Damn if she didn’t get me thinking . . .

One of my blogging heroines, Jessica over at Oh The Joys, posted about her relationship with her sister-in-law. Jessica is known for her humor, sarcasm and quick wit. This post was one of her rare serious posts. It was honest and heartfelt and it struck a chord with me.

See, I am the SIL. NO!, not Jessica’s sister-in-law (although how cool would THAT be? ah Internet lurve ain’t it grand??).

Anyway, we moved to our current geographical location to be closer to family. My husband’s family to be exact. They all live within about 20 minutes of us.

We live right next door to my Mother-In-Law and her husband and I am proud to say that I am very close to my MIL. My SIL? Not so much. We get along, but we are not close. Our interests are different as are our outlooks on life. Jessica’s post reminded me that she’s family. A family I am extremely grateful to be part of.

I am an only child and my parents split when I was three. My extended family is scattered from Arizona to New Jersey and from Massachusetts to Florida. I have friends to whom I am closer than my blood relatives. Not my husband, his best friend is his cousin. They all grew up together and while they all lead different lives and give each other rashers of sh*t, the reality is they would do anything for each other. Part of the lure of moving here was for my children to experience that kind of family connection.

My MIL & FIL are ducking the nasty winter and traipsing around the Southland. After reading Jessica’s post, it struck me I had no clue how my SIL and her family were. Did my nephew get a job? Has he finished his college applications?

I love my MIL, but the reality is she won’t be around forever and I’d hate to think that this family thing will disintegrate when she and her sister (they are co-matriarchs) pass on. I don’t need to be the matriarch for future generations, but I want to be a part of keeping us together.

I picked up the phone and invited SIL her SO and my nephew for dinner tomorrow night. They have plans, but those plans may fall through due to weather concerns, so she’s going to call me tomorrow. If we don’t do it tomorrow, I have it in my head to get together soon.

I’m glad I called.

Thanks Jessica (and Jane)

Watch this without tearing up. I DARE you!

First go here and read Susan’s story (the blurb in the right margin will be sufficient, but the rest of the site is worth a read too).

Then go here and and watch this short video.

Way to go Midwest Mommy & crew!  What would we do without the Internet???

To Holly at the AP, Thanks, but no

Dear Holly,

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I’m flattered that you saw something of interest in my writings. I saw the comment last night and have spent some time mulling things over. Much to my own surprise, I’m going to decline your invitation to discuss Elizabeth Edwards.

You are correct, there is no contact information on this blog. It is anonymous for a reason. It is my place to rant and rave about whatever crosses my mind without fear of reprisal. I have other blogs where I identify myself, and I craft my messages more carefully in those spaces to insure the respectfulness that I believe is necessary for our coexistence on this planet. Here is where I blow of my steam of Righteous Moral Indignation. Venting is good, but it is not always conducive to peaceful coexistence. I don’t advertise this blog, nor do I share the URL with people. If per chance people stumble upon it, I welcome feedback, but do not view it as a requirement to continue to write (yeah, I know this seems a little odd in light of my Sally Field post, but tough).

I’m not naive, I’ve probably revealed enough here that someone who REALLY wanted to find me could (no, that is not a challenge to all the psychos out there .

I’m also not afraid of confrontation, and I am more than willing to discuss and if necessary defend my opinions, but in the case of Mrs. Edwards, I have said all I feel comfortable saying at this time. I do not wish to further any discussion of the so called “Mommy Wars“. Not that you were necessarily headed that way, but if I were to discuss Mrs. Edwards, I would like to do so in the context of her work with her husband’s campaign and by conscious choice, I have not been paying too much attention as of late. The election is more than 1 year away, yet both sides of the aisle started campaigning late last year. While I believe in the democratic process, in the immortal words of Dennis Miller, “Hey Cha, Cha, I have a life to lead”. The field of candidates will shake itself out and they will all eventually share their positions of the issues of importance to me, or they won’t and I’ll judge them based on that lack of information. Right now, I have children to raise, a marriage to enjoy and a business to run. Oh and rants to rave in anonymity.

So Holly of the AP, thanks for the invitation, but I respectfully decline and wish you good luck in your continued search.

Reesie

I Feel Like Sally Field

You read me! You really read me!

Thanks to Oh. The Joys for her comment on my last post. I basically lurk on her blog, (even though most days, I am ROFL at her posts) more because of time than anything else. I usually catch up on my bloggy friends while waiting for the waffles to toast and the oatmeal to microwave before calling the rugrats to breakfast. Once the little feet hit the ground, there is no time for typing.

I have yet to set up stats on this blog (pure laziness on my part), so I have no clue if anyone but me is reading this unless you comment dear reader. I’ll do my best to get stats set up soon, but in the mean time, thanks OTJ for letting me know I’m not just talking to myself. To the rest of you (if there are any others), please feel free to comment away.

BTW, don’t miss OTJs posts on Hens with Big Hallways and more recently, Fruit of the Loom. WARNING: Don’t read them of your ribs hurt. Oh, and be sure to have a tissue handy for the tears of laughter that will stream down your face.

Blogher, 2007, I’m IN!

I stumbled over BlogHer.org last year. I was intrigued. There was an announcement about their upcoming conference. I drooled, but California was just too far and besides, what business did I have going to a blogging conference anyway. I didn’t even have a blog.

A year later, I have 3, one for my family, one for my ramblings and one for my business. None get a lot of attention, but I’m proud of them none-the-less.

Blogging speaks to me. It is my kind of writing. I love people and I love to know about their lives. Blogs provide snipets or sometimes entire episodes of peoples lives. I’m fascinated.

I love to tell stories too and I’m told I’m pretty good at it, yet some how blogging seems to fall to the bottom of my task list even though it brings me great pleasure.

So, when I saw the announcement for Blogher 2007. I was tickled, then panicked.

I futzed. I fussed. I stalled. I finally asked a friend for a push and she came through, so I’m going.

Can’t friggin wait.