Hello there - got busy and didn't post. Got busy with not sure what - but was busy.
Today I sat at Bob Evans by myself eating breakfast.
I had a table for two - me by myself, armed with a newspaper and a cup of coffee.
The crowd tends to be a bit older there - I would like to say I was the youngest there without a parent. For those that know me, I am entering those midlife crisis years, so not so young anymore.
I got many stares from people, not sure why. Were they wondering why I was sitting in a restuarant all by myself. I suppose it would bother most people to do that, eat by themselves. Is it because they think it would be boring or are they more worried what others (strangers at that) would think on them. Were the people giving me odd looks wondering why I was sitting there by myself? Why would they be concerned, what did they think of me? I really don't care, but thought that would be interesting topic of discussion. It more or less triggered my curiousity.
Society still has a stigma against women who are independent. It's funny to assign independent to a simple act of eating breakfast by myself at a restuarant. Would you go eat by yourself? If not, why not?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Boys Clothes
I, for some reason, always love wearing my husbands sweatshirts. Is that weird?
In the past, I use to wear my boyfriends sweatshirts and the boyfriend mom would get so mad about it. My husband seems equally as disturbed when he catches me wearing his sweatshirt.
Let me put out the facts:
1. I'm only wearing it around the house
2. It reminds me of him
3. I usually only wear it when he's out of town
4. The shirt is really big on me and very comfy
So what if the tables were turned and I came home and he was wearing my sweatshirt:
1. It would be way too small on him
2. Pink is not his color
3. I would be very disturbed.
I just answered my own question. I would mirror his feelings - disturbed.
So to all the women that like to wear that comfy boyfriend/husband sweatshirt - cheers to you.
To all you men that like to wear your wife's clothes - cheers to you as well (but you are still weird).
To my husband - I think I'm going to stop wearing your comfy sweatshirts - I had to write this blog to finally get why it bothered you.
To the rest of you - put the shoe on the other foot every once in a while; sometimes there is a very interesting lesson to learn.
Ann
In the past, I use to wear my boyfriends sweatshirts and the boyfriend mom would get so mad about it. My husband seems equally as disturbed when he catches me wearing his sweatshirt.
Let me put out the facts:
1. I'm only wearing it around the house
2. It reminds me of him
3. I usually only wear it when he's out of town
4. The shirt is really big on me and very comfy
So what if the tables were turned and I came home and he was wearing my sweatshirt:
1. It would be way too small on him
2. Pink is not his color
3. I would be very disturbed.
I just answered my own question. I would mirror his feelings - disturbed.
So to all the women that like to wear that comfy boyfriend/husband sweatshirt - cheers to you.
To all you men that like to wear your wife's clothes - cheers to you as well (but you are still weird).
To my husband - I think I'm going to stop wearing your comfy sweatshirts - I had to write this blog to finally get why it bothered you.
To the rest of you - put the shoe on the other foot every once in a while; sometimes there is a very interesting lesson to learn.
Ann
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
To get to the other side.
It's pretty funny if you think about it. Dumb question, you are going to get a dumb answer. That probably why most people don't laugh when an adult tells it, and only softly chuckle when a kid says it, because it's cuter with that little kid voice.
You do dumb things, the possibility of dumb things happening as a consequence increases.
I do a lot of driving to and from work. I see a lot of crazy stuff on the interstate. Here are a few:
Talking on a cell phone without a headset.
I am sure I am guilty of a few in the past. I usually can detect if soemthing is going on in a car is they are going usually slow, gliding partly in and out of the shoulder, etc. My husband and I (if driving together) have a guessing game at what the person must be doing, so when we pass the strange driver, then the winner of our guessing game is decided when we see what crazy is going on.
So be careful out there!
Ann
It's pretty funny if you think about it. Dumb question, you are going to get a dumb answer. That probably why most people don't laugh when an adult tells it, and only softly chuckle when a kid says it, because it's cuter with that little kid voice.
You do dumb things, the possibility of dumb things happening as a consequence increases.
I do a lot of driving to and from work. I see a lot of crazy stuff on the interstate. Here are a few:
Talking on a cell phone without a headset.
- Emailing or texting on their cell phone
- Reading their emails
- I have seen a person have their computer on their steering wheel and working while talking on the phone
- Reading a book
- Eating a full course meal - this included buttering bread.
- Putting on makeup
- Completely turned around and either looking for something in the back seat, talking to another or maybe yelling at their kids
- Dog sitting in the dashboard on the driver side
- Changing clothes - that at times is a little awkward depending on what they are changing
- Painting fingernails
- Brushing teeth
- Putting in eyedrops
- Knitting (seriously)
- Making out with their passenger
I am sure I am guilty of a few in the past. I usually can detect if soemthing is going on in a car is they are going usually slow, gliding partly in and out of the shoulder, etc. My husband and I (if driving together) have a guessing game at what the person must be doing, so when we pass the strange driver, then the winner of our guessing game is decided when we see what crazy is going on.
So be careful out there!
Ann
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
First Bad Guy Experience
A memoir is to share memories. I am writing so I don't forget them.
My first memory of a "bad guy" was in second grade. It was my teacher named Mrs. Weathers. She had been teaching at the Catholic elementary school for a long time and she was probably in her early sixties. To me, she was ancinet, cranky and didn't want to be there.
Mrs. Weathers had her favorites in class. It seemed to be the kids that she felt were cute, wore all the stylish clothes and had parents with money. She did not like my twin sister, Lizzie, and I. I really don't know why - we were good kids, quite, did our homework, never caused problems and came from a middle class family who did well in the community.
One day Lizzie and I brought home from school an order form for the magazine "Highlight" - remember that one? It had games and fun little things to do. This was back when you had to use your imagination and there was not a gaming system in every house or a computer for that matter. My mom signed Lizzie and I up to get our very own magazine - so we didn't have to share. Sharing was something Lizzie and I had to do a lot and my mom took this into consideration. She did not want us to share the magazine because we would have to split up the games and then there would be fights. At the time I thought Mom was only benefiting us, but no fighting was a benefit to herself. Smart lady.
Lizzie and I returned our order forms to Mrs. Weathers. Payment for the magazine was not required at the time of order.
A few weeks later, one "Highlight" magazine shows up to the house. I don't remember who's name was on the magazine, but it was apparent only one was ordered.
So there were many fights over who got to read it first, who got to draw in it for the puzzles, etc. You can imagine. I think my mom may have eventually ordered the 2nd magazine herself, but I can't recall.
Sometime later we had parent teacher conferences at school. I don't know how they do them today, but they closed school for the day and the student and their parent showed up for a 15 minutes time slot to meet with the teacher. During my time slot, my mom asked Mrs. Weathers about the "Highlight" magazines. Two order forms were sent in, but only one magazine arrived at our hourse. Mrs. Weathers told my mother that she didn't think it made sense for my mom to order two magazines and it was cheaper to have one and Lizzie and I could just share. I remember feeling like a second class citizen. All the other kids in class get their own magazine, but since I am a twin, I have to share mine? Even at seven years old, I felt discriminated. My mom was fuming, but did not want to rip the lady apart in fear that Mrs. Weathers would take it out on Lizzie and I in class.
This is my first memory of someone making a decision that was none of their business and being unfair. Mrs. Weathers actually did two things - she decided that my mom either could not afford two magazines or was wasting her money. The other is that Mrs. Weathers completely disregarded that Lizzie and I were two different human beings. She assumed that we would share because we were twins. Not fair.
So Mrs. Weathers was a bad guy. I had her again in the fifth grade, but that is another story for another day.
Did what happen with the magazine impact me? Of course it did, otherwise I would not be writing about it. When I meet a twin or a person that may be different that what is the norm - I try not to judge or assign value to them. All of our youth years, Lizzie and I had tried to separate ourselves from each other - probably to prove to society that we are different people. We lived in different countries for a few years, not having much communcation at all with each other. This gave me an opportunity to experience life with Lizzie - and it was both a struggle and a reward. We have had very different adult lives between the ages of 18 and through our twenties. Ironically, we have come full circle back to each other and realize that we have something incredibly valuable - each other, that most people in the world will never have, and we embrace it.
Ann
My first memory of a "bad guy" was in second grade. It was my teacher named Mrs. Weathers. She had been teaching at the Catholic elementary school for a long time and she was probably in her early sixties. To me, she was ancinet, cranky and didn't want to be there.
Mrs. Weathers had her favorites in class. It seemed to be the kids that she felt were cute, wore all the stylish clothes and had parents with money. She did not like my twin sister, Lizzie, and I. I really don't know why - we were good kids, quite, did our homework, never caused problems and came from a middle class family who did well in the community.
One day Lizzie and I brought home from school an order form for the magazine "Highlight" - remember that one? It had games and fun little things to do. This was back when you had to use your imagination and there was not a gaming system in every house or a computer for that matter. My mom signed Lizzie and I up to get our very own magazine - so we didn't have to share. Sharing was something Lizzie and I had to do a lot and my mom took this into consideration. She did not want us to share the magazine because we would have to split up the games and then there would be fights. At the time I thought Mom was only benefiting us, but no fighting was a benefit to herself. Smart lady.
Lizzie and I returned our order forms to Mrs. Weathers. Payment for the magazine was not required at the time of order.
A few weeks later, one "Highlight" magazine shows up to the house. I don't remember who's name was on the magazine, but it was apparent only one was ordered.
So there were many fights over who got to read it first, who got to draw in it for the puzzles, etc. You can imagine. I think my mom may have eventually ordered the 2nd magazine herself, but I can't recall.
Sometime later we had parent teacher conferences at school. I don't know how they do them today, but they closed school for the day and the student and their parent showed up for a 15 minutes time slot to meet with the teacher. During my time slot, my mom asked Mrs. Weathers about the "Highlight" magazines. Two order forms were sent in, but only one magazine arrived at our hourse. Mrs. Weathers told my mother that she didn't think it made sense for my mom to order two magazines and it was cheaper to have one and Lizzie and I could just share. I remember feeling like a second class citizen. All the other kids in class get their own magazine, but since I am a twin, I have to share mine? Even at seven years old, I felt discriminated. My mom was fuming, but did not want to rip the lady apart in fear that Mrs. Weathers would take it out on Lizzie and I in class.
This is my first memory of someone making a decision that was none of their business and being unfair. Mrs. Weathers actually did two things - she decided that my mom either could not afford two magazines or was wasting her money. The other is that Mrs. Weathers completely disregarded that Lizzie and I were two different human beings. She assumed that we would share because we were twins. Not fair.
So Mrs. Weathers was a bad guy. I had her again in the fifth grade, but that is another story for another day.
Did what happen with the magazine impact me? Of course it did, otherwise I would not be writing about it. When I meet a twin or a person that may be different that what is the norm - I try not to judge or assign value to them. All of our youth years, Lizzie and I had tried to separate ourselves from each other - probably to prove to society that we are different people. We lived in different countries for a few years, not having much communcation at all with each other. This gave me an opportunity to experience life with Lizzie - and it was both a struggle and a reward. We have had very different adult lives between the ages of 18 and through our twenties. Ironically, we have come full circle back to each other and realize that we have something incredibly valuable - each other, that most people in the world will never have, and we embrace it.
Ann
Monday, February 21, 2011
Good Guys vs. Bad Guys
Let me first start off by saying to my two faithful followers - my homies - after all these years I can always count on you. Thanks.
So, I wanted to write before I went to work - so this will be short. Or I could just get up earlier, but that would impact my sleep.
I have a neice, she is about to turn 4 and her name is Lucy. For her age, she has a very rationale way of thinking. She simply labels people a "good guy" or a "bad guy". To my knowledge there is no inbetween status. Maybe all kids do this, maybe I did it as a kid, but I can't remember.
You may at first think - a four year that labels people? That's terrible. But come on, we all label people, if we know we are doing it or not. First impressions are notorious for this.
Back to Lucy. Her label system is remarkable. In her eyes, you are either good or bad, nothing else. You can be moved from good guy to bad guy and vice versa at any given moment. Some little boy she says is her boyfriend was a good guy, but was soon moved to bad guy status after hitting her with a toy (good girl, be picky about your men), which I am sure pleased her father. But sooner than later, the boy was moved back to good guy status.
What's my point? I'm not sure if I have one. What I do know is that I am going to simply decide if people are good guys or bad guys. To be a good guy is very easy. So this way I will see the good in people first - and then let their actions represent them going forward (making the decision if they stay good guy or bad guy).
To all of good guys - have a great day!
Ann
So, I wanted to write before I went to work - so this will be short. Or I could just get up earlier, but that would impact my sleep.
I have a neice, she is about to turn 4 and her name is Lucy. For her age, she has a very rationale way of thinking. She simply labels people a "good guy" or a "bad guy". To my knowledge there is no inbetween status. Maybe all kids do this, maybe I did it as a kid, but I can't remember.
You may at first think - a four year that labels people? That's terrible. But come on, we all label people, if we know we are doing it or not. First impressions are notorious for this.
Back to Lucy. Her label system is remarkable. In her eyes, you are either good or bad, nothing else. You can be moved from good guy to bad guy and vice versa at any given moment. Some little boy she says is her boyfriend was a good guy, but was soon moved to bad guy status after hitting her with a toy (good girl, be picky about your men), which I am sure pleased her father. But sooner than later, the boy was moved back to good guy status.
What's my point? I'm not sure if I have one. What I do know is that I am going to simply decide if people are good guys or bad guys. To be a good guy is very easy. So this way I will see the good in people first - and then let their actions represent them going forward (making the decision if they stay good guy or bad guy).
To all of good guys - have a great day!
Ann
Sunday, February 20, 2011
What is a Memoir?
I looked up what the definition of a memoir is and first found out that I spelled it wrong. Nice.
It is 'memoir' - so the title of the blog has been corrected, but inevitably the web address has a misspelling in it.
Maybe I should also make a disclaimer: I am not an English major. I never made good grades in English class, both high school and college. My teachers always sensed a bit of "unseriousness" in my papers. I don't even know if that's a word. I also depised grammar tests.
So back to what is a memoir? According to the dictionary, it states: a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.
So it is not completely absurb that Justin Beiber can have a memoir. It is also makes me realize we all have a memoir. It starts at birth.
This blog will talk about different events in my life, particularly the ones that I feel shaped me as the person I am today - showing how others influenced me (especially my parents and siblings and close friends), all the good, bad and the ugly. I don't expect to teach any lessons, but possibly make a point that as adults, we have to be very mindful of how we act on a day to day basis. Children are always watching and learning.
Yes, I do not have children, but I once was a child. I remember many things.
So to end today's blog - more of a description of what I am trying to accomplish with this blog, I will tell you the following:
I grew up a pretty leave it to beaver life - both parents, a brother and sister, never heard about any family financial problems, always had food and clothes and a nice house. As an adult, I've learned more and more about different events of my parents life while I was a child. The struggles, the scares, the happy times, how tough marriage can be. I debate if I should have known more as a child about the struggles or if my parents did the right thing to protect me. I think after graduating college, I had a bit of a false sense of the real world - my first life event that was unfavorable was a huge impact on me. I suppose I was dumb enough to think life was going to be easy - my parents made it seem that way. But there is no book - and my parents were awesome.
I will be writing about personal events that I have intimate knowledge of and the personal observation will be from my thirtysomething self. Should be interesting and a great learning experience.
Ann
It is 'memoir' - so the title of the blog has been corrected, but inevitably the web address has a misspelling in it.
Maybe I should also make a disclaimer: I am not an English major. I never made good grades in English class, both high school and college. My teachers always sensed a bit of "unseriousness" in my papers. I don't even know if that's a word. I also depised grammar tests.
So back to what is a memoir? According to the dictionary, it states: a record of events written by a person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal observation.
So it is not completely absurb that Justin Beiber can have a memoir. It is also makes me realize we all have a memoir. It starts at birth.
This blog will talk about different events in my life, particularly the ones that I feel shaped me as the person I am today - showing how others influenced me (especially my parents and siblings and close friends), all the good, bad and the ugly. I don't expect to teach any lessons, but possibly make a point that as adults, we have to be very mindful of how we act on a day to day basis. Children are always watching and learning.
Yes, I do not have children, but I once was a child. I remember many things.
So to end today's blog - more of a description of what I am trying to accomplish with this blog, I will tell you the following:
I grew up a pretty leave it to beaver life - both parents, a brother and sister, never heard about any family financial problems, always had food and clothes and a nice house. As an adult, I've learned more and more about different events of my parents life while I was a child. The struggles, the scares, the happy times, how tough marriage can be. I debate if I should have known more as a child about the struggles or if my parents did the right thing to protect me. I think after graduating college, I had a bit of a false sense of the real world - my first life event that was unfavorable was a huge impact on me. I suppose I was dumb enough to think life was going to be easy - my parents made it seem that way. But there is no book - and my parents were awesome.
I will be writing about personal events that I have intimate knowledge of and the personal observation will be from my thirtysomething self. Should be interesting and a great learning experience.
Ann
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Starting the Memior
I am a thirty something married woman. I am college educated, work a corporate job and have no children. My life is pretty uneventful compared to celebrities, I suppose.
I can say, however, I have never been in the following
1. Rehab
2. Jail (there was an incident at 16 years old, but I'll tell you about that later)
3. A Liar (I'd like to think not)
4. An only child (Oh yes, there will be lots about this)
5. Divorced
6. A mother (more details to come)
7. Perfect
8. A good singer
I am the following:
1. Fairly intelligent
2. A daughter
3. A wife
4. A sister
5. A twin (this is always very interesting)
6. An Aunt
7. A daughter-in-law
8. A friend
9. Optimistic
10. Incredibly hard on myself
11. A dog owner
12. Lefthanded
I will admit the following:
1. I would be a terrible housewife
2. I have extremely high expectations of others
3. Dinner is usually sandwiches
4. My dogs should get more bath time and walks
5. I love my family
6. I love my husband
7. I feel that I am unforgettable
So . . . . . I think I have enough baggage to start my memior. I am not completely sure how this is going to go, but I would like to talk about how I grew up, being a twin, how I got where I am (or where I am not) and how to stay married through some of the most difficult times of ones life.
Speaking of marriage, or really men, the best advice my mother ever gave me - actually two peices of advice when I was a teenager:
1. When choosing a boyfriend - be very very picky.
2. Marry a man who knows how to fix things.
I took her advice very seriously and tried to follow it. So good so far.
If you read this blog - there is more to come and thank you.
Ann
I can say, however, I have never been in the following
1. Rehab
2. Jail (there was an incident at 16 years old, but I'll tell you about that later)
3. A Liar (I'd like to think not)
4. An only child (Oh yes, there will be lots about this)
5. Divorced
6. A mother (more details to come)
7. Perfect
8. A good singer
I am the following:
1. Fairly intelligent
2. A daughter
3. A wife
4. A sister
5. A twin (this is always very interesting)
6. An Aunt
7. A daughter-in-law
8. A friend
9. Optimistic
10. Incredibly hard on myself
11. A dog owner
12. Lefthanded
I will admit the following:
1. I would be a terrible housewife
2. I have extremely high expectations of others
3. Dinner is usually sandwiches
4. My dogs should get more bath time and walks
5. I love my family
6. I love my husband
7. I feel that I am unforgettable
So . . . . . I think I have enough baggage to start my memior. I am not completely sure how this is going to go, but I would like to talk about how I grew up, being a twin, how I got where I am (or where I am not) and how to stay married through some of the most difficult times of ones life.
Speaking of marriage, or really men, the best advice my mother ever gave me - actually two peices of advice when I was a teenager:
1. When choosing a boyfriend - be very very picky.
2. Marry a man who knows how to fix things.
I took her advice very seriously and tried to follow it. So good so far.
If you read this blog - there is more to come and thank you.
Ann
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)