ANOTHER ONE TOO GOOD NOT TO STEAL FROM I HEART GALVESTON

Thursday, May 17, 2012


PUSHING THE MOWER



When you accomplish the extraordinary, every day, will you ever be....satisfied?



This question was rolled over and over again by two best friends last night, two girls who juggle and balance and run a race every single day. Girls who make dinners and pack school bags and read books 14,567 times at night to little ears...oh, and single-handedly plan town festivals and book bands and schedule media interviews and press releases.



We are subjected to these stories of Cinderellas - EFFING CINDERELLAS - and their Prince Charmings and how the only way a story ends well is when the boy gets the girl and they live happily ever after.



Prince Charming = Happy Ever After.



Always the same.



Can Happy Ever After happen for girls who are strong, strong beyond their own comprehension, busy that challenges any to-do lists imaginable, who strive and stretch and grow and stress and push mowers all by themselves and lug trashcans to the curb because, hell, who else is going to take out the trash?



We sit in the same boat, she and I, together. We wouldn't have it any other way and it happens silently, without us even realizing it.



Promises of the easy, the simple, the comfortable and the secure. And shouldn't we be JUMPING ALL OVER THAT? I mean, seriously, why would we not want to unyoke ourselves from the burdens we carry right now? (Our parents want to punch us both in the face right now.)



Maybe because those burdens are what makes us who we are.



And without those burdens and the strife, we might lose a little bit of our sense of self.



Burdens = Identity.



And we have these sets of eyes - these small people who watch us, absorb us, depend on us, live through us. And we never want to disappoint them.



We want them to know that they are capable - just like we are.



They can push the mower.



They can take out the trash.



They are empowered. And amazing and perfect and wonderful and loved.



And it doesn't take a Prince Charming to do that. Or a Cinderella.



It takes YOU. Loving you.



Oh, onions.

MY BETTY

LADYBUG RELEASE 2012

WILLIAM JEFFERSON CLINTON

I decided to let this post sit before I actually typed anything. You know me, not impetuous AT ALL. AHEM. Let me start with this. PEOPLE, GET YOUR DAMN SHIT TOGETHER. Tuesday evening my parents and I made the trek to Canyon to see what Wild Bill had to say. Instead I could barely focus as I was too busy being judgemental. This man, WHO WAS THE 42ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FRICKIN STATES OF AMERICA, was surrounded by a bunch of idiots. I'll be completely honest. In the begining I was summing up people's outward appearance. Wife beaters, cutoff shorts, and ragged flip flops. Attire I consider a stretch even at the lake. But then it became more than that. People not putting their hands on their hearts, sitting down, getting up, going out. RUDE. RUDE. RUDE. As my mother said, "This has been an incredible example of mediocrity." And I couldn't agree more. If 4 year old Betty acted like some of those 20 year old kids, I would have been appalled and most likely busted her tail. Have a little respect for a man who ran our country for two terms and has given million of hours of service to Haiti, New Orleans and Shanksville. Did I vote for him? No. Did I appreciate every word he said Tuesday night? No. Did I show respect and open my mind to his opinions? Yes. And I don't think it is too much to ask for the younger generation to do the same. Over and over in my mind....SIT UP STRAIGHT! SHUT YOUR MOUTH AND SHOW A LITTLE RESPECT. Sheesh. I sound like a 30 year old mom. Good. I should have gone through that arena busting some tails.

PERSPECTIVE

Over the past couple of weeks I have realized sometimes it is ok to be a lesson of WHAT NOT TO DO. I have always put a ton of pressure on myself to be GREAT.GOOD.AWESOME.FINE. all of the time. But, um, unfortunately this is real life and I am FARRRRRRRRRR from perfect. Fall down. Get up. Fall down. Get up. Always changing and always learning which I am incredibly greatful for. What I am most thankful for in this whole wide world (besides Sassy Pants) is my support system. My girls. I have the most compassionate and understanding circle of women around me. I thank God for them every single day. My prayer candles burn for them. They love me for me, blemishes and all and lift me up regardless of how wrong I may be. They judge gently and are always always there with a listening ear. They have made me realize that HAPPINESS EXISTS and sometimes the best thing you can do is be at peace WITH YOURSELF. To my mother, sister, sister-in-law, Liz, Leah, Bec, LeeAnn and Candace, I am forever in debted to you. Thank you for your kindness and ability to rally around me. I am stronger, wiser and better for this world because of your presence in my life.

Peel an onion, there's lots of layers. This layer? This layer is me knowing I am going to be just fine. I am loved. All I need is right in front of me.

THE GREAT HEYTELL

Liz and I HeyTell A LOT. We also text A LOT. But this morning I was most thankful we HeyTelled. Why? Because HeyTells disappear. You can't scroll back and listen to all the dumb sh*%# you were talking about. Last night was put babies to bed and have some wine night.

Nope. No scrolling through texts today being reminded of topics such as your forehead counts 157% or Radiohead induced nightmares or it being perfectly acceptable to let your kids swim in the fountain at packed restaurants. No evidence of conversation regarding brazillian waxes or botox in your armpit or Gatsby's romantic soirees. None of that. Just two normal mommas in bed by 10:00 p.m..............

OH TO BE AN OLD SETTLER

Dear Lissie,

I just broke up with John Mayer. What sucks even more than that? In exactly one week, you will be rocking out at the Old Settlers Music Festival in Austin AND.I.WILL.NOT.BE.THERE.

Tears,
G