Or, my random musings for January…
On My Kids – I’m not one to brag but I have to tell you what joy means to me. My children.
Without them, my life would be incomplete. An unfinished symphony, a dangling participle. A cliffhanger without the final chapter. Or a series finale, much like the one for “The Sopranos,” which ended up being reviled by so many.
I have two and their births did a number on my body, pushing it to its limits. None more than my son who, in order to get him out of me, I needed to have an emergency C-section. Not only was my body never the same, but the pregnancies made me break out in a rash of moles all over my back which I have to this day. Connect the dots never had it so good.
For what they did to my body and my sleep patterns, I should revile them and seek revenge–a pox on both their houses! (Oh wait, that would mean my house, too). But good golly Miss Molly, I can’t. I just love them so damn much!
If I could I’d spend all my time with them, even if it meant not being able to get anything done. My son is the oldest. Nearly 30. Sure, he doesn’t visit much, considering he lives 10 minutes away. But when he comes over he is sweet and good-natured and helps me around the house when asked. We watch TV together and on occasion we actually talk about life. His life, and he even asks for me for advice!
My daughter lives in Chicago where she loves her job and lives in a tony apartment building that has an interior spookily reminiscent of the hotel in the film, “The Shining.” I see her rarely, but we talk on the phone regularly, about books, movies, life and everything in between. I’m so proud of her and the life she’s made for herself in the Midwest, but when she talks about the freezing temps and winds in Chicago, I love mentioning that here in San Diego, it’s in the 70s and 80s.
I’m thinking of my kids right now because we spent so much time together during the holidays and I’m still feeling the warm vibes of the wonderful time we had and the genuine affection between us. No fighting, no dysfunction. Just laughs and good intentions. With my daughter home and my son staying with us, I relished every minute of it. We were like the three Musketeers–plus two dogs, of course–doing everything together, including taking Henry and Oliver to the dog beach on Christmas Day, seeing a bunch of movies, going on walks, watching mindless movies on TV like “The Interview” and “Home Alone,” eating out, eating in, and noshing in between. It was perfectly perfect in a perfect kind of way.
Resolutions, Take 2 – So now it’s back to business, which is where you’ll find me come Monday morning. In my last post I kidded about New Year’s resolutions, and many of you agreed. The bar is set way too high on resolutions. So here are my real, realistic resolutions, all kidding aside. Resolutions are all about self-improvement, after all and no one needs self improving more than me.
- I will not take up smoking and become a coughing fiend. I’ve seen what it does to others and it’s not pretty.
- I will iron more so I’m not wearing wrinkled clothes all the time, and I will put all my holiday decorations away by the end of January.
- I will stop hoping for snow in San Diego around the holidays, just because of all the songs like “Let it Snow,” “White Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland,” which have me convinced that the season is nothing without snow. It’s never gonna happen here, even if it does snow sometimes in the surrounding mountains. San Diego proper will never get cold enough. Hoping for hail has a much better chance.
- I will never say never. Unless it’s in a book that I’m reading aloud, in which case, all bets are off.
- As convenient as it is, I will not use Oliver as a lap desk, even if my iPad does fit nicely on his back when he’s dozing on my lap and I can write like this for hours if he lets me. And he does.
- I will not give the stink eye to the next person who says, “Consider the alternative,” when I’m bitterly lamenting how very old I am and how uncannily new wrinkles keep popping out.
Let’s see how long these resolutions last, which I should point out, are subject to revisions as the year progresses.
Brazil – Here’s what I know about Brazil: The World Cup was played there last year. The 2016 Olympics will be held there, and to quote a line from one of my favorite plays, “Charley’s Aunt,” Brazil is “where the nuts come from.” Though I don’t think Charley’s aunt was merely referring to the actual Brazilian nut.
Brazil is also where I’m headed, on what promises to be a whirlwind trip. I’m going on a special assignment, one that is taking me so far out of my comfort zone I may never find my way back. In anticipation of my departure, there’s much to do, so I will be spending the next few weeks preparing for it, and I will share more when I return.
Until then, I’ll be writing less on this blog, if at all, pending free time, stress levels, and whether I’ve managed to get my panties into a twist. I’ve asked my dear cousin Adele to contribute to this blog in my absence, and we’ll see if she delivers. Since I don’t pay her for the service, it’s hard to crack the whip, if you get my drift.
So, tah-tah for now, my friends! Wish me luck. I’m going to need it and then some.
Until we meet again, feel free to leave me all sorts of comments.
Monica's Tangled Web 
Okay, ma’am, where’ve you been??? Missed your posts (after getting used to reading one a day for an entire month, ha!). Hope everything’s right in your world!
Hi Debbie, thank you for checking in on me. I have been busy researching and preparing for the workshop I will be leading in Brazil. It’s been taking up all my spare time, believe it or not. But, since I’ve never led such a class before, I want to make sure all my ducks are in a row. I leave this week so hopefully I’ll be writing about it when I return! Take care and I’ll be back soon!
I forgot about that! Best wishes for much success — don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do just fine, and they’ll be glad to host you!
Robert Maskill arkwright@arkwrightsoforton.co.uk Station Master Orton Mere Station Nene Valley Railway Peterborough
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I see the Space Needle shirt. I was there in 1985. Naturally had the salmon.
Enjoy Brazil! I’ve always wanted to go! This made me smile.:)
“on occasion we actually talk about life. His life, and he even asks for me for advice!” Thinking of you and your great adventure! You are so awesome and I can’t wait to hear about it!
Thank you, Jodi. Now that the holidays are over, I’m starting to look forward to my trip. You can’t imagine, though, all that there is to do to prepare. Yikes. I hope I make it!
You would be nuts not to go to Brazil!!!
Have a great time even if you are on assignment.
I look forward to the posts from Adele, and I promise not to ask what you call a singing computer not once….
Heh heh, Robert. Nuts. I get it. Thankfully I said yes. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse. Not on my bucket list, but just the same, I’m going! So, nuts to you!
I love the descriptions, unfinished and dangling….those are it exactly. Brazil…I want to go with you, we can find seedy dives and dance with lovely men who won’t speak to us but will glide us across the dance floor properly.
I cannot wait to hear all your adventures, please do have some!
❤
Val, that would be so much fun. I can see us now, dancing the tango until the wee hours of the morn, enjoying rum and cokes and hitting the beach with some young, suave men for company while we watch the sun rise. Fancy that!
Indeed, just fancy that.
Brazil! I sense a fabulous blog involving hot dancing and cool drinks! Hope you have a blast. P.S. The kids can’t be mad at you for leaving them after such a lovely first few paragraphs!
We’ll see, Renee. I’m not going for vacation, I’m on assignment. But I will see what I can do in my free time. Should be fun! 🙂
Love how you described your children. I agree “If I could I would spend all my time with them…” and I’d add grandchildren.
You’ll love Brazil! I have cousins in Curitiba and a very good friend in Porto Alegre. Good luck on your special assignment and ciao for now. Looking forward to hearing from Adele and/or you about it.
Georgette, don’t get me started on grandchildren. Would love to have one or more, but alas, my kids aren’t ready. I can’t wait to report on Brazil! Adele has taken the hint and will be doing a post soon!
An exciting start to the year my friend. I can’t wait to hear about it and see your marvelous photos. I love what you’ve said about being a mom. It made me smile and hope for the future. It is what we did this break; watch Home Alone 2, sing Chirstmas carols with Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, play board games, laugh and cuddle when we were sick- I feel another post brewing about my unsuccessful flu shot – and relax.
We have a challenging year ahead, so our time together was quite precious.
Meanwhile Downton is back, I will wait patiently for your return.
When I return, MM, I’ll regale you until you scream, “Enough!” 😉 I’m glad you’re on the mend. I too had the flu shot, and (knock on wood) it’s worked for me! I love together time. I love when the whole country shuts down for a week and there are no reasons or excuses for having to be somewhere else but with our loved ones. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
It really is my favorite time of year. Except when I did switch on the news, there was that missing plane. I did not like what 2014 gave us in terms of accidents and world events. I’m looking forward to a better 2015.
***An unfinished symphony, a dangling participle. A cliffhanger without the final chapter***
LOVE that!!!!
Monica, your kids are beautiful.
… just as you are!
Happy 2015. My you be BLESSED with the things that matter. xxxx
Kim, thank you for noticing that. Those words just poured out of me late the other night when I started thinking about them being gone and missing them. I was lucky with those two. They’ve never given me trouble and any rebellious streak in them has been slight. 🙂
Monica, you’ve described so wonderfully a mom’s relationship with adult kids! Domer and I had a wonderful time over Christmas — much as you did with your duo — and for that, we’re exceedingly fortunate. Yes, despite what pregnancy does to a woman’s body, ha!
Ooh, I’m intrigued. Going to Brazil, stepping outside your comfort level — sounds fascinating, my friend. Can hardly wait to hear “the rest of the story”!!
When my kids were young, I wanted them to stay that way forever. But it’s really fun having grown kids. You have a whole new relationship with them and you don’t have to take care of them or wipe their noses or anything! They can do it for themselves!
I forgot to mention how attractive your “children” are!!
Thank you! All their best features and characteristics they got from me! Can you believe I was once shy? 😉
Looking forward to words and photos about Brazil! How exciting for you. A great way to stretch into the new year.
Well, wait until I tell you what I’m doing. It’s not a vacation!
Sounds like a great visit with your kids. I was lucky enough to have my family here for the holidays, too. So festive!
Have a fabulous trip to Brazil. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures.
I always feel a little sad when the holidays and spending time with my kids are over. It really is such a special time. Now, I must get ready for my trip which is still weeks away!