And That's Just What They'll Do

The punchline of today is that I cut my foot while attempting to do laundry. No trip to the emergency room but the a couple of tiles in the kitchen floor saw some of my blood type.I just handled it and went back to business as usual. I did have a slight flashback to my days in custom framing. Sometimes cutting glass I'd get cut and not notice until someone else said something or I had finished the piece. I'd look at my hand or the digit in question and thought "I hope I remembered to buy the bandages".

Okay that noise outside my window didn't sound normal. Oh what a minute, it's a Monday, never mind.

Keep Your Head Up...Moving On

I woke up this morning with a killer sore throat. If my voice is going to sound this raspy, I'd liked to had had the party night or concert to match my enthusiasm.

Wow. I put some mileage in the car.Fred and Ethel rode the wild pony.

Zach had his first experience of being teased.He and one other kid in his class are the last ones to drink a bottle of milk at night. Everyone else drinks water before they go to bed. He said they were all pointing and laughing at him. I knew that whole I'm sick business to stay home was a bunch of phonus balonus. Poor little guy.

The train ride was great. I finally put a dent in my reading for book club. I could not believe what a great job they've done with the old Cabrini area. Unreal.

I loved the meeting. Better late than pregnant I know. It was too funny.
I've forgotten how beautiful downtown is at night. I remember when the Botero exhibit was across the street. I was standing outside of the Chicago Cultural Center on Michigan Ave. side. waiting for B.J. It took me a few minutes to figure out that the people across the street were ice skating. I was so used the Gallery 37 location.
Once between classes I walked over and watched a couple get married on ice skates. This was a radio stunt sponsored by the Loop I think. It was a while ago.

In a random act of kindness, B.J. gave me a ride back home.We passed by the evil store that fired me. Boo. Hiss. As the unemployment rep. once told me after talking to my old bosses,Dewey, Cheat'em and How, when he tried to resolve why they refused to pay my unemployment. He knew they were bad news. The last time the hair stood back on the back of his neck the way it did was when he was in the Vietnam in the trenches with the enemy about to attack. Yes they were that creepy kids.

On The Road That I Must Travel

Coffee in the evenings is not a good things with someone like me. Fred told me to be quiet tonight. Hey if he wanted it to happen then his behind should have been at the meeting. I had no idea how much shit was truly going down. I spoke up and addressed some issues that they tried to lay blame on us. Oh no kimosabe. The fingerpointing belongs to our neighbors to the east. Twas their phony butts that caused the problems in the first place. It was cool to see some neighbors I've haven't seen in awhile. One of our longtime neighbors is selling. She is such a hoot and I will miss her. I look forward to the next meeting.

For some bizarre reason I feel the need to apply to law school. Why? From my friends and relatives who are lawyers, I've heard the horror stories. The lack of employment, the hours, corporate bullshit, and law school in general is enough reason not to pursue it. But I can't explain why I feel my heart is leading me to this decision. In part I never want to be in a position of not having options. I know I'll pray about it tonight.

This morning I felt bad about something that happened but I believe things happen for a reason.I didn't mean to do it. I have avoided cleaning that particular spot and now I'm paying for it dearly. I took a misstep and broke a item I made that I was seven. I know we're not supposed to be so attached to material things but it's one of the few things I held onto. I've spent the last fifteen minutes crying my eyes out. I know superglue will make it better. It won't be perfect but it will serve as a reminder that neither was my childhood. It was a Mother's Day Gift I had made for Ethel but she didn't want it around anymore so she gave it back to me. Funny she still kept B.J.'s gift but not mine. In the past a sentence like that would require a litany of woe is me type of stuff. It's her decision. She can do what she wants. I'm just never going to be enough for her. That's okay. I know I'm not alone. Thank you intraweb.

B.J. was kind enough to burn a CD for me. The majority of the songs he chose make me want to take a nap but I didn't have the heart to tell him. With all that I have to do, I cannot afford to tick him off.

Recent posts have been MIA but I feel the need to choose my words carefully. Things are not always as they seen. But still. I don't know why I can't let it go.

And bad mistakes, I've made a few

Jeez I feel like I've been punched in the gut. I doubt I'm the only one who does this. At the end of the day my brain runs through the days events. I analyze and usually I'm okay with how I handled things. Not today.

Zach is going through the constipated toddler stage. After reading bitchphd, this is more common than I thought. Well,poop gets stuff back in the crack and everyone is comfortable with cleaning it out for him. Not me. I'm not afraid of poop. I've changed his diaper plenty of times. But I think he needs to do this for himself. They're not doing him any favors by not letting him dig it out on his own with the toilet paper. It's not like it's not going to be cleaned when he gets his bath. Well he just wasn't into washing his hands. He's done it before but for whatever reason he refused.

This time I wasn't going to let it slide. The door was open I said you can't leave until you've washed your hands. He tried to head into the kitchen and I blocked him. He hit me. I sent him to go stand in the corner for 3 minutes. He took off to his room. I marched him right back and the timer started again. After the 3 minutes were over it was recap time. I knelt down and gently explained that it's wrong to hit when you're mad when you can use your words. It's important to wash your hands after you use the potty or else you can get sick. It was back to the drawing board or in our case the bathroom. He still refused to do it. I turned into a stern grownup. I turned on the tap, wet the soap and put it in his hands and washed them. They were finally clean but not after he screamed bloody murder. B.J. came running in to see what was the matter. I told him it was nothing. As I sit here now, I know I was wrong. I negated Zach's feelings and that's not right. I think I need a time out too.

But last night was all bad. I went to the local library to talk to the Children's Department to see if they could reccommend some books for me to read to Zach about some stuff he has going on. Wow some of the topics for young children is shocking. There were quite a few about a parent who has alcoholism. Because I was feeling snarky, I giggled when I read the title, When Mommy Gets Angry. I ended up with quite a few books.

When I picked him up after school, he gave me a picture he drew of a bridge. It's going up in my fridge and framed when I get the cash.Then we stopped to pick up some groceries. There wasn't the fun carts and the regular ones were wet from the rain. He held my hand while we picked out stuff. He only had 2 wants and overall did pretty well. If it wasn't raining I would have gotten him a balloon. He told me how he told his class how we played the matching game. He ate his dinner and took his medicine. We read stories. He's all into our family history. He kept asking question after question about our family. I felt bad that I wasn't up to snuff. I have to get on the ball and record Fred and Ethel.

Oh we exchanged Valentine's. I gave him a car one and I got a Cookie Monster with chocolate. Yes, I shared my chocolate with him. B.J. was happy that Fred and Ethel remembered him. I picked it up so Fred and B.J. could make up from the stupid fight they had had last week.

Today's sign was a personalized liscense plate that said WAKEBJ. I don't know what to do. Minnie came back from you know where. This trip however she was not wearing her either her wedding ring nor her engagement ring. I asked why and she gave me a song and dance how she doesn't go out enough to warrant her wearing it. WTFSIT? It bothered me how nonchalant she was about it. On the drive home I thought, my parents got her birthstone and diamond combo earrings. Did she just pawn those too? I don't know if I should bring it up. B.J. is changing jobs so she doesn't divorce him. I'm just so disgusted by the whole thing. I just have to pray on it.

Hey if you're in Chicago area, bundle up. Put on your hat. Get some hot chocolate.

Plays Games All Sorts

Contrary to your beliefs, she is no freakin' Mary Poppins. She only tells you what you want to hear. It's a shame that you can't see me for who I am and value that. No one likes being made to feel bad about themselves at that early in the morning. I choose not to yell because I care more about my voice than getting my point across. Actions speak volumes that true. Let's evaluate shall we.

I was supposed to pick up Zach with Minnie's car. It would have been the ookabillionth time that she "forgets" to fill up her car with gas when I have to use it. If the needle points to E when I get in the car, I'm not going to guess if it can get me to the next gas station. Funny how she never does this for anyone else but me. Let's see how much fun she has when she finds to her dismay that the gas is not in her car. Let her sell her fake appreciation to someone who cares. I'm washing my hands of her.

The only time I'm contacted by either one of you is to babysit at the last minute. Period. Let's not kid ourselves. Fred and Ethel don't feel comfortable because your wife would rather babble on her cell phone about absolutely nothing than be a polite hostess. Just because she reads the Martha Stewart magazine, it does not make her a better person.

I noticed the huge envelopes by the door in her handwriting addressed in her handwriting to those she prefers. Fine. It's loud and clear that I'm not welcome. In the past I would have been very hurt. Now I'm just numb to it.

Furthermore she did tell me last night,it was YOUR responsibility to take care of Zach's medicine and not me. Why would I knowingly ignore giving him his medicine?
How hard would it be to have put it in a sippy cup for him to drink on the way to school? But when you get on a tirade, it's best to let it roll. I bet dollars to donuts faux Mary Poppins has failed to give it to him while in her care.

I don't care that faux girl can do it all and is sooooo comfortable.She wasn't the one who was here when the shit when down. I'm the one who saw the aftermath first. NOT HER AND NOT YOU. Yes, you went into guy-mode, taking credit for the discovery when the cops arrived. But I know the truth.

Your son's ability to not handle Minne's abscence is due to her and not me. Zach told me he doesn't like it when Mommy's sisters hang around when she's not there. Straight from the horses mouth. He can hear you two arguing and when she speaks badly about you to her friends. He asked me if certain things mommy said about daddy were true. WTF is she coaching this kid for? His negative attitude is coming from the two of you. Clean up the attitude.

By the way in case you forget, I'm your sister and not the coven. I don't expect a parade but there will come a day when I won't be there.

Just An Old Fashioned Love Song

Happy St. Valentine's Day to all my easy readers!!!


Yes I should probably be in a karoake bar doing a swaggering rendition of "Love Stinks" or any bevvy of torch songs but I'm a romantic at heart what can I say. I was brain washed courtesy of the all of the old movies I saw as a kid. However, I'm a little bit wiser after watching tonight's Dr. Phil dating special. It was a great Gilmore Girls episode. I didn't see tonight's Charlie Brown Special but I thought I'd post my favorite valentine courtesy of Mr. Schulz and Hallmark. My culinary contribution was to make the shape of a heart using cheddar cheese on top of a extra cheese pizza.

Despite whatever foibles may have happened to me during the day. (I'm talking to you Ms. Big Hair Lincoln Continental who felt the need to brake at every green light for five intersections. The least you could have done was get into the right lane. I was glad to turn when I did so the other cars behind me could continue to curse and honk at you. To Miss Snotty Trixie at the post office. Unlike you who was driving the monster truck to maim behind me, I did not have enough space to enter the parking lot. The Minivan Mom was selfish, was too far in my lane, and exiting in the wrong direction. You didn't earn any extra Trixie points when you shot me a dirty look as you entered the post office before me. They liked me better anyway which is why I was served first.)

I truly believe in the power of love. It a verb. That's what it's all about. It's what's happening. Effie on WGCI said it best. It's about being a priority in someone's life instead of a option. The Sun-Times had some great how-we-met stories in there today. I loved the one about the couple who brought back their bill from their honeymoon at the Drake Hotel. Then 60 yrs. later in honor of their anniversary the hotel only charges them what they paid back then. Seven dollars for their hotel room.

Here's today's best bumper sticker.

"God bless the world. No exceptions"

It's The End Of The World As We Know It

The inspiration for this title comes courtesy of last night's incredibly awesome episode of Grey's Anatomy. OMG Shonda Rhimes is a brilliant writer. A Chicago native as well. Maybe the green dye that gets put into the water every St. Patrick's Day has something to do with the output of writers. If you're as big a fan as I am you have to check out her blog. www.greyswriters.com George you're awesome. He's the ultimate nice guy who I hope gets a non-std romance storyline. I know it's too easy to have him hook up with Meredith. The closing monologue had Meredith talking about how she'd spend the last day of her life if she knew the end was tomorrow. After last night, I will never give myself a beauty treatment while watching this show. My eyes were tear filled with no place to go because I was waiting for my mask to dry. I did make me think how I would like to spend my day.

First,I would add four extra hours to the day because don't well all wish for more time? That would be followed by breakfast at Arnold's and I'd spend most of the morning painting my final canvas at a studio. I'd take a break for lunch on the lakefront at North Ave. and spend the rest of the afternoon finalizing my funeral plans, and writing letters to friends and family members. I'd have dinner at my favorite restaurant. I'd stop by and give Zach a hug, my favorite teddy bear, and a kiss. Then I'd head down to the Green Mill and catch the early set with a bottle of Merlot on the table and a pack of Virgina Slims Menthol Lights. I'd take that final drive down LSD. When I got home,I'd write my final blog entry, listen to some good tunes, and read the bible.
(Please note, this is purely hypothetical. Repeat I am not on the edge nor have I met The Edge from U2.)

But last night's nightmare woke me up with some vivid images. I had 2 boxes stored in a practice room at a facility. The boxes had some things that given to me by Fred and Ethel. The door had some glass so you could see inside. Everyday I'd stop by to check on things. Until one day the boxes were gone. In the dream, I raised the roof to a new decibel with my shouting. In reality,I woke up to my throat being very sore as if I had done so.

In the dream,the managers finally disclose that B.J. and Minnie are the ones who took the boxes. When I confront B.J. I'm told that Minnie gave away my things and it was their right to do so. I end up yelling at him and saying something along the lines of I hate you and never want anything to do with you ever again.

This dream shook me so bad that I talked to Ethel about it. She thinks dreams are the opposite of what really happens. That's her bag. I don't think so. I said if there's some she want me or B.J. to have to make a list. When I have dreams like this it makes me want to apply to law school.

In further adventures of Alzheimer's with Fred, he was mad at us for not telling him today was Monday. He thought it was Sunday. Sure B.J., Fred doesn't need to get checked out.

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Greetings to the newest easy reader from Venice,CA. You certainly spent some time reading here. Any questions? Please let me know.

The Flax-Seed pills are really helping my bi-polarness. I'm actually tolerable in the morning as opposed to the grumbling dwarf or witchypoo attitude that usually comes to me as soon as the sun rises. Add to that I'm trying to keep a ritual of having afternoon tea. A cup of green tea with a slice of lemon and a dash of sugar substitute. It soothes me like nothing else.

I've been quite Betty-Jo domestic which is why I haven't been posting as much. There are still some in draft stage but they'll show themselves in time. Borax is my new best friend in the war against dirt. There's nothing scarier than going inside the depths of a refrigerator. The crisper drawer can be a place to discover that's where potatoes go to die. There's this big bag and these shriveled up things with white dots. It could be a poster for a side effect of viagra. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But it's still a PITA. The top of the fridge wasn't so bad. I got more annoyed than anything. The stretching, reaching, and cursing at the certain stains that wouldn't come off of the plastic. But there's always next week.

I trusted my intuition about dinner last night. Fred decided to add this extra cheese to the usually brilliant Swedish Meatballs. I took one sniff and walked away from the stuff. I wouldn't even offer it to the coven it smelled so nasty. I was thinking, "WTF is this shit?. Is Candid Camera back on the air?". I was more than happy to settle for leftovers. Well Ethel gave me the lowdown of what happened.

Since no good deed goes unpunished,Fred gave himself food poisoning. That extra hole in the ozone layer is courtesy of the methane gas that came courtesy of the unforgiving cheese. He was just up and down the hall to and from the bathroom all night. Poor thing. Ethel didn't have it as bad and thought I was psychic for avoiding the poisonous concoction. Nah, but the nose knows when to say just say no. But Fred blamed her for supposedly adding a extra spice for ruining dinner. Yeah anyone care to share which is the fart spice?

In current events it was a mixed bag, in Pittsburgh the Steeler fans filled the streets and rightly so.I liked the foam cowboy hat with the name Pittsburgh stamped on the side. It was twenty years ago the Chicago Bears brought the Vince Lombardi Award to town. Hey McCaskey, how about you ante up and buy the boys the Super Bowl rings they were entitled to? Perhaps that's why PapaBear keeps haunting you in your sleep. Shame on you for being such cheapskates!!!

On the other hand, Mrs. Coretta Scott King was laid to rest today. Her funeral was televised but again I still think it should have been nationally televised. I loved it when the one Reverend stuck it to W. about the WMD in his speech.

A recent episode of Boston Legal(?) featured actor Michael J. Fox's character as having a living funeral. I've heard that idea more and more lately. In some ways it's a good idea but on the other hand is it being blasphemous? Would it be a catered affair for someone who decides to have a doctor-assisted suicide? Would you register for a casket and have your friends help pay for it so the burden wasn't put entirely on your family?