Winging it

by Mir on November 16, 2011 in Offspring: ecstasy and agony

There’s so much more I want to say about yesterday’s post, about this situation in specific and our society’s willingness to explain away predatory and aggressive behavior as something else, surely, he didn’t MEAN it that way and he would NEVER and by the way, what exactly was she wearing, hmmmm? But that will become a rant that never ends, in general; and in specific, I have pledged to sit on my hands until a satisfactory resolution is reached.

[I shared some of your comments here and from over on Off Our Chests with Chickie, by the way, and she was really surprised, I think, by the outpouring of support. (Which is a whole 'nother level of sad to this whole thing, but...) Thank you so much.]

I may have had a hubris-filled moment, in the last few days, when I said to Otto SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE EASY ONE. He may still be laughing at me.

And I probably deserve it. (more…)

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Comments { 38 }

Mama Bear ANGRY

by Mir on November 15, 2011 in My name is Grumplestiltskin, Offspring: ecstasy and agony

Yesterday I was crazed, swamped with work I’d put off all weekend, trying to carve out a spot in the afternoon to write here. Because although I write for a living, writing HERE is what keeps me sane and grounded (despite periodic exclamation-point-riddled evidence to the contrary).

But then my work day got cut short, because Chickadee—who has been doing her very best recently to make me reconsider selling her to the circus—texted me from school. During school. Which was weird. And it got weirder. And my baby wasn’t okay, and despite weeks of clashing wills and shrill shrieking about how I am the worst mother ever, when all was said and done last night, my nearly-as-tall-as-I-am teenager curled up in my lap and hugged me hard and whispered, “Thank you,” because when push came to shove, she knew that Mama had her back. Because I do, always.

Now I’m left waiting to see what happens next, and fairly vibrating with rage in the meantime. Until we reach a conclusion here, all I feel comfortable saying is that some situations call for a righteous anger, and I will do my damndest to teach my daughter that if someone tries to shame her for someone else’s actions, she has the right to get good and pissed.

(I shared this over at Off Our Chests because I wanted to make sure other teenagers see it. But this is one I hope you’ll click through to read, especially if you have kids.)

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Comments { 28 }

Party at my place! Except not!

by Mir on November 12, 2011 in It's not a regret, it's an "experience"

I thought today was a very boring day—I never even got dressed, to tell you the honest truth—but it all just got a lot more exciting ’round here.

Apparently I’m throwing a HUGE party. I’m sorry I forgot to invite you, but I didn’t even know myself until a few minutes ago. I guess I could invite you NOW, but I fear the party’s been canceled. I’m a party pooper!

Okay; let me back up. After watching about a billion hours of Pitbulls and Parolees with Chickadee this afternoon (spoiler: pitbulls are nice! as are some parolees!), Monkey said he was hungry and I told him to go ask Otto what he wanted for dinner. After a brief discussion, Otto offered to go out and pick up pizza and wings, which was fortuitous as 1) there was nothing good to eat in the house and 2) the rest of the family was still in pajamas.

Food was fetched, and we were all sitting here eating happily when the phone rang. (more…)

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Comments { 38 }

Twang-a twang TWANG twang

by Mir on November 10, 2011 in What do I do all day?

I had noble intentions of putting together a deeply meaningful—but also hilarious, natch—post for your enjoyment, yesterday, but my day was derailed by a multitude of more pressing matters.

True, probably the least of my worries was the subcontractor who is out on the deck painting (did I mention that we replaced our siding while redoing the deck? because we did, because why not spend every last penny all at once!) and BLARING country music all freakin’ day long.

Part of me feels like: Hey, this is my house, and not only that, this is my OFFICE, and I am trying to work, and therefore I am well within my rights to ask him to please turn his music down (or off).

But the other part of me feels like: Dude is probably being paid minimum wage by the contractor, let him listen to some music while he spends hours and hours moving a paint brush back and forth, and P.S. don’t be a dick. (more…)

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Comments { 34 }

After this, less death

by Mir on November 8, 2011 in Haven't been hit by lightning yet!

Okay, tomorrow I swear we shall return to things less death-and-despair themed. Probably. Not that I’m ever going to be Little Susie Sunshine, but I’m starting to depress myself.

That did not, however, stop me from ruminating a bit on murder (oh goodie, more death!) today over at Off Our Chests. Sorry.

Tomorrow: Kittens! Bunnies! Rainbows! And possibly Licorice’s new doggie door, and the hilarity therein.

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Comments { 3 }

Small town life (and death)

by Mir on November 7, 2011 in It's not a regret, it's an "experience"

One of the things I didn’t share recently, because I was worried it would make things harder for them, was that a few weeks ago my folks lost their dog. (You remember Buddy, right? He showed up for my birthday, wearing a tiara!) Buddy was having a hard time moving around when they were here in August, and in dog years he was already somewhere between “geriatric” and “Methuselah,” but that didn’t make it any easier to see him go. I cried when I found out, and he’s not even MY dog. He was just one of those wonderful creatures you can’t help but love, and even though his time had come and I’m certain he’s enjoying unlimited rawhides and squirrels and all the butts he can sniff in doggie heaven, it’s hard.

I was worried about my folks, too—especially my stepmom. My dad is better at compartmentalizing (that comes with the Y chromosome, right?), plus he’s out of the house at work nearly every day, whereas my stepmom is more like me and home all the time, feeling the Buddy-less void left behind. So it was with a small squeal of joy and maybe a sigh of relief that I read the email announcing their new puppy last week. The kids were excited, too, and I thought “Well, then. Circle of life. It’s sad, but it’s okay, and now there’s another dog to love, and life goes on.” It’s overly simplistic to say this, but in many ways the new puppy “fixes” this in my kids’ minds. (more…)

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Comments { 33 }

Five fortunately/unfortunatelys on Friday

by Mir on November 4, 2011 in It's not a regret, it's an "experience"

1) Unfortunately, our Internet is mysteriously down. Fortunately, my favorite coffee shop has both Internet AND pumpkin lattes.

2) Unfortunately, writing a post about Chickadee’s relative good health angered the Germ Gods, and she is home sick today. Fortunately, she’s old enough that I can spend a little time saying “Poor, poor little bunny” and then tuck her into bed with the dog and leave the house to work.

3) Unfortunately, I kind of sort of fell in a creek while on a forest exploration with Monkey and Hippie School yesterday. Fortunately, that was pretty much the worst thing that happened all day.

4) Unfortunately, after two weeks of smooth and flawless work on our deck, yesterday while I was out the construction crew apparently tacked up some trim work with their eyes closed. Fortunately, it should be easily fixed. I think.

5) Unfortunately, the school auction I’m heading up is eating up all my time and energy and really stressing me out. Fortunately, it’s almost over.

Viva la Friday!

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Med update, with bonus weirdness

by Mir on November 2, 2011 in Offspring: ecstasy and agony

Remember the whole “Now we are going to put you on a medicine that requires regular blood tests and also for you to swear a solemn oath that you are using two forms of birth control even if you aren’t sexually active” thing? And the whole “Oops, maybe you’re allergic to the dye in the generic!” thing?

Chickadee has been on the new med for over a month, and she is… rash-free. No side effects. Two rounds of blood work have been endured without too much drama, and her lab results show her organs are tolerating the med well. It’s unclear if this will continue to work for her, of course, but right now we are not-even-that-cautiously optimistic. This is HUGE. So there are many little victory dances happening ’round here. Sure, it took four years, but if this works for any length of time at all, YAY. (more…)

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Comments { 34 }

The good, the bad, and the Halloweenie

by Mir on November 1, 2011 in Haven't been hit by lightning yet!, Oh look! Something furry!!

The GOOD news is that I found a deal on a huge sack of Sour Patch Kids (mmmmm… Sour Patch Kids) and it took less convincing than I thought it might to talk the kids into us all staying in last night. I know that probably makes me some sort of Halloween Scrooge, but whatever. I gave them each their own bowl of candy and everyone seemed happy and it just seemed easier.

The BAD news is that the dog really and truly hates us, now. Or at least she did until I gave her some peanut butter this morning. Which I guess cancels out the hate. But I’m putting some pics below the fold so that you can judge for yourself. Heh.

The HALLOWEENIE news is that I’m over at Off Our Chests today, talking about wearing a mask for Halloween. Obviously. Come on over and join the conversation, particularly if you’ve ever felt more at home wearing someone else’s face.

Now, for the Licorice lovers: (more…)

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Comments { 25 }

Insert uplifting conclusion here

by Mir on October 31, 2011 in It's not a regret, it's an "experience"

Have I mentioned lately how much I like all of you? Because I do. You’re a lovely bunch of super nice people I would like to have over for a party on my deck. I mean, once there’s actually guardrails and stairs, and stuff. Probably I would only be serving Chex Mix I got on clearance and three buck chuck from Trader Joe’s, but the LOVE, man, THE LOVE IN THE AIR would make it a party.

This is the part where I tell you that everything worked out splendidly. Life turned right around and all is flowers and sunshine. Wouldn’t that be great? But… yeah. No. We did, however, go out Friday night and listen to some great music and drink wine out of plastic cups (fancy!) and generally have a nice evening. So that was lovely.

Of course, it was raining pretty hard so the marching band left their away game early, and we were still out when Chickadee texted us that she was back at the high school and needed a ride. Because we’re responsible parents, I texted back that she should find someone else to give her a ride home. And you know what? She did. (more…)

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