Ringing in The new year!

Yes, I know we just started the 3rd month of the year and I haven't posted once in '07. So here I am ringing in the New Year....BBBRRRIIING!!!

With the New Year came my 35th birthday. I don't spend time worrying about my age or getting older, but when I say I'm 35 I kind of take pause because I have no idea what happened. It's like I have some sort of brain injury because there's nothing in me that responds to 35! One of the things that occur to me is that when my mother was 35 she was having her 8th child and sporting a nice bouffant hairdo. When I look at pictures of her she seems so old and I'm not like that in the least. I'm young and hip and have never in my life even considered a bouffant (not to mention the 8 kids...holy crap!).

Anyway, like I said it isn't as though I'm rocking myself in a corner about being 35, I just don't know how time has managed to elapse quite so fast. Now, even saying that makes me sound old, and I'm not by the way...I'm young and hip remember. All this stuff in the media about thirty being the new twenty and so on just kind of pisses me off. It doesn't make sense it's like someone saying pink is the new black. What the fuck people?!?!? Besides, I wouldn't want to relive my early twenties for nothing. I was unhappy and doing things that make me cringe now. If my thirties are going to be like my twenties, let me just skip ahead to forty please! The best thing is that I have pretty good genes, the chicks in my family age pretty well (especially if we stay away from the bouffant, I mean with a good cut and some dye- watch out!).

I'm Not Dead...Just Chillin'

Well, I can't say that I've been "chillin'" really because that makes me sound too cool, which we know I'm not. Also, I now live on the Central Coast of California and went to the beach last Friday to picnic with my family. Yes...you heard me...the beach...in November! Definately NOT chillin'!

Considering how frigid it starts to get in Montana this time of year, I do thank my lucky stars we've relocated. I'm still a little flustered that they sell winter parkas and boots around here. Seriously, I think the coldest it gets in the middle of the night is 40 degrees. Parkas? Really? I have missed the leaves changing in Montana. Fall was one of my favorite seasons there if you can call 4 weeks a season.

Anyway, I'm still adjusting to the change in locale. Although there have been so many awesome things about moving here, the feeling of displacement is tough. I was reading a post by JQP the other day and can relate since he's going through the same thing. It's hard when you establish some roots to feel so out of sorts. I really like it here, but I always feel like I'm a little lost. I know that's part of why I've not been very good at posting. I have no set routine or rhythm to my life here yet. I'll get there though, I have all the faith in the world that I will.

I'm headed up to Sonoma for Thanksgiving. My clan is joining my brother and all of his in-laws for the holiday. I have to admit there's a bit of apprehension on my part. I'll kind of be the outsider. I hate that at 34 I can still be so damn insecure. What the hell??!? I keep thinking of all the things I can bring to boost my ego and they're all food items. I feel pretty confident in the kitchen, so I suppose I feel that if I ply everyone with zucchini bread, spiced nuts and cranberry puff pastry bites, I'll be beloved! I know...skewed thinking, what can I say? I'm Italian; my life usually revolves around the next meal.

I hope all of my friends out in Blogger Land have a safe and grateful holiday! XO

Studio 60 Ate My Blog

All I can say is that posting has been low on the priority list. I couldn't tell you what has been high on the priority list, but I've been too consumed with everyday life that I haven't posted in what seems like forever.I tried to post a couple of times, but I decided I was too boring for words and the world of blogs was better off with no post at all. So I'm now sitting here in my office (still full of boxes) and I'm bummed I haven't taken the time to post because it's something I actually enjoy doing. So here I am...back at it for now.

Since my last post we've got some exciting news...my dad and the gold digger broke up! Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, he surprises us all. He actually called her a manipulative bitch, which totally threw me for a loop considering he wanted his kids to "love her, just love her because she's sooooo good to me. I think we'll get married in full Indian dress at the Gates of the Mountain!" WHA?????? So suffice it to say, I'm tickled the man finally saw her for what she was.

In other news Craig and I sprung for DirecTV with the whole DVR thing and now I'm not sure how I survived without it. For those of you that may not know a DVR is just like TiVo. You can record your favorite programs and watch them at your convenience. This has been incredible considering I no longer have to suffer through trying to fix dinner, help with homework and catch glimpses of Oprah. Also I don't have to stay up late to watch my new all time favorite show Studio 60.

If you haven't watched this little gem of television writing, than please give it a try. The pace is fast, the writing is smart and incredibly funny and the cast is to die for. I have to admit I was a little worried about seeing Chandler Bing as a comedy writer. Who knew Matthew Perry was so multi faceted? Sarah Paulson is also a HUGE find because she is stellar in the "sketches" from the SNLesque show that's being written about in the series, and she also handles the dramatic story line with aplomb. I just love this new show!!!!! I can't say enough about how fabulous it is. And if stupid NBC takes it off the air because it only got 10 million viewers instead of 50 gabillion, I'm going to be royally pissed off!

So there you have it, DirecTV, my new DVR and Studio 60 is to blame for why I haven't blogged in so damn long. All that and I just might be in a total funk. I'm not sure why, maybe since the move I just haven't found my groove, I just need to get it in gear, so I'm starting with this post.

My Blog's About to File Papers

I should sleep on the couch or maybe in the dog house! I forgot my own anniversary. No, not my wedding anniversary, that was in July and we hit double digits, thank you very much! My blog anniversary was the 19th and I blew it off! Life has been full, interesting and busy since we've moved.

My big excuse for not blogging is that of all the rooms in the house, the office has been the most neglected. I am currently writing at a cramped computer desk, trying to balance the laptop alongside my desktop which is no longer in service. The desk top will be going to the computer gravyard soon. We discovered that after we established that there was nothing wrong with our newly installed internet connection. The wireless modem also screwed the pooch and thus here I write at this pathetic desk, trying not to freak out about the boxes still piled behind me and the pictures that still aren't hung stacked next to me.

So, I had no fan fare, cake or even a pity party to celebrate the existence of my pathetic little blog site. I just forgot completely and was probably running around here like the insane person I am, trying to prepare my kids for their first day of school.

They started school the 23rd. The day came just in time. They were getting a little nuts and I was not thrilled with the mantra, "but I'm bored, there's nothing to do!" Yeah, they say those things as I'm ass-deep in boxes and packing, trying to find places to put things I forgot I even had. "I'm not your frickin' entertainment!" I yell back, much to no avail; at which time my smarmy husband comes back with, "yeah, but your mine baby! Wanna go back to the room and...?"

Of course I feel about as sexy as... I don't know whatever's totally not sexy. I've put on about 15 pounds this past year. I'm clearly not one of those gals who loses weight under stress. No, stress gives me the craving for a Big Mac and some chocolate cake. Craig, my stallion, has no change in his libido for me in my current state of cowdom, which is so awesome, but I gotta do something about how I feel about myself.

So there it is folks, I'm still here. I'm still unpacking, I'm excited about having a routine with the beasties back in school, I'm a cow, but I'm ready to get back on the treadmill, both literally and figuratively. I'll try to check in and get better about this blog thing, but there are no guarantees until this office turns into something other that the current pile of shit that it is.

The Mary has Landed!

It's official...I'm a Californian! I'm writing in the middle of a sea of boxes. I've managed to capture a few moments to myself while my boys are next door on the slip-n-slide with the new neighbor boys (they're in heaven)! Aside from all of the unpacking I have to do, things are great. I've already had my sister and niece visit, which was awesome. That's the perks of living closer to family and oh how I've missed it.

The base housing here was built in 1958, so I feel kind of like I'm in the ghetto, but we're making the most of it. The yard is big and the weather has been pleasant, so I won't complain (oh, who am I kidding, I'll complain, just not yet)! Hubby's schedule has been pretty low key since we've been here, so it's been nice to be able to work on the house together. It won't feel normal until the kids start back to school. Our schedule has been really chaotic, so I won't get the gist of life on base until we have a little structure.

I've missed blogging and keeping in touch with the world outside of my own little circle. Sometimes I feel so completely out of touch because we don't get a newspaper yet, just got cable and internet hooked up. I feel like a clueless wonder these days. I can't really discuss current events because I don't know what's current.

Anyway, it's good to have a home once again. If you can believe it I live on a street that rhymes with my name. Any guesses?

Helena 59601

Hey everyone! I'm still in transition. I had a quick second to post as I'm at my dad's place in Helena to take a shower and do a load of laundry. We are officially homeless. Right now we're living out of our 5th wheel trailer and lovin it!

We traveled to Idaho to root for my stud brother the IRONMAN! He did so awesome in his race, I'm so very proud of him. He completed the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run in 13 and half hours. He inspires me and makes me try harder to be a better person! BTW, I really like Idaho...at least the pan handle; WOW, what a beautiful part of the country!!

We traveled back here to Montana to celebrate my dads birthday and to do a bit of camping before saying good-bye to our friends and heading to Cali. We leave the 5th for our new home. After the events of the last few days with my dad and the skank he's chosen as his "lady friend", the move out of here couldn't come soon enough. I don't have time for the details, let me just say that another woman, Cialis and an intervention were involved. After this the dynamic of the family may just be changed forever!

It's times like these when I'm more in love with my husband and thank my lucky stars we've created a family all our own. I love my life...my REAL life.

She Ain't Nothin' But A Gold Digger...

Yesterday was my day to deal with stupid people. First I had to contend with the moron at the t-shirt store. Then I was lucky enough to speak with the slowest talker on the planet at QWest. I never thought that trying to cancel service would be so fricken difficult.

Today, I said good-bye to my man and my three dogs. Nothing like that to make a girl feel blue. Craig's taking the hounds down to California to stay with my brother for the next couple of weeks. That way we don't have to worry about them while we're packing the house and going on leave. Also, he's leaving our van and flying back so that when we make the trip down we'll be in one vehicle. He's a gem for going through all this trouble, especially after how crazy busy we've been. I pick him up Sunday evening at the airport. My eldest said he misses him already!

This will probably be my last post until I get settled. I have feeling I'll have a lot to report between the move, our trip to Idaho and my dad's 75th birthday. I'm really getting worried about the birthday shindig. My dad has this new girlfriend that he wants all of us to "just love". He doesn't understand that although we want him to be happy, we don't want or need to have a relationship with his girlfriend.

The corker is that he was married to our mother for 50 years. Mom was a classy lady, very classy. She was the backbone and rock of our big family. All of the important life lessons we learned from her. Dad was a pilot and gone all the time. He's also from the generation that was not very hands-on when it came to parenting. He doesn't know his kids very well, subsequently. Mom's loss was difficult on all of us. We've had to redefine our relationship with dad since mom's no longer around to be the buffer. Now that he has a girlfriend 20 years younger than he is (only 2 years older than my sister), and he's "happier than he's ever been", he doesn't understand why we're having a hard time.

I have been an advocate for him and I've tried to encourage my siblings to accept that he's been lonely and it's good that he's found a companion. That was until he went down to California for my niece’s graduation and had the girlfriend fly down. The idea was that she would "help him drive back to Montana". This kind of surprised me since he's driven down and back several times by himself. Then I just thought he wanted my sibs to meet her, but I thought that it was a little insensitive since they've told him that they're not comfortable with the idea of him so serious with someone.

Come to find out, she came down to pick up his other car. He has a Toyota Prius and a Chrysler Crossfire. Why does a 75 year old man need two cars? He doesn't. He wanted them both and can afford them, so why not? Whatever. Well, they picked up the car so SHE would have something to drive in Helena. Does this recent development make me think she's a gold-digger? YES!

They've known each other for maybe 2 years. He started dating her last fall, even called me to ask how I felt about it. Before I had a chance to answer him, he broke things off. Apparently they had some sort of miscommunication and they broke it off. When I asked about her he said, "Oh fuck her". This spring he came back to Montana after spending the winter in California. He was home for less than a month when he went away with her to a resort for the weekend. He's asked her to come to Idaho for my brothers Ironman and invited her to Hawaii. Now he's giving her a car.

They've been together for 2 months. What are his kids supposed to think? She's had a rough life and doesn't have a lot. She works as a house painter; scrapping and painting houses, businesses and decks. It's a bit suspicious to me to have a 54 year old woman with a 75 year old man. His only hobby is vodka, so I wonder what she sees in him. He's in pretty good shape and not bad looking, for 75, but come on! The only explanation I can come up with is that she's using him for what he can give her and it aint the tube steak boogie.

Am I being too cynical? I could give a rat’s ass about my inheritance, unlike some sibs, but I worry that she's taking advantage of his loneliness and vulnerable emotions to get stuff from him. The fact that he's so gung-ho on all of us liking and accepting her concerns me about his attachment to her. So what do you think? Is she a gold-digger? Should we be worried about our dad?