MiCasaLoca

Difference Between Being Tired and Being Pregnant (1st Trimester)

Being Tired

1. I can keep going, even if my arms and neck ache.
2. I convince myself that when I fall into bed, I will get a great night of sleep and renew my energy source.
3. Wow! Look how much work I’ve got done!
4. Food helps resupply the energy level.
5. If I just sit and meditate a bit, my energy level can go up.
6. Drinking a bit of hot green tea with sugar surely pumps up the energy level.
7. Just one more chapter.
8. I can finish unpacking this box.
9. Wow. I really need to inventory my winter clothes.
10. This load of laundry really isn’t that much.
11. I will feed Rory, Echo, Carlitos, and Mari first, before I sit down.
12. Answering the house phone: “Grimm residence, Mary Ann speaking, how can I help you!?”
13. I will just close my eyes for a minute. Ok, time to get up.

Being Pregnant (1st Trimester)

A. There really aren’t that many more stairs to go. I can reach the bed.
B. How long did I sleep? Only 8 hours? Why am I so tired?
C. Ok, it’s 9pm. What did I do today?
D. That vitamin really isn’t doing anything.
E. If I just sit here and meditate a bit...I can’t get up.
F. Green tea is yucky right now. It’s too bitter.
G. Just this last sentence....
H. [Box by bed]. I really need to unpack that box.
I. Ok. Nothing to wear today. Again.
J. John is such a sweetheart at doing the laundry. I will make it up to him by making the bed.... let me just lie down for a minute, first.
K. Here you go, Carlitos. Ok. [Going back to bed for a 15 minute snooze].
L. Answering the house phone: “Hello.”
M. Closing my eyes for just a min.................

The wonders of what a cat can do to Me

Me walked along, living life in a hollow way for the last week, hanging onto moments of happiness to pray forget that Carlitos was gone. Me didn't want to lose hope, but it was hard as construction trucks drove by, strange dogs barked, and the distant roar of the Beltway reminded me that cats are scared of these noises and will continue to run farther from their original destination to escape unforseen danger. Me attempted to be at least sane about the loss of my cat, me continously reminded myself about how many families receive boxes of their loved ones possessions from Iraq as they wait for the body to return by air. How selfish was I to wrap myself in grief over a cat when many of our soldiers were returning home never to see the light of day again.... Me couldn't even blog.

Then the call came. Wonderful neighbors down three streets saw our posted "lost" signs and called us. They had a cat way up high in their tree...perhaps it was ours? John climbed the 12 foot ladder that sat perched on a 4 foot deck, then climbed a foot or two more into the branches to retrieve a scared and skinny...Carlitos!!!! I naturally canceled all evening plans to cuddle with the fur ball that was now a sack of bones, to scold the one that should have stayed near home. Suddenly all that was grey was brillant again, and I was happy. Happy.

The Real "Fear Factor"

"Earlier this month, a student in the professor's class initially reported to CAIR-LA that the professor said, 'The only way to end the war on terrorism is to kill all Muslims.'" The professor teaches at Imperial Valley College (IVC) in Imperial, Calif. ("CAIR-NET: Calif. Prof Suggests Genocide Against Muslims." CAIR 21 Oct 2004. 22 Oct 2004 )

This is actually very frightening and not the first time that I have heard this remark. It is mind boggling to think that this is an actual realistic solution and that people say it. Did we not learn anything from our history books? It sounds like history is repeating itself, only the persecuted religion has changed. I have to remind myself that I am so fortunate to live in the United States of America where I can fearlessly stand and defend my neighbors, Muslim or otherwise. Then there are these people who think and say these things and I wonder what part of "freedom of religion" do they not understand? Do they really think it only pertains to them? How ignorant can one be? And to think, this was a professor speaking! How did he or she manage to get by without learning anything in history? Whatever happened to tolerance?

The professor received only a verbal warning. Personally, if it had been my college, I would have had a harsher sentence than "bad boy."

More on this later....

Syria and North Dakota Musings

A place called Syria has many pictures that captures my imagination.  My parents told me as a child that I could go anywhere in time and space if I read.  They, of course, were unaware that the internet could also take me there as in the 80's we didn't even own a computer!  Who needs to go there when there are so many beautiful pictures instead?

I have never considered traveling to Syria.  I really like these pictures...it is almost like I was there myself among the 18,016,874 people that are living in a slightly larger area than North Dakota (I didn't just go measure the country and count heads-I read this from CIA fact book).  That's pretty amazing considering our North Dakota only has 633,837 people according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

For the last year, if someone asked Mari, she would say that her mommy wanted to move to North Dakota because it is one of the least populated states.  Of course, I am such an extrovert that this dream wouldn't work out very well after the first 24 hours...and the 92% "white" population would definately become a problem very quickly for me!  I doubt I have ever lived anywhere where there was 92% "white" people running around! 

Fortunately, the literacy rate for women in Syria isn't as bad as some dominately Muslim countries.  Syria has an estimated 64% literacy rate for women over 18.     Compare that to Egypt!  Egypt has an estimated 46.9% literacy rate for women over 18!  I wonder if there are teachers in mosques teaching their congregation how to read the Qur' an in Arabic like the Catholics do with their followers and the bible.  I think it would be terrible sad to not be able to sit and read the Quran if that was where I pulled strength from. 

Just a thought.

The Family Bed

Funny enough, I was about to do a long bit on family beds when Academom blogged a bit on the subject. I really have no idea how to search other blogs to see if there are other bloggers that support the family bed, but I know it has done wonders for our family!

I don't think Mari would have ever survived as well as she did with John being in a dangerous place for such a long time if we hadn't continued the family bed. It's a security place for her. Naturally, she now has (and has for years) her own bed, but she knows she can come to our "den" when she needs that extra bit. I think that this also has helped her with nightmares and other scary things of the night because she's always known she can come in. Many times I have awoken to a lump next to me, an arm heavy in sleep flung over my stomach. It would be Mari; perhaps she even slept walked to our bed, but however she made it, she would fall asleep near me. This habit seems most natural and comfortable for all of us.

She's there now (as I should be), curled up near John, finally sleeping soundly after crying forever over Carlitos. I wanted to cry, but couldn't because she was. We had a report tonight from someone who said they saw him, but either he didn't want to come home or it was a hoax. We looked for 45 minutes to no avail. If it weren't for news of John's fabulous career change, I would probably be dusting the floor with my chin right now.

Maybe if I comb all my clothes, the rugs, and the couches, I can collect enough Carlitos hair to make a small ball....

Of course, that's a little weird because then I would have a ball of Carlitos hair...but no Carlitos.

I tried to make a deal with God (big mistake, as Hollywood always warns us). I said that I would give a whole week to the KerryEdwards campaign if Carlitos came home (alive). I don't think that God likes deals.

Still waiting for that familiar scratch at the door. That crash of breakables from the table, that ripping of rug with claws....

Laura Bush Continued

Laura did have "real" jobs. I would equate teaching with being really "real", especially if Laura had to grade 30 papers every night like my mother-in-law (Laura!) has to. And the question is, what is a "real" job? My "real" job is scraping off the ice from the wipers while freezing. And picking out eye-buggers from Carlitos. And revamping the budget. Those are jobs!

And it is refreshing to have a person say real stuff.... We could probably use more of that, except I can't figure out why Teresa would say that if she was anything for women. And then to flub through her apology by explaining what equates a "real" job (in so many words). If I lived in Germany, I would be paid my wages for at least a year while on maternity leave. Germans consider mothering a very important job (or at least, the gov't thinks that ). Of course, I would have to adopt everything German so I can't go...but why don't we consider our moms who stay at home to have "real" jobs?

In all fairness, I know exactly what Teresa was trying to say. It just came out wrong. There is a difference between a stay-at-home "job" and an outside-of-home "job."

Teresa just needs to apologize to us for her flub and redo her statement.

Oh, but wait, that's not a common thing to do among important Republican people who use really offensive words. So nevermind, Teresa...just make sure and make a program that helps stay-at-home Moms feel that they don't have to don their SuperMom capes and become fulltimers with "real" jobs outside the home.

Laura Bush and Her Real Job

Ouch! There's one point for the Republican Party! Gee, Teresa, did you have to say those words, "I don't know if she's ever had a real job," (Washington Post, Thurs Oct. 21, 2004). Gee, girl, please sit down and be quiet for a moment. I can't believe you said that and I want a retraction from you now. Ok, everyone knows I am supporting the Democratic party (sorry Uncle Jim) inspite of a few things I disagree with them, but this is an OUCH to all of us Moms! Instead of belonging to MOB, "Mothers Opposing Bush", I should start an Organization called, MOK, "Mothers Opposing (Teresa) Kerry" as she is Mocking all of us Moms who have decided to postpone our careers to assist our husbands and be "stay-at-homes." I know, we are all humans and can make the wrong comment at times. I am not really going to change my vote on one comment that a potential First Lady made. I mean, Dad is Republican and our VP's language is so foul it would make my Dad blush! Yet he still stands with his party (Thanks Dad, for teaching me that) But Teresa, how could you?

For one, I am a large supporter for women who chose to stay home and raise the children. It isn't an easy task in any way. I won't go into all the specifics but the list is long. It is even more difficult to be SuperMom as our society expects women to be; we have to be the ones tucking our kids in, chasing down homework projects, and caring for sick ones while keeping house and working full time (fortunately, not me, anymore). Super Mom! So congratulations to Laura Bush for quitting her "real" job and becoming a full stay-at-home; she decided to retire her cape and add on a few years to her life. Why is it that we have to be SuperMom and do both jobs while so many Dads do just one? (This does not include John who is amazing with multi-tasking!)? I know her "real" job was the most important one...staying with her kids and helping them through theirs precious early years. If it weren't for all the other issues that I do not agree with the Republican party, for that one comment alone, I could become a fan of Laura Bush. In fact, I believe I am already one thanks to Teresa and her "lovely" comments.

More comments on this to come....

Sleeping Little

I wish I was asleep right now. Instead, I have been worrying about Carlitos. Today we put up signs everywhere and I chased more people, explaining who I was and that we just moved here...and breathlessly I tell them about our beloved cat. Gee, what a great way to meet the neighbors.

If I could just have an answer, I would feel much better. This house that we have moved into and all the boxes waiting for us to unpack...feels so empty right now without Carlitos.

Drat.

As I am leaning over the creek, calling to Carlitos, an odd thought entered my head. If I can be this motivated about getting out, posting fliers, and talking to strangers about Carlitos, my "campaign", then why am I not so motivated about working on the campaign for Senator Kerry. I have all the skills...so what stops me? It's obviously not really the "lack-of-time" issue as I have made time for Carlitos. Is it because Kerry isn't soft and furry, climbing into my lap to purr? Or is it because I am afraid my answer will be so in the middle when someone asks me about a potential Kerry policy or how Pres. Bush handled something...yeah, that's it. I do not want to open my mouth about the campaign because I might actually cause damage and swing a potential Kerry-voter to the other side.

A Distraught Mother

Today I plan to use this blog as I had originally intended; it was suppose to be part journal to cut down on the number of emails that I was sending to friends and family and part motivation, to keep me writing.

Well, on a very sad note, I have to write that our beloved cat, Carlitos, is missing. He is a cranky old cat of 10 years who loves to bat at Mari and make her cry (though he rarely uses his claws), climb on the counter and shake his hairs into the casserole, and knock off all the breakables from the mantle. Never-the-less, I absolutely love my monkey face fur ball and as Mari stated in tears, “he is the last of our cats.” He is. There was sweet Gatita of ten years who passed away in the spring of this year. She was a lovely grey tabby who had an eating disorder, but could sit on your lap for hours, purring. Then there was Sammy, the white cat-who was supposedly neutered-who was adopted from Aunt Joan. He had to go live with another family after I picked up the hundredth sweater or chair dripping with cat pee. He was marking the house on a constant basis and I couldn’t keep up with the pee. Finally, there was Fuzznut who is resting peacefully near our porch at our old place. He was my mom’s cat who came to visit for a few months when he was unfortunately hit by a car.

At one time, all four cats lived under our roof all at once. At various times, there were only two or three, but Carlitos (and Gatita) were always the family cats. Then, on Oct. 18, at 9pm, just like Carlitos had done so many times before, he darted out as I was letting the dogs potty. I had not let him out but once before since we have moved to our new house as I knew the area had a lot more dogs, noise, and traffic. When he had darted out the time before, he came back an hour later. Now, with a day and a half of calling, he has still not come home. I drove around, looking at the road, fearing the worse. I have called shelters and talked to strangers. What a nice way to get to know your neighbors! I am so distraught that I have dreamt that he was in John’s clothes closet twice last night. The first time I got up, I shoved the light into the ceiling, thinking I saw him. The second time I rejoiced as I woke because in my dream he was sleeping on the shelf. What a cruel awakening! I call outside…do I hear a faint meow? I wait for it to get stronger, but when it doesn’t come, I know its’ my imagination.

Is my beloved Carlitos gone? The one who lets me snuggle in his warm fur? I dreaded the fact he would go someday, but I never imagined it would be this way. The not knowing is the hardest part. How a mother must live if her child disappeared? I have only an inkling of what it must be like and would not care to dwell on the feelings of horror.

I am sitting on a ticking clock, ready to explode as I wait. It’s been 40 hours since I have seen his silly tail held high as he runs. Please come home Carlitos.

Money

To take my mind off of Carlitos, let's talk about something frivolous.

www.wheresgeorge.com

A site for people who like to play with money!

As of Oct, this is my current Stat. record (for all of the stat loving in me!).
I have entered 1,439 Bills worth $14,901
My bills with hits: 109
My rank is #2887 out of 10,083 current users.

I actually like using cash...I despise the marketing techniques where companies know exactly my spending wants by keeping tabs on me with the grocery/pharmacy discount cards-duh! That's how they are familiar with what to stock in the stores. Of course, the upside of this is that they know what to stock in the stores (hee hee hee) so I guess it works both ways.