Kissing on the Lips

This seems Valentine's Day appropriate - but it really isn't. A few months ago I was having a conversation with someone about familial affection. This person maintained, in that "everyone knows this" kind of tone, that family members (except husband and wife) should not kiss on the lips. I had never heard this before and I reacted a little differently than I normally would. I guess normally I would just think "whatever" or maybe argue my point of view. But my reaction was one of insecurity - like maybe I have been doing something wrong. Like maybe the rest of decent society got the memo on kissing and I didn't. And here I am, the "pervert" mother - kissing her son on the lips every night of his life!!!

I was raised in a VERY affectionate family - slightly too affectionate if that's possible. It was often affection that made me cringe (because I am the normal amount of affectionate). It was longer than necessary hugs, kisses (yes, on the lips from all family members), holding hands, back rubbing, cheek squeezing, hair mussing etc. None of this seems even slightly unnatural to me, annoying sometimes yes, but not unnatural. My Mom's hugs last about 5 minutes - full body contact with some big extra squeezes thrown in and some dialogue added for effect "Mmm, you feel sooooo good!". That kind of thing. You give her "the release pat" - and she just keeps right on mauling. She is a hugger and her hugs are anticipated and accepted (and undoubtedly sometimes "endured") by everyone who knows her. She has kissed me on the lips my whole life, I never thought a thing of it. So, the fact that I raise my son with kisses and hugs and this same touchy behavior seems logical. I love him - I want him to know I love him - this behavior comes naturally to me. I "show" love the same way that I was "shown" love.

This may be my disclaimer if those of you reading my blog have seen me kissing my son on the lips and have thought I seem overly affectionate. Perhaps you got that memo I was talking about. I am really curious now though. Is it not proper or acceptable to kiss family members on the lips?

Good Luck Obama!

I hate to be political and I can think of a few people that read my blog that might be offended (sorry Angie, you know I like you!) but with today being Inauguration Day I thought I would share some of my thoughts on everything going on in Washington today.

First, I wish someone (SOON) in the political world would have enough gumption to stop all the huge blowout parties (conventions and inaugurations etc) that cost so dang much money! It screams WASTEFUL! We could probably solve the education problems, maybe find a solution to the homeless situation or even put a dent in lifting the economy if that money were better spent! The hideous hollywood folk that attend these galas can help foot the bill - they make up a good portion of the elite guest lists anyway - and heaven knows they have lots of disposable income.

I like Obama - he seems like an articulate and an honorable man. He also seems like he has a good marriage - which is important to me. I must say that I liked those same qualities in Bush (alright, he may be a little less articulate).

The black population are acting like THEY have done something, which is kind of divisive in my mind. They haven't done anything by themselves - plenty of people voted for Obama who aren't of color. I guess in my mind it never had anything to do with his color in the first place. I hated the idea all along that some were voting for him simply because he is black. Which is just as wrong as NOT voting for him just because he is black! I am not surprised that a black guy is president, I guess I assumed that it could and would happen.

Now that the Dems are in control we are all supposed to unite and get behind their guy. Some people have been saying that about Bush for the last 8 years! Bush never got a fair shake - he had those crappy Dems in his face from day one with a big axe to grind about Gore! This bothers me. I thought Bush had some of the biggest problems in any presidency ever! (with the least amount of support). 9-11 which changed everything, and in my mind started the entire financial crisis (but then my husband works for an airline what do I know?) AND I will go to my grave defending Bush about Katrina. How in the bleep is the President of the U.S. responsible - first for a hurricane in Louisiana - but then for the aid that flows (or fails to flow) into the area? There were so many levels of government between Nagin and Bush it isn't even funny! Sure the Federal Government needed to step in and help people but there are so many organizations that are responsible for that (ie; Red Cross, FEMA etc) the president is not the fall guy for all government organizational failures. That has made me angry since it happened. The democrats did a masterful job at placing the blame on Bush though (while Nagin and Blanco walked away fairly clean). When we have a republican in office we are divided, but when a young hip dem steps into office its "com'on folks - we need to stick together!"

I am going to support Obama. There was never a question about that. I hope he does well and I really want him to succeed - if he does, we all benefit. I will not be among those who turn on him easily (just as I wasn't for Bush) - he will have a hard job with millions of people to consider. I am scared about terrorist threats and his "give money to anyone who asks" approach. I also don't like how some self-interest groups are acting like he is their savior and will change everything that needs to be changed. I'm talking about gay marriage, stem cell research, abortion etc. If he has the nerve to follow the dictates of his own conscience (or what he has shared with us about his beliefs) we should be fine - I hope he won't be swayed by his party's extremists.

Those are my thoughts on the subject. I will not watch all of the coverage today because the waste (which by no means is unique to Obama) and the spectacle of it make me want to vomit! (I say the same thing about the waste of money on the Super Bowl Halftime show - another post altogether.) But I will say "Good Luck Obama!". I am an American and you are my President - I support you.

Blog Stalker

Yes Folks - I have a blog stalker! Most of you are probably thinking that I'm not interesting enough to have a stalker. Stalker's psycho behavior leads me to believe that I have the life Stalker wants. (Stalker, if you are reading this and I know you are - stop this obsession!) This will be my last "open" post. The psycho that lurks on my blog has forced me to - first, moderate my comments (because Stalkers comments needed moderation). They even went so far as to open a bogus blogsite so they could appear to be someone else. Next I added a feedjit to discourage them from looking at my blog - then I stepped up to a sitemeter to further discourage them, thinking they wouldn't get on if they knew I could see who they were. I have done what I can to shake Stalker - all to no avail. I don't want Stalker to learn one more thing about me or my life! So, this post serves as a disclaimer to all of you that get on my blog. I enjoy our connection and I don't want this to frustrate our future blogging relationship (because of the required permission) - this is just how it has to be. I wanted to tell you the real reason - because I don't want you to think I am being snooty or selective (I'm not selective, I want everyone on my blog but this stalker!) I like the idea of a random visitor and even a random comment, but psycho freak Stalker has pissed me off and I am not going to put up with it anymore. I need to eradicate said psycho Stalker from my blog, my thoughts and my life! Please don't abandon me because I have attracted some klingon freak who can't get their own life! And Psycho Stalker - if you get some satisfaction because you have forced me to do this - enjoy it, because it will be your last satisfaction from this blog!

P.S. I know we are supposed to love all of God's children - but even (or especially) HE is disappointed in this child!

My Blankie

Yep! I'm 44 years old and I have a blankie! I must be somewhat ashamed, since here I am explaining why and how I have it. I DO NOT seem like the kind of person who has a stuffed animal or blanket and I never have been, not even in my infancy or toddler hood. When Cam came along he was given the requisite blankets that go along with babies. Babies need more blankets than adults because they get them soiled (in all kinds of ways) more often. Anyway, when Cam came along Becky made him this blanket with Sesame Street fabric. It is one of those half blankets - like the size of only the top of a twin bed. It has been washed a lot (the soiling thing that I mentioned). Cam did have an affinity toward this blanket - but he was really not one who had a blanket either (a small stuffed Barney, now that is a different blog - he regrets loving that Barney vehemently!) Anyway, this blanket was put away for a few years because Cam moved into bigger and longer beds (and blankets) because of his height. Somehow the blanket came back into the forefront a few years back when I needed just a little something extra. Cory is a human heater and I am always cold. This blanket, because of it's unique size is just the ticket! I can have it on my side of the bed without causing any imposition to Cory. He and I joked in the early days of this attraction (toward the blankie) about the Sesame Street theme, but there is no joke anymore. I love this blanket! I need this blanket. Cory is jealous of this blanket, he tries to use it sometimes and he enjoys the feel of it as much as I do. But, if this behavior is within my line of vision I grab it back and throw him something else! It is so soft and cushy (who knows what makes one blanket feel better than others, but it happens). Anyway, this is a full fledged love-affair with a blanket now. I really want to take it on trips with me - and if I don't need it for warmth I still kinda roll it up and put it near my face so I can smell it at night. I know it is weird - but it is comforting and it's not like I'm relying on drugs to get some sleep - I just need this blankie. I do wish it had more of an adult theme though.

Lucky Number 44!

Today is my birthday! 44 years ago today I was born at 1:26 p.m. I weighed 9 pounds and 5 ounces. Which just goes to show that an infant's birth weight is no indicator of adult size. An interesting fact about my birthday - that only people who share this birthday can say: my birth day is the same as my birth year. 1-9-65 and I was born in 1965 - get it? I actually never realized that until a friend of mine, who's son has the same birthday told me. I thought it was pretty cool.

Normally I don't love the idea of turning yet another year older (it's better than the alternative right?) I don't enjoy aging - I guess because of vanity. This year I am not so down on another birthday because this year I turn 44. Lucky Number 44! Let me explain. This is going to be an awesome year! I know that because 44 is my lucky number. Isn't it a great number - there is no other number quite like it. In High School it was my number (all four years) in Volleyball and Basketball (served me very well, I might add). I always seek it out whenever someone asks my favorite number. I will settle for just "4" if that's all there is, or if they say to pick a number between 1 and 10 - but two 4's is always better than one right?

So 2009 is going to be unbelievably fabulous! And every time something great happens to me this year I will say to myself "Lucky number 44!".

The organizing bug!

I know it's January and all (touted by most stores to be the month to get organized)- but I have the organizing bug bad! I just feel like dashing around the house and either sorting through things (and eliminating lots!) or straightening them up in a new way or cleaning some nook or cranny that I don't normally get to. I am already a pretty clean person - so why am I having these extra impulses? My mom would say it has something to do with "organizing" my life. She puts a metaphysical spin on everything - but maybe there is something to that. The last few months I have felt like I don't have control of my own life and maybe this is some subconscious way for me to take control again? Who knows - but things sure do feel nice when they are more organized.

What's wrong with January?

Why does everyone always hate on January? It has been said that the suicide rate is the highest in January. People always talk about how in January those Christmas bills start rolling in and contribute to people's skyrocketing depression. I also hear lots of complaining about what a dreary month January is (in some parts of the country) - so the weather may also play a part in the dissing of January.

Since my birthday is in January I have always felt a little defensive about these comments. It isn't January's fault that the holidays didn't meet your expectations and you want to kill yourself. It isn't January's fault that you spent too much money on Christmas and now can't pay the piper. It isn't January's fault that it happens to be cold in the part of the country where you choose to live.

January is about fresh starts and new beginnings! It is about resolutions, great after Christmas sales, getting back into a normal routine after the holiday bustle, football playoffs and bowl games (used to be about the Superbowl too), Martin Luther King, the Chinese New Year (alright those last two are stretching it) and many popular winter sports which require snow and ice. Where I live the weather is some of the prettiest of the year. Sometimes it is 75 degrees on my birthday! So, give January a break - it is just a necessary measure of time.