I'm Still Hungry

If you haven't finished the Hunger Games Trilogy and don't like spoilers...DON'T READ ON!  If you haven't finished the Hunger Games Trilogy and happen to read on out now out of curiosity...sorry for ruining it for you!

Is it just me?  Or did the Hunger Games Trilogy leave you depressed too?  I mean, what is up with Peeta basically being the default since Gale left the picture completely?  There was no magic moment when Katniss realized how much she loved Peeta...they simply "grew together" after living back in District 12 again and there were no hard decisions or realizations to be made.  It just...happened.  What a let down.  I was really expecting more out of Katniss to be honest.  I was beginning to identify with her strength and courage and compassion.  But I completely lost that when she couldn't make up her mind and just ended up with Peeta, rather than choosing him.  He gave his life for her, saved her, loved her, comforted her, fought for her.  She gave him what?  A kiss here or there, torture for not knowing how she felt about him, children because he begged her for them.  Nah, I was left wanting more.  I'm still hungry for more of what Peeta (and Gale for that matter) deserved, which would be the choice.  I wanted to see Katniss become in love with one of them and then carry out that love, but only with one.  No more of that indecisive nonsense.

I just can't believe how trapped I was in the series so quickly.  I first heard mention of The Hunger Games about 6 months ago and knew I wanted to read it eventually.  Then I see that a movie is getting made and it's all turning into this huge ordeal.  I didn't even know it was part of a series!  So I buy the first book because it's never available at the library, and I'm sunk, hooked, lined, whatever other fishing analogies you can think of.  I couldn't get enough.  I finished all 3 books (after borrowing the next 2) in about 24 hours (spread over 3 days...because one has got to sleep and go to school, and professors don't really appreciate you reading during their lecture).  So now I'm all caught up in it.  Crap.
I didn't know it was going to get that twisted and odd and full of breakdowns and mental incompetent characters.  It just adds to my recent depressed mood, which my husband probably doesn't appreciate.

I think the fact that I just had a great weekend with my mom also adds to my sad state.  It's amazing how far away she can feel when I know she's only 45 minutes from where I live.  But it's a different town, different people, different atmosphere; so she feels much farther away than I know she is.  Mom, I love you and miss you and love hanging out with you.  I just don't know if I'll ever get used to having to plan to see you.  I'm so accustomed to dropping by when I have spare time and bumping into you for lunch.  It's different when I have to schedule you in for a day together or pencil you in for a meal or a trip to the mall.  Although, I would much rather have it this way than to not see you at all!

So, for those of you who remain sullen after the 3rd book has wrapped up, you're not alone.  I'm sure there's a support group somewhere out there for us.  Let me know when and where and I'll give you a lift.  And for those of you who miss your moms, you're also not alone.  Although hitching a ride to go visit your mom would probably be uncomfortable for me since I probably don't know her so you're on your own there...  Sorry.

Life Lessons

These are some life lessons that I came across while stumbling and thought they were worth sharing. Hope you like them as much as I did! 01. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 02. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 03. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 04. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 05. Pay off your credit cards every month. 06. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 07. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 08. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 09. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past, so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. No one is in charge of your happiness, but you. 25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?". 26. Always choose life. 27. Forgive everyone everything. 28. What other people think of you is none of your business. 29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. 30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 32. Believe in miracles. 33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 36. Your children get only one childhood. 37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 41. The best is yet to come. 42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 43. Yield. 44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Mother knows best

     I know I should have always listened to my mother.  Her words of wisdom just didn't seem to penetrate my brain when they should have, especially when it came to home and cooking tips and tricks.  It isn't until I actually am in the middle of a pickle and need to call her up to repeat her advice when I actually do realize that I need to remember this stuff for myself!
I know I will still be calling her up hundreds of times more in the future for her soothing voice and her calm advice on how not to catch the oven on fire, but here are a few "aha" moments for me that I know she suggested back when I was probably 10 years old, but never ever thought I would need to know.
     1. Vinegar is the best cleaning product. Ever.  Our Rachel Ray pots and pans look like new after 2 years of baked on noodles, burnt skillet dishes, and even a few trips through the dishwasher (which is a no-no apparently)
     2. The Crock-Pot is your friend.  Forget boiling your chicken and wasting valuable prep time for a meal.  Stick your chicken in a lined Crock-Pot in the morning.  Fill with water until chicken is covered.  Turn on low for 6-8 hours and you will have chicken that FALLS apart when it's done cooking.  So now you have plenty of shredded chicken for 2-3 meals (sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and enchiladas even)!
     3. Pre-soaking your clothes will save your wardrobe.  I use OxiClean just because she uses it.  Like Mother, like daughter I suppose.


Mostly, she taught me to have a "no worries" attitude about all chores...and life in general.  Hence the term 'Ishkabibbles' for my blog title.  It is a slang term for "don't worry" or "no worries."  I attempt to live that motto every day.  Attempt being the key word.  And my mom is a great example of that.  Her "can do" attitude is to be admired, and sought out in many a case for me.


Enjoy!