Judgement

There is one thing about women that drives me insane...their judgement of others. More specifically their judgement of other women, especially other Mothers. I'm not sure why some women feel the need to bash or belittle the choices or paths others take. Perhaps they are justified in some of their thoughts but oftentimes I question the necessity to say harsh, mean or downright nasty things to another person who is trying to live life the best way she can.

Case in point. I read CNN.com each morning. Today there was an article about rising costs and i.report asked for contributions for ways to save money. Intrigued, I decided to submit my own story and what do you know, within an hour it was up. The first couple of comments were supportive and I was excited about writing something that got over 500 hits in an hours time. But then it happened...

"My husband and I did not have a "date night" when we were young and raising children, and why rent a moving every week, again we actually SACRIFICED when our children were babies, I don't think i saw a movie until it came on tv for 6 years.....

thats what is wrong with young adults these days, you don't know what sacrfice is........"

I was a bit shocked as my entry was only meant to offer helpful hints to save here and there. I responded to this comment of course and tried to maintain my composure. This person wasn't satisfied however and went on to comment more, even going so far as to tell me:

"We lived on a budget and planned, we did the things that you are doing now, nothing you are doing is new, you are not this great mom because you can freeze, been there done that. "

I sat dumbfounded at first at this venom coming from this total stranger who was lashing out at me from an anonymous name on a news website. Why in the world did she feel the need to berate me when I only hoped to share what information I had with others?

I responded to her one last time and I figure if she responds again it's best just to let it all go. I just cannot fathom why some people receive so much pleasure from degrading others. It's beyond my capacity to understand and I suppose I should be glad of it.

You can read my entry HERE. If just so happen to speak up on my behalf please feel free but I'd like to ask that you not mention this blog there. I purposely left out all information concerning this venue and I'd prefer to keep it as such.

Ballroom Class

Ok Technically it wasn't a class. It was teachers from a local group that came for a free introductory session at my husband's company. We showed up and there were around 15 other people there and let me tell you, it was just plain weird because as soon as we entered we were greeted by the reincarnation of Bob Ross.

I'm not joking.

The dude looked exactly like him. The moment I walked inside I did a double take and thought to myself...do I know that guy??? I kept staring trying to place him because, let's face it, hair like that is just hard to come by. Eventually I figured it out and had to stifle the giggles each time he addressed the group. I kept waiting for him to break out the easel and brushes. Each time he came by I could just see him holding his palette and saying to me with a smile, "now let's make a happy little tree."

You try keeping a straight face when you have Bob Ross in front of you.

That's not all though, there was a guy with a bulging left eyeball (it was so freaky, I tried to make eye contact when he approached me but which eye to look at??), the short balding guy who made me very uncomfortable (I got the impression he was flirting with me, even with Jimbo sitting beside me), the three women who sat on the end of the table like high school bitches and gave me an eat shit and die look when I smiled and said hello, the mental case woman who kept referring to her husband as "mine" and making bizarre statements, usually at random. Like when the instructor was talking she said, "I call this my MAN watch!" and pointed to the large brown metal watch on her arm. I'll spare you the story of her and the "snicker doodles" on the table. Suffice it to say, don't get between a 'hongry' woman and her favorite sugary snack.

I couldn't focus on the steps so I just did cha-cha'd my feet around and took in the weird people my husband works with. Poor guy, maybe his job isn't as easy as I thought. He's working in a freaking loony bin, with Bob Ross! The next time I go to anything sponsored by his company again I'm taking my camera.

**In case you're all too young to remember, Bob Ross is pictured above. I watched in on PBS when I was a kid. I'm telling you, it was FREAKY!!

Wacky and Magical Wedding

We have a marriage coming up in our family. Great right? If only it weren't so..well..weird!

Jimbo's cousin Jackie is getting married, her guy is named Matt. I'm not too sure about their relationship other than they never were very 'lovey' with one another and I honestly assumed they were just friends with benefits. They just never gave off a 'couple' vibe and I feel strange whenever I'm around them.

When they announced the engagement, I was surprised but didn't give it much thought. But soon I'd have to pay it some attention because I was told they requested Arwen be the flower girl. So for the last few months I've pleaded with my tomboy daughter to consider being the flower girl and each time she says no. Nothing will sway her, so finally I accepted defeat and gave Jimbo's family the news.

That should be all right?

Wrong.

Jackie now is RSVP'ing the wedding. But it's complicated. Matt is a Catholic (and from what I've been told) wants a lavish wedding. Why is beyond me. He is the first man I've ever known to not only want a wedding but also to take a large part in it. So far he has:

Accompanied the brides maids not only to pick but also to have their dresses fitted (ODD!)

Picked the floral decorations.

Picked the colors.

Picked the cake.

He's even accompanied Jackie to find her WEDDING DRESS. Isn't that breaking with tradition? Even a Catholic one??

To compound all of this, Jackie is being converted but as a recent divorcee (I don't get it myself, if you've been married before, why in the hell have this huge wedding?? Some day I'll have to blog about her previous spouse, I'll just say think Shawshank Redemption!) and the church hasn't granted their blessing to have the wedding in the Catholic Church. So they've decided to RSVP the dates but not the venue.

Now, there is no way I'm going to this wedding. I'm not going to drag my children and expect them to sit still during this entire ceremony. I've explained it to my Mother in law who has asked I just not RSVP at all because, "they won't notice you're not there!". Ugggg.

And here is the weirdest thing of all. Matt is a magician (I think it's some sort of strange hobby). He's always coming to family get togethers and the children gather around and he pulls quarters out of their ears (he gives off a total pedophile vibe, Jimbo agrees, we NEVER leave him alone with the kids). So in light of this he has asked a friend to...god I can't believe I'm going to say this...

His friend is going to go around the reception...doing magic tricks for all the guests.

Does this sound like a wedding you'd want to attend? If so you are more than welcome to my RSVP!