I am one of those people. One of those people who does not feel the need to scream and spout crazy partisan nonsense in an effort for my voice to be heard. One of those people who does not feel that drawing a Hitler mustache on the face of any American president is ever appropriate. I am one of those people who finds it imperative that we find common sense solutions to all the crises that the American people face and I for one do not think that Glenn Beck has the answers. I am one of those crazy people that says it is time to put an end to politics of fear and insanity. It is time to call on all those elected and serving in Washington DC and demand that they work for the citizens of this great nation and not their special interests.
Carter Ryan
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Like Lambs to the Slaughter, A Generation of Mean Girls and Violent Boys
Recent news stories covering the deaths of children and young adults over this past week left me saddened but not speechless, appalled but not helpless and angry but not defeated. The following is my story. The only story that one truly knows.
It began in the 3rd grade and continued sporadically until I graduated high school. I like a large majority of American children was the target of childhood and teenage bullying. Sadly, I believed that it was a part of growing up and something that one must endure in order to obtain a “thicker skin.” Now viewing myself as a normal child and teenager I often ask myself this question, Why was I bullied? Hmmm… I had a different name, I was taller than most of the other girls, I didn’t dress in the latest fashions, I lived in a modest home where I was raised to have Christian values, I had a unique laugh, I had/have a big nose, I was in the eyes of my peers either too skinny or too fat… These are the critiques that I can remember. There are some that thankfully I have since forgotten. Another question that I ask myself is, if this happened to me what did my peers endure growing up? I know I am not the only one who was a victim and I know that there are stories far worse than my own. However, society tells us that this behavior is a rite of passage. We are not to talk about our hurts. To do so makes us both weak and vulnerable.
By the time I entered the 10th grade I absolutely had no self-esteem or self-worth. I had begun to believe all of the hurtful and mean things that had been said to me. I did not view myself as normal, rather I viewed myself as anything but. I was far from comfortable in my own skin. As a defense mechanism I made my world small and withdrew myself from anything that once gave me any sense of joy or pleasure. In the fall of 1993 I had few friends and absolutely hated school. Instead of talking to my parents about my troubles I will shamefully admit that I started acting out by cutting my own hair in peculiar ways, skipping school and failing virtually every class in the first nine weeks of my sophomore year. It was not that I could not talk to my parents. It was that I would not talk to my parents. I always wondered if they viewed me in this same way but loved me anyhow. I now know that they did not. They loved me, they accepted me just as I was. As a kid though, you think like a kid and it would be odd for anyone to expect that a child would have all the coping tools that one acquires through the adolescent years.
As my parents first child I am sure they felt that I was just experiencing “growing pains.” My younger sister did not have the same difficulties academically or socially and every child is different. Nonetheless this added to the guilt that I bore. Why did I have to be different?
Acting in my best interests and lovingly my parents removed me from the public school system and placed me in the only private high school in our city. This particular school was designated as “Christian” and naively my parents believed it to be so. In defense of my parents and in defense of the school the intent was good, however the acceptance process adopted by the establishment was lacking tremendously. Every social misfit within 60 miles attended, a long with a few who had been removed from the public school system for similar reasons as I, and a slight few who attended for a Christian education. Like the saying goes, One bad apple spoils the whole bunch…
Within the first month I had received an education alright. A social one. I had never known any one person my age, 15, who had smoked cigarettes or pot, drank, had sex, cursed like a sailor or acted out of complete defiance against any elder or authority. Now I knew several of them. Some of these kids had actually been sent to boarding and military schools. I personally thought these places were reserved for the wealthy and were only in the movies. No, they really existed. In summation, I was no longer bullied for being different in the ways I had been in the past, but now in new ways. In ways that I could rise against for a period of time and ones that adults finally found to be unacceptable.
Ones that adults finally found to be unacceptable… It is true. As adults we tell ourselves and teach our children by example that it is okay to ostracize another human being for their appearance, social standing, etc. Our actions and unwillingness to act convey that it is alright to be arrogant and harsh in our judgments of one another. We the adults perpetuate the meanness and we wonder why our children will not open up to us as their parents and turn to drugs, alcohol, unhealthy relationships and unfortunately sometimes the “S” word. The word that no one likes to speak, but the one that is becoming more prevalent than ever in our society as the numbers rise, suicide. In 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 13.8% of students grades 9-12 seriously considered suicide within that year. Statistically 12.2% of all deaths in the 15-24 year old age range were the result of suicide. The Journal of Pediatrics acknowledges the significant connection between peer victimization and teen suicide and yet little is done. If suicide were a disease we would search frantically for an immunization to prevent it or a cure to end it. (http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/index.html)
I am not saying that suicide is the fault of the parents or even that it is society’s fault. What I am saying is that every mother and father are accountable for their own actions. We should be raising our children to be productive members of society and not products of our dysfunction. We are a part of the cure.
As a mother of two pre-teen children I am convicted and this is why I write. I am guilty of not engaging with my children as I should. I am guilty of not asking the right questions, but more often than not asking the wrong ones. I am guilty of being a bad example and in my own arrogance believing that I am a good mother because I check the appropriate boxes.
There is a complacency in accepting that we are raising up a society of violent boys and mean girls. It is time for accountability and it begins with individual, personal accountability. If we want change in society we must be the change. Otherwise we are leading our lambs to the slaughter.
It began in the 3rd grade and continued sporadically until I graduated high school. I like a large majority of American children was the target of childhood and teenage bullying. Sadly, I believed that it was a part of growing up and something that one must endure in order to obtain a “thicker skin.” Now viewing myself as a normal child and teenager I often ask myself this question, Why was I bullied? Hmmm… I had a different name, I was taller than most of the other girls, I didn’t dress in the latest fashions, I lived in a modest home where I was raised to have Christian values, I had a unique laugh, I had/have a big nose, I was in the eyes of my peers either too skinny or too fat… These are the critiques that I can remember. There are some that thankfully I have since forgotten. Another question that I ask myself is, if this happened to me what did my peers endure growing up? I know I am not the only one who was a victim and I know that there are stories far worse than my own. However, society tells us that this behavior is a rite of passage. We are not to talk about our hurts. To do so makes us both weak and vulnerable.
By the time I entered the 10th grade I absolutely had no self-esteem or self-worth. I had begun to believe all of the hurtful and mean things that had been said to me. I did not view myself as normal, rather I viewed myself as anything but. I was far from comfortable in my own skin. As a defense mechanism I made my world small and withdrew myself from anything that once gave me any sense of joy or pleasure. In the fall of 1993 I had few friends and absolutely hated school. Instead of talking to my parents about my troubles I will shamefully admit that I started acting out by cutting my own hair in peculiar ways, skipping school and failing virtually every class in the first nine weeks of my sophomore year. It was not that I could not talk to my parents. It was that I would not talk to my parents. I always wondered if they viewed me in this same way but loved me anyhow. I now know that they did not. They loved me, they accepted me just as I was. As a kid though, you think like a kid and it would be odd for anyone to expect that a child would have all the coping tools that one acquires through the adolescent years.
As my parents first child I am sure they felt that I was just experiencing “growing pains.” My younger sister did not have the same difficulties academically or socially and every child is different. Nonetheless this added to the guilt that I bore. Why did I have to be different?
Acting in my best interests and lovingly my parents removed me from the public school system and placed me in the only private high school in our city. This particular school was designated as “Christian” and naively my parents believed it to be so. In defense of my parents and in defense of the school the intent was good, however the acceptance process adopted by the establishment was lacking tremendously. Every social misfit within 60 miles attended, a long with a few who had been removed from the public school system for similar reasons as I, and a slight few who attended for a Christian education. Like the saying goes, One bad apple spoils the whole bunch…
Within the first month I had received an education alright. A social one. I had never known any one person my age, 15, who had smoked cigarettes or pot, drank, had sex, cursed like a sailor or acted out of complete defiance against any elder or authority. Now I knew several of them. Some of these kids had actually been sent to boarding and military schools. I personally thought these places were reserved for the wealthy and were only in the movies. No, they really existed. In summation, I was no longer bullied for being different in the ways I had been in the past, but now in new ways. In ways that I could rise against for a period of time and ones that adults finally found to be unacceptable.
Ones that adults finally found to be unacceptable… It is true. As adults we tell ourselves and teach our children by example that it is okay to ostracize another human being for their appearance, social standing, etc. Our actions and unwillingness to act convey that it is alright to be arrogant and harsh in our judgments of one another. We the adults perpetuate the meanness and we wonder why our children will not open up to us as their parents and turn to drugs, alcohol, unhealthy relationships and unfortunately sometimes the “S” word. The word that no one likes to speak, but the one that is becoming more prevalent than ever in our society as the numbers rise, suicide. In 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 13.8% of students grades 9-12 seriously considered suicide within that year. Statistically 12.2% of all deaths in the 15-24 year old age range were the result of suicide. The Journal of Pediatrics acknowledges the significant connection between peer victimization and teen suicide and yet little is done. If suicide were a disease we would search frantically for an immunization to prevent it or a cure to end it. (http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/index.html)
I am not saying that suicide is the fault of the parents or even that it is society’s fault. What I am saying is that every mother and father are accountable for their own actions. We should be raising our children to be productive members of society and not products of our dysfunction. We are a part of the cure.
As a mother of two pre-teen children I am convicted and this is why I write. I am guilty of not engaging with my children as I should. I am guilty of not asking the right questions, but more often than not asking the wrong ones. I am guilty of being a bad example and in my own arrogance believing that I am a good mother because I check the appropriate boxes.
There is a complacency in accepting that we are raising up a society of violent boys and mean girls. It is time for accountability and it begins with individual, personal accountability. If we want change in society we must be the change. Otherwise we are leading our lambs to the slaughter.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
My kind of reality...
Anyone who knows me knows me, knows that I am a huge fan of reality television. I have until now been in the closet on how much I watch and exactly what it is that I devour. When I write reality tv I don’t mean the trashy kind that you find on MTV or Vh1, I mean the classy kind. (Right… like there is classy reality tv.) I only watch TWO regular series, LOST and Parenthood, and one sitcom, Modern Family, which makes me feel some better about my unhealthy consumption.
Sunday begins the vicious cycle. Amazing Race, Ruby, Celebrity Apprentice and Kirstie Alley’s Big Life… Along comes Monday which brings my dvr, Little People Big World, Dancing with the Stars, and Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood… Tuesday is the only night when I actually watch the tube in real time and at 8 I must be sitting in silence as I take in every nanosecond of LOST. Wednesday, it is Top Chef Masters where I live out my dream vicariously through others of being a master chef… (Someday maybe. Right now it is Oscar Meyer wieners and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Have I mentioned, I am TIRED?) Thursday, the best night, Survivor, Heroes vs. Villains (love it), Sober House, and my favorite reality show of all time, Real Housewives of Whatever City Bravo is filming now… And I must not forget The Marriage Ref. This show in particular makes me feel a little less dysfunctional.
The “thing” about others reality is that I either can relate in some odd way, become invested in a way that may be deemed as psychotic, experience a challenge without actually making a fool out of myself, or I can sit with my mouth open gulping flies and just enjoy. Reality television can also be a great conversation piece, as I experienced recently with my OBGYN. (Seriously… Who knew that someone else was as concerned as I by the turn in Matt and Amy Roloff’s relationship?)
I have faced the harsh reality that NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE, could endure the Amazing Race with me as their partner… Maybe if they changed the name to Amazing Trip to Hell. I don’t watch Ruby to see her weight loss, no matter how significant it may be… I watch only to see if Denny comes out of the closet on the most recent episode and to listen for all the words that she mispronounces. (I promise NOT all southern girls are stupid.) Celebrity Apprentice this season has proven that Bret Michaels is smarter that the governor of one of the largest states in the union (I am not sure about the validity of half-baked Blago’s statement… and that Holly Robinson Pete is just one step away from being a mega-bitch. Oh, and I must not forget, Cyndi Lauper is certifiable.)
Kirstie Alley has single-handedly made being “fat” cool to me and also made being almost 60 look not too bad. Now as for what she calls her “religion” a big fat frown I give her and I am sorry but I can’t help but think she and Jim are a little bit more than chubby buddies. I’m just saying…
Little People Big World has proven that no matter how “little” one may be, we all have adult sized problems, and sometimes that means being married to a jackass who has an extreme compulsion to spend large quantities of money without batting a single eyelash. I would just like to say here that if my 12 year old were to run up a $2,000+ cell phone bill I would not be the only person needing crutches.
Dancing with the Stars is good for a laugh. Typically I don’t watch because I am a huge fan of any participant, but rather to laugh at someone else’s expense and this season that individual would be, Kate Gosselin. Are you kidding me Kate? I understand supporting your children with whatever amount of money ABC has paid you at your own expense, but really… I laugh at you, not with you. While Jon lays on his brothers sofa eating KFC the world watches and waits for your elimination. Which by the way I cannot believe was not week one. Even Buzz had more potential. Artificial hips and all…
MAKS, DWTS professional, you danced the tango with me recently in a G-rated pregnancy dream, and I must say you are not hot, but rather HAWT… (Please continue reading as I digress further.)
Tori and Dean, have you not heard of the reality show curse? Not that the odds were stacked in your favor from the get go… I mean the reality is your relationship is the product of deception. Nonetheless, your kids are really cute and so are the gunkles, and Tori I am always for the under dog.
Top Chef, you educated me as to what exactly squab is… Thank you kindly… I will remember to never order pigeon as long as I eat. Survivor, thanks for casting the devil, Russell… Because of you we will never have to debate if anyone else is satan. I mean it is quite possible that CBS has enlisted the anti-christ for ratings. As of today Colby, eye candy from season 2, is still standing and I can rest a little easier knowing that just maybe in the world of reality television good will triumph over evil.
Real Housewives of New York, oh how I love each and every one of you. Yes, even you Kelly. You make all of us “real housewives” look so much better. I mean seriously what straight man could ever watch this show and not thank the good lord above that he is married to the Old Navy dressed, bad dye job, not well manicured, chubby girl from the sticks. Jill and Bethenney you have made Ramona look sane. Jill seriously, if I did not know any better, I would think that you were one of the uptight women, from the FBC in my home town.
Sober House gives me the weekly chance to see my celebrity crush, Dr. Drew. (Hey, I have contemplated naming the baby in my belly after this man.) The unreal thing about this show is that it is reality and I cry every single time I watch. Although, watching is sort of like sinning.
Marriage Ref. creator Jerry Seinfeld, you have settled no arguments within my home, but you have given some of my craziness validity. Especially the episode with the “stuffed” dog. Now the husband does not think that I am completely insensitive.
Yes, you have read correctly. Yes, I am this invested to where I feel the need to type quick notes to people and let them know how I really feel. Now I think I will go and create a group on FACEBOOK that is dedicated to all of us who have no life and watch ten hours or more of television or more per week.
Sunday begins the vicious cycle. Amazing Race, Ruby, Celebrity Apprentice and Kirstie Alley’s Big Life… Along comes Monday which brings my dvr, Little People Big World, Dancing with the Stars, and Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood… Tuesday is the only night when I actually watch the tube in real time and at 8 I must be sitting in silence as I take in every nanosecond of LOST. Wednesday, it is Top Chef Masters where I live out my dream vicariously through others of being a master chef… (Someday maybe. Right now it is Oscar Meyer wieners and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Have I mentioned, I am TIRED?) Thursday, the best night, Survivor, Heroes vs. Villains (love it), Sober House, and my favorite reality show of all time, Real Housewives of Whatever City Bravo is filming now… And I must not forget The Marriage Ref. This show in particular makes me feel a little less dysfunctional.
The “thing” about others reality is that I either can relate in some odd way, become invested in a way that may be deemed as psychotic, experience a challenge without actually making a fool out of myself, or I can sit with my mouth open gulping flies and just enjoy. Reality television can also be a great conversation piece, as I experienced recently with my OBGYN. (Seriously… Who knew that someone else was as concerned as I by the turn in Matt and Amy Roloff’s relationship?)
I have faced the harsh reality that NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE, could endure the Amazing Race with me as their partner… Maybe if they changed the name to Amazing Trip to Hell. I don’t watch Ruby to see her weight loss, no matter how significant it may be… I watch only to see if Denny comes out of the closet on the most recent episode and to listen for all the words that she mispronounces. (I promise NOT all southern girls are stupid.) Celebrity Apprentice this season has proven that Bret Michaels is smarter that the governor of one of the largest states in the union (I am not sure about the validity of half-baked Blago’s statement… and that Holly Robinson Pete is just one step away from being a mega-bitch. Oh, and I must not forget, Cyndi Lauper is certifiable.)
Kirstie Alley has single-handedly made being “fat” cool to me and also made being almost 60 look not too bad. Now as for what she calls her “religion” a big fat frown I give her and I am sorry but I can’t help but think she and Jim are a little bit more than chubby buddies. I’m just saying…
Little People Big World has proven that no matter how “little” one may be, we all have adult sized problems, and sometimes that means being married to a jackass who has an extreme compulsion to spend large quantities of money without batting a single eyelash. I would just like to say here that if my 12 year old were to run up a $2,000+ cell phone bill I would not be the only person needing crutches.
Dancing with the Stars is good for a laugh. Typically I don’t watch because I am a huge fan of any participant, but rather to laugh at someone else’s expense and this season that individual would be, Kate Gosselin. Are you kidding me Kate? I understand supporting your children with whatever amount of money ABC has paid you at your own expense, but really… I laugh at you, not with you. While Jon lays on his brothers sofa eating KFC the world watches and waits for your elimination. Which by the way I cannot believe was not week one. Even Buzz had more potential. Artificial hips and all…
MAKS, DWTS professional, you danced the tango with me recently in a G-rated pregnancy dream, and I must say you are not hot, but rather HAWT… (Please continue reading as I digress further.)
Tori and Dean, have you not heard of the reality show curse? Not that the odds were stacked in your favor from the get go… I mean the reality is your relationship is the product of deception. Nonetheless, your kids are really cute and so are the gunkles, and Tori I am always for the under dog.
Top Chef, you educated me as to what exactly squab is… Thank you kindly… I will remember to never order pigeon as long as I eat. Survivor, thanks for casting the devil, Russell… Because of you we will never have to debate if anyone else is satan. I mean it is quite possible that CBS has enlisted the anti-christ for ratings. As of today Colby, eye candy from season 2, is still standing and I can rest a little easier knowing that just maybe in the world of reality television good will triumph over evil.
Real Housewives of New York, oh how I love each and every one of you. Yes, even you Kelly. You make all of us “real housewives” look so much better. I mean seriously what straight man could ever watch this show and not thank the good lord above that he is married to the Old Navy dressed, bad dye job, not well manicured, chubby girl from the sticks. Jill and Bethenney you have made Ramona look sane. Jill seriously, if I did not know any better, I would think that you were one of the uptight women, from the FBC in my home town.
Sober House gives me the weekly chance to see my celebrity crush, Dr. Drew. (Hey, I have contemplated naming the baby in my belly after this man.) The unreal thing about this show is that it is reality and I cry every single time I watch. Although, watching is sort of like sinning.
Marriage Ref. creator Jerry Seinfeld, you have settled no arguments within my home, but you have given some of my craziness validity. Especially the episode with the “stuffed” dog. Now the husband does not think that I am completely insensitive.
Yes, you have read correctly. Yes, I am this invested to where I feel the need to type quick notes to people and let them know how I really feel. Now I think I will go and create a group on FACEBOOK that is dedicated to all of us who have no life and watch ten hours or more of television or more per week.
Monday, April 19, 2010
And the boy screamed, Martin Luther King!
What do you do when your three year old child begins to scream in the checkout line at the grocery store? I personally opened a package of M&M’s and began shoving them in his mouth hoping that he would not continue to scream, “Martin Luther King”… and then I began to threaten him when he asked the bagger, a small Asian woman to in his words, “stop looking at me, you are making me nervous.”
One may ask, several already have, to include his own dad, “Why Martin Luther King?” To which I have sheepishly replied, “I don’t know. Too much History Channel?” However, upon further investigation I have learned that when your older brother is beating the crap out of you, “Martin Luther King”, is what you scream to get attention so he will stop.
I know that this may not be funny to some and I must admit it is not politically correct, however it is my life.
One may ask, several already have, to include his own dad, “Why Martin Luther King?” To which I have sheepishly replied, “I don’t know. Too much History Channel?” However, upon further investigation I have learned that when your older brother is beating the crap out of you, “Martin Luther King”, is what you scream to get attention so he will stop.
I know that this may not be funny to some and I must admit it is not politically correct, however it is my life.
Uh Oh...
I always questioned the judgment of the woman teaching the “Preparing For & Welcoming Baby Class” when we were expecting our oldest child in the fall of 1997. She said, “Baby blues, the crying, save it for later. You will know what the blues are when you have a teenager.” I sat catching flies as these words left her mouth and I thought to myself, just another hormonal, angry, middle-age woman.
Now that I find myself quickly approaching middle-aged, continuously hormonal, and quite often angry and on the brink of having my very own teenager I realize that woman knew what she was talking about and unfortunately this phase for me as a mother is just beginning.
Yesterday, our oldest son attended what we thought was his first boy/girl party. Joke was on him. He ended up being the only boy! However, he did not seem to mind the “joke”. Imagine my horror…
Beforehand, he had borrowed my toothpaste with breath strips, made a request that I buy him mouthwash, and was well groomed, two hours before the party. Uh oh… When I asked him why he was now so concerned with his “breath”, he jokingly replied, “You have to be prepared for the ladies.” I laughed, more out of a deep fear than joy…
As I enter into this new phase in motherhood I cringe and fear the unknown. As much as my heart aches and breaks I know that in the end, after this time has passed, I will want to do it all again. (Well, maybe.)
Now that I find myself quickly approaching middle-aged, continuously hormonal, and quite often angry and on the brink of having my very own teenager I realize that woman knew what she was talking about and unfortunately this phase for me as a mother is just beginning.
Yesterday, our oldest son attended what we thought was his first boy/girl party. Joke was on him. He ended up being the only boy! However, he did not seem to mind the “joke”. Imagine my horror…
Beforehand, he had borrowed my toothpaste with breath strips, made a request that I buy him mouthwash, and was well groomed, two hours before the party. Uh oh… When I asked him why he was now so concerned with his “breath”, he jokingly replied, “You have to be prepared for the ladies.” I laughed, more out of a deep fear than joy…
As I enter into this new phase in motherhood I cringe and fear the unknown. As much as my heart aches and breaks I know that in the end, after this time has passed, I will want to do it all again. (Well, maybe.)
Don't Bite Your Friends...
I learned a valuable lesson today while watching, N*ck Jr.‘s Yo Gabba Gabba, with the little boys… The lyrics to the song read, “Don’t bite your friends…” Of course smartass me said aloud, “Really?” Yes, really. It is good to be reminded ever so often of what we should and should not do. I guess that is why some of us go to church and then there are those of us who are backslidden and rely upon preschool programming for reinforcement.
There are times when I have figuratively bit a friend and I will be the first to admit that sometimes it has been on purpose. Whether it be to prove a point or *sigh* out of spite. However, I never felt good for long, maybe momentarily, but never long-lasting.
I am learning still… Which fortunately means I am still growing. It is important to remember if you don’t like to be bit, then don’t bite…
There are times when I have figuratively bit a friend and I will be the first to admit that sometimes it has been on purpose. Whether it be to prove a point or *sigh* out of spite. However, I never felt good for long, maybe momentarily, but never long-lasting.
I am learning still… Which fortunately means I am still growing. It is important to remember if you don’t like to be bit, then don’t bite…
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
And, so as the calendar reads, it is almost another new year…
Well, we have made it to another new year, 2010! Wow, it is hard to believe just how quickly time has flown by or in some instances slipped through our fingers… In the words of MacDonald Carey, “Like sand through the hour glass so are the days of our lives.”
With the turning of the calendar page we find ourselves contemplating our personal resolutions for the new year, new beginning. I myself have so many that I have had to scratch a few just for the sake of not being an over-achiever. No one likes an over-achiever, do they? And so here they go…
1.) In the new year I will make it a habit to brush my teeth in the morning and more than once a day. I suppose this resolution goes hand in hand with resolutions two, three, four, five, and six as well.
2.) In the new year I will leave the “comfortability” of my pajamas by noon EVERY day, but one, and this day will be reserved for the weekend. I hope Eric realizes that this resolution will cost money. Seeing as how I own more pajama bottoms than any thing else.
3.) I will make an attempt to have an acceptable appearance each and every day. Which means that no one will ask or question why it is that I answer my door with the hood on my hoodie pulled up over my head because of such severe bed head. Seriously, I cannot believe that I admit that I do this. Also I think I will throw out all of my beloved baseball caps which hide the bed head when I go to the grocery store. They are enabling me. Too bad my husband has provided me with one in every color.
4.) I resolve to never again have artificial nails… Yes, I am one of those crazy Texans who thinks the bigger and brighter the better. I paid nearly $60 less than two weeks ago to have peeled, bitten, or broken each and every one of those nails off. I am a little obsessive compulsive. What can I say? To be honest, I am so lazy, well, maybe I should use either the words exhausted or tired, that I would rather someone else attempt to manicure my nails poorly than me make any personal attempt at all.
5.) (Kristy this one is for you.) I resolve to have a pedicure monthly in order to shed myself of the dead skin that has accumulated since birth on the bottom of my feet. I will humble myself and afford some poor Asian woman this plight. I promise to have my IMac (The laptop that I have requested for my birthday. The FIRST gift I have requested in the entirety of my marriage.) and record a video blog for every ones enjoyment.
6.) I will have a more POSITIVE attitude about showering daily. I will no longer use the “pit” test to determine whether or not I HAVE to have a shower. When you are the mother of five kids showering becomes a daily chore, not a happy, relaxing occurrence.
I know that there are some of you reading this that have asked yourself, does she have any pride? Why is she admitting these things? And the answer is folks, this is my reality, these are my resolutions… However, I must confess that if I step out of the pajama pants and lose the hoodie God only knows what could happen! Look out world, my teeth have been brushed, my hair has been combed, and I don’t have on stretchy pants!
With the turning of the calendar page we find ourselves contemplating our personal resolutions for the new year, new beginning. I myself have so many that I have had to scratch a few just for the sake of not being an over-achiever. No one likes an over-achiever, do they? And so here they go…
1.) In the new year I will make it a habit to brush my teeth in the morning and more than once a day. I suppose this resolution goes hand in hand with resolutions two, three, four, five, and six as well.
2.) In the new year I will leave the “comfortability” of my pajamas by noon EVERY day, but one, and this day will be reserved for the weekend. I hope Eric realizes that this resolution will cost money. Seeing as how I own more pajama bottoms than any thing else.
3.) I will make an attempt to have an acceptable appearance each and every day. Which means that no one will ask or question why it is that I answer my door with the hood on my hoodie pulled up over my head because of such severe bed head. Seriously, I cannot believe that I admit that I do this. Also I think I will throw out all of my beloved baseball caps which hide the bed head when I go to the grocery store. They are enabling me. Too bad my husband has provided me with one in every color.
4.) I resolve to never again have artificial nails… Yes, I am one of those crazy Texans who thinks the bigger and brighter the better. I paid nearly $60 less than two weeks ago to have peeled, bitten, or broken each and every one of those nails off. I am a little obsessive compulsive. What can I say? To be honest, I am so lazy, well, maybe I should use either the words exhausted or tired, that I would rather someone else attempt to manicure my nails poorly than me make any personal attempt at all.
5.) (Kristy this one is for you.) I resolve to have a pedicure monthly in order to shed myself of the dead skin that has accumulated since birth on the bottom of my feet. I will humble myself and afford some poor Asian woman this plight. I promise to have my IMac (The laptop that I have requested for my birthday. The FIRST gift I have requested in the entirety of my marriage.) and record a video blog for every ones enjoyment.
6.) I will have a more POSITIVE attitude about showering daily. I will no longer use the “pit” test to determine whether or not I HAVE to have a shower. When you are the mother of five kids showering becomes a daily chore, not a happy, relaxing occurrence.
I know that there are some of you reading this that have asked yourself, does she have any pride? Why is she admitting these things? And the answer is folks, this is my reality, these are my resolutions… However, I must confess that if I step out of the pajama pants and lose the hoodie God only knows what could happen! Look out world, my teeth have been brushed, my hair has been combed, and I don’t have on stretchy pants!
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