This Blogger...I mean bljogger is returning!

It's been over 2 years since my last post...I've thought often about returning, but decided today was the day when I was out for my morning run/walk!  I have always had the best ideas when in the shower, the best talks with myself while mowing the lawn and today...I decided, that I have decent writing ideas or blogposts while running.  So today, since I was bljogging anyway, I decided to get back at it...

Today's discussion with myself:  Some people parent alone, others parent alone, and some parent alone.  Over the last three years, I have parented alone.  Truly alone.  I am not divorced (some people single parent at times), and I do not have an uninvolved spouse (other people feel like a single parent at times).  I run my household alone, truly alone.  

It is always interesting when I visit with others and the discussion turns to complaints about the amount they do at their house or how they get "stuck" running their children here and there...YEP, I get it (or do I?)!  And don't think I don't.  At my house it is all me.  All me!  A few times, I have pointed this out to friends, who apparently have not realized/remembered who they are talking to when they are spouting...and I'm not judging them for spouting...I used to do that all the time.  I am simply saying, when you spout to me about "single" parenting, I get it (or do I?)...needs no explanation.

The interesting part comes in the response after the reminder...some apologize for flippant comments.  Some kick up the defense of their complaints. And some even try to tell me how they get my situation. No you don't, unless you are a widow, too.  

In fact, that is the crux of the matter...no one totally gets anyone's situation unless you've lived it.  You can't imagine it unless you've been there. And even then, we all need to realize, you still don't get it.  

We all live unique lives, we can only understand pieces of others' lives at best, that's what we all need to get.

Oh Fishsticks! I Mean Fiddlesticks... (Dedicated to L and B)

My child "won" a free fish at an event!  It is one of the fears of every parent...you know, you are at the carnival and your child keeps trying to throw the ping pong ball into the fish bowl and while you always hope your kid is successful, you secretly hope (and pray) your child's ball does NOT land in the bowl.  Well, Muffin (our newest family member) didn't happen to come to us by way of carnival, but was none the less "won" at a recent event and arrived at my house this way...

I was not home, but had called home to check in.  Spoke with my youngest and he reported that he had had a great time at the event he had attended and "by the way...I won a fish." 

"A what?"  I responded.
"A goldfish."
"A real one?"
"Yes, it is real and I'm keeping him safe in the kitchen."
"What are we going to do with that?  We don't have fish equipment."
"Don't worry, Mom, he won't live long anyway."

And sure enough I arrive home to find Muffin, the goldfish, in a bowl in my kitchen.  Fabu! 

So now the dilemma begins, do we embrace the fish?  You know, go to the pet store, buy fish items, like food, a plastic castle, etc.  What to do?  I mean he had already been named and everything.

So I call my sister to share our new good fortune to which I learn that her son, too, has won a fish and they are actually at the pet store buying another fish to keep their, new Mr. Wiggles company...so I think perfect, and I ask if they can pick me up a small container of fish food...I can't rightfully starve Muffin now can I?  My sister replies that they only have large containers of fish "flakes" and they will share...Fabu!  Easy enough...we are now on the path of owning a new pet, maybe this will put Finley George in his place?

I am however on the lookout....Easter is coming up and as my neighbor pointed out (the one that gave my youngest and Muffin a ride home)...you never know when your kid could arrive home with a baby chick.

Who are the People in Your Gym? (To the tune of Who are the People in Your Neighborhood? -Sesame Street)

Ok, I admit it, I am so a people-watcher at the gym...can't help it, it is free-entertainment and a great distraction.

Here are some of my noticings:

From the treadmills I run on, I can overlook the free weight area...excellent viewing...I love watching (sorry, men) the guys that appear to be working out, but really just wandering the area.  They stop every now and then to grab some water, watching the flat screens, sit and rest on the weight benches, but really...I watched one guy and he never really picked up a weight.

Love the dudes who have cut up their t-shirts to the extent of...why are you wearing it?  Shreds.

Then there is the gal that can do amazing things on the elliptical machine.  I've gotten behind this gal several times, she is a maniac.  She hangs off the back of the foot pads...almost like she is water-skiing...truly, never seen anything like it.  She can move at a pace with no hands like no other.  I didn't know that machine was so versatile.

Lastly, Miss Clomper...twice now, I'm rocking and rolling on my own treadmill when Miss Clomper hops on to the treadmill right next to me and cranks it to a level of ridiculousness and then clomps away at her run so loudly I am forced to turn up my ipod.  She must have lead in her shoes...

I hope, but have to consider the fact that I may too be the subject of someone's gym blog...I hope no one is writing about the middle-aged woman in her 1989 greek t-shirts....