Showing posts with label drivel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drivel. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2009

100


red jelly beans? 100 ounces? 100 minutes of peace and quiet? 100 freckles? 100 pages? 100 post-it notes? 100 t-shirts? 100 pennies? 100 steps to the mailbox? 100 idle seconds til I hear the word "MOM"? 100 repetitions of squats? 100 pistachios? 100 ...

100 blog posts!

100 days of writing... of releasing words... of mindless drivel.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Somewhere, Over the Rainbow


I am desperately seeking the end!
(Of the rainbow ... people) you know, the pot of gold! The big humongous ginormous pot of glistening gold. The one that is worth $947 per ounce.

Now I ask myself, why the hell do I prefer silver and platinum to GOLD??? BUT ... (insert WHINE and WINE) ... what about the cheap 18k gold in Kalkotta in 1991? The cheap 24k gold in Kuala Lumpur in 1989? The cheap 18k gold in Firenze? The gold bouillon in Macau in 1994?? ARGGHHHHH!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Life is NOT Fair


A totally overused cliche to describe something we WANT but do NOT receive:

bigger boobs
lipo'd thighs
botoxed lips
moneyed trees

Recently I discovered the true meaning of "Life is NOT Fair" when I accompanied my friend, Lander, to divorce court.

Wallace served Lander divorce papers as if she were the recipient of a Surprise 40th Birthday Party. After twenty-two years and two children, Lander was shocked, horrified, and bewildered.

Eight months later, Lander and I took our seats in front of the judge. Lander is in need of child support and alimony.

A few minutes later, a tall, striking woman approaches the bench. Wallace's lawyer? Wallace's new companion? Whoever she is, she is impeccably dressed with a definite air of plastic surgery-ness!

The judge taps her gavel three times (for effect). Lander Raney? Claudia Nicole Raney? Please stand!

I can no longer concentrate on the divorce proceedings. Wallace no longer exists. Wallace is now verified as Claudia Nicole on a social security card. Claudia Nicole has filed bankruptcy. There is NO money available to support their two children, presently or for college. Claudia has spent it ALL, having her "penis" chopped off.

(Lander is over the initial shock, but I am NOT! Claudia is lucky that I am not her ex-to-be. Because I have one word: REVENGE!)

Monday, June 8, 2009

natural habitation

Strolling in an amazing zoo, I pause for a photo opportunity.

"Oh, NO!" shouts my four year old. "He's eating my crackers!"

Head down, I continue to fiddle with my camera; lenses and settings, and I wonder why I have to reprimand another adult. "Please do not eat your daughter's snacks. That is all I have with us!"

"What?"

"What, what?"

"Mommy, Daddy, get them out!"











Lemurs on the Loose, "I like to move it, move it"!, as daughter vacates seat.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Response from Nescafe


Nescafe actually acknowledged my email request for 3-in-1 Strong. Maybe there is HOPE!

June 5, 2009
Dear Melissa,
Thank you for contacting Nestlé® on the Internet regarding availability. We welcome questions and comments from our consumers.
Each Nestlé market evaluates whether a product has the potential to be successful in their country in light of local consumer preferences. Nescafe 3-in-1 Strong is not currently distributed or sold in the United States by Nestlé USA. Although Nestlé does not offer direct sales, you may be able to search the Internet for sites that may offer foreign Nestlé products for direct purchase.
Our company strives to offer quality products and packaging to the greatest number of customers possible. We will report your comments to our marketing personnel.
We appreciate your interest in our products.
Sincerely,
Consumer Response Representative Ref: xxxxxxxxx


OR maybe not. Mommy brain has taken over both hemispheres and it never occurred to me to GOOGLE! I just bypassed the GOOGLE brainchild and went directly to Nescafe... who, more or less, reminded me to use my BRAIN! I located some 3-in-1 but it is from the Asia consumer market. And I know Europe and Asia are not the same continents. So, the 3-in-1 probably IS different. But considering I am completely depleted of my 3-in-1 stash ... the Asia Market may be better than NOTHING.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

YES! Si Hai Oui Ja Ken Ano Da


Staying Positive in a Negative Charged World. Is it possible?

It is truly amazing if any of our children grow up and adapt positive attitudes after mommies have to be negative all day long -- every single day, including weekends. Mommies are duds!

No, you cannot sit in the cat tower.
No, you cannot jump through the screen door.
No, you cannot bite the cat.
No, you cannot lick the dog.
No, you cannot paint the dog.
No, you cannot eat the toilet paper.
No, you cannot bathe in the toilet bowl.
No, you cannot draw on the floors.
No, you cannot drive the car.
No, you cannot play with those friends.
No, you cannot stomp on the flowers.
No, you cannot eat the dirt.
No, you cannot eat lollipops on the treadmill.
No, you cannot walk in puddles.
No, you cannot buy a horse.
No, you cannot wake the baby.
No, you cannot sing THOSE songs.
No, you cannot repeat THOSE words.
No, you cannot call your brother a dipshit.
No, you cannot phone your cousin in India.

No, in some languages, resembles the English word "NO". And definitely based upon enunciation and inflection, "NO" can easily be translated.

NO! No Iie Non Nein Lo Ne Ne



In order, the yes and no language translation: English, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Hebrew, Czech, Croatian.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

the derivational suffix


(Although this is an English lesson, due to the excessive use of ONE word ... this is rated PG-18 ... only for those who are eighteen and older ... and for those who do not easily pass judgement!)

The word of the month. A root word. A suffix. The word tends to flow freely from my lips as if i am reciting a beloved poem. It rolls off sweetly as if i am whispering the words "I Love You". Clearly, it just comes spewing from my mouth. I believe I was weaned on the word.

Ass. Not as in a body part (noun): bum, bottom, rear, behind, butt. Not as in a long-eared mammal. Yet, as in reference to a person (noun) or that person's action (verb).

My dictionary containing the profanity root word ass and its appropriate derivational suffix:


-ise; to make. assise. to make an ass. Please do not assise yourself in public.

-est; the most. assest. the most ass. Drunk friend C was the assest at happy hour.

-less; without. assless. without ass. Refering to one's junk in the trunk, "I'm not assless".

-ment; result, act of. assment. act of assing. The assment was inappropriate in public.

-ness; state of. assness. state of being an ass. Shopper lady's assness was unnecessary!

-ful; full of. assful. full of ass. What an assful one-sided conversation!

-ly; like. assly. like an ass. Another assly pick-up line!

-ify; to make. assify. to make an ass. See -ise: Please do not assify yourself in public.

-ism; belief, manner. assism. a belief in ass. Realism or assism, is it a fine line?

-ist; doer, dealer. assist. to be an ass. The ass- ist was busy pontificating.

-al; pertaining to, relating to. assal. to pertain to the ass. The assal's refusal was annoying.

-ology; study, science, theory. assology. the study of ass. The available online courses are biology, chemistry and assology.

-ity; state of, quality. assity. the quality of ass. His personality and assity is showing!

-hood; order, quality. asshood. the order of asses. This brotherhood of asshood is going to the dogs.

My dictionary using ass as the derivational suffix (without a precise definition, but all listeners understand its meaning): the most common verbiage heard in today's language. These derogatory words should only be used in the privacy of one's car, known as "car words". These car word expletives are necessary for keeping oneself sane. And once outside of the car, the smoke rises and all niceness returns to the tip of one's tongue.

dumb-ass, jack-ass, stupid-ass, freak-ass, lazy-ass, jerk-ass, crazy-ass, loser-ass, smart-ass, pompous-ass, skinny-ass, fat-ass, and insert-your-own-word + ass.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sugaritarianism

Allows only the ingestion of ONE food group: FATS - sugary and sweet junk foods for all your daily meals and snacks. All FAT foods are delivered to your plate directly from a prepackaged box! No prep! All eat!

I am contemplating a change in my current dietary habits. Lately, I am having a problem with the process of food preparation and meal consumption.


It begins like this:
Raw Chicken, Beef or Poultry
Trim
Cut into smaller pieces
Cook via baking, grilling, sautéing, broiling, roasting, or boiling
Dinner is served

I cannot eat. I am having an odd aversion to any type of raw meat product.

IF I prepare it, I cannot eat it. IF I do NOT prepare it, I can eat it. Why?

Does ANYONE have this issue?

This is not new for me. It has occasionally occurred over the last twenty years. And it has been occurring more frequently in the past five years. The nausea symptoms are progressing with every meal cooked. I gag. I pass. I avoid.

Do I need therapy for this raw meat aversion?

Luckily, my husband prepares the weekly salmon meal. Thankfully, my husband prepares the yearly turkey meals at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The cleaning of the turkey is another blog for another time!

Maybe I need to explore vegetarianism options. But all I can happen upon is Sugaritarianism!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Lucky Charm Revisited

Whatever happened to the superstitious feet? You know the ones that were mass produced into key chains. Dyed in a multitude of colors to suit your fancy. The lucky rabbit foot!

As a young child, a lucky rabbit foot appeared to be the “in” charm of the 70's. And if you were “lucky” enough to be a licensed driver, then you may have had a foot dangling from your keys (to ward off accidents? to ward off being locked out of your car? to put a hex on slow driver A?).

Of course, I was too young to drive but that did not alter my desire to have and carry a lucky rabbit foot. I just really wanted one!

My dad, an avid sportsman, improvised. He hunted dinner rabbits. And if we just happened to be served a game meal, then there was probably a foot somewhere to be had. Not just any foot. But the coveted left hind foot. The luckiest part of the rabbit – so the story goes. shhh! please don't call peta!

One night, as I was washing up for dinner, I noticed a peculiar gamy aroma coming from the kitchen. It was rabbit. (I detest game – any kind of game.) Despite my aversion to a rabbit meal, I was offered the trophy. A real rabbit foot. Not synthetic. Not dyed. It was rabbit colored. It was rabbit odored. It was a stick in your pocket and carry rabbit foot. I was happy … until my cat ran off with my lucky foot.

I suppose the foot did not provide me the gift of luck since I was not feeling particularly lucky. I still preferred the pink commercial foot. And my cat would not have run off with a fake foot.

On the other hand, perhaps, I was lucky. What nine year old kid wants to walk around with a foot in her pocket? So I held out... (not because I wanted to but because nobody bought me a foot!)

And good luck finally arrived by the time I was a legally licensed driver. Rabbit foot was OUT. Bottle-opener key chain was IN. Perfect for enabling the “drinking and driving” teenager phase. And, thankfully, that low-budget fad diminished fast enough and soon gave way to Gucci, the new IN for key rings.

Real (non-dyed) lucky rabbit feet can still be found at www.crookedcreekantlerart.com economically priced at $6.00. Perhaps, renewed luck would be on my side -- thirty years later. (IF I were a CPA, I would take note: a $4.00/7% annual/200% total increase over thirty years!)
Or see www.gucci.com for the classic key ring, now priced at $155.00. (a $90.00/7% annual/140% increase over twenty years! And IF I were a CPA, I would advise myself to buy one NOW because in ten years it may reach the 200% increase creating a new price of $200.00)

Or try some new luck and go for the Tiffany sterling silver heart for $235.00 or the Louis Vuitton classic Monogram Key Ring at $165.00. (Your husband will be thrilled that you gave up on the rabbit foot and held out for something memorable that he can surprise you with! And with my luck, I will be gifted the sentimental rabbit foot on my next birthday from my loving husband!!)









Monday, May 11, 2009

Ebi Odori (ay-bee oh-doe-lee)

After work one night, my Japanese friends and I go to a sushi restaurant. Aiko selects a "non-touristy" place located about an hour's train ride out of Tokyo -- into the suburbs.

I am brave when it comes to experimenting with Japanese cuisine unless, of course, it is plastic-like and chewy (squid and octopus come to mind).

Aiko asserts herself as the group leader and orders ebi (shrimp) for me because IT is one of my favorite food groups!

I am slowly sipping the sake that has been placed before me (YUCK) - but a few sips I will take to kill off any harmful bacteria that may be lurking in the sashimi or sushi. And then I will switch to green tea to further kill off any lingering bacteria (and who says diet coke is bad for you??).

My order of shrimp arrives. The chef delicately carries the platter and ceremoniously sets a tiny plate bearing ONE single shrimp before me with a deep bow. I feel special ... perhaps, because I am the only foreigner here and, oh, I am a teacher. The Japanese people love their teachers!

I rudely stare at this particular shrimp. It appears to be different. Than what? Seeing that I am a non-cook at this point in my life ... the shrimp just looks different from the shrimp that I eat back in the USA.

Aiko declares with happiness, "Ebi desu!" (Translation: it's shrimp!)

"Oh!" I proclaim back. "That explains the color, GRAY! It is Gray! Did someone forget to feed this farm-raised shrimp the stuff that turns them pink??" I am still staring at this shrimp. Where have I seen gray shrimp in my lifetime? Thankfully, the head (which includes the eyes) is removed prior to arriving at my seat.

I continue to ponder the Gray color. It is still Gray. No chameleon like changes going on here. The lone shrimp lays on a bed of rice adhered with wasabi. Resembles typical sushi.

All fourteen eyes are on me. Why? I know I need to eat this seemingly expensive gift shrimp.

I grasp my chopsticks.
And I place a stick on each side of the sushi.
I hold the tail with my left hand.
I pull the tail.

The tail did not come off?

I try again to remove the tail.

And just then, HOLY SHRIMP! The grayness jumps out of my grasp, off the rice, up into the air, performs an incredible aerial stunt, and lands back on my plate.

I fall off my stool.

"Shinjidarenai!" I scream. (Translation: I don't believe it! Honest, it is not holy shit or any other four-letter word residing on the tip of my tongue.)

"It is EBI ODORI!" Aiko shouts at me. I know what it is called but what is it?

It's dancing shrimp! (Translation: IT's ALIVE!!)

I am NOT eating that shrimp. I think I am going to vomit.

"Dozo," I offer Aiko the shrimp.

Aiko expertly takes the ebi odori into her chopsticks, places the shrimp into her mouth, pulls off the tail, and places the tail back onto the plate -- where it continues to dance (flipping all around the plate)!

I am going to vomit.

Aiko swallows the shrimp WHOLE.

I know I see the shrimp dance its way down Aiko's throat.

I do vomit.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

One Cow Please!

We’re building a home (some day, like in 2019) on a two-acre lot in a small city, thirteen miles southwest of Fort Worth’s city limit.

I’m not even sure it is really considered a city. Perhaps, a town? A village? A municipal? Colony? Commune? Hamlet?

Population 726.

When my family moves there (upon completion of said home), we will increase the population (that is, if nobody happens to move out). I never dreamed I would reside in a town equivalent in size to Victoria’s Elementary School (student population is 720).

There is one stop light. Two major roads. One gas station (which, thankfully, has a supply of diet coke and an available restroom). And four gated neighborhoods. That is it!

The neighborhood covenant is written in drivel (much more boring than mine!). Minimum home square footage, blah blah, maximum number of buildings on property (only one shed or barn, ya’ll, not four), mailbox placement, garage placement, masonry façade, blah blah blah… And yet in small print – one farm animal, per acre, permitted.

I vote for a pot-bellied pig.
Victoria’s hoping for a horse.
Petra moos for a cow.
And husband – of course, just prefers the deer, wild turkey and scorpions that are pre-existing.

What about a goat? That would solve the mowing situation. I might trade my pot-bellied pig for a goat. OR, perhaps, I will just teach Petra how to bleat! [I should have bought that pig in Ho Chi Minh City for ten dollars. How I would have gotten the pig to Texas is another blog for another time.]

After perusing the fine print, I discover that we can own two farm animals (remember, one per acre)! I vote for the goat and pot-bellied pig! Maybe I'll win, after all, it is Mother's Day Weekend!

We visit our land each month. We blow bubbles, we run around, we receive cacti pokes, we inherit chiggers, we host bug bites, we swat bugs, we step in fire ant hills, we smuggle scorpions into Fort Worth, and we admire the Texas bluebonnets.

The bluebonnet sight in spring is worth all the other mishaps!

God Bless Texas and its Bluebonnets!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Eating Disorder at Eleven Months

Happy Eleven Months, Petra!

Your first eleven months have been extremely eventful. After all your laying around for the first four months, you have definitely made up for that idle time during the last seven months.


I am out of breath. I am tired. I am amused. I am confused. I am completely gray!

You have eaten the good stuff... ice cream, cookies, cake, chocolate... along with peas, corn, salmon, tilapia, chicken, carrots, potatoes (any form of spud). Your taste buds are delicate and you have tasted gourmet cuisine. (We even love watching Rachel Ray's mouth-watering creations together.)

So, my question to you, "why do I catch you shoveling handfuls of dirt, cat food and cat litter into your mouth?". You actually savor the taste. You are a daily food connoisseur of trash. I ask you, "how can ice cream possibly compare to dirt?" It is clearly not the same. It cannot even be in a similar delicacy category.

You eat plants, leaves, and sticks. You put every "floor morsel" you find into your mouth. I have pried balls, dolls, letters, plastics, pencils, paper, toilet paper, tissues, napkins, and cat toys from the insides of your cheeks.

Today, I found you fighting over a dead fly with your cat, Winter. Luckily, the cat won!

Tonight, Daddy wanted to know why you were making a funny sounding hiccup. I told him not to worry it was just the gallon of soapy bath water you ingested. Eventually, your suds-cups will cease.

I have witnessed your dislike of guacamole, waffles, pancakes, and broccoli -- it is spewed all over the floor. (We really need a dog for moments like this!) If you can toss delicious syrup-coated pancakes onto the floor, then you should be able to spit out the cat litter, too. How can cat litter taste better than waffles? I wish you had an explanation for me.

I recently paraded you in public donned in a newly purchased adorable smocked Anavini dress. Your cheeks and clothing were peppered with black spots. And, no, you had not been indulging in OREOS. An intruding fellow-shopper informed me how she put her dog bowls out of reach from her toddler. I smiled and announced that I don't even bother moving Petra away from the cat bowls any more ... my cats are happy, how unhealthy could those little kernels be anyhow?

Meanwhile I secretly pray and hope this peculiar eating disorder dissipates at some time during your second year. So, for a limited time only, I will accept your choice of desired food items - if you can accept my squandering your college fund on therapy for me.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

My Drawing in Translation

I visited Shanghai, China for the first time almost twenty years ago. I ventured to the Far East before being East was "in". Back when travel to China was a bit more difficult and definitely more reasonably priced.

I have traveled to many countries and I am very fascinated by different cultures. Their language. Their food. Their uniqueness. Their souvenirs. And most importantly, their toilets! I am a photo connoisseur of thrones. Toilets, to me, are so much more interesting than ... whether or not your beer was served cold or that you couldn't find any ice cubes in an entire country.

We all have those types of friends, the "ice cube" friend. Ice cube friend dramatically announces, "I was at this great restaurant and I ordered a coke. The waitress showed up with a warm coke. I asked for some ice and the waitress looked at me like I was from another planet." Well, ice cube friend, you are from the U.S. which is close to being other-planet-like. Ice cube friend never received his ice. So he ordered a beer. "The beer was warm, too. Can't put ice in a beer since I need the entire alcohol content. I'll be so glad to get back to the U.S. where there's ice and cool beverages." This ice cube friend probably dons dark socks, too.

Ice cube friend has me sidetracked. I want to discuss the toilet situation beyond the American borders. Do you ever wonder why ice cube friend never discusses any other part of his "vacation"? He must have had a depressing time. There I go again...

Toilets -- I have to admit that America, the U.S. of A, has the BEST plumbing in the entire world, solar system, milky way... 100%. We may not manufacture the best toilets (Japan's heated toilet seats win that contest bums-down!) but we do have the most efficient sewage and plumbing systems.

China's most common toilet is the whole in the ground. Preferably the squatter's cement whole. Flushable with a pail of water. I do prefer the squatting method. Americans (I am including myself here) are a bit lazy ... we "sit" to go to the restroom. Who thought of that anyhow? After witnessing the whole in the ground ... the toilet engineer from America produced a toilet for relaxing, for resting, for making life a whole lot easier. (If any of you have children, then you know there isn't a whole lot of resting going on in the bathroom -- you're lucky if you are even alone!)

One hot blustery afternoon, I am wandering the streets and shops of Shanghai. I have a tendency to drink a lot of water (in any country) therefore I have visited a lot of restrooms in my lifetime on an hourly basis. Luckily, it is very hot and humid in China during this particular summer season. My water consumption is exiting every existing sweat pore at an alarming rapid speed. I can't believe that I can actually "hold it" for a couple of hours longer than usual.

As the day goes on, I find myself in a newly opened department store. Not a street vendor. Not a Chinese person's home. At this time in China, newly does not insinuate newly built, modern, or up-to-date. Just newly opened.

There are five floors in this department store. Five floors of Chinese goods. Five floors accessed by stairs. Five floors of hot, stuffy air.

After browsing the first floor (ground level), I shopped the second floor, I purchased a children's book an the third floor, I avoided the clothing on the fourth floor (at sixty-six inches, I was very tall and short pants were not an option), I arrived on the fifth floor. Oops, I have to use the restroom. I searched the entire floor. I couldn't find one. I didn't see one. Where do the workers go? Where do the shoppers go? I can't possibly be the only one who makes it to the fifth floor and discovers that I gotta go, NOW. The longer I search, the more I have to go. How ironic!

I am getting desperate. I shouldn't have drank those last eight ounces of water. I should have saved them. I approached one Chinese woman to ask where the restroom was located. She panicked because she obviously didn't speak English, nor did she want to. She flew the scene and returned with five other Chinese women. So, I asked again, "where is the restroom?". All six women just stared at me. I then spoke more slowly (not loudly) ... "w-h-e-r-e--i-s--t-h-e--r-e-s-t-r-o-o-m?". OK, the word restroom isn't working. "bathroom?" Still nothing. "Toilet?" Blank stares. "Toy-ee-day", using Japanese pronunciation, and I am running out of time here.

Finally, a new saleswoman approached. She acknowledged me. I again ask, "toilet?". And she encouraged me with more information. Suddenly, a brilliant idea came to me, I would draw a picture. Pictures tell a thousand words. Everyone loves Pictionary. I pulled out my notebook and pen from my backpack. I ripped out a page and drew a "toilet"....
The new saleswoman smiled at me and nodded with understanding. She motioned for me to follow her. Ahhhh! I followed. Down the stairs -- to the first floor. She led me out the door. I was now beginning to wonder where this toilet could possibly be located? Is it in an "outhouse"? Is it behind the building in a mound of dirt? Where am I going?

I continued to follow this woman. I am very trusting, not skeptical. After walking a few feet and then crossing the street, cater-corner from the department store, the saleswoman deposited me. She left me on the street. I looked around. I was very confused. I was standing under a "bus stop" sign. I looked in the direction that the woman walked and realized she was not coming back. I didn't need a bus. I needed a bathroom.
How could my beautifully misinterpreted toilet drawing lead me to a bus stop? My toilet looks nothing like a bus stop. Then again, my toilet looks nothing like a Chinese toilet. It was an American rendition of a toilet. Oops.
Well, I still needed to find a bathroom. So, I just took the bus back to my guesthouse (where I know there is communal bathroom)!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Mommy's Day


"Happy Mommy Day"
(sung to the tune of "Mary Had A Little Lamb")

Mommy had a little wine,

a little beer,

with a lime,

a margarita

and more tequila,

some jello shots

and for lunch - sangria,

a lotta rum,

gin and crap.

And that's why mommy

takes a nap!


written by melissa (for melissa)

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Homemaid

'tis the handmade, homemade, diy generation. i cook, i clean, i launder, i take care of the children, i sew, i make, i paint, i create, i garden, i iron, i fix, i wash, i compost, i inebriate.
some time ago, i decided that i needed someone to come to my home and help me clean. not much. not thorough. not expensive. just the bathrooms and flooring. and so my quest for the unreasonable began.

my first attempt at 'hiring' a helper was "kate". her name and phone number arrived like destiny in my hand from friend A. friend A and i were on a play date with our children. she convinced me that this was the ONE.

i eagerly called and hired all in one breath.

me: kate, how much and when?

kate: $50 for a cleaning (not an hour, whew!) and i can come every other tuesday.

so, tuesday it is. husband's at work. daughter's at 'mother's day out'. the price of fifty was due to the amount of bathrooms in my home (three) and the total cleaning time would be at least three hours.

our first tuesday together was everything i had hoped it would be, and more. kate cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. my house was immaculate after three hours of scrubbing, scouring, washing, rinsing, polishing, and dusting. not that it was really very dirty since i have a bad habit of cleaning before 'help' comes to the rescue. (husband and mother would probably disagree). i was very blissful and googoo-eyed just as every newly infatuated relationship begins. i glowed and gushed, "see you in two weeks" as i handed over the very worth it money.

two weeks later, she cancels. reschedule. a week later, i cancel. reschedule. finally, a second cleaning to begin at 9 am. since this woman knows a friend of mine (for a few years now and they did meet at church), i decided to use her cleaning time to run a couple of errands that desperately needed to get accomplished. at 9:15 am, i left the money in an envelope and told her where it was just in case i didn't return before she was finished. i really didn't think i would be out until 12 noon. and i wasn't. i finished up my errands at 10:15 am and arrived at home ... to an empty home. no, she did not steal anything. she just wasn't there. she was gone. she didn't even leave a note. i knew she was not returning - it's not like she ran out of windex.

my house did not smell clean, it did not look clean, it was not clean. it was vacuumed. and for fifty green bucks, i sure as hell could push a vacuum. i was not mad, as in mean-revengeful-mad. i was just bitter. i paid a woman money to vacuum a small home. that was the fastest fifty bucks she earned, i'm sure. fifty bucks for thirty minutes (who thinks she stayed an hour?) -- that is one hell of an hourly rate. i am totally in the wrong business.

so my house stayed dirty for a very long time. perhaps my husband will suggest some help for me. when manatees fly. perhaps my husband will help out. when pigs dance. meanwhile, friend A got wind of my maidless home and called to remind me that "kate" only SURFACE CLEANS. what the hell is that? i do that daily! needless to say, friend A no longer employs "kate" as well. honestly, i didn't have anything to do with that. i just took a personal stand against hiring someone to surface clean.

my maidquest has continued over the years.



wanted: monthly cleaning

i'm easy -- i clean before you arrive

thorough cleaning preferred

i provide products -- drinks -- snacks

even friendly conversation, if you speak English

(se habla espanol tambien y nihongo o hanashimasu mo)


stay tuned for part II of my search for the perfect cleaning partner. does she exist?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

544 Ounces


It has been -- two weeks, or 14 days, or 336 hours -- since Easter Sunday. For some people (like me) Easter Sunday also symbolizes the end of Lent and the beginning of my binge. Lent is a time to give up something you truly enjoy. For me, it is always the same, year after year, for the past 19 years. And the same binge occurs -- obviously, year after year.

So, why do I even bother to give up "diet coke"? If I end up drinking more and more in my binge, then what good am I doing my body by depriving myself of my one addiction for 40 weekdays throughout Lent?

My binge lasts longer each year. Last year, my binge lasted from -- Easter Sunday 2008 to Ash Wednesday 2009. This year, I have only passed the two week mark and I have already consumed 544 ounces. That is equal to 34 gallons of diet coke. 34 gallons of aspartame-induced, caffeine-injected, caramel-colored carbonated water. I crave diet coke.

My vehicle doesn't even hold 34 gallons. It holds 22. I could travel 510 miles if my vehicle's tank held all the diet coke that I have consumed recently. I could have driven to New Orleans ... I love NOLA! I could have driven half-way to my childhood hometown. We're talking 8.5 hours in a car.

After totalling the number of ounces I have consumed recently, I cancelled my doctor appointment. I begged for an appointment because I insisted that I had developed diabetes due to the amount of time I spend emptying my bladder. And I pleaded for the doctor to see me, squeeze me in for a check-up, since I am not sure when health care is going to become socialized. And, IF, I have diabetes then I didn't want to have to "wait in line" for a year before being diagnosed. UGH!

Perhaps, I should really rethink what I am truly giving up for Lent in 2010. I should probably not give up diet coke -- 34 gallons in 14 days is borderline Obsessive-Compulsive. OCD is not really a label I wear. But this behavior is definitely worth asking for Prozac.

In 1990, the first year that I abstained from diet coke, I switched to iced tea. It took all forty weekdays for me to acquire a taste for iced tea. And now, I have another addiction. Don't worry, I was already addicted to coffee before 1990.

I am at a complete loss for giving something up. I suppose I will give up a "time-waster" and then use that extra time for ME. However, if I knew what was currently wasting my time, then I would surely try and change it NOW and not wait for another year to pass me by.

My daughter's choice for something to "give up" was to not watch "scary shows" on TV. I think she was referring to the commercials that she sees on TV regarding CSI. She doesn't watch these shows so I know she sailed through Lent without any hardship. The other ideas she entertained for "giving up" were school (not an option unless the school wants to prorate tuition), homework (in which she has none in Kindergarten), tootsie rolls (that we do not have in the house but I could buy a large supply for torture), and church on Sundays (which is also not an option).

My husband's choice, which he also does year after year, is to not drink beer unless it is free. Dor is not social. He prefers to be at home ... and more specifically, our home. However, every Lent our social outings multiply. We attend every birthday party, every work event, every club social, every sporting event, and every volunteer organization (in which we participate) event. He gets his free beer and I spend the next six months playing hostess in our home as we reciprocate with parties of our own!!

I have 46 weeks to think about what I want to give up for Lent 2010.

And 46 weeks to learn to drink diet coke in moderation.

But first, I am going to pop the top on 12 ounces and savor the taste.