Sunday, May 8, 2011
Hey Moms…
I sit here recalling the days of macaroni necklaces, lumpy pancakes in bed, and the excitement that my girls used to display over providing me the “Best Mother’s Day Ever!” I’m envious of all of you who are still getting school art presents and lots of extra love today.
I awoke this morning to… nada. zilch. not even as much as a “good morning.” From my large, moody teenagers who could not be bothered to even remember to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day, I received the morning greeting of “you’re up.” So, I whisper to myself, “Happy Mother’s Day to me.” My little darlings are flopped on the couch watching television and arguing about who has to fold the next load of laundry. I get the pleasant reaction of grumbly, grumpy little monsters complaining that they shouldn’t have to move up and off the couch until the commercial break comes. It doesn’t matter that it’s their laundry that’s in there. I should do that, too. Even though it’s Mother’s Day.
Ugh. Happy Mother’s Day to me.
So, I ask them if they want to go on a family dog walk with me.
“Mooooommmmmm…. do we HAVE to?”
Well, that answers that.
As I toured the streets of my neighborhood, I wondered how other mothers were fairing on this Mother’s Day. Are they out with their kids having fabulous brunches? Are they surrounded in the riches of Belgian Waffles and Mimosas? Oh, the life of a cherished mom!
Oh… wait! I was just brought a peanut butter and honey sandwich and a glass of milk for lunch. All hope is not lost. They might still adore me. Awesome! I’m cherished.
It just might be a good day after all!
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Posted in Personal Blogs
Thursday, Apr 14, 2011
Cheers, Readers!
In Menagerie-Land, much has been going on. I’m under a pile of chores as we are “redecorating” 4 rooms in my house, rehabilitating a feral mama cat, preparing the twins for high school, and dealing with family disagreements yet again. Isn’t it supposed to be that it’s times like these that I feel that I’m learning how to manage life all over again? Do we ever getting around to mastering it? Fun fun!
It’s not so much fun on the diabetes front. I am slipping back a bit and gained 3 pounds. I’m just sick of being stuck to such a boring, regimented diet. I’ve been considering Jenny Craig or the lap band… any success with those, readers?
I’m a slave to Dancing With the Stars and American Idol right now. I’m still devastated from Pia’s departure on A. Idol. But, thrilled that Wendy Williams was finally voted off of Dancing. Then, there is The Deadliest Catch, which has returned with a new season this week. There’s nothing like somebody else’s drama to take you out of your own.
I’m currently praying for the recovery of my sister’s doggie, Baxter, who had a tremendous seizure yesterday. He is very slowly facing recovery. He is just the sweetest Boxer that I’ve ever met… And, I’m praying for a stranger whose wife left him unexpectantly. They have a 4-year old boy. This man just loves his wife and family so much that I hope that the power of prayer helps his family heal and reunite. I’m also praying for a favorable refinance of my home to steady my financial situation. I have been praying for a friend’s unborn child (girl) and her mother’s swift recovery from surgery. Praying for others just seems to help put perspective on my own life situation… not to mention that I feel so much better when I pray for others. I extend my thoughts to you and those you are praying for.
What’s up in your world? Are you just chillin’?
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Posted in Personal Blogs
Tuesday, Mar 29, 2011
Here are the Sunday Salon book winners:
The entire Kinkade/Spencer series – Kelly R. of Canada
The entire Lauren Willig series- Ann S. of Texas
The entire Marta Perry series – Beth C.
For The King & The Hypnotist – Mary A. of Texas
Prima Donna – Donna C. of Tennessee
There will be more books for giveaway next month, so stay posted.
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Posted in Personal Blogs
Sunday, Mar 27, 2011
I’m wishing you all a lovely Sunday as I stare outside at an overcast sky. We’ve been sprinkled with rains over the past three days. I hope that you are enjoying nice weather and a good day!
I have a bin full of books that I just cannot get around to reading and reviewing sitting beside me. I thought that perhaps my readers may enjoy these unread novels. If you are interested in any of the books listed hereinbelow, simply send me an email at anovelmenagerie@aol.com and I would be happy to send it your way (US & Canada only, please – simply due to cost). Please include your mailing address in the email and which book(s) you are interested in.
Here are the choices:
Please indicate if you would like the entire Kinkade/Spencer series
Please indicate if you would like the entire Lauren Willig series.
Please indicate if you would like the entire Marta Perry series.
There will be more books for giveaway next month, so stay posted.
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Posted in Personal Blogs
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011
Hello, it’s me… the blogger sans blogging… the reader not reading… the menagerie mom who has been working more than mommy-ing… but, hey… at least I’m groovin’ like Steven Tyler with rockin’ feathers in my hair!
Where in the world have I been? Why are books collecting dust? I’m navigating a new road. On January 18th, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. Apparently genetically inherited, common for those over 40, even more common for those who (eh-hem) carry too much weight, I was a perfect fit for the disease. The strange thing is, there were no “pre-diabetic” warnings for me. I was just really sick for most of December and the first 2/3rds of January. I took every test in the book for stomach and gastro problems, only to find out that it’s my pancreas who is just letting me down.
Alright. I’m a Diabetic. The first month was just a pure shock with the diet change, the blood testing, the counseling, the dieticians, you name it. Overwhelming. First, I was very sad. It seemed like key lime martinis and chocolate would never be a part of my life again. (*oh shush, u drama queen, u!*) Of course, the sadness turned to anger and I became mad at the world because my choices were limited. I no longer had the complete freedom to do as I chose. My body has a say-so in it now. What? This seemed ridiculous to me, so my anger turned to denial. I can manage my life and my diet the way that I want to. Right? After all, there is no Diabetic Policeman who is suddenly going to pop up if I have 2 glasses of wine with my mom. I can just choose to eat better the next day. Right? Ugh. Not exactly. That damn policeman is living inside my body and makes sure that I pay the fine the very next! What??? (*is he at least cute?*)
They say that if you keep a routine for 2 months then you are likely to stick with it. I can’t confirm this theory, nor deny it (as I sit here snacking on granola and dreaming of sour cream and onion chips instead). Maybe I have changed. Let’s be real; fiber is a necessary part of my diet and this thought NEVER crossed my mind before. This is because I’m now officially old. Now I care about fiber? I used to care about Friday Nights and rock concerts. Just sitting here, I am reminded that just creeping around the corner will be the big MENOPAUSE. What then? Will I still be granola-loving, but just with hot flashes and no martinis to cure my ills? Where is the reward in that? Aren’t we supposed to get any treats for reaching these ages? Hello, God! It’s me Sheri. Radio to God: I want my MTV, Aqua Net, and vodka!
My jaws are actually now sore from all the granola munching. Will I now resort to fiber yogurts, fiber drinks, Metamucil? AAAAHHHHH~! I never get lock-jaw from Pringles.
OK… so get this other wonderful aspect of being a diabetic. Everybody suddenly has the right to tell you to your face that you are FAT. (*not kidding, i swear!*). Here’s the 95% preferred response after you share the news of your new-found disease, “Well, you know how to get rid of Diabetes, right? You just have to lose weight and you are no longer a Diabetic.” Just a FYI: hearing this is just about the worst thing ever, not to mention the fact that it is a complete misnomer. Once a Diabetic, always one. You can sometimes improve your condition with weight loss, diet or exercise to the point that you do not have to take medication for your disease, HOWEVER it never goes away. According to the Diabetes Center at my local hospital and my doctor, the only cases in which the disease has completely disappeared is in those affiliated with patients who had gastric bypass surgery. So… you can go into a “remission” of sorts, but it’s never gone. Immediately after basically being told that I am fat, I spend the next 5 minutes explaining this to the insulter. I should just let it roll off of my shoulders, acknowledge their wisdom of this information that I’ve (*of course*) never heard before, and listen intently to their experience with an uncle who lost 50 pounds and who now no longer has it (*but, really does*).
So, I’m getting old, am obviously dieting my life away, and miserable. My plan is to identify with Stewie or Michael J. Fox. I’m determined to go back in time. I’m setting the dial for 1990 want to go back to my 20′s… to a land I knew how to navigate… to a body that would tolerate almost anything. I mean, seriously! This is the reward for getting older? Being told to lose weight? Being scowled at by my co-workers or family members if I have a mini-Snicker’s Bar? People who know me are now in constant communication with my Diabetes Policeman and my children, who are, by the way, constantly saying, “are you allowed to eat that?” Like, whose permission am I supposed to obtain?
O.K. for the upside. I’ve downloaded apps (*see, i am not ancient!*) on my iPhone to help me keep track of my blood sugar patterns, my diet, and my nutritional intake. I went down an entire pant size. I discovered that Greek Yogurt really isn’t horrific after all. And… I’m feeling better. The color is coming back to my face, my tummy is better, the skin is improving, and I’m overall cuter than ever before (*well, maybe not, but it’s sure fun saying so!*). I’m new to this land, but I think that I can learn to deal with it if I just stop expecting perfection and start exercising self-tolerance. A good idea, indeed! (*just remember the mantra… back fat is pretty, back fat is pretty!*)
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Posted in Personal Blogs
