I used to be a hippy. I used to not shave my armpits or legs (sorry for that visual folks). I used to be a very vocal vegan, with no health insurance, and no current drivers license, traipsing merrily around the country, climbing mountains, attending potlucks that actually ended with "group hugs" (!) working to "save" sea turtles, old growth forests, beaches faced with erosion etc etc, and eating mochi with nary a care in the world. I used to be a lot more self righteous. I used to want to save the world, to "empower women", to legalize marijuana, to change the political face of America, blah blah blah (Mom and Dad M I do hope you still love me after reading that....I was young :))
Anyway. I remember coming home from Seattle one time to visit my family for my brothers high school graduation. I went shopping with my Mom and Sister at "Sam's Club" to stock up on some things for the party. I remember being in this mega-lo-warehouse with fluorescent lights, giant dead cows in the freezer (well, not really whole dead cows, but like, 300 count packs of hamburger patties, which to me at the time was the very same thing)......a veritable shrine to the whole "bigger is better' philosophy of America that I so loathed at the time. I was used to our little "Olympia Food Co-Op" where I volunteered making food for the Salad bar in order to get an additional 15% off of all of my purchases. They sold nothing that contained raw sugar (That Devil!) or anything that was from China (human rights abuses! Down with Chinese Pine Nuts!!!!) and the patchouli and homemade soap aisle was the most well stocked. Anyway, walking through this mega lo warehouse with my Mom and Sister I had a panic attack. I was so overwhelmed, my delicate sensibilities so affronted, that I literally had to leave the store and sit on a curb outside to catch my breath.
Last week, we joined one of those big box superstores. And you know what? Love it.
I also have a confession to make, that ties in with another sign of the changing landscape of my life. One of my greatest fears in having children was the thought of having to take them to Disneyland. Now, to all of you Disney enthusiasts out there~ Hooray! More power to you. Personally, I hate lines. I hate muggy landlocked Florida, I hate the idea of a place where you are supposed to be "happy all the time". Mickey gives me the creeps (he does not talk! A giant silent mouse ~ uggggh!) and I skeeve any sweatshirt or article of clothing that has a "character" on it. I absolutely love the fact that other people love it, but to me the thought of a "Disney Vacation" makes me queasy. Anyway.
I also don't like cruises. Now, I have to admit, I have never been on a cruise......I just always sortov assumed that cruises were not for me. I pictured giant lines of unhealthy people in half unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt waiting to "feed" at the buffet line. I know, I know, I fully accept that I am a terrible and judgemental person, but at least I am honest. Anyway. Last week we got invited to go on a cruise ~ A DISNEY CRUISE ~ with about 25 other couples and their kids. And you know what....we just might go. I wish I was more tech savvy, this is when the Dylan song "the Times they are a changing" ought to start playing for your listening enjoyment.
I still love the idea of empowered women, of happy healthy sea turtles, of buying locally, of healthy food and a smaller footprint. I still skeeve Disney, and am slightly afraid of cruise's. (Both Tom and Katie AND the ship sort)
But I love my family. I love my kid (s). I can laugh at myself a lot more these days. I love not having to deal with all of the gloom that came with trying to "change the world", quite honestly. I love having my little corner of the world where my greatest concern is not "where the hell did those PINE NUTS come from!" but, "is my son happy?"
The above pic is of my happy son gleefully noshing on some yogurt and berries. And yes, the Yogurt did contain some "devil sugar".
Now, if you ever catch me in a Disney Sweatshirt, please stage an intervention.
