Kibitz ‘n Bits

posted by Brandy on Jun 6

Once again (begging for forgiveness) it has been way too long since I last posted.  I am so sorry.  I must admit that for the past couple of months I had lost my inspiration.  I had lost my passion to write and more importantly, my zest for humor. 

It has been a strange and tumultuous time for me.  I had lost a very dear friend of mine to a sudden and tragic illness, changed jobs, dealt with some serious health issues with my 7 y/o son, and throughout all of this, I also came to the realization that people who I believed were my friends, and I mean I really, truly, deeply essentially believed they were my FRIENDS for many years – - - actually turned out to be what I refer to as a facade.  And I’m not talking about just one individual but rather two or three.  Sad.  Very, very sad.   <sniff, sniff> 

But I don’t want to dwell on this.  So, let it be said…  Friends come and go.  This I have learned and I am still finding this to be true as I wander through each passing day. 

It is an age old question:  What is a friend? 

Is it someone who sticks by you through thick and thin?  Someone whom you have known for years, whom you have a lot in common with, share similar interests with?  Someone who likes you only because your kids happen to be great buddies?  Or is it someone who genuinely likes you for who you are?  Someone who likes YOU because of your imperfections, your flawed anatomy and, at best, your blemished personality that shines on most days but even on that rare occasion when you don’t feel like being the most “friendliest” person in the room, they understand that you are not perfect and they still like you…  Is that a friend? 

I ask this only because the other day, I learned that I may be inadvertently alienating myself from some of “my friends“ simply because of a bumper sticker that I recently slapped on my car.   From what I understand, my bumper sticker is so offensive that a few of “my friends” are now pondering whether or not they should disassociate themselves from me.  

My bumper sticker reads, “If you’re going to ride my ass, then at least PULL MY HAIR!”

Offensive to some…YES.  Funny…..HELL YES.  I think so! 

That is why I slapped it on my damn car.  And I wouldn’t have done so if it weren’t for all of the other parents who kept riding my ass during morning drop-offs in the car-pool lane at my kids’ school! 

But if that is criteria for “friendship” then I guess the bar has been raised.  I had no idea. 

A few years back, I watched as my sister lost her partner of 15 years tragically and unexpectedly due to a pulmonary embolism.  I then witnessed, firsthand, the wonder and amazement of true friendship.  My sister had friends who stuck by her and supported her through her darkest moments and then, without hesitation, they remained by her side, with continual encouragement and support and then shared in her joy as she later found a new partner.  What is her secret?   I may never know.  Hell, maybe it’s her damn bumper sticker…..she has a gay pride flag!

Anyway, I still can’t answer the age old question as it is something that I may forever ponder.  But for now, the sticker isn’t coming off as my husband now jokes that it is our “Friend Filter“.  

I laugh and wonder who else I am offending.  People I don’t even know.   In fact, just the other day, some woman in a large black Hummer sped up next to me, gave me the finger, stepped on the gas and then abruptly CUT ME OFF!   BITCH!!!! 

Have no idea why but I am starting to think that it could be a result of the new tire cover that I just bought.  I drive a Jeep Unlimited Rubicon and this is a picture of the back.  Hmmmm……?  

posted by Brandy on Dec 30

Here is a brief list of topics that have weighed heavily on my mind lately.  I welcome you to also share any comments/thoughts you may have………

• The writer’s strike – It is killing me!!!  I feel as if I have been deprived of friends, both old and new, who were ripped from my nightly routine without any warning.  Familiar faces include the cast from Scrubs, Dexter, Desperate Housewives, Samantha Who and Reaper.  When will I see you guys again?!
• The war – anyway you look at it, it’s sad.  Very sad.  How did we end up in this predicament and who will we battle next?
• The physical health of one friend;  the mental health of another (most likely myself…)
• Wondering if my children will ever truly know just how much they are loved and how bright, beautiful and astonishing they are
• Wondering when, if ever, my left ass cheek will stop hurting (refer to earlier blog titled, “‘Twas 3 Nights Before Christmas and I Broke My Ass)
• The wonder, amazement and confusion as to how….. so close some families can be (such as my own)  and how far apart, or distant, others are
• Wondering if my friends, both near and far, will ever really understand how much they have impacted my life and how they have forever touched me
• The wonder as to why I, of all people, was so lucky to find a soul-mate;  someone who stands by me, who supports me and who will forever cheer me on, no matter what
• Wondering if I will ever come up with a damn logo for my Kibitz n’ Bits blog site (seriously, this one comes up a lot)
• Wondering if my mom will ever know the positive impact she has had on my life.  Not only on my self esteem and as the “role model” of the human being that I strive to be but also as the epitome of a parent who possesses absolute, unconditional love for her children. 
• Wondering what is going through my dogs’ thoughts when I catch them, on occasion, staring at my naked body up and down, as I clammor naked, out of the shower 
• At what point do you find yourself no longer afraid of the dark or of the Boogeyman?
• When will I schedule my next Brazilian wax (or rather, when do I DARE schedule my next Brazilian wax?)

and finally………..

• Wondering, with a fusion of both excitement and fear, what life will bring with each passing day as we enter the new year