Out of Place Midwest Mom

I don’t like Obama.  I’m a conservative for the most part and vote republican across the board.  I wish him no ill will I just don’t like or trust the man.  I hope that he’s everything his constitutes think he is.  I think it’s sad that the only thing most of his followers can tell you is he’ll bring change.  What change?  They don’t know.  I will say, however, if Obama pays off my mortgage and student loans I’ll be his best friend and that’s no joke.  I would bring him coffee in the morning if my student loans went away! 

I’m also tired of seeing the first family on the news.  I could care less where their clothes come from.  I don’t care where he spends his free time or where his kids go to school.  They make me ill.  How dare you tell me to proper inflate my tires to save money – has he ever seen poor?  Has he ever had to make the decision to go with out food so your child with Aspergers get’s his prescriptions filled?  Doubt it.  Has he ever had to tell his kids no, you can’t have that because I need the money for our electric bill?

I don’t care about what the first family does – please stop cramming it down my throat during prime time.     

The indifference I had to snow stayed for a while – probably until I was about 24. Oddly enough that’s about the time I moved to Iowa with my son. I had seen snow before and had been in storms but never really lived in it or had to function in it. About the time I had to start driving in the snow to support myself the indifference turned into a complete dislike of it. I work about 45 minutes from where I work on a good day. When it snows it might take about and hour maybe a little longer.

While thinking about my feelings on snow it brought me to a question that only those who live in this sort of climate can relate to – Where are all the children?

In most places you’ll find that when it snows anyone under the age of 15 will outside. Whether its snow ball fights, igloo building, or snow man making they all want to be outside and knee deep. In my neighborhood not a single child can be found until the suns out and the temperature is above 35 degrees. Snow isn’t a wonderland in Iowa. Our children aren’t stupid; they know that it’s cold and yucky. They know that if they really want to play in it there will be more chances. It’s not a once every 5 year sort of event. Snow is no fun.

It’s snowing in Iowa today and my county is under a blizzard watch and winter snow advisory. On my way into work I was reminiscing about snow and how excited I would get when ever we got any. I tried to remember when my love of snow changed to indifference and at what point it turned into a strong dislike.

I’m pretty sure the indifference started when I lived in Reston, Virginia. I lived there in the early 80’s so I was fairly young – from about kindergarten to the 3^rd grade. We had a snow storm and although I don’t know the actual amounts I would say that I think it dropped about 2 feet of snow. I can remember fighting with my mom to go outside. My mom, who was born and raised in Iowa, really didn’t see why I could possibly want to be out there but eventually she gave in. My dad, who was raised in Texas, was indifferent to it all.

After spending the afternoon outside my mom called me in to warm up. We rarely saw snow in Reston so I had no need for snow pants which meant that I was soaked. I was cold, wet, and whiney. My mom pealed my pants off of me and my legs were bright red. I’m pretty sure that’s when the indifference set in.

I have made the decision to start a pressed penny collection. Not for my son, for myself.

The first pressed penny machine I ever encountered was in Corpus Christie, Texas. I remember seeing and thinking that’s a wonderful way to remember your trip. The best part about it is that it doesn’t cost much. After I was done making my pressed penny in Corpus, i later found different presses all over Texas. Austin, San Antonio, and soon found them in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.

Every time I find myself at a zoo, museum, or science center eventually it becomes a hunt to find the penny pressing machine. I don’t tell anyone that my motives for taking my son to fun places is solely to look for these machines because I know that it doesn’t sound like something a good mom would do. And I wouldn’t dare tell my so what I’m up to.

I found a web site that has the locations of penny machines in every state. As soon as I can I’m going to print the list for Iowa and surrounding states off to plan my up coming road trips. I’m going to tell my son what I’m up to with the penny’s but until he reads this he’ll never know that some of his fondest memories were had while I was looking for pressing machines.

My cousin just had her first baby! He’s a beautiful little boy and very alert for a new born. I excited that she’s now apart of the mommy club; a club of heart aches, guilt, happiness, and unconditional love!

When ever a baby is born, especially when it’s in my family, I’m reminded of re-birth and the ability to start anew. I think it ’s the start of a new life that reminds me of the different stages everyone goes through and how we constantly evolve into the people we are right at this minute. It reminds me of the cycles any living thing, whether it be animal or plant, goes through. It reminds of all those I have lost. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on my own life and good or bad it belongs to me.

Often times I think others don’t understand the symbolism behind it all. None the less - my cousin just had a baby!

Jenn the mom/daughter popped out today and ran into Jenn the employee - crazy stuff. There are somethings I don’t talk to about with co-workers; I like the color pink and love kittens. I own nick-knacks. I even own a sewing machine. Shocked? My co-workers were.

The mommy/daughter made some bags for Christmas that required fabric and a machine. I brought one in for a co-worker’s wife that I have friends with for years and ruined the image they have of me. All it took was one guy prairie dogging in his cube to start the “holy crap she can sew” story to get passed around the office. They were truly surprised and I not really sure how to feel about the comments I got.

In the past I have been told that Jenn the employee is a bitch. I don’t do fluffy at work and the only time I sugar coat any thing is if I know there was a death in his/her family. When I don’t ask you how your doing it’s because I don’t care. I don’t get paid to be a mom. The people I work with seem to be shocked when I say this out loud. When my co-workers found out I can run a sewing machine it was their first glimpse of the mom. They were like deer in headlights.

No worries though..it makes the day go by faster.

My story begins in California near a military base. Both of my parents were in the Navy so the next 18 years was a series of moves and changes. I had a love/hate relationship with my military brat status growing up. I loved it because of the people, the places, the ideas, the views, etc… and I hated it because of the people, the places, the ideas, the views, etc…

I eventually found myself in Madison County, Iowa living life as a single mother. Often times I find myself wondering if this is home but I still don’t know what home’s supposed to be - is it where I was born, where I’ve lived the longest, where I went to high school, or the any of the other questions I’m asked when this topic comes up? I let you know my answer when I figure it out.

At this point in my life I have multiple persona’s; Jenn the mommy and daughter, Jenn the friend, and Jenn the employee. They collide with one another on a regular basis but they are distinctly different individuals. I’ll explain the differences but not right now.

Oddly enough I’m conservative and liberal at the same time - again, I’ll explain but not right now.

With all of this in mind I’ll be posting on a variety of subjects. See you next post!