Words That I Have An Opinion About For No Particular Reason

Every now and then, I hear someone say something or read a word that for some unknown reason gives me a response that is totally unrelated to the word. Reading Blogs, Twitter and Facebook doesn't help me quell this response! Everyone wants to get their words out and sometimes the words they choose speak louder to me than their whole thoughts. Here is a list of just some of those words and my reaction to them.

• Gah! - Not really a word, but for some reason, I find to be funny.
• Methinks - This word makes me crazy. It's supposed to be 2 separate words! Plus, it sounds like I should be wearing a powdered wig when I say it.
• Scrod - Reminds me of "scrotum". Hate this word and I will never eat scrod. Change the name of the fish and I might consider it.
• Slacks - Makes me laugh. It would be a word my grandma would say. Does anyone under the age of 50 say "slacks" anymore? If you do, please, say "dress pants" instead or else risk me laughing at you when you say it.
• Panties - I find this word irritating... wearing them sometimes is too, especially when they get in a bunch.
• Your - Makes me crazy when people really mean you're.
• Uvula - LOVE this word. People always think I'm saying Vulva. LOL
• Moist - I like saying it because people always react with a snicker.
• Snicker - Really? Did I just say that? I am embarrassed that I use that word unless I'm talking about a candy.
• Pamphlet - Awkward to say and to spell. When someone offers me a pamphlet, I feel like someone is trying to give me medical information on some embarrassing topic and they don't want to tell me directly.
• Feminine Hygiene - Could this illicit any stronger thoughts of women needing to go down there to scrub and deodorize? Seriously, it's not really an issue for most women. Thanks for making men think we all would smell like fish every day if it weren't for the daily maintenance we all must be doing.
• Crotchety - Must only be used when referring to a crabby old man.  Good idea old dude, wear boxers to give you some more room. While you're at it, make sure you hike the boxers up above your waist band and tuck your shirt into them.
• Prophylactic - I would never say this word unless I was speaking to a doctor and didn't want to sound like an idiot. Give me a slang term for it over the formal word any day.
• Penis - OK so this is really my son's word. He has told me I can't say it. I can call it ANYTHING else. He squirms if I say it. He laughs if I use any other slang.
• Feces - This is a word you hear your grandmother or doctor say. I would rather call it any of its slang including poop or poo than say feces. When I hear the word "feces" I get the image of monkeys slinging it.
• Snarky - Love the word, and I'm guilty of being snarky from time to time. It also sounds much better than being called a bitch.
• Slore - It's not a real world, but it is a combo of slut and whore. Some how sounds worse than either one. I know a few women that it fits!
• Regurgitate - Again, another word I would only use while speaking with a doctor. Just say "puke" and get it over with in 1 syllable. Vomit is acceptable too, if you feel like using up another syllable.
• Phlegm - I can picture it and it grosses me out. Plus, WHO spells a word like that? Too many unnecessary letters. 
• Expectorate - Similar to my thoughts on Phlegm. Just say "spit" it doesn't sound as gross.
• Lover - I can't hear this word without thinking about the funny SNL skits with the couple that can't keep their hands off of each other. I hear it exactly how they say it too: Lovaar...
• WYSIWYG (wizzywig) - Is it really necessary to make an acronym for "what you see is what you get"? Can you sound any more nerdy throwing that un-word around?
• Shriek - Spelled too close to "Shrek" plus I want to spell it shreak.
• BOGO - It's 50% off people! Do we REALLY need a word for it?
• Gadzooks - Long abandoned and rightfully so, unless you say it and are looking for a laugh.
• Ginormous - Also not a real world. Combo of gigantic and enormous. Love when my kids say this!


So now it's your turn to tell me what words I missed. What words do you love or hate?

=J 

Welcome To Our Blog!

We started out as college girlfriends. Once we graduated, we would call each other occasionally, sometimes letting months pass by before speaking. It wasn't because we weren't thinking of each other, it just seemed as though our lives were busier than ever. Each time we would meet up again, we realized how much we truly enjoyed our time spent together. Finally, one day, we made a commitment to each other. Every Saturday, we would drive to a midway point and meet to walk or skate, or if it was a particularly stressful morning, just to have coffee. Being women that rarely made time for ourselves, we were almost giddy at the thought. "No excuses" we agreed. Thus began our weekly ritual of getting together to exercise a bit and chat over the largest mocha, latte, or chai we could order, the "venti".

We know that there are many women out there who are facing the same things we are facing, but perhaps don't have the opportunity to have a weekly venti with the girls. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. Over the years our meetings have taught us many things.  It is our hope that this blog will help, teach, console, guide, comfort and perhaps offer a laugh now and then.

One last thing that needs to be mentioned. Even though we are friends and have many of the same experiences, sometimes we have a healthy difference in opinion. In order to make this blog less confusing for the reader, we will end the blog post with our initial.

So if you're looking for some honest opinions and some of our real life stories, get yourself a venti, and read on.

=-J

Saturday With The Girls

While reading “OhThe Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss, he sagely explains that even though you’ll be surrounded by people, you’ll still be alone quite a lot. We are, after all, completely alone in our experience of this life. This feeling of isolation in our heads can exist even in the midst of families, BFFs of middle and high school, college roommates, marriage, and, of course, parenthood. All these lives and spirits are so physically close yet altogether separated.

On of the best things I have ever done that combatted this sense of “aloneness” was to commit to my friends on Saturday mornings. When we started this weekly get-together, we were almost tentative as we told our husbands. We even felt the need to justify this time by combining it with exercise (ie. walking, in-line skating). After a few weeks, my friend’s husband asked, with some trepidation, “Is this going to be every Saturday?” She responded an unequivocal “yes”. Neither one of us thought they would accept this. It was too luxurious, too selfish, too much of a special event to happen on a weekly basis. Yet, we risked their disagreement, and it has become a weekly ritual. We have continued meeting through new babies, soccer season, financial upheavals, moving, etc. What we’ve gained from these friendships is an understanding that we’re not alone. Spending time together and deepening our relationships have really opened up the floodgates of sharing all of our lives with each other. There is no topic that can’t be broached. There is no judgement, except when necessary to get us on the right track.

Some topics of conversation come up repeatedly. We need to number them to be able to refer to the details more efficiently. Frustrating in-laws, moody husbands, children’s behaviors, and financial management are the most commonly occurring. We often think that so many women are just putting on a happy face even though they are frustrated and at the end of their ropes. Not that we believe you should go through life complaining and negative, but that we, as women should be real and sincere with each other. We love our husbands, our children, and our families, but they drive us crazy. The support we receive from our friends will help us maintain our perspective and our priorities. Life is so short, we can lighten each other’s loads just by sharing our daily struggles. We can’t always offer solutions, but listening and being reassured that we are not the only ones going through a particular trial can help us to smile and continue moving forward. For this, we need to turn to our girlfriends.

S-)