Thanks, and No Thanks

An embarassingly long time ago, CK gave me this super-cool, much loved (and probably just as much undeserved) award!!!



The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:

1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.

2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions.

3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences, and Beliefs.

4) The Blog is refreshing and creative.

5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

Along with (this rather intimidatingly long list of) rules:

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1) Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.

2) The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.

3) Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts to support.

4) The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.

5) Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

noblesse oblige means--the moral obligation of those of high birth, powerful social position, etc., to act with honor, kindliness, generosity, etc.

WOW! This isn't one of those 'you're cool' awards, I actually have to try and PROVE IT to the rest of you!!! I think I've achieved sublime perfection in journalism, with ethereal wit and humor, and have brought together the masses, regardless of difference in backgrounds, in one small, yet apparently noblesse, blog. TA DA!

(Whew, can you imagine if I was really like that?!!? Holy crap, I'd be stoned for sure, and not in a good way!)

Seriously, I just try and write what I feel and think about my daily life, and I'm thrilled that some wonderful people have hopped by for the ride. :) Ohm, ohm, ohm.

I'm passing this along to AndreAnna, my-old-friend-who-probably-already-has-it Swistle, Clueless But Hopeful Mama, Stimey, Erin at MO Mommy, and Not Your Aunt Bea!

Thanks!!!!!

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Now for the No, Thanks portion of our programming.

My in-laws have been trying to get us to go on vacation with the entire family to a lake in NH for years now. They've gone twice before since we've gotten married, and each time something has happened, like the first time our car died and we had to buy a new one on the spot. The second time, Patrick was a little baby. This time, DH's company has cut everyone's PTO by over a week, AND DH has used up a whole week already on surgery, plus there will be another surgery this fall, so that means we'll be lucky to see him at Christmas, never mind for a whole week in NH. Add this to my overwhelming desire NOT to spend an entire week in a house with so many people and babies, and the close proximity to where my mother is, which would make it pretty mandatory that I visit her, and my answer is HELL NO. Plus, I would have to live with Kathy and Shawn for the week, and that would just stress me the hell out, especially when I'd have to wear a bathing suit, and he has point-blank called me fat before.

(Aside: they ignored Josie's birthday. AGAIN. They actually called my other sil, Jen, to tell her that they weren't coming, since the family shindig was at her house, but DIDN'T CALL JOSIE. This time, Josie noticed, and asked why they never call her. NICE. You would think after my POINTING OUT last week that they never show up for stuff, and aren't involved, and them ADMITTING IT, they would make more of an effort, but NO!!!!!!! *fume* They told her that it was because they were having an issue with a tenant, and because it's too much trouble to deal with the babies when they get off schedule. It's called a PHONE, people.)

When the ILs were up for Mother's Day briefly, they pulled DH and I aside and said that they'd like us to fly up for the first weekend of the trip, since 'flights are cheap now", and then they'd keep the kids with them for the rest of the week while we came back home. Um, let me think... four plane tickets plus renting a car plus boarding the dogs for four days plus letting my 10yo and 6yo boy fight all the way back down the eastern seaboard while my 70yo fil is driving.... hmmmm..... UM, NO. NO, NO, NO. I admit, the idea was a little attractive, because initially when we were trying to figure out how it could work, we thought that maybe DH would go alone with the kids, and I would stay here for the weekend, eliminating the cost of the fourth ticket and the dog boarding, and that would be AWESOME, but, I just can't imagine it. Josie on her own would be one thing. Her going would be fine, really, but there's no way I'd let Patrick do something like that. You have to watch him every second lately, and at a house on a lake, I wouldn't put it past him to decide to take a midnight swim. Plus, he'd be living with Shawn, and with his temper, I can see how Patrick would push his buttons immediately and repeatedly. I would worry about it the whole time. I could let Josie go, I suppose, but there's no one there for her to play with, since she's the only cousin her age, and the only other girl is 2, so I think after a couple of days the charm would wear off. It was pretty much a no-brainer for us to refuse, really.

DH told his mom yesterday at the gathering for Josie's b-day, and she actually said, 'well, maybe someday you'll be able to let them go for awhile.' !!!!! He replied that she could have them anytime she wanted at her house, and she didn't see what the difference was! Um, only about A THOUSAND MILES!!! If one of them broke another arm (God forbid), I would be there before they were even seen in the ER, versus the entire day's worth of travel it would take me to get to their house on the lake. Sheesh, woman! His family is loony, I swear.