Do you see my tagline up there? The one that says almost grown-up mum? Do you think that would still fly when I’m 80, just had my hips replaced and blogging about it from my suite at that super technologically advanced hospital where apparently everything is voice-controlled and I can’t freaking turn the TV on to watch Oprah reruns because the stoopid TV remote has trouble understanding my accent? Yeah, me neither.
Anyhow. Lately.
I have been reading lots of inspirational posts. Posts about mamahood, finding your blogging voice, chasing after your dream. Never giving up and such. Good times.
So it got me thinking. What can I offer my faithful readers? Surely, I can do inspirational. It can’t be that hard, right? I just have to focus, go to my inner centre. Let the light in and…sorry I got nothing.
What I have though are these bullet points of the things that I have learned. So far. Nothing epiphanic about them. Just some random realisations of one very sleep deprived mama. So here you go.
- I have learned that some people are naturally born arseholes. They cannot help it. They have The Lucifer gene in abundance.
- I have learned that the older I get, the less angsty I feel about outward appearances. Case in point. Hubby and I had to do some errands for my sick mother and had to go to her place to pick up some of her stuff to bring back to the hospital. I was wearing my super comfy albeit super tatty stretchy dress and hubby asked in semi-disbelief “You sure about that dress?” “Ummm yeah, dude.” “But there are holes in it.” “Pfft, who cares? at least I’m wearing my undies.”
- I have learned that no matter how many times you say to yourself “I will NOT stuff this up.” Cutting your own bangs is never a good idea. Never.
- I have learned that some people would always think that your blog is The Awesome whilst others would scoff at it and think it’s just Plain Awful. You can’t please everybody. Get over it.
- I have learned that you are going to feel just a teeny bit heartbroken everytime a blog follower leaves you. It’s their issue, not yours. Get over it.
- I have learned that parenting a hormonally challenged teenager is one helluvah thankless job. One minute, they fiercely hate you and would not talk to you because you are ANNOYING and the next minute they are asking you when can you go clothes shopping because a friend of theirs is having a boho New York themed party. What the frackers? Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personified. Sigh.
- I have learned that my kids especially the littlest one are growing up so very fast. And it’s really scaring the shit out of me.
- I have learned that my husband is not the same anymore. He is getting old. He’s even got hairs growing out of his cute ears. And it’s really scaring the shit out of me.
- I have learned that no matter how bad you think the situation is. There will always be Vitamin Vodka to help you get through it. Snort.
- I have learned that the “learning to love yourself” thing is a process that would probably last me my whole lifetime. And that kinda blows. Kinda.
That’s all I’ve got for today. What lessons have you learned so far? Wanna share?
2011, Mummy-Time. All rights reserved.
I like this post very much!
I have learned that teenagers have COOL themes for their parties nowadays. When I was a teenager my parties always had the same theme- “Dear God, please don’t let mom come in here and start dancing with us”-
Also, vitimin vodka. Totally googling that…
I pray to God that you and I remain COOL mamas until the day we die. Hehe.
Love the bullet points. I’m not all that inspirational either, but it got me thinking about the things I’ve learned being a Mom, and I’ve got nothing. All of the things I’ve learned about parenthood, I’ve taken from someone else.
So thank God (or whoever) there are Mommy blogs out there like yours to help me through this crazy, messed up life I’ve chosen.
Thank God indeed! The Blogging world is like the Book of Life, yes?; )
Hi, I’m new to you, I stumbled across you this week on my internet wanderings. Can’t remember now, I think it involved twitter and other mama blogs…
Anyway, I have learned that no matter how tough I think I’ve got it, someone is always worse off than me. This may sound like a crappy way to look at the world, but I try to take the time during this realisation to send some positives vibes out to those who are toughing it out too.
I think that way too. Glass half full, glass half empty. And it almost always works.=)
and ooh, welcome to mah place.
Things I’ve learned – blogging on a Sunday is rarely a good idea as no one is reading, but that’s also when I feel most inspired. So meh, they can read it on Monday.
(Which it is, monday here, but the rest of the world is still in Sunday. It’s not easy living in the future.
No, not at all. Hehe. But hey, for the record I ALWAYS read you no matter what day it is. So there.
It’s Sunday here AND I’m on vacation at the beach in sunny Calif. AND I read your post, so there!
Amen to parenting teenagers… I am going through the same thing! No matter how hard you try, it is never going to be good enough! I’ve made peace with it.
Another fact: No matter what diet you try, you are never going to have the bikini bod if your genes are turned for it, or you need stacks of money and a personal trainer… none of which I have!
Sooo hearing you, Nat! But someday I am gonna totally rock that bikini. Mwahahaha.
Each one of these is a good lesson to have learned! Good for you. Not everyone actually learns the leassons they encounter, much less catalogs them! And sometimes, I have noticed, the lessons don’t stay learned!! Its ok, life is a process and a journey….sometimes you can get a little lost and have to back up at bit and try again!
Thanks Mel. And that is what I love about blogging, it’s your digital diary which will *ahem* haunt you forever and ever. And ever. Hehe.
I love this post Brenda!
And I have just one question….
Are you trying to show me up with the panty wearing???
xoxoxo
Yes I am. You and I could do a “Panty Off” or something. Whaddayathink?!; )
I have learned little in my life, none of the lessons implied have reached me, and none so good as yours, nor as helpful. I suppose, though, that the best one would be that its okay to say “no”, as long as you do it respectfully. *shrug* My Mom made sure I got that one.
Saying No respectfully is GOOD, Dani. Heck, I still have yet to master that one.XO
It is a tricky one! But I’m working on it..
-Danielle
Oh that was very muchly funny Brenda! i agree, some people are really just assholes. They can’t help it. there needs to be a charity for them.
By the way, I just posted another episode of Bad Humpty, just for you. Enjoy! God only knows how many followers will jump ship because of it. Ah well. Their issue, not mine. Right?
Yes to yes, Lori! And I shall check out the old dawg Humpty soonish. Mwahs.
I’ve learned that I have to write no matter what because that’s who I am, and when you’re being who you are you find some amazing people (like I found you).
Awwww. You melting mah heart KB. Backatcha baby.xoxo
I have learned that no matter what your “dream” is…they do eventually come true. I have learned that being yourself IS the only way to get through life and be successful.
I have learned that friends do not have to know you face to face to mean the world to you. I have learned through these friends, that no matter what, you can always have strength to get through your most troubled days…
I have learned how to have fun again!
xoxo
Danon
I love this serious side of you, Danon.xoxo
I seem to be blogging mostly about that shit lately. So yeah. I’ll be getting a tattoo with my latest big Life Lesson at some point fairly soon, too. Don’t worry, I’ll post pics.
I did learn, last night, that adding one more little four-year-old to the mix = me going frickin’ insane. DramaBoy’s BFF was over, more as a favor to her mommy, who is a good friend, than for their sake. And OMG. A while after midnight I posted on FaceBook something along the lines of THEY ARE STILL AWAKE. DEAR GOD HELP ME. THEY ARE STILL AWAKE.
And then people laughed at me.
So love ya and stuff. I’m too sleep deprived to come up with more than that myself….Smooches!
Can’t wait for that post, TM. I bet it’s gonna be one helluvah post. Luvs yah too.
oops
HI Brenda…
Some nice points made there… Thanks for stating them as a pre- warning mechanism.. will do good for me and a lot of twenty somethings….
*ahem* I am twentysomething and a bit. Fine, a bit more. Hahaha.
Ha ha ha….
brenda…you know what? you are really a rockstar…!! I just love you…muaaaahz!!!
thankus munchkins. I loves you back.xoxoxo
I have learned that motherhood is never easy…I’m fighting my days through with a stubborn eight years old…it’s scaring the shit out of my to think of him as a teenager…
you are lovely and unique Brenda
Awww. What a lovely thing to say, Marika. I am humbled. Thank you!
Also, I’m totally with you on the motherhood stuff. It’s THE toughest gig of all. I have posted something about it a while ago. It’s one of my faves. Go look at my “Best Of” (I know this much is true).=)
The biggest thing I’ve learnt over the years is to not worry about what people think. If you spend your life worrying about how others perceive you, you just won’t have fun. The older I get, the more relaxed about who I am.
Loving this post!
Amen to that, Jodie.XO
Yip – can’t please everyone. I love coming to visit.
Interesting.
Thanks Kelvin. And thanks too for stopping by.
Those are very good lessons to have learned so far. I have learned the following:
Sometimes nice people who do their best, still get screwed.
I have learned that not everyone is a baby person (um-me) and others think you are weird and a bad woman because of it, even when you love your kid more than the whole world.
Babies are nuts. and gross. and confusing. and tiring. and maddening. thankfully, I think toddlers are easier.
I have found that as I get older, I have better friends. they care, they are there for you and stick with you.
I love getting older but do miss being young with no real responsibilities.
mostly- I think that the only thing that really matters is family- because even when your husband is driving you nuts, the kids are making your question your very being and your parents are making you wonder who is really the most grown-up and mature member…they are there for you when you are sick, ugly, forgive you when you screw up and are unlovable and are responsible for the best moments in your life.
Beautifully said, Sarah. Thanks for the share.xoxoxo
You’ve learned more than many people learn in a lifetime.
One thing I’ve learned is that if I want to be a better person, a more upbeat person, I need to surround myself with similar people and distance myself from constant negativity. Hence, I’ve really filtered out most of the daily news and distanced myself from some people who were once a bigger part of my life. I have no regrets about this, because I’m feeling better and my family notices the difference.
I lovingly call those types as “oxygen suckers.” Lovingly.; )
Hi Brenda;
I love this post. I read it yesterday and have been thinking about it since then. Awesome bullet points! One thing that I have learned is that I am always learning, that it is never too late to learn something, and that there is always more to learn.
I loved this post! I might even copy it.
FYI I am one of the followers that thinks your blog is awesome!
Go for it, Rhonda. Would love to read yours.=)
I have learned that sometimes the best thing to tell yourself when you start to worry too much about something is, “So what!” Oh, yeah, and “If it wasn’t this, it’d be something else.”
Elizabethtown, yes? Love Orlando Bloom. *swoon*
Being the parent of a teenager is payback for our own youthful transgressions, is it not?
Typical exchange in our home:
Me: Are you ready to go?
Teen: mumblemumblemumble
Me: What? I didn’t hear you?
Teen: I SAID YES FOR THE 50TH TIME.
GET A HEARING AID ALREADY!
oh yes, most definitely. Karma suckage. Argh!
Brenda – you really hit this on the head, ya know that? I love you for your humor, your ability to make me nod my head in agreement at the screen, and mostly for your honesty. Thank you for being here, for posting this, and for never giving up on growing up.
Awww. Thanks Miranda. I hearts you back.xoxoxo
You are right on all counts. Hope you are much better?
I am Kareem. Thanks for asking.XO
Well, my dear, you have learned quite a lot. And I love that you are so open and honest about what you’ve learned in your mommy-life. And hey, we love you the way you are, so don’t try to write sweetie-pie posts if you’re not feeling it. Never, ever change. I love the way you write.
As for me, I’ve learned that I have more energy that I ever thought possible. That I never knew what tired was until I had my little Bam-Bam. And that I never exactly knew what love was either. (Don’t tell my husband that last one.)
Thank you, MX. Sometimes I tend to over-analyze things, ya know.; )
I have learned that just when you think your kids have stopped puking, they go and prove you wrong and puke that one last time. And it’s more puke then all the other times combined. When you are out of sheets. And towels. And PJ’s for everyone. And they’re in YOUR bed. And you didn’t bother to put your waterproof mattress protector on it. And it’s a brand freaking new mattress. And you’ve already have 6 showers to was the puke out of your hair in the last 48hrs, so what’s one more, right?
Hehehe. I know I should not be laughing but I totally understand you, Beth.=)
(I am so slow. My reader is full and my time is short.)
I have learned that the people you love will always leave you long before you are ready for them to do so. That everyday is a chance to make yourself happy and that tomorrow isn’t a given. I’ve learned that there is a such thing as falling in love and that it definitely lives up to the hype.
Most importantly? I’ve learned to love me.
And you will too, just open your heart and mind to it and the rest just takes care of itself. Much like loving anyone else.