It is official, I have shed 20 pounds! How you ask, well a steady stream of low cal foods with a healthy dose of wine. Yes, I believe wine has been the key to my success. Forget what all those dieters say, I am here to tell you, you can drink all the wine you'd like! So to celebrate...and shed more pounds...I think I'll go pour myself some now. If it's for dieting purposes it shouldn't matter that it's only 11:00 am right? Bottoms up!
Why is an independent woman such a bad thing in the minds of so many people? So I finally called my dad -- whom I haven't spoken with in 2 months. We were 'catching up'. Although it was slightly superficial as we each get information about the other from my aunt. At any rate, he said that he had heard that Pt has a girlfriend. I said, "Yes". He asked if she was divorced, no. (Note: on my to do list for 2011 is to get that divorce I've talked about for so long now). Then the question all single women get..."Any men in your life?"
Me: No
Dad: Aw, that's too bad, you're a good catch
Me: (thinking) No shit!
Me: (what I actually said): I know
Dad: You don't want to be alone. That's not good.
Me: Don't put your issues on me, I'm happy.
Dad: (in an angry tone) I'm not putting my issues on you. It could be just you or you with 18 cats, I just don't want to see that happen to you.
Me: I made the choice to be on my own right now. I'm good with it, I'm happy with where I am.
Dad: Okay, I just want you to be happy, that's all I want for you.
Okay, seriously, who in their right fucking mind starts off a conversation with 'you don't want to be alone' who's not putting his/her own issues into play? Why are so many people threatened/weirded out/annoyed WHATEVER with the idea that a woman can actually be happy WITHOUT a man (or woman in some cases) in her life? First of all, it was totally healthy for me to take a break from men. I needed to do things. I don't need someone to 'complete me'. Fucking Jerry McGuire making so many people think that co-dependence is a good thing. NO, I don't need anyone to complete me. News flash, I am complete all on my little own!
So then we move on to another topic, who knows, who cares what it was about. He asked a bunch of questions like, "How much is gas out there?" and then proceeded to talk about M's (his girlfriend) gas mileage. Why ask a question if you just want to talk? So I finally answered his question, then...wait for it...still waiting...yup, long awkward pause....Then...
Dad: I'll let you go
Me: okay
Dad: So what's it? 6:30 out there?
Me: yes
Dad: Okay, we should talk more often
Me: (thinking) No shit! You have a phone too, pick it up and dial sometime.
Me: (actually said) Yeah, I have some things that we need to discuss, but I need to write them down first so I don't sound so angry and pissed off.
Dad: No use in being angry
Me:(thinking) You weren't screwed over by your parents
Me: (actually said) I know, I just need to write it down so I don't ramble.
Dad: okay, bye, I love you
So, some may be wondering...What was with the long pause? Well, my bet is M was urging him to get off the phone. She usually does it a little louder so that I hear. Dear aunt told Dad I was pissed about that and he must have told M, forcing her to go all Silent Bob like.
I hung up still pissed off with the whole 'alone' thing. I then poured myself a glass of wine. Which leads me to my second topic...Families lead many people to drink! Yup, I'm one of them! And this is one of the many reasons why I moved far away from my family!
Me: No
Dad: Aw, that's too bad, you're a good catch
Me: (thinking) No shit!
Me: (what I actually said): I know
Dad: You don't want to be alone. That's not good.
Me: Don't put your issues on me, I'm happy.
Dad: (in an angry tone) I'm not putting my issues on you. It could be just you or you with 18 cats, I just don't want to see that happen to you.
Me: I made the choice to be on my own right now. I'm good with it, I'm happy with where I am.
Dad: Okay, I just want you to be happy, that's all I want for you.
Okay, seriously, who in their right fucking mind starts off a conversation with 'you don't want to be alone' who's not putting his/her own issues into play? Why are so many people threatened/weirded out/annoyed WHATEVER with the idea that a woman can actually be happy WITHOUT a man (or woman in some cases) in her life? First of all, it was totally healthy for me to take a break from men. I needed to do things. I don't need someone to 'complete me'. Fucking Jerry McGuire making so many people think that co-dependence is a good thing. NO, I don't need anyone to complete me. News flash, I am complete all on my little own!
So then we move on to another topic, who knows, who cares what it was about. He asked a bunch of questions like, "How much is gas out there?" and then proceeded to talk about M's (his girlfriend) gas mileage. Why ask a question if you just want to talk? So I finally answered his question, then...wait for it...still waiting...yup, long awkward pause....Then...
Dad: I'll let you go
Me: okay
Dad: So what's it? 6:30 out there?
Me: yes
Dad: Okay, we should talk more often
Me: (thinking) No shit! You have a phone too, pick it up and dial sometime.
Me: (actually said) Yeah, I have some things that we need to discuss, but I need to write them down first so I don't sound so angry and pissed off.
Dad: No use in being angry
Me:(thinking) You weren't screwed over by your parents
Me: (actually said) I know, I just need to write it down so I don't ramble.
Dad: okay, bye, I love you
So, some may be wondering...What was with the long pause? Well, my bet is M was urging him to get off the phone. She usually does it a little louder so that I hear. Dear aunt told Dad I was pissed about that and he must have told M, forcing her to go all Silent Bob like.
I hung up still pissed off with the whole 'alone' thing. I then poured myself a glass of wine. Which leads me to my second topic...Families lead many people to drink! Yup, I'm one of them! And this is one of the many reasons why I moved far away from my family!
Before anyone calls the authorities, I did NOT take 40 kids wine tasting! However, for about 6 hours one day last week, someone thought it might be mighty fun if I had 40 3rd graders in one class. And yes, that not only is a lot, but it is also above the legal limit. So to make a long, stressful story short, I am back down to 30. I sure do miss the days of class size reduction (20 kids in a class).
A friend from Spain came into town with some of her friends who are planning to get married in Vegas -- but it doesn't count! How cool is that? They didn't get the proper paperwork from Spain, so the Vegas wedding is just for kicks! Anyway, we all went wine tasting here in Monterey County -- which in my opinion has better wines than Napa and Sonoma! We then ventured out to Monterey and Carmel. I will post pics later, running short on time.
Finally, we have MORE inservices! Seriously when will someone start to make them interesting. In all the years I've been a teacher I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I went to an inservice and enjoyed it! Yesterday the woman was explaining the new writing program. It became obvious -- to everyone, but the presenter, that we NEEDED a break. Sadly, she just kept plowing threw. That's when I vowed never to do that to my students again. Oh, and Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' pops in for literally two minutes -- of course we were antsy at that time -- and tells the presenter to tell us to -- basically -- be quiet. Of course the presenter said it in a much nicer manner. Then Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' ran out of the room. I don't even think she stayed long enough to hear the presenter to tell us to shut the fuck up!
So, now I am off for more training...oh the joy!
A friend from Spain came into town with some of her friends who are planning to get married in Vegas -- but it doesn't count! How cool is that? They didn't get the proper paperwork from Spain, so the Vegas wedding is just for kicks! Anyway, we all went wine tasting here in Monterey County -- which in my opinion has better wines than Napa and Sonoma! We then ventured out to Monterey and Carmel. I will post pics later, running short on time.
Finally, we have MORE inservices! Seriously when will someone start to make them interesting. In all the years I've been a teacher I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I went to an inservice and enjoyed it! Yesterday the woman was explaining the new writing program. It became obvious -- to everyone, but the presenter, that we NEEDED a break. Sadly, she just kept plowing threw. That's when I vowed never to do that to my students again. Oh, and Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' pops in for literally two minutes -- of course we were antsy at that time -- and tells the presenter to tell us to -- basically -- be quiet. Of course the presenter said it in a much nicer manner. Then Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' ran out of the room. I don't even think she stayed long enough to hear the presenter to tell us to shut the fuck up!
So, now I am off for more training...oh the joy!
I am pleased to report that my gout or plantar fasciitis is not, I repeat NOT affected by red wine. Whew! I was worried there. Do to my dedication to science, I decided to test out my theory...I drank red wine. Remember, it's all in the name of science. I was pleased that the next morning my heel was not quite as bad as the morning I walked around like a drunken 90 year old. I know you were all worried about this.
Along the wine theme, the strangest thing happened yesterday. So for the last few days I have had workers at the house fixin' stuff. I had the pest control guy come out...interesting character who I will talk about -- or not -- in a bit. I also had a landscaper dude come out and fix my fence. Nice guy, does good work; I've worked with him in the past so I'm cool with him. At the end of the day yesterday -- day 2 of fence/gate fixin' -- he made some joke about beer. Apparently his helper made a crack about how a cold beer would be good about 'now'. Which I totally understood. They had been working in the sun and heat all day. Sometimes, I'm too honest for my own good...I replied that I had wine, but no beer. The guy who wanted the beer proceeds to ask what kind of wine and of course I answer -- honestly 'cuz I don't know when to shut up -- red and white (which was chilling in the fridge, yup, told them that too). I must really learn to shut my mouth! Somehow it came about that he would take some red. Now, to be honest I may have offered -- it's how I am. Seriously, some strong duct tape might do me some good! Thank goodness it was 2 buck chuck! So, yes I poured the wine for them -- in classy red plastic cups! Between the two they drank almost the whole bottle. I think they were done, or almost done, with the work. Seriously, it was a very surreal experience. And yes, I would -- and will -- hire him again to do work for me around the house.
Along the wine theme, the strangest thing happened yesterday. So for the last few days I have had workers at the house fixin' stuff. I had the pest control guy come out...interesting character who I will talk about -- or not -- in a bit. I also had a landscaper dude come out and fix my fence. Nice guy, does good work; I've worked with him in the past so I'm cool with him. At the end of the day yesterday -- day 2 of fence/gate fixin' -- he made some joke about beer. Apparently his helper made a crack about how a cold beer would be good about 'now'. Which I totally understood. They had been working in the sun and heat all day. Sometimes, I'm too honest for my own good...I replied that I had wine, but no beer. The guy who wanted the beer proceeds to ask what kind of wine and of course I answer -- honestly 'cuz I don't know when to shut up -- red and white (which was chilling in the fridge, yup, told them that too). I must really learn to shut my mouth! Somehow it came about that he would take some red. Now, to be honest I may have offered -- it's how I am. Seriously, some strong duct tape might do me some good! Thank goodness it was 2 buck chuck! So, yes I poured the wine for them -- in classy red plastic cups! Between the two they drank almost the whole bottle. I think they were done, or almost done, with the work. Seriously, it was a very surreal experience. And yes, I would -- and will -- hire him again to do work for me around the house.
This all now brings me to my profound thought: I have the ability to fix anything that is wrong in my life. Now this may sound like a no brainer statement to you, but for me -- who grew up in a highly dysfunctional family -- this is a new thought. Last night was one of those 'wake up in the middle of the night and stay awake for hours waiting for the brain to slow down and take a break'. One of the pleasant thoughts was about my new gates. You see, the old ones were so messed up that rather than opening them up and rolling the garbage and yard waste bins out them I would actually go through the garage and around the dreaded gates. This was a pain in the ass as the yard waste bin had to go through the garage door at just the right angle otherwise it wouldn't fit. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks. That gate, and what I was doing with the bins, was a perfect metaphor for my life. In the past, instead of fixing things -- whether it was a gate or something personal -- I would find a way to live with it and just deal. Like I said, I had a pretty dysfunctional upbringing. The dysfunction hit overdrive in my teen years and really never stopped. Many of the things that happened were out of my control and I HAD to learn to just deal with it. Sadly, that became a part of me. It is only recently that I have started to take control over my life. Not that I didn't before, just that I am now really dealing with many things. So in the end, I could have saved myself countless trips to the therapist if I had only had my gates/fences fixed earlier!