Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Love/Hate Relationship

I have a love/hate relationship with preschool drop off. I love it when I'm NOT working, and not so much when I have to rush off to school. I do like feeling more connected to his school, but I need to acknowledge that I have been extremely spoiled the past 4 years...

*Disclaimer - I know there are single working moms out there with multiple children and full full-time jobs who complete far more than I do on a daily basis... and yet never miss a soccer practice. I am not comparing myself to those warriors. :)*

I have never had to take Tyler anywhere in the morning for "drop off". In fact, I was even able to get ready in the morning while he slept. My schedule was rarely interrupted. When I signed on to taking him twice a week, I didn't realize the learning curve would be so large. (For me, not him.) We have had some really good mornings and a few stressful ones.

The first day I woke Tyler up too late. In fact, I was literally trying to get him dressed while he was still in bed trying to squeeze a few more minutes of slumber. I'd like to say we got his teeth brushed, but I'm honestly not sure. I do know, however, that I bribed him that morning with 5 mini-marshmallows. We also stopped at Starbucks (not out of the normal), where he requested a vanilla scone (which is frosted). I was actually happy he wanted a scone since he really doesn't eat in the morning. A quick tally... he had 5 marshmallows and a frosted scone. We got to school and I went around the car to open his door and he was standing over the center console taking a huge swig of my iced, 4 shot, nonfat, white chocolate mocha. New tally... 5 marshmallows, a frosted scone, and a huge swig of espresso. Needless to say, I didn't divulge any info to his teachers and bolted out the door before they could stop me. Mother of year?? Not so much...

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Tilted Head-Nod

Meeting new people is interesting when you feel like you are hoarding a gigantic secret... only it's not really a secret... but I am incredibly tired of the tilted head-nod. The look I get when I tell people my "story" is one of which I am not fond. If you just meet me, one would never guess what I endured over the past year. I am able to hold an intelligent conversation without revealing my unique circumstance of which my new friend is unaware. Depending on the situation, I am actually quite talented at dodging questions that might lead to the big reveal. I can even steer a conversation to safer grounds by rerouting a person's questions. I don't avoid the awkwardness for me, but for them. It has turned into a little mental game for me... for lack of better term.

I don't think I look like the typical widow, however she might appear. I'm not sure the stereotype of one, but for some reason my visual is of a woman over the age of eighty. Not much about my external features lead people to assume the reality of my marital status. I actually kind of feel sorry for those who find out the truth after asking what seems to be a very innocent question. Then the tables turn, and they begin the tilted head-nod based on my revealing answer. For awhile I thought I was (maybe) imagining this infamous tilt, but after a friend told me, "I saw the head-nod!" I know I am not crazy... in this aspect. :)


I am to the point that I can share my story honestly and openly, without fearing the awkwardness that inevitably ensues. I have learned such an incredible life lesson. One that has changed me forever. I have only one person to thank for opening my eyes to what life truly is about.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Relief Pitcher

I find I really miss blogging about our lives. I don't have much to put into words, but somehow I manage to type once my fingers hit the keyboard. Having "nothing" to say always turns into a rant or rave of some sort...

Tyler is spending the night with Grandma and Papa and nothing is better than seeing your 4-year-old skip off to Grandma's car and happily wave good-bye. He is one lucky boy!

The hardest thing about single parenting is the "on" factor. You are ON all the time. Never getting a break starts to wear on a person. I have a little shadow next to me, on me, or staring at me every waking minute (that I am not working). I often joke that he would crawl back inside of me if given the opportunity, since he always wants to be soft and cozy. Granted, I wouldn't change it for anything... but a relief pitcher every so often is much appreciated. Having an adult dinner and not doing to the bedtime routine is a gift in itself.

I added two blogs that I read daily to the right side of the page. They are about children who actually live in the LA and Orange County areas. If you get a moment, please take a look. I know I have mentioned Carter's blog before, and some of you have found it from the blogs I watch, but just in case you haven't, the link is there. Maddie's blog is equally as moving, and I hope you will take the time to check them out.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Comments of the Day

These are from a popular e-mail going around. I just thought they were so appropriate for real life, so I posted them. I DID NOT WRITE THIS! Although I'd love to take credit... I only provided the comments on this one. I couldn't just post it as is, I had to add my $.02 (in red).

Random Thoughts of the Day:

I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option. So true!


Nothing stinks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. I hate it when this happens!

Have you ever been walking down the street and realized that you're going in the complete opposite direction of where you are supposed to be going? But instead of just turning a 180 and walking back in the direction from which you came, you have to first do something like check your watch or phone or make a grand arm gesture and mutter to yourself to ensure that no one in the surrounding area thinks you're crazy by randomly switching directions on the sidewalk. This happens to me ALL the time... only coming out of a store in the mall.

I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. I also would like to take back NOT napping when Tyler was a baby and slept all the time.

The letters T and G are very close to each other on a keyboard. This recently became all too apparent to me, and consequently I will never be ending a work email with the phrase "Regards" again. Hilarious!

Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Atari and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no Internet or message board or FAQ's. We just figured it out. Today's kids are soft. I still do this!

There is a great need for a sarcasm font. Duh!

Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what in the world was going on the first time around. I never really understood what Dirty Dancing was fully about.

How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?...Without rolling it up?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in. I have the bruises to prove it.

I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die. Mine would be filled with shoe websites.

The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to finish a text. I hate to admit to this one.

Was learning cursive really necessary? It is kind of obsolete, but kids are silent when doing learning it. Go figure.

I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger. Who doesn't?

Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart," all I hear is, "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart." Hehe, kind of true! Too bad I am kind of the reverse.

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said? This reminds of parking lot duty after school as parents tell you who they are picking up and you have no clue what they said...

I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars teams up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers! Even better is when a speeding demon flies down the freeway swerving in and out, and then you see them up ahead getting a speeding ticket.

Every time I have to spell a word over the phone using 'as in 'examples, I will undoubtedly draw a blank and sound like a complete idiot. Today I had to spell my boss's last name to an attorney and said "Yes that's G as in...(10 second lapse)..ummm...Goonies." I have said, "K, as in... cart..." Again, I am book smart, not "street" smart.

While driving yesterday I saw a banana peel in the road and instinctively swerved to avoid it...thanks Mario Kart. :)

Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. I have thought this many times. It's a waste of printer ink!

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died. Very true!

I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the shower first and THEN turn on the water. I suppose if you had a tank less water heater, you could do it this way.

I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired. Me too!!

Bad decisions make good stories. Unfortunately, yes.


Is it just me or do high school girls wear less and less clothing every year? Yes, again!

Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so nervous? I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem.... I really felt this after I got married and changed my last name.

Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don't want to have to restart my collection. Beta, anyone?

There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to fall after leaning back in your chair a little too far. The moment before hitting the ground is the longest second of your life!

I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of a Word document and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page project to which I swear I did not make any changes. This sets me into a panic!

While watching the Olympics, I find myself cheering equally for China and USA. No, I am not of Chinese descent, but I am fairly certain that when Chinese athletes don’t win, they are executed. At least the girls are...

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away? LOL

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. It's a waste of good make-up.

I like all of the music in my iTunes, except when it's on shuffle, then I like about one in every fifteen songs in my library. Why is this??

Why is a school zone 20 mph? That seems like the optimal cruising speed for pedophiles... Good point on this one.

Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is. Goes for the date, too.

It should probably be called Unplanned Parenthood. So true!

I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. Doesn't everyone do this?

Even if I knew your social security number, I wouldn't know what do to with it. Me neither.

Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket and pinning the tail on the donkey - but everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time every time... This describes me perfectly.

It really angers me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and the link takes me to a video instead of text. I know it has the little video icon, but you can't expect me to pay attention all the time.

I wonder if cops ever get mad at the fact that everyone they drive behind obeys the speed limit. I know it bugs me when others drive under the speed limit when a cop is around.

I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than with Kay. I don't care who you are... This is funny...

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Our New Life

We are rather boring these days, and I must confess that I LOVE every minute of the boredom! School has started and we are now in the thick of things. I am really enjoying my new school and am so grateful the opportunity presented itself for me to move. A fresh start was just what the proverbial doctor ordered. Tyler loves his new class (same school) and we both could not be happier. I mean that sincerely, we are truly deeply content living our simple little life. Every once and awhile Tyler throws a huge tantrum (in public, of course) just to keep me on my toes. They serve as a "friendly" reminder that he is, in fact, four.

Tyler will be starting soccer sometime soon. I figured it has been awhile since he has picked me teeny-tiny flowers like those found on a field. I keep telling him we could go pick flowers for free, instead of signing up for soccer, which is clearly not free. He is not buying into it... so off to soccer we will go.

I am also looking for a golfing class/lesson for him. No offense to all the soccer players out there, but it is not a sport where he will make millions (leading to my retirement)... golf, on the other hand, can be played into his "senior" years. I'd be thrilled to drive a new Buick as I wear Nike, telling time on my Tag Heuer watch, while drinking Gatorade, talking on my AT&T phone, and shaving with a Gillette razor. I'd even be willing to change Tyler's name to some strong jungle animal. I hear Tiger is taken...