Writers Workshop - Fear

The Prompts:

1.) Baby fever is in the air. Describe what you would do differently as a first time mom.
2.) What book captured your heart? Write about why the first book you loved is the first book you loved.
3.) Who is a bird-brain? Think about all the birds you’ve seen–from songbirds to hunters. Compare one or more people you know to different types of birds in a piece of writing.
4.) Why do we need 26? If you could change the alphabet, what would you do? Add? Subtract? Combine? Simplify? Write about it.
5.) Where does that fear come from? Write about something that frightens you that other people might find ridiculous. Write about it in a poem, a story, or whatever.

It's been awhile since I've done Mamakat's Writer's workshop...heck it's been awhile since I've blogged anything of real substance, right? I've even lost followers....oopsie...

Anyway, today I'm going with No. 5. Do you want to know what I'm scared of??? Well besides the obvious...someone I love dying, etc...the thing that scares me most is BIRDS...any and all kinds...big ones, small ones...you name it I don't like it!

I've grown up around pet birds...though we never had one at our house - my Uncle, that we visited quite often, had many...not to mention sperm donor who I dated for 3 years...yeah his parents had several 'house birds' as they called them. And I guess those 2 houses could very well be where my fear started...you see both families would let their birds fly around the house and they'd 'relieve themselves' where ever they saw fit...NASTY!!!! Not to mention they'd come flying at you out of nowhere and scare the bejeezus out of you...or well...me anyway!!!

Maybe it's a mutual hatred...because they seem to have it 'out for me'.

So what about you...what scares you?

Writers Workshop - What's in a name?

It's Thursday and I'm linking up with Mama kat's Writer's Workshop.

This week's prompts:

1.) Interview you mom...questions might include, How has motherhood changed you? What ages were your favorites? Do you miss having having kids in the house? What was the most difficult part of being a mom for you? What was the most rewarding part? etc... I think I'll ask my Mom if I'm her favorite child and when she dodges the question (again) I'll scream, "DAMMIT WOMAN! Answer the QUESTION!!" Feel free to steal my idea.

2.) Tell us the story of your birth.

3.) How did you parents choose your name? What does it mean? What would you change your name to if you could?

4.) Describe a moment when you realized your mom was more than just a mom.

5.) Write a poem for your Mama.

This week I've decided to go with #3. I've always thought my name was just 'okay'...until I hit middle school and it was like the most popular name...I swear there were 5 of us in my grade 6 class (at that point I hated it). Ridiculous! If you talk to my mom she'll tell you she chose my name because it was original...well I guess 1980 was the year that name made it big cause it sure ain't original...

Today it's a name I can live with...at least I don't work with 5 other Melissas...now Karens and Audreys we've got quite a few of those in my profession lol.

Anyhoo...my parents decided that my mother would have the final say on any girl names and my father on any boy names...and when my mom was pregnant she was certain I was a girl (how she knew she still can't really describe) and so they never even considered any boys names.

She says she loved the song "Don't Cry Out Loud" by Melissa Manchester while she was pregnant with me....and so one day singing along to it in her car she said out loud "Melissa Mae"...and so it was. Mae is a family tradition on my dad's side and one I hope to have a hand in carrying on someday...all first born girls dating back at least 3 generations prior to me have the middle name Mae.

And now for the meaning (thank you Wikipedia):

Melissa is a given name for a female child. The origin of Melissa comes from the ancient Hittite word Melita which means honey. The meaning of the word has shifted into honey bee in Greek. Moreover, the pronunciation has changed to Melissa (Ionic Greek: Mέλισσα).

So uh...yeah...Honey bee...not anything cool like brave or beautiful one...but again I guess I can live with it.

Growing up I was dying to be a Samantha...I loved Sami's character on Days of our Lives. Actually a friend from elementary school found me on Facebook a little while back and asked if I remembered her changing her name to "Sarah" briefly while I changed mine to "Samantha"....oh yeah I remember! lol.

So there you have it...what about you? Do you love your name or hate it?

Writers Workshop (a day late)

I was going to skip Mama Kat's writers workshop this week because I was too busy to blog all week long...but then I saw the prompts and in particular this photo:

And I laughed and laughed and laughed...

Because well...this is me and the boyfriend...absolutely...no doubt about it. In fact you may remember this post where I fell and hurt my behind last winter...it was then that the boyfriend realized just how obsessed he was with my @ss...I knew it all along but it was made even more apparent to me when everytime he touched it I winced in pain.

He's a very touchy feely kind of guy and even in Safeway will take a quick look around and if no one is watching will cop a feel of my behind.

I hear it's a guy thing...and that most men like @sses...but I can honestly say that no other guy I've been with has felt the constant need to touch it in every moment he can get away with it. I'm sooooooo NOT touchy feely...so I'm usually swatting him away...especially in public! How embarrassing if we were caught by another customer or employee of said Safeway...

I know I was supposed to make up a conversation with the parties in the picture...and it would really just go something like this:

The boyfriend copping a feel...

Me: What are you doing pervert...people can totally see us...stop it.

Him: Oh come on, I love you...and besides no one is really paying attention.

Me: I don't care, stop it now...*swatting his hands away and then running to the next aisle*.

He of course chases me and once again tries to cop a feel...I can say that he's gotten a little better in public places because he can't stand the dirty looks I give him...and then I may or may not refuse to speak to him until he apologizes and promises to never do it again (though I know in his head 'never' really means 'until next time we go for groceries'.

Writers Workshop - The first day of 3rd grade

It's Thursday...and that means Mama Kat hosts her weekly writers workshop. You can join in the fun by heading over to her blog and choosing your prompt.

The Prompts:

1.) What does marriage mean to you?(inspired by Jon Gosselin) :)

2.) Scaredy Cat!!!(inspired by Brandi from Not Your Average Soccer Mom)

3.) List the pieces of you that have come from those around you?(inspired via Tweet by Angela from My So-Called Chaos)

4.) The first day of...(inspired by me. again.)

5.) Transcribe a recent entertaining conversation you recently had with someone.(inspired by me...I'm so inspirational for myself.)

Tomorrow my 'baby' boy will start 3rd grade...and I have very mixed emotions...I guess that comes with the territory of being a mother...on one hand, you want your kids to stay little and dependent on you forever...but on the other it's exciting to see them grow and learn and achieve their goals in life.

Last night was meet the teacher...our division is the only one in the City that has these meetings before school starts and I think it's a fantastic idea. The kids know who their teacher is and know exactly where the classroom is...and best of all there is no lugging a bajillion school supplies to school on the first day...because we dropped them all off last night.

Back to the teacher...she seems great! Yes she's young and is about a year out of university...something that had me a little disappointed, at first...the boy had a 'newer' teacher for 1st grade and she really had no idea how to handle rambunctious 6 year olds. But this one seems like she knows what she's up against...bonus!

The boyfriend was teasing the boy before our meeting...saying his teacher was going to give him homework...the boy responded with "impossible we haven't even had our first day yet"...but guess what? The boyfriend was totally right! The teacher handed the boy a paper bag just before we left and told him it was an "all about me" bag that they would share on the first day of school with the rest of the class...he was to put 2 or 3 items in the bag that he could show to his class. So the boy chose 2 baby pictures and a baseball card...since baseball is his favourite sport! He was going to put in one of his pokemon cards because he is obsessed with all things pokemon...but then thought he'd just go with a second baby picture because he didn't want to lose one of his most prized possessions...lol.

So there you have it...there is no denying it...my baby is a big boy...a big 3rd grader...where does the time go???

Our New Additions - Writers Workshop

Mamakat's writers workshop includes the following prompts:

1.) My animals are making me nuts.(inspired by Jody from Take Me As I Am).

2.) List the 5 best things about the first day of school.(inspired by Lane from Sneaky Daddy).

3.) Tell us about your crush.(inspired by Lisa from Just Lisa, No Filler)

4.) How did you break it?(inspired by Brandy from Not Your Average Soccer Mom)

5.) Show us a favorite summer craft.(inspired by Kristin from The Way It Is)

Meet our kitties - Freddy and Homer

So, they aren't such new additions since we've had them since the day after the boy's birthday (so like May 12th)...apparently I forgot to mention them here...that's besides the point. Some of you may remember this post where we decided it would be in our dog Bailey's best interest to go live with my mom since we really didn't have time to give her the love and attention she needed.

Immediately the boy started working on me about cats (notice the plural there...I thought I could get away with one but the boy had other plans)...they are much more independent and don't require walking or picking up poop in the yard...the boyfriend decided it was a great idea too...so we were on the hunt for some cats. I was picky though in that I wanted full grown, fixed cats, preferably males (I find they are more affectionate).

So began our hunt for the perfect pets. We looked online in our area for giveaways...many of the ads turned us off right away...it's all in a name, right? I just couldn't handle having a cat named snookums or love muffin...lol. Eventually we stumbled across an ad for the two cats that we now call ours. Their owners had owned them since kittens but were now moving into an apartment that didn't allow pets so they needed to find Homer and Freddy a new place to live.

They brought them over and immediately Freddy hid in our basement and didn't come out for close to a week. Homer on the other hand was affectionate and friendly right from the get go. He also loved the boyfriend right away...he still follows the boyfriend around to every single room he goes into and tries to curl up in his lap or on his chest...which is driving both the boyfriend and I NUTS...You see my goal of having an affectionate cat was met...but maybe he's a little too affectionate. If we lock him out of our bedroom at night he claws at the door...eventually the boyfriend got smart and started spraying him with water when he did that...seems he's gotten the hint and has taken up residence with the boy at night.

Freddy is a take it or leave it cat...he of course loves to be patted but if you stop he won't claw at you to start again (like Homer does)...he'll just lay down and be content.

Lately they've both taken to bolting for the door as soon as it opens...Homer will then crawl into the tiny opening underneath our outside stairs and he is impossible to get out. So we leave him and he eventually comes out and wonders around and then comes home and meows on our doorstep to be let in. I wanted indoor cats...not outdoor!!! So we are trying and trying and trying to keep them inside...which is near impossible when you have an 8 year old that likes to stand at the door (with the door half open) talking to his friends...

Regardless...they are good cats...I choose to overlook that they won't stay off my tables (something I've never let any other cats i've owned do)...and the fact that they claw at some of our furniture...the boyfriend again tries to get on them with the spray bottle...because they love us and we love them.

Here's a couple of photos...Homer is all gray and Freddy is the striped one.

Writers Workshop - Time Outs

It's Thursday and that means it's time for the Writers Workshop over at Mama Kat's and I totally think you all should join in the fun so head there now and find out how.

The Prompts:

1.) Your trip to the ER...spill it.

2.) "Why are American's obsessed with weight? Why are we always fighting or complaining about what is natural for our bodies?"

3.) Describe one of your 'God Moments'.

4.) List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...if you had the hutzpah.

5.) Why is your kid in time out?

This week I'm not going to go with number 3...instead I've chosen number 5.

Much to the boy's dismay I will share with you a few of his bratty traits...lol. You see lately...this sweet, cute boy of mine has become a sassy, back talking kid who is 8 going on about 15. He absolutely despises going to his room...yet seems to land himself there at least once a day for his attitude...but at the same time...can I really fault him...he is *my* son afterall...I'm as sassy as they come! lol.

Case in point...the following conversation landed the boy in bed 15 minutes early last night.

Boy: Mom, you forgot to pack underwear for me to change into after swimming today so I had to go all afternoon with no underwear and just my shorts!

***side note, why this is a problem I'll never know...this kid numerous times has decided he wants to go commando...but anyways...***

Me: No, I distinctly remember putting some in your bag along with the shorts and your towel.

Boy: Nope...you definitely did not...I looked and looked and found nothing.

Me: Quit arguing with me. Am I going to have to prove it to you?

Boy: Well, I don't see how you'll prove it...I know there were none there (in his sassy little voice).

Me: (completely annoyed at this point...I go into his daycare bag and alas...) Well you must have been looking with your eyes closed because here they are, right where I said they would be.

Boy: Oh well...I looked and couldn't find them...so I don't know how they got there now (once again sassy sing songing voice...eye roll, etc.)

Me: You know what...you just wasted 10 minutes of my time arguing over something so silly...so for that...you are going to bed right after your shower!!!

Boy: Buuuuuutttttttttt moooooooooooooooooooooom...that is so unfair!

***at this point I walked away and told him he better get in the shower now...or he was in danger of a spanking...I do not handle this attitude thing well...hence the reason he *will* be 15 and still getting spanked.***

Writers Workshop - I Spy With My Little Eye...

It's that time again...Time for Mamakat's writers workshop - this week I'm going with the 3rd prompt...and I think I did last week too...is it a coincidence my favorite number is 3??? Probably not lol.

The Prompts:

1.) What's ailing you? Diagnose yourself with a syndrome.(inspired by Kimberly from Kamp KK)

2.) Share with us something you made by hand.(inspired by Texan Mama via email)

3.) Fess up. Tell us what you found after a spying on someone.(inspired by The Scattered Mind of a Tattooed Mini Van Mom)

4.) "How are y'all doing it? This summer, I mean? I cannot remember ever being as busy as we've been over the past two months. Those of you who are blogging daily, being as witty and entertaining as ever...I beg of you...HOW?"(inspired By Lula from Lulaville)

5.)What are you afraid of?(inspired by Life With Kaishon)

Are you a snoop? Cause I sure am! It's in my blood...I snoop all the time...you may not want me to come babysit at your house because chances are I'll go through your things...haha...j/k...it's not quite that bad...but close.

I spy on the lawyers I work for here at work by reading their email inboxes. Totally legal since I have access to them right on my computer...what's that you say? I'm only supposed to read their e-mails when they are on vacation and they ask me to keep 'an eye on them'...oh really! Well that's just no fun. I haven't found any juicy or interesting gossip...I've learnt a few things about their family through joke emails or personal emails - for example one of the women I work for...her sister just bought a puppy and they are having a hard time naming it...not really interesting stuff...but when I'm bored it helps the day go by!

I snoop in the boyfriend's email too...he was stupid enough to give me his password way back when...so why can't I snoop?

But it has bitten me in the butt a few times...first time being when I found an email (about 5 months into our relationship) between him and an old friend...who also happens to be female...apparently it was all in good fun but it had an underlying tone that made me really uncomfortable...so he has since stopped being so flirty with the other girls in his life...I guess some guys are just flirty by nature...

Since that one incident there's been nothing I need to be afraid of...and really I probably shouldn't snoop and just trust him...and is it even a trust issue? Nah...I honestly think it's just boredom...I haven't been bored lately so I haven't been in his emails lol.

Writers Workshop - Help Wanted

Every week the lovely Mama Kat hosts this great Writers Workshop...I haven't had the time to play along lately...but this week I do! Head on over there if you want to learn how you can join in too.

The Prompts:
1.) Interview a child.(inspired by Quilao Triplets)

2.) How do you stave off boredom?(inspired by Jenn's Pen)

3.) Write a poem for the little boy in your life.(inspired by Life With Kaishon)

4.) Describe a memorable interview or talk about your experience trying to find a job amidst this recession.(inspired by Lacey)

5.) Create a Help Wanted Ad.(inspired by Jenners)


Help Wanted

I am looking for a maid...and perhaps a lawnboy and gardener. You will be in charge of all of the chores that I absolutely despise...for example: dishes, cleaning the toilet, making lunches for the entire family, cleaning out the cat box, and scrubbing the floors. The only chore you really won't be responsible for is laundry. Because for some odd reason I actually enjoy doing laundry! Payment? Oh you want to be paid...well...ummm....now I may need to rethink this whole maid thing...here I thought you would want to do this out of the goodness of your heart...you know for my sanity and all.

Now on to the lawnboy. You will be required to mow our lawn once a week...when I ask you to do it you will NOT do as the boyfriend does and try and put it off just one more day...I am very particular about my grass and when our neighbours on either side cut their grass and ours looks 10x longer than it actually is next to theirs...that is when it's time to cut ours. I was willing to pay you in what the boyfriend gets for payment...but well...he's not very 'down with that'. So therefore I'll have to pay you in lemonade, iced tea or perhaps beer (but only when it's on hand).

We are great people to work for and will make you feel right at home. Come on apply...I know you wanna!

Writers Workshop - My Anthem and Expecting too much

Every week the lovely Mamakat hosts this cool Writers Workshop...head on over to hear blog to learn how to play along.

This week I'm cheating a little and writing on 2 of her prompts.

1.) What is your life's anthem? You know...that song that is ALWAYS in your head. The one you'd go to sing first if someone told you to sing a song right NOW. What is it and what does it mean to you?

Well, back in my single days my friends gave me the anthem "Promiscuous Girl" by Nelly Furtado...I wasn't offended in the slightest...but it was hardly true...I may have changed guys like I changed my underwear...BUT I was not necessarily sleeping with every single one of them....GEESH!!! lol.

But today I live by the anthem "If Tomorrow Never Comes" By Garth Brooks...sounds morbid a little...this I know...but I need to remind myself that it's the little things that matter in day to day life and it's very important to let the ones close to you know how much they mean to you each and every single day. I try to live each day to the fullest and have fun in everything I do.

4.) Describe in what ways you expect too much from your significant other. Do they deserve an apology?

I expect so much from the boyfriend...and quite honestly he is doing so much better lately...but I often question if I do expect too much. Is it too much to ask that he take a little initiative? When it comes to housework he needs to be told what needs to be done and when...for me it's easy I look around and see the mess and know it needs to be cleaned...so I clean it. I realize now he came from a household where his mother did *everything* for him and his brother...and she still does too much for them IMO. Whereas I grew up in a single parent family and alot of the responsibility was left on my shoulders...so I learnt early on that if I didn't take initiative we wouldn't be fed or have clean clothes to wear. We are just different...doesn't make either one of us wrong.

Also, when it comes to the boy...I expected a lot in the beginning...that is very hard for me to admit...but it's true. I expected (or maybe hoped is a better word) that he'd be able to walk into our family and become a father to the boy...not just any father though the kind of father that I always wanted...a fun one that never yelled or got frustrated...and oh how unreasonable that was...even I get frustrated with the boy and raise my voice at him or overreact from time to time. But I honestly believe now that we've found a balance.

Does the boyfriend deserve an apology...maybe...but I think alot of 'me expecting too much from him' was more a communication block than anything else...I didn't know how to tell him that he wasn't meeting my expectations without becoming a raving lunatic and he then would react in the same lunatic fashion...since we've (completely) opened up the communication we are getting along a whole lot better, we are all alot happier and our house is a whole lot cleaner lol.