FAMILY REVIEW OF THOR

Saturday night my family went to see Thor. Before I continue, I can hear you judgmental moms out there saying, “Isn’t that movie rated PG-13? And didn’t I just read that her kids recently turned 10? BAD mom!” Yes, all of that is true (except the bad mom part). Believe me, I checked it out beforehand. The only cuss words used were “damn” and “hell” (and only 3 times total, according to my children, who count these things), there was only one kiss, and while there was violence and fighting, there was very little blood and guts showing. So really, it was way less than most video games!

Anyway, I wasn’t thrilled about seeing this movie, but I figured anything that wasn’t a cartoon would be a nice change of pace for us, so I went along. Well, wasn’t I pleasantly surprised! We all loved, loved, loved this movie, albeit for different reasons.

The kids loved it because, well, they’re kids and there was lots of fighting. I don’t think they really got all the family in-fighting and brotherly tension, but that’s okay. I almost prefer it that way!

My husband loved it because he used to read all those comic books when he was a kid. And he loved it because he’s still a big kid and there was lots of fighting.

I loved it because of Thor himself. Really. Have you seen him? Without a shirt? Oh man! Take a look…

You’re welcome!

Karen

Friday Funny- AhThank you, Mrs. Ha-Wiggins!

My daughter. Completely verbal. You know the age. Knows everything because if it's her opinion it must be fact and she's not embarrassed to tell it. She has yet to find the balance in passing comments that need not be shared, and those for public consumption. Apparently, she was having the need to make things clear when I arrived to pick her up from her Brownie meeting.

I walked up to her leader, who is preparing them for their first camp outing this weekend. All the moms are going- except me.

Her leader and I begin exchanging hellos and Zoe grabs my hand, looks her leader dead in the eye and says,"Yeah... my mom is really not the camping type of mom. That's why she's not going."

Oh really? I had no idea, Zoe. Please, to my absolute mortification, continue to expound on that thought....

"She's really more of a mani-pedi mom. She likes to have her latte and sit on the couch. She'd much rather sleep in her own bed and she REALLY likes to get a massage. She's more of a take me to the mall kind of mom. I just don't think she would make it camping."

Well ahthankayouAhMrs.Ha-wiggins! (Yes, that's a Carol Burnett Show reference.

I had no idea that I wasn't cut out for camping. Mind you, it's not my chosen pastime, but truth be told, I am out of town while the Brownies are on there trip and that is why I won't be there. Thank goodness the leader already knows that. But the looks on the other moms' faces... that was another story.

Yours, wondering if I am now being labeled high maintenance,

Melissa

WHY WE COMPLAIN

Listen in on any women’s luncheon, or read an assortment of mommy blogs, or eavesdrop on a couple of women at their kid’s sports events, and you’re likely to hear them complain about something. It could be their husbands (usually!), their kids, their neighbors, their kids’ school, their contractor, their dog, anything. It doesn’t matter. Face it, women like to complain!

So why do we do it? Well…it’s fun! I mean, really, who wants to sit around and talk about how wonderful life is all the time? Or more importantly, who wants to listen to that? Haven’t you ever read a post on Facebook like, “Happy Birthday to my husband, the most wonderful man ever, who never does anything wrong. I’m so blessed to have you in my life, I’d die without you, I’d be nothing without you. You are my sun, my moon, my world. I love you babycakes.” Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit, but you’ve all seen them. Don’t those posts just make you want to THROW UP??? YUCK!!!

We all want to know that someone else’s life sucks more than ours, right? That’s the bottom line.

But there’s a fine line. We don’t want to be around people who complain ALL THE TIME. That just gets old really fast. So you gotta strike a balance. Don’t be too happy but don’t be too miserable.  Don’t have the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect kids, etc. Yet don’t make everything out to be the worst disaster EVER. That’s just as annoying! Be just right for your friends and they’ll want to be around you more!

Time to get back to my no-so-perfect life. The kids have a half day today. Hmmm, is that good or not so good? You decide!

Karen 

Monday and all of its Madness!

I have a dear girlfriend that I have known since my freshman year in high school. First day of ninth grade, I noticed she was on her own. It was pretty hard not to notice it when there's only about 110+ teenagers in your class. I walked up to her and said,"Hi. My name's Missy. What's yours?" We've been friends ever since. We've been through highschool, college, singleness, marriage, divorce, severe illness, having kids... we've waked through life together. Even when we haven't been with each other on a daily basis, we've still walked together. Have friends like that? They're a treasure.

My friend recently adopted a child. She and her husband found the birth mother and they were present for the delivery and the relationship between everyone has been wonderful. So wonderful, in fact, I've been wondering when it was going to hit. Not that I'm a cynic, but it seemed to be going so smoothly that it worried me. They bring the baby home. Life is wonderful for about two weeks. Everyone is loving the baby, my friend and her husband are over the moon in love with the baby and wouldn't you know it, the birth father, who now happens to be in prison, is deciding whether or not he wants to sue for the right to have his mother raise the child.

You're kidding me, right? Seriously? This guy is in prison and gets the right to a free trial while my friends have to fork over another 10K+ to defend the adoption? Something is not right here. I would understand if he was in for a petty crime with circumstantial evidence. Let's suffice to say this guy has a track record which would make any parent think twice about him having influence over a child's life. And he gets to wreak havoc for free. Actually, not for free... OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE PAYING FOR THIS.

Someone help me understand this... I'm trying to stay fair and balanced, but I'm just not seeing it. I think if he REALLY wants custody, he should have to fork over the money like everyone else. It's not like he is having an attorney to defend his freedom. That I would get. He's been convicted. Feels like he should have to give up this right too. But then again, that's probably my bias toward my friend talking.

Yours, hoping he drops his suit,

Melissa

Friday...

Dear Readers,

I know it's Friday, and usually I do TRY to tell something funny. Believe me, my life lends itself to humor easily. If you don't think God has a sense of humor, I would say take a look at life and I would beg to differ with you. However, today, if you are near to St. Louis, particularly within the West County and Fenton areas, you might be waking up today thinking something along the lines of,"Finally. Justice has been served."

I'm sure you could google this name, Chris Coleman, and find out more than you want to know about the murder trial. He has been convicted of killing his wife and two sons. Even typing that sentence is incomprehensible to me. I just don't understand how anyone could conceive of killing their own children, even their spouse. It's not that I knew them or have intimate knowledge of their relationship. And I realize there are two sides to every story (sometimes three or four), but for murder to be your chosen option for ending your marriage because you are cheating on your wife (not because you are being abused or feel physically threatened or have a need for self defense)? Wow. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around that. All over my neighborhood, and I know because my friends and I have talked about it, husbands and wives are having the following conversation. I think it's a sad commentary when the wife turns to the husband and says," Really, if it ever gets THAT bad and you want out, just pack my stuff and put it on the curb. No need to draw it out or wrestle with it, just give me the kids and we'll make it okay." Who would ever conceive of having to have that kind of conversation?

Yesterday Chris Coleman was convicted on all counts. Today, friends and people all over the bi-state area are given closure. For me, today, it starts with taking a look at my kids and hugging them a little longer, soaking in and savoring the moments.

May we all savor our moments this weekend,

Melissa

MY (?) NEW CAR.

I got a new car Saturday. Or maybe I should say my husband got a new car, because I haven’t actually driven it yet, except to the grocery store on Sunday. But technically, it WILL be my car, once I get the “okey dokey” from my “car guy” hubby.

See, he’s the “car guy” and I’m the “money gal.” So we’re kind-of a tag team when we buy. He scopes out the vehicle, finds one we both like (he’s happy with mechanically and I’m happy with in the looks and “cool stuff” department), then I swoop in and negotiate the price. It works out pretty well. Only this time, I settled too early and didn’t realize I knew the manager I was haggling with until AFTER the deal was done. I hate when they stay behind the curtain like that! I could have played that “But we know each other” card and probably gotten a few hundred more off the price. Sigh, but what’s done is done. (Although I’ll probably sulk about this for a few more weeks!)

Anyway, so because he’s a car guy, I have to let him go through the car with a fine tooth comb. Oh, I should probably explain that this is not a NEW new car, it’s just new to me. Yeah, car guys like my hubby don’t buy NEW cars (not worth the money, depreciate as soon as you leave the lot, blah, blah, blah), but we buy beautiful used cars. No biggie, I’ve gotten used to driving used German cars instead of new American cars!

So I’m just waiting until I get to drive MY new car. Here’s hoping it’s soon! (Maybe he’s waiting until Mother’s Day!)

Karen

Monday Madness

It's Monday, can you tell? Although today, there's a different kind of feel in the air. Today has been a day of celebration for many, as the word began spreading last night that Osama bin Laden had been killed in a firefight between his forces and US Troops. While I haven't seen most of the reports, and I totally missed the President's speech ( I fell asleep. Sorry, Mr. President!), I know so many people in the world are relieved and feel that justice has been served. I think of all the lives this man and his followers have affected, even beyond 9/11, and I can't say I'm sorry to see him go. I hate the thought of the loss of human life. Of course I always hope for reconciliation, I can see where it would never happen in this case.

It is interesting to note that Hitler was taken out on the same day, in nearly the same way.

Hmmmmmm....

Yours, wondering how this will change things,

Melissa