We've had rain every day out here at Wickham Park and it has brought some refreshing cool breezes along with Mosquitos and,other buggies. Tree frogs trill outside our home,on wheels. Thelma Lou doesn't seem to mind. In fact, I believe I heard her humming along with them the'other night.
Our cat, Oscar, has taken to travel trailer life just as our dogs, Molly and LuLu have. As long as they are with us, they are content. Plus, I have no choice but to walk them, which they love since there is no room to spread doggie pads and papers about. So we walk, they sniff everything in sight, roll around in patches of fragrant grass. Tomorrow is nail cutting day which they will relish...yeah, sure!
We get great wi-fi and t.v. Service,in the'park and everyone is friendly. Right now, there are not that many campers. Weekends are peak time and during the week, it is relatively quiet. We are close to our pharmacy, CVS; our grocer, Publix and Fresh Market. There are challenges facing us. As newbies to the travel trailer world, we are learning about annoying problems that need to be fixed,on our "boat", including a faulty black water tank that needed to be flushed,out early on or it would back up and spew out nasty "shit ", literally speaking. Bob put that little fire out. I have to wonder what people who know nothing about anything mechanically challenging or constructively demanding might handle on the road emergencies. I suppose they depend'on local RV dealerships...who charge a fortune (!!!) to just take a peek at your RV.
I think most RVs come with a set of problems. From silly little annoyances such as broken toilet paper holders or shower head clogs, there is something everyone will have to deal with. So it is best to have a little experience in making repairs on your own or you're liable to run up a fierce bill that will put you into a financial hole before you get on the road.
I'm lucky. Bob can fix almost anything. I, in turn, am pretty good at getting stuff organized and talking our dogs into going for walkies. I can cook a mean microwave pizza ( after I burn the first one!!)and put quarters in the laundry machines. And,of course write my blogs and articles.
Right now, I am ready for a nap. Still getting used to this type of living takes some fortitude that I hope I can conjure up.
In the meantime, I am fighting a fierce pain in my lower left abdomen that warrants a visit to my gastroenterologist per my rheumie who seems more concerned than I about it. But without codeine, I am afraid I would have to curl up in the fetal position and moan and gross about how awful I feel. I'm not the most exciting person in the world as it is. So this pissy state of affairs would probably drive Bob to go sleep at the local motel six where the light is on.
Hopefully, after tomorrow's visit with the
Cheers, dears. Happy Wednesday evening!
Rosemary
Monday, September 14, 2015
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Trailer Life ain't no Picnic
Day five in teeny tiny annoying trailer in Wickham Park. We forgot that Sept. (Along with May) is lovebug season here in Florida. In case you're not familiar with these nasty little insects, they are little black bugs resembling fireflies without the fire that fly end to end as they mate in the air and splat against your car. Florida has a peculiar affinity for these critters and highways are the worst war zone for them to attack. Oddly enough, once they mate, the male dies, the females lay their eggs and then She dies! What a short, joyous, sexually active life they have. Some would disagree but others would say their purpose in living just to procreate is quite ambitious.
Anyway, mosquitoes abound also because it has been a very wet summer. Thunderstorms most afternoons are washing us out but they are lovely for huddling in a corner to read or write or catch an episode of one of my many favorite Netflix BBC series. Nuttin' wrong with that, in my opinion.
Speaking of reading, I have become a great fan of historic romances of which I once scoffed. Now I find myself inner eased in many oldie,but goodies but some new and lovely novels by authors that were born to write. I melt into these books, the latest being Sara Gruen's At The water's Edge set in Scottland with a nod to Ye old Lochness Monster. But read between the lines and analyse the characters carefully. There is so much more to this book than one might first suspect. Sara is indeed one'of my favorite " animal rights as well as romance" writers and I can't wait for her next book to come out. Also, she loves to surprise us with little ditties scattered throughout her novels which often surpass the delight quota!
I've been researching two areas of interest: one being travel writing ( of course!!) along with jobs I can do part time as I travel, of course. I have lots of experience in and of itself: Finance knowledge, computer work, in odd jobs...being a mortgage broker for thirty years encased a whole set of job
values. Customer service being a biggie. Computer knowledge (it not my fav) , communications, marketing, sales, kissing various and sundry butts. Yes, sad but true. Should I put that on my resume??
I haven't written a resume in so long, I'm pretty sure it will come out lame at best. Should I include the three years I taught guitar without really knowing how to play?? What about the writing course I offered up and coming Great American Novelists who needed someone like me who lied about her credentials ages ago so I could get said job? What about the years I spent as the lamest receptionist-manicurist - magazine reader because that was, after all, what the job called for?
No, I think I can come up with something a bit more intellectual and honest. The mortgage stuff included creativity and customer care. My two years as a magazine advertising exec. Could land me a temp. Job selling advertising via phone. My four years as a dispatcher and then food buyer for a large drug store change in Va. Could get me a variety of positions. Such as how to spot mouse turds in packaged freeze dried mashed potatoes. Or little buggy parts in cereal. Yeah, those could definitely land me a hot little job while I'm on the road, especially if I can identify said bug parts!
Anyway, mosquitoes abound also because it has been a very wet summer. Thunderstorms most afternoons are washing us out but they are lovely for huddling in a corner to read or write or catch an episode of one of my many favorite Netflix BBC series. Nuttin' wrong with that, in my opinion.
Speaking of reading, I have become a great fan of historic romances of which I once scoffed. Now I find myself inner eased in many oldie,but goodies but some new and lovely novels by authors that were born to write. I melt into these books, the latest being Sara Gruen's At The water's Edge set in Scottland with a nod to Ye old Lochness Monster. But read between the lines and analyse the characters carefully. There is so much more to this book than one might first suspect. Sara is indeed one'of my favorite " animal rights as well as romance" writers and I can't wait for her next book to come out. Also, she loves to surprise us with little ditties scattered throughout her novels which often surpass the delight quota!
I've been researching two areas of interest: one being travel writing ( of course!!) along with jobs I can do part time as I travel, of course. I have lots of experience in and of itself: Finance knowledge, computer work, in odd jobs...being a mortgage broker for thirty years encased a whole set of job
values. Customer service being a biggie. Computer knowledge (it not my fav) , communications, marketing, sales, kissing various and sundry butts. Yes, sad but true. Should I put that on my resume??
I haven't written a resume in so long, I'm pretty sure it will come out lame at best. Should I include the three years I taught guitar without really knowing how to play?? What about the writing course I offered up and coming Great American Novelists who needed someone like me who lied about her credentials ages ago so I could get said job? What about the years I spent as the lamest receptionist-manicurist - magazine reader because that was, after all, what the job called for?
No, I think I can come up with something a bit more intellectual and honest. The mortgage stuff included creativity and customer care. My two years as a magazine advertising exec. Could land me a temp. Job selling advertising via phone. My four years as a dispatcher and then food buyer for a large drug store change in Va. Could get me a variety of positions. Such as how to spot mouse turds in packaged freeze dried mashed potatoes. Or little buggy parts in cereal. Yeah, those could definitely land me a hot little job while I'm on the road, especially if I can identify said bug parts!
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Just another Day in Paradise!
As we blissfully contemplate purchasing a larger RV ( yes, already!), a crazy guy shot his wife in the mall down the street and almost killed her. The perpetrator then shot and killed himself and another man...supposedly the woman's lover. This is happening all over Florida and yes, I am distressed. As the wife of a man who believes in the Right to Bear arms law, I am not happy about the many gun deaths we have in this state or the ease of purchasing said weapon of which it literally makes me sick!
I am ready to turn my jolly orange and green license plates in for something more generic like a fir tree or a fish leaping out of a clear, blue stream.
That said, we are hoping to qualify for a new RV which is 3' longer and 3' wider with an island kitchen, much more comfortable furniture, a LOT more storage space and an outdoor kitchen. I figure we can sell,the cute little blue grill we just bought and the t.v. Because this trailer comes with one. It might seem nuts ( no, it is nuts) but if this is our home for a year I think we need to be comfortable. And we are still saving money...something like five bucks a month! Lol!
Camping has, so far been interesting and educational. If you think you're going to save a lot of moolah by doing this, forget it. Gas is more expensive because you're tugging a 9000 lb. steel and aluminum monster of 33' behind you not including all the crap packed inside. How those crazy people drive the super monsters known as humongouse motor homes is beyond me. Why don't they just hook up their wood and brick home, add wheels, and tow it behind them?? It would probably be cheaper and you'd have all the comforts without moving stuff into another dwelling. I mean, really?
A problem we have here is our pets. The minute we open our door, there they are...sans leashes of course, wanting out! And when they do slip past us, off they go into the wild blue yonder, searching and hunting for cute little bunnies and cute little snapping turtles. There are occasional alligators, but so much in national parks. The rangers keep them at bay.
Out cat, Oscar, likes to hide behind the sofa in the the storage area where it is hell to drag him out at supper time. And immediately after he wants to jump back behind there... He is sleuth cat, ready to leaps on an unsuspecting leg or arm or bug or dog at any time. Oscar is unique in that he will wrap all four legs around you and walk around with you. He has abandonment issues. That a happens with cats left behind by mean, nasty people who move and decide not to take them with them. Idiots.
Back to camping.
The toilet paper holder broke. It is a bad toilet paper holder and can't get fixed because of the cardboard walls behind it. Same with a cabinet door...hinge came loose. It hangs crooked now. Little stuff here and there because obviously, this is a pretty cheap piece of shit all in all which has taken us a while to realize. And don't even get me talking about the bed. The bed is FIRM to the point of being like a slab of cement. So,I added a sleep number cushy-plushy topper and it is oh so much better. But getting in and out of a bed that is flush to the walls is quite the acrobatic feat and not for those over 50... We are 65 and 72, so you can imagine how well we do. With two dogs and Oscar the monster cat fighting for space and Bob bobbing and weaving to get out, I am the last and by this time I have to wiggle and jiggle (!) my substantial body out of the cavernous sleeping box. By then
, I am sweating and smelly and need a shower which is another challenge in itself. All I can say is, make sure you have
Your shower head pointed backwards when you turn it on. Nuff said.
It's late, been a long day. Guess we'll find out if the lending Gods at USAA will decide we should have a larger RV...if not, we may look for a little condo near the ocean and give up this seeing the USA in our own way another day!!
Cheers!
Signing off,
Rosemary
I am ready to turn my jolly orange and green license plates in for something more generic like a fir tree or a fish leaping out of a clear, blue stream.
That said, we are hoping to qualify for a new RV which is 3' longer and 3' wider with an island kitchen, much more comfortable furniture, a LOT more storage space and an outdoor kitchen. I figure we can sell,the cute little blue grill we just bought and the t.v. Because this trailer comes with one. It might seem nuts ( no, it is nuts) but if this is our home for a year I think we need to be comfortable. And we are still saving money...something like five bucks a month! Lol!
Camping has, so far been interesting and educational. If you think you're going to save a lot of moolah by doing this, forget it. Gas is more expensive because you're tugging a 9000 lb. steel and aluminum monster of 33' behind you not including all the crap packed inside. How those crazy people drive the super monsters known as humongouse motor homes is beyond me. Why don't they just hook up their wood and brick home, add wheels, and tow it behind them?? It would probably be cheaper and you'd have all the comforts without moving stuff into another dwelling. I mean, really?
A problem we have here is our pets. The minute we open our door, there they are...sans leashes of course, wanting out! And when they do slip past us, off they go into the wild blue yonder, searching and hunting for cute little bunnies and cute little snapping turtles. There are occasional alligators, but so much in national parks. The rangers keep them at bay.
Out cat, Oscar, likes to hide behind the sofa in the the storage area where it is hell to drag him out at supper time. And immediately after he wants to jump back behind there... He is sleuth cat, ready to leaps on an unsuspecting leg or arm or bug or dog at any time. Oscar is unique in that he will wrap all four legs around you and walk around with you. He has abandonment issues. That a happens with cats left behind by mean, nasty people who move and decide not to take them with them. Idiots.
Back to camping.
The toilet paper holder broke. It is a bad toilet paper holder and can't get fixed because of the cardboard walls behind it. Same with a cabinet door...hinge came loose. It hangs crooked now. Little stuff here and there because obviously, this is a pretty cheap piece of shit all in all which has taken us a while to realize. And don't even get me talking about the bed. The bed is FIRM to the point of being like a slab of cement. So,I added a sleep number cushy-plushy topper and it is oh so much better. But getting in and out of a bed that is flush to the walls is quite the acrobatic feat and not for those over 50... We are 65 and 72, so you can imagine how well we do. With two dogs and Oscar the monster cat fighting for space and Bob bobbing and weaving to get out, I am the last and by this time I have to wiggle and jiggle (!) my substantial body out of the cavernous sleeping box. By then
, I am sweating and smelly and need a shower which is another challenge in itself. All I can say is, make sure you have
Your shower head pointed backwards when you turn it on. Nuff said.
It's late, been a long day. Guess we'll find out if the lending Gods at USAA will decide we should have a larger RV...if not, we may look for a little condo near the ocean and give up this seeing the USA in our own way another day!!
Cheers!
Signing off,
Rosemary
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Short and Sweet because I'm beat!
August 26, 2015...bob's birthday.
And here we are, panicking over this move. Our house still had skads of stuff in it when my cleaner arrived and we had to hustle to get it boxed up and shipped out via pick up truck to a second storage area. The costs are mounting for this venture. Did we make the right decision...we can only hope so.
So in between moving stuff in 90 degree heat, cleaning, organizing the trailer, throwing bunches of trash out, talking to our new tenant on theese phone about this,that,and the other...I had to take the dogs down to the Humane Society for their shots. I have tripped and fallen twice. Bob is patching nail h oles in the wall and buying paint to cover them up ( only Martha Stewart paint can cost $24.00 a pint!!) and it still isn't matching up! Damn! Now we have all these mismatched blotches on the walls which means one thing: ta-Dah! Paint the whole room from top to bottom. Good golly miss Molly! And then the yard guy is coming to do some work tomorrow and the cleaners come back to do what they couldn't do today because we were too disorganized! Lawd have Mercy. But now, as a huge thunder storm looms dark and insididious upon us, wwe count our blessings because we are really doing this. And we have plenty of time before we hit the mountain roads to become better organized. I have downloaded at least 10 books on how to make your home on wheels more comfortable, thus livable. And how to do it without giving up every last luxury ( like clean undies, good shoes, bling earrings and soft bed sheets). And how to camp with pets...in our case, two Chihweenies and one very independent cat. I must say I am impressed most with the comfort of our bed and the size of the bathroom. The shower itself is as nice as the one we have in the house. Right now, we have no water because we are parked outside our home. Tomorrow we will meet with our tenant late IN the day and then Toodle on over to Wickham Park to start our real adventure at a beginner's pace. A trial and error, if you will, before we hit the real trails of America!
Looking forward...not back.
Because there is no going back now!
Cheers!
Rosemary in the Thelma Lou
8/26/15
And here we are, panicking over this move. Our house still had skads of stuff in it when my cleaner arrived and we had to hustle to get it boxed up and shipped out via pick up truck to a second storage area. The costs are mounting for this venture. Did we make the right decision...we can only hope so.
So in between moving stuff in 90 degree heat, cleaning, organizing the trailer, throwing bunches of trash out, talking to our new tenant on theese phone about this,that,and the other...I had to take the dogs down to the Humane Society for their shots. I have tripped and fallen twice. Bob is patching nail h oles in the wall and buying paint to cover them up ( only Martha Stewart paint can cost $24.00 a pint!!) and it still isn't matching up! Damn! Now we have all these mismatched blotches on the walls which means one thing: ta-Dah! Paint the whole room from top to bottom. Good golly miss Molly! And then the yard guy is coming to do some work tomorrow and the cleaners come back to do what they couldn't do today because we were too disorganized! Lawd have Mercy. But now, as a huge thunder storm looms dark and insididious upon us, wwe count our blessings because we are really doing this. And we have plenty of time before we hit the mountain roads to become better organized. I have downloaded at least 10 books on how to make your home on wheels more comfortable, thus livable. And how to do it without giving up every last luxury ( like clean undies, good shoes, bling earrings and soft bed sheets). And how to camp with pets...in our case, two Chihweenies and one very independent cat. I must say I am impressed most with the comfort of our bed and the size of the bathroom. The shower itself is as nice as the one we have in the house. Right now, we have no water because we are parked outside our home. Tomorrow we will meet with our tenant late IN the day and then Toodle on over to Wickham Park to start our real adventure at a beginner's pace. A trial and error, if you will, before we hit the real trails of America!
Looking forward...not back.
Because there is no going back now!
Cheers!
Rosemary in the Thelma Lou
8/26/15
Monday, August 24, 2015
And the Thelma Lou is Ready to Roll!!
Thelma Lou and the Lynns: on a roll at last
Today is Tuesday, August 25, 2015. After a rocky start, we are finally a seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I mean, not the light, as in when you die and you go to that magical bright spot where all four of your relatives and friends are waiting for you! (the others are busy partying or in hell, one or the,other!) no, this light shines bright inside the home you've called your own for 3-1/2 years and damn, how can two people and three fur babies accumulate so much junk anyway!
So, we donated fifteen bags of stuff to Goodwill ( and for the life of me, I can't remember one thing in those bags. See how important all'of your junk is! Ha!) and we've completely filled a 10X10 storage place with everything from a few family antiques to boxes of patterns and material which I hope someday to sew into wearable garments. Not holding my breath on that one. Other stuff has already been neatly arranged in our new home on wheels and then there are the fifteen or so cardboard boxes loaded with necessities that haven't yet been packed into Thelma Lou's nooks and crannies. Like my fuchsia chiffon scarf and matching hat.,I mean, you have to be organized and,prioritize on adventures such as this! Ha!
The little fridge in our new home will hold maybe a half carton of milk, a few eggs, a package,of hot dogs, two chicken wings and a partridge...oh, I got off track. Being bi-polar does that to you. And the ADD doesn't help.
I figure we can store stuff in the small oven and the microwave since they won't be used that much. I found a nifty jewelry organizer with 36 pockets that fits over the door in the bathroom to hold little goodies like hairbrushes and combs and toothbrushes, aspirin, band aids etc. when I was working in the mortgage industry, I picked up these cool little give always at trade shows. Things like tiny sewing kits, small bottles of Purell Hand Sanitizer, stress balls, little nail files, etc. they'll all fit cozily into my nifty jewelry hanger.
I have a smaller hanger for make-up, which I rarely wear anymore but once in a blue moon, when we do go out to eat, I want to look more presentable than I usually am. Arby's just loves it when I show up wearing my bling jeans and fancy hats. We be talkin' stylin' here, folks!!
In the trailer, we have two closets...if you can call them that...with a short tension rod to hang our clothes. I bought plastic containers for underwear, shorts, jeans and socks. We'll have to wait and see how this all pans out.
Our main concern now is where to place the kitty litter box. Oscar has partly taught himself to use the potty but he can't get the hang of the floor pedal handle. That will come,in time. Maybe in the next twelve years.
The dogs have been on the road with us before and,other than barking, they usually do pretty well with travel. Right now they are shedding like crazy from the stress of seeing us stressed.
I do have a few glass items I refuse to leave behind so these will have to be wrapped and re-wrapped throughout our travels. I want to get a sign made that says WELCOME TO THE THELMA LOU...YOU ONLY,LIVE,ONCE. Well, in this life time anyway.
Maybe next time, we'll come back with enough wealth to buy one,of those humongous motor homes that are,like a mansion on wheels. But for now, we're quite content with our 30' set up complete with queen size bed ( it takes up the whole room, but who cares?) As long as whichever park has an escape route for hurricane season...and for me when Bob aggravates the piss out of me...we'll do quite fine.
Onward and upward.
To be continued.
Signing off,
Rosemary Hoffman Lynn
Today is Tuesday, August 25, 2015. After a rocky start, we are finally a seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I mean, not the light, as in when you die and you go to that magical bright spot where all four of your relatives and friends are waiting for you! (the others are busy partying or in hell, one or the,other!) no, this light shines bright inside the home you've called your own for 3-1/2 years and damn, how can two people and three fur babies accumulate so much junk anyway!
So, we donated fifteen bags of stuff to Goodwill ( and for the life of me, I can't remember one thing in those bags. See how important all'of your junk is! Ha!) and we've completely filled a 10X10 storage place with everything from a few family antiques to boxes of patterns and material which I hope someday to sew into wearable garments. Not holding my breath on that one. Other stuff has already been neatly arranged in our new home on wheels and then there are the fifteen or so cardboard boxes loaded with necessities that haven't yet been packed into Thelma Lou's nooks and crannies. Like my fuchsia chiffon scarf and matching hat.,I mean, you have to be organized and,prioritize on adventures such as this! Ha!
The little fridge in our new home will hold maybe a half carton of milk, a few eggs, a package,of hot dogs, two chicken wings and a partridge...oh, I got off track. Being bi-polar does that to you. And the ADD doesn't help.
I figure we can store stuff in the small oven and the microwave since they won't be used that much. I found a nifty jewelry organizer with 36 pockets that fits over the door in the bathroom to hold little goodies like hairbrushes and combs and toothbrushes, aspirin, band aids etc. when I was working in the mortgage industry, I picked up these cool little give always at trade shows. Things like tiny sewing kits, small bottles of Purell Hand Sanitizer, stress balls, little nail files, etc. they'll all fit cozily into my nifty jewelry hanger.
I have a smaller hanger for make-up, which I rarely wear anymore but once in a blue moon, when we do go out to eat, I want to look more presentable than I usually am. Arby's just loves it when I show up wearing my bling jeans and fancy hats. We be talkin' stylin' here, folks!!
In the trailer, we have two closets...if you can call them that...with a short tension rod to hang our clothes. I bought plastic containers for underwear, shorts, jeans and socks. We'll have to wait and see how this all pans out.
Our main concern now is where to place the kitty litter box. Oscar has partly taught himself to use the potty but he can't get the hang of the floor pedal handle. That will come,in time. Maybe in the next twelve years.
The dogs have been on the road with us before and,other than barking, they usually do pretty well with travel. Right now they are shedding like crazy from the stress of seeing us stressed.
I do have a few glass items I refuse to leave behind so these will have to be wrapped and re-wrapped throughout our travels. I want to get a sign made that says WELCOME TO THE THELMA LOU...YOU ONLY,LIVE,ONCE. Well, in this life time anyway.
Maybe next time, we'll come back with enough wealth to buy one,of those humongous motor homes that are,like a mansion on wheels. But for now, we're quite content with our 30' set up complete with queen size bed ( it takes up the whole room, but who cares?) As long as whichever park has an escape route for hurricane season...and for me when Bob aggravates the piss out of me...we'll do quite fine.
Onward and upward.
To be continued.
Signing off,
Rosemary Hoffman Lynn
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Sometimes being an adult sucks (and other revelations)
My younger sister recently telephoned me to tell me the problems she was having with her oldest child, a beautiful 17 year old daughter who is obviously very intelligent and talented in many ways. The problem is that said daughter has decided that she doesn't want to fit into society and has declared war on the world she lives in and is therefore causing multiple problems within the family unit. Daughter is having severe anxiety concerning many areas of her life, including fitting in at a public school and in other social matters. She is adopted, from China, and has been coddled and babied since coming to the U.S. That is not her fault. My sister and her husband, in my opinion, have made many mistakes in raising said daughter right from the start. They have treated her like the Princess that she is not and have allowed her to get by with just about anything her little heart desires. They have spent countless hours and a lot of money on this kid only to be rewarded by a severe case of "brattiness" which is causing my sister much angst and anxiety.
They have since adopted another child from another part of China. She is now 13 and is fairly well adjusted, although she is a bit of a prangster. She is also a bit behind in school but also focused when it comes to outside activities such as piano and horseback riding. First daughter, age 17, resents the hell out of the 13 year old and makes it clear that she is irritated by the younger sibling's actions. But that is a whole other story.
So 17 year old is, in my opinion, a spoiled brat. Again, it is not her fault. I have watched and listened as this child has been brought up and I actually feel quite sorry for her. Left at the doorstep of a Chinese orphanage when she was just an infant, she had no input into what would happen to her or who would adopt her or if she would be adopted at all. She was fortunate in that she was a beautiful child, all rosy cheeks and China Doll gorgeousness. She still is. And she is intelligent and talented in dance and music and many other areas of life. But still, she is having so many difficulties in making friends and keeping up with her school work. She has even refused to go to conventional school and is now doing her school work online, at home. And, according to my sister, she is not completing her assignments on time and is risking being kept back another year.
The child is isolating herself by staying in her room most of the time and now she does not want to go to college, or even talk about it. I am concerned because she has so much potential and it seems she will not live up to any of it. My sister, and her hubby, do not seem to know what to do. Therapy does not seem to be helping any of them. And my sister is not getting any younger...she is 58 with these two young girls, one who is 17 and the other at 13. It concerns me because I love my sister and am worried that perhaps her own depression will become such a burden that she might have a break down of sorts.
I wrote o my niece...the 17 year ld...and told her that I thought she should try to get her act together and have nore respect for her parents, her friends (the few she does have) and her relatives. Because you see, she has decided that she does not want my husband and me to come for a visit...she wants us to stay in a motel if we do come, not at the family home where we normally stay. She does not like it that my husband and I will not let her bully us and my sister and her hubby just ignore her, let
her push them around as she sees fit. I told my sister that I felt it ridiculous that this child...and that is what she is...boss them around the way she does and my sister just shrugs and does nothing about it. How silly is that? And why is she handing her power over to this kid? It is driving me crazy.
Okay, so maybe it is none of my business...granted, I tend to stick my nose in where it isn't wanted but this is making me nuts. When I try to talk to my niece, she usually sticks her own nose up and says something like "You annoy me Aunt Rosie!". Hmmm. What am I supposed to say to that? "Oh, dear, I didn't mean to annoy the Princess. Excuse me ever so much?"
I raised my daughter to be respectful of adults and most times she was, even in her teenage years. Never would she get by with quitting regular school even if they had online classes in the 1980's. If she spoke to her father or me the way my niece speaks to her parents, she would be grounded for weeks or perhaps, received a slap across the face from her dad. Respect waas always a given in our family. We loved her dearly and now, she is a grown woman with three adopted children of her own who are growing up to be great citizens, respectful children who realize that their parents are raising them to be good, law abiding citizens.
So, I am just venting here, I suppose. I am a bit miffed, to put it lightly, that my niece runs all over my sister and that my sister is letting her make decisions about whether or not we can come to visit and stay at their house or not. That is just ludicrous in my opinion. I love my sister and her family and I do, truly, love my nieces and want to spend time with them. But Good Grief, when a child starts to run circles around her parents and put them in the uncomfortable position of letting said child tell them what they can and can't do, I tend to become angry and hurt.
If my niece reads this...I doubt she will, she is too busy with her own life...I hope she recognizes herself and realizes that at 17, one is still a child. And that the brain does not fully develop until a person is 26 years old. So no, little one, you do not know it all. You are still learning and growing and it is time that you realized that you are a very fortunate, very lucky young woman to have the family you have and the opportunities given you. Because a lot of kids...not just those who have to grow up in China or other third world countries...have much fewer privileges than you.
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They have since adopted another child from another part of China. She is now 13 and is fairly well adjusted, although she is a bit of a prangster. She is also a bit behind in school but also focused when it comes to outside activities such as piano and horseback riding. First daughter, age 17, resents the hell out of the 13 year old and makes it clear that she is irritated by the younger sibling's actions. But that is a whole other story.
So 17 year old is, in my opinion, a spoiled brat. Again, it is not her fault. I have watched and listened as this child has been brought up and I actually feel quite sorry for her. Left at the doorstep of a Chinese orphanage when she was just an infant, she had no input into what would happen to her or who would adopt her or if she would be adopted at all. She was fortunate in that she was a beautiful child, all rosy cheeks and China Doll gorgeousness. She still is. And she is intelligent and talented in dance and music and many other areas of life. But still, she is having so many difficulties in making friends and keeping up with her school work. She has even refused to go to conventional school and is now doing her school work online, at home. And, according to my sister, she is not completing her assignments on time and is risking being kept back another year.
The child is isolating herself by staying in her room most of the time and now she does not want to go to college, or even talk about it. I am concerned because she has so much potential and it seems she will not live up to any of it. My sister, and her hubby, do not seem to know what to do. Therapy does not seem to be helping any of them. And my sister is not getting any younger...she is 58 with these two young girls, one who is 17 and the other at 13. It concerns me because I love my sister and am worried that perhaps her own depression will become such a burden that she might have a break down of sorts.
I wrote o my niece...the 17 year ld...and told her that I thought she should try to get her act together and have nore respect for her parents, her friends (the few she does have) and her relatives. Because you see, she has decided that she does not want my husband and me to come for a visit...she wants us to stay in a motel if we do come, not at the family home where we normally stay. She does not like it that my husband and I will not let her bully us and my sister and her hubby just ignore her, let
her push them around as she sees fit. I told my sister that I felt it ridiculous that this child...and that is what she is...boss them around the way she does and my sister just shrugs and does nothing about it. How silly is that? And why is she handing her power over to this kid? It is driving me crazy.
Okay, so maybe it is none of my business...granted, I tend to stick my nose in where it isn't wanted but this is making me nuts. When I try to talk to my niece, she usually sticks her own nose up and says something like "You annoy me Aunt Rosie!". Hmmm. What am I supposed to say to that? "Oh, dear, I didn't mean to annoy the Princess. Excuse me ever so much?"
I raised my daughter to be respectful of adults and most times she was, even in her teenage years. Never would she get by with quitting regular school even if they had online classes in the 1980's. If she spoke to her father or me the way my niece speaks to her parents, she would be grounded for weeks or perhaps, received a slap across the face from her dad. Respect waas always a given in our family. We loved her dearly and now, she is a grown woman with three adopted children of her own who are growing up to be great citizens, respectful children who realize that their parents are raising them to be good, law abiding citizens.
So, I am just venting here, I suppose. I am a bit miffed, to put it lightly, that my niece runs all over my sister and that my sister is letting her make decisions about whether or not we can come to visit and stay at their house or not. That is just ludicrous in my opinion. I love my sister and her family and I do, truly, love my nieces and want to spend time with them. But Good Grief, when a child starts to run circles around her parents and put them in the uncomfortable position of letting said child tell them what they can and can't do, I tend to become angry and hurt.
If my niece reads this...I doubt she will, she is too busy with her own life...I hope she recognizes herself and realizes that at 17, one is still a child. And that the brain does not fully develop until a person is 26 years old. So no, little one, you do not know it all. You are still learning and growing and it is time that you realized that you are a very fortunate, very lucky young woman to have the family you have and the opportunities given you. Because a lot of kids...not just those who have to grow up in China or other third world countries...have much fewer privileges than you.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013
The Bah-Humbug Girl
I can't help it. I just can't get into this Christmas thing. With all the bright, glittery, flashy green and red lights decorating our neighborhood and malls (and streets, and restaurants...), it just seems like such a waste of money...and time...to fall into the melee again this year. Well, I should add that last year was a complete bummer of a holiday except for the fact that a lot of people opened up their pocket books and contributed to the needy. This year they are doing the same.
Just in time for a tax write-off, eh?
It gets me that people think they are doing something so worthwhile and wonderful during the holidays but at other times of the year, when people still need assistance...i.e., food, shelter, clothing, basic necessities...they have to go without. Because hey, it's not the holidays. We don't want to give until that Thanksgiving turkey is gobbled down and the first Christmas songs are heard on the radio. We wait and see what we have left over from our own spending. Then maybe, just maybe, we'll write a check out to a worthwhile organization to help the needy.
Again, just in time for a tax write-off.
Yes, I am being cynical. I get so tired of the wanton waste of our nation. Tired of Black Fridays rolling back to Black Thursday evenings. What about the employees of these stores? Don't they get to stay home on Thanksgiving night and spend some lazy, after dinner time with their families? I actually know of one big department store that threatened to fire employees if they did not come in on Thursday evening. At 6:00 PM no less.
Of course, of course, there are a lot of lovely folks out there who give freely of their time and their money all year round. But these are not the norm. They are the folks who can usually least afford to give but they do it because they know it is the right thing to do. Not because of some Karmic aspiration but because they know that we need to pay it forward. They have received the blessings of life, a roof over their head, food to eat, maybe even a job. They dig deep into their pockets and organize fund raisers for the less fortunate. They help out at hospitals crowded with cancer patients and old folks who probably won't see another Christmas. They are the good guys, the ones who really care. Unfortunately, there are not enough of them.
Think about it: Anyone reading this probably has it better than 70% of the American population. Do your kids really need that big pink Barbie car that costs $100.00 plus? Do they need the new t.v., the Kindle Fire, The X-box or Wii system??? What they do need is to learn about values, about caring for others, about volunteering and helping and loving people. They need to understand that there are kids out there without parents, without a home to go to, who are aging out of the system and will have no where to go but maybe the streets. In a nutshell, they need to learn compassion.
This year, I am basically broker than normal and my grands will be receiving home made gifts that I have made on my 20 year old Singer sewing machine. But they are being made with much love. Last year's gifts were toys and doo-dads that have already been relegated to the trash. Broken and squashed. They are also getting books because if there is one thing I learned at a very early age it is that if you can read, you can go anywhere and be anyone you want to. It's like closing your eyes and riding a cloud to another world.
For those of you who take umbrage with what I am saying here, I have to admit I would love to have a few fancy things myself this Christmas. And the big malls lure you in with their glitter and glam and sales, which aren't really sales at all if you think about it. The wealthy buy big, expensive gifts for everyone...in their family or their friends or their co-workers. The not so wealthy whip out their credit cards and charge them to the max, only to have to pay for the next few years or end up in bankruptcy. I do know what I am talking about. I have been in both situations. And I prefer to keep what little money I have close to the vest so I can offer it to charity (or charities, in my case) and to people who really, really need a helping hand. If you are one of the more fortunate ones who can afford the luxuries of life, I hope you realize that you did not earn that wealth all by yourself. There were people who worked with you, for you, who gave birth to you or in some other way helped you get that money. You are no more deserving than anyone else of having a wonderful holiday. So put down the expensive toys, the fancy gadgets, the extreme decorations and all of the other fiddle faddle of the season and count your blessings.
Because if you think about it, you really do have so much more than you think you do.
Happy Holidays from the Bah Humbug Girl
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