Vomit

I'm going to warn you - this post might get a [little] out of hand. I mean well. Really, I do. But sometimes when I see things happen over and over and over again, I vomit. With words.

If you don't want to read any further, I'll leave you with this. My cousin said it best with her Facebook post the other day: Shitty parents disgust me.

If anyone reading this doesn't know me, I'm not married and I don't have any children of my own [but a nephew I spoil the crap out of]. So for this topic, some may say I don't have any room to talk. And for those who disagree with what I'm about to say, er, write...well, to each their own.

Last Sunday we had an ice storm. During this ice storm, two parents of an 8 month old and 2 year old, left their children at home [ALONE] to 'run to the store'. Well, as it turns out, the 2 year old was found outside. Outside! In a diaper. Alone. In an ice storm! Did it really take both parents to go to the store, or wherever they went, and did they really think it was perfectly okay to leave their two young children behind at home? Apparently.

Why do people who try and try and try [and deserve] to get pregnant have trouble, yet people who are nowhere near capable, ready, willing, excited [but disappointed and unhappy] get pregnant [once or multiple times]? It not only makes me sick, but breaks my heart into pieces when I hear stories on the news of abuse and neglect. When I see first-hand, some parents leaving their children for hours when they're off work, or when they get babysitters every single weekend. Don't get me wrong, mamas need their alone time whether it's a night on the town or 20 minutes to go tanning.

I realize that I will never know what it's like until I have children of my own, and I can only pray that [if one day I do become a parent] I do not fall under the category of these parents I've 'vomited about' above. A child is truly a blessing and they should be treated with love and affection, not disgust and neglect. Especially when they are so young and have their whole life in front of them. Nobody is perfect, but I know too many parents out there who like to portray themselves as 'mother of the year' by posting pictures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. My word vomit wants to continue, but I think it's best if I stop here. It isn't exactly fair for me to do this, but I couldn't help it.

Oh, and I don't mean for this post to look like I'm singling out mothers. Because I'm not, I know there are many dead-beat-dads out there who I hope will one day realize what they're missing out on.

Death

What a blunt title, right?

A couple weeks ago, the father of a very close family friend passed away after a short illness. I was beyond shocked and deeply saddened when I heard the news. [I found out via a Facebook post. However received an email earlier that day about him having another infection & not doing so well]. Dave didn't have any grandchildren, but I always called him 'Grandpa Dave' [and Grandma Mave].

It's never easy to lose someone you care about. And for some reason, my brain goes overboard and a million things run in and out of it. I think I had such a hard time with this because Cindy was her daddy's little girl. And, at the wake, she cried so hard when she hugged my dad. [His dad passed away when my dad was just 9 years old].

But, Dave was ready. He didn't want to hurt or suffer any longer. Nor did he want his family to. At what point do you decide to trust in God when it's a life and death situation? No matter if it's yourself or a loved one, it's hard to not be selfish. Hold on to the photos, items, stories and memories of those close to you and never let go, for they will be with you forever.

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."

Obviously

Happy New Year!

It's quite obvious that I suck at blogging. Seriously. BUT, one of my '2013 goals' is to write [blog] more. The funny thing is, the majority of my goals have either the word 'less' or 'more' .. I suppose that's why they're a goal, huh?

What Do You [Want To] Know?

..I fell off the face of the [blog] world yet again. Between having the flu for a WEEK, my best friend breaking her foot, year-end at work, and welcoming some [somewhat-temporary] roomies to 3412, to say I've been busy is an understatement. I don't know how bloggers do it. Have enough to post days each week, while working and taking care of themselves and their families.

Writing is something I genuinely enjoy doing, and this blog allows me to write when and what I want. The problem? I feel like I ramble and make no sense. My point? If you read this post, leave a comment with a question for me. This will give readers a chance to get to know me better, and at the same time let me have the satisfaction of completing a post with a purpose.

On another note, last Sunday I celebrated ONE year of home ownership! :)

Hello November, Hello Flu

So far, I'm not a big fan of November. I'm sick of being stuck at home. Sick of throwing up. Sick of not being hungry but wanting to eat everything I can't. Sick of being sick.

After missing two and a half days of work, my parents convinced me to go to the doctor. What's the point? I wanted to ask, I clearly have the flu...what are they going to tell me?

Well, after a two hour visit, a shot, a couple pokes, a prescription [and maybe a few tears] .. I'm back at home. Here's hoping I'm back on my feet soon, because I just might go crazy if I lay on this couch one more day.

Here's what I'm thankful for so far this month:
1- cell phone insurance. Due to my [horrible] luck with cell phones, see previous post. Seriously, at least 5 phones this year? #treachery

2- my Foundry supervisors.

3- past jobs: Happy Time Preschool and Daycare. I saw a grandparent of one of my Pre-K kids [at Target of all places]. Having a relationship with not only those kids but also their families is something I won't forget .. and this day proved they won't forget either. I'm beyond blessed to have shared in so many children's lives.

4- Starbucks. Red cups. Enough said.

5- my great Grandma Eunie's blanket.

6- [NOT] thankful for .. the FLU! But more than thankful for .. 1.a best friend/neighbor [Aimee] who brings me homemade soup, Gatorade and takes my temperature, even if she walks in the door covering her face. 2.a "brother-like" friend [Marky] who brings me Pedialyte popsicles [which are quite good I might add] and spends the night on the couch just in case I get sick again.

7- having the flu and therefore not voting in yesterday's election. I wasn't completely swayed either way, I'm not big on politics [I know, I know] and I wasn't about to wait in lines for over an hour. If I had voted, the outcome would be the same. I don't believe that one person, the President, runs our country on their own. Regardless of who was named our 44th President, Americans need to come together and support him. That's all I'm going to say, and don't worry, no more political posts or rants from me!

Movember

October is officially 'in the books' and November [or Movember] has arrived. I turned 25 last Friday and have decided to turn over a new leaf, aka: make some minor adjustments to life choices I make. For example: I have a problem [an addiction] with Target. I probably take trips down the street at least three times a week. And often enough, I purchase things I really don't need. I've also been eating out quite a bit lately, because "it's too hard to make food for just one person." Well, the excuses are out the window from here on out, or at least that's what I'm telling myself.

You want proof? Last week, I made chili, chicken tortilla soup, stuffed peppers. The stuffed peppers were so good, I decided to make more this week. I also made chocolate covered pretzels for 'Trick or Treating' at work!

To be honest, I don't think my Target trips will ever completely come to a stop - mostly because I don't have the patience to go to Wal-Mart and because I just need to get out of the house sometimes. Like last night, after I shattered my cell phone screen Trick or Treating.

So, in honor of November, Movember, or whatever you call this eleventh month, I will be doing a weekly What I'm Thankful For post. Happy November!

Birthday Week

For some reason, in my mind, a birthday isn't just a day, but rather a week [or month]. And this week just so happens to be my [25th] birthday week! My birthday is this Friday, October 26. Officially at 8:44PM, in case you were wondering. And wouldn't you know, I share the day with a fellow blogger!

My birthday week started last Friday, with...

a surprise visit from a good friend who joined the Navy and is currently stationed in Bahrain...and who I haven't seen in just over a year!

a little one enjoying his first hockey game [of the season], a Black Hawks win & letting the now-15-years-old boy I used to babysit drive my car home. He did great by the way!

So he wasn't a big fan of getting his picture taken with Tommy Hawk, but he did give him knucks!

a [few] beers, of course a pizza, great friends and random people, and several laughs at my favorite bar, Smitty's. "This ain't a soup kitchen, dawg!"

Stay tuned for more this birthday week!