Please forgive me, it's been weeks since my last blog..7 hail Mary's and ...

Heyyyy, how are you all doing? Considering the last month my fam has had, I still have a sense of humor. However, if you met my units and sister, you would know why. I texted my youngest son, on the way to picking him up, "you ho?' and his reply was "i'm no ho and yes I am home." I explain to him how he was being a smart arse. Everybody in my circle knows, that when I say "HO" I mean home. Even at work, I will send a household that needs to be combined and put "Auto" connect to "HO" they all know what I mean, but then, I AM THE PRINCESS and even work folk know that. It's just the way it is, I didn't give myself that title, it was given to me. Who am I to deny? My sister's nickname, that she acquired through work mates, is "Diva" and she is every bit that moniker. Those who know her are agreeing with me. :)...I love her bc she's my sister and well, she's all I have. I don't mean that in a bad way, but other than our laugh, sense of humor , we do not look alike.  The good thing is we never like the same type of man either. Hers are usually swarthy latino types and I would rather be seen with a wrestling look alike. But hey, we are blood and there we are. My whole family is sarcastic, witty, quick and intelligent. No moss grows on our butts. And lord help you if we are pissed off at you, no kid gloves then. Our thinly veiled threats, or looks, will let you know, you need to either leave or shut the hell up before we beat you. We get that look from our mother, and it's not the traditional mother stare either. It's almost like a demon takes over. But hey, you've been warned.

Family Ties

So this week has been quite interesting and stressful. My dad had been in the hospital for two weeks. He needed to have leg surgery and thankfully, because he was not "an emergency" he kept getting bumped down the list. Finally had his surgery Monday, then they couldn't get him regulated and he had a fever so they took him back in last Saturday. Turned out they had a bleeder that popped open. I know, I know, all of our first comment was 'don't you check for those things BEFORE you close?' My mum was a surgical nurse before she was blessed with me. But a nurse is still a nurse till she dies. After getting updates of dad's progresses Deb and I decided to try and ease her stress and drive up last Sunday. I didn't want to jinx myself, so I specifically did not pack an overnight bag. Yea well, that didn't work out. Deb was smarter and packed for a few days plus she was able to do some work as well. I don't have that luxury with my job, but thankfully, she does. My dad is a capable, intelligent man, normally. As I was sitting in his room, he would wake up and not really know where he was. He knew us, I mean how could you forget us? But he did say things like "we own Erlanger" and "his new name was Keke" and random stuff like that. But when the doc asked him the year, he got it, asked him his name, he got that. So he was rational on some level. I will tell you, as I age, I don't care for watching my parents age and that's all I will say. When I was growing up I had both sets of grandparents. My mum's lived in FL and NY depending on the season, and my dad's parents lived in Montreal, Canada, eh? So every two years we would drive up from the bottom of FL to the top of NY to visit family. I only saw my dad's parents at these visits. My Ukrainian grandma, BaBa, was unique. She had lost her mind, literally, when my dad was a baby. Baba wore tunics and turbans before they were chic. She was always smiling, sometimes laughing and trying to feed you. Always good grub from that household. My grandfather, DziDzi,(gigi) would make salad that we called soggy salad bc he would put the dressing on before we got there, but it was spectacular. My Baba was usually in her own world talking to herself, and when I was young I thought it was Ukrainian but not so much. It was Baba speak. I'm told she was a huge fan of babies who peed straight so I know she would have loved my kids. Both were blond haired and blue eyed and could be hers. However, I might never have gotten them back if she had met them. My dad and his big sis Mary, are both dark hair, dark eyes. Their brother was blond and blue. Baba was blond and blue and even in pj's with a turban, she could rock it. I would just sit there and let her babble on and go "yes, mhm, oh really?' We had good talks. Come to think of it, maybe that's why I talk to myself? hmmmm...My cousin grew up with both of them so she got to know them better than I. She was still living in Montreal and my dad married my mum and said 'we are out of here'. The reason I bring this up, as my dad was going on with his stories, my mum started having flashbacks on Baba. But here's the key item mum, Baba was incoherent, at least dad speaks English and he may say some out of world stuff, but he hasn't adapted the turban look or taken his teeth out. Silver lining lady, silver lining.

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a stress free holiday. I know my fam did. This year I got my babies on Christmas day. My parents drove down from Chattavega that morning. My sis had come over the night before and we hit a local spot I've come to love. We got to see interesting dance moves, while she, I and the bartender begged it to stop. An 80's band was playing and they were good. Our fave DJ was flipping discs before and during band breaks. We met two brothers out to celebrate the season so that went well with two sisters out celebrating the season. Fun times. So Christmas morning, my eldest played the Christmas Elf. This is the person who has the honor of handing out the presents to everyone else. When the boys were young, they never did it. So this year was beloved #1's turn. He did an admirable job too. My kids are really not too picky about clothes, just games. My dad thought my mum needed 3 pair of slippers so she got those, the 3 of us girls got Gator Earrings, don't be jealous. In the evening we had our traditional dinner of Roast Beast, rolls, wine, potato's of some sort, and a veggie with vino and desserts. Did I say wine twice? Hum, anyway, all was delicious. It's always nice to just sit around the dinner table and enjoy your fam without feeling rushed. NYE Deb and I decided that safety was first so we stayed home and enjoyed a fantastic dinner and watched Ryan Seacrest and Anderson Cooper with Kathy Griffin. They are by far my fave duo. She scares the bejesus out of him, so he giggles like a school girl all the while she is making faces to the camera like 'got him!' Too funny. I used to make resolutions but always would either forget them, or break them by the 2nd week of January. So I am making a life resolution. I want to get into better shape, eat healthier and save a lot of money so that next NYE Deb and I can be in a different city experiencing that celebration! Hope you all find what you are looking for or not looking for this year. May all of our dreams, plans, and resolutions come true. Muah!

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza & Feliz Navidad!

I love this time of year. Everyone is as nice as I am, we smile more, we give you eye contact and we don't have scowls on our faces. The promise of the holidays and what it could bring, make us all so giddy. Every person turns into a child again. I like it! However, I do disagree with people who ask why we can't be this nice year round? DUH! Then it wouldn't be a special time of year, hell-o! Kids are more kind and sweet than normal, (hey, my kids are fabulous year round, but I do know there are some brats) the decorations that people adorn their houses with are so lovely, usually. Even the tacky ones we enjoy and call 'The Griswald House". Ah Chevy Chase as Clark Griswald, hee hee. Even great movies that we all love come out, "Elf", "The Ref", "Christmas Vacation", and then those old arse shows we all have been watching since our parents were in their 20's. "Rudolph", "Santa Clause is Coming To Town", you get the idea. As I get older, I really come to understand that it's not how many gifts you can purchase, but how many hearts you can touch. (that's for my needy Leo's, and you know who you are). I have great friends, livable family, and even an ex husband that I don't want to throw darts at, life is good! May the season grant you all the wonders you give!

My Birthday Celebration!

I love this time of year. Once I get over turning another year older, I throughly enjoy getting ready for the festivities this time of year brings. Ok, so back to my birthday! If you didn't know, it's a National Holiday, (fine, it should be). This year I had quite a lot of friends turn out for my special evening. We went to 37 Main, and the Bon Jovi Tribute Band, "Slippery When Wet" played for us. I will admit, I don't think I've been that 'toasted' maybe ever. Holy moly! I was standing front and center of the stage, watching the band. I know by now the lead singer Jason must know that I'm no longer a stalker. When I first saw them, I went everytime they were near me. And yes, I did drool, but hey, Jason looks a great deal like Jon Bon Jovi, and they are both hot, what's not to love? Anyhoo, they sang all the good songs, the bassist told me Happy Birthday, apparently he could tell due to my tiara, who knew? And then Jason wished me Happy Birthday as well. I was a happy camper. Thankfully, we did take a taxi home. I turned into Kim Kardashian while I was speaking AND I pawed the cop watching the joint. I know, I know, I would have annoyed myself, but Shelly and Deb were true sisters, they just laughed. Thanks ladies!

The Muppets!

I adore, no I'm absolutely in love with Miss Piggy. She has been my idol since she first appeared on my television set 100 years ago. She has strength, power, class, beautiful hair and makeup, fantastic clothes that would make Barbie jealous, and alas, she had the love of her life, Kermie. Thankfully, our taste in men differ, although I'm sure my friends would disagree...I'm really not into smaller, green, squeaky voiced boyfriends, but hey, it works for her. Unlike Miss P, I want a man who is larger/bigger than me, taller than me, doesn't need to be better looking..heehee..but not someone I could toss if I got mad enough. Not that I'm a violent person, but if I get pissed off with a boyfriend, it rarely is a pretty sight. My family does not call me "Ice Princess" for nothing. Anyhoo, Miss P and her gang are coming back to the big screen. Thank you Jason Segel, he made it happen. Interesting to note, both Miss Piggy and Scarlett O'Hara were role models of mine when I was younger. Scarlett was a lady but if she got mad, well 'fiddily dee' there was hell to pay, poor Rhett. Miss P, on the other hand, well if Kermie did not make her happy, there was hell to pay..wait, does anyone else see a theme here? Yes, what we fabulous ladies all have in common is...wait for it....accountability. If you mess up, and you know you do, we will call you out like a coach calls out a worthless pitcher. That's right! And to be honest, I don't see why that's a bad thing. We should all be empowered to be who we want to be, and act in a firm yet polite manner. I know Miss P wasn't necessarily that, I mean she could whack a frog or whatever Gonzo is, to the wall, but she did make her point. Have I?

15 days since my last confession

Today at work, we had a Tornado warning that kept us in a hallway....with other co-workers...for a freaking hour. Yes, you read that right, a full 60 minutes of being in a subwayish tube. We had people lined up on one side and people lined up on the other side. Some stayed in the middle, but me and my friend were on the side chit chatting. As I sat there listening to the buzz of convo's around me, I couldn't help but ask myself, 'is this all I have accomplished'?

This past weekend, I had a pity party for myself. I am usually not the one who needs picking up. However, there I was driving to my gurl's house to walk her pretty doggies, and I drove through the hot spot of Auburn, Carl and hold on! Winder.

For those who don't live here, picture 'Deliverance' except scenery gets worse as you drive. So there I was thinking about how much I have in savings, (almost none), how much I had in my checking account, not enough to fill my little Toyota and my birthday is coming up, which means yet, another year older. Lucky me. Fall is also a time when I used to have an on-off relationship but that ended 6 years ago. I'm fine with that being done, but I couldn't help but think I have not progressed much since then. I still work at the same company, (love it), same job more or less, same car, house etc. I am almost 801 years old, and other than my two beautiful, thoughtful, bouncers for sons, I have no accomplishments. As I sat there in the hall today, I thought, hmmmm, maybe a higher being is trying to tell me something.But what I ask? Unless I finish my degree there is no jumping up my current corporate ladder, I really have no interest in going back to school anyway. Next option, I take care of my pets, but do I want to have a 'pet sitting' job? highly unlikely. I love blogging, but I was told by Shelly and Deb that my run on sentences are annoying and I need to work on them. (how am I doing so far?) So that leaves me with what? Good question, when I find out, I will share with you all.