First, a clarification on my “Tough Job” post.  There were a few comments that said, “Hey, I get all happy and bake cookies sometimes!”  So yeah, I didn’t mean to cast dispersions on cookie baking.  We all do that from time to time.  Yes, even ME.  There are days that you feel all warm and snugly and content and domestic.  For sure!  No way would any of us stick with this if we didn’t, right?  What I was talking about were the people who pretend like they never have a negative thought about being a stay at home mom (perish the thought and a pox upon you for feeling that way!).  These are the ones who, regardless if they honestly feel that way all the time or not, make those of us who definitely do NOT feel that way all the time like a pile of crap.  And it’s not to say that they want to make other mom’s feel like a pile of crap.  That could be the furthest thing from their minds.   As for those who DO want to make other moms feel like a pile of crap?  There’s a special spot in Hell for them.

Basically the way I feel is: staying at home with children is back breaking, soul crushing, mind numbing work.  There is no vacation, no break, no weekend and no sick days.  There’s just more of the same, day in and day out.  And all the trays of cookies in the world couldn’t change that.  We all look for the positive in things because we have to.  We don’t dwell on the awfulness because if we did, we’d go crazy.  But it’s there.  It’s always there.

Of course, warm hugs from snuggly children sure help too.

It’s also quite possible that people who are overly perky all the time make me want to slam my head in the door.   You know that old saying where if you don’t have anything nice to say, you best say nothing at all?  I think the opposite can be true.  If all you want to do is spout happiness and unicorns, then maybe just try to limit it a touch for those of us who didn’t get our daily rationing of coffee that morning.

Just sayin’.

In other news: I’m watching “Cars” for perhaps the 38th time this month.  It makes Liam mellow, which this morning was a neccesity.  He was starting to go thermonuclear.  I just want to pause for a moment and praise the dudes at Pixar for making visual crack for our children that DOESN’T make my brain bleed.

And in other, other news: Facebook is freakin’ addictive.  And I don’t even play games on there because most of the games are lame-o.  Yes, even that game that you love.  TRUST ME.  But I am addicted (just a little bit) to some of the quizzes and such.  And I love checking my friends’ and family’s statuses.  Facebook is FUN.  It is also a TIME SUCK.

In other, other, other news:  I love my iPhone.  I know you’re all sick to death of hearing me say that but I just saw those of you out there in the audience who have one too nod your heads knowingly.  It is quite simply the best thing I’ve ever owned.  I am forever amazed and thrilled with all the things it can do.  There’s a lot of stuff in my life that I would give up before I ever gave up my iPhone.

Okay.  I think I’m done.  With all that off my chest now, I’m going to share a cute little video of my girl discovering just how bouncy the couch is when it is removed of it’s cushions.

I’m pleased to introduce to you my best friend Michelle.  I met her in my freshman year of high school and we’ve been friends ever since.  The only problem?  She lives thousands of miles away.  Boo!  I think it’s been at least four years since I last saw her and that is just NOT COOL.  Anyhow.  She’s going to be posting here from time to time, at least until I can talk her into taking the plunge and getting a blog of her own.  In the meantime?  Please give her a warm welcome while she vents on my blog, okies?  Take it away, Michelle! – Marilyn

Hi! Yeah, hey… I’m over here. The silver Pontiac Sunfire? Yes you, Toyotas, Hondas, Chrystlers,VWs, Fords — all of you other cars. I am talking to YOU.

You guys need to talk to your owners about some parking lot etiquette. See, some of them don’t realize that those lines painted on the ground are for the boundaries of the parking spaces. They are supposed to park in between those lines, as close to the middle as possible. I know, it shouldn’t be that complicated but the humans don’t always do such a good job. Some of them park with the tires right on the lines, which means that it’s a really tight squeeze for the guy they’re parked next to, to get back inside their car. And chances are, that means that we’re forced to hit each other with our doors. Except for you minivans, cuz you guys have those cool sliding doors. But all of the rest of us, we’re screwed.

And listen, I know how humiliating it can be when your driver actually ends up taking TWO spaces, because they’ve parked over that diving line. There’s nothing worse than getting dirty looks while you’re human is off somewhere, abandoning you to face the wrath of the other drivers. They think we don’t know what they’re saying, and what those dirty looks mean. And that middle finger!! I won’t go into how it almost makes me cry. But you and I, we know what it all means. And I for one and tired of it.

Somehow, we need to convince our humans to only take up their alloted parking space. To park in the middle of those lines on the pavement. I don’t like to have to slam my doors into you, my friends. I especially don’t like being slammed into. So if we can all work together, I know we can drive, and park, in peace.

And on a completely different topic, can one of you please convince my driver that the antenae ball NEEDS to go? You can’t even tell it used to be a 49ers helmet anymore, but she’s afraid to take it off because of the bug guts that are smeared on it. It’s embarassing to have that as an accessory. So, please, someone, for the love of all that is holy, help me get it off!