Sinner's Alley Happy Hour (Part 1)

Parent Cafe Parent Cafe
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<p>I keep looking over my shoulder as I read about the exciting 'adventures' other mother's sons are having... and I am waiting for the first shoe to fall. :(</p>

<p>The last time my son used 'boy logic' was when he dragged me over to the tv and said "watch Mom I can change the channels with my water pistol" (age 5) :eek: .... tv broke about a week later and we got a new one. The old tv was put in the garage, and after it dried out and someone thought to plug it back in a few years later, it WORKED!, and became teenage son's tv... he is still very good at planning ahead. :rolleyes:</p>

<p>I'm sure there is a huge plastic pirate style sword of Damocles hanging over my head right this very minute...the worry,the stress, the waiting..
(I think he's going to write the SAT II physics...maybe there'll be a question about water pistols...)</p>

<p>Alumother - on holiday in China in 2001 we were amazed at the coal burning power plants in Xian... it was a very interesting trip, but my kids don't like Chinese food (picky picky) the 80lb daughter came home weighing 70lbs and son (age 10) seemed to have aquired a taste for Chinese beer...</p>

<p>My Cat was diagnosed by the vet on Tuesday as probably having cancer...for more expensive blood work and an expensive Xray I could find out how much time he has left, and decide whether to put him on medication, chemo ....he lost 20% of his body weight and seemed on his last leg...I bought him a shiny package of 'Whiskas', with gravy , I thought he could have a few days of treats before he started rat hunting in heaven...he's up to 3 packs a day now, has gained half his weight back, has a spring in his step, and has caught a bird, a snake and a mouse all in the last 2 days,...this is going to cost as much as the Xray if he lasts much longer! But it is much more satisfying... :p</p>

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<p>I'll drink to that, Alu. And, I'll raise a glass to the dads who provide the ballast in a teenager's life. For all of the times they've pulled on a pair of pants and some shoes, grabbed the car keys, and headed out the door at Midnight to pick up their 16-year old from a party. And, for all of the times they've hauled a carload of band equipment to a club that has two words or less in its name, e.g. Slim's, Bimbo's, or Bruno's Grill. </p>

<p>A toast to the dads who have perfected the art of not saying too much and to those who know just what needs to be said. Short and sweet, get to the point, and address the problem, leaving the psychoanalysis to...well, just leaving it. To the men who know that a hug from a dad speaks volumes, heals wounds, and builds character more than anything else. </p>

<p>Oh, and a toast to the dads who are working their a$$es off so that their kids can go to college, bleach their hair, and post pictures of themselves on Facebook surrounded by half-naked friends and empty bottles of Stolichnaya. College students, do you really think we won't look, and how dense are you that you'd put this on the Internet, anyway? Sheesh, potential employers can access this stuff, and were you --what-- raised by Stoli-swigging wolves?!! Clean your apartments and buy some groceries, once a while! :::huff::huff::: </p>

<p>Okay, I digress, but my point is that I appreciate it when dads provide balance. They don't freak out when their wives are in the bedroom closet looking through baby albums and having hot flashes. ;)</p>

<p>I always celebrate Father's Day and Mother's Day during the week after the official holiday. One day isn't enough to recognize what parents do. It isn't enough time to track down my own parents and remind them that they really should build a monument to me in their front yards in recognition of my superior parenting abilities. :D </p>

<p>Also, Mother's Day has always hit on a Sunday before somebody had a humongous school project due the next day. I have not been a beacon of motherly love when I've spent the day cleaning up sand or preventing a pod of teenagers from lighting the kitchen on fire. Father's Day is always in the wake of final report cards, and on big years -- graduations. A major house remodeling project and visiting in-laws usually precede the graduations, so Father's Day has been traditionally celebrated in our house by waking up and dragging ourselves to the kitchen for coffee.</p>

<p>So, Happy Dads' Week to the pops!</p>

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<p>Slugg: Thanks from one dad.</p>

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<p>BHappyMom, kitties are just so amazing! We were told once by a well-meaning vet that our old cat was kaput, and we should leave him at the vet's office to be euthanized. We couldn't do it, brought the old boy back home for a last goodbye, and to our complete astonishment, he recovered and lived for seven more years. It seemed to us that he was so grateful and happy to be home that he got better on his own. Cats really do have nine lives! Purrs for your kitty. :)</p>

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<p>Thanks Sluggbugg - He just had his 10th birthday, his old Momcat gave birth to him in a box on my bed and Mister Tubby was born in my hand...we are close. :) He comes when you call him even if he's a field away and in mid hunt (which is more than I can say for either of my kids!), and he will fetch ...so 9 lives, seven more years...the kids will have to look at cheaper colleges if his 'Whiskas' addiction keeps up!!</p>

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<p>CRAP!!</p>

<p>Curmudgeon's getting a life and saying sayonara to CC.</p>

<p>I am taking that enormous industrial-sized bottle of reposado tequila from the back room and lining up about three hundred shots for the regulars in the Alley. Then I will start keening. </p>

<p>If I pass out someone take over for me.</p>

<p>Okay, so we can still get him on PM-- but that's cold comfort for those of us that love stumbling into curmudgeonland serendipitously.</p>

<p>Here's to MUDGE!</p>

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<p>Steady there, SB. Remember what jamimom said before she slipped into oblivion? Those who say goodbye always return. Those who slip away without goodbyes do return from time to time....Tom will be back....</p>

<p>Loved the water pistol story, bhappy. A classic.</p>

<p>Here's to fathers who take their sons to school in the morning and deliver unwanted advice such as "Find your sweater so you can wear it under your blazer so you do not freeze to death in sub-zero temperatures in your unheated classrooms."</p>

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<p>I'm with SBMom - where's the crying-into beer?? But, I'm also with cheers - I've found jamimom's non-parting words to be true and am taking small comfort in their promise.</p>

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<p>Sinners! Gird up your loins, there's always Grad School, ...</p>

<p>But to add to the Festive-Lament soothers, yesterday I poured my left over Margarita mix into the popsicle maker...yum. Darn Daughter ate two and then asked if I was going to roll them in sea salt...</p>

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<p>OOOoo, yummy Margarita pops! And, sea salt because we're so health conscious in here, and salt has vitamins...</p>

<p>I have not read the Mudgeman's parting words, but there will always be somebody in Sinner's Alley keeping the Naugahyde warm whenever he wants to stop by, toss some darts, and discuss college life. :)</p>

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<p>Sluggbugg - I have a theory that the water retained by salt consumption helps plump up the wrinkle creases ;), one simply chants a mantra while ingesting/imbibing "water to the wrinkles- not to the ankles"...:p</p>

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<p>Okay, black arm-bands around the margarita glasses and we should be all set for the new age Festive-Lament rituals. The man has nerve - sending us into cold turkey withdrawal without our consent. But, hey, I will still love the old coot.</p>

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<p>Bhappymom,</p>

<p>Your theory on the Margarita pops and sea salt could just work as it certainly sounds more fun and less expensive than botox. After enough of them, we won't care how we look ;)</p>

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<p>Omigod, I met the new boyfriend last night. Just give me the bottle of Cuervo, and I'll be on my way to the tangerine booth. How did we raise a daughter who understands supersymmetric and QCD phenomenology, but picks such bitey boyfriends?! :eek: </p>

<p>Wombats...Here, wombatties! Right now, I'd settle for a 4 or a 5 on the other kid's AP Calc test score. That would make Mommy happy. :o</p>

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<p>sluggbug, I can relate. </p>

<p>My D is never attracted to the ones I would select.</p>

<p>Perhaps the problem is she selects for the <em>here and now</em> and I notice those who will age like fine wine... Sad how youth and all those delicious opportunities are wasted on the young.</p>

<p>Have you seen that show on MTV where the parents screen prospects and set their kid up on a date? </p>

<p>I want to get on that show!!!</p>

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<p>Slugg - your D is good, no pining around for her...</p>

<p>I am never quite clear <em>what</em> my D selects for...</p>

<p>But hooyah, back from China!</p>

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<p>Welcome home, ALU!</p>

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<p>Aw thanks. And what is wrong with that curmudgeon? Want to give him a big smack except I don't believe in that kind of thing:(.</p>

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<p>I dunno. Maybe, he thinks that things are going to settle down once Mudglina starts college...HAHAHAHAH! Back to my shots. I'm trying to go to my happy place. :o</p>

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<p>Well, it is that time of year and I am on my way to SFO then Bezerkeley and beyond! Maybe I will bump into some of you folks and I won't even know it. Bye</p>