12 years of ........

It seems that every year as our anniversary grows close John and I start this little drill. It goes something like this, "I can't believe that I have put up with this (what ever is pertinent)for 12 years. " 12 years of forgetting his pajamas in the washing machine at 9pm, 12 years of cover stealing, 12 years of my hair all over everything, 12 years of watching Cops every Saturday night....I'm sure you get the idea. So its that time again...the best 12 years of my life!

I would not say that we are lucky, I don't think that luck has anything do do with it. We are both very different people from very different backgrounds. What we do have in common is a very serious stubborn streak. In 12 years we have both grown a lot (both physically and emotionally) and have learned to respect each other even in the most trying times. John has known me when I was at my best(sometime before pregnancy) and at my worst (pretty much everything after pregnancy) He stopped asking me if I have PMS after an argument and just getting me a bucket ice cream instead, has lovingly looked the other way when I threatened all things horrible to the boys for getting orange Cheetos goo all over the couch, and he tells me I look nice in the first outfit I try on even though he knows that I will try on many more before I am ready. I barely notice that he makes pig noises when I eat, accept that if the world ends when he is napping it is in every ones best interest to just leave him behind and he will wake up when he is ready, and that he likes dry pajamas (preferably ones that he did not dry himself).

We did not learn all this wisdom the first year we were together, nor do we have it all figured out yet. Luckily we get lots of practice hashing out the little stuff, like that it is not if, but how many thrift stores we will go to when on vacation or if we should eat at Taco de Mexico or The Hofbrou for dinner. We even argue over who gets to be institutionalized first (the first one to go actually wins that one). No one has ever accused us of being the most mature or adoring couple but where we lack in affection we make up in commitment and sarcasm.

John is my best friend, he knows me better than I know myself and I would never trade his bad attitude or love of Jerry Springer for mushy romance and candle lit dinners. I know that he must feel the same about me when he comes home from a long day at work to the ground zero we call our happy home of unfinished housework, children at the brink of meltdown, delusional wife and no sign of dinner, he still pulls in the driveway and comes inside with a smile even though he should just keep on driving.

Happy Anniversary John, I cant wait until we are complaining about 50 years of .........

One Big Backyard

Time after time friends and relatives try to convince us to leave the Central Coast to make roots in areas that have better opportunities and the cost of living is less. I admit that at times it is discouraging to live in a place where we may never afford a house of our own, have a top paying job or even be in close proximity to a department store. With all of the negatives that staying here offers, the positives are absolutely, by far, more important to me.

Where else can run into friends and neighbors around every corner, send my kids to a school where the teachers taught me, be able to walk just about anywhere I need to go, never get stuck in traffic (especially important if I am the passenger), wear flip flops in December, a hoodie in June, and see the ocean every day.

I am far to committed to my Morro Bay ways to change without resistance. I don't like warm, stagnant water (anything over 50 degrees), any temperature fluctuation that is not in the 60's, strawberries and barbecue that are from anywhere other than Santa Maria, and 3,4,or more lane freeways. I do like tri-tip, thick wet foggy days, leaving my front door open, and long walks on the beach.

Today, after the boys finished their homework, we went down the the beach to get out of the house. I regret not doing it everyday. This has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth and it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day grind and not get out and enjoy it. I do not mind living in a house that is only slightly larger than most garages, camping instead of going on lavish vacations, and doing with out the latest cell phone on the market. Just living here is worth it!

I guess that I am just a small town, California kind of girl. Not such a bad deal if you ask me.

_________Up for Auction: Three Handsome Boys _________
Ebay Seller: mom-on-the-edge

Starting Bid: $1.00

Time Remaining: 10 hours 45 minutes

Payment: PayPal only

Shipping: Local Pick Up only

Item Condition: Lightly Used

Item Description:

Up for sale today is a 3pc. lot of pre-owned boys. The first item in the lot is a lager size husband in red hair with freckles and beard. He falls asleep in front of the TV, makes strange noises, plays to rough, needs lots of attention, and makes me laugh. The second item in the lot is a size medium son in blond that collects reptile skins, comes with a large alligator lizard that bites and about a million Lego's to step on in the middle of the night, but always thinks of others first. The third item is a smaller size son in brown hair, full of energy and defiance, broken bones are mostly healed and shows no permanent damage from multiple head injury's will test your last nerve and then melt you heart with a smile. All are a bit smelly and showing signs of wear, prone to burping, farting and other inappropriate and embarrassing behavior.

Conditions of Sale: all items are sold as is and no Returns!








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