Unlike a Good Neighbor October 30, 2007

On Saturday night, we invited a handful of our closest friends to come over for a BBQ, a bonfire, and a few beers.  During this time of year, it is the norm for us.  We all bundle up in warm clothing and stay up way too late, just having a good time.  Saturday was no different, until our crazy neighbor decided to invite himself to the party.  But this is no ordinary neighbor — he’s about 30 years older than us, drinks constantly, and looks like he should be playing a cover of ZZ Top.  No lies.

So as we’re standing around the fire, here comes Don the Neighbor, over the fence and strolling into the yard.  At first it was no big deal — we figured he was just wanting to say hi.  But then he wouldn’t leave.  And he started drinking our beers.  Then he went into this rant about how he got fired from his job because they allegedly tampered with the urine in his drug test and he tested positive for amphetamines.  Like they had to frame him!  I wish I had a picture of him to show you all.  Anyway, from there he continued to butt into our conversations and be his normal rude self.  He mentioned a few times how he had just crashed our party, but we nicely shrugged it off.  After all, he lives next door, so what can we do?

Then the man starts talking about how he can’t stand his wife anymore because she’s been going through menopause for well over a decade and she won’t take hormones.  From there he tells us that she’s brainwashing their 13 year old (accident ) son by messing with his epilepsy medication.  It felt like we had Dale Gribble from King of the Hill in our yard!  But the icing on the cake was when he reached onto my plate and ate some of my food!!!  He didn’t ask or anything, just swooped in with his nasty ZZ Top hands and stole my chicken!

Soon after he left and we were all relieved, but it was short lived.  Don returned not only with more beer, but with this 13 year old son in tow.  The later it got, the more I couldn’t stand it, so I said goodbye to our friends and came inside to go to bed.  According to The Hubby’s story I got the next day, Don and his son stayed until everyone else went home or came inside — around 3:30 in the morning!

So now we not only deal with their stupid dogs, but now the humans are jumping the fence as well.  I probably can’t get by with chasing them off the way I do the dogs, so I’m going to have to come up with more creative methods.  It’s funny when I think about it, but it was just plain annoying and weird at the time.  I made sure to stress the point that I own a handgun, so he wouldn’t even think about messing with me when The Hubby is gone!  Maybe I’m overreacting — I’ve always trusted them — I just don’t want to have to politely try to get rid of him again!

It’s the Little Things October 29, 2007

Well I guess I found one way to revert back to the “old me” — I’m skipping school today!

 I’ve really been on a school burnout lately and I just haven’t wanted to go.  When Squeaks woke up not really feeling great this morning, I decided to take that as my (lame) excuse.  I did go for about 10 minutes to take a test, but I blew off the rest of the day to hang out and do nothing with my daughter.  We went to my mom’s for awhile (she watched Squeaks while I took my test), and now we’re home, lounging around and being lazy.  Thankfully Squeaks isn’t really sick (at least not yet) but she’s just wanting to be all cuddly and pathetic today and I’m willing to indulge her.  I remember those times when I just wanted my mommy.  Actually, I still have those times!

I’m sure I should have waited to skip school, in case Squeaks gets really sick and I need to stay home with her.  But The Hubby’s new schedule allows him to be home a lot, so I am covered there if need be.  So for today I’m getting back into my PJs, I’m going to read books, watch tv, and catch up on reading blogs.  Yay for lazy Mondays!

Tired October 27, 2007

Hey you guys, I’m tired.  I’m tired of dragging my way through every day.  I’m tired of finding ways to entertain my child so that I can get something done around the house.  I’m tired of trekking to school 3 days a week to attend the hardest semester of school I’ve ever been in.  I’m tired of two-year-old temper tantrums.  Am I depressed again?  Nope.  Just ready for something different.

This is something that has been nagging at me for awhile.  I’m not quitting school.  I’m not going to get a job.  I’m not going to do something drastic.  I just think it’s time for some little chage in my life; something that will get me more excited.  I feel stuck in a rut (which you can tell by my lack of posting) that is nothing but school, diapers, time-outs, driving, paying bills, homework, and so on.  I’m thinking of taking up a new hobby (when will I find time?!) or maybe doing some volunteer work.  Before Squeaks came along, I helped out at an adult daycare center for adults who have mental handicaps to go to while their caregivers went to work.  It was a really rewarding experience and one I could take Squeaks with me to.  Or maybe I just need to be really selfish and take a few hours of “me time” each week. 

I’m not even sure where I’m going with all of this, other than to say I’m tired of the status quo.  I want to look forward to something, instead of dreading it.  And don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I enjoy more than playing with Squeaks, but I need to do something for me.  I’ve totally lost my sense of self since becoming a mother and I’m just now realizing that I need to get that back.  How?  Who knows.  But I’m on the lookout for something cool.  I’ll keep you advised.

Pay It Forward October 20, 2007

When we set our trash out each week for pick-up, we have to set it out at night because the trash collectors come magically in the night.  But recently, the neighbor’s dogs have been getting into the trash before the collectors show up, spreading dirty diapers and soup cans all over the area.  Most of the time it’s just a small amount of trash, but this week they managed to turn over all three cans, making a HUGE mess.  I didn’t find this mess until I was on my way out to an appointment I couldn’t be late for.  I decided to come back afterwards and do damage control.

When I got home, I left a sleeping Squeaks in the idling truck in the driveway (we live in the middle of nowhere, no one was taking her — and I was right there).  As I was picking up trash, a lady driving a minivan pulled over and got her two children (around age 5) out.  The wordlessly began helping me pick up trash.  When I questioned her, the lady simply said “I’m trying to teach my children to help those around them and what better way than to actually DO it?!”.  These kids happily cleaned up dirty diapers, laughing and joking the whole time.  When they were done, they hugged me and skipped back to their van.  I thanked the lady profusely for their help and offered to give them some juice or Pepsi or cookies for their hard work.  She refused, wanting her kids to learn about selfless good deeds.  And then they were on their way.

This little act of kindness totally blew me away.  Sometimes I forget that there really are good people out there.  I get so caught up in the negative and the mean people out there that I don’t think about those that mean well.  And most of all, I realized that I’m not doing much to teach my own daughter to care for others.  So, touched by the sweet strangers I met this week, I’m on a campaign to teach my daughter the act of giving of herself.  Sure, she’s only two, but she’s not too little to begin helping others.  She’s already got a kind heart — when my mom had a knee replacement and was starting to walk again, Squeaks would always wait for her Granny, never leaving her side and cheering for her when she walked long distances.  I see that sweet heart and realize the difference my daughter can make. 

So I encourage all of you to think about this.  We all rush around and get too busy to think about others, but try to take the opportunity to show your kids that others need help, too.  It’s a wonderful way for kids to learn that they’re not the center of the universe.  Plus, it leaves you with an amazing feeling that you’ve done something nice.  I guess my motivation for this is kind of like the movie Pay It Forward, but whatever it takes, I guess!  So keep your eyes open and help those who need it.  It totally made my day and you could do that for someone, as well!

Java Programming is Sucking my Will to Live October 14, 2007

And the title pretty much sums it up.  It’s not that I’m not interested in the class, it’s that it involves hours and hours of homework (not to mention the accompanying headaches).  I opted to take the class online in order to avoid taking it with a professor I despise, who teaches it in the classroom.  And while I really like taking it online, there are those overachievers in the class who are making it really hard for the rest of us.  Some of the students (I’m thinking they already know Java and are just taking the class to fulfill a requirement) are working ahead, while I’m struggling to get things done on time.  Of course the professor is eating this up, sending daily emails reminding us that we can work ahead and that some of our classmates are already weeks ahead and will do much better in the course.  It makes me want to hunt them down and virtually kick their collective asses.

The Art of Thankfulness October 12, 2007

Sometimes life has a way of slapping you in the face and reminding you that you have things to be thankful for.  Last night, The Hubby was in an accident.  He was the last car in a 3 car pile-up.  Although he could technically be considered at fault for hitting the middle car, the police officer didn’t write any citations, once the circumstances surrounding the accident were revealed (it was the fault of the first driver, but he took off before the police showed up).  Thankfully The Hubby (and everyone else) is fine, as they were only traveling about 15-20 mph at the time.  The Hubby’s truck is pretty messed up, but we were planning on getting him a new one at the end of the year anyway, so we’re just taking the insurance money and putting it towards a down payment on a new vehicle.  It might be a few months sooner than planned, but I’m just glad that my husband is all right.  I tend to think that nothing can happen to my family and then something like that happens and I realize that we are not invincible.

Feel the Burn October 10, 2007

Since we are still working on our house remodel, we produce a lot of trash.  Since our trash pickup will only collect one can full each week, I have started burning what I can and we trash the rest.  This has become somewhat of an obession for me, as I’m somewhat of a pyromaniac.  There’s something about fires that intrigues me — I guess it’s my inner cavewoman.  But as I was burning today, I had something happen that I had never before experienced.

 As I was lighting the fire, something fell out of the burn barrel.  I scooped it up before it could cause a grass fire and threw it back in.  As I continued to mess with the fire, I felt the heat on my legs.  I was thinking to myself that I never remembered it putting off such heat, but I shrugged it off and continued to my task.  Finally the heat became unbearable and I stepped back, only to realize that the left leg of my pants was on fire! 

I kicked a few times, trying to see if it would die out easily.  It didn’t.  I wound up ripping my pants off, running to the nearby water spigot, and dousing myself, my pants, and the ground with water.  Apparantly when the little bit of debris fell out, it ignited dry lawn clippings without me realizing it.  Thankfully I was able to get my pants off quickly before too much damage was done, but my left foot got a pretty good burn.  I was hoping I could avoid a doctor’s visit, but now, a few hours after the fact, the pain is getting pretty bad.  I have the feeling I might be in the doctor’s office before all is said and done.

So while it was one of the scariest things that’s happened to me lately, I can sit and laugh about it now.  Because if our closest neighbor happened to be outside at the time, he got quite a view of me, stripping off my flaming pants and running for the hose!

Gender Roles October 5, 2007

I find it funny that people view America as a progressive nation.  We are a country that boasts equality.  Women are slowly obtaining their equal rights in the workforce.  BUT the gender roles that parents (and the media) set for their children make me sick.  What’s got me so riled up, you ask?  Stuipd Nick Jr. characters.

My daughter is a perfect example of a non-stereotypical child.  Sure she plays with stuffed animals and shows a very nurturing side, but she also has a tool set she loves and she loves to go out and get dirty.  So I found it only natural when she took a shine to Go Diego Go, while hating the show Dora the Explorer.  There’s just something appealing about Diego that isn’t there with Dora (maybe the fact that Squeaks realizes Dora’s voice is annoying and her football head is huge).  But whatever the reason, she’s obsessed.  She’s picked out plenty of Diego toys (all lead-free so far) and we took her to see the live stage show over the summer.  So it’s only natural that she would want other Diego items, as well.  But here’s where it’s complicated.  You see, the only clothing and shoe items out there are for boys.  If you’re a girl you get Dora, if you’re a boy you get Diego.  Because apparantly a girl cannot sport a cartoon character boy on her shirt or shoes (although Mickey Mouse is technically male, but I guess rodents differ from human cartoon characters). 

Since Squeaks doesn’t like Dora, this makes it hard when she’s crying for Diego items.  We’ve ended up buying her some boy pajamas and while I’m not against dressing her in boy clothing or shoes (for now at least!), I think it’s bull shit that the companies are playing such gender roles.  Why does it have to be like that?  Just once I’d like to walk into a store and be able to find some cute tank top with Diego on it.  That would make my daughter’s day.

And the same goes with Backyardigans items.  For you long-time readers, you know that Squeaks is a die-hard fan of Backyardigans — almost to the point of obsession.  But if I buy her anything Backyardigans that is gender-specific, it only has the female characters (Tasha and Uniqua) on there.  When we put Squeaks’ shoes on in the morning, she names off Tasha and Uniqua, then says “Where Pablo?  Where’d he go?  Tyrone?  Austin?”.  Yeah, it’s sad that she can name them all off and she’s not quite two, but damn if her verbal skills aren’t getting awesome!

So what am I trying to accomplish by bitching about this?  I’m just venting, really.  But I’m sick and tired of the stereotypes, especially when it comes to preschoolers.  Grow up, Nick Jr.

Another Bulleted Post October 2, 2007

I have had so many things going on lately, yet nothing that has warranted an entire post.  In honor of this brainfart, I’m going to just cheat and do a bulleted post today.

• We spent the weekend at one of Oklahoma’s larger lakes.  A friend of ours is building a lake house out there so we went to help with painting and such.  After all of the slave labor was finished, we spent the rest of the day out on the lake.  It was a nice way to relax after a crazy busy week.
• I set our yard on fire this week, totally by accident.  I was burning some things when it got a little out of control.  Thankfully I caught it before it spread too far and it was easily contained with our fire hose.  Thank God because we only have a volunteer fire department around here and I don’t completely trust them. 
• In attempting to figure out how to work a shock collar, I shocked myself.  It was hilarious.  And don’t lecture me about shock collars.  I worked for a vet for years…I know when one is necessary and what kind to use.
• I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it one here, but The Hubby had yet another new job.  It kind of fell into his lap and it’s amazing.  The money is much, much better, the benefits are better, and it’s something he’s more interested in.  Hopefully he’s finally found his niche, but I’ll be enjoying the paychecks until we know for sure!
• School is extremely crazy right now, but I’m holding up better than I thought.  I don’t know how I thought that I could handle 15 hours and a toddler, but I’m learning that it’s possible.  Not easy, but possible.
• The state fair is in town, so we will spending tomorrow night there.  Hopefully I can get some good pictures to share with you all.  But pictures or not, I will be enjoying some deep fried, clog your arteries fair food!