Wait...yall are together?

About 5 years ago my kidlet's dad and I split up. It was a very sad time and it was really hard on everyone involved. I'm still sad about it. Fortunately, we had a very civil, smooth divorce process. Heck, when it came time to go to court to finalize everything, we sat together until it was our turn to stand before the judge. I never wanted any nastiness and it was extremely important to me for he and I to remain friends. I had spent 1/2 my life with him for Pete's sake and we had the kids to think about. At first he was really angry with me and didn't want much to do with me which I can perfectly understand but after a while, he mellowed and now I think we have a very nice relationship.

This past weekend, I was taking young kidlet to his house for the week and I proposed that the three of us go to dinner together at a local hamburger joint where our oldest kidlet works. We proceeded to walk to the restaurant and have dinner then roam around the center where the restaurant was located because there was a festival going on. As we were strolling we came across some old friends that we hadn't seen in a long time. While we were catching up, I mentioned to my friend that I had remarried 3 years ago. She was completely flabbergasted that I was remarried and yet there I was, strolling and having a nice time with my ex.

I've encountered quite a few people that seem surprised that me and my ex can enjoy one another's company and have nice times together with our children. I say "why the heck not??" It's good for our kids to know that we can still be friends, they have a good knowledge of what parents do for their children and how they work together and above all else it shows them that no matter what happens between Mom and Dad, the kid comes first. And Mom and Dad will always be there for them.

I've been witness to many contentious divorces among my friends and in the end it seems like the people that get hurt the most are the kids. The parents knowingly or not put their kids into the fight and I don't think that it's right at all. The kids didn't ask for their parents to break up. They didn't ask to be shuffled from one parent's house to the other. They didn't ask for a setup where they have to contend with refereeing the parents. And THAT is why I want to do everything in my power to show my kids that their dad and I are a united front. And we can actually get along. Just because we broke up, we can still be friends and do things together with our kids. Because that's how we started out and that's how we'll finish.

What Kind of Drunk Are You?

I've posted plenty about my love of beer and while I'd like to say that I never really over indulge, it's happened once or twice (or 12 times) in my lifetime. For reasons unknown I let my mind wander and examined the different phases of tipsy-ness that might or might not have happened to me in the past.

First, there's the happy, loving, 'let's have fun' kind of tipsy.

This is the kind of tipsy that I can appreciate. I'm not hurting anyone, I'm happy in my own little world and I'll be a great buddy to hang around with. I've cooked some of my best dinners when I was in this phase. And I would be willing to feed anyone and everyone who crossed my path because I want all of the people around me to enjoy and share the happiness. And I love to sing. I'm not sure how great that is for the people around me, but I've had a blast getting on stage and belting my heart out.

I must admit that I've had other kinds of moments while tipsy as well. I can get a little...mischievous.

That's when my inner bad girl comes out and I'm tempted to prank people. I don't prank harmfully - I'm a nice pranker. I do silly stuff like fill people's cars with packing peanuts or wrap their bars of soap in plastic wrap where it's not obvious and laugh as they try to figure out why the soap isn't sudsing. I may or may not have been known to put a little bit of olive oil on doorknobs or stuff the end of the toothpaste tube with salt or short sheet a bed or two, or hide behind bushes and jump out and scream as cars pass. Maybe. I might have done some of those things in the past.

I might have had a tipsy or two where I was a daredevil. Maybe. You know the old adage about having a few cans of courage? Yeah. I have the scars to prove it. My dirt biking skills were really put to the test after a few cans. And car surfing is something that I'd never do normally but might have done in my youth. Heaven forbid if my kids ever even think of doing the stupid stuff I've done.

I think that my most recurring tipsy is the love bug tipsy.

I love everyone and would give them anything. You like my new priceless, super rare, only one in the world ring? Please, take it! I insist!

I once traded a really nice pair of expensive gold earrings for a pair that were made out of plastic beads and sea shells. I regretted it the next day. But I don't take things back. You can't accuse me of being an Indian giver. I've been at friends' houses and our beer supply was running low so I zipped out to the store and rather than buying a 6-pack or 12-pack I bought 2 cases. I drank two then left the rest at their house. I've done that a lot of times. I'm kinda thinking that I'd like that to happen at MY house once in a while. Sort of recoup my losses. I've given away jewelry, clothes, furniture, a clock, shoes and more. If someone takes a shine to something that I have and they really, really love it, I'll give it to them. I want them to be as happy and in love as I am.

I draw the line at hanging and slobbering all over people. I won't do that. I'll hug and I'll give kisses but I'm not sloppy about it. And I don't get right up in yo' grill when we're talking either. I'm always worried about spewing beer breath - yuck. I've been beer breath-ed and spittled on way too many times and know to keep my distance. Yep, I'm a real princess. A love bug princess. Of course, that's only when I'm drinking which isn't that often (once a week or more ;-)   ) Don't go getting all indignant on me now. I can almost bet cash money you've been there at least once. And if you ever get that way again, let me know and we can give hugs to one another. Maybe I'll give you my shoes or something.