The Couch Chronicles...Continued

Someone once said, "Oh, you're THAT mom..."  I claimed it.  "Yes, I'm that mom."  And although I don't feel the need to explain my parenting style to anyone, the comment did make me do some self reflecting (which is a helpful life tool, some people really need to learn to do this).   So to the person who made that comment, thank you, and in case you're curious about what makes me ThAt mom, here goes:   I am the mom that didn't want children because I was so career driven and wanted to be debt-free, buy a house and travel. The same mom that once I found out I was pregnant with #1, went into overdrive to learn all things mom related. The mom that knew #1 really needed #2 since I would be taking a break from my career to be a stay at home mom, after someone I love and admire said, "Why do people have kids, if they aren't going to be the ones raising them."  Having them both at home for those few short years are some of my favori...

Yeah I'm glad you have your life "together" and you're doing "better" and are making some "changes" that you wish I could see.  I'm happy for you... There are "some habits" I need to be broken of...hmmm?  Yeah, that's my cue to say, "See ya." And you can "take care" of me and my biologicals and treat me like I'm supposed to be treated...I'll pass.  Thanks.  I can take care of myself and my biologicals.     You're "gonna miss" me while you're taking care of your family obligations...Ok. No need to hang out in the bathroom to continue our private conversation...I was fine not having a conversation to begin with... You want to "meet for drinks" sometime...will your wife be joining us too? So nah dude, I'm good with where I'm at.  I don't need to be rescued.  I got this.  I don't want to hook up or hang out.   I'm F-I-N-E, fine.  for all the pa...

I have often dreamed of having a job that allowed me to travel but I was lead down a different path. My career has been both fulfilling and rewarding but my longing to travel has never gone away.  So I made a promise to myself to get out and see the sights.  Over the years I've been here and there and in between and I've learned a few things.  So here are some travel tips that may or may not serve you any purpose.   when on a long road trip, wear comfy clothes and don't forget your music because you'll be forced to listen to old country music that you might know the words to and you may want to sing along and your kids may not like it make sure to pack a change of clothes in your carry on because your luggage may stay in Phoenix where you have a four hour layover and although you might enjoy a good Italian meal near the university, it will suck not to have all your clothes in Alaska if traveling to Mexico don't give all your change to the little old man playing...

So I got the "Guys are asking for you again" text from my sis.  And by "guys" she means the ridiculously funny, completely random group of friends she hangs out with at a place that will remain anonymous.  I've shown up there twice in the last year.  It's a hole in the wall on the wrong side of town but I am guaranteed a fun time.  If I lived a little closer I might be a regular.  I like to joke that I'm slummin' in but in reality the clientele are hard working,, fun loving people that I am honored to know and privileged to hang out with; the kind of people that will give you the shirt off their back, their last dollar or the food on their plate...hell they even make sure your beer never runs out and you get to hear your favorite tunes.   At my last visit, I had the pleasure of meeting a regular we will call Sheila.  Sheila, by all definitions, is a tranny.  She was singing her lungs out when I arrived and we made e...

There is only one voice that comes to mind when I think of this phrase and that is the voice of my work son, my big Mijo, my partner in crime, the person who encourages (sometimes) my shenanigans, the faithful friend who listens to ALL of my nonsense, even the girly stuff.  It's like he knows exactly when to say it, in a high-pitched voice, "I don't need you..." and it's usually when I'm on a verbal tirade about my independence and abnormal alpha-male tendencies and how I've managed to juggle it all on my own and blah, blah, blah...that he hasn't covered my mouth with a wide piece of duct tape is pretty close to miraculous...poor Mijo, always there to entertain my foolishness and down right tomfoolery.   We joke about that line all the time and I guess it has become somewhat of a personal anthem.  Initially it was my way of claiming my new found freedom, my divorced girl battle cry.  And anytime I was made to feel like a damsel in distress, Mijo wou...

It's probably safe to say that we've all had that moment, an old song playing on the radio, a whiff of a fragrance, a brief run-in with someone you haven't seen in years...that moment that will send you to another time and place.  I find that at my age, I'm having more and more of those moments.   Recently, I had a conversation with someone from my past and I mean waaaay back to my really green, square, naive, super innocent teen days.  (I was not always the coldhearted, tell-it-like-it-is, beer drinking, foul mouth, chew 'em up and spit 'em out, devil woman that I am today.)  There was a time when I really was quite unaware of the potential I possessed.   And though I'd like to keep that discussion private, something keeps wanting to make it's way out and that is the gratitude I feel for having made this connection.  This blast from my past brought back so many fond memories.  Our chat caused me to think about how far I've come...

So it's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I love, love, love California.  The weather, the beaches, the mountains, the sailors, oops I mean the sunsets, are just a few of the attractions that bring me back every summer and sometimes spring, and well, if I'm being honest, the fall too. In addition to the places to see and the fun to be had, I also have a great group of people I come to share my time with, my Cali family.  They are, without a doubt, the reason I'm able to spend so much time here.  They make me feel at home and since I've outgrown the title of guest, I do laundry, cook, clean and give occasional rides to work.  Like my cousin says, "That's in exchange for the suite you stay in upstairs." (His room is no where near a suite but I'm not complaining.  Love you Cuzn!)  And although I do all the things I would be doing at home, the love and support I receive from this crazy Cali family is what makes my stay so enjoyable...they spoil me ...