Graduation

 

In 95 days T. will be graduating from high school and last night was his last parent-teacher conference.

Driving home the range of emotions took over, from the 'no more homework and tantrums' to the ' I am not ready to let go'.  I guess that this is the point of their lives where you find out if the lessons you have taught them throughout their life made an impact. 

My mother reminded me that when I graduated high school I was off traveling around the country while studying in the hospitality industry.  In 1990 I came to the States and ended up staying and I did okay.  This is when the words "Wait until you have your own child" come to mind.  Yes, I know they were the words that were said after you challenged your mother's authority, but now I realize what my mother was going through while I was on my quest to become Ms. Independent.

Now it is my turn to let T go out into the world, seek his independence and enter the next chapter of his life.  Cutting the invisible umbilical cord this time is going to be a titch tougher.

I wonder if box wine vacuum sealed bags can be hooked up to an IV?

Five news headlines and my response.

 Tea Party Speaker says Democratic Senator should be hanged.

While the First Amendment does protect Freedom of Speech, isn't this statement pushing the boundaries just a titch?  My understanding is that the majority of the Tea Party followers are 'Christians', so calling for a persons death because you do not agree with them, is okay?  Did you perhaps leave your WWJD bracelet at home?  My only satisfaction is that you were referred to in the media as an "unidentified female speaker".  Did you feel that breeze?  That was your 15 minutes whizzing by.

 

Beck on Captured Taliban Commander: 'Shoot him in the head!'

Ah yes, Mr. Beck, it is confirmed, you are an idiot, a rich idiot, but an idiot none the less.  You incite people, get the masses going, say things out loud and then when called on the carpet you deny you even said them.  To quote Ariana Huffington,  '... but fortunately for fans of facts, reality, and the truth -- we live in the era of DVRs, YouTube, and embeddable video. And what Beck actually said is recorded for posterity.'  What is with all this violence Mr. Beck?  When you completed your recovery program for alcohol and drug addiction did you not work the 12 steps, or did you bring out your chalk board and change a few?  How about you revisiting the Serenity Prayer and really focus on each word as you say it out loud!

 

Kim Kardashian Outs Air Marshal on Twitter During Flight.

Ms. Kardashian, firstly, who are you?  Oh I remember, you are the girl that was at the airport waiting for your luggage, with your entourage and one person from the papparazzi and NO ONE knew who you were, including myself, the person who was trying to get her luggage while you flicked your hair and pretended to be in deep conversation with your sisters, all the while glancing at the photographer through your fake eyelashes.  With regards to the Air Marshal, way to go Ms. Kardashian!  If I ever happen to be on the same flight as you I will promptly request to be moved to another plane... that way your one paparazzi photographer can have my seat, but tell him to bring his long lens as my seat would be in coach!  

 

Woods will 'begin to make amends' Friday.

The only person Mr. Woods should be making amends to is his wife, children and family.  I see no purpose in your press conference to apologize to the American people.  My life has continued just fine since your little bits on the side came to light.  So no apology needed here... move along!

 

Sarah Palin responds to "Family Guy" and repeats call for Rahm Emanuel to Resign.

Mrs. Palin hush, please for the love of God, just hush!

 

Navigating and rowing is better with two

For many years I felt as though I was in a row boat by myself trying to navigate the waters with one oar. You are trying to row with one arm, check the compass for direction and stop the boat from tipping over.  It is manageable, but it takes you a lot longer to get to your destination.  There are many unscheduled stops along the way.  Sometimes you spend your days going around in circles and you just want to throw in your oar and give up.  All you are doing is trying to get to your safe place, your sanctuary, your home.

My husband came into my life when I thought I had finally managed to navigate the boat on my own.   I quickly learned that navigating with two is so much more manageable.  My husband brought his own oar and together we have navigated some pretty tough waters.  When there are days that I feel as though I cannot row anymore, he quietly picks up my oar and takes over. 

Do you ever have those pinch yourself moments?  There are days when I cannot believe that I am married to this incredible man.

At the beginning of this school year, my son had to write a paper on his definition of a hero.  He wrote his paper on my husband.  I will share the first paragraph with you.

My definition of a hero would be someone you can look up to in a time of need, someone you can trust with all your problems, provide and protect for you.  They push you towards your goal in life.  The person I look up to in life, and my definition of a hero is my Step-Dad, Bear.

So now there are three of us in our row boat.  My husband and I navigating and rowing and my son in the back asking "Are we there yet?".  

And finally I can say, "Yes, we are, we are finally home."

Love

Last night I had two friends over for dinner, our anti-Valentine's Day Dinner.  Maid Marian and NN the 3rd.  Maid Marian's significant other is in Iraq, NN the 3rd is going through a dry spell and the love of my life is in Oregon.  What a great evening we had, good food, good wine and lots of laughter, I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day, other than of course being with my husband.

Valentine's Day is a great day to reaffirm your love for each other, but the pressure especially on the man has become out of control. (My opinion only)  Every advertisement was directed at the man, buy her a diamond ring, pendant, bracelet etc.  I did not see one ad that was directed towards the man, or maybe it is because of what they would like, those ads we couldn't see on TV.

To all my friends, married and single, have a wonderful day and know that you are loved every day.

Tea Parties and the Super Bowl

This past week in America we had two big events.  The Tea Party Convention and Super Bowl XLIV.

Let's start with the Tea Party Convention.  My first thoughts were, finally a convention to teach the Americans how to make a good cup of tea and don't forget about the sandwiches!  I was all behind this movement as I am all for a better cup of tea, have you tasted Lipton?  This is tea?  I would also throw a convention to liberate the tea bag in a cup with microwaved water crap that is served at restaurants.  But alas, I was advised that this was not the Tea Party I was thinking of.  This tea party was to resurrect the Boston Tea Party, something about Boston, a harbor and crates of tea thrown into the bay many, many years ago.  I think taxes also played a part.  (damn I hope this isn't on my citizenship test.)

Mrs. (not Ms. too liberal) Sarah Palin was the guest speaker, at a cool $100,000 for her speech.  She said many things that made me thank the Lord for providing me with entertainment after our dear President George Dubya.  (I really was depressed when Dubya left the White House, he would just say the cutest things.) Anyway back to Mrs. Palin, the one thing she said, really stood out.  Mrs. Palin is calling for an American Revolution.  Really?  Okay, the majority of the crowd would be your right wing, conservative, gun toting, NASCAR supporting, wife beater t-shirt wearing, aerial wolf hunting, jacked up truck driving population.  Nothing like waving the red flag in front of the angry bull!  Revolution, seriously?

Enter Mr. Tom Tancredo, he had some fun things to add to his speech.   On Thursday during his opening day speech he said, "People who could not even spell the word 'vote' or say it in English put a committed socialist ideologue in the White House."  He also suggested that everyone take a civics-literacy test before someone could vote.  (History fact:  tests were used to prevent blacks from voting during segregation and were banned by the Voting Rights Act in 1964.)  This from the mouth of the man who accused Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor of being a racist.

Which leads to a question... should I send Mrs. Palin and Mr. Tancredo a dictionary so that they can look up the definition of 'Revolution' and 'Racist'?

Ah yes, the Super Bowl.  It has never been about the game for me, but all about the ads and this year they just sucked.  There is no other word to describe how bad they were and how MANY there were.  Just as the camera was ready to zoom in on a tight end, BAM we cut to commercial break.  Really, how am I supposed to get my heart rate up to exercise level without breaking a sweat, leaving my chair, beer and hot wings?

Carri Underwood, horrible job on the National Anthem my dear.  The trick is to sing it, not yell it.  The half time show, The Who, left me thinking WTF?  I was hoping for a wardrobe malfunction with regards to Roger Daltrey, those jeans were just a little snug.  I guess the only wardrobe malfunction was with Pete Townshend and his shirt riding up so that the belly was in view.  Somethings are just better left to the imagination.

The only redeeming factor of having wasted a few hours and brain cells, was that the New Orleans Saints won. 

Tea parties and football, is doesn't get any better than this!