Hi!! (see, I'm not a TOTAL hippocrate)

Spring softball starts in ten days people. Did I mention it was a balmy 45 degrees Fahrenheit today, with winds at 15-20mph? For those of you who don't know, that translates to EFFING COLD for this time of the year. Weather like this is ALMOST worse than zero degree days...Almost.

If you're a softball aficionado, you will empathize with my disdain for playing when it's below 60. The bat usually stings like a Mo Fo. You find your nose running faster than you can run the bases.

It's rough.

However, if you've had the fortune to play on my team, you'd understand why we brave the chilly spring weather. The softball team I'm on...kicks butt. We might not have the highest runs tallied, but we beat everyone in the fun department. We have beer on hand, and laughs are usually shared around.

And our uniforms? They are as patriotic as you can get, and HIGHLY resemble the American flag...don't believe me? Check it out for yourself!

What's that crazy thing he is wearing? Oh yeah! The strikeout skirt! We're that hilarious!! :)

Long story short....I want to ask you to De-Lurk yourself. I'm not sure who everyone is, but I'd love if you stopped by and said hello! Taking a page from the books of Team America....

Little Man

Dear Night Terrors,

Please stop haunting my little man...Although, (I have to admit) you've become less intense, it's still unpleasing to see my baby in such an uncomfortable state. I would appreciate your consideration, as would my sanity.

Thanks,
Miz

Happy Tuesday!

I've officially been diagnosed as being allergic to life. Well, not all life per say, just life in the form of tree pollen and other miscellaneous nature allergens.

Lucky for my pocket book I wasn't forced to undergo the extremely expensive labs for my doctor to come to this conclusion...instead, she said "let's treat your symptoms with a couple of meds, and if that doesn't work we'll go back to the drawing board."

Well ladies and gents..the treatment has WORKED!

I feel like a new, healthy person...except for the fact that the pill I've been prescribed makes me feel like a sleepy headcase. So, to counter my drowsiness, I started taking my daily pill at night. Apparently allergy meds are sometimes prescribed as sleeping pills. Today I'm technically on a double dose, because I didn't switch to taking it at night until yesterday (so one was taken in the morning, and one was consumed at about 10pm)...so i feel extra loopy today.

What do I do when I KNOW I'm already extra loopy? Run to the nearest Caribou for a large light roast of the day with a shot of Vanilla and cream OF COURSE!

Here I am, one giant cup-o-joe down...obsessively planning my next move. I'm a pretty big deal like that ;)

Mirror Images.

With each minute that passes I'm beginning to feel like today was one of those days where I should have stayed in bed.

Recently, I've noticed how much work and life mirror each other...except for a few minor details.

When someone is inappropriate to you at work, you have options:
1) Confront them about their actions/inappropriate behavior.
2) Bottle it and let it slide.
3) Take the issue to their superior or to HR.

When someone is inappropriate with you in your personal life, your options are less (specifically if this "someone" happens to be dating your mother):

1) Bottle it.
2) Confront the Him person.
3) Tell your mom.

Ugh. All of the options create a rift. I think that's why I tend to chose my professional life over family life. The professional life makes it easier to leave feelings out of the mix. The personal/family life...not so easy to do so.

At times like these I wonder if the conundrum known as my "family life" will ever settle down. Fingers are constantly pointed at who was in the wrong...at me, and others, etc. If I sit and let others wrongly point their fingers at me for the sake of peace, is that REALLY the right thing to do?

Who the hell knows?! I certainly haven't figured it out yet...

If you have the right answer...please, please, please let me know.

People.

I may have said it before, and if not, I'll say it now. People can really make or break you. Daily, it's virtually inevitable that you come across people from all walks of life. People who grew up with or without money. People who did or did not graduate from high school or college. People with or without a family and people with or without a significant other. People who you only know on the internet, or only see in real life.

People...they're everywhere!

There are people who cut you down, and there are people who make you feel welcomed, loved, and respected. I feel absolutely lucky and blessed to have welcoming, loving and respectful people in my life, be it in real life or on the internet. I may not always say it, but these people have helped me rise above my negative emotions and have given me a fresh perspective on life.

Truth be told, friends are the family you get to choose. You may not always see eye to eye, but a real friend will always come back as a pillar of support.

My pillars are stronger than I could have ever imagined. This coming from a single parent with most of her friends in serious relationships or married. These people amaze me almost every day.

Thank you.

Ah-Chu

Dear Itchy and swollen eyes, stuffy/runny nose, and itchy throat,

You suck. Go away.

Thanks,
Miz

Letter

Dear Self,

Stop being a tool.

Thanks,
Me.

Hmph

To be honest...I don't know how I'm going to make it without a day off the next two months. I need a vaycay...something fierce.

I'm taking a five day weekend at the end of April. Why? Because little man's daycare is closed. I just don't know if waiting until the END of April is feasable. I've found myself extremely distracted at work...honestly not being able to maintain focus for more than ten minutes at a time. Maybe the fact that my job is naturally ADD doesn't help my lack of focus (and don't get me wrong, I really do LOVE my job)...

I just need a break.

A break from deadlines.

A break from putting on a smile even though you're extremely irritated.

A break from the professional atmosphere in general.

Did I mention I really really really love my job? (no joke.)

The confusion one feels when loving their job but wanting a break is irritating. On that note, I'll go to sleep. Tomorrow's another day..and hopefully a better one than today!!

Shopping for...?

It's not often I receive great advice. I'm the person who generally talks so much, and has crazy stories to tell that throw people off of their game. Half of the time the advice given to me goes in one ear and out the other because how could someone else I know POSSIBLY understand what I've gone through? (Yeah, I'm not proud of the fact that I do this...it's just the way I am!).

I've stated a few times in the past that friends are the family you get to choose. It's not often I encounter a friend who is outright willing to challenge my thoughts or approach tonight.

Last night, a good friend gave me a bit of advice that was extremely thought provoking. It was about men. Her words were "I think it's wrong that women spend more time on picking out a new car than they do choosing a man to be in a relationship with. A man that (if they so choose) will be inside of them. A man that has the potential to hurt them. Women need to be picky. They need to be courted. Being courted is a powerful thing that women have over men, and they (women) need to realize..." Ok, so that quote was a combo/paraphrase of our conversation last night, but it REALLY got me thinking.

When I initially responded to her, she told me I was getting defensive because her words rang true to me. I don't deny it. I don't deny it one bit.

I've let men into my life that I shouldn't. Heck, I've even let people or "friends" into my life that I shouldn't have. I've grown from my mistakes, and am becoming more self confident with who I will and will not allow into my life. The me six years ago is far different from the me today...and I'm proud of that fact.

Growing up, I can't recall my mom telling me to be careful with guys. I can't remember one conversation where she stated I needed to be picky. I'm not saying she didn't think it, because I know my mom loves me and cares about me. I feel so lucky to have a friend willing to say something so genuine and thoughtful to me.

Stuck in my head...

Advertising and marketing are something that effects Americans daily....and something I absolutely love. Some days, I wish I were in the marketing field. I love coming up with jingles and being artistic. Other days, I'm very thankful I'm not in the marketing field...all of that criticism? No thanks.

Point being, there have been some catch jingles/commercial slogans out there that I've found stuck in my head quite a few times. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order)

1.) McDonald's New fillet-o-fish commercial "Gimme back that fillet-o-fish...Gimme that fish"

2.) Fresh feels better with mento's freshness FULL OF LIFE! Mentos, the freshmaker.

3.) Dirty mouth? Clean it up! (Orbitz gum)

4.) McDonald's : "I'm lovin it!" ~ thanks to Justin Timberlake....so hot, want to touch the hiney...aaaahooooooo

5.) Oh I wish I was an Oscar Meyer weiner...(Honestly, I could go on with this entire song...but I think the first line is enough to have you humming it all.day.long. Sorry!)

6.) Rice-a-roni...the San Fransisco TREAT!

7.) Silly Rabbit! Trix are for kids!

8.) The fresh part of waking up...is Folgers in your cup

9.) Can you hear me now? (Verizon)

10.) I want my baby-back baby-back baby-back baby-back baby-back baby-back baby-back. I want my Chili's, baby-back ribs. Chili's baby-back ribs BAR-B-QUE SAUCE!

What are your favorite slogans/jingles?

Crackbook.

The Nightly News boggles my mind from time to time. Last night, it made an honest attempt to make me feel like I had a problem.

What was the problem? Addiction to facebook.


Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I check my facebook page about a million times throughout the day. You would too if you had a facebook page (and if you DO have a facebook page, don't even try to tell me that you don't check it every other minute...cuz your nose would totally start growing!).

The interesting aspect of the story was noting that respectable researches believe facebook was a healthy self esteem booster (HA! See? It's not a BAD thing!). The story also went onto to say that face to face interaction was still integral.

Since I'm stuck at home 95% of most evenings, I don't get a lot of chances for face to face interaction with my friends. However, I still am able to chat on the phone quite a bit. I share inside jokes, good laughs, and funny details from my day.

Long story short, I really appreciate the people in my life right now...be it from facebook, or from the real world. They constantly remind me how great it feels to laugh until your tummy hurts.

Thanks friends!

Random Searches

I've totally got a case of the Monday's today. Not that I'm complaining, or that it's the worst thing since the invention of tapered pants...it just is.

Here are the most recent searches that have taken people to my site:

sailor language - Duh. I've got a dirty mouth, I need to buy a LOT of Orbitz.
ode to laughter - Isn't that the case?
bad dream - No surprise there...
Artificial Mermaid - Silver Chaos - Huh? That's what she said!
roller coaster twists and turns - Duh two times.
I grew up with gary spivey - My heart goes out to the person who felt inclined to search this...
a man of twists and turns - Interesting.
hehehaha - They forgot to type "and a couple of tra-la-la's"
happy birthday in sailor language - Who would've thunk it?
joe mauer slut burger - By far my most favorite search! I laugh every time I read it. hahahahahahaha. See?

I'd be honored. Really.
Happy Tuesday all!!

Sublime

sub·lime
Pronunciation: \sə-ˈblīm\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sub·limed; sub·lim·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1: to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form
2: [French sublimer, from Latin sublimare] a (1): to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2): to render finer (as in purity or excellence) b: to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worth

Definition 3: Most amazing band EVER.

Recently, at a party with a bunch of friends, I dragged the Sublime, Sublime cd out of my car for the party to enjoy. It was worth every cold step from the warmth of the house to my car and back. I haven't been able to pinpoint what makes Sublime's music so awesome. Once the cd was in, the volume was blasted and more than half of the party found themselves bopping their heads and shouting out the words.

This morning, I introduced little man to the awe-inspiring tunes of Sublime. Since I haven't decided if I'm going to run for "Mom of the Year" I took the liberty of shouting out non-naughty words when the curse words came across the speakers. Little man was entranced. It was quite a lot of fun to watch him. He even tried singing some words too.

Moments like this make me wonder what the today's kids have to hold onto for music. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/mar/09/rihanna-may-testify-against-chris-brown Sad. I hope some high school senior has an older sibling, aunt or uncle who shows them the ways of Sublime.

Holla

Daylight savings time really gets my goat. One wouldn't think an hour would make THAT big of a deal..but here I am, at 11:20 (thanks to "daylight savings time") and nowhere near close to being tired. Why can't the US just compromise and keep the clocks a half hour in between daylight savings time and non daylight savings time? Wouldn't that make a heckuva lot more sense? Yeah, I agree.

So as not to end this on a completely bitter note...I had a really nice weekend. I spent time laughing with friends, hung out with little man, and even managed to wash eight loads of laundry (did I mention how much I dislike laundry? CRAP, I was trying NOT to be bitter...my bad!). I love having my house 80% clean. Why is it only 80% clean? Because I still need to do a small amount of de-cluttering, and my room still needs major attention. All in all life is great! :)

How was your weekend? Anything fun to report?

p.s. I decided not to drink for the month of march, and so far so good! The true test will be St. Patty's Day...but I'm not too worried :) Besides, not being hungover is SO worth it :)

I am an owner.

Do I want to rent or do I want to own? That's been a huge question running through my mind the past few months....and not in the terms you're probably thinking of.

My senior year of high school I attended a conference in Atlanta through a class I was taking. One of the days we listened to a guest speaker. A man, most likely in his early thirties, speaking to us about the way we choose to live our life. He articulated the importance of owning life instead of renting it. For example, if you see trash on the street, don't just walk by it and let "the landlord" pick it up...own it and do it yourself. At the time, I knew his words were wise, but I wasn't capable of owning my life.

Many years passed and I continued to rent. I continued to expect "the landlord" take care of the big stuff while I partied, and lived recklessly.

Lately, however, I've discovered a strong urge to own my life. To own my decisions without guilt. To truly live by the golden rule, and to treat others as I would want to be treated. I hope to god that little man picks up on the same morals (but who am I kidding? It took me a good 25+ years to realize the importance of this...I won't start holding my breath for him anytime soon..hehe).

From this day forward, I am declaring myself a proud owner of my own life. An owner of my destiny. The sole possessor of my happiness. I couldn't be more excited! (especially because owning this particular thing doesn't entail paying a mortgage...at least not yet!)

Lovin it.

Attention. I crave it. I love it. I miss it.

As a single mom, it's not very often I get the opportunity to go out on the town and truly let my hair down. Compared to my non-parent friends (who honestly never need to put their hair up in the first place), I usually get out about once a month. I normally have to sacrifice going to certain gatherings because toting a toddler around is not appropriate (especially considering most of these gatherings include copious amounts of alcohol...). That being said, I'll let you in on a little secret. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm turning into the person who people stop calling to invite out. I wonder if they expect me to say no. I certainly hope not!!

Anywho...back to my train of thought. Attention.

Pre-little man, I was a very outspoken drunk. I say "drunk" because alcoholics go to meetings, and I didn't have time for "meetings" when I was 22. I was working as a bartender, drinking about six nights a week. Each night, I would guzzle a half dozen plus beers, laugh, talk to people, and end the night passed out at a friends house, only to wake up and repeat my day all over again (kind of like the movie groundhogs day...only I never got down in the dumps over it!). Honestly, it was a lot of fun. I felt the burden of zero responsibility. I lived for the moment and the moment lived for me. What more could my 22 year old self want or need? Nada.

Fast forward four years. I am the exact opposite of my 22 year old self, aside from one thing....I still love attention, hehe. At the risk of tooting my own horn, the type of attention I attract/accept is far different from yester-year. I might speak with a guy I don't know at a bar, but I leave it at that. It's far more rewarding than making myself out to be an acehole. Not gonna lie, I'm proud of where I am, especially compared to where I've come from.

The Black Hills

Growing up, my family didn't take many vacations. We went on a Disney cruise which I'm sure cost my parents a fortune...spent some time in Florida here and there..but that was really it. My brother and I were able to go to summer camp a couple of times, but nothing too extravagent.

As thankful as I am for the sacrifices my parents made to afford me with a few good times, I am going to attempt to one-up them :) I am going to make an effort to take one road trip a year to a new state, place, park, etc. This year...myself and little man are packing our bags and heading to The Black Hills. I'm pretty stoked. I've never been to Mount Rushmore, and have heard from various peeps that there's a lot of fun things to do!! I hope it turns out to be as lovely as I'm picturing it in my head!

Either way, it will be a memory made.

Does anyone else think I'm crazy for voluntarily taking a 3 year old on a five+ hour road trip?