frazzled & frumpy

dig-ni-ty: The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect. The word of the day is dignity. Not because I have much, but because I think it's overrated. We all want it. We want people to respect us, to think well of us. You know, 'life, liberty and the pursuit of dignity'. For me, it seems, the more I pursue it, the more elusive it is. Like a wet bar of soap, just when I get it in my hands, it slides right out again. Take church, for example. You do your best to be dignified there. You walk in, you're feeling pretty good. You remembered to shave your legs, that skirt that was too tight fit just right today. Your kids all have on clean, pressed clothes, and you remembered the treats to bribe them to stay quiet. Yes, all is good. Then, in the middle of the meeting, somehow your 3 year-old gets away from you and is suddenly in the aisle. You give him that look, the one that says, "Don't you dare!" And he returns it with his own, the look that says,

And they called it puppy love, Oh, I guess they'll never know, How a young heart really feels, And just why I love her so. *Sigh.* If I ever had to write up a parenthood resume, one of my developed skills would be that of "Watcher". It starts when they're babies and you watch them while they sleep, just to make sure they're breathing. Then, when they're toddlers, you watch to make sure they don't hurt themselves as they learn how to walk. When they get to school age, it seems you watch them as they walk away-to the bus, friends' houses, scouts. With teenagers, watching takes on a whole new meaning. Both of my teenage boys have girlfriends. This new development has brought on some seriously conflicting emotions. The 16-year-old's (Chip) relationship is much less serious than my 15-year-old's. Also, he's away for the summer, with no telephone, computer, etc., so his communication with her is completely cut off. I can't say that this is a

Don't you hate it when someone says something (usually insulting or hurtful) and you are so shocked that you just don't know what to say? And then, an hour, or a day, or a week later, you think of the perfect comeback? That has happened to me. I'm not sure why it always seemed to involve pregnancy or kids, but it does. So, here's some things I've actually been asked and the responses I wish I'd thought of at the time. "Are those all your kids?" "Oh, no, these are the good ones, the other 5 are at home." "Are you planning to have all your kids so close together?" "Wait! You mean you can plan these things??" "Are you having twins?" (Asked by a nurse at the hospital a couple days before I gave birth.) "No." "Are you sure?" "Well, I've had, like, 5 ultrasounds, but maybe your people missed something." "Are you expecting?" "Expecting what?" "When is your

I need to get something off my chest. I know, as 'unendowed' as I am you'd think I'd be happy to have something on my chest, but not this. I've been cynical and humorous, and I carefully considered whether to include a post that is serious. But, I feel like I need to. This blog is about my thoughts and this is where my thoughts are right now. So, here goes. Do you ever look around at the women you know and wonder what trials they're going through? You know everyone has them, but from the outside looking in, we have no idea the private challenges each other faces. They say that if you had to choose, you would pick your own trials over someone elses. But, when you're going through something, you start to think that other people's problems couldn't be any worse than yours. (I know it isn't true, but it feels true.) You see this woman, and her hair is always cute, her clothes nice and fashionable, her figure just right. Her kids are we

"You know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills... " -Napoleon Dynomite Would you call procrastination a skill? Okay, I know the answer, but, really, when you do something so well , you should be able to call it that. I would be a member of Procrastinators Anonymous if there was such a thing. I know it's something I need to work on, but after 40-some years, it's not easy. I keep thinking of ways to improve, but I figure I can start on it next week. I think when people put "works well under pressure" on a job application is just a nice way to say, "I'm a procratinator." Need to write a talk? I'll think about it alot, but usually write it the night before. Prescription need filling? That usually happens the day after I run out. So, if there are any of you who share my particular skill, here's a little help for those Monday night panics when you realize you forgot to plan for Family Home Evening. Last M