The land of neutrality

Ah, Switzerland, the land of neutrality.  The country doesn’t get involved.  Their citizens don’t take sides.  Peaceful place. No conflict.  Image of ski slopes.  No drama.  My diplomatic nature (I hear my daughter laughing or groaning) has, on more than one occasion, been compared to the neutral environment of Switzerland.  I have opinions on lots of things – almost everything but I keep most of them to myself.  Because opinions are like, what is it, oh, that’s right, I don’t use foul language so I can’t say that.  Let’s just say, opinions are like rump roasters, everyone has one!   Here are a few opinions I have that maybe need to be expressed for a change.  See if you agree with any or you can add to the list.

No one should ever wear shorts in the winter in New England.  Even if you are going to the gym, newsflash – that is what gym bags are made for.  Please wear pants and put your shorts in the gym bag.  White, hairy legs are, well……downright scary!

I really dislike Croc sandals, mules, clogs, whatever they are.  They can be cute on very young children but they should be off limits for everyone else.

Bald men should not be allowed to buy convertibles.

The silent treatment is an insidious form of abuse.

All toddlers are, at some level, annoying.

I agree with Eminem, the musician, that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Small talk makes me tired – really tired.  I particularly despise weather chit chat.

I think love is the best thing in the world.  Chanel clothing is next (although I only have a handbag) so what would I know?

I think people with bad attitudes should check them at the door.  No one wants that energy around them.  We all have issues.  Get over it.  Grow up.  It’s not my fault you are miserable.

I think unfriending a friend on Facebook for no reason or no explanation is utterly lame.  This is not junior high, people.  I know it’s not called junior high anymore and I am showing my age, but I don’t care.

In that same arena, I think bashing people and airing your grievances on Facebook is never a good idea.  Call a friend, a counselor, a hotline.  I physically cringe at some of the ranting I read on Facebook.

Do not give unsolicited advice to anyone.  If he/she doesn’t ask for your opinion, then don’t give one.  Clearly, they know what they are doing.

Al Einstein was a genius.  And yes, sometimes the smartest person in the room is overlooked.

And someone once said “Confidence is a consolation prize for those who are less talented.”  Ah, let the truth be spoken!  So think about that the next time you meet someone who is overly confident – is there really anything behind that façade?  Chances are, no.  But let them ramble on anyway; it’s all they have.

And if you are still not convinced that I have an opinion, just ask my son what the word buffoon means?

Oh, and back to footwear for a moment.  I despise flip flops of any kind and yes, despise is a harsh word but it doesn’t even come close to expressing my hatred of the look and sound of these ridiculous foot coverings.   I particularly loathe the cheap plastic ones they sell at drug stores.  I don’t think anyone should wear these except in public showers to prevent a fungal infection which is another thing that totally grosses me out but that is perhaps another blog?  Anyway, I hate the sound, I don’t like seeing so much foot and I don’t like the look of being flat footed.  I actually make audible groans when I see or hear a flip flopper coming my way.  And remember if you are a flip flopper, you might not have a solid opinion on anything?  Get it?  Perhaps all the flip floppers should move to Switzerland!!  Peace, love and opinions…..Ciao for now…

crazy photo

Yes, this is the metamorphosis I make when I see or hear things I must give an opinion on. Trust me, I try to control it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day!!

It would not be an official Mother’s Day at blog headquarters without a shout out to all the fabulous Moms out there grinding it out day in and day out to make our children happy, kind, successful and yes, productive human beings!!  We love our Moms!

I want to give an extra special shout out to my MUM!  I am infinitely blessed to call her “Mum”.  Yes, I pronounce it that way.  No Mom or Mommy,  I am blessed to have her through all the stages in life.  God knows, I have needed her!

Here is the woman who taught me to be a woman and a mother!  I love my Mum!!

Here is the woman who taught me to be a woman and a mother! I love  and admire her!

So, please take a few minutes today (and yes, every day) to be thankful for your mother and also to be good to yourself, if you are a Mum.  Enjoy! Relax! Have Fun!  Mums are BLESSINGS!! xo

Mother’s Day or Kid’s Day? Hmmm…..

For Mother’s Day every year, I try to relax and enjoy myself.  It’s my holiday, right?  Out of 365 days in a year, I take time off from parental duty on my birthday and Mother’s Day.  Well, I still make meals and do maybe a load of laundry (reluctantly, of course) but I have coffee in bed (delivered to me by two of the cutest room service attendants ever – my kids!) and I only do things with them that day that I want to do. And trust me, this is totally out of the norm. I have been known to throw out a whole schedule of chores or plans to accommodate an impromptu request to go to the beach or the mall.

In any event, the day before I prepare my children for my mini-holiday by requesting they tell me any errands they need done so I can totally enjoy a day without my things-to-do list. I don’t need fancy presents or dinners out; I just require peace and quiet.  I love the gifts they make at school and treasure those always.  Truth be told, they have more meaning than a store bought item and I think most people would agree on that.  This year as I am giving my speech about how Mother’s Day is like my birthday, my son Zachary chimes in, “That’s not fair that you get a special day.  We don’t get a holiday.  We should get a Kid’s Day!”  This was said so innocently that I had to laugh.  “What Zac?  Are you serious?  Every day is kid’s day,”  I replied.  He retorted, “No, it isn’t.”  Say what? 

I have given some thought to his request for a special holiday.  Sometimes I chuckle to myself and other times, I shake my head in disbelief.  As children, we have no concept of how good we have it.  No one’s childhood is perfect but it is certainly more carefree than being an adult, for the most part.  I caught sight of the paper bouquet that he made for me last Mother’s Day and read his answers to the writing prompts again.  I thought of him working away at his desk at school, trying so hard to come up with answers that would please me.  Maybe he is on to something with a day that celebrates kids?  Maybe we should skip all the formality and just enjoy each other each and every day….all of it….the pranks, the complaints, the calls from the principal’s office (trust me, there is little joy in these).  One prank I won’t forget is when my two kids secretly and vigorously shook a bottle of cranberry ginger ale and then asked for a glass.  Had I been remotely astute, I would have seen the mischievous grins and glances to one another.  Of course, when I opened it, red liquid exploded everywhere and I mean everywhere!  And yes, my kitchen is white.  They were in total hysterics.  With ginger ale drenching my hair, shirt, cabinets, all I could do was hear their laughter and I started laughing and said,  “Good one.  That was clever.”  Enjoy your special day and every day as a mother!  Happy Mother’s Day!

Words of sweetness and sincerity

Words of sweetness and sincerity