I've turned into my momma

Yes it's my turn to say uh-oh as I laugh at other parents going through things with their children. My beautiful, bright/slacker daughters have reached that fork in the road of teenaged jackassery. They don't know it but they lead a very charmed life for this day and age. They don't HAVE to take the school bus in the mornings when it's cold as heck outside. Mom will occasionally stop at the donut shop, or bk on the way to school and I even let them control my radio some mornings. Having recently turned 13 they finally got a "real" cell phone for their birthday a few months ago (the "go" phone wasn't real). They had always been good students making honor roll, last year they were inducted into the national jr honor society. After a move the beginning of the school year they actually changed schools 3 times in about 2 weeks (the schools screw up, not mine) but we managed to survive. They got settled in and even made some new friends, all the while the girls were reminded to keep their grades up and stay focused on school. Their grades had even been okay since the beginning of the school year. For some reason they were under the impression that 13 is the new 18, but the parental units weren't going for it.

Every day they are asked the routine questions 1)how was school, 2)have any homework 3)what is it, 4)what's going on at school. Well the other night the girls are chillin' on the PS2 and having a good time when their dad busts in the door and says "turn the tv off and give up your cell phone, now". I'm thinking he has finally flipped out and gone crazy (that's another story). No that wasn't it, in the mail we had received letters that that girls are on ACADEMIC PROBATION! WHAT??!!! They of course managed to get that blank faced stare as if the letter was written in swahili, then they both wanted to read it as if the words would change and the letters would be addressed to another family. NOT! These little hags have slacked themselves right into academic probation. Academic probation says future welfare recipients, working at rainbow clothing with no benefits. Some people work some jobs because they have to, but damnit my kids will be able to work anywhere and do anything as long as they apply themselves. It's time for a new life lesson so for now no more tv, no cell phone, and no social activities outside of these 4 walls and immediate family. They look like they don't care, but if they know like I know they will get straight because life is hard when you piss of the parental units. If they don't show any type of remorse or improvement by next week I am going to make them take the bus to school. Let my little pampered princesses remember what it's like to stand outside in the elements at 7am when it's about 37 degrees waiting on a bus that's 20 minutes late. Did I mention parent-teacher conferences are next week? It may just be time for those good old skool ass beatings. Remember when your momma would beat you while she was talking to you? And she would beat your ass to the rhythm of what she was saying? I need to do a little yoga, because I think I am going to have to handle some business with them. These damn kids, I need a drink. Where's my citrus SKyy?

Friendship

Friends are what? People you've known for years? People who've seen you through good and bad? People who know your dirty secrets and still love you for the person you are WAY deep inside? Those who co-sign on your every word, or those who condemn you EVERY time you do wrong? I have learned that I have some pretty good friends that I've picked up along the way in life and didn't even realize it.

My good friends are those who snicker when I do wrong, but let me know "btw you know you're out of line". Those who can hear it in my voice when I look okay, but sound like my puppy got run over. A true friend hears your voice, looks at your face, but sees your heart. True friendship is not telling people what they want to hear it's telling the barebottom truth no matter how it feels. Not leaving your people out in the cold, and no matter how you feel wanting the best for that person. Good friends really are hard to find some will throw you under the bus for a drink, a date, sex (great or not so great), or because they don't have anything better to do. I don't know about you but I'm over 35 and it's time to evaluate, cut my losses and really get on with my life. Those who listen and care are the ones to keep. It's not only time to check my friends, but it's time to make sure that I'm being a friend. It's 2009 take a minute and start checking who's got YOUR back. Is it friend or faker?