Oh Random Spark of Insanity..

Isn't it funny, how sometimes a random post can pop up in your newsfeed that will inspire your creativity, or spark a memory?  

"The Reason Why My Daughter May Punch Your Son" got my attention from the get-go for its screaming headline but more than that it got me thinking of some very similar advice that I'd grown up with. 

As the eldest daughter of a single Dad I was taught to stand up and be counted, to not be afraid to escalate an issue if I wasn't getting anywhere at the level I was at, and to always ALWAYS trust my gut.  I can still hear my Dad telling me that it would never steer me wrong,  though I can remember a great many times when I'd shushed it and gone another way and it always bit me on the butt.  Live and learn, I suppose.  

Not surprisingly, most of my friends growing up were male, though there were a few gal-pals in there.  I'd been known to give a solid punch when I'd get snuck up on to be tickled.. all part of the training.  

In my 20's I was down visiting my Dad and some of his buddies were over.  I think I was playing with the dog and I overheard one of Dad's friends ask him if he worried about me.  I was only half paying attention but at that moment one of Dad's friend's snuck up behind me and tried to tickle me/scare me (I was never sure which) but he'd caught me off guard and I'd spun around and smacked him across the back of the head.  I'd heard my dad laugh and tell his friend that no, he didn't worry about me. I could take care of myself.  

I sometimes wonder if we've done our kids a horrible disservice in advocating an observe and report attitude in an attempt to "do the right thing" or if perhaps a good punch would have ended it and burnt off some stress too.   So many stories coming home of having been labelled a snitch, or things getting ignored, and having the victim be turned into the problem.  So much frustration and eventually anger and nothing we could really do about it.  Our cries fell on deaf ears too.  

I am thankful, however, that our kids were born at a time when kids weren't all attached to their phones and tech 24/7.  There is little filter to what some will post, and what others deem as appropriate to share.  

I can only wonder what the future holds for our grandkids in this crazy instant world with little patience, and  so much anger.  Thankfully there is still a lot of love; we can only hope that it's enough to carry them through. 

Hang onto your hats! 

Happy Monday.. Uhm Tuesday!

It is Tuesday. It feels like a Monday. Way too much to do, and not nearly enough time to do it in. Everybody is overrun and exhausted by a very busy weekend but the show must go on, right?

My list is ever-growing, and I know I'm the one to blame since I'm the one holding the pen but I am certain I am preaching to the choir on that one.

I was pretty jazzed to have gotten some work done last night before bed, despite an elevated pair of legs and a swollen foot. I got a jump on a bit more this morning before the day woke up.

Somewhat of a tough start to the day. I'm not fond of those nights that turn into mornings where you feel like you haven't slept at all but you know you did. Day seemed to start off in its usual fashion but then I noticed the dog had left a puddle at the front door, despite a perfectly good (and clean) puddle pad in the bathroom. Baby woke up super squishy as we've come to call it and just as I got all his wet clothing off he took a turn for the hall and went to see what grandpa was doing.

The next thing I hear is Grandma, I pee! (Oh crap!) I ask where and he says "Right there" pointing to the puddle on the floor by his feet. We were off to a fine start. Got him washed down and dressed. He wasn't happy to have missed the ritual of waving bye bye to Grandpa as he goes off to work but I wasn't taking a naked baby outside to wave. I can only imagine where that would have gotten me.

I've begun to stress about the growing to-do list that I had to deal with today, the meeting I know I won't be able to make tonight and about a milliion other things piling up for the next week or two. I am bad for looking too far ahead sometimes. While sometimes it is a great thing, sometimes is just.. isn't.

Baby wants to watch tv so I settle him into that while I get him some breakfast and his sippee cup. He gets about 2 minutes into 3 different shows and decides they're not what he wants. He doesn't want any of his usual breakfasts either. He finally settles on toast and brings me the peanut butter. I ask if he wants peanut butter and he says yes please. I make it and he says no thanks. Somewhere he decided peanut butter made good finger paint and I have to admit that this made me laugh out loud. It's hard to be mad at a child that's got a wide old grin on his face as he wiggles his tickle fingers at you..

The morning's adventures were compounded by a rather nasty e-mail from someone who clearly should have known better hot to behave but chose not to. In turn, he got a morning dose of Tammy's bitch hat. It seemed reasonable considering.

I've always considered myself to be a people person, but as I get older I find that my tolerance for rude people and being treated badly aren't very high. There are far too many people out there screaming atop a soapbox that should certainly consider sitting down and shutting up. I hear my mother-in-law telling the kids "that's be quiet please" which makes me laugh..

I guess that's the good thing about rough mornings. Mornings turn into afternoons and if you look hard enough there is always ALWAYS something to smile at, something to be grateful for.

Hang on tight Tuesday! We're ready for you!