PT-LawMom

Dad Gone Mad is asking six great questions on his blog. I’m stealing and sharing them with you. Answer them there, answer them here, but share.

1. There’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but you haven’t done it because you think you lack the time, money, or support to do so. What is that something? And what are the REAL roadblocks keeping you from it?

2. Name something you would eat more of if health, cost, allergy, and caloric intake were of no concern.

3. What is the one singer/band, book/author, painting/painter or author artist/work of art that “speaks to you” most? Why?

4. If your country’s government handed you a check for $10 billion and empowered you use that money to support a single program, cause, or organization, where would you send it?

5. What really, genuinely pisses you off?

6. Describe your current level of happiness and contentment in your life. Are you living the life you imagined for yourself when you were younger?

My Answers:
1. There’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but you haven’t done it because you think you lack the time, money, or support to do so. What is that something? And what are the REAL roadblocks keeping you from it?

I’m the kind of person who does the things my heart dreams of. The only dream I’ve had that I have not accomplished is owning a used bookstore and spending my days reading in a cozy armchair with a fat cat by my side. The roadblock is money and life. In reality, with kids and a job, there is no way to have a peaceful life like that right now. Perhaps in my retirement years.

2. Name something you would eat more of if health, cost, allergy, and caloric intake were of no concern.
Easy - Chocolate molten cake with raspberries!

3. What is the one singer/band, book/author, painting/painter or author artist/work of art that “speaks to you” most? Why?
This is so hard. Forget one. Alison Kraus’s voice is so peaceful and beautiful. I also love Kelly Willis for her smooth, easy style and Sarah Johns for her wicked wit. Brad Paisley makes me laugh, Travis Tritt touches the romantic parts of me, and Toby Keith/Trace Adkins’ songs turn me on. LOL. In terms of art, I love landscapes with rich colors and sketches of people, from babies to adults. Pencil sketches really capture all the detail in a person’s face. Authors - Max Lucado is an amazing Christian author I read a lot when I was younger and more involved in the church. He made me laugh and cry. I love Julia Alvarez’s stories of immigrant families and Joyce Carol Oates’ dark, truthful fiction. Finally, Anne Lamott is an incredibly raw and beautiful writer.

4. If your country’s government handed you a check for $10 billion and empowered you use that money to support a single program, cause, or organization, where would you send it?
I would send it to MomsRising, a lobbying organization that represents the interests of mothers — from healthcare to parental leave to general working mother issues.

5. What really, genuinely pisses you off?
a) Even though I am a diehard liberal Democrat, I am extraordinarily pissed off that John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate rather than one of the many highly qualified Republican women such as Olympia Snowe, Elizabeth Dole or Kay Bailey Hutchison. Her ignorance and missteps just make women in general look bad.

b) Inconsiderate people. From lateness to rude behavior to disregarding my feelings, I really dislike people who are inconsiderate of others.

6. Describe your current level of happiness and contentment in your life. Are you living the life you imagined for yourself when you were younger?
I have a beautiful, smart and precious son. I have a job I love and am in a rigorous evening law school program. I have family close by to keep me company. However, I am recently divorced and face challenges with that. But ultimately I *am* happy. I think that everything happens for a reason and that all of life’s events shape who we are. Sure, I’ve had hard times, but there is always a silver lining.

A man paid me an unexpected compliment today and I’m still smiling. I already felt good today, wearing one of my favorite tops and a great necklace. I’d already heard from a few female coworkers that I looked nice but there is nothing like an unexpected compliment from a stranger. I was getting coffee at Starbucks and he touched my arm, looked into my eyes and said, “You have the most beautiful smile.”

The men I have dated over the years have either been pretty stingy with compliments or have only given overtly sexual ones with a purpose in mind. I, on the other hand, am a BIG complimenter. I think it’s important to express your feelings and I’ve been known to tell a random guy in an elevator that he smells good or that I think his tie is really handsome. I’m not sure why men don’t think that women notice these things. I read an article that a compliment to a woman is almost as good as sex for a man. I believe it (hence the still smiling many hours later).

Men give compliments in many different ways. Perhaps they don’t realize that women can see right through them. There are the charming compliments that come from a place of true adoration. There are obligatory compliments from a man who thinks he owes you one (tit for tat) and women don’t always handle these quite so well because it’s usually obvious that it is disingenuine. Then there are pseudo-compliments given only for the purpose of seduction. And finally there are honest, genuine, touching compliments that make us feel appreciated and radiant. While some women will lap up any praise thrown at them and believe it, others are immediately wary of any words directed their way. But an attentive woman knows how to see through a man and recognize the special and sincerely intended compliment.

P.S. I must be giving off vibes today because, later in the day, I was walking on campus in front of three young boys (maybe 20?). I go to a large university but we were in an area with no one else close by. Suddenly I hear one of the boys go, “Look at that ass.” The other guy goes, “Hers?” The first guy says, “Yeah, the one with the black pants, []hair and [] shirt.” I glanced to the left and right and, really, there was no one around and I had that hair and that shirt. I think it was a compliment… they didn’t say, “Look at that fat ass.” And since I was already in a good mood from earlier in the day, I smiled and kept walking.

Just so I can have these for posterity (or giggle time). And for those who didn’t catch SNL last night.

Last week’s:

If you haven’t figured it out by now, I am a music nut. Think that life has many theme songs. Here are this week’s.

This week’s awesome roundup is up at A Little Fish in Law School.

The Weekly MILP (Moms in the Legal Profession) Roundup is the brainchild of Saramel (retired). It is hosted on a rotating basis at the PT-LawMom, A New Duck and A Little Fish in Law School blogs and is usually posted no later than Monday morning. Next week’s MILP Roundup will be back here.

I had an excellent weekend. Spent Friday night hanging with Pumpkinhead and watching Star Wars. Saturday afternoon was swimming with Pumpkinhead and getting a mani/pedi with my Mom. Then Saturday night I went out with a good friend who I’ve been trying to meet up with for a while now (other side of town). Got all dressed up and had such a blast that I didn’t drag my sorry ass through the door until 4:15 a.m. Then this morning was DivorceCare group where we talked about anger and not allowing ourselves to become bitter or allow the other person to control us by making us angry. It was great and I really felt a peace/connection with God during our session. After DivorceCare, I called up Blue Eyes to see if he wanted to eat with us and we all went out to Red Lobster. Pumpkinhead was being such a goofball and by the end of lunch we were all cracking up so hard that we had to leave the restaurant before the other diners caught the laughing bug (or kicked us out…). Then Pumpkinhead took a nap with my parents while Blue Eyes and I napped and watched football. I just got back from grocery shopping where I picked up some awesome sesame seed/pumpkin seed/flax/raisin “diet” trail mix at the store and some fresh squash and zucchini I’m going to cook up for dinner after I put Pumpkinhead to bed. Then it’s study time. I feel really good (probably side effects of that “nap” - LOL). Nice change to be happy.

P.S. Oh and Chapin called tonight. Spoke with Pumpkinhead for five minutes and then we talked for about a minute about his brother’s new baby and about Pumpkinhead’s return to school. It was civilized and friendly. Encouraging. Ended with a “give my boy a big kiss and have a great week.” Much better than the, “I’m going to smack you up, whore” conversations we were having for a while there.

P.P.S. The sewage is actually still flowing in front of Blue Eyes’ house. Ugh. Went over for a few minutes today to pick him up for lunch and the neighborhood stench was overwhelming. Good Lord, how I’m glad that isn’t happening in my neighborhood!

P.P.P.S. Pundit Mom says she’s “counting down the minutes until the Sarah Palin Comedy Hour begins.” ROFL!!!

Pumpkinhead and I went over to Blue Eyes’ house tonight now that his power is finally back on, the sewage has stopped flowing on the street outside, and he’s scrubbed his fridge from top to bottom. Pumpkinhead ran in, plopped down on the couch with the dog and asked to watch Star Wars. Blue Eyes made Pumpkinhead Mac & Cheese while he cooked fajitas for us on the barbecue outside and spent some time relaxing on the swing with me. Gave me two glasses of white wine and I promptly fell asleep on his shoulder. LOL.

Meanwhile, my well-trained boy fell asleep at exactly 8:15 (right at bedtime!) on the couch next to us and slept until we finally left around 11. At one point I got up to get some water, looked over at him and melted. He is sooooo beautiful!! And I cannot believe how tall he is. I swear, he just shot up overnight. I know people always say to enjoy your kids because time goes by so quickly but wow… seems like just yesterday he was my little glowworm.

I was recently asked to recall my worst dates ever and apparently I had some doozies. I’d forgotten about these until I had to really think about it. What are some of yours? Any lessons learned?

Here are mine:
1) The guy that asked me out to dinner and then took me to a hotel and left me in a conference room with his fellow pyramid scheme reps to recruit me. I was like 19 and freaked out. Went to hide in the hotel bar and called my Dad. The guy called me later and was like, “Well I was going to take you to dinner afterwards.” Um, no…

2) The guy that heard it was my mother’s birthday and said he wanted to bake her a cake. Um, you just met me. WTF?!? It would have been fine if he’d let that go but he kept saying overly intimate things like that all night. Then he turned into stalker boy, calling and texting 24/7 and coming by my job. Ick.

3) The guy that brought a large convenience store fountain soda with him on the date and asked to drive because he knew where we were going (in DC where parking is hard to find and you really do need to know where you are going). So I let him drive. Turns out his cup was filled with Vodka and juice. Scariest car ride EVER!!!

I read two wonderful single mom posts this week. The first was a romantic tale that melted my heart (second and third paragraphs). The second was more spiritually thought-provoking and I really related to it. Just had to share.