Remember when life was simple? I do.
-I played with Barbie and bathed with Mr.Bubbles
-I spent more time outside after school than inside, and if I had to stay inside I was active by doing Mousercize or Get in Shape Girl...
-Bo and Hope were happily in love (Had to get my Days of Our Lives reference in there)
-Almost every popular love song was a duet with Peabo Bryson
-Every other song after that was by Whitney Houston
And that was just the 80's.
Then there was the 90's-WOW.
-First of all, who put Z Cavaricci's on and thought those were a good idea?
-Combat boots or Doc Martens ...which are coming back in style-and I only know this because my little cousin was out searching for a pair while visiting NOLA a few weekends ago. Good grief Charlie Brown, what else is going to make a comeback, flannel and rat tails?!
-High Waisted Jeans - Ladies, most probably from the Limited.
But while all the above catastrophes were happening around me, I was in for some good times too.
-I started/graduated High School
-I got a drivers license..notice I didn't say learned how to drive because according to Progressive I am still working towards that goal.
-I experienced my first boyfriend,first kiss,my first unsupervised party
-I got grounded for not admitting that I was at a party, and then got grounded while being grounded for not obeying my grounded rules. After that, I didn't much listen to anybody's authority. Life Lessons Learned!!
I am not trying to get all nostalgic, sit around the camp fire and exchange tall tales of a younger me. But the common denominator of the above was that they all took place in a simpler time in life.
Lately I have been very unhappy at my job.. a lot has to do with the commute, but not everything. See, ever since I was a little girl and would play with the aforementioned Barbie dolls, I always had a dilemma on which Barbie to play with. Unless they were specifically themed, like Western Barbie or Beach Barbie (Gidget was really her name, Malibu was way past my prime)I would really only play with Regular (whom I made Housewife)Barbie and "Career" Barbie. "Career" Barbie had one suit. It was pink with white trim and she had accesorized with a briefcase and a scarf. At night you could turn her skirt inside out and I guess she could become Happy Hour Barbie? Anyway, I would have nothing of the sort..why not just leave career Barbie as is, and dress regular Barbie in anything you wanted. After all she had a dream house with a dream closet and pink convertible..the b#%^h really did have it all. I remember being plagued by these decisions-does Barbie want to have a career where she wears suits and high heels everyday, or a career where she takes care of her dream home and finally marries Ken, has babies, and has her family members Skipper and Courtney occasionally come and stay....
As I got older and stopped playing with Barbies, I started thinking about these "career" decisions I would eventually have to make. I would always think back to the Barbie Dilemma and could never decide, heels or housewife. I had time, surely I had time to decide these things.
Fast Forward to my first counselor visit in JD at LSU: "What would you like to declare as a major?" "Undecided." I have time, I have time.
72 hours of college credit under my belt, two 1/2 majors later, starting to get in panic mode. I should have flipped a frikin coin.
Present day. I most definitely have made my decision. I would like to be Betty Draper Barbie. But poor decisions and bad economy have forced me to become Melanie Griffith Barbie minus the Harrison Ford.
I admire those women who truly can juggle it all. Those who can have a career that requires you to wear panty hose and maintain a home/family takes a lot. But again, my idea of career and homemaker are both on the extreme side and the idea of what a career should be is subjective.
I strive to be the best wife that I can be. I would love to have supper on the table, clothes washed and folded, and the house immaculate. But the reality is, I leave before him and he gets home before I do. I still am the one to come home and cook, and clean, and nurture. I mean if I could do it all, I would. I just plain and simply do not have that much energy to have two careers. Furthermore, I don't think Barbie did either. That is why Mattell marketed different types.
Think about it:
Barbie may have had a dream house, but who cleaned it while career Barbie was at work, then out turning her skirt inside out? And Career Barbie may have had an exciting job, but that was because it was fictonal and you could make it up. I am fairly certain that career Barbie's instructions never came with: Works too hard for not enough money 40+ hours a week. Also, will never break through that proverbial glass ceiling because she doesn't have man parts. Well guess what, neither does Ken. How depressing is that??
Career Barbie also wasn't limited to a corporate job. Remember the ice cream parlor? Again, instructions never came with makes minimum wage, don't forget to tip for an extra scoop! And then you had to pick up all 138 small pieces to the parlor. I don't think I ever worked so hard playing and eating ice cream.
While there was never really a Barbie named Housewife Barbie, we all turned her into a Matriarch. She had a nucleur family. Barbie played many roles-Wife, Mother, Sister. She was indeed the "Man" as ironic as that sounds. Sure, her life wasn't perfect- she always had to keep one eye open with that one Ken. The equivalent of Smurfette I suppose.
She could drive with her top down(mainly because she didn't have one to put up)to the store, to pick up her kids, or go for a family joy ride. She could wear whatever she wanted, although mine almost always never had shoes on because they were tiny and bothersome, not to mention they didn't stay on her feet. Bottom line, she wasn't confined to uniformity and guidelines. To 8-5, to no denim until Friday.
Anyhoo, I believe that I have made my point. I believe a career is something that you should love doing. For me, I want to be a full time wife and eventually a Mother. When someone tells you that they are a stay at home wife, parent, whatever...odds are they work harder than you give them credit and never have a quitting time! So don't turn your nose up at those who aspire to stay at home and "not work". Nobody ever said anything about not working....
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...
For the Fourth of July, the Six Pack of Crazies http://cajuncanadycrazies.blogspot.com/ revisited Walt Disney World for a very quick trip. We love Disney World simply because there is something magical about it. Now mind you, going as adults to WDW is a totally different experience than toting toddlers around the Happiest Place on Earth. I have never been with children, but I can't wait to in the future with our own. Every time we go, I get emotional watching the expressions/reactions on children's faces. Whether it be a first visit , a hug of your favorite character, or just a "I am eating the best soft serve ice cream on the planet before lunch and loving it" reaction, it is awesome to see so much joy brought to so many people at one time.
With that being said, here is some Disney gumbo that I think you will enjoy.
Poor Unfortunate Souls: http://www.thelittlemermaid.com/
Before I say anything, I am not a parent yet. These are just my opinions based on real world(TRUE STORY) experiences. First of all, you and your child (ren) are in Disney World. A bull in a China Shop is less distracting. Please, Please, Please don't yell, spank, or yank your child back in the stroller because they can't contain their excitement in the Magic Kingdom . We are in our 30's and couldn't contain ourselves. Chances are your child is too young to understand patience and waiting. Side note: If you can't handle your child who can't handle waiting, you clearly have brought them to the wrong place. I can think of way more places I wouldn't want to be waiting-traffic and the dmv are the first to come to mind.
I would be ok if this kid fell into a chocolate river like Augustus Gloop:
In a case where action Should be taken:Please don't let siblings "fight it out" on a ride everyone else is trying to enjoy. Discipline your children please. I witnessed the worst behaved child aggravate his little sister, then he punched his Mom-and she let him. WTF?? I had to move and express my aggravation to Casey how I couldn't even enjoy a steamboat ride along Tom Sawyers Island. I got over it quickly because,well, we were in Disney World and luckily I wasn't hungry at the time, which makes me cranky anywhere.
In the words of Stephanie Tanner: HOW RUDE!
Next tip: When you see someone going to get in line for a service (to get a photo in front of Cinderella's castle for example) don't run to beat the couple that doesn't even know there is a race. Casey and I just wanted a picture from the photo pass guy in front of the castle donning our Just Married pins and this OLD lady did just that. And...she didn't even have any kids. She posed by herself with her hands on her hips sporting cutt off jorts and high top double velcro Reebok's-white. You know the ones, we all had a pair.
When life hands you lemons, make a lemon drop shot.
If you are going to get loaded from having an adult beverage in all 11 countries in the World Showcase at Epcot, please do not scream out your most likely- loaded as well- missing significant others name while there is oohing and ahhing over the best fireworks I have witnessed to date. You want to see someone get kicked off of Disney properties, act like an Alabama fan. Which I am certain was this guy.
It's the truth, it's actual, Everything is satisfactual: http://www.songofthesouth.net/
Don't act shocked and get angry when you get wet on a water ride. While it is ok to get aggravated if you are soaking wet in February, lighten up when it is July. To most, it probably feels refreshing. I'm just sayin. Carry a bag and have a sturdy poncho, believe me they are well worth the investment. Also, take off your hats and sunglasses or they will go to the mecca of lost items. Casey and I learned that first hand. The February scenario really happened to us on Splash Mountain. It was freezing....we were sitting in the front seat...and we went on it a couple of times in a row. We deserved it.
Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down: http://www.marypoppins.com/ Enjoy yourself. Lighten up if you're wound tight. Look around and soak it all in. If you are such a sourpuss and the happy virus is one that you can't catch, then you are not suited for this experience.
Son to Father: (in British accent): Dad, I don't want to see this show.
Father to son (in same British accent): Oh, Shut-Up!
While it is totally outrageous for an American parent to tell their child to shut up, we found it perfectly hilarious that the Brits could get away with it.
Les Poissons: http://www.thelittlemermaid.com/
Try different foods in the countries, we had a Churro in Mexico, A Danish Pretzel in Norway with a Viking Coffee, Eggrolls in China, a Brat in Germany, an Italian Margarita in Italy, dinner in France and it was awesome. If anyone is going soon and plans to eat in France, ask for Vincent-he was fabulous.
Hakuna Matata: http://www.lionking.com/
Don't miss the shows and the fireworks at the end of the night. Yes, you may have had a 15 hour day in the park and are exhausted but it is well worth hanging in there a little bit longer.
While sleep is essential, as Casey says, you can sleep when you are dead.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=2698715&id23430279
(until I figure out how to post pics, here is a link to the photos Lizzi took)
With that being said, here is some Disney gumbo that I think you will enjoy.
Poor Unfortunate Souls: http://www.thelittlemermaid.com/
Before I say anything, I am not a parent yet. These are just my opinions based on real world(TRUE STORY) experiences. First of all, you and your child (ren) are in Disney World. A bull in a China Shop is less distracting. Please, Please, Please don't yell, spank, or yank your child back in the stroller because they can't contain their excitement in the Magic Kingdom . We are in our 30's and couldn't contain ourselves. Chances are your child is too young to understand patience and waiting. Side note: If you can't handle your child who can't handle waiting, you clearly have brought them to the wrong place. I can think of way more places I wouldn't want to be waiting-traffic and the dmv are the first to come to mind.
I would be ok if this kid fell into a chocolate river like Augustus Gloop:
In a case where action Should be taken:Please don't let siblings "fight it out" on a ride everyone else is trying to enjoy. Discipline your children please. I witnessed the worst behaved child aggravate his little sister, then he punched his Mom-and she let him. WTF?? I had to move and express my aggravation to Casey how I couldn't even enjoy a steamboat ride along Tom Sawyers Island. I got over it quickly because,well, we were in Disney World and luckily I wasn't hungry at the time, which makes me cranky anywhere.
In the words of Stephanie Tanner: HOW RUDE!
Next tip: When you see someone going to get in line for a service (to get a photo in front of Cinderella's castle for example) don't run to beat the couple that doesn't even know there is a race. Casey and I just wanted a picture from the photo pass guy in front of the castle donning our Just Married pins and this OLD lady did just that. And...she didn't even have any kids. She posed by herself with her hands on her hips sporting cutt off jorts and high top double velcro Reebok's-white. You know the ones, we all had a pair.
When life hands you lemons, make a lemon drop shot.
If you are going to get loaded from having an adult beverage in all 11 countries in the World Showcase at Epcot, please do not scream out your most likely- loaded as well- missing significant others name while there is oohing and ahhing over the best fireworks I have witnessed to date. You want to see someone get kicked off of Disney properties, act like an Alabama fan. Which I am certain was this guy.
It's the truth, it's actual, Everything is satisfactual: http://www.songofthesouth.net/
Don't act shocked and get angry when you get wet on a water ride. While it is ok to get aggravated if you are soaking wet in February, lighten up when it is July. To most, it probably feels refreshing. I'm just sayin. Carry a bag and have a sturdy poncho, believe me they are well worth the investment. Also, take off your hats and sunglasses or they will go to the mecca of lost items. Casey and I learned that first hand. The February scenario really happened to us on Splash Mountain. It was freezing....we were sitting in the front seat...and we went on it a couple of times in a row. We deserved it.
Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down: http://www.marypoppins.com/ Enjoy yourself. Lighten up if you're wound tight. Look around and soak it all in. If you are such a sourpuss and the happy virus is one that you can't catch, then you are not suited for this experience.
Zero sense of urgency, Courtney
(Casey made up that diddy about me, because I am in no rush ever.) Don't skip over attractions. While some most certainly can be used as "breaks", don't sell your experience short. Hall of Presidents now has Obama and Captain EO starring Michael Jackson is back at Epcot. and Yes...Captain EO is just as ridiculous as it was in the 80's, Stephanie called it the Xanadu of Epcot, but it was neat to see a retro attraction. You are there anyway, what else do you have to do??
Son to Father: (in British accent): Dad, I don't want to see this show.
Father to son (in same British accent): Oh, Shut-Up!
While it is totally outrageous for an American parent to tell their child to shut up, we found it perfectly hilarious that the Brits could get away with it.
Les Poissons: http://www.thelittlemermaid.com/
Try different foods in the countries, we had a Churro in Mexico, A Danish Pretzel in Norway with a Viking Coffee, Eggrolls in China, a Brat in Germany, an Italian Margarita in Italy, dinner in France and it was awesome. If anyone is going soon and plans to eat in France, ask for Vincent-he was fabulous.
Hakuna Matata: http://www.lionking.com/
Don't miss the shows and the fireworks at the end of the night. Yes, you may have had a 15 hour day in the park and are exhausted but it is well worth hanging in there a little bit longer.
While sleep is essential, as Casey says, you can sleep when you are dead.
With all that, I think that I will rap it up. I hope that in the very least I have entertained you and maybe even got your wheels spinning about your next vacation spot!
I also owe a shout out to my fellow mouseketeers: Lizzi, Ben, Steph, Tim, and Husband...I am so thankful that we are the perfect combonation for trips and experiences like these.
Thank You Lizzi for always planning these wonderful trips.
Thank You Ben for having the patience of a monk with all these crazies!
Thank You Tim for stopping to read the quotes and truly point out (to me at least) the many small things you wouldn't even think about noticing. But no thank you to leaving items in the safe :)
Thank You Steph for always lagging in the back with me-she has her own diddy too
Thank You Husband for letting us act like children together!
We are all kids at heart!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=2698715&id23430279
(until I figure out how to post pics, here is a link to the photos Lizzi took)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
525,600 Minutes x 10...
Courtney's ChronicAls are back. I have missed the group conversations about nothing...the rants and vents about meaningless social media, and of course the outlet for which I can say what's on my mind and get away with it like my Granparents do!
For those who remember, and I know who you are..here is the next Courtney Chronical since I was living in Houma and working at McDonalds-uhmm, Max Foods Mgt, LLC.
Alot has changed since I last wrote one of these things. As I mentioned, I used to live in Houma and work in the administrative part of the locally owned McDonalds. I no longer do that. I decided to go back to school and finish my degree and be closer to Casey (my now Husband). We finally finished school and then moved back home to New Orleans. A month later we were engaged and a year and a half later -we got married. I am giving the unabriged version of these events, but believe me my art of story telling on these subjects will be sure to give you a good read later on.
So, yada yada yada-we live in NOLA and I work on the Northshore in Covington. If you know me, you know that there is nothing ordinary about me-I commute to work. That is not the kicker...I am a Causeway cruiser. I own a toll tag and thus far have avoided all of the causeway police speed traps. I drive 45-60 minutes twice a day to the most over-populated place on earth and I arrive at work to process and dispatch car repossessions. Yes, I went from McD's to a Car Reposession career. I must say though...it is not always an uninteresting job. I have gotten repo orders for local celebrities-mostly in the NOLA area of course. It always causes a stir when you get to scream to the next office " just got an order for C#a##e#s #ra#t"-but don't worry, if your name comes across my desk, I won't tell anyone. Confidentiality.
Besides the commute, the Northshore isn't terrible. Most of my Family lives on this side of the lake now and I can't complain about the shops in downtown Covington. Also, Nonna Randazzo's is right up the road and she serves Randazzo King Cakes all year round.
My original reasoning for writing these (what used to be Friday afternoon) emails was to keep contact with all of the people that have been in and out of my life. I have gotten some of the best advice from Chronical followers, such as "Relationships take work". If I see someone that I haven't seen in a long time, the Chronicals usually get brought up. It makes me feel good that something I did stuck out. If that makes sense. So with that, I hope that this 2010 way of Chronicalling helps those who have stayed in contact remain and those who may have lost touch reconnect. Here is me trying to work at maintaining relationships.
With that let me say a few things.
I am aware that Chronical is spelled incorrectly. That is a Courtney twist on things.
I hope to hear back from you (whomever is reading this, saying people read this)
I named my title of my first blog after a lyric in the song Seasons of Love, made popular by the Broadway phenomenon RENT (a rock opera based off of La boheme, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson-gotta give credit where credit is due).I love musicals. I listen to the showtunes station often. I owe a shout out to my dear friend Sarah Jones for being my Broadway buddy in college. She was supposed to be helping me with my classes, but our tutoring sessions would often end up opening a bottle of wine and trying to learn the lyrics to a song from Cabaret. I would have aced a class like that, except theatre class at LSU consisted of reciting paragraphs from the freaking The Glass Menagerie. Anyway, I thought 525,600 minutes would be appropriate since this is a "revival" of sorts.
I hope this finds everyone. Happy Fourth of July!
For those who remember, and I know who you are..here is the next Courtney Chronical since I was living in Houma and working at McDonalds-uhmm, Max Foods Mgt, LLC.
Alot has changed since I last wrote one of these things. As I mentioned, I used to live in Houma and work in the administrative part of the locally owned McDonalds. I no longer do that. I decided to go back to school and finish my degree and be closer to Casey (my now Husband). We finally finished school and then moved back home to New Orleans. A month later we were engaged and a year and a half later -we got married. I am giving the unabriged version of these events, but believe me my art of story telling on these subjects will be sure to give you a good read later on.
So, yada yada yada-we live in NOLA and I work on the Northshore in Covington. If you know me, you know that there is nothing ordinary about me-I commute to work. That is not the kicker...I am a Causeway cruiser. I own a toll tag and thus far have avoided all of the causeway police speed traps. I drive 45-60 minutes twice a day to the most over-populated place on earth and I arrive at work to process and dispatch car repossessions. Yes, I went from McD's to a Car Reposession career. I must say though...it is not always an uninteresting job. I have gotten repo orders for local celebrities-mostly in the NOLA area of course. It always causes a stir when you get to scream to the next office " just got an order for C#a##e#s #ra#t"-but don't worry, if your name comes across my desk, I won't tell anyone. Confidentiality.
Besides the commute, the Northshore isn't terrible. Most of my Family lives on this side of the lake now and I can't complain about the shops in downtown Covington. Also, Nonna Randazzo's is right up the road and she serves Randazzo King Cakes all year round.
My original reasoning for writing these (what used to be Friday afternoon) emails was to keep contact with all of the people that have been in and out of my life. I have gotten some of the best advice from Chronical followers, such as "Relationships take work". If I see someone that I haven't seen in a long time, the Chronicals usually get brought up. It makes me feel good that something I did stuck out. If that makes sense. So with that, I hope that this 2010 way of Chronicalling helps those who have stayed in contact remain and those who may have lost touch reconnect. Here is me trying to work at maintaining relationships.
With that let me say a few things.
I am aware that Chronical is spelled incorrectly. That is a Courtney twist on things.
I hope to hear back from you (whomever is reading this, saying people read this)
I named my title of my first blog after a lyric in the song Seasons of Love, made popular by the Broadway phenomenon RENT (a rock opera based off of La boheme, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson-gotta give credit where credit is due).I love musicals. I listen to the showtunes station often. I owe a shout out to my dear friend Sarah Jones for being my Broadway buddy in college. She was supposed to be helping me with my classes, but our tutoring sessions would often end up opening a bottle of wine and trying to learn the lyrics to a song from Cabaret. I would have aced a class like that, except theatre class at LSU consisted of reciting paragraphs from the freaking The Glass Menagerie. Anyway, I thought 525,600 minutes would be appropriate since this is a "revival" of sorts.
I hope this finds everyone. Happy Fourth of July!
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