she was doing (which was playing with a belt).
Tonight he was telling one of the servers at dinner, "We're telling stories about books."
Who is this kid? And what did he do with my husband's kid? :) It does appear that he tells people factual things - what he did with his day, what he was doing at that moment. I have an idea it has to do with school and the confidence he gets from being away from his mom. I like this new J - just as long as he doesn't make strangers his new family.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Did you know Barack Obama was in Return of the Jedi?
We have been reading one of those kid books about Return of the Jedi to Curious J. Tonight, BDR decided to show parts of the movie, nothing scary. On the cover of the DVD is a picture of Lando Calrissian. When he say Lando, J said "Barack Obama".
And there you have it, our President was in Return of the Jedi.
If only he could use the force to fix our economy.
And there you have it, our President was in Return of the Jedi.
If only he could use the force to fix our economy.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Feeling Blah
Curious J is going to start preschool and tells us he can do things by himself. Some of my favorite (or once favorite) tv shows are coming to an end. Buildings around town close. My parents are slowing down. Actors who were in your favorite movies in the 80's and 90's now have wrinkles. All reminders that time is fleeting.
Last night I watched ER, tonight I watched Battlestart Galactica. Feeling nostalgic and sad. Old characters that I have to say goodbye to. It's not even the shows themselves, but what they represent. A different time. A younger me. Hell, even George Clooney looks older now (but still fine!). I remember when ER started. I was in love with Carter. It was around the time I started college. I was young and skinny and had no idea how many opportunities were ahead of me. All I thought about was my checklist of things to be done in life.
The folks came to visit last week to help out with watching J. My dad has Parkinsons. He is slowing down. At first, I was pretty upset. Then I got use to him having it. Last week, he and mom would mention things about his legs giving him problems. His medicines are you making him more and more tired. My parents are getting older. And it's weird to think that my dad is going to be 70 in less than 2 years. When did he get so much older. I don't know how many years we will have left with them. I'm the sandwich generation now; it became more apparent after Jack was born and my grandmother died. Someday, sooner rather than later, I may have to make the decisions that my dad had to make for his mom. I will have to watch my parents become unable to take care of themselves. I will have to go through their house and revisit my life without them. And that's it. They won't come back. I won't be able to give them a hard time and see them again soon.
And before you know it, J will start grade school, then high school. Then off to college. Having his own family, if he chooses). And I will be the one to be taken care of. And one day, that will be the end of it. Gone. Poof. I won't be able to smell his hair when he sits next to me, or feel his hand grab mine. He'll be too big for that, and that's the way it should be.
I feel so insignificant. Sometimes, I feel like a little insect just moving through the day, trying to keep the species going by teaching the younger generation how to survive. Survival is not enough for me. But I also don't believe that there is something waiting for me on the other side. I feel so minute.
I tell J he is special. And to me he is! But he will find that everyone has good and bad , talents and weaknesses. And while some of us have extraordinary abilities, we are still all pretty much thte same. Which isn't bad, because it keeps us humble if we allow it to.
BDR believes in God. He tells J that God loves him. This kid is going to be confused about what to believe; we don't have a game plan on religious discussions. But I'm glad that not just one of us is raising him. I want him to a greater significance. So I am glad that his dad tells him about God. Plus, I know that BDR won't tell him close-minded in his discussions. And I'm glad he has me to help him question it all. Maybe he will question out existance and come back to what his dad taught him all along. But at least he will do it eyes wide open.
I wish I could have an answer to give me peace of mind. But instead as I look at aging and dying, I see an abyss waiting for me. I try to hold on to the preciousness of time now, but no one is perfect at that. There is no way to avoid the abyss. And that just bothers the shit out of me.
Last night I watched ER, tonight I watched Battlestart Galactica. Feeling nostalgic and sad. Old characters that I have to say goodbye to. It's not even the shows themselves, but what they represent. A different time. A younger me. Hell, even George Clooney looks older now (but still fine!). I remember when ER started. I was in love with Carter. It was around the time I started college. I was young and skinny and had no idea how many opportunities were ahead of me. All I thought about was my checklist of things to be done in life.
The folks came to visit last week to help out with watching J. My dad has Parkinsons. He is slowing down. At first, I was pretty upset. Then I got use to him having it. Last week, he and mom would mention things about his legs giving him problems. His medicines are you making him more and more tired. My parents are getting older. And it's weird to think that my dad is going to be 70 in less than 2 years. When did he get so much older. I don't know how many years we will have left with them. I'm the sandwich generation now; it became more apparent after Jack was born and my grandmother died. Someday, sooner rather than later, I may have to make the decisions that my dad had to make for his mom. I will have to watch my parents become unable to take care of themselves. I will have to go through their house and revisit my life without them. And that's it. They won't come back. I won't be able to give them a hard time and see them again soon.
And before you know it, J will start grade school, then high school. Then off to college. Having his own family, if he chooses). And I will be the one to be taken care of. And one day, that will be the end of it. Gone. Poof. I won't be able to smell his hair when he sits next to me, or feel his hand grab mine. He'll be too big for that, and that's the way it should be.
I feel so insignificant. Sometimes, I feel like a little insect just moving through the day, trying to keep the species going by teaching the younger generation how to survive. Survival is not enough for me. But I also don't believe that there is something waiting for me on the other side. I feel so minute.
I tell J he is special. And to me he is! But he will find that everyone has good and bad , talents and weaknesses. And while some of us have extraordinary abilities, we are still all pretty much thte same. Which isn't bad, because it keeps us humble if we allow it to.
BDR believes in God. He tells J that God loves him. This kid is going to be confused about what to believe; we don't have a game plan on religious discussions. But I'm glad that not just one of us is raising him. I want him to a greater significance. So I am glad that his dad tells him about God. Plus, I know that BDR won't tell him close-minded in his discussions. And I'm glad he has me to help him question it all. Maybe he will question out existance and come back to what his dad taught him all along. But at least he will do it eyes wide open.
I wish I could have an answer to give me peace of mind. But instead as I look at aging and dying, I see an abyss waiting for me. I try to hold on to the preciousness of time now, but no one is perfect at that. There is no way to avoid the abyss. And that just bothers the shit out of me.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thoughts
I'm in random thinking mode so bare with me.
- I did 2.5 miles on the eliptical in 30 minutes. That felt awesome. I am now an exercise junkie because I wake up looking forward to the time I have to myself getting that high.
- I made 50% of dinner and 100% of dessert with Jack's help. I like cooking. I just hate the cleanup.
- I have been healing really quickly from my surgery last week. However, this just proves that BDR is right about more things that I want to admit to.
- I loved watching George and Noah and Eriq on the TV tonight. It felt like old times. The end of the shows makes me feel really OLD.
- Why the hell do these doctor shows have to do the kid episodes so much. Don't they know I'm watching.
- While I'm glad I exercised today, I don't like how I feel about myself lately. Not just my weight, but this adult acne is killing me. And while I know I could have more to complain about, I am doing a semi0decent job of mentally beating myself up for it.
- If I weren't exercising I'd be looking for another way...
- But first, I need to give up McDonalds. And dessert. But those things help me get through everyday shit.
- I had a nice reminder today that I could be a far worse mother.
- I tried to have a discussion with Curious J tonight that I was trying to help him be independent because I love him. This was prompted by J telling me that I leave him because I love him. (I think he's talking about school).
- Jon Stewart is my hero. Daily Show kicked ass tonight! Don't let him fool you, he could be a real news reporter if he wanted to.
- Sometimes, I wish I could go back, not to a time necessarily, but partly to who I was before all this time has passed. I miss some things. I miss acting and singing. I miss that confident person use to enjoy performing. (Yeah, that was the other side of me.) I miss old friends. Damn you facebook for bring up all these stupid feelings. ;)
- I don't miss that self conscious girl I use to be. I'm working on the woman, but she has her off days.
- I think I am both self centered and self conscious. Is that possible?
- I have a few very good friends out there that I hope they know that while I suck at being a friend sometimes, I love them and would do almost anything for them (that almost part will be the things that keep me out of jail). But this parenting thing and my inability to filter important and unimportant keep me from being the quality friend I use to be (or never was).
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
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