Holy Crazy Life Batman!

Things at the Restless Mama and Bambino house have been a bit busy but in a good way.

I've been pretty busy with my full time job and my freelancing. It's been odd not being able to regularly post something here. But I don't feel guilty about it - I just miss it. The writing. The posting photos. The ranting and raving.

But I have been sending some mobile photos of the Bambino to my Tumblr and Posterous accounts. I still update Facebook. Every now and then I have a moment to check on my Tweeps (yep, I just went Tweeky Twitter on you!!). So I haven't totally let go of my narcissistic ways. *wink*

I love me some mircoblogging but it's just hard to find time to keep the motivation and momentum of writing. Especially during the holidays.

Oh yeah about that. So funny thing. I knew what I was getting for my favorite people on the mainland. I can't say what I got them because they read this blog but I go them at craft fairs, from one of my websites and a little aisle from Target. Oh and my theme? Well the awesome thing about living in Hawaii or any foreign place is that you can make a foreign theme out of your holiday gifts. But it's especially great when you live in Hawaii because what American doesn't like a good gift from the beautiful South Pacific islands of Hawai'i? Yeah, I thought so. So my favorite people are getting a little treat of aloha this holiday season. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!

The only thing? The one thing? The it? Is that I don't have any shipping money. I mean yeah I totally saved on those gifts that I bought because I shopped locally. But yeah I forgot about the shipping part. The part where you need to have that extra cash to send those gifts to those far-away-lands because HEY! You don't live on the mainland anymore! You live on an island! Far, far away from any continent! Far away from your favorite people!

So my sister and cousins in Massachusetts? LATE! My best friends in Seattle and Spokane, WA? LATE! My beloved surrogate family in Norway? LATE! Oh and my Philadelphia family who celebrate Hannukah? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY LATE!

Don't even get me started on my holiday cards. The cute little Hawaiian themed holiday cards! LATE! Because I don't have any stamps to put on them.

Yep. This part of being a single mom. The part where you're pretty much dirt poor because a) you live in Hawai'i, b) have a priority to feed and clothe that beloved little person and c) your full time job doesn't pay all that well - yeah that part? That part sucks donkey balls!

Donkey. Balls! Donkey balls!

But hey. It's the thought that counts, right?

Errrrr....I suppose. I hate being late. The only people that I'm not going to be late for are my parents - the most important besides the Bambino - who by the way I still haven't decided if I'm going to get this toy or that toy. And my family here on the islands.

Oh but wait. I still haven't gotten gifts for two people. [BIG sigh of disappointment in self] I'll get them this weekend but I hate, hate, HATE shopping during this time of the year. I learned a few years ago that shopping in December is crazy. Like insane asylum crazy. Like I want to not only rip out my hair but the person standing next to me in line or the person grabbing the same thing as I am. Shopping in December is for the crazy people! So yeah. I'm going to be one of those people this weekend.

So to my favorite people on the mainland and lands far away. How about a HAPPY NEW YEAR! present?

Patriotistm, schmatriotism

I recently received an e-mail talking about the "Eid" (a Muslim holiday) postage stamp and how we Americans should boycott it because apparently ALL Muslims are terrorists. To use such a stamp to mail a letter would be unpatriotic.

Hmmmm.....

Then what about the Catholics? Should we not boycott stamps with any of the Popes or Madonna & child on it as well? You know because of the Inquisition. Though it didn't happen in the U.S. - it happened, many people died and many were expelled from their home. And that is not at all what America is about...right?

How about Protestants/Puritans? Many were killed on American soil because they were...witches! Perhaps we shouldn't celebrate Halloween? Perhaps we should ban Protestants?

Or wait, how about this: boycott any and all types of businesses, religious groups, and communities in the whole of the United States because really...this land belongs to the Native Americans. How about that? We could just give back the land to them and then the WE can live on RESERVATIONS! Tax free and autonomous government. How does that sound?

Oo oo!! I might even take it further and tell all of the non-native Hawaiians to get off of the islands - go Akaka bill on them. You know because the United States of America stepped on the Hawaiian soil and said, "Hey! Let's imprison this land's Queen and take over the territory and gain money off of it. Leave the natives poor and full of syhpillis. That sounds pretty patriotic - not at all like the founding fathers were trying to escape. Right?"

Another bothersome note in the e-mail was that the issuance of this stamp was directed by President Obama.

Ummm....

This stamp has been around for about eight years or so. If my memory serves me right Obama was not the incumbent president EIGHT years ago, was he?

Just askin'.

Now some of you know how I feel about religion and I'll most likely never reveal my political views (at least on here) but I am very, very, VERY against people spreading hate messages regarding a people's faith and/or political views. I'm also very, very, VERY against publicly ridiculing our country's representative (even if I don't like them) because we're obviously not the president for a good reason.

You tell me if you're able to step into the Oval Office and do Mr. Obama's (or any of the past presidents') job for even 5 minutes. If you're capable of doing such a task then maybe, MAYBE you'll be able to say a few trashy words but not publicly, not through an e-mail, not through any venue actually. Just to yourself. To do so publicly is the true step against patriotism.

Last time I checked we were still a free country so I think all of the presidents have done their job. But if you don't like the president so much then get involved in your communities government and then work your way to your own presidency.

So whoever generated the rumor is the person who is not at all what this country stands for and is therefore one of the most unpatriotic persons to be on U.S. soil.

Just sayin'.

Texting is Evil!

Texting is one of the worst things that people do in this world.

Seriously, I cannot stand text messages! Ask my old coworkers about my, "Do not text me unless if you're dying" rule.

It's an insane thing to do in my opinion. I'm an old fashioned pick up the phone and speak kind of gal.

The only instance that I do text is when I was going into labor and wanted to let my people know at once without having to dial, pickup, and speak to 5 different people. I've got other things on my mind!

I remember Tattoo Man texted me all the time! Texted me when we would meet up and where. Texted me that he wanted to kiss me. Blah blah blah. Really? Isn't there a better way to tell a gal that you want to peck her on the lips? Oh yeah that's CALLING! Not texting. Sorry to do a little lashing at you Tattoo Man.

Don't even get me started in SEXTING! Oh yeah that's a great way to arouse me. What a joke.

And then there's the folks who text you long ass messages taking up 2 messages in my inbox making me pay $0.04 more on my phone bill. I mean hello people single mom I only want to pay X amount of dollars on my phone bill thanks.

Or the people that send me text after text after text in a 5 minute span! We could've had a live, speaking conversation that would've only taken 1 minute and way less thumb usage.

Oh and the texts from my phone company thanking me that I paid. Yeah, why don't you just thank me online when I pay my bill online and leave it at that - it's free online! Stop trying to steal more of my hard earned single mama money - corporate a_ _holes!

The worst are the people sitting next to me and texting me. [Dude, this movie's boring let's bail.] Of course I don't get the text until AFTER the movie and the person who went to the movie is all pissy with me because I didn't answer their text. DUDE! I'm sitting right next to you - whisper in my ear! Did you somehow lose your voice in the span of two hours. Two hours where we didn't speak to each other at all. Two hours of you in no way using your vocal chords. Seriously, what's wrong with you? This is why I go to the movies by myself.

I hate texting.

I enjoy real conversations over the phone but I favor conversations in person more.

So for those of who have my number - I'm going back to my old rule but adjusting it a little.

ONLY TEXT ME WHEN YOU'RE DEAD.

(Image from HelleM at iStockphoto)

Single Parenting and Money

What I'm doing to earn some extra $$$:

• Freelance social networking/marketing;
• Babysitting;
• Just sold some old baby stuff; and
• Writing articles (I've got my game face on now).

What I'm doing (or did) to help supplement my income:

• Applied for WIC (got accepted)
• Applied for Food Stamps
• Applying for financial aid for when the Bambino starts school or could otherwise be read as registering his Hawaiian background to the Kamehameha school system
• Applying for QLCC aid to help pay for childcare

But guess what...things are about to change but even so I'm still applying and trying to get any help I can get.

Why?  Because living in Hawai'i sucks - the cost of living is way beyond what people make around here...especially this single mama.  So a mama's gotta do, what a mama's gotta do to stay afloat.

Here's hoping the great change will happen in the next few weeks.

Mind Slip

While interviewing a potential babysitter for Friday morning, Admissions Day:

Potential babysitter - Umm, I won't be able to meet until after 3:00 pm tomorrow (today, Thursday). I have classes until that time.

Me - That's ok because I work during the days anyway.

Potential babysitter (in a very surprised manner) - Oh really?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yep, why else would I need a babysitter in the morning? Thankfully, I'm meeting with another girl who doesn't sound like an idiot.

Unsolicited advice from cranky solicitors

Thankfully since my start of motherhood I haven't received much unsolicited advice on how to raise the Bambino but those few times that I have...oh man do they sting.

Cranky advice giver - Do you understand why you have nightmares about accidentally forgetting your son? Or why you have guilt issues of not having a father in his life? Do you realize that you're only hurting him but not going out? You're going to turn him into a Mama's Boy! [read, "Do you get that I'm pretty much calling you an insufficient & inefficient mother?]

Me - Uh...buh?!?!

It's usually (older) family members who prick their venomous stingers in my chest and (forgive the mixed metaphors) pound you with a club on the head making you inable to respond with any kind of rational response. Now I'm not sure if this family member just said this because they were upset that I didn't go out shopping with my other family, leaving the cranky family member with alone time with the Bambino. I don't care what their reason, I didn't ask for their advice and probably never will considering certain facts.

People tell me to take anything that people say, in a negative form, with a grain of salt. Easier said than done when it comes to family. For me I want to honor my family and make them feel secure and confident when it comes to me. Sure I've done a few things in my past that some would consider flaky but if that's the worst that I've done then so be it.

Yes, I'd rather hang out with my son on the weekends than go out and party or go shopping. That's what parents do, they teach their children, discipline them, laugh with them, hug them, provide for them, and love them. Just because I'm a single mom doesn't mean that I can't do all of all of those things. Couple parents vs. single parents - that shouldn't even be allowed to be uttered. Parents are parents and the majority of them do their duties the best that they can, whether they're single or partnered.

I had nightmares of forgetting the Bambino because that's what a lot of new mothers do - they fear that they just might fuck things up. My pangs of guilt of him not having a father influence currently have subsided because he's got my brother, my uncles, and his Poppie to be the male influences that he needs. I don't leave the Bambino much on weekends because that is the only time that we can have a good amount of time together plus when else am I going to get the chance to swim with him in a lagoon or watch him take his first steps? And if he becomes a mama's boy then so be it, most guys are anyway.

How do you handle unsolicited advice?