Guess who called me today? LilZ! I try not to bother him at his Dad’s so it’s nice that he called today. And guess what he told me? His Dad let him do all of his Christmas shopping for himself! I told him it’s like every child’s dream come true, to do their own Christmas shopping for their own presents. He was talking like he was on cloud nine he was so excited. It was hilarious.

He also talked about how much fun he’s had so far, and how much fun he’s going to have. Movies, and food, and play, and games, and presents, and books, and more movies and more fun. I am so happy he’s enjoying himself.

But not really.

I kinda wish he was miserable without me.

He’s totally grounded when he gets home. For not missing me enough.

I actually told MrZ yesterday that I didn’t care if he didn’t want to leave early morning for Georgia tomorrow, that NikkiZ will sleep for the trip if we leave early and, “I care WAAAY more about her happiness than yours.”

I know…I know…it sounds harsh. He thought so too.

But - the translation for that is, “Listen, she’ll scream bloody murder the entire four hour drive to Atlanta if we don’t put ourselves on the road when she would normally be sleeping. You’ll be driving so I’ll be the one in the back seat trying to appease her with songs about poop and funny faces. I’ll be failing miserably as she screams the entire time, looking at me like I’m evil for not getting her OUT OF THE DAMN CAR ALREADY. This will make me a tad bit homicidal and at any pee stop we make, I’m likely to kill you in a fit of desperation and rage for you making us leave late.”

Now that you hear the truth, dont you think the first translation is a lot more kind?

Guess what I just did? No, I didn’t change a diaper. No, I didn’t do a load of laundry. And HELL no, I didn’t wrap another present…I just went to dinner at a restaraunt with a friend of mine. A grown up friend. No kids. No husbands. Just her and I and gossip and bitching and it was the most wonderful thing and I didn’t want to leave. Ever.

And then my boob (just one, because why be normal?) started leaking. And I remembered that where my mind is more than just a mother? My boobs are all mom all the time.

No, really. I went to dinner with one of my BFFs and I think it’s been almost four months since she and I did anything alone and that is a DAMN SHAME. We caught up on each other’s lives (her: work work work. me: drool vomit poop), on gossip in the families, and on our husbands and how their annoying habits have changed in the last few months. It was refreshing and wonderful and as much as I love my family and especially my children, I love them MORE after I’ve been reminded that there is more in life than just them. Being able to act like something other than a Mom for an hour was the pick-me-up I needed.

Bitching with my best friend: it’s like crack, but not as bad on your teeth.

This blanket was mailed to me by my uncle T. He’s my Dad’s older brother and I dont think he made a blanket for anyone in our family before this one. Uncle T is the LAST person you would expect to know how to crochet (or is this knitting? Can you tell by the stitch) and he does it VERY well. I felt very honored to have received one and wonder what I need to do to make sure I get one with EVERY child that is born to my family. Or is that rude…”Thanks for the blanket, don’t forget to make me more!”

I always really loved Uncle T growing up. He was just a cool uncle that had a great laugh, told great stories, referred to my grandparents (his parents) as The Old Lady and The Old Man, and drank beer. And as a kid? That’s all you need. I sent him a handmade Thank You card (it’s a new hobby, I really suck at it) and I hope the sentiment came through as to how much I love the blanket. I’m never really sure that I come off as grateful enough because where I’m brilliant at telling stories about my ASS SWEAT, I clam up when it comes to sappy thank-yous.

NikkiZ has gotten some of the coolest gifts. This shirt is from RSM and in case you can’t read it, it says “My Mom’s tattoos are cooler than your Mom’s”.

Which, of course, they are.

They’ll be even cooler when I finalize the design for the one with NikkiZ’s name that will be part of the one I already have with LilZ’s name on it. I got my first tattoo 12 years ago. I have a total of three today, I’d have more if I could afford it.

My parents are so proud.