Thursday, February 04, 2010

Postcards from the minivan and other fragments

Mommy's Idea


Why yes, I'm still here, and I present to you my first February Friday Fragments edition. Say that fast five times. Please do also visit my blog gal pal Mrs. 4444 at the home of Friday Fragments.

*****

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post. We did have a nice family get together - I can't say it's been exactly easy, but we are dealing. It's great to know that I have so many friends out there in the blogosphere - your support is a big part of my healing process.

*****

Do you know when you really start feeling old? It's when your 9 year old starts teasing you.

I've got a 9 year old going on 30.

I'll be the first to admit that I've got some issues once I'm behind the wheel. I've worked on it a lot over the years, and I actually consider myself a pretty good driver these days, a few four letter words notwithstanding. I'm not the most patient driver, to say the least. And often I'll forget that I've got minors with big ears in the back seat.

On one of my regular "why the heck am I always late even when I get started half an hour earlier" days of lessons and errands, I had the misfortune of being behind a car in the left lane, going at about 40 km/h in a 60 zone. I don't normally like to pass on the right, but this was getting a bit ridiculous, so I signalled to go to the right...only to have this car in front drift toward the right lane but not into it. Okay then, perfect, I could pass now. But wait, no, not just yet because this doofus has decided to drift back into the left lane. Straddling, I think is what you'd call it. Hmphhhhh!!!

"Pick a lane, any lane, and then get outta my life!" I muttered under my breath.

Eventually the driver did, but not until a couple of lights later when he made right turn. Geez. Finally.

While I breathed a sigh of relief, the boy behind me growled,

"GETOUTTAMAHLIFE, GETOUTTAMAHLIFE!!!!!!" with a giggle.

Great. Way to give your 9 year old a teenage primer.

*****

The other day as I was driving the kids (yes, again), I thought I'd make some conversation with the boy. (The girlie was sitting and humming along to the top 40 hits on the radio, not really in the mood to chat -unusual, yes, for a 5 year old).

" You've probably got the oldest mom of all your friends. I think a lot of them are just turning 40 this year, or a couple of years from now. What do you think of that?" I asked him.

He paused for a minute, and then said, "Think of it this way, Mom. It's good to have younger friends, because when you get old, they can take care of you!"

Good answer, but I had to clarify:

"Well, that's not exactly true. That's YOURS and your sister's job"

"Oh yeah you're right! Darn!"

*****

Have you seen Jersey Boys yet?

If not, you must. Just do it. Go.

This is coming from an alt-girl who used to dye her hair midnight blue and wear checkered skin tight leggings and Docs in university.

Yes, that was me hootin' and hollerin' during the standing ovation.

It's THAT good.

And I'm getting THAT old.


*****

I guess you've noticed that I haven't been around these parts very much lately. It's been hard to be as committed to this blog. The situation is so different for me now, with work travel not just for my husband but for me as well. Single parenting, to a certain extent. Some days I don't know if I'm coming or going. It's a good thing we already have our kids because with us two ships passing in the night as we have been for the past few weeks and for the foreseeable future ...well, it wouldn't be happening. Even if we were young enough to still contemplate it.

I've lost a bit of passion for this. It's not the same for me anymore. This time last year I was so looking forward to BlogHer Chicago, and after the fantastic July with my bloggy peeps, I was looking forward to summer 2010 in NYC with a major vengeance.

But today, I'm just not sure. I suppose it's because time with my family is so much more limited now. I no longer feel that I need the time for "just me"...although ironically I probably need it more than ever before. A girls' weekend (mind you with 1000 girlfriends) in Manhattan ... it is still attractive. That is, if there are any tickets left. Things that make you go "hmmm..."

22 comments:

Matty said...

Hi, stopping in by way of Half Past Kissing Time.

I know exactly what you mean about those "other drivers". They sometimes "drive" me up a wall.

And I also know all about life getting in the way of updating the blog. Life happens.

won said...

Now that I have an almost teenage son, I find myself being extra careful with the way I drive and what I say, knowing I am modeling what I will expect of him in a few short years.

I can appreciate what you said.

Kat said...

Haha! I have to be very careful to watch my mouth while I'm driving too. It can be difficult. ;)

I hear ya on the blogging. Every time I think I'm going to stop blogging I go back and read my old posts and realize what a fabulous journal it has become of my kids' growing years. So, I keep doing it. But it has lost a bit of its appeal. I suppose it comes and goes.

Do it when you feel like it. We'll still be here for ya. :)

Caution/Lisa said...

My driving/mouth problem has developed when it's my husband driving. When did I become THAT kind of wife?

As the oldest mother of a second grader this year, life is okay -- as long as I don't think about it!

jp said...

I hear, ya, do what you have to do, I like what you share though, I am going to NYC blogher cuz I got a discount being a student and I live here. but with a new job and school, not sure how much I will blog.

Anonymous said...

Dude! You'd better not bail on me! You've gotta go!

Tara R. said...

My conversations with other motorists have come back to haunt me now that my teen doesn't censor his language as much as he used to.

Good luck with your near-teen.

Margaret said...

I hate the other drivers that drive to slow as well. I am lucky that I don't have kids because I can yell whatever I feel like saying.

Mrs4444 said...

I hear you on the BlogHer NY thing. If it were in Chicago again, I might be tempted, but right now, I'm just not into it. Besides, I'd never be able to get that much swag home again when flying!haha

I would love a Girls Weekend in Chicago...

Scary Mommy said...

Oh, I hope you go!!! You were one of my favorite people to talk to and I would so love to see you again!! (But I totally know what you mean.)

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Your kids slay me!

And BlogHer...um yeah, so I was so into going last summer too but this year? Meh.

And I saw an ad for Jersey Boys and it looks fantastic. Too bad it's only playing in TO.

Carolee Hollenback said...

I used to crack my oldest son up by pretending to beep my horn and saying, "C'mom, Grandpa (or Grandma), Get a move on here. I ain't got all day, don't 'cha know?"

Now, the kids on the road are probably doing it to me.....

Karin said...

I always have to watch my mouth in the car. My six year old has the biggest ears on the planet. I hear you on BlogHer though. I had been looking forward to going with a group of friends, but lately I'm just not sure....

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Heidi said...

I have been tattled on to my husband by the kids, for accidentally calling a driver ahead of me an effing moron. OOPS.

imaginary binky said...

Yes. Yes to the bloggy humdrum. I've obviously felt your pain there. Trying to peek out of the woodwork now to be a little active again. Bleah. Can't I just watch "Big Love" reruns all day?

Good to see you, though!

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imbeingheldhostage said...

It's even better when you're contemplating blogging and somebody spams you :-(

Back up-- I read, re-read and read again. What do you mean "oldest Mom"?! What are you, like 25??? If you tell me you're anywhere close to my age with that face and body of yours, I may have to cry.

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