Oh, the memories...

Anyone remember these? The cabbage patch doll represents one, of many, "things" that kids just HAD to have when we were young. You know, Guess jeans, Atari players, TV's in our room (gasp!!!). I came from a family where none of these "name brand" things ever graced the floor beneath the Christmas Tree.

A couple of memories that realy stick out...

I remember when I was in 2nd grade. There was this rich chick at church that had EVERYTHING!! I mean, if it was the latest toy, gadget, item of clothing ... well, you could bet that "Suzy" had all of it! Well, I had been wanting a cabbage patch doll for a while (not b/c I actually thought they were cute. They really are quite ugly - beady eyes, annoying dimple, ugly pug nose, not at ALL soft! And, Barbie was definitely better!!) but, nevertheless, I HAD to have one b/c of the status thing. Well, one Sunday at church, I was invited to sit with little miss Suzy and her family. I thought, "how nice! Suzy wants me to sit with her!" Unbeknownst to me, she was just waiting for the opportunity to rub my face in the fact that she had TWIN CABBAGE PATCH DOLLS!!!!!!!! She couldn't just have ONE. NO!!!! She had to have TWO! Bitch.

2nd memory ... I really wanted a Barbie Mansion. Hello!!!! She needs her own mansion, people!! Anyways, I had been jumping up and down all year, screaming to the top of my lungs that I wanted a Barbie Mansion! Well, I waited in anticipation for Christmas morning to arrive. I had my eyes set on a particularly large box in the back of the tree. Finally, we got the green light to begin the fit of flying paper, bows and screams. (Even more torture was inflicted b/c in my house we had to TAKE TURNS!!!) So, I of course picked the large box to open first!! What was it ... it was what I had always ... OH NO! It was the cheap TG&Y doll house made out of metal and too short for my tall, miss universe barbie dolls. One Barbie leg was taller than the entire first floor. I looked at it and mustered up a sheepish, "thanks". (I was only 5, people, don't judge me too harshly!).

You know, looking back, I was a spoiled little brat! I remember how on the outside I tried to make it appear like I was truely grateful but I can remember the disappointment I felt inside. I know that my parents didn't have a lot of money and this was the best they could do! They wanted me to have a doll house! I'm so ashamed of myself. I should be ashamed for coveting stupid, ugly dolls in Church and not being grateful for a metal, "too short for my barbies" doll house that probably still cost a lot considering our budget. There were 5 kids to buy for!!

Some how, I have the feeling that karma is going to kick me in the ass for this. My kids will probably be total sh@#ts about material things. What am I to do?!

Rude, Drunk People

Just yesterday, I was at a 4th of July picnic/party and these 2 men (college friends of my husband)started talking about magazines and how women love to keep them and not throw them away. Then, one of them said, "Well, my wife can throw away any magazine she wants just as long as it's not Maxim!". My knee jerk reaction was to say, "Well, you won't find that one in my house." Boy, did I open up a can of worms!!! The next thing I knew I was in the middle of the Kitchen with about 10 guys standing around me laughing at me and yelling, "What's your problem??? What, are you a BAPTIST?" I then said, "Well, actually, I grew up Baptist." That caused even more of a loud laugh fest. "You should become Lutheran or Episcopal and then you can read those magazines." I just stood there, paralyzed, not knowing what to say. I just laughed and shrugged my shoulders and let them belittle me! (And, my hubby just stood there red faced and didn't say a word. I wasn't too happy with him on the ride home!) We let the laughter die down and gracefully left. One of them yelled behind us, "Hey honey, you're not allowed to hang out with HER ... she's a BAPTIST! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!" (Important aside: Though I was raised Baptist, I no longer attend a Baptist church. This is solely b/c I actually married a Lutheran and we've compromised and picked Presbyterian. This, however, doesn't mean that I hate the Baptist faith or think they're a bunch of back woods, crazy, snake handlers. I still love my heritage and believe strongly in MOST of the doctrine. Slight differences still exist but, on the whole, I'll always have a special place in my heart for the Baptist church.)

I LOVE KEANE!!!

This is my new favorite band. Well, not actually new (I've been listening to them for a year now) but, new to a lot of people here in the US. I fell in love with them the night I saw them perform on The Tonight Show. Man!!! Their sound is so full and the lyrics and vocals are just beautiful!!! They do have a "Coldplay" feeling to them but there is something much bigger in their music. Something I can't quite put my finger on. Coldplay is so repetitive (though, I love the way their music lulls me into a state of thoughtfulness) and Keane's music is lively and thought provoking in a deeper way. Also, the lead singer is great. His voice is powerful and passionate. Quite rare these days in popular bands. I WISH they would come to the states for a concert. I would find a way to get there. So far, on their website, there aren't any tour dates in the states booked yet. However, I did hear one of their songs on the commercial for the new Keanu Reeves/Sandra Bullock movie coming out. Maybe if the soundtrack becomes popular then demand will give them good reason to come on over the "pond" and perform for us!!!! Please!!! We so desperately need a decent band here. Not too much to chose from once you sift through all the bubble-gum inspired crap. I'm so sick of a hip-hop beat and a bad (nonexistant really) melody. Atleast these songs seem inspired and fresh. If no one has heard them before go to www.keanemusic.com and check out the snipet that you can listen to. Hope and Fears is my favorite CD of them all. Come back here and let me know what you all think!!