Thursday Blurbs

1. There is nothing worse than getting up at 5:30am on Sunday morning, driving 40 miles to your son's soccer game only to have it be forfeited. Gah. Apparently our team's coach was in L.A. for the weekend and the person (part time coach and trainer) whom he entrusted the coaching duties to, totally flaked and decided not to be bothered with the early morning, out of town game, and didn't show up. Which would have been fine, there were plenty of people (who also made the early morning trek to watch their sons game) who could have stepped up and ran the game. Oh, but wait. We also had no player passes and we cannot play without those.

2. Fortunately I was able to come home and watch football on TV. Whoohoo! Game of the week Baby. The Niners outlasted and out-dueled the undefeated Detroit Lions. Great, exciting game and everything I hoped for. And, as an added bonus, the Raiders won their game too. They are looking very good as well.

3. Hahahahahahahaha.... this!

4. We had a meeting yesterday at work to resolve some communication issues we (our department) are having with another employee. This person is (as my coworker labeled her aptly among other colorful words) cantankerous. Just a miserable human being. But I have to tell you that I have found a new level of respect for this person because she must be damn good at her job. She must have a skill set above and beyond anyone in this region. During this meeting she went absolutely ape sh*t and wouldn't shut up. She talked over me, interrupted me, yelled at a VP, argued with the CEO and was completely contemptuous, vile and out of control. Yet? She still has a job. What is the lesson here? Besides being a spoiled and over-indulged child, she is (she must be) the most valuable employee this company has ever seen. They must pay her her own weight in gold. They are probably apologizing to her right now so that she doesn't resign. I love my job.

5. I see they finally found Gadhafi. 42 years of terror that man imposed on his own people. He was a bizarre one wasn't he?.

6. I'm such a geek but I can't wait for Breaking Dawn to come out. I'm a little perturbed that they are doing the whole two part thing like Harry Potter... but I guess they kind of have to if they want to follow everything in the book.

7. I seem to be scrambling here for things to blurb about so I'll just end it right here. Happy Thursday!

The Story Behind My Current Facebook Profile Pic - Writing Workshop

Mama Kat's Writing Workshop. This week's choice from the weekly prompts is:

4) Share the story behind your current Facebook and/or Twitter profile photo.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I was actually looking for a simple pink ribbon image to display as my Facebook profile picture for the month of October. However, I came across this image (above) and decided to steal borrow it instead. I think it is simple, yet very poignant and sums up my feelings about this disease in a nutshell.

Everything about cancer sucks. Being sick, hearing the diagnosis for the first time, the fear, the anger, the unknown, going through treatments, the hospitals, the doctor visits, and having your whole world come crashing down. It sucks for family and it sucks for friends. How dare this disease attack someone I care about? IT. SUCKS.

It seems we have all been touched by this disease in one way or another in our lives. We have lost dear friends, family members, neighbors, community members, co-workers or acquaintances. It affects the rich, the poor and everyone in between. We may know people that are battling it right now. We mourn those that fought the good fight and lost. We cheer for those that are kicking and have kicked it's ass. There is no deeper or darker loss and I don't think there is any sweeter victory, available to us in this lifetime, than beating cancer.

I lost my mom seven years ago to ovarian cancer. Yesterday would have been her 46th wedding anniversary. There are times, even now, when I think about calling her up and telling her something that I think she would find amusing. And then? I remember she is no longer with us. In those moments, when I realize I can't talk to her, I find myself having to catch my breath. It's like having little segments of losing her all over again. And yes, it sucks. I lost my grandmother over twenty years ago to lung cancer. It was long before I met my husband and long before I had children. However, as my children grew up I always wished she could have known them. She would have really enjoyed them. My oldest son is so much like her. They would have been best friends.

So, in memory of my late mother and grandmother... I proudly display the "cancer sucks" beanie baby image as my current Facebook profile picture.

Security Cameras

Both of my kids were accused of misdeeds at school this week. Two seperate incidences at two different schools. Both were absolved because of security camera footage. I'm still processing all of my thoughts and feelings concerning this. On the one hand, I don't like the fact that they were both falsely accused, brought into the office and that I was never contacted from either school. In one case my son was even interviewed by the police.  On the other hand, I do realize what the schools are up against. Kids are out of control and the school administrations are just trying to get to the bottom of all the bad behavior. I get it. It is what I find myself trying to do half the time in my own house.

The first incident happened at the high school. There were some kids throwing eggs and water balloons and unfortunately, a teacher got hit. Afterwards someone identified Alex on the camera footage and he was brought in to the office. he, of course, denied any involvement and they told him that they had him on tape. My son, the future lawyer, demanded that they show him the security tape in his presence.  After sitting there for nearly two class periods they finally tracked down the correct segment and showed it to him in front of the principal. After watching it closely it was obvious they had the wrong kid and that it wasn't my son. "I told you, it wasn't me. Can I go to class now." He told them in what I hope was a very stern tone of voice (I know it was when he re-told the story to me). The next day he was brought in again and was interviewd by the police. This time they were asking for his help to identify the people that were actually involved.

The second incident happened at the middle school. My 8th grader was walking down the stairs and he tripped over a back pack, fell and landed awkwardly as he tried to keep his balance. One of the assistant principals, "Mr. Doom," approached him and said "I saw what you did. How many times do I have to tell you not to jump down the stairs?"
"Um," Jacob said. "You've told me once."
"Once should be enough. Come with me to the office." Mr. Doom told him. Jacob tried to tell him that he tripped, but Mr. Doom isn't much of a listener.
When they got to the office Mr. Doom brought Jacob to the security monitors and told him that they were going to watch the security tape and asked him what should happen to him if the tape showed him jumping down the stairs. Jacob told him he could give him detention for the rest of the year.
"That isn't going to happen. Seriously, what should happen to you?"
"Fine," Jacob said. "Give me Friday school for the next three weeks."
"Are you sure?" Mr. Doom sneered (in my imagination he sneered).
"I'm sure," Jacob smiled sweetly (in my imagination he smiled sweetly)
They watched the video and just like Jacob said, he tripped over a backpack and fell down the last few stairs.
"I'm sorry Jacob. You can go." Mr. Doom said.

Since both of these incidents happened one right after another it got me thinking. And now?

I am SERIOUSLY considering installing security cameras inside my house. Imagine the possibilities. I could totally catch that "It Wasn't Me" guy, his twin "Not Me" or their buddy "I Don't Know."

It's The Thought That Counts

Although, sometimes it's not.

My son, well, both of them actually, is a smart-ass. He's 16 so don't be offended, please.

One of the ways he likes to drive me crazy is to take things, especially cliches, out of context.

"Alex, you haven't cleaned your room." I will say to him on any random day, because his room is never clean.

"I know," he'll say. "It's the thought that counts."

"Um? No, it's really not."

Or let's talk about his huge stack of laundry that he agreed to tackle on his own. "Alex, have you started your laundry? I need to start a load."

"No."

(Grrr.) "Why not?"

"It's the thought that counts." 

No, it really isn't.

There aren't many victories in my life these days so I sort of have to take them when I can get them. One of the ways I can find satisfaction in a good "win" is when I can make one of my kid's words come back to bite him. It's small and petty of me, but, like I said one of the only things I have left. Raising teenagers has left me without much pride.
"Did you get me anything from the store?" He asked me one day when his brother and I returned from the store and he noticed him eating some red vines.

"No." I said with my sweetest smile. "I did think about it though, and it's the thought that counts, right?"

Discontented Birds

Most Quotable Friday

A Collection of tweets from my Twitter timeline...

1. You've got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.

2. Most people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them.

3. It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose.

4. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.

5. There are 6,775,235,741 people in the world. Why let one ruin your life?

6. If anyone can put the “i” in “Team” it’s Apple.

7. God put me on this Earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I am so far behind I will never die.

8. Don’t judge a book by its movie.

9. If you don’t have a sense of humor, then you might not have any sense at all.

10. “If you don’t know what you are doing wrong, you can never know what you are doing right.” ~ Chen Xinhua

11. Behind my smile is everything you'll never understand.

Thursday Blurbs

1. Last week (in addition to being sick) Alex was without his phone for a couple of days. He had lost it at school. I couldn't figure out why, in the morning, I would come out for my coffee and the TV would be on. Did my husband turn it on before he left for work and forget to turn it off? I finally asked Alex if he had turned on the TV. He told me he had. "Why?" I asked. "So I could check the weather since I can't check it on my phone." Duh.

2. Also from Alex when we were buying lottery tickets last Friday... "Do you know the first thing I am going to do when I turn 18?" "Buy a lottery ticket?" I answered. "Yeah, and watch, I'm going to win. The first time." That is such great news! I only have to be poor and struggling through this recession for two more years. Whew.

3. If someone would have said before the NFL season started that the week 6 match up between the  49ers and the Detroit Lions would be a pivotal match up between two of this season's heavy weights? I, along with many other football fans, would have had them committed. But, it's true. the Niners are 4-1 and Detroit is unbelievably 5-0. Tune in on Sunday. Go Niners!

Al Davis 1929 - 2011

4. I have been guilty, as have many Bay Area sports fans, of how do I say, making colorful statements about how the Oakland Raiders needed to get rid of their owner Al Davis who seemed to be keeping his team hostage in the glory days of the 70's and not bringing them into the 21st century. Mr. Davis passed away early Saturday morning and I was humbled by his team's response and how much they cared for him. Rest in peace Mr. Al Davis.

5. Let's not forget opening night for the San Jose Sharks. Amazing! Everything I would have hoped for in their 6-3 win, with exception to the three power play goals they gave up... but I'm sure the team will approach this internally. It is only the first game. 81 regular season games left to get that worked out. Go Sharks!

6. A very significant lady in my family passed away early Monday morning. My Great Aunt Nan. I received an e-mail early Monday morning from my Aunt Sue telling me the news of her passing. May you rest in peace Auntie Nan. God has released you from your suffering and I would like to say thank you for the blessings you have placed in my life and in the life of those I love.

7. Guess what junior hockey player dude did? He made it to the Gold division of his hockey league. He is playing with kids a year older... so this is quite the vote of confidence and going to be a big challenge for him. This is a difficult sport to have your child in. On the one hand I am so proud, on the other hand I am scared that he is going to be broken in half by some kid that has actual meat on his bones... unlike my skin and bones kid who thinks his protruding rib cage is a six pack.

8. Jacob has just recently read my "Body Snatchers" post. He  is both "offended" and "intends to sue." *Sigh*

A List of Things You Should Never Ask Your Spouse - Writer's Workshop

 

For this week's writing prompts from Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop I was going to choose:

4) What was the last thing your child cried about? Write a blog post about the problem in the voice of your child. 

But? The last time my 16 y/o cried was when his girlfriend broke up with him and that's kind of personal... so I won't go there. The last time my 13 y/o cried was um, well, that story doesn't put me in a very good light... so we'll just skip that prompt and opt for:

1) A list of things you should never ask your spouse.

 Let's see...

1. I never ask my husband whether he wants to hear the "good news" first or the "bad news" first. He always gets the order, in which I want to tell it, wrong.

2. I never ask my husband to go to the movies. He always falls asleep in the theater.

3. I never ask my husband to watch a movie at home. He falls asleep on the couch (my husband is not much of a movie person).

4. I never ask my husband if he wants chicken for dinner. He doesn't eat poultry. An aversion since childhood. At Thanksgiving he gets his own steak.

5. I never ask my husband how he feels about the dog. Their relationship is... complicated.

6. I never ask my husband anything after he has gone to sleep. He is a very light sleeper and if he wakes up for any reason, he can't go back to sleep for the rest of the night. Shhhhhh.

7. I never ask my husband what he wants for Christmas or for his birthday. He likes to be surprised.

8. I never ask my husband to do anything around the house that one of our kids can do.  It's an advantage to having teenagers. There aren't many. This is one.

9. I never ask my husband to pose for or let me take a picture of him. He doesn't like to take pictures. I had to pinch his butt to get him to smile in our wedding photos. Well? It was more of a smile/grimace. True story. He has yet (for the 19 years we've been married) to forgive  me.

10. I don't ask my husband to watch reality/contestant shows like American Idol or America's Got Talent. He thinks they are set up and not real.

So? That's my list and maybe a little insight in to my life and marriage that you didn't ask for, nor probably wanted to know.

You're Welcome.

Starting From Scratch: The List

I had another Monday morning meltdown this week with my just-became-teenaged-middle-schooler. He wasn't ready for school on time (again), a big blow-up ensued and afterwards I had to take a really hard look at myself and the situation. Because? Something needed to change.

The first thing I decided (duh) was to not give him his phone or iPod in the morning. He is already required to turn them into me at night before he goes to bed. This prevents (as you can imagine) late night texting, web browsing, game playing and movie/video watching. My mistake has been giving them back to him first thing in the morning. Prior to melting down this last Monday, he was obsessed with getting his iPod to charge and spent 20 minutes laying on his bed messing around with the wire, looking for another one and who knows what else, instead of getting ready for school.

The next thing I decided (yay me) was to make a list of everything he needs to do in the morning from the time he wakes up until it is time to leave the house for school. A basic list. A common sense list really, but apparently one that he needed, as a little refresher.

Wake up at 6:45

1. make bed
2. get dressed
3. pick up room
4. get back pack ready
5. eat breakfast
6. brush teeth
7. brush hair
8. get phone back from mom (when there is visible proof that #'s 1-7 have been taken care of)

Leave for school at 7:30

Today (in the morning) was a breeze. He was ready by 7:22.

I wish these were the only things I had to do in the morning...

Dream Crusher

I have always encouraged my kids to follow their dreams. I tell them they can be whatever they want to be. Professional athlete? Yes, of course! A Police officer? Sure, why not? Video game designer? Absolutely.
Apparently I have been slacking in my enouragment and support lately. Why? Because, let's be honest. I know these kids better than anyone and there are just some things they will never be cut out for.
I didn't really think I was invoking permanent damage or lowering their self esteem by pointing out the obvious, but maybe I was.

"Thanks Mother, for crushing my dream."  My 13 year-old recently told me. Oh, lord help me.

"I'm just being honest," I said. "I'm just trying to save you time and heartache when it doesn't work out,"

"You are so mean." he said (he was a pre pubescent drama queen in his former life).

His dream that he shared with me?

To be an ice cream taster.

The boy has never tried any flavor in all his 13+ years, except vanilla. How can he possibly be an ice cream taster if he won't try any flavor other than vanilla? That's all I told him. He had to know the truth before becoming invested.

His other idea on a completely separate date and time was to be a food critic. Um? He is the pickiest eater E-V-E-R. He has never eaten a vegetable willingly or without being bribed with the promise some sugary treat in his immediate future. "How can you possibly be a food critic?" I told him. "What if you have to eat vegetables? How can you critique them fairly and without bias?" I asked him.

"Thanks for killing another dream, mother." He responded.

Other dreams I have crushed include but are not limited to the following:

Janitor - Neither kid can pick up after themselves or keep their room clean for longer than 10 minutes. Also, I don't know why either of them thought this would be an "easy job." I offered both of them the opportunity once to follow me around for a day and help me clean the toilets and showers... they both politely declined.

Singer - That one is my fault. Genetics. I could spend $1,000,000 on voice lessons for them and it would never help. Not that either has ever shown the desire, interest or passion. It only came up when we were watching American Idol auditions and they thought they could do better. Still, I crushed that "dream" too.

Dog Walker - They'd have to pick up the poop. "Ew," I think was the response.

Another crushed dream

To have a port-a-potty in the back yard. Don't ask me why this was ever a "dream," but when I said "no," my reputation as a "dream crusher" was sealed.

I kind of feel bad about it. I've promised myself to be more encouraging in the future. I mean, if they want to have a port-a-potty in their back yard someday, you know, at their own house? Well...I  totally support that.

Let their future wives' be the dream crushers. I'll just be the crazy, old MIL that encouraged their husbands' dreams... but not crazy enough to use their backyard port-a-potty (unless it is an extreme emergency, of course).

Just Because It's Cute...

Most Quotable Friday

Twitter Treasures from my timeline...

1. A person who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.

2. If you worry about yesterday’s failures, then today’s successes will be few.

3. Do not damage yourself knowing it can make you forget your problem because if you forget it, it will be your worst nightmare.

4. When you’re not grateful, you start to become hateful.

5. Every problem will pass if you let it pass, but if you just leave it and do nothing, it will be a problem forever.

6. “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” ~ Margaret Thatcher

7. “I never worry about action, but only inaction.” ~ Winston Churchill

8. I don’t want you to be the victim of circumstance; I want you to be the owner of the moment.

9. The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the stupidity of your action.

10. Not sure which pants to wear today — smarty or fancy?

11. I can’t face my checkbook so I check my Facebook.

Thursday Blurbs

1. In keeping with the main blurbing theme over the past few weeks... only 2 1/2 days until the SJ Sharks first game! OMG, OMG... it is taking so long! I can't begin to curb my enthusiasm for this upcoming moment. Let's just hope they don't have a disappointing opening because I will not be fun to live with.

2. Great news! The scary-shaved-head-tattoo-gang-banger-parollee guy who kidnapped my dog has moved out of the neighborhood! The place is completely empty and is I'm guessing, awaiting the next delinquent tenant to come along.  Wow, is that a relief, or what? I can now roam the neighborhood with my dog and not have to look over my shoulder for the scary guy that I put in jail and might want to kill me. For background into why this means so much to my sanity please read here and here for  the whole sorted story.

3. Of course it would have been nicer if I knew, you know, weeks ago when he actually moved out. Because that is how long Jacob has known and forgot to tell me. It would have been really great for my peace of mind to have known something like that... but I guess the little alien being, that has taken over my son's body and turned him into a teenager, doesn't think about those things. Sigh.

4. So, important lesson learned last week: Don't try and double dip with your parking garage pass. That is, don't let someone out of the garage without paying and then try and exit yourself. Don't ask me how I know these things. All this wisdom comes with age. That's all I'm saying.

5. Alex has been sick. He started coming down with something Monday night and by Tuesday he couldn't get out of bed. He stayed home from school yesterday too. It might have to do with the fact that he lost his phone on Monday... but I don't think even that made him this sick. The worst thing about him being sick is that I, instead of being sympathetic, am worried that I'm going to catch whatever he has. I am no good to anyone when I am sick, so I will be like last year, and not get sick. And so it is written, and so it shall be.

6. Just for the record... Austria is NOT a mini country inside Australia. It might come up in conversation one of these days when you least expect it, so... you're welcome.

7. Yesterday was the passing of a Bay Area legend. Rest In Peace Mr. Steve Jobs. You may no longer walk this earth but your legacy will live on for generations to come.

8. I've been working on the post that I published yesterday for a couple of weeks now. Just when I've had it and want to call it quits with these kids... one of them posts on Facebook  that "he has the coolest mom ever and that is why he loves me so much." Where all his friends can see.  It's true. I couldn't believe it either.

9. Yesterday some maniac in Cupertino went in to work at a rock quarry with an AK-47 and opened fire. All morning they were reporting it on the news. He got away, carjacked a car and shot the woman who was driving it. As of last night... he hadn't been found. 8 injured and 2 confirmed dead. My question is shouldn't there be a better term for someone like this other than "disgruntled employee?"

The Body Snatchers...

...That have taken over the bodies of my sweet boys and turned them into teenagers.

Alex (left) age 3 and Jacob, age 9 months

 As of September 19th, both my boys officially became teenagers. The oldest, now 16, and the youngest, who may as well have been a teenager for the last year-and-a-half, just turned 13. My boys! My pride and joy. Most of the time? I love this part of their lives. I have loved watching them grow up into the awesome, fun loving young men that they are. I love hanging out with them, I love watching them compete in their sports, I love hating the girls that call and text them  seeing them with their friends and I really enjoy their sense of humor. They are hilarious, honestly. Just ask them.

Alex , 16

Jacob, 13

But? There are times where I just want to go back to a simpler time when they were my sweet, little boys, or skip ahead to when they are autonomous and independent young men. Because, let me tell you something:

RAISING TEENAGERS SUCKS! 

Yes, I went there. Let me tell you why. Half the time they are driving me crazy with their messes, busy schedules, body & foot odor, hormonal outbursts, challenging my authority and tuning me out. The other half of the time they are purposely making me feel like I am going slowly insane by exploiting my unwavering trust in them, my forgetfulness, and my actual fondness of them. It's true. You can ask them.

Jacob, showing his hoodie head phones (really)

I am convinced that some villainous, alien beings have crept their way into my children's bodies and taken over. There are moments when I know, I just know with every last inch of my soul that they can't possibly be my boys. Not the ones I gave birth to, not the ones that were so cute, cuddly, content with life and definitely not the sweet-natured, well behaved boys that I know and love.

Alex, making a profile picture

These things that look like they could be my kids? They argue. With me, with each other. They lie, they talk back and they don't listen or hear unless it 100% benefits them in some way. They can be irrational and make absolutely no sense what-so-ever, but will not stop arguing... even when they are wrong. Even when they know they are wrong. Sometimes, they argue for sport... just to get under my skin. Especially the oldest. When I am having a discussion with him that is going nowhere and decide that I will kick him so hard that he'll never argue with me again am done, he says, "I win," and walks away with a smile on his face while I am left scratching my head and trying figure out what just happened.

Untamed, alien, monster beings. I am convinced. Please provide evidence internet, if you can, that I am wrong.

Their faces, once chubby and smooth are now chiseled and rough with facial hair and acne. That once sweet baby smell has become, ugh, somewhat of an odious, odorous nightmare, especially when you throw in competitive sports and competitive sports equipment..  There are seriously times when I have to drive home (one handed) from soccer practice covering my nose, with the window down (on the freeway) squinting through tears just from the awfulness and in-humaneness of it all.

Jacob age 3 1/2

Their voices, which used to be so sweet and adoring are now deep and man-like. They used to call me "mama" when they were babies and toddlers, then "mommy" when they were in elementary school. I am now referred to as "mother." I used to get angelic hugs out of the blue. Now, I get snuck up from behind and lifted up in the air against my will... just because they can. They used to jump up on my lap and snuggle with me when I was watching TV. Now, they tell me "I was sitting there," and ask me to move. Also? They used to watch fun shows (that I enjoyed too) like "iCarly" and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." Now they watch asinine MTV reality shows and skateboard competitions. Blech.

Alex (left) and Jacob ages 8 and 5

The younger one used to run to me in tears telling me how mean his big brother was being to him. Now? They just yell at each other (with their man-like voices), slam doors and more often then not, punch each other. I only step in if there is a threat of property damage. They used to ask permission if they could have a snack. Now, they just eat. Everything. 24 hours a day. Nothing seems to be off limits. Even the food that is off limits. Like, for example, the leftovers that I was going to re-heat for that night's dinner. Or, the food for my diet. 
They used to bring me random things to show their love and affection like interesting rocks they would find on the street, flowers or cute drawings and artwork from school. Now? They bring me detention notices, funky, diseased dishes from their room and my car keys. So I can drive them somewhere. They used to never think about girls or even want to talk to them. Now they argue over who is going to marry Megan Fox and discuss how "hot" Victoria Justice is. Excuse me? Also? They text, talk and flirt with girls and, *gulp*, go out with them.

Alex, age 5

They used to be so happy to see me. When I would come home they would race to see who would be the first to jump into my arms. "Mommy!" They would scream with delight and melt my heart. Now I sort of get the "head nod" and sometimes, if I'm lucky, even a "hey." The happy reunions in the evening are now reserved for just me and the dog. He, at least is ALWAYS happy to see me and not afraid to let me know. He is also my favorite child right now.

Nico, age 7, doesn't talk back

I look at them sometimes and realize just how, well, big they are. Not little boys, but not quite men.  These are not babies. Those sweet souls have been replaced with lethargic, moody, couch dwelling things with smelly feet that eat my food and give me attitude for my troubles.

There must be an experimental medical factory somewhere that manufactures these body snatchers. Then, whatever maniacal scientist that runs this evil facility, unleashes them on humanity when our children are at their most vulnerable. I.e., Middle school. As parents we are distracted by information packets, rules and instructions from seven different teachers. We are thinking about their first dance, what kind of music is on their iPod and wondering how do they (at age 12) know more about computers then we do. Meanwhile, their bodies are being taken over... right before our eyes and we don't notice until it is to late. Then, one day, out of nowhere, they have a complete meltdown right in front of your eyes, the likes of which you haven't seen since the age of 3 when you wouldn't buy them that thing, at the store, that one time.

There is nothing you can do at that point. The transformation is in place. You are powerless. You are a parent. OF A TEENAGER. Or? A body snatcher that has taken over your child. Either way, you are legally responsible until the age of 18, whether you like this person/thing or not.

Welcome to hormonal hell. Pull up a chair. Have a glass of wine.There are others here, you aren't alone. It's their world now. We are just observers and our only role is to make sure they don't have any fun. At all. It helps also if you are "totally unfair."

Today's Lesson...

Most Quotable Friday

Friday's most tweetable... strait up, and collected from, my twitter timeline.

1. May the itch of a thousand crabs affect the one who ruins your day and may their arms be too short to scratch it.

2. Survive now, cry later.

3. I'd like mornings a little better if they started a little later.

4. If you're too afraid to letting go, it means you are not ready for something new.

5. The road to success has many tempting parking places.

6. Sometimes we have to let go of the life we have planned, to have the life that is waiting for us.

7. Sometimes, you have to step outside of the person you’ve been and remember the person you were meant to be.

8. Once you lose yourself, you have two choices. Find the person you used to be or lose that person completely.

9. The brain is the most outstanding organ. It works for 24 hours, 365 days, right from your birth until you fall in love.

10. Don't judge me unless you've experienced what I have. Until then back off, because you have no idea.

11. I'm so busy, if something bad happens today, I won't have a chance to worry about it for two weeks.