Great, great article! Leadership starts at home...exactly!It's laughable as to how middle-aged men fall into this trap so often. We all know how it plays out, yet men believe they've found the golden treasure. And, the strippers really do like them---rrrrrrright. We've heard it all week, but it's true, he'd be alive if he was at home with his wife and 4 boys instead of chasing a waitress at Dave & Buster's. Sad. Sad. Sad.
As of late last week, Keith and I have been dating 14 years. Holy moly. That's a long time my friend, no? We went out to dinner sans kiddos recently, we were both sick with sinus infections and just wanted some peace and quiet. We reminisced about our time early on in our relationship and how we were so young...WEIRD...and how we jumped in feet first. Not a clue what we were doing, really. And, if you think about stuff like that too long you just end up effing things up anyway. Hell, it was college. We wanted to be together and we did whatever it took to make that happen. We moved in with each other after dating for a year, I was 19 and he was 18. I know my family kept it a secret from the extended family. ***sssshhhh, Michelle is living with a boy her first time away from home. Oh dear Lord. Say a prayer***
It didn't sound so good. I'm sure Keith's family was a little freaked out that Keith had a live-in girlfriend ALREADY! I know, I know. But, we knew we were in love and it all fell into place so naturally. We struggled together. We grew up together. And, boy did we fight. Talk about growing pains! Kids crazy in love!
I suppose there were many opportunities along the way to throw in the towel and go our separate ways. But, it was never an option. I couldn't walk away from him. Why would I? Afterall, he's what I wanted and I couldn't even dream up a life without him. I don't think it would've worked b/c had I gone out on dates with other boys I'd want to call him to talk shit about them...like "dude, he's such a tool. he doesn't even listen to good music...he likes Creed for christsakes!...and he wears the ugliest shoes...and don't even get me started on how dumb he is b/c God, is he dumb!" I guess you could say he's my best friend. And, I'm the luckiest girl to have created this world of ours together.
My younger cousins always ask us how we do it. How do we stay together and happy at the same time? How can they find a good guy? I don't really know what to tell them, except I knew when I had found it, and I held on tight. But, I tell them it's hard work. I've learned a lot in this relationship over time. I've learned that it's best to let the man be a man, and a woman be a woman. It may seem simple, but it's quite the opposite. Kings of Leon sang it best "Told me you love me, that'd I'd never die alone...Hand over your heart, let's go home"...and we never looked back. **If that song doesn't make you want to rip your heart out of your chest,well... you're a robot. It's best to jump up and down, pound your chest with your fist and scream NOBODY KNOWS...NOBODY KNOWS....BUT MEEEEEEE!...at least that's what I imagine *know* would feel right.
April kicked my arse up and down the court. I'm so far behind. I think I know why my posting has continued to suck. Ever since my laptop battery went to shit, I've been leaving this sucker plugged in on my desk. Hence, no postage. I suppose I'll need to get off my bum and get a new battery. Maybe in 2010.
(post-bunny photo op)
(kale ready to be sung to in blue. see mack in the orange shirt? creating havoc.)
(mack's bday cupcake commercial audition)
(he's the one on the right on the green bike)
Yes, it true. He's two. He's also...
In case you didn't already know, I went to see Britney on Monday night, and IT WAS THE SHIZNITZ! Thanks to Melissa for scoring us some badass tickets and to Keith for holding down the fort while Momma went to scream her lungs out like a teeny-bopper! There were all kinds of peeps there, from the old to the young. I've never seen so many men with perfectly shaped eyebrows, gold boots and scarves to match! We saw several people dressed in Ringleader outfits. No. I'm. not. kidding. People that probably shouldn't be wearing such revealing clothes. At one point, Melissa and I were trying to do a covert op for a picture of these works of art, but they wouldn't turn around. Dammit! Quoting Melissa: "I want to get a shot of the gut and all". So, no pictures...you'll just have to take our words for it.
The Pussycat Dolls opened up and they were awesome, too. I was so excited that I used up most of my camera battery on PCD, of course. I could've sworned the damn thing was fully charged. By the time Britney came out, my red battery light was blinking...fuckin' a. True to form, I was rendered useless for the rest of the show. (Check out Melissa's pics) We were so close that when I was taking pictures/video, I almost felt rude, like I should be enjoying the show instead of messing with my electronics. And, there Britney was, performing right in front of us and we're all looking in the live view screens of our cameras. I couldn't help it, none of us could. Whether people like to admit it or not, Britney is an icon. She's a powerful marketing force. Elvis didn't write/read music, nor did he play the guitar, it was a prop. His act was a show and he sold it. Madonna: same shit.
I think people are really pulling for Britney to keep taking her "no crazy" pills. I can imagine it's hard for a healthy person to live captive in their celebrity world, much less someone battling demons. I was just in awe that this was the same head shaving, umbrella wielding, crotch flashing lunatic from all the gossip mags. If she makes it through, I think she'll maintain this wave of success and come out on top. Either way, LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!!!!!!!!!!! Ha! Ha!
Kale is so amazing. He's an amazing weirdo, and so witty at the same time. You've heard living with a 3 year old is like living with a crazy person. It's so true! Oh my gosh, is it ever! Kale can tell you the wildest story about his teachers punching the kids in class. Or, how one kid was bleeding and then the teacher pushed him down and another kid hit him again. On Tuesday, I sat in the carpool lane watching him practice his Wii boxing moves on another little boy (just air, no contact). Uh yeah, he's been doing that a lot to us lately. There were 5 teachers standing by, but no one saw it, I almost honked my horn. I was cracking up in the car, but wanted him to stop. When he got in the car, I asked him who he was boxing. He acted like he didn't know what the hell I was talking about. I told him he was grounded from the Wii the rest of the afternoon. He said he was sorry. We then met Keith at Academy. Before we got there, I told Keith what I'd seen. When Keith opened the door, the first thing out of Kale's mouth was I'm sorry. Keith had a talk with him in the parking lot. And, then went into Academy and bought Kale a punching bag and gloves. Here kiddo, punch this...good message. When I picked him up on Thursday, the director was loading him into the car (like always) and Kale proudly announces to me "I DIDN'T PUNCH ANYONE TODAY MOMMY!!!". I smiled politely and said "Well...isn't that wonderful sweet pea!". Ms. Becky smiled back at me and shut the car door. :-)
I'm afraid my little boy is growing up...eek. Not really sure what stage this is called, but I can tell there is another section of Kale's personality blooming. A part of himself that is demanding respect and acknowledgment of just who he is. Fine. Fine. He really has learned so much this year and I'm continually proud of him. The week before Spring Break, I asked his teacher about how he was doing in school in a general way. She said he didn't have any enemies, that he was so sweet and really smart. Finishing up with "well, you've just done a great job with him". Ah. Be still my heart. That made me feel so good! 'Cause this stuff is hard work.
I've learned that it's hard to stay on top of my boys all the time. If you don't like them saying something or acting a certain way, it's got to be unacceptable at all times. Not just right then, but ALL the time. I know I can be hard on them at times and maybe I should lighten up a little. I know they feel hurt when they've disappointed me. I'm a yeller, but I'm trying hard to not be...as much. I know this time will pass me by and I want to be proud of the time they've spent with me. I still know how to have fun and I think my boys know that side of me, too. I'm a 'no-nonsense' kind of Momma, but I can be loving and funny, too. And, I am always in their corner no matter what, but when they're wrong, they're wrong. It's a tough world out there and I'm doing my best to prepare them for it. I am their biggest cheerleader, but also their coach. It's hard to be both, but it's what the job requires.
