Cranky Jennie ;-p

I grew up without grandparents.  Well, they lived until I was a teenager, but they moved away when I was very young and I only saw them once or twice between their moving dates and their deaths.

As a child, I remember being a little jealous of my friends who had grandparents that were involved in their lives.  These grandparents came to birthday parties, dance recitals and games.  They were there showing their support and love for their grandchildren.

I always knew that when I got married and had children, I would want my parents and my spouse’s parents to be involved.

I got 1/2 my wish.  My parents are completely enmeshed in my daughters’ lives.  They know each girl’s quirks, personalities and flaws.  They have taken the time to really get to know them as people.

Their relationship with my children warms my heart.  My girls have what I didn’t have.

Then there’s the other side of the coin.  Neither one of my husband’s parents has the opportunity to see the girls very often (work, finances, etc.).  I understand that.  One of his parents does spend quality time with the girls and gets to know them.  The other doesn’t.  It’s this one who pisses me off.  Without going into grand detail, that parents is more interested in him/herself than my kids.  It’s like being a tease.  You’re there, but you’re untouchable.

I don’t ask for a lot.  Pay attention to them.  Get to know them.  They truly are a gift.  Is that a lot to ask?

As I usually do, I over think the entire situation.  Is it easier for my parents because the girls are mine?  In other words, is it more comfortable for grandparents when it’s their own daughter’s children?  Do parents really stay closer to a daughter’s family than a son’s family?

If so, perhaps that is the case here.  However, I have to point out that my children are the only grandchildren on my husband’s side.

So, wouldn’t that behoove them to pay a bit more attention?

UGH.  It’s just very frustrating.  I can only hope that my girls are oblivious to the whole thing and that they relish the attention they do get.  It’s better than nothing, as I know all too well!

The holidays are over and now it’s payback time!

We all enjoy partaking in the festivities of the holidays: the parties, the food, the drinks, the socializing and dressing up.  But at some point, all the happiness and joy must pay a price!

Hopefully, your price didn’t include suffering on the potty for days at a time!  It’s not nearly as fun coming out as it was going in!  Ugh…

What’s worse?  Probably the credit card bills.  You know when that bill comes in you’re going to see charges you don’t even remember!  I’m sure the total bill will make you a little nauseous too.

Every year, I promise that I’m going to cut down, not spend as much, not eat as much, etc., etc., etc.

Then reality sets in.  I get swept up in the hullabaloo, the music, the lights, the brisk wind and cold nights.  There’s just nothing close to the holiday season.  Things magically jump off the shelves and into my shopping basket!  I can’t help myself.

I even like wrapping the gifts.

Having children just makes the whole thing exponentially better.  Their excitement is contagious.  This year, my girls were up at 5:30 a.m.  They refused to be coaxed back into bed.  How can you not be swept up in that?

What goes up, must come down and that’s where you pay the price for gluttony.

I can’t even imagine eating another giant meal like we had for Christmas dinner.  The sight of a cookie or brownie makes me physically ill (this is quite an accomplishment, I assure you).  The piles temporarily get smaller and then my little elves decide to pull out something new to assemble or play with.

The post-holiday season is such a LET DOWN!  Physically, you just can’t move.  That diet will have to wait a week!  That exercise plan just seems impossible to implement right now.

Mentally, UGH!  I can’t even put this blog together in a sensible order!

Is it worth it?  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!

It’s the best time of the year!

Good luck in your recovery.  I’m off to take a nap!

As you know, I am not a fan of today’s Congress.  The current health care bill fiasco is a prime example.

Backroom deals, bribes, incentives, etc.  Whatever you want to call them, they amount to dirty politics.  If Nebraska doesn’t have to pay costs for Medicare, who exactly will get stuck with that bill?

Did YOUR state make any deals in exchange for a positive vote on the current bill?  If your state didn’t, you’re out of luck and probably out of quite a bit of money.

Is this how you want your senators and representatives to make policy changes in this country?  I sure as hell don’t!  When you make deals with one state, you screw another.  The senators and representatives don’t feel it.  We do!

As I’ve said many times before, members of Congress are so far removed from the trials and tribulations of an average Joe, how can they possibly represent us?

This is the cry of the Tea Partiers (despite what the media may say).  They want REPRESENTATION.  It’s part of the tenets our country was founded upon.  You can represent if you can’t relate.

They have great coverage, thanks to us.  They have a lot of great perks thanks to we, the taxpayers.  They stay in five star hotels, enjoy top restaurants and shows, travel in style, etc.  When is the last time YOU did any of that?

This health care bill has become a shining star in all that is wrong with politics in this country.  Oh, Harry Reid will tell you it’s all about helping people.  Bull.  This is about getting his policy passed.  Look at the changes he’s made.  It’s a policy to pass just so he can claim he was on the forefront of changing the health care system in this country.

Is our healthcare system perfect?  No.  I support coverage for all children and all seniors.  However, this is not the way to go about it.  Relieve the restrictions on interstate coverage.  Let supply drive down the prices.  Patting your cronies on the back is not ever the solution.

I’m so disgusted and I really hope you are too!

Something needs to be done and hopefully, it won’t be too late when you go to the ballot next Election Day.

Invictus, the new film inspired by the story of South Africa’s 1995 rugby World Cup win, is one of those feel-good movies where the underdog triumphs.  The title of the film is from a poem Nelson Mandela kept with him while imprisoned for 27 years.  The poem, more so than the movie (which was very good), is truly inspirational:

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Written by William Ernest Henley

At first, it was the final two lines of the poem that caught my attention.  I like the idea that we are the masters of our fate and the captains of our souls. I think these sentiments are especially fitting for current times.

We are living in a country where no one is really allowed to fail, but at the same time, you really aren’t supposed to succeed either.  Our current government seems to want to make sure we are all equal.  I contend we were much better off when we subscribed to a “survival of the fittest” mentality.

This poem made me think:  It is not our triumphs that define us as people; but rather, it is how we respond to our failures.  Some people just accept defeat in all its forms.  They allow themselves to be bogged down by life’s trials and tribulations.  Then there are those, that despite the hand they were dealt, like Mr. Mandela, refuse to settle and be thwarted.  Their strength of spirit and profound courage pull them through and allow them to ultimately succeed.

I find those people incredibly amazing.

Why do we, as a society, concentrate on the failures of the Gosselins or of Tiger Woods, rather than hold up those anonymous every day heroes hidden in the shadows?  True, very few of them obtain the stature and prominence of someone like Nelson Mandela, but isn’t that because we don’t look hard enough?  Do we really need to  look all that hard?  Aren’t we truly surrounded by courageous, inspirational people all the time?  Shouldn’t we aspire to hear their stories?

I like the premise that deep down within each of us, if we look there, we can find an “unconquerable soul”.  Instead of being afraid to do the unpopular thing, we should do what we feel is right and just.  So many people are afraid to stand up and take a stance.  WHY????!!  Show the world what you’re truly made of and that you have the core of strength to be unwavering in spirit and character.

The message of the film asks each of us to expect the exceptional of ourselves.  I, for one, wish I had the opportunity to see that more each day.