Sometimes I revisit old posts, or other pieces of writing that haven’t been published (yet), and can’t believe I’m reading my words.
How could I be that whiny? Or pitiful? Or serious?
Sometimes I wonder if I have an evil soap opera twin.
I believe her name is Edwina Sephora von Crank. Pronounced crahw´nk. Of the South Padre Island von Cranks. She wears dramatic eyeshadow, go-go boots and mini dresses. She looks awesome. But her attitude is crap.
Edwina is a sneaky little minx. You would think she’d be hard to miss in that getup, but often she hijacks my writing for several days before I figure it out. Turns out, Miss von Crank (she’s single; no man can put up with her) was here for most of March.
Once I recognized her presence, I got her a one-way ticket to Ft. Lauderdale. It is Spring Break season, after all. So it’s time for some happy, happy, joy, joy around here.
Don’t freak out; it won’t be deep or schmoopy. I’m already on antibiotics thanks to the sinus infection that my kids gave me. Yes, as a matter of fact, I do blame them. Because? It is their fault. The little petri dishes brought heaven-knows-what home from school. Then they spent a collective two weeks sneezing on, and sticking slobbery fingers in, all the openings on my face.
I don’t need to add nausea to my current indignities. We won’t get gushy, but I am, in my own way, going all Maria-von-Trapp-Singing-While-the-Nazis-Chase-Us.* We’re happy, dammit.
Here are just a few things that made me smile, laugh, cry happy tears or do that dreamy-faced-deep-sigh thing this week:
- When P is looking for something he bends slightly from the waist, puts his arms behind him and looks in earnest – often at nothing – while sing-songing, “Where ah yoooo?” He further melts my heart by greeting people with a cheery “Heh-wo!” Like Elmer Fudd, only happier and a hell of a lot cuter.
- H started tee ball this week and his father (my husband, if you’re keeping track of these things) is the coach. Neither one of them has had enough time to develop skills or prove to be a natural at this, but I’m still proud. Also, H got a bucket of balls, providing us with endless ball jokes. And Mark got a special coach shirt, clipboard and whistle. Be still my twisted, schoolgirl fantasy heart.
- My azalea bushes and rose bushes that I was sure were dead due to the massive neglect they suffered during our freezes this winner, are blooming. There’s plenty of other neglected dead stuff in the yard, but the azaleas and roses are alive. They’re alive!
- Jackson Brodie and Myron Bolitar. Two of my favorite characters are back on the page. I haven’t had my date with Myron yet, because the book, Live Wire, by Harlan Coben (love him), just came out today. By the time you read this I may be a lost cause, out with my favorite sports agent/detective. I have spent some serious time with Jackson, though, in Kate Atkinson’s latest effort, Started Early, Took My Dog. Mr. Brodie did not disappoint. He never does. Just a friendly tip: read Kate Atkinson. She’s a genius story teller and is often dark and twisty, to borrow a term from Grey’s Anatomy. I doubt you’re surprised that I prefer my stories to have an edge rather than a fluffy bunny coating.**
- Bethenny. I love her. I cannot get through an episode without laughing out loud. Or without getting choked up. I’m not exaggerating. Bethenny cries in every episode and I am a sympathetic crier. Do not tear up in my presence. One look at your tears and mascara is running down my face. Anyway. I cannot get enough of Bethenny.
It appears that I threw another list at you. I’ve been sort of list-y lately. It’s one of my favorite ways to process information, as evidenced by the crumpled lists found in every purse, drawer and cabinet in my house. And the un-crumpled, usually unread, variety of lists located on my computers and iPhone.
Lists: another thing that makes me happy. I didn’t say they make me productive. Just happy.
I wonder…
:: What brings you joy?
:: What made you happy this week?
:: :: ::
* Maria and I share a birthday, by the way. That means something, I’m sure.
** Gross. Coated in bunnies? Sorry about that mental image.
:: :: ::
P.S. – If the font size is really small on your screen, I’m sorry. I’m experiencing format issues, and I have no idea what’s going on. It’s over my bow, as we said in the 80s. And by we, I mean my mother. And by the 80s, I mean she still says that.
Lapsed homemaker. Looking to hire a full-time housekeeper who will work for the sheer joy of a job well done and free coffee. Interested parties, DM please. 
Being able to sit down this weekend and write made me happy. I have been so busy with my day job I have seriously neglected my 1st love, my blog.
I am glad cranky pants is gone, I have missed you. We must lunch soon.
Our deck is mostly finished. I thought sitting on it was pure bliss.
I think your evil twin and my evil twin are friends. Unfortunately, my evil twin currently has confiscated my computer. So joy is not spilling forth. Must kill evil twin and return to butterflies and rainbows!
I don’t have an evil twin.
It’s me all the way.
Missed you, woman.
So excited H is in tball! It’ll be so fun for him. Great laughs.
Feel better soon. And I must make a note to DVR Bethenny.
Here’s a big Hoo-Rah for the azaleas! That’s a pleasant surprise for sure.
Lots of things make me happy. Reading your blog is one of them.
Do I win something for saying that??
No?
Bummer! Well, it’s true anyway. :))
Girl, you crack me up!
The azaleas are GORGEOUS here right now too so that’s definitely something that makes me happy! Oh and I’m having cake this weekend FOR SURE because my birthday is Saturday. WHEE! 😀 Cake makes me VERY happy!
“I believe her name is Edwina Sephora von Crank. Pronounced crahw´nk. Of the South Padre Island von Cranks.”
That was the best laugh I’ve had all day. And I seriously needed it.
This post made me happy – especially the “where are you” and “hello” parts! 🙂
I wish that I had an evil twin to blame my ka-ka mood on…then I’d kick that betch in the taco.
Welcome back 😉
Thank you….. I now know where those whiney ass posts that run through my mind come from. It’s not me! It’s the evil twin.
This week I am looking forward to Friday. End of the work week. The start of the busy birthday weekend.
You know I DVR Bethenny and the only time I want to cry is when she is talking to Jason’s Mom!
You know what? I was writing a post about my craptastic week when I read this post of yours. So I decided to turn it into a “what made me happy this week” post. I came up with 3 happy things. They are slightly lame, but if you’re curious:
http://www.take2mommy.com/2011/03/bad-and-good.html
I hope you feel better. I just got over being really sick too. It sucks as a mom doesn’t it? I love the one about P looking for things! And T ball, I wonder if my 4 year old can start that yet?
What made me happy this week was being frivolous with tax return money! And telling one of my students I am no longer tutoring him. It had been dragging me down further and further so I finally sent him on his way (after finding a suitable replacement of course).
I was happy this week because work went so well. After a year at my job I finally feel like I am starting to make a difference.
Joy, which to me is feeling happy regardless of circumstances. This occurred today when my head was splitting, my children were fighting all day, and my youngest wouldn’t nap. My youngest kept yelling from his crib, “I need to go potty!!!” Since I am trying to potty train him, I didn’t want to ignore him. As soon as we got in to the bathroom he let out this huge grin and loud laugh. How could I have been so dumb? He totally played me so that he could get out of his crib! However, any anger that usually shows up was extinguished by looking at my 2 year old sitting on the toilet squealing with joy that he outsmarted mommy. He kept smiling and laughing and although maybe I should have been mad, I just took advantage of the opportunity to sit on the bathroom floor and crack up laughing with my son. With all the crazies kids can bring in to our lives, they are one of the few things that can turn any other feeling in to joy in a second.