Monday, September 22, 2008

Lush

After picking up the children my mom so graciously offered to watch so they didn't have to stand in the rain and watch their brother's soccer game, we were catching up on the week, as we usually do.

She was filling me in on the Beach Boys concert she went to, the lecture series she attended, along with all of the other things that fill up her calendar.

Sigh . . . I can't wait to be a grandma.

"By the way," she said, as I was buckling Katie into her carseat, "I gave your 2nd grade teacher your blog address."

Mind you, this was the day I wrote about all of the cocktails.

"Well, she is going to think I'm a drunk," I laughed, before realizing that she just may think I'm a drunk indeed if she sticks around my blog long enough.

I started thinking about all the references we, mommybloggers, do make towards drinking. If you've been around the mommyblogging community long enough, you know that it is completely normal to see comments like "Sounds like you could use a drink after the day you've had!" and "Cheers!" and "Is it too early to drink?" and "It's five o'clock somewhere" and "I need a drink" and the old standby "Naptime is the New Happy Hour." There is even a book about that last one. Oh, and lest we not forget "Sippy Cups are not for Chardonnay," another book by a mommyblogger.

Admit it, we all sound like a bunch of drunks.

Jokes aside, maybe some of us are. But I'm not here to talk about them. I'm here to talk about the rest of us, those who joke and laugh and fill up pages upon pages with our banter on how we will make it through the next day, the next hour, the next minute of parenthood with a bottle (and not one full of breastmilk) in our hands.

And that's just it, it's a coping mechanism. Sure I enjoy a good cocktail, you bet I do (it's never too early for happy hour, right?). But just because I say I'm jonesing for a lemon drop or a spicy bloody mary does not mean that you should put AA on your speed dial. It means I'm human. I'm coping. And I'm doing the best I can with the tools I have at the ready, in my case, humor.

So I say, rock on mommybloggers! Talk about having an icy cold beer while basking on a sunny beach if that's what gets you through the day! Write about salivating over a new bottle of wine! Discuss all the cocktails you will have on your little momcation!

Just don't come crying to me when you have a hangover.

We aren't perfect and that's what makes us real. We write about the immense joys of motherhood and the perplexing struggles as well. But we're here, and we're writing - each of us with our own unique voices and that, my friends, is something to say "cheers!" to.

So cheers to me, and cheers to you - and cheers to my 2nd grade teacher too (if she's reading)!

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm really not sure what would be worse: my mom knowing about my blog or my kids' teachers. Wow! Blown away.

As for the drink, I am with you. I do talk about cocktails a lot, but only fall into a stupor of my own drool and miss family events when CG makes his lemon drops.

Ma huzband keeps thinking if he gets me sloshed, he'll get lucky. Last time he got lucky enough to take the kids to some friends' BBQ on his lonesome, while I napped it off.

I now view his Saturday afternoon cocktails with an arched brow and suspicion. No worries, I still drink 'em. Waste not, want not and all. I just sip slowly and don't take the silver bullet of "leftovers."

Heh! Good luck with the teacher readers. Heh! Now no blonging 'bout vibrators, m'kay? That would make for a very awkward Curriculum night.

Us said...

I agree totally! Now, where's my Corona?!

Beth Cotell said...

I bet a 2nd grade teacher can put away a fair amount of Chardonnay. :)

Team Botanical said...

Here's my take on drinking -- if you want to write about having a drink, dream about having a drink and even (gasp!) drink, go for it. I hate that we have to apologize for everything these days.

And besides, we all know it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for. Ha!

Anonymous said...

Carrie, you neglected to mention what I was doing when I saw your old teacher.. having wine... and so was she!

Now mind you, I can't imagaine having a drink with that one you had for 5th grade in Anchorage...
Party on, Mrs. S.


xxxooomom

carrie said...

Well, I didn't know you were drinking!

That makes it even better mom!

Anonymous said...

I often think about the ramifications of someone like my kids' teachers, etc finding my blog. I'm very sarcastic in my writing (as you know) and I'm also that way in real life, but it usually doesn't come out until you have occasion to get to know me on a personal level (which let's face it, doesn't usually happen if you happen to be my daughter's teacher or doctor or whatever.)

I think a lot of us swear on our blogs, talk about sex and drinking; but aside from being moms, we're also PEOPLE (there's a reason my kids aren't allowed to read my blog, and since I don't swear at them, or drink or talk about sex in front of them, I need a place to let that other side of me exist!)

I say just take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure your 2nd grader's teacher has made a joke about needing a drink at some point in her life!

Anonymous said...

I often think about the ramifications of someone like my kids' teachers, etc finding my blog. I'm very sarcastic in my writing (as you know) and I'm also that way in real life, but it usually doesn't come out until you have occasion to get to know me on a personal level (which let's face it, doesn't usually happen if you happen to be my daughter's teacher or doctor or whatever.)

I think a lot of us swear on our blogs, talk about sex and drinking; but aside from being moms, we're also PEOPLE (there's a reason my kids aren't allowed to read my blog, and since I don't swear at them, or drink or talk about sex in front of them, I need a place to let that other side of me exist!)

I say just take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure your 2nd grader's teacher has made a joke about needing a drink at some point in her life!

carrie said...

Christy,

It was *MY* 2nd grade teacher! She's retired now, lol! :)

Grim Reality Girl said...

A toast to Carrie and the lush 2nd grade teacher!!! I know many a drinking teacher... though I think I would need to be sedated if friends, family, or teachers read my blog. Um, hello -- it is my substitute for therapy!!

I'm myself in real life, but on my blog you see all sides and the vulnerabilities that are not apparent. I admire bloggers who are known to blog by their "real life" associates... I would not have the courage to be this naked in front of everyone.

Okay, a 2nd toast -- to courage!! YAY for you Carrie! Perhaps you could meet up with that teacher for a drink in addition to parent teacher conferences?

Anonymous said...

I was on my way to get a glass of wine when I saw your post...*lol*

Now, back to what I was doing.

Cheers!

Liz said...

Girl, don't fear. I am a preschool teacher & a blogger...and while I may not blog about drinking, I soooo understand & get a good laugh out of the alcohol-related-posts. I bet your teacher will too!

Momisodes said...

I am such a light weight, even though I blog hard-core about my Newcastles. Just smelling a bottle during nap-time helps get me through the day.

Kristin said...

I'd leave a comment, but I'm too busy spiking my morning coffee with rum...

Becky at lifeoutoffocus said...

omg you are SO right. i'm pregnant now so obviously drinking is off the table but i already have it planned for someone to bring me a glass of wine to the hospital as soon as the kiddo is born! lol

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

As with much of what we blog about, I think exaggeration makes things funnier!

Queen of the Mayhem said...

This post is yet another in the many reasons why I LOVE YOU!

I often make reference to a non-stop need for cocktails....but certainly can't indulge every time the mood strikes.


You are a rock star......cocktail or NO cocktail!

OHmommy said...

Someone left a comment today on my blog saying something like, "the swing was the only place my baby could nap while I fixed myself a strong vodka drink" Not exact words but something like it.

I was all like WHOA. Whatcha ya talking about? I see comments like that all the time. And then again, I am the one that blogs about going out and drinking too much. Ha.

However, I never write anything I would not tell my neighbors. So, I guess it doesnt matter who comes along and reads my stuff. Right?

Anonymous said...

Ha! I hope your teacher enjoyed the reading. Too bad you couldn't write it in the handwriting that she helped you learn in second grade. That would make her proud!
I say get your drink on and who cares what other people think!

Ann(ie) said...

AMEN sistah!! If I really drank as much as I talk about drinking I'd be pretty sideways in life. But, beautiful post girlie. As usual you nailed it. Now excuse me while I go toss together a skinny bitch and watch biggest loser. ;) xo.

Anonymous said...

Bedtime for my kidlets is 7pm... cocktail time with my hubbie is 7:15!
... sometimes bedtime gets moved to 6:30 :)