Change is a Good Thing.....Right?

Changes happen all the time, sometime we notice and sometimes we don't. It can be a good change or a damning change--it affects people differently too. Some of us are resistant to change and others learn how to deal with transitions whether smooth or bumpy.

I found in the earlier stages of my life I as adverse to change, almost violently adverse. Now that I have children, a family, change is a constant. I have come to appreciate change more than I ever thought I would or could.

For instance, one rainy night my husband and I sat on our front porch in New York and decided if we didn't move out of that town ASAP we would never move. So in the rain, I ran out onto the front lawn with the FOR SALE sign and violently jammed it into the lawn.

In 30 days we were gone. 2500 miles away from everything we knew and it was a mighty change. We brought our son on our adventure which it made it even more crazy and fun! We made a significant life change by moving and we haven't had any regrets yet. Years ago I would have thought this move to be impossible. But we made it out here and love it. Then we had our daughter and our lives changed like you wouldn't believe. She was the complete antithesis of our son. She shook us to our cores. Our souls and sleep were nearly broken, forever. But then she changed and became this darling little girl who loves her pets and older brother and she became a dream.

Then of course there are things that never change. Like family. We do not have any contact with my husband's family. They have never seen our daughter and the last time they saw our son he was about 2 weeks old or a little older, but not by much. Sad isn't it. Maybe not. Because the other side of the coin is my husband's side. And to him it is not sad. It was a relief, a welcomed change in his life from their verbal abuse and downright ill feelings towards him.

So the act of change has multiple facets and to each of us a different definition even when in the same situation.

Homemade and Lovin It

I have recently become addicted to www.etsy.com where everything on the site is homemade. Homemade cards, favors, jewelry, baby stuff, floral pins, everything, oh did I mention leather ruffled purses? Good lord, this is fabulous. I am also guilty of suckering other innocent people into my addiction and find myself ecstatic over their purchases!!

Shouldn't everything be sweet and homemade? I have my eye on a set of darling coasters with the cutest owls you have ever seen. Not to mention that handmade booties for our daughter and the wall decals for our rooms!

It's hard these days in a world run by WalMart and Target to find something sweet and unique and downrght fantastic. There is nothing worse than seeing the same tablecloth or pillow in all of your friends' homes. Being different used to be a great thing and then WalMart came in and plowed over diversity.

I love etsy and I hope you will too. You can even request things from the sellers on there. I have and it's been great!!!!

A Box of Rocks

My apologies I have been on a blog hiatus!!! Work calls.....at all hours of the day and night. I recently turned 30. Ah!!! The big 3-0...some of my friends from back East flew in for the occasion, which was very nice and sweet of them. We had a great time too. And they got to see me in my element (OCD and all) with my home, the children and the husband, oh and the 2 cats and dog we all have in our abode. LOL. My other girlfriend threw me a lovely party. The food was delicious and the company was fantastic and the presents were so wonderful.

After they left I really missed everyone. But was so happy we had come together for this event and spend some quality time with each other. I cooked homemade meals for everyone and we played on the floor with the kids. I could not have asked for a better birthday celebration.

My husband also took it upon himself to procure a gorgeous 2+ carat diamond anniversary band too! It is too die for. It was in with a $.97 bag of white plastic cooking utensils inside of a diaper box with rocks and a shredded edition of the New York Times. I didn't see the black velvet box at first and my disappointment (I must admit) was astounding. But then I saw the box and was red in the face. LOL.

Is Santa a Stranger?

Last year our son was 3.5 years old. He was extremely uncomfortable with the thought of a stranger coming into our home and sneaking around eating our homemade cookies and leaving presents under the tree. Last year we tucked him in and minutes later he snuck out to double check that the doors were in fact bolted shut. He also slept with his door slightly ajar, something he never does. This year we were hoping that sentiment would be forgotten. That he would be so excited for Christmas and Santa that "locking him out" wouldn't be an option this year. WRONG. Once again he asked me to put the cookies and milk outside for this alleged "jolly old man". He told me Santa could just leave the presents outside and I could get up early and put them under the tree. Lucky Me!!!!!

We are hoping he does not turn into the older sibling who ruins Christmas for his younger sister by telling her it's all bogus. We are prepared.

Last year we also hid some wrapped presents in the oversized luggage we keep in our clothing closet. This year he asked my husband if there any presents in the luggage, "because last year Daddy there was". What? Is he serious? He remembers that? Why don't I remember anything from my childhood? And I have a toddler who remembers everything? Ugh.

So in a few more days Christmas will be upon us and our son will be running around checking the locks on the doors. I hope your holiday is filled with as much humor and very sweet moments like this!!!!

Does Being Selfish Ever End? Or is it a Lifelong Partnership?

For some people being selfish is a drug addiction. It happens again and again without them even knowing how selfish they are. Why do these people never self reflect? Why do they always find it to be other people's fault? These types of people are usually single, lonely, depressed, eccentric, psychotic etc...
I find extremely selfish people go two ways. Depressed or In your face all of the time. I know both kinds. And I find them to be equally annoying. The depressed ones have nothing nice to say. Their face is always scrunched up and they look disgusted all of the time. The hyper in your face kind is always one upping you. Their life is always so much better and exciting than yours. And heaven forbid these people every stop to smell the roses. Their social calendars are jam packed and you have to be penciled in months before to even see these people. Then worse once you do all they do is talk about their life and their travel and their money and blah blah blah.
And then every once in a while two of these people meet, fall in love and have children. NO GOOD. NIGHTMARE.
Those people are a detriment to society. They annoy normal people who get married and have kids for the right reasons.
So I guess it is a lifelong addiction where nothing gets in its way.

40, Married, Childless

So you say you love children and you want them and you're trying. But every time a mini adult gets within 2 feet of you, you turn your head and snub them as if they are a cold cup of coffee. What is that all about? You're 40 and recently married for a reason. You're a WEIRDO. There is no shame in saying you don't want kids at all, especially to couples with kids. We understand. We have moments where we wish we were in your shoes. But don't come around and pretend like you're all into kids when it's clear as day, you're not.

People without kids are awkward around children, even when they insist they are great around kids. There is still a way about them that is bizarre and in the least, uncomfortable. Often times these faux child friendly adults make the parents uncomfortable. A parent is the first one to notice when another childless adult is about to be completely put off. Friend of many years or not, we can see your discomfort and would rather you eat your sandwich in the other room away from the children.

Etiquette or Lack Thereof and Others Issues

With all of these weddings in place for 2010, I am finding myself more and more frustrated as time goes by. Where did everyone's etiquette disappear to? And why has it reappeared as half-assed etiquette that people are willing to tolerate? We should put our teacups down and excuse ourselves from these rude encounters and engagements. Why not? People feel free to reject so many other issues, why not reject poor etiquette?

How about grammar? How about it? Or punctuation for that matter. Why would an educated person send an email with the phrase, "your welcome" in it? Because secretly they are a moron? Or because they are fools? Or worse, because our education system is in the dumper, and no one pays attention to punctuation anymore? I am sorry. You went to school, you have your Juris Doctor or worse are a Medical Doctor and you can't tell the difference between your and you're? Come on people, slap these offenders, kick them, push them down in the street and scream.

What about always being late for social engagements? Not once in a while, but without fail, every single time. And not by 5-10 minutes but by 30-45 minutes. I ask you not to bother to come to the engagement then. Stay home. You're probably the same person that misuses punctuation or lacks social grace. If you can't bother to take the time to be on time, don't come at all. It's RUDE!!!!!!!