My Crush on Dave Grohl....Is this normal at my age?

When I was a teenager I had so many "crushes" on boys at school or Hollywood celebs it was nauseating. The walls of my bedroom were plastered with posters of Johnny Depp, River Phoenix and Michael Hutchins (INXS). For hours I would day dream about one day meeting one of these hunks and have him fall madly in love with me. Sadly that never did happen.

In my twenties I had a few crushes, but my infatuations with celebrities came to an end. Sure I thought Brad Pitt was a hunk, I still do. But I did not fantasize about him. I had crushes on real men now. Of course these were just the guys I would chase more for the game than to actually catch him. Then I met my hubby when I was 23. We started dating and all the men in the world no longer interested me.

Now I am 39 years old and finding myself developing a crush on a celebrity. It is the funniest thing. I feel the same way I did when I was 15 and loved Johnny Depp! I get all excited looking for any bit of information on the person as I can find. In this case my crush is on Dave Grohl, the front man, uber awesome musician and rock God of the Foo Fighters. I find this so humorous because it seems silly to crush on a man who is a tad older than I am, who is married with children and frankly he is not Brad Pitt. But he has the boyish charm or sillyness about him that I just can't resist!

I have long been a fan of Dave Grohl from his days as the drummer for Nirvana to present. I have followed his career closely and have always admired him. But trouble started brewing with the release of the Foo Fighters latest album Wasting Light. The first song released just got me. I was ensnared. Then I watched the documentary Back and Forth that they released and decided at that point that I love Dave Grohl. He appears to be a regular guy who just happens to be a rock star. He seems normal for lack of better word. He often displays a great sense of humor which is probably what caused this crush of mine in the first place. From the funny Foo video's to Fresh Pots, Suing Scissor Sisters and Hot Buns....Dave Grohl proves he is a funny guy.

I have taken my fondness for Dave Grohl and all things Foo Fighters and am trying diligently to shove it down my husbands throat. I am forcing him to have a man crush on Dave Grohl and I have him pretty hooked! I figure I just can't look like a fool all by myself....strength in numbers and all.

So all these thoughts of running off with Mr. Grohl into the sunset are pretty childish, it begs to question, is this normal? Is it normal for a happily married woman of my age to crush on a rock star? Please tell me I am somewhat normal! I also wonder, how many other gals out there are like me, who do you have a crush on?

So this near middle aged woman will shuffle off now and browse for some more You Tube content featuring Dave Grohl while my kids stare at me all bewildered "Mommy do you know that guy, you watch him a lot on the computer".

xoxo Mr. Grohl

10 Secrets of Super Happy Couples......Really?

I have a subscription to Women's Health magazine. Every month I like to torture myself with useless information about losing weight, eating healthy and having great sex. Seriously, every single article is the same over every issue, just worded differently! Yet still I read this rag hoping to learn something new. I wait for that light bulb moment when I can say "That I can do!".

The latest issue of Women's Health magazine had an article in it that just rubbed me the wrong way. I could not help but read it and actually laugh out load all while belittling its author. No offense lady, but really....really? The article is 10 Secrets of Super Happy Couples.

Naturally being a married woman I read this article and immediately formed my own opinions. Join me in rehashing this morsel of stupidity and tell me your opinions!

1. Pretend You Just Met - "Whether you've been together for six months or six years, spend some time each day acting as if you just started dating".  My opinion: the dating days were not all that fun.  Why would I want to revisit them? They were filled with uncertainty and neediness and heart break. Sure the very first few months of a new relationship may be wrought with sexual tension and exploration, but that quickly fades then you find you really don't like that guy. If you do stay and decide you like him then that is awesome!  I was much happier and confident in my relationship after time passed. I figured that if he could tolerate me for this long , he must be a keeper. Then I relaxed and could be myself!

2. Limit Chick Flicks - "Romantic comedies can set up unreasonable expectations, which may lead to unnecessary suffering," says Sean Patrick Hatt, Ph.D., a psychologist in Seattle.  My opinion: No shit batman! Seriously who the hell calls  up a guy she just started dating to come over only to subject him to these sappy movies. If you think that you are feeding him ideas about how to be romantic and a good man, you are not. You would be better off showing  him super hero movies! If you are trying to get him in the mood rent porn. Chick flicks are just lame.

3. Be Beauty to His Beast - "Coupling up with an average Joe (with a beer belly) may be the key to long-term love"....My opinion:  Was I just told to find an ugly guy? Most men are average Joe's they just come in different shapes and sizes.  It shouldn't  matter if he looks like Brad Pitt and you look like a junkie street walking whore! If he likes you and you look like him all is good. Don't lower your expectations just because you thing you have a better chance at keeping a guy.

4. Control the Boozing - "Partyers may be more likely to have commitment issues to begin with, and once they couple up their bonds may be unstable."  My opinion:  I can actually agree with this. Back in my dating days I had a few booze fueled relationships that inevitably went nowhere. Looking back I realize that not one occasion went by where booze was not involved with some of these guys. I never had a chance to see the sober guy, maybe he would not have been so much fun, maybe he would not have slept with my friend if we weren't all drunk!

5. Hold a Grudge - "Provided that your partner is able to bounce back from spats, you'll experience greater satisfaction, even if you tend to stay P.O.'d".  My opinion: I just don't get this one. Seems rather conflicting from what most of us have been told about keeping relationships happy. "Never go to bed mad" we've been told. Isn't a grudge  just an extension of anger. So which is it, settle the dispute and let things go or hang on to it and poison the relationship. I guess it all depends on what the spat was about in the first place. If he left the cap off the toothpaste again...get over it. If  he gambled away the money for your mortgage hold a grudge!

6. Tweet Responsibly - "Avid tweeters tend to have shorter relationships".  My opinion: Another point that I  agree with (which came as a big surprise to me as I never agree with this stuff). Nothing pisses me off more that trying to hold a conversation with a person all while they keep glancing at their iPhone or ask me to wait while they quickly Tweet! My blood just boils. Another thing that I commonly see is that women often Tweet about their partner and sometimes they make their man look like total douche bags....just sayin'.

7. Don't Win an Oscar - "A Best Actress winner is 63 percent more likely to have her marriage end before her category mates do".  My opinion: WTF! Are you serious! If a man does not have enough self worth, self respect and self assurance to have a woman who may earn more money and be more successful than he is, then clearly that powerful woman should not be with that loser. This tidbit while at the very end says to "Encourage and celebrate each other's successes, big and small" is completely correct, it also dangerously implies that as a woman you should strive for mediocrity if you want to keep a man!


8. Burn Bras Together - "Women whose male partner is a feminist report better relationship quality". My opinion:  I am a touch old fashioned. I like my man to be a touch boarish. I don't want to be treated like crap, but I don't want him to be a  feminist pussy who's afraid to speak his mind for fear of offending the feminist me. I have no problem with a woman fighting for equality and rites, but when a feminist starts taking it to the extreme like bitching about terms such as "fireman" or "man hole cover" I don't respect them. Even worse is the wimpy guy standing right behind her agreeing with her stupidity. I think it should be a two way street, he should respect you as a woman and you should respect him as a man.
 
9. Nurture you friends Relationship - "Some people may see another's divorce as permission to change their own life,"  My opinion: Stay out of other peoples business. If your best friends marriage is on the rocks be supportive of her, but don't try to mend it! Just turn all of your good intentions onto your own relationship because that is the only one that matters. Often we become so wrapped up in other peoples problems that we neglect our own relationships.

10. Twist the Sheets at Least Once a Week- "Couples who like each other end up in bed more often."  My opinion: Oh how nice would that be. In order for this to happen though I would have to wake at 2 am and jump him. Sure sex is important to keeping a marriage strong and happy. But sometimes our expectations just do not meet the reality that is our life. Many couples find it difficult to make time for nookie when they have kids always buzzing around, work and household obligations to meet.  Often exhaustion trying to meet those needs sets in. Sometimes sacrificing 30 minutes of pleasure for 30  minutes of extra sleep is just way more appealing.

What are your secrets to staying a happy couple?

Braless In Public....Would You?

A few weeks ago I was watching The Talk a show that I have grown rather fond of over the summer. One of the topics was Would You Go Braless in Public. Not a topic that I would give to much thought to in general. I have been out and about many times and encountered a woman or two who had no bra. Usually these women were young, childless and not overly endowed. They looked perfectly fine to me.

Then it happened. I was for the first time ever insulted, disgusted dare I say by seeing a woman in her mid 40's going braless. What a horror show that was! Seriously! The vision of the woman will be etched in my mind for many years to come. Normally, I could care less about such trivial things as how people dress in public, but this woman looked like a street walking junkie, and I am pretty sure she was not. I saw her while at the grocery store. Problem number 1 right there. Obviously her nipples were erect due to the cold temperature in the store. To make it even more disturbing,  her nipples popped out roughly around the area of her belly button....enough said! What made the whole sight even more frightful was that she was wearing a pair of skin tight, ultra short cut off jean shorts, and a bright pink g-string peaking out for all to see. Even more disturbing she was with a teen aged girl who I can only assume was her daughter. The daughter was dressed just like the mother, right down to no bra and showing g-string.

I can't believe that I am being so silly about such a small thing. Perhaps I am a tad bit jealous that I don't have the stones to go braless in public. Sure, the minute I walk through the door that bra comes off and I free the girls. I never have had an issue with sagging and all....I haven't much in that department, frankly I consider myself lucky. Even if my boobs are still perky, I would not go out in public without a bra. Nobody wants to see my 'headlights'. I am sure that my 7 year old son who was shopping with me at the time, did not want to see that woman's tata's either!

Summer School In Session

It is that time of year again where I am over joyed to have my babies home with me for 2 months. Of course that joy very quickly subsides to merely happy to see their dirty faces to down right annoyance by the middle of the first month!

One of the most difficult things a stay at home parent can do is try to entertain their children for the summer months all while trying to maintain some independance and sanity. I assure you this is no easy feat. This is the time of year when video games and television become a parents best friend. I remember when I was a kid, my mother just shoved us out the door and we only came into eat. We did not watch t.v. all day or nag our Mom to take us to indoor playgrounds or amusement parks, that stuff just did  not exist when I was a kid. While I would love to shove them outside for the day, lets face it times  have changed. I just won't let my 7 and 5 year old kids play outside without me be right out there with them. I try my best, but there is only so much water play, sidewalk chalk, scraped knee's and bugs that this old fart can handle.

One of the other challenges that parents face during the summer with their kids is keeping them educated. It is very easy for a young child to forget many important things that they learned during the school year fresh in their minds. This summer I am spending a great deal of time on the continuing education of my kids. My son who will be going into grade 2 is now reading on his own, but he is lazy. He would rather have me sit with him and sound words out for him than do it on his own. My daughter will be going into senior kindergarten and just started early reading programs at school. So far I have taken them to the bookstore to buy several books, each for their reading level and some story books as well. I found this neat little DIY book publisher kit at Chapters. It comes complete with 2 hard cover books that the child can write their own story in and do their own illustrations. My son loves to make up his own stories so I bought two of these kits. I have gone onto several websites looking for teaching tools to share with my kids over the summer. So far my favorite site has been The Teachers Corner . My son thinks that if he is not in school that he should not have to do homework....tough, I say. Then of course he says "Well you don't learn new things, you don't go to school". You know what he is right! I have not been in school for about 15 years now! I have taken a few courses here and there, but nothing too exciting.
 

So I made a deal with my son ( or perhaps the devil) that if he read 20 new books this summer that I would also learn to try to speak Italian, something I have wanted to do for the longest time. I purchased the Rosetta Stone Totale program and like my son have started working diligently at it.  The bonus with this program is that my children are drawn to it. They like to hear the Italian words spoken and they love the photos uses in the program. It just may be that my kids will learn some Italian this summer too! My son will be rewarded with a new Wii video game, and upon my completion of  Rosetta Stone, I will be traveling to Italy next summer hopefully armed with enough Italian for small conversation!

Who says summer vacation is just about beach days, bike riding, video games and television! It can also be a great opportunity to learn something new!

Who Said Moms Aren't Sexy!? - It Just Takes 5 Minutes!

by Aurelia Williams


Whether you are a stay at home mom, work at home mom or a mom
that works outside of the home, between running the kids to and
from activities, making dinner, and doing loads of laundry, few
moms have time to pamper themselves. Suddenly, its been six
weeks since you've shaved your legs, your hair has absolutely no
style, and you feel as desirable as a cockroach at the dinner
table. There's just no way you can take time for yourself,
especially enough time to make yourself feel sexy and alive
again, right? Well, you may not be able to spend a week at the
spa, but there are plenty of five minute tricks that can make
you look good. After all, sometimes, knowing that you look good
is the key to feeling great.



If you haven't been able to make it to your stylist for a while,
chances are your hair is getting long and kind of limp. However,
there are hair styles that are sleek and sophisticated and only
take a few minutes to do. Try styling your hair so that it is in
a French roll or a French braid. You won't believe how knowing
that your hair looks spectacular will make you feel.



So, your hair is done, but you still feel a little blah. Are you
wearing a housedress or a set of ratty pajamas? Just because you
can dress down doesn't always mean you should. Instead, look for
easy care separates that go with everything. Make sure you pick
up a few simple accessories, like a matching bracelet and
earrings, too. No matter how hectic your day is, you will feel
like you can handle things if you look put together.



Of course, most women agree that there are few experiences that
are more romantic and relaxing than soaking in the tub
surrounded by scented candles. However, busy moms know that the
second they slide into the tub, there are several children
pounding frantically on the door because they want mommy to help
them and daddy just won't do. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy
a hot shower using your favorite scented bath and shower gel,
though. After you step out of the shower, use a lotion with the
same scent. You'll smell fantastic for hours, whether you're
sorting laundry or taking a moment to flirt with your man.



Finally, even if you only have five minutes to spare, make sure
you squeeze some exercise into the day. Exercising not only
tones your body and helps you look great, but it releases
endorphins that make you feel great, too.


Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article38887.html

A Child's 10 Commandments To Parents

This year the Ontario government introduced the full day  kindergarten program. Across the province about 600 schools are offering this new play based learning program to children entering junior and senior kindergarten. In the past the school that my children attend the program was daily for half day, which was perfectly fine for me and my little man (who is now in grade 1). I was torn about whether Gaby should attend full time JK in the fall. I felt she wasn't ready, that she was too young. Basically it all boiled down to this mother having a hard time letting go of her youngest child. I honestly felt as though the government was robbing me of my precious time with my daughter. I chose to be a SAHM so I could spend more time with my kids, then when the government designated our school as a full time kindergarten facility I was heartbroken.

Now that we are a couple of weeks into the new school year and my little angel seems to be getting along just fine I am slowly accepting the fact that my home is quiet and child free for 9 hours a day! What also made me feel better about handing my last born child over to the education system was this little paper that Gaby brought home from school the other day. I read it and tears welled up in my eyes but my heart filled with pride that my little girl is growing up and becoming a lovely, intelligent young lady.

A Child's 10 Commandments To Parents

1. Please don't expect Perfection. My hands are small. Whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball it may not be perfect. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. Let me Explore safely. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. I am only little for a short time. Housework will always be there. Make time for me.

4. Explain things to me. Take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world and do so willingly.

5. My feelings are Tender. Please be sensitive to my needs; don't nag me all day long. Treat me as you would like to be treated. I will learn how to treat people from your example.

6. I am a special gift from God. Please treasure me a God intended you to do. Hold me accountable for my actions, give me guidelines to live by and discipline me in a loving manner.

7. Encourage me so I may grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

8. Please, give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then, someday, I will be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires me to make.

9. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts don't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or sister or other children.

10. Please love me unconditionally as I love you without any strings attached.

10 Reasons to Buy the Shark Steam Pocket Mop (as determined by a 6 year old)

There is nothing more entertaining than watching a young child get excited about something. It can be anything, a new toy, a funny joke or watching their mother slip on a wet floor and fall on her ass. The way they light up when they find something interesting and exciting is priceless. Lately my son Sebastian has been thrilled by a product that he see's on the television.

My eldest has always been an early riser. He usually gets up 30 minutes to an hour before I do. Now that he is 6 years old and has figured out how to work the remote (which is a tale for another entry) he comes downstairs and turns on the television. Over that last month or so he has been watching infomercials. His favorite infomercial is for the Shark Steam Pocket Mop. He watches it nearly every day and the minute I  step into the room he will have given me 10 reasons why I must get the steam pocket mop. So I would like to share with you his reasons for shelling out way too much money for a glorified swiffer sweeper.

10 Reasons to Buy the Shark Steam Pocket Mop (as determined by a 6 year old)

1. You don't need to use smelly stuff that can make you sick.
2. It really cleans and makes stuff less germy.
3. It dries fast so I can walk on the floor instead of waiting forever....sheessh...
4. It has three pads to clean the whole house, really you can keep changing them (great...)
5. It has a carpet glider to make the carpets fresh. It will get rid of the dogs smelly butt.
6. It is not heavy and you don't have to carry a big bowl of water and a stinky mop!
7. I can even use it ( be my guest dear...)
8. It has a really long cord, but be careful that you don't trip on it. Your kinda clumsy.
9. It would make cleaning the house easier and I know you don't like to clean much (gee thanks kid)
10. Mark (the guy selling this contraption) says I have to get it!

If you ask me they all seem like really good reasons to dish out $130 for a steaming sweeper. Sebastian's pitch was so good that I did in fact go out and buy one of these mops! I took him to Canadian Tire with me and let him pick one and pay for it. He promised me that he would help me clean the house if I let him use it. He stuck to his promise, once. I will say though that out of all the drivel that is sold on T.V. today, I do like this one. Not like the Slap Chop and Magic Bullet that my husband was conned into buying....Hey, have you noticed a theme here...the men in my life watch way too much television let alone infomercials. Also I can't help to notice that all the gadgets they want are all really for me to make my life easier (according to their logic). Wow! Do I wish they would invent the machine that would wash dishes, fold laundry and give foot massages easier for the husband!

10 Reasons to Call Off The Wedding

The Hubby and I were invited to a wedding that was to take place at the end of August. Today we received word that the wedding had been canceled. Everyone was shocked at first, but then the rumor mill started churning and shared their theories as to why the bride bumped the groom. "He slept with her sister", "She screwed the best man" or "He beat her". All very good reasons to call off the wedding.

The cancellation of what should have been this couples happiest day in their life turned into a bit of a circus. I must admit, that I too 'wondered' what went wrong. I then spent a little too much time thinking of reasons why I would have canceled my wedding. I had never really thought about it before, I never  had reason to. I guess if I decided to marry a different man that I may have found myself in a similar situation.

So another woman's pain resulted in this list that I compiled of reasons why I would cancel my wedding.

1. He starts wearing your fancy dresses and refers to  himself as Beth. At that point you should seriously consider whether your man wants to be your man.

2. Your man has more intimate time with himself than he does you. This is a good warning sign that your sex life may not be acceptable....or he is into himself way to much.

3. He spends way too much time playing fantasy games on the net. Seriously, if he thinks he is a dragon slayer, move away from  him!

4. Temper! Temper! If you find that your potential spouse has an explosive temper be cautious. Does he act out violently? Does he do crazy things when he is angry like driving recklessly and showing obvious signs of road rage? Does he rant and rave when his favorite team loses the game? Well, that guy needs to see a professional and learn to control his anger....you are not that professional, walk away.

5. Kills your self esteem. If you find that your man constantly puts you down from everything to  how you dress to the way you cook, you may want to put up your radar. Guys who feel the need to knock you down a notch or two very rarely will treat you with respect. You need to take control and put him in his place the first time he does this, if he does not like being told off then remember he is likely embarrassed of his manhood and you just don't need that bullshit.

6. Paranoia. Does he call you constantly throughout the day? Does he always question who you are with? Does he believe that the government is watching his every move? This is the kind of guy who will notice the type of mud on  your car and grill you about why you were in a location where mud like that could have got on your car. He will follow you, check your email and voicemail.  If your mates jealously and lack of trust are causing problems before you say I Do, then you need to evaluate whether losing your freedom and yourself are worth it.

7. He is a Mama's Boy. You know the guy, the one that needs to visit his Mommy daily. She still cooks for him and even does his laundry if you won't do it. This is also a double whammy because this guy will likely have a controlling mother and she likes that he still relies on her. Remember when you get married  you marry your spouses family as well. If this guy spends way too much time focusing on what his mommy wants and she calls your house daily to remind you of his favorite foods, I suggest you proceed with caution.

8. Cheater! If he has cheated on you once, it is very highly likely that he will do it again. If you forgave him for a past trist he will think that you are somewhat accepting and cool and try to repeat the bad behavior again. If the bugger screws another woman before you marry that should be your cue to walk away and not look back.

9. The very sight of him makes you ill! If the man that you once found so desirable, the man that made your heart beat faster, the guy who's smile you could not live without seeing daily starts to turn your stomach the minute he walks through the door, then you've got a problem!

10. He is unstable both emotionally and financially. Often these two issues go hand in hand. With some hard work and maybe a bit of luck, he can turn his financial instability around. But if he is just a lazy bastard who does not want to work and would rather sponge off of you then you have a problem. If he displays signs of being emotionally unstable such as being verbally or physically abusive walk away. Perhaps his problems are a little less severe, such as having a two way conversation with himself several times a day, he dresses his dog in a tuttu or thinks getting a tattoo on his face just like Mike Tyson, then he is a nut job. Cut your losses and save your sanity and bank account.

Marriage is a deep and binding contract that two people should not enter into lightly. You must both be ready to share every aspect of your lives together. Being married means loving your mate even if they are a bit odd. Trusting that his side glances at the blonde waitress will never amount to anything. Knowing that he will always put you first, respect you, understand you and be your best friend.

Before Marriage and Children - I had fun

You often hear how life drastically changes once you have children. I am here to say Damn Skippy it Does!
I have never been the type of person who dwells in the past. Often times the past is best forgotten. Other times I will look through old photos and be reminded of how slim I was, or how much energy I appeared to have.

Recently I was reminded of how carefree and crazy I used to be in my 20's. While speaking to an old friend (who is unmarried and has no kids) she mentioned how much I seemed to have changed. She reminded me how much fun I used to be back in the day of too much booze and not a care in the world.

I have to admit, speaking to this old friend made me feel a bit envious of her. She enjoys the ability to come and go as she pleases. She does not have to worry about scheduling her day around children. Hearing her tales of adventure as a single woman made me long for my youth. And as most mothers do, I compiled a list. Of course this list was not for chores to be done or for the groceries, it was a list of the things I miss about being a single woman with no kids.

1. Late Nights. I would come home from work or my college classes, take a nap, eat greasy pizza and head out again around 11pm only to come home around 4am. These days if I want to stay up past 10pm I need to consume 10 shots of espresso.

2. Freedom. Before I had children I was able to do what ever I wanted when I wanted. I did not have to answer to anybody. If I wanted to take a spur of the moment trip to New York I could. If I wanted to go out with the girls for drinks after work I could. If I wanted to walk around the house butt naked I could. Now I always have to answer to somebody. I always have to think about the needs of my kids and husband before my own selfish fanciful dreams. Freakin' family stole my freedom!

3. Shopping. I remember when shopping used to be fun. Those days of leisurely strolling through the mall trying on endless outfits are long gone. Now I move with military precision through the mall only heading to the shops I know have what I want. I don't try clothes on anymore. I buy them and pray they fit!

4. Illness. As a mother you can't afford to be sick, at least I can't. My household grinds to a halt if I do not function at 100%. If God forbid, I get sick, I need to suck it up and continue about my day as though I am not bleeding from my eyeballs. I miss being able to just lie in bed bitching and moaning and not being bothered by a soul.

5. Bathroom visits. Before kids I would go to the bathroom freely to answer natures call. Now all of the bodily functions seem to shut down the minute I hear the door knob jiggle or the inevitable Mommy being whined on the other side of the door. The bathroom has also become a place to hide from my family. If I need a moment to calm down or rest I head for the loo and lock the door. Of course the solitude only lasts for a few moments before they come calling!

6. Sex. I miss it. I miss being spontaneous with my husband. Nothing worse than planning your sex life around bedtime and wake up time. No more quickies in the morning unless we get up at 4am, which quite frankly is not going to  happen!

7. Dancing.  Oh how I loved to dance. I used to spend 3 nights a week in the clubs just dancing, drinking and flirting with men. Now the only dancing I do is with the vacum cleaner.

8. T.V.  Before the kids came along I used to watch whatever fancied me in the boob tube. Not that I ever bothered much with television before I was married, but with time I became a tube junkie just like Hubby. When the t.v. is on during the day it is usually tuned into some horrible childrens channel like Tree House, Disney or YTV. There are only so many episodes of Dora the Explorer any sane person can handle. How I long for the evenings when the kids are sound asleep so that I can get just one measly hour of vile useless television viewing in!

9. Housekeeping. How I long for the days when I would just leave a trail of clothes through my apartment, let the cat hair on the sofa pile up or leave dishes in the sink overnight. Since becoming a wife and mother I have been forced into cooking, cleaning, doing laundry. It all sucks. Really sucks. Some days I would just love to take a match to the house and make all of it just disappear.

10. Sleep. The best for last. I recall a time when I would go to be when I really wanted and would wake when I really wanted (except for those shitty weekdays when I had to work because some old fart told me I needed to be responsible). I have not slept past 6am in over 6 years. I want to cry for all of those lost hours of sweet sweet slumber.

I am sure that I could go on for pages with this post, but in the interest of keeping my readers interest I will end my sorry dwelling on what was and focus on the ray of light that has become my life. While I may miss those small freedoms, dancing and sleep, I would not trade it for anything in the world. There is nothing more satisfying and rewarding at the end of  the day then when you are told "I love you Mommy" just because. Nothing better than seeing their bright eyed anticipation when I enter a room. I'd give up a lifetime of sleep just to see my children smile.....maybe.

Being a Mom, Wife and Your Own Person....not always easy

First off I will just say that I love my life! I have a great life! I am married to a wonderful, loving and attentive man. I have two healthy and beautiful children. I have good health, a lovely home, I don't have many of the concerns that other women face on a daily basis.  So don't get me wrong, I'm not here to whine about life, but I am here simply to share something that I have noticed happening in my life....I suspect that it happens to many women out there. Have you lost YOURSELF. Do you really have friends?

I don't mean being lost in the woods, or can't find your car in the mall parking lot. I mean the kind of lost that comes with being a wife, mother, career woman. Before becoming a wife and mother, perhaps you enjoyed a greater sense of "who you are", or maybe you enjoyed traveling down that road to discover you true self. When I was in my early 20's I was not on any sort of "quest" to find out my purpose, my reason in life....but hell, I enjoyed it! I went to college, had a small group of good friends that I would party with. I enjoyed unlimited freedom,  my only restraints were lack of money. It was fun...I enjoyed myself.

I met my husband when I was 23. We hit it off immediately. As a matter of fact, we have barely been apart since our first date. Now that to some degree is sickeningly sweet, but on the other hand you might think "Oh man...no time apart. She must be nuts!" I would agree with both sentiments. We quickly became one of those "old married" couples who finish each others sentences, can communicate just by a mere look. Most of the time it is great. But then there are those times when I run into one of the gals on my street. You know, one of those hip moms, who always look well  put together, well rested, well dressed (God I hate them sometimes). They may invite me out for a drink, or to go shopping....and sadly the first thing that pops into my mind is "Gee...isn't Lost on the tube tonight. We were going to watch that tonight and eat ice cream..." I now realize that this is utterly ridiculous and all boils down to the reason for this post.

I recently realized that I really don't have any "Girlfriends"! Seriously! Sure I have those gals that I chat to maybe once a month, but that is not a deep friendship. Socially I have become a freakin' hermit! I don't even know  how it happened. I found myself in front of my house yesterday playing with the kids when a neighbor from across the street waved hello. I found myself getting nervous, shy almost. This very woman is somebody that I have always liked very much, we used to spend quite a bit of time together back when our kids were infants and I organized a local playgroup. So I bit the bullet and went over to chat with her. At first it felt awkward, even though it should not have. But then we were talking with another neighborhood lady...and I realized that I have cut myself off from so many possible friendships over the years. I sat there listening to these two women you seem to have shared quite a bit of social time together and felt like a social outcast. I have become the wallflower.  I have made some stupid choices to watch Jack Bauer save the world rather than foster a healthy, real friendship.

Not only does it hurt to realize that I did this to myself, but I also recognized that I am hurting my kids as well. I look down my little street full of young families. I see most of the neighbor kids outside playing with each other and mine are inside with me. This is not my kids choice, it is mine. I often find myself choosing solitude over companionship and this is not always the right choice. My kids know the other ankle biters on the street only in passing. They are  not pals. They don't play together. To make it worse, my kids are the only ones on the street that go to a different school, most of the others go to the same school. So is it not up to me (parents) to get these kids out and socialize them with kids in the hood?

So I have vowed to change this. 2010 will become the year of Building Friendships. I tried this a long time ago when my son was first born and ran a small mom and tot playgroup. There were some regular members whom I really enjoyed seeing. But sadly we all drifted apart when life's obligations caught up with us. Most of those ladies returned to work and I was one of the only stay at home moms. For a while after the original group disbanded I tried to get new members, but just didn't click with too many people. They I tried to arrange moms nights out. This became frustrating because they  never worked out the way I planned...eventually I gave up. I think I became a bit cynical about arranging social gatherings and just did not see the point of trying anymore. Now I am back to wishing that I kept trying. If I had stuck it out and continued being the neighborhood social director, I just might not be feeling this way right now! I might actually have a close friend or two. So to start, I joined a women's social club. There! It may be awkward at first, I am sure I will come up with every excuse to not go to events, but dammit I will do it if it kills me!

I need a better Me. One who is socially outgoing, has a few really good friends and one who teaches my kids that while having time to yourself is certainly valuable, social solitude can often lead to severe feelings of loneliness and depression, all things I have experienced. I hope my kids continue to be outgoing, smart and make friends easily. But if I don't set an example this may come harder for them than other kids.

So wish me luck on my  new journey. To be honest it scares me a bit. Being close to someone means that you reveal yourself to them. The real you, warts and all....and man do I have alot of warts!

Cougar Town - Always Good For A Laugh (or 3)

Every Wednesday night I can 't wait for the kids to go to bed so that I can settle down with my hubby and watch my favorite comedy Cougar Town. I have noticed that this show seems to get a lot of mixed reviews. Most are good, but then there are those who complain that the show is driven too much with sex. Get over it! Sex is a natural part of life....without it we would not be here!

Very rarely do I enjoy a television show, let alone a comedy, from beginning to end. Rarely do I find myself laughing throughout the entire show. When I watch Cougar Town, I do.

One of the reasons for my love of this show is not Courtney Cox, but rather her rag tag band of friends, in particular Ellie. This character is so funny. She is quick witted, crude, rude, controlling and best of all a good friend. I often comment to my husband that Ellie is my role model....needless to say this scares him! I am often drawn to the strong bitch female characters in shows, I guess there is a part of me that wishes I had the "balls" or confidence to be so brazen. Other bitch broads that I have loved on t.v. have been Lucy Liu on Ally McBeal, or the ever snotty, entitled and beautiful Eva Longoria Parker from Desperate Housewives. These are the gals that make me laugh the most.

My other favorite character on Cougar Town is the infamous Barb. This is a strong, confident, sexually driven cougar that makes me nearly pee my pants every week.
When I stop to think about the women of the tube that I am fondest of, they are always the bitches! That must say quite a bit about me!

March Break.....Madness!!!!

Well we are now 2 days into "March Break" and I officially want to dive into a bottle of wine and not come up for air until Sunday!

Like many parents out there, you feel a great deal of pressure to entertain your precious angels during the winter break (aka nervous break) with outings, crafts, movies, dinners out....you try to give them an amazing week of fun and entertainment. Now I am not saying that my adorable offspring are spoiled rotten (except the little one...she IS a bit of a  DIVA), and I try not to give into their every demand. But like most mom's I asked what they would like to do with their time off from school. Of course the answers were typical for their 6 and 3 year old mindset. "Let's go to the zoo Mommy!"...sure a good idea...if  you would walk and not expect me to pull you along in the wagon (essentially dragging a good 80lbs of dead weight). "Let's do some crafts!"....sure...if you didn't get paint everywhere else other than the paper it was intended for. 

Today's activity was an excursion to Reptilia. A small "zoo" housing reptiles and amphibians. The kids really enjoy seeing all of the snakes, lizards, crocs and what not. But the walk through takes only about an hour, and that is if you linger at an exhibit or two! Of course, like most touristy places, the venue has a "gift shop", right at the exit of the "zoo". I normally avoid these shops like the plague, but today, I decided to reward my sweet children for being so good while we walked through the exhibit.  I bought them each a snake (which they later used as weapons in the car). So for 1 hour I dished out $40 to see some snakes and lizards! I also stopped at a small municipal airport so the kids could see the planes. They were fortunate enough to see an Air Ambulance loading a patient and taking off. They were sooo excited. They stood just a few feet away from the chopper and got a real sense of how load and windy it would be. I thought for sure I was going to be a hero, that they would do whatever I asked them to! Yeah, I am one big fool!

Alas it was time to eat. Sebastian asked if we could go to Burger King. Sure...I have been dieting, but I will give in for the love of my kids (not the Whopper). We place our order, sit down to eat and all hell broke loose. The kids started fighting with each other, refused to eat their food, whined and cried about everything. I packed up the food and we left.  Let the buggers starve.

On the way home I had to stop to get some milk and bread. Rather than drag the whining little shits through the grocery store, I opted to pop into one of those super drugstores. The touched everything they could get their hands on. My daughter grabbed an ovulation test kit and yells out "Mommy I want this!". My son tried to play hide and seek and I lost him 3 times (this all in a span of about 5 minutes). By the time I reached the cash with my bag of milk I felt like holding up the chemist for Zanax! We got back in the car, the snakes became weapons again, my son picked his nose until it bled and Gabriella would not stop singing the "ABC's".

Needless to say the minute I arrived  home, I turned on the boob tube, sat them in front of it, poured a glass of wine and tried to hold back my tears. I calmed down, came to the computer to rant here a bit, then realized that I still have 5 more days of this hell!

Someone, please put me out of my misery!

Dr. Oz Belly Fat Blaster - hmmmmmm......

I, like many women out there, suffer from "Mummy Tummy". You know, that jiggly, unsightly blubber that remains after having kids (especially by c-section). If you are like me, you also gain weight right in your middle. I have been trying to loose weight for a while now, but always find myself feeling unsatisfied, see no results and always hungry.

While shopping last week I picked up a copy of Women's World magazine. This is a paper I never buy, but there was Dr.Oz on the front with his happy go lucky grin. So I looked. In this issue there is an article on Dr. Oz's "Belly fat-blasting smoothie". Naturally I got all of the ingredients and started the 'diet' the very next day. Since I have been doing this, I feel fantastic. I have lost 3 lbs so far in almost a week. Of course I drink the smoothie every morning and eat all of the suggested menu items listed in the article. I have energy, don't feel hungry and find I crave sugar less!

I went to  his website today, to see if there was more information on a meal plan that I can follow. I discovered that the recipes on his site and in the magazine vary in a few ingredients. I am not sure if his is better or not, but I will give it a go next week.

So if you are interested here is the recipe that I found in Women's World magazine.

In blender whip:
1 cup of juice (any variety) (I prefer orange juice)
1/2 banana or 3/4 berries (I used blueberries only - bananas bind me)
2 tbs whey powder
2 tbs ground flaxseed
1 tbs ground psyllium husk
1 tbs chia seeds (I use ground)
1 tbs wheat germ
600 mg fish oil (from supplement caspules, break open and add oil only or just take the pill while drinking smoothie)
3 ice cubes*This is very tasty and filling!
**Expect wonderful BM's!
***I also drink 2 cups of green tea a day (my own little addition to this meal plan)

Now on Dr. Oz's website his recipe is as follows:

Ingredients
1/2 large ripe banana, broken into chunks (or other fruit of your choice)
1 scoop (1/3 cup) Soy Protein (like Nature’s Plus Spiru-Tein)
1/2 tablespoon flaxseed oil
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 tablespoon apple juice concentrate or honey
1 teaspoon psyllium seed husks
8 ounces water

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Optional: Add a few cubes of ice, as well as powdered vitamins. Cover; blend until fairly smooth.

Now I am a realist. I know that the troublesome blubber won't just 'drop' off without effort on my part. Dr. Oz suggest's that walking everyday for about 30 minutes (brisk pace) will help you to drop the weight. So will some simple ab exercises. I will be honest, I'm lazy....I went on the tread mill once for 30, the next day I took a stroll with the kids, the day after I cleaned the house. That has been the extent of my exercise! Perhaps if I did I would see better results!

Time to get my fat ass away from this computer and walk across the street to get my son from his bus! Hah! There, I just exercised!

I was Stumbling in my free time this morning when I came across Velina's Blog, with a most hilarious post.
I was close to tears from laughing while reading this, and actually understand just how the person in the letter felt. Give this a good read, especially you women out there. For you men, the letter is very educational!

Supposedly this is an actual email to the company of Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine hygiene products.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,
I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.
Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from 'the curse'? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?
As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the viole nt urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Crazy!
The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'
Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.
For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us?
Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullshit. And that's a promise I will keep.
Always. . .
Wendi Aarons
Austin , T X

Man vs Woman - Battle of the Sexes

I was Stumbling over the weekend while sipping my morning cup of coffee when I came across this article in Cosmopolitan about 21 Things Women Do Better Than Men. Good grief, as a woman I know I am better than a man!
Anyway, the whole thing was sparked by an article in AskMen about 10 Things Only Men Can Do. This whole good natured ribbing has inspired me to ponder the differences between men and women. I haven't too much time to dwell on it as I have children to care for,  mouths to feed, floors to wash, laundry to fold...well you get the picture, but here is my list.

10 Things I know I Do Better Than Men (yes you hubby)

• 1. Express our feelings. We are not afraid to cry, scream, stomp our feet if we want to be heard. As a woman I pride myself for being able to express my feelings (even if I seem childish or stark raving mad)
• 2. I can wear makeup and not look like a cross dresser. I can do up my hair, don my fanciest dress, wear high heals and perfume...and not offend anybody (unless my idea of dressing up resembles that of a street walkers attire)
• 3. Bodily fluids. That should need not much explanation, but here goes. As a woman and a mother, I can wade knee deep in puke, shit, snot, blood, rotting food, garbage pails all for the sake of my family. My husband gets sick if he has to change a poopy diaper, smells vomit and nearly faints at the sight of blood. We have a thick skin and high tolerance when it comes to bodily fluids and gross stuff.
• 4. I can go to the grocery store and buy what is on the list. Nothing less, nothing more. My husband will miss half of the crucial items and come home with chips, pop and an endless array of unwanted garbage.
• 5. Women can drink fruity drinks decorated with umbrellas and fruit without seeming less womanly. If a man orders a drink like that you can bet that the other chaps in the bar are laughing at him and speculating his sexuality.
• 6. PMS. While it is no picnic for the woman (or those closest to her), we can use our raging hormones as an excuse for bad behavior! If a man acts out by way of temper tantrums, crying and binge eating, people worry or think he is a big asshole!
• 7. Clean the house. When a woman cleans the home, she dusts everything, moves furniture, uses harsh chemicals, changes bed linens...the list goes on and on for day (maybe that is why I hate housework). When a man cleans house (yes hubby that is you) he puts away his socks, uses the clean tea towel for drying dishes to wipe down a greasy filthy counter, uses a dirty toilet brush on a dirty toilet without cleaning solution...eeewwww.
• 8. Bathe the children. My husband, rarely bathes the kids. But when he does, hair goes unwashed and my daughters privates are never looked at. There could be mushrooms growing down there and he wouldn't touch her with a ten foot pole.
• 9. Multitask. While my husband does have a job that requires him to multitask, the minute he gets home his ability to do so disappears along with his ability to get himself a drink of water. As a mom I can have several things going on at the same time. I can have 3 meals cooking (I often do this...but that is a topic for another blog entry), talk on the phone with my mother, have laundry going, sweep the kitchen floor and check emails. 
• 10. Illness. When a woman is sick she has to buck up and deal with it, especially us mom's. If a mother is ill she still has to care for her family, as difficult as it may be. She will drag her but out of bed, aches, coughing, weezing, boogers and all, just to make sure that her son  has his snack for school and a spare change of clothes in case the get wet at recess. My husband would give the kid a stick of gum and wish him a great day. A Canadian study showed that women possess a sex hormone called estrogen that gives female immune systems an added edge when it comes to resisting infections. When a man gets sick, he acts and believes that he is on death's doorstep. The simple task of wiping ones own nose becomes as difficult as climbing Mt.Everest! This is likely the only time a woman will see a man cry.

What can you think of that woman can do better than men?

If I had $42 Million Dollars

Residents of Ontario don't forget to buy your Lotto Max tickets! The draw this Friday is for $42 million dollars! Gasp!

My husband and I often sit around and talk about what we would do if we won the lottery, especially a sum of money as large as this win. We discuss our dreams with such passion that I am unable to sleep that night. We look all glass eyed and speculate how our lives would change, hopefully for the better.

If I won $42 million I would:

1. Pay off all debt

2. Give money to family members, especially those in need

3. Buy my dream home in Tuscany or somewhere else in Italy

4. Build my dream home  here in Ontario, preferably lake front with lots of land

5. Liposuction and Tummy Tuck...why? I need it and am too lazy to work for that trim and toned body (if Octomom can do it so can I)

6. Have the money to ensure that my children will attend the best University (even if I have to bribe the dean to let them attend)

7. Buy a tricked out minivan (hey I'm still a Mom and need to transport the ankle bitters around) with all the high end fittings

8. Hire a housekeeper

9. Hire somebody to help me shop for myself, a personal stylist would be great

10. Travel all over the world and not have to resort to hostels for accomodation

11. Buy up lots of real estate for investment (perhaps become a slum lord...hehehe)

12. Enjoy my financial freedom!

I am sure that I could add a many more things to this list, but why be foolish. I would like to keep that money for the rest of my days and ensure that the kids are comfortable in their adulthood.

What would you do if you won $42 million? Imagine!

Sick Kids, Blown Stoves and Stupid People

It has been a bit of time since I last posted anything. It hasn't been months or years, it feels like it though. One of the things I have grown to love about blogging is that it is somewhat therapeutic. It gives me a forum where I can rant and rave or get all moon eyed over some camera gear, all without disturbing my family.

I have enjoyed searching for content for the blog and dressing it up so it is all cute and whatnot. My content may  not be up to par with the top bloggers out there, but I am not looking to make a living out of this. Just to escape my everyday bullshit. It was that everyday shite that kept me away from here for a few (long) days.
But shit is what I have had lately. Both of my kids have been sick. In fact we have been riddled with illness for over a month now. First it was a stomach flu which was no walk in the park. I was knee deep in puke for about a week as both the kids cycled through the bug twice!! Then I thought I was in the clear but then my little one ended up with a fever of 103 on Friday morning. I was lucky to get  her into the pediatrician (which is much more like a zoo than a medical office). The poor thing was diagnosed with strep throat and a bronchial infection.  To make matters even worse, my stove blew its element this weekend and also blew the circuit board. I had nothing to cook on. This is not a good thing when you have 2 kids who are picky eaters and demand pasta at least once a day. Then my poor husband thought he would keel over from malnutrition. Sure I could use my microwave but I'd rather eat rubber than food that comes out of that box. So I had to bbq everything, which is great, but not when it is sub zero outside!

On Sunday and my daughter wanted to come along. She now has a terrible hacking cough. I popped into the grocery store/drug store (yeah one of those super centers) to pick up some supplies when Gaby had a coughing fit. As we were walking down the isle and she was coughing I saw this woman look at us with disdain and fear in her eyes. She turned her cart around and went the opposite direction. Now I can assure you, I did not know this woman, never saw her before, I am sure I could never have offended her in anyway. I could only conclude that she did not want to walk by the germ breading factory that is my 3 year. I was actually miffed at first, but then chuckled. This is what society has come to. We fear every germ, every virus like it going to kills us! I personally think it is ridiculous. I bet that woman, pushing her germ infested shopping cart did not disinfect  her hands before she touched it. I would also bet that along the way she coughed or sneezed old school into her hands. I bet she didn't wash her hands after going to the potty! But this woman was afraid of a coughing 3 year old. Well to that frigid lady I say "AAAAAhHHaaahHHH CCCHHHOOOOOO!" all over her snotty little hands!

I have ranted. I am free.

Great Quotes by Great Women

If you are like me, you often find yourself arguing with your husband, father, brother or son....usually some man who thinks is convinced he knows everything! Men say that we women are terrible to argue with but we know better, don't we girls?! Anyway, on those occasions when I just can't think of anything good as a comeback, or 'gasp' I am losing the argument, I often wish I could come up with some really good quotes to prove my point that men are 'meehhh' and women are superior! So from here now on every Monday at the Mamma Goddess is Man Bashing Monday!! 


I did some searching and found these quotes by famous women.

You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy. -- Erica Jong 


My husband and I are either going to buy a dog or have a child. We can't decide to ruin our carpet or ruin our lives. -- Rita Rudner

I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb... and I also know that I'm not blonde. -- Dolly Parton

I've been on so many blind dates, I should get a free dog. -- Wendy Liebman

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth to. -- Erma Bombeck

If high heels were so wonderful, men would be wearing them. -- Sue Grafton

I would love to speak a foreign language, but I can't. So I grew hair under my arms instead. -- Sue Kolinsky

I think -- therefore I'm single. -- Lizz Winstead

"When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country." -- Elayne Boosler

"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." -- Gilda Radner

"Behind every successful man is a surprised woman." -- Maryon Pearson

"Our struggle today is not to have a female Einstein get appointed as an assistant professor. It is for a woman schlemiel to get as quickly promoted as a male schlemiel." --- Bella Abzug

"In politics, If you want anything said, ask a man; If you want anything done, ask a woman." -- Margaret Thatcher

"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career." -- Gloria Steinem

"Nagging is the repetition of unpalatable truths." -- Baroness Edith Summerskill

"If men can run the world, why can't they stop wearing neckties? How intelligent is it to start the day by tying a little noose around your neck?" -- Linda Ellerbee

"Some of us are becoming the men we wanted to marry." -- Gloria Steinem

Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then." -- Katharine Hepburn